U.S. patent application number 11/399842 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-11 for portable dispenser.
Invention is credited to Karl Antoine Bakker, Jason Craig Campbell, Christine M. Cowell, Ryan L. Fulscher, George I. Nukuto, Robert Samuel Schlaupitz, Tim W. Shoaf.
Application Number | 20070235466 11/399842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38058854 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070235466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fulscher; Ryan L. ; et
al. |
October 11, 2007 |
Portable dispenser
Abstract
A spill proof, portable dispenser including a top attached to a
bottom on a first side, a lid attached to the bottom on a second
side, and wherein the top can only be opened after first opening
the lid. Thus, when the dispenser is closed, the top is prevented
from opening relative to the bottom unless the lid is first opened.
The dispenser can be easily refilled by first opening the lid and
then opening the top to access the dispenser's interior.
Inventors: |
Fulscher; Ryan L.; (Neenah,
WI) ; Schlaupitz; Robert Samuel; (New London, WI)
; Cowell; Christine M.; (Neenah, WI) ; Shoaf; Tim
W.; (Appleton, WI) ; Nukuto; George I.;
(Neenah, WI) ; Campbell; Jason Craig; (Chicago,
IL) ; Bakker; Karl Antoine; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.;Catherine E. Wolf
401 NORTH LAKE STREET
NEENAH
WI
54956
US
|
Family ID: |
38058854 |
Appl. No.: |
11/399842 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/33 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/3266 20130101;
A47K 10/421 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/033 |
International
Class: |
B65H 1/00 20060101
B65H001/00 |
Claims
1. A dispenser comprising a top attached to a bottom on a first
side, a lid attached to the bottom on a second side, and wherein
the top can only be opened after first opening the lid.
2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the bottom comprises a tub
having a floor and an upstanding sidewall.
3. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the top comprises a main lid
having an upper surface, a distending sidewall, and a dispensing
orifice located in the upper dispensing surface.
4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the top comprises a main lid
having an upper surface and a distending sidewall.
5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the lid comprises a mini-lid
having an overlapping section and a pivoting extension and forming
an L-shape.
6. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein the lid comprises a mini-lid
having an overlapping section and a pivoting extension and forming
an L-shape.
7. The dispenser of claim 3 wherein the lid comprises a mini-lid
having an overlapping section and a pivoting extension and forming
an L-shape.
8. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein the tub has an overall height,
Hb, and the dispenser has an overall height, Hd, and ratio of Hd/Hb
is between about 0.53 to about 0.75.
9. The dispenser of claim 3 wherein the main lid has an overall
height, Ht, and the dispenser has an overall height, Hd, and Ht is
less than about 1/2 Hd.
10. The dispenser of claim 5 wherein the mini-lid covers the
dispensing orifice and only a portion of the top.
11. The dispenser of claim 7 wherein the mini-lid covers the
dispensing orifice and only a portion of the upper surface.
12. The dispenser of claim 1 having an overall height, Hd, and
wherein Hd is between about 0.5'' to about 1.5''.
13. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the top and the bottom are
substantially rectangular in shape, and the top and the lid are
hingedly attached on opposing sides of the bottom.
14. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the top and the bottom are
substantially rectangular in shape, and the top and the lid are
hingedly attached on adjacent sides of the bottom.
15. The dispenser of claim 7 wherein the mini-lid further comprises
an opening tab attached to the overlapping section, the main lid
comprises an opening recess adjacent to the dispensing orifice, and
wherein the opening tab is lower in elevation with respect to the
overlapping section such that at least a portion of the opening tab
is disposed in the opening recess.
16. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the lid comprises a living
hinge connecting the lid to at least one tab, and wherein the lid
is attached to the bottom comprising at least one slot by placing
the at least one tab into the at least one slot.
17. The dispenser of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of wet
wipes contained within the dispenser.
18. The dispenser of claim 17 wherein the wet wipes are located in
a flexible pouch having at least one seals and wherein the at least
one seal has a seal height, Hs.
19. The dispenser of claim 18 wherein the bottom has a height, Hb,
and Hb is greater than Hs such that when the flexible pouch is
placed into the bottom, the at least one seal is folded up adjacent
to the upstanding sidewall of the bottom.
20. The dispenser of claim 19 wherein the bottom has an overall
height, Hb, and the dispenser has an overall height, Hd, and ratio
of Hd/Hb is between about 0.53 to about 0.75.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Dispensers for wet wipes and other substrates come in a wide
variety of types and styles. Frequently, there is a consumer desire
to have a dispenser that is highly portable and suitable for
placement in the car, the home, a purse, a diaper bag, or other
luggage. There are dispensers that are small enough to be used in a
portable manner. Current portable dispensers can open inadvertently
subjecting the contents of the dispenser to dirt, contamination, or
even having the wet wipes fall out ruining the contents. This can
be especially true if the dispenser is accidentally dropped, and
thereafter impacts a hard surface such as a floor. Thus, it is
important that the dispenser have a secure closure to keep the
contents from inadvertently spilling. Yet, at the same time, the
contents of the dispenser need to be readily accessible without an
undue struggle to access the wet wipes when needed. Frequently, wet
wipes are used to clean up spills or during diapering of a child.
The dispenser's ease of use is important for these tasks when speed
or the capability to open the dispenser using only one hand is an
advantage. Thus, there is a need for a dispenser that securely
maintains the wet wipes within the dispenser while at the same time
provides ready access to them when needed.
SUMMARY
[0002] The inventors have determined that such a need can be
fulfilled by having a dispenser with a top, a bottom and a lid. The
top is attached to the bottom on a first side, and the lid can be
attached to the bottom on a second side opposite the top. Thus when
the dispenser is closed, the top is prevented from opening relative
to the bottom unless the lid is first opened. The dispenser can be
easily refilled by first opening the lid and then opening the top
to access the dispenser's interior.
[0003] Hence in one aspect, the invention resides in a dispenser
including a top attached to a bottom on a first side, a lid
attached to the bottom on a second side, and wherein the top can
only be opened after first opening the lid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The above aspects and other features, aspects, and
advantages of the present invention will become better understood
with regard to the following description, appended claims, and
accompanying drawings where:
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a
partially opened dispenser.
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a
closed dispenser.
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a
fully opened dispenser.
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the dispenser with the lid opened and the top closed.
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a
lid.
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the lid
of FIG. 5.
[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates a refill pouch housing a plurality of wet
wipes.
Repeated use of reference characters in the specification and
drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or
elements of the invention.
DEFINITIONS
[0012] As used herein, forms of the words of "comprise", "have",
and "include" are legally equivalent and are open-ended. Therefore,
additional non-recited elements, functions, steps, or limitations
may be present in addition to the recited elements, functions,
steps, or limitations.
[0013] As used herein, "substrate" is a flexible sheet or web
material, which is useful for household chores, personal care,
health care, food wrapping, and cosmetic application or removal.
Non-limiting examples of suitable substrates of the present
invention include nonwoven substrates, woven substrates,
hydro-entangled substrates, air-entangled substrates, paper
substrates comprising cellulose such as facial tissue, toilet
paper, or paper towels, waxed paper substrates, coform substrates,
wet wipes, film or plastic substrates such as those used to wrap
food, and metal substrates such as aluminum foil. Further examples
of suitable substrates include a substantially dry substrate (less
than 10% by weight of water) containing lathering surfactants and
conditioning agents either impregnated into or applied to the
substrate such that wetting of the substrate with water prior to
use yields a personal cleansing product. Such substrates are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,931 entitled Cleansing Products
Having A Substantially Dry Substrate, issued to Fowler et al. on
Nov. 9, 1999. Other suitable substrates may have encapsulated
ingredients such that the capsules rupture during dispensing or
use. Other suitable substrates include dry substrates that deliver
liquid when subjected to in-use shear and compressive forces. Such
substrates are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,165 entitled
Wet-Like Cleaning Articles issued to Mackay et al. on Sep. 19,
2000. Furthermore, laminated or plied together substrates of two or
more layers of any of the preceding substrates are suitable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art
that the present discussion is a description of exemplary
embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader
aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are
embodied in the exemplary construction.
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, one embodiment of
the substrate dispenser 20 is shown. The dispenser 20 can be made
of suitable materials such as polyolefins, styrenics, or other
semi-rigid plastics or any combination thereof. The dispenser 20
includes a top 22, a bottom 24, and a lid 26. The top 22 is
attached to a first side 28 of the bottom 24 by a first hinge 30.
The lid 26 is attached to a second side 32 of the bottom 24 by a
second hinge 34. Since the lid 26 is hinged to the bottom 24, the
lid 26 must be first opened to open the top 22 as best shown in
FIG. 1. Thus, in the event that the dispenser 20 is dropped, the
top 22 is less likely to open spilling the contents of the
dispenser since the top 22 is restrained from opening by the lid 26
and by the bottom 24. The top 22 can be restrained from opening
where it mates with the bottom 24, and the top 22 can be restrained
from opening by the overlapping lid 26. Thus, two methods can be
used to prevent the top from opening providing a more spill-proof
dispenser. In one embodiment, the top 22 and the lid 26 were hinged
on opposite sides of the bottom 24. In another embodiment, the top
22 and the lid 26 were hinged on adjacent sides of the bottom
24.
[0016] The top 22 and lid 26 can be attached to the bottom 24 by
living hinges, separate hinge pieces, formed hinges using one or
more pins that fit into one or more holes, flexible straps,
adhesive tape seams or any other method to hingably attach two
components as known to those of skill in the art. In one
embodiment, the top 22 was attached to the bottom 24 by first hinge
30, that was a living hinge. As such, the top 22 and bottom 24 can
be molded as one unitary piece. In one embodiment, the lid 26 was a
separate piece that was attached to the bottom 24 by one or more
tabs 33 that fit into one or more slots 35 in the bottom 24 as best
seen in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. The tabs and slots can be designed such
that the parts snap-fit together making removal or separation
difficult. The tabs 33 can be joined to the lid 26 by the second
hinge 34, which can be a living hinge. Alternatively, the top 22,
bottom 24, and lid 26 can be separately molded pieces that are
attached to each other, or the three pieces can be molded as an
integral assembly.
[0017] In one embodiment, the bottom 24 was a tub 36 having a floor
38 and an upstanding sidewall 40. Located on an upper edge 42 of
the upstanding sidewall 40 is a sealing flange 44 extending
substantially along the perimeter of the upper edge 42. The tub 36
is substantially rectangular in shape, although this is not
necessary, and the tub 36 can be any convenient size or shape such
as square, round, polygon, etc. The edges where the upstanding
sidewall 40 meet with the floor 38 can be radiused, and the corners
of the rectangular sidewall 40 can also be radiused or rounded.
This can make the dispenser 20 more comfortable to hold.
[0018] In various embodiments, the overall height of the bottom,
Hb, can be less than, equal to, or greater than about 1/2 the
overall height of the dispenser 20. For example, the bottom 24 can
comprise most of the dispenser's overall height and the top 22 can
be relatively flat. Conversely, the top 22 can comprise most of the
dispenser's overall height and the bottom 24 can be relatively
flat. Alternatively, the top and bottom can be approximately the
same height.
[0019] In various embodiments, the overall height of the bottom,
Hb, can be between about 0.25'' to about 2 inches, or between about
0.25'' to about 1.5 inches, or between about 0.25'' to about 1
inch. The overall height of the dispenser, Hd, can be between about
0.5'' to about 4 inches, or between about 0.5'' to about 2.5
inches, or between about 0.5'' to about 1.5 inches.
[0020] In one embodiment, the top 22 was a main lid 46 allowing for
access to the tub 36 and the main lid 46 included an upper surface
48 having a dispensing orifice 50 and a distending sidewall 52.
With the main lid 46 opened, the tub 36 can be refilled with a
plurality of wet wipes or other substrates. Located on a lower edge
54 of the distending sidewall 52 is a sealing recess 56 extending
substantially along the perimeter of the lower edge 54. The sealing
recess 56 and the sealing flange 44 can be sized to a slight
interference fit such that the top 22 and the bottom 24 will mate
together. Alternatively, the sealing recess 56 and sealing flange
44 can be sized to guide the top 22 and the bottom 24 while closing
them with no interference.
[0021] Alternatively, the sealing flange 44 and/or sealing recess
56 can be modified such that the top 22 and the bottom 24 snap or
removably lock together as known by those of skill in the art. For
example, a bead can be located on the sealing flange 44 that snaps
into a groove on the sealing recess 56. Alternatively, the sealing
flange 44 can fit or mate between the sealing recess 56 and an
additional flange that extends from the main lid 46 creating a
groove for the sealing flange 44 to snap into. Alternatively,
either the main lid 46 or the tub 36 can have one or more
projections that mate with a suitable recess in the opposing part.
Regardless of the specific mechanism used, it is desirable for the
main lid 46 to latch, snap, or fit tightly with the tub 36 such
that if the dispenser 20 is inverted and held by the tub 36 with
the lid 26 opened, the main lid 46 and tub 36 do not separate or
open due to the force of gravity acting on the main lid 46. The
latch, snap or tight fit should be not too great so as to prevent a
person from opening the main lid 46 relative to the tub 36 to
refill the dispenser.
[0022] The top 22 is substantially rectangular in shape, although
this is not necessary, and the top 22 can be any convenient size or
shape such as square, round, polygon, etc. The edges where the
distending sidewall 52 meet with the upper dispensing surface 48
can be radiused, and the corners of the rectangular distending
sidewall 52 can also be radiused or rounded. This can make the
dispenser 20 more comfortable to hold. The top 22 or main lid 46
can also have a surface texture 55 located opposite the first hinge
30 as best seen in FIG. 4. The surface texture, such as a series of
molded lines or grooves, can assist with opening the main lid 46 to
refill the tub 36.
[0023] In various embodiments, the overall height of the top, Ht,
can be less than, equal to, or greater than about 1/2 the overall
height of the dispenser 20. For example, the top 22 can comprise
most of the dispenser's overall height and the bottom 24 can be
relatively flat. Conversely, the bottom 24 can comprise most of the
dispenser's overall height and the top 22 can be relatively flat.
Alternatively, the top and bottom can be approximately the same
height. In various embodiments, the overall height of the top, Ht,
can be between about 0.25'' to about 2 inches, or between about
0.25'' to about 1 inch, or between about 0.25'' to about 0.75
inch.
[0024] It can be advantageous to make the top 22 shorter than the
bottom 24 since this can make it easier to refill the dispenser
with fresh wet wipes. For example, if the wet wipes are packaged in
a refill pouch or other flexible packaging, having the tub 36
extend to a height, Hb, greater than 1/2 the dispenser's overall
height, Hd, can help fold the seals of the refill pouch upward and
out of the way to assist in closing the main lid 46 onto the tub
36. Alternately, if the bottom 24 is taller than the top 22, it can
be easier to fill the tub 36 with a stack of wipes and have the
stack less likely to fall out since it will be better contained by
the tub. In various embodiments of the invention, the ratio of the
bottom height to the dispenser's height, Hb/Hd can be between about
0.51 to about 0.9, or between about 0.53 to about 0.75, or between
about 0.55 to about 0.65.
[0025] In one embodiment, the upper dispensing surface 48 of the
main lid 46 included an opening recess 58 for easier access to an
opening tab 60 located on the lid 26. The main lid 46 also included
one or more orifice flange(s) 62 extending from the upper
dispensing surface 48 for improved sealing of the dispensing
orifice 50. The dispensing orifice 50 can be any shape or size.
Preferably, the dispensing orifice is sized to be smaller than the
lid or top dimensions to create resistance when dispensing the wet
wipes and can be round, oval, or square. The dispensing orifice can
be a flexible slit or opening in a rubber-like material as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,523,690; 6,592,004; and
6,766,919.
[0026] In one embodiment, the lid 26 was a mini-lid 64 that covered
only a portion of the top 22 such as a portion of the upper surface
48 and the dispensing orifice 50. The mini-lid 64 can be hingedly
attached to the upstanding sidewall 40 of the tub 36. As such, the
mini-lid 64 must be first opened to open the main lid 46 as best
seen in FIG. 1. Thus, in the event that the dispenser 20 is
dropped, the main lid 46 is unlikely to open thereby spilling the
contents of the dispenser 20. The main lid 46 is secured by both
sealing flange 44 and the sealing recess 56, and by the overlapping
mini-lid 64 hinged to the tub 36.
[0027] In one embodiment, the mini-lid 64 was "L" shaped having an
overlapping section 66 that contacts the upper surface 48 and a
pivoting extension 68. The pivoting extension 68 can be reinforced
with one or more ribs 69 as known to those of skill in the art.
Extending from the overlapping section 66 can be one or more
dispensing flanges 70 that mate with the orifice flange 62. For
example, there can be two dispensing flanges 70 such as a taller
outer dispensing flange 72 and a shorter inner dispensing flange
74. The orifice flange 62 can mate between the two dispensing
flanges (72, 74) when the mini-lid 64 is closed, forming a
substantially air tight seal. Alternatively, other methods known to
those of skill in the art can be used to form a substantially air
tight seal when the mini-lid 64 is closed.
[0028] In one embodiment, the lid 26 or mini-lid 64 included an
opening tab 60 located on the overlapping section 66 opposite the
pivoting extension 68. The opening tab can be any convenient size
or shape to assist in opening the lid 26. It can be located on any
portion of the lid 26, but is desirably located on the overlapping
section 66. Desirably the opening tab 60 has a downward turn or is
lower in elevation with respect to the overlapping section 66 as
best seen in FIG. 6. This protects the leading edge of the opening
tab 60 since at least a portion of the opening tab is disposed in
the opening recess 58 where it is much less likely to catch on the
edge of a purse, pocket, or bag thereby inadvertently opening the
mini-lid as best seen in FIG. 2.
[0029] The lid 26 or mini-lid 64 can further include a latching
projection or latching recess 76 that mates with a locking
projection or locking recess 78 on the top 22 to securely hold the
lid 26 closed. For example, the lid 26 can have a latching
projection and the top 22 a locking recess, or the lid 26 can have
a latching recess and the top 22 a locking projection.
Alternatively, the lid 26 and the top 22 can both have a projection
such as two hooks or latches that mate with an interference that
secures the lid 26 closed. To assist with opening the lid 26, at
least a portion of the lid 26 or the top 22 is flexible such that
when the opening tab 60 is engaged by a finger, the mechanism
holding the lid 26 closed is more easily disengaged.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 7, a plurality of wet wipes 80 are
disposed in a flexible pouch 82 having at least one seal 84 or
opposing seals 84 located on either end of the pouch. The pouch 82
includes a removable label 85 that can help to retain the moisture
of the wet wipes during shipping. The label 85 can be removably
attached to the pouch 82 by an adhesive. The label 85 is removed to
expose a dispensing opening 86 for dispensing the wet wipes 80. The
flexible pouch has a seal height, Hs, of the at least one seal 84
as shown. In one embodiment, the bottom 24 of the dispenser 20 has
a height, Hb, that is greater than the seal height Hs. The bottom
24 can also have an overall width, W, or length, L, that is less
then the overall seal length, Lp, of the flexible pouch 82 measured
between the opposing sealed ends or measured from one side of the
flexible pouch 82 to the end of the at least one seal 84. The seals
84 can be located on both ends, both sides, on just one side, or on
all four sides.
[0031] By dimensioning the bottom 24 in this manner, the seals 84
of the pouch can be folded up adjacent to the upstanding sidewall
40 of the tub and out of the way from the upper edge 42 where they
could prevent closing of the top 22 when the pouch 82 is inserted
into the dispenser 20. Additionally, by having one or more seals 84
fold upwards and exert pressure on the upstanding sidewall 40, the
pouch 82 is partially restrained from moving or sliding around
within the dispenser's interior.
[0032] In an alternative embodiment of the dispenser, the
dispensing orifice 50 in the upper surface 48 can be eliminated. In
this embodiment, the lid 26 still locks or latches with the top and
at least partially overlaps the top, but the dispenser 20 is
intended for reach-in dispensing. To use the dispenser, the lid 26
must be opened and then the top 22 opened to access the dispenser's
interior. Since the top 22 can be restrained by the lid 26 and a
snap fit with the bottom 24, the dispenser is less likely to open
inadvertently if accidentally dropped.
[0033] Other modifications and variations to the present invention
may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which
is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. It is
understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be
interchanged in whole or part. All cited references, patents, or
patent applications in the above application for letters patent are
herein incorporated by reference in a consistent manner. In the
event of inconsistencies or contradictions between the incorporated
references and this application, the information present in this
application shall prevail. The preceding description, given by way
of example in order to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to
practice the claimed invention, is not to be construed as limiting
the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims and all
equivalents thereto.
* * * * *