US3771883A

US3771883A - Dual-use sanitary product systems

Info

Publication number: US3771883A
Application number: US00235258A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Terepin
Original assignee: Scott Paper Co
Current assignee: Kimberly Clark Tissue Co
Priority date: 1972-03-16
Filing date: 1972-03-16
Publication date: 1973-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-13

Abstract

Dual-use sanitary product systems for permitting an absorbent fibrous web of a sanitary web roll to be utilized in either a dry or lubricated condition. The systems include a receptacle and a sanitary web roll, such as a toilet tissue roll, a disposable towel roll and the like. The receptacle includes an annular compartment in which a lubricant-containing flexible, absorbent substrate is disposed. The annular compartment is defined by inner surfaces of a fluid-impervious back wall and fluidimpervious spaced, outer and inner cylindrical side walls extending forwardly of the back wall and terminating in end margins defining an opening into the compartment. The receptacle further includes a mounting section including a surface in frictional engagement with a surface of the sanitary web roll; and the back wall of the compartment is disposed in overlying, contiguous relationship with one end surface of the absorbent fibrous web of the sanitary web roll. Lubricant dispensing assemblies include a lubricant-containing, flexible, absorbent, annular substrate having opposed, front and back surfaces joined at inner and outer marginal edges thereof by inner and outer side surfaces. A flexible overwrap material is disposed about the substrate, and has lubricant impervious back and side walls disposed contiguous to the back and side surfaces of the substrate. The flexible overwrap material can include a lubricant-pervious front wall disposed contiguous to the front surface of the substrate, in which case a removable, lubricantimpervious sealing strip is adhered over the front wall of the overwrap material. Optionally, the front wall of the overwrap material can include only a lubricant-impervious, removable sealing strip. The lubricant dispensing assembly is adapted to be retained within the annular compartment of the receptacles of the dual-use sanitary product systems of this invention.

Description

United States Patent [191 Terepin Nov. 13, 1973 DUAL-USE SANITARY PRODUCT SYSTEMS [75] Inventor: Raymond 11. Terepin, Wilmington,

Del.

[73] Assignee: Scott Paper Company, Delaware County, Pa.

[22] Filed: Mar. 16, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 235,258

[52] US. Cl. 401/123, 242/5555 [51] Int. Cl A46b 11/00 [58] Field of Search 401/199, 202, 123-126; 242/5555; 222/107 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 649,062 5/1900 Levett et al 242/5555 2,988,283 6/1961 Garfield 242/5555 X 1,567,111 12/1925 Burr 401/202 X 3,369,709 2/1968 Clauss 222/107 3,056,998 10/1962 Ebner 401/202 X Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles AttorneyMartin L. Faigus etal.

57 ABSTRACT Dual-use sanitary product systems for permitting an absorbent fibrous web of a sanitary web roll to be utilized in either a dry or lubricated condition. The systems include a receptacle and a sanitary web roll, such as a toilet tissue roll, a disposable towel roll and the like. The receptacle includes an annular compartment in which a lubricant-containing flexible, absorbent substrate is disposed. The annular compartment is defined by inner surfaces of a fluid-impervious back wall and fluid-impervious spaced, outer and inner cylindrical side walls extending forwardly of the back wall and terminating in end margins defining an opening into the compartment. The receptacle further includes a mounting section including a surface in frictional engagement with a surface of the sanitary web roll; and the back wall of the compartment is disposed in overlying, contiguous relationship with one end surface of the absorbent fibrous web of the sanitary web roll.

Lubricant dispensing assemblies include a lubricant-containing, flexible, absorbent, annular substrate having opposed, front and back surfaces joined at inner and outer marginal edges thereof by inner and outer side surfaces. A flexible overwrap material is disposed about the substrate, and has lubricant impervious back and side walls disposed contiguous to the back and side surfaces of the substrate. The flexible overwrap material can include a lubricant-pervious front wall disposed contiguous to the front surface of the substrate, in which case a removable, lubricant-impervious sealing strip is adhered over the front wall of the overwrap material. Optionally, the front wall of the overwrap material can include only a lubricant-impervious, removable sealing strip. The lubricant dispensing assembly is adapted to be retained within the annular compartment of the receptacles of the dual-use sanitary product systems of this invention.

20 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 DUAL-USE SANITARY PRODUCT SYSTEMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to dual-use sanitary product systems for permitting an absorbent fibrous web to be utilized in either a dry or lubricated condition.

2. Description of the Prior Art Fixtures from which a sanitary web roll; such as a toilet tissue roll, a disposable towel roll and the like; can be dispensed in either a dry or lubricated condition are well known, as exemplified in US. Pat. Nos. 2,065,457; 2,284,780; 2,308,809; 2,457,293 and 3,084,664. These prior art fixtures include a lubricant-containing reservoir and a sanitary web roll. An absorbent fibrous web of the sanitary web roll can be dispensed from the fixture either in engagement with the lubricant, or out or engagement with the lubricant to dispense the web in a lubricated condition or dry condition, respectively.

There are many applications for which it is desirable to utilize an absorbent fibrous web in both a dry and lubricated condition. For example, a web of toilet tissue first can be utilized in a dry condition in a conventional manner to cleanse the human anus after a bowel movement. A final cleansing of the anus can be accomplished with a lubricated web to remove excreta remaining after the initial cleansing operation with the dry web. The lubricating substance can include medication, or other lubricant which one might desire to apply to the anus.

The prior art fixtures, as represented by the abovereferred to patents, are relatively large, and occupy a considerably greater area than conventional fixtures utilized to mount sanitary web rolls, such as toilet tissue rolls, disposable towel rolls and the like. Furthermore, many of these fixtures include relatively movable mechanical elements which render the fixtures expensive to manufacture. These mechanical elements are operative to either: (1) position a fibrous web into or out of engagement with a lubricant; (2) position a lubricant applicator either into or out of engagement with a fibrous web; or (3) provide a relatively movable partition for separating the lubricant from, or exposing the lubricant to an absorbent fibrous web. In the event that the mechanical elements break, the entire fixture must be replaced.

It has been suggested in the prior art to secure a deoderant bar with a sanitary web roll without increasing the overall dimensions of the roll, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 2,728,604. The receptacle employed to retain the deoderant bar in the above patent is not acceptable for use in retaining a lubricant-containing substrate therein. Firstly, the compartment of the receptacle in which the deoderant bar is retained includes a fluid-pervious back wall defined by inturned flanges. If a lubricant is disposed within this compartment it will leak into the core of the sanitary web roll to damage the fibrous web. Secondly, the compartment containing the deoderant bar is disposed substantially completely within the confines of the core member of the sanitary web roll. Therefore, if a lubricant-containing substrate were disposed in the compartment it would not be easily accessible for pressing an absorbent fibrous web thereagainst.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The dual-use sanitary product systems according to this invention include a sanitary web roll including an absorbent fibrous web, and a receptacle engaged with said roll. The receptacles in all embodiments of this invention include a compartment adapted to retain therein a lubricant-containing, flexible, absorbent substrate. The compartment is defined by inner surfaces of a fluid-impervious back wall and fluid-impervious peripheral side wall means. The back wall is disposed in overlying contiguous relationship with one end surface of the absorbent fibrous web, and the peripheral side wall means extend outwardly from the back wall and terminate in a forward marginal end to define an opening into the compartment. Preferably, the side wall means include outer and inner spaced, cylindrical side walls defining an annular compartment with said back wall. In certain'embodiments of the invention either one or both of the outer and inner side walls have a forward marginal end defined by an inturned flange which is spaced from, and is in overlying relationship with the inner surface of the back wall to aid in retaining the flexible, absorbent substrate within the compartment. Also, in certain embodiments of the invention, a flexible, lubricant-pervious diaphragm is disposed contiguous to the compartment adjacent the open end thereof to aid in retaining the absorbent substrate within the compartment and to prevent low viscosity lubricants from exuding from the substrate in an uncontrolled manner. The diaphragm permits the lubricant contained within the substrate to exit through the diaphragm for lubricating the web material when the web material is pressed against said diaphragm.

The receptacles of this invention further include a mounting section having a surface in frictional engagement with a surface of the sanitary web roll to maintain the back wall of the compartment in overlying contiguous relationship with one end surface of the absorbent fibrous web of said roll. In one embodiment of this invention the surface of the mounting section is the outer surface of an inner, peripheral side wall defining a portion of the compartment of the receptacle. This surface defines a continuous, axial opening through the receptacle and frictionally engages anexposed outer peripheral surface of a core member of the sanitary web roll. In a second embodiment of this invention the mounting section includes a cylindrical hub extending rearwardly from the back wall of the receptacle compartment to define an outer peripheral surface which frictionally engages with an inner surface of a sanitary web roll. This inner surface defines an axially inwardly directed opening extending from one end surface of the roll, and can be defined by a surface of an absorbent fibrous web, or by an inner surface of a hollow core member about which the absorbent fibrous web is disposed. Preferably, the hub is defined by a substantially cylindrical wall forming an extension of the inner peripheral side wall of the compartment. The inner surface of the hub forms a continuous extension with the outer surface of the inner peripheral side wall of the compartment to define an opening extending axially through the receptacle.

Preferably, the dual-use sanitary product systems according to this invention have an axial dimension which is substantially equal to the axial dimension of a conventional sanitary web roll, such as a toilet tissue roll,

a disposable towel roll and the like. Therefore, the dual-use sanitary product systems of this invention can be secured to conventional holders adapted to receive conventional sanitary web rolls.

The dual-use sanitary product systems of this invention permit utilization of the absorbent fibrous web in either a dry or lubricated condition. If desired, a suitable length of absorbent fibrous web can be removed from the roll, and utilized in a dry condition, or it can be pressed against the lubricant-containing, flexible, absorbent substrate, or against the flexible diaphragm if one is utilized, to cause the lubricant to be dispensed onto the fibrous web prior to use. By positioning the back wall of the receptacle compartment in overlying contiguous relationship with the end surface of the absorbent fibrous web, the compartment opens outwardly of said end surface to permit easy access to the lubricant-containing substrate when a user desires to lubricate the fibrous web prior to use. The dual-use sanitary product systems of this invention are inexpensive, compact, simple in design, and reliable in operation.

This invention further relates to lubricant dispensing assemblies which include a lubricant-containing, flexible, absorbent substrate and a flexible overwrap material. The absorbent substrate has opposed, front and back surfaces joined at marginal edges thereof by side surfaces. The flexible overwrap material includes lubricant-impervious back and side walls disposed contiguous to the back and side surfaces, respectively, of said substrate. The flexible overwrap material can include a lubricant-pervious front wall disposed contiguous to the front surface of the substrate. If the front wall of the overwrap material is lubricant-pervious, a removable, lubricant-impervious sealing strip is adhered over said front wall in its packaged condition. Optionally the front wall of the overwrap material can include only a removable, lubricant-impervious sealing strip. In the preferred embodiment of this invention the lubricantcontaining, flexible, absorbent substrate is substantially annular, and the side surfaces are defined by substantially continuous outer and inner peripheral walls.

The lubricant dispensing assemblies of this invention can be sold as separate refill units to be utilized with the dual-use sanitary product systems of this invention. In this manner, a new lubricant dispensing assembly can be inserted into the receptacle compartment when necessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a dual-use sanitary product system according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1; 4

FIG. 3 is a sectional view identical to the sectional view of FIG. 2, but showing a second preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a receptacle employing a unique lubricant dispensing assembly of this invention; and

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the lubricantdispensing assembly shown in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS 1 and 2, a first embodimetn of a dual-use sanitary product system according to this invention includes a sanitary web roll 12 and a receptacle 14. The sanitary web roll 12 includes an absorbent fibrous web 16 and a hollow core member 18. The absorbent fibrous web 16 is disposed in roll form and has an axial dimension defined by spaced end surfaces 20 and 22. The hollow core member 18 has a greater axial dimension than the absorbent fibrous web 16 to define an outer exposed surface 23 extending axially outward from one end surface, e.g., 22, of said fibrous web 16.

The receptacle 14 includes an annular compartment 26 defined by an inner surface 28 of a lubricantimpervious back wall 30 and

inner surfaces

32 and 34 of outer an inner, substantially cylindrical

peripheral side walls

36 and 38, respectively. An outer cylindrical surface 40 of the inner, peripheral side wall 38 defines an opening through the receptacle and provides a mounting surface disposed in frictional engagement with the outer exposed surface 23 of the core member 18. The back wall 30 of the annular compartment 26 is disposed in overlying, contiguous relationship with the end surface 22 of the absorbent fibrous webs 16 when the receptacle is frictionally engaged with the sanitary web roll 12. In this manner, an axial opening extends completely through the dual-use sanitary product system 10 for a purpose which will be described hereinafter.

The outer and inner

peripheral side walls

36 and 38 terminate at a forward end in inturned,

peripheral flanges

42 and 44. These inturned flanges overlie the inner surface 28 of the back wall 30 to positively retain a lubricant-containing, flexible, absorbent substrate 46 therein.

A flexible, lubricant pervious diaphragm 48 is disposed between the

inturned flanges

42 and 44 and the flexible substrate 46 to maintain the flexible diaphragm adjacent the open end of the annular compartment 26. The flexible, diaphragm 48 is formed of any suitable flexible material, such as plastic, cardboard and the like, and this material is provided with a plurality of openings therein to render it pervious to the lubricant disposed within the substrate 46. The diaphragm 48 normally is utilized only when the lubricant is of a low viscosity, i.e., percent water or alchohol, to prevent such lubricant from exuding from the compartment 26 in an uncontrolled manner. If desired, the diaphragm can be treated with a suitable material, such as silicone, to establish a contact angle between the lubricant and the diaphragm which will prevent the lubricant from exuding through the diaphragm unless pressure is applied against the lubricant-containing substrate 46 through the diaphragm.

The receptacle 14 is coterminous with the hollow core member 18, and the core member has an axial dimension which is substantially equal to the axial dimension of conventional sanitary web rolls, such as toilet tissue rolls, disposable towel rolls and the like. Consequently, the axial dimension of the absorbent fibrous web 16 is less than the axial dimension of conventional sanitary web rolls in which a hollow core mmember does not extend axially outward of an end surface of an absorbent fibrous web. In view of the above-described dimensional relationship of the elements of the dualuse sanitary product system of this invention, the system of this invention can be mounted in conventional fixtures which have already been designed to handle conventional-size sanitary web rolls. For example, a mounting mandrel can be disposed through the axial opening of the sanitary product system 10, and this mounting mandrel can be secured into a conventional fixture, such as a fixture utilized for mounting toilet tissue rolls.

The receptacle 14 can be constructed of any suitable material, such as a thin aluminum foil, or a thin plastic which can be molded, or vacuum formed to the required shape. When an aluminum foil, or other thin material having little structural rigidity is utilized, an annular disk 50, made of plastic, cardboard, or other rigidifying material, is disposed within the annular compartment 26 adjacent the inner surface 28 of the back wall 30 to thereby rigidify the compartment 26.

Referring to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of a dualuse sanitary product system A includes a sanitary web roll 12A and a receptacle 14A. The sanitary web roll 12A includes an absorbent fibrous web 16A and a hollow core member 18A. The sanitary web roll 12A has an axial dimension which is less than the axial dimension of conventional sanitary web rolls, such as toilet tissue rolls, disposable towel rolls and the like, for a purpose to be described hereinafter. It is within the scope of this embodiment of the invention to eliminate the hollow core member l8A,-and define an opening extending axially through the sanitary web roll only by surfaces of the absorbent fibrous web 16A.

A receptacle 14A includes an annular compartment 26A which is identical in construction to the annular compartment 26 described with respect to the first embodimetn of this invention. The receptacle 14A differs from the receptacle 14 by the inclusion of a cylindrical hub 51 extending rearwardly of back wall 30A of the annular compartment 26A. The hub 51 has an outer peripheral surface 52 disposed in frictional engagement with inner surface 54 of the hollow core member 18A. When the receptacle 14A is frictionally secured to the sanitary web roll 12A the back wall 28A of the annular compartment is disposed in overlying, contiguous relationship with an end surface 22A of the absorbent fibrous web 16A, in the same manner as described with respect to the first embodiment of this invention.

The hub section 51 is defined by a substantially cylindrical wall which is a continuous extension of the inner peripheral wall'38A of the annular compartment, and defines an axial opening extending through the receptacle 14A which is co-axial with the opening extending through the sanitary web roll 12A. The axial dimension of the dual-use sanitary product system 10A is substantially identical to the axial dimension of conventional sanitary web rolls, and can be mounted in a conven-- tional fixture in the same manner as described with respect to the first embodiment of this invention.

Several structural variances are within the scope of this invention. First, the intumed flanges can be eliminated from the forward marginal end of the

annular compartments

26 and 26A, and the flexible

absorbent substrates

46 and 46A can be maintained within the compartments in frictional engagement with the inner surfaces of the outer and inner peripheral side walls defining said annular compartments. Second, the flexible, lubricant-

pervious diaphragms

48 and 48A can be eliminated. When the diaphragms are eliminated the flexible,

absorbent substrates

46 and 46A will be exposed for direct engagement with the absorbent fibrous webs. Third, the flexible lubricant-

pervious diaphragms

48 and 48A can be secured to the peripheral flanges by any suitable means, such as glue, adhesive, or other suitable securing means. Also, if the diaphragms are utilized in conjunction with a recptacle which does not include the inturned peripheral flanges, such diaphragms can be secured to the receptacles adjacent the open end of the annular compartments by any suitable means. Fourth, the inner

peripheral side walls

38 and 38A can be eliminated, and the

compartments

26 and 26A can be defined solely by the back walls, and the outer

peripheral side walls

36 and 36A. Preferably, the inner peripheral side walls of the annular compartments are included to aid in retaining the lubricant in the flexible substrates'within the confines of the annular compartments. In this manner, lubricant is prevented from flowing out of the compartments and onto areas surrounding the dual-use sanitary product systems 10 and 10A, or onto the absorbent

fibrous webs

16 and 16A of said systems to thereby damage the webs. Fifth, the receptacles l4 and 14A can be made from several sections secured together into the desired configuration; however, for ease of manufacturing, the receptacles are formed as unitary constructions. Sixth, the dual-use sanitary product systems 10 and 10A do not always require an axial opening extending completely therethrough. For example, when a supporting fixture is defined by inwardly directed hubs extending from axially spaced arms, the systems of this invention need only have axial openings directed inwardly from opposed axial ends of the systems. Consequently, unless the sanitary product systems of this invention are intended to be mounted to a fixture through the use of a continuous supporting mandrel, the axial openings do not have to extend completely through the sanitary web rolls, and through the receptacles.

The dual-use sanitary product systems 10 and 10A of this invention permit the use of the absorbent fibrous webs in either a dry or a lubricated condition. The fibrous webs can be removed from their roll and used in a dry condition, or they can be removed from their roll and pressed against the flexible diaphragm, or directly against the lubricant-containing flexible substrate when the diaphragm is omitted, to force lubricant out of the substrate onto the fibrous web prior to use of said web.

The flexible, absorbent substrates 46 and 46A'can be constructed of any suitable flexible, absorbent material. For example, flexible cellular members, such as rubber sponges, cellulose sponges, polyurethane sponges and the like can be utilized. The particular construction of the flexible,

absorbent substrates

46 and 46A is not intended to limit the present invention.

The lubricant utilized in this invention depends upon the intended use of the specific absorbent fibrous web, and is not intended to limit the present invention. Such lubricants can be percent water, 100 percent alcohol or other volatile evaporating liquids. in addition, such lubricants can contain cleaning and/or treating agents therein. For example, such lubricants can contain liquid soap and wetting agents, detergents, emulsifying agents, solvents, glycerine, propylene glycol and similar hydroscopic materials.

Referringto FIGS. 4 and 5, a lubricant dispensing assembly 60 of this invention is shown. This lubricant dispensing assembly can be sold as a separate unit to provide refills for use in the receptacles l4 and 14A. The lubricant dispensing assembly 60 includes a flexible, absorbent annular substrate 62 having opposed front and back surfaces 64 and 66, respectively, joined at outer and inner marginal edges by outer and inner peripheral side surfaces 68 and 70, respectively. A lubricant is disposed within the absorbent substrate, and, if desired, this lubricant can be encapsulated within a solid membrane which is adapted to break upon the application of forces applied against said substrate. A flexible overwrap material 72, which can be of any suitable material compatable with the lubricant and substrate, is disposed about said substrate 62. The overwrap material 72 includes a lubricant-impervious back wall 74 and

side walls

76 and 77 disposed contiguous to the back surface 66 and side surfaces 68 and 70, respectively, of the substrate 62. The overwrap material further includes a lubricant-pervious front wall 78 disposed contiguous to the front surface 64 of the substrate to permit lubricant to exit through said front wall upon the application of compressive forces thereto. The front wall 78 is rendered lubricant-pervious by the inclusion therein of a plurality of openings.

A lubricant-impervious sealing strip 80 is adhered to the front wall 78 of the overwrap material to prevent lubricant from escaping through said front wall prior to use. This sealing strip 80 is provided with a tab 82 which can be grasped easily to permit removal of the strip from the front wall 78 when the lubricantdispensing assembly is ready for use.

The lubricant-pervious front wall 78 is utilized primarily when the lubricant is of a low viscosity to prevent the lubricant from exuding from the substrate 62 in an uncontrolled manner. If desired, the front wall 78 can be treated with a suitable material to establish a desired contact angle between the lubricant and front wall for the purpose set forth earlier in this application. If the lubricant is of a high viscosity the front wall of the overwrap material can be established solely by a removable, fluid-impervious sealing strip, such as the sealing strip 80 (FIG.

What is claimed is:

l. A dual-use sanitary product system for permitting an absorbent fibrous web of said system to be utilized in either a dry or lubricated condition, said system comprising:

A. a sanitary web roll including an absorbent fibrous web disposed in roll form and having axially spaced end surfaces, opening-defining surfaces providing an opening extending axially inwardly of each of said spaced end surfaces; and

B. a receptacle comprising a compartment adapted to retain therein a lubricant-containing, flexible, absorbent substrate, said compartment being defined by inner surfaces of a fluid-impervious back wall and fluid-impervious peripheral side wall means, said side wall means terminating at a forward marginal end spaced from the inner surface of said back wall to define an opening into said compartment, said receptacle further including a mounting section having a peripheral surface frictionally engaging a surface of the sanitary web roll with the back wall of said compartment disposed in overlying contiguous relationship with one end surface of said absorbent fibrous web, whereby the absorbent fibrous web can be removed from the sanitary web roll and utilized either in a dry condition, or pressed against a lubricant-containing, flexible, absorbent material contained within said compartment to lubricate said absorbent web prior to use.

2. The sanitary product system according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral surface of said mounting section is an outer peripheral surface of a hub section extending rearwardly of said back wall, said outer peripheral surface being disposed in frictional engagement with the opening-defining surface means providing an opening extending axially inwardly of one end surface of the absorbent fibrous web.

3. The sanitary product system according to claim 2, wherein the side wall means of the compartment include outer and inner spaced, continuous peripheral side walls.

4. The sanitary product system according to claim 3, including a flexible, lubricant-pervious diaphragm retained adjacent the opening into the compartment of said receptacle.

5. The sanitary product system according to claim 3, wherein said sanitary web roll includes a central, cylindrical core member, said opening-defining surface means being provided by a substantially cylindrical inner surface of said core member.

6. The sanitary product system according to claim 3, including a flexible, absorbent substrate having a lubricant therein, said substrate being disposed within the compartment of said receptacle.

7. The sanitary product system according to claim 3, including inturned flange means forming the forward marginal end of at least one of said side walls, said inturned flange means being disposed in overlying, spaced relationship with the inner surface of the back wall of said compartment to aid in retaining the flexible, absorbent substrate within said compartment.

8. The sanitary product system according to claim 7, including a flexible, lubricant-pervious diaphragm retained within said compartment contiguous to the inturned flange means.

9. The sanitary product system according to claim 3, wherein said hub section includes an inner continuous peripheral surface defining an opening therethrough; said opening being co-axial with an opening defined by an outer continuous surface of said inner peripheral side wall to thereby define an axial opening completely through the receptacle which is co-axial with the opening extending axially inwardly of said one end surface of the absorbent fibrous web.

10. The sanitary product system according to claim 9, wherein the opening-defining surface means extend completely through said sanitary web roll.

11. The sanitary product system according to claim 9, wherein said outer side wall, said inner side wall and said hub section are substantially cylindrical and are concentric with each other.

12. The sanitary product system according to claim 11, wherein the outer peripheral side wall has a maximum diameter which is no greater than the maximum transverse dimension of the unused sanitary web roll.

13. The sanitary product system according to claim 1 1, wherein said substantially cylindrical hub is defined by a substantially cylindrical wall forming a continuous extension of the cylindrical, inner peripheral side wall of the compartment.

14. The sanitary product system according to claim 1, wherein said sanitary web roll includes a core member about which said absorbent fibrous web is disposed in roll form, said core member having a greater axial dimension than that of said absorbent fibrous web to provide an exposed outer peripheral surface of the core member extending axially outward from one end surface of the fibrous web, the mounting section of said receptacle including a peripheral surface disposed in 9. frictional engagement with the exposed outer peripheral surface of said core member.

15. The sanitary product system according to claim 14, wherein the side wall means of the compartment include outer and inner spaced, continuous peripheral side walls.

16. The sanitary product system according to claim 15, inclduing a flexible, absorbent substrate having a lubricant therein, said substrate being disposed within the compartment of said receptacle.

17. The sanitary product system according to claim 15, including inturned flange means forming the forward marginal end of at least one of said side walls, said inturned flange means being disposed in overlying, spaced relationship with the inner surface of the back wall of said compartment to aid in retaining the flexible, absorbent substrate within said compartment.

18. The sanitary product system according to claim 15, including a flexible, lubricant-pervious diaphragm retained adjacent the opening into the compartment of said receptacle.

19. The sanitary product system according to claim 15, wherein said outer and inner peripheral side walls are substantially cylindrical, and the surface of said inner side wall opposite the inner surface defining the compartment constitutes the mounting surface of the receptacle.

20. The sanitary product system according to claim 19, wherein the outer peripheral side wall has a maximum diameter which is no greater than the maximum transverse dimension of the sanitary web roll.

Claims

1. A dual-use sanitary product system for permitting an absorbent fibrous web of said system to be utilized in either a dry or lubricated condition, said system comprising: A. a sanitary web roll including an absorbent fibrous web disposed in roll form and having axially spaced end surfaces, opening-defining surfaces providing an opening extending axially inwardly of each of said spaced end surfaces; and B. a receptacle comprising a compartment adapted to retain therein a lubricant-containing, flexible, absorbent substrate, said compartment being defined by inner surfaces of a fluidimpervious back wall and fluid-impervious peripheral side wall means, said side wall means terminating at a forward marginal end spaced from the inner surface of said back wall to define an opening into said compartment, said receptacle further including a mounting section having a peripheral surface frictionally engaging a surface of the sanitary web roll with the back wall of said compartment disposed in overlying contiguous relationship with one end surface of said absorbent fibrous web, whereby the absorbent fibrous web can be removed from the sanitary web roll and utilized either in a dry condition, or pressed against a lubricant-containing, flexible, absorbent material contained within said compartment to lubricate said absorbent web prior to use.

13. The sanitary product system according to claim 11, wherein said substantially cylindrical hub is defined by a substantially cylindrical wall forming a continuous extension of the cylindrical, inner peripheral side wall of the compartment.

14. The sanitary product system according to claim 1, wherein said sanitary web roll includes a core member about which said absorbent fibrous web is disposed in roll form, said core member having a greater axial dimension than that of said absorbent fibrous web to provide an exposed outer peripheral surface of the core member extending axially outward from one end surface of the fibrous web, the mounting section of said receptacle including a peripheral surface disposed in frictional engagement with the exposed outer peripheral surface of said core member.