Wipe dispensing system

Abstract

A thin profile wipe dispensing container is provided for dispensing wipes from the edge of a stack of wipes. The dispensing container has a contoured shape to minimize shelf space and integrate with any space and includes an angled container body and hinged lid that snaps shut. The lid is flush with the container body when closed providing the thin profile wipe dispensing container that may easily and economically be used, stored and transported. The container body may further include a removable bridge in an open mouth of the container body with a dispensing aperture through which the wipe may be drawn. The container body may also include a spring device for maintaining the position of the wipes within the dispensing container to help dispense one wipe at a time.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of prior application Ser. No. 10 / 803,353, filed Mar. 19, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to a packaging system for wipes and more particularly to a thin profile wipe dispensing container with improved storage and dispensing features. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Pre-moistened disposable towelettes or wipes were developed out of a need for convenience where water may not be available. Wipes may be used on a variety of target surfaces in the home and business. A user may easily and conveniently hand wipe over a target surface using the wipe to clean, polish or otherwise treat the target surface in some manner. As is well known in the art, a pre-moistened wipe can be any wipe, towel, tissue or sheet like product including natural fibers, synthetic fibers, synthetic material and combinations thereof, that is wet or moist or becomes wet during use or prior to use. The wipe may be saturated with an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a thin profile wipe dispenser that is designed to store and dispense stacked wipes. It has a thin-profile upright container body with an open end and a lid that can be closed and snapped onto the container body. The wipes can be accessed through a finger opening and drawn through a dispensing aperture in the container body. The container body also includes a spring to hold the wipes in position to improve dispensing of one wipe at a time. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a convenient and efficient way to dispense thin wipes in a compact and easy-to-use design."

Problems solved by technology

For example, when packaged in the tub, the wipes have a tendency to dry out because of repeated lid openings and the lid's failure to completely reclose over repeated use.

The tubs are bulky making transport and storage more difficult.

Similarly, the wipes in softpacks dry out because the “peel and reseal” feature becomes less effective over time.

Also in the case of stacked wipes, it is often difficult to separate a single wipe from the rest of the wipe stack and from the container.

The leading edge, particularly when folded, may not be readily identifiable.

Also, it may also be difficult for the user to grip a sufficient amount of the leading edge such that the leading edge portion of the wipe is torn without dispensing of a single wipe.

There is also a tendency for the wipes to adhere to each other.

Although rolled logs of wipes in canisters generally tend to stay wetter longer and occupy less shelf space than the tubs, the user cannot determine how many wipes are left on the log and they are particularly susceptible to mold because of non-uniform wetting and to “chaining” wherein more than one wipe is dispensed at a time through the flexible opening in the lid.

If not used right away, the exposed wipe tends to dry out and is wasted.

If the wipe is not drawn through the flexible opening, as in the case of starting the first wipe or one that has receded into the canister, a user may try to grasp the wipe through the flexible opening but usually cannot readily maneuver the wipe from inside the canister through the flexible opening.

The user's finger often gets caught in the opening and the wipe remains inaccessible (a “dropping / trapping problem”).

This failure necessitates complete removal of the entire canister lid in order to (again) draw the wipe through the flexible opening.

In having to remove the entire lid, the dispensing feature of the wipe canister thereby becomes useless for its intended purpose and the entire roll of wipes is exposed to possible contamination and dries out faster.

The wipes in a canister are also prone to wrinkling, twisting and bunching.

In order to dispense the wipes from a canister, the canister must be upright which limits its use and storage possibilities.

The cylindrical shape of the canister is also not that space efficient on shelves.

In addition, the canister lids often wear out necessitating their disposal after one use and the two-piece construction (canister and lid) often means higher production costs.

There have been several attempts to address these problems but none have been entirely successful.

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