WET WIPE LID WITH 3D ANGLED WALL KEYHOLE SQUEEGEE

Abstract

A lid for a wet wipes dispenser includes a dispenser lid base section and reclosable cover to the dispenser lid base section. The dispenser lid base section includes an interior wall supporting an interior ridge defining a wet wipe opening. A keyhole squeegee is disposed in the interior ridge and extending into the wet wipe opening. The keyhole squeegee has angled walls which define an angled keyhole channel leading to an open side of a frusto conical section. The angled walls and the frusto conical section extend outward from the interior ridge. The wet wipes dispenser also includes a reclosable cover. A method of drawing a wet wipe from a wet wipe dispenser is also described.

Description

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

The application relates to a lid, more particularly to a wet wipe dispensing lid for a wet wipes dispenser.

BACKGROUND

Wet wipes dispensers contain a number of wet wipes wetted by a desired solution. The wet wipes are typically held together at perforated joints. Pulling a wet wipe from the dispenser generally includes pulling through a slot which adds enough friction to allow the user to break the single wipe from the chain of wipes in the dispenser.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a lid for a wet wipes dispenser includes a dispenser lid base section. The dispenser lid base section includes an interior wall supporting an interior ridge defining a wet wipe opening. A keyhole squeegee is disposed in the interior ridge and extends into the wet wipe opening. The keyhole squeegee has angled walls which define an angled keyhole channel leading to an open side of a frusto conical section. The angled walls and the frusto conical section extend outward from the interior ridge. The wet wipes dispenser also includes a reclosable cover.

In one embodiment, the keyhole squeegee is disposed at about a front of the lid.

In another embodiment, the keyhole squeegee is disposed about opposite to a hinge of the openable cover.

In yet another embodiment, the lid further includes at least one or more channel walls disposed on an interior surface of the frusto conical section.

In yet another embodiment, the one or more channel walls include an about U cross section or an about rectangular cross section.

In yet another embodiment, the one or more channel walls include an about circular cross section.

In yet another embodiment, the interior ridge defines an about oval opening.

In yet another embodiment, the lid includes a recessed surface disposed in the interior ridge about adjacent to the frusto conical section.

In yet another embodiment, the openable cover includes a ridge or a trough.

In yet another embodiment, the angled walls include an angle in a range of about 90 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to a broad surface of the interior ridge.

In yet another embodiment, the angled walls include an angle in a range of about 90 degrees to 70 degrees with respect to a broad surface of the interior ridge.

In yet another embodiment, an outer wall of the lid includes a ridge, or a trough adapted to mate to a wet wipe dispenser body.

In yet another embodiment, the lid further includes a wet well.

In yet another embodiment, the wet well is defined by an upper internal wall and an upper internal ridge.

In yet another embodiment, the reclosable to the dispenser lid base section includes a wall which slidingly engages an upper internal wall to provide a seal when the openable cover is closed.

In yet another embodiment, the reclosable cover includes an interference fit with the dispenser lid base section.

In yet another embodiment, the keyhole squeegee includes at least one rounded over edge feature.

In yet another embodiment, the lid includes a polypropylene.

In yet another embodiment, the lid includes a high density polyethylene.

According to another aspect, a method of drawing a wet wipe from a wet wipe dispenser includes providing a wet wipe dispenser with a keyhole squeegee including an angled keyhole channel leading to an open side of a frusto conical section and a lid guide wall disposed in a lid of the wet wipe dispenser; drawing a wet wipe through an opening in the lid; guiding the wet wipe along the lid guide wall into the keyhole squeegee; and drawing the wet wipe through the keyhole squeegee to remove the wet wipe while removing an excess wet wipe fluid which is returned to a body of the wet wipe dispenser.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of the application will become more apparent from the following description and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the application can be better understood with reference to the drawings described below, and the claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views.

FIG. 1A is a drawing showing an exemplary wet wipes dispenser lid with a keyhole squeegee according to the Application;

FIG. 1B is a drawing showing the keyhole squeegee in more detail;

FIG. 2A is a drawing showing elevated side view of the lid of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a drawing showing the process of drawing a wipe as guided by guide wall;

FIG. 3 shows a drawing of a side view of the lid of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 shows a drawing of an elevated front view of the lid of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5 shows a drawing of a front view of the lid of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 6 shows a drawing of an elevated back view of the lid of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 7 shows a drawing of a lower elevation back view of the lid of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 8 shows a drawing of a back view of the lid of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 9 shows a drawing of a top view of the lid of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 10A shows an isometric drawing of a bottom view of the lid of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 10B is a drawing showing more detail of the underside of the keyhole squeegee;

FIG. 10C is a drawing showing a rounding over of features of FIG. 10B;

FIG. 11 shows another isometric drawing of a bottom view of the lid of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 12 shows a drawing of a bottom view of the lid of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing an exemplary dispenser body suitable for use with the exemplary lid of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 14A is a drawing showing a wipe pulled through a wet wipe opening;

FIG. 14B is a drawing showing a wipe as guided into an acceptance area of the keyhole squeegee;

FIG. 14C is a drawing showing the wipe continuing in a motion to where the wipe is further drawn into the angled keyhole channel;

FIG. 14D is a drawing showing the wipe in the angled keyhole channel at least in part into the circular opening of the frusto conical section;

FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a view of user instructions; and

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing an exemplary ridge for an interference fit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

Frusto conical—Frusto conical describes the shape of a cone with the tip near the narrow end removed.

Aperture—As used hereinbelow, the aperture through which a wet wipe can be drawn includes the angled keyhole channel and the circular opening of the frusto conical section.

Keyhole squeegee—A keyhole squeegee viewed from above has an opening shape rough analogous to a keyhole of a traditional old-fashioned lock. That is an about circular opening coupled through an opening in the about circular shape to an angled opening. The about circular opening is defined by a frusto conical section with an open side that couples into an angled channel A squeegee is a tool used to remove or control the flow of liquid from an item being “squeegeed”. In the context of the application, the vertical, or 3D aspect of both of the walls of the angled channel and the conical angle of the frusto conical section provide a squeegee action in removing any excess fluid from a sheet of a wet wipe, as the wet wipe is pulled out of the wet wipe dispenser through the keyhole squeegee.

As described hereinabove, wet wipes dispensers contain a number of wet wipes wetted by a desired solution. The wet wipes are typically held together at perforated joints. Pulling a wet wipe from the dispenser generally includes pulling through a slot which adds enough friction to allow the user to break the single wipe from the chain of wipes in the dispenser.

One problem with wet wipes dispensers is to add and keep enough fluid m the dispenser body so that over the useful lifetime of the wet wipes product, each pulled wet wipe is sufficiently wet. Another problem is that, especially where there is more than enough fluid in the body of the dispenser, to keep each wipe saturated or near saturated with the desired fluid of the wet wipes product, on pulling out the wipe, there can be spilled and/or spattered fluid from the pull process and from the wipe itself. Yet another problem is that where there is insufficient friction imparted on the wipe during the pulling process, more than one wipe may be undesirably dispensed, a fault known as roping, where the wipes have not properly separated from each other, such as, at a perforation line.

What is needed is a wet wipes dispenser lid which both imparts sufficient friction during the pull, yet also substantially prevents spatter of the fluid of the wet wipe during the pull process.

Traditional wet wipe dispenser lid apertures have had a “thickness” in a height direction, however traditional lid apertures employ a two-dimensional (2D) aperture profile. It was realized that wet wipe dispenser lids can be improved, particularly as to solving the problems of fluid splatter and fluid return to the dispenser body, by the introduction of an aperture having a three-dimensional (3D) profile.

It was realized that a new keyhole squeegee placed in an opening of wet wipe lid solves both the friction and the liquid splatter problems. In contrast to the common wisdom of the prior art, the keyhole squeegee has a 3D profile, with tapered features in height and angled direction above a plane of the two-dimensional aperture pattern in the traditional lid 2D aperture plane, i.e. about perpendicular to the pull direction of a wet wipe.

FIG. 1A is a drawing showing an exemplary structure of a 3D profile of lid 100 with a keyhole squeegee 101 for a wet wipes dispenser according to the Application. FIG. 1B is a drawing showing the keyhole squeegee 101 in more detail. A dispenser lid base section 150 includes an interior wall 105 supporting an interior ridge 107 defining a wet wipe opening 201 (FIG. 2A). A keyhole squeegee 101 is disposed in the interior ridge 107 and extends sideways into the wipe opening 201. There is an about circular opening 125 defined by the narrow end of the frusto conical section 110. An openable cover 160 is reclosable to the dispenser lid base section 150. In some embodiments, there is an interference fit with the dispenser lid base section. Any suitable interference fit means can be used, such as, for example, two flat surfaces, a flat surface and a surface with a feature (e.g. ridge or trough of any suitable shape, square, round, etc.), or between two surfaces, each of which have a mating or sliding interference fit feature.

The keyhole squeegee 101 has angled walls 113. The angled walls 113 define an angled keyhole channel 135 leading to an open side of a frusto conical section 110. The angled walls 113 are angled in a 2D taper (the “keyhole pattern”) as well as in a height direction. The tapered channel defined by the angled walls 113 in the 2D keyhole pattern function to guide the wipe into the keyhole squeegee 101 and for some fluid removal from the wipe. The 3D aspects of the keyhole squeegee 101 further enhance the fluid removal and guidance of the removed fluid back into the dispenser body with minimal fluid leakage or splash beyond the dispenser. The frusto conical section 110 extends outward in the height direction from a broad surface (in a plane about perpendicular to the pull direction) of the interior ridge 107. As per the definition, the frusto conical section 110 has a volcano like appearance with a conical taper in the height direction.

Both of the angled walls 113 and the walls of the frusto conical section 110 are angled relative to a broad surface of interior ridge 107. Useful angles for the walls include an angular range of about 90 degrees (perpendicular to a broad surface of interior ridge 107) to about 40 degrees with respect to a broad surface of interior ridge 107. Steeper wall angles, from about 90 degrees to about 70 degrees are most efficient for removing excess fluid from the wipes. Useful angles for the conical taper of the frusto conical section 110 are the same, about 90 degrees to about 40 degrees, or a steeper range of about 90 degrees to about 70 degrees. The 2D keyhole channel opening can range from about 10 degrees to about 40 degrees. Some specialty wipes with certain features of thickness, material type, wipe size, etc., might use different angles.

FIG. 2A is a drawing showing elevated side view of the lid of FIG. 1A. Wipe opening 201 can be seen to be defined by the guide wall 203 of the interior ridge 107.

FIG. 2A also illustrates the wet well and seal. An upper internal wall 235 and upper internal ridge 233 define a recessed wet well. Combined with a cover wall 237, when the cover 160 is closed, the cover wall 237 slidingly engages the upper internal wall 235 to provide a sealing action, such as by an interference fit, to substantially prevent internal wipe dispenser fluid from leaking out as well as to minimize loss of the internal wipe dispenser fluid through evaporation (i.e. to significantly improve shelf-life, a time before the wipes dry out). The wet well also helps to capture any fluid that might drip from the wet wipe during a wet wipe pull.

FIG. 2B is a drawing showing the process of drawing a wipe in a direction 225 as guided by guide wall 203 in a motion 222 into an acceptance area 205. From acceptance area 205, continuing the motion 222, the wipe is further drawn into the angled keyhole channel 135, and then at least in part into the circular opening 125, both also referred to as the “aperture”. Finally, the wipe is pulled from the wet wipes dispenser. During the pull, both of the angled walls 113, and the frusto conical section 110 provide a funnel for the wipe to pass through the aperture, as well as a squeegee action to substantially prevent excess fluid loss and/or splattering of fluid. Substantially all of the excess fluid is returned to the dispenser body by the combination of the angled walls 113, and the frusto conical section 110. A user diagram can be optionally imprinted on the underside of openable cover 160 (e.g. FIG. 2A) can provide instructions according to the method of FIG. 2B. FIG. 15 is a drawing showing another view of the user instructions, “INSERT WIPE INTO APERTURE AND PULL”.

FIG. 3 shows a drawing of a side view of the lid of FIG. 1A. FIG. 4 shows a drawing of an elevated front view of the lid of FIG. 1A. FIG. 5 shows a drawing of a front view of the lid of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 6 shows a drawing of an elevated back view of the lid of FIG. 1A. FIG. 7 shows a drawing of a lower elevation back view of the lid of FIG. 1A. FIG. 8 shows a drawing of a back view of the lid of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 9 shows a drawing of a top view of the lid of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 10A shows an isometric drawing of a bottom view of the lid of FIG. 1A. The inside and lower views of interior wall 105 and interior ridge 107 can be seen in FIG. 10A. Outer lid wall 109 can optionally include on an interior surface at least one or more ridges 1061 and/or at least one or more troughs 1063. Ridges 1061 and/or troughs 1063 can mate to corresponding features (e.g. ridge 1301, end stop 1303, FIG. 13) on the body of the wipes dispenser (1300, FIG. 13) or to a relatively featureless corresponding surface of the body of the wipes dispenser to help affix the lid 100 to the wet wipes body. There can also be any suitable interference fit, such as, for example between an interior surface of outer lid wall 109 and a corresponding surface of the body of the wet wipes dispenser. In some embodiments, any suitable hinge can be used to swingingly affix openable cover 160 to the lid base section 150, such as, for example, molded hinge 1033, where a relatively thin line section can be used to facilitate a hinge action.

FIG. 10B is a drawing showing more detail of the underside (interior wet wipes body side) of the keyhole squeegee 101. Optional channels can be seen on the interior surfaces of the frusto conical section 110. The channels can be of any suitable cross section, such as, for example, U shaped, rectangular shaped, circular shaped, etc. While four U shaped channels are shown in the exemplary lid 100 of FIG. 10A, any suitable number of channels (at least one or more) can be added to the underside or interior surface of the frusto conical section 110 to enhance and improve the squeegee action of the keyhole squeegee 101.

Also, as illustrated by FIG. 10B, in some embodiments, there can further be a recessed ledge 1045 as, for example, can be defined by an underside keyhole squeegee wall 1047. The recessed ledge 1045 and underside keyhole squeegee wall 1047 further guide the squeegeed wet wipe fluid back into the body of the wet wipes dispenser. Accordingly, the drip edge action of underside keyhole squeegee wall 1047 further helps to prevent undesired splatter, such as through wet wipe opening 201.

FIG. 10C is a drawing showing a rounding over of features of FIG. 10B. In some embodiments, for example, edge 1035 (represented by three lines in FIG. 10C) and/or vertical angled edge 1037 can be rounded over to facilitate travel of the wet wipe without undesirable catching or tearing. Any suitable radius of round can be used. The radius need not be a circular section, it is only important in such embodiments to “break” the edge for a rounded over edge, to mitigate catching and tearing on passage of the wet wipe out of the keyhole which might happen if either or both edges include sharp transitions, such as sharp or “crisp” edges.

FIG. 11 shows another isometric drawing of a bottom view of the lid of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 12 shows a drawing of a bottom view (interior of the wet wipes dispenser lid, facing the interior of the wet wipes body, e.g. FIG. 13, wipes 999) of the lid of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing an exemplary dispenser body 1300 suitable for use with a wet wipe lid with frusto conical squeegee according to the Application.

FIG. 14A is a drawing showing a wipe pulled through a wet wipe opening. FIG. 14B is a drawing showing a wipe as guided by guide wall in a motion into an acceptance area of the keyhole squeegee. FIG. 14C is a drawing showing the wipe continuing the motion, where the wipe is further drawn into the angled keyhole channel FIG. 14D is a drawing showing the wipe in the angled keyhole channel at least in part into the circular opening of the frusto conical section.

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing an exemplary ridge 1601 used for an interference fi between the reclosable cover 160 and the dispenser lid base section 150. Any suitable interference fit can be used, such as, for example, a ridge or trough, or any combination thereof.

In summary, and with reference to the exemplary lid 100 of the figures, a lid 100 for a wet wipes dispenser includes a dispenser lid base section 150 and a cover 160 reclosable to the dispenser lid base section 150. The dispenser lid base section 150 includes an interior wall 105 supporting an interior ridge 107 defining a wet wipe opening 201. A keyhole squeegee 101 is disposed in the interior ridge 107 and extends into the wet wipe opening 201. The keyhole squeegee 101 has angled walls 113. The angled walls 113 define an angled keyhole channel 135 leading to an open side of a frusto conical section 110. The angled walls 113 and the frusto conical section 110 extend outward from the interior ridge 107. The reclosable cover 160 can close with the dispenser lid base section 150, such as by any suitable interference fit.

The new 3D frusto conical squeegee can be used with a wide variety of wet wipe types, thicknesses, sheet dimensions, and wet wipe material types. For some types of wet wipes, the wet wipe is typically guided substantially into the about circular opening of the frusto conical section and drawing from there. In other cases, a wet wipe can be drawn through a combination of the angled walls (through the angled keyhole channel) and the about circular opening of the frusto conical section. In some embodiments the lid and 3D keyhole squeegee can be dimensioned for the expected properties of a wet wipe.

A wet wipe lid with frusto conical squeegee according to the Application can have any suitable dimensions. Testing has shown that many lids according to the Application can have a substantially universal nature for most wet wipes currently on the market. However, the inventive concept of the Application can be applied to any suitable sized or type wipes. For example, there could be a larger dimensioned 3D frusto conical squeegee lid according to the application for “giant” industrial wet wipes. Or, there could similarly be a relatively small dimensioned 3D frusto conical squeegee lid according to the application for “micro” wipes for cleaning very small machine parts or mechanisms.

Example: For common wet wipe types and wet wipe thickness and sheet dimensions, in one exemplary non-limiting embodiment, the following dimensions have been found to be effective: circular opening of the frusto conical section, about 0.2″; length of angled keyhole channel, about 0.5″; width of angled keyhole channel, about 0.2″ wide end, to about 0.07″ narrow end; height of 3D structure, about 0.13″, with walls angled about 70 degrees.

A wet wipe lid with frusto conical squeegee according to the Application can be made from any suitable material. Typically, the lid is manufactured from any suitable plastic or thermoplastic. Suitable plastics include, for example, polypropylene, a high density polyethylene, etc.

A wet wipe lid with frusto conical squeegee according to the Application can be manufactured by any suitable manufacturing process. Typically, the lid is molded, such as by an injection molding process.

There may also be applications of a 3D frusto conical squeegee lid for dry wipes, or dry sheets of any type. In such cases, the 3D frusto conical squeegee lid can be employed for its sheet guiding properties alone.

It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. A lid for a wet wipes dispenser comprising:

a dispenser lid base section comprising: an interior wall supporting an interior ridge defining a wet wipe opening; a keyhole squeegee disposed in said interior ridge and extending into said wet wipe opening, said keyhole squeegee having angled walls, said angled walls defining an angled keyhole channel leading to an open side of a frusto conical section, said angled walls and said frusto conical section extending outward from said interior ridge; and

a reclosable cover.

2. The lid of claim 1, wherein said keyhole squeegee is disposed at about a front of said lid.

3. The lid of claim 1, wherein said keyhole squeegee is disposed about opposite to a hinge of said openable cover.

4. The lid of claim 1, further comprising at least one or more channel walls disposed on an interior surface of said frusto conical section.

5. The lid of claim 4, wherein said one or more channel walls comprise an about U cross section or an about rectangular cross section.

6. The lid of claim 4, wherein said one or more channel walls comprise an about circular cross section.

7. The lid of claim 1, wherein said interior ridge defines an about oval opening.

8. The lid of claim 1, comprising a recessed surface disposed in said interior ridge about adjacent to said frusto conical section.

9. The lid of claim 1, wherein said openable cover comprises a ridge or a trough.

10. The lid of claim 1, wherein said angled walls comprise an angle in a range of about 90 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to a broad surface of said interior ridge.

11. The lid of claim 1, wherein said angled walls comprise an angle in a range of about 90 degrees to 70 degrees with respect to a broad surface of said interior ridge.

12. The lid of claim 1, wherein an outer wall of said lid comprises a ridge or a trough adapted to mate to a wet wipe dispenser body.

13. The lid of claim 1, wherein said lid further comprises a wet well.

14. The lid of claim 13, wherein said wet well is defined by an upper internal wall and an upper internal ridge.

15. The lid of claim 1, wherein said reclosable cover to said dispenser lid base section comprises a wall which slidingly engages an upper internal wall to provide a seal when said openable cover is closed.

16. The lid of claim 1, wherein said reclosable cover comprises an interference fit with said dispenser lid base section.

17. The lid of claim 1, wherein said keyhole squeegee comprises at least one rounded over edge feature.

18. The lid of claim 1, wherein said lid comprises a polypropylene.

19. The lid of claim 1, wherein said lid comprises a high density polyethylene.

20. A method of drawing a wet wipe from a wet wipe dispenser comprising

providing a wet wipe dispenser with a keyhole squeegee including an angled keyhole channel leading to an open side of a frusto conical section and a lid guide wall disposed in a lid of said wet wipe dispenser;

drawing a wet wipe through an opening in said lid;

guiding said wet wipe along said lid guide wall into said keyhole squeegee; and

drawing said wet wipe through said keyhole squeegee to remove said wet wipe while removing an excess wet wipe fluid which is returned to a body of said wet wipe dispenser.