Wipes Canister
A dispenser for storing a roll of wet wipes including a rounded bottom surface and a lid perpendicular to the bottom surface of the dispenser so that the wipes are dispensed through the front of the dispenser as the dispenser sits on a supporting surface.
1. Field of the Disclosure
The present embodiments relate to a container for dispensing wet wipes, and more particularly to a container for dispensing a roll of wet wipes through the front of the container.
2. Description of Related Art
Wet wipes are well known commercial products that are available in many forms, like stacks of moistened sheets packaged in plastic containers. Typically, wet wipes are stacked in a interfolded configuration inside of a container. Alternatively, wet wipes might be a continuous web of material wound into a roll. The roll typically has perforations to separate individual wipes. These rolls are typically pulled and dispensed from the inside of the roll. Dispensing wipes from the inside of the roll presents many problems in terms of efficient and easy dispensing.
The plastic containers used to store wipes have typically been designed with a flat bottom surface so that they can be positioned on flat surfaces. Such conventional packages generally provide an upright cylindrical or rectangular container or rectangular tub and are dispensed through the top surface of the container. Most packages are designed to dispense one wipe at a time. Those containers, however, are difficult to dispense using only one hand because the covers are not easily opened, a user must apply a lot of force to remove a single wipe, and containers are prone to tipping over due to the force applied to remove a wipe or the cover being too heavy. Accordingly, for these reasons and many others, there is a need for a more user-friendly container.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURETo answer this need, the present invention provides in one embodiment a dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising a container base including a bottom face configured to support the dispenser on a surface and with one or more rounded edges and a pair of opposed parallel sidewalls extending upward from the bottom surface; a lid removably attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes a substantially flat top surface; the lid having an aperture with an aperture face and having a hingedly attached cover providing a sealing means over the aperture; wherein the lid top surface and the aperture face are substantially perpendicular to the container base bottom face; wherein the cover hingedly opens to a position where the cover is in substantially the same plane as the container base bottom face; the aperture including a retention tab defining a first aperture portion communicating via a channel with a second aperture portion lying below the first aperture portion; wherein the second aperture portion is smaller than the first aperture portion; and a roll of wet wipes positioned to dispense wipes from the outside of the roll as the roll unwinds.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the invention provides a dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising a container base defining an open receptacle, the base comprising a rounded bottom surface with a bottom face and a pair of opposed parallel sidewalls extending upward from the bottom face; a lid removably attached to the container base; and a roll of wet wipes positioned in the receptacle to dispense wipes through a face of the container from the outside of the roll as the roll unwinds, wherein the face is configured to be supported substantially perpendicular to the bottom face.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the invention provides a dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising a container base defining an open receptacle, the base comprising a rounded bottom surface having a bottom face; and a pair of substantially parallel opposed sidewalls; a lid with a substantially flat face removably attached to the container base, wherein horizontal length of the lid is longer than vertical height of the lid; a roll of wet wipes contained in the open receptacle to dispense wipes from the outside to the inside of the roll; and wherein the bottom face supports the lid upright with the vertical length of the lid generally perpendicular to the bottom face.
As used herein, the term “wet wipe” refers to a fibrous sheet that has a liquid applied to the entire roll of wipes thereto during manufacture or prior to dispensing. The amount of liquid or solution contained within each wet wipe can vary depending upon the type of material being used to provide the wet wipe, the type of liquid being used, the type of container being used to store the roll of wet wipes, and the desired end use of the wet wipe. Generally, each wet wipe can contain from about 25 to about 600 weight percent or from about 200 to about 400 weight percent liquid based on the dry weight of the wipe, for improved wiping in certain situations. The liquid can include a fragrance, cleaning agents, sanitizing agents, and/or an emollient and can serve to aid the fibrous sheet in retention of materials, which are to be wiped up during its utilization. Rolls of wet wipes useful with the invention can contain from as little as a few linear inches (or cm) to more than 450 linear inches (11.43 m), to more than linear 600 inches (15.24 m) to more than a thousand linear inches (25.40 m) of wet wipes. The rolls can have a web of material that can have any number of sheets. Usually, the sheets are separated by perforations that enable the sheet to be easily torn from the web but are strong enough that they will not separate while the web is being pulled from the dispenser.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the invention. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain various aspects of the invention.
A more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments, and the objects and advantages thereof, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description in connection with the following representative and nonlimiting drawings:
Representative embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages may be understood by referring to
As representatively illustrated in
Referring to
In one embodiment, the base surface 112 may have one or more base supporting members or legs (not shown) to stabilize the container 100 on a surface. The supporting members may be integral with the base 110 and may be connected on either the bottom face 116 or top face 118 or both. Further, the one or more base supporting members may be designed such that they might pivot from a stored position to a deployed position.
The pair of opposed sidewalls 114 may also be semi-circular, when viewed from the side, and extend upwardly from the bottom face 116 in a generally perpendicular manner. The base surface 112 and sidewalls 114 generally define an open receptacle (not shown) for storing a roll of wipes.
The container 100 also includes the lid 130 that is connected, generally along its perimeter, to the base 110. The lid 130 fits onto the open receptacle formed by the base surface 112 and pair of opposed side walls 114 of the container base 110. In other words, the lid 130 may form a removable top flat face to cover the open receptacle formed by the base surface 112 and sidewalls 114. The lid 130 may have a substantially flat face and generally be rectangular, for example having a longer horizontal length that a vertical height. In another embodiment, the lid 130 may also be rounded, similar in shape to the base. It will be appreciated that the lid 130 is not limited to any particular size or shape, and the shape and size of the lid 130 may changed as necessary or desired.
The lid 130 may generally comprise three parts, a body 132, a cover 134, and a locking mechanism 136. The body 132 may have a top flat face 138, and a side edge 140. The cover 134 when closed, as shown in
As previously described, the base 110 may comprise the base surface 112 having the bottom and top faces 116 and 118, and a pair of opposed sidewalls 114, all of which define an open receptacle onto which the lid 130 may be attached. To attach or fit the lid 130 to the base 110, a flange (not shown) may extend along an outer peripheral edge of the open receptacle as a means by which the lid 130 may be fitted onto the base 110. The lid 130 would thus be removable, if and when the container 100 needed to be refilled. In another embodiment, the lid 130 may be pivotally connected to the base 110, as is also well known in the art; the lid 130 may have various pivot points connecting it to the base 110, whereby the pivot points may be living hinges. The lid 130 may be pivotally connected to either the bottom face 116 or top face 118 of the base surface 112. Further, the lid 130 may be manufactured with one or more ridges that can be snap-fitted into receiving grooves in the base 110. Or, the lid 130 may be designed so that it can be friction-fitted to the base 110. There are many alternative means for attaching the lid 130 to the base 110. It will be appreciated that the lid 130 may be attached to the base 110 using any means. In another embodiment, if the container 100 were made of only one piece, the lid 130 may be attached to the base using glues, adhesives, or other bonding agents; heat sealing; ultrasonic bonding; or other chemical methods.
With continuing reference to
In one embodiment, the cover 134 may be connected to the body 132 of the lid 130. The cover 134 may be connected or attached to the body 132 opposite from the locking mechanism 136. The cover 134 may be centered relative to the overall length of the container 100. The cover 134 may be connected to the body 132 in a manner that allows the cover 134 to pivot between an opened and closed position. For example, the cover 134 may be permanently attached to the body 132 by a hinge, e.g. a living hinge. Any suitable hinge or connecting means that enables the cover 134 to pivot between an opened and closed position may be used to attach the cover 134 to the body 132. The cover 134 may even snap off entirely. As described above, chemical methods may also be used to attach the cover 134 to the body 132. The cover 134 may be shaped consistently with the top surface 138, thereby the cover 134, when closed, may form a flat and continuous surface with the top surface 138, as best shown in
Referring to
In one embodiment, the cover 134 may be connected or attached to the container base surface 112. The cover 124 may be pivotally mounted to the base but be adapted to extend over onto the lid 130.
Referring to
Referring to
Located inside of the indentation 206 may be an aperture 208. The aperture face and the lid flat top surface 138 may be substantially perpendicular to the container base bottom surface 116. The aperture 208 may provide a user with access, through the body 132 of the lid 130, to the wipes stored inside of the container 100. The aperture 208 may comprise a first portion 210 and a second smaller portion 212. The first portion 210 may be in communication with the second portion 212 via a channel 214 defined by retention tab 216 and the second portion 212 may lie below the first portion 210 towards the container base bottom surface 116. The aperture first portion 210 may be adapted to allow the user to reach in and access the roll of wipes. This adaptation requires that the aperture first portion 210 be greater that 3 inches in length and greater than ½ inches in height. The channel 214 may generally be a passageway for a user to move a wipe drawn initially through the first portion 210 into the second portion 212. The second portion 212 is generally smaller than the first portion 210 so that the wipe will not fall back into the aperture 208. In one embodiment, a retention tab 216 may define the channel 214, and substantially separate the first portion 210 from the second portion 212. The retention tab 216 may prevent a threaded wipe from retreating back though the aperture 208. Further the retention tab 216 may facilitate separating individual wipes.
The aperture 208 may provide access to the roll of wipes stored within the container 100. Either the first portion 210 or the second portion 212 may be adapted to allow a user to access the wipes. In one embodiment, the first portion 210 may be large enough that an average adult may comfortably and easily access a roll of wipes (not shown) to initially thread a wipe through the first portion 210. The first and second portion 210 and 212 may be of different sizes and shapes. In one embodiment, first portion 210 may be substantially larger than the second portion 212. In one embodiment, the second portion 212 may be sized to prevent a threaded wipe from falling back inside the container 100.
It will be understood that the aperture 208 may be located anywhere on the container 100. For example, the aperture 208 may be located in the base 112, rather than in the lid 130. In that embodiment, the removable lid 130 may be used to refill the container 100, and the dispensing aperture 208 may be located in the base 112. In addition, if the aperture 208 were in the container base 112, the cover 134 may also be connected or attached to the container base 112 and be adapted to secure over the aperture 208.
Referring to
Referring to
The aperture 208 may be located within the indentation 206. The first portion 210 of the aperture 208 may be substantially larger in size than the second portion 212. The first portion 210 and the second portion 212 may still be in communication with each other via a channel 214 for moving a wipe that has been threaded through the first portion 210 to the second portion 212. In this embodiment, the first portion 210 may be large enough so that a user can access a roll of wipes (not shown), and thread a wipe through the first portion 210. The first portion 210 may extend over a substantial part of the indentation 206. The second portion 212 may comprise a central part with several projections. The second portion 212, however, may be of any shape that allows for wipes to be dispensed.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising: and a roll of wet wipes positioned to dispense wipes from the outside of the roll as the roll unwinds.
- a container base including a bottom face configured to support the dispenser on a surface and with one or more rounded edges and a pair of opposed parallel sidewalls extending upward from the bottom surface;
- a lid removably attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes a substantially flat top surface, a front adjacent to a cover closure, a back opposite the front, and two sides between the front and the back, and including a side edge extending generally downwardly and perpendicularly from the top surface and surrounding the top surface on the two sides and on part of the front and on part of the back of the top surface;
- the lid having an aperture with an aperture face and having a hingedly attached cover providing a sealing means over the aperture;
- wherein the cover when closed forms a flat continuous surface with the lid top surface and wherein the cover extends from the side edge at the lid top surface front to the side edge at the lid top surface back;
- wherein the lid top surface and the aperture face are substantially perpendicular to the container base bottom face;
- wherein the cover hingedly opens to a position where the cover is in substantially the same plane as the container base bottom face;
- the aperture including a retention tab defining a first aperture portion communicating via a channel with a second aperture portion lying below the first aperture portion;
- wherein the second aperture portion is smaller than the first aperture portion;
2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lid has a longer horizontal length than a vertical height.
3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the aperture and cover are generally positioned in the middle of the lid relative to the horizontal length.
4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least one of the pair of opposed sidewalls includes a semicircular recess at or near where the lid is removably attached to the container base.
5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cover is hingedly attached to the back of the lid.
6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises an indentation adapted to receive the cover, the indention located in the body of the lid and wherein the cover secures over at least a portion of the indention.
7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the aperture first portion is adapted to allow the user to reach in and access the roll of wipes.
8. (canceled)
9. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a post supporting the wipes roll.
10. A dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising: a roll of wet wipes positioned in the receptacle to dispense wipes through a face of the container from the outside of the roll as the roll unwinds, wherein the face is configured to be supported substantially perpendicular to the bottom face.
- a container base defining an open receptacle, the base comprising a rounded bottom surface with a bottom face and a pair of opposed parallel sidewalls extending upward from the bottom face;
- a lid removably attached to the container base;
- wherein the lid includes a substantially flat top surface, a front adjacent to a closure, a back opposite the front, and two sides between the front and the back, and including a side edge extending generally downwardly and perpendicularly from the top surface and surrounding the top surface on the two sides and part of the front and the back of the top surface;
- the lid having an aperture with an aperture face and having a hingedly attached cover providing a sealing means over the aperture;
- wherein the cover when closed forms a flat continuous surface with the lid top surface and wherein the cover extends from the side edge at the lid top surface front to the side edge at the lid top surface back; and
11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the container base includes a substantially half cylinder shape.
12. (canceled)
13. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the container base further comprises one or more supporting members.
14. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein at least one of the pair of opposed sidewalls comprises a semicircular recess at or near where the lid is removable attached to the container base.
15. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the lid further comprises an indentation adapted to receive the cover, the indention located in the body of the lid and wherein the cover secures over at least a portion of the indention.
16. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the aperture includes a first portion and second portion communicating via a channel defined by a retention tab, wherein the first portion is adapted to allow a user to reach in and access the roll of wipes.
17. A dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising: wherein the bottom face supports the lid upright with the vertical length of the lid generally perpendicular to the bottom face.
- a container base defining an open receptacle, the base comprising: a rounded bottom surface having a bottom face; and a pair of substantially parallel opposed sidewalls;
- a lid with a substantially flat face removably attached to the container base,
- wherein the lid includes a substantially flat top surface, a front adjacent to a closure, a back opposite the front, and two sides between the front and the back;
- the lid having an aperture with an aperture face and having a hingedly attached cover providing a sealing means over the aperture;
- wherein the cover when closed forms a flat continuous surface with the lid top surface and wherein the cover extends from the side edge at the lid top surface front to the side edge at the lid top surface back;
- wherein horizontal length of the lid is longer than vertical height of the lid;
- a roll of wet wipes contained in the open receptacle to dispense wipes from the outside to the inside of the roll; and
18. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the aperture has a first portion and second portion that are in communication via a channel, the first portion being adapted to allow a user to access the roll of wipes and wherein the second portion lies below the first portion.
19. (canceled)
20. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein the aperture is located horizontally in the middle of the lid.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 7, 2008
Publication Date: Aug 13, 2009
Inventors: Rebecca Hoefing (San Francisco, CA), Russell E. Bell (Pleasanton, CA), Alan John Morris (Blackburn), Kon Euan Gerard Wong (Glen Waverly), Chia-Hen Chiang (Collingwood)
Application Number: 12/027,419
International Classification: B65H 16/00 (20060101);