U.S. patent application number 09/748618 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-15 for method for providing wet wipes.
Invention is credited to Bochmann, Cherry A., DeGreen, Gerald P., Dellerman, Paige Annette, Faulks, Michael John, Newman, William Robert, Rivera, Ligia A., Romme, Steven J., Stanca, Nick E., Velazquez, Herb F..
Application Number | 20010039786 09/748618 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27415466 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010039786 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Romme, Steven J. ; et
al. |
November 15, 2001 |
Method for providing wet wipes
Abstract
There is provided a method for refilling a system and apparatus
for dispensing wet wipes. The system may include a housing, a tray
and a cartridge. The cartridge has the ability to be inserted into
the dispenser in a pre-selected manner based on the desired
orientation of the wipes contained therein. The use of identifiers
on or associated with such produced is further provided.
Inventors: |
Romme, Steven J.; (Oshkosh,
WI) ; Newman, William Robert; (Neenah, WI) ;
Velazquez, Herb F.; (Neenah, WI) ; Rivera, Ligia
A.; (Appleton, WI) ; Faulks, Michael John;
(Neenah, WI) ; Dellerman, Paige Annette;
(Appleton, WI) ; Bochmann, Cherry A.; (Cleveland,
OH) ; DeGreen, Gerald P.; (Windsor, OH) ;
Stanca, Nick E.; (Westlake, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
P.O. BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Family ID: |
27415466 |
Appl. No.: |
09/748618 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09748618 |
Dec 22, 2000 |
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09660049 |
Sep 12, 2000 |
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09660049 |
Sep 12, 2000 |
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09565227 |
May 4, 2000 |
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09565227 |
May 4, 2000 |
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09545995 |
Apr 10, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/471 ; 242/598;
53/476 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/32 20130101;
A47K 10/426 20130101; A47K 2010/3266 20130101; A47K 10/3827
20130101; B65D 85/672 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/471 ; 53/476;
242/598 |
International
Class: |
B65B 005/04; B65H
016/02 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a cartridge for a wet wipes dispenser;
determining the dimensions of the cartridge; determining that the
cartridge is asymmetrical; determining that the cartridge has two
protrusions on one side and one protrusion on the other;
determining the dimensions of the protrusions; determining the
relative locations of the protrusions with respect to the
dimensions of the cartridge; manufacturing a cartridge having
substantially the same dimensions, protrusions, and placement of
protrusions as the obtained cartridge; placing wet wipes in the
manufactured cartridge; associating an identifier with the
manufactured cartridge that is substantially the same as an
identifier that is associated with a dry paper product; and,
providing a bacterial resistant seal to the manufactured cartridge
containing the wet wipes.
2. The method of claim 1, in which the two protrusions are spaced
about 28 mm apart.
3. The method of claim 1, in which the one protrusion is centered
with respect to the two protrusions.
4. A method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: determining the measurements of a Kimberly-Clark wet
wipes cartridge; manufacturing a cartridge having similar
dimensions; providing a roll of wet wipes in the cartridge;
associating an identifier with the manufactured cartridge, said
identifier having at least one term that is the same as a term in
an identifier that is associated with a dry bath tissue product;
and, providing instruction to place the cartridge in a
dispenser.
5. A method for providing wet wipes comprising: determining the
measurements of a coreless roll of wet wipes; manufacturing a roll
of wet wipes having similar dimensions; sealing the roll of wet
wipes in a bacterial resistant package; placing an identifier on
the package, the identifier comprising at least one term that is
the same as the term in an identifier that is associated with a dry
paper product; and, providing instruction to place the roll in a
dispenser.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the manufactured roll is
coreless.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the manufactured roll is
hollow.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein the manufactured roll is
cored.
9. A method of providing wet wipes for use in a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining wet wipes; obtaining a cartridge; the
cartridge being asymmetrical to enable the cartridge to be placed
in a dispenser in only one orientation; closing the cartridge;
associating an identifier with the closure of the manufactured
cartridge, the identifier comprising at least one term that is the
same as a term that is associated with a dry paper product; and,
providing instruction to place the cartridge in a dispenser.
10. A method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a cartridge for a wet wipes dispenser;
determining the dimensions of the obtained cartridge; manufacturing
a cartridge having substantially the same dimensions as the
obtained cartridge; placing a coreless roll of wet wipes in the
manufactured cartridge; associating an identifier with the
manufactured cartridge, the identifier comprising at least one term
that is substantially the same as an identifier that is associated
with a dry bath tissue product; and, providing a bacterial
resistant seal to the manufactured cartridge containing the wet
wipes.
11. A method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: manufacturing a cartridge having determined dimensions
and a determined shape; the determined dimensions and shape being
based at least in part on the dimensions and shape of an obtained
cartridge for a wet wipes dispenser; placing wet wipes in the
manufactured cartridge; associating an identifier with the
manufactured cartridge, the identifier comprising at least one term
that is substantially the same as a term of an identifier that is
associated with a dry bath tissue product; and, providing a
bacterial resistant seal to the cartridge containing the wet
wipes.
12. A method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a dispenser for wet wipes, the obtained
dispenser having a housing, a cover, and a tray, the cover having a
wiper blade and a gasket; determining the measurements of a
dispenser; making a cartridge to fit into the dispenser based on
the determined measurements; providing a roll of wet wipes in the
manufactured cartridge; and, associating an identifier with the
manufactured cartridge, the identifier comprising at least one term
that is the same as the term in an identifier that is associated
with a dry bath tissue product.
13. A method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a dispenser for wet wipes, the obtained
dispenser having a housing, a cover, and a tray, the cover having a
wiper blade and a gasket; determining the measurements of a
dispenser; obtaining a cartridge for wet wipes; determining the
measurements of the obtained cartridge; using the obtained
measurements to make a cartridge; providing a roll of wet wipes in
the made cartridge; and, associating an identifier with the
manufactured cartridge, the identifier comprising at least one term
that is substantially the same as the term in an identifier that is
associated with a dry bath tissue product.
14. A method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a wet wipes dispenser, the obtained dispenser
having a at least four side walls, a tray and a cover; determining
the dimensions of the obtained dispenser; using the obtained
dimensions to establish the size of a roll of wet wipes for use in
the dispenser; manufacturing a roll of wet wipes having the
established size; and, associating an identifier with the
manufactured roll, the identifier comprising at least one term that
is substantially the same as the term in an identifier that is
associated with a dry bath tissue product.
15. A method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: determining the measurements of a coreless roll of wet
wipes; manufacturing a plurality of wipes having similar
dimensions; sealing the wipes in a bacteria resistant package;
providing instruction to place the wipes in a dispenser; and,
associating an identifier with the manufactured wipes, the
identifier is substantially the same as the term in an identifier
that is associated with a dry paper product.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the manufactured wipes are wet
wipes.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the manufactured wipes are
wipes that become wet during use.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the manufactured wipes are
configured in a roll.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the manufactured wipes are
configured in a stack.
20. A method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: determining the measurements of the interior of a wet
wipes dispenser; manufacturing a package based on the measurements;
providing a plurality of wet wipes in the package; providing
instruction to place the package in a dispenser; and, associating
an identifier with the wet wipes, the identifier comprising at
least one term that is substantially the same as the term in an
identifier that is associated with a dry bath tissue product.
21. A method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a dispenser for wet wipes, the obtained
dispenser having a housing, a cover, and a tray, the cover having a
wiper blade and a gasket; determining the measurements of a
dispenser; obtaining a cartridge for wet wipes; determining the
measurements of the obtained cartridge; using the obtained
measurements to make a package; providing a roll of wipes in the
made package; and, associating an identifier with the made package,
the identifier comprising at least one term that is the same as the
term in an identifier that is associated with a dry paper
product.
22. A method for providing wet wipes comprising: making a plurality
of second wet wipes packages, the second wet wipes packages
comprising a second roll of wet wipes, and the making of the second
wet wipes roll based at least in part on the analysis of a first
coreless roll of wet wipes products; applying a first identifier to
the second wet wipes package, applying a second identifier to a
package of a conventional paper product; and, the first identifier
comprising at least one of the same terms as the second
identifier.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the second wet wipes package is
associated with a package of the conventional bath tissue.
24. The method of claim 22 wherein the second wet wipes package and
a package of the conventional bath tissue are packaged together in
a third package.
25. A method for providing wet wipes comprising: manufacturing a
roll of wet wipes, the manufactured roll having dimensions that are
similar to an obtained coreless roll of wet wipes; sealing the roll
of wet wipes in a package; placing an identifier on the package,
the identifier comprising at least one term that is the same as the
term in an identifier that is associated with a dry paper product;
and, providing instruction to place the roll in a dispenser.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of pending U.S.
application entitled System and Method for Refilling a Dispenser,
Ser. No. 09/660,049, attorney docket no. 659/704 filed Sep. 12,
2000, which is a continuation in part of pending U.S. application
entitled System and Dispenser for Dispensing Wet Wipes, Ser. No.
09/565,227, attorney docket no. 659/648 filed May 4, 2000, which is
a continuation in part of pending U.S. application entitled
Dispenser For Premoistened Wipes, Ser. No. 09/545,995, attorney
docket no. 659/623, which was filed on Apr. 10, 2000, and which
claims the benefit of the filing date pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) of, Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/132,024, filed Apr.
30, 1999, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by
reference
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Wet products such as wet wipes have many applications. They
may be used with small children and infants when changing diapers,
they may be used for household cleaning tasks, they may be used for
cleaning hands, they may be used as a bath tissue, they may be used
as by a caregiver to clean a disabled or incontinent adult, or they
may be used in and for a whole host of other applications, where it
is advantages to have a wipe or towel that has some wetness or
moisture in it.
[0003] Wet wipes have been traditionally dispensed in sheet form
from a tub like container with a hinged lid on the top. The lid is
opened and individual or singularized sheets of the wipes are
removed. Another type of container that has been used for wet wipes
provides a roll of wipes in which the wipes are pulled from the top
of the container in a direction that is parallel to the axis of the
roll. These wipes are pulled from the center of a hollow coreless
roll that has perforated sheets. These containers generally have a
snap top lid that is opened to expose a piece of the wipes that can
then be pulled to remove the desired amount of wipes. Once pulled
out the wipes can then be torn off, usually at a perforation, and
the lid closed.
[0004] Wet wipes can be any wipe, towel, tissue or sheet like
product including natural fibers, synthetic fibers, synthetic
material and combinations thereof, that is wet or moist or becomes
wet during use or prior to use. Wet wipes may be dispersible when
in contact with water or may be non-dispersible. Examples of wet
wipes are disclosed in application Ser. Nos. 09/564,449;
09/564,213; 09/565,125; 09/564,837; 09/564,939; 09/564,531;
09/564,268; 09/564,424; 09/564,780; 09/564,212; 09/565,623 all
filed May 4, 2000, and application serial no. 09/223,999 entitled
Ion-Sensitive Hard Water Dispersible Polymers And Applications
Therefore, filed Dec. 31, 1998 the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference. Embodiments of dispensers are
described in application Ser. No. 09/659,307 filed Sep. 12, 2000,
having lawyer docket number 659/691, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a cartridge for a wet wipes dispenser;
determining the dimensions of the cartridge; determining that the
cartridge is asymmetrical; determining that the cartridge has two
protrusions on one side and one protrusion on the other;
determining the dimensions of the protrusions; determining the
relative locations of the protrusions with respect to the
dimensions of the cartridge; manufacturing a cartridge having
substantially the same dimensions, protrusions, and placement of
protrusions as the obtained cartridge; placing wet wipes in the
manufactured cartridge; and, providing a bacterial resistant seal
to the manufactured cartridge containing the wet wipes.
[0006] These embodiments may further comprise the method in which
the two protrusions are space about 28.2 mm apart, and/or in which
the one protrusion is centered with respect to the two
protrusions.
[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method of providing a wet wipes refill for use with a dispenser
comprising; manufacturing a container having four sides, and a
bottom; the container being asymmetric; providing the container
with a lip located along the top of the four sides; placing a roll
of wet wipes in the container; sealing the container; and,
providing instructions for the placement of the container in a wet
wipes dispenser.
[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: determining the measurements of a Kimberly-Clark wet
wipes cartridge; manufacturing a cartridge having similar
dimensions; providing a roll of wet wipes in the cartridge; and,
providing instruction to place the cartridge in a dispenser.
[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: determining the measurements of a coreless roll of wet
wipes; manufacturing a roll of wet wipes having similar dimensions;
sealing the roll of wet wipes in a bacteria resistant package; and,
providing instruction to place the roll in a dispenser.
[0010] These methods may further comprise the method wherein the
manufactured roll is coreless, wherein the manufactured roll is
hollow, and/or wherein the manufactured roll is cored.
[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: determining the measurements of a wet wipes cartridge;
manufacturing a cartridge based on the measurements; providing a
roll of wet wipes in the cartridge; and, providing instruction to
place the cartridge in a dispenser.
[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: determining the measurements of a wet wipes cartridge;
using the measurements to make a cartridge; providing a roll of wet
wipes in the cartridge; and, providing instruction to place the
cartridge in a dispenser.
[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: determining the dimensions of a wet wipes cartridge;
manufacturing a cartridge based on the dimensions; providing a roll
of wet wipes in the cartridge; and, providing instruction to place
the cartridge in a dispenser.
[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method of providing wet wipes for use in a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining wet wipes; obtaining a cartridge; the
cartridge being asymmetrical to enable the cartridge to be placed
in a dispenser in only one orientation; closing the cartridge; and,
providing instruction to place the cartridge in a dispenser.
[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method of providing wet wipes for use in a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a roll of wet wipes; placing the roll of wet
wipes in a package; sealing the package; and, providing
instructions for removing the wet wipes from the package and for
placing the wet wipes in a cartridge in a dispenser.
[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method of providing wet wipes refills for use with a dispenser
comprising; manufacturing a container having four sides, and a
bottom; the container being asymmetric; placing a roll of wet wipes
in the container; sealing the container; and, providing
instructions for the placement of the container in a wet wipes
dispenser.
[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method of providing wet wipes refills for use with a dispenser
comprising; manufacturing a container having four sides, and a
bottom; providing the container with a lip located along the top of
the four sides; placing a roll of wet wipes in the container;
sealing the container; and, providing instructions for the
placement of the container in a wet wipes dispenser.
[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a cartridge for a wet wipes dispenser;
determining the dimensions of the obtained cartridge; manufacturing
a cartridge having substantially the same dimensions as the
obtained cartridge; placing a coreless roll of wet wipes in the
manufactured cartridge; and, providing a bacterial resistant seal
to the manufactured cartridge containing the wet wipes.
[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method of providing wet wipes refills for use with a dispenser
comprising; manufacturing a container having four sides, and a
bottom; providing the container with a lip located along the top of
the four sides; placing a roll of wet wipes in the container;
sealing the container; and, providing instructions for the
placement of the container in a wet wipes dispenser.
[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a cartridge for a wet wipes dispenser;
determining the dimensions of the cartridge; determining that the
cartridge is asymmetrical; determining that the cartridge has two
protrusions on one side and one protrusion on the other;
determining the dimensions of the protrusions; determining the
relative locations of the protrusions with respect to the
dimensions of the a cartridge; manufacturing a cartridge having
substantially the same dimensions, protrusions and placement of
protrusions as the obtained cartridge; the manufactured cartridge
having a length that is no greater than 135 mm; placing wet wipes
in the manufactured cartridge; and, providing a bacterial resistant
seal to the cartridge containing the wet wipes.
[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method of providing wet wipes refills for use with a dispenser
comprising; manufacturing a container having four sides, and a
bottom; providing the container with a lip located along the top of
the four sides; placing a roll of wet wipes in the container; the
roll of wet wipes having a length that is no greater than 135 mm;
sealing the container; and, providing instructions for the
placement of the container in a wet wipes dispenser.
[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method of providing wet wipes refills for use with a dispenser
comprising; manufacturing a container having four sides, and a
bottom; the length of the container being no greater than 135 mm;
placing a roll of wet wipes in the container; sealing the
container; and, providing instructions for the placement of the
container in a wet wipes dispenser.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method of refilling a wet wipes dispenser comprising: a)
obtaining a plurality of cartridges, each cartridge in the
plurality containing a roll of wet wipes; b) removing a cartridge
from the plurality; c) opening the cartridge to expose the roll of
wet wipes; d) opening the cover of the wet wipes dispenser; e)
placing the cartridge in the open wet wipes dispenser; f) unrolling
a portion of the roll of wet wipes to create a tail; g) closing the
cover so that at least a portion of the tail is located outside the
dispenser; and, f) repeating steps b) thorough g) when the roll of
wet wipes in the cartridge is finished.
[0024] These embodiments may further comprise the method wherein
the plurality of cartridges contains four cartridges and steps b)
through g) are repeated at least three times and/or wherein the
plurality of cartridges contains four cartridges in an integral
pack.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a dispenser for wet wipes, the obtained
dispenser having a housing, a cover, and a tray, the cover having a
wiper blade and a gasket; determining the measurements of a
dispenser; making a cartridge to fit into the dispenser based on
the determined measurements; and, providing a roll of wet wipes in
the manufactured cartridge.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a dispenser for wet wipes, the obtained
dispenser having a housing, a cover, and a tray, the cover having a
wiper blade and a gasket; determining the measurements of a
dispenser; obtaining a cartridge for wet wipes; determining the
measurements of the obtained cartridge; using the obtained
measurements to make a cartridge; and, providing a roll of wet
wipes in the made cartridge.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method for providing refills for a wet wipes dispenser
comprising: obtaining a wet wipes dispenser, the obtained dispenser
having a at least four side walls, a tray and a cover; determining
the dimensions of the obtained dispenser; using the obtained
dimensions to establish the size of a roll of wet wipes for use in
the dispenser; and, manufacturing a roll of wet wipes having the
established size.
DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser.
[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a dispenser and cartridge.
[0030] FIG. 2a is a plan view of a portion of the front of the
tray.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an open dispenser.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a top view of a dispenser.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a front view of a dispenser.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a dispenser.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a side view of a dispenser.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a back view of a dispenser.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a cross section view of a dispenser and cartridge
taken along line A-A of FIG. 5.
[0038] FIG. 10 is a cross section view along line D-D of FIG.
9.
[0039] FIG. 11 is a cross section view along line E-E of FIG.
9.
[0040] FIG. 12 is a cross section view along line F-F of FIG.
9.
[0041] FIG. 13 is a cross section view of a dispenser and cartridge
taken along line C-C of FIG. 5.
[0042] FIG. 14 is a cross section view along line J-J of FIG.
13.
[0043] FIG. 15 is a cross section view along line K-K of FIG.
13.
[0044] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a dispenser with a wet
wipe.
[0045] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a dispenser, a cartridge
and a roll of wet wipes.
[0046] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a roll of wet wipes
[0047] FIG. 19 is a cross section view of a dispenser, a cartridge
and a roll of wet wipes.
[0048] FIG. 20 is a cross section view of a cartridge and a roll of
premoistened wipes.
[0049] FIG. 21 is a cross section view of a cartridge.
[0050] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the outside of a cover.
[0051] FIG. 23 is a front view of the outside of a cover.
[0052] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the inside of a cover.
[0053] FIG. 25 is a cross section view of a cover.
[0054] FIGS. 26-28 are views of a tray.
[0055] FIGS. 29-31 are views of a roller.
[0056] FIGS. 32-37 are views of a wiper assembly.
[0057] FIG. 36 is a view along line A-A of FIG. 35.
[0058] FIG. 34 is a view along line A-A of FIG. 32.
[0059] FIGS. 38-39 are views of a wiper.
[0060] FIGS. 40-41 are views of a roller.
[0061] FIGS. 42-45 are views of a mounting assembly.
[0062] FIGS. 46-50 are views of a screw used in conjunction with
the mounting assembly.
[0063] FIGS. 51-53 are views of a cartridge.
[0064] FIG. 54 is a top view of a package of cartridges.
[0065] FIG. 55 is a perspective view of a dispenser.
[0066] FIG. 56 is an exploded view of a dispenser and
cartridge.
[0067] FIG. 57 is a front plan view of a wiper assembly.
[0068] FIG. 58 is a front plan view of a wiper assembly.
[0069] FIG. 59 is a plan view of a wiper blade.
[0070] FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional view of a wiper blade.
[0071] FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a wiper blade.
[0072] FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view of a dispenser.
[0073] FIG. 63 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a
dispenser.
[0074] FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the inside of a cover.
[0075] FIG. 65 is a top view of the inside of a cover.
[0076] FIG. 66 is a view of a conventional bath tissue holder.
[0077] FIG. 67 is a view of a conventional bath holder.
[0078] FIG. 68 is a view of a mounting assembly in a conventional
bath tissue holder (shown without the dispenser).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0079] A system and method for dispensing and providing wipes is
provided, which in general may have a housing, a cover, and a
cartridge having a roll of wet wipes. The cartridge is placed in
the housing and then the wipes can be removed from the
dispenser.
[0080] Individuals, such as by way of example, Competitors to the
assignee, Kimberly-Clark, can obtain samples of the dispensing
systems and cartridges and wet wipes rolls disclosed herein or
similar systems that may be made and sold by Kimberly-Clark. These
samples may be obtained by purchasing the samples at a retail
outlet or store that sells products to the public. The price that
is paid at such a store that services the general public is known
as the retail price. Examples of such retail stores would be mass
merchants such as Wal-Mart.RTM., Walgreen's.RTM. and Target.RTM.,
club stores such as Sam's Club.RTM. or Costco.RTM., grocery stores
such as Kroger.RTM. or Jewel.RTM., or internet stores such as
Amazon.com.RTM. or Webvan.com.RTM.. These obtained samples can then
be analyzed, such as determining their measurements, dimensions,
compositions, and any other information about them that is
desirable. From this information, dispensers systems, cartridges
and rolls can be developed and made that are similar to the
obtained products. For example, a cartridge or container of wet
wipes can be designed and made using the data or information
obtained from the obtained samples to make a cartridge of wipes
that fits into the dispenser that is ordinarily used with the
obtained wipes. The data and information from the obtained product
may be used, in whole or in part, to make such as a cartridge. For
example, and with out limitation, only the overall shape and width
and length may be used. Thus, the design and dimensions of a
Kimberly-Clark product could be copied and used to make a product
that is placed into the stream of commerce in competition with the
Kimberly-Clark product. Additionally, the price at which the
Kimberly-Clark product is being offered could be obtained or
discovered by the copier of the product. The price could be the
retail price, i.e., the price that a consumer would pay at the
point of sale, such as a grocery store or drug store. The price
could also be a wholesale price or other price that is offered or
paid as the products moves through the chain of distribution from
Kimberly-Clark to the customer/end-user. Once these prices have
been discovered, obtained or ascertained, the copier of the
Kimberly-Clark product could price its product at or below the
Kimberly-Clark price.
[0081] Such a copied or developed product, which is based in whole
or in part upon the analysis of a Kimberly-Clark product, can also
have a name, brand name, or other identifier associated with it,
for example, by being placed on the product, the products
packaging, or packaging that contains several products. This
identifier that is associated with the copied or developed product
may be the same, similar or substantially similar to that which is,
or has been, associated with a dry or conventional paper product,
such as by way of example a dry or conventional bath tissue, facial
tissue or toweling. In this way the good will, loyalty, or consumer
acceptance of the identifier and/or the dry paper product can be
used, or inure to, the benefit of the copied or developed product.
Thus, the use of the same or substantially similar identifiers
would be envisioned, such as by way of example and without
limitation, "XXXX" for the dry paper product and "moist XXXX", "wet
XXXX", "XXXX wet", "xxxx", "Xxxx", "Xx", "XXXX's" or "Xxxx moist"
for the copied or developed product. Changes in capitalization
and/or font of an identifier are for the purposes of this
disclosure considered to be the same identifier. Additionally,
identifiers may be characters or symbols. Such identifiers or brand
names, by way of example and without limitation, could be or
include the term Charmin.RTM., the term White Swan.RTM., the term
Angel Soft.RTM., the term Northern.RTM., the term Soft 'N
Gentle.RTM., the term Marcal.RTM., the term Coronet.RTM., the term
Bounty.RTM., the term Brawny.RTM., the term Puffs.RTM., the term
Sparkle.RTM., the term White Cloud.RTM., the term Mardi Gra.RTM.,
the term Vanity Fair.RTM. or the term Weve.RTM..
[0082] Accordingly, and by way of example and without limitation,
there is provided a method for providing wet wipes for a dispenser
that comprises obtaining a first wet wipes package, the first wet
wipes package comprising a coreless roll of wet wipes, analyzing or
studying this obtained package, then based in whole or in part upon
this analysis making a plurality of second wet wipes packages, the
second wet wipes packages comprising a second roll of wet wipes,
applying a first brand name to the second wet wipes package, and
applying a second brand name to a package of conventional bath
tissue, the first brand name comprising at least one of the same
terms as the second brand name, and, providing instructions for
dispensing the contents of the second wet wipes package in the
dispenser. Moreover, the second wet wipes package may be associated
with a package of the conventional bath tissue or the second wet
wipes package and a package of the conventional bath tissue may be
packaged together in a third package.
[0083] In general, there is provided a device for mounting a wet
wipes dispenser to another surface. That surface may be, by way of
example, a wall in a bathroom, a kitchen wall, or a bathroom vanity
wall. The device may be used with, or adapted for use with, most
any type of wet wipes dispenser, such as the various dispensers
illustrated and disclosed herein. The device is ideally adapted to
work in conjunction with a conventional bath tissue holder to
permit a dispenser to be securely, yet removably attached to the
wall. A conventional bath tissue holder is the type that is
typically found in a home. Such holders have posts that protrude
from the wall and a rod or roller that is positioned between the
posts. These holders may also be partially recessed into the wall.
Such a holder and a holder with a mounting assembly engaged are
illustrated in FIGS. 66-68. The device may also be used in the
absence of a conventional bath tissue holder and may be adapted to
provide that the dispenser is fixed to the wall.
[0084] For example, the system may have a dispenser that has a
housing, which is capable of being mounted to a surface, such as a
wall, a cabinet, an existing bath tissue dispenser, a toilet, a
toilet tank, a stall wall, or a dashboard of an automobile. The
dispenser has an opening that holds a cartridge, which contains the
wet wipes. These cartridges are sealed and may be grouped in
packages of multiple cartridges. Thus, a package of cartridges may
be provided to a user. The user may then select and open one of the
cartridges, put it in the dispenser, and use the wipes as needed.
When the wipes are used up, the user may simply discard the old
cartridge and replace it with a new one. Thus, this system enables
the user to conveniently obtain and keep several cartridges of
wipes on hand and then use the wipes as needed. By using sealed
cartridges to refill the dispenser, the user is using a new and
fresh product each time and a product that is in contact with fresh
surfaces.
[0085] By way of example, referring to FIGS. 1 through 15, there is
provided a dispenser 1, which has a housing 2, a tray 3, a cover 7,
and a mounting assembly 8. The tray and the cover form a gap 4,
through which a wet wipe can extend. That portion of the wipe
extending through the gap may be referred to as a tail. The tray
and cover additionally have recesses 5, that form an indentation
that provides a finger hold, or point where a user can grasp the
wet wipe to pull it from the dispenser. Although optional, this
dispenser is also provided with a roller 6 for mounting and
dispensing a roll of another product, such as dry or conventional
bath tissue.
[0086] In general, the dispenser system illustrated herein can be
used with or without conventional dry toilet or bath tissue. If
conventional tissue is used with wet wipes it could be positioned
in a side-by-side manner, above, or below the wet wipes.
[0087] FIGS. 1 and 4-8 show the dispenser with the cover closed. In
FIGS. 4 and 6, it can be seen most easily that the dispenser
generally has a top 100, a side 101, a side 102, a back 103, a
bottom 104, and a front 105. FIG. 2 show the dispenser and a
cartridge in an exploded view. FIG. 3 show the dispenser assembled
and in a fully opened condition. The fully opened condition
provides access to screw 9.
[0088] The housing may be made from any suitable material, such as
plastic, wood, ceramic, porcelain, glass, paper, metal,
thermoplastic elastomers, or composite materials. For example,
polypropylene, polyesters such as polybutylene terephthalate (Pbt),
Pbt glass filled, Pbt 15% glass filled, fiberglass, carbon fiber,
and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) may be used to make the
housing.
[0089] The housing may have different shapes and sizes. When the
dispenser is intended for use in a home it is desirable that it be
of a size that is similar to conventional bath tissue roller
mounts. It is particularly desirable that the dispenser be as
compact as possible for home use. Further, if the cover is in the
range of from about 41/2 inches (114.3 mm) to 67/8 inches (174.6
mm) in width it will be able to aesthetically fit in or mount to
the vast majority of toilet paper holders that are in existing
houses. Preferably, the width of the cover may be greater than
about 3 inches (76.2 mm), less than about 6 inches (152.4 mm), less
than about 7 inches (177.8 mm), and less than about 8 inches (203.2
mm). The 41/2 inches (114.3 mm) by 67/8 inches (174.6 mm) size
provides an added benefit of enabling one size of dispenser to be
used in the vast majority of applications in the home. Smaller
sizes may be desirable for certain applications or aesthetic
reasons, such as a small bathroom. The dispenser and its components
may have varied colors, such as the almonds and whites that are
seen in porcelain bath fixtures or may have any other desirable
color. When the housing is used for industrial or institutional
purposes or in commercial applications, it may be desirable to make
the housing substantially larger and able to hold substantially
more rolls of either or both wet and dry wipes and tissue.
[0090] The housing may be configured as shown in FIG. 1 to mount
onto or into a conventional wall mount toilet paper holder. It may
also be mounted directly to a wall, for example by way of a screw,
through mounting hole 30, or by other means of fixing the housing
to a wall or surface, such as glue, nails, screws, rivets, magnetic
attachments, staples, engaging brackets and pressure mountings
against the sides of a conventional wall mount for toilet tissues.
The housing also may have a lock 13 that engages a tab 12 on the
cover to keep the cover closed, yet provide an easy way to open the
dispenser. Various other ways to lock or fix the cover to the
housing may also be employed. For example, a lock and key approach
may be desirable in commercial applications or houses where there
are small children present.
[0091] The housing may also have an opening 14 that is made to
receive cover mounts 29. The opening 14 and the cover mounts 29 may
further be configured to receive a conventional toilet tissue
roller. The housing may further be configured to support a means of
dispensing, storing, containing or mounting another product such as
wipes, toilet tissue, or the like. For example, the housing may
support a shelf, which may in turn support a container of wet wipes
having the same or a different composition from that of the wipes
inside the housing. The housing may further have an opening 28 for
receiving a pin 27 on the tray 3.
[0092] The cover 7 may be made of any similar material to the
housing; it may be the same as or a different material from the
housing. The cover may be clear or have a window for viewing the
amount of wet wipes that remain in the dispenser. It is noted,
however, that because the cover is in direct contact with the wet
wipe, the cover forms the top of the cartridge when the cartridge
is inserted into the dispenser and the cover closed, and wood or
any other material that would support bacterial growth would not be
favored. It is preferred that all materials that are in contact
with the wet wipes be made from materials that discourage, or do
not support bacterial growth.
[0093] Moreover, anti-bacterial agents, medicinal, botanical or
skin and health agents may be added to the materials that are used
to construct the components of the dispenser system, including by
way of example the dispenser housing, the tray, the wiper blade,
the wiper assembly, the cartridge, the cover and the gaskets. In
particular, any component that is in contact or associated with the
wet wipes may have such an agent added to it.
[0094] The cover is designed to cooperate with the cartridge 11 to
form a barrier to moisture loss from the wet wipes. The cover may
also be designed to cooperate with other components of the
dispenser system to form a moisture barrier. The dispenser can
maintain wet wipes in a moist condition when fully closed for at
least 1 day, for at least 2 days, for at least 5 days and for at
least 14 days, and preferably for more than 14 days at room
conditions of 73.degree. F. (22.8.degree. C.) and 50% relative
humidity. The dispenser when fully closed can maintain at least
about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about
50%, and at least about 95% of the moisture of the wipes for a 14
day period at 73.degree. F. (22.8.degree. C.) and 50% relative
humidity. These moisture retention values can be obtained with a
tail of the wipe protruding through the gap, the tail having a
length of not more than 1.5 inches (38.1 mm).
[0095] The cover may further be designed to cooperate with the
cartridge 11, or other components of the dispenser system, to form
a barrier to contamination of the wipes within the dispenser. Thus,
the cover in cooperation with the cartridge, or other components of
the dispenser system, may form a barrier to dirt, dust, mold
spores, and bacteria.
[0096] The space between the inner surface of the front cover and
the surface of the lip of the cartridge may vary between about 2 mm
and about 10 mm. In this way there is formed a dome above an open
cartridge that at least partially covers that opening, which dome
is preferably less than about 15 mm, less than about 10 mm, less
than about 5 mm and ideally is less than about 2 mm above the lip
of the cartridge. The height of the dome may also be measured from
the surface of a full roll of wet wipes in which an additional 2 to
7 mm may be added to the height of the dome. Higher domes may also
be employed, but such higher domes may be less aesthetically
pleasing and may provide for greater amounts of evaporation or
moisture loss from the wet wipes.
[0097] The cover may be provided with an inside rim 33 (see, e.g.,
FIG. 3) and a wiper 10 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 3). The cover inside
rim and wiper cooperate with the lip 31 of the cartridge. In this
way when the cover is closed the inside rim is brought against the
lip of the cartridge and the wiper is similarly brought against the
tray including the guides, as well as the lip of the cartridge. In
a further embodiment, the cover may be provided with a lip, and the
cartridge may be provided with a rim to facilitate the
cooperation.
[0098] The distance between the inside of the cover where the wiper
is located and the tray may be less than the height of the wiper
blade. Thus, in this configuration the wiper blade would be placed
under compression against the lip, the tray, or the guides 16 or
all of them depending on the position of the wiper. Here the wiper
blade would exert pressure on the wet wipes. The wiper may also be
positioned so that it contacts the wet wipe but does not exert
pressure against it, or be positioned so that it is a short
distance above the wet wipe. The amount of pressure that the wiper
exerts on the wet wipe may vary depending upon several factors,
including the purpose for the wiper, the material that the wiper
blade is made from, the material that the wet wipe is made from and
the material that the cartridge lip 31 is made from.
[0099] The tray 3 may be made from any similar material to the
housing or cover, and it may be the same material or different
material from those of components. The tray may have side walls 22,
23, 80, and 81. Walls 22 and 23 correspond to the sides of the
dispenser, wall 80 corresponds to the top of the dispenser, and
wall 81 corresponds to the bottom of the dispenser. The tray shown
in the figures does not have a back wall, although one may be
provided if desired. The side walls may be provided with recesses
24, 25, and 26. These recesses cooperate with protrusions 19, 20,
and 21 on the cartridge (19 with 26, 20 with 24 and 21 with 25). In
this way, the cartridge is securely, yet easily removably held in
the dispenser. The tray opening 15 is sized in relation to the
cartridge (or the cartridge may be sized in relation to the tray
opening) so that the cartridge can easily be slid into and out of
the dispenser.
[0100] The tray and cartridge together result in a keyed type
arrangement that allows the cartridge to be inserted fully or
properly in only one orientation into the dispenser. Thus, the two
elements fit together in a manner similar to a lock and key. This
assures that the roll of wipes will unwind from a predetermined
orientation, i.e., from the bottom of the roll or the top of the
roll. As is apparent from FIG. 2 the tray opening and cartridge are
not symmetrically shaped. This asymmetry provides for the keyed
arrangement. An object is considered symmetrical if there can be a
plane which passes through the object such that the portions on
either side of the plane are reflections of each other.
[0101] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the asymmetry in the
vertical plane is obtained by having a different number and
location of protrusions and recesses on opposite sides. It is
recognized that any suitable means to accomplish asymmetry may be
employed, such as notches, tongue and groove, or the shapes of the
opening and detents. For example, some of the cartridge walls may
be flat while others are rounded, or the cartridge lip may be
non-planar. Additionally, labeling or marking of the cartridge, the
tray, or both can create the effect of asymmetry.
[0102] The housing may further have guides 16. The guides may be
movable or fixed. The guides may have raised surfaces 16a and
lowered surfaces 16b. These guides may be made from the same type
of material as the housing. They may be integral with the housing.
The guides and the housing may be one continuous piece of plastic.
The guides may be designed to cooperate with the wiper to prevent
or reduce the tendency of the wipe to skate to one side of the
dispenser as the wipe is pulled out and torn off. The guides may
also cooperate with the wiper to regulate and control the amount of
drag. The tray may have barbs 71 to discourage the placement of wet
wipes directly into the dispenser without the use of a protective
package, a practice which could cause premature drying of the wet
wipes or could allow the growth of bacteria and/or mildew in the
wipes. An example of tray without barbs is seen at FIG. 26.
[0103] The cartridge may be made out of any suitable material, such
as plastic. It is preferable that the cartridge be made from a
light weight, inexpensive, disposable and recyclable material. The
cartridge has side walls 17, 18, 39 and 40 and bottom wall 41. The
cartridge has a lip 31 that forms an opening at the top of the
cartridge. The cartridge has ribs 32. The ribs may extend part way
or all the way along the sides 39, 40, and the bottom 41. The ribs
32 may cause grooves or indentations to form in the rolls,
depending on the density of the roll and conditions of use. These
grooves are not necessary to the use of the dispenser system. The
curvature of the cartridge bottom is between 40 and 45 degrees,
preferably between 42 and 44 degrees.
[0104] The cartridge may be any shape or size provided that it fits
in or cooperates with the dispenser. For example a cartridge that
would be useful for application in the home would have side walls
17 and 18 that are less than 105 mm and side wall 39 and 40 that
are less than 134 mm.
[0105] Instead of protrusions 19, 20 and 21, the cartridge may have
recesses at those locations, and the tray may have corresponding
protrusions. Moreover, the cartridge may have ribs, like rib 32,
along side walls 17 and 18.
[0106] The cartridge may have a lid or cover with a removable
strip. Removal of this strip would result in a gap through which
the wipes can be dispensed. In this configuration, it may be useful
to attach the tail of the wipes to the strip. In this way, removal
of the strip facilitates the threading of the wipes through the
gap. The cartridge may also have a removable seal over the
cover.
[0107] The container for the wet wipes may also be flexible. A
flexible package made of plastic, metal foil, paperboard or
combinations thereof may be used to seal the wipes in a wrapper or
may be configured as a pouch with a removable cover. Any material
and configuration that prevents the loss of moisture from the wet
wipes may be used to package the wipes. A removable cover may
contain a removable strip to facilitate dispensing of the wipes.
The cover may also contain a lip to cooperate with the cover inside
rim and the wiper. The combination of the wipes and the container
may be the same size as or smaller than the cartridge so as to fit
within the tray.
[0108] FIG. 16 shows a dispenser in the closed condition with a
tail of a wet wipe 36 protruding from gap 4 into the finger hold
indentation that is formed by recess 5. In use, the tail of the wet
wipe would be grasped and pulled generally in the direction of
arrow 35 causing the roll to unwind and the wipe to be dispensed
from the dispenser. In use, the wet wipe may also be subjected to
forces tangential and perpendicular to the direction of arrow 35.
If these forces occur, the guides and the wiper help to prevent the
wipe from skating to one side of the gap and bunching up or
binding.
[0109] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a dispenser, cartridge, and
roll of wipes 34 showing the relationship of these components.
[0110] FIG. 18 shows a roll of wipes 34 that has a tail 36 and
further defines the axis of the roll as 37. Rolls useful with this
dispenser or as part of a dispensing system may contain from as
little as a few linear inches (or cm) to more than 450 linear
inches (11.43 m), to more than linear 600 inches (15.24 m) to more
than a thousand linear inches (25.40 m) of wet wipes. The rolls may
have a web of material that may have any number of sheets. Usually,
the sheets are separated by perforations that enable the sheet to
be easily torn from the web but are strong enough that they will
not separate while the web is being pulled from the dispenser. An
example of a roll that is particularly useful for applications in
the home is one that has a diameter of about 2 inches (50.8 mm) to
about 3 inches (76.2 mm), of about less than 5% inches (139.7 mm),
and preferably has a diameter of about 3 inches (76.2 mm) and more
preferably of about 27/8 inches (73.0 mm). This roll has from about
400 linear inches (10.16 m) of wipes to about 1000 linear inches
(25.40 m) of wipes. Without limitation, each sheet length may be
from about 3 inches (76.2 mm) to about 10 inches (254.0 mm) and
preferably are about 4.5 inches (114.3 mm). This roll may further
have a density of from about 0.3 g/cc to about 1 g/cc, from about
0.5 g/cc to about 1 g/cc and preferably about 0.62 g/cc. A
particular example of a roll may be one having a diameter of about
2 inches (50.8 mm) and containing about 450 linear inches (11.43 m)
of wipe. Another particular example of a roll may be one having a
diameter of about 3 inches (76.2 mm) and containing 450 linear
inches (11.43 m) of wipes.
[0111] The preferred form of wet wipes for use with the dispenser
system is a solid coreless roll as shown in FIG. 18. It is to be
understood, however, that cored rolls (hollow cores, solid cores
and partially solid cores), hollow coreless rolls, and stacks of
sheets may also be used in the dispenser system. When density
values are referred to herein, it is for the density of the roll
and this would exclude any void, for a coreless hollow roll, or
space occupied by a core for a cored roll.
[0112] Various tests and observations of physical properties are
reported in Tables I, II, III, and IV.
[0113] Solution add-on level is the amount of solution by weight
divided by the amount of dry wipe by weight multiplied by 100 to
provide a percentage value.
[0114] Base sheet converting refers to the width of the roll and
the sheets in the roll, i.e., along axis 37 of the roll in
inches.
[0115] Perforation refers to the amount of cutting and the distance
between the cuts in the perforation that separates the sheets in a
roll. There are three parameters to this measurement: cut length,
bond length and bond spacing. The bond spacing is equal to the sum
of the cut length plus the bond length. By way of example,
perforations that are useful with wet wipes are ones that have a
bond length of 0.02 inch (0.51 mm), a cut length of 0.05 inch (1.27
mm), and a bond spacing of 0.07 inch (1.78 mm), or one that has a
bond length of 0.04 inch (1.02 mm), a cut length of 0.09 inch (2.29
mm) and a bond spacing of 0.13 inch (3.30 mm).
[0116] Dry basis weight is the basis weight of the wipe before the
solution is added to the wipe, i.e., before it is wet.
[0117] Wet thickness is the thickness of a wet wipe, i.e., after
the solution has been added to it, in mm.
[0118] Sheet count is the number of sheets in a roll, i.e., the
number of sheets created by the perforations.
[0119] Although all tests are done under TAPPI standard test
conditions, the wet wipes are not equilibrated to those conditions.
Instead, the wipes are removed from a sealed container or cartridge
and tested within a few, generally less than 5-10, minutes after
opening. This is about a 5 minute variation in this time period
that the wet wipe is exposed to the atmosphere, which does not
materially or significantly alter the test results.
[0120] Tensile, stretch and TEA (total energy absorbed) values were
obtained on the wet product following ASTM 1117-80, section 7, with
the following modifications: sample dimensions were 1+/-0.04 inch
(25.4+/-1.0 mm) wide and 4.25+/-0.04 inches (108.0+/-1.0 mm) wide;
initial gauge length was 3+/-0.04 inches (76.2+/-1.0 mm); test
speed is 12 inches/minute (305.0 mm/min).
[0121] MD tensile is the peak load before failure per inch width of
the sample, as determined in the machine direction. CD tensile is
the peak load before failure per inch width of the sample, as
determined in the cross direction. MD stretch is the percentage of
elongation the wipe has in the machine direction at the peak load.
CD stretch is the percentage of elongation of the wipe in the cross
machine direction at the peak load. Total Energy Absorbed (TEA) is
the area under the force-elongation curve (in units of lb. and ft.,
respectively) from the start to the failure point divided by the
initial surface area of the sample between the upper and lower
grips. For these samples, this surface area was 3 sq. inches (19.4
cm.sup.2). Ten specimens were tested for each code, and the average
was calculated and reported. The test can be carried out on a
standard tensile tester such as a MTS Sintech 1/G test machine with
TestWorks 3.10 software. Both the Sintech test machine and the
TestWorks software are available from MTS Corporation located at
1400 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, Minn.
[0122] Detach refers to the force in grams per sheet that is
required to break a perforation, i.e., the amount of force required
to separate two sheets in a roll along the perforation. These
properties were determined using a MTS Sintech 1/G test machine
with TestWorks 3.10 software. Two sheets were removed from a roll.
The sheets had a width of 4.25 inches (108.0 mm), and were
connected by perforations along the width. The sheets were folded
in half along the length such that the width of the sample was 21/8
inches (54.0 mm). The top and bottom of the sample were placed in
grips having an internal spacing of 2 inches (50.8 mm), such that
the perforation line was centered between the upper and lower
grips. The upper grip was then displaced upward (i.e. away from the
lower grip) at a rate of 10 inches/minute (254.0 mm/min) until the
sample was broken along the perforations. The applied force and
sample elongation were measured throughout the test. The peak load
from the force-elongation curve is recorded so that the detach
strength is expressed in units of grams/sheet. The average results
from ten samples are reported.
[0123] Percentage strain at peak load ("% strain@pk load") was
determined from the results of the test described above. The
elongation at the peak load is divided by the initial sample length
of 2 inches (50.8 mm), and the result is designated the %
strain@peak load. The average results from ten samples are
reported.
[0124] Wet thickness refers to the thickness of a wipe that is
measured while the sample is subjected to a specified load or
weight. The wet thickness of wet wipes and wipes before wetting are
reported in Table II. These values are based on samples measuring
3.times.4 inches (76.times.102 mm) that were individually placed
under a confining load of 0.05 pounds/square inch (psi) (345 Pa).
The region of the sample that was tested was free of wrinkles and
folds. A Starrett Comparator Base Model 653G was used to perform
these tests available from Starrett, 121 Crescent St., Athol, Mass.
01331. This base is precision ground to be flat (tolerance of
+/-0.001 inch, +/-0.025 mm). A digital displacement indicator (Sony
model U30-1SET) was attached to the base via a cantilevered
horizontal control arm supported by a vertical shaft. The indicator
measures vertical displacement relative to the comparator base to
within 0.001 inch (0.025 mm). The load was applied by an acrylic
contact foot attached to a vertically traveling spindle shaft that
descended to the comparator base. The foot has a diameter of 3.00
inches (76.2 mm), a height of 0.63 inch (16.0 mm) and is flat on
the lower surface to a tolerance of +/-0.001 inch (0.025 mm). The
weight of the contact foot, spindle, and the associated hardware,
not including the contact force springs in the indicator, is
160.5+/-0.1g. The spindle shaft descends to the comparator base
with a travel time of 0.5 seconds to 0.75 seconds. The thickness
was measured by the indicator as the height of the wipe relative to
the surface of the comparator base immediately after the load
pressure of 0.05 psi (345 Pa) was applied for 3 seconds.
Calibration before testing was performed on a set of standard
samples traceable to the National Bureau of Standards.
[0125] By way of example and without limitation, wet wipes useful
in the present dispensing system may have a dry basis weight from
about 10 to about 200 gsm, a dry thickness from about 0.5 to about
2 mm, a wet (i.e., wipe with solution or wetting material added)
thickness from about 0.3 to about 0.7 mm, a MD wet tensile at least
about 250 g/inch (9.8 g/mm), a CD wet tensile at least about 200
g/inch (7.9 g/mm), a MD wet stretch from about 5% to about 30%, a
CD wet stretch from about 5% to about 36%, a TEA MD wet strength of
from about 0.5 to 2 ft-1 b/sq. inch (0.10 to 0.4 J/cm.sup.2), a TEA
CD wet strength of from about 0.5 to 2 ft-lb/sq. inch (0.10 to 0.4
J/cm.sup.2), and a solution add-on of about 150-350%.
[0126] Peel force measures the amount of force in grams/4.25 inches
(g/108.0 mm) required to unroll a roll of wet wipes, i.e., the
grams required to unroll a roll that is 4.25 inches (108.0 mm)
wide. Thus, these values could be normalized to apply to any width
roll in grams/inch of roll width basis. The peel force, as reported
in Table II was the force required to unroll a roll as it was
resting in an open cartridge and was measured with an MTS Sintech
1/G test machine with TestWorks 3.10 software. A 4.5-inch (114.3
mm) wide clamp with rubber surfaces gripped the tail of a roll,
with the roll positioned directly underneath the clamp such that
the tail would remain vertical, as it was unwound from the roll.
The clamp was attached to the crosshead, which pulled the tissue
web upward at a speed of 100 cm/minute. Peel force was measured by
a 50 Newton load cell. The average load to pull 18 to 20 sheets
away from the roll was recorded by averaging two runs in which 4
sheets each were separated and two runs in which 5 sheets each were
separated. Only the first 18 to 20 sheets from the roll were used
to obtain the measurements of Table II.
[0127] The dispensing force, which is the force to pull the wet
wipes from the dispenser, may also be determined. This force can be
measured with a MTS Sintech 1/G test machine equipped with
TestWorks 3.10 software. A clamp with rubber surfaces grips the
tail of a roll of wet wipes placed in a dispenser. The initial
distance between the clamp and the platform where the dispenser
sits is about 12 inches (304.8 mm). The dispenser is placed
underneath the clamp. The clamp is attached to the crosshead, which
pulls the roll upward at a speed of 100 cm/min. The pull force is
measured by a 50 Newton load cell. For each run, the pull force as
a function of pull distance curve for pulling 4 sheets away from a
roll is recorded using the TestWorks 3.10 software. Based on the
curve, the average pull force for each run is calculated. The
average load of five runs is used to represent the dispensing force
of a given roll. Only the first 23 to 25 sheets from the roll were
used to obtain the measurement.
[0128] Table I sets out types of wet sheets and their properties.
In Example 1, the solution was a sufficient amount of commercial
(no salt) solution such as that which is used in the commercially
available KLEENEX.RTM. brand COTTONELLE.RTM. flushable moist wipes
product of Kimberly-Clark Corporation. In Example 2, the solution
was a sufficient amount of 4% salt water solution such as a simple
4% salt water solution with other additives as disclosed in the
examples of wet wipe applications discussed previously in the
Background of Invention, all of which have been and are
incorporated herein by reference.
1 TABLE I Non-Dispersible Dispersible Wet Wipe Example 1 Wet Wipe
Example 2 Basis Weight 60 gsm 60 gsm Solution commercial (no 4%
salt solution salt) Solution Add on level 175% 228% Basesheet
Converting 4.25" width 4.25" width Perloration Bond 0.11" 0.07"
Spacing Run Average Run STDev Run Average Run STDev Dry Basis
Weight (gsm) 57 2 66 4 Wet Thickness (mm) 0.56 0.02 0.47 0.01 Sheet
Count 99 0.7 99 1.1 Wet tensiles MD Tensile (g/in) 380 26 321 30 MD
Stretch 23 1.4 28 1.6 (% Elongation) TEA (Ft-Lb/Sq.In) 0.96 0.06
1.02 0.07 CD Tensile (g/in) 329 28 287 29 CD Stretch 28 1.8 34 3.5
(% Elongation) TEA (Ft-Lb/Sq.In) 0.93 0.09 0.97 0.13 Detach
(g/sheet) 752 21 853 34 % strain @ pk load 8 05 11 1.1
[0129] Table II contains additional data reflecting the properties
of disposable wet wipes. This table shows the effects that changing
base sheet and solution variables has on the physical properties of
the wipes. The pulp used to make these sheets was Weyerhauser CF
405. For this example, the binder was example Code E, Table 15, of
Ser. No. 09/564,531. This binder material had a molecular weight of
610,000 and was made from the following monomers provided in the
following weight percents: 60% acrylic acid, 24.5% butacrylic acid,
10.5% 2-ethylhexyl-acrylic acid, and 5% AMPS
(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid).
2TABLE II 100% pulp/ 100% pulp/ 100% pulp/ 15% PET/ 65 gsm 60 gsm
55 gsm 55 gsm Basesheet 22% binder/1.1 20% binder/.76 20%
binder/.76 20% binder/.84 Variables mm dry thickness mm dry
thickness mm dry thickness mm dry thickness 0.5% silicone; 0.25%
lanolin Solutions Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 MD Wet
Tensile 500 452 383 391 (g/1") CD Wet Tensile 445 403 344 310
(g/1") wet thickness (mm) 0.46 0.40 0.39 0.41 peel force 167 131
106 1.0% silicone; 0.25% lanolin Solutions Example 7 Example 8
Example 9 MD Wet Tensile 473 401 416 (g/1") CD Wet Tensile 455 348
350 (g/1") wet thickness (mm) 0.45 0.40 0.39 peel force 170 120 115
1.0% silicone; 0.0% lanolin Solutions Example 10 MD Wet Tensile 528
(g/1") CD Wet Tensile 462 (g/1") wet thickness (mm) 0.44 peel force
162
[0130] Table III sets out the physical properties of rolls of wet
wipes and Table IV sets out the theoretical physical properties of
rolls of wet wipes.
3TABLE III Coreless Roll Measurements and Calculations Unwound
Calculated Calculated Measured Wet Roll Effective Compression Roll
Diameter Thickness Density Thickness Factor Number (inches) (mm)
(g/cm.sup.3) (mm) (%) 1 2.77 NA 0.621 0.340 71% 2 2.83 0.41 0.595
0.355 74% 3 2.86 NA 0.583 0.362 76% 4 2.90 NA 0.567 0.373 78% 5
2.96 0.478 0.544 0.388 81% 6 2.86 NA 0.583 0.362 76% 7 2.98 NA
0.537 0.393 82% 8 2.88 NA 0.575 0.368 77% 9 2.94 NA 0.552 0.383 80%
10 2.86 0.448 0.583 0.362 76% 11 2.86 NA 0.583 0.362 76% 12 2.84 NA
0.591 0.357 74% 13 3.00 NA 0.530 0.399 83% 14 2.86 NA 0.583 0.362
76% 15 2.86 NA 0.583 0.362 76% Initial sheet length = 5 inches
Initial sheet width = 4.125 inches Number of sheets in roll = 90
Dry basesheets basis weight = 65 gsm Target solution add-on = 225%
Calculated roll weight = 253 grams Assumed wet thickness prior to
winding = 0.48 mm Compression factor = calculated effective
thickness (wound)/assumed wet thickness prior to winding Calculated
Roll Density = weight/.pi.d.sup.2/4 .times. width (calculated roll
weight/.pi. .multidot. measured diameter.sup.2/4 .multidot. initial
sheet width) Calculated Effective Thickness - calculated thickness
of sheet in roll under pressure of winding.
[0131]
4TABLE IV Theoretical Rail Density Possibilities Dry Calculated
Assumed Assumed Calculated Calculated Basesheet Solution Roll
Pre-wound Compression Roll Roll Weight Add-on Weight Wet Thickness
Factor Diameter Density (gsm) (%) (grams) (mm) (%) (inches) (g/cm
.sup.3) Footnote 65 225 253 0.48 1.300 3.75 0.34 (1) 65 225 253
0.48 1.150 3.53 0.38 65 225 253 0.48 1.000 3.29 0.44 (2) 65 225 253
0.48 0.900 3.12 0.49 65 225 253 0.48 0.800 2.94 0.55 65 225 253
0.48 0.710 2.77 0.62 (3) 65 225 253 0.48 0.600 2.55 0.73 65 225 253
0.48 0.500 2.33 0.88 (4) 65 225 253 0.48 0.440 2.18 1.00 65 225 253
0.48 0.405 2.09 1.09 (5) 65 300 311 0.48 1.300 3.75 0.42 65 300 311
0.48 1.150 3.53 0.47 65 300 311 0.48 1.000 3.29 0.54 65 300 311
0.48 0.900 3.12 0.60 65 300 311 0.48 0.800 2.94 0.68 65 300 311
0.48 0.700 2.75 0.77 65 300 311 0.48 0.600 2.55 0.90 65 300 311
0.48 0.500 2.33 1.08 50 225 195 0.48 1.300 3.75 0.26 50 225 195
0.48 1.150 3.53 0.29 50 225 195 0.48 1.000 3.29 0.34 50 225 195
0.48 0.800 2.94 0.42 50 225 195 0.48 0.600 2.55 0.56 50 225 195
0.48 0.400 2.08 0.85 50 225 195 0.48 0.313 1.84 1.08 50 150 150
0.48 1.300 3.75 0.20 (6) 50 150 150 0.48 1.000 3.29 0.26 50 150 150
0.48 0.800 2.94 0.33 50 150 150 0.48 0.600 2.55 0.43 50 150 150
0.48 0.400 2.08 0.65 50 150 150 0.48 0.300 1.80 0.87 50 150 150
0.48 0.240 1.61 1.09 Initial sheet length = 4.5 inches Initial
sheet width = 4.125 inches Number of sheets in roll = 100 Total
roll length = 37.5 feet Footnotes - Table IV (1) A very loose roll,
no compression, lots of air spaces, giving an overall low density
(2) A roll that theoretically has no compression; this density and
volume for roll vs. unrolled would be equal (3) A roll that has
been produced, with this compression and roll density (4) Estimate
of maximum compression achievable before product failure from
in-wound tension exceeding strength of sheets or perforations (5)
Physical limitation of the maximum density achievable based on
incompressibility of water (6) Low end density achieved by a loose
roll, low dry basis weight and low % Add-on
[0132] The dispensing force should be ideally considerably less
than the detach force for a roll of perforated wipes. In this way,
it is assured that the wipes will be able to be pulled from, or
removed from, the dispenser without inadvertently breaking the
perforation. Thus, a dispensing force of from about 100 g to about
600 g is contemplated, a dispensing force of from about 150 g to
250 g is further contemplated and ideally a dispensing force of
less than 200 g is desirable, with forces based on g/4.25 inches
(g/108.0 mm). Normalized, these forces are 23.5 g/inch (0.93 g/mm)
to 141.2 g/inch (5.56 g/mm), 35.3 g/inch (1.39 g/mm) to 58.8 g/inch
(2.32 g/mm), and 47.1 g/inch (1.85 g/mm).
[0133] Generally a peel force of from 80 g-300 g (per 4.25 inches,
108.0 mm) is contemplated, although lower peel forces may be
obtained with different types of wipe products. The cartridge adds
minimal resistance to the roll as it is unwound. Thus, the force
required to unwind a roll is not materially increased by the
cartridge. The roll or stack of wipes may also be placed directly
in the tray for dispensing, without the use of a cartridge.
[0134] FIG. 19 shows the roll 34 as it is placed in a cartridge in
a dispenser.
[0135] The spiral line 38 is intended to represent the manner in
which the roll is wound and depicts in that configuration a roll
that is being unwound from the bottom. That figure further shows
the relationship of the wiper 10 to the wet web. FIG. 20 shows the
roll 34 in cartridge 11, with spiral line 38 indicating the wind of
the roll. This figure shows the relationship of the roll and the
ribs 32. As can be seen from this figure the roll is lifted off of
the side and bottom walls of the cartridge by rib 32. Thus, the
amount of surface area of the roll that is in contact with the
cartridge is reduced. This in turn reduces the drag that the roll
experiences from friction with the cartridge when the roll is
turned.
[0136] FIG. 21 shows a portion of a cartridge 11, the lip 31 of the
cartridge, and the side walls 39 and 40. The angle at which the
cartridge is positioned has an effect on how well the dispenser
will perform. The angle will have a tendency to increase or reduce
the drag associated with pulling the wipe out. It will have an
effect on the amount of siphoning, wicking, or drying that may take
place in the wet wipe. It may also have an effect on how the roll
acts as it is unwound, becoming smaller and smaller in the
cartridge. The angle of the cartridge can be measured by the angle
that the lip 31 forms with a true vertical axis, shown as 42. For a
dispenser system as shown in FIGS. 1-19, the angle 43 that the lip
31 has with a true vertical axis 42 should be from about 10 degrees
to about 80 degrees, from about 20 degrees to about 70 degrees, at
least greater than 20 degrees, at least smaller than 60 degrees,
and preferably about 30 degrees.
[0137] Further, the angle may be selected such that it balances the
forces between the peel forces associated with unrolling the roll
and the weight of the roll forcing it down against the ribs. Thus,
the wipe can be unrolled without having excessive movement of the
roll within the cartridge, which in turn overcomes the tendency of
the roll to translate toward the gap and bind or jam the dispenser.
Additionally, the selection of the angle may play a role in
reducing the drying of the wet wipe. As the angle 43 is increased
the difference between the height of the top of the roll and the
tail is decreased, thus decreasing any siphoning driving force.
[0138] FIGS. 22 through 25 show various views of an example of a
cover. In this example the cover 7 has cover mounts 29, a recess 5
for forming part of a finger hold indentation, an inside rim 33,
which has a top inside rim section 45 and side inside rim sections
46 (of which only one can be seen in FIG. 24), leg sections 72, and
posts 44. In this example, the posts are used to connect the wiper
to the cover.
[0139] FIGS. 26 through 28 show an example of a tray 3a. In this
example, the tray has an opening 15a with 3 recesses on both sides.
The tray has guides that are rollers 47.
[0140] In a further example of the tray, the tray is fixed to the
housing. This may be accomplished by having the housing and tray
being made out of a single piece of material or having the housing
and tray joined together by a permanent bonding means, such as
welding, heat bonding or gluing. In yet a further example the tray
may be attached to the housing so that is cannot rotate with
respect to the housing, yet still may be removable.
[0141] FIG. 29 shows the rollers 47 used in the tray 3a shown FIG.
26-28. The rollers have raised surfaces 67 and lowered surfaces 68.
The raised and lowered surfaces of the rollers as well as any guide
may also be a ridge or a rim. As the raised or lowered surfaces
become narrower, i.e., become sharper, care must be taken not to
cut the wet web.
[0142] Wiper blades may be made out of any flexible material, such
as thermoplastic elastomers, foam, sponge, plastic, or rubber
having a shore A durometer hardness value ranging about 0 to 80,
from about 15 to about 70 and preferably from about 30 to about 60.
It is further preferred that the wiper blades be made from a
material that will form a good moisture and contamination barrier.
Examples of preferred types of material are SANTOPRENE.RTM.,
Kraton.RTM., silicone, or styrene ethylene/butylene styrene (SEBS).
The wiper blade is designed to function with the guides and the
tray and to a limited extent the lip of the cartridge. Depending on
the placement of the wiper, it could have greater or lesser
interaction with these components of the dispensing system. The gap
between the end of the wiper blade and the tray may be varied
depending upon the thickness of the wet wipes and how much drag is
need for the dispensing system to function as desired. The wiper
blade can help to hold the tail of the wipe in place and thus keep
the tail from falling back through the gap and into the cartridge.
The wiper blade material has a Gurley stiffness value (ASTM D
6125-97) between about 100 mg and 8000 mg, preferably between about
200 mg and 6000 mg, and more preferably between about 400 mg and
3000 mg.
[0143] The force applied to the wipe by the wiper blade when
pulling the wipe from the dispenser should not be greater than the
tensile strength of the wipe in the non-perforated region and not
greater than the perforation tensile strength of a perforated wipe.
If the wipes are made such that they are dry in storage and become
wet during use, the blade may be configured to exert pressure on
the wipe. In this case, the dispensing of a sheet or sheets causes
sufficient shear to be applied to the wipe to permit the moisture
to be released. For example, this force or shear may be sufficient
to cause microcapsules of fluid to burst or may be sufficient to
rupture a protective emulsion, which contains the fluid.
[0144] FIGS. 32 through 37 show an example of a wiper assembly. In
this example, the wiper assembly 10 comprises a chassis 48, and a
blade 50 that has fingers 49. In this example, the fingers are
designed to cooperate with the lowered surfaces 16b (FIG. 2A) of
the guides on the housing. In this example the blade is made of
SANTOPRENE.RTM. and the chassis is made of polypropylene.
[0145] FIGS. 38 through 39 show an example of a wiper blade. In
this example, the wiper blade is formed of a single piece (see FIG.
38) of material that is folded over to form the wiper blade (see
FIG. 39). The wiper blade has raised portions 51 that reduce the
amount of surface area of the wiper blade that contacts the sheet
and raised areas 53 and lowered areas 52 that cooperate with the
raised and lowered areas of the guides.
[0146] FIGS. 62 to 65 illustrate dispensers 1 that have a rounded
member 95 or rounded ridges 96. These components are shown as being
part of or attached to the wiper blade assembly 99 and adjacent the
wiper blade 74. These components prevent or reduce the tendency of
the roll from binding in the gap as the size of the roll
decreases.
[0147] FIGS. 57 through 61 show an example of a wiper assembly. In
this example, the wiper comprises a chassis 73, and a wiper blade
74 (74a shows sections of blade engaging and protruding through the
chassis) that has fingers 75. In this example, the fingers are
designed to cooperate with the lowered surfaces of the guides 16 in
the dispenser. In this example the blade is made of SANTOPRENE.RTM.
and the chassis is made of polypropylene. This embodiment contains
raised or thicker areas 97 of the wiper. These raised areas
cooperate with the guides 16 on the tray.
[0148] FIGS. 40 through 41 show an example of a roller bar for
toilet tissue. This example comprises a first roller housing 80, a
second roller housing 81 and a spring 82. FIGS. 55 through 56 show
other embodiments of the dispenser.
[0149] FIGS. 42 through 45 show an example of a mounting assembly.
This mounting assembly comprises slide arms 55 and 56, housings 57
and 58, end openings 59, and springs 61. The slide arms have stops
60 that cooperate with stops 83 to limit the maximum longitudinal
extension of the slide arms. The mounting assembly has a third
housing 84 that has tabs 63 that cooperate with openings 62 to
secure the housings 57 and 58 to housing 84. Housing 84 further has
a threaded passage 64 for receipt of a screw. FIG. 44 shows the
mounting assembly with the slide arms in a retracted position,
while FIG. 45 shows the mounting assembly with the slide arms in an
extended position. In one embodiment, the length of the mounting
assembly in the retracted position is about 3.5 inches (88.9 mm),
and the length of the mounting assembly in the extended position
the length is about 8 inches (203.2 mm). Preferably, the length of
the mounting assembly in the retracted position is about 5 inches
(127.0 mm), and the length of the mounting assembly in the extended
position the length is about 6.5 inches (165.1 mm). The three
housing design may also be simplified into a two housing embodiment
or a single housing embodiment. In the two housing embodiment, top
and bottom or side and side halves are fixed together to hold the
spring and slide arms.
[0150] The assembly is held in place by having the ends out the
side arms positioned in holes in the object that the dispenser is
to be attached to, for example the holes in a toilet paper
dispenser mounted into a wall. The springs keep the slide arms
extended and thus hold them in the holes. A screw is then inserted
through the dispenser and the passage 64 and tightened down,
forcing the end engagement surfaces 90 against the wall of the
holes in the toilet tissue dispenser.
[0151] FIG. 66 depicts a conventional bath tissue holder 85 that is
the partially recessed type, having posts 86. FIG. 67 depicts a
conventional bath tissue holder 85 that is not recessed and having
posts 86 and a roller 6. FIG. 68 illustrates the holder of FIG. 67
with the roller removed and a mounting assembly 8 engaged with the
post 86. In actual use the mounting, assembly would be joined with
a dispenser, as shown for example in FIG. 2.
[0152] The mounting assembly should be made out of material that is
strong enough to withstand the forces that are placed on it to hold
the dispenser in place. The material should have enough strength to
withstand the forces that the screw will place on the treaded
passage. Examples of materials that may provide these features and
be used to make the mounting assembly are 15% or more glass filled
Pbt, ABS or any material having similar strength properties.
[0153] FIGS. 46 to 50 show an example of a screw 9 that cooperates
with a mounting device, such as the example shown in FIGS. 42-45.
The screw should be made of material that meets the same strength
requirements as set out for the mounting assembly. In this example,
the screw has a thread design that requires 6 turns to move it 1
inch (25.4 mm). Standard ACME conventional screw threads require 23
turns to move it 1 inch (25.4 mm). This thread design provides
greater ease for the user to attach the dispenser because it
requires less turns of the screw to do so. In this example, the
screw additionally has a large head, with a groove 65 and grips 66.
The groove can fit a coin or screwdriver. The larger head of the
screw and the groove, however, are not necessary, although they may
be preferred to provide greater ease to install the dispenser
system. The screw may further be provided with a lock nut or jam
nut near the head to prevent loosening of the screw after it is
tightened.
[0154] Alternative mountings may also be employed. These mountings
may be fixed or removable. They may include by way of example such
fastening systems as cable ties, wing nuts, anchor bolts, click,
and grooves and snap and lock mechanisms.
[0155] FIGS. 51-53 show an example of a cartridge. In this example,
the cartridge has protrusions 69 on its side walls.
[0156] FIG. 54 shows an example of a package of cartridges. In use,
this package would be filled with rolls of wet wipes, one for each
cartridge. The cartridges would than be sealed, by placing a
totally or partially removable cover over the lips 31. The seal is
preferably moisture and bacterial resistant. The consumer would
then purchase the package and remove a cartridge, open the
dispenser and place the cartridge in the dispenser. The top of the
cartridge or the slit in the cover can be removed either before
placing the cartridge in the dispenser or after it is inserted in
the dispenser. The end of the roll of wet wipes is then pulled out
and over the tray and guides and the cover is then closed, thus
providing an efficient system for dispensing wet wipes.
* * * * *