Wet Wipe Container with Integrated Spray Pump to Prevent Moisture Loss

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional baby wipe warmers cause moisture evaporation and discoloration in wipes due to heating, which affects their intended use and effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A baby wipe warmer with a fluid pump dispenser that maintains moisture and prevents discoloration by integrating a spray pump mechanism within the housing, allowing for the direct application of moisturizer onto the wipes while keeping the compartment sealed, thereby preventing air and moisture loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heating element is added to warm the wipes, then warmth is provided to comfort the infant, but moisture evaporates and wipes discolor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewipe temperatureVSAvoidmoisture loss

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The spray pump mechanism is activated before or during the warming process to pre-moisten the wipes. This preliminary action ensures that the wipes receive moisture before heat exposure, preventing evaporation and discoloration while maintaining the intended function of the warmer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A sealed compartment is introduced as an intermediary between the heating element and the wipes. This compartment controls the thermal environment, allowing warmth to be provided while preventing direct exposure to air that would cause evaporation and discoloration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If heating element is added to warm the wipes, then warmth is provided to comfort the infant, but wipes discolor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewipe temperatureVSAvoiddiscoloration

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spray pump mechanism is activated before or during the warming process to pre-moisten the wipes. This preliminary action ensures that the wipes receive moisture before heat exposure, preventing evaporation and discoloration while maintaining the intended function of the warmer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A sealed compartment is introduced as an intermediary between the heating element and the wipes. This compartment controls the thermal environment, allowing warmth to be provided while preventing direct exposure to air that would cause evaporation and discoloration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If compartment is sealed to prevent moisture loss, then moisture is maintained, but air and moisture loss occurs without sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture contentVSAvoidsealing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is merged with the existing compartment structure of the wipe warmer. The compartment itself is designed to be sealable, integrating the sealing mechanism into the housing rather than adding a separate complex sealing system. This maintains moisture while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively maintains wipe moisture and prevents discoloration, ensuring that wipes remain effective and usable by providing a warm, moistened product for skin care without evaporation or browning.

Implementation Method 1

a spray pump mechanism (20) integrated into the housing (11) and adapted to dispense a moisturizing fluid onto the stack of wipes (13)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Implementation Method 2

Many of these warming elements are electrically operated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The seal is adapted to seal about the periphery of the spray pump mechanism outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS10548438B2Wet wipe container with spray pump dispenser

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 MUNCHKIN INC

AI summary

A wet wipe container having a housing having an internal compartment for holding wet wipes, a lid and a moisturizing spray dispenser. The lid has a dispensing opening through which wipes are dispensed and a dispensing opening lid for covering the dispensing opening while not in use. The moisturizing spray dispenser has an outlet positioned to dispense fluid directly onto the wet wipes in a storage position in the housing.