Abstract
A bathroom product delivery system includes a toilet paper holder and a flushable wipe holder. The toilet paper holder and the flushable wipe holder bathroom are positioned adjacent to each other. The flushable wipe holder may receive and retain a flushable wipe container that contains a roll of flushable wipes, orienting the flushable wipe container in a manner that makes the flushable wipes readily accessible to an individual as they use a toilet. Methods of using such a bathroom product delivery system are also disclosed.
Claims
1. A bathroom product delivery system, comprising: a flushable wipe dispenser including: a housing; a receptacle within the housing; a first opening to the receptacle at a first side of the housing and including a first coupler; a second opening to the receptacle at a second side of the housing and including a second coupler; and a cover selectively positionable over the first opening or the second opening and including a fastener selectively engagable with the first coupler of the first opening or the second coupler of the second opening; and a container for flushable wipes receivable within the receptacle of the flushable wipe dispenser through the first opening or the second opening, the container including: a receptacle for the flushable wipes; a top portion defining an opening to the receptacle and including a fastener selectively engageable with the first coupler of the first opening of the flushable wipe dispenser or the second coupler of the second opening of the flushable wipe dispenser; and a cap removable from the opening to provide access to flushable wipes within the receptacle and positionable over the opening to substantially seal the opening.
2. The bathroom product delivery system of claim 1, wherein: the first coupler comprises a first entry point and a first slot recessed in a first location of a cylindrical inner surface of the first opening; and the second coupler comprises a second entry point and a second slot recessed in a second location of the cylindrical inner surface of the second opening.
3. The bathroom product delivery system of claim 2, wherein: the fastener of the cover comprises a first protuberance and a second protuberance on an outer cylindrical surface of the cover; and the fastener of the container comprises a first protuberance and a second protuberance on an outer cylindrical surface of a top portion of the container.
4. The bathroom product delivery system of claim 2, comprising: a pair of first couplers that are diametrically opposed to each other; and a pair of second couplers that are diametrically opposed to each other.
5. The bathroom product delivery system of claim 4, wherein: the fastener of the cover comprises a first protuberance and a second protuberance on an outer cylindrical surface of the cover; and the fastener of the container comprises a first protuberance and a second protuberance on an outer cylindrical surface of the top portion of the container.
6. The bathroom product delivery system of claim 5, wherein: the first protuberance and the second protuberance on the outer cylindrical surface of the cover are located at diametrically opposite positions from each other; and the first protuberance and the second protuberance on the outer cylindrical surface of the top portion of the container are located at diametrically opposite positions from each other.
7. The bathroom product delivery system of claim 1, wherein the container contains the flushable wipes.
8. The bathroom product delivery system of claim 1, wherein: the container is positioned within the receptacle of the flushable wipe dispenser through the first opening with the fastener of the container engaging the first coupler of the first opening; and the cover is positioned over the second opening of the flushable wipe dispenser with the fastener of the cover engaging the second coupler of the second opening.
9. The bathroom product delivery system of claim 1, further comprising: a toilet paper holder secured to a bottom of the housing of the flushable wipe dispenser and including a horizontally extending axle.
10. A bathroom product delivery system, comprising: a flushable wipe dispenser including: a housing; a receptacle within the housing; a first opening to the receptacle at a first side of the housing and including a pair of first couplers recessed in an inner cylindrical surface of the first opening and diametrically opposed to each other; a second opening to the receptacle at a second side of the housing and including a pair of second couplers recessed in an inner cylindrical surface of the second opening and diametrically opposed to each other; and a cover selectively positionable over the first opening or the second opening and including a pair of protuberances on diametrically opposite locations of an outer cylindrical surface of the coupler that can selectively engage the pair of first couplers of the first opening or the pair of second couplers of the second opening; and a container for flushable wipes receivable within the receptacle of the flushable wipe dispenser through the first opening or the second opening, the container including: a receptacle for the flushable wipes; a top portion defining an opening to the receptacle and including a pair of protuberances on diametrically opposite locations of an outer cylindrical surface of the top portion that can selectively engage the pair or first couplers of the first opening of the flushable wipe dispenser or the pair of second couplers of the second opening of the flushable wipe dispenser; and a cap removable from the opening to provide access to flushable wipes within the receptacle and positionable over the opening to substantially seal the opening.
11. The bathroom product delivery system of claim 10, wherein each first coupler of the pair of first couplers and each second coupler of the pair of second couplers comprises a recessed entry point that receives a protuberance of the pair of protuberances of the cover or the pair of protuberances of the top portion of the container and a slot extending from the entry point to receive the protuberance upon rotation of the cover or the container.
12. The bathroom product delivery system of claim 10, wherein the container contains the flushable wipes.
13. The bathroom product delivery system of claim 10, wherein: the container is positioned within the receptacle of the flushable wipe dispenser through the first opening with the fastener of the container engaging the first coupler of the first opening; and the cover is positioned over the second opening of the flushable wipe dispenser with the fastener of the cover engaging the second coupler of the second opening.
14. The bathroom product delivery system of claim 10, further comprising: a toilet paper holder secured to a bottom of the housing of the flushable wipe dispenser and including a horizontally extending axle.
15. A method for dispensing flushable wipes, comprising: selecting a side of a flushable wipe dispenser from which flushable wipes are to be accessed and removed; accessing an opening on the side of the portable wipe container from which the flushable wipes are to be accessed and removed; introducing a wipe container into a receptacle of the flushable wipe dispenser through the opening; coupling a top portion of the container to the flushable wipe dispenser at the opening; and ensuring that another opening on an opposite side of the flushable wipe dispenser is closed.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein accessing the opening comprises removing a cover from the opening.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the top portion of the container to the flushable wipe container comprises engaging a coupler of the flushable wipe container within the opening with a fastener on the top portion of the container.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the top portion of the container to the flushable wipe container comprises rotating the container.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein ensuring that the another opening of the flushable wipe dispenser is closed comprises placing a cover over the another opening and coupling the cover to the flushable wop dispenser at the opening.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: opening a cap on the top portion of the container to access a flushable wipe; removing the flushable wipe from the container; and replacing the cap over the top portion of the container.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In the drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bathroom product delivery system;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are close-up views of the side of the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system shown in FIG. 1, with FIG. 3A showing an opening to a receptacle of a flushable wipe holder of the bathroom product delivery system, FIG. 3B showing an embodiment of a cover in an unlocked orientation over the opening, and FIG. 3C showing the cover in a locked orientation over the opening;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional representation of the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of flushable wipe container that contains a roll of flushable wipes and that may be used with the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system shown in FIGS. 1-4;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a rear view of an embodiment of a bathroom product delivery system, showing an embodiment of a support therefor;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a side view showing an embodiment of a manner in which the support may secure the bathroom product delivery system of FIG. 6 to a horizontally oriented surface in a bathroom, such as a wall, cabinet, partition, or door;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a first frontal perspective view of another embodiment of a bathroom product delivery system according to this disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a second frontal perspective view of the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system shown in FIG. 8;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a top view of the embodiment of the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system shown in FIG. 8;
[0028] FIGS. 11-13 are side views of the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system shown in FIG. 8, depicting an embodiment of an accessory coupler on the side of the bathroom product delivery system and a concealment panel that may be positioned over the accessory coupler;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of an accessory that may be used with the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system of FIG. 8;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a frontal perspective view of the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system of FIG. 8 with the embodiment of the accessory shown in FIG. 14 assembled therewith;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a front view of another embodiment of a bathroom product delivery system, which includes a receptacle for a container for flushable wipes, with openings to the receptacle on opposite sides of a housing of a flushable wipe dispenser of the bathroom product delivery system;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system of FIG. 16, showing a cover over one of the openings to the receptacle;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system of FIG. 16, showing a first opening to the receptacle;
[0034] FIG. 19 is another perspective view of the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system of FIG. 16, showing a second opening to the receptacle;
[0035] FIG. 20 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a cover for an opening of the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system of FIG. 16;
[0036] FIG. 21 shows a top of the embodiment of the cover shown in FIG. 20;
[0037] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container for flushable wipes for use in the embodiment of the bathroom product delivery system of FIG. 16, showing a cap at the top of the container in a closed arrangement;
[0038] FIG. 23 is another perspective view of the embodiment of the container of FIG. 22, showing the cap at the top of the container in an open arrangement;
[0039] FIG. 24 depicts partial placement of the embodiment of the container of FIG. 22 into the receptacle through the first opening;
[0040] FIG. 25 depicts complete placement of the embodiment of the container of FIG. 22 into the receptacle through the first opening, with the container coupled to the housing of the flushable wipe dispenser;
[0041] FIG. 26 illustrates the arrangement of the container and flushable wipe dispenser depicted by FIG. 25 with the cap of the embodiment of the container of FIG. 22 in the open arrangement;
[0042] FIG. 27 depicts partial placement of the embodiment of the container of FIG. 22 into the receptacle through the second opening;
[0043] FIG. 28 depicts complete placement of the embodiment of the container of FIG. 22 into the receptacle through the second opening, with the container coupled to the housing of the flushable wipe dispenser; and
[0044] FIG. 29 illustrates the arrangement of the container and flushable wipe dispenser depicted in FIG. 28 with the cap of the embodiment of the container of FIG. 22 in the open arrangement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of a bathroom product delivery system 10, which is also referred to more simply as a delivery system, is shown. The delivery system 10 includes a flushable wipe holder 20 and a roll holder 60.
[0046] With added reference to FIG. 5, a configuration of the flushable wipe holder 20 may enable it to receive and hold a flushable wipe container 50 that in turn contains a roll of flushable wipes 52 that may be dispensed though a dispensing nozzle 56 in an end 54 (e.g., a lid, etc.) of the flushable wipe container 50.
[0047] With returned reference to FIGS. 1-4, the roll holder 60 of the delivery system 10 may be secured to a housing 22 that at least partially defines the flushable wipe holder 20. As illustrated, the roll holder may be secured to a bottom 24 of the housing 22.
[0048] As best seen in FIG. 4, the flushable wipe holder 20 includes a receptacle 30 within (e.g., defined by, etc.) the housing 22. An open end 36 of the receptacle 30 opens to an outer surface of the housing 22, such as a side 26 of the housing 22. Accordingly, the open end 36 of the receptacle 30 may also be referred to herein as an opening 36. A shape and dimensions of the opening 36 enable the flushable wipe container 50 (FIG. 5) to pass through the opening 36. A shape and dimensions of the receptacle 30 enable it to receive and retain the flushable wipe container 50.
[0049] The opening 36 and the receptacle 30 may be configured to receive a specific size and shape of flushable wipe container 50 (FIG. 5); for example, a flushable wipe container 50 with a proprietary shape and/or proprietary dimensions designed specifically for use with the delivery system 10, etc. Alternatively, the opening 36 and the receptacle 30 may be configured to receive flushable wipe containers 50 having a variety of different shapes and/or dimensions. In some embodiments, including those where the receptacle 30 is designed to receive a cylindrical flushable wipe container 50, the end 36, or opening, of the receptacle 30 may be circular in shape, while the receptacle 30 may be cylindrical in shape, as illustrated by FIG. 3A.
[0050] The flushable wipe holder 20 also includes a cover 40, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 3B, 3C, and 4. The cover 40 may be removably securable over the opening 36 of the receptacle 30. In some embodiments, the cover 40 may have a configuration that, when positioned over the opening 36, enables it to be twisted, or rotated, to secure it into place over the opening 36 (e.g., by clockwise rotation of the cover 40, etc.) or to facilitate its removal from the opening 36 (e.g., by counterclockwise rotation of the cover 40, etc.). Thus, the cover 40 may include coupling features 42 (e.g., threads, slots, etc.) that receive complementary coupling features 38 (e.g., threads, protrusions, etc.) associated with the opening 36. An outer surface 44 of such a cover 40 may include grips 46 (e.g., the depicted indentations (see FIGS. 1 and 3), one or more protrusions, etc.). Covers 40 with alternative configurations (e.g., a hinge and latch, etc.) are also within the scope of this disclosure.
[0051] FIGS. 3A-3C show the side of the delivery system 10 with the cover 40 in different states of assembly over the opening 36 of the receptacle 30. FIG. 3A shows the opening 36 to the receptacle 30 without a cover 40 over it. FIG. 3B shows the cover 40 over the opening 36, in a loose position or an unlocked orientation. FIG. 3C shows the cover 40 over the opening 36, in a secured position or a locked orientation.
[0052] An access port 48 may extend through the cover 40. A location of the access port 48 through the cover 40 may enable it to align with the dispensing nozzle 56 (FIG. 5) of a flushable wipe container 50 (FIG. 5) within the receptacle 30. Thus, the access port 48 may provide access to an end 53 (FIG. 5) of a flushable wipe 52 (FIG. 5) that extends through the dispensing nozzle 56. Such a cover 40, when secured or locked into place over the opening 36, enables flushable wipes 52 (FIG. 5) to be selectively removed from a flushable wipe container 50 (FIG. 5) that has been placed in the receptacle 30 (FIG. 4).
[0053] In some embodiments, a cap 49 may be provided to cover the access port 48 until access to a flushable wipe 52 (FIG. 5) is desired or needed (i.e., to provide selective access to the access port 48). The cap 49 may provide an additional seal over the access port 48 to limit airflow to the flushable wipes 52 within an interior of the flushable wipe container 50 (FIG. 5) and, thus, to further limit evaporation of water and/or other liquid(s) from the flushable wipes. The cap 49 may have any suitable configuration; for example, it may comprise a snap-on cap or the like, and it may optionally be secured to the cover 40 (e.g., with a hinge, a tether, or the like).
[0054] The roll holder 60 of the delivery system 10 may be supported by the housing 22. In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 1-4, the roll holder 60 may be located beneath the housing 22 (i.e., below the bottom 24 of the housing 22). In other embodiments, the roll holder 60 may be secured to the housing 22 at other locations. While FIGS. 1-4 depict an embodiment of roll holder 60 that comprises a horizontal axle 62 with a free end 64 that enables a roll of toilet paper (not shown) to be readily slid thereon and removed therefrom, the roll holder 60 may have any suitable configuration. Delivery systems 10 with captive roll holders (i.e., those including an axle between two arms that prevent side-to-side movement of a toilet paper roll) and other configurations of roll holders are also within the scope of this disclosure.
[0055] Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the delivery system 10 may also include a support 70, which may facilitate positioning of the delivery system 10 at a desired location and height. In some embodiments, the support 70 may securely and stably mount the housing 22 and, thus, the delivery system 10, to a vertically oriented surface in a bathroom, such as a wall, cabinet, partition, or door. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 6, the support 70 comprises a bracket 72 that mounts to the vertically oriented surface in the bathroom. As illustrated by FIG. 6, the bracket 72 may include at least two holes 74 that can receive screws or other fasteners that can permanently fasten the bracket to the vertically oriented surface (e.g., alone, with anchors in the vertically oriented surface, etc.).
[0056] The bracket 72 may couple with (e.g., releasably engage, etc.) a complementary bracket coupler 78 on or in a rear 28 of the housing 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket coupler 78 may slide onto the bracket 72. Gravity may then hold the delivery system 10 in place on the horizontal surface to which the bracket 72 has been secured. In some embodiments, complementary locking features of the bracket 72 and the bracket coupler 78 may lock (e.g., releasably, etc.) the delivery system 10 into place on the bracket 72 and, thus, on the horizontally oriented surface.
[0057] Specifically referring now to FIG. 1, a delivery system 10 may include one or more receptacles 80, 85 in a top 23 of the housing 22. Receptacle 80 may comprise an elongated receptacle, such as a slot with a configuration (e.g., a slot, etc.) that enables it to orient a personal computing device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc.) in an upright orientation (e.g., vertically, at a slightly reclined angle (e.g., about 85, about 80, about 75, about 70, about 65, about 60, etc.) to the top 23 of the housing 22, etc.). FIG. 1 shows the receptacle 80 as being located adjacent to the front of the top 23 of the housing 22, but it may be positioned closer to the rear of the housing. In some embodiments, a wireless charger 82 may be associated with the receptacle 80 in a manner that enables the wireless charger 82 to supply power to a personal computing device held by the receptacle 80.
[0058] Receptacle 85 may comprise a depression in the top 23 of the housing 22. The receptacle may receive one or more small articles (e.g., keys, a watch, rings, jewelry, a pen, etc.) for safekeeping (e.g., from interfering with use of the toilet, from falling out of pockets, or holding items the individual has carried into the bathroom, etc.) as an individual uses a toilet with which the delivery system 10 is associated. The receptacle 85 receives the small article(s) and holds it (them) in a manner that prevents them from following to the floor and in a visible location where the individual will see them and from which the individual can readily retrieve them as they finish using the toilet.
[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 8-15, another embodiment of a delivery system 10 according to this disclosure is depicted. The delivery system 10 includes a housing 22, a flushable wipe holder 20, a roll holder 60, and a support (not shown) that are the same as or similar to those of the embodiment of delivery system shown in and described with reference to FIGS. 1-4, 6, and 7. The delivery system 10 may also include any of a variety of other features.
[0060] For example, FIG. 10, which provides a view of a top 23 of the housing 22 of the delivery system 10, shows that the delivery system 10 may also include a fragrance holder 90. More specifically, FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a fragrance holder 90 that includes a fragrance receptacle 92 in the top 23 of the housing 22 and a door 94 with vents 96 that closes over a fragrance receptacle 92. The fragrance receptacle 92 may have a configuration (i.e., a shape and dimensions) that enables it to hold one or more fragrances or deodorizers (e.g., in solid or semisolid form, as fragrance-infused articles, etc.). The vents 96 in the door 94 allow fragrance to diffuse from the fragrance receptacle 92 into the air surrounding the delivery system 10. The door 94 may also include a handle 98 that enables an individual to open it to access the fragrance or deodorizer from the fragrance receptacle 92 and to place fragrance or deodorizer into the fragrance receptacle 92.
[0061] In addition, FIG. 10 shows a receptacle 80 in the top 23 of the housing 22.
[0062] As another example of an optional feature, FIGS. 8 and 11-13 illustrate an accessory coupler 100 on a side 25 of the housing 22 of the delivery system 10. FIGS. 11 and 12 show the accessory coupler 100 on the side 25 of the housing 22. The accessory coupler 100 enables the delivery system 10 to receive one or more accessories. In some embodiments, the accessory coupler 100 may enable the delivery system 10 to removably receive the accessory.
[0063] In the embodiment depicted by FIGS. 11 and 12, the accessory coupler 100 comprises a raised area that protrudes from the side 25 and includes a pair of oppositely facing edges 102 and 104 with recesses that that enable a concealment panel 108 or an accessory 110 (FIGS. 14 and 15) to slide onto and be securely held in place by the accessory coupler 100 and, thus, onto the side 25 of the housing 22 of the delivery system 10. The oppositely facing edges 102 and 104 are illustrated as being a top edge and a bottom edge, respectively; however they may comprise front and rear edges of the accessory coupler 100. In addition, the accessory coupler may include a locking tab 106 that engages (e.g., releasably, etc.) a corresponding locking feature 109 (e.g., a lock receptacle, etc.) of the concealment panel 108 or accessory 110 to ensure that it remains in place on the side 25 of the housing 22. FIG. 11 shows the accessory coupler 100, FIG. 12 shows the concealment panel 108 during the process of assembling it with the accessory coupler 100 (e.g., by sliding it from front to back, etc.), and FIG. 13 (and FIG. 8) shows the concealment panel 108 in place over the accessory coupler 100 and, thus, over the side 25 of the housing 22, with the locking tab 106 of the accessory coupler 100 engaging the corresponding locking feature 109 of the concealment panel 108.
[0064] The concealment panel 108 may be removed from the side 25 of the housing 22 by disengaging the locking tab 106 from the corresponding locking feature 109 (e.g., by depressing the locking tab 106 through an aperture of the lock receptacle of the corresponding locking feature 109, etc.) and then reversing the assembly processes (e.g., by sliding the concealment panel 108 forward, etc.).
[0065] The concealment panel 108 may have an outer surface that matches an outer surface of the housing 22 of the delivery system 10.
[0066] FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of accessory 110 for the delivery system 100. The accessory 110 includes an accessory housing 112. The accessory housing 112 may include a hand product dispenser 120 (e.g., a dispenser for hand sanitizer, hand lotion, etc.) and a fragrance dispenser 130.
[0067] The hand product dispenser 120 may include a hand product receptacle 122, which may have a configuration that enables it to receive a hand product or even a bottle of hand product. As depicted, the hand product receptacle 122 of the hand product dispenser 120 comprises a reservoir for a hand product. Such a hand product dispenser 120 may also include a dispensing button 124 and a nozzle and internal components (e.g., a tube, a valve, etc.) that function in a known manner to dispense hand product from the reservoir of the hand product receptacle 122. In other embodiments, the hand product receptacle 122 may receive a bottle of hand product in an inverted orientation; thus, a hand product nozzle (e.g., a push button spray nozzle, a pump nozzle, etc.) may extend through an opening through a bottom of the hand product bottle receptacle 122 and a bottom 114 of the accessory housing 112 to enable an individual to access hand product from the hand product dispenser 120.
[0068] The fragrance dispenser 130 may include a fragrance receptacle 132, which may have a configuration that enables it to receive a fragrance or even a cartridge or a bottle of fragrance. In some embodiments, the fragrance receptacle 132 may include a dispensing button 134 and an atomizer nozzle and internal components (e.g., a tube, a valve, etc.) that function in a known manner to deliver fragrance into the environment (e.g., a bathroom, etc.) in which the delivery system 10 and accessory 110 are located.
[0069] The accessory 110 may be coupled to the side 25 of the housing 22 of the delivery system 10 in the same manner as the concealment panel 108, as described in reference to FIGS. 11-13. FIG. 15 shows the accessory 110 in an assembled relationship with a main part of the delivery system 10. The accessory 110 may extend the functionality of the delivery system 10, as well as its length.
[0070] FIGS. 16-29 depict another embodiment of bathroom product delivery system 10, which may also be referred to as a delivery system for the sake of simplicity. The delivery system 10 may include a flushable wipe dispenser 20, as well as an optional roll holder 60.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 16, the flushable wipe dispenser 20 of the delivery system 10 includes a housing 22. The housing 22 two sides 22l and 22r. FIG. 18 shows an opening 36l in one side 22l of the housing 22, while FIG. 19 shows another opening 36r in the opposite side 22r of the housing 22. The openings 36l and 36r provide access to a receptacle 30 that extends laterally through a width of the housing 22.
[0072] Each opening 36l, 36r may include one or more couplers 38. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, each coupler 38 may be recessed in an inner surface 37 of the opening 36l, 36r. The inner surface 37 may be cylindrical in shape. Each coupler 38 may include an entry point 38e that extends from the opening 36l, 36r partially into the receptacle 30 to a slot 38s of the coupler 38. The slot 36s may be oriented circumferentially around a portion of the inner surface 37. Each opening 36l, 36r may include a pair of couplers 38. The couplers 38 may be diametrically opposed to each other.
[0073] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate an embodiment of a cover 40 that may be positioned over either of the openings 36l and 36r in the housing 22 of the flushable wipe dispenser 20 and coupled to the housing 22 in place over the opening 36l, 36r. FIG. 20 provides a bottom view the cover 40, while FIG. 21 shows the cover 40 from its top. The cover 40 includes a top 45 that can cover an opening 36l, 36r in the housing 22 (see FIG. 17). The cover 40 also includes one or more fasteners 42 associated with a peripheral surface 44 of the cover 40, which peripheral surface 44 may also be referred to as an outer surface of the cover 40. The peripheral surface 44 may be cylindrical in shape. Each fastener 42 may comprise a protuberance that protrudes from the peripheral surface 44. As depicted, a pair of fasteners 42 may be located on diametrically opposite sides of the peripheral surface 44.
[0074] With continued reference to FIGS. 18-21, each fastener 42 may engage a coupler 38 in an opening 36l, 36r in the housing 22 of the flushable wipe dispenser 20. More specifically, as a fastener 42 is aligned with the entry point 38e of a coupler 38 and the peripheral surface 44 of the cover 40 is introduced into an opening 36l, 36r, the entry point 38e may receive the fastener 42. As the cover 40 is rotated in an appropriate direction (e.g., clockwise, etc.), the fastener 42 may then move along the slot 38s of the coupler 38, which secures the cover 40 to the housing 22 of flushable wipe dispenser 20.
[0075] FIGS. 22 and 23 show an embodiment of a container 50 for flushable wipes for use with the flushable wipe dispenser 20 (see, e.g., FIGS. 18 and 19). The container 50 may include features that enable it to be used independently from the flushable wipe dispenser 20. The container 50 may also have a shape specifically designed to enable it to be used with and coupled to the flushable wipe dispenser 20. The container 50 includes a receptacle 52 for the flushable wipes, a top portion 54 that covers a top of the receptacle 52, and a cap 58 on the top portion 54. The receptacle 52 may be cylindrical in shape. The top portion 54 includes a peripheral surface 55 that may be cylindrical in shape and, thus, may be referred to as an outer cylindrical surface of the top 54. The top portion 54 also includes a top 57 that provides a closure over the receptacle 52. The cap 58 may be associated with the top 57 (e.g., by way of a living hinge, etc.) in such a way that the cap 58 may be opened to provide access to one or more flushable wipes carried by the receptacle 52 of the container 50 and closed to limit access to the flushable wipes and to substantially seal the container 50. One or more fasteners 56 may protrude from the peripheral surface 55 of the top portion 54. Each fastener may comprise a protuberance that extends from the peripheral surface 55. As depicted, a pair of fasteners 56 may be located on diametrically opposite sides of the peripheral surface 55.
[0076] With continued reference to FIGS. 18, 19, and 22, each fastener 56 may engage a coupler 38 in an opening 36l, 36r of the housing 22 of the flushable wipe dispenser 20. More specifically, while introducing the container 50 into the receptacle 30 of the flushable wipe dispenser 20 through an opening 36l, 36r, as a fastener 56 on the peripheral surface 55 of the top portion 54 of the container 50 is aligned with the entry point 38e of a coupler 38 and the peripheral surface 55 is introduced into the opening 36l, 36r, the entry point 38e may receive the fastener 56. As the container 50 is rotated in an appropriate direction (e.g., clockwise, etc.), the fastener 56 may then move along the slot 38s of the coupler 38, which secures the container 50 within the receptacle 30 of the flushable wipe dispenser 20.
[0077] FIGS. 24-26 illustrate the assembly of a container 50 for flushable wipes with a flushable wipe dispenser 20 and use of the flushable wipe dispenser 20. Specifically, FIGS. 24-26 illustrate introduction of the container 50 into the receptacle 30 (not shown) of the flushable wipe dispenser 20 through opening 36l of the flushable wipe dispenser 20. In FIG. 24, the container 50 has been inserted through the opening 36l and partially introduced into the receptacle 30. In FIG. 25, the container 50 has been completely introduced into the receptacle 30 and coupled to the opening 36l to secure the container 50 to the housing 22 of the flushable wipe dispenser 20. Notably, the cap 58 of the container 50 is in its closed arrangement over the top 57 of the container 50. FIG. 26 shows the cap 58 in its open arrangement over the top 57 of the container 50, which may enable an individual to access a flushable wipe from the container 50.
[0078] FIGS. 27-29 illustrate the assembly of a container 50 for flushable wipes with an opposite side of the flushable wipe dispenser 20 from that depicted by FIGS. 24-26, as well as use of the flushable wipe dispenser 20. More specifically, FIGS. 27-29 illustrate introduction of the container 50 into the receptacle 30 (not shown) of the flushable wipe dispenser 20 through opening 36r of the flushable wipe dispenser 20. In FIG. 27, the container 50 has been inserted through the opening 36r and partially introduced into the receptacle 30. In FIG. 28, the container 50 has been completely introduced into the receptacle 30 and coupled to the opening 36r to secure the container 50 to the housing 22 of the flushable wipe dispenser 20. Notably, the cap 58 of the container 50 is in its closed arrangement over the top 57 of the container 50. FIG. 29 shows the cap 58 in its open arrangement over the top 57 of the container 50, which may enable an individual to access a flushable wipe from the container 50. With returned referenced to FIG. 16, with the container 50 secured to one opening 36r of the flushable wipe dispenser 20, the cover 40 may be positioned over and secured to the other opening 36l of the flushable wipe dispenser 20.
[0079] Methods of assembling and using embodiments of a delivery system 10, 10, etc., according to this disclosure should be apparent from the foregoing.
[0080] Although the preceding disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the claims that follow, but merely as providing illustrations of some embodiments of elements and features of the disclosed subject matter. Other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and of their elements and features may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of any of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. Accordingly, the scope of each claim is limited only by its plain language and the legal equivalents thereto.
