U.S. patent application number 10/768805 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for prepackaged moistened towelette for storing in limited space.
Invention is credited to Krey, L. Marie.
Application Number | 20050167315 10/768805 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34807963 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050167315 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krey, L. Marie |
August 4, 2005 |
Prepackaged moistened towelette for storing in limited space
Abstract
According to the invention, a moistened towelette of a reduced
size is individually prepackaged in an outer package. The size of
the prepackaged moistened towelette makes it particularly useful in
storing it in small storage areas, yet the towelette itself is
large enough for practical use. The towelette can further be folded
or rolled prior to being placed into the package. The package can
have various configurations.
Inventors: |
Krey, L. Marie; (South
Wayne, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert L. Knechtel
Law Offices of Mark E. Wiemelt, P.C.
Suite 3300
10 S. La Salle Street
Chicago
IL
60603
US
|
Family ID: |
34807963 |
Appl. No.: |
10/768805 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/494 ;
206/812 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/494 ;
206/812 |
International
Class: |
B65D 073/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1) An improved packaged towelette for storing in limited space
areas comprising an outer package having a first length and a
second length, the first length and the second length each having a
measurement lengthwise in the range of about 2.5 centimeters to
about 4.0 centimeters; and, a towelette, the towelette being housed
within the package, the towelette further having a first length and
a second length, the first length and the second length comprising
an area of less than 103 centimeters.
2) The improved towelette of claim 1 wherein the package further
having a top and a bottom, the top and bottom sealed to one another
along edges of the top and bottom such that a space is created in a
center portion of the sealed top and bottom.
3) The improved towelette of claim 2 wherein towelette is housed
within the space of the center of the sealed top and bottom of the
package.
4) The improved towelette of claim 1 wherein is folded prior to
being placed in the package.
5) The improved towelette of claim 1 wherein is rolled prior to
being placed in the package.
6) The improved towelette of claim 5 wherein the rolled towlette is
coiled prior to being placed in the package.
7) An improved packaged towelette for storing in limited space
areas comprising an outer package having a generally cylindrical
shape with a hollow interior space; and, a towelette, the towelette
being housed within the package hollow interior space.
8) The improved packaged towelette of claim 7 wherein the towelette
is rolled prior to being placed into the package hollow interior
space.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to disposable moistened
towelettes and more particularly to a disposable moistened
towelette prepackaged in a manner and size that makes it is
particularly useful for use in limited space storage areas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
[0002] Moistened towelettes are well known. They are useful for in
myriad circumstances. For example, during menses, women typically
like to have moistened towelettes with them for sanitary and health
purposes. However, most towelettes are of a larger size than is
commonly necessary and that makes them difficult and inconvenient
to carry on a routine basis. Moreover, towelettes are not generally
individually prepackaged but, instead, are sold in multiple
towelette containers. Rarely is there need for an entire container
of towelettes; it is, therefore, difficult to carry a small number
of towelettes at a time.
[0003] Due to their limitations, women, in the case of menses for
example, will not take traditional moistened towelettes with them
because there is no convenient or safe way to store them, and they
often do not need a towelette of the typical large size. However,
not having a towelette when the need arises can lead to a woman not
being able to clean herself properly or, worse, an embarrassing
moment when the situation arises that a towelette is needed.
[0004] Additionally, the typical towelette's size limits the
ability to store it in a small area, such as in a purse or pocket.
Further, recently invented catamenial related product storage
devices require that moistened towelettes of a reduced size and
storing configuration be available for placement in the
devices.
[0005] Even in the instance where a towelette is prepackaged, such
as in the case of towelettes commonly found in restaurants, the
towelette is typically four by four inches or larger. The towelette
and its packaging are, therefore, sufficiently large size that it
makes it difficult to store in a small, confined area. This is
especially true in the case of catamenial related product storage
devices. Placing current size and packaged towelettes in these
devices requires that the towelette is forced into the device. This
limits the number of towelettes that can be carried to generally
one, and forcing the towelette into the device can damage the
towelette packaging, rendering the towelette unusable.
[0006] There is need, therefore, for a moistened towelette that is
individually packaged in a size and manner that makes it is
conducive to storage in a limited space area. At the same time,
there is need for a moistened towelette that is of a large enough
size to provide practical value, yet inexpensive to manufacture and
that provides a user the ability to store towelettes in a
convenient, safe, clean, and organized manner in a sufficient
number to be beneficial.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a moistened
towelette that is individually packaged.
[0008] It is a further object of the invention to provide a
moistened towelette that is conducive to storage in a limited
space.
[0009] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
moistened towelette that is of a large enough size to provide
practical value.
[0010] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
towelette that is thin enough to be packaged such that the overall
thickness of the towelette and its packaging is not unduly bulky,
yet the towelette is strong enough to be useful without
tearing.
[0011] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
moistened towelette that is inexpensive to manufacture.
[0012] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
moistened towelette that provides a user the ability to store
towelettes in a convenient, safe, clean, and organized manner in a
sufficient number to be beneficial.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The above objects and advantages are provided for in a
prepackaged moistened towelette. According to the invention, a
moistened towelette of a reduced size is individually prepackaged
in an outer package. The length-size and thickness of the
prepackaged moistened towelette makes it particularly useful for
storage in small storage areas, yet the towelette itself is large
enough for practical use. The towelette itself is something less
than 100 centimeters square. The packaging surrounding the
towelette is 12.25 centimeters square.
[0014] There has been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
There are, of course, additional features of the invention that
will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter
of the invention.
[0015] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0016] Further, the purpose of the abstract is to enable the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is
neither intended to define the invention of the application, which
is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to
the scope of the present invention in any way.
[0017] These together with other objects of the present invention,
along with the various features of novelty which characterize the
present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims
annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages
and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be
had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which
there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Figure one illustrates a prepackaged moistened towelette
outer packaging.
[0019] Figure two illustrates a side view of a prepackaged
moistened towelette packaging.
[0020] Figure three illustrates a cross sectional view of a
moistened towelette housed within moistened towelette outer
packaging.
[0021] Figure four illustrates multiple moistened towelettes placed
within a limited space storage area.
[0022] Figure five illustrates a moistened towelette being removed
from moistened towelette an outer packaging.
[0023] Figure six illustrates a moistened towelette separated from
the packaging and in an open position.
[0024] Figure seven illustrates a side view of a moistened
towelette separated from the packaging and in an open position.
[0025] Figure eight illustrates a side perspective of a rolled
towelette.
[0026] Figure nine illustrates a top open view of one example in
which a rolled towelette can be packaged.
[0027] Figure ten illustrates a perspective open view of another
example in which a rolled towelette can be packaged.
[0028] Figure eleven is a perspective open view of a rolled
towelette in a cylindrical package.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Before explaining the preferred embodiment of the present
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
present invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
limiting.
[0030] Turning to Figure one, a prepackaged moistened towelette
package 20 is seen. Package 20 for towelette 22 may be of any
variety, such as foil or plastic. The only requirement is that it
is sufficiently impervious to moisture escape that the towelette 22
(FIG. 3) within it retains moisture so that the towelette is of
value.
[0031] As seen in Figure one, package 20 is sealed around its edge
24 along both length L1 and length L2. Towelette 22 is housed in
the center 26 of package 20. Package 20 has a length L1 and a
length L2 which are preferably 3 cm with a range of 2.5 cm to 4 cm
being acceptable. Package 20 does not have to be square or even
have 90 degree corners. It can be rectangular, rounded, oval, or
other suitable shape. In an alternate embodiment, as seen in FIG.
10, package 20 can be cylindrical. The inventor has found that this
range for package 20 is ideally suited for use with most catamenial
related product storage devices while at the same time enables the
package to contain a moistened towelette 22 of sufficient size to
be of value yet not so large as to limit the number of moistened
towelettes that can be transported at any given time.
[0032] As seen in Figures two and three, package 20 with towelette
22 within it is essentially flat, with only a slight bulge in
center 26 for containment of towelette 22.
[0033] Figure three also illustrates that package 20 has a top 28
and a bottom 30. Top 28 and bottom 30 seal along edge 24 to contain
towelette 22 in the center 26 of package 20.
[0034] Turning to Figure 4, it is seen that package 20 can be
stacked within a storage area 32 of a container 34. In this
example, container 34 has a lid 36.
[0035] When a moistened towelette is needed, it is removed from
package 20 by tearing it 38 along any of length L1 or length L2 to
create an opening 40 into center 26, thereby exposing towelette
22.
[0036] As for moistened towelette 22, it has a length L3 and a
length L4 (FIG. 6) and a thickness T1 (FIG. 7). Regarding lengths
L3 and L4, the inventor has found that a 10 cm.times.10 cm size for
towelette 22 is ideal; however towelette 22 can range in size from
4 cm.times.4 cm to 12 cm.times.12 cm and still fit the criteria of
the package 20, yet be of useful size.
[0037] To maintain acceptable L3 and L4 lengths and fit the
criteria for fitting into package 20 without creating a finished
packaged product of unacceptable thickness at center 26, the
thickness T1 of towelette 22 must be thin. Current towelettes are
made of a material that requires them to have a thickness that
would yield an unacceptable result with the present invention.
Accordingly, towelette 22 should preferably be approximately 50
mils or thinner in thickness. The towelette should have sufficient
stability to be useful and manufactured at an acceptable cost; any
material meeting these requirements can be used. Towelette 22 can
be infused with any moistening liquid or gel acceptable to the
user, such as an alcohol based wipe, so long as it does not
interfere with the integrity of the towelette material.
[0038] In an alternate embodiment, as seen in FIG. 8, towelette 22
can be rolled as opposed to folded. In a rolled configuration,
towelette 22 can be placed in package 20 as a coil A.
Alternatively, towelette 22 can be rolled and then placed in a
package 20a in a cylindrical configuration. As depicted in FIG. 11,
in a cylindrical configuration, packaged towelette 20 can fit in
catamenial storage devices 38 along side other items such as tampon
40.
[0039] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the preferred and alternative
embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and function of the
embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may
be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed.
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