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.

1 . A portable, large capacity, canister for containing and dispensing anti-microbial towelettes to a large number of individuals, the device comprising:
 (a) a container body having a closed base and surrounding walls with an open top defined by a perimeter rim;   (b) a lid attachable to the perimeter rim of the open top of the container body, the lid further comprising a narrow lid neck extending from a central position on the lid, the lid neck comprising a closed side wall, open on the bottom through an aperture to the interior of the container, and open on the top to the exterior of the container, the lid neck further having a cap sized to cover the top opening of the lid neck, the cap hinged so as to be retained in conjunction with the lid upon removal from the lid neck; and   (c) a plurality of towelettes impregnated with an anti-microbial compound, the plurality of towelettes positioned within the container body, a first towelette on the interior of the open cylindrical roll extending from the interior up through the toothed aperture in the lid of the container so as to be positioned beneath the lid cap ready for dispensing.   
     
     
         2 . The canister of  claim 1  wherein the container body comprises a generally cylindrical structure and the plurality of towelettes are constructed into an open cylindrical roll of towelettes having perforations between individual towelettes to facilitate the removal and separation of one towelette from the next. 
     
     
         3 . The canister of  claim 2  wherein the lid neck further comprises a base defining a radially symmetrical multi-point toothed aperture through which a towelette drawn from the interior of the open cylindrical roll may extend, the toothed aperture serving to facilitate the separation of one towelette from the next as the towelettes are dispensed. 
     
     
         4 . The canister of  claim 3  wherein an end of a first towelette drawn from the interior of the open cylindrical roll is positioned through the toothed aperture and is thereby retained at a point beneath the lid cap ready to be dispensed when the lid cap is first opened by a user, the placement of the first towelette thus eliminating the need for the user to remove the attached lid from the container body. 
     
     
         5 . The canister of  claim 4  further comprising a removable/breakable seal extending between the lid cap and a top surface of the lid adjacent the lid neck. 
     
     
         6 . The canister of  claim 1  wherein the anti-microbial compound comprises a non-alcohol based solution. 
     
     
         7 . The canister of  claim 6  wherein the anti-microbial compound comprises:
 0.05-0.5% (w/v) Benzalkonium Chloride; 
 0.05-0.5% (w/v) Hymine (Benzethonium Chloride); 
 0.10-5.0% (w/v) Methylparaben; 
 0.01-0.5% (w/v) Propylparaben; 
 0.10-5.0% (w/v) Lanolin PEG 60; 
 0.10-5.0% (w/v) Aloe Barbadensis; and 
 further wherein the components are dissolved in purified water. 
 
     
     
         8 . The canister of  claim 1  further comprising a handle attached to the container body for transporting the container. 
     
     
         9 . The canister of  claim 1  wherein the lid attachable to the perimeter rim of the open top of the container body forms a water tight seal between the lid and the container body. 
     
     
         10 . A portable, large capacity, canister for containing and dispensing anti-microbial towelettes to a large number of individuals, the device comprising:
 (a) a container body having a closed base and surrounding walls with an open top defined by a perimeter rim;   (b) a lid attachable to the perimeter rim of the open top of the container body, the lid further comprising a narrow lid neck extending from a central position on the lid, the lid neck comprising a closed side wall, open on the bottom through a toothed aperture to the interior of the container, and open on the top to the exterior of the container, the lid neck further having a cap sized to cover the top opening of the lid neck, the cap hinged so as to be retained in conjunction with the lid upon removal from the lid neck;   (c) a handle attached to the container body for transporting the container; and   (d) a cylindrical roll of a plurality of towelettes impregnated with an anti-microbial compound, the cylindrical roll positioned within the container body, the plurality of towelettes within the roll formed with perforations allowing for the separation of one towelette from the next, a first towelette on the interior of the open cylindrical roll extending from the interior up through the toothed aperture in the lid of the container so as to be positioned beneath the lid cap ready for dispensing.