GB2369608A - Holder for hand wipe packs and waste sack; empty hand wipe pack convertible to waste sack - Google Patents

Abstract

A holder 1, Figure 1, contains two hand wipe packs received in respective ends 2 so that paper wipes can be removed through front apertures 3, and has an inclined waste sack holder portion 5 with an aperture 4 engageable by the mouth of the sack. Used wipes may be deposited in the sack which may be formed from an empty wipe pack, Figure 3. Whilst initially containing unused wipes, the pack is held in the box-like configuration shown by a strap 15 which can be removed to allow folded material of the pack to open up thus forming a much larger sack, Figure 6, having flange 10 around its mouth. Two halves of the flange 10 can be folded together about double fold lines 14 so that the flange can be inserted up through the holder aperture 4, the halves then being folded flat again to retain the suspended sack. The holder may be hung up by means of brackets 7, or the brackets may be removed to allow it to be screwed to a wall.

Description

DESCRIPTION DUEL HAND WIPE DISPENSOR AND WASTE SACK Invention background Many inventions are based on individual paper towel and hand wipe dispensers with separate waste sack holders for the disposal of the used paper towel/hand wipe and other disposable items. This invention relates to a combined unit providing hand wipe dispensing and collection of used wipes that can be positioned anywhere convenient to improve hand hygiene standards.

Hand washing is traditionally undertaken by washing ones hands in water with an application of a cleaning composition and finally dried by a one of many methods currently available, this method of hand washing is usually in a fixed location. An alternative method is the use of hand wipes contained within there own packaging and can be considered highly portable.

While the existing methods of hand cleaning are effective in general use. The application of these methods of hand cleaning are cumbersome in particularly the health care environment where it is recognised through control of infection guidelines and the management of hospital acquired infection guidance that hand cleanliness is one of the most effective preventative measures against hospital acquired infection. The design of modem health care establishments optimise the practicalities of providing fixed hand wash facilities within any given health care environment, where as the older establishments have varying degrees of hand wash facilities which is dependant on design and physical layout of the facility in which they are installed. In most cases, hand wash facilities can not be provided in sufficient number and location to meet the operational ergonomic requirements for maintaining hand cleanliness for clinical treatment in the health care environment.

The use of hand wipes have been used to supplement hand washing which has contributed to an improvement in hand cleanliness, these have been provided by individual packs being used at the discretion of users.

Accordingly, this invention brings together in one combined unit for use in any location where hand hygiene is required. The facility to provide twin hand wipe packs, one in use and one ready to use, in order to provide a continuous supply of hand wipes. The unit has the facility to hold a waste disposal sack which utilises each empty hand wipe dispenser packet in another location on the unit, which is, now utilised as a waste sack to contain discarded hand wipes (Figure 5).

The configuration of the hand wipe dispenser and waste sack holder is configured to meet the operational needs and space availability at the point of use.

These units are available with a variety of fixing arrangements to allow them to be positioned both at a convenient height and position to best meet the operational need in order to maintain a high degree of hand hygiene within each location.

The unit illustrated and described within this application is with the hand wipe packs being positioned side by side (Fig. 1) This application embodies the principles of the combined dual hand wipe holder/dispenser and waste sack holder. Combined hand wipe container and waste sack and applies to all other configurations of these principles.

Each unit will be made from a light, easy clean, hygienic material that is robust in construction and retains its appearance.

Each hand wipe pack will contain a number of wipes that the rate of use of individual wipes prevents excess deterioration in the chemical cleansing/disinfecting constituents prior to each pack becoming empty, each wipe to be of adequate size to effectively cleanse/disinfect hands.

The physical size of each pack of hand wipes and the overall size of the hand wipe dispenser unit provides for easy identification and use, without providing undue restriction or hazard in selected locations.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which one configuration of the dual dispenser with the hand wipes being positioned side by side with the waste bag holder being positioned centrally below: FIGURE 1 shows the front perspective view of the whole dispenser and waste sack holder unit.

FIGURE 2 shows the side elevation of the whole dispenser and waste sack holder unit.

FIGURE 3 shows the front perspective view of the hand wipe pack.

FIGURE 4 show the rear perspective view of the hand wipe pack folded to contain hand wipes FIGURE 5 shows the rear perspective of the hand wipe pack with folded excess released to form waste sack.

FIGURE 6 shows the top perspective of the waste sack.

FIGURE 7 shows a section through the waste bag held within the waste holder As shown in Fig. 1 the combined dual hand wipe pack holder 1 and waste sack holder 5 is illustrated. The unit is constructed of a colour fast material that is light in construction with high resistance to impact, the material will be resistant to cleaning chemicals and processes within the environment which the unit is installed.

The unit may be fixed by a number of methods which are deemed to be included within this patent, one such fixing is by using spring clips for securing unit to bed rails and foot boards, item 7 illustrated in Fig 1 and Fig 2. These spring clip fixings are detachable to allow direct screw fixing to walls and furniture utilising fixing holes 8, which are accessible through openings 3 when hand wipe packs are removed. Each hand wipe pack is inserted from each side through opening 2. With the front of each hand wipe pack facing forward and inserted until each hand wipe pack reached pack stop 6, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The front detachable seal 9, Fig 3, on each hand wipe pack being located centrally and accessible within each opening 3.

Fig. 2 shows the end elevation of the combined dual hand wipe pack holder 1 and waste sack holder 5. The bed rail/fumiture fixing clips 7 are sprung to allow secure fixing to a variety of bed rail sizes and shapes. Alternative fixing is provided by removing the spring clip assembly and utilising the two securing holes 8, located in the back of the unit being positioned centrally allowing access through front hand wipe pack opening 3, Fig 1. These screw fixing holes being countersunk to prevent the hand wipe packs snagging on the securing screws (when fitted) during their insertion and removal.

The waste sack holder 5, is an integral part of the unit, with it positioned in a convenient location as illustrated in Fig. 2, below the hand wipe dispensers and at an incline that maximises accessibility while limiting the projection from the surface to which the unit is attached.

Fig. 3 illustrates the hand wipe pack that will contain a sufficient number of wipes that meets the clinical and physical properties and characteristics necessary, this application does not refer to the hand wipes contained within the hand wipe pack.

The hand wipe pack Fig. 3 item 12 will be constructed from a plastic type material that is strong, flexible, impervious to moisture and is self coloured. The assembled size of the hand wipe pack, item 12 will be to allow easy insertion of the full hand wipe pack into the dual hand wipe dispenser Fig. 1.

The inner hand wipe moisture retainer is manufactured from transparent stiffened PVC that retains its shape with the removal of hand wipes from the pack through split/orifice item 13, Fig 3. The transparency of the moisture retaining element item 11, Fig 3, assists in allowing the user to determine when the pack becomes empty. Item 11 is fitted internally to item 12 and is a press fit against item 12 inner surface which is held in place by the hand wipes within the pack.

The hand wipe dispenser pack flange item 10, Fig 3, is oval in shape and fits against the inner surface of the hand wipe holder item 1, Fig 1. Being manufactured from a semi-rigid material to provide strength and stability to the hand wipe pack front during handling of the full packs and while in use when hand wipes are being dispensed for use. Item 10 is joined continuously to item 12 around the perimeter of the inner surface, leaving the outer perimeter of item 10 free, Fig. 7, cross section view.

Item 9 is a removable cover label and pack seal that is completely visible through openings 3 when the hand wipe packs are in position in the dispenser Fig. 1. The cover label/pack seal is removed through opening 3, Fig. 1 when pack is required for use.

When each hand wipe pack becomes empty it is removed from the dual hand wipe dispenser and converted to a waste sack Fig. 5, and fitted into opening 4, Fig 1.

To convert empty hand wipe pack into waste sack by breaking/detaching strap item 15, Fig. 4 until folds 16 are released and unit extends to form Fig. 5.

The hand wipe dispenser pack flange item 10, Fig. 6, is folded forward and together along fold lines item 14, to allow the pack flange item 10 to be passed through the rear of the waste bag holder item 5, Fig. 1 & 2. After passing through, the pack flange is returned to its normal flat position with the flange now being on the outside surface of the waste bag hole item 4, Fig 1, the waste bag hanging below. Fig. 7, shows a cross section through the waste bag holder item 5 and converted waste sack from hand wipe pack item 12.

The inner press fit moisture retainer item 11, Fig 7, will fall and be retained within the waste sack with the insertion of the first hand wipe being disposed of Leaving a clear opening for future disposed hand wipes reducing hand contact with the disposal bag and reducing cross contamination/infection.

When the waste bag requires changing, the used waste bag is removed by folded together flanges item 10, Fig. 6, and sliding the used waste bag to one side to allow the folded flanges to be passed down through the bottom of hole 4, Fig 1. The used waste bag being discarded.

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. A hand wipe pack holder comprising twin recesses for hand wipe packs with both packs being accessible simultaneously, which combines a waste sack holder.
2. 2. A hand wipe pack holder as claimed in claim 1, where the packs are held horizontally adjacent to each other.
3. 3. A hand wipe pack holder as claimed in claim 1 where the packs are held vertically adjacent to each other
4. 4. A hand wipe pack holder as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 and claim 3 with the waste sack holder positioned below the hand wipe pack holders and holds the

   waste sack within the holder at an inclined angle.
5. 5-A hand wipe pack holder as claimed in claim 1, is provided with fittings that facilitate the securing of the holder to furniture and surfaces to aid its use.
6. 6. An impervious package for hand wipes having an excess of packaging material that is folded to form a compact hand wipe pack.
7. 7. A package as claimed in claim 6 where the front of the pack is secured around the inner perimeter of a flange constructed from a stiffened material.
8. 8. The excess hand wipe pack material as claimed in claim 6 is securely held to maintain the hand wipe pack shape while packs are in storage, transit and in use.
9. 9. A waste sack is formed by releasing excess material from the empty hand wipe pack as claimed in claim 6 and claim 8.
10. 10. The waste sack as claimed in claim 9 is located in waste sack holder by the front flange as claimed in claim 7.