Aperture for dispensing wipes

Abstract

The present invention relates to provide a dispensing aperture for a container comprising vertically stacked wipes, which provides improved sequential dispensing of the contained wipes while permitting enhanced accessibility to the wipes within the container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 783,003 filed on 16 Mar. 2006.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to containers for dispensing wipes. More specifically, the invention is directed to a pop-up dispensing aperture for a container containing vertically stacked wipes.BACKGROUND[0003]Containers for dispensing wipes, and in particular pre-moistened wipes, are well known in the art. Wipes are typically supplied as a stack in sheet form from a generally rectangular-shaped box or dispenser. The dispenser has an opening, typically at the top, through which individual wipes are removed by the user. Wipes may also be stacked and packaged in a refill softpack.[0004]Early wipe dispensers were of the “reach-in type”. The user had to insert his or her fingers through the dispensing opening, grasp a wipe, and pull it out through the dispensing opening.[0005]Over time, the desire for increased conveni...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]The present invention is further directed to a process of dispensing wipes 3 contained within a container 2, wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) providing a container 2 suitable for containing and dispensing vertically stacked wipes 3, wherein the container 2 defines a plane 5 which forms an angle of at least about 20 degrees with a virtual vertical plane; (b) providing a dispensing aperture 1 located in the plane 5, wherein the dispensing aperture 1 comprises at least three flaps 4 extending substantially towards the interior of the dispensing aperture

Problems solved by technology

One problem frequently encountered in the pop-up dispensing packages of the prior art is the transition from the reach-in dispensing mode in which the product is shipped to the pop-up dispensing mode which is preferred by the consumer.

However, the latter does not provide satisfactory accessibility to the contained wipes and the force required for the dispensing operation may be regarded as excessive by some users.

Although these solutions partially alleviate the above-mentioned drawbacks, the disclosed dispensing openings are strictly designed to function with horizontally stacked wipes and the associated dispensing containers tend to occupy excessive surface on the shelves or on cupboards.

Incidentally, the problem of accessing the initial wipe is particularly exacerbated in the case of vertically standing packages as the corresponding vertically stacked wipes typically provide even less grabbing surface than in the case of horizontally stacked wipes.

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