US20150144649A1 - Wet Wipe Refill Container Indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a wet wipe refill container and a wet wipes dispensing system. Users frequently refill empty wet wipe dispensers with wet wipes removed from a wet wipe refill container. The user can have difficulty estimating the correct number of wipes to remove from the wet wipe refill container when filling the wet wipe dispenser to maintain dispensing functionality. The wet wipe refill container includes an indicator to assist users in determining the recommended refill thickness of wet wipes to place into the empty wet wipes dispenser.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
• There are a variety of storing and dispensing containers in the market, particularly those for storing and dispensing wipe type products. Wipe-type products or wipes have been made from a variety of materials which can be dry or wet when used. Wet wipes can be moistened with a variety of suitable wiping solutions. Such wet wipes have been used for baby wipes, hand wipes, personal care wipes, household cleaning wipes, industrial wipes and the like.
• Conventional dispensers of wipes have often included a plastic container, tub or package that provides a sealed environment for the wet wipes to ensure that they do not become dirty or overly dry. Oftentimes, when the wet wipes have been consumed from the wet wipe dispenser, users refill the wet wipe dispenser with wet wipes removed from a wet wipe refill container. The user realizes increased value by purchasing a wet wipe refill container of wet wipes since they are not spending money for an additional or a new wet wipe dispenser. Consumers also appreciate environmental sustainability by being able to reuse the wet wipe dispenser and avoid packaging waste.
• An example of a current wet wipe refill container is a flexible film package in the form of a bag that contains a stack of wet wipes as is well known to those skilled in the art. Some commercial wet wipe refill containers include graphic instructions on the outside of the container showing how to place the refill wet wipes inside of the wet wipe dispenser. The current commercial wet wipe containers do not give an indication of how many wet wipes should be placed within wet wipe dispenser. Consumers often have difficulty determining how many wet wipes should be removed from the wet wipe refill container that will fit into the wet wipe dispenser and still allow for functional dispensation from the wet wipe dispenser. For example, if too many wet wipes are placed into the dispenser, the wipes will jam the opening of the dispenser causing the wipes to tear as they are being pulled out of the opening or cause a complete clog that does not allow for any wipes to be dispensed.
• The issue of determining the number of wet wipes to be removed from the wet wipe refill container becomes exacerbated for consumers who use multiple types of wet wipe dispensers. For example, while wet wipes are most commonly used in conjunction with diapering, wet wipes are increasingly being used for non-diapering purposes, such as for cleaning of the face and hands, cleaning up messes, and other uses. Hence, a consumer may use a traditional “tub” type of wet wipe dispenser in a baby's room and a smaller, “on the go” type of wet wipe dispenser that more easily fits into an automobile or a diaper changing bag. As such, a need currently exists for a wet wipe refill container that indicates the number of wet wipes that should be removed from the wet wipe refill container that will adequately fit into the desired type of wet wipe dispenser to provide functional dispensation.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
• In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a refill container having a height dimension. The container includes a bottom wall and at least one side wall that is contiguous with the bottom wall and the side wall extends upward from the bottom wall in the height dimension. The container has an exterior surface and an interior surface. The container further includes an access opening. The container houses a plurality of articles stacked in the height dimension. The container further includes a graduated scale disposed on the side wall such that the graduated scale includes a first graduation. The first graduation is spaced a recommended refill thickness from the bottom wall in the height dimension.
• In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a refill container having a height dimension. The refill container includes a bottom wall and a first side wall and a second side wall that is contiguous with the bottom wall and the first side wall and the second side wall extend upward from the bottom wall in the height dimension. The refill container has an exterior surface and an interior surface. The refill container further includes an access opening. The refill container houses a plurality of articles stacked in the height dimension. The refill container includes a first graduated scale disposed on the first side wall or the second side wall such that the first graduated scale includes a first graduation of the first graduated scale. The first graduation is spaced a first recommended refill thickness upward from the bottom wall in the height dimension. The refill container additionally includes a second graduated scale disposed on the first side wall or the second side wall such that the second graduated scale includes a first graduation. The first graduation of the second graduated scale is spaced a second recommended refill thickness upward from the bottom wall in the height dimension.
• In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a wipes dispensing system that includes a first refillable wipe dispenser adapted to house a stack of wipes having a first recommended refill thickness and a second refillable wipe dispenser adapted to house a stack of wipes having a second recommended refill thickness wherein the first recommended refill thickness is different than the second recommended refill thickness. The wipes dispensing system also includes a refill container having a height dimension. The refill container includes a bottom wall and a first side wall and a second side wall that is contiguous with the bottom wall and the first side wall and the second side wall extend upward from the bottom wall in the height dimension and the first side wall and the second side wall have a width dimension that is perpendicular to the height dimension. The refill container further includes an access opening. The refill container houses a plurality of articles stacked in the height dimension. The refill container includes a first graduated scale disposed on the first side wall or the second side wall such that the first graduated scale includes a first graduation of the first graduated scale. The first graduation of the first graduation scale is spaced a first recommended refill thickness upward from the bottom wall in the height dimension. The refill container additionally includes a second graduated scale disposed on the first side wall or the second side wall such that the second graduated scale includes a first graduation of the second graduated scale. The first graduation of the second graduated scale is spaced a second recommended refill thickness upward from the bottom wall in the height dimension.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The present invention will be more fully understood and further features will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Like parts of the packages depicted in the drawings are referred to by the same reference numerals.
• FIG. 1A representatively illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the refill container of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 1B representatively illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of the refill container of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 1C representatively illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of the refill container of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 2A representatively illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of the refill container of the present disclosure in an open configuration.
• FIG. 2B representatively illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of the refill container of the present disclosure in a closed configuration.
• FIG. 3A representatively illustrates a perspective view of a stack of wet wipes.
• FIG. 3B representatively illustrates a side view of the stack of wet wipes illustrated inFIG. 3A.
• FIG. 4A representatively illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure where the refill container is housing a stack of wet wipes stacked in the height dimension relative to the bottom wall.
• FIG. 4B representatively illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure where the refill container is housing a stack of wet wipes stacked in the width dimension relative to the bottom wall.
• FIG. 4C representatively illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the present disclosure where the refill container is housing a stack of wet wipes stacked in the height dimension relative to the bottom wall.
• FIG. 5A representatively illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure where the refill container has a first graduated scale with a first graduation.
• FIG. 5B representatively illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure where the refill container has a first graduated scale with a first graduation and a second graduation.
• FIG. 6A representatively illustrates a perspective view of a type of tub wet wipe dispenser.
• FIG. 6B representatively illustrates a plan view of the left end wall of the embodiment ofFIG. 6A.
• FIG. 7A representatively illustrates a perspective view of another type of wet wipe dispenser.
• FIG. 7B representatively illustrates a plan view of the left end wall of the embodiment ofFIG. 7A.
• FIG. 8A representatively illustrates a perspective view of a travel sized type of wet wipe dispenser.
• FIG. 8B representatively illustrates a plan view of the left end wall of the embodiment ofFIG. 8A.
• FIG. 9 representatively illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure where the refill container has a first graduated scale and a second graduated scale with separate centerlines.
• FIG. 10 representatively illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure where the refill container has a first graduated scale and a second graduated scale with common centerlines.
• FIG. 11 representatively illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure where the refill container has a first graduated scale, a second graduated scale and a third graduated scale with separate centerlines.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The present disclosure relates to a wet wipe refill container and a wet wipes dispensing system. When wet wipes are consumed from a wet wipe dispenser, users oftentimes refill the wet wipe dispenser with wet wipes taken from a wet wipes refill container. The user may have difficulty determining the correct number of wipes to remove from the wet wipe refill container to properly fill the wet wipe dispenser. It has been discovered that if too many wipes are placed in the interior space of the wet wipe dispenser, the user may encounter dispensing issues. Accordingly, if the number of wet wipes is stacked such that the top of the wet wipe stack is too firmly pressed against the inner surface of the wet wipe dispenser, dispensing of the top wipe or wipes in the stack can be impeded or even clog the access opening of the wet wipe dispenser. The wet wipe refill container of the present disclosure includes an indicator to assist users in estimating the appropriate number of wet wipes when refilling the empty wet wipe dispenser.
• A wet wiperefill container10 is illustrated inFIG. 1A. In an embodiment, the wet wiperefill container10 includes abottom wall12, at least oneside wall14a,14b,14cand14dthat is contiguous with thebottom wall12, and atop wall15. An access opening16 is provided for removal of thewet wipes24. The wet wiperefill container10 includes aheight dimension22 that is perpendicular to both the plane substantially defined by thebottom wall12 and the plane substantially defined by thetop wall15. The wet wiperefill container10 includes awidth dimension26 that is parallel to both the plane substantially defined by aside wall14a,14b,14c, and14dand the plane substantially defined by an opposingside wall14a,14b,14c, and14d. The wet wiperefill container10 includes anexterior surface18 and aninterior surface20.
• Theaccess opening16 is in the plane that defines the periphery of theaccess opening16. That is to say, the plane occupied by the perimeter of the access opening16 defines the periphery of theaccess opening16. In an embodiment, the access opening16 may be in a plane that is substantially parallel to a plane that is occupied by thebottom wall12 such that the access opening16 is in the plane occupied by thetop wall15 as shown inFIG. 1A. In an embodiment, the access opening16 may be in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to a plane that is occupied by thebottom wall12 such that the access opening is in the plane occupied by one of the side walls14 as shown inFIG. 1B. Types ofaccess openings16 may include but are not limited to press and seal or rigid lid type of openings.
• In an embodiment, the wet wiperefill container10, can be a rectangular parallelepiped as shown inFIG. 1A andFIG. 1B. Thetop wall15 may be a separate piece of material connected to theside walls14a,14b,14c, and14d. In an embodiment, the wet wiperefill container10 includes atop wall15 that is in the plane that is formed when the top of theside walls14a,14b,14c, and14d, that is, in theheight dimension22 upward from thebottom wall12, are brought together forming a polyhedron as shown inFIG. 1C. In an embodiment, the wet wiperefill container40 can be a cylinder wherein thebottom wall42 is connected to theside wall44 as shown inFIG. 2A. The wet wiperefill container40 forms a sack when adrawstring47 is pulled tight to close the access opening46 that is located upward from thebottom wall42 in theheight dimension52 as shown inFIG. 2B. Theside walls14a,14b,14c,14dand44 may be formed of one piece of material that is connected to or continuous with thebottom wall12, or theside walls14a,14b,14c,14dor44 may be two, three or four separate pieces of material connected to or continuous with thebottom wall12. Theside walls14a,14b,14c,14dor44 and thebottom wall12 may be formed from the same piece of material.
• Various components of the wet wiperefill container10 can be opaque or, alternatively, can be transparent or translucent to allow a visual inspection of the quantity of wipes remaining in the wet wiperefill container10. Various components of the wet wiperefill container10 can be made of various polymers, copolymers, and mixtures, including, e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and polystyrene. Various components of the wet wiperefill container10 can be rigid or flexible.
• Thewet wipes24 are stacked upon each other to form a stack ofwet wipes25 as is known in the art.FIG. 3A andFIG. 3B illustrate rectangularwet wipes24 in a stack ofwipes25 in a perspective view and a side view, respectively. In particular embodiments, thewet wipes24 are stacked upon each other to form a stack ofwet wipes25 and are disposed within the wet wiperefill container10 in theheight dimension22 as shown inFIG. 4A. In other embodiments, thewet wipes24 are stacked to form a stack ofwet wipes25 and are disposed within the wet wiperefill container10 in thewidth dimension26 as shown inFIG. 4B.FIG. 4C illustrates a stack of circularwet wipes25 disposed within the cylindrical wet wiperefill container40 in theheight dimension52.
• Wet wipedispensers100,120 or130 are adapted such that each wet wipe24 is to be extracted from thedispenser100,120 or130 preferably one at a time. Thewet wipes24 are desirably configured within thestack25 to provide “pop-up” dispensing. In such configurations, when a wet wipe24 is removed from the wet wipedispenser100,120 or130, the wet wipe24 pulls along the leading end of the succeeding wet wipe24, by virtue of the succeeding wet wipe24 being in operative contact with the leading wet wipe24 such as via interfolding, via adhesive bonding, or via an integral connection along a line of weakness. Preferably, as the leading wipe24 is pulled out of and away from thedispenser100,120 or130, the trailing end of the leading wet wipe24 breaks free from the leading end of the succeeding wet wipe24, and the leading end of the succeeding wipe24 is left protruding from thedispenser100,120 or130. In this way, the leading end of the succeeding wet wipe24 is immediately and automatically positioned for grasping and subsequent withdrawal from thedispenser100,120 or130, and what was previously the succeeding wet wipe24 now becomes a leading wet wipe24. Alternatively, thedispenser100,120 or130 may include a stack ofwet wipes25 in a non-interfolded configuration, for “reach-in” dispensing. For such a non-interfolded stack ofwet wipes25, each wet wipe24 may be folded onto itself with no portion of another wet wipe24 being positioned between or underneath any portion of the folds of the adjacent wet wipe(s)24.
• In particular embodiments, each of thewet wipes24 in the stack ofwet wipes25 are interfolded with one another, such as via c-folds, z-folds, or other zig zag folds. In other embodiments, thewet wipes24 in the stack ofwet wipes25 are interconnected via frangible lines of weakness. For example, thewet wipes24 can be arranged in thedispenser100,120 or130 as a continuous web of interconnectedwet wipes24 which are folded in an accordion-like stacked configuration. The individualwet wipes24 can be connected together along lines of frangibility, such as lines of perforations, to ensure that the trailing wet wipe24 is in position for grasping by the user after the leading wet wipe24 is removed. For example, thewet wipes24 can be provided by a continuous web of material which has a series of lines of frangibility extending across the width of the web. Each portion of the web of material between successive lines of frangibility constitutes an individual wet wipe24. The lines of frangibility can be provided by means known to those skilled in the art such as perforations, indentations, score lines, or cuts in the web of material.
• Materials suitable for thewet wipes24 employed in conjunction with the present disclosure are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, thewet wipes24 can be made from nonwoven materials such meltblown, coform, air-laid, or bonded-carded web materials, hydroentangled materials, high wet-strength tissue, or the like, and can comprise synthetic or natural fibers or combinations thereof. Thewet wipes24 of the present disclosure can contain a liquid which can be any solution which can be absorbed into or entrained within thewet wipes24. The liquid contained within thewet wipes24 can include components which provide the desired wiping properties. For example, the components can include water, emollients, surfactants, preservatives, chelating agents, pH buffers, fragrances, or combinations thereof. The liquid can also contain lotions, ointments, and/or medicaments. The amount of liquid contained within each wet wipe24 can vary depending upon the type of material being used to provide the wet wipe24, the type of liquid being used, the type of container being used to store the stack ofwet wipes25, and the desired end use of the wet wipe24. Generally, each wet wipe24 can contain from about 150 to about 600 weight percent and desirably from about 200 to about 400 weight percent liquid based on the dry weight of the wipe24.
• The wet wiperefill container10 has an indicator that is a graduatedscale59 marked on at least oneside wall14a,14b,14c,14dor44. The graduatedscale59 assists the user in determining the appropriate number ofwet wipes24 that should be removed from the wet wiperefill container10 that can be placed into the wet wipedispenser100,120 or130 for functional dispensation. As used herein, a “graduated scale”59 includes one or more graduations, such as marks, spaced at one or more predetermined intervals in the direction in which thewet wipes24 are stacked. While referring toFIG. 5A, in an embodiment, a wet wiperefill container10 houses a plurality ofwet wipes24 stacked in theheight dimension22. A first graduatedscale59 includes afirst graduation62 positioned on aside wall14aat a recommendedrefill thickness63 upward from thebottom wall12 in theheight dimension22. The “recommended refill thickness”63 as used herein means the height of a stack ofwipes25 that will fit into the particular wet wipedispenser100,120 or130 of interest to the user that allows for optimum functioning. While it may be possible to place morewet wipes24 than the number ofwet wipes24 that constitutes the recommendedrefill thickness63 into the particular wet wipedispenser100,120 or130, the drawbacks of impeded or clogged dispensing may be experienced by the user. Hence, the recommendedrefill thickness63 can be identified for a particular wet wipedispenser100,120, or130 such that dispensing functionality for the user is not negatively impacted.
• The wet wiperefill container10 of the present disclosure can contain any number of individualwet wipes24 that would be suitable for refilling the wet wipedispenser100,120 or130 of interest. For example, certain commercial HUGGIES® Natural Carewet wipes24 are available in a wet wipedispenser100 that is preloaded with sixty-fourwet wipes24. A corresponding HUGGIES® wet wiperefill container10 may be sold with significantly more than sixty-fourwet wipes24, such as, for example, two hundredwet wipes24. In one embodiment, the wet wiperefill container10 includes a graduatedscale59 that is marked with the recommendedrefill thickness63 that is the height of sixty-four HUGGIES® Natural Care wet wipes24.
• In an alternate embodiment, shown inFIG. 5B, a wet wiperefill container10 houses a plurality ofwet wipes24 stacked in theheight dimension22. In this embodiment, a first graduatedscale59 includes afirst graduation62 and asecond graduation64. Thefirst graduation62 is marked on aside wall14awith a recommendedrefill thickness63aupward from thebottom wall12 in theheight dimension22. Asecond graduation64 is marked on thesame side wall14athe recommendedrefill thickness63bupward from thefirst graduation62. In an embodiment, thewet wipes24 stacked above thesecond graduation64 may define a recommendedrefill thickness63cand may extend to thetop wall15. In an embodiment, the wet wiperefill container10 may haveadditional graduations62,64 marked within the first graduatedscale59 to include additional sections that define recommended refill thicknesses63, marked upward in theheight dimension22 from theprior graduation mark62 or64.
• In an embodiment, the graduation marks62 or64 can include words, numbers, letters, characters, symbols, shapes, lines, dots, colors, patterns, raised portions, depressed portions or combinations thereof and can be printed, etched, embossed, or the like. In an embodiment, the graduation marks62 or64 can be disposed on theinterior surface20 and/or on theexterior surface18 of the wet wiperefill container10. In an embodiment, graduation marks62 or64 that are disposed on theinterior surface20 of the wet wiperefill container10 may be visible and or tactilely detectable from theexterior surface18 of the wet wiperefill container10. In an embodiment, graduation marks62 or64 that are disposed on theexterior surface18 of the wet wiperefill container10 may be visible and or tactilely detectable from theinterior surface20 of the wet wiperefill container10. Each of these embodiments further assists the user in removing the recommendedrefill thickness63 from the wet wiperefill container10.
• Wet wipes24 may be used in conjunction with diapering and non-diapering purposes, such as cleaning of the face and hands, cleaning up messes, and other uses. Hence, a consumer may use a traditional “tub” type of wet wipedispenser100 in a baby's room where frequent diapering may occur and thus a greater number ofwet wipes24 is desired to be kept on hand than the number ofwipes24 that can be held in a smaller wet wipedispenser120 or130.FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment of a tub wet wipedispenser100 including abottom wall112,side walls114, atop wall115 and an access opening116. The tub wet wipedispenser100 has aninternal dispenser height101 that extends in theheight dimension22 from the interior of thebottom wall112 to the interior of thetop wall115. In an embodiment, theinternal dispenser height101 does not correspond to the recommendedrefill thickness63; instead, the recommendedrefill thickness63 is less than theinternal dispenser height101. A recommendedrefill thickness63 ofwet wipes24 that is the same height as theinternal dispenser height101 could in certain embodiments cause impeded or clogged dispensation from wet wipedispenser100.FIG. 6B is a plan view of theleft end wall114 of the embodiment ofFIG. 6A illustrating that theinternal dispenser height101 is greater than the recommendedrefill thickness63.
• A consumer may use a different wet wipedispenser120 for purposes other than diapering such as cleaning messes or wiping faces and such dispensers can be kept in other areas such as a garage or a kitchen.FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment of another wet wipedispenser120 including abottom wall122,side walls124, atop wall125 and anaccess opening126. The wet wipedispenser120 has aninternal dispenser height121 that extends from the interior of thebottom wall122 to the interior of thetop wall125. In an embodiment, theinternal dispenser height121 does not correspond to the recommendedrefill thickness73; instead, the recommendedrefill thickness73 is less than theinternal dispenser height121. A recommendedrefill thickness73 ofwet wipes24 that is the same height as theinternal dispenser height121 could in certain embodiments cause impeded or clogged dispensation from wet wipedispenser120.FIG. 7B is a plan view of theleft end wall124 of the embodiment ofFIG. 7A illustrating that theinternal dispenser height121 is greater than the recommendedrefill thickness73. For example, certain commercial HUGGIES® Natural Carewet wipes24 are available in a wet wipedispenser120 that is preloaded with fortywet wipes24 that are stacked in theheight dimension22; such a wet wipedispenser120 is illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B. The recommendedrefill thickness73 for this particular wet wipedispenser120 is fortywet wipes24.
• A consumer may use yet another wet wipedispenser130 for “on the go” convenience of a wet wipedispenser130 that can more easily fit into an automobile or a diaper changing bag.FIG. 8A illustrates an embodiment of an “on the go”, travel sized wet wipedispenser130 including abottom wall132,side walls134, atop wall135 and anaccess opening136. The travel sized wet wipedispenser130 has aninternal dispenser height131 that extends from the interior of thebottom wall132 to the interior of thetop wall135. In an embodiment, theinternal dispenser height131 does not correspond to the recommendedrefill thickness83; instead, the recommendedrefill thickness83 is less than theinternal dispenser height131. A recommendedrefill thickness83 ofwet wipes24 that is theinternal dispenser height131 could in certain embodiments cause impeded or clogged dispensation from the wet wipedispenser130.FIG. 8B is a plan view of theleft end wall134 of the embodiment ofFIG. 8A illustrating that theinternal dispenser height131 is greater than the recommendedrefill thickness83. For example, certain commercial HUGGIES® Natural Carewet wipes24 are available in a wet wipedispenser130 that is preloaded with sixteenwet wipes24 that are stacked in theheight dimension22; such a wet wipedispenser130 is illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8B. The recommendedrefill thickness83 for this particular wet wipedispenser130 is sixteenwet wipes24.
• In an embodiment, while referring toFIG. 9, the wet wiperefill container10 includes a first graduatedscale59 that includes afirst graduation62 and asecond graduation64. Thefirst graduation62 is placed a firstrecommended refill thickness63aupward from thebottom wall12 in theheight dimension22. The first recommendedrefill thickness63 is associated with the first graduatedscale59 and is associated with a particular wet wipedispenser100. Thesecond graduation64 is placed a firstrecommended refill thickness63bassociated with the same wet wipedispenser100 upward from thefirst graduation62 in theheight dimension22. The wet wiperefill container10 additionally includes a second graduatedscale69 that includes afirst graduation72 and asecond graduation74. Thefirst graduation72 is placed a secondrecommended refill thickness73aupward from thebottom wall12 in theheight dimension22. The secondrecommended refill thickness73 is associated with the second graduatedscale69 and is associated with a particular wet wipedispenser120 that is different from the particular wet wipedispenser100 associated with the first graduatedscale59. Thesecond graduation74 is placed the secondrecommended refill thickness73bassociated with the same wet wipedispenser120 upward from the first graduation of72 in theheight dimension22. In certain embodiments, it is to be understood that several graduation marks62,64,72, and74 may be present for each graduatedscale59 or69 for the wet wiperefill container10.
• Wet wipedispenser indicia65 or75 may be associated with each graduatedscale59 or69 to further assist the user with identifying the wet wipedispenser100 or120 that is associated with the graduatedscale59 or69 of interest. The wet wipedispenser indicia65 or75 can include words, numbers, letters, characters, symbols, shapes, lines, dots, colors, patterns, raised portions, depressed portions or combinations thereof. For example, as shown inFIG. 9, a first wet wipedispenser indicia65 is shown that is associated with the first graduatedscale59 that is associated with the firstrecommended refill thickness63 for the associated first wet wipedispenser100. A second wet wipedispenser indicia75 is shown that is associated with the second graduatedscale69 that is associated with the secondrecommended refill thickness73 for the associated second wet wipedispenser120.
• The first graduatedscale59 includes a first graduatedscale centerline60 and the second graduatedscale69 includes a second graduatedscale centerline70 as shown inFIG. 9. The first graduatedscale centerline60 and the second graduatedscale centerline70 run through the center of the graduation marks62,64,72 and74 and extend in theheight dimension22 from thebottom wall12 to thetop wall15 of the wet wiperefill container10. In an embodiment, the first graduatedscale centerline60 and the second graduatedscale centerline70 may not share a common position along thewidth dimension26 as is shown inFIG. 9. In an embodiment, the first graduatedscale centerline60 and the second graduatedscale centerline70 share a common position along thewidth dimension26 as is shown inFIG. 10. In an embodiment, the first graduatedscale centerline60 and the second graduatedscale centerline70 may each be in a different side wall14. In an embodiment, the first graduatedscale centerline60 and the second graduatedscale centerline70 may be in thesame side wall14a,14b,14c,14dor44.
• In an embodiment, while referring toFIG. 11, the wet wiperefill container10 includes a first graduatedscale59 that includes afirst graduation62 and asecond graduation64. Thefirst graduation62 is placed the firstrecommended refill thickness63aupward from thebottom wall12 in theheight dimension22. The first recommendedrefill thickness63 is associated with the first graduatedscale59 and is associated with a particular wet wipedispenser100. Thesecond graduation64 is placed the firstrecommended refill thickness63bassociated with the same wet wipedispenser100 upward from thefirst graduation62 in theheight dimension22. The wet wiperefill container10 includes a second graduatedscale69 that includes afirst graduation72 and asecond graduation74. Thefirst graduation72 is placed the secondrecommended refill thickness73aupward from thebottom wall12 in theheight dimension22. The secondrecommended refill thickness73 is associated with the second graduatedscale69 and is associated with a particular wet wipedispenser120 that is different from the particular wet wipedispenser100 associated with the first graduatedscale59. Thesecond graduation74 is placed the secondrecommended refill thickness73bassociated with the same wet wipedispenser120 upward from thefirst graduation72 in theheight dimension22. The wet wiperefill container10 additionally includes a thirdgraduated scale79 that includes afirst graduation82. Thefirst graduation82 is placed a thirdrecommended refill thickness83 upward from thebottom wall12 in theheight dimension22. The thirdrecommended refill thickness83 is associated with the third graduatedscale79 and is associated with a particular wet wipedispenser130 that is different from the particular wet wipedispensers100 and120 that are associated with the first graduatedscale59 and the second graduatedscale69, respectively. Wet wipedispenser indicia65,75 or85 may be associated with each graduatedscale59,69 or79 to further assist the user with identifying the wet wipedispenser100,120 or130 that is associated with the graduatedscale59,69 or79 of interest. A first wet wipedispenser indicia65 may be associated with the first graduatedscale59 that is associated with the firstrecommended refill thickness63 for the associated first wet wipedispenser100. A second wet wipedispenser indicia75 may be associated with the second graduatedscale69 that is associated with the secondrecommended refill thickness73 for the associated second wet wipedispenser120. A third wet wipedispenser indicia85 may be associated with the thirdrecommended refill thickness83 for the associated third wet wipedispenser130. In certain embodiments, it is to be understood that several graduation marks62,64,72,74 and82 may be present for each graduatedscale59,69 or79 for the wet wiperefill container10. In an embodiment, the first, second and third graduated scales,59,69 and79, may include centerlines that share a common position along thewidth dimension26. In an embodiment, the first, second and third graduated scales,59,69 and79, may include centerlines that do not share a common position along thewidth dimension26.
• In an embodiment, the wet wiperefill container10 may include more than one graduatedscale59,69 or79 as shown inFIG. 9-FIG.11. In certain embodiments, one of theside walls14a,14b,14c,14d, or44 may include all of the graduated scales59,69 or79. In other embodiments, eachside wall14a,14b,14c,14d, and44 may include a single graduatedscale59,69, or79, or multiple graduated scales,59,69 or79. For example, oneside wall14a,14b,14c,14d, or44 may include the first graduatedscale59, thesecond side wall14a,14b,14c,14d, or44 may include the second graduatedscale69, and thethird side wall14a,14b,14c,14d, or44 may include the third graduatedscale79. In another embodiment, oneside wall14a,14b,14c,14d, or44 may include the first graduatedscale59 and anotherside wall14a,14b,14c,14d, or44 may include the second graduatedscale69 and the third graduatedscale79.
• In the interests of brevity and conciseness, any ranges of values set forth in this disclosure contemplate all values within the range and are to be construed as support for claims reciting any sub-ranges having endpoints which are whole number values within the specified range in question. By way of hypothetical example, a disclosure of a range from 1 to 5 shall be considered to support claims to any of the following ranges: 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; 1 to 2; 2 to 5; 2 to 4; 2 to 3; 3 to 5; 3 to 4; and 4 to 5.
• While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims (20)

We claim:

1. A refill container having a height dimension, the container comprising:

a bottom wall;

at least one side wall contiguous with the bottom wall and extending in the height dimension upward from the bottom wall;

an exterior surface;

an interior surface;

an access opening;

a plurality of articles stacked in the height dimension; and

a graduated scale disposed on the side wall, the graduated scale comprising a first graduation, wherein the first graduation is spaced a recommended refill thickness from the bottom wall in the height dimension.

2. The refill container ofclaim 1, wherein the access opening is spaced apart from the bottom wall in the height dimension.

3. The refill container ofclaim 1, wherein the access opening is in a plane that is parallel to the bottom wall.

4. The refill container ofclaim 1, wherein the access opening is in a plane that is perpendicular to the bottom wall.

5. The refill container ofclaim 1, wherein the first graduation is disposed on the exterior surface of the refill container and is visible or tactilely detectable from the interior surface.

6. The graduated scale ofclaim 1 comprising a second graduation that is disposed on the side wall, wherein the second graduation is spaced the recommended refill thickness upward from the first graduation in the height dimension.

7. A refill container having a height dimension, the container comprising:

a bottom wall;

a first side wall and a second side wall contiguous with the bottom wall and extending in the height dimension;

an exterior surface;

an interior surface;

an access opening;

a plurality of articles stacked in the height dimension;

a first graduated scale disposed on one of the first and the second side walls, the first graduated scale comprising a first graduation, wherein the first graduation is spaced a first recommended refill thickness upward from the bottom wall in the height dimension; and

a second graduated scale disposed on one of the first and the second side walls, the second graduated scale comprising a first graduation, wherein the first graduation is spaced a second recommended refill thickness upward from the bottom wall in the height dimension.

8. The refill container ofclaim 7, wherein the first graduated scale comprises a second graduation and wherein the second graduation is spaced the first recommended refill thickness upward from the first graduation in the height dimension.

9. The refill container ofclaim 7, wherein the second graduated scale comprises a second graduation and wherein the second graduation is spaced the second recommended refill thickness upward from the first graduation in the height dimension.

10. The refill container ofclaim 7, wherein the access opening is spaced apart from the bottom wall in the height dimension.

11. The refill container ofclaim 7, wherein the access opening is in a plane that is parallel to the bottom wall.

12. The refill container ofclaim 7, wherein the access opening is in a plane that is perpendicular to the bottom wall.

13. A wipes dispensing system comprising:

a first refillable wipe dispenser adapted to house a stack of wipes having at most a first recommended refill thickness;

a second refillable wipe dispenser adapted to house a stack of wipes having at most a second recommended refill thickness wherein the first recommended refill thickness is different than the second recommended refill thickness;

a refill container having a height dimension, the container comprising:

a bottom wall;

a first side wall and a second side wall contiguous with the bottom wall, the first side wall and the second side wall having a width dimension perpendicular to the height dimension;

an access opening;

a plurality of articles stacked in the height dimension;

a first graduated scale disposed on one of the first and the second side walls, the first graduated scale comprising a first graduation, wherein the first graduation is spaced the first recommended refill thickness upward from the bottom wall in the height dimension;

a second graduated scale disposed on one of the first and the second side walls, the second graduated scale comprising a first graduation, wherein the first graduation is spaced the second recommended refill thickness from the bottom wall in the height dimension.

14. The refill container ofclaim 13, wherein the access opening is spaced apart from the bottom wall in the height dimension.

15. The refill container ofclaim 13, wherein the access opening is in a plane that is parallel to the bottom wall.

16. The refill container ofclaim 13, wherein the access opening is in a plane that is perpendicular to the bottom wall.

17. The wipes dispensing system ofclaim 13, wherein the first graduated scale comprises a second graduation, wherein the second graduation is spaced a first recommended refill thickness upward from the first graduation in the height dimension.

18. The wipes dispensing system ofclaim 13, wherein the second graduated scale comprises a second graduation, wherein the second graduation is spaced a second recommended refill thickness upward from the first graduation in the height dimension.

19. The wipes dispensing system ofclaim 13, wherein the first graduated scale has a first centerline extending in the height dimension and the second graduated scale has a second centerline extending in the height dimension and wherein the first centerline and the second centerline share a common position along the width dimension of one of the first and the second side walls.

20. The wipes dispensing system ofclaim 13, wherein the first graduated scale has a first centerline extending in the height dimension and the second graduated scale has a second centerline extending in the height dimension, wherein the first centerline and the second centerline are in the first or the second side walls.

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