WO2008038008A2

WO2008038008A2 - Bag with closure device

Info

Publication number: WO2008038008A2
Application number: PCT/GB2007/003684
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael John Gordon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-28
Filing date: 2007-09-28
Publication date: 2008-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2009-03-28
Also published as: GB2442221A; WO2008038008A3; GB0619132D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a bag (1) with closure device (3). A bag 1 has an open end (1A), and a closure device having a mouth member (4) is secured around the open end of the bag. The mouth member (4) having a fold line (6A, 6B) such that the mouth member moves from a first position in which the mouth member defines an aperture (5) through which material can be passed through the mouth to a second folded position where one part of the mouth member engages another part whereby to seal the mouth member aperture and hence seal the bag.

Description

Bag with Closure Device

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bag with a closure device.

Background of the Invention

It is common practice to use a bag to store waste material. Waste material is placed in the bag through the open end of the bag. When the bag is full, the open end is closed with ties or by tying the open end of the bag itself to prevent the contents of the bag from falling out of the open end when the bag is disposed of. Also such bags are often supported in a housing by folding the open end of the bag around a housing rim, but this is often unsightly.

The invention seeks to provide a bag with a closure device to seal the bag open end when the bag is full. The closure device may further support the open end of the bag in a housing.

It is common practice to request workers in the health services to clean their hands after touching contaminated surfaces or patients in order to prevent the spread of infection. A similar practice occurs in the food industry where workers are required to keep their hands clean whilst handling food. This involves frequent washing of hands with a suitable cleaning agent even for situations of minor contamination. Because the process of washing hands requires use of a basin, which is rarely easily accessible, and/or the use of cleaning gel and cleaning off with a towel, many workers simply fail to conform to their obligations because this process is both time consuming and inconvenient.

The invention also seeks to solve this problem, by providing an aesthetically pleasing, secure and location flexible dispenser for towelettes anti bacterial wet wipes to enable convenient, cleaning of hands, other parts of the body if required, surfaces or implements.

Prior Art

UK Patent Application Number GB-A-430577 discloses a container for sanitary paper and has a means for supporting deodorising and/or disinfecting "blocks" incorporated therein.

International Patent Application WO 2006/047281 A1 (Proctor and Gamble) discloses a package that may be made from a flexible outer defining a bag that may have a rigid reinforcing member.

US Patent US 605 343 (Ross) discloses a bag closure device with a frame having two members pivotally connected with each other formed of spring metal.

US Patent US 3 806 984 (Horseback) discloses a portable animal-excrement collector and disposal apparatus comprising a support frame defining an opening and a frontal member constructed of semi-rigid material and a handle that may clamp over the folded frontal member.

International Patent Application WO 98/50279 (Proctor and Gamble) discloses a flexible storage bag comprising at least one sheet of flexible sheet material assembled to form a semi-enclosed container having an opening defined by a hinged peripheral flange.

There have also been a number of dispensers designed to dispense towelettes or wipes in the past. US Patent Application Number US-A-2001035416 (Rumbough) discloses a receptacle for holding two dispensers.

US Patent Application Number US-A-6 158 614 (Haines) discloses a dispenser of towelettes or wet wipes, typically supported on a coreless log or roll. Towelettes are dispensed through the lid of the container and housed in a chimney member that assists a user to extract the wipe correctly.

Another example of a towelette dispenser is described in US Patent Application Number US-A1 -2003/0116582 (Tosdale), which discloses a dispenser for commercial containers of moist towelettes. In use, the dispenser is secured permanently to a wall or counter top.

UK Patent Application Number GB-A-2 394 219 discloses a towelette dispensing device configured for dispensing at least a first type and a second type of towelette. Preferably these were a dry towelette and a wet wipe. The prior art thus discloses a variety of containers for dispensing towelettes or wipes and related support systems and bags for storage of the soiled wipes. Typically these containers were either portable or static. When static they were fixed permanently or temporarily to furniture or walls. However, a problem in the past has been that these attachment means did not allow for ease of connection and release from furniture or walls. Portable containers were easier to move and use in different environments, however these were prone to loss, damage or liable to be stolen.

The present invention aims to solve problems associated with prior art containers.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a bag with closure device comprising: a) a bag having an open end, and b) a closure device having a mouth member secured around the open end of the bag, said mouth member having a fold line such that the mouth member moves from a first position in which the mouth member defines an aperture through which material can be passed through the mouth to a second folded position where one part of the mouth member engages another part whereby to seal the mouth member aperture and hence seal the bag.

Preferably connector means are provided to secure the mouth member in the second position. Preferably the mouth member is symmetrical in shape and the fold line is an axis of symmetry. In one embodiment the mouth member is in the form of an annular ring secured to the open end of the bag, the ring defining the mouth member aperture, said ring having a fold line on its diameter whereby in its folded second position it creates a semi-circular ring.

Preferably the ring has a projection on one side of the fold line which engages in an aperture on the other side of the fold line to secure the ring in the second folded position.

Ideally the mouth member includes a flange portion which extends radially outward from the bag open end, said flange portion being used to support the mouth member on or in a housing.

The mouth member may be shaped to engage in a corresponding shaped-recess in or on a housing.

The invention also extends to a housing and a bag with a closure device as defined above, said housing having an aperture over which the mouth member engages, and the bag extends through the housing aperture. The housing aperture may include radially extending slots through which the mouth member can pass when in the second folded position, to remove the bag from the housing. There may also be provided a dispenser for wipes comprising singly or in combination: a) a bridging member adapted to be secured to a support member, b) a first chamber adapted to receive a container of wipes, c) a connector to connect the first and second chambers to a support member to hold the dispenser at a desired location.

Ideally a second chamber is adapted to receive a container of wipes or a soiled wipe storage device.

In addition a second releasable connection means is provided to connect the second chamber to the bridging member.

Preferably the second chamber is releasable from the first chamber. This permits flexibility in design for example to upgrade to a larger bin or separate deployment of one or other of the chambers in different locations.

Nowhere is there disclosed a secure, reliable and easily releasable system for consumable wipes dispensing which has the facility to provide optionally a storage container for soiled wipes or in the alternative a second container of wipes.

Preferably the second chamber is larger than the first chamber. Preferably the first chamber can be placed within the second chamber. Preferably the first chamber has a wall section which is adapted to move from a first position, whereat the container of wipes is secure in the chamber, to a second position, whereat withdrawal and replacement of the container of wipes is permitted.

Preferably the first chamber wall section is lockable in the first position and an optional locking device or mechanism is provided for this purpose. The first chamber wall section may include a hinged flap.

Preferably the second chamber is adapted to store a soiled wipe storage device for receiving used or soiled wipes. Alternatively a second container of wipes can be located in the second chamber. The soiled wipe storage device may be a bag or rigid walled container.

Advantageously the storage device includes an aperture to receive soiled wipes. Preferably the second chamber has a wall section which moves from a first position to secure the storage device and, alternatively, the second container of wipes in the chamber to a second position, to allow withdrawal and replacement of the storage device or second container of wipes.

Ideally the second chamber wall section is lockable in the first position. The second chamber wall section may be a hinged flap.

Preferably the first and/or second chamber is adapted to house a container of wipes having a wipe extracting aperture, the first and/or second chamber allowing manual access to a wipe extracting aperture. Preferably the bridging member includes a releasable connector whereby the dispenser can be moved from one support member to another.

Preferably the releasable connector is formed from first and second interlocking components. Preferably the first component is secured to the bridging member and the second component secured to a support member whereby the dispenser can be moved from one support member to another.

Preferably a lock means is provided for releasably locking the first and second components together.

Preferably a locking device or mechanism is provided to lock and/or unlock the chamber wall section from a first position to a second position Ideally the locking device or mechanism further operates a releasable connector lock, for locking and/or unlocking the first components from the second components.

The dispenser may be generally ellipsoid or half ellipsoid in shape.

Preferably the first or second chamber is located above the second or first chamber spaced by the bridging member.

Preferably the first and second chambers are connected by a bridging member. Ideally the first and second chambers and the bridging member form a unitary structure when connected. The bridging member preferably supports one of the releasable connectors.

Preferably the first chamber is located above the second chamber spaced by the bridging member and most preferably the first and second chambers project forward of the bridging member.

In a particularly preferred embodiment a wipe extracting aperture of a container in the first chamber is spaced from, and opposes, an aperture to receive soiled wipes or the wipe extracting aperture of a second container in the second chamber.

In one embodiment panels are provided between the first and second chamber whereby the bridging member is located at one end of a recess formed by the first and second chamber and said panels. Preferably the panels are removable. In a preferred embodiment the bridging member supports a target, at which soiled wipes can be thrown and which defects them into the second chamber.

In a further embodiment the bridge member includes receiving means to receive a sealing cap from the container of wipes. The receiving means may be formed in a projection extending from the bridging member.

The chamber may have one or more projections adjacent the wipe extracting aperture adapted to engage with perforations between wipes thereby to assist in separating one wipe from another. Preferably the afm dispenser is shaped such that the user is forced to pull the wipe across the or each projection thereby ensuring that the projections adjacent the wipe extracting aperture engage the perforations between wipes whereby to assist in separating one wipe from another.

Preferably the first and/or second chamber has an internal shape to accommodate an external shape of the wipe container whereby to support the container firmly. In a particularly advantageous embodiment the, or each, chamber is dimensioned and shaped to receive a container of wipes in a particularly direction or orientation, so that a cap of the container (when removed) reveals a first wipe automatically aligns and engages with the receiving means on the bridging member

Preferably the first and/or second chamber includes an aperture through which projects a wipe extracting aperture of the wipe container, thereby allowing manual access to the wipe extracting aperture.

In a yet further embodiment the first or second chamber includes an aperture to support the storage device aperture. The storage device aperture may be provided by a bottle neck in the first or second chamber or a waste bag neck.

Preferably the bridging member connects to at least two, preferably three or more, different support members.

The support member may be a floor or shelf stand, wall mounting, clamp for a tubular structure (such as a hospital bed or trolley), clamp for an edge of sheet material, such as a horizontal shelf or vertical panel, or the like. The invention also extends to a dispenser as herein described combined with a bag and to a dispenser as above defined in combination with one or more container of wipes and/or a soiled wipe storage device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various examples of preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with general reference to Figures 1 to 7 and with specific reference to Figures 8 to 10 in which:

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of an example of a dispenser comprising first and second ellipsoidal chambers facing one another;

Figure 2 shows a side view, revealing in hidden cross sectional detail, the second chamber in the first chamber, for example for storage or transport;

Figure 3 shows a front side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the dispenser;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the dispenser shown in Figure 3, mounted for use, on a stand on a wall;

Figure 5A shows a front elevational view of an embodiment comprising first and second ellipsoidal chambers facing one another; Figure 5B shows a side view of Figure 5A, mounted on a support, such as a frame of a bed;

Figures 6A and 6B show respective views of the embodiment shown in Figures 5A and 5B with guide panels;

Figures 7A and 7B show an alternative embodiment to those shown in Figures 5A and 5B with guide panels with interlocking caps;

Figure 8 shows a bag with the mouth member in the first position and a housing;

Figure 9 shows a bag with the mouth member in the second position and the housing; and

Figure 10 shows a side view of the bag and mouth.

Detailed Description of the preferred embodiments

Referring to Figures 8, 9 and 10 there is shown a bag 801 with an open end 802. A closure device 803 is provided for bag 801 having a mouth member in the form of a circular ring 804 secured around the open end of the bag. Open end 802 of bag 801 is secured to the inside of the ring 804. Ring 804 creates on its side adjacent the bag 801 a flange portion 804B which extends radially outward from the bag open end, and the flange portion is used to support the ring on or in a housing as described more fully below. Ring 804 has flat portion 804A. Ring 804 defines a mouth member aperture 805 through which material can pass into the bag 801. Apart from flat 804A, ring 804 is substantially symmetrical in shape. A fold line is created on an axis of symmetry by means of tapered reduced thickness portions 806A, 806B on a diameter of the ring 804. The fold line allow the ring 804 to move from a first position (see Figure 8) in which the ring defines an aperture through which material can be passed to a second folded position (see Figure 9) where one part of the ring engages another part whereby to seal the ring aperture and hence seal the bag. In the second position the ring 804 becomes a semi-circular ring.

Connector means are provided to secure the ring in the second position. The connector means is in the form of a pair of projections 807A, 807B on one side of the fold line which engage a pair of apertures 808A, 808B on the other side of the fold line to secure the ring in the second position.

As shown in the drawings, bag 801 may be used to line a housing 810. Housing 810 has an aperture 811 over which the ring 804 engages and through which the bag 801 extends. Aperture 811 is defined by an annular recess 812 in the shape of the ring 804 to receive ring 804. Recess 812 has a flat 812A to receive flat 84A and so prevent rotation of the ring 804. The housing aperture 811 includes radially extending slots 811A, 811 B through which the ring 804 can pass when in the second folded position, to remove the bag from the housing. Housing 810 has a removable base 810A to allow removal of the bag 801 from the housing after ring 804 passes through slots 804A, 804B. The bag 801 may be used as a receptacle for waste wipes after they have been soiled. The ring 804 in the second position prevents the handler of the bag from coming into contact with such waste wipes, so preventing any cross infection which might occur if the wipes were touched by the handler.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a dispenser 1 for wipes. The dispenser 1 has a bridging member 10 adapted to be secured to a support member. The support member may be a floor or shelf stand, wall mounting, clamp for a tubular structure (such as a hospital bed or trolley), clamp for an edge of sheet material, or the like.

A first chamber 20 is adapted to receive a container of wipes "X". First chamber 20 has a wall section in the form of flap 21 which is hinged about hinge pins 22A, 22B and moves from a first position to secure the container of wipes in the chamber to a second position to allow withdrawal and replacement of the container of wipes "X". The chamber flap 21 may be lockable in the first position.

A first releasable connection means is adapted to connect the first chamber 20 to the bridging member 10. The first releasable connection means is in the form of a dovetail projection 23 on the back of first chamber 20 which slides into a corresponding dovetail groove 11 on the bridging member. A releasable spring finger 12 (or other locking device) temporarily locks the first chamber to the bridging member 10. If desired a security locking device or mechanism- could be used. Second chamber 30 is adapted to receive a container "Y", which may be the same wipes as in container "X", different wipes, for example dry towels or alternatively, a soiled wipe storage device such as a bag or other container (not shown), which has an aperture to receive soiled wipes.

The second chamber 30 has a wall section in the form of flap 31 which is hinged about hinge pins 32A, 32B and moves from a first position to secure the container of wipes "Y" (or a storage device) in the chamber to a second position to allow withdrawal and replacement of the container of wipes "Y" (or a storage device). The second chamber flap 31 is lockable in a first position.

A second releasable connection means is provided adapted to connect the second chamber 30 to the bridging member 10. The first releasable connection means is in the form of a dovetail projection 33 on the back of second chamber 30 which slides into a corresponding dovetail groove 13 on the bridging member 10. A releasable spring finger 14 (or other locking device) temporarily locks the second chamber to the bridging member 10. Ideally the second chamber, which receives and supports the bag, is located proximal to the dispensing chamber. An advantage of this is that someone who is reaching to take a clean, unused towelette is able to orient in substantially the same direction and vicinity in order to dispose the soiled or used towelette. In certain situations, for example where someone is unable to see or visualise the location of the dispenser, or has restricted space, this may be of a particular advantage. For example this may be of particular benefit to people serving at a 'fast food' outlet, drive through booth or kiosk and having to handle money as well as food in a restricted space environment. In one embodiment, shown in Figure 2, the first chamber 20 is smaller than the second chamber 30, thereby permitting the first chamber 20 to be placed within the second chamber 20. This provides more economical transportation and storage.

In use, a dispenser can be created by connecting the first and/or second chamber(s) to the bridging member 10. The bridging member 10, first chamber 20, and second chamber 30 may therefore be supplied and purchased singly or in combination. A consumer is then able to purchase a bridging member and one chamber and then add another chamber at a later date.

Referring again to Figure 1 , the dispenser 1 , (with the bridging member 10 and first chamber 20 and second chamber 30 assembled), is generally ellipsoid in shape. In use, the first chamber 20 is located above the second chamber 30 spaced by the bridging member 10, and the first and second chambers project forward of the bridging member. Containers "X" and "Y" of wipes each have a wipe extracting aperture, and the spacing of the first and second chambers by the bridging member 10 allows manual access to the wipe extracting aperture. The first 20 and second 30 chambers both include an aperture through which projects the wipe extracting aperture of the wipe container thereby allowing manual access to the wipe extracting aperture.

Also as shown, the wipe extracting aperture of container "X" in the first chamber 20 is spaced from and opposes the wipe extracting aperture of container "Y"(or the aperture to receive soiled wipes if the container "Y" is replaced by a storage device) in the second chamber 30.

The first and/or second chamber(s) may have an internal shape to accommodate an external shape of the wipe container whereby to support the container firmly.

The first chamber may also be adapted to receive a waste wipe storage device. The first or second chamber may include an aperture to support the storage device aperture. The storage device aperture may be provided by a bottle neck in the first or second chamber or a waste bag neck.

The dispenser may be sold in combination with one or more container of wipes and/or a soiled wipe storage device.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a dispenser 301 for wipes. The dispenser 301 may be generally half ellipsoid in shape.

Dispenser 301 has a chamber 302 to house a container 310 of wipes 312. Container 310 has a wipe extracting aperture 311. Dispenser 301 allows manual access to the wipe extracting aperture 311.

Chamber 302 has a wall section in the form of a flap 303 hinged by hinge pins 304A, 304B to the main body 305 of chamber 302. Flap 303 moves from a first position (as shown) to secure the container 310 of wipes in the chamber 302 to a second position to allow withdrawal and replacement of the container of wipes. The chamber wall section is lockable in the first position by use of a locking device or mechanism (not shown).

Chamber 302 has an internal shape to accommodate the external shape of the wipe container 310 whereby to support the container firmly. For example part of the external shape of container 310 could be square and part of the internal shape of the chamber 302 could be square thereby preventing rotation of the container 310 in the chamber 302. Chamber 302 includes an aperture 302A through which projects the wipe extracting aperture 311 of the wipe container 310.

An arm 306 projects below the chamber 302 from the main body 305. Chamber 302 projects forward of the arm 306. Removable side panels 307A, 307B extend forward from the edges of the arm 306 to provide a recess below the chamber 302 allowing manual access to wipes 312. Arm 306 includes receiving means in the form of an annular projection 308 (or a recess) to receive a sealing cap 313 from the container 310 of wipes. The sealing cap 313 may provide a "target" which soiled wipes can be thrown at and which deflects wipes to a soiled wipe container.

The chamber 302 may have one or more projections adjacent the wipe extracting aperture 311 adapted to engage in perforations between wipes hereby to assist in separating one wipe from another. The arm 306 may be shaped such that the user is forced to pull the wipe across the or each projection thereby ensuring that the projections adjacent the wipe extracting aperture, engage the perforations between wipes whereby to assist in separating one wipe from another. For example the or each projection could be horizontally spaced from the aperture 311 and arm 306 may have a projection extending forward from its lower end to force a user to extract the wipe in a more horizontal direction from the aperture 311 , so as to ensure that the, or each, projection engages the perforations.

A releasable connector 320 is provided to releasably connect the chamber 302 to a support member, such as a post "3X", to hold the dispenser at a desired location. The releasable connector 320 is formed from first and second interlocking components 321 , 322, e.g. with male and female connecting parts, with the first component 321 being secured to the dispenser arm 306 and the second component 322 secured to a support member such as post "3X".

Dispenser 301 can be moved from one support member to another carrying an identical second component. Instead of a post "3X", the support member may be a horizontal surface or a horizontal surface stand or clamp or a vertical surface like a wall, window or kitchen cabinet, a clamp for a horizontal or vertical tubular structure (such as a hospital bed or trolley), a clamp for an edge of sheet material, or the like. The releasable connector may be adapted to connect to at least two, e.g. three or more, different support members.

As before, a lock may be provided to releasably lock the first and second components together. A locking device or mechanism (not shown) may be provided to lock and/or unlock the chamber wall section 303 in the first position. Referring to Figures 5A and 5B there is shown a dispenser 501 for wipes. Dispenser 501 is generally ellipsoidal in shape and may be formed from a suitable material such as a moulded synthetic plastics material and as a unitary structure.

The bridging member may include a releasable connector whereby the dispenser can be moved from one support member to another. The releasable connector may be formed from first and second interlocking components. The first component is secured to the bridging member and the second component is secured to a support member, whereby the dispenser can be moved from one support member to another. Again a lock may be provided to releasably lock the first and second components together.

Dispenser 501 has a first chamber 510 to house a container "5X" of wipes having a wipe extracting aperture "5Y". First chamber 510 has a main body 511 and a wall section in the form of a flap 512 hinged to the first chamber body 511 by a pivot pins 513A, 513B. Flap 512 hinges from a first position to secure the container "5X" of wipes in the chamber 510 to a second position away from the body 511 (not shown) to allow withdrawal and replacement of the container "5X" of wipes. The first chamber flap 512 is lockable in the first position e.g. with a locking device or mechanism "5Z".

The first chamber 510 includes an aperture 514 through which projects the wipe extracting aperture "5Y" of the wipe container thereby allowing manual access to the wipe extracting aperture. The first chamber may have an internal shape to accommodate an external shape of the wipe container whereby to support the container firmly. For example part of the external shape of container "5X" could be square and part of the internal shape of the first chamber could be square thereby preventing rotation of the container in the first chamber.

Dispenser 501 has a second chamber 520 to house soiled wipes in a soiled wipe storage device in the form of bag "5A" (or other suitable waste container). Bag "5A" includes a neck aperture in form of an annular collar "5B" which may be formed from two semicircular sections hinged together which can be brought together to seal the bag "5A" when bag "5A" is discarded.

Second chamber 520 has a main body 521 and a flap 522 hinged to the second chamber body 521 by a pivot pins 523A, 523B. Flap 522 hinges from a first position (as shown in the drawing) to secure the bag "5A" in the chamber 520 to a second position away from the body 521 (not shown) to allow withdrawal and replacement of the bag "5A" of wipes. The second chamber flap 522 is lockable in the first position e.g. with the same locking device or mechanism "5Z". Second chamber 520 includes an aperture 524 to support the collar "5B".

In an alternative embodiment, comprising first and second ellipsoidal chambers, the chambers may be arranged facing one another and supported on a guide-rail and arranged to move in a coaxial manner towards and away from one another so as to open and close a pod; In a yet further variation, instead of a bag "5A", the second chamber supports a second container "5X" of wipes. The wipe extracting aperture of a second container for wipes is defined by aperture 524. In such an arrangement there would be no waste wipe receptacle so waste wipes would need to be discarded in an alternative receptacle like a floor bin.

The first chamber 510 is located above the second chamber 520 and is connected to and spaced by a bridging member 530 which is formed as a unitary structure with the first and second chamber bodies 511 , 521. The first and second chambers 510, 520 project forward of the bridging member. The wipe extracting aperture of container "5X" in the first chamber 510 is spaced from and opposes collar "5B" aperture of bag "5A" (or the wipe extracting aperture of a second container in the second chamber 520 (shown in detail the embodiment of Figure 7).

Referring now to Figures 6A and 6B, panels 631 , 632 are provided between the first and second chambers and releasably connect to the bridging member 630. The bridging member 630 is located at one end of a recess formed by the first and second chambers 610, 620 and panels 631 , 632. The bridging member supports a target (e.g. a circle printed thereon) at which soiled wipes can be aimed. If desired a sealing cap "6W" on container "6X" may be arranged to engage with a receiving means e.g. a recess 633 in the bridging means or formed by a projection on the bridging means. The cap "6W" thus creates a target.

The bridging member 630 supports a connector 640 to connect the first and second chambers 610, 620 to a support member to hold the dispenser at a desired location. The support member may be a floor or shelf stand, wall mounting, clamp for a tubular structure (such as a hospital bed or trolley), clamp for an edge of sheet material, or the like. Within a hospital or clinic, the support member may be a floor stand, wall or bedside cabinet mounting, or perhaps a clamp for a tubular structure (such as a hospital bed or medicine trolley). For food handlers, the support member may be a clamp for a point of sale counter, a mounting for a vertical structure (wall or kitchen equipment for example), or the like.

In use, it is envisaged that numerous dispensers of the type described and defined above would be used in, for example, health locations such as emergency medical, hospitals or in food handling locations. Within both it is necessary to be able to expediently re-allocate dispensers as the need changes. For example a dispenser will be required to be attached to a medicine trolley while medicines are being dispensed by the nurse to enable easy access to a cleansing wipe. After the medicines have been dispensed, the dispenser can be easily released from its medicine trolley clamp and re-allocated back to a wall, bed or bedside cabinet mounting, drip feed stand etc.

Similarly a dispenser can be re-allocated from food handler's 'point of sale' counter positions as they close to perhaps other 'point of sale' positions, or to 'drive through sales positions' or to walls for customers to use etc.

As the connector is a releasable connector it permits the dispenser to be moved from one support member to another. In Figures 6A and 6B, the releasable connector 640 is formed from first and second interlocking components 641 , 642, e.g. with male and female connecting parts. The first component 641 is secured to the dispenser 601 and the second component 642 secured to a support member whereby the dispenser can be moved from one support member to another. A lock may be provided to releasably lock the first and second components 641, 642 together. The lock may be operated by common locking device or mechanism "5Z".

The first chamber may be smaller than the second chamber. This may be desirable so because a waste wipe storage device may need to be larger than a wipe container to accommodate all the wipes once used and crumpled up.

It is envisaged that a container of wipes and a waste wipe storage device may be sold in a common package. If a waste wipe storage device is used in the second chamber, each wipe can be used and disposed of immediately.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bag with closure device comprising: a) a bag having an open end, and b) a closure device having a mouth member secured around the open end of the bag, said mouth member having a fold line such that the mouth member moves from a first position in which the mouth member defines an aperture through which material can be passed through the mouth to a second folded position where one part of the mouth member engages another part whereby to seal the mouth member aperture and hence seal the bag.

2. A bag with closure device according to claim 1 , wherein connector means are provided to secure the mouth member in the second position.

3. A bag with closure device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mouth member is symmetrical in shape and the fold line is an axis of symmetry.

4. A bag with closure device according to claim 3, wherein the mouth member is in the form of an annular ring secured to the open end of the bag, the ring defining the mouth member aperture, said ring having a fold line on its diameter whereby in its folded second position it creates a semi-circular ring.

5. A bag with closure device according to claim 4, wherein the ring has a projection on one side of the fold line which engages in an aperture on the other side of the fold line to secure the ring in the second folded position.

6. A bag with closure device according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouth member includes a flange portion which extends radially outward from the bag open end, said flange portion being used to support the mouth member on or in a housing.

7. A bag with closure device according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouth member is shaped to engage in a corresponding shaped-recess in or on a housing, so as, in use, to maintain the bag in a substantially open state.

8. A housing for receiving a bag with a closure device, according to any preceding claim, said housing having an aperture over which the mouth member engages, and the bag extends through the housing aperture.

9. A housing according to claim 8, wherein the housing aperture includes radially extending slots through which the mouth member can pass when in the second folded position, to remove the bag from the housing.

10. A housing according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the housing includes a recess to receive the bag mouth member.

11. A dispenser for wipes for use with the housing according to any of claims 8 to 10 comprising singly or in combination: a) a bridging member adapted to be secured to a support member, b) a first chamber adapted to receive a container of wipes, c) a connector to connect the first and second chambers to a support member to hold the dispenser at a desired location.

12. A dispenser for wipes according to claim 11 wherein a second chamber is adapted to receive a container of wipes or a soiled wipe storage device.

13. A dispenser for wipes according to claim 11 or 12 wherein a second releasable connection means connects the second chamber to the bridging member.

14. A dispenser for wipes according to claim 12, wherein the second chamber has a larger volume than the first chamber.

15. A dispenser for wipes according to claim 12, wherein the first chamber can be placed within the second chamber.

16. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the first chamber has a wall section which moves from a first position to secure the container of wipes in the chamber to a second position to allow withdrawal and replacement of the container of wipes.

17. A dispenser for wipes according to claim 16, wherein the first chamber wall section is lockable in the first position.

18. A dispenser for wipes according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the first chamber wall section includes a hinged flap.

19. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 18, wherein the second chamber is adapted to store a soiled wipe storage device and, alternatively, a second container of wipes.

20. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 19, wherein the second chamber has a wall section which moves from a first position to secure the storage device and, alternatively, the second container of wipes in the chamber to a second position to allow withdrawal and replacement of the storage device or second container of wipes.

21. A dispenser for wipes according to claim 20, wherein the second chamber wall section is lockable in the first position.

22. A dispenser for wipes according to claim 20 or 21 , wherein the second chamber wall section includes a hinged flap.

23. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 22, wherein the soiled wipe storage device is a bag or container.

24. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 23, wherein the storage device includes an aperture to receive soiled wipes.

25. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 24, wherein the first and/or second chamber is adapted to house a container of wipes having a wipe extracting aperture, the first and/or second chamber allowing manual access to the wipe extracting aperture.

26. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 25, wherein the bridging member includes a releasable connector whereby the dispenser can be moved from one support member to another.

27. A dispenser for wipes according to claim 26, wherein the releasable connector is formed from first and second interlocking components.

28. A dispenser for wipes according to claim 27, whereby, in use, the first component is secured to the bridging member and the second component, is secured to a support member whereby the dispenser can be moved from one support member to another.

29. A dispenser for wipes according to either claim 27 or 29, wherein a locking device or mechanism is provided to releasably lock the first and second components together.

30. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 29, wherein the dispenser is generally ellipsoid in shape.

31. A dispenser for wipes according to of claims 11 to 30, whereby, in use, the first chamber is located above the second chamber spaced by the bridging member.

32. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 31 , wherein panels are provided between the first and second chamber whereby a bridging member is located at one end of a recess formed by the first and second chamber and said panels.

33. A dispenser for wipes according to claim 32, wherein the panels are removable.

34. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 33, wherein a wipe extracting aperture of a container in the first chamber is spaced from and opposes an aperture to receive soiled wipes or the wipe extracting aperture of a second container in the second chamber.

35. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 34, wherein the first and/or second chamber has an internal shape to accommodate an external shape of the wipe container whereby to support the container firmly.

36. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 35, wherein the first and/or second chamber includes an aperture through which projects the wipe extracting aperture of the wipe container thereby allowing manual access to the wipe extracting aperture.

37. A dispenser for wipes according to of claims 11 to 36, wherein the first or second chamber includes an aperture to support the storage device aperture.

38. A dispenser for wipes according to claim 37, wherein the storage device aperture is provided by a bottle neck in the first or second chamber or a waste bag neck.

39 A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 38 wherein the first and second chambers are located proximal to one another.

40. A dispenser for wipes according to any of claims 11 to 39, wherein the support member may be a floor or shelf stand, wall mounting, clamp for a tubular structure (such as a hospital bed or trolley), clamp for an edge of sheet material, or the like.

41. A bag with closure device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

42. A housing and a bag with a closure device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

43. A dispenser for wipes substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.