Wet wipe dispenser with pre-threaded wipes

Abstract

The present invention relates to wet-wipes for use in household, personal or other applications. The wet-wipes are wound around each other, with the first sheet pre-threaded through the dispensing port in the closure, such that the user is readily able to begin using the wipes without having to deal with threading of the first sheet. The convenience of wet wipes is further enhanced by this improvement in the presentation and method of manufacturing of wet wipes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to non-woven products, woven products, pulp products or a combination thereof, whilst the preferred embodiment refers more particularly to perforated non-woven materials arranged so as to form a continuous roll. The invention has particular utility in connection with wet-wipes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to dispensers for wet wipes and particularly to such dispensers that receives a cartridge containing such wipes in the form of a perforated, continuous roll, of the coreless center-pull type of roll.

[0003] Dispensing of wet wipes from conventional perforated, coreless rolls is problematical. A common design for a dispensing port for conventional coreless rolls is a star-shaped dispensing hole disposed in a horizontal plane. In another aspect for a dispensing port, a crescent shaped slot may be used, and conceivably other shapes may be deployed. In all these dispensers, the user is faced with the somewhat arduous and often messy task of threading these wipes. And in yet another aspect, the user is aided in the task of threading the wet wipes, with the use of a fishing “eye” which is molded onto the edge of the cap, to be used for this very purpose of hooking the first sheet and pulling it through the dispensing port. This task is often confusing to the user, and in this regard lengthy directions are setout either on the label of the wet wipe dispenser or are engraved in the lid or canister itself. This in every instance calls for the user to remove the lid, to reach into the canister and to find the end of the first sheet, which in almost all circumstances must be the first sheet from the inner end of the roll of coreless wipes. The user must then form the end into a point by rolling the end sheet and threading same through the dispensing port referred to above. Often by the time this is achieved, the user has formed a negative mental image about the use of wet wipes and this does not bode well for future purchasing of wet wipes as so dispensed. In addition, in the case of the typical star shaped dispensing port, the user is tempted to push his or her finger through the port in an attempt to thread the first sheet. Those experienced with this practice will attest to their fingers becoming stuck in this port, with the somewhat painful experience of having to extract their fingers, from what is seemingly an innocuous household product.

PRIOR-ART

[0004] NONE-APPLICABLE

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0005] No federally sponsored research and development has been used in this invention.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of producing wet wipes and to supply products in the category of wet wipes that are dispensed from canisters, with the first sheet pre-loaded such that the user is not required to un-screw the lid and to have to deal with the task of threading of the wipes.

[0007] Those experienced in the art of wet wipe manufacture, particularly in the form of coreless rolls with perforations, will no doubt be aware that this simple change in presentation of the wet wipe product already pre-loaded will facilitate use by the end consumer. Whilst those experienced in the art of automation, will no doubt generate numerous methods of automating the pre-loading of these wet wipes, an alternative method is to have the wet wipes pre-loaded at the time of manufacture by purely manual means. The presentation to the end consumer is a novel invention, as it overcomes the above problems.

[0008] Additional objectives and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0009] To achieve the objectives and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the dispenser of the present invention desirably is used to contain and dispense wet wipes that are provided in the form of a continuous, but coreless roll that is divisible along a plurality of frangible lines, otherwise known as perforations. The dispenser that may also be used to accommodate a coreless roll should ideally have provision for accommodating at least part of a wet wipe sheet in the pre-threaded condition, such that the lid is able to close. In addition, the dispenser should be designed such that the packaging provides adequate protection from leakage and more particularly evaporation of the pre-moistened liquid contents and resultant desiccation of the wipes. The latter applies particularly to the first sheet which has been pre-threaded. Moreover, according to the present invention, the use of wet wipes is readily facilitated.

[0010] The typical dispenser includes a container that is configured with a bottom, a sidewall and a lid. The container is typically configured such that the lid is readily connected and disconnected. This is not only to ensure efficient manufacturing process and pre-threading at the time of manufacture, but also provides the user with the opportunity to re-thread the roll of perforated wet wipes, if theses wipes require re-threading. The latter instance may arise uncommonly, but is an important requirement for the satisfactory use of wet-wipes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] There is herein provided an invention that will allow for the easy method of using wipes with an easy means of manufacturing such wipes.

[0012] The method comprises a means for pre-threading the first sheet of a continuous roll of perforated wipes. Due to the nature of the product, the inventor has found that a simple mechanical tool such as a metal rod is ideal for simply pushing the first sheet through the port in the cap prior to securing the cap onto the canister. At the time of manufacture by setting up the production line in a suitable manner to accommodate this manufacturing requirement, this feature is readily installed into the wet-wipe package at relatively minor cost and time addition, with relatively major consumer benefits. It is also conceivable, that persons experienced in the art of automation will be able to automate the pre-threading of the first sheet of a continuous roll of perforated wipes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become readily apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a pre-threaded wet wipe;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded illustration of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken through line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

[0017] And, whereas the following references in the drawings are: 1 Reference 1 coreless roll Reference 2 first sheet of the coreless roll Reference 3 well portion of the closure Reference 4 closure Reference 5 hinged lid

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Anyone who has used a wet-wipe has experienced the convenience of using a pre-moistened wet-wipe. Yet this self same convenience is often off-set by the need to thread the first sheet of the roll.

[0019] The inventor has found that a simple additional operation in the production line of manually pushing the first sheet through the dispensing port, prior to securing the cap is a quick and easy means of pre-threading the wet-wipes. Samples have been prepared to prove the efficacy of the instant invention, as shown in drawing 1. The inventor recognizes that the method described might not in and of itself be of a high tech nature. It is also conceivable that an automated technique or method can be developed for the purpose of automating this process.

[0020] Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous variations, modifications and changes of the invention may be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

Claims

1. A pre-threaded first sheet of center-pull coreless rolls of wet-wipes such that the user is not required to un-screw the lid and to have to deal with the task of threading of the wipes, comprising:

1. The first sheet is pre-threaded through the dispensing port, such that at least a part thereof is visible above the dispensing port, and;

2. The first sheet of claim 1 is contained within a space that is provided by the formation of a well

3. that is contained within the structure of the closure, and;

4. The first sheet of claim 1 is readily accessible by simply lifting the hinged lid portion of the closure, and by so doing the user is presented with at least a part of the first sheet, and;

5. The well that contains the part of the first sheet of claim 1 is constructed with a suitable seal to ensure that the first sheet does not desiccate.