TOWELETTE DISPENSER

Abstract

A device for dispensing heated moist towelettes that includes a hydration tray that can move between a hydrating position and a presenting position. In the presenting position, the tray can receive one or more towelettes for hydrating and heating. When the tray is moved to the hydrating position, a tray seal element creates a seal with the inner surface of a tunnel such that the device can hydrate the towelettes and then dispense them.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing heated moist towelettes, comprising: a platform; a hydration tray movably disposed on the platform, such that the hydration tray can be moved between a ready position, a hydrating position and a presenting position, the hydration tray dimensioned to receive at least one towelette, wherein the hydration tray includes a tray seal element disposed on an upper surface; a tunnel including a tunnel ceiling surface, wherein the tunnel ceiling surface includes a ceiling seal element aligned to contact the tray seal element when the hydration tray is in the hydrating position; a water reservoir; a water heater; a pump fluidly coupled with the water reservoir, the water heater and the tunnel, the pump configured to pump water into the hydration tray when the hydration tray is at the hydrating position; and a motor operatively coupled to the hydration tray, the motor configured to cause the hydration tray to move between the ready position, the hydrating position and the presenting position.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a processor.

3. The device of claim 1, comprising at least one riser disposed on the platform at the hydrating position, the at least one riser disposed to cause the hydration tray to lift from the platform and come into contact with the tunnel ceiling surface when the hydration tray is moved to the hydrating position.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a loading compartment dimensioned to receive at least one towelette tablet, the at least one towelette tablet containing the at least one towelette; and a door, the door comprising at least one punch element aligned to punch a towelette tablet inserted into the loading compartment when the door is made to close.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0021] FIGS. 1A-1D show perspective, front, side and top views of the dispenser device, including the device housing, as visible from the outside, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0022] FIGS. 2A-2C show perspective, top and side views of the device with retractable water tank open, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0023] FIG. 3 provides a flowchart of the operation of the device, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0024] FIG. 4A shows a cutaway view of the device with the hydration tray at the ready position is shown in, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0025] FIGS. 4B-4E show exposed perspective, top, front and side views of the hydration tray at the ready position, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0026] FIG. 4F shows a cutaway view opposite from FIG. 4A, showing the other half of device via the cutaway view, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0027] FIG. 5A is a cutaway view of the device showing the hydration tray lifted against the tunnel ceiling at the hydrating position, such that the silicone band of the tray and the silicone seal of the tunnel ceiling create a sealed environment, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0028] FIGS. 5B-5E show an isolated view of the tray at the hydrating position on the platform, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0029] FIG. 5F shows a cutaway view of the other half of the device, from the direction opposite of FIG. 5A, such that additional components are visible, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0030] FIG. 6A shows the presenting position in a cutaway view, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0031] FIGS. 6B-6E shows the presenting position in isolated perspective, top, front and side views, respectively, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0032] FIG. 6F shows a cutaway view that is opposite of the view of FIG. 6A, showing a cutaway view of the other half of the device, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0033] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of additional components of the device that were removed in other views for simplicity, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0034] FIGS. 8A-8D show a perspective, top, front and side views, respectively, of the platform with some of the components of FIG. 7 visible as well as the complete tunnel that includes the tunnel ceiling, according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0036] The system of the inventive subject matter is a personal hygiene system. Fundamentally, the device sprays hot water onto a compressed towelette. The device dispenses two towelettes at a time that are hydrated and steaming hot. Once saturated, the sterile, disposable wipes are unfurled and used for clean up. Potential uses for the device are limitless.

[0037] The overall dispensing of towelettes as discussed herein requires two components 1) the device that dispenses the hydrated product and 2) the towelette pucks/tablets from which the towelettes are obtained. The device of the inventive subject matter is device requiring manual interaction to start the process, whereby the user is required to load the towelette tablets (which can come in the form of a two-tablet blister pack) and manually punch the towelettes into the hydration tray/chamber.

[0038] The lid/door has two punch spikes embedded and once closed, punches out the two tablets into the hydrating tray. Once the tablets are punched down into the hydration tray, the tray retracts to a sealed hydration chamber (formed by a seal created between the hydration tray and the tunnel ceiling) and hydrates the tablets with hot water (e.g., 180 degree F. water). This process takes approximately 20 seconds in the embodiments shown herein and delivers the appropriate amount of water on the towelettes. Once the towelettes have been hydrated, the tray ejects out of the device to deliver two hot towelettes to the end-user(s). The delivery tray can rest in the open position for a preset amount of time (e.g., 45 seconds), allowing the user to remove both tablets before automatically retracting back to the ready position for starting the next cycle.

[0039] FIGS. 1A-1D show perspective, front, side and top views of the dispenser device 100, including the device housing 103, as visible from the outside.

[0040] As seen in FIGS. 1A-1D, the device 100 includes a door 110, through which the loading compartment 112 is accessible. Within the loading compartment is a towelette plate 113 that has cavities dimensioned to receive a towelette tablet. The towelette tablet can be a blister pack containing a towelette. In the embodiment shown here, the towelette plate 113 has two cavities such that two towelette tablets can be prepared and deployed simultaneously. In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the towelette plate 113 can be removable to facilitate loading, cleaning, etc. Removal of the plate 113 also allows for a larger single towelette application.

[0041] The device 100 includes a punch door 110 that includes a towelette punch 111 for each of the cavities. When the punch door 110 is closed with towelette tablets installed, the towelette punch 111 punctures the towelette tablets, freeing the towelettes to fall into the hydration tray 120.

[0042] Also visible in FIGS. 1A and 1B are a cycle start button 101 and a water level indicator and tray eject button 102.

[0043] In addition to the manual start button it has also been contemplated that an audio/verbal command can be used to start the hydration cycle. In these embodiments, the device 100 includes a microphone or other audio sensor capable of detecting a spoken voice. The device's processor is programmed to use audio recognition techniques to recognize a command in the spoken voice, and cause the corresponding components of the device 100 to execute the processes discussed herein.

[0044] The device 100 can, in embodiments, include a processor programmed to execute the various functions discussed herein, and a hardware memory that stores the program code.

[0045] FIGS. 2A-2C show perspective, top and side views of the device 100 with retractable water tank 200 open. This way, the water tank 200 can be refilled when the water level is low. FIG. 3 provides a flowchart of the operation of the device 100.

[0046] Prior to the start of the process, the device 100 can be powered on. At this stage, the hydration tray 120 is in a ready position, directly below the loading compartment 112 as seen in FIGS. 1A-2C. If the hydration tray 120 is not in a ready position, powering it on can cause the processor to detect the hydration tray 120 is not in a ready position and move it to the ready position.

[0047] At step 310, the user opens the door 110 and inserts towelette tablets into the cavities.

[0048] In embodiments, the device 100 can optionally be programmed to recognize a proprietary towelette tablet. This can be done by reading a machine-readable code printed on the towelette tablet via an optical sensor, a reflective sensor programmed to recognize a shiny surface on the towelette tablet, or other form of verification. In these embodiments, the processor of device 100 can be programmed to provide a notification if a towelette tablet is not recognized (e.g., if it lacks the code or other recognizable element or if the code or element is not recognized). The notification can be provided via one or more of an LED light on the housing, a digital display, a noise, or other form of notification.

[0049] At the conclusion of step 310, the user closers the door 110 manually which causes the punch 111 to punch out the towelette from each towelette tablet, causing the towelettes to drop into the hydration tray 120 below. At this point, a start button can blink, indicating the user that the device 100 is ready.

[0050] In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the towelettes in the towelette tablet are dry towelettes that will be moistened and heated as discussed herein. In other embodiments, the towelettes in the towelette tablet are moistened, such that the operations discussed herein can add moisture and heat to the towelettes.

[0051] A cutaway view of the device 100 with the hydration tray 120 at the ready position is shown in FIG. 4A. Exposed perspective, top, front and side views of the hydration tray 120 at the ready position are shown in FIGS. 4B-4E. In FIGS. 4A-4E, the hydration tray 120 is shown on the tray platform 410. Various components from the tray 120 and the platform 410, the housing 103, and other components of the device 100 overall, have been removed from FIGS. 4B-4C for clarity of illustration. The views of FIG. 4A-4C show that the hydration tray 120 has a divider 121 that keeps the towelettes separate from each other. The divider 121 is disposed such that each towelette drops from the loading compartment 112 into a corresponding side of the divider 121.

[0052] Also visible in FIGS. 4A-4E is the guide rail 420 that guides the movement of the tray 120 within the device 100 for the various processes that are described herein. To do so, the tray 120 includes a guide member 123 that fits within the guide rail 420, enabling a movement along the rail 420 and preventing lateral movement of the tray 120 relative to the rail 420.

[0053] Also visible in FIG. 4A are pump 702, water heater 703 (whose top ends are visible in the figure), tunnel ceiling silicone seal 525, tube 530, nipple 531, and processor 704. These and other components and their functions are further described herein. FIG. 4A also illustrates opening 450 through which towelettes are dropped into the tray 120.

[0054] FIG. 4F shows a cutaway view opposite from FIG. 4A, showing the other half of device 100 via the cutaway view.

[0055] Returning to FIG. 3, at step 320, the user presses the start button or, in certain embodiments, gives a verbal command and in response, the processor of the device causes the hydration tray 120 to retract via a motor 430 and belt drive 440, moving along a center guide rail 420 towards a hydrating position. As the tray 120 is pulled toward the hydrating position, it comes into contact with risers 521, 522 and 523 that lift the tray 120 slightly, causing the silicone band (also referred to as a silicone seal or seal element) 122 that is disposed on the upper surface of the sides of the tray 120 to come into contact with the tunnel ceiling 524 and the corresponding tunnel ceiling silicone seal 525, creating a seal between the tray 120 and the tunnel ceiling 524. The riser 521 is disposed within the guide rail 420 such that the guide member 123 contacts it and is lifted. The risers 522, 523 are disposed on the platform 410 itself and come into contact with the body of tray 120, lifting it upwards. To lift the tray 120 upwards, the risers 521-523 can be wedge shaped such that the tray 120 is lifted by the slope of the wedge. In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the risers 521, 522, 523 lift the tray 120 approximately 2 millimeters, but other distances are contemplated depending the relative sizes of the components and the device 100 as a whole.

[0056] In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the device 100 can be automatic where a start button is not used. In these embodiments, the process proceeds automatically from step 310 to step 320 upon sensing that the towelettes have been dropped into the tray 120.

[0057] FIG. 5A is a cutaway view of the device 100 showing the hydration tray 120 lifted against the tunnel ceiling 524 at the hydrating position, such that the silicone band 122 of the tray 120 and the silicone seal 525 of the tunnel ceiling 524 create a sealed environment.

[0058] FIG. 5A shows tubing from the water tank 200 to the pump 702, and then from the pump 702 to the water heater 703 (that is generally U-shaped, with the two ends visible in FIG. 5A). From the water heater 703, the heated water is fed via tube 530 into nipples 531 that go through the tunnel ceiling 524 and into the tray 120. While it is not visibly apparent from the side view of FIG. 5A, it is contemplated that the tube 530 feeds into two nipples 531 that are disposed side-by-side to each feed heated water into each side of the divider 121 of the tray 120.

[0059] FIGS. 5B-5E show an isolated view of the tray 120 at the hydrating position on platform 410. As is visible on the front and side views of FIGS. 5D and 5E, respectively, the risers 521-523 lift the tray 120 into position to create a seal with the tunnel ceiling 524. The views of FIG. 5B-5E do not show the ceiling, so as to clearly show the relative position of the tray 120 on the platform 410 at this stage of the process, as well as the lifting effect.

[0060] Upon reaching the hydrating position, the process moves to step 330. At step 330, peristaltic pump 702 pumps water into water heater 703, where it is heated and then dispensed into the towelettes carried by the tray 120. The seal created by silicone seal 122 of tray 120 and silicon seal 525 of the tunnel ceiling 524 seals steam from the hot water into the hydrating chamber of tray 120. Excess steam condensate can be vented back into the water reservoir 200. Containing the steam within the hydrating chamber of tray 120 also serves to protect other components from repeated exposure to high-temperature steam, protecting those components and preventing malfunctions while ensuring a longer device life.

[0061] The processor of device 100 can be programmed to wait a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds or other time) after the water has been dispensed to allow for thorough absorption by the towelettes.

[0062] FIG. 5F shows a cutaway view of the other half of the device 100, from the direction opposite of FIG. 5A, such that additional components are visible.

[0063] At step 340, the tray 120 is moved by the motor 430 and belt drive 440 from the hydration position to the presenting position. The presenting position is shown in a cutaway view in FIG. 6A and in isolated perspective, top, front and side views in FIGS. 6B-6E, respectively. FIG. 6F shows a cutaway view that is opposite of the view of FIG. 6A, showing a cutaway view of the other half of the device 100.

[0064] At the presenting position, the tray 120 is moved outside of the device housing 103 such that a user can access and remove the wet, hot towelettes from the tray 120. FIG. 4A illustrates how the tray 120 moves outside of the tunnel 810 and platform 410 to expose the interior of the tray 120 to the outside for removal of the towelettes.

[0065] In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the processor is programmed to keep the hydration tray 120 at the presenting position for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 60 seconds, etc.). Upon the expiration of the predetermined amount of time, the processor causes the motor 430 and belt drive 440 to pull the hydration tray 120 back to the ready position within the housing 103 at step 350. The automated retraction of the hydration tray 120 back to the ready position from the presenting position helps to minimize contact with the device 100, enhancing hygiene.

[0066] In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the hydration tray 120 can be manually pushed back into the housing 103, where it comes to rest at the ready position. In these embodiments, then, step 350 is performed manually.

[0067] At the conclusion of step 350, the device 100 is ready for a new use, and thus the process can return to step 310 if additional towelettes are desired.

[0068] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of additional components of the device 100 that were removed in other views for simplicity. FIG. 7 shows the power supply 701, peristaltic pump 702, water heater 703 (seen here as having a U-shape), processor 704 (which can, in embodiments, be an Arduino microprocessor), relays 705, 706, and motor pulley 707 and slave pulley 708 that are coupled with motor 430 to cause the movement of belt 440.

[0069] FIGS. 8A-8D show a perspective, top, front and side views, respectively, of the platform 410 with some of the components of FIG. 7 visible as well as the complete tunnel 810 that includes tunnel ceiling 524. In the views of FIG. 8A-8D, the hydration tray 120 is removed for clarity.

[0070] Tunnel 810 includes a channel 811 that aligns with the underside of the loading compartment 112 of FIGS. 1A-1D, such that when the towelettes are punched from the tablets, they fall through the channel 811 and into the hydration tray 120 below. Thus, when the hydration tray 120 is at a ready position, it is aligned with the bottom of channel 811.

[0071] In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the device 100 includes temperature sensors and water level sensors such that the processor is programmed to shut off the device 100 automatically if the temperature rises above a predetermined threshold or if the water level is below a predetermined threshold.

[0072] In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the device 100 can include an eject button that can manually interrupt the process and cause the hydration tray 120 to go to the presenting position.

[0073] In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the device 100 can include a low water level indicator, such as a light or a display. If the water level is not sufficient to complete a full cycle the water level sensor will stop the cycle until the water level is filled.

[0074] In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the device 100 can include a USB or USB-A or C charging port for electronic charging devices.

[0075] In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the device 100 can include a demisable (e.g., partitioned) water/additive tank to allow for chemical additives such as bleach, soft soaps, flavors, or scents. This version will require a second peristaltic pump to add any additive contemplated.

[0076] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term coupled to is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms coupled to and coupled with are used synonymously.

[0077] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms comprises and comprising should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.