WO2021145817A1

WO2021145817A1 - A lavatory unit with a cabinet for dispensing lavatory amenities

Info

Publication number: WO2021145817A1
Application number: PCT/SG2020/050014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Ralph Palliser HUDSON
Original assignee: ST Engineering Aerospace Ltd.
Priority date: 2020-01-13
Filing date: 2020-01-13
Publication date: 2021-07-22

Abstract

There is provided a lavatory unit for installing adjacent an aisle in an aircraft cabin. The lavatory unit comprises a cabinet for dispensing lavatory amenities. The cabinet comprises an amenities cartridge received in a cabinet casing. The amenities cartridge comprises a storage compartment for storing an amenity and an amenity outlet through which the amenity is accessible. The cabinet casing comprises a dispensing opening through which the amenity outlet of the amenities cartridge is accessible, such that the amenity in the amenities cartridge is accessible from the lavatory unit, and a refill opening on a side of the cabinet casing facing the aisle. The amenities cartridge is removable from the cabinet casing through the refill opening, to allow access to the storage compartment from the aisle. The dispensing opening is open-sided on the side of the cabinet facing the aisle, so that as the amenities cartridge is moved through the refill opening, an amenity protruding from the amenity outlet in the amenities cartridge is unobstructed during movement into/out of the dispensing opening.

Description

A LAVATORY UNIT WITH A CABINET FOR DISPENSING LAVATORY

AMENITIES

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns an aircraft lavatory unit. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention concerns an aircraft lavatory unit comprising a cabinet for dispensing amenities accessible from outside the lavatory unit. The invention also concerns a cabinet for installing in such a lavatory unit, and an aircraft comprising such a lavatory unit.

Background of the Invention

An aircraft lavatory unit typically contains a consumables compartment containing amenities such as paper towels and paper cups. The consumables compartment requires replenishment from time to time, and therefore needs to be accessible to flight personnel. Traditionally, a flight attendant enters the lavatory unit to replenish the consumables compartment, but this has been found to be an awkward process, due to the space constraints on-board. For example, it is difficult to enter a lavatory unit with a trolley loaded with consumables. Re-filling a consumables compartment can be a time-consuming process.

In solution to this problem, a consumables compartment has been proposed which is accessible from the aircraft aisle rather than from within the lavatory unit.

US7100872B2 discloses a vehicle comprising a lavatory unit having a cabinet assembly. The cabinet assembly includes a housing including a first side having an opening disposed therein, and a module positioned within the housing. The module is removable from the housing through the opening. The module includes a plurality of amenity compartments, and at least one of the compartments is accessible through a second side of the housing. Whilst the unit of US7100872B2 provides a removable module, there are certain drawbacks with the arrangement. For example, it may be that the module is inefficient to load/unload into the housing.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved aircraft lavatory unit and cabinet for dispensing amenities. Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a lavatory unit for installing adjacent an aisle in an aircraft cabin, the lavatory unit comprising a cabinet for dispensing lavatory amenities. Wherein the cabinet comprises: an amenities cartridge received in a cabinet casing, the amenities cartridge comprising a storage compartment for storing an amenity and an amenity outlet through which the amenity is accessible. The cabinet casing comprising: a dispensing opening through which the amenity outlet of the amenities cartridge is accessible, such that the amenity in the amenities cartridge is accessible from the lavatory unit, and a refill opening on a side of the cabinet casing facing the aisle, the amenities cartridge being removable from the cabinet casing through the refill opening, to allow access to the storage compartment from the aisle. The dispensing opening is open-sided on the side of the cabinet facing the aisle, such that as the amenities cartridge is moved through the refill opening, an amenity protruding from the amenity outlet in the amenities cartridge is unobstructed during movement into/out of the dispensing opening.

In an improvement over the arrangements of the prior art, such a lavatory unit advantageously provides for easier replenishment of amenities in an amenities cabinet, since any amenities which are protruding from the amenity outlet upon removal or insertion of the amenities cartridge do not foul on an edge of the cabinet casing, but instead move smoothly into position through the open side of the dispensing opening. Such an arrangement avoids jamming of amenities on the edge of the cabinet casing, which can obstruct movement of the amenities cartridge. The open side of the dispensing opening may be wider than the width of a standard sized disposable cup, for example the open side of the dispensing opening may be approximately 10cm wide. The open side may optionally be partially open sided (extended across part of the width of the dispensing opening), but more preferably is completely open sided (extending across the full width of the dispensing opening).

The dispensing opening may have a width which is at least 10% wider than the width of the amenities outlet. The dispensing opening may have a length which is at least 10% longer than the length of the amenities outlet. It may be advantageous to provide a dispensing opening which is slightly greater in size than the amenities outlet, so that precise alignment of the amenities outlet and the dispensing opening is not required. The amenities cartridge may comprise a main body and a front panel, wherein the front panel overlaps the main body beneath a lower edge of the main body, and wherein the front panel forms a flush surface with a front wall of the lavatory unit, such that as the amenities cartridge is moved through the refill opening, a gap is provided beneath the amenities cartridge in the lavatory unit front wall so that an amenity protruding from the amenity outlet in the amenities cartridge is unobstructed during movement into/out of the dispensing opening. Such an arrangement may enhance the ease of movement of the amenities cartridge, since in addition to not fouling on an edge of the cabinet casing adjacent the aisle, the amenities in the amenity outlet will also not be obstructed by the lavatory front wall.

The front panel may additionally or alternatively overlap the main body above an upper edge of the main body, such that as the amenities cartridge is moved through the refill opening, a gap is provided above the amenities cartridge in the lavatory unit front wall so that an amenity protruding from the top of the storage compartment in the amenities cartridge is unobstructed during movement into/out of the dispensing opening. The upper side of the amenities cartridge main body may be open. Such an arrangement may enable ease of movement of the amenities cartridge into the cabinet casing, in addition to facilitating easy replenishment of stock.

The amenities cartridge may comprise a plurality of amenity outlets through which amenities are accessible, and wherein the dispensing opening is arranged such that when the amenities cartridge is received in the cabinet casing, the plurality of amenity outlets are all accessible through the same dispensing opening.

The dispensing opening may be a single opening which extends around all the amenities outlets. The dispensing opening may have a width which is at least 10% wider than the width of one or more of the amenities outlets. The dispensing opening may have a length which is at least 10% greater than the combined length of all of the amenities outlets. It may be advantageous to provide a dispensing opening which is slightly greater in size than the footprint of the amenities outlets, so that precise alignment of the amenities outlets and dispensing opening is not required.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a lavatory unit for installing adjacent an aisle in an aircraft cabin, the lavatory unit comprising a cabinet for dispensing lavatory amenities, wherein the cabinet comprises: an amenities cartridge received in a cabinet casing, the amenities cartridge comprising a plurality of storage compartments each for storing an amenity and a plurality of respective amenity outlets through which the respective amenity is accessible. The cabinet casing comprising: a dispensing opening through which the amenity outlets of the amenities cartridge are accessible, such that amenities in the amenities cartridge are accessible from within the lavatory unit, and a refill opening on a side of the cabinet facing the aisle, the amenities cartridge being removeable from the cabinet casing through the refill opening, to allow access to the storage compartments from the aisle. The dispensing opening is arranged such that when the amenities cartridge is received in the cabinet casing, the plurality of amenity outlets are all accessible through the same dispensing opening.

In an improvement over the arrangements of the prior art, such a lavatory unit advantageously provides for easier replenishment of amenities in an amenities cabinet, since precise alignment of the amenities outlets and the dispensing opening is not required.

The dispensing opening may be open-sided on the side of the cabinet facing the aisle, such that as the amenities cartridge is moved through the refill opening, an amenity protruding from the amenity outlet in the amenities cartridge is unobstructed during movement into/out of the dispensing opening.

The amenities cartridge may comprise three amenity outlets, and the dispensing opening may be a single opening arranged such that when the amenities cartridge is received in the cabinet casing all three amenity outlets are accessible through the same dispensing opening.

Two of the amenity outlets may be shaped to dispense paper towels and one of the amenity outlets may be shaped to dispense cups, for example disposable plastic cups.

An interior side of the cabinet casing may be a flat mirrored surface. An upper side of the cabinet casing may be open.

The cabinet may be positioned above a bin.

The cabinet may be fixed to the walls of the lavatory unit.

The cabinet may be integral with the walls of the lavatory unit.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an aircraft comprising the lavatory unit of the first or second aspect.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an aircraft lavatory amenities cabinet for installing in the lavatory unit of the first or second aspect. The cabinet comprises: an amenities cartridge received in a cabinet casing, the amenities cartridge comprising a plurality of storage compartments each for storing an amenity and a plurality of respective amenity outlets through which the respective amenity is accessible, and the cabinet casing comprising: a dispensing opening through which the amenity outlets of the amenities cartridge are accessible, such that amenities in the amenities cartridge are accessible from within the lavatory unit, and a refill opening on a side of the cabinet facing the aisle, the amenities cartridge being removeable from the cabinet casing through the refill opening, to allow access to the storage compartments from the aisle, wherein the dispensing opening is arranged such that when the amenities cartridge is received in the cabinet casing, the plurality of amenity outlets are all accessible through the same dispensing opening, and wherein the dispensing opening is open- sided on a side of the cabinet, such that as the amenities cartridge is moved through the refill opening, an amenity protruding from the amenity outlet in the amenities cartridge is unobstructed during movement into/out of the dispensing opening.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a lavatory unit for installing adjacent an aisle in an aircraft cabin. The lavatory unit comprises a cabinet for dispensing lavatory amenities, wherein the cabinet comprises: an amenities cartridge received in a cabinet casing, the amenities cartridge comprising a plurality of storage compartments each for storing an amenity and a plurality of respective amenity outlets through which the respective amenity is accessible, and the cabinet casing comprising: a dispensing opening through which the amenity outlets of the amenities cartridge are accessible, such that amenities in the amenities cartridge are accessible from within the lavatory unit, and a refill opening on a side of the cabinet facing the aisle, the amenities cartridge being removeable from the cabinet casing through the refill opening, to allow access to the storage compartments from the aisle. The amenities cartridge comprises a main body and a front panel fixed to the main body, wherein the main body is open-topped, and wherein the front panel overlaps the upper edge of the main body, wherein the front panel is flush with a front wall of the lavatory unit, and wherein when the amenities cartridge is removed from the cabinet casing, the front panel moves away from the front wall of the lavatory unit, leaving a recess portion above the main body.

It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, the features in one aspect of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to another aspect of the invention and vice versa.

Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a lavatory unit according to the example embodiment, showing an amenities cartridge in a re-fill position, and showing a bin door in an open position;

Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the lavatory unit of Figure 1, showing the amenities cartridge in the re-fill position;

Figure 3 is a close up perspective view of the lavatory unit of Figure 1, showing part of the interior of the lavatory unit, with the amenities cartridge and bin each in a stowed position;

Figure 4 is a close up perspective view of the lavatory unit of Figure 1, showing the amenities cartridge in the re-fill position;

Figure 5 is a lower perspective sectional view of the lavatory unit of Figure 1, showing the amenities cartridge in the stowed position;

Figure 6 is a lower perspective sectional view of the lavatory unit of Figure 1, showing the amenities cartridge in the re-fill position;

Figure 7 is a side perspective view of part of the interior of the lavatory unit of Figure 1, showing the bin door in the open position;

Figure 8 is a schematic of an aircraft cabin comprising the lavatory unit in the first embodiment.

Detailed Description

A lavatory unit 1 according to the example embodiment of the invention is generally cuboid in shape but with a curved rear wall (Figure 1). The lavatory unit 1 has a standard size and shape, not discussed further. It has a ceiling 3, side walls 5, a rear wall (not shown) and front wall 7. Within the front wall 7 are double doors 9 for entry to the lavatory unit 1. To the right hand side of the double doors 9 towards the floor of the lavatory unit 1 is a bin compartment 11 housing a bin 12, which is accessible via a hinged bin door 13 (shown in an open position, away from the front wall 7 of the lavatory unit 1). As is known in the art, the bin 12 can be removed by sliding it out of the bin compartment 11, for emptying, re-lining and replacement via the aisle. Directly above the bin compartment 11 is a cabinet 15 comprising an amenities cartridge 17 received in a cabinet casing 19.

In the example embodiment, the cabinet casing 19 is fixed to the lavatory unit front, rear and side walls in a known manner. The amenities cartridge 17 is slidably mounted in the cabinet casing 19, so that it can be pulled out and accessed from the aisle 5 of the aircraft adjacent to which the lavatory unit is installed. The amenities cartridge 17 is movable between a re-fill position in which it is extended away from the cabinet casing 19 (as depicted in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 6), and a stowed position in which it is received in the cabinet casing 19 (as depicted in Figures 3, 5 and 7).

The amenities cartridge 17 includes a main body 25 of an approximately cuboid shape. Fixed to the front of the main body 25 (i.e. adjacent the aisle) is a front panel 27. The front panel 27 overlaps the upper and lower edges of the main body 25 by approximately 17cm and 13cm respectively The front panel 27 compliments a similarly sized void in the lavatory front wall 7, to form a flush surface with the lavatory front wall 7 when the amenities cartridge 17 is in the stowed position. When the amenities cartridge 17 is moved from the stowed to the re-fill position, the front panel 27 moves away from the lavatory front wall 7, leaving gaps 28a, 28b above and below the upper and lower edges of the amenities cartridge 17 in the lavatory front wall 7.

The amenities cartridge 17 (Figure 2) has three compartments 21 each for storing an amenity and a plurality of respective amenities outlets 23. Two of the compartments are rectangular in profile, with an oblong outlet, and are thus suitable for storing and dispensing tissues or wet wipes. One of the compartments is square in profile, with a circular outlet, and is suitable for dispensing cups. The compartments 21 are open-ended at their top, so that amenities may be placed in the compartments 21 from above. In the example embodiment of the invention, the compartments 21 are formed by dividers which extend along the full height of the amenities cartridge 17 and protrude from the rear wall of the main body 25.

Inside the lavatory unit 1, above the bin compartment 11 is a sink unit 30 with tap 29 (Figure 3). The cabinet 15 is positioned above the sink unit 30, leaving a recessed portion between the sink unit 30 and the cabinet 15 for access to the sink basin (not shown) in the sink unit 30.

Figure 3 shows the amenities cartridge 17 in the stowed position. The interior side (i.e. facing into the lavatory unit) of the cabinet 15 has a mirrored surface 33, and is positioned so as to be approximately at head height when a passenger is standing in the lavatory unit 1. The cabinet casing 19 defines a single oblong dispensing opening 32, which, when the amenities cartridge 17 is in the stowed position surrounds the amenities outlets 23 of the amenities cartridge 17, such that the passenger can access amenities from the underside of the cabinet 15 through the dispensing opening 32 and the amenities outlets 23. All of the amenities outlets 23 are accessible through the same dispensing opening 32. This may avoid the need for each of the individual amenity outlets to align with a respective dispensing opening (as is the case in known arrangements such as US 7100872B2). This may also permit reconfiguration of the amenities cartridge 17 without requiring a redesign of the entire lavatory unit 1 (or cabinet 15, in an alternative embodiment with a detachable cabinet 15).

When the amenities cartridge 17 is moved to the re-fill position (Figure 4), the amenities are no longer accessible to a passenger in the lavatory unit 1, since the dispensing opening 32 is no longer aligned with the amenities outlets 23. The amenities cartridge 17 now extends into the aisle of the aircraft in which the lavatory unit 1 is installed, and can be replenished through the open-topped compartments 21, for example from a trolley loaded with amenities.

The dispensing opening 32 has an open side, adjacent the front wall 7 of the lavatory unit 1 (Figures 5 and 6). Thus when the amenities cartridge 17 moves from the re-fill position to the stowed position or vice versa, amenities protruding from the amenities outlets 23 do not foul an edge of the dispensing opening 32 (i.e. which would be provided by the outer edge of the cabinet casing 19 if the edge were present) but instead are free to move unobstructed thus preventing jamming of the amenities in the cabinet 15.

The effect is enhanced by the provision of the lower gap 28a in the front lavatory wall below the amenities cartridge 17 when the front panel 27 of the amenities cartridge 17 moves away from the front lavatory wall. Since, there is a lower gap 28a created in the front lavatory wall 7, when the front panel 27 of the amenities cartridge 17 moves away from the front lavatory wall 7, any amenities protruding from the amenities outlets 23 at the bottom of the amenities cartridge 17 will not be obstructed by the lavatory front wall 7. Similarly, when the amenities cartridge 17 is returned to the stowed position, any protruding amenities will not be obstructed by the lavatory front wall 7.

The same applies for the upper gap 28b created in the front lavatory wall 7. When the front panel 27 of the amenities cartridge 17 moves away from the front lavatory wall 7, any amenities protruding from the compartments 21 at the top of the amenities cartridge 17 will not be obstructed by the lavatory front wall 7. Similarly, when the amenities cartridge 17 is returned to the stowed position, any protruding amenities will not be obstructed by the lavatory front wall 7.

Inside the lavatory unit 1, adjacent the bin compartment 11, and underneath the sink unit 30, is a toilet roll holder 35 (Figures 5, 6). Adjacent the toilet roll holder 35 is a storage compartment 37 of standard construction accessible from within the lavatory unit 1. Mounted centrally on the rear wall of the lavatory unit l is a lavatory 39 of standard construction. Recessed in the upper surface of the sink unit 30 is a sink basin 41 of a roughly rectangular bowl shape, and a waste bin flap 43 for accessing a waste bin underneath.

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of an aircraft cabin 45 comprising the lavatory unit 1 of the invention. The cabin 45 is on a wide-body, twin aisle aircraft that comprises a central column of seats 47a, and two side columns of seats 47b, 47c divided by aisles 5. The lavatory unit is located at one end of the seat units to one side of the aisle 5.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. For example, amenities other than tissues, wet wipes or cups may be dispensed. The number, position and size and shape of the amenities outlets may vary accordingly.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

1. A lavatory unit for installing adjacent an aisle in an aircraft cabin, the lavatory unit comprising a cabinet for dispensing lavatory amenities, wherein the cabinet comprises: an amenities cartridge received in a cabinet casing, the amenities cartridge comprising a storage compartment for storing an amenity and an amenity outlet through which the amenity is accessible, and the cabinet casing comprising: a dispensing opening through which the amenity outlet of the amenities cartridge is accessible, such that the amenity in the amenities cartridge is accessible from the lavatory unit, and a refill opening on a side of the cabinet casing facing the aisle, the amenities cartridge being removable from the cabinet casing through the refill opening, to allow access to the storage compartment from the aisle, characterised in that the dispensing opening is open-sided on the side of the cabinet facing the aisle, such that as the amenities cartridge is moved through the refill opening, an amenity protruding from the amenity outlet in the amenities cartridge is unobstructed during movement into/out of the dispensing opening.

2. A lavatory unit according to claim 1, wherein the amenities cartridge comprises a main body and a front panel, wherein the front panel overlaps the main body beneath a lower edge of the main body, and wherein the front panel forms a flush surface with a front wall of the lavatory unit, such that as the amenities cartridge is moved through the refill opening, a gap is provided beneath the amenities cartridge in the lavatory unit front wall so that an amenity protruding from the amenity outlet in the amenities cartridge is unobstructed during movement into/out of the dispensing opening.

3. A lavatory unit according to claim 2, wherein the front panel overlaps the main body above an upper edge of the main body, such that as the amenities cartridge is moved through the refill opening, a gap is provided above the amenities cartridge in the lavatory unit front wall so that an amenity protruding from the top of the storage compartment in the amenities cartridge is unobstructed during movement into/out of the dispensing opening.

4. A lavatory unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the amenities cartridge comprises a plurality of amenity outlets through which amenities are accessible, and wherein the dispensing opening is arranged such that when the amenities cartridge is received in the cabinet casing, the plurality of amenity outlets are all accessible through the same dispensing opening.

5. A lavatory unit for installing adjacent an aisle in an aircraft cabin, the lavatory unit comprising a cabinet for dispensing lavatory amenities, wherein the cabinet comprises: an amenities cartridge received in a cabinet casing, the amenities cartridge comprising a plurality of storage compartments each for storing an amenity and a plurality of respective amenity outlets through which the respective amenity is accessible, and the cabinet casing comprising: a dispensing opening through which the amenity outlets of the amenities cartridge are accessible, such that amenities in the amenities cartridge are accessible from within the lavatory unit, and a refill opening on a side of the cabinet facing the aisle, the amenities cartridge being removeable from the cabinet casing through the refill opening, to allow access to the storage compartments from the aisle, characterised in that the dispensing opening is arranged such that when the amenities cartridge is received in the cabinet casing, the plurality of amenity outlets are all accessible through the same dispensing opening.

6. A lavatory unit according to claim 5, wherein the dispensing opening is open sided on the side of the cabinet facing the aisle, such that as the amenities cartridge is moved through the refill opening, an amenity protruding from the amenity outlet in the amenities cartridge is unobstructed during movement into/out of the dispensing opening.

7. A lavatory unit according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the amenities cartridge comprises three amenity outlets, and the dispensing opening is a single opening arranged such that when the amenities cartridge is received in the cabinet casing all three amenity outlets are accessible through the dispensing opening.

8. A lavatory unit according to claim 7, wherein two of the amenity outlets are shaped to dispense paper towels and one of the amenity outlets is shaped to dispense cups.

9. A lavatory unit according to any preceding claim, wherein an interior side of the cabinet casing is a flat mirrored surface.

10. A lavatory unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the cabinet is positioned above a bin.

11. A lavatory unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the cabinet is fixed to the walls of the lavatory unit.

12. A lavatory unit according to any of claims 1-10, wherein the cabinet is integral with the walls of the lavatory unit.

13. An aircraft comprising the lavatory unit according to any previous claim.

14. An aircraft lavatory amenities cabinet for dispensing lavatory amenities, for installing in the lavatory unit of claims 1-11, wherein the cabinet comprises: an amenities cartridge received in a cabinet casing, the amenities cartridge comprising a plurality of storage compartments each for storing an amenity and a plurality of respective amenity outlets through which the respective amenity is accessible, and the cabinet casing comprising: a dispensing opening through which the amenity outlets of the amenities cartridge are accessible, such that amenities in the amenities cartridge are accessible from within the lavatory unit, and a refill opening on a side of the cabinet facing the aisle, the amenities cartridge being removeable from the cabinet casing through the refill opening, to allow access to the storage compartments from the aisle, wherein the dispensing opening is arranged such that when the amenities cartridge is received in the cabinet casing, the plurality of amenity outlets are all accessible through the same dispensing opening, and wherein the dispensing opening is open- sided on a side of the cabinet, such that as the amenities cartridge is moved through the refill opening, an amenity protruding from the amenity outlet in the amenities cartridge is unobstructed during movement into/out of the dispensing opening.

15. A lavatory unit for installing adjacent an aisle in an aircraft cabin, the lavatory unit comprising a cabinet for dispensing lavatory amenities, wherein the cabinet comprises: an amenities cartridge received in a cabinet casing, the amenities cartridge comprising a plurality of storage compartments each for storing an amenity and a plurality of respective amenity outlets through which the respective amenity is accessible, and the cabinet casing comprising: a dispensing opening through which the amenity outlets of the amenities cartridge are accessible, such that amenities in the amenities cartridge are accessible from within the lavatory unit, and a refill opening on a side of the cabinet facing the aisle, the amenities cartridge being removeable from the cabinet casing through the refill opening, to allow access to the storage compartments from the aisle, characterised in that the amenities cartridge comprises a main body and a front panel fixed to the main body, wherein the main body is open-topped, and wherein the front panel overlaps the upper edge of the main body, wherein the front panel is flush with a front wall of the lavatory unit, and wherein when the amenities cartridge is removed from the cabinet casing, the front panel moves away from the front wall of the lavatory unit, leaving a recess portion above the main body.