Closure assembly
The closure assembly with reinforcing walls and a detachable frame addresses the challenge of easy access and structural integrity in dispenser lids, providing efficient and cost-effective separation of articles without damage.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PROFESSIONAL DISPOSABLES INTERNATIONAL INC
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing dispenser lids for articles such as nonwovens, tissues, and wet wipes face challenges in allowing easy access without damaging the closure assembly, particularly due to interleaving issues and the need for additional space for separation devices like tab members, which increase cost.
A closure assembly with a frame having a base and detachable portion, featuring reinforcing walls and a hingedly coupled lid, allows easy access by defining an orifice and using reinforcing walls to maintain structural integrity during detachment, and includes features like handles and tear grooves for easy removal.
The solution enables efficient and cost-effective access to container contents without damaging the closure assembly, ensuring easy separation of articles while maintaining the integrity of the lid structure.
Smart Images
Figure US2026010873_23072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] 082943.0249
[0002] PATENT
[0003] CLOSURE ASSEMBLY CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0004] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
[0005] 63 / 745,405 filed January 15, 2025, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER
[0007] The disclosed subject matter relates to a container closure assembly for articles, and particularly to a device, system, and method of operating a closure assembly.
[0008] DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0009] Dispenser lids for articles such as nonwovens, tissues, and wet wipes are well known in the art. Such articles may be provided as moistened, but also dry or with lotion, therapeutic, and / or medicine, and are often generally rectangular in shape and supplied interleaved, as discrete sheets, or separably connected. Dispensers for such articles typically include an opening through which the articles can be removed. The opening of the dispenser can be covered by a label, closure assembly, or a lid that may be opened by, for example, having an adhesive that may be sealed and unsealed repeatedly, or by having a hinged cover that can be opened and closed repeatedly. Some wipes packages include a detachable portion disposed underneath the hinged lid that can be used to seal the opening prior to use. The detachable portion can include perforated or otherwise weakened edges which can define the removable portion and assist a user in peeling away the removable portion. Excessively weakening the edges of the detachable portion allows for an end user to more easily remove the portion along the tear line but can lead to the tear line extending into and damaging other portions of the lid.
[0010] Some existing lids include an aperture to access one or more wipes within the container. Unfortunately, the interleaving of wipes can make it difficult to properly separate each wipe082943.0249
[0011] PATENT
[0012] from a following wipe with the existing lids, which can lead to unintended roping when a user is trying to access a single wipe. Other lids may have a separation device such as a tab member as disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2023 / 0219726A1, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, to address this issue. However, such tab members can increase the cost of the lid and require additional space accommodations within the lid to accommodate the tab member.
[0013] There thus remains a continued need for an efficient and economic system for allowing a user to easily access the interior of a container without the risk of damaging the container’s closure assembly. The presently disclosed subject matter satisfies these and other needs.
[0014] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER
[0015] The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in and are apparent from the description that follows, as well as will be learned by practice of the disclosed subject matter. Additional advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be realized and attained by the devices particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.
[0016] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described, the disclosed subject matter includes a closure assembly for a container, comprising: a frame configured to be coupled to a container, the frame having a base and detachable portion, the base defining an orifice when the detachable portion is detached from the base and configured to allow a plurality of articles in the container to pass through the orifice, the base having a base reinforcing wall disposed about an inner periphery thereof, the detachable portion having an outer reinforcing wall disposed about an outer periphery thereof; and a lid hingedly coupled to the frame and movable between a closed position and an open position.082943.0249
[0017] PATENT
[0018] In another embodiment, the base reinforcing wall is disposed on a top surface of the base and / or the base reinforcing wall is disposed on a bottom surface of the base. In another embodiment, the closure assembly further includes a second base reinforcing wall disposed on a top surface of the base. In some embodiments, the base defines a plurality of lobes and the base reinforcing wall is disposed along an outer periphery of the lobes, wherein the plurality of lobes includes a first, second, and third lobe, wherein the first, second, and third lobe define a holding passageway of the orifice configured to aid in a separation of a leading article of the plurality of articles from an adjacent article. In other embodiments, the outer reinforcing wall is disposed on a top surface of the detachable portion. In other embodiments, the detachable portion includes a primary cover panel and a secondary cover panel, wherein a ratio of a surface area of the primary cover panel to the secondary cover panel is at least 50: 1, wherein the outer reinforcing wall includes an annular section disposed on the primary cover panel and at least one linear section disposed on the secondary cover panel, wherein the annular section is contiguous with the at least one linear section, wherein the at least one linear section includes three longitudinal walls in the shape of a “Y”, wherein a bottom surface of the detachable portion includes a bottom reinforcing wall disposed at least along the secondary cover panel, wherein the bottom reinforcing wall is configured to provide rigidity to the detachable portion as the detachable portion is detached from the base, wherein the bottom reinforcing wall includes three longitudinal walls in the shape of a “Y”. In other embodiments, the frame further comprises a tear groove that releasably couples the base and the detachable portion. In other embodiments, the detachable portion comprises a handle configured to aid removal of the detachable portion from the base, wherein the handle includes at least one of a tab member, a pull ring, or a flange, wherein the handle is coupled with and contiguous with the outer reinforcing wall. In other embodiments, at least one of the base reinforcing wall and the outer082943.0249
[0019] PATENT
[0020] reinforcing wall comprises a perimeter bead. In other embodiments, the frame is configured to couple to the container by at least one of heat sealing or adhesive.
[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a dispenser comprising: a container comprising a plurality of articles; and a closure assembly coupled to the container, the closure assembly comprising: a frame configured to be coupled to a container, the frame having a base and detachable portion, the base defining an orifice when the detachable portion is removed from the base and configured to allow the plurality of articles in the container to pass through the orifice, the base having a base reinforcing wall disposed about an inner periphery thereof, the detachable portion having an outer reinforcing wall disposed about an outer periphery thereof; and a lid hingedly coupled to the frame and movable between a closed position and an open position.
[0022] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description and drawings are examples and are provided for purpose of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter in any manner.
[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the devices of the disclosed subject matter. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosed subject matter.
[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The subject matter of the application will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:082943.0249
[0026] PATENT FIG. 1 A is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the closure assembly in an open position and FIG. IB is a top perspective view of the closure assembly in a closed position according to the disclosed subject matter.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a removeable portion of the closure assembly of FIG. 1A.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the closure assembly of FIG. 1A without the removeable portion of FIG. 2.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the closure assembly according to the disclosed subject matter.
[0030] FIGS. 5 A and 5B are top perspective views of the closure assembly in a closed position coupled with flexible wipes containers, according to the disclosed subject matter.
[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with the detailed description of the system.
[0033] As disclosed herein, the devices presented herein can be used for storing and dispensing articles, and can comprise a package body and a closure assembly, the closure assembly including a removable portion.
[0034] Solely for purpose of illustration, an embodiment of a closure assembly 100, is shown schematically in FIGS. 1 A and IB. The examples herein are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter in any manner. Particularly, and as illustrated, the closure assembly 100 has a base frame 110 and a lid or cover panel 140 couplable to the base frame 110. The lid082943.0249
[0035] PATENT
[0036] or cover panel 140 is movable between a closed position and an open position, including any transition positions there between. FIG. 1 A depicts the closure assembly in the open position and FIG. IB depicts the closure assembly in the closed position. As best shown in FIG. IB and FIGS. 5 A and 5B, the lid or cover panel 140 can additionally include a finger tab 160 to allow an end user or consumer to grip the lid or cover panel and move the lid or cover panel between the open position as shown and the closed position. The closure assembly can further include other features as desired, such as but not limited to, a compartment for a tail of a wipe to be stored. The base frame 110 can be formed in any suitable general shape including an oval, a rectangle, a rounded rectangle, a square, and can have any combination of rounded or substantially straight edges. Additionally, the lid frame can be formed generally of any of the above shapes and can include at least one additional protruding portion on any edge that can aid in the attachment of the closure assembly to a suitable container or packaging by increasing the surface area of the lid frame in a specific manner. For examples, FIG. 1A depicts a base frame 110 that is formed by a generally oval or rounded rectangular shape with three rounded edges and three straight edges.
[0037] The cover panel can be coupled to the base frame along a longitudinal side thereof by a hinge 155, such as but not limited to a living hinge, a butterfly hinge, a bi-fold hinge, a butt hinge, a concealed hinge, or a continuous hinge. Alternatively, the cover panel can be separable from the base frame without a tether. When hingedly coupled, the cover panel can be independently, fully extended at any suitable angle, such as for example, up to approximately 180°. In alternative embodiments, the lid or cover panel and base frame can be coupled together along a transverse side of the closure assembly.
[0038] The cover panel further includes sidewalls 130, as shown in FIG. 1A. As shown, the sidewalls are perpendicular to the cover panel and extend about a perimeter of the interior of082943.0249
[0039] PATENT
[0040] the cover panel. The sidewalls 130 are structured to complement the structure of the base frame such that the sidewalls can be housed within the base frame in the closed position to define a compartment, such as storing a tail of a wipe therein. As shown in FIG. 1A, the base frame includes a structure with sidewalls 150 that are in a complementary shape with the sidewalls 130 of the cover panel. The structure receives the sidewalls 130 therein to create an enclosed compartment.
[0041] The cover panel and base frame can further include any number of suitable features. Such features are further described in PCT Publication No. WO 2016 / 007846 and U.S. Patent No. 8,939,320, the content of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. For example, the lid or cover panel 140 can include a clasp 145 that mates with a ridge 146 of the base frame 110 to close the lid or cover panel and in some embodiments, seal the contents of a container coupled thereto, such as by a hermetic seal or plug seal.
[0042] Still referring to FIG. 1A, the base frame can comprise a detachable portion 180. The detachable portion 180 is configured to be removed from the base frame 110 to define an orifice 135 within the base frame 110 to allow for a plurality of articles to pass through the orifice 135. The detachable portion 180 can be made of the same material as the base frame 110 and can be connected to the base frame 110 about a periphery of the detachable portion 180 at a tear groove 190 that releasably couples the base frame 110 to the detachable portion 180. The detachable portion 180 is configured to be removed from the base frame 110 along the tear groove 190 to define the orifice 135 through which the plurality of articles can pass through in use. The detachable portion 180 can comprise a top surface facing an inner surface of the cover panel in the closed position and a bottom surface that faces an interior of a container and adjacent the plurality of articles therein. The detachable portion 180 can comprise an outer reinforcing wall 183 disposed about an outer periphery on the detachable portion 180. The082943.0249
[0043] PATENT
[0044] outer reinforcing wall 183 is configured to increase the structural integrity and / or the strength of the detachable portion along the tear groove such that the base frame 110 is not inadvertently torn or damaged during removeable of the detachable portion 180 from the base frame 110. In some embodiments, the outer reinforcing wall 183 extends about the entire periphery of the detachable portion 180. In other embodiments, the outer reinforcing wall 183 extends only partially about the periphery of the detachable portion 180. The outer reinforcing wall 183 can be made of the same material as the detachable portion and / or the base frame and can extend away from either the top surface or the bottom surface. The outer reinforcing wall 183 can comprise a perimeter bead.
[0045] The top surface can further include a handle 181 configured to aid in the removal of the detachable portion from the base frame. In some embodiments, the handle 181 can comprise at least one of a tab member, a pull ring, grip, or a flange. In some embodiments, the handle is coupled to and / or contiguous with the outer reinforcing wall such that force applied to the handle 181 is directly translated to the outer reinforcing wall 183 to separate the detachable portion 180 from the base frame 110 along the tear groove 190 as the handle is pulled along the direction “D”. The detachable portion 180 can be made of a flexible material, like polypropylene or polyethylene, for example, and is configured to flex or bend about an axis perpendicular to the pulling direction “D”. The tear groove 190 can be weakened during manufacturing to aid in the removal of the detachable portion. Suitable mechanisms for weakening the tear groove prior to use can include including perforations, making the tear groove thinner than the remaining portions of the base frame, or other alternative weakening mechanisms known in the art.
[0046] Turning now to FIG. 2, the detachable portion 180 is defined generally by an oval shape with respect to the majority of the detachable portion. In other embodiments, the detachable082943.0249
[0047] PATENT
[0048] portion can be defined by a circle or a polygon, such as a triangle, rectangle, pentagon, or the like. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the detachable portion comprises a primary cover panel 201 having the oval shape body and a secondary cover panel 202. The primary cover panel 201 is configured to create an orifice in the frame to allow a user to easily reach their hand or fingers through the orifice to grasp an article and pull it through the orifice. In some embodiments, the outer reinforcing wall 183 comprises an annular section 205 that is disposed about the entire periphery of the primary cover panel.
[0049] The secondary cover panel 202 can be smaller than the primary cover panel. The secondary cover panel is defined by one or more protrusions 203 that extends from the primary cover panel towards an outer edge of the base frame. As shown in FIG. 2, the one or more protrusions of the secondary cover panel 202 includes two protrusions that in turn define a plurality of lobes 304 of the frame, as further described herein. As, in FIG. 2, the plurality of lobes includes three lobes. In some embodiments, the secondary cover panel can comprise one, two, three, four, or five protrusions. In some embodiments, the secondary cover panel includes a neck 204 that can couple with the one or more protrusions 203. In some embodiments, the secondary cover panel comprises a reinforcing wall, such as along the neck 204 and the one or more protrusions 203. In some embodiments, the annular section 205 is contiguous or continuous with the reinforcing wall of the secondary cover panel.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the secondary cover panel 202 includes at least one linear section disposed on the secondary cover panel 202. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the at least one linear portion 206 includes three longitudinal walls in the shape of a “Y” that couple with the outer reinforcing wall 183. At least one linear portion 206 is contiguous with the annular section 205. The linear walls are configured to increase the rigidity of the detachable portion 180 at the neck 204 such that the separation force applied in the direction “D” causes the one or more082943.0249
[0051] PATENT
[0052] protrusions 203 to separate from the plurality of lobes 304 as a unit. Accordingly, the detachable portion 180 flexures along the neck 204, which acts as a pivot zone such that the protrusions move as a unit into the space defined by a container below the plane of the base frame for easy and convenient removal of the detachable portion 180 in a single pull along direction “D” The reinforcing walls of the detachable portion 180 provide structural rigidity thereof to ensure the detachable portion is configured to separate along the tear groove 190.
[0053] As shown in the figures, the primary cover panel has a greater surface area than the secondary cover panel. In some embodiments, the ratio of the surface area of the primary cover to the surface area of the secondary cover panel is 50: 1. In other embodiments, the ratio can be any ratio between 100: 1 and 2:1, including all intermediate ratios such as at least 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 10:1, 11:1, or 12:1.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 3, the base frame 110 can be seen with the detachable portion 180 already removed. As illustrated, the base frame 110 comprises a base reinforcing wall 301 about a periphery of the orifice defined in the base frame 110. When the detachable portion 180 is attached to the base frame 110, the base reinforcing wall is disposed adjacent to the tear groove 190. The base reinforcing wall 301 is disposed around the entirety of the orifice 135 defined by the detachable portion 180. Similar to the outer reinforcing wall 183, the base reinforcing wall 301 is configured to increase the structural integrity of the base frame such that the base frame is not inadvertently damaged or tom when the detachable portion 180 is removed by preventing the tear line to depart from the tear groove into the base frame. The base reinforcing wall 301 and a planar rim 305 of the base frame 110 can further serve as a surface to drag a wipe across to remove any excess moisture or solution on an oversaturated wipe. The base reinforcing wall 301 can be formed of the same material as the base frame 110 and extends away from the plane defined by the base. The base reinforcing wall 301 can be082943.0249
[0055] PATENT
[0056] disposed in a facing relationship to the outer reinforcing wall 183 such that the tear groove 190 is defined by a thin portion of material between the outer reinforcing wall 183 and the base reinforcing wall 301. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the base reinforcing wall 301 extends around the orifice that was defined by the removal of the primary cover panel 201 and the secondary cover panel 202.
[0057] The base frame 110 can include the planar rim 305 which can further define the plurality of lobes 304 of the base frame 110. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the base frame 110 comprises a first lobe, a second lobe, and a third lobe. The first, second, and third lobes define a holding passageway of the orifice configured to aid in a separation of a leading article of the plurality of articles from an adjacent article when the articles pass through the orifice during use. In some embodiments, the base reinforcing wall is disposed at an outer edge of each lobe. While three lobes are depicted in the FIG. 3, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any suitable number of lobes could be included such as two, four, five, six or a plurality of lobes without departing from the subject matter of the disclosure.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 4, a bottom perspective view of the closure assembly according to embodiments is illustrated. The bottom surface of base frame 110 includes a bottom base reinforcing wall 404 that is configured similarly to the outer reinforcing wall 183 that is disposed on the top surface of the base frame 110. The bottom base reinforcing wall 404 is disposed entirely around and external to the outer edge of the detachable portion 180 and defines the orifice 135 once the detachable portion 180 is removed from the closure assembly 100. The closure assembly can include either of the outer reinforcing wall 183 or the bottom base reinforcing wall 404, or both.
[0059] The bottom surface of the detachable portion 180 includes a bottom reinforcing wall 402. As shown in FIG. 4, the reinforcing wall is disposed at the bottom of the secondary cover082943.0249
[0060] PATENT
[0061] panel and is formed of a plurality of linear structures that extend away from the plane of the detachable portion 180 and towards the articles within the container. As depicted in FIG. 4, the bottom reinforcing wall 402 includes a reinforcing structure 405 including 3 linear portions in the shape of a “Y”. A portion of the reinforcing structure 405 extends along the neck and into the primary cover panel 201 of the detachable portion. The bottom reinforcing wall 402 provides structural integrity and rigidity to the two illustrated protrusions that form the secondary cover panel 202. As the detachable portion is removed from the closure assembly 100, the bottom reinforcing wall 402 allows for the tearing force to be applied to both edges of each protrusion in parallel such that the removable portion can be removed with one pulling force in the direction “D” away from the handle. This configuration allows for easy removal by an end user by preventing the detachable portion from remaining attached at any portion along the protrusions.
[0062] FIGS. 5A and 5B is a perspective view of the closure assembly 100 in a closed position and coupled to a container 501 and a pouch 502, according to the disclosed subject matter. The closure assembly 100 is configured to be coupled to either a flat container, such as container 501, or a stand-up pouch, such as pouch 502, to form a dispenser or container 500, 505 for dispensing wipes. The closure assembly 100 is configured to be coupled to the container by at least one of heat sealing or adhesive. In some embodiments, the container is a flexible package. In other embodiments, the container is a rigid housing. In the embodiment of FIG. 5A, the closure assembly 100 is coupled to a flexible container such that the closure assembly 100 is parallel to a bottom surface of the container 501. In the embodiment of FIG. 5B, the closure assembly 100 is coupled to a flexible pouch such that the closure assembly is disposed on a surface of the pouch that is adjacent to the base. In embodiments disclosed herein, the flange 310 of the base frame 110 can be coupled to the container to form a wipes dispenser using a heat seal. In some embodiments, an upper surface of the flange 310 can be connected to an082943.0249
[0063] PATENT
[0064] interior upper surface of the container to form the dispenser. In this embodiment, the abutment and sealing of the upper surface of the flange with the interior of the container further prevents the closure assembly 100 from detaching from the container during overly forceful opening and closing of the closure assembly. Additionally, attaching the flange to an interior surface of the container facilitates attachment because the materials of the flange and inner surface are similar and therefore have similar melting points which allows for heat sealing. In other embodiments, a lower surface of the flange 310 is configured to be coupled to an exterior surface of the container to form the dispenser. The flange can be any suitable width to achieve to sealed connection with the container, such as up to 150 millimeters (mm), and 10%-90% of the width of the flange can be connected to the container. The closure assembly 100 can alternatively be coupled together with the container by another suitable mechanism.
[0065] The container 500 can contain any article capable of dispensing through the closure assembly 100. For example, the article can include baby wipes, moist toilet tissue or dry tissues, wipes, nonwoven materials, woven materials, facial pads, and the like. As such, the article can by dry, moist, or wet and include lotions, chemical formulations, and the like. When the closure assembly is provided with a container coupled thereto, the closure assembly in the closed position hinders evaporation of moisture of any wet wipes therein or can keep dry products therein protected from an external environment. Articles, such as wet wipes, within the container 500 can be dispensed via a tortuous path as desired to further hinder evaporation. Further details regarding suitable dispensers and containers can be found in the commonly assigned U.S. Publication No. 2014 / 0048553, entitled “Dispenser,” and in the commonly assigned U.S. Publication No. 2014 / 0103058, entitled “Wipes Dispenser and Disposal,” the contents of each of which is incorporated by reference in their entireties. The closure assembly can be any suitable size, shape, and material of construction to enable articles to be dispensed therethrough.082943.0249
[0066] PATENT
[0067] The closure assembly can be manufactured by any known method, such as but not limited to, injection molding, thermoform, compression molding, or co-inj ection molding. The components can be made of any suitable material or mixture of materials, including but not limited to polymeric materials, such as flexible resin materials and / or rigid resin materials including polyethylene and polypropylene. According to embodiments described herein, the outer reinforcing wall 183, the bottom base reinforcing wall 404, and the base reinforcing wall 301 can be any suitable thickness, for example, up to 5 mm in thickness. In some embodiments, the outer reinforcing wall 183 and the base reinforcing wall 301 are the same thickness. In alternative embodiments, the outer reinforcing wall 183 and the base reinforcing wall 301 are different thickness. According to embodiments described herein, the outer reinforcing wall 183, the bottom base reinforcing wall 404, and the base reinforcing wall 301 can be any suitable height, for example, up to 20 mm height. In some embodiments, the outer reinforcing wall 183, the bottom base reinforcing wall 404, and the base reinforcing wall 301 are the same height. In alternative embodiments, the outer reinforcing wall 183, the bottom base reinforcing wall 404, and the base reinforcing wall 301 are different heights such that the base reinforcing wall 301 and the bottom base reinforcing wall 404 are taller. In some embodiments, the neck 204 is thinner and shorter than the annular section 205 of the outer reinforcing wall 183. In some embodiments, the neck 204 of the outer reinforcing wall includes edges that taper along the protrusions of the secondary cover panel. In some embodiments, the bottom reinforcing wall 402 can be up to 5 mm in thickness and up to 20 mm in height. In some embodiments, the bottom reinforcing wall is the same height and thickness as the base reinforcing wall on the bottom surface of the base frame. In alternative embodiments, either of the bottom base reinforcing wall 404 or the bottom reinforcing wall 402 can be thicker or taller than the other. Suitable materials for the closure assembly include polymers or plastics including but not limited to polyethylene and polypropylene.082943.0249
[0068] PATENT
[0069] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a method of operating a dispenser, comprises providing a container and closure assembly as further described herein. The method includes moving the cover panel between the closed position and the open position and removing the detachable portion to access the wipes in the internal cavity. The method includes removing a wipe through the orifice and using the lobes to separate a leading wipe from the following wipe. The method further includes retaining the following wipe using the lobes after the leading wipe has been removed.
[0070] While the disclosed subject matter is described herein in terms of certain preferred embodiments and representative examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and improvements can be made to the disclosed subject matter without departing from the scope thereof. Additional views of the closure assembly can be found in two U.S. Design Applications, U.S. Des. Appln. Nos. 29 / 984,624 and 29 / 984,635, each entitled “Closure Assembly” by inventors Gerard Cahalan and Josephine Allakpo, which were both filed on January 15, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Additional features known in the art likewise can be incorporated, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,939,320; 9,272,831; 10766671; and D729,062; and International Publication No. WO 2016 / 007846, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by their entireties. Moreover, although individual features of one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter can be discussed herein or shown in the drawings of the one embodiment and not in other embodiments, it should be apparent that individual features of one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment or features from a plurality of embodiments.
[0071] In addition to the various embodiments depicted and claimed, the disclosed subject matter is also directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the082943.0249
[0072] PATENT
[0073] features disclosed and claimed herein. As such, the particular features presented herein can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the disclosed subject matter such that the disclosed subject matter includes any suitable combination of the features disclosed herein. Thus, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the disclosed subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed subject matter to those embodiments disclosed.
[0074] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the device, system and method of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
082943.0249PATENT CLAIMS1. A closure assembly for a container, comprising:a frame configured to be coupled to a container, the frame having a base and detachable portion,the base defining an orifice when the detachable portion is detached from the base and configured to allow a plurality of articles in the container to pass through the orifice, the base having a base reinforcing wall disposed about an inner periphery thereof, the detachable portion having an outer reinforcing wall disposed about an outer periphery thereof; anda lid hingedly coupled to the frame and movable between a closed position and an open position.
2. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the base reinforcing wall is disposed on a top surface of the base.
3. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the base reinforcing wall is disposed on a bottom surface of the base.
4. The closure assembly of claim 3, further comprising a second base reinforcing wall disposed on a top surface of the base.
5. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the base defines a plurality of lobes and the base reinforcing wall is disposed along an outer periphery of the lobes.
6. The closure assembly of claim 5, wherein the plurality of lobes includes a first, second, and third lobe, wherein the first, second, and third lobe define a holding passageway of the orifice configured to aid in a separation of a leading article of the plurality of articles from an adjacent article.
7. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer reinforcing wall is disposed on a top surface of the detachable portion.082943.0249PATENT8. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the detachable portion includes a primary cover panel and a secondary cover panel.
9. The closure assembly of claim 8, wherein a ratio of a surface area of the primary cover panel to the secondary cover panel is at least 50:1.
10. The closure assembly of claim 9, wherein the outer reinforcing wall includes an annular section disposed on the primary cover panel and at least one linear section disposed on the secondary cover panel, wherein the annular section is contiguous with the at least one linear section.
11. The closure assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one linear section includes three longitudinal walls in the shape of a “Y”.
12. The closure assembly of claim 9, wherein a bottom surface of the detachable portion includes a bottom reinforcing wall disposed at least along the secondary cover panel, wherein the bottom reinforcing wall is configured to provide rigidity to the detachable portion as the detachable portion is detached from the base.
13. The closure assembly of claim 12, wherein the bottom reinforcing wall includes three longitudinal walls in the shape of a “Y”.
14. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a tear groove that releasably couples the base and the detachable portion.
15. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the detachable portion comprises a handle configured to aid removal of the detachable portion from the base.
16. The closure assembly of claim 15, wherein the handle includes at least one of a tab member, a pull ring, or a flange.
17. The closure assembly of claim 16, wherein the handle is coupled with and contiguous with the outer reinforcing wall.082943.0249PATENT18. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the base reinforcing wall and the outer reinforcing wall comprises a perimeter bead.
19. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to couple to the container by at least one of heat sealing or adhesive.
20. A dispenser comprising:a container comprising a plurality of articles; anda closure assembly coupled to the container, the closure assembly comprising:a frame configured to be coupled to a container, the frame having a base and detachable portion, the base defining an orifice when the detachable portion is detached from the base and configured to allow the plurality of articles in the container to pass through the orifice, the base having a base reinforcing wall disposed about an inner periphery thereof, the detachable portion having an outer reinforcing wall disposed about an outer periphery thereof, anda lid hingedly coupled to the frame and movable between a closed position and an open position.