Container of wipes with dispensing nozzle

Abstract

Referring to FIG. 6. The invention relates to a container of wipes (3) with a dispensing nozzle (20). The housing (4) is provided containing wet wipes (10). The dispensing nozzle (20) extends from the housing. The nozzle (20) is formed with a resilient aperture (21) through which wipes can be withdrawn from the housing. The resilient aperture (21) is expandable to allow withdrawal of (wipes 10) therethrough, but is biased toward a contracted state. In use a wipe can be withdrawn through the nozzle and separated by rupturing the perforations joining the wipe to a next adjacent wipe with the nozzle expanding as required to allow passage of the wipe through the nozzle aperture. The nozzle contracts around the tail of the next adjacent wipe to prevent release of moisture from the inside of the housing and to help prevent wicking of moisture from a wipe tail.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application ser. no. 12 / 664,179 filed 30 Mar. 2010 with a claim to the priority of British application 0617067.7 filed 29 Aug. 2006, British application 0710596.8 filed 4 Jun. 2007, and PCT application PCT / GB2007 / 003267 filed 29 August 2007 and published 5 Mar. 2008 as WO2008 / 025980.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a container of wipes with a dispensing nozzle. More particularly this invention concerns.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Wipes are generally sold in two types of dispensing container:[0004]1) Hard plastic tubs with removable lids which feature a narrow outlet aperture from which the wipes are dispensed. The tub is then sealed with a cap which covers the aperture in order to prevent moisture loss from the tub.[0005]2) Soft packs with hermetically sealed side edges and with a mouth in the middle of the top side of the pack from which to access ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a device that can dispense different types of wipes from their containers. The device has a mechanism that can change the size of a hole, which helps to control the size of the wipes and the amount of moisture they have. This allows the device to be flexible and easy to use while keeping the wipes wet. The device also helps to break the bonds between the wipes so that they don't stick together and become difficult to use. Overall, this device allows for a wider variety of wipes to be dispensed from their containers and improves the user experience.

Problems solved by technology

There are three main problems associated with soft pack containers.

Constant repetition of this process can be frustrating to the user.

A second problem occurs if the separable bonds between the wipes fail to rupture as the wipes are removed.

This results in a ‘stream’ of wipes being inadvertently extracted from the soft pack container when only one was required.

Third, if the sealing strip or hard plastic lid of the soft pack is not closed properly, moisture will emerge from the container and the wipes which are intended to be moist, will dry out.

Three problems are associated with plastic hard tub containers which are similar to those associated with soft pack containers.

First, when a wipe is withdrawn from it, the line of perforations ruptures before the wipe is fully withdrawn through the end cap aperture.

This results in the tail of the next wipe being left inside the container.

Second if the lines of perforations separating the wipes fail to rupture as the wipe is removed, a ‘stream’ of wipes being inadvertently extracted when only one was required.

A third problem is that if the cap of the hard plastic container is inadvertently left open, moisture will escape through the aperture and the wipes, which are intended to be moist, will dry out.

However, it is not apparent how successful this device is at retaining moisture within the container, thereby ensuring that wipes, when dispensed are sufficiently wet.

The dispenser shown is relatively complex and comprises a significant number of discrete and relatively complex molded items.

However, there still remains the problem, when withdrawing wipes from the container, that either perforations rupture before the wipe is fully withdrawn or lines of perforations separating the wipes fail to rupture, resulting in a stream of wipes being dispensed.

This can result in a leading wipe and a following wipe being separated before the following wipe has exited the nozzle especially if the nozzle features an elongated web contact surface.

The narrowness of the hole makes it difficult for the user to feed the first wipe through for subsequent dispensing.

However, it is still difficult to thread wipes through the nozzle, and wipe separation is still uncertain in use.

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