Portable High Capacity Canister Anti-Microbial Towelette Dispenser

Abstract

A portable, large capacity, canister for containing and dispensing anti-microbial towelettes to a large number of individuals at a social gathering, such as a sporting event or a picnic. The large capacity canister allows for the ready dispensing of anti-microbial towelettes to a large number of people quickly and conveniently. The canister container includes a large capacity bucket or pail with a semi-permanently attachable lid having a centrally positioned lid neck with a cap. A large quantity roll of towelettes containing a liquid anti-microbial compound is positioned within the container and a sequence of towelettes from the towelette roll is fed through a toothed collar in the container lid beneath the centrally positioned cap. In this manner, a large gathering of individuals such as a sports team, or a group of individuals at a picnic, may commonly utilize the dispensing canister in association with disposal containers positioned nearby. The invention therefore provides a component and a system for allowing a large number of individuals to gain the advantage of using anti-microbial wipes so as to eliminate or reduce the spread of germs as commonly occurs in large social gathering environments. The towelette canister further includes components such as a pivoting handle to facilitate the transport of the device to and from its location of use.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 274,051; Filed: Nov. 15, 2005, and further claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 295,228; Filed: Jan. 15, 2010, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to systems and devices for the dispensing of pre-moistened towelettes. The present invention relates more specifically to a portable, high capacity, towelette dispenser suitable for use in conjunction with large social gatherings where anti-microbial towelettes would help to reduce or prevent the spread of disease causing microbes.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]The most common manner of providing anti-microbial agents to the skin, especially to the hands of an individual, is through the use of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In fulfillment of the above and further objectives the present invention provides a portable high capacity canister for dispensing anti-microbial towelettes to a large group of individuals at a social gathering. The high capacity canister allows for the ready dispensing of anti-microbial towelettes to a large number of people quickly and conveniently. The canister container includes a large capacity bucket or pail shaped enclosure with a semi-permanently attached lid having a centrally positioned lid neck with a cap covering. A large quantity roll of towelettes impregnated with an anti-microbial agent or compound is positioned within the container and a sequence of individual towelettes from the roll may be fed through a toothed aperture within the container lid beneath the centrally positioned cap. With this dispensing device configured within a system for providing anti-microbial wipes or towelettes, the system allows for a large number of individuals to gain the advantage of using anti-microbial wipes or towelettes so as to eliminate or reduce the spread of germs as commonly occurs in environments having large numbers of individuals at social gatherings.

Problems solved by technology

While such containers of anti-microbial compounds are beneficial, they suffer from two distinct problems with their use, and more specifically with their use in large gatherings of individuals.

While anti-microbial gels and liquids do serve to reduce or eliminate harmful bacteria and other microbes, they generally do not remove the residue of cleansing from the skin of the user.

A further problem with small portable containers of anti-microbial gel or liquid is that they are generally quite limited in the quantity that they can store so as to accommodate more than a single individual, and especially fail when used with a larger gathering of individuals numbering ten or more.

While certainly there are larger containers that may be available (and to some extent may be portable) to transport and deliver larger quantities of anti-microbial gel or liquid, such containers run into the problem of efficiently dispensing the anti-microbial compound to the many individuals requiring its use.

In general, however, the efforts that have been made in the past are limited to the individual packaging of a single towelette inside a plastic or foil wrapper.

Such packaging approaches greatly increase the amount of waste material that must be disposed of with the use of each towelette, and certainly increase the manufacturing costs associated with the packaging process.

In addition, it is often quite difficult and time consuming to open such individually sealed packages and remove the towelette for use.

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