U.S. patent application number 13/352041 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for conformable wipes container with enhanced moisture retention.
This patent application is currently assigned to NUTEK DISPOSABLES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Robert King AULT, Terrence Mclean BECK, William CHILD, Robin DAMAGHI, Dan Allen MURRAY. Invention is credited to Robert King AULT, Terrence Mclean BECK, William CHILD, Robin DAMAGHI, Dan Allen MURRAY.
Application Number | 20130180985 13/352041 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48779281 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130180985 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DAMAGHI; Robin ; et
al. |
July 18, 2013 |
CONFORMABLE WIPES CONTAINER WITH ENHANCED MOISTURE RETENTION
Abstract
A wipes container with side walls including pleats so that the
wipes container is collapsible. A collapse force is required to
collapse the container body. A cover is sealed to the container
body. The seal has a seal thickness and a seal strength. The wipes
container has a combination index of 200,000 or less, where the
combination index is calculated based on the following equation:
combination index=(collapse index) (recovery index) (moisture loss
index), where collapse index=((collapse force)/(side wall
thickness))(1,000), recovery index=((1-% recovery of original
height)/(side wall thickness))(1,000), and moisture loss index=[((%
moisture loss of wipes container over 20 day period)/(seal
strength))+((% moisture loss of wipes container over 20 day
period)/seal thickness))](10).
Inventors: |
DAMAGHI; Robin; (Great Neck,
NY) ; CHILD; William; (Lock Haven, PA) ;
MURRAY; Dan Allen; (Jersey Shore, PA) ; AULT; Robert
King; (Jersey Shore, PA) ; BECK; Terrence Mclean;
(Lock Haven, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DAMAGHI; Robin
CHILD; William
MURRAY; Dan Allen
AULT; Robert King
BECK; Terrence Mclean |
Great Neck
Lock Haven
Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore
Lock Haven |
NY
PA
PA
PA
PA |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
NUTEK DISPOSABLES, INC.
McElhattan
PA
|
Family ID: |
48779281 |
Appl. No.: |
13/352041 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/200 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/22 20130101;
B65D 21/086 20130101; B65D 83/0805 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/200 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/22 20060101
B65D081/22; B65D 43/00 20060101 B65D043/00 |
Claims
1. A wipes container comprising: a container body comprising side
walls and a bottom wall that define a container opening, the side
walls comprising pleats so that the wipes container is collapsible
from a first wipes storage configuration in which the wipes
container has an original height to one or more second wipes
storage configurations in which the wipes container has one or more
corresponding second heights that are less than the original
height, a collapse force being required to collapse the container
body from the original height to a fully reduced height; and a
cover disposed over the container opening, the cover being sealed
to the container body and comprising a lid that provides access to
the container opening, the seal having a seal thickness and a seal
strength, wherein the wipes container has a combination index of
200,000 or less, where the combination index is calculated based on
the following equation: combination index=(collapse index)
(recovery index) (moisture loss index), where collapse
index=((collapse force)/(side wall thickness))(1,000), recovery
index=((1-% recovery of original height)/(side wall
thickness))(1,000), and moisture loss index=[((% moisture loss of
wipes container over 20 day period)/(seal strength))+((% moisture
loss of wipes container over 20 day period)/seal
thickness))](10).
2. The wipes container of claim 1, wherein the collapse index is
within the range of 0 to 1,000.
3. The wipes container of claim 1, wherein the recovery index is
within the range of 0 to 20.
4. The wipes container of claim 1, wherein the moisture loss index
is within the range of 0 to 10.
5. The wipes container of claim 1, wherein the moisture loss of the
wipes container over a 20 day period is less than 6%.
6. The wipes container of claim 1, wherein the seal strength is at
least 10 in. of Hg.
7. The wipes container of claim 1, wherein the seal thickness is
within the range of 15 to 80 mils.
8. The wipes container of claim 1, wherein the side walls have a
thickness within the range of 10 to 40 mils.
9. The wipes container of claim 1, wherein the cover has a
thickness within the range of 5 to 40 mils.
10. The wipes container of claim 1, wherein the collapse force is
within the range of 0 to 10 lbf.
11. The wipes container of claim 1, wherein each of the side walls
have a single layer structure.
12. The wipes container of claim 1, wherein each of the side walls
are made up of a plurality of layers.
13. A wipes container comprising: a container body comprising side
walls and a bottom wall that define a container opening, the side
walls comprising pleats so that the wipes container is collapsible
from a first wipes storage configuration in which the wipes
container has an original height to one or more second wipes
storage configurations in which the wipes container has one or more
corresponding second heights that are less than the original
height, a collapse force being required to collapse the container
body from the original height to a fully reduced height; and a
cover disposed over the container opening, the cover being sealed
to the container body and comprising a lid that provides access to
the container opening, the seal having a seal thickness and a seal
strength, wherein the wipes container has a collapse index within a
range of 0 to 1,000 and a recovery index within a range of 0 to 20,
wherein the collapse index=((collapse force)/(side wall
thickness))(1,000) and recovery index=((1-% recovery of original
height)/(side wall thickness))(1,000).
14. The wipes container of claim 13, wherein the wipes container
has a moisture loss index within a range of 0 to 10, where the
moisture loss index=[((% moisture loss of wipes container over 20
day period)/(seal strength))+((% moisture loss of wipes container
over 20 day period)/seal thickness))](10).
15. The wipes container of claim 14, wherein the moisture loss of
the wipes container over a 20 day period is less than 6%.
16. The wipes container of claim 13, wherein the seal strength is
at least 10 in. of Hg.
17. The wipes container of claim 13, wherein the seal thickness is
within the range of 15 to 80 mils.
18. The wipes container of claim 13, wherein the side walls have a
thickness within the range of 10 to 40 mils.
19. The wipes container of claim 13, wherein the cover has a
thickness within the range of 5 to 40 mils.
20. The wipes container of claim 13, wherein the collapse force is
within the range of 0 to 10 lbf.
21. The wipes container of claim 13, wherein each of the side walls
have a single layer structure.
22. The wipes container of claim 13, wherein each of the side walls
comprise a plurality of layers.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to containers for wipes, and
in particular to collapsible containers for wet wipes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A wipes container according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention comprises: a container body comprising side
walls and a bottom wall that define a container opening, the side
walls h comprising pleats so that the wipes container is
collapsible from a first wipes storage configuration in which the
wipes container has an original height to one or more second wipes
storage configurations in which the wipes container has one or more
corresponding second heights that are less than the original
height, a collapse force being required to collapse the container
body from the original height to a fully reduced height; and a
cover disposed over the container opening, the cover being sealed
to the container body and comprising a lid that provides access to
the container opening, the seal having a seal thickness and a seal
strength, wherein the wipes container has a combination index of
200,000 or less, where the combination index is calculated based on
the following equation: combination index=(collapse index)
(recovery index) (moisture loss index), where collapse
index=((collapse force)/(side wall thickness)) (1,000), recovery
index=((1-% recovery of original height)/(side wall thickness))
(1,000), and moisture loss index=[((% moisture loss of wipes
container over 20 day period)/(seal strength))+((% moisture loss of
wipes container over 20 day period)/seal thickness))](10).
[0003] In an exemplary embodiment, the collapse index is within the
range of 0 to 1,000.
[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, the recovery index is within the
range of 0 to 20.
[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the moisture loss index is
within the range of 0 to 10.
[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the moisture loss of the wipes
container over a 20 day period is less than 6%.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the seal strength is at least 10
in. of Hg.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the seal thickness is within the
range of 15 to 80 mils.
[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the side walls have a thickness
within the range of 10 to 40 mils.
[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the cover has a thickness within
the range of 5 to 40 mils.
[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the collapse force is within the
range of 0 to 10 lbf.
[0012] These and other features of this invention are described in,
or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various
exemplary embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and related objects, features and advantages of
the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to
the following, detailed description of the preferred, albeit
illustrative, embodiment of the present invention when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wipes container according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a planar view of a portion of a side wall of the
wipes container of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0016] FIGS. 3A and 3B show conventional wipe containers.
[0017] FIGS. 4A-4E are side profile views of the container of FIG.
1 in use; and
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top planar view of the container of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0019] Conventional wipes packages are susceptible to moisture loss
before they reach an end user, and also after the wipes package is
opened. This moisture loss may be quite substantial over time, and
since one to two years may pass before wipes packages are used by a
consumer, conventional wipe packages have a certain acceptable
usable "shelf life" timeline. Elevated temperatures increase the
level of moisture loss both before opening and after the package is
opened and stored. Storing a wet wipes package for more than the
"shelf life" or in an environment in which there are elevated
temperatures (for example, in a hot warehouse or automobile)
typically results in drying out of the wipes to an unacceptable
level within the package. That is, the wet wipes within the package
transform over time into non-usable "dry wipes". Therefore,
containing the most amount of moisture in the package is very
important before opening and use, as well as after the package is
opened.
[0020] Conventional soft packs somewhat address the "dry wipes"
issue by offering a more air tight product, but the moisture
retention exhibited by these types of containers are still not at
the level required to achieve extended shelf life and an acceptable
level of moisture during the use of the pack. Further, a
conventional soft pack tends to take on a sloppy appearance as the
wipe stack is reduced in height as wipes are removed from the
pack.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a container, generally designated by reference
number 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. The container 1 may be referred to herein as a "hybrid
tub" or "hybrid wipes container". The container 1 is generally
rectangular in shape, but of course may have any other suitable
shape, and includes a bottom wall 10 and a plurality of side walls
12 that define a storage opening 14 for storing flexible sheets,
such as, for example, wet wipes. The bottom wall 10 and side walls
12 are preferably formed as an integral unit, for example, as a
molded one-piece element. The side walls 12 define a lip 16 that
extends around the storage opening 14. The container 1 also
includes a cover 18 disposed over the storage opening 14. As
described in further detail below, an air tight seal is formed
between the outer edge portions of the cover 18 and the lip 16 so
that the container maintains the moisture content of the wipes with
an enhanced shelf life compared to conventional wipes packages. The
cover 18 also includes a wipes dispenser opening 20 that provides
access to the wipes stored in the container 1 and a lid 22 disposed
over the wipes dispenser opening 20. The various elements of the
container 1 are preferably made of a flexible plastic material,
such as, for example, synthetic, recycled synthetic and natural
polymers. Exemplary materials for the container elements include,
for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene,
high-density polyethylene (HDP) and polylactide (PLA).
[0022] As more clearly shown in FIG. 2, the side walls 12 include a
number of pleats 24. Each pleat 24 extends continuously around the
perimeter of the container 1. The pleats 24 allow the height of the
container 1 to be adjusted between an original height and a number
of reduced heights. In this regard, the container 1 may include any
number of pleats 24. It should be appreciated that the pleats
provide a continuum of reduced heights between the original height
and the smallest compressed height.
[0023] For comparison, FIGS. 3A and 3B show conventional wipe
containers. In particular, FIG. 3A shows a conventional hard wipe
container 100 and FIG. 3B shows a conventional soft pack wipe
container 200. The hard wipe container 100 includes a removable
cover 110, and is not compressible in the sense that a user can not
press down on the hard wipe container 100 to reduce its height. The
soft pack wipe container 200 is compressible, but as shown in FIG.
3B, the soft pack wipe container 200 does not hold its shape while
being compressed.
[0024] FIGS. 4A-4E are side planar views of the container 1 showing
operation of the container 1 as wipes are removed. In FIG. 4A, the
container 1 is shown as initially available to a user, where the
container 1 is at an original height h1. FIGS. 4B-4C show the
container 1 after the lid 22 is opened to gain access to the wipes.
As the wipes are used and the wipes stack height is reduced, the
container 1 may be compressed in order for the user to grasp the
top wipe in the stack. The opened lid 22 allows air within the
container 1, which otherwise remains sealed by the cover 18, to be
released, which in turn allows the container 1 to be compressed.
The rush of air through the wipes dispenser opening 20 as the
container 1 is compressed results in the top wipe in the wipes
stack being pulled/pushed upwards towards the wipes dispenser
opening 20. This feature of the container 1 is referred to in the
present disclosure as "self-threading". Self-threading will occur
when there is a sufficient volume of air inside the package. In
this regard, it has been found that at least 33 cu. in. of air is
required in order for self-threading to occur. In particular, when
the container 1 is provided with a conventional wipes dispenser
opening, which is basically an oval shape with an open area of 1.1
sq. in., and a wipes stack made up of 70 wipes, the container 1
yields a self-threading capability beginning at wipe 30.
Self-threading also occurs at wipe 30 when the opening is a 1 in.
by 1 in. square opening (1 sq. in.), at wipe 40 when the opening is
a 2 in. by 2 in. square opening (4 sq. in.), and at wipe 60 when
the opening is 4 in. by 4 in. square opening. In contrast, a
conventional hard pack does not provide self-threading because of
its inability to be collapsed, and the conventional soft pack will
not provide self threading because the soft pack would need to be
manually expanded from a collapsed configuration in order for any
type of threading to occur (i.e., the soft pack does not
"self-thread").
[0025] The lid 22 may be a label including adhesive that allows the
label to be removed and re-applied to expose and cover the opening
20. The use of a label provides a substantially air-tight seal over
the opening 20 when the container 1 is not in use. Accordingly, as
shown in FIG. 4D, once the container 1 is reduced to a desired
height h3, the lid 22 may be closed, resulting in the container 1
once again being in a substantially air tight configuration and the
container 1 being held at the height h3. In contrast, the cover of
a conventional hard pack is not sealed to the side walls of the
pack but is instead constructed so as to be easily removed and
replaced using a snap fit connection. Since the container 1 with
the label applied is substantially airtight, the container 1 will
not expand from its reduced height until the lid 22 is opened.
Thus, as compared to conventional "soft-pack" wipes dispensers, the
container 1 can be reduced in size for easy storage without
compromising shape and aesthetics. Further, conventional rigid
wipes containers do not allow the same level of access to stored
wipes as that provided by the container 1, and also do not provide
the same level of moisture retention. It should be appreciated that
the lid 22 of the container 1 is not limited to a label, but any
other type of lid may be used, including a hinged lid. The use of a
hinged lid does not necessarily provide an airtight seal over the
opening 20, but nonetheless, the container 1 can still be reduced
in height while generally maintaining its shape and aesthetics.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 4E, in order to maintain a consistent
appearance, the container 1 retracts when the lid is opened to a
height h4 that is the same or approximately the same as its
original height h1. In this regard, according to exemplary
embodiments of the invention, the container 1 may have a percent
recovery within the range of 90%-100% of its original height from
each of the reduced heights, and preferably may have a percent
recovery of 80% or greater. The percent recovery is determined
using the test procedure described herein.
[0027] It should be appreciated that the thickness of the side
walls 12 is a factor that effects the percent recovery of the
container 1. If the thickness of the side walls 12 is too great,
the container 1 will not provide appropriate flex to allow a user
to easily reduce the height of the container 1, and if the
thickness of the side walls 12 is too small, the container 1 will
not retract with sufficient spring force to allow the container 1
to return to the same or approximately the same as its original
height. In this regard, the thickness of the side walls 12 is
preferably within the range of 10-40 mils., and the collapse force
is preferably 10 lbf or less. The collapse force is determined
using the test procedure described herein.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a top planar view of the container 1 according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this
figure, a continuous seal 26 is formed between the cover 18 and the
lip 16. The seal 26 may be formed by any suitable sealing method,
including, for example, ultrasonic, vibration or heat sealing. The
strength of the seal 26 is preferably at least 10 in. of Hg, based
on results of the ASTM D3078-02 test standard. The thickness of the
seal 2 may be in the range of 15 to 80 mils, where the seal
thickness is dependent on the thickness of the side walls 12 that
form the lip 16 and the thickness of the cover 18. In this regard,
the cover 18 may have a thickness within the range of 5 to 40
mils.
[0029] The following examples illustrate the advantages of the
present invention:
Example 0
E0
[0030] A wipes container was assembled using a thermoformed tub
whose sidewalls have a substantially fluted architecture with a
nominal lay-flat wall thickness of 20 mils. The container tub was
made from a clear polypropylene copolymer (the tub material was a
sheet sourced from Spartech Corporation, located in Clayton, Mo.,
Product Code 120124). The tub is nominally 140 mm wide, 205 mm
long, and 70 mm high. The sidewall contains 6 flutes with each
flute nominally 3 mm deep (peak to valley) and 8 mm apart (valley
to valley). The container's cover is a 12 mil white polypropylene
(the cover material was sourced from Spartech Corporation, located
in Clayton, Mo., Product Code 112734) and is 140 mm wide and 205 mm
long. The cover is sealed to the tub via ultrasonic welding. There
is an opening on the cover that is generally centered, oval shaped,
and is nominally 32 mm long and 22 mm wide. The opening is sealed
with a removable adhesive strip and a "pop-up" lid that is attached
via an adhesive. The cover seal strength is 21.7 in. of Hg and has
a seal thickness of 32 mils. Collapse force, recovery and percent
moisture loss (over a 20 day period) were tested.
[0031] The collapse force and percent recovery were measured using
the following equipment: IMADA--Force Gauge DPS-44R; Vertical
Manual Lever Test Stand; Large Plate Attachment for Force
Gauge.
[0032] The following steps were performed to determine collapse
force:
[0033] 1) Affix the large plate attachment to the force gauge.
[0034] 2) Affix the gauge to the vertical manual lever test
stand.
[0035] 3) Turn on the power for the force gauge.
[0036] 4) Adjust the height of the force gauge on its stand to
allow the container being tested to fit directly under the large
plate and touching the large plate with zero pressure.
[0037] 5) Press the "zero button" on the gauge to reset the gauge
reading to zero.
[0038] 6) Press the "peak button" on the gauge to enable the gauge
to measure the peak force to collapse a container.
[0039] 7) Pull down on the lever to compress the container
completely ("completely down").
[0040] 8) While maintaining the lever in the "completely down"
position, record the peak force on the gauge (the collapse force)
and prepare for the recovery force test.
[0041] The following steps were performed to determine recovery
force:
[0042] 1) With the lever in the "completely down" position, press
the "zero button" to reset the gauge reading to zero.
[0043] 2) Press the "peak button" to enable the gauge to measure
the peak force of recovery of a container.
[0044] 3) Release the lever and let the collapsed container push
back upward on the gauge.
[0045] 4) Record the peak force on gauge (the recovery force).
[0046] Recovery force was determined as follows:
[0047] 1) With the lever in the "completely down" position, press
the "zero button" to reset the gauge reading to zero.
[0048] 2) Press the "peak button" to enable the gauge to measure
the peak force of recovery of a container.
[0049] 3) Release the lever and let the collapsed container push
back upward on the gauge.
[0050] 4) Record the peak force on gauge (the recovery force).
[0051] Recovery percentage was determined as follows:
[0052] 1) Prior to conducting the Collapse Force test procedure,
measure and record the initial height of the container.
[0053] 2) Conduct the Collapse Force test procedure.
[0054] 3) Conduct the Recovery Force test procedure.
[0055] 4) Upon completion of the Recovery Force test, measure the
"recovered height" of the tested container and record.
[0056] 5) To calculate the Recovery Percentage apply the following
formula:
(Recovered Height/Initial Height)*100=Recovery Percentage
[0057] Percent moisture loss was measured using the following
equipment: Scale: AND GF-4000; and VWR Model: 1565 Incubator. The
following steps were performed:
[0058] 1) Condition the incubator. Set incubator temperature to
55.degree. C.
[0059] 2) Determine the initial weight(s). Using a scale, weigh a
sample(s) of a stack of wet wipes sealed in its packaging (i.e.,
tub, soft pack, etc.) and record the result(s).
[0060] 3) Accelerate Age the Sample(s). Place the sample(s) in the
incubator that has achieved 55.degree. C.
[0061] 4) Evaluate for Moisture Loss. Re-weigh the sample(s) every
other week day and record the results (Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday). Repeat for a period of 20 days to obtain 10 data
points.
[0062] 5) Calculate the Weight Loss. Use the following formula:
[(Initial Weight-Re-Weighed Weight)/Initial Weight]*100=Moisture
Loss %
Comparative Example 1
CE1
[0063] A standard hard wipes container (without accordion pleats)
was provided with a side wall thickness of 31 mils, a cover
thickness of 38 mils, a snap-on seal strength of 0.5 in. of Hg and
a seal thickness of 69 mils (since the standard hard wipes
container includes a removable cover, any sealing is achieved
through the snap fit connection between the cover and the side
walls). The container was subjected to the same test procedures
described in Example 0.
Comparative Example 2
CE2
[0064] A hard wipes container commercialized by Proctor &
Gamble under the Pampers brand (UPC no. 0-37000-28248-8) was
provided. The Pampers wipes container has a side wall thickness of
36 mils, a cover thickness of 40 mils, a snap on seal strength of
0.5 in. Hg and a seal thickness of 76 mils (since a hard wipes
container includes a removable cover, any sealing is achieved
through the snap fit connection between the cover and the side
walls). The container was subjected to the same test procedures
described in Example 0.
Comparative Example 3
CE3
[0065] A wipes container commercialized by Kimberly Clark under the
Huggies brand (UPC no. 0-36000-12110-0) was provided. The Huggies
wipes container has a side wall thickness of 40 mils, a cover
thickness of 32 mils, a snap on seal strength of 1.3 in. of Hg and
a seal thickness of 72 mils (since a hard wipes container includes
a removable cover, any sealing is achieved through the snap fit
connection between the cover and the side walls). The container was
subjected to the same test procedures described in Example 0.
Comparative Example 4
CE4
[0066] A soft pack wipes container was provided having a side wall
thickness of 2.5 mils, a cover thickness of 2.5 mils, a seal
strength of 16.4 in. of Hg and a seal thickness of mils. The
container was subjected to the same test procedures described in
Example 0.
Comparative Example 5
CE5
[0067] A soft pack wipes container commercialized by Proctor &
Gamble under the Pampers brand (UPC no. 0-37000-50197-8) was
provided. The Pampers soft pack has a side wall thickness of 3
mils, a cover thickness of 3 mils, a seal strength of 22 in. of Hg
and a seal thickness of 6 mils. The container was subjected to the
same test procedures described in Example 0.
Comparative Example 6
CE6
[0068] A soft pack wipes container commercialized by Kimberly Clark
under the Huggies brand (UPC no. 0-36000-11692-2) was provided. The
Huggies soft pack has a side wall thickness of 2 mils, a cover
thickness of 2 mils, a seal strength of 19.1 in. of Hg and a seal
thickness of 4 mils. The container was subjected to the same test
procedures described in Example 0.
[0069] The results of these tests are shown in Table 1 below:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 D B % F G A Average C Recovery E Seal Seal
Cover Side Wall Collapse (of % Strength Thickness Thickness
Thickness Force (in original Moisture (inches (in mils) Example (in
mils) (in mils) lbs force) height) Loss of Hg) A + B E0 12.0 10.0
1.40 98.0% 1.35% 21.7 22.0 CE1 38.0 31.0 100.00 91.0% 22.34% 0.5
69.0 CE2 40.0 36.0 100.00 91.0% 19.23% 0.5 76.0 CE3 32.0 40.0
100.00 91.0% 12.85% 1.3 72.0 CE4 2.5 2.5 0.31 10.0% 4.63% 16.4 5.0
CE5 3.0 3.0 0.34 9.5% 3.85% 22.0 6.0 CE6 2.0 2.0 0.25 23.1% 5.37%
19.1 4.0
[0070] In-use moisture loss was also tested for Example 0 and
Comparative Examples CE1-CE6 using an AND GF-4000 scale and
performing the following steps:
[0071] 1) Condition the test samples at ambient temperature
(approximately 70.degree. F.) for a minimum of 2 hours.
[0072] 2) Determine the Initial Stack Weight(s): Weigh the full
stack of wipes, inside its original sealed packaging, on the scale
and record the initial stack weight
[0073] 3) Open the package and ready the product for use as per the
instructions on the package.
[0074] 4) Determine the Beginning Wipe Average Weight(s):
Individually remove the 1st five (5) wipes from the wipes package,
place them all on a scale and weigh them as a group to determine
the "zero-time" weight. Record the result(s). Close the package as
per the instructions on the package.
[0075] 5) Determine the In-Use Average Wipe Weight(s): Every two
(2) hours, up to fourteen (14) hours, individually remove five (5)
wipes from the previously used package, weigh them as a group, and
record the result(s). Be sure to close the package as per the
instructions on the package after every measurement interval.
[0076] 6) Continue to Determine the In-Use Average Wipe Weight(s):
Resume testing twenty-four (24) hours after recording the Beginning
Wipe Average Weight. Every two (2) hours, up to thirty-six (36)
hours or until all wipes are removed from the package, individually
remove five (5) wipes from the previously used package, weigh them
as a group, and record the result(s). Be sure to close the package
as per the instructions on the package after every measurement
interval.
[0077] 7) Calculate the in-use moisture loss:
[0078] Weighed Wipe Weight (in g)=Sum of all wipe weight
measurements.
[0079] Moisture Lost (in g)=Initial Stack Weight (-) Weighed Wipe
Weight
[0080] Moisture Lost (in %)=(Moisture Lost/Initial Stack
Weight)*100=N %
[0081] Moisture Lost Difference vs. Hybrid Tub (in
multiples)=Moisture Lost (in %)/Hybrid Tub Moisture Loss (in %)
[0082] Average Moisture Lost/Wipe (in g)=Moisture Lost (in g)/Wipe
Count (Each)
[0083] The results of the in-use moisture loss testing are shown in
Table 2 below:
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Moisture Lost Beginning Weighed Difference
Wet Stack Wipe Moisture Moisture vs. Hybrid Moisture Wt Weight Lost
Lost Tub Loss/Wipe Example # (in g) (in g) (in g) (%) (in
multiples) (g) E0 525.6 516.0 9.6 1.8% 0.0 0.13 CE1 674.1 621.1
53.0 7.9% 4.3 0.74 CE2 712.3 655.2 57.1 8.0% 4.4 0.79 CE3 688.6
641.2 47.4 6.9% 3.8 0.66 CE4 658.1 634.8 23.3 3.5% 1.9 0.32 CE5
702.1 681.2 20.9 3.0% 1.6 0.29 CE6 655.3 631.1 24.2 3.7% 2.0
0.34
[0084] The combination of features of the wipes container according
to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention as
summarized in Table 1 and Table 2 provide a combination of
advantages that is not provided by either the conventional standard
wipes container or the conventional soft pack wipes container. For
example, both the standard wipes container and the inventive wipes
container provide a high percent recovery so as to maintain a
consistent presentation, but unlike the standard wipes container,
the inventive wipes container also provides high seal strength to
prevent moisture loss and allows easy access to the stored wipes
by, for example, self-threading. Further, both the soft pack wipes
container and the inventive wipes container retain moisture due to
high seal strengths, but unlike the soft pack, the inventive wipes
container provides a consistent presentation. Also, the inventive
wipes container provides relatively low in-use moisture loss as
compared to conventional soft and hard packs. For example,
conventional hard packs exhibit approximately four times more
in-use moisture loss and conventional soft packs exhibit
approximately two times more in-use moisture loss as compared to
the inventive wipes container.
[0085] In order to demonstrate the advantages of the present
invention, various indices may be calculated that take into account
percent recovery, seal strength, collapse force, side wall
thickness and percent moisture loss. In this regard, a combination
index may be calculated for each container using Equations 1-4,
shown below:
combination index=(collapse index)(recovery index)(moisture loss
index), (1)
where collapse index=((collapse force)/(side wall
thickness))(1,000), (2)
recovery index=((1-% recovery of original height)/(side wall
thickness))(1,000), and (3)
moisture loss index=((% moisture loss of wipes container over 20
day period)/(seal strength))+((% moisture loss of wipes container
over 20 day period)/seal thickness)) (4)
[0086] The results of the combination index calculations for each
of the Examples and Comparative Examples is provided below in Table
2:
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 H I J K Collapse Recovery Moisture COMBO
Index Index Loss Index INDEX Example C/B (1 - D)/B E/F + E/G H*I*J
E0 140.0 2.0 1.2 346 CE1 3,225.8 2.9 450.0 4,214,713 CE2 2,777.8
2.5 387.1 2,688,405 CE3 2,500.0 2.3 100.6 566,049 CE4 124.0 360.0
12.1 539,393 CE5 113.3 301.8 8.2 279,364 CE6 125.0 384.7 16.2
780,774
[0087] In general, it is desirable for a wipes container to exhibit
a relatively low collapse index with greater side wall thickness
than conventional soft packs, a relatively low recovery index and a
relatively low moisture loss index. Table 2 shows that the present
invention exhibits a combination index that is much lower than that
exhibited by other types of conventional wipes containers as a
result of the relatively low collapse, recovery and moisture loss
indices. In particular, the wipes container according to various
exemplary embodiments of the present invention may have a
combination index of less than 200,000, with a collapse index
within the range of 0 to 1,000, a recovery index within the range
of 0 to 20, and a moisture loss index within the range of 0 to
10.
[0088] Now that the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and
improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled
in the art. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered
in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of
the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and all
changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of
the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *