US 5,435,465 AGranted

Hygiene device

OwnerHassan A. El-Amininventor

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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.

Claims10

Dependent claims

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.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/140,488Filed 25 Oct 1993 · continuation in part
Priority: 28 Apr 1992
Granted: 25 Jul 1995
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

A47K 5/1204
Dispensing dosed volume: by means of a rigid dispensing chamber and pistons
A47K 10/32
Towel dispensers; Toilet paper dispensers: dispensers for paper towels or toilet paper
A47K 2010/328
Moistened just before use: by spraying
A47K
Sanitary equipment