OVAL WIPES CONTAINER

Abstract

Wipes dispensers having suitable height and a substantially oval bottom are more ergonomically gripped by consumers and can be easily used with one-handed dispensing from a counter-top. They are also suitable to contain a large number of wipes in a canister that can be ergonomically gripped and has a suitable weight to wipe ratio. Oval wipes canisters of 4.5 to 8.5 inches in height containing coreless rolls of wet wipes or other wipes forms are of ergonomic shape and contain wipes of suitable hand size.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wipes containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to wipes containers having an oval-like bottom shape and a certain height and major to minor axis ratio for stability and easy ergonomic use by consumers.

2. Description of the Related Art

One type of container that has been used for wipes includes a plastic wipe log canister in which the wipes are pulled from the center of a hollow coreless roll having perforated sheets and through a flexible opening in the lid at the top of the canister in a direction that is parallel to the axis of the roll. These wipes containers typically have a circular cross-section to mimic the circular cross-section of the wipes roll as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,156 to Chong. Wipes are also stored in tubs as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,634 to Alegre De Miquel et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,498 to Yelton. These rectangular tub canisters normally contain sheets of wipes, and are inefficient and confusing for containing rolls of wipes. PCT App. WO2005/091981 to Young describes a thin profile wipes canister, having a taller and more narrow shape compared to a typically wipes tub. U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,334 to Mahaffey et al. discloses a tall, thin wipes dispenser to be carried on the body of the user. U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,130 to Turbett et al. discloses a wipes dispenser for folded wipes having a circular opening side. While these wipes containers may be of a large size to impress consumers and may be round to mimic the shape of a roll of wipes, these containers are not optimally designed for use by the consumer. Several smaller and thinner containers have been designed for easier carrying on the go, however, these containers do not easily contain a typical diameter wipes roll and they are unstable and awkward when trying to remove wipes with one hand with the container sitting on a surface.

To overcome these problems of prior art wet wipes containers, wet wipe containers of the present invention are designed for ergonomics, convenience and cost effectiveness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and others will be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan from the following description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art wipes canister;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art wipes canister;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of the invention.

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. As used herein, positional terms, such as “bottom” and “top” and the like, and directional terms, such as “up”, “down” and the like, are employed for ease of description in conjunction with the drawings. Further, the terms “interior”, “inwardly” and the like, refer to positions and directions toward the geometric center of embodiments of the present invention and designated parts thereof. The terms “exterior”, “outwardly”, and the like, refer to positions and directions away from the geometric center. None of these terms is meant to indicate that the described components must have a specific orientation except when specifically set forth.

Figures illustrating the components of this invention and the container show some conventional mechanical elements that are known and that will be recognized by one skilled in the art. The detailed descriptions of such elements are not necessary to an understanding of the invention, and accordingly, are herein presented only to the degree necessary to facilitate an understanding of the novel features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above objects and those that will be mentioned and will become apparent below, one aspect of the present invention comprises a wipes dispenser comprising a rigid plastic container having a height and having an interior for storing wipes wherein the wipes comprise a coreless roll of nonwoven substrate and a liquid composition; a dispensing port that has a body attached to the container and that has an opening through which the wipes can be pulled; a container bottom wherein the container bottom is substantially oval and has a major axis and a minor axis; wherein the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is from 1.20 to 1.75; and wherein the ratio of the height to the major axis is from 0.82 to 1.45.

In accordance with the above objects and those that will be mentioned and will become apparent below, another aspect of the present invention comprises a wipes dispenser comprising a container having a height and having an interior for storing wipes wherein the wipes comprise a coreless roll of nonwoven substrate and a liquid composition; a dispensing port that has a body attached to the container and that has an opening through which the wipes can be pulled; a container bottom wherein the container bottom has a major axis and a minor axis; wherein the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is from 1.20 to 1.80; and wherein the ratio of the height to the product of the major axis and the minor axis is from 0.20 to 0.60.

In accordance with the above objects and those that will be mentioned and will become apparent below, another aspect of the present invention comprises a wipes dispenser comprising a container having a height and having an interior for storing wipes wherein the wipes comprise a coreless roll of nonwoven substrate and a liquid composition; a dispensing port that has a body attached to the container and that has an opening through which the wipes can be pulled; a container bottom wherein the container bottom has a major axis and a minor axis; wherein the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is from 1.20 to 1.80; wherein the ratio of the height to the major axis is from 0.82 to 1.70; and wherein the ratio of the height to the product of the major axis and the minor axis is from 0.20 to 0.60.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularly exemplified systems that may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein, whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.

As used herein, forms of the words “comprise”, “have”, and “include” are legally equivalent and open-ended and do not exclude additional unrecited elements, compositional components, or method steps. Accordingly, the term “comprising” encompasses the more restrictive terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of”.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “surfactant” includes two or more such surfactants.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although a number of methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention, the preferred materials and methods are described herein.

In the application, effective amounts are generally those amounts listed as the ranges or levels of ingredients in the descriptions, which follow hereto. All percentages, ratios and proportions are by weight, and all temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C.), unless otherwise specified. All measurements are in SI units, unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise stated, amounts listed in percentage (“%'s”) are in weight percent (based on 100% active) of the cleaning composition alone. It should be understood that every limit given throughout this specification will include every lower, or higher limit, as the case may be, as if such lower or higher limit was expressly written herein. Every range given throughout this specification will include every narrower range that falls within such broader range, as if such narrower ranges were all expressly written herein.

The term “plastic” is defined herein as any polymeric material that is capable of being shaped or molded, with or without the application of heat. Usually plastics are a homo-polymers or co-polymers of high molecular weight. Plastics fitting this definition include, but are not limited to, polyolefins, polyesters, nylon, vinyl, acrylic, polycarbonates, polystyrene, and polyurethane.

Dispenser

Referring to prior art FIG. 1, the dispenser 10 of the prior art includes a round canister 2 with an enclosed base 4 and a resealable (e.g., screw-on type) cap or lid 14. The height of the canister is typically about 8 inches and the diameter is typically about 3¼ to about 5 inches. The canister is suitably made of any suitable material that is impermeable to liquid such as rigid plastic. The canister may be constructed of a plastic material, such as thermoformed material or blow-molded material, a carton, such as a lined paperboard, or a metallized or laminate structure, such as metallized or laminate film. Suitable dispenser caps are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,156 to Chong, U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,514 to Frazier, and references therein. In one embodiment the dispenser cap is a resealable label and adhesive, as described in U.S. Pat. App. 2004/0164085 to Kitching et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,465 to Niki et al. The prior art cylindrical canister (FIG. 2) includes an interior or hollow body 6 which contains a roll 16 of wipes or other, sheet-like fabric material. The material is perforated with the perforations 8 set in a direction transverse to the length of the material so that individual wipes 20 can be separated from roll. The sheet-like fabric material is generally a nonwoven absorbent material. The roll 16 of wipes is impregnated with a liquid cleaning composition.

Referring to one embodiment of the invention in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dispenser 30 has a height 31 and a bottom 40, which has a major axis 41 and a minor axis 42. Table I shows the critical dimensions in inches of the height, major axis, and minor axis of currently available wipes roll canisters and suitable embodiments of inventive canisters. Table II shows the number of wipes that are suitably contained in comparative round and inventive oval canisters. For oval canisters with an equivalent minor axis to the diameter of a round canister, many more wipes are suitably contained in the canister. Table II shows that oval canisters of the invention are also more efficient from a canister weight (canister top weight not included) basis. The oval canisters contain more wipes per weight of canister than round canisters. The oval canisters also contain more wipes per weight of canister as the major axis increases with a fixed minor axis of 3.27 inches. For wipes canisters designed for carrying a substantial quantity of wipes, such as about 40 or more, or about 80 or more, or about 100 or more, or about 150 or more, the oval canisters of the invention are more weight efficient.

For commercial round canisters in Table I, the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is 1.0 and the ratio of the height to the major axis is high, at least 1.57 or greater. For commercial oval canisters, the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis in generally 1.59 or greater and the ratio of height to major axis is generally 1.21 or greater, except for one very short example having a height of only 1.75 inches, which is not very suitable for a typical roll of wipes. The ratio of the height to the base axis product dimensions (major axis times minor axis) is also generally 0.72 or greater, except for the one very short example having a height of only 1.75 inches. Although these tall thin canisters are handy to fit in small carrying articles, such as purses or backpacks, they are not especially stable when sitting on a countertop and removing a wipe with one hand. Because of their thin profile, they also do not contain a large number of wipes and are not as efficient on a canister weight per wipe basis.

The inventive canisters are more suitable for counter-top dispensing with one hand. The height of the dispenser is suitably only somewhat taller than the height of the roll of wipes. The height of the roll of wipes is suitably as wide as or somewhat wider than the width of a person's hand with or without the fingers spread. This enables the wipe to fit comfortably and controllably in a person's hand without being too floppy and without wasting wipe substrate that cannot be controllably managed for usage. The inventive canisters have a height from 4.5 inches to 8.5 inches, or from 5.0 inches to 8.5 inches. In some embodiments, the height of the dispenser can be about 4.5 inches to about 8 inches, or about 4.5 inches to about 6 inches, or about 4.5 inches to about 5 inches, or about 7 inches to 8.5 inches.

A person's hand naturally and ergonomically grips in a more oval fashion rather than in a round fashion. This is especially true when the required diameter of the round grip approaches or exceeds 4 to 5 inches, which is required for a medium or larger roll of wipes in a round canister. For improved ergonomic grip while still containing a substantial quantity of wipes, the minor axis of the inventive oval canister is kept at a suitable size. The inventive canisters have a minor axis from 3.2 inches to 5.0 inches, or from 3.8 inches to 5.0 inches, or from 3.8 inches to 4.5 inches.

An enlarged major axis provides stability when dispensing, especially if the hand is aligned with major axis. The inventive canisters have a major axis from 4.5 inches to 7.1 inches, or from 5.5 inches to 7.1 inches. When the hand is not perfectly aligned with the major axis, an enlarged minor axis provides stability and the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis becomes important. The inventive canisters have a ratio of major axis to minor axis of 1.30 to 1.71, or of 1.30 to 1.52. The height of the canister in comparison to the major axis is an additional measure of the stability of the canister towards tipping. The inventive canisters have a ratio of height to major axis of 0.83 to 1.42, or of 0.91 to 1.42. Another measure of the stability of the canister towards tipping is the ratio of the height to the product of the major axis and minor axis. The inventive canisters have a ratio of height to base axis product dimensions of 0.23 to 0.36, or 0.23 to 0.30.

TABLE I
		Major	Minor	Ratio	Ratio	Ratio
	Height	axis	axis	Major/Minor	Height/Major	Height/M * M
Commercial	6.19	3.00	1.69	1.78	2.06	1.22
Oval
Canisters
	7.56	3.38	2.50	1.35	2.24	0.90
	4.38	3.06	1.69	1.81	1.43	0.85
	1.75	3.08	1.66	1.86	0.57	0.34
	3.63	3.00	1.57	1.91	1.21	0.77
	5.80	3.08	1.57	1.96	1.88	1.20
	5.80	3.58	2.25	1.59	1.62	0.72
	7.75	3.58	2.25	1.59	2.16	0.96
Commercial	8.44	4.25	4.25	1.00	1.99	0.47
Round
Canisters
	7.91	3.27	3.27	1.00	2.42	0.74
	8.00	5.11	5.11	1.00	1.57	0.31
Inventive	4.50	5.00	3.30	1.52	0.90	0.27
Oval
Canisters
	5.00	6.00	3.50	1.71	0.83	0.24
	5.00	5.50	3.80	1.45	0.91	0.24
	5.50	6.00	4.00	1.50	0.92	0.23
	6.00	6.00	4.00	1.50	1.00	0.25
	7.00	6.00	4.00	1.50	1.16	0.29
	8.00	6.00	4.50	1.33	1.33	0.30
	8.50	7.10	4.73	1.50	1.20	0.25
	8.50	6.50	5.00	1.30	1.31	0.26
	8.50	6.00	4.00	1.50	1.42	0.36
	5.00	6.10	4.10	1.20	0.82	0.20
	8.50	5.86	3.63	1.75	1.45	0.40
	7.91	5.32	3.27	1.63	1.49	0.46
	7.91	5.91	3.27	1.80	1.34	0.41
	7.91	4.72	3.27	1.44	1.68	0.51
Ratio of height/M * M is the height divided by the product of the major and minor axis.

TABLE II
				Wipe
				count	Canister Wt.
		Major	Minor	7″ × 8″	(grams) per
	Height	axis	axis	wipes	Wipe
Commercial	7.91	3.27	3.27	40	1.10
Round
Canisters
	7.91	4.25	42.5	75	0.85
Inventive	7.91	5.32	3.27	100	0.53
Oval
Canisters
	7.91	5.91	3.27	150	0.37
	7.91	4.72	3.27	80	0.63

Wipes

In one embodiment of the present invention, the substrate of the product in sheet form is a continuous web of sheet material, preferably divided by a plurality of multiple lines of frangibility, such as perforations, running at predetermined intervals substantially transversely to the major axis of the web and defining plurality of individual wipes. A suitable form of wet wipes for use with the dispenser system is a hollow coreless roll. The hollow coreless, center-pull roll product is formed by overlapping convolutions of web material positioned within the interior. The coreless, center-pull roll product has a central opening extending therethrough defined by an innermost convolution of the web material and a lead end connected to the innermost convolution. The lead end 20 (FIG. 2) is dispensed through the dispensing opening.

Other suitable embodiments include cored rolls (hollow cores, solid cores and partially solid cores), solid coreless rolls, and stacks of sheets. In suitable embodiments, the substrate of the product in sheet form is a plurality of discrete individual wipes which are interleaved. This interleaving may be of any suitable configuration, including, but not limited to, “Z-fold”, “C-fold”, “S-fold” etc., and combinations thereof.

The manufacture of substrates for use herein forms no part of this invention. The following discussion is for convenience of formulation, but is not intended to limit the type of substrate used herein. The substrate of the product in sheet form may include, but is not limited to, woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or mixtures of natural and synthetic fibers. Suitable natural fibers include, but are not limited to, cellulosic fibers, such as wood pulp or pulp fibers, cotton, and rayon. Suitable synthetic fibers include fibers commonly used in textiles, including, but not limited to, polyester and polyolefin, such as, polypropylene fibers. It is preferred that the substrate be selected from the group consisting of woven substrates, nonwoven substrates, foams, laminates, films, sponges, and combinations thereof. The selection of the substrate is at the discretion of the formulator, and may be based on many factors, including, but not limited to, the intended use of the product in sheet form, cost, the material used in the lateral edges, processability and the like. Various forming methods can be used to form a substrate for use in the present invention. For example, when the substrate is fibrous, it can be made by nonwoven dry forming techniques, such as air-laying, or alternatively by wet laying, such as on a papermaking machine. Other nonwoven manufacturing techniques, including, but not limited to, techniques such as adhesive bonding, melt blown, spunbonded, needle punched, carding, coforming, and hydroentanglement and lamination methods may also be used.

The wipes of suitable embodiments of the present invention can contain a liquid which can be any solution which can be absorbed into the wipes, thus making them “wet wipes.” The liquid contained within the wet wipes can include any suitable components which provide the desired wiping properties. For example, the components can include water, emollients, surfactants, disinfectants, food-safe disinfectants, oxidants, bleaches, preservatives, chelating agents, pH buffers, fragrances or combinations thereof. The liquid can also contain lotions, ointments and/or medicaments. In other embodiments, the wipes are dry.

The composition can contain virtually any useful liquid compositions. Simple liquids such as water, alcohol, solvent, etc. can be useful in a variety of end uses, particularly cleaning and simple wiping applications. The liquid can be a simple cleaner, maintenance item or a personal care liquid suitable for dermatological contact with an adult, child or infant. Such compositions can be used in hospitals, schools, offices, kitchens, secretarial stations, etc. The compositions can also comprise more complex liquids in the forms of solutions, suspensions or emulsions of active materials in a liquid base. In this regard, such compositions can be active materials dissolved in an alcoholic base, aqueous solutions, water in oil emulsions, oil in water emulsions, etc. Such compositions can be cleaning materials, sanitizing materials, or personal care materials intended for contact with human skin, hair, nails, etc. Cleaning compositions used generally for routine cleaning operations not involving contact with human skin can often contain a variety of ingredients including, in aqueous or solvent base, a soil-removing surfactant, sequestrants, perfumes, etc. in relatively well-known formulations. Sanitizing compositions can contain aqueous or alcoholic solutions containing sanitizing materials such as triclosan, hexachlorophene, betadine, quaternary ammonium compounds, oxidizing agents, acidic agents, and other similar materials. Such compositions can be designed for treating or soothing human skin, including moisturizers, cleansing creams and lotions, cleansers for oily skin, deodorants, antiperspirants, baby-care products, sun block, sun screen, cosmetic-removing formula, insect repellent, etc.

The amount of liquid 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 stack of wet wipes, and the desired end use of the wet wipe. Generally, each wet wipe can contain from about 150 to about 600 weight percent and desirably from about 200 to about 400 weight percent liquid based on the dry weight of the wipe for improved wiping. In a particular aspect wherein the wet wipe is made from a coform material comprising from about 30 to about 40 weight percent polymeric microfibers based on the dry weight of the wipe, the amount of liquid contained within the wet wipe is from about 250 to about 350 weight percent and desirably about 330 weight percent based on the dry weight of the wet wipe. If the amount of liquid is less than the above-identified range, the wet wipes can be too dry and can not adequately perform. If the amount of liquid is greater than the above-identified range, the wet wipes can be over saturated and soggy and the liquid can pool in the bottom of the container.

Uses

Wipe dispensers are convenient items that provide moistened sheets or wipes for a variety of uses. Typically, wipes are formulated for specific purposes that include infant wipes, personal care wipes, dishwashing wipes, hard surface treatment wipes, disinfectant wipes, cosmetic or sanitary wipes, hand wipes, wipes used in car cleaning, household or institutional cleaning or maintenance, computer cleaning and maintenance and any other area in which a flexible substrate having a useful liquid treatment composition has application.

While this detailed description includes specific examples according to the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many variations of these examples that would nevertheless fall within the general scope of the invention and for which protection is sought in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wipes dispenser comprising:

a. a container having a height and having an interior for storing wipes wherein the wipes comprise a coreless roll of nonwoven substrate and a liquid composition;

b. a dispensing port that has a body attached to the container and that has an opening through which the wipes can be pulled;

c. a container bottom wherein the container bottom has a major axis and a minor axis;

d. wherein the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is from 1.20 to 1.80;

e. wherein the ratio of the height to the major axis is from 0.82 to 1.70;

and

f. wherein the ratio of the height to the product of the major axis and the minor axis is from 0.20 to 0.60.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is from 1.30 to 1.75.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the height to the major axis is from 0.82 to 1.45.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the height to the product of the major axis and the minor axis is from 0.20 to 0.40.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the major axis is from 4.5 inches to 7.1 inches.

6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the major axis is from 5.0 inches to 7.1 inches.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the height is from 4.5 inches to 8.5 inches.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the height is from 4.5 inches to 6 inches.

9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the height is from 7 inches to 8.5 inches.

10. A wipes dispenser comprising:

a. a rigid plastic container having a height and having an interior for storing wipes wherein the wipes comprise a coreless roll of nonwoven substrate and a liquid composition;

b. a dispensing port that has a body attached to the container and that has an opening through which the wipes can be pulled;

c. a container bottom wherein the container bottom is substantially oval and has a major axis and a minor axis;

d. wherein the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is from 1.20 to 1.75; and

e. wherein the ratio of the height to the major axis is from 0.82 to 1.45.

11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the height is from 4.5 inches to 8.5 inches.

12. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the height is from 5.0 inches to 8.5 inches.

13. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the height is from about 4.5 inches to about 8 inches.

14. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the height is from about 4.5 inches to about 6 inches.

15. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the height is from about 4.5 inches to about 5 inches.

16. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is from 1.30 to 1.71.

17. A wipes dispenser comprising:

a. a container having a height and having an interior for storing wipes wherein the wipes comprise a coreless roll of nonwoven substrate and a liquid composition;

b. a dispensing port that has a body attached to the container and that has an opening through which the wipes can be pulled;

c. a container bottom wherein the container bottom has a major axis and a minor axis;

d. wherein the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is from 1.20 to 1.80; and

e. wherein the ratio of the height to the product of the major axis and the minor axis is from 0.20 to 0.60.

18. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the minor axis is from 3.2 inches to 5.0 inches.

19. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the minor axis is from 3.8 inches to 5.0 inches.

20. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the minor axis is from 3.8 inches to 4.5 inches.