Hygiene device

• US 5,435,465 A
• Filed: 10/25/1993
• Issued: 07/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hassan A. El-Amin
• Original Assignee: Hassan A. El-Amin
• Inventors: El-Amin, Hassan A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P.
• Application Number:
  US08/140,488
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 222/108, 222/154, 222/156, 222/181, 222/183, 222/185, 222/325, 222/383, 222/505, 222/509, 222/192, 222/153, 141/18, 141/21, 141/346, 141/348, 141/351, 141/352, 141/354, 141/360
• US Class Current: 222/108
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/32 Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/328 by spraying
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1204 by means of a rigid dispensing chamber and pistons

Abstract

An apparatus for wetting toilet paper prior to the use of the toilet paper. The apparatus may be mounted on a wall or set on a flat surface, and includes a reservoir for storing a fluid. A clamp is provided for holding the reservoir by friction. The reservoir has a screw-on lid and a check valve controlling flow of fluid, enabling the reservoir to be removed without allowing a significant quantity of liquid contents to escape. The check valve is opened by a projecting conduit member when the liquid reservoir is secured by the clamp in its operative position. An internal valve arrangement includes a spring biased piston pressurizing the liquid, and resultant pressure operates a valve enabling dispensing of the liquid. An operating lever acting on the piston is urged by the spring into a "ready" position after each stroke. As the liquid is dispensed onto the toilet paper, any excess liquid is caught by a liquid splash pan located under the user'"'"'s hand and contained within a removable tray. A hinged cover is provided with a viewing window providing the user with a way to check the level of liquid in the reservoir. In commercial applications, the hygiene device may be provided with a locking cover and a locking liquid splash pan to prevent unauthorized removal of the liquid reservoir and the tray. The lever is disposed to be located below or in front of the discharge path in the "ready" position, and is pushed to a location behind the discharge path during operation. This enables a user to both operate the device and to hold a toilet tissue while using but a single hand.

Claims

1. A personal hygiene device for wetting a wiping medium, comprising:

a receptacle having a holder dimensioned and configured to hold a liquid reservoir with a press fit;

said liquid reservoir having a closed end and an open end;

a lid removably attachable to said open end;

a normally closed check valve mounted through said lid;

a lever attached to said receptacle;

connection means;

a push rod attached by said connection means to said lever;

said push rod being normally urged outwardly by a spring and being connected to a piston, said piston being capable of reciprocating within a fill chamber and positioned therein;

a nozzle in fluid communication with said fill chamber;

a standpipe attached to said receptacle, said standpipe being curved and having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end being normally closed by a dispensing valve means, said dispensing valve means being movable between a first position closing said lower end and a second position obstructing fluid communication between said fill chamber and said nozzle; and

said upper end being placed to urge said check valve open when said liquid reservoir is placed in said holder, whereby when said push rod is urged outwardly by said spring, said dispensing valve means is moved to said second position due to suction exerted by movement of said piston within said fill chamber, thereby allowing said fill chamber to fill with an amount of fluid from said reservoir, and when said lever is pushed back by a hand of a user, said piston is pushed back into said fill chamber displacing the amount of fluid filling said fill chamber, thereby moving said dispensing valve means to said first position and allowing a metered amount of fluid, said metered amount corresponding to the amount of fluid filling said fill chamber, to flow out of said nozzle.

2. The hygiene device according to claim 1, said holder being a clamp.

3. The hygiene device according to claim 2, said lid being screw threaded onto said open end.

4. The hygiene device according to claim 1, said connection means comprising:

two rods being attached to said lever by a first pin at one end of said two rods;

said two rods being attached to said push rod by a second pin at another end of said two rods; and

said second pin being passed through a forward end of said push rod.

5. The hygiene device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a liquid splash pan attached to said receptacle a spaced distance below said nozzle;

a splash area being located between an area behind said nozzle and said liquid splash pan;

said splash area being an integral part of said receptacle;

a tray being removably placed in said liquid splash pan for removing and emptying excess liquid in said tray;

a grille located over said tray to prevent viewing of the excess liquid; and

a smooth cover hingedly attached to said receptacle to cover said liquid reservoir.

6. The hygiene device according to claim 1, further including:

a mounting bracket for holding a roll of toilet paper; and

said mounting bracket being mounted on an extension of said receptacle located below said liquid splash pan.

7. The hygiene device according to claim 5, wherein

said removable tray is in the form of a drawer;

said grille forms an integral portion of said liquid splash pan;

said grille is located in a top portion of said liquid splash pan;

a first locking mechanism is provided on a side of said liquid splash pan;

a second locking mechanism is provided on a side of said drawer; and

said first locking mechanism has a mating relationship with said second locking mechanism, whereby said first locking mechanism and said second locking mechanism prevent said drawer from being stolen.

8. The hygiene device according to claim 7, further including a third locking mechanism disposed through said cover, whereby said third locking mechanism prevents said liquid reservoir from being removed.

9. The hygiene device according to claim 8, wherein at least part of said smooth cover is made of a transparent material, whereby a user is able to determine a quantity and a clarity of a liquid in said liquid reservoir by visual observation.

10. The hygiene device according to claim 5, further having a horizontal, planar bottom surface, whereby said hygiene device may be supported on a horizontal environmental surface.