WO2001006903A1

WO2001006903A1 - Individual moistening device

Info

Publication number: WO2001006903A1
Application number: PCT/AT2000/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gottlieb Moosbrugger
Original assignee: Gottlieb Moosbrugger
Priority date: 1999-07-21
Filing date: 2000-01-13
Publication date: 2001-02-01
Also published as: US20020113149A1; EP1202660A1; CA2377031A1; CN1374843A; AU3025500A; HUP0201901A2

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for individually moistening cleaning tissues, in particular disposable napkins, comprising a moistening device (8, 10, 100) placed in a box (1, 110, 111).

Description

Single humidification device

The invention relates to a device for the individual moistening of cleaning wipes, in particular paper napkins.

Especially in high-end catering, it is customary to offer paper napkins or the like to remove the soiling of the guest when taking food and drinks, so that they can remove sticky or irritating residues in the mouth area or on the hands. In many cases, the paper napkin is certainly a help, but a really cleaning effect cannot be achieved, especially when eating sweets or fatty foods, because wiping it dry is not sufficient to completely remove the stuck food residues. Especially when eating poultry or ribs, the remains of these meals stick to the palms of the hands and also stick to the dry napkin.

The search for a washing facility is perceived as too complex or not desirable because of the lack of hygiene in the toilets. The resulting discomfort can often lead to premature break-up of the guests, causing the restaurant owner to lose consumption.

The object of the invention is to enable individual cleaning wipes to be moistened directly at the place where the food is consumed or when the drink is consumed, that is to say on a restaurant table, in a car or in an airplane.

This object is achieved in that a moistening device arranged in a housing is provided.

In this way existing cleaning wipes, e.g. Sufficiently moistened paper serviettes or handkerchiefs and these can be used to effectively remove impurities. The dampened serviettes allow you to thoroughly remove greasy or sticky hands that have come into contact with butter, jam, fish, meat, poultry, etc. Using a special cleaning liquid to moisten the cleaning cloth results in hygienic and antibacterial cleanliness after meals, which can prevent infections. By accommodating the device according to the invention in a housing, it can be used for general use, e.g. on tables, and thus enables hygienic and efficient moistening of cleaning wipes.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing can have an element for actuating the moistening device on its upper side.

The operation of the device according to the invention is facilitated by the actuating element attached to the upper side. If the actuating element is designed as a push button, the device is secured against displacement during the actuating process by attaching it to the top of the housing. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the housing can comprise - seen in the position of use - lower housing part for supporting a cleaning cloth and an upper housing part which is offset in height from the lower housing part and on the underside of which the moistening device is arranged, the lower and the upper housing part being at least on are connected to one another so that the space between the lower and the upper housing part forms a humidification chamber which is open at least on one side and into which a single cleaning cloth can be introduced, which can be moistened by means of the moistening device.

Furthermore, the actuating element can be arranged on the upper side of the upper housing part, which enables a relatively simple type of manufacture.

A further embodiment of the invention can consist in that the lower housing part and the upper housing part are connected to one another in one piece. In this way, the housing can be easily manufactured as an injection molded part.

A particularly convenient access to the moistening device is made possible according to a further embodiment of the invention in that the upper housing part only partially covers the lower housing part. The humidification chamber extending between the upper and lower housing parts is therefore very easily accessible, which is why the paper napkin o.a. can be moistened without complicated movements.

In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the lower housing part on its surface is made of an absorbent insert, e.g. a sponge insert, formed support surface.

The excess liquid released by the moistening device, which cannot be absorbed by the paper napkin, is absorbed by the absorbent insert and at the same time evenly distributed on the underside of the paper napkin, so that it cannot escape from the moistening chamber.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the humidification chamber can have an extendable drawer with a bearing surface for the cleaning cloth to be moistened, which drawer can be inserted into the humidification chamber with the cleaning cloth placed on it. The pull-out drawer increases convenience, as it can be designed to be automatically retractable and extendable like a CD drive. Furthermore, the drawer closes the humidification chamber completely when retracted, so that the ingress of dirt is prevented.

Finally, the ease of use can be increased in that, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the humidification chamber can be arranged in a housing which has a magazine in its lower region for accommodating a large number of cleaning wipes, with further ones optionally in the housing Recesses for various catering utensils, e.g. salt shakers, toothpick containers or the like are provided.

A further embodiment of the invention can consist in the moistening device being designed as a spraying unit, the spraying direction of which, viewed in the position of use, is directed essentially downwards.

In this way, a targeted and at the same time not too strong moistening of the cleaning cloth can be achieved.

According to a further variant of the invention, the spraying unit can be formed from one or more liquid nozzles, via which a uniform moistening of the cleaning cloth can be achieved.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention can consist in that the liquid nozzle (s) are arranged on the underside of the upper housing part. The downward directed liquid nozzles spray the cleaning liquid onto the cleaning cloth to be positioned below the upper part of the housing. The lower part of the housing with an absorbent pad underneath takes up the excess cleaning liquid.

Furthermore, the liquid nozzles can be connected via feed lines to the outlet of a manually operable suction pump, which in turn is connected to a storage container for holding a cleaning liquid, e.g. Water. The humidification can be carried out by hand with just a few pumps and the spray unit can therefore be operated without a power supply. An electrically operated pump can also be provided.

According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the upper housing part is designed as a hollow body in which the feed lines are laid, which are therefore not visible from the outside.

In order to also integrate the storage container in the interior of the housing, it can be provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the connecting piece between the lower and the upper housing part is designed as a hollow body in which the storage container is arranged.

A technically simple construction of the device according to the invention can be achieved according to a development of the invention in that the suction pump can be actuated by the actuating element, which is designed as an actuating push button.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the moistening device can comprise an elastic film or membrane which, at least in part, forms the upper boundary of the moistening chamber, as seen in the position of use, and which has a multiplicity of breakthrough channels which are liquid-tight when depressurized and liquid-permeable when pressure is applied.

The breakthrough channels are designed with a very small diameter and close due to the elasticity of the film or membrane against liquid passage sealing off. As soon as an increased pressure acts on the film or membrane, it is pulled apart, as a result of which the perforation channels open to the extent that cleaning liquid can get into the humidification chamber.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the elastic film or membrane, with its side opposite the humidification chamber, can delimit a closed suction chamber into which a supply line connected via a check valve to a storage container filled with cleaning fluid and a connection line to a manually operable suction pump opens.

In the suction chamber formed in this way, a certain volume of cleaning liquid can be sucked in via the suction pump, in order to be able to subsequently push it through the perforation channels, which expand under the pressure exerted by the suction pump and allow liquid to pass through.

Furthermore, in a further development of the invention, the perforation channels can be arranged in the form of a matrix on the elastic film or membrane.

In this way, there is a uniform distribution of the perforation channels over the entire surface of the elastic film or membrane and thus a uniform moistening of the paper towel inserted into the moistening chamber.

A particularly uniform humidification results from a 13 x 13 matrix of humidification channels.

Another feature of the invention can be that the elastic film or membrane is made of rubber and that the film or membrane is clamped in a frame. As a result, a relatively large area can be covered with the film or membrane within the humidification chamber. However, a multi-part arrangement composed of individual foils or membranes can also be provided.

In order to avoid sagging, in a further embodiment of the invention the elastic film or membrane can be reinforced by a network running parallel to it, the through-channels being arranged within the network mesh.

Furthermore, the housing can have a swivel base on the underside, so that it can be pivoted about a vertical axis. In this way, the housing can be positioned on a table, and anyone sitting at the table can, by rotating the housing, bring the humidification chamber into the position suitable for him to insert and moisten the cleaning cloth.

The device according to the invention can be conveniently operated from several sides if the humidification chamber is designed to be open on three side surfaces.

According to a further variant of the invention, the housing can be integrated in a console, for example a motor vehicle. So that the humidification of Paper napkins also happen while driving to remove various contaminants.

A particularly practical design of the device according to the invention can be achieved according to a further embodiment of the invention in that the humidification chamber is arranged in a housing which has a rectangular opening on one side which forms the open side of the humidification chamber.

In order to be able to check the supply of cleaning liquid in a simple manner, according to a further development of the invention, the storage container for the cleaning liquid can be arranged on the back of the housing and provided with a fill level indicator.

The invention is explained in detail below on the basis of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It shows

Fig.l an oblique view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention;

2 shows a side view of the device according to FIG. 1;

3 shows a rear view of the device according to Fig.l;

4 shows a section parallel to a side surface of the device according to the invention according to FIG. 1;

5 shows a section parallel to the front through an inventive device according to FIG. 1;

6 shows an oblique view of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention;

7 shows a section running parallel to a side surface of the device according to FIG. 6;

8 shows a side view of a further embodiment of the invention;

9 shows a front view of the device according to FIG. 8;

10 shows a rear view of the device according to FIG. 8 and

Fig.l 1 is a plan view of the device according to Fig.8.

1 shows a device for the individual moistening of cleaning wipes, in particular paper napkins with a moistening device 10 arranged in a housing 1. It can also be used to moisten sheet by sheet, paper napkins, handkerchiefs, kitchen towels or the like in order to improve the cleaning effect of these wipes to increase. On its upper side, the housing 1 has an element 5 for actuating the moistening device 10, which in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 is designed as an actuating push button.

Furthermore, the housing 1 comprises a lower housing part 70, seen in the position of use, for supporting the cleaning cloth, and an upper housing part 7, which is offset in height from the lower housing part 70 and on the underside of which the moistening device, which is designed as a spray unit 10, is arranged, the direction of spraying - seen in the position of use - is directed essentially downwards.

The lower housing part 70 and the upper housing part 7 are connected to one another in one piece. The actuating push button 5 is attached to the top of the upper housing part 7.

The space between the lower and the upper housing part 70, 7 forms a humidification chamber 2 that is open on at least one side, in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 on three sides, into which a single cleaning cloth can be introduced, which can be moistened by means of the spray unit 10 is.

The lower housing part 70 has on its upper side a support surface formed from an absorbent insert, which is formed by a sponge insert 25 or the like, and on which the napkin can be placed and moistened. Excess liquid is absorbed by the sponge, which also ensures an even distribution of moisture on the cleaning cloth. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the spraying unit is formed from a plurality of liquid nozzles 10, which are arranged on an upper boundary wall of the humidification chamber 2. However, only a central nozzle or another form of spraying or wetting can be provided for the cleaning cloth. The paper towel could also be moistened by a tub containing liquid within the humidification chamber.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the liquid nozzles 10 are connected via feed lines 14 to the outlet of a suction pump 20, 21, which in turn is connected via a liquid line 23 to a storage container for holding a cleaning liquid 26, e.g. Water. When the suction pump 20, 21 is actuated, liquid is sucked out of the container 26 with each pumping stroke and at the same time liquid is sprayed through the nozzles 10. Instead of the pure water, another liquid which also contains scent or cleaning additive can be contained in the container 26. The suction pump 20, 21 is actuated by pressing the actuation push button 5.

The housing 1 has in its lower area a magazine 6 for accommodating a large number of cleaning wipes, from which a wipe to be moistened can be removed if necessary. On the top and rear of the housing 1 there are additional recesses 3, 4 for various catering utensils, e.g. Salt shaker, toothpick container or the like provided. A compartment 11 formed by a compartment wall 14 serves to store a menu. Furthermore, the housing 1 has a swivel base 12 on its underside, so that it can be pivoted about a vertical axis.

By actuating the push button 5, the cleaning liquid can be pumped through the liquid nozzles 10, so that the cleaning cloth to be located underneath is moistened. The humidification chamber can have any shape and can also be open on one side only. The design and arrangement of the liquid nozzles 10 can be adapted to the particular shape of the housing 1. Care should be taken to ensure that no liquid can get from the chamber 2 directly to the user.

According to another, not shown embodiment of the invention, the humidification chamber could have a pull-out drawer with a bearing surface for the cleaning cloth to be moistened, which drawer can be inserted into the humidification chamber with the cleaning cloth placed on it. Then this device according to the invention is particularly suitable for motor vehicles, airplanes or the like. suitable, the housing in a console, e.g. of a motor vehicle can be integrated. After the moistening process, the cloth can be pulled out of the moistening chamber again using the drawer.

6 and 7, the humidification device 15 is arranged in a housing 1 which has a rectangular opening 16 on one side, which forms the open side of the humidification chamber 2. To improve the stability, the housing 1 is arranged on a base 10, which can also be designed as a turntable, in order to make the opening 16 accessible from any side.

The moistening device comprises an elastic film or membrane 8, which at least partially forms the upper boundary of the moistening chamber 2, as seen in the position of use, and which has a multiplicity of through-channels 15 which are liquid-tight in the unpressurized state and liquid-permeable when pressure is applied. The number of breakthrough channels is not subject to any restrictions and can be determined as required. Even the arrangement of only a single breakthrough channel would be conceivable. An unpressurized state is understood to mean the state in which no external mechanical pressure acts on the elastic film or membrane 8. The thickness of the film or membrane 8 can be matched to the number of breakthrough channels and the load that occurs and is preferably in the millimeter range.

On its side opposite the humidification chamber 2, the elastic film or membrane 8 delimits a closed suction chamber 9, into which a check valve 3 with a cleaning liquid, e.g. Water, filled reservoir 13 connected supply line 7 and a connecting line 6 to a manually operated suction pump 4 opens. Instead of the pure water, another, also fragrant or cleaning additive-containing liquid can be contained in the container 13.

In order to permit the sealing retention of the cleaning liquid in the suction chamber 9, the through openings 15 have a very small diameter in the range of tenths of a millimeter or even smaller, which close automatically in the unpressurized state due to the elasticity of the film or membrane 8.

The suction pump 4 can be operated manually via the push button 5. Cleaning liquid is always sucked into the suction chamber 9 when after pressing of the push button 5 this is moved back into its starting position as a result of its spring preload and in doing so sucks in cleaning fluid from the reservoir 13 in the passage direction of the check valve 3.

If, on the other hand, the push button 5 is pressed, the check valve 3 closes and the cleaning liquid located in the suction chamber 9 is pressed against the elastic film or membrane 8 and this is thus put under pressure, so that the break-through channels are created as a result of the resulting tension within the elastic film or membrane 8 15 are opened so far that the cleaning liquid drips onto the paper napkin located in the humidification chamber 2 and moistens them.

In order to enable a uniform distribution of the liquid on the paper towel inserted into the moistening chamber 2, the through-channels 15 are arranged on the elastic film or membrane 8 in the form of a matrix, preferably a 13 × 13 matrix. However, the mutual distance between the through-channels 15 can be chosen in any way.

The elastic film or membrane 8 is preferably formed from rubber and clamped so firmly in a frame that it withstands the pressure of the suction pump 4 acting from above. So that there is no sagging of the elastic film or membrane 8, it is reinforced by a network, not shown, running parallel to the latter, the through-channels 15 being arranged within the network mesh.

In the humidification chamber 2 there is a support surface 14 (FIG. 2) for an absorbent sponge insert or the like, on which the paper napkin can be placed and moistened. Excess liquid is absorbed by the sponge, which also ensures an even distribution of moisture on the cleaning cloth. On the back of the housing 1 there is a compartment wall 14 e.g. Shaped to accommodate a menu. Also in the area of the rear of the housing 1, the storage container 13 for the cleaning liquid is arranged and provided with a fill level indicator 30.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 8 to 11, the upper housing part 7 only partially covers the lower housing part 70 and the cleaning cloth is moistened exclusively via a single central liquid nozzle 100, via which a cleaning cloth held under the nozzle 100 can be moistened by means of the actuating button 50 , Instead of the individual nozzle 100, a membrane according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 6, 7 or a plurality of nozzles can also be used.

The lower part 70 is semicircular in shape as seen in plan. The upper part 7 is essentially adapted to this shape and set back with respect to the lower part, the front edge of the upper part 7 ending approximately in the region of the center of the lower part semicircle 70 (FIG. 11). Two compartment walls 140 are formed on the back of the housing 110 and are used to hold a menu and other information carriers. The top of the housing 110 has a plurality of depressions 160, 161, 162, 163, in which, for example, salt and pepper shakers, toothpicks and, for example, beer mats can be accommodated. However, these recesses can also be used for other purposes, for example, when using the device according to the invention in the office, various writing utensils, paper clips, rubber rings, etc. can be stored in them. The housing 1 stands on feet 180.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Device for individually moistening cleaning wipes, in particular paper napkins, with a moistening device (8, 10, 100) arranged in a housing (1, 110, 111).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (1, 110) on its upper side has an element (5, 50) for actuating the moistening device (8, 10, 100).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing (1) comprises a - seen in the use position - lower housing part (70) for supporting a cleaning cloth and a height-offset to the lower housing part (70) extending upper housing part (7) the underside of which the moistening device (8, 10, 100) is arranged, the lower and the upper housing part (70, 7) being connected to one another at least on one side, so that the space between the lower and the upper housing part (7, 70) is one forms at least on one side an open moistening chamber (2) into which a single cleaning cloth can be introduced, which can be moistened by means of the moistening device (8, 10, 100).

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuating element (5, 50) is arranged on the top of the upper housing part (7).

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the lower housing part (70) and the upper housing part (7) are integrally connected to one another.

6. The device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the upper housing part (70) covers the lower housing part (7) only partially.

7. Device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the lower housing part (70) has on its upper side a support surface formed from an absorbent insert (25).

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the absorbent insert is formed by a sponge insert (25).

9. Device according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the humidification chamber (2) has a pull-out drawer with the support surface for the cleaning cloth to be moistened, which drawer with the cleaning cloth placed in the humidification chamber (2) can be inserted.

10. Device according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the housing (1) has in its lower region a magazine (19) for receiving a plurality of cleaning wipes.

11. Device according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that in the housing (1) recesses (3, 4, 160, 161, 162, 163) for various catering utensils, e.g. Salt shakers, toothpick containers or the like are provided.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the moistening device is designed as a spraying unit (10, 100), the spraying direction - seen in the position of use - is directed essentially downwards.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the spraying unit is formed from one or more liquid nozzles (10, 100).

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the

Liquid nozzle (s) (10, 100) are arranged on the underside of the upper housing part (7).

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the liquid nozzles (10) via feed lines (14) with the output of a manually operable suction pump (20, 21) are connected, which in turn with a reservoir for receiving a cleaning liquid (26) , for example, water.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the upper housing part is designed as a hollow body (7), in which the feed lines (14) are laid.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the connecting piece between the lower and the upper housing part (70, 7) is designed as a hollow body, in which the reservoir (26) is arranged.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15, 16 or 17, characterized in that the suction pump (20, 21) can be actuated by the actuating element which is designed as an actuating push button (5).

19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the moistening device comprises an elastic film or membrane (8) which at least partially forms the upper boundary of the moistening chamber (2), as seen in the position of use, and which has a multiplicity of through-channels (15), which are liquid-tight when unpressurized and liquid-permeable when pressure is applied.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the elastic film or membrane (8) with its the humidification chamber (2) opposite side limits a closed suction chamber (9) into which a check valve (3) filled with a cleaning liquid Storage container (13) connected supply line (7) and a connecting line (6) to a manually operated suction pump (4) opens.

21. The apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the through-channels (15) are arranged in the form of a matrix on the elastic film or membrane (8).

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the matrix of breakthrough channels (15) is a 13 x 13 matrix.

23. Device according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that the elastic film or membrane (8) is formed from rubber, and that the film or membrane (8) is clamped in a frame.

24. Device according to one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that the elastic film or membrane (8) is reinforced by a network running parallel to this, the through-channels (15) being arranged within the mesh.

25. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (1) has a rotating foot (12) on the underside, so that it can be pivoted about a vertical axis.

26. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the humidification chamber (2) is open on three side surfaces,

27. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing is integrated in a console, for example a motor vehicle.

28. Device according to one of claims 19 to 27, characterized in that the humidification chamber (2) is arranged in a housing (111) which has on one side a rectangular opening (16) which the open side of the humidification chamber (2) forms.

29. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage container (13) for the cleaning liquid is arranged on the rear of the housing (1) and is provided with a fill level indicator (30).