a dispenser apparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in fig1 and broadly includes a housing 104 in which a web 12 of pre - moistened towelettes is supported , a towelette dispensing assembly 106 for dispensing the towelettes one - by - one to a user upon demand , and a verification assembly 108 for sensing usage of the apparatus , and recording data so that an employer can monitor how often employees use the apparatus . the housing 104 is of a size and shape that permits the apparatus to be mounted in any of a number of different positions , such as on a table top , under a counter , or on a wall , and any conventional mounting structure can be employed to secure the housing in any of these orientations . for example , in fig1 a rectangular housing is shown , and in fig2 , and 3 a circular housing is shown . the housing is formed of a synthetic resin material or the like , and generally includes a bottom wall , four side walls , and a top wall , and at least one of the walls is provided with a hinged panel 110 that may be opened to expose the interior of the housing to allow access to the various components supported therein . preferably , the panel 110 is latched shut , and the latch used is child - proof to to prevent young children from tampering with the apparatus . the bottom wall of the housing defines a base of the apparatus , and includes a plurality of feet on which the apparatus rests when set on a support surface . preferable rubber shoes are fitted on the feet to stabilize the apparatus during use , however any mounting means of the like is suitable . the rubber shoes , or other mounting means allow versatility of secure placement options . the different placement options include : on counter / desk ( or the like ); under cabinet ; on either front , left or right facing wall , in bathroom stall . the front wall of the dispensing apparatus has an opening 24 through which the pre - moistened towelettes are dispensed , and one or more apertures may be formed in the front and / or side walls for receipt of one or more hand dryer vents , as described below . not shown on the figures , but on the front wall is imprinted both “ power of prevention is in our hands ”, and very specific instructions for use of towelettes and hand drying ( optionally with other motivational phrases ). in addition , included in packaging is very specific , plastic instructions sheets for effective decontamination of hands when using sink and running water , along with other educational / motivational matter . sturdy adhesive allows secure placement , particularly above bathroom sink . a handle can be provided on the top of the housing for facilitating transport of the apparatus between use locations . preferably , the handle is retractable from a recess formed in the top wall such that the handle does not protrude from the recess unless retracted for use . the pre - moistened towelettes are either provided in stack or wound in a roll , and include a substrate impregnated with a suitable moistening composition . the substrate is formed of a fibrous material such as paper fiber , cotton fiber or the like , and is composed as a recyclable or biodegradable product that is sturdy , soft , absorbent , and flushable . the moistening composition is preferably a lotion including an antiseptic solution and any of several other ingredients for preventing and treating dryness of the user &# 39 ; s skin . although several conventional antiseptic agents are available for use in the moistening composition , many experience limitations such as host toxicity , inactivation by organic matter , narrow spectrum of anti - microbial action , poor residual activity or , most critically , drying and irritations of the skin with frequent use . this last limitation is a major impediment to frequent hand cleansing , particularly in high - use settings such as in the health care field . preferably , the active ingredients used in the towelette of the present invention includes triclosan , which reliably lyses bacterial membranes . in addition , the composition includes an array of known botanical compounds which demonstrate , in addition to anti - bacterial properties , anti - fungal , anti - parasitic , anti - protozoan , and anti - larval activity without host toxicity . botanical antiseptic compounds show enhanced anti - microbial activity in the presence of organic matter . plant chemical also tends to act synergistically , thereby adding efficiency without adding cost . the moistening compound also preferably includes various known herbs and essential oils which enhance skin integrity , health and appearance . for example , the composition may include vitamins , minerals and proteins that nourish skin cells , act as an anti - oxidant , stimulate circulation , fuel cellular regeneration , and soften , sooth and moisturize the skin , preventing and treating dryness , irritation , chapping , and cracked or infected skin . such herbs and oils also may be selected for use in the composition to function as an astringent agent which aids the healing process by contracting tissue and limiting fluid loss , or to promote healing as they soothe and soften . thus , the antiseptic cleansing lotion that makes up the composition includes a select group of broadly germicidal , soothing , healing and moisturizing botanical ingredients . in addition , the composition should be chosen to dry quickly , without residue , so that it leaves the skin refreshed , hydrated , nourished and protected , regardless of the frequency of use . because aroma also influences mood , providing a positive reinforcement to the user of the towelettes dispensed by the apparatus , the aromatic qualities of the moisturizing composition used in the towelettes are also important , and are chosen to provide a soothing , refreshing and revitalizing sense to the user of the towelettes , encouraging repeated use . the towelette support compartment of the apparatus preferably fills substantially the entire interior space of the housing , but may be made smaller by providing a plurality of walls that enclose the compartment as in the embodiment described above . in the illustrated embodiment , the towelettes are stored as a perforated web , and a spindle 112 or the like is provided in the compartment for supporting the towelette roll . one of the walls 110 of the compartment is defined by the hinged panels 110 of the housing such that the compartment is accessible for loading of a fresh roll of towelettes through the panel . the towelette dispensing assembly 106 functions to restrict manual removal of the web of towelettes from the roll to the dispensing opening 24 at a rate faster than one towelette at a time , and broadly includes a travel limiting mechanism for limiting removal of the web from the storage compartment in incremental lengths greater than one towelette at a time . if desired , the assembly 106 may also include a coin - operated lock that requires coins to be deposited before permitting the removal of towelettes from the apparatus . the housing 104 includes a second compartment separate from the storage compartment , and the second compartment can be used either as an additional storage compartment for towelettes prior to use , or as a housing for a hand drying assembly 60 . if the hand drying assembly is employed , it is powered by the electrical circuit of the apparatus , and an on / off switch is provided on the housing which activates the assembly for a hand drying operation . the assembly 106 includes an inlet vent 62 , an outlet vent 64 , a passage 66 connecting the inlet and outlet vents together , a fan 68 for drawing air in the inlet and forcing it from the outlet , and a heating element 70 for warming the air as it travels through the passage . a filter 72 is also provided for filtering the air before it is discharged from the outlet vent . grills and / or louvers are provided on the vents for safety and for permitting warm air to be discharged in any selected direction , and two or more outlet vents can be connected to the passage to allow multi - directional air discharge , if desired . if the second compartment is not used for receipt of the hand drying assembly , a hinged panel door is fitted over the exterior opening by the compartment in the housing . this door provides access to the second compartment so that towelettes can be stored therein until needed . a paper towel support assembly 74 may also be provided on or in proximity to the housing at any desired location to provide ready access to the user of paper towels that can be used to dry the user &# 39 ; s hands after the user has used one of the pre - moistened towelettes . the construction of the paper towel holder is preferably the same as in the previous embodiment . likewise , a sanitary disposal assembly 82 may be mounted on the housing , or provided separately for permitting disposal of used towelettes . in order for the user to operate the apparatus , he or she manually pulls on the leading edge of the end - most towelette protruding from the dispensing opening of the apparatus . removal of the towelette actuates the travel limiting mechanism of assembly 106 such that only a single towelette can be removed from the dispenser before the web is braked in a conventional fashion . as such , it is not possible to pull two or more towelettes from the apparatus in a single pull . preferably , a timing mechanism is provided in the housing for resetting the travel limiting mechanism after a predetermined delay such that a subsequent towelette can be withdrawn subsequent to the delay . the towelette is used to cleanse the hands , face , etc . of the user , and is discarded . thereafter , the user activates the hand drying assembly or takes a paper towel from the roll , if provided , and dries his or her hands . the apparatus can be constructed such that it includes a towelette warming assembly as described above . also , the apparatus can be constructed such that it is used to dispense towelettes that are stored dry , and are pre - moistened when they are dispensed . in accordance with this embodiment , a wetting assembly 114 , shown in broken line in fig1 is provided in the housing which includes a wetting mechanism and a reservoir for storing the moistening composition . the wetting mechanism can include mechanically or electronically actuated rollers , sprayers or the like , and is connected to a reservoir such that moistening liquid is transferred to the end - most towelette as the towelette is conveyed toward the aperture . the verification assembly 108 is a means for sensing usage of the apparatus so that an employer can monitor how often employees use the apparatus . in order to achieve such monitoring , badges are provided which are worn by the employees , and a sensor 100 is mounted on or near the apparatus which is capable of detecting the presence of the badge in the vicinity of the apparatus at the time of dispensing . preferably , a switch is provided in association with the travel limiting mechanism such that each time a towelette is withdrawn from the apparatus , a signal is generated that activates the sensor 100 to sense for a badge in proximity thereto . by sensing for a badge each time a towelette is withdrawn , and by recording or saving such information in a conventional manner , it is possible to monitor how often a person wearing a particular badge has activated the apparatus . such information can be used to reward responsible hand cleansing , and to encourage infrequent users to improve their habits . likewise , it can be used to implement programs of behavior modification for sustaining a high frequency of hand cleansing , and to enable cooperation with public health agencies to insure public safety . although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing , it is noted that substitutions may be made and equivalents employed herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims . for example , although the sensor discussed was electronically activated by the badge of the user , the sensor could also be a motion detector , that detected motion , and then activating the dispenser .
a non - automatic dispenser of towelettes that is appropriate for use in such contexts as food service , health care , long - term care , child care , educational settings , industry , military and public restrooms . a photo sensor , triggered by badge provides data for performance feedback and reinforcement / accountability strategies , documented by research as essential for sustained changes in hand cleansing behavior . mounting shoes provide for versatility of secure placement on counter / desks ; under cabinet ; on either front , left or right facing wall , in bathroom stall .