U.S. patent application number 09/909408 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-16 for cartridge for moist wipes.
Invention is credited to DeGreen, Gerald P., Dellerman, Paige A., Faulks, Michael J., Gambaro, Anthony M., Huang, Yung H., Krautkramer, Robert E., Lindsay, Jeffrey D., Newman, William R., Sosalla, Gerald K., Stanca, Nick E., Velazques, Herb F..
Application Number | 20020056785 09/909408 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27097798 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020056785 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Newman, William R. ; et
al. |
May 16, 2002 |
Cartridge for moist wipes
Abstract
There is provided a cartridge for dispensing wet wipes and for
use with or in a dispensing system. The system may include a
housing, a tray and a cartridge. The cartridge may have a durable
cover over a portion of the cartridge opening, which may be covered
with a bacterial resistant seal.
Inventors: |
Newman, William R.; (Neenah,
WI) ; Gambaro, Anthony M.; (Appleton, WI) ;
Krautkramer, Robert E.; (Kaukauna, WI) ; Sosalla,
Gerald K.; (Appleton, WI) ; Dellerman, Paige A.;
(Appleton, WI) ; Velazques, Herb F.; (Neenah,
WI) ; Lindsay, Jeffrey D.; (Appleton, WI) ;
Huang, Yung H.; (Appleton, WI) ; Faulks, Michael
J.; (Neenah, WI) ; DeGreen, Gerald P.;
(Windsor, OH) ; Stanca, Nick E.; (Westlake,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
NBC TOWER - SUITE 3600
455 N. CITYFRONT PLAZA DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60611
US
|
Family ID: |
27097798 |
Appl. No.: |
09/909408 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09909408 |
Jul 19, 2001 |
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09659283 |
Sep 12, 2000 |
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09659283 |
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: |
242/588.3 ;
242/594.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/3266 20130101;
A47K 10/32 20130101; B65D 85/672 20130101; A47K 10/3827 20130101;
A47K 10/426 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/588.3 ;
242/594.1 |
International
Class: |
B65H 016/02; B65D
085/671 |
Claims
1. A container for wet wipes, comprising: a cartridge comprising a
first opening having a first rectangular clearance; the first
rectangular clearance having a first length and a first width; a
moisture-loss preventing seal; and a permanently attached cover
over a portion of said first opening; wherein said permanently
attached cover forms a second opening having a second rectangular
clearance; the second rectangular clearance having a second length
and a second width.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the second length is less than
about 90% of the first length.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the second length is less than
about 75% of the first length.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the second length is less than
about 60% of the first length.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the second length is less than
about 50% of the first length.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the second width is less than
about 90% of the first width.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the second width is less than
about 75% of the first width.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the second width is less than
about 60% of the first width.
9. The container of claim 1, wherein the second width is less than
about 50% of the first width.
10. The container of claim 1, wherein the second length is less
than about 90% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 90% of the first width.
11. The container of claim 1, wherein the second length is less
than about 75% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 75% of the first width.
12. The container of claim 1, wherein the second length is less
than about 60% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 60% of the first width.
13. The container of claim 1, wherein the second length is less
than about 50% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 50% of the first width.
14. The container of claim 1, further comprising a roll of wet
wipes.
15. A container for wet wipes, comprising: a cartridge comprising
an interior and an opening; the opening having a first rectangular
clearance; the first rectangular clearance having a first length
and a first width; a roll of wet wipes in said interior; and a
permanently attached cover over a portion of said opening; the
permanently attached cover forming a second opening having a second
rectangular clearance; the second rectangular clearance having a
second length and a second width; wherein the roll is retained in
the interior; and the wipes can be removed from the interior by
unwinding the roll.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the second length is less
than about 90% of the first length.
17. The container of claim 15, wherein the second length is less
than about 75% of the first length.
18. The container of claim 15, wherein the second length is less
than about 60% of the first length.
19. The container of claim 15, wherein the second length is less
than about 50% of the first length.
20. The container of claim 15, wherein the second width is less
than about 90% of the first width.
21. The container of claim 15, wherein the second width is less
than about 75% of the first width.
22. The container of claim 15, wherein the second width is less
than about 60% of the first width.
23. The container of claim 15, wherein the second width is less
than about 50% of the first width.
24. The container of claim 15, wherein the second length is less
than about 90% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 90% of the first width.
25. The container of claim 15, wherein the second length is less
than about 75% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 75% of the first width.
26. The container of claim 15, wherein the second length is less
than about 60% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 60% of the first width.
27. The container of claim 15, wherein the second length is less
than about 50% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 50% of the first width.
28. The container of claim 15, wherein the permanently attached
cover is configured as a strip.
29. The container of claim 15, wherein the permanently attached
cover is configured as a plurality of corner covers.
30. The container of claim 15, wherein the permanently attached
cover is configured as a semicircularly shaped cover.
31. The container of claim 15, wherein the permanently attached
cover comprises buttons and the cartridge comprises button holes;
the buttons and button holes coordinating to lock the permanently
attached cover to the cartridge.
32. The container of claim 15, further comprising a moisture-loss
preventing seal.
33. The container of claim 32, wherein the moisture-loss preventing
seal covers the second opening and is removably adhered to a
portion of the permanently attached cover.
34. A container for wet wipes comprising: side walls having a top
and a bottom; each side wall having a length and a depth; the tops
of the side walls forming an opening having a first length and a
first width; two opposed side walls corresponding to the first
length of the container; a bottom wall joined to each side wall;
the bottom wall having an curved section and a planar section; the
curved section having a first side and a second side; the planar
section having a first side and a second side; the first side of
the curved section being joined to the bottom of a first side wall;
the second side of the curved section being joined to the first
side of the planar section; the second side of the planar section
being joined to the bottom of a second side wall that is opposed to
the first side wall; a lip; the lip joined to the top of a side
wall; the lip extending outwardly at least about 5 mm from the top
of a side wall; a permanently attached cover contacting at least a
portion of the lip; and a moisture-loss preventing cover contacting
at least a portion of the lip.
35. The container of claim 34, wherein the permanently attached
cover provides a rectangular clearance having a second length and a
second width.
36. The container of claim 34, wherein the second length is less
than about 75% of the first length.
37. The container of claim 34, wherein the second width is less
than about 75% of the first width.
38. The container of claim 34, wherein the second length is less
than about 75% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 75% of the first width.
39. The container of claim 34, wherein the curvature of the bottom
wall is about 42 to about 44 degrees.
40. The container of claim 34, wherein the curvature of the bottom
wall is about 40 to about 45 degrees.
41. The container of claim 34, wherein the side walls corresponding
to the width wise dimension of the container are tapered from the
bottom toward the top, such that the distance between them is less
at the bottom of the container.
42. The container of claim 34, comprising a rib.
43. The container of claim 34, comprising a plurality of ribs, the
ribs extending along the first wall, the curved bottom section, the
planar bottom section and at least partially along the second
wall.
44. A dispensing system for wipes, comprising: a dispenser, the
dispenser comprising an interior; and a container shaped to fit
into the interior; the container comprising a cartridge, a
permanently attached cover, a plurality of wet wipes, and a
moisture-loss preventing seal.
45. The dispensing system of claim 44, wherein the cartridge
comprises a first opening having a first rectangular clearance, the
first rectangular clearance having a first length and a first
width; the permanently attached cover is situated over a portion of
said first opening to form a second opening having a second
rectangular clearance, the second rectangular clearance having a
second length and a second width.
46. The dispensing system of claim 44, wherein the second length is
less than about 90% of the first length.
47. The dispensing system of claim 44, wherein the second length is
less than about 60% of the first length.
48. The dispensing system of claim 44, wherein the second width is
less than about 90% of the first width.
49. The dispensing system of claim 44, wherein the second width is
less than about 60% of the first width.
50. The dispensing system of claim 44, wherein the second length is
less than about 75% of the first length and the second width is
less than about 75% of the first width.
51. The dispensing system of claim 44, further comprising a roll of
wet wipes.
52. The dispensing system of claim 44, wherein the interior and the
container are shaped to fit in a single orientation.
53. The dispensing system of claim 44, wherein the dispenser, the
cartridge, and the permanently attached cover together are capable
of maintaining at least 95% of the moisture of wet wipes for a 14
day period at 73.degree. F. and 50% relative humidity.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of pending U.S.
application entitled Container for Wet Wipes, Ser. No. 09/659,283,
attorney docket no. 659/707 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, the disclosures of which
are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[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-dipsersible. 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 Ser. 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. Nos. 09/565,227 and 09/545,995; in
application Ser. Nos. 09/659,307; 09/659,295; 09/660,049;
09/659,311; 09/660,040; 09/659,283; 09/659,284; 09/659,306, filed
Sep. 12, 2000; in application Ser. No. 09/748,618, filed Dec. 22,
2000; in application Ser. No. 09/841,323, filed Apr. 24, 2001; in
application Ser. No. 09/844,731, filed Apr. 27, 2001; and in
application Ser. No. 09/849,935, filed May 4, 2001; the disclosures
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0005] There is a need for disposable containers for wet wipes
which are used to dispense the wipes which are originally present
in the container, and which can be subsequently discarded. Ideally,
the disposable container is not used for more than one set of wipes
in order to minimize the possibility of contamination of the
wipes.
SUMMARY
[0006] In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a
container for wet wipes, comprising a cartridge comprising a first
opening having a first rectangular clearance; the first rectangular
clearance having a first length and a first width; a moisture-loss
preventing seal; and a permanently attached cover over a portion of
said opening; wherein said permanently attached cover forms a
second opening having a second rectangular clearance; the second
rectangular clearance having a second length and a second
width.
[0007] These embodiments may further comprise a container wherein
the second length is less than about 90% of the first length, the
second length is less than about 75% of the first length, the
second length is less than about 60% of the first length, and the
second length is less than about 50% of the first length; wherein
the second width is less than about 90% of the first width, the
second width is less than about 75% of the first width, the second
width is less than about 60% of the first width, and the second
width is less than about 50% of the first width; wherein the second
length is less than about 90% of the first length and the second
width is less than about 90% of the first width, the second length
is less than about 75% of the first length and the second width is
less than about 75% of the first width, the second length is less
than about 60% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 60% of the first width, and the second length is less
than about 50% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 50% of the first width; and wherein the container
further comprises a roll of wet wipes.
[0008] In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a
container for wet wipes, comprising: a cartridge comprising an
interior and an opening; the opening having a first rectangular
clearance; the first rectangular clearance having a first length
and a first width; a roll of wet wipes in said interior; and a
permanently attached cover over a portion of said opening; the
permanently attached cover forming a second opening having a second
rectangular clearance; the second rectangular clearance having a
second length and a second width; wherein the roll is retained in
the interior; and the wipes can be removed from the interior by
unwinding the roll.
[0009] These embodiments may further comprise a container wherein
the second length is less than about 90% of the first length, the
second length is less than about 75% of the first length, the
second length is less than about 60% of the first length, and the
second length is less than about 50% of the first length; wherein
the second width is less than about 90% of the first width, the
second width is less than about 75% of the first width, the second
width is less than about 60% of the first width, and the second
width is less than about 50% of the first width; wherein the second
length is less than about 90% of the first length and the second
width is less than about 90% of the first width, the second length
is less than about 75% of the first length and the second width is
less than about 75% of the first width, the second length is less
than about 60% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 60% of the first width, and the second length is less
than about 50% of the first length and the second width is less
than about 50% of the first width.
[0010] These embodiments may yet further comprise a container
wherein the permanently attached cover is configured as a strip;
wherein the permanently attached cover is configured as a plurality
of corner covers; wherein the permanently attached cover is
configured as a semicircular cover; wherein the permanently
attached cover comprises buttons and the cartridge comprises button
holes, the buttons and button holes coordinating to lock the
permanently attached cover to the cartridge; wherein the container
further comprises a moisture-loss preventing seal; and wherein the
moisture-loss preventing seal covers the second opening and is
removably adhered to a portion of the permanently attached
cover.
[0011] In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a
container for wet wipes comprising: side walls having a top and a
bottom; each side wall having a length and a depth; the tops of the
side walls forming an opening having a first length and a first
width; two opposed side walls corresponding to the first length of
the container; a bottom wall joined to each side wall; the bottom
wall having an curved section and a planar section; the curved
section having a first side and a second side; the planar section
having a first side and a second side; the first side of the curved
section being joined to the bottom of a first side wall; the second
side of the curved section being joined to the first side of the
planar section; the second side of the planar section being joined
to the bottom of a second side wall that is opposed to the first
side wall; a lip; the lip joined to the top of a side wall; the lip
extending outwardly at least about 5 mm from the top of a side
wall; a permanently attached cover contacting at least a portion of
the lip; and a moisture-loss preventing cover contacting at least a
portion of the lip.
[0012] These embodiments may further comprise a container wherein
the permanently attached cover provides a rectangular clearance
having a second length and a second width and wherein the second
length is less than about 75% of the first length, the second width
is less than about 75% of the first width, and the second length is
less than about 75% of the first length and the second width is
less than about 75% of the first width. These embodiments may yet
further comprise a container wherein the curvature of the bottom
wall is about 42 to about 44 degrees; wherein the curvature of the
bottom wall is about 40 to about 45 degrees; wherein the side walls
corresponding to the width wise dimension of the container are
tapered from the bottom toward the top, such that the distance
between them is less at the bottom of the container; wherein the
container comprises a rib; and wherein the container comprises a
plurality of ribs, the ribs extending along the first wall, the
curved bottom section, the planar bottom section and at least
partially along the second wall.
[0013] In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a
dispensing system for wipes, comprising: a dispenser, the dispenser
comprising an interior; and a container shaped to fit into the
interior; the container comprising a cartridge, a permanently
attached cover, a plurality of wet wipes, and a moisture-loss
preventing seal.
[0014] These embodiments may further comprise a dispensing system
wherein the cartridge comprises a first opening having a first
rectangular clearance, the first rectangular clearance having a
first length and a first width; the permanently attached cover is
situated over a portion of said first opening to form a second
opening having a second rectangular clearance, the second
rectangular clearance having a second length and a second
width.
[0015] These embodiments may yet further comprise a dispensing
system wherein the second length is less than about 90% of the
first length and the second length is less than about 60% of the
first length; wherein the second width is less than about 90% of
the first width and the second width is less than about 60% of the
first width; wherein the second length is less than about 75% of
the first length and the second width is less than about 75% of the
first width; wherein the dispensing system further comprises a roll
of wet wipes; wherein the interior and the container are shaped to
fit in a single orientation; and wherein the dispenser, the
cartridge, and the permanently attached cover together are capable
of maintaining at least 95% of the moisture of wet wipes for a 14
day period at 73.degree. F. and 50% relative humidity.
DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a dispenser and cartridge.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an open dispenser.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a top view of a dispenser.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a front view of a dispenser.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a dispenser.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side view of a dispenser.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a back view of a dispenser.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a dispenser with a wet
wipe.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a dispenser, a cartridge
and a roll of wet wipes.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a roll of wet wipes FIG. 12
is a cross section view of a dispenser, a cartridge and a roll of
wet wipes.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a cross section view of a cartridge and a roll of
premoistened wipes.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a cross section view of a cartridge.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the outside of a cover.
[0030] FIG. 16 is a front view of the outside of a cover.
[0031] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the inside of a cover.
[0032] FIG. 18 is a cross section view of a cover.
[0033] FIGS. 19-24 are views of a wiper assembly.
[0034] FIG. 21 is a cross section view along line A-A of FIG.
19.
[0035] FIG. 23 is a cross section view along line A-A of FIG.
22.
[0036] FIGS. 25A and 25B are perspective views of a cartridge
having a hinged lid.
[0037] FIGS. 26A and 26B are diagrammatic views of a cartridge
having a hinged lid.
[0038] FIGS. 27-28 are views of a wiper.
[0039] FIGS. 29-31 are views of a cartridge.
[0040] FIG. 32 is a top view of a package of cartridges.
[0041] FIG. 33 is a front plan view of a wiper assembly.
[0042] FIG. 34 is a rear plan view of a wiper assembly.
[0043] FIG. 35 is a plan view of a wiper blade.
[0044] FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of a wiper blade.
[0045] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a wiper blade.
[0046] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of a dispenser.
[0047] FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a
dispenser.
[0048] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the inside of a cover.
[0049] FIG. 41 is a top view of the inside of a cover.
[0050] FIG. 42 is a view of a conventional bath tissue holder.
[0051] FIG. 43 is a view of a conventional bath holder.
[0052] FIG. 44 is a view of a mounting assembly in a conventional
bath tissue holder (shown without the dispenser).
[0053] FIGS. 45A and 45B are side cross section views of a
cartridge.
[0054] FIGS. 46A and 46B are side cross section views of a
cartridge.
[0055] FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a cartridge.
[0056] FIGS. 48-58 are perspective views of a cartridge having a
permanently attached cover over a portion of the opening.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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. 42-44. 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.
[0059] 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 interior 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. 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.
[0060] By way of example, referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, 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. The housing may further
have an opening 28 for receiving a pin 27 on the tray 3. 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. FIGS. 1 and 4-8 show the dispenser with
the cover closed. FIG. 2 shows the dispenser and a cartridge in a
exploded view. FIG. 3 shows the dispenser assembled and in a fully
opened condition. The fully opened condition provides access to
screw 9.
[0061] 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.
[0062] 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 4-1/2 inches (114.3 mm) to 6-7/8 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 4-1/2 inches (114.3 mm) by 6-7/8 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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).
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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.
[0070] 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.
[0071] 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.
[0072] 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.
[0073] 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. This latter
approach requires the effort of the user, whereas the former
approach is designed to be "user proof." The housing may further
have guides 16. The guides may be movable or fixed. The guides may
have raised surfaces and lowered surfaces. 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.
[0074] The cartridge may be made out of any suitable material, such
as plastic. It is desirable 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 and 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.
[0075] 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 in length and side walls 39 and
40 that are less than 134 mm in length.
[0076] 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.
[0077] FIG. 9 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.
[0078] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a dispenser, cartridge and
roll of wipes 34 showing the relationship of these components.
[0079] FIG. 11 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 2-7/8 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.
[0080] The preferred form of wet wipes for use with the dispenser
system is a solid coreless roll as shown in FIG. 11. 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.
[0081] Various tests and observations of physical properties are
reported in Tables I, II, III, and IV.
[0082] 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.
[0083] 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.
[0084] 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).
[0085] Dry basis weight is the basis weight of the wipe before the
solution is added to the wipe, i.e., before it is wet.
[0086] Wet thickness is the thickness of a wet wipe, i.e., after
the solution has been added to it, in mm.
[0087] Sheet count is the number of sheets in a roll, i.e., the
number of sheets created by the perforations.
[0088] 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.
[0089] 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).
[0090] 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.
[0091] 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
2-1/8 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.
[0092] 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.
[0093] 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 U30-1 SET) 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+/-0.1 g. 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.
[0094] 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%.
[0095] 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
force in 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.
[0096] 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.
[0097] 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 4% salt
(no salt) solu- tion Solution Add 175% 228% on level Basesheet
4.25" width 4.25" width Converting Perforation 0.11" 0.07" Bond
Spacing Run Average Run STDev Run Average Run STDev Dry Basis 57 2
66 4 Weight (gsm) Wet Thickness 0.56 0.02 0.47 0.01 (mm) Sheet
Count 99 0.7 99 1.1 Wet tensiles MD Tensile 380 26 321 30 (g/in) MD
Stretch 23 1.4 28 1.6 (% Elongation) TEA 0.96 0.06 1.02 0.07
(Ft-Lb/Sq.In) CD Tensile 329 28 287 29 (g/in) CD Stretch 28 1.8 34
3.5 (% Elongation) TEA 0.93 0.09 0.97 0.13 (Ft-Lb/Sq.In) Detach 752
21 853 34 (g/sheet) % strain 8 0.5 11 1.1 @ pk load
[0098] 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 22 % binder/ 20% binder/ 20% binder 20% binder/
Basesheet 1.1 mm dry .76 mm dry .76 mm dry .84 mm dry Variables
thickness thickness thickness thickness 0.5% silicone; 0.25%
lanolin Solutions Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 MD Wet
500 452 383 391 Tensile (g/1") CD Wet 445 403 344 310 Tensile
(g/1") wet thickness 0.46 0.40 0.39 0.41 (mm) peel force 167 131
106 1.0% silicone; 0.25% lanolin Solutions Example 7 Example 8
Example 9 MD Wet 473 401 416 Tensile (g/1") CD Wet 455 348 350
Tensile (g/1") wet thickness 0.45 0.40 0.39 (mm) peel force 170 120
115 1.0% silicone; 0.0% lanolin Solutions Example 10 MD Wet 528
Tensile (g/1") CD Wet 462 Tensile (g/1") wet thickness 0.44 mm peel
force 162
[0099] 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.
[0100]
4TABLE IV Theoretical Roll Density Possibilities 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{circumflex over ( )}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
[0101] 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).
[0102] 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.
[0103] FIG. 12 shows the roll 34 as it is placed in a cartridge in
a dispenser. 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. 13 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 reduces the drag that the roll
experiences from friction with the cartridge when the roll is
turned, thus contributing to a reduced dispensing force.
[0104] FIG. 14 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. 1-12, 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.
[0105] 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.
[0106] FIGS. 15 through 18 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. 17), leg sections 72, and
posts 44. In this example the posts are used to connect the wiper
to the cover.
[0107] 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.
[0108] 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.
[0109] 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.
[0110] FIGS. 19 through 24 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 of the guides 16 on
the housing. In this example the blade is made of SANTOPRENE.RTM.
and the chassis is made of polypropylene.
[0111] FIGS. 27 through 28 show an example of a wiper blade. In
this example the wiper blade is formed of a single piece (see FIG.
27) of material that is folded over to form the wiper blade (see
FIG. 28). 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.
[0112] FIGS. 38 to 41 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.
[0113] FIGS. 33 through 37 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.
[0114] FIG. 42 depicts a conventional bath tissue holder 85 that is
the partially recessed type, having posts 86. FIG. 43 depicts a
conventional bath tissue holder 85 that is not recessed and having
posts 86 and a roller 6. FIG. 44 illustrates the holder of FIG. 43
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.
[0115] 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.
[0116] FIGS. 29-31 show an example of a cartridge. In this example
the cartridge has protrusions 69 on its side walls.
[0117] FIG. 32 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 then be sealed, by placing a
removable seal 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 seal 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.
[0118] The cartridge and the seal cooperate to prevent the loss of
moisture from the wipes. The cartridge and seal may independently
be made of a suitable material such as plastic, metal foil, or
paper, and they may be made of a single piece of material or they
may be laminated. For example, suitable materials include metal
foil; plastic-lined metal foil; plastic-coated paper;
plastic-coated cardboard; and plastics including high impact
polystyrene (HIPS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl
chloride, and laminates of plastics such as HIPS/polyvinyl
chloride/HIPS laminates.
[0119] The cartridge may have a lid or cover with a removable
strip. Removal of this strip would result in a space 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 lid or
cover.
[0120] Referring to FIGS. 48-58, the cartridge may have a
permanently attached cover over a portion of the cartridge opening.
The permanently attached cover and the cartridge opening may be
covered by a removable moisture-loss preventing seal. A permanently
attached cover is fixedly attached to the cartridge such that the
cartridge and the cover cannot be separated as a result of the
intended use of the wipes cartridge. The attachment between the
cover and the cartridge is of sufficient strength that the
cartridge and/or cover must be deformed, damaged, or subjected to
extreme environmental conditions in order to separate the cartridge
from the attached cover.
[0121] The cartridge opening has a rectangular clearance, which is
defined as a rectangle of the maximum length and width which will
fit into the opening when in the plane of the opening. The
permanently attached cover reduces the rectangular clearance of the
opening such that the roll can be removed only by unrolling the
sheets or by damaging the cartridge and/or cover. The reduction in
the rectangular clearance serves to convert the cartridge opening
into a modified, or second, opening. For some configurations of the
permanently attached cover, the original cartridge opening may be
converted into more than one second opening.
[0122] The reduced rectangular clearance, of the second opening,
may have a length that is less than about 90% of the length of the
rectangular clearance of the cartridge opening. Preferably, the
reduced rectangular clearance has a length that is less than about
75% of the length of the rectangular clearance of the cartridge
opening, more preferably less than about 60%, more preferably less
than about 50%. The reduced rectangular clearance may have a width
that is less than about 90% of the width of the rectangular
clearance of the cartridge opening. Preferably, the reduced
rectangular clearance has a width that is less than about 75% of
the width of the rectangular clearance of the cartridge opening,
more preferably less than about 60%, more preferably less than
about 50%. The reduced rectangular clearance may have both a length
and a width that are independently less than about 90% of the
corresponding length and width of the rectangular clearance of the
cartridge opening. For example, for a cartridge having an opening
with a rectangular clearance of length 114 mm and width 76 mm, the
length and width of the reduced rectangular clearance of a second
opening, formed by the presence of a permanently attached cover,
may independently be less than about 102 mm and 69 mm respectively,
may independently be less than about 85 mm and 57 mm respectively,
may independently be less than about 69 mm and 46 mm respectively,
and may be less than about 57 mm and 38 mm respectively.
[0123] The permanently attached cover may, for example, be
configured as a strip such as 200 (FIG. 48), 201 (FIG. 49), and 202
(FIG. 50). Permanently attached covers such as these serve to
divide the cartridge opening into two openings, each having a
reduced rectangular clearance. The permanently attached cover may
be configured as a plurality of corner covers such as 204 (FIG. 52)
and 205 (FIG. 53), which reduce both the width and the length of
the cartridge opening. The permanently attached cover may provide
only a single opening across the length of the cartridge, reducing
only the width of the rectangular clearance. Further examples
include semicircularly shaped permanently attached covers 206 (FIG.
54) and permanently attached covers 203 and 208 (FIGS. 51 and 55)
which expose the top or bottom half of the roll which is provided
within the cartridge.
[0124] It is desirable that the permanently attached cover has a
shape, size, and orientation such that the tail of a roll of wipes
which is contained in the cartridge can be easily accessed by a
user. For this reason, it may be desirable for the permanently
attached cover to provide access to more than half of the width of
the opening (see FIGS. 48-50, and 52-54). Access to the tail of a
roll of wipes may be especially desirable when the package of wipes
is first opened, or when a portion of the wipes has been separated
from the roll in such a way that the tail of the roll of wipes is
contained within the cartridge and is not visible along the entire
length of the second opening.
[0125] The permanently attached cover may be rigid or flexible; it
may be transparent, opaque, or translucent. The permanently
attached cover may further contain printing or embossing 210 (FIG.
56), such as for a design, directions, or other indicia. For
example, the permanently attached cover 209 (FIG. 56) may occupy
the opening such that the wipes are only exposed by way of a strip
along the bottom of the cartridge, through which they may be
dispensed. In another example, the permanently attached cover 211
(FIG. 57) provides a space for dispensing the wipes at the bottom
portion of the opening of the cartridge. The removable seal 212
(shown in a partially removed state) cooperates with the
permanently attached cover to provide a bacterial resistant seal
until the removable seal is separated from the cartridge. Referring
to FIG. 58, the permanently attached cover may be initially present
as a layer 213 over the entire opening. This layer can be
perforated 214, and a bottom portion treated with an adhesive 215.
A moisture-loss preventing seal 216 can then be placed over the
layer, contacting the adhesive. When the moisture-loss preventing
seal is removed, the portion of the layer which is adhered to the
seal is removed from the rest of the layer due to tearing of the
perforations. Referring to FIGS. 59 and 60, the permanently
attached cover may be a rigid lid 217 which can be hingedly
attached to the cartridge. The lid can be closed and snapped shut
to provide a slit through which the wipes can be dispensed. For
example, the lid may have buttons 218 (FIG. 59), and the cartridge
may have button holes 219 such that the mating of the lid and the
cartridge causes the lid to be locked onto the cartridge.
[0126] The permanently attached cover may be attached to the
cartridge by a variety of methods. For example, the attachment may
be by way of adhesives, heat welding, thermal bonding, ultrasonic
sealing, RF sealing, or mechanical attachment such as crimping. The
moisture-loss preventing seal may be attached to the cartridge and
the permanently attached cover by way of adhesives, bonding, or
sealing. It is desirable that the strength of the bond between the
moisture-loss preventing seal and the cartridge and the strength of
the bond between the moisture-loss preventing seal and the
permanently attached cover is less than the strength of the bond
between the cartridge and the permanently attached cover. In this
way, the consumer can easily remove the moisture-loss preventing
seal without removing the permanently attached cover. Both the
permanently attached cover and the moisture-loss preventing seal
contact the lip around the cartridge.
[0127] The cover reduces the opening of the cartridge, and this may
be sufficient to prevent a roll of wipes from passing through the
opening. Such a configuration discourages a consumer from placing
another roll or stack of wet wipes in the cartridge after the
original roll has been fully dispensed. Although the wet wipes
preferably contain preservatives and antimicrobial agents,
prolonged use of a single cartridge with two or more rolls of wet
wipes may compromise the sterility of the dispenser, depending on
the surrounding environment. The configuration also discourages the
removal of the roll of wipes from the cartridge. Wipes that are
removed from the dispenser can become contaminated and/or can lose
their moisture content.
[0128] FIGS. 45A and 45B depict end views of one version of an
asymmetrical cartridge 11. FIG. 45A is a view of a first end of the
cartridge 11, looking into the axis of the roll 34 and showing a
substantially rectangular wall having side walls 39, 40 and a
bottom wall 41 with an opening sealed by an impervious barrier 140
attached to a cartridge lip 31 that surrounds the opening. FIG. 45B
provides a view from the second end of the cartridge 11, showing a
curved wall with side portions 39, 40 and a curved bottom wall 41.
The cartridge 11 is keyed to fit into the housing of a dispenser
(not shown) in a manner that ensures proper orientation of the roll
of wet wipes 34 within the housing, and specifically ensures that
the tail 36 of the roll 34 is toward the bottom of the housing when
the cartridge 11 is placed therein. For the cartridge 11 to be
keyed to the housing of the dispenser (not shown), the housing (not
shown) should have an asymmetrical shape corresponding to that of
the cartridge, with one end being rounded and the other end
substantially rectangular. The transition between the rounded and
rectangular shapes may be gradual (e.g., morphing from one shape to
the other) or sudden. When viewed directly from above (i.e.,
looking down on the cartridge 11 with the opening and impervious
barrier 140 facing the viewer), the shape of the cartridge is
asymmetrical with respect to rotation of the cartridge by 180
degrees about the axis of sight (an axis normal to the axis of the
roll 34, passing from the center of the impervious barrier 140 to
the bottom wall 41). Thus, the cartridge 11 is asymmetrical for the
purposes of the present invention. When used with a housing adapted
to receive the shape of the cartridge 11 in a keyed manner, the
cartridge 11 will only fit completely into the housing when it is
placed therein with the correct orientation.
[0129] FIGS. 46A and 46B depict a related embodiment for an
asymmetrical cartridge 11, wherein both ends of the cartridge are
rounded and asymmetry in provided by the presence of a recess 142
on one end of the cartridge 11. The corresponding housing (not
shown) would have a protrusion on one end that could fit into the
recess 142. Thus, the cartridge 11 would be keyed to fit into the
housing of a dispenser in only one orientation. FIG. 47 is a
projection view of one version of the cartridge 11 shown in FIGS.
46A and 46B, wherein the recess 142 on one side of the cartridge 11
linearly tapers away to provide an opposing side without a
recess.
* * * * *