WIPES DISPENSING SYSTEMS

Abstract

Wipes dispensing systems are disclosed herein. The wipes dispensing system may include an inverted dockable wipes container with a wipes dispesing mechanism configured to rest upside-down on a dock. This wipes dispensing system allows excess cleaning solvent to be contained in the reservoir of the dock. The wipes dispensing system may include a wipes dispensing and cleaning system configured as a dockable wiping handle and a base for housing a stack of individual wipes. This wipes dispensing and cleaning system allows the user to selectively use a wipe without directly contacting the wipes or any solvent/cleaning agent via the user's hands.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefits of and priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 62/146,940 filed on Apr. 13, 2015, entitled “Wipes Dispensing System”; and 62/280,421 filed on Jan. 19, 2016, entitled “Wipes Dispensing System.” The entire disclosures of the applications listed above are hereby incorporated by reference, in their entirety, for all that they teach and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, consumers have increasingly turned to disposable wet wipes as a convenient means for sanitizing surfaces, spot cleaning, and other cleanup tasks. However, current wipes dispensing systems, such as the systems 500 and 502 depicted in FIG. 3, are either inelegant and cumbersome to use or suitable only for tissues and other dry wipes. Systems similar to the system 500 in particular, such as U.S. Pre-Grant Publication 2010/0078443 to Hoefing et al., generally use one or more apertures formed in flexible plastic members at the top of the canister through which the end of a perforated string of wipes is fed and accessed by users. However, these systems are ineffectual as they fail to reliably secure the end of the string of wipes at the top of the canister, and as a result, the end of the wipes drops down into the canister. This requires the user to have to inconveniently and, in some cases, painfully stuff his or her hand into the container to grab the end of the roll and reset it into the dispensing aperture. It also introduces dirt and bacteria into the canister and covers the user's hand in harsh cleaning solvent.

SUMMARY

The innovative wipes solutions described herein address the deficiencies of the background art. In one innovative aspect, an example wipes hub includes an inverted dockable wipes container with a wipes dispensing mechanism configured to rest upside-down in a dock that can be placed on any surface. This configuration allows any excess cleaning solvent to drip into the reservoir. It also advantageously uses gravity to retain the roll of wipes included in the dockable wipes container near the dispensing mechanism, which reduces the chance of the end of the wipes roll from detaching from the dispensing mechanism and dropping down into the wipes canister. This system can replace the conventional industrial wipes canister that is usually hidden in a closet or sink cabinet with an aesthetically pleasing configuration that unobtrusively sits on the counter, work surface, or shelf.

In another innovative aspect, an example wipes dispensing and cleaning system includes a dockable wiping handle and a base for housing a stack of individual wipes. Each wipe, when situated on top of the stack, is automatically attachable to the wiping handle when the wiping handle is docked into the base. The handle advantageously allows the user to obtain a wipe without having to grab the wipes with his or her hand. The handle also allows the user to conveniently and more effectively clean and/or scrub the surface being sanitized. Contact with the wipe during removal from the handle and disposal is also minimal as the user only has to grab an edge of the wipe, or in some cases a tab attached to the edge, and pull the wipe away from the handle and discard it. This compact system can conveniently be placed in a drawer or cabinet and quickly accessed to sanitize surfaces while minimizing user contact with the wipes themselves.

The above aspects are provided by way of illustration and numerous other aspects, features, and advantages are also possible and contemplated.

The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.

It shall be understood that the term “means,” as used herein, shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112, Paragraph 6 or other applicable law. Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.

It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every lower numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every higher numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification to illustrate several examples of the present disclosure. These drawings, together with the description, explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the disclosure can be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure to only the illustrated and described examples. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following, more detailed, description of the various aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure, as illustrated by the drawings referenced below.

FIG. 1 shows various non-limiting embodiments of the wipes dispensing systems in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2-5 show various views of the hub of wipes dispensing systems in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6-8 show loading and dispensing wipes in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows an environment in which the wipes dispensing system is used in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 10A-11 show a wipes dispensing and cleaning system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 12A and 12B show various perspective views of the wipe fastening mechanism in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 12C-E illustrate end views of the wipe dispensing mechanism during actuation in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 13A and 13B show the support side of the mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 12A-E in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 14A and 14B show detail perspective views of a peripheral or seal protrusion in various positions in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

The present disclosure describes innovative solutions for dispensing wipes. FIG. 1 depicts various non-limiting embodiments of these solutions, such as wipes hub 100, wipes hub 100′, and wipes dispensing and cleaning system 200.

FIGS. 2-5 provide various additional views of the example hub 100 and/or the hub 100′. As shown in FIG. 2, the wipes hub 100 includes a dockable canister 102. While not visible, the dockable canister 102 includes an internal chamber for housing the wipes 300. The wipes may be comprised of a wet substrate or a dry substrate (e.g., be wet wipes or dry wipes). In some embodiments, the dockable canister 102 is openable to allow a user to refill the wipes 300.

On a bottom side 140, the dockable canister 102 includes a dispensing mechanism 142 for dispensing the wipes 300 serially. In the depicted embodiment, the dispensing mechanism 142 includes an aperture 144 formed in a bottom surface 146 of the bottom side 140. The next available wipe 300 protrudes through the aperture 144 for easy access and gripping by the user.

The dockable canister 102 is dockable on a dock 104 of the wipes hub 100. Compared to many conventional dispensing systems, the canister 102 is inverted when docked on the dock 104. In its docked position, the wipes 300 housed in the canister 102 rest on an upward-facing internal surface associated with the dispensing mechanism 142 due to gravity. This keeps the wipes from continually tugging away from the dispensing mechanism 142, helping to ensure that the end-most wipe stays fed through the dispensing mechanism 142 and accessible to the user.

The dock 104 includes a coupling portion 150 configured to sealably couple to at least a portion of the bottom side 140 of the dockable canister 102 that includes the dispensing mechanism 142. The dock 104 conveniently retains and secures the dockable canister 102 when docked on the dock 104, which allows users to remove the canister 102, pull out a wipe 300 from the dispensing mechanism 142, and place the canister 102 back onto the dock 104.

In the depicted embodiment, the coupling portion 150 includes a receiver 152 and the bottom side 140 of the canister 102 includes a corresponding protrusion 134 where the protrusion 134 is configured to sealably insert into and decouple from the receiver 152, although it should be understood that other configurations for providing a sealable coupling are also possible and contemplated, such as where the canister 102 and the base 104 include one or more compatible coupling elements and/or geometries. For instance, the canister 102 may include the receiver 152 and the base 104 includes the protrusion 134, both the canister 102 and the base 104 include corresponding protrusions and recesses, the canister 102 and the base 104 may be threaded and may be twistably engaged/screwed together, etc.

As shown, the receiver 152 may include a ridge 154 forming an edge of the recess 156 of the receiver 152 that is configured to insert into a corresponding recess 136 formed in part by an inner side of the protrusion 134. This assembly can help to secure the canister 102 when placed on the dock 104.

The dock includes a reservoir 170 for accommodating a portion of a next accessible wipe 300 protruding from the dispensing mechanism 142. The reservoir 170 is capable of collecting residual cleaning solvent from the wipes when the dockable canister 102 is docked on the dock 104. Undocking the dockable canister 102 from the dock 104 exposes the dispensing mechanism 142 of the dockable canister 102, and thus the next-accessible wipe 300 to a user.

FIG. 3 depicts example dimensions of the wipes hubs 100 and 100′ relative to other conventional solutions. It should be understood that hub 100′ accommodates fewer and/or smaller wipes than hub 100, but may include one or more of the same features and advantages of the hub 100 described herein.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict two example environments 600 and 602 in which the hubs 100 and 100′ may be used. As shown, the hubs 100 and 100′ may be conveniently and unobtrusively placed on surfaces 402 and 404, respectively, for convenient access and use by nearby users.

FIG. 6 depicts an example wipes dispensing and cleaning system 200. As shown, the example wipes dispensing and cleaning system 200 may include a base 204 to house a stack of individual wipes 302 and a dockable wiping handle 202 dockable on the base 204.

As shown further in FIG. 7, the handle 202 includes a wipes fastening mechanism 203. In some embodiments, the wipes fastening mechanism 203 includes compatible fastening surfaces 208 and 306. For instance, as shown a bottom side 205 of the dockable wiping handle 202 includes a bottom surface 206 having a fastening surface 208 configured to removably adhere to a fastening surface 306 of a top-most wipe 304 when the dockable wiping handle 202 is docked on the base 204. This advantageously allows users to reload an empty wiping handle 202 with a wipe 302 by placing the handle 202 in the base 204. For instance, once a wipe 302 attached to the wiping handle 202 is used for cleaning by the user 800 and peeled from the bottom side 205 of the wiping handle and discarded, the wiping handle 202, when docked on the base 204, is automatically reloaded. For instance, when docked, the fastening surface 208 of the wiping handle 202 adheres to a corresponding upward surface 306 of the next top-most wipe 302 housed in the base 204. In an embodiment, the surfaces 208 and 306 may include hook and loop or another suitable fastening means for removably adhering the surfaces together.

In further embodiments, instead of or in addition to using compatible adhering surfaces, such as hook and loop, the wipe fastening mechanism 203 may include a mechanical fastening device that extends around and grips the outer-most wipe along at least a portion of the cleaning side of the wipe, or another suitable mechanism.

In an embodiment where the wipes are wet wipes, to prevent the wet wipes 302 from drying out, the dockable wiping handle 202 may sealably couple with the base 204. For instance, the dockable wiping handle 202 may include a first coupling portion 230 and the base may include a second coupling portion 250, where the first coupling portion 230 is configured to sealably couple to and decouple from the second coupling portion 250 when the wiping handle is docked on the base. As a further example, the dockable wiping handle may include a peripheral protrusion 232 that extends around a periphery of the handle 202, such as a seal, that seals against an inner wall of the base 204, although other configurations are possible, such as one where the base includes a raised portion that sealably contacts against a sidewall of the handle 202.

Since the dockable wiping handle 202 sealably docks with the base 204 when docked, the dockable wiping handle 202 or the base 204 may include a pressure release mechanism (now shown) that releases positive air pressure/back pressure caused when the wiping handle is sealably docked on the base by the user to allow the dockable wiping handle 202 to properly seat with the base 204. In addition, the pressure release mechanism can also release negative air pressure caused when undocking the wiping handle 202 from the base 204, and allow the user to more easily remove the wiping handle 202 during use (e.g., prevent the user from having to pry the handle 202 off of the base 204).

The walls of the base 204 form a cavity 170 shaped to house the stack of wipes 302. The shorter the stack of wipes 302 is in the base 204, the lower the wiping handle 202 sits when docked to the base 204, as illustrated in the different perspectives 700, 702, and 704 shown in FIG. 8. In some configurations, the base 204 may attach to the handle 202, or vice-versa, and the user may detach the handle 202 from the base 204 by performing an action (e.g., applying pressure to an unlocking mechanism, etc.).

While the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6-8 shows a variation where the wipes 302 are loaded into and dispensed onto the handle 202 from the base 204, it should be understood that in a further embodiment, the wipes 302 may be loaded into a corresponding cavity formed in the body of the handle 202 and suitably shaped to accept and retain the wipes. In this embodiment, the handle 202 includes a dispensing mechanism configured to allow the user to remove the outer-most wipe (bottom-most relative to a surface) of the stack of wipes 302 housed in the handle 202. For instance, the handle 202 may include a lip (continuous, discontinuous, etc.) around the opening of the cavity in which the wipes 302 are placed that retains the wipes 302 and allows the wipes 302 to be removed one-by-one from the handle 202 after use, although other variations are also possible and contemplated.

In this further embodiment, the base may act as a bottom cover for the handle 202, and a seal in the case of wet wipes, when placed in the base 204 and may be correspondingly shaped.

FIG. 9 depicts an example environment 900 in which the system 200 may be used. As shown, the system 200 may be conveniently and unobtrusively placed on the surfaces 406 for convenient access and use by nearby users.

While a rectangular handle 202 and base 204 are depicted in the figures, it should be understood that the handle 202 and/or the base 204 may have any suitable, form or shape, and may be larger and/or smaller than the embodiments depicted without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, the hubs 100 and 100′, and/or components thereof, may take different forms and have different sizes without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A-11, a wipes dispensing and cleaning system 1000 is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiments previously described, the wipes dispensing and cleaning system 1000 may include a handle 1002 and a base 1004. The handle 1004 may seat, or otherwise interconnect, with the base 1004. In one example, the base 1004 may include a cavity 170 that is configured to receive at least one of a portion of the handle 1002 and one or more wipes 302.

In one embodiment, the wipes dispensing and cleaning system 1000 may include at least one seal protrusion 1032 that can be engaged with a feature of the system 1000. The seal protrusion 1032, when engaged, may serve to separate the environment around the wipes 302 from the ambient environment surrounding the system 1000. In the case of wet wipes 302, this separation can allow the environment around the wipes 302 to remain moist for prolonged periods of time, even in dry climates and surroundings. In some embodiments, the seal protrusion 1032 may be configured as a compliant or flexible material that is a part of, or connected to, the handle 1002. The seal protrusion 1032 may contact a portion of the base 1004, or the walls thereof upon seating or removing the handle 1002 from the base 1004. Additional details regarding the peripheral protrusion 232 and/or the at least one seal protrusion 1032 are described in conjunction with FIGS. 14A and 14B.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the wipes dispensing and cleaning system 1000 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. In some embodiments, the wipes dispensing and cleaning system 1000 may include a wipe fastening mechanism 1200. The wipe fastening mechanism 1200 may be connected to the handle 1002 via one or more fastening elements 1116. Additionally or alternatively, the wipe fastening mechanism 1200 may be contained within the body of the handle 1002 such a wipe contact area or surface is exposed along at least one side of the handle 1002. In one embodiment, the handle 1002 may include an actuation feature, or button 1104, that is configured to actuate a movement or an action associated with the wipe fastening mechanism 1200. The button 1104 may be retained in the handle 1002 via one or more features 1112 disposed in an opening 1108 of the handle 1002. The handle 1002 may include one or more features similar to those described in conjunction with the other Figures.

While the base 1004 may be manufactured as a single part, it is contemplated that the base 1004 may be made from a number of parts. For instance, the base 1004 may include a wipe container part 1004A and an end closure part 1004B. Multi-part construction can provide a number of advantages including reduced manufacturing costs, providing various weighting options, enhanced material selections, and the like. For instance, manufacturing costs may be decreased in a multi-part construction by reducing the material thicknesses and using less material in each part. Moreover, the multi-part construction can allow for post mold processing such as adding weight material to an interior of the multi-part base 1004. For instance, the wipe container part 1004A may be molded as a thin wall molded piece to include the reservoir 170. The nature of the thin wall mold may provide a number of crevices and gaps in an open end of the wipe container part 1004A. These crevices and gaps may be employed to contain a weight material (e.g., sand, shot, weighted spheres, metal, plastic, etc.). Once the weight material is added to the crevices and gaps, the end closure part 1004B may be connected to the wipe container part 1004A forming the base 1004. The connection may include attachment of one part to the other via adhesive, interference fits, tongue-and-groove features, tab-and-slot features, ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, etc., and/or combinations thereof.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show various perspective views of the wipe fastening mechanism 1200 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the wipe fastening mechanism 1200 may include a platform 1204 having a number of connection points 1208 configured to receive at least one actuating member. The at least one actuating member may be configured to selectively present one or more wipe contacting surfaces to a wipe 304 (e.g., a top-most wipe 304 in a stack of wipes 302 disposed in the base 1004). Each of the one or more wipe contacting surfaces may include hook-and-loop and/or other adhesive or fastening means for selectively adhering to a wipe 304.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the platform 1204 of the wipe fastening mechanism 1200 includes various sets of actuation connection points, or actuation protrusions 1208A-C. FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of the wipe fastening mechanism 1200 having a transparent second actuation member 1220. Although any of the components described herein may be made from opaque, transparent, and/or translucent materials, the second actuation member 1220 is shown in transparency to illustrate additional features of the mechanism 1200 (e.g., the spring 1216, etc.). The actuation protrusions 1208A-C may be disposed on a first side of the platform 1204. In any event, the actuation protrusions 1208A-C may include one or more engagement features configured to engage with an actuating member. In some embodiments, the engagement feature of each actuation protrusion 1208A-C may serve to define a movement of the actuation member engaged therewith. For instance, and as illustrated in FIGS. 12A-E, each actuation protrusion 1208A-C includes a circular rotational feature. Although illustrated as a hole disposed in the actuation protrusion 1208A-C and configured to receive a rotational shaft member, it should be appreciated, that the circular rotation feature may be a shaft and the hole, or receiving feature, may be disposed in the actuation member. Additionally or alternatively, each actuation protrusion 1208A-C may include its own geometry and/or configuration and the circular rotational feature may differ for each actuation protrusion 1208A-C (e.g., the first actuation protrusion 1208A may include a hole as its circular rotational feature, while the second actuation protrusion 1208B may include a shaft as its circular rotational feature, and so on).

In some embodiments, the wipe fastening mechanism 1200 may include a first actuation member 1212. The first actuation member 1212 may be configured to receive an actuation input provided by an external force. For instance, a user may apply a force to at least a portion of the first actuation member 1212 that imparts a movement to the first actuation member 1212. As outlined above, this movement may be defined by a connection to a portion of the platform 1204. For example, the first actuation member 1212 may be rotatably connected to a circular rotational feature of the first actuation protrusion 1208A. In this example, when a user applies force to the first actuation member 1212, the member 1212 may rotate about an axis of the circular rotational feature of the first actuation protrusion 1208A.

The movement of the first actuation member 1212 may be further defined or controlled by a restrictive force, a motion range limit, and/or via at least one other component of the wipe fastening mechanism 1200. By way of example, a spring 1216 (as shown in FIG. 12B) may provide a restrictive force to counteract a force applied to the first actuation member 1212. While shown as a leaf spring, it should be appreciated that the spring 1216 may include any configuration or shape that provides a counteractive force to a force applied by a user to the first actuation member 1212. In some embodiments, the spring 1216 may be manufactured as a part of the platform. As another example, a movement of the first actuation member 1212 may be limited by an interconnection with other parts of the mechanism 1200 such as the second actuation member 1220 and the third actuation member 1224.

As shown in FIGS. 12A-E, the first actuation member 1212 may be operatively connected to one or more other actuation members 1220, 1224. In one embodiment, the first actuation member may connected to the actuation members 1220, 1224 via a linkage, a pin-in-slot connection, a pinned connection, a fastened connection, and the like, and/or combinations thereof. Upon applying a force to the first actuation member 1212, causing the first actuation member 1212 to move, the connection may translate the movement to the connected second actuation member 1220 and third actuation member 1224. Similar to the connection of the first actuation member 1212, the second and third actuation members 1220, 1224 may be rotatably connected to circular rotational features of the second and third actuation protrusions 1208B, 1208C, respectively. Continuing the example above, when the movement of the first actuation member 1212 is translated to the second and third actuation members 1220, 1224, at least one wipe contacting surfaces of each member 1220, 1224 may be withdrawn to a position within at least a portion of the handle 1002 and/or the wipe dispensing mechanism 1200. This movement of the wipe contacting surfaces of each member 1220, 1224 from an exposed position to a concealed, or withdrawn, position may release a wipe 304 from the handle 1002 and/or wipe dispensing mechanism 1200.

FIGS. 12C-E illustrate end views of the wipe dispensing mechanism 1200 during actuation in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. More specifically, FIGS. 12C-E show a wipe dispensing mechanism 1200 releasing a wipe 304 from contact with the wipe contacting surfaces of each member 1220, 1224.

In FIG. 12C, a wipe 304 is shown in contact with the wipe contacting surfaces of each member 1220, 1224 and supported against a support side 1260 of the wipe dispensing mechanism 1200. In one embodiment, the support side 1260 of the wipe dispensing mechanism may be a surface of the platform 1204. In any event, the support side 1260 may be configured to support the wipe 304 (e.g., during cleaning, etc.) such that the wipe 304 substantially conforms to a shape of the support side 1260 of the mechanism 1200 (e.g., a flat surface, an arcuate surface, an undulated surface, etc., and/or combinations thereof). As a force 1228 is applied to the first actuation member 1212, the member 1212 may begin to translate or move about an axis of rotation of the first actuation protrusion in a rotation direction 1232. This movement of the first actuation member 1212 may translate to one or more of the second and third actuation members 1220, 1224 via an interconnection 1226.

The force 1228 applied to the first actuation member 1212 continues in FIG. 12D increasing the movement of the member 1212 in the rotational direction 1232. This movement translates to the second and third actuation members 1220, 1224, causing the second actuation member 1220 to rotate about an axis of rotation of the second actuation protrusion in second rotation direction 1236, while the third actuation member 1224 is caused to rotate about an axis of rotation of the third actuation protrusion in third rotation direction 1240. This rotational movement causes the wipe contacting surfaces of each member 1220, 1224 to lift in a first and second direction 1244, 1248 away from the wipe support surface of the mechanism 1200. For instance, the wipe contacting surfaces of each member 1220, 1224 are moved from an exposed, or wipe contact, position to a withdrawn, or wipe release, position. The movement separates the wipe 304 from the wipe contacting surfaces the support surface of the mechanism 1200 and as a result the wipe is caused to detach from the mechanism 1200. In one example, where a gravity vector is shown along arrow 1252, the wipe 304 may be released by the movement of the actuation members 1212, 1220, 1224 as described herein, and the wipe 304 may fall away from mechanism 1200 and handle 1002 (e.g., in the direction of the gravity vector).

FIG. 12E shows an exaggerated movement of the second and third actuation members 1220, 1224 relative to the support side of the mechanism 1200. The wipe contacting surfaces 1270 of the members 1220, 1224 are shown in their withdrawn positions and the wipe 304 is shown as falling further from the support side 1260 of the mechanism 1200.

Referring now to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the support side 1260 of the mechanism 1200 is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, the support side 1260 of the mechanism 1200 includes at least one wipe support surface 1316 having one or more relieved portions or openings 1312 disposed therein. In some embodiments, the openings 1312 may be configured to receive at least one wipe contacting surface 1308A-D of an actuation member (e.g., the second and third actuation members 1220, 1224, etc.).

FIG. 13A shows an example of the support side 1260 of the mechanism 1200 configured to receive a wipe 304. FIG. 13A may correspond to the position of the elements as described in conjunction with FIG. 12C. In particular, the support side 1260 may include one or more exposed wipe contacting surfaces 1308A-D. Each wipe contacting surface 1308A-D may include hook-and-loop and/or other adhesive or fastening means for selectively adhering to a wipe 304. The wipe contacting surfaces 1308A-D and/or the fastening means, may be flush with the wipe support surface 1316 when in position to receive a wipe 304. In some embodiments, the wipe contacting surfaces 1308A-D and/or the fastening means, may be under flush with the wipe support surface 1316 or contained at least partially within the platform 1204, handle 1002, or other portion of the mechanism 1200 when in position to receive a wipe 304. In other embodiments, the wipe contacting surfaces 1308A-D and/or the fastening means, may be raised such that the wipe contacting surfaces 1308A-D sit in a position set apart from the wipe support surface 1316 (e.g., proud of the surface 1316) and outside of a portion of the mechanism 1200 when in position to receive a wipe 304.

FIG. 13B shows an example of the support side 1260 of the mechanism 1200 configured to release a wipe 304. FIG. 13B may correspond to the position of the elements as described in conjunction with FIG. 12D and/or FIG. 12E. As shown, the first actuation member 1212 has received force 1228 causing the other actuation members 1220, 1224 to move and lift the wipe contacting surfaces 1308A-D from a “wipe contact” position to a “wipe release” position. In this wipe release position, the wipe contacting surfaces 1308A-D are contained at least partially within the platform 1204, the mechanism 1200, and/or the handle 1002. Lifting the wipe contacting surfaces 1308A-D away from the wipe support surface 1316 causes an attached wipe 304 to detach from the wipe contacting surfaces 1308A-D and separate from the handle 1002.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show detail perspective views of a peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 in various positions in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As provided above, the peripheral protrusion 232 or seal protrusion 1032 may be operatively coupled with at least a portion of the handle 1002 or other feature of the cleaning system 1000. The peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may extend outwardly, or away, from a center of the handle providing a flexible or movable protrusion feature. This offset peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may be configured to engage with or contact at least one inner wall of the base 104, 1004 when the handle 1002 is at least partially disposed within the base 104, 1004. When in contact with the inner wall of the base 104, 1004 a sealed volume may be defined between the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 of the handle and the cavity 170 or interior of the base 104, 1004. In some embodiments, this sealed volume may provide a temporary, or semi-permanent, sealed environment for one or more wet wipes contained therein. Among other things, the sealed environment may prevent the wet wipes from drying out (e.g., by maintaining a humid or moisture-rich environment in the sealed volume.

FIG. 14A shows a detail perspective view of the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 in an undeformed, unflexed, or default shape in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The default shape may correspond to a shape of the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 when it is separated or apart from the base 104, 1004. The peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may be molded, shaped, or otherwise formed to maintain a flanged surface that projects or extends some distance beyond an outer periphery of the handle 1002. The peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may be manufactured from a compliant, pliable, or flexible material or combination of materials. For instance, the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may be made from one or more plastic, rubber, silicone, polymer, synthetic, natural fiber, etc., and/or the like. In some embodiments, the flexibility may be built into a hinge, mechanism, or other feature associated with the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032. In this latter embodiment, the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may be made from a rigid material or materials. As shown in FIG. 14A, the platform 1204 or bottom of the handle 1002 is resting on a surface 406.

FIG. 14B shows a detail perspective view of the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 in a deformed, flexed, or sealing shape in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The sealing shape may correspond to a shape of the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 when it is in contact with or engaging a portion of at least one inner wall or cavity 170 of the base 104, 1004. In one example, the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may be configured to flex, pivot, and/or otherwise move in a downward direction 1404 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 14B) when being removed from the base 104, 1004. Among other things, the flexibility and/or the shape of the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may prevent a suction force or vacuum created in the sealed environment between the volume of a portion of the cavity and the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 from preventing removal of the handle 1002. In one embodiment, as a user 800 pulls the handle 1002 from a base 104, 1004 with which the handle 1002 is engaged, the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may easily flex along the inner wall of the base allowing pressure to be equalized between the sealed environment and a volume outside of the sealed environment (e.g., such that the handle 1002 can be removed without lifting the base 104, 1004). Additionally or alternatively, the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may be configured to flex or move upward (e.g., opposite the direction shown in FIG. 14B), for instance, when it is inserted into a base 104, 1004. The insertion force of the handle 1002 into the base 104, 1004 may displace air from inside the cavity 170 of the base 104, 1004 along at least one path between the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 and at least one inner wall of the base 104, 1004.

In some embodiments, the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may include features that assist in reducing friction between a portion of the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 and an inner wall of a base 104, 1004. As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 or flange is shown as flexible. Additionally or alternatively, the surface under the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may include a radius, such that when the handle is lifted, the radius reduces the friction between a contacting surface and the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 allowing the handle 1002 to be picked up without the base 104, 1004 being lifted due to a suction force. Although shown as a radius, it should be appreciated that any arcuate, chamfered, broken edge, or other feature of the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may allow the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 to move in a direction closer to the center of the handle 1002 (e.g., when a force is applied in a downward direction 1404 relative to the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032). In one embodiment, as the handle 1002 is removed from a base, an outer peripheral dimension of the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may be reduced. This reduction in size, or area, established by a perimeter of the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032 may be due to a mechanical movement, a flexing, a pivoting, and/or a retraction of the peripheral or seal protrusion 232, 1032.

In the foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the technology. It will be apparent, however, that the technology described herein can be practiced without these specific details.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the term “embodiment” or “embodiments” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

In addition, it should be understood and appreciated that variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiments, implementations, and examples may exist, are contemplated, and are encompassed hereby. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, implementations, and examples, but by all embodiments, implementations, and examples, and other equivalents within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference letter or label.

A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosure without providing others.

The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments, subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

Moreover, though the description has included description of one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

Claims

1. A wipes dispensing system, comprising:

a dockable canister including an internal chamber for housing wipes, the canister including a dispensing mechanism on a bottom side for dispensing the wipes serially; and

a dock including a coupling portion configured to sealably couple with at least a portion of the bottom side including the dispensing mechanism of the dockable canister and retain the dockable canister when docked on the dock.

2. The wipes dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the coupling portion of the base includes a receiver and the bottom side of the canister includes a corresponding protrusion, the protrusion configured to sealably insert into and decouple from the receiver.

3. The wipes dispensing system of claim 1, wherein, when docked on the dock, the wipes housed in the canister rest on an upward-facing internal surface situated above the dispensing mechanism.

4. The wipes dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the dock includes a reservoir for accommodating a portion of a next accessible wipe protruding from the dispensing mechanism, the reservoir capable of collecting residual cleaning solvent from the wipes when the dockable canister is docked on the dock.

5. The wipes dispensing system of claim 1, wherein undocking the dockable canister from the dock exposes the dispensing mechanism of the dockable canister to a user.

6. The wipes dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the dockable canister is openable to allow a user to refill the wipes.

7. A wipes dispensing and cleaning system, comprising:

a base to house a stack of individual wipes; and

a dockable wiping handle dockable on the base, a bottom side of the dockable wiping handle including a wipe fastening mechanism configured to removably fasten to a top-most wipe when the dockable wiping handle is docked on the base.

8. The wipes dispensing and cleaning system of claim 7, wherein the bottom side of the dockable wiping handle includes a first coupling portion and the base includes a second coupling portion, the first coupling portion configured to sealably couple to and decouple from the second coupling portion when the wiping handle is docked on the base.

9. The wipes dispensing and cleaning system of claim 7, wherein the dockable wiping handle sealably docks with the base, and the dockable wiping handle or the base includes a pressure release mechanism that releases positive air pressure caused when the wiping handle is sealably docked on the base by the user and releases negative air pressure caused when the dockable wiping handle is undocked from the base by the user.

10. The wipes dispensing and cleaning system of claim 7, wherein once a wipe attached to the wiping handle is used for cleaning and removed from the bottom side of the wiping handle and discarded, the wiping handle, when docked on the base, is automatically reloaded by the fastening surface of the wiping handle adhering to the next top-most wipe housed in the base.

11. The wipes dispensing and cleaning system of claim 7, wherein the wipe fastening mechanism includes hook and loop or a mechanism fastener that grips the top-most wipe on at least a portion of an outer-facing wiping surface of the top-most wipe.

12. The wipes dispensing and cleaning system of claim 7, wherein the wipes are wet wipes or dry wipes.

13. The wipes dispensing and cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the wipes are wet wipes or dry wipes.

14. A wipes dispensing and cleaning system, comprising:

a base; and

a dockable wiping handle dockable on the base, the dockable handle configured to house a stack of wipes and including a wipe fastening mechanism configured to grip a top-most wipe for wiping and to dispense the top-most wipe individually after use.

15. A wipe dispensing mechanism, comprising:

a wipe support surface configured to support a cleaning wipe along at least a portion of the wipe support surface, wherein the wipe support surface includes at least one wipe attachment area; and

a wipe contact surface configured to selectively move between at least a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position an adherable surface of the wipe contact surface is presented in the at least one wipe attachment area for adhering to the cleaning wipe, and wherein in the second position the adherable surface of the wipe contact surface is withdrawn from the at least one wipe attachment area for releasing the cleaning wipe.

16. The wipe dispensing mechanism of claim 15, wherein the wipe contact surface is moved from the first position to the second position via an actuation of at least one actuation member in contact with the wipe contact surface.

17. The wipe dispensing mechanism of claim 16, wherein the wipe support surface includes a platform side having one or more actuation connecting points.

18. The wipe dispensing mechanism of claim 17, further comprising:

a first actuation member operatively connected to a first of the one or more actuation connecting points, wherein the first actuation member is configured to receive an actuation force from a user of the wipe dispensing mechanism, and wherein the actuation force provides the actuation to move the wipe contact surface from the first position to the second position.

19. The wipe dispensing mechanism of claim 18, further comprising:

a second actuation member operatively connected to the first actuation member and a second of the one or more actuation connecting points, and wherein the wipe contact surface is disposed on a portion of the second actuation member.

20. The wipe dispensing mechanism of claim 19, wherein the first actuation member is rotatably connected to the first of the one or more actuation connecting points, wherein a rotational movement of the first actuation member causes a rotational movement of the second actuation member causing the wipe contact surface to move from the first position to the second position.

21. The wipe dispensing mechanism of claim 15, wherein the at least one wipe attachment area is an opening disposed in the wipe support surface.

22. A wipes dispensing and cleaning system, comprising:

a base configured to contain one or more cleaning wipes;

a wiping handle configured to selectively engage with the base, wherein the wiping handle comprises: a housing; a wipe dispensing mechanism contained at least partially within the housing, the wipe dispensing mechanism comprising: a wipe support surface configured to support a cleaning wipe of the one or more cleaning wipes along at least a portion of the wipe support surface, wherein the wipe support surface includes at least one wipe attachment area; and a wipe contact surface configured to selectively move between at least a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position an adherable surface of the wipe contact surface is presented in the at least one wipe attachment area for adhering to the cleaning wipe, and wherein in the second position the adherable surface of the wipe contact surface is withdrawn from the at least one wipe attachment area for releasing the cleaning wipe.

22. The wipes dispensing and cleaning system of claim 22, wherein the at least one wipe attachment area is an opening disposed in the wipe support surface.

23. A wipe dispensing mechanism, comprising:

a wipe support surface configured to support a cleaning wipe along at least a portion of the wipe support surface, wherein the wipe support surface includes at least one wipe contact area, the at least one wipe contact area configured to adhere to the cleaning wipe; and

a wipe removal surface movably coupled to the wipe support surface and configured to selectively move between at least a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the cleaning wipe is adhered to the at least one wipe contact area of the wipe support surface, and wherein in the second position the wipe removal surface releases the adhered cleaning wipe from the at least one wipe contact area of the wipe support surface.