GB2045722A - M.O.D. moist or dry toilet/ paper roll dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The enclosed specification shows that by using the methods disclosed the universally used toilet tissue roll and also the paper roll may be automatically folded into multi-layer pads which may be used either dry or wetted in a controlled manner. The pads may be sprayed either with water from a supply pipe or container or by means of a pressurized can containing appropriate medicated fluids or creams. Only by forming a suitable pad and then applying a moisturizer in a controlled way is it possible to obtain a wetted tissue for practical immediate and daily use for personal freshness and hygiene in the Lavatory and Bathroom and also in the care of the face and skin and areas of the body which cannot be thoroughly cleansed with dry tissues only. The same claims are made in respect of areas in kitchens and hospitals where there are surfaces requiring cleaning with wet or dry paper pads.

Description

SPECIFICATION M.O.D. moist of dry toilet/paper roll dispenser I, Maurice John Faulds of Herald House, North Street, Langport, Somerset on this eighteenth of March 1 979 do claim that the enclosed drawings and descriptions of my Moist Or Dry toilet and paper roll Dispenser shall constitute a new and novel invention.

1. The purpose of this Dispenser is to present from the ordinary toilet roll a folded pad, enclosing the pad forming forks-there- by giving greater hygene-presenting the user with nearly wrapped tissue suitable for moisturizing by the unit itself.

2. The paper can be spun from the roll (there is a 4 to 1 gear) by the reel control or be pulled in the usual way and used dry.

3. The advantage of MOD in Lavatory/bathroom is, I claim, that by placing unit within easy reach of the W.C. instead of or in addition to the normal toilet roll holder, the user is given the choice of not only moist or dry paper from the same roll BUT IN VARYING DEGREES OF LENGTHS AND THICKNESSES AND USED DRY OR MOISTURIZED ACCORDINGLY thus enabling him to enjoy a cleanliness, personal freshness and hygene which the normal roll and holder is unable to provide.

4. It should be pointed out that ordinary toilet paper in single sheets or unsuitably folded multiple sheets cannot be sprayed for use satisfactorily Therefor I have designed a control system which operates when the pad is being suitably formed and prepared ready for moisturizing, thereby reducing the possibillity of the user spraying single or unprepared paper and making the unit more practical and efficient for the purpose it was designed.

(5) As pointed out in (4) unless a suitable pad is formed moisturizing is impracticable.

With this in mind I have incorporated a spray control as part of the MOD unit. With this control it makes it difficult to spray until the PAD ROLLER and FORMER has commenced preparing the pad.

There are a number of ways this can be done but bearing in mind that we are dealing with a low priced article (the toilet or paper roll) in use every day I feel it is necessary to keep costs as low as possible. The control system is shown, together with alternatives, in the drawings.

I claim the control system is novel and an important part of the unit, without it the spray could be used on the unwound single paper and unprepared pad. Also, I claim, that by the invention of this control and by the user following the simple operation instructions it should NOT be necessary to provide a catchment tray (although provision can be made for this), thus offering a simpler, cleaner and more hygenic unit.

(6) The toilet/paper roll is loaded endways (see drawings). Finger holds are provided for this purpose. On this disc is a fixed bearing shaft on which the THREE SPRING LOCKING device for the toilet roll is allowed to turn.

These springs are tapered and each have an upraised nodule capable of fitting into and LOCKING the inner core thereby offering control. The roll is pushed firmly onto this before being inserted into the fixed drive shaft which runs the length of the unit and which also gives a three spring support (these springs are not so strong as they not required to lock, only support. This drive shaft has a tapered end with upraised flutes which when meshed into the locking device form a complete drive unit. The end of the drive shaft is spring loaded so that when the paper roll complete with locking device is inserted the end of drive shaft is allowed to retract until proper meshing takes place ie., either when roll or drive shaft is turned independantly of one another. When this happens the paper roll is controlled and the unit operative.

(7) The drive shaft is supported by a suitable bearing on part of the housing and is controlled by a small pulley driven by a suitable stretch belt connected to the lower reel control.

The small pulley on the drive shaft connected to the larger lower pulley gives a gear increase of approx four to one... thus the paper can be quickly flowed through the unit ready for use.

(8) Also connected to the small pulley is the control gear. This I also claim forms a novel part of the patent.

The teeth are designed to retain the hold and release mechanism while the pad former is turned not just once but two or more times.

This affords the user the choice of a slim or thick pad at the same time using the perforations in the paper to be torn as required.

(9) This gear also operates the small dual spring loaded toggle gear which in turn releases the spraying mechanism.

This means that immediately the control reel is turned and before any paper is flowed through the unit the spray mechanism is made in-operative only when the pad former has been turned preparing the paper can moisturizing take place.

(10) To make the spray mechanism operative requires one of several methods the easiest and most positive of these is by a push bar or cam fixed to the lower shaft which is connected to the pad former and is turned by the outer handle. . in the formation of the pad.

(11) The other most obvious method is to use the tension on the hold and release mechanism when the paper is torn. Although the tension is not very great it is possible by using leverage to prime the mechanism. It is possi ble to use both methods together. as shown However we feel in the initial stages it would better to keep the system as simple as possible and I feel that positive priming as briefly described in (10) should be sufficient.

The release system has been described in (9).

(12) The hold and release system has been mentioned in (8). This like (10) is operated from the lower shaft by push rod or cam.

The rod or cam is positioned so that by virtue of weight on the outer disc and handle the cam maintains the hold and release mechanism in the free position this allows the paper to be pulled from the roll as normal procedure or the reel may be used to flow the paper through the unit.

Thus the weighted disc and handle, also, I claim, form a novel part of the invention for in addition to the points already mentioned the position of the pad formers are also maintained ready for operative use.

(13) The REEL and LOWER PULLEY are also on the lower shaft, inside the outer disc and handle, which is held in position by grub screw, and between the push rods which are also held to the shaft by grub screw. The reel and pulley are designed to turn freely and independantly on the shaft.

(14) The Pad Former as shown in the drawings provides a neat toilet pad consisting of four or more double windings.

If a wider former is used then obviously the pad will be wider and it will be necessary to use more paper.

This can of course be provided for kitchen and hospital use.

(15) The flow of paper is guided through the 'former' from both a full and almost used roll by light-weight double pronged guides protected at the ends by small 'beads' and held in position by a very light or 'trembling' spring. The reason for this is when paper is wrapped in Former and torn, especially when the roll is full if the spring did not allow the guides to relax the ends could penetrate the paper.

Also when the reel is used to re-wind the roll the same thing could happen. This also, I claim, forms a novel part of the patent.

(16) The position of the SPRAY CON TAINER can be seen on the drawings. Provision will be made for the same container to be held in place inside the W.C. cistern thereby supplying a constant supply of water. Each time the cistern is flushed the old water will flow out and as the cistern refills fresh water will filter in.

This will be connected to the MOD unit by suitable polythene tube and primed in the normal way.

This will save the user the trouble of refilling the container. A mild de-odorizing agent may be used in both cases. This I claim also forms a novel and practical part of the patent.

(17) The position of the spray itself is important. It is necessary that it should be placed so as to direct the moisture at the prepared pad in such a way as to eliminate drips or spillage.

(18) The SPRAY MECHANISM is quite straightforward. Operated by a small handle at the front of the machine it consists of a spring load rod held in position by two bearing supports, a fixed dog at the bottom of the rod engages the bolt which in turn allows spray primer to be activated. The spring pressure on the primer is sufficient to return the bolt unit to its former position.

(19) 1 should mention that it is possible to operate the spray by using the outer handle it will be seen however from the drawings that is much more complicated and could perhaps confuse the user.

(20) The M.O.D. unit itself is designed to be screwed to the wall in such a way that the controls for reasons of hygene shall be operated more easily by the LEFT HAND... even when unit is screwed to either wall.

(21) 1 would wish to reserve the right and the patent. . by using any of the control systems described in (18) and (19) until given reasonable time to develope these over a trial period.

This I would hope would apply to any of the systems incorporated in the major. . patent.

M.O.D. Toilet Paper Roll Dispenser... Moist Or Dry Ref No.

1. Top Cover 2. End Cover (Top) 3. Main Frame 4. Toilet Roll-Full 4 X 4 5. Roll Insert-fixed to main shaft 6. Roll Insert-LOCK-with loading disc 7. Fold and Release rod 8. Gear. . . controlling (23) and (20) 9. Grub screw securing (8) and (10) 10. Top pulley 11. Bearing welded to frame 12. Top Shaft 4 diam fixed to (13) and (5) 4 1 3. Shaft i diam . . . i shafts each end meshing into (6) to give main drive 14. compression spring within shaft (13) 1 5. Upraised flutes to mesh and lock with (6) 1 6. Single compression springs to lock into core of paper roll-from 11/8 to 2"-3OFF 1 7. Cage allowing Hold 8 Release control to move while locking into gear (8) at same time maintaining hold while Pad Former may be turned several times thus making use of rod spring 18. Toilet or Paper Roll Core 1 9. Axis pin... Hold s Release Rod 20. Toggle Gear-with two-way spring giving control to spray mechanism 21. Axis pin-toggle gear 22.Paper reel-out alignment through FORMER 23. Finger hold-spray mechanism 24. Compression Spring spray plunger 25. Axis pin-rod to toggle 26. Rod to toggle 27. Frame housing holding (6) 28. Bearings-spray plunger 29. Adjustment screw for spray 30. Polythene Tubecontainer to spray 31. Spray Unit 32. Reel Control, ... 4+" diam with Pulley attached turns freely on shaft controlling top pulley and toilet roll. . giving gear increase approx 4 to 1.

33. Bottom pulley 4" diam 34. Stretch belt driving pulleys 3/16" 35. Weld or moulds connecting reel and pulley 36. Axis pin... hold 8 release rod 37. Bottom rod... hold 8 release 38. Bottom shaft control operating pad former and trip and release mechanisms the disc is weighted so that the unit remains in operational position... the pad formers held horizontal and the trips keeping top shaft and roll free 39. Guides with beads suspended on trembling spring 40. Grub screws fixing (38) 41. Bottom shaft 1 X 3" 42. Grub screw holding trip mechanism 43. Bearings holding shaft 44. Pad Former or forks... if 174x X 4 wider pad is required then larger formers will be fitted... this will of course apply when kitchen or hospital rolls are used 45. Release Bolt-Spray mech 46. Trip-part of grub screws 47. Position of toggle trip 48. Handle and pin-note weights 49. Spray Primer 50. Container. . If desired fitted clips and brackets to hold in cistern 51. Four screw holes to fix unit to wall 52. Front frame shaped to allow access to pad former etc and user can see if pad has been sufficiently moisturized 53. Back Frame 54. Door... giving access to container 55. Wall clearance 56. Trembling spring 57. Access hole in reel to (42) 58. Finger holds--loading

Claims (10)

CLAIMS The purpose of this invention is to provide a wetted tissue pad for practical daily use in the bathroom and lavatory from the universally used paper tissue roll. It is surely recognized that there is a need for such an application to provide the user with the means for cleanliness and hygene which until now has not been available to him. A further use for this Dispenser would be in the cleansing of the face and skin before and after make-up. Attached to the dressing table or mirror it would produce automatically formed pads from the tissue roll to which suitable creams or fluids could be applied from the attached pressurized container. The larger Dispenser could also be useful in kitchens and hospitals where paper rolls could be made to serve more useful purpose if automatically folded and moisturized to give greater cleaning efficiency and hygene. Most attempts in the past to provide a moistened tissue have been mainly concerned with the pre-wetted types. In addition to requiring a special paper they also have to be sealed. Dipping tanks and capsules have also been tried. None of these have been successful for obvious reasons. There are two basic requirements essential for the preparation of wet tissues for practical use. The presentation of a freshly formed pad from the paper roll in sufficient layers. This is the first requirement. Secondly the controlled spraying or moisturizing of that pad with water, or suitably medicated fluids from the attached sealed and pressurized container. From Fig. 1. it will be seen that the Dispenser is housed in the mouldings 22 and 23 with front plates 24 and 24a the unit would be presented in plastic laminates in attractive colours and secured to the wall by screws Fig. 2. (25). With further reference to the attached drawings it will be seen that the toilet roll is pushed over the four springs marked 13a, Fig. 4. These are welded to shaft 1 3 and when 12.wedge shaped-is pushed into the core of the roll the roll is then locked to the shaft, see Fig. 4 and Fig. 6. The reason for the springs is to support the varying sizes of paper roll cores. 1 2 for the same reason has four serrated wedge shaped vanes. Placing the roll into position is no more difficult than with a conventional holder. Once the roll is in place the tissues may be reeled or pulled through the pad forming forks in the usual manner. This will be seen in Fig. 2. Also note the two guides 20. which give alignment to the tissues and forks. There is little variation in toilet rolls except in the strength of paper and the diameter of centre cores. Al. The dotted lines in Fig. 2 shows the position of tissues from the roll and through the forks. 15B shows the minimum length of paper from which the forks can wrap a suitable pad for practical use. The two 15a markings show the position of the perforations in the tissues. A5. When the forks are turned by the weighted handle 11. the cam 6. (see Figs. 1. and 3.) allow the controls 7. and 8. to mesh into teeth of gear 10. Fig. 3. shows the locking position 3a. and the weight 8b. The paper roll is now immobilized and the forks continuing to rotate drawing the paper UP through themselves from 15B. to position 15c. see Fig. 2. A2. The paper is now wrapped around the forks and the tissue is torn easily and cleanly at the perforations 15aa. Fig. 2. before the completion of the first rotation A second rotation is necessary to complete the formation of a two tissue pad giving multi-thicknesses (four windings). The neatly formed dry pad is now ready for moisturizing. A. The spring control 7. Fig. 3. allows the lock 8a to remain enmeshed even if cam 6. makes contact before the paper is torn as with papers of the multi-ply stretch type. It also allows smoother operation. If thicker pads are required then it only requires more tissues to be drawn through the forks-lowering the position of 15B. For this design one rotation per tissue is necessary. Larger forks would of course provide wider pads. B. The moisturizing can be done in several ways. For the purpose of this invention the most suitable methods offering fresh and noncontaminated supplies of moisturizer would be to connect from 3a. Fig. 3. to the supply pipe in the bathroom or kitchen by means of a T piece union and suitable small bore pipe. This would give a constant, fresh and pressurized supply at all times. This would be controlled by push button 5. and rod 3B. and return spring 3c. The small valve 3E. is of the widely used conventional type which gives only one spray with each press. This valve is connected by flexible tube to spray pipe 3. Fig. 4. B. The pressurized container is held in alignment by two clips attached to the housing see Fig. 2. 16. The head of the container nozzle is inserted into a self sealing manifold Fig. 4. 21. Only slight pressure is necessary at the base marked 4. and arrowed, to activate the pressurized fluid through pipe 3. and in a controlled manner along the length of the newly formed pad. The user is given the choise of water and /or a suitable medicated and perfumed fluid. For use on the dressing table only the pressurized container would be necessary. In fact this Dispenser could have a place in most homes just as necessary as the toilet and paper roll itself. This invention is directly related to U.K. patent Application No. 7910749 and it is claimed that although there are some variations in this design the basic and essential operational and working principals remain the same. Having left out the cover enclosing the paper roll it was found unnecessary to provide the reel, pulley's and belt as shown in the above application. Also it was found for same reason unnecessary to include the spray control system as in this design as shown on Fig. 1. the user can clearly see when NOT to spray. This reduced the size of the unit and obviously the cost but in no way impaired its efficiency. These are the claims. "A" will show the means by which a folded multi-layer pad of varying thicknesses may be produced from the universally used toilet and paper roll automatically presenting a pad of such substance that it may be sprayed or moisturized as claimed in "B" preparitory for practical and immediate use; wet or dry; folded or unwrapped so that it may be used as with an ordinary paper roll holder; by pulling the tissues freely from the roll.

1. The Moist or Dry Toilet/Paper Roll Dispenser (MOD); a housing frame; means for securing to a fixed position; provision for toilet roll to be held and locked in correct alignment; springs and wedge shaped locK allowing for variations in diameter of roll cores; springs welded to shaft; alignment disc (14) welded to shaft; shaft supported by bearing (D) which is part of housing; gear (10) and collar is pinned to shaft.

2. MOD Dispenser contained in housing frame; means for securing, means for supporting toilet paper roll, means for immobilizing toilet roll; control of free and immobilized positions see Fig. 3. through 7. and 8. and 8a to meshing with gear 10; and activated by cam 6.

3. MOD Dispenser with housing frame supporting pad forming forks Fig. 4. ref. 2.

with bearing D. part of housing; shaft of pad forming forks see Figs. 1 and 5. ref 2c supporting disc and cam 6 and 6a.; weighted handle connected to collar and pinned to shaft and controlling cam in free position by weight also when rotated allows controls to mesh with gear 10 immobilizing the paper roll.

"A" as claimed in the preceding claims constitute a new and novel means of controlling a toilet/paper roll in manner described above and in the attached specifications for the purpose of forming a multi-layer pad suitable for moisturizing or using dry.

4. MOD Dispenser with weighted handle and collar attached to shaft of pad forming forks; weighted handle maintains forks in open position see Figs. 1 and 2; with toilet or paper roll in free position the paper is pulled or reeled through forks to the required length see Fig. 2; the minimum length-see 1 SB--is a two-tissue pad providing eight layers. (2 Ply). Thicker pads may be obtained by drawing more paper through the forks before rotating.

5. MOD Dispenser with pad forming forks in alignment with paper roll designed to pro duce a multi-layer uniform pad; the forks will draw the paper UP and in wrapping paper around themselves; at the same time the paper roll will be immobilized as already described; the forks still rotated by the weighted handle will tear the tissue away from the roll as shown Fig. 2. ref 15aa. at the perforations provided. The first rotation now completed the handle willcontinue to rotate the forks to complete the formation of the pad. The number of rotations depend on the width of forks and length of tissues; the attached drawings are designed to require one rotation per toilet tissue. Where wider forks are fitted wider pads would be formed with less rotations . . . per tissue.

"A" as claimed in (four) providing the means to produce a multi-layer pad of varying thicknesses by means of suitably positioned forks allowing the paper to be wrapped around them in a uniform and hygenic man ner... the entire forks encased.

"A" as claimed in (five) providing the means for the forks while rotating the paper around themselves to utilize the existing perforations to tear the tissue from the immobilized roll.

It is claimed that "A" 4 and 5 in addition to the preceding claims constitute a new and novel method of producing a paper pad suitable for moisturizing or using dry from the toilet tissue or paper roll.

"B" is dealing with the moisturizing or wetting in a controlled manner the automatically folded pad.

6. MOD Dispenser enclosing spray priming unit within housing 23 see Fig. 3 ref 26; this is for use in moisturizing prepared paper pad by means of priming push button and rod 26a through the primer arm 26B. Water is drawn through pipe 26c and forced through pipe 26D to spray pipe leading to and directed over and onto folded pad; see Fig. 2.

ref 3 and Fig. 4 ref 3; spray outlets along pipe 3 are designed so as not to over moisturize a minimum size pad; more than one spray may be applied in the manner described. Pipe 26 is fitted with union 26E so that an extension pipe can lead into a suitable container.

7. MOD Dispenser encloses within housing 23 Fig. 3. discloses spray system ref 3E activated by push button 5 and rod 3B; pipe union 3a is connected by suitable small bore pipe to main supply by means of a T piece and union of suitable size; This would ensure a constant, fresh and uncontaminated supply of pressurized water at all times; this would be activated and controlled by a conventional pressure valve of suitable size; the arm from valve 3E is of the trigger type and when pushed by rod 3B only activates one spray unless rod is allowed to return to former position and is pushed again; thereby pressuring water through valve 3E and flexible screw connection to spray pipe 3 and moisturizing pad in a controlled manner.

8. The MOD Dispenser provides within the housing 23 and 22 a third spray system; this is a pressurized container shown in Fig. 4 ref 4; this is aligned and held in position by clips 16; this is pushed into a self sealing manifold ref 21 Fig. 4; this is connected to pipe 3; by applying a minimum push to base of container see arrow Fig. 4 the fluid or cream is activated through pipe system 3 and directed onto pad in a controlled manner.

"B" which provides the spray systems as shown in claims 6, 7, and 8 providing three moisturing systems for the pad produced from the toilet or paper roll and claimed in "A" shall it is claimed constitute a new and novel means of moisturizing paper tissues for practical use.

9. It is also claimed that if the system is activated and controlled by an electric motor from either battery or mains supply using any or all of the claims above this too shall constitute a claim as being part of this invention.

10. It is also claimed that the MOD Dispenser while offering to the user the mechanical advantages claimed under "A" and "B" at the same time provides the support for a toilet tissue or paper roll so that it may also be used in the uncontrolled and conventional way.