Wiping solution band dispenser

Abstract

A wiping solution dispenser utilizes a motorized dispenser mechanism that moves a nozzle back and forth along a stroke to dispense a wide band of wiping solution onto toilet tissue. A motor may be coupled with a nozzle that moves back and forth or rotates about a pivot point to dispense a band of wiping solution. Wiping solution may be within a solution container that is configured for insertion into the dispenser housing and may be automatically ruptured by a puncture feature. A pump may force the wiping solution from the nozzle, or the solution may be gravity fed. A motion detector may be incorporated to control the actuation and dispensing of the solution. A near field communication transceiver may be used to receive payment before solution is dispensed.

Claims

1. A wiping solution band dispenser comprising: a) a housing comprising a cover; b) an internal receptacle having a volume within the housing for receiving a wiping solution; c) an outlet opening configured in a base of the housing; d) a nozzle configured to receive said wiping solution and comprising: i) a nozzle opening having a width of at least 2.5 cm; ii) a nozzle engagement feature; iii) a valve having a valve opening that in an opening configuration allows the wiping solution to be dispensed and in a closed configuration to seals the wiping solution in the nozzle; e) a motorized dispenser mechanism configured to move the nozzle back and forth a stroke having a stroke distance from a first end to a second end and comprising: i) a motor; wherein the nozzle is coupled to the motor by said engagement feature; wherein the solution band dispenser dispenses a band of solution from said nozzle opening to form a solution band having a solution band width that is at least 2.5 cm and a solution band length that is at least 2.5 cm; and wherein the solution is gravity dispensed through said nozzle opening between the first and second end of said stroke distance.

2. The wiping solution band dispenser of claim 1, wherein the wiping solution is configured within a solution container configured to fit within the internal receptacle of the housing.

3. The wiping solution band dispenser of claim 2, further comprising a solution container piercing feature configured on an inside surface of housing, whereby placement of the solution container within the housing punctures said solution container.

4. The wiping solution band dispenser of claim 3, wherein the solution container piercing feature is configured within a nozzle port.

5. The wiping solution band dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a closure feature configured proximal the end of the stroke and configured to intersect with the nozzle to close said valve and seal the wiping solution in the nozzle.

6. A wiping solution band dispenser comprising: a) a housing comprising a cover; b) an internal receptacle having a volume within the housing for receiving a wiping solution; c) an outlet opening configured in a base of the housing; d) a nozzle configured to receive said wiping solution and comprising i) a nozzle opening having a width of at least 2.5 cm; ii) a nozzle engagement feature; iii) a valve having a valve opening that in an opening configuration allows the wiping solution to be dispensed and in a closed configuration to seals the wiping solution in the nozzle; e) a motorized dispenser mechanism configured to move the nozzle back and forth a stroke having a stroke distance from a first end to a second end and comprising: i) a motor, wherein the nozzle is coupled to the motor by said engagement feature; f) a pump to pump the wiping solution from the nozzle; wherein the valve is a self-sealing valve requiring a pressure of wiping solution pumped by said pump in the nozzle to open the valve and wherein when the solution is not being pumped, the nozzle automatically seals; g) a closure feature configured proximal the end of the stroke and configured to intersect with the nozzle to close said valve and seal the wiping solution in the nozzle; wherein the solution band dispenser dispenses a band of solution from said nozzle opening to form a solution band having a solution band width that is at least 2.5 cm and a solution band length that is at least 2.5 cm.

7. The solution band dispenser of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is an integral part of the solution container.

8. The wiping solution band dispenser of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is detachably attached to the actuator member by the nozzle engagement feature.

9. The wiping solution band dispenser of claim 1, wherein the motorized dispenser mechanism comprises a first gear coupled with the motor and a second gear coupled with the actuator member.

10. The wiping solution band dispenser of claim 8, wherein the second gear is a pie gear.

11. The wiping solution band dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a race, wherein the nozzle is actuated along said race when the motorized dispenser mechanism moves the nozzle back and forth a stroke distance.

12. The wiping solution band dispenser of claim 1, wherein the motorized dispenser mechanism is a direct-drive mechanism, wherein the motor comprises a drive shaft and wherein the nozzle is coupled to the drive shaft and rotates about the drive shaft said stroke distance.

13. The wiping solution band dispenser of claim 1, comprising a motion detector, wherein the solution is dispensed automatically when the motion detector detects motion, wherein the motion detector is configured to detect motion below the base of the housing.

14. The wiping solution band dispenser of claim 1, further comprising payment feature, wherein a payment must be received by said payment feature before a band of wiping solution is dispensed.

15. The wiping solution band dispenser of claim 14, wherein the payment feature comprises a near field communication transceiver configured to receive payment wirelessly from an electronic device that is held in proximity to said near field communication transceiver.

16. A wiping solution band dispenser comprising: a) a housing comprising a cover; b) an internal receptacle having a volume within the housing for receiving a wiping solution; wherein the wiping solution is configured within a solution container configured to fit within the internal receptacle of the housing; c) a solution container piercing feature configured on an inside surface of housing, whereby placement of the solution container within the housing punctures said solution container; d) an outlet opening configured in a base of the housing; e) a nozzle configured to receive said wiping solution and comprising: i) nozzle opening having a width of at least 2.5 cm; ii) a nozzle engagement feature; iii) a valve having a valve opening that in an opening configuration allows the wiping solution to be dispensed and in a closed configuration to seals the wiping solution in the nozzle; wherein the valve is a self-sealing valve requiring a pressure of wiping solution pumped by said pump in the nozzle to open the valve and wherein when the solution is not being pumped, the nozzle automatically seals f) a motorized dispenser mechanism configured to move the nozzle back and forth a stroke having a stroke distance from a first end to a second end and comprising: i) a motor; wherein the nozzle is coupled to the motor by said engagement feature; g) a closure feature configured proximal the end of the stroke and configured to intersect with the nozzle to close said valve and seal the wiping solution in the nozzle; wherein the solution band dispenser dispenses a band of solution from said nozzle opening to form a solution band having a solution band width that is at least 2.5 cm and a solution band length that is at least 2.5 cm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of his specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary wiping solution dispenser configured next to a toilet paper roll and a band of wiping solution being dispensed onto a wad of toilet paper.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a top-down view of a wad of toilet paper having a wiping solution dispensed thereon.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a front view of an exemplary wiping solution dispenser.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of an exemplary wiping solution dispenser.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of an exemplary wiping solution dispenser having an outlet opening and a nozzle port configured therein.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a front view of an exemplary wiping solution container.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a side view of an exemplary wiping solution container.

(9) FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of an exemplary wiping solution container having a solution port.

(10) FIG. 9 shows an exemplary wiping solution bag having a solution port attached thereto.

(11) FIG. 10 shows a side view diagram of an exemplary wiping solution dispenser having a motorized dispenser mechanism comprising a gear attached to a motor and a second gear coupled with a dispenser nozzle, and a wiping solution being dispensed from the nozzle port.

(12) FIG. 11 shows a side view diagram of the exemplary wiping solution dispenser and motorized dispenser mechanism actuated to a closed position, or an end of a dispensing stroke, wherein the nozzle opening is configured over a nozzle closure feature, or stopper.

(13) FIG. 12 shows a side view diagram of the exemplary wiping solution dispenser shown in FIG. 11 with and motorized dispenser mechanism actuated to a closed position at the opposite end of the dispensing stroke, wherein the nozzle opening is configured over the nozzle closure feature.

(14) FIG. 13 shows a front view diagram of an exemplary wiping solution dispenser having a motorized dispenser mechanism comprising a gear attached to a motor, a second gear coupled with a dispenser nozzle, and a race configured on either side of the nozzle having the nozzle engagement feature configured therein.

(15) FIG. 14 show a top view of an exemplary nozzle engagement feature.

(16) FIG. 15 shows a front view diagram of an exemplary wiping solution dispenser having a puncture feature configured in the nozzle port, a near field communication transceiver and a motion detector.

(17) FIG. 16 shows a side view diagram of an exemplary wiping solution dispenser and motorized dispenser mechanism that actuates the nozzle about an arc segment stroke.

(18) FIG. 17 shows an end view of an exemplary valve in a closed orientation with the opening sealed.

(19) FIG. 18 shows an end view of an exemplary valve in an open orientation with the opening spread apart to allow the wiping solution to be dispensed.

(20) FIG. 19 shows an exemplary nozzle having a clam-shell design.

(21) FIG. 20 shows a top view of the exemplary nozzle shown in FIG. 19 having a nozzle inlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

(22) Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

(23) As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising. includes, including, has, having or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of a or an are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

(24) In cases where the present specification and a document incorporated by reference include conflicting and/or inconsistent disclosure, the present specification shall control.

(25) Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications and improvements are within the scope of the present invention.

Definitions

(26) A stroke is a linear stroke wherein the nozzle opening is moved in a substantially straight line back and forth, or an arc stroke, wherein the nozzle opening is moved along an arc from a first end to a second end of the stroke.

(27) As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary wiping solution dispenser 10 is configured next to a toilet paper roll 14 configured in a toilet paper dispenser 13. A band of wiping solution 34 is being dispensed onto a wad of toilet paper 15 from the outlet opening 28 of the housing 20.

(28) As shown in FIG. 2, an exemplary band of wiping solution 34 has been dispensed onto toilet paper 15. The band of wiping solution has a width 35 and length 36. As described herein, the wiping solution band may have a width and/or length that is at least about 2.0 cm, at least about 3 cm, at least about 4 cm, at least about 5 cm, at least about 7 cm and any range between and including the wiping solution band dimensions provided. The width and length of the band of wiping solution provides uniform coverage over the toilet or wiping tissue and prevents saturation in a single location.

(29) As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, an exemplary wiping solution dispenser 10 is configured in a housing 20 having a length 22, width or depth 23, and a height 24, that forms at least in part, a solution receptacle 27 for receiving solution directly or for receiving and containing a solution container. On the base 29 of the housing 20, an outlet opening 28 has a width and length configured to allow dispensing of the band of wiping solution. The nozzle 50 is shown being configured in the outlet opening 28. The nozzle is actuated back and forth from a first end 62 to a second end 63 of a stroke within the outlet opening, or along a stroke having a stroke length 61. The stroke length may be substantially the same as the wiping solution band length and the width of the wiping solution band may be substantially the same as the nozzle opening width 52.

(30) As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, an exemplary wiping solution container 40 has a length 46, width or depth 47 and height 48. As shown the wiping solution dispenser is a solution carton 42 having a solution port 44 configured to couple with the nozzle (not shown). A solution port 44 may have a frangible cover 45 configured to be punctured when inserted into the solution receptacle 27 within the housing. As described herein, a frangible cover may be a coated paper, or foil or plastic film, combinations thereof and the like.

(31) As shown in FIG. 9, an exemplary wiping solution container 40 is a flexible container, such as a bag 43 having a solution port 44 and a frangible cover, such as a film or thin layer of material, such as plastic or metal foil, for example.

(32) As shown in FIG. 10, a band 34 of wiping solution 32 is being dispensed from the nozzle opening 51 onto toilet paper 15. Wiping solution from a wiping solution container 30 flows through the nozzle port 39 and down into the nozzle 50. The nozzle opening enables the wiping solution to gravity feed out when the nozzle opening is between either end of the actuated stroke. As shown in FIG. 10, a motorized dispenser mechanism 60 comprises a first gear 66 attached to a motor, a second gear 68, driven by the first gear, coupled with a dispenser nozzle 50 by an actuator coupling 71, an attachment between the nozzle and the actuator. The nozzle also comprises a nozzle engagement feature 57 that guides the extended end of the nozzle along a race 72. As the first gear rotates it rotates the mating second gear 68 or actuator 70 which, in turn, actuates the extended end of the nozzle from one end to the second end of the stroke. Nozzle stoppers 84, 84 are configured proximal to either end of the stroke to seal the nozzle and prevent wiping solution from leaking. The nozzle stoppers may extend at least partially into the nozzle opening 51.

(33) As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the exemplary wiping solution dispenser 10 comprises a plurality of payment features 92-92 for receiving payment before the dispenser will dispense a band of wiping solution. Payment feature 92 is a near field communication device, such as a Bluetooth device, that communicates with an electronic device or chip to receive payment. Payment feature 92 is money receiver 98 that accepts a coin but it is to be understood that a paper bills may also be received by a money receiver. Payment feature 92 is a card reader 99 that provides a means to read a payment card, such as a credit or debit card or prepaid card. It is to be understood that a wiping solution dispenser may comprise one or more of the payment features described herein.

(34) As shown in FIG. 11, the exemplary wiping solution dispenser 10 shown in FIG. 10 has been actuated to a first stroke end, wherein the nozzle end 51 is sealed by a closure stopper 84 extending into the nozzle end.

(35) As shown in FIG. 12, the exemplary wiping solution dispenser 10 has been actuated to the opposing stroke end and the nozzle end is sealed by a second closure stopper 84, shown in FIG. 11 with and motorized dispenser mechanism actuated to a closed position at the opposite end of the dispensing stroke, wherein the nozzle opening is configured over the nozzle closure feature 80.

(36) As shown in FIG. 13, an exemplary wiping solution dispenser 10 has a motorized dispenser mechanism 60 comprising a first gear 66 attached to a motor 64, a second gear 68 that is driven by the first gear and also coupled with a dispenser nozzle 50. The nozzle engagement feature 57 extends into a race 72, 72 on either side of the nozzle 50. The race is a slot that guides the end of the nozzle between the closure stoppers wherein it dispensed a band of wiping solution.

(37) As shown in FIG. 14, an exemplary nozzle engagement feature 57 has extended ends configured for coupling with the races and securing the nozzle as it is guided along the races. The nozzle engagement feature 57 has an opening for receiving the extended end of the nozzle. A nozzle engagement feature may be attached to the nozzle, such as a one-piece unit, or it may be a detachable component from the nozzle. The width 52 and depth 53 of the nozzle opening in shown in FIG. 14.

(38) As shown in FIG. 15, an exemplary wiping solution dispenser 10 has a puncture feature 49 configured in the nozzle port 39 to initiate the flow of wiping solution into the nozzle. A lid 31 enables insertion of a solution container 30 into the housing 20. In addition, the exemplary wiping solution dispenser 10 has a motion detector 90 that is configured to detect when someone places toilet tissue under the housing to receive a band of wiping solution. Furthermore, the exemplary wiping solution dispenser 10 has a near field communication transceiver that is configured to receive a payment and activate the wiping solution dispenser to dispense a band of wiping solution. For example, a near field communication transceiver 97 may receive payment from a person's cellular phone and then communicate this to a microprocessor 95 that then enables dispensing when the motion detector detects a suitable motion.

(39) As shown in FIG. 16 shows an exemplary wiping solution dispenser 10 comprises a pump 150 configured to pump wiping solution from the solution container 30 into the nozzle 50. The pump is configured between the solution container and the nozzle and forces wiping solution 32 into and out of the nozzle. The nozzle has a nozzle inlet 58 for receiving a flow of wiping solution 32 from the pump and the nozzle has an interior volume to allow the wiping solution to flow through and out of the nozzle opening 51. A self-sealing valve 130 is coupled to the nozzle opening 51 and comprises an elastomeric material, such as silicone, or urethane that squeezes and opening closed until the pressure of the wiping solution within the nozzle forces the opening of the self-sealing valve open to dispense the wiping solution. A closure feature 80 such as a closure bar 140 is configured at the end of the stroke of the arc segment to intersect with the valve proximal the valve opening 132 to promote closure of the valve opening and leakage of wiping solution 34 therefrom. Note that a closure bar 140, 140 may be configured on both sides of the arc. The nozzle 50 is coupled with and driven by a motor 120, such as a servo motor 122. The drive shaft 124 of the motor is coupled with the nozzle and rotates the nozzle about a pivot, the drive shaft, to dispense a wiping solution band 34 as the nozzle opening is traversed along the arc segment 59, as shown by the bold double arrow curved line. The stroke distance is the length of the arc segment 59, as shown. The motor and the pump are coupled with the control system 94 as well as a power supply 160, a battery 162. The motor is a direct drive motor, in that it moves the nozzle directly with nozzle engagement feature 57 attached to the drive shaft.

(40) Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, an exemplary self-sealing valve 130 has an opening 132 the is squeezed closed until the pressure of the wiping solution forces the opening open. As shown in FIG. 17, the opening is closed and in FIG. 18, the opening is opened by the pressure of the wiping solution 32.

(41) Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, an exemplary nozzle 50 has a clam-shell design wherein a first nozzle portion 50 and second nozzle portion 50 are coupled together to form said nozzle having an interior volume 54. The second nozzle portion 50 has an engagement feature, a recess, for coupling with a drive shaft of a motor. As shown in FIG. 20, a nozzle inlet 58 is configured in the top of the nozzle to receive wiping solution into the interior volume of the nozzle. The nozzle inlet may be coupled with a pump, as shown in FIG. 16 to receive wiping solution that in pumped into the nozzle by the pump.

(42) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications, combinations and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.