Wipes Canister

Abstract

A packaging container for dispensing wipes, which includes a blow-molded lid and a blow-molded base for storing a roll of wipes that is dispensed from the outside of the roll inward through an aperture in a flat, injection molded cover assembly on the curved base side surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of Co-pending application Ser. No. 12/026,700, which was filed Feb. 6, 2008, entitled “WIPES CANISTER”, and incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present invention relates to packaging containers for dispensing wet wipes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a packaging container designed to store and dispense a roll of wet wipes.

2. Description of Related Art

Containers that dispense moist wipes are well known in the art. Current packaging containers are widely available in different sizes, shapes, and designs. But many of these packaging containers either have complicated dispensing mechanisms, or no dispensing mechanisms at all. Moreover, the packing containers are not easy-to-open, nor easy-to-use.

Most packaging containers are designed to store a center-dispensing roll of wipes or a vertical stack of interfolded wipes out of the top of the container. Packing containers that store a center dispensing roll of wipes are typically designed to dispense wipes from inside of the roll. When wipes are dispensed from the inside, a user must apply greater force to remove a single wipe. This design also frequently causes the second wipe, which is simultaneously being drawn with the first wipe being pulled, to become disconnected before it is pulled through the opening. Put differently, because a user must apply greater force to remove a wipe from center-dispensing rolls, the perforation that connects consecutive wipes is often broken prematurely. In addition to the dispensing problems, current packaging containers have covers that are difficult to reclose after use. The location and design of the apertures, and poorly engineered covers require users to manipulate the protruding portion of a wipe in order to close the cover. Accordingly, there is a need for a more user-friendly container.

Packaging for a vertical stack of interfolded wipes out of the top of the container also its drawbacks. Although interfolded wipes overcome the difficulty of pulling wipes from the inside of the roll, it is more expensive to manufacture a stack of interfolded wipes compared to a roll of wipes and numerous special technologies have been developed to try to pull the second wipe along as the first wipe is dispensed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

To answer the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides in one embodiment a rigid container for cleaning wipes comprising: a blow-molded, rigid container base comprising a bottom surface and a curved side surface having a flat area, the base defining an interior compartment for storing a roll of wet wipes; a blow-molded, rigid lid attached to the container base, the side surface flat area having an outlet opening, an injection-molded cover assembly having a mounting flange for attachment to the side surface outlet opening, the cover assembly having a wipes dispensing aperture for co-operation with the side surface outlet opening to allow dispensing of wipes from the container, and the cover assembly having a cover which is connected to the mounting flange with a hinge, the cover operating to pivotably cover the aperture; the aperture having a narrower first portion and a wider second portion in communication; and a the roll of wet wipes positioned in the interior compartment to dispense wipes through the aperture from the outside of the roll of wet wipes.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a rigid container for cleaning wipes comprising: a blow-molded, rigid container base comprising a bottom surface and a curved side surface having a flat area, the base defining an interior compartment for storing a roll of wet wipes; a blow-molded, rigid lid attached to the container base, the side surface flat area having an outlet opening, an injection-molded cover assembly having a mounting flange for attachment to the side surface outlet opening, the cover assembly having a wipes dispensing aperture for co-operation with the side surface outlet opening to allow dispensing of wipes from the container, and the cover assembly having a cover which is connected to the mounting flange with a hinge, the cover operating to pivotably cover the aperture; and a the roll of wet wipes positioned in the interior compartment to dispense wipes through the aperture from the outside of the roll of wet wipes.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a rigid container for cleaning wipes comprising: a blow-molded, rigid container base comprising a bottom surface and a curved side surface having a flat area, the base defining an interior compartment for storing a roll of wet wipes; a blow-molded, rigid lid attached to the container base, the side surface flat area having an outlet opening, an injection-molded cover assembly having a mounting flange for attachment to the side surface outlet opening, the cover assembly having a wipes dispensing aperture for co-operation with the side surface outlet opening to allow dispensing of wipes from the container, and the cover assembly having a cover which is connected to the mounting flange with a hinge, the cover operating to pivotably cover the aperture.

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an upright and closed container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an upright and open container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an upright and open container with wipes being dispensed, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a horizontal and open a container with wipes being dispensed, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container having a roll of wipes supported by a post, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6a-6c are perspective views of a container having a roll of wipes supported by a fitment, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an upright and open container for dispensing wipes, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a horizontal and closed container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a horizontal and open container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a horizontal and closed container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a horizontal and closed container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a portion of an open container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded side perspective view of an upright container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of a horizontal and open container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Representative embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-14, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a packaging container for dispensing a roll of pre-moistened wet wipes. The packaging containers of the present invention are not suitable for stack of wipes or for dry paper towels. The wipes may also be woven or nonwoven. And, although the containers 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, such as wood or other biodegradable products. Suitable materials may include rigid materials or flexible materials or both. The containers shown in the figures and described the embodiments are not limited to any particular size or shape.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a container 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. The container 100 may generally be comprised of two parts: a base 110 and a lid 130. Together, the base 110 and lid 130 may define a hollow compartment for receiving and storing a roll of wipes. The base 110 may have an open-end 112 for receiving the lid 130. The lid 130 may be permanently or removably attached to the open-end 112 of the base 110. In one embodiment, the lid 130 may be removable. This allows for the container 100 to be refilled with wipes, thereby extending its use. To attach the lid 130 to the base 110, one or both parts may be threaded. As one example, the lid 130 may have a series of threads located along its inner wall, with the base 110 having receiving threads located along its inner wall, in order to screw the lid 130 onto the base 110.

There are many alternative means for attaching the lid 130 to the base 110. For example, the lid 130 may be manufactured with one or more ridges that can be snap-fitted into the receiving grooves in the base 110. Or, the lid 130 may be designed so that it can be friction-fitted to the base 110. In still another embodiment, the lid 130 may be hinged to the base 110 using a living hinge. It will be appreciated that the lid 130 may be attached to the base 110 using any means. The lid 130 also may be formed integral with the base 110. In one embodiment, the lid 130 is attached to the base 110 with a moisture retention seal, such as spaced micro-bead elements as described in U.S. Pat. App. 2007/0045315 to Evans et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The micro-bead element moisture retention seal allows the lid 130 to be rotated relative to the base 110 in order to line up the first wipe from the outside of the roll. Once the first wipe is aligned, the wipes can be dispensed from the aperture, as described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container 100 may be generally upright and cylindrical. In one embodiment, the base 110 may have a substantially flat, a bottom surface 114 and a cylindrical side surface 116. The bottom surface 114 may provide support for the container 100 when it is in an upright position. The container 100, however, is not limited to a cylindrical shape. Instead, the container may be any suitable shape, including, but not limited to, cubic, rectangular, pyramidal, cylindrical, conical, spherical, or any other shape that allows for a roll of wipes to stored. In an embodiment where the container is cylindrical with a flat bottom surface 114, as in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, the lid 130 can be rotated relative to the base 110, which allows the first wipe on the roll to be located and dispensed, as described above.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the lid 130 may generally have the same shape as the base 110. The base 110 may generally comprise two parts: a body 120 and a cover 118.

In one embodiment, the cover 118 may be connected to the side surface 116. The cover 118 may be centered on the side surface 116, or it might be off-centered to either the right or left of the center of the side surface 116. The side surface 116 may be substantially flat in the area of the cover 118. The cover 118 may be connected to the base 110 in a manner that allows the cover 118 to pivot between an opened and closed position. The cover 118 may be permanently attached to the base 110 by a hinge, e.g. a living hinge. Any suitable hinge or connecting means that enables the cover 118 to pivot between an opened and closed position may be used to attach the cover 118 to the base 110. The cover 118 may even snap off entirely. The cover 118 may be attached to the base 110 so that it opens from right-to-left or from left-to-right. The cover 118 may be shaped consistently with the side surface 116, thereby the cover 118 when closed, may form a flat and continuous surface with the side surface 116, as best shown in FIG. 1.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the base 110 may have an indentation 140 formed in the side surface 116. The indentation 140 may be adapted to receive the cover 118. For example, the cover 118 may frictionally engage the side surface 116 by fitting into the indentation 140. The indentation 140 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 cover 118. Further, the indentation 140 may be of such depth that it defines a recessed well 142. The recessed well 142 may be accessible when the cover 118 is closed. In other words, the cover 118, when closed, may not cover the entire indentation 140, and a portion of the recessed well 142 may be accessible to a user so that the user can easily and comfortably open the cover 118.

Referring to FIG. 2, the container 100, with the cover 118 being open, is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. As previously described, the indentation 140 may be adapted to receive the cover 118. To do so, the indentation 140 may extend over a substantial potion of the side surface 116 from the point at which the cover 118 is attached, to a point beyond the terminating edge of the cover 118. In one embodiment, the indentation 140 may have one continuous depth. In another embodiment, the indentation 140 may have an increasing depth, from its pivot point to the recessed well 142. Because the recessed well 142 may create a substantial space beneath the cover 118 when closed, the cover 118 may have a tab 202 protruding from its underside as a means for closing the cover 118. A detent 204 may be located in the indentation 140 and positioned to receive the cover tab 202. It will be understood that the tab 202 and detent 204 are optional. Any other suitable connecting means for securely closing the cover 118 may be used.

Located inside of the indentation 140 may be an aperture 206. The aperture 206 may provide a user with access, through the base 110, to a roll of wipes 210 stored inside of the container 100. The aperture 206 may comprise a first portion 212 and a second portion 214. The first portion 212 may be in communication with the second portion 214 via a channel 216. The channel 216 may generally be a narrow passageway for a user to move a wipe drawn initially through the first portion 212 into the second portion 214. In one embodiment, a retention tab 218 may define the channel 216, and substantially separate the first portion 212 from the second portion 214. The retention tab 218 may prevent a threaded wipe from retreating back though the aperture 206. Further the retention tab 218 may facilitate separating individual wipes. Either the first portion 212 or the second portion 214 may be adapted to allow a user to access the roll of wipes 210. In one embodiment, the first portion 214 may be large enough that an average adult may comfortably and easily access the roll of wipes 210 to initially thread a wipe through the first portion 212. The first portion 212 and second portion 214 may be of different sizes and shapes. In one embodiment, first portion 212 may be substantially larger than the second portion 214. In this embodiment, the second portion 214 may be sized to prevent a threaded wipe from falling back inside the container 100.

It will be understood that the aperture 206 may be located anywhere on the container 100. For example, the aperture 206 may be located in the lid 130, rather than in the base 110.

Referring to FIG. 3, when a user opens the cover 118, the aperture 206 (FIG. 2) may allow for a user to reach in the container 100 and thread a first wipe through the first portion 212. The first wipe from the roll of wet wipes 210 located in the container 100 may be pulled from the outside of the roll. In other words, the roll of wipes 210 may unwind from the outside of the roll to the inside of the roll. The roll of wipes 210 may unwind in either a clockwise or counterclockwise manner. The roll of wipes 210 may comprise individual sheets that are perforated in a direction transverse to the length of the roll 210 so that individual wipes can be detached. After a first wipe is threaded through the first portion 212, it may then be moved through the channel 216 into the second portion 214 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The first wipe may then be fully removed. When the first wipe is removed, the tail of the next wipe may then be simultaneously drawn through the second portion 214. The tail of the next wipe then protrudes from the container 100 for later use.

The recessed well 142 may be formed at the end opposite of where the cover 118 may be connected to the body 120. The depth of the recessed well 142 may be changed as necessary or desired. The recessed well 142 may be of any suitable shape so as to allow the tail of a wipe to reside in the well 142 when the cover 118 is closed. In one embodiment, the recessed well 142 may be substantially semicircular, as best shown in FIG. 3. The recessed well 142 may be formed in any manner so as to define a space for the tail of a wipe.

Referring to FIG. 4, the container 100 is shown in a horizontal position. The shape of the container 100 allows it to be used in a horizontal position, in addition to an upright position. Both back surfaces 144 and 116 may support the container 100 when it is in a horizontal position.

Referring to FIG. 5, the container 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. As stated before, the roll of wipes 210 may be a continuous sheet of woven or nonwoven, fibrous material that is perforated between individual sheets. The roll 210 may be of any width suitable for fitting inside the container 100. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the roll of wipes 210 may have a core 502. The core 502 may be any diameter. In another embodiment, the roll of wipes 210 may be coreless, but still having a hollow channel in the center. The container 100 may further comprise a spindle 504. The spindle 504 may be attached to either the lid 130 or the base 110 to provide support for the roll of wipes 502. The spindle 504 may be removable or formed integrally with the lid 130 or the base 110 or both. The spindle 504 may be of any suitable length to provide adequate support and stability for the roll 210. Further, the spindle 504 may be of any suitable length to provide an axis for the roll 210 to rotate. In one embodiment, the spindle 504 may extend throughout the entire length of the container 100, thereby extending through the entire core 502 of the roll of wipes 210. When inserted into the container 100, the roll of wipes 210 may be inserted so that the hollow core 502 is inserted over the spindle 504. The spindle 504 may facilitate the ease with which a user can unwind the roll of wipes 210, especially when the wipes count gets low. Further, the spindle 504 may prevent the roll of wipes 210 from moving laterally, or even coming out of the container 100, when a user applies force to dispense a wipe.

The spindle 504 may be attached to the base 110 or the lid 130 or both. The spindle 504 may be unattached to the base 110 or the lid 130 or both. The container base 110 and the container lid 130 may each have a fitment to center the roll 210 of wet wipes, or only one may have a fitment. The fitment may be an elevated nub 506 holding a spindle 504, as shown in FIG. 6a. The fitment may be an elevated nub with a recess center 508 and combined with a spindle 504, as shown in FIG. 6b. The fitment may be a circular protrusion 510 on both the base 110 and the lid 130 and combined with a spindle 504, as shown in FIG. 6c. There may be more than one fitment and a combination of fitment types. The fitments may be combined with a spindle or without a spindle.

Referring to FIG. 7, the container 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the container 100 may be rectangular. The base 110 and lid 130 may have the same features as described previously according to embodiments of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the rigid container 100 consists of a lid 130 and a base 110, where the base 110 is rigid and blow-molded and has a bottom surface 812 and a flat area 802 on a side surface 804 that is substantially curved. The side surface 804 has an outlet opening 806 within the flat area 802. As shown in FIG. 9, on the flat surface 802 can be attached an injection molded cover assembly 808 having a mounting flange 810 for attachment around the side surface outlet opening 806 (FIG. 8). The cover assembly 808 additionally includes a cover 814 connected to a hinge 816 allowing the cover 814 to operate to pivotably cover the wipes dispensing aperture 818. FIG. 10 is a top view and FIG. 11 is a side view of the container of FIG. 9 with the cover closed. As shown in FIG. 12, the wipes dispensing aperture 818 in the rectangular cover assembly 808 has a narrower first portion 820 and a wider second portion 822 in communication. The wipes dispensing aperture 818 may have a tear strip 824 on the second aperture portion 822 opposite the first aperture portion 820.

As shown in FIG. 13, the base 110 defines an interior compartment 832 for storing a roll of wet wipes 834. As shown in FIG. 14, the roll of wet wipes 830 is positioned in the interior compartment 832 to dispense wipes 834 through the aperture 818 from the outside of the roll of wet wipes 830, where the outside of the roll faces the cover 814 of the cover assembly 808. The rigid and blow-molded lid 130 is attached to the base 110 and includes a rotational means for rotating the lid 130 and the roll of wet wipes 830 relative to the container base 110. The base 110 may contain a ridge 836 that rotationally interacts with a corresponding indent 838 on the interior of the lid 130 to guide rotation of the lid 130 relative to the base 110, as shown in FIG. 13. When the lid has a fitment to interact with the roll of wipes, the both the lid and the roll of wipes can rotate relative to the base. While FIG. 13 shows the lid on top, the container may equally well stand up with the base on top and resting on the lid.

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 rigid container for cleaning wipes comprising: a blow-molded, rigid container base comprising a bottom surface and a curved side surface having a flat area, the base defining an interior compartment for storing a roll of wet wipes; a blow-molded, rigid lid attached to the container base, the side surface flat area having an outlet opening, an injection-molded cover assembly having a mounting flange for attachment to the side surface outlet opening, the cover assembly having a wipes dispensing aperture for co-operation with the side surface outlet opening to allow dispensing of wipes from the container, and the cover assembly having a cover which is connected to the mounting flange with a hinge, the cover operating to pivotably cover the aperture; the aperture having a narrower first portion and a wider second portion in communication; and a the roll of wet wipes positioned in the interior compartment to dispense wipes through the aperture from the outside of the roll of wet wipes.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid includes a rotational means for rotating the lid and the roll of wet wipes relative to the container base.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the aperture second portion has a tear strip opposite the aperture first portion.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the container base is oval or cylindrical.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the container base is rectangular.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the roll of wet wipes is a coreless roll.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the roll of wet wipes is a cored roll.

8. A rigid container for cleaning wipes comprising: a blow-molded, rigid container base comprising a bottom surface and a curved side surface having a flat area, the base defining an interior compartment for storing a roll of wet wipes; a blow-molded, rigid lid attached to the container base, the side surface flat area having an outlet opening, an injection-molded cover assembly having a mounting flange for attachment to the side surface outlet opening, the cover assembly having a wipes dispensing aperture for co-operation with the side surface outlet opening to allow dispensing of wipes from the container, and the cover assembly having a cover which is connected to the mounting flange with a hinge, the cover operating to pivotably cover the aperture; and a the roll of wet wipes positioned in the interior compartment to dispense wipes through the aperture from the outside of the roll of wet wipes.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the lid includes a rotational means for rotating the lid and the roll of wet wipes relative to the container base.

10. The container of claim 8, wherein the container base is oval or cylindrical.

11. The container of claim 8, wherein the container base is rectangular.

12. The container of claim 8, wherein the roll of wet wipes is a coreless roll.

13. The container of claim 8, wherein the roll of wet wipes is a cored roll.

14. The container of claim 8, wherein the base rests on the lid.

15. A rigid container for cleaning wipes comprising: a blow-molded, rigid container base comprising a bottom surface and a curved side surface having a flat area, the base defining an interior compartment for storing a roll of wet wipes; a blow-molded, rigid lid attached to the container base, the side surface flat area having an outlet opening, an injection-molded cover assembly having a mounting flange for attachment to the side surface outlet opening, the cover assembly having a wipes dispensing aperture for co-operation with the side surface outlet opening to allow dispensing of wipes from the container, and the cover assembly having a cover which is connected to the mounting flange with a hinge, the cover operating to pivotably cover the aperture.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the lid includes a rotational means for rotating the lid and the roll of wet wipes relative to the container base.

17. The container of claim 15, wherein the container base is oval or cylindrical.

18. The container of claim 15, wherein the container base is rectangular.

19. The container of claim 15, wherein the roll of wet wipes is a coreless roll.

20. The container of claim 15, wherein the roll of wet wipes is a cored roll.

21. The container of claim 15, wherein the base rests on the lid.