Wipe refill kit

Abstract

A disposable wipes refill kit is described which comprises an outer container and a plurality of individual stacked wipes. In one embodiment the outer container has opposed end panels and a peripheral surface interposed between the two end panels, wherein at least one of the end panels is openable exposing a part of the leading edge of a plurality of wipes. In a second embodiment, the outer container has an upper portion extending from the base and being detachable along a line of weakness which exposes a part of the leading edge of a plurality of wipes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a wipe refill kit and more particularly to refills adapted for wipe dispensers containing a stack of wipes.

[0003] 2. The Related Art

[0004] Disposable cleansing wipes are in widespread use for a variety of cleansing operations. Typically, these disposable wipes are individually folded and wrapped in flexible or rigid plastic or metal foil-type packages. These wipe dispensers suffer from the disadvantage that such packages are not conveniently refilled and that the user must open a lid or flap to retrieve an individual wipe and in so doing, risk either contaminating the other wipes or taking out more than one wipe at a time. This is inconvenient and can potentially contaminate the entire stack of disposable wipes in the dispenser.

[0005] More recently it has been found that disposable cleansing wipes can serve as a disposable cleansing implement for personal hygiene in, for example, a shower or bath. In this instance it would be desirable to have a dispenser for disposable wipes that can be used in the shower or bath, that was not subject to contamination from the shower or by the user, was convenient to use, and facilitated dispensing one wipe at a time. It would also be desirable for the wipe dispensing system for the shower or bath to keep the wipes dry and allow easy dispensing and refilling. Preferably wipes that are sufficiently flexible when wet for body washing application are used in the refill and the dispenser. More preferably these wipes are substantially dry before use.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,275 issued to J. Goldstein on Nov. 19, 1985 discloses a dispenser for soap-impregnated wash cloths adapted for mounting on a shower or bathroom wall. This dispenser is disadvantageous in that it may allow shower spray to contact and contaminate the wash cloths stored therein and is not conveniently refilled with a wipe refill kit.

[0007] There is thus a need for a refill containing a plurality of wipes which are readily separable from each other and are dispensed one at a time from a container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In one aspect of the invention, a disposable wipes refill kit is provided, comprising:

[0009] a. a plurality of individual stacked wipes, the plurality of wipes each having a leading edge along an entire edge dimension; and

[0010] b. an outer container having opposed first and second end panels and a peripheral surface interposed therebetween, the container holding the plurality of stacked wipes, wherein at least one of the end panels is openable; and wherein a portion of the leading edge of a plurality of wipes is revealed when at least one of the end panels is opened.

[0011] Individual wipes are here defined as wipes which are stacked together but are not otherwise attached to each other. Preferably a substantial portion of the leading edge of a plurality of wipes is revealed when an end panel is opened to facilitate grasping the wipe by the leading edge and removing it from the outer container. Substantial portion is here defined as more than about 30% of one entire edge dimension of a folded or unfolded wipe. Advantageously about 70% or more of the leading edge of a plurality of wipes is revealed further facilitating removal. Preferably the refill kit's outer container is elongate. Advantageously the refill kit's first end panel is openable along a feature selected from a line of weakness in the end panel; a flap of material removably affixed to the end panel; an adhesive or cohesive joint within the end panel; or a plurality of interlocking profiles sealing the end panel, and the like. If a line of weakness is employed, this feature is advantageously selected from a score line, a perforation line, or a tear strip and the like.

[0012] Advantageously the refill kit contains a plurality of stacked wipes which are individually folded, and not interfolded. Useful wipes contained in the inventive refill possess sufficient loft to allow some compression by the user when grasping the wipe. Preferably, they may be compressed to at least about 50% of their uncompressed thickness when grasped by the user. Preferably the refill kit's container is composed of a flexible material selected from paper, coated paper, thermoplastic polymer film, non-thermoplastic polymer film, metal foil, a combination thereof, and a combination thereof laminated one to another.

[0013] More preferably the refill kit contains disposable wipes which are substantially dry and contain at least one lathering surfactant as part of a cleansing composition added to the wipes. Substantial dryness is here defined as the moisture content of the combined wipe and cleansing composition being less than about 15 percent by weight. Most preferably, at least one lathering surfactant in the cleansing composition is an anionic surfactant. Advantageously, the anionic surfactant is present in the concentration range of about 20 to about 80, preferably about 25 to about 60 wt. % based on the wipe and cleansing composition combined.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the inventive refill kit contains a plurality of wipes composed of a) water insoluble substrate including a non-scouring, lofty, low-density batting layer comprising synthetic fibers; and a non-lofty, fluid-permeable nonwoven layer which is disposed adjacent to said batting layer; and b) a cleansing component disposed adjacent to the water insoluble substrate, wherein the component comprises from about 10% to about 1000%, by weight of the water insoluble substrate, of a lathering surfactant. Preferably the refill has a plurality of wipes with sufficient compressible thickness to dispenser slot width ratio to allow removal of each of the plurality of wipes one at a time through a dispensing slot when the leading edge of each of the plurality of wipes is sequentially aligned with the dispensing slot. Most preferably the wipes' uncompressed thickness to dispenser slot width ratio is in the range of about 2:1 to about 1:4.

[0015] In another aspect of the invention, a disposable wipes refill kit is provided, comprising:

[0016] a. a plurality of individual stacked wipes, the plurality of wipes each having a leading edge along an entire edge dimension; and;

[0017] b. an outer container having an upper portion and a base, the upper portion extending from the base and being detachable along a line of weakness, a part of the leading edge of the plurality of wipes being revealed upon detaching the upper portion from the base.

[0018] The base may either be coterminous with one panel of the outer container, or constitute a fraction thereof such as in the case of a saddle type line of weakness and the like. The base may extend onto a portion of a plurality of panels or surfaces of the outer container in either a symmetric or asymmetric arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the wipe refill, parts being broken away for clarity.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the wipe refill, parts being broken away for clarity.

[0021] FIGS. 3A-D are bottom plan views of preferred embodiments of the wipe refill depicted in FIG. 1, parts being broken away for clarity.

[0022] FIG. 3E is a perspective view of another embodiment of the wipe refill depicted in FIG. 1, parts being broken away for clarity.

[0023] FIGS. 4A-F are side elevational views of preferred embodiments of the cleansing wipe contained in the inventive refill.

[0024] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the wipe refill depicted in FIG. 1 being received into a suitable dispenser, parts being broken away for clarity.

[0025] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the wipe refill depicted in FIG. 2 being received into a suitable dispenser, parts being broken away for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The foregoing features, advantages, and objects of this invention are now described in more detail in reference to the drawings in which like numbers represent like features.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1, refill kit 100 is depicted consisting of refill container 44 and a plurality of wipes 40 contained within container 44. Also shown is wipe 41 being dispensed having a leading edge 42.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of wipe refill kit 110 comprising a container 90 having an upper portion 60 and a base 62 divided by a line of weakness 46. Container 90 contains a plurality of wipes 40. Also shown is wipe 41 being dispensed from container 90 having leading edge 42.

[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-E are various embodiments of an openable end panel 43 of the inventive wipe refill 100. Referring to FIG. 3A, end panel 43 of wipes refill kit 120, is openable along line of weakness 46 revealing plurality of wipes 40 having leading edge 42 when tear-away panel 48 is removed from end panel 43. Referring to FIG. 3B, a second embodiment of an openable end panel 43 of wipe refill kit 130 is shown. Here, flap 66 is removably affixed onto end panel 43 by way of a tacky adhesive, heat seal, or the like and pivotally mounted via flap hinge 68 so as to reveal opening 64 when the flap 66 is moved into its open position. FIG. 3C represents a third embodiment of end panel 43 of wipes refill kit 140 containing adhesive joint 70 which can be pulled apart or cut away revealing the leading edge 42 of plurality of wipes 40. FIG. 3D illustrates a fourth embodiment of end panel 43 of wipes refill kit 160 representing a saddle type perforation where line of weakness 46 extends onto a portion of peripheral surface 45 of refill container 44. When tear away panel 48 is removed from wipes container 44, a portion of the leading edge 42 of a plurality of wipes 40 is revealed.

[0030] Now referring to FIG. 3E, a fifth embodiment of end panel 43 of wipes refill kit 150 is revealed showing interlocking tabs 80 and 82 in a closed position.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-F are various embodiments of wipe 41 as shown in an unfolded (4A), bi-folded (4B), tri-folded (4C), z-folded (4D), c-folded (4E), and overlap-folded (4F) arrangement.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 5, of the inventive wipe refill depicted in FIG. 1 is shown in use with a suitable container for wipes 10 with a shell 12 having opposed first 14 and second ends 16. The second end 16 defines the bottom surface 22 which has a dispensing slot 24 and a finger-access opening 26. Refill container 44 containing a plurality of wipes 40 is shown being received in shell 12 of wipe container 10. Also shown, is a single wipe 41 having leading edge 42 being dispensed through dispensing slot 24.

[0033] Now referring to FIG. 6, the inventive wipe refill kit depicted in FIG. 1 is shown in use with the container depicted in FIG. 5. Refill container 44 is shown having an upper portion 60 and a base 62 wherein the upper portion is detachable along a line of weakness 46 exposing the plurality of wipes 40 and allowing wipe 41 to be dispensed.

[0034] While this invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof it is apparent that numerous other forms and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Independent claims in this invention generally should be construed to cover all such obvious forms and modifications which are within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A disposable wipes refill kit, comprising:

a. a plurality of individual stacked wipes, the plurality of wipes each having a leading edge along an entire edge dimension; and

b. an outer container having opposed first and second end panels and a peripheral surface interposed therebetween, the container holding the plurality of stacked wipes, wherein at least one of the end panels is openable; and wherein a portion of the leading edge of a plurality of wipes is revealed when at least one of the end panels is opened.

2. The refill kit of claim 1 wherein a substantial portion of the leading edge of a plurality of wipes is revealed when at least one of the end panels is opened.

3 The refill kit of claim 1 wherein about 70% or greater of the leading edge of a plurality of wipes is revealed when at least one of the end panels is opened.

4. The refill kit of claim 1 wherein the outer container is elongate.

5. The refill kit of claim 1 wherein the first end panel is openable along a feature selected from a line of weakness in the end panel; a flap of material removably affixed to the end panel; an adhesive or cohesive joint within the end panel; and a plurality of interlocking profiles sealing the end panel.

6. The refill kit of claim 5 wherein the line of weakness is selected from a score line, a perforation line, or a tear strip.

7. The refill kit of claim 1 wherein the plurality of stacked wipes are individually folded, and not interfolded.

8. The refill kit of claim 1 wherein the container is a flexible material selected from paper, coated paper, thermoplastic polymer film, non-thermoplastic polymer film, metal foil, a combination thereof, and a combination thereof laminated one to another.

9. The refill kit of claim 1 wherein the disposable wipes are substantially dry and contain at least one lathering surfactant.

10. The refill kit of claim 9 wherein at least one lathering surfactant is an anionic surfactant.

11. The refill kit of claim 10 wherein the anionic surfactant is present in the concentration range of about 20 to about 80 wt. % based on the wipe.

12. The refill kit of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of wipes is composed of:

a) water insoluble substrate including a non-scouring, lofty, low-density batting layer comprising synthetic fibers; and a non-lofty, fluid-permeable nonwoven layer which is disposed adjacent to said batting layer; and

b) a cleansing component disposed adjacent to the water insoluble substrate, wherein the component comprises from about 10% to about 1000%, by weight of the water insoluble substrate, of a lathering surfactant.

13. The refill kit of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of wipes has an uncompressed thickness to dispenser slot width ratio in the range of about 2:1 to about 1:4.

14. A disposable wipes refill kit, comprising:

a. a plurality of individual stacked wipes, the plurality of wipes each having a leading edge along an entire edge dimension; and;

b. an outer container having an upper portion and a base, the upper portion extending from the base and being detachable along a line of weakness, and wherein a part of the leading edge of a plurality of wipes are revealed upon detaching the upper portion from the base.

15. The refill kit of claim 14 wherein the major portion of the leading edge of a plurality of wipes is revealed when at least one of the end panels is opened.

16. The refill kit of claim 14 wherein the leading edge of a plurality of wipes is revealed when at least one of the end panels is opened.

17. The refill kit of claim 14 wherein the container is elongate and the upper portion is unitarily formed with the base.

18. The refill kit of claim 14 wherein the plurality of stacked wipes are individually folded, and not interfolded.

19. The refill kit of claim 14 wherein the container is a flexible material selected from paper, coated paper, thermoplastic polymer film, non-thermoplastic polymer film, metal foil, a combination thereof, and a combination thereof laminated one to another.

20. The refill kit of claim 14 wherein the disposable wipes are substantially dry and contain at least one lathering surfactant.

21. The refill kit of claim 20 wherein at least one lathering surfactant is an anionic surfactant.

22. The refill kit of claim 21 wherein the anionic surfactant is present in the concentration range of about 20 to about 80 wt. % based on the wipe.

23. The refill kit of claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of wipes is composed of:

a) water insoluble substrate including a non-scouring, lofty, low-density batting layer comprising synthetic fibers; and a non-lofty, fluid-permeable nonwoven layer which is disposed adjacent to said batting layer; and

b) a cleansing component disposed adjacent to the water insoluble substrate, wherein the component comprises from about 10% to about 1000%, by weight of the water insoluble substrate, of a lathering surfactant.

24. The refill kit of claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of wipes has an uncompressed thickness to dispenser slot width ratio in the range of about 2:1 to about 1:4.