Wipes Canister Opening

Abstract

A packaging container for dispensing wipes includes a lid and a base for storing wipes that are dispensed through an aperture having large and small aperture portions connected by a channel and a continuous concave curve from the large aperture portion to the small aperture portion.

Description

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 dispensing aperture on 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 packaging containers are not easy-to-open, nor easy-to-use.

Packaging containers that store a center dispensing roll of wipes are typically designed to dispense wet 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. The location and design of the apertures also 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.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

To answer this need, the present invention provides in one embodiment a dispenser for cleaning wipes comprising a container base comprising a bottom surface and a side surface, the base defining an interior compartment; a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid comprises a body and a hinged cover, the body having a top surface and side surface; an aperture entirely within the top surface of the of the body of the lid and the hinged cover securing over the aperture; wherein the aperture includes a larger first portion and a smaller second portion that are in communication via a channel; wherein the first portion lies entirely on one side of an axis bisecting the middle of the channel.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the invention comprises a dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising a container base comprising a bottom surface and a side surface, the base defining an interior compartment a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid comprises a body, a cover and a hinge connecting the cover to the body, the body having a top surface and side surface, the lid top surface having a lid front opposite the hinge and a lid back adjacent to the hinge; an aperture entirely within the top surface of the body of the lid and the cover securing over the aperture; wherein the aperture includes a larger first portion and a smaller second portion that are in communication via a channel; wherein the aperture first portion has an aperture first front portion adjacent the front of the lid and the aperture second portion has an aperture second back portion adjacent the back of the lid; wherein there is a continuous concave curve from the aperture first front portion through the channel to the aperture second portion.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the invention provides a package comprising a dispenser and a roll of wet wipes in combination, the dispenser comprising a container base comprising a bottom surface and a side surface, the base defining an interior compartment; a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid comprises a body, a cover and a hinge portion connecting the cover to the body, the body having a top surface and side surface, the lid top surface having a lid front opposite the hinge and a lid back adjacent to the hinge portion; an aperture entirely within the top surface of the body of the lid and the cover securing over the aperture; wherein the aperture includes a larger first portion and a smaller second portion that are in communication via a channel; wherein the aperture first portion has an aperture first front portion adjacent the front of the lid and the aperture second portion has an aperture second back portion adjacent the back of the lid; wherein there is a continuous concave curve from the aperture first front portion through the channel to the aperture second portion.

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. The roll of wipes may be a continuous sheet of woven or nonwoven, fibrous material that is perforated between individual sheets. The roll may be of any width suitable for fitting inside the container. In one embodiment, the roll of wipes may have a core. In another embodiment, the roll of wipes may be coreless.

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 open container for dispensing wipes, of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an open container lid for dispensing wipes, of the prior art.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an upright and open container for dispensing wipes, of the prior art.

FIG. 4 is a top partial view of a tissue dispenser, of the prior art.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an upright and open container for dispensing wipes, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an open container lid for dispensing wipes, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a top view of an open container lid for dispensing wipes showing wipes being dispensed, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a top view of an open container lid for dispensing wipes showing wipes being dispensed, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7C is a top view of an open container lid for dispensing wipes showing wipes being dispensed, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7D is a top view of an open container lid for dispensing wipes showing wipes being dispensed, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,579 to Reinke et al. generally provides large apertures for pulling wet wipes straight out of the center of the lid, as in FIG. 1. Alternately, the prior art provides for pulling from the back (nearest the cover hinge connection) straight towards the front, such as U.S. Pat. App. 2005/0061826 to Long et al., as in FIG. 2. Alternately, the prior art provides for pulling from the front side of the wipes canister up towards the back, such as U.S. Pat. App. 2007/0257052 to Bendor et al., as in FIG. 3.

Prior art example from U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,001, as shown in FIG. 4, provides for pulling dry tissues straight through an isthmic connection from the larger aperture to the smaller aperture. In FIG. 4, the first larger aperture lies on both sides of an axis bisecting the middle of the isthmic connection. The tissue in this prior art example is pulled in a straight motion going through a concave and a convex curve into the channel and through to the second smaller aperture. All these prior art examples require an awkward motion for consumers in removing wipes or do not provide a proper step function in force to allow a single wipe to be removed and torn off without removing an unwanted second wipe.

Representative embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 7A-D, 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 pulling out a stack of wipes, for dry paper towels, or for tissues. 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 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.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5, where the dispenser 50 for a roll of wet wipes has a cylindrical container base with a bottom surface 51 and a side surface 52 defining an interior compartment containing a roll of wet wipes. The container base is closed by a dispenser lid 53 having a lid body 54 and a hinged cover 55. The lid body 54 has a generally planar top surface 56 and a curved side surface 57 with an aperture 58 on the top surface 56. The hinged cover 55 can be closed to secure over the aperture 58 and prevent the wipes from drying out. The aperture 58 has a larger first portion 59 and a smaller second portion 60 that are in communication via a channel 61.

FIG. 6 shows the top surface 56 of the dispenser lid with the cover 55 open. The aperture second portion 60 has a curved central part 64 and several projections 65. The cover 55 has a cover portion 66 and a hinged portion 67. The aperture first portion 59 is situated farther from the cover hinged portion 67 than the aperture second portion 60. As shown in FIG. 6, an axis 62 bisects the middle of the channel 61 and the aperture first portion 59 lies entirely on one side of the axis 62. In this manner, the wipe can be removed by pulling from the larger first portion 59, then sliding along the front 63 of the first portion 59, then through the channel 61 and out the smaller second portion 60. The front 63 of the aperture first portion 59 is adjacent the front 64 of the lid 53 which is opposite the hinge portion 67. The back 68 of the lid 53 is adjacent to the hinge portion 67.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-D, there is a continuous concave curve along the edge of the aperture from the aperture first front portion curve 70A through the channel curve 70B to the aperture second portion curve 70C. FIG. 7A shows initial pulling of the first wipe from the center of a coreless roll 72 towards the front 63 of the aperture first portion. FIG. 7B shows the wipe being pulled to the side along the concave continuous curve. FIG. 7C shows the wipe being pulled to the entrance of the channel along the concave continuous curve. FIG. 7D shows the wipe being pulled from a projection in the aperture second portion. The concave continuous curve allows the user to remove the wipe in a continuous circular motion, as shown in FIG. 7A-D.

In another execution, the invention comprises a wet wipes package comprising a dispenser and roll of wet wipes in combination. The wet wipes package comprises container base comprising a bottom surface and a side surface and a dispensing lid having at least one generally planar wall. The container base defines an interior compartment. The side surface may define a generally cylindrical, semi-cylindrical or oval wall. A dispensing opening is disposed on the generally planar wall of the lid. The dispensing opening comprises an aperture having two spaced apart aperture portions, a first larger aperture portion and a second smaller aperture portion, the first and second aperture portions being connected by a channel connection. A roll of wet wipes is disposed in the dispenser. Each wet wipe is releasably attached to an adjacent wet wipe. The first wet wipe may be pulled through the larger first aperture portion by the user, rotated against the first aperture side portion, and at least partially transferred through the channel connection to the second aperture portion. The first wet wipe is then withdrawn from the wet wipe package and easily separated from the adjacent wet wipe. The adjacent wet wipe remains threaded in the aperture second portion near the cover hinge and can be contained from drying out by closing the lid.

All such variations are within the scope of the appended claims. 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 comprising a bottom surface and a side surface, the base defining an interior compartment and a base exterior surface;

a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid comprises a body, a cover and a hinge portion connecting the cover to the body, the body having a top surface and side surface, the lid top surface having a lid front opposite the hinge and a lid back adjacent to the hinge portion;

an aperture opening having an inside edge formed between the base interior compartment and the base exterior surface and entirely within the top surface of the of the body of the lid and the hinged cover securing over the aperture;

wherein the aperture opening includes a larger first portion and a smaller second portion that are in communication via a channel;

wherein the aperture opening first portion has an aperture first front portion adjacent the front of the lid and the aperture opening second portion has an aperture second back portion adjacent the back of the lid;

wherein there is a continuous concave curve following along the aperture inside edge from the aperture first front portion through the channel to the aperture second portion; and

wherein the first portion lies entirely on one side of an axis bisecting the middle of the channel.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the aperture opening second portion comprises a central part with several projections.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the projections are on the other side of the axis from the aperture opening first portion.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a cover portion and a hinged portion connected to the lid and wherein the aperture opening first portion is situated farther from the hinged portion than the aperture opening second portion.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser is cylindrical.

6. (canceled)

7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the top surface is generally planar.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser contains a coreless roll of wet wipes.

9. A dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising:

a container base comprising a bottom surface and a side surface, the base defining an interior compartment and a base exterior surface;

a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid comprises a body, a cover and a hinge portion connecting the cover to the body, the body having a top surface and side surface, the lid top surface having a lid front opposite the hinge and a lid back adjacent to the hinge portion;

an aperture opening having an inside edge formed between the base interior compartment and the base exterior surface and entirely within the top surface of the body of the lid and the cover securing over the aperture;

wherein the aperture opening includes a larger first portion and a smaller second portion that are in communication via a channel;

wherein the aperture opening first portion has an aperture first front portion adjacent the front of the lid and the aperture opening second portion has an aperture second back portion adjacent the back of the lid;

wherein the Gaussian curvature following along the aperture inside edge is less than or equal to zero from the aperture first front portion through the channel to the aperture second portion.

10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the aperture opening second portion comprises a central part with several projections.

11. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the aperture opening first portion is situated farther from the hinged portion than the aperture second portion.

12. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the dispenser is cylindrical.

13. (canceled)

14. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the top surface is generally planar.

15. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the dispenser contains a coreless roll of wet wipes.

16. A package comprising a dispenser and a roll of wet wipes in combination, the dispenser comprising:

a container base comprising a bottom surface and a side surface, the base defining an interior compartment and a base exterior surface;

a lid attached to the container base, wherein the lid comprises a body, a cover and a hinge portion connecting the cover to the body, the body having a top surface and side surface, the lid top surface having a lid front opposite the hinge and a lid back adjacent to the hinge portion;

an aperture opening having an inside edge formed between the base interior compartment and the base exterior surface and entirely within the top surface of the body of the lid and the cover securing over the aperture;

wherein the aperture opening includes a larger first portion and a smaller second portion that are in communication via a channel;

wherein the aperture opening first portion has an aperture first front portion adjacent the front of the lid and the aperture opening second portion has an aperture second back portion adjacent the back of the lid;

wherein there is a continuous concave curve following along the aperture inside edge from the aperture first front portion through the channel to the aperture opening second portion.

17. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein the aperture opening second portion comprises a central part with several projections.

18. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein the aperture opening first portion is situated farther from the hinged portion than the aperture second portion.

19. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein the dispenser is cylindrical.

20. (canceled)