Wipes Canister

Abstract

A dispenser for cleaning wipes includes an indentation extending over the top surface onto the side surface of a lid and a cover that secures over at least a portion of the indentation. A dispenser for cleaning wipes includes a cover that extends over the top surface and a portion of the side surface of the lid top. A dispenser for cleaning wipes includes a recessed well beneath the lid. A dispenser for cleaning wipes includes an ergonomic gripping recess on the lid.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to packaging containers for dispensing wipes. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a packaging container designed to store and dispense vertically configured wipes.

2. Description of Related Art

The type of packaging container is important for the efficient storage and effective dispensing of wipes. Also, if a packaging container is comfortable and simple to use, then it is more attractive to customers relative to competing products.

For that reason, packaging containers for wipes are widely available in many sizes, shapes, and designs. However, many traditional containers do not adequately allow users to comfortably grip the container, nor easily remove wipes. Lids are not easily reclosed without a customer having to manipulate the head of the wipe that is protruding from the specially-designed opening. For example, when a single wipe is removed through the dispensing opening, the next wipe tends to fall back through the opening. Container lids often push the wipes back through the opening, causing a user to have to rethread the wipes each time the container is opened. In addition, because the lids directly contact the protruding wipe when closed, the moisture from the wipe is squeezed out. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved packaging container providing an improved grip and a more efficient dispensing mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

To answer this need, the present invention provides in one embodiment a dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising a container base defining an interior compartment for storing wipes; a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes a cover and a body, the body having a top surface and side surface; an indentation extending over the top surface onto to the side surface; and wherein the cover secures over at least a portion of the indentation and the cover extends over the top surface onto at least a portion of the side surface of the body or the cover extends over only a portion of the body top surface.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a dispenser comprises a container base defining an interior compartment for storing wipes; a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes a cover and a body, the body having a top surface and a side surface and the cover extending over the top surface onto at least a portion of the side surface; and a recessed well in the body that includes at least one opening for dispensing wipes, wherein the recessed well creates a space beneath the cover when the cover is in a closed position.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a dispenser comprises a container base defining an interior compartment for storing wipes; a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes a cover and a body, the cover pivotally attached to the body; and an ergonomic gripping recess along the outer periphery of the lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a closed container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an open lid for a container, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a closed lid for a container, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a closed lid for a container, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a closed lid for a container, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an open container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Representative embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-8, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a product container for dispensing wipes. Although in embodiments, wipes are described as being pre-moistened and stored in an interfolded configuration, it will be understood that the wipes may be dry or semi-dry, and stored in any suitable manner that allows for dispensing the wipes. Further, although the container may generally be made of plastic material, e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene, it will be understood that the container may be made of any suitable material. It will also be understood that the containers shown in the embodiments are not limited to any particular size or shape.

The container for use in the present invention may be relatively rigid, such as that described e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,025 or in WO-A-2005/091981. Typically, rigid or semi-rigid body portions are made from thermoformed material, molded plastic, polymeric material, metallized or laminate structures, lined paperboards or cardboard materials. Alternatively, a suitable body portion for use herein may be made from flexible material such as a multilayered polymeric film. The body portion for use in the present invention being preferably rigid, the disclosure herein will be primarily directed towards rigid embodiments of the present invention, but it is not so limited. Preferably, said body portion is constructed from lightweight thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene.

In a preferred execution of the present invention, the wipes are pre-moistened wipes, sometimes referred to as wet wipes, or towelettes. In that specific preferred embodiment of the present invention, pre-moistened wipes are impregnated with an appropriate cleansing or cleaning lotion. In a highly preferred embodiment, the pre-moistened wipes for use in the present invention, are impregnated with a hard-surface cleaning lotion. Suitable lotions for use in the context of the present invention as well as optional ingredients which may be incorporated in said lotion are described for example in WO 03/031557 under the paragraph entitled “Aqueous Composition” from page 12 to page 36. As above-indicated, the body portion for use herein forms an internal space or pocket for housing the vertically configured wipes contained within the dispensing container. The wipes may be packaged in the dispensing container in any convenient configuration which allows easy removal of a single or multiple wipes from the dispensing container. Preferably, the wipes are packaged in rolls, stacks, piles or are interleafed. According to any of these configurations, each wipe is releasably attached to an adjacent wipe. More preferably, the wipes are provided in a stacked configuration which may comprise any number of wipes. Typically, the stack comprises from 2 to 150, more preferably from 5 to 100, most preferably from 10 to 60 wipes. Moreover, the wipes 8 may be provided folded or unfolded. Most preferably, the wipes are stacked in a folded configuration as described in U.S. Pat. App. 2006/0180596 to Young et al., which is specifically incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a container 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The container 100 generally comprises two components: a base 110 and a lid 120. The lid 120 may be removably attached to the base 110 or the lid 120 may be fixedly attached to the base 1 10. The base 110 may define a hollow compartment to store wipes. The container 100 may be any suitable size or shape, including but not limited to cubic, rectangular, pyramidal, cylindrical, conical, or spherical. In one embodiment, the container 100 may be generally cylindrical in shape, as shown in FIG. 1. A cylindrical shape allows for a user to easily and comfortably grip the container 100 while dispensing wipes.

Referring to FIG. 2, the lid 120 is shown according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The lid 120 may generally include two components: a cover 210 and a body 220. As shown, the cover 210 may be connected to the body 220. It may be desirable to have the cover 210 connected to the body 220 in a manner that allows the cover 210 to pivot. In one embodiment, the cover 210 may be permanently attached to the body 220 by a living hinge 212. The hinge 212 may be integrally formed with the cover 210 and the body 220. Any suitable hinge or hinges may be used to connect the cover 210 to the body 220. The hinge 212 may enable the cover 210 to pivot between an open position and a closed position. In one embodiment, the cover 210 is connected to the body 220 by a hinge 212 on the body top surface.

The body 220 may generally be said to have a top surface 222 and a side surface 224. The cover 210 may generally be said to have a top face 214 and a side face 216. The top face 214 of the cover 210 may communicate with the top surface 222 of the body 220, and the side face of the cover 210 may communicate with at least a portion of the side surface 224 of the body 220.

In one embodiment, the body 220 may have an indentation 226 formed therein. The indentation 226 may be formed in a portion of the top surface 222 of the body 220 and in a portion of the side surface 224 of the body 220, as best shown in FIG. 2. The indentation 226 may allow for the cover 210 to be securely shut. The cover 210 may be sized and shaped to fit on or over the indentation 226 defined in the body 220. The cover 210 may not cover the entire indentation 226. Instead, a portion of the indentation 226 may be accessible to a user when the cover 210 is closed to allow a user to open the cover 210 from a closed position. The cover 210 may frictionally engage the body 220 by fitting into the indentation 226. The cover 210 may be snapped into place for securing the cover 210 to the body 220. The cover 210 may be any suitable size and shape; though, in one non-limiting embodiment it is generally consistent in size and shape to that of the indentation 226. It will be appreciated that other manners for securing the cover 210 to the body 220 may be used. For example, the cover 210 may be removably connected to the body 220.

The indentation 226 formed in the body 220 may have a recessed well 228 therein. The recessed well 228 may be formed at the end opposite of where the cover 210 may be connected to the base 1 10. The depth of the recessed well 228 may range from 0.5 and 0.75 inches. However, the depth of the recessed well 228 may be between 0.25 inches and 1 inch. The depth of the recessed well 228 may be changed as necessary and/or desired in other embodiments of the invention.

The recessed well 228 may be of any suitable shape so as to allow the head of wipes to reside in the well 228 without being compressed when the cover 210 is closed. In one embodiment, the recessed well may be substantially semi-circular, as best shown in FIG. 2. The recessed well may have a side wall 240 and a bottom surface 230. In one embodiment, the side wall 240 may be curved or have multiple faces. The recessed well 228 may be formed in the body 220 to define a space for the head of a wipe to reside when the cover 210 is closed.

In one embodiment, the recessed well 228 may have a first opening 232 located on the bottom surface 230. The bottom surface 230 of the recessed well 228 may be completely flat or may be substantially parallel to the top surface 222 of the body 220. The first opening 232 may serve as the dispensing opening for the stored wipes.

The body 220 may also have a second opening 234 on the side surface 224 of the body 220 through the indention 226. The first opening 232 may be in communication with second opening 234 via a channel 236, which provides an area of restriction between the first opening 232 and the second opening 234. The second opening 234 may serve as the opening through which wipes are loaded into the base 110 of the container 100. The second opening 234 may also serve as the opening through which a first wipe is accessed by a user. For example, when a user first opens the cover 210, the second opening 234 allows for a user to reach in the container 100 and grab a first wipe. Before the user fully removes the first wipe, it may be moved through the channel 236 into the first opening 232. The first wipe may then be fully removed. When the first wipe is removed, the head of the next wipe may then be simultaneously drawn upward through the first opening 232. The head of the next wipe then resides in space created by the recessed well 228. The recessed well 228 prevents the wipe from being compressed or forced back through the first opening 232 when the cover 210 is closed.

The first opening 232 and second opening 234 may be of different sizes and shapes. In one embodiment, first opening 232 may be smaller than the second opening 234. In this embodiment, the first opening 232 may be sized to help prevent the wipe from falling back through the first opening 232. It will be appreciated that the first opening 232 and second opening 234 may lie in the same plane. In another embodiment, the first opening 232 and second opening 234 may both be located in the recessed well 228.

With continuing reference to FIG. 2, the lid 120 may also include one or more ergonomic gripping recesses 238. The ergonomic gripping recess 238 may be formed or molded along the outer periphery of the lid 120 or the body 220 of the lid 120. Where the cover 210 extends substantially over the sidewall of the body 220, the gripping recess 238 may be located on the cover (not shown). The gripping recess 238 may be shaped to accommodate the natural orientation of a user's grip. The ergonomic gripping recess 238 may include one or more separate finger recesses. In one embodiment, the gripping recess 238 includes a single finger contour that may be substantially oblong or elongate in shape. The gripping recess 238 may have a width to accommodate an average adult finger. In one embodiment, the gripping recess 238 may be located on the lid 120 opposite from the side face 216 of the cover 210. The gripping recess 238 may reach across half of the circumference of the lid 120. The vertical location of the gripping recess 238 relative to where the lid 120 is attached to the base 110 may be changed to best accommodate a user's grip. The size and shape of the gripping recess 238 may also be changed depending on the size and shape of the container 100.

In one embodiment, there may be more than one ergonomic gripping recess 238. The gripping recess 238 may also be formed to accommodate a user's thumb. In that embodiment, the thumb contour may be positioned perpendicularly around the lid 120 with respect to a vertical axis. In another embodiment, the lid 120 may include gripping surfaces in addition to or in replacement of the gripping recess 238. The gripping surfaces, for example, may be textured surfaces made of different material from that of the container 100.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the lid 120 is shown with the cover 210 in a closed position. In a closed position, the cover 210 fits securely into the indentation 226 formed on the body 220. The cover may be friction-fitted or snap-fitted into the indentation 226. It should be understood that the cover 210 may be fitted into the indentation 226 be any other known means.

In one embodiment, the cover 210 may lie flush with the top surface 222 and side surface 224. The cover 210 may extend over the top surface 222 and fit into the indentation 226, with the side face 215 fitting into portion of the indentation 226 on the side surface 224 of the body 220. In one embodiment, the cover 210 may not cover the entire top surface 222, or the entire side surface 224, of the body 220. In one embodiment, the majority of the cover 210, when closed, lies substantially in the same plane as the top surface 222 of the body 220.

In one embodiment, the top of the lid 120 may have a concave curvature. The top of the lid 120 may define a plane that forms an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. In other words, the top of the lid 120 may be sloped downward from the pivot point to the where the cover 210 extends over the top surface 222. The top of the lid 120 may be sloped with respect to a horizontal plane at an angle between about 10 degrees and about 20 degrees. However, the top surface 222 may be sloped with respect to a horizontal plane to include any angle between about 5 degrees and 45 degrees. The angle at which the top of the lid 120 is sloped may be changed as necessary and/or desired in other embodiments of the invention.

The lid 120 may also have a portion of the indentation 226 accessible below the side face 216 of the cover 210 when closed The portion of the indentation 226 accessible to a user when the cover 210 is closed may allow a user to open the cover 210. For example, a portion of the indentation 226 may be of a semi-circular shape located below the cover 210. In one embodiment, the cover 210 may be a front opening cover. The portion of the indentation 226 may be sized and shaped to accommodate a user's finger or thumb for opening the cover 210.

Referring to FIG. 4, the lid 120 may have threads 410 for fitting the lid 120 to the base 110 of the container 100. The threads 410 may be located along the inner wall of the lid 120 in order to screw the lid 120 onto the base 110. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the lid 120 may be manufactured with one or more ridges 510 so that the lid 120 may be snap-fitted into the base 110 of the container 100. It will be appreciated that the lid 120 may be removably attached to a container using any known means. For example, the lid 120 may be manufactured so as to friction-fit it with the container. In another embodiment, the lid 120 may even be permanently attached to, or integral with, the container 100.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the container 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As discussed above, the lid 120 may be attached to the base 110 of the container. The base may have a bottom surface 610. The base 110 may define a hollow compartment to store moistened wipes. The base 110 may accommodate a plurality of interfolded or perforated wipes, as is well known in the art. The base 110 may be of any suitable shape or size depending on the number and type of wipes housed. A larger base 110 may provide a larger storage capacity for wipes.

In one embodiment, the base 110 may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The base 110 may have one or more ergonomic contours 612. The ergonomic contours 612 may be shaped to accommodate the natural orientation of a user's grip to maximize user comfort. As shown in FIG. 6, the contours 612 may form a tapered design in which the base 110 has a tapered middle region. In other words, the base 110 may have its narrowest point at or near the center of the base 110. The ergonomic contours 612 may create a gradual taper to prevent a wipe from getting stuck in a crevice at the bottom of the base 110. The base 110 may also have ergonomic gripping recesses similar to those shown in the lid 120 in FIG. 1.

In another embodiment, the base 110 may be tapered such that the bottom surface 610 of the base 110 may have a larger diameter than the point at which the base 110 is attached to the lid 120. In another embodiment, the bottom surface 610 may have the same or a smaller diameter than the point at which the base 110 is attached to the lid 120. In another embodiment, the ergonomic contours 612 may include a hand contour or a set of separate finger contours. The base 110 may also include gripping surfaces to ensure a user can securely hold the container 100.

In one embodiment, the base 110 may be tall enough so a consumer can hold the base 110 with an entire hand. In other words, the height of the base 110 from the bottom surface to the point where the lid 120 is attached to the base 110 may measure at least the width of an average adult palm. In another embodiment, the base 110 may be shallow enough to allow a user to access the last wipe (should the need arise) without having to tilt or invert the container.

In another embodiment, the base 110 may have ergonomic contours 612 that cooperate with any ergonomic gripping recesses that may be located on the lid 120. For example, a first ergonomic finger contour may be located on the lid 120 and a second, third, and fourth contour may be located on the base 110. Further, the base 110 may have multiple ergonomic contours disposed around the circumference of the base 110.

Referring to FIG. 7, the container 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the lid 120 may have a large recessed well 228. The recessed well 228 may cover substantially the same area as the indentation 226. In this embodiment, the container 100 may have the same features as those described above.

Referring to FIG. 8, the container 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the container 100 may be rectangular. The lid 120 may have the same features as described previously according to embodiments of the invention.

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:

a container base defining an interior compartment for storing wipes;

a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes a cover and a body, the body having a top surface and a side surface;

an indentation extending over the top surface onto to the side surface;

wherein the cover is connected to the body by a hinge on the body top surface;

wherein the cover secures over at least a portion of the indentation and the cover extends over only a portion of the lid body top surface onto only a portion of the lid body side surface; and

wherein the lid body has a first opening on the body top surface a second opening on the body side surface and the first opening and the second opening are in communication.

2. (canceled)

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the top of the lid is sloped downward from back to front at an angle relative to a horizontal plane.

4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the top of the lid includes a concave curvature.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening and there is an area of constriction between the first opening and the second opening.

6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the body has a recessed well having a side surface and a bottom surface containing the first opening but not the second opening and the recessed well is located on the body top surface opposite of where the cover is pivotally attached to the body.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lid is removably attached to the container.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the majority of the cover, when closed, lies substantially in the same plane as the top surface.

9. A dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising:

a container base defining an interior compartment for storing wipes;

a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes a cover and a body, the body having a top surface and a side surface and the cover extending over the top surface onto at least a portion of the side surface;

the lid body having a first opening on the body top surface a second opening on the body side surface and the first opening and the second opening are in communication; and

a recessed well in the body top surface that includes the first opening but not the second opening, wherein the recessed well creates a space beneath the cover when the cover is in a closed position.

10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the recessed well has a depth between 0.25 inches and 1 inch.

11. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the opening in the recessed well extends over the top surface onto at least a portion of the side surface of the body.

12. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening and there is an area of constriction between the first opening and the second opening.

13. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the top surface of the lid is sloped downward from back to front at an angle relative to a horizontal plane.

14. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the recessed well is substantially semi-circular when viewed from above.

15. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the recessed well is located opposite of where the cover is pivotally attached to the body.

16. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the recessed well covers substantially the same area as the cover.

17. A dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising:

a container base defining an interior compartment for storing wipes;

a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes a cover enclosing an opening for dispensing wipes and a body, the cover having a pivotal attachment means connected to the body; and

an ergonomic gripping recess on the outer periphery of the lid below the cover attachment means.

18. (canceled)

19. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the ergonomic gripping recess is positioned perpendicularly around the lid with respect to a vertical axis.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the container base is substantially cylindrical.

23. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the container base has a bottom surface with approximately the same diameter as the diameter where the lid is attached to the container base.