Device for using nonwoven towels in the dairy industry

• US 8,066,118 B1
• Filed: 12/25/2006
• Issued: 11/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marty Van Tassell
• Original Assignee: Marty Van Tassell
• Inventors: Van Tassell, Marty
• Primary Examiner(s): Pickett; J. Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRANO, ERNESTO ARTURIO
• Application Number:
  US11/616,012
• Time in Patent Office: 1,800 Days
• Field of Search: 206/233, 206/494, 221 33- 38, 221/45, 221/48, 224/637, 224/655, 224/664, 224/932
• US Class Current: 206/233
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2013/1015 of hook and loop type
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 7/0077 collapsible to a minimal configuration, e.g. for storage purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/144 Pack-carrying waist or torso belts
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/005 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of a single strap around the waist
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/14 Carrying-straps; Pack-carrying harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/04 Holding handkerchiefs, napkins, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0894 the articles being positioned relative to one another or to the container in a special way, e.g. for facilitating dispensing, without additional support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/932 Carrier for towel or handkerchief

Abstract

A method and apparatus for use in the dairy industry to affect the time in preparing a dairy cow for milking and the transference of mastitis in dairy cows with the method the present invention provides: retrieving a quantity of the disposable single fold towels/wipes of the present invention before teat cleaning; extracting a towel/wipe from the quantity and having the maximum surface area of the towel/wipe upon extraction available for use without further manipulation; wiping the udder teats until dry and disposing of the used disposable single fold towel of the present invention. The apparatus of the present invention is a Nonwoven Airlaid or Nonwoven DRC (Double Recreped Cellulose) or 2-6 ply Scrim single fold, interfold towel with a basis weight between 40 GSM (grams per square meter) and 80 GSM, consisting of both virgin pulp (longer fibers) and also recycled pulp (broken or shorter fibers), in the dairy industry.

Claims

1. A refillable pouch in combination with a plurality of nonwoven single use towels for cleaning cow teats prior to milking to prevent the transmission of bovine mastitis therefrom and an improved means of distribution thereof consisting essentially of:

a single compartment, refillable pouch containing a vertically disposed stack of said towels wherein each towel has only a single fold line wherein a bottom portion of an uppermost towel extending from said fold line interleaves with a top portion of a subjacent towel so that each towel upon removal comes fully opened from said pouch providing a user with a fully opened towel of maximum surface area upon extraction without need for further manipulation thus optimizing the time and labor required to milk a large herd, and each towel having a basis weight of between 40 GSM and 80 GSM and two plys, said pouch having first, second, third and fourth sides, a closed bottom and an open top, said first side opposite said third side, said second side opposite said fourth side, said second and fourth sides joining said first and third sides, said second and fourth sides extending transverse with respect to said first and third sides;

said pouch having an integral, exposed outer flap covering said open top and a dispensing slot in said flap through which said towels are withdrawn when said flap covers said compartment, the towels in said pouch being vertically stacked beneath said slot with exposed edges of said towels aligned with said slot so that pulling a towel out through said slot positions a next towel in position to be withdrawn through said slot, said flap having a first portion covering said open top and a second portion extending down along an outside of said third side when said flap is in a closed position, a side flap extending from a side of said first portion of said flap, said side flap extending over said fourth side of said pouch when said flap is positioned over said open top, said side flap being spaced from said second portion of said flap when said side flap is over said fourth side and said second portion is over said third side, said first portion of said flap having a length extending between said first and said third sides, said side flap having a length extending between said first and said third sides, said length of said side flap being shorter than said length of said first portion, said first portion having a width extending between said fourth and said second sides, said second portion having a width extending between said fourth and said second sides, said width of said second portion being equal to said width of said first portion; and

said pouch having a releasable strap adapted to be worn on a waist of the user to provide rapid access to said towels at all times during the process of milking a herd.

2. The nonwoven towels and means recited in claim 1, wherein extraction of a towel from said pouch leaves a portion of the subadjacent towel exposed to provide the user with rapid access to remaining towels when needed.

3. The nonwoven towels and means recited in claim 2, wherein said pouch is refillable through said opening when said flap is raised.

4. The towels and means recited in claim 3, wherein said cover flap has hook and loop fastening elements adjacent a free distal edge thereof for engagement with a side wall of said pouch for quick and easy engagement.

5. A fanny pack for dispensing single fold towels for cleaning cow teats prior to milking consisting essentially of:

a single compartment pouch having first, second, third and fourth sides, a closed bottom and an open top, said first side opposite said third side, said second side opposite said fourth side, said second and fourth sides joining said first and third sides, said second and fourth sides extending transverse with respect to said first and third sides;

an exposed outer flap having an edge attached to a top edge of said first side, said flap having a first portion covering said open top and a second portion extending down along an outside of said third side when said flap is in a closed position;

a vertically disposed stack of, single fold towels parallel with said bottom stacked within said compartment, said towels being of nonwoven material and having a basis weight of between 40 OSM and 80 OSM;

said first portion of said flap having a dispensing slot aligned with an exposed edge of a towel at a top of said stack and immediately below said slot, each towel in said stack interleaved with a towel directly beneath so that removal of a towel through said slot brings out a towel fully unfolded and ready for use, a side flap extending from a side of said first portion of said flap, said side flap extending over said fourth side of said pouch when said flap is positioned over said open top, said side flap being spaced from said second portion of said flap when said side flap is over said fourth side and said second portion is over said third side, said first portion of said flap having a length extending between said first and said third sides, said side flap having a length extending between said first and said third sides, said length of said side flap being shorter than said length of said first portion, said first portion having a width extending between said fourth and said second sides, said second portion having a width extending between said fourth and said second sides, said width of said second portion being equal to said width of said first portion;

the second portion of said flap having a first hook and loop fastener for engaging a mating hook and loop fastener on the outside of said third side to secure said flap when in its closed position;

straps connected to sides of said first side of said pouch for supporting said pouch on a waist of a user; and

whereby said slot allows withdrawal of one towel at a time and opening of said flap allows for refilling of said pouch with clean towels.