WO2018193407A1

WO2018193407A1 - Personal cleaning kit

Info

Publication number: WO2018193407A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/052739
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josef Johannes PLAVČAK
Original assignee: PLAJO, Josef Johannes Plavčak s.p.
Priority date: 2017-04-20
Filing date: 2018-04-19
Publication date: 2018-10-25
Also published as: SI25211A

Abstract

The personal cleaning kit, in its basic part (1), combines a dispensing system for soap or disinfectant or both (5) in different combinations, area (4) for fresh clean towels or wipes (4.1), a mechanical entry (3), which is constructed in a way that the used towels or wipes (8) are retracted by two rollers (3.2.Z) and (3.2.S) driven by an electric motor (3.10), which is supplied by the mains or batteries, to the disposal area or compartment (2), which is pulled out from its space in the base (1) by pulling the handle (2.1) and emptied. An iris (3.11) is installed in front of the rollers (3.2.Z) and (3.2.S) in order to prevent the insertion of thicker objects or fingers. The upper roller (3.2.Z) is placed in a groove (3.1.2) of a bracket (3.1) in order to freely move upwards in the event of an overload or when thicker objects are put in, and so to release the mechanical joint between sprockets (3.4) and (3.6). The entire personal cleaning kit can be constructed as a rectangular or an angular item.

Description

Personal Cleaning Kit

BACKGROUND

[0001] The subject of the invention is the technical system that consists of all the components necessary for personal hygiene, namely as follows:

- soap dispenser;

- disinfectant dispenser;

- two spaces for towels or cleaning wipes;

- mechanical system for entry and disposal of used towels or wipes.

All the systems described above are compiled in one housing, which can be rectangular in a lying or standing position that is intended for mounting on flat walls, or triangular that is intended for mounting in corners. A mirror can be installed on top of the housing, which can be raised at any angle.

The top of the housing, namely the upper surface, where the mirror can be fitted, may be used also as a deposit area for different objects, advertising symbols or objects or as a changing table for babies.

The entire system can be lit. Hanging hooks can be mounted on the sides intended for hanging personal objects and placing additional bags for different undefined purposes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART

[0002] The problem solved by the subject invention hereby is that the user has easy access to all the components for personal hygiene in one spot. It is particularly important that a special system is mounted on the bottom part, which allows a quick and hygienic way of entry and disposal of used towels or wipes. In this way, we prevent people who perform personal hygiene from throwing used towels or wipes into toilets or similar places, which could result in clogging the drain pipes.

An additional feature of the subject invention is that it is suitable for installation in public toilets, or similar spaces, where there are no dedicated areas for collecting used towels or wipes. The system as described is envisaged for mounting on flat walls or in corners at different heights, which are set based on user ergonomics. The said invention eliminates deficiencies due to searching for fresh clean towels or tissues (4.1), soap or disinfectant (5) and envisaged bin for used towels or tissues (8) in the premises where we perform personal hygiene, since everything is available in one place, as a personal cleaning kit.

The presented invention enables the standardization of cleaning stations and provides easier use - charging and emptying the cleaning stations. It also allows multiple use in baby care rooms, hospitals, medical homes, student halls of residence and student housings, barracks, public institutions, police stations, petrol stations, hotels, airport buildings, homes, houses etc.

It is usable anywhere where personal hygiene is performed.

Because a mass production of the personal cleaning kits is envisaged, it is expected to lower the costs of establishing conditions for performing personal hygiene.

It also prevents the users from disposing used towels or wipes (8) into unsuitable spaces, such as toilet bowls, which may become blocked due to dropping dirty towels or wipes (8).

[0003] All individual systems, unlike the entry and disposal of used towels or wipes, are already known and are so-called public goods, however, they have not yet been envisaged in a way as suggested by the said invention. We also have not observed a similar system for entry in and disposal of used towels or wipes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The said invention is described in detail below with the description of the case and the submitted figures which show the following:

Figure 1: Side view of a wall-mounted system.

Figure 2: Side view of a corner-mounted system.

Figure 3: Side view of a wall-mounting system, where the system for the entry and disposal of used towels or wipes is placed in parallel to the dispensing system and the system for storing clean towels or wipes.

Figure 4: Design of the mechanics and functionality of the entry of used towels or wipes in the disposal area.

Figure 5: Side view A in Figure 4 with the visible belt and gear drive of the rollers for the entry of used towels or wipes into the disposal area.

Figure 6: Side view B in Figure 4 with the visible stroke upwards of the upper roller, the sensor for switching on/off the electric motor drive, belt drive, bracket and iris in front of the rollers. In this Figure, for the sake of clarity, it does not depict the gear drive of both rollers, however, it is visible in Figure 5.

The said invention, which is presented with this patent application, connects all the three systems 5, 4 and 3, into an individual item. Two dispensing systems for soap and disinfectant (5) are mounted in the upper part of the base (1). Two identical systems (5) may also be used, namely both for soap or both for disinfectant. In this case, a condition for the "Kanban" system is met, namely we allow that one dispensing system (5) is always full, since the maintainer (toilet room supervisor) easily establishes that one dispenser (5) is empty. Users can use the other dispenser (5) while the empty one is being changed.

There are possible all kinds of combinations with the dispensers (5).

There is an area (4) for fresh clean towels or wipes (4.1) under the dispensers (5). This area usually consists of two open compartments (4) for fresh clean towels or wipes (4.1), so that the "Kanban" system is provided and is thus ensured that fresh clean towels or wipes (4.1) are in at least one open compartment (4).

The envisaged response time for servicing-charging-emptying the personal cleaning kit is usually shorter than the expected consumption of fresh clean towels or wipes (4.1) from one open compartment (4) for fresh clean towels or wipes, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3.

The similar way of charging and emptying during the use applies for dispensers (5) with soap or disinfectant, if used in pairs, as described in the preceding text.

The area or compartment (2) for disposing used towels or wipes (8) is intended under the open area or compartment (4) for fresh clean towels or wipes (4.1), as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Towels or wipes get dirty (8) from the use of fresh clean towels or wipes (4.1) for performing personal hygiene wipes or similar. Used towels or wipes (8) are no longer usable for personal hygiene.

An entry system for towels or wipes (8) in the area for the disposal (3) of used towels or wipes above the space or the compartment (2) for used towels or wipes (8) is placed at the base (1), which has the form of a compartment (2).

The compartment (2) is sufficiently large enough so it can easily accept all used towels or wipes (8), which were previously stacked in both upper open compartments (4).

The entry system (3) of used towels or wipes (8) into the compartment (2) can be installed on the bottom or side of the base (1), and underneath it there is always space or a compartment (2) for the storage of used towels or wipes (8).

The compartment (2) is constructed as a classic drawer, which is pulled out and retracted with a handle (2.1) into or from the base construction (1).

The entire system is used, as the said invention, and personal hygiene is performed in a way that a fresh clean towel or wipe (4.1) is taken from the both open compartments (4) in the base of the cleaning kit (1), and soap (5) or disinfectant (5) can be applied directly on the hands or other body parts by pressing the dispenser (5).

Then, the fresh clean towel or wipe (4.1) is used for cleaning/washing a contaminated body part, or similar, and then the used towel or wipe (8) is put in the entry system (3) by being pushed through the iris (3.11).

An electrical switch with a sensor (7) is installed in the iris (3.11), and switches on the electrical motor (3.10), which drives the rollers (3.2.Z) and (3.2.S) through the transmission, which is described below, in the direction marked with arrows in Figure 6. The rollers (3.2.Z) and (3.2.S) intercept the used towel or wipe (8), seize it and take it into the area or compartment (2), into which the used towel or wipe (8) falls freely.

The iris (3.11) is screwed to the base (1) with screws (9).

The upper roller (3.2.Z) raises to the required height according to the thickness of the used towel or wipe (8) along the groove (3.1.2) and presses down the used towel or wipe (8) only by its own weight so that it does not squeeze out any liquids from the used towel or wipe (8).

The next used towel or wipe (8) falls on the previous one until the area or the compartment (2) is full. The area or compartment (2) has such dimensions that it may accept at least such a quantity of towels or wipes (8) as previously fresh clean towels or wipes (4.1) installed in both open compartments (4).

Thus, easier servicing (charging/emptying) of the personal cleaning kit is enabled. The transfer of power (torque and rpm) from the electric motor (3.10) to the rollers (3.2.Z) and (3.2.S) is performed in a way that the electric motor (3.10) drives the bigger pulley (3.7) via a smaller pulley (3.8) and belt (3.9). The bigger pulley is rigidly mounted to the shaft of the lower roller (3.5). The lower roller (3.2.S), which is made of soft rubber or other polymers, is also rigidly mounted on the shaft (3.5). In addition to the pulley, the lower sprocket (3.6) is also rigidly mounted on the shaft (3.5), which, through the sprocket wheel, engages with the upper sprocket (3.4). The transmission of both sprockets is i = 1. The sprockets (3.4) and (3.6) are identical, however, it is desirable that one sprocket is slightly wider than the other in order to prevent the sharp edges from touching the sides of the sprockets. It is desirable that the surface hardness of one sprocket in the area of contact between the sprockets is slightly different from another due to less wear.

The upper sprocket (3.4) is rigidly mounted on the upper shaft (3.3), where the upper roller (3.2.Z) is also rigidly mounted, which is exactly the same as the lower roller (3.2.S). The entire mechanism or the drive with rollers are mounted on the supporting frame (3.1), which is fixed to the base (1) by any means.

Thus we achieve a uniform rotation of the rollers with the same rotational speed, expected to be between 50 and 200rpm.

The iris (3.11) is constructed in a way that it prevents the insertion of fingers between the rollers (3.2.Z) and (3.2.S) since the passage of the iris (3.11) for the entry of used towels or wipes (8) is less than human fingers. The passage in the iris (3.11) is assumed to be less than 12mm.

An additional extension or supporting surface (3.12) is designed on the iris (3.11) in the area of the lower roller (3.2.S) before the engagement of the used towels or wipes (8), which prevents the used towel or wipe (8) from falling past or in front of the lower roller (3.2.S).

In this way we ensure that the rollers (3.2.Z) and (3.2.S) always catch the used towel or wipe (8), and bring or transport it in the area or compartment (2) which is intended for disposal of used towels or wipes (8).

In order to prevent unpredictable damage to the user of the personal cleaning kit and also to protect the entire mechanical assembly of the personal cleaning kit, the upper roller (3.2.Z) is placed in the supporting frame (3.1) so that it can move freely on the passage (3.1.2) in the vertical direction, and is pressed against the lower roller (3.2.S) below only by its own weight/mass.

In this way we ensure that the upper roller (3.2.Z) retracts freely in the event of a broken/extended iris (3.11) or removed iris (3.11), and the insertion of thicker objects or fingers, hands etc. The two sprockets between the sprocket (3.4) and (3.6) lose their grip, the roller (3.2.Z) stops due to this and presses on the inserted object or hand/finger only under its own weight, which cannot cause harm or damage to the entire system.

Additional protection against overloading or system damage is enabled due to the belt slipping (3.9) on the belt pulley (3.8) or (3.7) if it is overloaded.

The sensor (7) is electrically bonded with an electric motor (3.10) so it detects the partially entered or entered used towel or wipe (8), as shown in Figure 6, where the direction of the sensor's (7) detection is additionally marked. Sensor (7) switches on the electric motor (3.10) when it detects a used towel or wipe (8) underneath and vice versa.

The electric motor drive (3.10) can be powered from the mains or batteries. Eventual lighting of the entire personal cleaning kit system can also be powered in a similar manner, which is optional and may be placed in optional locations.

When a used towel or wipe (8) is entered or transported in the compartment (2), the sensor (7) no longer receives impulses from the used towel or wipe, and consequently it shuts off the electric motor (3.10).

In Figure 6, the arrows indicate the direction of motion of the moving elements, and the symbol S indicates the direction of entry or the transportation or insertion of a used towel or wipe (8) between the rollers (3.2.Z) and (3.2.S).

The entire mechanism of the moving elements are mounted on the supporting frame (3.1), which is mounted on the base (1) through the fixing brackets (3.1.1).

When the space or the compartment (2) is filled with used towels or wipes (8), it can easily be removed from the base (1) by pulling the handle (2.1), emptied and reinstalled to the base (1) again.

Due to the designated dimensions of the open compartments (4) for fresh clean towels or wipes (4.1) and also the adjusted dimension of the compartment (2), intended for the disposal of used towels or wipes (8), clean wipes (4.1) may run out during the use of the personal cleaning kit, and the maintenance personnel can fill them up while emptying the area or compartment (2).

If a mirror (6) is installed on top of the personal cleaning kit or the base (1), it can be supported by a holder or any kind of special system so that the mirror (6) may be raised to a variable angle on one side, thus enabling a direct view to the user of the cleaning kit of the mirror (6), assuming that the upper edge of the base (1) of the cleaning kit is adjusted to the ergonomic height of the user, which is expected to range from 80 to 150cm.

Ashtrays or similar objects can also be installed on the upper surface of the base (1). The upper surface can also be equipped with a soft baby changing pad.

The said invention eliminates the deficiencies due to searching for fresh clean towels or tissues (4.1), soap or disinfectant (5) and envisaged bin for used towels or tissues (8) in the premises where we perform personal hygiene, since everything is available in one place, as a personal cleaning kit. The presented invention enables the standardization of cleaning stations and provides easier use - charging and emptying the cleaning stations. It also allows multiple use in baby care rooms, hospitals, medical homes, student halls of residence and student housings, barracks, public institutions, police stations, petrol stations, hotels, airport buildings, homes, houses etc.

It is usable anywhere where personal hygiene is performed.

Claims

Patent claims

1. A personal cleaning kit, characterized by the fact that it is composed of a base (1), over which a portable or fixed mirror (6) can be fitted, and is equipped with one or two dispensers (5) for soap or disinfectant or in various combinations, two open compartments (4) filled with fresh clean towels (4.1), a system for the automatic entry (3) of used towels or wipes (8) in the compartment (2) for used towels or wipes (8), which is mounted on the lower part of the base (1).

2. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that there can be one or two dispensers (5), which are intended for dispensing soap, disinfectant or both in different combinations.

3. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that are two open compartments (4) under the dispensers (5), which are intended for the storage of fresh clean towels or wipes (4.1).

4. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the system for the entry (3) and storage of used towels or wipes (8) into the compartment (2) is mounted on the lower or lateral part of the base (1) of the personal cleaning kit.

5. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the entry system (3) consists of two soft rollers (3.2.Z) and (3.2.S), which are mutually driven by sprockets (3.4) and (3.6), namely the lower sprocket (3.6) which drives the upper sprocket (3.4) and consequently also the upper roller (3.2.Z).

6. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the electric motor (3.10) drives a pulley (3.8) which drives a belt (3.9) which drives the pulley (3.7) for driving a shaft (3.5) that is used to drive the lower sprocket (3.6).

7. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the upper sprocket (3.4) is rigidly mounted on the shaft (3.3), and the lower sprocket (3.6) is rigidly mounted on the shaft (3.5).

8. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the pulley (3.7) is rigidly mounted on the shaft (3.5), and the lower pulley (3.8) is rigidly mounted to the shaft of the electric motor (3.10)

9. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the electric motor drive (3.10) is enabled through the standard mains or special battery, and it is switched on/off by a sensor switch (7).

10. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that an iris (3.11) is screwed onto the base (1) using the screws provided (9) in front of the rollers (3.2.Z) and (3.2.S).

11. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the iris (3.11) in the part in front of the lower roller (3.2.S) is equipped with a special slider (3.12), which is used for the used towel or wipe (8) before engaging between the rollers (3.2).

12. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the upper roller (with 3.2) is freely placed in a supporting bracket (3.1) and consequentially its shaft (3.3) is able to freely move in the groove (3.1.2). Thus the upper roller (3.2.Z) only presses on the bottom roller (3.2.S) under its own weight in order to ensure that in the event of an insertion of thicker objects between the rollers (3.2) the upper roller (3.2) retracts upwards, simultaneously disengaging the sprockets (3.4) and (3.6) and stops the upper roller (3.2).

13. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the belt (3.9) is also required in the event of a forced stop of the lower roller (3.2.S) or the upper roller (3.2.S), it slides along the pulley (3.8) or the pulley (3.7), and thus prevents any injury to the user or damage to the electric motor (3.10) and other parts involved in the overload in question.

14. The personal cleaning kit, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the entire mechanics of the moving/spinning parts is mounted on the supporting frame (3.1), which is also provided with brackets (3.1.1), which allow for its mounting onto the base (1) with screws.