U.S. patent application number 11/899066 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for wet wipe package.
Invention is credited to Walter George Bauer, Ryan Leslie Fulscher, Wichnart Ann Imsangjan, Benjamin Charles Sarbo, Wen Zyo Schroeder.
Application Number | 20070295744 11/899066 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35197967 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070295744 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sarbo; Benjamin Charles ; et
al. |
December 27, 2007 |
Wet wipe package
Abstract
A wet wipes package including an outer carton having an opening.
Disposed within the carton is an interior tub having a baffle and
an aperture located in the baffle. A rigid flip top is disposed
over the carton opening for access to the interior tub and a
plurality of wet wipes is disposed within the interior tub beneath
the baffle. Because the exterior of the wet wipes package is
similar to a facial tissue carton, similar graphical treatments as
applied to facial tissue cartons can be used to design an
attractive package.
Inventors: |
Sarbo; Benjamin Charles;
(Winneconne, WI) ; Bauer; Walter George; (Neenah,
WI) ; Schroeder; Wen Zyo; (Appleton, WI) ;
Fulscher; Ryan Leslie; (Neenah, WI) ; Imsangjan;
Wichnart Ann; (Neenah, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.;Catherine E. Wolf
401 NORTH LAKE STREET
NEENAH
WI
54956
US
|
Family ID: |
35197967 |
Appl. No.: |
11/899066 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11023717 |
Dec 28, 2004 |
|
|
|
11899066 |
Sep 4, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0805 20130101;
A47K 10/421 20130101; A47K 2010/3266 20130101; B65D 83/0894
20130101; B65D 77/064 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/063 |
International
Class: |
B65H 1/00 20060101
B65H001/00 |
Claims
1. A product comprising: an outer carton comprising a top, a bottom
and a sidewall, the carton having an opening located in the top,
the outer carton formed from a material selected from the group
comprising paper board, cardboard, or other cellulosic materials;
an interior tub disposed within the outer carton, the interior tub
having a baffle and an aperture located in the baffle; a rigid flip
top comprising a lid connected to a flange by a hinge, the flange
affixed to the outer carton, the rigid flip top disposed over the
carton opening for accessing the interior tub and comprising an
area less than the entire outer carton's top; and a plurality of
wet wipes disposed within the interior tub beneath the baffle.
2. The product of claim 1 wherein the wet wipes are folded into a
balanced, double-J-fold longitudinally and then transversely folded
in half.
3. The product of claim 2 wherein the wet wipes comprise a stack
having a center region distance X of between about 2 mm to about 15
mm.
4. The product of claim 1 wherein the wet wipes are folded into a
modified, N-fold and the horizontal orientation of each wet wipe is
alternated to form a stack of wet wipes.
5. The product of claim 1 wherein the wet wipes are interrelated
for pop-up dispensing.
6. The product of claim 1 comprising a label affixed to the baffle
at least partially covering the aperture.
7. The product of claim 1 wherein the rigid flip top hinge
comprises a snap-open and snap-closed action.
8. The product of claim 1 wherein the rigid flip top hinge
comprises a central strap and two toggle straps disposed adjacent
the central strap.
9. The product of claim 1 wherein the wet wipes have a moisture
level of between about 240 to about 280 weight percent liquid based
on the dry weight of the wipe.
10. The product of claim 1 wherein the wet wipe material comprises
a spunbond material hydroentangled with cellulosic fibers.
11. A product comprising: an outer carton having an opening, the
outer carton comprising graphical effects selected from images,
printing, indicia, graphics, Fresnel lens, lenticular lens, an
embossed area, a debossed area and coatings; an interior tub
disposed within the outer carton, the interior tub having a baffle
and an aperture located in the baffle; a rigid flip top comprising
a lid connected to a flange by a hinge, the flange affixed to an
outer surface of the outer carton and the rigid flip top disposed
over the carton opening for accessing the interior tub with the
flange forming a dispensing orifice when the lid is opened; and a
plurality of wipes disposed within the interior tub beneath the
baffle.
12. The product of claim 11 wherein the baffle comprises polymeric
film having a thickness between about 4 mil to about 35 mil.
13. The product of claim 11 wherein the baffle comprises a
polymeric film having an MD secant modulus between about 7,000 psi
to about 200,000 psi.
14. The product of claim 13 wherein the baffle comprises a
polymeric film having a thickness between about 4 mil to about 10
mil.
15. The product of claim 12 wherein the baffle comprises a
polymeric film having a secant modulus between about 100,000 psi to
about 175,000 psi.
16. The product of claim 12 wherein the aperture comprises an
H-shaped slit.
17. The product of claim 16 wherein the H-shaped slit comprises a
perforated line prior to dispensing the first wipe.
18. The product of claim 13 wherein the aperture comprises a
curvilinear H-shaped slit.
19. The product of claim 11 wherein the outer carton comprises a
top, a bottom, and a sidewall; the carton opening is located in the
top; and the rigid flip top comprises an area less than the entire
outer carton's top.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
11/023,717 filed on Dec. 28, 2004. The entirety of application Ser.
No. 11/023,717 is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wet wipe products are continuing to increase in popularity.
Various packaging formats for wet wipes are available; yet, most
people using wet wipe products tend to hide the wipes' package from
view. A possible explanation for this behavior is that wet wipe
packages are viewed as utilitarian--designed primarily for reliable
dispensing and adequate moisture retention without much thought
given towards making the package aesthetically desirable.
[0003] Wet wipes packages have not achieved widespread acceptance
for openly displaying them unlike facial tissue packaging. For
example, facial tissue packaged in either a regular or a boutique
carton comes in a wide variety of attractive designer prints to
complement various home decors. Many people will select cartons of
facial tissue for use based primarily on the cartons' graphics
instead of the type of tissue or the particular brand. Thus, what
is needed is a wet wipes package that is convenient to use and that
is attractive for displaying openly.
SUMMARY
[0004] In response to the difficulties and problems discussed
above, a new package for wet wipes that has improved storage and
dispensing and improved aesthetics has been invented. The package
utilizes a carton having a rigid flip top for convenient access to
the wipes, which are disposed in an interior tub housed within the
carton. The interior tub has an attached baffle. Because the
exterior of the package is similar to a facial tissue carton,
similar graphical treatments as applied to facial tissue cartons
can be used to design an attractive wet wipes package.
[0005] Hence, in one aspect, the invention resides in a product
including: an outer carton having an opening; an interior tub
having a baffle and an aperture located in the baffle; a rigid flip
top disposed over the carton opening for access to the interior
tub; and a plurality of wet wipes disposed within the interior tub
beneath the baffle. Additional purposes and features of the present
invention will be set forth in and are apparent from the written
description, the drawings, and the claims, as well as will be
learned by practice of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] 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 in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an attractive wet
wipes container.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the container of
FIG. 1 with a rigid flip top opened and a partially dispensed wet
wipe.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an interior tub
housed within the outer carton.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the baffle attached to the
interior tub.
[0011] FIGS. 5A-5F illustrate a top view of alternative baffles for
use with the interior tub.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the rigid flip top in a fully
opened position.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the rigid flip top in a closed
position.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG.
7.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a cross-section view taken along line 9-9 of FIG.
7.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a close up view of the hinge contained in the
dotted circle of FIG. 6.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a cross-section view taken along line 11-11 of
FIG. 6.
[0018] FIG. 12 is an end view of a stack of wipes longitudinally
folded into a balanced double J fold and then transversely folded
in half.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a folded wet wipe.
[0020] FIG. 14 is an end view of a stack of multiple wipes folded
as shown in FIG. 13.
[0021] 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
[0022] As used herein, forms of the words "comprise", "have", and
"include" are legally equivalent and open-ended. Therefore,
additional non-recited elements, functions, steps, or limitations
may be present in addition to the recited elements, functions,
steps, or limitations.
[0023] As used herein, "rigid" means a level of stiffness commonly
associated with materials used to manufacture wet wipes interior
tubs of parts thereof. Numerically, these materials typically have
a flexural modulus (as measured in accordance with ASTM D790
"Standard Test Method for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and
Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials") of about
100 Newtons per square millimeter or greater, more specifically
from about 1100 to about 1550 Newtons per square millimeter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] 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.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, an attractive container
20 for wet wipes 22 is shown. The container 20 includes an outer
carton 24, a rigid flip top 26 attached to the carton, and an
interior tub 28 disposed within the carton. The interior tub 28
includes a baffle 30 having an aperture 32. Disposed within the
interior tub is a stack 34 of wet wipes 22.
Outer Carton
[0026] The outer carton 24 includes a top 36, a bottom 38, and a
sidewall 40. An opening 42 is located in the top. Alternatively,
the opening 42 into the carton's interior could be located in the
bottom, or the sidewall. The carton can be any size or shape and
its overall size is influenced by the size of the wet wipes being
dispensed, the folded configuration of the wipes, and the number of
wipes contained by the container. In a desired embodiment, the
carton is a parallelepiped having an overall size similar to a
boutique facial tissue carton. In a particular embodiment, the
carton was approximately 95 mm in height, 120 mm in depth, and 140
mm in width.
[0027] If the carton is a parallelepiped, the carton's sidewall can
comprise four panels 44 disposed at approximately 90 degree angles
to each other. For ease of automated loading of the interior tub 28
into the carton, the carton can be designed with a plurality of
major closing flaps 46 and a plurality minor closing flaps 48. For
example, the right and left panels 44 in FIG. 1 can each comprise
four closing flaps--two minor closing flaps 48 that are first
folded shut and two major closing flaps 46 (one shown) that are
folded over the minor closing flaps and glued into position to form
the panel 44. Alternatively, the closing flaps can be located on
the top 36 and/or the bottom 38 of the carton. Other conventionally
known methods of carton construction can be utilized such as a wrap
around carton or a carton adapted for opening and closing.
[0028] The carton can be constructed of paper board, cardboard, or
other cellulosic materials such as SBS, Solid Bleached Sulfate;
CCNB, Clay Coated News Back; or SUS, Solid Unbleached Sulfate.
Typical thickness of suitable paper board materials can range
between about 18 to about 24 point.
[0029] The exterior of the carton is adaptable to a wide variety of
graphical effects as commonly used for facial tissue cartons.
Possible commercially suitable aesthetics include images, printing,
indicia, graphics, Fresnel lens, lenticular lens, colors, an
embossed area, a debossed area, and/or coating(s). Thus, an
aesthetically pleasing container for wet wipes is possible. Because
the wipes are housed in a separate interior tub, the graphics of
the carton can be quickly changed. Cartons having various designs
can be supplied and combined with the common interior tub to
produce a wide variety of containers. Additionally, the carton's
graphics can be matched or complementary to the graphics used on
facial tissue dispensers, napkin holders, or other disposable
product packages.
Interior tub
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the interior tub 28 includes a
baffle 30 having an aperture 32. Disposed within the interior tub
is a stack 34 of wet wipes. The interior tub can include an upper
flange 50 for attaching the baffle to the interior tub. At least a
portion of the baffle 30 is attached to the interior tub.
Desirably, the baffle's perimeter 51 is attached to the upper
flange 50 of the interior tub. The baffle can be attached by heat
sealing the baffle to the interior tub, ultrasonically sealing the
baffle to the interior tub, or adhesively attaching the baffle to
the interior tub.
[0031] In one embodiment, the interior tub 28 or upper flange 50 is
tapered such that the interior tub can be easily inserted into the
outer carton 24, but as the interior tub is progressively inserted
into the outer carton, the clearance between the interior tub and
the outer carton decreases or becomes a slight interference fit. In
this manner, the interior tub can be prevented from shifting or
moving about inside of the outer carton. For example, the upper
flange can have a radius or curvature on two or more opposing sides
such that the middle of the flange between the ends of the interior
tub is wider than the flange's width at either end. When the
interior tub is constructed in this manner, the ends of the
interior tub are easy to insert into the outer carton, but when
fully inserted, the larger radiused portion of upper flange can
press against the outer carton to prevent shifting. Alternatively,
the interior tub can be attached or glued to the outer carton to
prevent shifting or movement.
[0032] The baffle 30 attached to the interior tub can help to
separate one wipe from the next to eliminate sheet follow and
multiple dispensing. The baffle is also designed to act as an extra
moisture barrier to keep the wipes moist even if the rigid flip top
is accidentally left open. Desirably, the baffle material springs
back to cover the entire opening into the interior tub, leaving
only a small slit so as to decrease the amount of open area
available to evaporate the wetting solution. Depending on the
aperture 32 selected and the specific baffle material utilized, the
aperture or slit can be designed to allow for a larger area when
retrieving a wipe and then spring back to a closed or substantially
closed position. This can significantly reduce the moisture loss
from the wipes while stored in the container. If the baffle is
clear or translucent, it can allow consumers to see into the tub's
interior to gage how much of the product remains.
[0033] As mentioned, one advantage of the baffle 30 is to help
retain moisture of the wet wipes in the interior tub. Depending on
the supply chain logistics, the interior tub, with its stack of
wipes, can be fabricated at a different time and/or place and then
stored for later use with different outer cartons having various
graphic designs. Thus, multiple interior tubs with wetted wipes can
be produced and stored for later insertion into outer cartons as
demand necessitates. In this manner, changing the outer carton's
graphics and/or supplying more than one graphical pattern can be
readily facilitated since a common interior tub is used. If a more
expensive or desirable outer carton graphical treatment is
produced, the outer carton can be adapted to be refilled with the
common interior tub. For example, an outer carton using
holographic, lenticular, or metallized films can be expensive to
produce and may be better suited to being designed for refilling
with a new interior tub and wipes instead of disposing of the whole
container and buying a new one. In this manner, the outer carton
can be reused upon depletion of the wet wipes.
[0034] Alternatively, the container 30 with the interior tub 28
inserted can be stored for long periods prior to using the wet
wipes. While the interior tub or container is stored, it is
desirable to have an air tight or substantially air tight package.
One means of achieving that is to only perforate or score the
aperture's outline 32 in the baffle rather than create the entire
slit to form the aperture. In this manner, the baffle will be
substantially air tight. Because the aperture is initially formed
from score lines, perforations, laser scoring, or other lines of
weakness, it can be readily punctured to retrieve the first wipe.
By forming the baffle with score lines or perforations, it can be
easier to determine if the product has been tampered with, since it
is likely the score lines will have been broken.
[0035] To further prolong the storage life of the wipes, an
optional label or labels 52 can be applied to the baffle 30
covering the entire baffle, the entire aperture 32 or a portion of
either the baffle or the aperture. For example, one continuous
label can be used to cover a majority of the baffle. A possible
disadvantage to one large label is that the label may be difficult
to remove through the opening in the rigid flip top 26.
Alternatively, the larger label can be scored, cut, perforated or
weakened such that it can be removed in two or more smaller pieces.
This can be more convenient especially if a relatively large label
is used with a smaller rigid flip top opening.
[0036] Suitable label materials include polyethylenes,
polypropylenes, polystyrenes and extruded co-polymers available in
white, clear, metallized, gloss, and matte. Standard constructions
range from about 0.5 mil to about 5 mil gauges. In one embodiment,
the label was a polyolefin base material for the face stock. The
polyolefin was a blend of polyethylenes and polypropylenes,
including some recycled films. The face stock was then printed and
a clear overlaminate of polypropylene was placed on top of the
printed face stock to protect the printing. The overlaminate can be
adhesive backed.
[0037] The label 52 can be removably affixed to the baffle by a
pressure sensitive adhesive. One common adhesive used in the
industry to attach labels to a package is a solvent based acrylic
adhesive. If desired, certain areas on the adhesive side of the
label can be printed with a UV coating. Wherever the UV coating is
applied, the acrylic adhesive is covered and the surface is no
longer tacky.
[0038] To make removal of the label easier, a tab 54, or tabs if a
multi-piece label is used, can be formed on one or more edges of
the label. The tab 54 can be left unattached to the baffle making
it easier to quickly remove the label from the baffle 30 to
dispense the wet wipes. As discussed, the tab can be printed with
the UV coating to prevent the tab from sticking to the baffle. With
the label affixed and the baffle attached to the interior tub 28,
the interior tub can be made air tight or substantially air
tight.
[0039] Another advantage of the label 52 is to preserve the
uniformity of the baffle when heat sealing the baffle to the
interior tub. Depending on the type of material selected for the
baffle, it may warp or wrinkle during attachment to the interior
tub 28 or upper flange 51; especially, if the baffle is heat sealed
to the interior tub. The label can act to reinforce the baffle
during attachment to the interior tub, helping to keep it flat, and
can act as an insulator protecting the baffle from the heat sealing
element. Additionally, the label can reinforce the baffle during
shipping/transport to prevent a perforated aperture 32 from being
accidentally broken open. The size of the label can be adjusted as
needed to provide the level of necessary reinforcement, heat
rejection, and/or air tightness. For example, the baffle's outer
perimeter 51, that in one embodiment is heat sealed to the upper
flange 50, can be protected by a label that covers the outer
perimeter, and/or other portions of the baffle, protecting the
baffle from the heat sealing element. Alternatively, the label can
cover only the aperture 32 or a substantial portion of the
aperture.
[0040] Another advantage of the baffle 30 is to aid in moisture
retention of the wipes within the container 20. Depending on how
the outer carton 24 is fabricated, the outer carton may not be as
air tight as desirable. To make the outer carton air tight,
optional coatings can be applied to the paperboard to decrease its
air permeability and the closing flaps can be securely glued to
improve or eliminate air permeability of the carton. However, even
if the outer carton is impermeable, by having an additional
moisture barrier in the form of a baffle, the wet wipes in the
container will stay wetter if the rigid flip top 26 is
inadvertently left open. This can be useful with adults or children
who may forget to close the rigid flip top. A properly designed
baffle can keep the wipes moist for an extended period of time even
if the rigid flip top is left open.
[0041] In one embodiment, the stack 34 of wet wipes in the interior
tub was not interfolded and the container 20 was designed for
reach-in dispensing of the wipes. For reach-in dispensing, it is
important that the baffle 30 and its aperture 32 are designed such
that fingers or a portion of the hand can be inserted into the
tub's interior to retrieve a wet wipe. For this operation, a
relatively large opening is desired. However, to retain moisture,
the aperture's open area should be as small as possible such that
the wipes stay moist for an extended period of time, even if the
rigid flip top cover is left open.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5F, one method of satisfying these
demands is to design the aperture 32 as one or more interconnected
slit(s) 33, forming dispensing flaps 56, that can open into a
larger aperture and then spring back into a closed slit. As seen,
the aperture 32 can be U-shaped (FIG. 5A), H-shaped (FIGS. 4 and
5B), modified H-shaped (FIG. 5C), horizontally curvilinear H-shaped
(FIG. 5D), X-shaped (FIG. 5E), or vertically curvilinear H-shaped
(FIG. 5F). If desired, the slit(s) for any of these designs or for
other designs can terminate in a circular hole to prevent the slit
from propagating by stress fracturing. By designing the aperture 32
to form one or more dispensing flaps 56, the dispensing flaps'
flexibility can be controlled to readily move out of the way to
allow for the insertion of fingers or a hand and then spring back
to a closed or substantially closed position.
[0043] The baffle 30 is constructed from a suitable flexible
material to enable the dispensing flaps 56 to readily flex as
required and then spring back into a closed position or
substantially closed position. Additionally, the material should
not be too stiff such that it is painful or difficult to insert
fingers or a hand into the interior tub 28 to retrieve a wipe.
Since the baffle will be subjected to humidity or wetness on at
least one side, it is desirable for the material to not curl or
deform when subjected to high levels of humidity or moisture.
Additionally, the aperture 32 and/or dispensing flaps 56 can be
specifically aligned with regard to the MD and CD orientation of
the baffle material. Certain baffle materials can have more of a
tendency to curl in one direction more than the other direction if
slit or cut. In one embodiment, the center portion of the H-shaped
aperture 32 was aligned with the baffle's MD direction and the legs
of the H-shaped aperture were aligned with the baffle's CD
direction as shown in FIG. 4.
[0044] Suitable materials for constructing the baffle include
typical laminated films constructed of HDPE, High Density
Polyethylene and PET, Polyethylene Terephthalate. In one
embodiment, the baffle was a laminated structure of 5.5 mil HDPE
combined with 0.48 gauge PET. The skin layer of PET can be used to
prevent the baffle from sticking to the heat sealing element in
addition to, or instead of, a label covering the baffle. Other
materials include films which are not of a laminated structure, but
rather a homogeneous blend of suitable polymers that can be sealed
to the interior tub. For example, if a HDPE interior tub material
is used, then a HDPE homogeneous baffle material can be
utilized.
[0045] If the baffle is made from a film material, the thickness of
the film should be controlled to control the flexibility of the
dispensing flaps 56 within a desired range. If the material is too
thin, the dispensing flaps tend to sag, especially in the humid
environment of the interior tub. If the material is too thick,
flexibility can suffer when attempting to insert fingers or a hand
to retrieve a wipe. It is desirable to have one-handed dispensing
such that a person's fingers or hand can be inserted and withdrawn
from the container easily without having the container become stuck
on the person's hand or pinching the person's fingers. In various
embodiments of the invention, the baffle's thickness can be between
about 4 mil to about 35 mil, or between about 4 mil to about 15
mil, or between about 4 mil to about 10 mil.
[0046] The MD secant modulus of the film as tested by ASTM D 882-02
Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
Sheeting is another factor that should be controlled to enable
better spring back and/or less curl of the dispensing flaps. The
secant modulus is a measure of the intrinsic stiffness of a piece
of film. It is the ratio of the MD stress to the MD strain over a
range for which this ratio is constant, i.e. the initial slope of
the stress-strain curve. The secant modulus is related to the
resistance of a piece of film to distortion and is related to the
force that is required to deform the film by a given amount. In
various embodiments of the invention, the MD secant modulus can be
between about 7,000 psi to about 200,000 psi, or between about
25,000 psi to about 200,000 psi, or between about 100,000 psi to
about 175,000 psi.
[0047] The interior tub 28 is made from a liquid impervious
material. Suitable interior tub materials can include HDPE,
Polypropylene, Polystyrene layered films, Polyethylene, or other
typical polymers used in the packaging industry for contact with
solutions typically used with wet wipes. The interior tub can be
thermoformed, vacuum molded, injection molded, blow molded, or
manufactured by other methods. The interior tub can also be formed
from a foamed polymer to increase the wall thickness and rigidity
or to save weight or material.
[0048] The interior tub 28 can have molded ribs 57 or other
stiffening elements to stiffen the interior tub and/or to prevent
the stack 34 of wet wipes from shifting within the interior tub.
For example, depending on how the wipes are folded, the stack of
wipes could have a groove or depression where fewer layers of
material are present in the stack. As seen in FIG. 12, the center
of the stack has fewer layers than either J-folded edge. To prevent
the heavier J-folded edges from buckling the middle layers of the
stack, the interior tub can be designed with vertical ribs that
engage the middle of the stack on each end, helping to keep the
heavier J-folded edges separated. Such a feature can be useful if
the container 20 is shipped on its side instead of upright as shown
in FIG. 1.
[0049] The interior tub 28 of the present invention can include any
suitable number of individual wet wipes 22, depending upon the
desired packaging and end use. For example, the interior tub can be
configured to include a stack of wipes that has at least about 5
wipes, desirably between about 8 to about 320 individual wipes, and
more desirably between about 20 to about 100 wipes.
Rigid Flip Top
[0050] A rigid flip top 26 is attached to the outer carton 24 over
the opening 42 in the carton. A suitable rigid flip top is
disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/729,486 entitled
STORING AND DISPENSING CONTAINER FOR PRODUCT, filed on Dec. 5,
2003, by Fred Buck et al. and incorporated herein by reference.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 6-11, the rigid flip top 26 includes a
lid 58 connected to a flange 60 by a hinge 62. The flange can be
affixed to an outer surface of the outer carton 24 such that the
rigid flip top overlies the opening 42 into the carton's interior.
The flange 60 forms a dispensing orifice 64 through which the
product can be dispensed when the lid is opened. The flange 60 can
include three flange annual sealing rings 66 and the lid can
include one lid annular sealing ring 68. As seen, the lid annular
sealing ring can engage between two of the flange annular sealing
rings. The third flange annular sealing ring can engage with the
lid's perimeter. Alternatively, more or less sealing rings can be
used or the position of the sealing rings can be reversed. It is
not necessary for the annular sealing rings to completely encircle
the dispensing orifice 64. The lid 58 is positionable to engage
with the flange 60 and thereby close the outer carton, reducing or
eliminating moisture loss of the wet wipes.
[0052] The lid 58 can include a latch 70 with an elongate first rib
72 projecting horizontally, and the flange 60 can include a catch
74 with an elongated second rib 76 projecting horizontally. The
first and second ribs 72 and 76, respectively, can removably engage
each other in an interference fit to maintain the lid closed and
removably disengage each other when the lid is opened.
Alternatively, either the first or the second rib can be replaced
by an aperture or detent for the other corresponding rib to engage
with. The lid can include an opening tab 78. The opening tab
protrudes from the rigid flip top 26 so that a user can easily find
it and have an identifiable leverage point to open the lid.
[0053] The hinge 62 can be designed to have a snap-open and
snap-closed action. The hinge can be a living hinge, where "living
hinge" is defined herein to mean a hinge formed integrally with the
members it is between such as between the lid 58 and the flange 60.
The hinge can include a central strap 80 and a pair of toggle
straps 82, with each toggle strap located on an opposite side of
the central strap. Advantageously, the hinge enables the lid to
move throughout a first open position (e.g., from about 0 degrees
defined relative to a horizontal plane, to about 80 degrees defined
relative to the same horizontal plane). Then, moving the lid past
the first open position requires overcoming a force (i.e., a stress
release point anywhere from about 65 degrees defined relative to
the same horizontal plane to about 115 degrees defined relative to
the same horizontal plane) created by the central strap and the
pair of toggle straps. When the force is overcome, the lid is
maintained in a second open position (i.e., anywhere past the
stress release point). To move the lid from the second open
position to the first open position requires that the force be
overcome in a reverse direction than when moving the lid from the
first open position to the second open position.
[0054] Without being limited to a theory of understanding, the
snap-open and snap-closed action which defines the first and second
open positions is believed to operate as follows. The central strap
80 creates a pivot axis midway between its ends connected to the
lid and the flange, and as such acts very much like a mechanical
hinge. The toggle straps 82 are located on either side of the
central strap and are located in a different horizontal plane than
the central strap (e.g., seen in FIG. 11 where the central strap 80
is in a horizontal plane above a horizontal plane containing the
toggle straps 82). By nature of the rigid flip top's elliptical
geometry, the toggle straps span a greater distance than the
central strap; and from a side view when the lid is closed, the
toggle straps are positioned further outside the perimeter of the
rigid flip top than the central strap. As such, when the lid is
closed the toggle straps are under mild compression. As the lid is
opened, the toggle straps' horizontal pivot axis moves toward the
central strap's horizontal pivot axis. As this happens, the toggle
straps are under increased tension and stretch until the toggle
straps' horizontal pivot axis moves past the central strap's
horizontal pivot axis and the toggle straps' horizontal pivot axis
moves into a relaxed, as originally-formed, position. This movement
produces a spring/snap action as the tension on the toggle straps
increases, peaks and then rapidly decreases through the range of
movement from the lid being closed to being fully opened.
[0055] More particularly, as best seen in FIG. 10, the hinge 62 can
be defined where at least one toggle strap 82 includes a pair of
channels with a first such channel 84 located at a first end of the
strap adjacent the lid 58 and a second such channel 86 located at a
second end of the strap adjacent the flange 60. In this way, the
toggle straps pivot at their ends as opposed to in their middle
like the central strap 80, which can be further advantageous to the
snap-open and snap-closed action.
[0056] The rigid flip top can be attached to the carton by various
mechanical and chemical methods known in the art, including, but
not limited to, the use of glue or other bonding material, or
through mechanical joining methods such as a snap fit, tabs
inserted into slots, or the carton snapping into a grove in the
flange. The rigid flip top can be made by a variety of conventional
techniques, including for example, injection molding, made from
polypropylene, and/or being a single piece with a living hinge.
Wet Wipes
[0057] The wipes or wet wipes can be arranged in the interior tub
in any manner which provides convenient and reliable one-at-a-time
dispensing and which assists the wipes in not becoming dirty and/or
overly dry. For example, the wipes may be arranged in a dispenser
or container as a plurality of individual sheets arranged in a
stacked configuration to provide a stack of wipes which may or may
not be individually folded. The wipes may be individual wipes which
are folded in a c-fold, z-fold, quarter-fold or other fold or
interfolded or non-interfolded configuration as are known to those
skilled in the art. Desirably, the container may include a
plurality of wipes stacked one on top of each other in a
non-interfolded configuration for reach-in dispensing. For such a
non-interfolded wipe, each wipe is folded onto itself with no
portion of another wipe being positioned between or underneath any
portion of the folds of the adjacent wipe(s).
[0058] The wet wipes can be any suitable size for their intended
use. In one embodiment, the size of the wet wipes prior to folding
was approximately 8.5 inches.times.8.25 inches (215 mm.times.209
mm). This size is especially useful to better protect hands while
wiping, etc., and is larger than other commonly available wet wipes
for use on the hands or face.
[0059] In one embodiment, the wet wipes were folded into a
balanced, double-J-fold, as illustrated in FIG. 12, by creating
longitudinal J-folds in the wet wipes such that the folded width
was approximately 90 mm. FIG. 12 is an exploded end-view of a
partial stack of wipes, with each individual wipe being bracketed.
After longitudinally J-folding the wet wipes, the wipes were folded
in half transversely (represented by the dashed lines in FIG. 12)
such that the balanced, double-J-folds are aligned as shown when
viewed from the end. The folded wipe measured approximately 90 mm
in width by 115 mm in length. In one embodiment, the individually
folded wipes were assembled into a stack of approximately 40 wipes
by aligning all the transverse folds at one end of the stack.
[0060] As seen in FIG. 12, the balanced, double-J-folded wipes have
a center region 88 where there are less layers of material in the
folded stack. Adjacent the center region 88, one of the J-folded
layers can provide a pick point 90 for grasping an individual wipe
for dispensing. If the center region becomes too wide, then the
stack can buckle; especially, when the container is stored or
shipped on its side. If the center region becomes too narrow, the
pick point 90 can be difficult to find since it may overlap J-folds
present on the opposite side of the stack. As the gap becomes too
narrow and overlaps the J-fold on the opposite side of the stack,
the stack height will also grow, limiting the number of sheets that
the container can hold. For improved dispensing and/or improved
buckling resistance, the center region distance X can be between
about 2 mm to about 15 mm, or between about 2 mm to about 10 mm, or
between about 3 mm to about 7 mm. In one embodiment, the center
region distance X was approximately 9 mm.
[0061] In an alternative embodiment, an individual wet wipe 22 was
folded into a modified, N-fold as shown in FIG. 13. A stack of
wipes was then assembled by alternating the horizontal orientation
of each individually folded wipe to form a more uniform stack 34 as
shown in the exploded end-view of FIG. 14. FIG. 14 shows four
individual wipes bracketed and numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 with each
individual wipe folded as shown in FIG. 13. By alternating the
horizontal orientation of the individual wipes, the stack can be
prevented from sloping or being skewed from side-to-side.
[0062] Alternating the horizontal orientation of the individual
wipes can also produce a shorter stack of wipes. This can be an
advantage for a reach-in product by permitting a greater number of
sheets to be included within a container of a given height.
Alternatively, the container's height can be reduced for a given
number of wet wipes. Referring to FIG. 14, the number of layers
contained in the stack of four wipes is 26. Referring to FIG. 12
the number of layers contained in the stack of four wipes is 30. By
extending the middle layers of the modified, N-folded wipe, as
shown in FIG. 13, and alternating the individual wipes, as shown in
FIG. 14, individual wipes placed onto the stack can nest or abut
the upper layers of the preceding wipe. This placement also has a
benefit in that a folded edge of the following wipe contacts a
folded edge of the previous wipe due to the nesting, which can
prevent the stack from buckling. Each time a wipe nests on top of
the stack, another layer of the stack can be eliminated. In one
embodiment using a 64 gsm hydroentangled wet wipe substrate,
disclosed herein, the difference in the stack height between 40
wipes stacked as shown in FIG. 12 as compared to 40 wipes stacked
as shown in FIG. 14 was 0.5 inches.
[0063] Alternatively, the individual wipes can be interfolded or in
other ways interrelated such that the leading and trailing end
edges of successive wipes in the stacked configuration overlap for
pop-up dispensing. In such a configuration, the leading end edge of
the trailing wipe is loosened from the stack by the trailing end
edge of the leading wipe as the leading wipe is removed by the
user. The wipes can be interfolded to facilitate such dispensing by
means known to those skilled in the art.
[0064] Yet alternatively, the wipes can be arranged in the
container as a continuous web of interrelated wipes which are
folded in an accordion-like stacked configuration or a roll. The
individual wipes can be connected together along lines of weakness,
such as lines of perforations, to ensure that the trailing wipe is
in position for grasping by the user after the leading wipe is
removed. For example, the wipes can be provided by a continuous web
of material which has a series of lines of weakness extending
across the width of the web. The portion of the web of material
between successive lines of weakness provides each individual wipe.
The lines of weakness can be provided by means known to those
skilled in the art, such as perforations, indentations, score
lines, or cuts in the web of material. For example, the lines of
weakness or perforations can be provided in the web of material by
passing the web of material between a die cutter roll and an anvil
roll. After the lines of weakness have been incorporated into the
web of material, the web can then be arranged in a stacked
configuration for easy insertion into the interior tub.
[0065] Materials suitable for the wipes of the present invention
are well known to those skilled in the art. Wet wipes can be made
from any suitable material for use as a moist wipe, including
meltblown, coform, air-laid, bonded-carded web materials,
hydroentangled materials, high wet-strength tissue, and the like,
and can comprise synthetic or natural fibers or combinations
thereof.
[0066] A suitable hydroentangled material is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,284,703 entitled High Pulp Content Nonwoven Composite Fabric,
issued to Everhart et al. on Feb. 8, 1994, and a method of making a
hydroentangled material is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,202
entitled Process For Making A High Pulp Content Nonwoven Composite
Fabric, issued to Everhart et al. on Feb. 14, 1995. The disclosures
of the preceding patents are incorporated by reference herein. In a
desirable embodiment, the wet wipe material comprised an
approximately 13 gsm (0.4 ounce per square yard) spunbond material
that was hydroentangled with a 51 gsm cellulosic tissue web to form
a 64 gsm hydroentangled wet wipe material.
[0067] The hydroentangled material is believed to be better suited
to a general purpose wet wipe for hands and faces. Unlike coform
materials, which can be too thick and retain too much moisture for
this application, the hydroentangled material has a cloth-like
texture and is especially suited to a post-wetting process while
still achieving a substantially uniform distribution of the wetting
solution in the stack of wipes. Unlike airlaid materials, which can
stick together due to the binder materials utilized when wet, the
hydroentangled material easily separates when wet, which is
important for reach-in dispensing. Additionally, the high pulp
content of the hydroentangled material is more economical than
spunlace materials using primarily synthetic fibers. The
hydroentangled material is a thin material that is still strong,
which can provide a wipe that is moist yet does not readily expel
entrained liquid as thicker wipes may when compressed during
wiping. The hydroentangled material can also have good stretch
properties in both the MD and CD directions contributing to the
cloth-like feel.
[0068] The Geometric Mean Tensile (GMT) of the hydroentangled
material can be greater than other commonly used substrates for
making wet wipes. This can produce a stronger more durable wet wipe
that resists tearing in use. The GMT is calculated by taking the
square root of the product of the average CD tensile multiplied by
the average MD tensile. The MD or CD tensile and elongations are
tested according to TAPPI test method T 494 om-01 Tensile
Properties of Paper and Paperboard (Using Constant Rate of
Elongation Apparatus). In various embodiments of the invention, the
GMT can be between about 1.0 lb/in to about 2.5 lb/in or between
about 1.3 lb/in to about 2.0 lb/in.
[0069] The caliper of the hydroentangled material can be less than
other wet wipe substrates, such as coform materials allowing for
more wipes to be placed into the container. Suitable coform
materials for wet wipes can have a caliper of 0.024 inch or
greater. While the caliper can be lower, the functionality of the
hydroentangled material is not compromised owing to its higher GMT.
The caliper of the hydroentangled material is tested by TAPPI test
method T 411 om-97 Thickness of Paper, Paperboard, and Combined
Board. In various embodiments of the invention, the caliper of the
wet wipes can be between about 0.005 inch to about 0.020 inch, or
between about 0.010 inch to about 0.020 inch.
[0070] The wipes of the present invention can contain a liquid
which can be any solution that can be absorbed into the wipes or
retained on the surface or within the internal voids of the wipe
material. The liquid contained within the wet wipes can include any
suitable components which provide the desired wiping properties.
For example, the components can include water, emollients,
surfactants, preservatives, chelating agents, pH buffers,
fragrances or combinations thereof. The liquid can also contain
lotions, ointments and/or medicaments. The amount of liquid
contained within each wet wipe can vary depending upon the type of
material being used to provide the wet wipe, the type of liquid
being used, the type of container being used to store the stack of
wet wipes, and the desired end use of the wet wipe. Generally, each
wet wipe can contain from about 150 to about 600 weight percent and
desirably from about 200 to about 400 weight percent liquid based
on the dry weight of the wipe for improved wiping.
[0071] Additionally, it has been determined that by controlling the
moisture levels within a specific range, improved dispensing of the
hydroentangled basesheet can result. Specifically, if the moisture
levels become too great, then the hydroentangled basesheet tends to
adhere to the next sheet, making it more difficult to remove a wipe
from the container. If the moisture levels are too low, then the
wipe may be too dry to function effectively as a wet wipe. In
various embodiments, the moisture level of the wet wipe can be
between about 240 to about 280 weight percent liquid, or between
about 250 to about 270 weight percent liquid based on the dry
weight of the wipe. At these moisture levels, the hydroentangled
basesheet can have improved dispensing over an air laid or coform
material at the same moisture levels. These moisture levels can aid
in dispensing individual wet wipes from the container by improving
one-at-a-time dispensing and reducing sheet adhesion, which can
case multiple dispensing.
[0072] While the invention has been described in detail with
respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated
that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of
the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations
of, and equivalents to these aspects. 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 make and use
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.
* * * * *