U.S. patent application number 16/904615 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-08 for diaphragm for a container assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is EDGEWELL PERSONAL CARE BRANDS, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul Dansreau, Stephan Fischer, Narada Howard, Thorsten Reich, Ellen Rinaldi.
Application Number | 20200315408 16/904615 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004901628 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-08 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200315408 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dansreau; Paul ; et
al. |
October 8, 2020 |
DIAPHRAGM FOR A CONTAINER ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A diaphragm for a container assembly for dispensing products
such as wipes or sheets, or collecting and/or storing products,
including waste products. The container assembly has diaphragm with
a central aperture and at least one petal. The diaphragm is a
portion of the lid or the container. The aperture allows a user to
insert one or more fingers (or hand) to pull the first sheet out or
alternatively, deposit an item into the container. The diaphragm
has one or more slits separating the outer periphery of the
diaphragm from portions of the petals, thereby reducing the force
required to deflect the diaphragm.
Inventors: |
Dansreau; Paul; (Shelton,
CT) ; Fischer; Stephan; (Solingen, DE) ;
Howard; Narada; (Lyndhurst, NJ) ; Reich;
Thorsten; (Solingen, DE) ; Rinaldi; Ellen;
(Bethel, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EDGEWELL PERSONAL CARE BRANDS, LLC |
CHESTERFIELD |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004901628 |
Appl. No.: |
16/904615 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15676004 |
Aug 14, 2017 |
10722082 |
|
|
16904615 |
|
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|
|
62374064 |
Aug 12, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/3818 20130101;
A47K 2010/3266 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20060101
A47K010/38 |
Claims
1. A container, comprising: a plurality of petals separated by at
least one substantially linear slit, the plurality of petals each
comprising: a base region at least partially connected to a
diaphragm; a tip region distal to said base region, the tip region
of said plurality of petals cooperating to define an aperture
towards a center region of said diaphragm, the aperture having a
first state where each tip region is substantially parallel to a
horizontal axis, and a second state where said petals are other
than parallel to said horizontal axis, wherein said diaphragm is a
deflectable material; wherein said aperture has a larger size in
said second state than said first state; and wherein said base
region of at least one of said plurality of petals comprises a
substantially arcuate slit to facilitate deflection of said
diaphragm.
2. The container of claim 1, further comprising: an additional slit
in the diaphragm, with the additional slit intersecting at least
one of the substantially linear slits.
3. The container of claim 2 wherein the additional slit includes a
plurality of additional slits in the diaphragm with each additional
slit being intersected by at least one of the substantially linear
slits.
4. The container of claim 2 wherein the additional slit is arcuate
in shape relative to the substantially linear slits.
5. The container of claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of
petals further comprise a central region between said base region
and said tip region, wherein said tip region is out of plane with
respect to at least one of said base region and said central
region.
6. The container of claim 5 wherein the diaphragm is circular in
cross-section and the additional slit is shaped to match the
arcuate shape of a portion of the circular diaphragm.
7. The container of claim 2, further comprising: a bubble attached
to the tip region of a petal.
8. The container of claim 2, wherein a tip in the tip region is
covered with a polymer.
9. The container of claim 2, wherein a tip in the tip region is
rounded.
10. A container lid configured to dispense sheet material from a
container, comprising a plurality of petals separated by at least
one substantially linear slit, the plurality of petals each
comprising: a base region at least partially connected to a
diaphragm; a tip region distal to said base region, the tip region
of said plurality of petals cooperating to define an aperture
towards a center region of said diaphragm, the aperture having a
first state where each tip region is substantially parallel to a
horizontal axis, and a second state where said petals are other
than parallel to said horizontal axis, wherein said diaphragm is a
deflectable material; wherein said aperture has a larger size in
said second state than said first state; and wherein said base
region of at least one of said plurality of petals comprises a
substantially arcuate slit to facilitate deflection of said
diaphragm.
11. The container lid of claim 10, further comprising: an
additional slit in the diaphragm, with the additional slit
intersecting at least one of the substantially linear slits.
12. The container lid of claim 10, further comprising: a bubble
attached to the tip region of a petal.
13. The container lid of claim 10, wherein a tip in the tip region
is covered with a polymer.
14. The container lid of claim 10, wherein a tip in the tip region
is rounded.
15. A diaphragm providing an accessible barrier within a container,
comprising: a plurality of petals separated by at least one
substantially linear slit, the plurality of petals each comprising:
a base region at least partially connected to an outer perimeter of
said diaphragm; a tip region distal to said base region, the tip
region of said plurality of petals cooperating to define an
aperture towards a center region of said diaphragm, the aperture
having a first state where each tip region is substantially
parallel to a horizontal axis, and a second state where said petals
are other than parallel to said horizontal axis, wherein said
diaphragm is a deflectable material; wherein said aperture has a
larger size in said second state than said first state; and wherein
said base region of at least one of said plurality of petals
comprises a substantially arcuate slit to facilitate deflection of
said diaphragm.
16. The diaphragm of claim 15 wherein the opening includes a
widened portion of at least one substantially linear slit.
17. The diaphragm of claim 16 wherein the substantially linear slit
and an additional substantially linear slit intersect each other at
a point other than at the center of the diaphragm.
18. The diaphragm of claim 16, further comprising: a bubble
attached to the tip region of a petal.
19. The diaphragm of claim 16, wherein a tip in the tip region is
covered with a polymer.
20. The diaphragm of claim 16, wherein a tip in the tip region is
rounded.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 15/676,004
filed Aug. 14, 2017 which claims priority to the U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/374,064, filed Aug. 12, 2016, the
entirety of which us incorporated herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A container for dispensing treated sheets for various uses
is presented. The container includes a lid having an aperture
providing a user with a way to pull one sheet at a time from the
container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This section is intended to provide a background or context.
The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued,
but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or
pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is
described in this section is not prior art to the description and
claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by
inclusion in this section.
[0004] Previous containers have included a lid having an aperture
for dispensing a product inside one sheet at a time while
positioning a next sheet for subsequent removal. Unfortunately,
sometimes those sheets fail to properly position the next sheet so
consumers can easily remove that sheet. Correspondingly, previous
container lids have received consumer complaints related to the
design of the aperture. For example, users have complained that it
can be difficult to thread and/or remove wipes through a crosshair
aperture in container lids and sometimes their fingers get caught
in the crosshairs of the aperture while trying to position or
retrieve the next sheet of product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The below summary section is intended to be merely exemplary
and non-limiting.
[0006] The foregoing and other problems are overcome, and other
advantages are realized, by the use of the exemplary embodiments
set forth below.
[0007] An aperture is configured to dispense sheet material from a
container. The terms "container" and "canister" are interchangeable
as used throughout the present disclosure. The aperture is formed
in part of the container and includes a diaphragm, the diaphragm
having intersecting substantially linear slits formed in the
diaphragm and thus forming a plurality of petals in the diaphragm
where the slits intersect. The aperture, further including at least
one opening in the diaphragm located adjacent a peripheral portion
of the diaphragm, and is intersected by at least one of the
substantially linear slits, thereby increasing the flexibility of
at least one of the petals by reducing a length of edge thereof
supported by the peripheral portion of the diaphragm, thereby
allowing substantially one sheet at a time to be pulled from the
container.
[0008] The aperture is formed in part of the container or canister,
such as the lid, and includes a diaphragm portion. The aperture
includes intersecting substantially linear slits formed in the
diaphragm thereby forming a plurality of petals in the diaphragm.
Where the linear slits are positioned, in some embodiments, the
aperture further includes at least one additional slit or other
opening in the diaphragm. The at least one additional slit is
located adjacent a peripheral portion of the diaphragm and is
intersected by at least one of the linear slits. Thereby increasing
the flexibility of at least one of the petals by reducing a length
of edge thereof supported by the peripheral portion of the
diaphragm, thereby allowing substantially one sheet at a time to be
pulled from the container.
[0009] The aperture is formed in part of the container and includes
a diaphragm portion, the diaphragm having substantially linear
slits intersecting each other and formed in the diaphragm thereby
forming a plurality of petals in the diaphragm where the slits
intersect.
[0010] The aperture, in some embodiments, further including at
least one opening in the diaphragm located adjacent a peripheral
portion of the diaphragm, and is intersected by at least one of the
substantially linear slits, thereby increasing the flexibility of
at least one of the petals by reducing a length of edge thereof
supported by the peripheral portion of the diaphragm, thereby
allowing substantially one sheet at a time to be pulled from the
container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and
many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained
as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings. The foregoing and other aspects of exemplary
embodiments are made more evident in the following Detailed
Description, when read in conjunction with the attached Drawing
Figures, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an outside view of a
dispenser lid with a dispensing aperture,
[0013] FIG. 1B is a cut-away perspective view showing the canister
assembly of the present disclosure,
[0014] FIG. 2A is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing an
inside view of a dispenser lid,
[0015] FIG. 2B is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing
aperture of FIG. 2A,
[0016] FIG. 3 is a top view of the outside of the dispenser
lid,
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along lines
4-4,
[0018] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along
lines 5-5,
[0019] FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of FIG. 5A showing detail of the
dispensing aperture,
[0020] FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the
dispenser lid,
[0021] FIG. 7A is a pictorial view of the inside of the dispenser
lid shown in FIG. 6,
[0022] FIG. 7B is a pictorial view of the inside of the dispenser
lid shown in FIG. 7A in yet another embodiment,
[0023] FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of the dispenser lid shown with a
cap in a closed position,
[0024] FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing an outside view of a
dispenser lid with a dispensing aperture in still another
embodiment,
[0025] FIG. 9B is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing
aperture of FIG. 9A,
[0026] FIG. 9C is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing
aperture of FIG. 9A in even another alternative embodiment,
[0027] FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing an outside view of a
dispenser lid with a dispensing aperture in yet even another
embodiment,
[0028] FIG. 10B is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing
aperture of FIG. 10A,
[0029] FIG. 10C is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing
aperture of FIG. 10A in yet still another alternative
embodiment,
[0030] FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing an outside view of a
dispenser lid with a dispensing aperture in still even another
embodiment,
[0031] FIG. 11B is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing
aperture of FIG. 11A, and
[0032] FIG. 12 is an angled sectional view of an aperture in still
even another embodiment,
[0033] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the test results of the force
required to insert a user's finger through the dispenser aperture
in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure
will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the
principles of the structure, function, and use of the canister lid
disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting
embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of
ordinary skill in the art will understand that systems and methods
specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings are non-limiting embodiments. The features illustrated or
described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be
combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such
modifications and variations are intended to be included within the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0035] Described herein are example embodiments of a canister lid
for dispensing sheets such as cleaning wipes. The examples
discussed herein are intended to be illustrative only to assist in
explanation of the apparatuses, devices, systems and methods
described. Features or components shown in the drawings or
discussed below should not be taken as mandatory for any specific
implementation of any of these the apparatuses, devices, systems or
methods unless specifically designated as mandatory. For ease of
reading and clarity, certain components, modules, or methods may be
described solely in connection with a specific figure. Any failure
to specifically describe a combination or sub-combination of
components should not be understood as an indication that any
combination or sub-combination is not envisioned.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1A, a canister lid 10 includes an aperture
12 configured to dispense sheet material from within a container or
canister (not shown). While the aperture 12 is formed in the
canister lid 10, it could be formed as part of the container
forming the canister. FIG. 1B exemplifies an embodiment of the
present disclosure with a cut-away view of a canister assembly 11.
Canister assembly 11 has a canister lid 10 and a container 13.
Canister assembly 11 is shown having at least one product 15 (i.e.
a roll of wipes) at least partially within container 13. Canister
assembly 11 further exemplifies a non-limiting example where
product 15 being prepped for use (i.e. dispensing), where product
15 is a wipe 17. Wipe 17 is shown such that at least a portion of
wipe 17 is above a top surface 19 of canister lid 10, and more
specifically, a top 19 surface of petals 18 and diaphragm 14. Wipe
17 is also shown such that a portion of wipe 17 is below a bottom
surface 21 of canister lid 10, and more specifically, a bottom
surface 21 of petals 18 and diaphragm 14.
[0037] FIG. 2A shows the inside of canister lid 10. Referring to
FIG. 2B, the aperture 12 includes a diaphragm 14, the diaphragm 14
includes intersecting substantially linear slits 16 formed in the
diaphragm 14 thereby forming a plurality of petals 18 in the
diaphragm 14 where the slits 16 intersect. Diaphragm 14 is
generally composed of a pliable or flexible material that can vary
in stiffness according to the sheet material being dispensed. In
some embodiments the diaphragm is made of a polymer such as
polyethylene, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene,
polyester, ABS, elastomeric materials such as thermoplastic
elastomers, rubber, films, laminates, combinations of materials,
etc. . . . In some embodiments the lid and diaphragm are made of a
single piece of plastic. In some embodiments the diaphragm 14
includes intersecting substantially linear slits 16 disposed
substantially 90 degrees apart.
[0038] Each petal 18 has a tip region 50 distal to a base region
56, a center region 58 between the tip region 50 and base region
56. The tip regions 50 cooperate to define the aperture 12 towards
a central portion 60 of the diaphragm 14. Each petal 18 has a base
region 56 at least partially connected to the diaphragm 14. In some
embodiments, the base region 56 is at least partially connected to
an outer perimeter 62 of the diaphragm 14. The aperture 12 has a
first state wherein each tip region 50 is substantially parallel to
a horizontal axis, and a second state wherein the petals 18 are
other than parallel to the horizontal axis, and a third state
wherein the petals 18 are either substantially parallel and/or
other than parallel. For example, in some embodiments, the aperture
12 has a first at-rest state, a second deflected state, and a third
modified state. The aperture 12, in the first state, does not
contain a product or finger in the aperture 12, e.g. only air. The
aperture 12, in the second state, contains at least one finger, or
said differently, the at least one finger passes through the
aperture 12, perhaps deflecting at least one petal 18, and
thereafter pulls a product 15 through the aperture 12. The aperture
12, in the third state, contains at least a portion of the product
15 such that the product is prepped for a down-turn use by the
consumer. Said differently, the product 15 is grasped by at least
one petal 18 and maintained in the aperture 12 such that at least a
portion of the product 15 is above a top surface 19 of the at least
one petal 18 and a portion of the product is below a bottom surface
21 of the at least one petal 18. Preferably, the product 15 is
substantially contained below the bottom surface 21 of the at least
one petal 18 such that the product 15 is maintained in a protected
state within the container body. Also preferably, the product 15
has a portion above the top surface 19 of the at least one petal
such that it is easily grasped by the consumer for complete removal
from the canister lid 10, canister 13 and/or container assembly 11
in general.
[0039] The diaphragm 14 is made of a deflectable material wherein
the aperture 12 has a larger size in the second state than in the
first state. As described herein, in some embodiments, the base
region of at least one of the petals 18 includes a substantially
arcuate slit to facilitate deflection of the diaphragm 14. As
described herein, in some embodiments, the tip region 50 includes a
bubble or rounded coatings for separating a product or finger in
the aperture 12 from making direct contact with a tip in the tip
region 50. As described herein, in some embodiments, the tip region
50 includes a rounded tip.
[0040] Although embodiments represented by the figures generally
provide a diaphragm 14 having four petals 18 divided by two slits
16, other embodiments of the present invention include at least two
petals 18 and up to eight petals 18, and/or between one and eight
slits 16 that are substantially linear and/or non-linear, where
each slit 16 provides at least partial separation between two
petals 18. Size, number and configuration of slits 16 petals 18 are
configured with respect to the contents being at least partially
contained by canister lid 10 and/or being dispensed through such
diaphragm 14.
[0041] In some embodiments an opening 20 affects the rigidity of
the diaphragm 14 reducing the force on a user's finger when
inserted through aperture 12 to pull the first sheet of product 15
such as a first wipe 17 outwardly through the aperture 12. In other
embodiments, the diaphragm 14 is configured to enable at least a
portion of a user's hand, such as a finger, to slip through the
diaphragm 14 having an aperture 12 to either place an item into
canister 13 and/or withdraw an item (such as a wipe 17) from
canister 13. As shown in FIG. 2B, the opening 20 is sized and
shaped to be an additional slit 22. In a preferred embodiment, the
additional slit 22 is arcuate in shape. It is preferable to have
two additional slits 22 formed at or near the ends of one of the
slits 22. The additional slits 22 can coincide with the arc of the
diaphragm 14 when the diaphragm 14 is circular in shape. The
additional slits 22 act to increase the flexibility of the
diaphragm 14. The aperture 12, further includes at least one
opening 20 in the diaphragm 14 located adjacent a peripheral
portion 34 of the diaphragm 14, and is intersected by at least one
of the substantially linear slits 16, thereby increasing the
flexibility of at least one of the petals 18 by reducing a length
of edge thereof supported by the peripheral portion 34 of the
diaphragm 14, thereby allowing substantially one sheet at a time to
be pulled from the container. In some embodiments, the number of
slits 22 is between one and eight, depending on the number of
petals 18, slits 16, and/or the contents being at least partially
contained by canister lid 10 and/or being dispensed through such
diaphragm 14.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 3, the outside of the canister lid 10
is shown. As is generally the case, the aperture 12 is centrally
located on the lid 10. Also shown in FIG. 3 is a cap 24 for sealing
the aperture 12, to mitigate against evaporation and other
potentially deleterious impact(s) from the external environment. In
some embodiments the cap 24 has a snap fit with the aperture 12
such that cap 24 substantially covers aperture 12. Cap 24 may
include a strap 26 to retain the cap 24 to the canister lid 10. In
some embodiments, strap 26 is integral with cap 24 and/or canister
lid 10. In other embodiments, strap 26 is connectable to cap 24 and
canister lid 10.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the canister cap 10, the cap 24, and the
strap 26 are made from relatively thin material. The aperture 12 is
shown in cross section including the diaphragm 14.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 5A, the canister lid 10 is shown in
cross-section along with the aperture 12 and the diaphragm 14, one
of the slits 16 and one of the additional slits 22. Referring to
FIG. 5B, the indicated portion of FIG. 5A is shown in an enlarged
manner. The diaphragm 14 is shown along with one slit 16 and one
additional slit 22. In some embodiments, as shown in cross-section
in FIG. 5B, a frustoconical section 28 of the aperture 12 is
present. The frustoconical section 28 extends outwardly from the
diaphragm 14 and may form a lip 30. Lip 30 acts as part of the snap
fit arrangement with the cap 24. The slits 16, along with the
additional slits 22 may touch at their lower edges 32, or they may
be spaced apart depending on the characteristics of the sheet
material being dispensed. In some embodiments both the
substantially linear slits 16 and the additional slits 22 have
cross sectional area that are smaller on one side and larger on
another side. This is shown in FIG. 5B where the slit 16 is shown
to have a "U" or "V" shaped groove having sloping sidewalls 44. In
some embodiments the additional slit 22 may also have sloping
sidewall 44 due to one side of the slit being smaller and another
side being larger.
[0045] The aperture 12 includes two of the additional arcuate slits
22 located on opposite sides of the diaphragm 14 and substantially
bisected by one of the substantially linear slits 16 adjacent to
the outer edge 34 of the diaphragm 14.
[0046] The aperture 12 with the diaphragm 14 as set forth are
formed in a lid 10 configured to form a snap fit with the container
thereby allowing the container to be filled with the product 15
such as sheets or wipes 17 and then closed by the snap fit lid 10.
Other connecting means include friction fits, press fits, and other
mechanical closures such as those with male and female connectors,
snaps, buttons, and the like.
[0047] The aperture 12 can be formed in part of the container
and/or canister lid 10, and includes a diaphragm 14 portion, the
aperture 12 having intersecting substantially linear slits 16
formed in the diaphragm 14 thereby forming a plurality of petals 18
in the diaphragm 14 where the slits 16 intersect, the aperture 12
further including at least one additional slit 22 in the diaphragm
14, the at least one additional slit 22 is located adjacent a
peripheral portion 34 of the diaphragm 14 and is intersected by at
least one of the linear slits 16, thereby increasing the
flexibility of at least one of the petals 18 by reducing a length
of edge thereof supported by the peripheral portion 34 of the
diaphragm 14, thereby allowing substantially one sheet at a time to
be pulled from the container 13.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment is shown.
The aperture 12 includes the diaphragm 14. The diaphragm 14
includes the slits 16, but the slits 16 may be located off center
from the center 60 of diaphragm 14. In addition, the opening 20 is
formed in the diaphragm 14 and is greater in area than the
additional slits 22.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 7A, the inside of canister lid 10 of the
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 is shown. The inside of canister lid
10 shows the arrangement of the opening 20 as a larger opening than
the additional slits 22 of previous embodiments. The aperture 12 is
similar to previous embodiments, however, the petals 18 are
different in size to each other. The larger opening 20 reduces the
overall size of the larger openings 18 of this exemplary
embodiment.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 7B, the inside of canister lid 10 of an
alternative embodiment of FIG. 7A is shown. The inside of canister
lid 10 shows the arrangement of the opening 20 as a larger opening
than the additional slits 22 of previous embodiments. The aperture
12 is similar to previous embodiments, however, the petals 18 are
different in size to each other. The larger opening 20 reduces the
overall size of the larger openings 18 of this exemplary
embodiment. In addition to the opening 20 shown in FIG. 7A, the
opening here is sized and shaped to include an additional slit 22,
as shown in FIG. 7B. In some embodiments, the additional slit 22 is
arcuate in shape. As shown in FIG. 7B, two additional slits 22 are
formed at or near both ends of one of the substantially linear
slits 16. The additional slits 22 coincide with the arc of the
diaphragm 14 when the diaphragm 14 is circular in cross-sectional
shape. The additional slits 22 act to increase the flexibility of
the diaphragm 14. The aperture 12, further includes at least one
opening 20 in the diaphragm 14, and is intersected by at least one
of the substantially linear slits 16, thereby increasing the
flexibility of at least one of the petals 18 by reducing a length
of edge thereof supported by the peripheral portion 34 of the
diaphragm 14, thereby allowing substantially one sheet at a time to
be more easily pulled from the container 13. In some embodiments,
the number of slits 22 is between one and eight, depending on the
number of petals 18, slits 16, and/or the contents being at least
partially contained by canister lid 10 and/or being dispensed
through such diaphragm 14.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 8, the outside of canister lid 10 is
shown. In the various embodiments, the canister lid 10 includes the
cap 24 which may be attached to the canister lid via the strap 26.
As shown in FIG. 8, the cap 24 is positioned for sealing the
canister or container 13. As noted previously, the cap 24 may have
a snap fit arrangement with canister lid 10 to help seal the
aperture 12 from letting in outside air that might tend to dry out
the sheet material if such is treated with a liquid.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 9A, a canister lid 10 includes a
frustoconical section 28 positioned around four petals 18 separated
by the substantially linear slits 16. Each petal 18 has generally
arcuate and/or hemispherical bubble 50 positioned at each
inward-pointing corner of each petal 18, such that the bubbles are
close to each other and close to the center of the frustoconical
section 28. The bubbles 50 form a spacer to provide a gap between
an inserted finger and the inward-pointing corners (tips). The
space prevents direct contact between the finger and the corners
which are sharp in some embodiments. In some embodiments, each
bubble 50 is made of the same material as the petals 18, in other
embodiments, bubbles 50 are made of a different polymeric material
than the petals 18.
[0053] FIG. 9B is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing
aperture of FIG. 9A. The bubbles 50 are on an inside portion of the
petals 18.
[0054] FIG. 9C is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing
aperture of FIG. 9A in even another alternative embodiment. Here
the bubbles 50 are on an outside portion of the petals 18.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 10A, a canister lid 10 includes a
frustoconical section 28 positioned around four petals 18 separated
by the substantially linear slits 16. Each petal 18 has rounded
coating 52 positioned at each inward-pointing corner of each petal
18, such that the rounded coatings are close to each other and
close to the center of the frustoconical section 28. The
inward-pointing corners (tips) are curved up and inwards. The
inward-pointing corners (tips) are out of plane with the central
region 58 and/or base region 56 such that inward-pointing corners
(tips) are at an (a) elevated position with respect to central
region 58 and/or base region 56, or (b) at an inferior position
with respect to central region 58 and/or base region 56. The
rounded coatings 52 form a spacer to provide a gap between an
inserted finger and the inward-pointing corners. The space prevents
direct contact between the finger and the corners which are sharp
in some embodiments. In some embodiments, each rounded coating 52
is made of the same material as the petals 18, in other
embodiments, each rounded coating 52 is made of different polymeric
material.
[0056] FIG. 10B is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing
aperture of FIG. 10A. The rounded coatings 52 are on an inside
portion of the petals 18.
[0057] FIG. 10C is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing
aperture of FIG. 10A in even another alternative embodiment. Here
the inward-pointing corners are curved down and inwards.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 11A, a canister lid 10 includes a
frustoconical section 28 positioned around four petals 18 separated
by the substantially linear slits 16. Each petal 18 has a rounded
inward-pointing corner (tip) 54, such that the rounded
inward-pointing corners are close to each other and close to the
center of the frustoconical section 28. The rounded inward-pointing
corners 54 avoid having an inserted finger in contact with sharp
corners because the rounded inward-pointing corners are not sharp
due to significant rounding.
[0059] FIG. 11B is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing
aperture of FIG. 11A.
[0060] FIG. 12 exemplifies and additional embodiment of the present
disclosure. A container assembly 111 has a diaphragm 140 including
at least one petal 180. FIG. 12 demonstrates a six petal 180
configuration. Petals have base region 156, central region 158, and
tip region 150. The diaphragm 140 includes a plurality of slits 160
that separate petals 180. The slits 160 are arcuate, but can be
linear and/or further specific shapes such as an hourglass, ovular,
etc. . . . . Aperture 120 defines a center opening within diaphragm
140. Slits 122 extend to the base region of at least one petal 180,
thereby reducing the force required to deflect petals 180 and thus
pass downward and upward through the diaphragm 140. Container
assembly 111 has a lid 110 and a container 130. Lid 110 is movable
with respect to the container 130 by hinge 162. Container assembly
111 is preferable for accessing container 130 to deposit products
150 into container 130 such that products 150 are stored within
container 130. Products include snacks or small items for storage,
but such containers 130 provide quick push-through access. Products
also include waste products such as human waste, pet waste, pads,
diapers, etc. . . . and such a container assembly 111 is a waste
disposal device. For these embodiments, container 130 optionally
has a door 164 facilitating removal of such waste when container
130 is full. Door 164 is movable with respect to container 130 via
hinge 162a, and by using interaction feature 166 (i.e. a handle,
button, lever, etc. . . . ). Container assembly 111 is configured
to receive a length of liner material releasably securable to the
container 130 such that product deposited within container 130 is
within liner material.
[0061] Slits 122 assist in product 150 passing through diaphragm
140 and into container 130 by gravity, thereby reducing the amount
of applied force by a user to the product 150 (i.e. waste).
Similarly, removal of product 150 through diaphragm 140 is less
abrasive and/or lead to less pinching of the user's finger(s)
and/or hand. Likewise, removal of a user's finger(s) or hand
through diaphragm 140 after depositing product 150 (i.e. snacks,
other items, or waste) in container 130 is less abrasive and/or
lead to less pinching of the user's finger(s) and/or hand.
[0062] FIG. 13 is a graph showing experimental data regarding a
force 36 required of a user to insert their finger through the
aperture 12. The graph compares apertures of three embodiments, the
prior art design 38, an embodiment having a slit design, and an
embodiment having an opening design, for ten testers. The
advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein are obvious in the
reduction of force required to insert a finger through the
aperture. Testing has shown that changes to the aperture design can
adversely affect the dispensing of the wipes. Thus any improvement
in the tendency of the aperture to pinch a user's fingers needs to
be balanced with the ability of the aperture to dispense one wipe
at a time, while also leaving a sufficient "tail" of the next wipe
for pulling, thereby retaining the lid's functionality.
[0063] A separate test setup was used to measure tensile force by
using a prosthetic finger physically coupled to a tensile testing
machine. To measure the amount of tensile force required for a
finger to be inserted and removed through a canister lid's opening,
the prosthetic finger was used with a calibrated testing apparatus
and slowly inserted and removed from the aperture as tensile
measurements were being made. Standardized insertion and removal of
the prosthetic finger into various embodiments described herein was
used to confirm tensile force reduction efficacy as compared a
prior aperture configuration.
[0064] The goal of an improved lid design is to reduce the amount
of pressure exerted on fingers without negatively impacting
dispensing performance. The aperture must function to include ease
of dispensing while reducing or minimizing the number of times the
users experience different dispensing failures such as: more than
one wipe--when the wipe does not cut off at the perforation (also
called roping); not having enough wipe to grab--when the end of the
trailing wipe left in the dispensing orifice is too small to grasp
comfortably; needing to restart the roll--when the trailing wipe
does not pull through the dispensing opening with the lead wipe,
and the user must start over (also called loose tails).
[0065] The relatively closed appearance of the lid 10 with the
additional slits 22 help alleviate any concern about the wipes
drying out.
[0066] In further embodiments and as exemplified in part by the
figures, the petals can have varying thickness either radially or
along the length of the petals. By varying the thickness of the
petals and/or the length of slits, bending of the petals can be
torsional as opposed to a moreso linear bending (with petals having
a more consistent cross-sectional thickness). In some embodiments,
a base region that is thinner than the central region and/or tip
region, in some embodiments, configured as a living hinge, assists
in generating a bending profile more akin to that of a trap door.
In other embodiments, a gradual change in thickness along the
petal, widthwise/radially or lengthwise, such that the change is
gradual amongst at least two regions of the petal (i.e. base region
and central region, central region and tip region, or base region
and tip region) can assist in biasing the petals towards an open
and/or closed configuration (thereby reducing the amount of force
required to access contents of the container, and/or potentially
reducing pinch opportunities). These embodiments can augment the
dimensions and overall size of the opening.
[0067] In yet other embodiments, the slits vary to accommodate
preferred opening configurations and/or bending profiles to assist
in accessing the contents of the container. For instance, a pattern
of alternating shorter slits and longer slits amongst the petals
varies deflection. To the extent the diaphragm is attached to a
moving linkage or rotation mechanism, a torsional bending profile
is advantageous as it could accommodate situationally improved
access (i.e. depositing into or removing from the container) to the
contents of the container.
[0068] In further embodiments, slit length and petal thickness
vary. For instance, a first petal has a first slit with a first
length, the first petal having a first thickness gradient, and a
second petal has a second slit with a second length, the second
petal having a second thickness gradient. In some of these
embodiments, the first and/or second thickness gradient varies
amongst the petal regions. The first and second thickness gradients
are different, opposite, or the same. In some further embodiments,
the first slit length is different than the second slit length. In
other embodiments, the first slit length and the second slit length
are substantially the same length, but the first and second
thickness gradients are different or opposite. In further
embodiments, the slit lengths and thickness gradients are
complimentary (i.e. work together) such that they achieve an at
least partially additive performance benefit, such as reducing the
force required to access the contents of the container and/or
reduce pinching. Alternatively, the slit lengths and thickness
gradients counteract each other in order to balance several
performance improvements. For instance, the slit length(s) is
shorter while the thickness gradient is greater (and/or the
thickness in a particular petal region is significantly thinner
than in a different petal region). Variance and/or patterns among a
third petal, fourth petal, fifth petal, sixth petal . . . and/or an
nth petal (in addition to the first and second petals) are within
the scope of the present disclosure.
[0069] Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing
exemplary embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the
relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, any and all
modifications will still fall within the scope of the non-limiting
and exemplary embodiments.
[0070] Furthermore, some of the features of the various
non-limiting and exemplary embodiments may be used to advantage
without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the
foregoing description should be considered as merely illustrative
of the principles, teachings and exemplary embodiments, and not in
limitation thereof.
[0071] It will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the art
that the disclosed embodiments fulfill one or more of the
advantages set forth above. After reading the foregoing
specification, one of ordinary skill will be able to affect various
changes, substitutions of equivalents and various other embodiments
as broadly disclosed herein. It is therefore intended that the
protection granted hereon be limited only by the definition
contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *