i PORTABLE SUPPLIER BACKGROUNDDispensers for wet cleaning cloths and other substrates come in a wide variety of types and styles. Frequently, there is a desire of the consumer to have a dispenser that is highly portable and suitable for placement in the car, the home, a bag, a diaper bag or other luggage. There are dispensers that are small enough to be used in a portable manner. Current portable dispensers can be inadvertently opened by subjecting the contents of the dispenser to dirt, contamination or even having the wet cleaning cloths fall out ruining the contents. This can be especially true if the spout is thrown accidentally, and then sticks on a hard surface such as the floor. Therefore, it is important that the dispenser has a secure closure to maintain the contents and prevent them from spilling inadvertently. However, at the same time, the contents of the dispenser need to be easily accessible without an undue problem to access the wet cleaning cloths when required. Frequently, wet wipes are used to clean up spills or during the process of putting diapers on a child. The ease of use of the spout is important for these tasks when the speed or ability to open the spout using only one hand is an advantage. Thus there is a need for a dispenser that securely holds cleaning cloths within the dispenser while at the same time providing easy access to them when required.
SYNTHESISThe inventors have determined that such a need can be satisfied by having a dispenser with an upper part, a bottom and a lid. The upper part is fastened to the bottom on a first side, and the cover can be fastened to the bottom on a second side opposite the top. Therefore, when the dispenser is closed, the upper part is prevented from opening relative to the bottom unless the lid is opened first. The spout can be easily filled by first opening the lid and then opening the top to gain access to the interior of the spout.
Therefore, in one aspect, the invention resides in a spout that includes an upper part attached to a bottom on a first side, a top joined to the bottom on a second side and where the upper part can only be opened after it is opened the part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe above aspects and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings wherein:Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an incorporation of a partially open spout.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of an incorporation of a closed spout.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an incorporation of a fully open jet.
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of an incorporation of the spout with the lid open and the top closed.
Figure 5 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a lid.
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the lid of Figure 5.
Figure 7 illustrates a replacement bag housing a plurality of wet wiping cloths.
The repeated use of the reference characters in the description and in the drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.
DEFINITIONSAs used herein, the forms of the words "comprise", "have", and "include" are legally equivalent and are open end. Therefore, additional non-recited elements, functions, steps or limitations may be present in addition to recited elements, functions, steps or limitations.
As used herein, "substrate" is a flexible sheet or tissue material, which is useful for housing tasks, items for personal care, for health care, for wrapping food and the application or removal of cosmetics. Non-limiting examples of suitable substrates of the present invention include nonwoven substrates, woven substrates, hydroentangled substrates, air entangled substrates, paper substrates comprising cellulose such as facial tissue, toilet paper or paper towels, waxed paper substrates, coform substrates, wet wiping cloths, film or plastic substrates such as those used for wrapping food, and metal substrates such as aluminum foil. Additional examples of suitable substrates include an essentially dry substrate (eg less than 10% by weight of water) containing surfactants for foaming and conditioning agents either impregnated in or applied to the substrate so that wetting of the substrate with water before use, provide a personal cleaning product. Such substrates are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,980,931 entitled "Cleaner Products Having an Essentially Dry Substrate", issued to Fauler et al. On November 9, 1999. Other suitable substrates may have encapsulated ingredients so that the capsules are broken during assortment or use. Other suitable substrates include the dry substrates that deliver the liquid when subjected to shear and compressive forces. Such substrates are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,121,165 entitled "Wet Type Cleaning Articles" issued to Mackay et al. On September 19, 2000. In addition, substrates laminated or stacked together of two or more layers of either the preceding substrates are suitable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIt should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of example embodiments only and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present invention, the broader aspects of which are involved in the example construction. .
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, an incorporation of the substrate jet 20 is shown. The spout 20 can be made of any materials such as polyolefins, styrenics or other semi-rigid plastics or any combination thereof. The dispenser 20 includes an upper part, a bottom 24 and a lid 26. The upper part 22 is joined to a first side 28 of the bottom 24 by a first hinge 30. The cover 26 is joined to a second side 32 of the bottom 24 by a second hinge 34. Since the lid 26 is hinged to the bottom 24, the lid 26 must first be opened to open the top portion 22 as best shown in Fig. 1. Thus, in the event that the dispenser 20 drop, the upper part 22 is less likely to open and spill the contents of the spout since the upper part 22 is restricted from opening by the lid 26 and the bottom 24. The upper part 22 may be restricted from opening in where it matches the bottom 24, and the upper part 22 can be restricted from opening by the overlapping lid 26. Therefore, the two methods can be used to prevent the upper part from opening by providing a more spill-proof spout . In one embodiment, top 22 and lid 26 were hinged on opposite sides of bottom 24. In another embodiment, top 22 and lid 26 were hinged to adjacent sides of bottom 24.
The upper part 22 and the lid 26 can be attached to the bottom 24 by living hinges, separate hinge pieces, hinges formed using one or more bolts that fit within one or more holes, flexible strips, adhesive tape seams or any other method to bind two components together as known by those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the upper part 22 was fastened to the bottom 24 by a first hinge 30 that was a living hinge. As such, the upper part 22 and the bottom 24 can be molded as a unitary piece. In one embodiment, the lid 26 was a separate piece that was fastened to the bottom 24 by one or more appendages 33 that fit within one or more grooves 35 in the bottom 24 as best seen in Figures 4, 5 and 6. Appendages and grooves can be designed so that the parts adjust with pressure together making removal or separation difficult. The appendages 33 can be attached to the lid 26 by the second hinge 34, to which it can be a living hinge. Alternatively, the upper part 22, the bottom 24 and the lid 26 can be separately molded pieces that are clamped together, or the three pieces can be molded as an integral assembly.
In one embodiment, the bottom 24 was a tube 36 having a floor 38 and an upright side wall 40. Located on the upper edge 42 of the upright side wall 40 is a sealing flange 44 extending essentially along the perimeter of the wall. the upper edge 42. The tube 36 is essentially rectangular in shape, even when this is not necessary, and the tube 36 may be of suitable shape or size such as a square, round, polygon, etc. The edges where the erect side wall 40 meets the floor 38 may be radiated and the corners of the rectangular side wall 40 may also be radiated or rounded. This can make the supplier 20 more comfortable to hold.
In several embodiments, the overall height of the bottom, Hb, may be less than, equal to, or greater than about half the general height of the spout 20. For example, the bottom 24 may comprise the majority of the overall height of the spout. spout and top 22 can be relatively flat. Conversely, the upper part 22 may comprise the majority of the general height of the spout and the bottom 24 may be relatively flat. Alternatively, the top and bottom may be approximately the same height.
In several embodiments, the overall height of the bottom, Hb, may be between about 0.25 inches to about 2 inches, or between about 0.25 inches to about 1.5 inches, or between about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch. inch. The overall height of the spout, Hd, can be between about 0.5 inches to about 4 inches, or between about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches, or between about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches.
In one embodiment, top 22 was a main lid 46 allowing access to tube 36 and main lid 46 included an upper surface 48 having a spout 50 and a widening side wall 52. With main lid 46 open , the tube 36 can be filled with a plurality of wet wiping cloths or other substrates. Located on the lower edge 54 of the broadening side wall 52 is a sealing recess 56 extending essentially along the perimeter of the lower edge 54. The sealing recess 56 and the sealing flange 44 can be sized to a light interference fit so that the top 22 and the bottom 24 match together. Alternatively, the sealing recess 56 and the sealing flange 44 can be sized to guide the upper part 22 and the bottom 24 while closing without interference.
Alternatively, the sealing flange 44 and / or the sealing recess 56 can be modified so that the upper part 22 and the bottom 24 removably close together as known to those skilled in the art. For example, a bead may be located on the sealing flange 44 that snaps shut in a groove on the sealing recess 56. Alternatively, the sealing flange 44 may fit or match between the sealing recess 56 and an additional flange extending from the main lid 46 creating a slot for the sealing flange 44 to fit inside. Alternatively, either the main cap 46 or the tube 36 may have one or more projections that match a suitable recess in the opposite portion. Regardless of the specific mechanism used, it is desired that the main cover 46 latch, snap or fit tightly with the tube 36 so that if the spout 20 is inverted and supported by the tube 36 with the lid 26 open, the the main lid 46 and the tube 36 will not separate or open due to the gravity acting on the main lid 46. The latch, the snap closure or the tight fit should not be too large to avoid a person who can open the main lid 46 in relation to the tube 36 to fill the spout.
The upper part 22 is essentially rectangular in shape, even when this is not necessary, and the upper part 22 can be of any convenient size or shape such as square, round, polygon, etc. The edges where the broadening side wall 52 meets the top dispensing surface 48 can be radius and the corners of the rectangular broadening side wall 52 can also be radiated or rounded. This can make the supplier 20 more comfortable to hold. The upper part 22 or the main lid 46 can also have a surface texture 55 located opposite the first hinge 30 as best seen in FIG. 4. The upper surface, such as a series of molded lines or grooves, can help with the opening of the main lid 46 to fill the tube 36.
In several embodiments, the overall height of the upper part, Ht, may be less than, equal to, or about half the overall height of the spout 20. For example, the upper part 22 may comprise the majority of the overall height of the spout and the bottom 24 can be relatively flat. Conversely, the bottom part 24 may comprise the majority of the overall height of the spout and the top 22 may be relatively flat. Alternatively, the top and bottom may be of approximately the same height. In several embodiments, the overall height of the upper part, Ht, may be between about 0.25 inches to about 2 inches, or between about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch, or between about 0.25 inches to about of 0.75 inches.
It may be advantageous to make the upper part 22 shorter than the bottom 24 as this may make it easier to refill the spout with fresh wet cleaning cloths. For example, if the wet cleaning cloths are packed in a replacement bag or other flexible packaging, having the tube 36 extending in height, Hb, more than half the overall height of the dispenser, Hd, can help to bend the seals of the replacement bag up and out of the way to assist in closing the main lid 46 on the tube 36. Alternatively, if the bottom 24 is higher than the top 22, it may be easier to fill the tube 36 with a stack of cleaning cloths and have the battery less likely to fall out as it will be better contained by the tube. In several embodiments of the invention, the ratio of the bottom height to the height of the spout, Hb / Hd may be between about 0.51 to about 0.9, or between about 0.53 to about 0.75, or between about from 0.55 to around 0.65.
In one embodiment, the upper dispensing surface 48 of the main lid 46 included an aperture recess 58 for easier access to an aperture tab 60 located on the lid 26. The main cap 46 also includes one or more orifice flanges 62 which extend from the upper dispensing surface 48 for improved sealing of the dispensing orifice 50. The dispensing orifice 50 may be of any shape or size. Preferably, the spout orifice is sized to be smaller than the dimensions of the cap or top to create strength when the cleaning cloths are dispensed and may be round, oval or square. The spout orifice may be a flexible opening or slit in a rubber-type material as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,523,690; 6,592,004; and 6,766,919.
In one embodiment, the lid 26 has a mini cap 64 that covers only a portion of the upper part 22 such as a portion of the upper surface 48 and the spout 50. The mini cap 64 can be hingedly attached to the erect side wall 40 of the tube 36. As such, the mini lid 64 can be first opened to open the main lid 46 as best seen in Figure 1. Therefore, in the event that the spout 20 is pulled, the main lid 46 does not it is possible to open it by spilling the contents of the spout 20. The main cap 46 is secured by both the sealing recess 56 and the sealing flange 44, and by the overlapping mini cap 64 hinged to the tube 36.
In one embodiment, the mini lid 64 was of "L" shape having an overlapping section 66 that contacts the upper surface 48 and the pivoting extension 68. The pivoting extension 68 can be reinforced with one or more ribs 69 as it is known by those experts in the art. Extending from the overlap section 66 may be one or more dispensing flanges 70 that match the orifice flange 62. For example, there may be two dispenser flanges 70 such as a higher outer supply flange 72 and a shorter inner supply flange 74. The orifice flange 62 can match between the two dispensing flanges 72 and 74 when the mini cap 64 is closed, forming an essentially air-tight seal. Alternatively, other methods known to those skilled in the art can be used to form an air-tight seal essentially when the mini lid 64 is closed.
In one embodiment, the lid 26 or the mini lid 64 included an opening tab 60 located on the overlap section 66 opposite the pivot extension 68. The opening tab can be of any convenient size or shape to help open the lid 26. This can be located on any part of the lid 26, but is desirably located on the overlap section 66. Desirably the opening tab 60 has a downward turn or is lower in elevation with respect to the overlap section 66 as shown in FIG. see better in figure 6. This protects the front edge of the opening tab 60 since at least a part of the opening tab is placed in the opposite recess 58 where it is much less feasible to get caught on the edge of a bag , a bag, or pocket thus inadvertently opening the mini cap as best seen in figure 2.
The lid 26 or the mini lid 64 may further include a latch recess or latch projection 76 that matches a closing projection or closure recess 78 on the top 22 to securely hold the lid 26 closed. For example, the lid 26 may have a latch or latch projection and the top 22 a latch recess, or the lid 26 may have a latch or latch recess and the top 22 a latch projection. Alternatively, the lid 26 and the top 22 can both have a projection such as two hooks or latches that match an interference that secures the lid 26 in closed form. To help open the lid 26, at least a portion of the lid 26 or the top 22 is flexible such that when the opening tab 60 is hooked by a finger, the mechanism holding the closed lid 26 is more easily unhookedReferring now to Fig. 7, a plurality of wet wipers 80 are placed in a flexible bag 82 having at least one seal 84 or opposed seals 84 located on either end of the bag. The bag 82 includes a removable label 85 that can help retain moisture from the cleaning wipes during shipping. The tag 85 can be removably attached to the bag 82 by an adhesive. The label 85 is removed to expose an assortment opening 86 for the assortment of the wet cleaning wipes 80. The flexible bag has a stamp height, Hs, of at least one seal 84 as shown. In one embodiment, the bottom 24 of the spout 20 has a height, Hb, which is greater than the seal height Hs. The bottom 24 can have a global width, W, or the length L, which is less than the overall seal length, Lp, of the flexible bag 82 measured between the opposite sealed ends or measured from one side of the flexible bag 82 to the end of at least one seal 84. Seals 84 may be located on both ends, both sides on just one side, or on both sides.
By sizing the bottom 24 in this manner, the seals 84 of the bag can be folded upward to one side of the upstanding side wall 40 of the tube and outside of the top edge 42 where they could prevent closure of the top 22 when the bag 22 is inserted into the spout 20. Additionally, by having one or more seals 84 bent upward and exerting pressure on the erect side wall 40, the pouch 82 is partially restricted from moving or slipping around inside the interior of the pump.
In an alternate incorporation of the spout, the spout hole 50 in the upper surface 48 can be eliminated. In this embodiment, the lid 26 still closes with the top part and at least partially overlaps the top part, but the spout 20 is tried for the assortment to reach inside. To use the spout, the lid 26 must be opened and then the top 22 must be opened to access the interior of the spout. Since the upper part 22 can be restricted by the lid 26 and the snap closure setting with the bottom 24, the spout is less likely to open inadvertently if it is accidentally pulled.
Other modifications and variations of the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly established in the attached clauses. It is understood that the aspects of the various incorporations can be exchanged in whole or in part. All cited references, patents, or patent applications in the present patent application are incorporated herein by reference in a consistent manner. In the case of inconsistencies or contradictions between the references incorporated and this request, the information presented in this application shall prevail. The present description, given by way of example in order to allow one with ordinary skill in the art to practice the claimed invention, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims and all equivalents of the invention. the same.