U.S. patent application number 10/667538 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-24 for wipe dispenser and threader for wipe dispenser.
Invention is credited to Long, John N., McKinney, Jim, Modrzejewski, Dave.
Application Number | 20050061826 10/667538 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34313325 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050061826 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Long, John N. ; et
al. |
March 24, 2005 |
Wipe dispenser and threader for wipe dispenser
Abstract
A threader for a wipe dispenser is initially attached to the lid
of the wipe dispenser for a continuous roll of wipes. The threader
has a handle at one end and a snag at the other. When the wipe
dispenser is first opened, the threader is removed from the lid.
The snag is inserted into the wipe dispenser. The threader is
manipulated to allow the snag to come into contact with the first
wipe on the continuous roll of wipes. The threader is then pulled
from the wipe dispenser, pulling the first wipe from the wipe
dispenser. The threader is then returned to the lid for later
use.
Inventors: |
Long, John N.; (Morton
Grove, IL) ; McKinney, Jim; (Peach Tree City, GA)
; Modrzejewski, Dave; (Crystal Lake, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP
900 FIFTH THIRD CENTER
111 LYON STREET, N.W.
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503-2487
US
|
Family ID: |
34313325 |
Appl. No.: |
10/667538 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/33 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/0842 20130101;
A47K 10/3818 20130101; B65D 83/0811 20130101; A47K 2010/3266
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/033 |
International
Class: |
B65H 001/00 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A wipe dispenser comprising: a web, the web containing a
plurality of pre-moistened wipes, each pre-moistened wipe attached
to a subsequent pre-moistened wipe; a container enclosing web, the
container having a foramen for dispensing a wipe from the roll of
pre-moistened wipes; and a threader removably attached to the wipe
dispenser for pulling a wipe through the foramen.
2. The wipe dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a hole so that
the threader may be placed through the hole in order to engage the
web.
3. The wipe dispenser of claim 2 further comprising a canal
connecting the foramen to the hole.
4. The wipe dispenser of claim 3 where the hole is ovular.
5. The wipe dispenser of claim 4 where the threader has a first end
and a second end where the first end is opposite to the second end
and a snag is attached to the first end.
6. The wipe dispenser of claim 5 where the second end is comprised
of a handle.
7. The wipe dispenser of claim 6 further comprising a cap, where
the foramen and the hole are contained within the cap.
8. The wipe dispenser of claim 7 where the cap has a lid.
9. The wipe dispenser of claim 8 where the lid has a snap means for
securing the threader to the lid.
10. The wipe dispenser of claim 9 where the cap has a recessed
interior, and the foramen and the hole are contained within the
recessed interior.
11. The wipe dispenser of claim 10 where the lid is closeable over
the recessed interior.
12. The wipe dispenser of claim 11 where the snag is a hook.
13. The wipe dispenser of claim 12 where the hook is tapered to a
point.
14. A threader for dispensing a wipe from a web of wipes, the web
of wipes contained within a dispensing container comprising: a
handle; a first end disposed opposite the handle; and a snag
attached the first end, the snag capable of catching at least one
wipe from the web of wipes.
15. The threader of claim 14 further comprising a neck, the first
end attached to the neck, the neck and the handle attached by a
hinge, the neck foldable over the handle for storage, and the neck
and the handle unfolded for use.
16. The threader of claim 15 further comprising an extension arm,
the extension arm capable of being slideably containable within the
handle, the first end attached to the extension arm.
17. The threader of claim 14, 15, or 16 where the snag is a
hook.
18. The threader of claim 14, where the hook is tapered.
19. The threader of claim 18 where a neck connects the handle to
the first end.
20. The threader of claim 19 where the threader having a top and a
bottom, where the hook is located on the bottom.
21. The threader of claim 20 where the threader is of sufficient
size so that it may not be readily lost within the dispensing
container.
22. A cap for a wipe dispenser, the wipe dispenser containing a web
of wipes, comprising: a body; a hole within the body for engaging a
wipe attached to the web of wipes; and a foramen within the body
for attaching the wipe.
23. The cap of claim 22 further comprising a lid, the lid disposed
to cover the hole and the foramen.
24. The cap of claim 23 further comprising: a recessed interior,
the recessed interior containing the hole and the foramen, and the
lid disposed to cover a substantial portion of the recessed
interior.
25. The cap of claim 24 further comprising snap means for holding a
threader in the lid.
26. The cap of claim 25 further where the snap means is comprised
of a first snap and a second snap.
27. The cap of claim 26 where the cap is made of a thermoplastic
material.
28. The cap of claim 27 where the recessed interior is large enough
to encapsulate the threader therein.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to containers for
dispensing pre-moistened wipes, and more particularly to a device
for threading an initial wipe through the opening of the wipe
dispenser.
[0002] Wipe dispensers have long been well known in the art of
pre-moistened wipes, especially baby wipes, and have recently
become well known for use with similar products such as hand wipes
and wipes for car washing. A typical wipe dispenser consists of a
container, often cylindrical in shape, with a cap attached to one
end. The cap generally includes a small opening that allows a user
to pull wipes through the opening without having to remove the
entire cap and reach into the container. To increase the ease of
dispensing the wipes, the wipes are generally joined together
inside the container in roll form or accordion form so that once a
first wipe has been pulled through the opening, each additional
wipe will consequently follow through the opening. Lines of
weakening separate the wipes, and consequently the pulled wipe
tears from the web as the wipe clears the opening. Usually, this
leaves the next wipe exposed and eliminates the need to open the
cap and pull each individual wipe through the opening.
[0003] One difficulty in conventional prior art dispensers is the
process of removing the initial wipe. Generally, when a consumer
purchases a conventional wipe dispenser the entire roll of wipes is
inside the container. In order to access the initial wipe, the user
must remove the cap and reach into the container to pull out the
first wipe in the roll. Locating the first wipe on the inner
diameter of the roll while reaching inside the container can be
difficult and messy. Further, it may be difficult to thread the
first wipe through the opening in the cap before reattaching the
cap to the container.
[0004] Additionally, even after the first wipe is threaded through
the opening, there is a possibility that a subsequent wipe will not
be pulled through the opening, requiring the user to re-open the
container and repeat the process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The aforementioned difficulties are overcome by the present
invention by a threader for a conventional wipe dispenser to allow
access to the initial wipe as well as any subsequent wipes in the
container. In a preferred embodiment, the threader is a wand having
a hook at one end and a handle at the other. The threader is
generally linear and is of sufficient length to fit within the lid
of the container. The lid is provided with snaps or other
attachment means so that the threader can be securely fastened to
the lid when not in use.
[0006] A user would first open the lid and remove the threader. She
would then place the threader inside the container and use the hook
on the threader to snare a wipe. She would then pull the wipe
through the top of the container. The threader would be reattached
to the lid so that is could be later be used if retrieval of the
wipe is later needed.
[0007] The present invention therefore greatly eases the wipe
dispensing process and also saves time in accessing the first wipe.
Additionally, the manufacturing process for the container is
greatly simplified since only the lid needs be modified to
incorporate the wand. The remainder of the container, including the
disposition of the wipes within the container, as well as the
process for assembling the container would not need to be
changed.
[0008] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the
invention will be readily understood and appreciated by reference
to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the wipe dispenser of the
present invention with the threader attached to the lid.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view of the cap.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side elevational of the threader.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the wipe dispenser with the
threader in the interior of the wipe dispenser.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows an extensible threader with the arm
retracted.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows the extensible threader with the arm
extended.
[0015] FIG. 7 shows a foldable threader in the unfolded
position.
[0016] FIG. 8 shows a foldable threader in the folded position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] A wipe dispenser in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and generally
designated 5. Wipe dispenser 5 generally includes a elongated sheet
of pre-moistened wipes 10 in roll form within container 12.
Container 12 is conventional and is well known in the art. Cap 14
covers the top of container 12. Threader 16 is intended to be
adapted to fit a wide variety of shapes and sizes of these
conventional containers and caps, but will be described in
connection with the particular container 12. Lid 18 is hinged at
the perimeter of cap 14 so that it may be opened to expose the
wipes 10.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the cap 14 with lid 18 in the open position.
Threader 16 is held to the interior of lid 18 by a pair of snaps
20, 22. Cap 14 is generally cylindrical, but includes a recessed
interior 24. Interior cap wall 26 attaches recessed interior 24 to
upper surface 28 of cap 14. Recessed interior 24 contains foramen
30 and ovular hole 32. Canal 33 connects foramen 30 to ovular hole
32.
[0019] Ovular hole 32 is of sufficient size and shape to
accommodate threader 16 and to allow access of threader to wipes
10. Foramen 30 is generally circular.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows threader 16. Threader 16 is generally
elongated, with hook 34 at one end. Neck 36 attaches hook 34 to
handle 38. Handle 38 is adapted so as to easily fit within the
hand.
[0021] Threader 16 is of sufficient size so that it will not
readily fall entirely through ovular hole 32 or foramen 30. If a
user were to lose his grasp on the threader, a portion of the
threader would extend through ovular hole 32 so that it might be
easily retrieved.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows the operation of threader 16. After purchase, a
user manually removes threader 16 from lid 18. The user then places
threader 16 into dispensing container 12 through ovular hole 32.
The user then manipulates threader 16 so as to cause hook 34 to
engage the inner diameter of the wipes 10. Hook 34 then catches on
an inner layered wipe from wipes 10. The user then pulls the inner
layered wipe through ovular hole 32. The wipe is then disengaged
from hook 34. User then pulls the wipe through canal 33 into
foramen 30. The wipe is then pulled with sufficient force to tear
it from the web. A second wipe is then partially pulled through
foramen 30. Subsequent removal of wipes continually replaces any
removed wipe with a subsequent wipe until all wipes have been
uses.
[0023] After retrieving the first wipe, threader 16 is then
returned to lid 18 for later use. If for any reason a subsequent
wipe is not pulled into position in foramen 30, then threader 16
can be used to retrieve the web.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows a different embodiment for a threader. Threader
50 is comprised of handle 52 and extension arm 54. Extension arm 54
is slideably contained within handle 52. Haft 56 is affixed to
extension arm 54. Hook 56 is attached to extension arm 54. When
pressure is applied to haft 56, extension arm 54 slides out of
handle 52, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0025] FIG. 7 show a further embodiment for a threader. Threader 60
is shown in the extended position. Hook 62 is attached to neck 64.
Neck 64 is attached to handle 66 by way of hinge 68. Hinge 68 could
be a film hinge. Brace 70 is firmly attached to handle 66, and
provides support to neck 64 whenever threader 60 is used to snare
the web.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows threader 60 in a folded position. Hinge 68
allows neck 64 to fold over handle 66.
[0027] The above descriptions are those of preferred embodiments of
the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without
departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as
defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in
accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine
of equivalents. Any reference to claim elements in the singular,
for example, using the articles "a," "an," "the" or "said," is not
to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
* * * * *