INCORPORATING SAME

RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This patent document claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Number 63/064,498, filed August 12, 2021.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Dispensers that dispense paper towels, moistened sanitary wipes, and other fabric or paper-based cleaning substrates are used in a variety of applications. The cleaning substrates that such dispensers mete out may be held in the form of a roll, or in stack if the substrates are already separated.

[0003] There is an increasing need for wipe dispensers that are “touchless” and do not require humans to contact any part of the dispenser, only the wipe that they are taking from the dispenser. In addition, there is an increasing need for wipe dispensers that are capable of dispensing wipes that are moistened with a cleaning solution, such as an alcohol-based sanitizer solution.

[0004] This document describes systems that address at least some of the issues described above, and/or additional issues.

SUMMARY

[0005] In some embodiments, a wipe cartridge for dispensing roll wipes comprises a housing that comprises: (i) a first end having a first receiving structure that is configured to support a first end of a core around which a roll of wipe material is wound; (ii) a second end having a second receiving structure that is configured to support a second end of the core; and (iii) a slit that extends from a first end point to a second end point along a sidewall of the housing between first and second ends and which is configured to pass wipe material while maintaining a seal around the wipe material. A roll of the wipe material, wound around the core. The housing may be cylindrical, or another shape.

[0006] The housing may have a wipe holding section, an integral exit section that extends from the wipe holding section, a first clamshell portion, and a second clamshell portion. The clamshell portions may be connected via a hinge and configured to be opened at the exit section. The wipe cartridge may further comprise a guide rail that extends away from the exit section, and the slit may be an aperture in the exit section that leads to the guide rail.

[0007] Optionally, each receiving structure may comprise a post member comprising a relatively wide segment and a relatively narrow segment. Each relatively wide segment may be adjacent to a corresponding one of the ends. Each relatively narrow segment may extend into the housing from its corresponding relatively wide segment. A distance from the first end to an innermost portion of the relatively narrow segment of the post member that is attached to the second end may be less than a length of the core. A distance between the innermost portions of each of the relatively narrow segments may be greater than the length of the core.

[0008] Optionally, each receiving structure may comprises a receptacle that comprises a relatively wide segment and a relatively narrow segment. Each relatively narrow segment may be adjacent to a corresponding one of the ends. Each relatively wide segment may extend into the housing from its corresponding relatively wide segment. A distance from the first end to an innermost portion of the relatively wide segment of the receptacle that is attached to the second end may be less than a length of the core. A distance between the innermost portion of each of the relatively wide segments may be greater than the length of the core. [0009]

[0010] In other embodiments, a wipe cartridge for dispensing roll wipes includes a housing comprising a first end having a first end cap, a second end having a second end cap, and a spindle that extends into the housing from the second end cap. A slit extends along a sidewall of the housing between first and second ends. The slit is configured to pass wipe material while maintaining a seal around the wipe material, A roll of wipe material is wound around the spindle. The housing may be cylindrical, or another shape.

[0011] Optionally, each of the first and second end caps includes a connecting structure for supporting the wipe cartridge in a roll wipe dispenser. The spindle may extend into the housing from the connecting structure of the second end cap.

[0012] In an alternate embodiment, a wipe cartridge for dispensing roll wipes includes a housing comprising a first end cap, an opposite second end cap, and a sidewall that extends from the first end to the second end cap. The cartridge includes a core around which a roll of wipe material is wound. The core is positioned within the housing along a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the sidewall. The sidewall includes a slit that extends along the sidewall, and which is configured to pass wipe material while maintaining a seal around the wipe material.

[0013] Optionally, any of the wipe cartridge embodiments described above may be positioned in a roll wipe dispenser. The roll wipe dispenser may include: an upper portion that is configured to hold the roll wipe cartridge; and a lower portion that includes one or more rollers that are configured to receive the wipe material from the cartridge and direct the wipe material to a dispensing aperture. The lower portion may include a cutting blade that is configured to, during operation, move toward and away from the wipe material as the wipe material is dispensed. The cutting blade may be, for example, a perforating knife. The lower portion may further comprise a motion sensor and a motor that is configured to, in response to receiving a signal from the motion sensor, operate the one or more rollers. The roll wipe dispenser also may include: a reservoir for holding fluid; an applicator positioned to contact the wipe material as the wipe material passes the applicator; and a length of wicking material extending from the reservoir to the applicator. Alternatively, the roll wipe dispenser may include a reservoir for holding fluid, along with a spray applicator that is configured to draw the fluid from the reservoir and apply the fluid to the wipe material as the wipe material passes the spray applicator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. l is a perspective view of an example wipe cartridge that may be used in a roll wipe dispenser.

[0015] FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a wipe cartridge with a roll of wipe material installed, while FIG. 2B is the same sectional view of an empty wipe cartridge with no wipe material. These views are applicable to the variations of both FIGs. 1 and 3. FIG. 2C illustrates a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 2 A with alternate post members.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a variation of the wipe cartridge of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view, while FIG. 4B is an exterior view, of another variation of a wipe cartridge.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an example wipe cartridge with a guide rail extension.

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates the wipe cartridge holder of FIG. 5 with its housing opened to enable refilling.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the example wipe cartridge holder of FIGs. 4 and 5. [0021] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the example wipe cartridge holder of FIGs. 4-6.

[0022] FIG. 9 is an example of a roll wipe dispenser that holds a wipe cartridge such as those described above, and that dispenses wipes to users.

[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates certain internal components of the roll wipe dispenser of FIG. 9.

[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates an example cutting blade and associated components that may be used in a roll wipe dispenser.

[0025] FIG. 12 illustrates a roll wipe dispenser with a different canister type installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used in this document, the term “comprising” (or “comprises”) means “including (or includes), but not limited to.” When used in this document, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean “by way of example” and is not intended to indicate that a particular exemplary item is preferred or required.

[0027] In this document, when terms such “first” and “second” are used to modify a noun, such use is simply intended to distinguish one item from another, and is not intended to require a sequential order unless specifically stated. The term “approximately,” when used in connection with a numeric value, is intended to include values that are close to, but not exactly, the number. For example, in some embodiments, the term “approximately” may include values that are within +/- 10 percent of the value. [0028] In this document, the term “connected”, when referring to two physical structures, means that the two physical structures touch each other. Devices that are connected may be secured to each other, or they may simply touch each other and not be secured.

[0029] When used in this document, terms such as “top” and “bottom,” “upper” and “lower”, or “front” and “rear,” are not intended to have absolute orientations but are instead intended to describe relative positions of various components with respect to each other. For example, a first component may be an “upper” component and a second component may be a “lower” component when a device of which the components are a part is oriented in a first direction. The relative orientations of the components may be reversed, or the components may be on the same plane, if the orientation of the structure that contains the components is changed. The claims are intended to include all orientations of a device containing such components.

[0030] FIG. l is a perspective view of an example wipe cartridge 150 that may be used in a roll wipe dispenser. FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of the wipe cartridge 150 of FIG. 1 with a roll of wipe material 170 inside of it, while FIG. 2B shows the cross sectional view of an empty cartridge 150, with no wipe material installed. The cartridge includes a cylindrical housing 151 that extends from a first end cap 157A to a second end cap 157B. Optionally, either or both each end caps will include a connector 153A, 153B that is configured to connect to a connecting member of roll wipe dispenser, examples of which will be described below. The connectors 153A, 153B shown are cylindrical receptacles that are sized and shaped to fit over post members of the roll wipe dispenser. However, other shapes and other connecting structures may be used.

[0031] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate that either or both of the interior sides of each end cap 157A, 157B of the cartridge may include a receiving post 113A, 113B that will support a core 158 around which a roll of wipe material 170 is wound. The core 158 in this embodiment may be a cylindrical roll member made of cardboard, plastic or other material with an open (hollow) center. A first end of the tube may be placed on the first receiving post 113A and a second end of the tube 158 is placed on the second receiving post 113B. The receiving posts 113A, 113B are optional and may be omitted in some embodiments.

[0032] Optionally, each receiving post may have a wide post segment 115A, 115B that is relatively closer to the corresponding end cap 157A, 157B to which the post is connected, and a narrow post segment 116A, 116B that is relatively further from the corresponding end cap and which faces the interior of the cartridge 150. (In this context, the terms “wide” and “narrow” are relative terms, meaning that the wider segment of each post is relatively narrower than the narrower segment of each post.) As shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, the wide post segments 115A, 115B may be formed by the interior sidewalls of the cartridge’s connectors 153 A, 153B. Alternatively, the wide post segments 115A, 115B may be connected to or may cover the connectors 153A, 153B.

[0033] The distance between each of the wide post segments will be less than the length of the tube 158, and the width of each wide post segment 115A, 115B may be less than the inner diameter of the tube 158. The distance between each of the narrower post segments 116A, 116B will be less than the length of the core 158. However the distance between either one of the end caps (such as 157A) and the innermost end of the opposing end cap’s narrow post segment (such as 116B) also will be less than the length of the core 158. In this way the roll of wipe material 170 may be installed by placing a first end of the core 158 over a first of the receiving posts (such as 113A) near a first end cap (157A), moving the core 158 up to align with the second receiving post (113B), and then sliding the core 158 away from the first end cap 157A so that a second end of the core 158 is positioned on the second receiving post 157B. If the receiving posts have wide and narrow segments, the core 158 may then be positioned between the wide post segments 115A, 115B and dropped down onto the narrow post segments 116A, 116B to hold the tube in place and permit the core 158 to rotate around the narrow post segments 116A, 116B while in use.

[0034] To replace the roll of wipe material 170, one end of the core 158 may then be moved up over one of the wide post segment and shifted toward that wide post segment, which will leave the other end of the core 158 free to fall below the opposite receiving post.

[0035] FIG. 2C illustrates a variation of the cartridge 150 in which the receiving structures 180A, 180B are not posts but instead are receptacles. The receptacles each include a relatively narrow portion 182A, 182B that is adjacent to an end cap and a relatively wide portion 181 A, 182B that faces the interior of the housing 151. This type of receiving structure may be useful if the roll of wipe material is wound around a solid core (such as a spindle) instead of a hollow tube. The solid core may be placed into the wide and narrow portions of one of the receiving receptacles (e.g., 180A), lifted up to align with the other receiving receptacle (such as 180B) slide toward the other receptacle, and dropped into the wide portions 181A, 181B of the receiving receptacles so that the wide portions support the core while permitting the core to rotate within the receiving receptacles 180A, 180B. The distance between one end cap and the opposing receiving structure will be greater than the length of the core, but the distance between the innermost openings of the two wide portions 181A, 181B will be less than the length of the core.

[0036] The wipe material 170 may be unrolled from the core 158 and may exit the cartridge via a slit 155 (see FIG. 1), which is an extended, narrow opening that extends along an outer sidewall 159 of the housing 151 from a first end point that is at or proximate the first end cap 157A to a second end point that is at or proximate the second end cap 157B. The slit 155 will extend along the sidewall 159 on an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core 158, which also is also parallel to the sidewall 159. The slit 155 is an elongated narrow opening that is wide enough to allow wipe material to exit the container. The slit 155 may include a seal, such as a flap that covers the slit, or strips of resilient material along each side of the slit, to help retain moisture inside of the container if the wipe material is pre-moistened. The seal will be made of resilient material that is configured to close and seal the container when wipe material is not passed through the slit, and to open just enough to pass the wipe material through the seal when wipe material is being dispensed (in which case the wipe material will contact the seal).

[0037] The roll of wipe material 170 may be made of cellulose fibers (i.e., paper), fabric, microfiber, or other material that is strong enough to be pulled from the dispenser without ripping, yet soft enough to wrap around items to be cleaned, such as human hands. The wipe material may be pre-impregnated with a cleaning solution, such as an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or an antibacterial soap. The wipe material may be a single roll of material, or it may be perforated at periodic locations to make the wipes easy to tear.

[0038] The cartridge 150 of FIG. 1 includes a housing 151 that includes a first shell portion 151A and a second shell portion 151B that may be separated along a connecting line 154. The connecting line 154 may be positioned along the center of the end caps 157A, 157B, in which case the shell portions 151A, 151B will be of equal size. Alternatively, the connecting line 154 may be positioned at a location that does not cross the center of the end caps 157A, 157B, in which case the shell portions 151A, 151B will not be of equal size. If so, the connecting line 154 optionally may intersect the slit 155. In either case, optionally the shell portions 151A, 151B may be connected to a hinge 156 so that they can open in a clamshell-like configuration. In this way, the housing 151 can be opened to be refilled with wipe material, or to start pulling a first end of the roll wipes through the slit 155. [0039] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a variation of the wipe cartridge 250 in which the housing 251 is a single cylindrical structure (not two shell portions) and includes a slit 255. The slit 255 will extend along the sidewall 259 of the housing 251 on an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core of the roll of wipe material. At least one of the end caps 257 is removably connected to the housing 251, such as in the structure of a lid that fits over or nests into an end portion of the housing 251. The end cap 257 may be removed in order to refill the cartridge with wipe material, or to start pulling a first end of the roll of wipe material through the slit 255. The sectional views of FIGs. 2A and 2B also apply to the configuration shown in FIG. 3.

[0040] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view, while FIG. 4B is an exterior view, of another variation of a wipe cartridge 453 for a roll wipe dispenser. The housing has a first end cap 456, optionally fixed to a first end the housing, that includes a first connector 453A, which as shown may be a cylindrical or other-shaped receptacle that is sized and shaped to fit over post of the roll wipe dispenser. A spindle 459 extends into the housing from the first end cap 456 and/or first connector 453A. A removable second end cap 457 is attached to the second end of the housing 451. The removable second end cap 457 includes a second connector 453B, which as shown also may be a cylindrical or other-shaped receptacle that is sized and shaped to fit over post of the roll wipe dispenser. When the second end cap 457 is removed, it opens the canister so that a roll of wipe material may be inserted over the spindle 459. The wipe material may be dispensed via a slit 455 in the housing as shown in FIG. 4B.

[0041] It should be noted that while the illustrations of FIGs. 1-4 show the example wipe cartridges as being cylindrical in shape, other shapes may be employed so long as they can retain and dispense the wipe material. Examples include rectangular (box) shapes, triangular (prism) shapes, and multi-sided shapes such as a pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal or octagonal-shaped canister.

[0042] FIGs. 5 and 6 illustrate a side view of an additional variation of a wipe cartridge 300 for a roll wipe dispenser, while FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the wipe cartridge 300. The wipe cartridge 300 may receive a roll of wipe material using any suitable configuration, such as any of those described above in FIGs. 1-4. The cartridge 300 includes a housing 301 having a generally cylindrical wipe holding section and an integral exit section 305 that extends from the wipe holding section. (As noted above, the housing may have a shape other than cylindrical.) The housing 301 includes a first clamshell portion 301A and a second clamshell portion 301B that are connected via a hinge 311 and that are configured to be opened at the exit area 305. FIGs. 5 and 7 show the cartridge 300 in a position where the clamshell portions are closed, while FIG. 5 shows the cartridge 300 in a position where the clamshell portions are open, so that the cartridge 300 may be refilled with wipe material.

[0043] The exit section 305 includes an aperture 315, and an optional guide rail 312 may extends away from the exit section at the aperture 315. The guide rail is a channel, duct, or other structure along which (or through) wipe material may be extended to reach a dispensing aperture of the dispenser (which will be described below). As shown, the guide rail 312 may include a first rail segment 312A that is connected to the first clamshell portion 301A at the exit area 305 and a second rail segment 312B that is connected to the second clamshell portion 302A at the exit area 305. The rail segments 312A, 312B may surround a channel through which wipe material may extend. However, other configurations that guide the wipe material to the exit aperture of the dispenser may be used. Each end of the cartridge 300 may include a connecting structure 313 configured to secure the cartridge in a dispenser. [0044] Inside of the cartridge, each end of the cartridge may include a receiving structure configured to support a core around which a roll of wipe material is wound. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the example wipe cartridge holder of FIGs. 5-7, showing receiving structures that extend into the housing 301 for receiving and holding a hollow core around which wipe material is wound. As with the embodiment shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, the receiving structures of the embodiment of FIG. 8 include a wide portion 315A, 315B and a narrow portion 316A, 316B, and a core that is a tube may be held in place and supported by the narrow portions 316A, 316B. As an alternative to this embodiment, the receiving structures of the cartridge 300 variation of FIGs. 5-7 may be receiving receptacles as shown in FIG. 2C, which allows the receiving structure to support a solid core.

[0045] FIG. 9 illustrates a roll wipe dispenser 500 from which wipe material of a roll wipe cartridge may be dispensed. The roll wipe dispenser includes a housing 501 that may hold a roll wipe cartridge 300 such as those described above. The housing 501 is connected to a support structure such as a support post 505 and base 507 that hold the housing above ground so that wipe material 170 may be dispensed from a lower portion of the housing 501 toward the base 507. The support structure is not limited to the configuration shown, and other support structures such as multi-legged structures or wall mount structures may be used. Also, in FIG. 9 a waste receptacle 570 is shown attached to the support post 505, but this is an optional feature.

[0046] The housing includes an upper section 502 that holds the roll wipe cartridge 300 and a lower section 503 that houses electromechanical components such as a motor, power supply and/or power input, and rollers 520 to pull the wipes from the roll and direct the wipes toward an exit aperture 510 of the housing 503. The upper section 502 may include support posts, or other structures that may fit around or into the connectors (153 A, 153B - see FIG. 1, or 313 - see FIG. 4) of the cartridge. The cartridge may include a guide rail 312 as described above in the context of FIGs. 5-7, or a separate guide rail 512 may be is positioned in the housing to receive wipe material from the cartridge and direct the wipe material to the dispensing aperture 510.

[0047] Optionally, the roll of wipe material 170 may be perforated at periodic locations along its length to allow a user to easily tear a single sheet of the wipe material from the roll as the wipe material exits the housing. Alternatively or in addition, optionally the lower section 503 also may include a cutting blade 540 for perforating or cutting the roll of wipe material 170 at periodic lengths as the material leaves the dispensing aperture 510.

[0048] The lower section 503 also may include a motion sensor 560 for detecting motion (such as a human waving his or her hand) near the sensor, which in response to detecting motion will transmit a signal to activate a motor to turn the electromechanical components (described below at FIG. 10) and dispense a wipe in response to detecting the motion. In addition or alternatively, the housing may include a lever, a crank, a wheel, or another manual actuator that is mechanically interconnected with other elements of the housing to, when actuated, draw roll wipe material from the cartridge and dispense the roll wipe material.

[0049] In addition, if the wipe material is not pre-moistened, the lower section 503 may include a reservoir that holds cleaning solution and an applicator that is configured to draw cleaning solution from the reservoir and apply the solution to the wipe material before the wipe material leaves the exit aperture 510. The applicator may include a pump that draws solution from the reservoir or a gravity -fed opening at the bottom of the reservoir, along with a spray applicator such as a nozzle, or a squeegee or another applicator that directs the solution to the wipe material. Alternatively or in addition, the applicator may include a length of wicking material that leads from the reservoir to a roller, squeegee or other applicator along which the wipe material is passed so that the wicking material draws fluid from the reservoir and transfers the fluid to the applicator, and so that the applicator transfers the fluid to the wipe material when the wipe material touches the applicator. Example wicking material include, but are not limited to, wool felt materials.

[0050] FIG. 10 is a close-up view of certain components of the lower section 503. By way of example, a pair of wipe material guide rollers 520A, 520B may be positioned adjacent to each other, positioned at a space that passes wipe material 170 while applying friction to the material to pull the material from its spindle without tearing it. The rollers may be turned by friction while a user manually pulls wipes from the dispenser. Or, the guide rollers 520A, 520B may be operated one or more motors 541 so that when the rollers turn together (guide roller 520A in a clockwise direction, guide roller 520B in a counterclockwise direction), wipe material is drawn between the guide rollers 520A, 520B. FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment in which a guide rail 512 and/or canister structure of FIGs. 4-6 may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12, a cartridge structure such as that of any FIGs. 1-4 may be used, with a wipe cartridge structure 151 as in FIG. 1 shown by way of example for illustration, with the wipe material 170 exiting the cartridge 151 from a slit 155 that is covered by a flexible seal 159, and either no guide rail or a guide rail that is positioned in a different location.

[0051] Optionally, the dispenser 500 may be equipped with a cutting blade 540. The cutting blade 540 may be placed in a fixed position so that a user can draw wipe material across the cutting blade 540. Alternatively, the cutting blade 540 may be driven by a motor 541 that directs the blade toward the wipe material at periodic material dispensing intervals, or at a particular length of time after receiving a signal from the motion sensor indicating that the motion sensor detected motion. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the motor 541 (which may or may not be the same motor that drives the rollers) may drive a worm gear 550 that turns and causes the cutting blade 540 to move back and forth. Other structures such as gears and belts may be used to move the cutting blade. The cutting blade 540 may be, for example, a perforating knife that perforates but does not fully cut the wipe material. Alternatively, cutting blade 540 may be a solid blade that fully cuts the wipe material.

[0052] The features and functions described above, as well as alternatives, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements may be made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.