US2985289A - Finger cleaner - Google Patents

Description

FINGER CLEANER John M. Uren, 906 Denver St., Salt Lake City, Utah Filed Oct. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 770,463

Claims. (Cl. 206-47) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in finger cleaners for use particularly although not necessarily, in cafes, restaurants, etc., in lieu of finger bowls and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means whereby patrons of such establishments may conveniently clean or freshen the fingers both before and after dining.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide a finger cleaning or freshening kit of the character described which may be left on a dining table ready for use at all times and which, further, makes available to the patron a supply of paper napkins and a cleaning solution for use therewith.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a finger cleaning or freshening kit of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight, sanitary, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a finger cleaner or freshener constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the invention; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the solution holder, showing the top separated from the housing.

Referring now to the drawing, it Will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a vertically elongated, substantially square housing 4 of wood, plastic or other suitable material. The housing 4 includes a removable top 5. The top 5 rests on substantially triangular plates or cleats 6 which are provided therefor in the corner portions of the housing 4 adjacent to but spaced below the upper end of said housing.

Removably mounted in the housing 4 is a dispensing container 7 for a finger cleaning solution. The dispenser 7 is of the pump type and comprises a bottle 8 provided with a screw cap 9 in which the pump 10 is mounted. A circular opening 11 in the top 5 of the housing 4 accommodates the dispenser cap 9. Mounted on the neck of the bottle 8, below the cap 9, is a gasket 12 of foam rubber or other suitable resilient material.

Afiixed to one side of the housing 4 is a substantially rectangular shallow box or tray 13. The tray 13 is for the reception of a supply of paper towels, as indicated at 14.

It is thought that the use or operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the fore going. Briefly, the patron removes one of the napkins 14 from the tray 13 and holds said napkin beneath the nited States Patent 0 2,985,289 Patented May 23, 1961 ice spout or nozzle 15-01? the pump 10. The pump10 is'then actuated for discharging the desired quantity of the cleaning solution in the bottle 8 on the napkin in an obvious manner. Thepaper napkin may then be disposed of. As hereinbefore stated, the device may be left on the table to be used at any time by the patron. The device being thus conveniently available at all times for cleaning or freshening the fingers, the necessity of requesting the usual finger bowl or using a public lavatory is obviated, an important and desirable feature of the invention. If desired, squeeze, pressurized and other suitable types of dispensers may be used in lieu of the pump dispenser 7.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A finger cleaner comprising a vertically elongated housing of substantially square horizontal section including a bottom and walls, said housing being open at its upper end, said housing for the reception of a dispensing container, triangular cleats mounted in the corner portions of the housing adjacent to but spaced below the open upper end thereof, a removable top mounted in the upper portion of the housing and resting on the cleats, said top having an opening therein for the passage of the upper portion of the dispensing container, and a resilient pad for the dispensing container mounted in the housing between the top and the cleats.

2. A finger cleaner comprising a housing of square horizontal section, said housing including a bottom and walls and being open at its top, triangular cleats in the corner portions of said housing adjacent to but spaced below said top, a square closure in the upper portion of the housing supported by the cleats and having a circular, centrally located opening therein, a pump-type solution dispenser comprising a cylindrical bottle mounted in the housing, said bottle including a reduced neck projecting through the opening and providing a shoulder on said bottle, a cap threaded on the neck and engaged in the opening, a pump mounted on the cap and extending downwardly therefrom into the bottle, said pump including a radially projecting discharge nozzle on its upper end portion, and a square, resilient pad secured on the neck between the cap and the shoulder.

3. A finger cleaner in accordance with claim 2, said bottle peripherally abutting the cleats for retention thereby against horizontal movement in the housing.

4. A finger cleaner in accordance with claim 2, said pad extending outwardly between the closure and the cleats for frictionally resisting rotation of the bottle in the housing.

5. A finger cleaner comprising a square housing open at its top and including a front and sides, a napkin tray fixed on one of said sides, triangular cleats in the corner portions of the housing adjacent to but spaced below said top thereof, a square closure supported by said cleats in the upper portion of the housing, said closure having a circular, centrally located opening therein, a solution dispenser comprising a cylindrical bottle removably mounted in the housing and including a reduced neck extending upwardly through the opening in spaced, concentric relation thereto and providing a shoulder on said bottle, a cap mounted on the neck and engaged in the opening, a pump mounted on the cap and extending downwardly therefrom into the bottle, said pump including a discharge nozzle on its upper portion projecting outwardly therefrom over the front of the housing, and a square, resilient pad secured under compression on the neck between the cap and the shoulder and engaged between the closure and the cleats for frictionally resisting rotation of the bottle in the housing, said bottle peripherally abutting said cleats for centering said bottle and retaining same against horizontal movement in the housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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