Method and system for dispensing a wet paper towel providing a sanitization function

Abstract

Disclosed are example embodiments of systems and methods for dispensing a wet towel. An example dispensing system for dispensing a wet towel to a user includes a housing having an opening. The example dispensing system for dispensing a wet towel also includes an input sensor within the housing for sensing that a user is requesting the wet towel. Additionally, the example dispensing system for dispensing a wet towel includes a roll of dry paper towels within the housing. The example dispensing system for dispensing a wet towel includes a reservoir containing fluid within the housing. The example dispensing system for dispensing a wet towel also includes a drive mechanism for grabbing towels from the roll of dry paper towels and advancing paper towels from the roll of dry paper towels toward the opening in the housing. Additionally, the example dispensing system for dispensing a wet towel includes a fluid-distribution system located adjacent to an opening in the housing, the fluid-distribution system moving the fluid from the reservoir and spraying the fluid on the dry paper towels to produce the wet towel for dispensing from the opening in the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispensing system for dispensing a wet towel to a user, comprising:
 a housing having an opening;   an input sensor within the housing for sensing that a user is requesting the wet towel;   a roll of dry paper towels within the housing;   a reservoir containing fluid within the housing;   a drive mechanism for grabbing towels from the roll of dry paper towels and advancing paper towels from the roll of dry paper towels toward the opening in the housing; and   a fluid-distribution system located adjacent to opening in the housing, the fluid-distribution system moving the fluid from the reservoir and spraying the fluid on the dry paper towels to produce the wet towel for dispensing from the opening in the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-distribution system includes a fluid line, a pump, a valve, and nozzles, the valve being located in the fluid line before the nozzles and after the pump. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the input sensor is a motion sensor allowing for the dispensing of the wet towel without the user touching the dispensing system. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is sprayed onto the dry towel to create a coverage of about 0.04 to about 0.06 milliliter per square inch. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid is sprayed onto the dry towel to create a coverage of about 0.05 milliliter per square inch. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the input sensor causes activation of the drive mechanism and the fluid-distribution system. 
     
     
         7 . A method for dispensing a wet towel to a user, the method comprising:
 sensing that a user is requesting the wet towel using an input sensor;   grabbing towels from a roll of dry paper towels and advancing paper towels from the roll of dry paper towels toward an opening in a housing using a drive mechanism; and   moving a fluid from a reservoir containing the fluid within the housing and spraying the fluid on the dry paper towels to produce the wet towel for dispensing from the opening in the housing using a fluid-distribution system.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein moving the fluid from the reservoir includes using a fluid line, a pump, a valve, and nozzles, the valve being located in the fluid line before the nozzles and after the pump. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the input sensor is a motion sensor allowing for the dispensing of the wet towel without the user touching a dispensing system implementing the method. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid is sprayed onto the dry towel to create a coverage of about 0.04 to about 0.06 milliliter per square inch. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid is sprayed onto the dry towel to create a coverage of about 0.05 milliliter per square inch. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising causing activation of the drive mechanism and the fluid-distribution system based on an input from the input sensor.