U.S. patent application number 15/217666 was filed with the patent office on 2020-11-05 for container of wipes with a stabilising trackpack device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael John Gordon. Invention is credited to Michael John Gordon.
Application Number | 20200345185 15/217666 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005162507 |
Filed Date | 2020-11-05 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200345185 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Gordon; Michael John |
November 5, 2020 |
Container of Wipes with a Stabilising TrackPack Device
Abstract
Referring to FIG. 1. The invention relates to a housing for a
soft pack dispensing container for wipes B, the latter featuring
hermetically sealed edges 10, 11 and a rigid flip top A which has a
frame fixed to the dispensing container B, a frame which surrounds
an aperture 7 through which wipes are extracted. The fixed frame
features at least two slide rails 3, 4 enabling the dispensing
container A to attach to the supports within a housing so long as
at least one of the slide rails 3, 4 is of a specific geometric
cross section profile that corresponds to the geometric cross
section profile of its corresponding support.
Inventors: |
Gordon; Michael John;
(Spring Valley, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gordon; Michael John |
Spring Valley |
CA |
US |
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Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180020887 A1 |
January 25, 2018 |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005162507 |
Appl. No.: |
15/217666 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/IB2015/050568 |
Jan 26, 2015 |
|
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15217666 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/421 20130101;
A47K 2010/3266 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/42 20060101
A47K010/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 24, 2014 |
GB |
1420796.3 |
Claims
1. A soft pack dispensing container for wipes and housing
comprising a housing featuring at least two longitudinal supports
having a hollow or tubular channel over at least part of their
length and open from at least one end, so that when considered in
cross section, each support has a boundary wall that contains the
hollow or tubular channel, this boundary wall having a gap in its
perimeter, and a soft pack dispensing container for wipes featuring
a rigid flip top, the rigid flip top featuring a frame fixed to the
dispensing container, the fixed frame surrounds an aperture through
which wipes are extracted from the dispensing container, the fixed
frame featuring at least two longitudinal extensions which engage
with the supports within the housing, each of the extensions having
a geometric cross section profile such that the extension can be
inserted through the open end of the support and axially translated
into the hollow or tubular channel, and having a supporting stem
which spaces the extension from the fixed frame, the supporting
stem being accommodated by the gap in the perimeter of the boundary
wall of the support, at least one extension comprises a
longitudinal bulbous or T-shaped or widened or thickened shape upon
a supporting stem which is inclined from the vertical and
horizontal which engages with a corresponding hollow or tubular
channel and a longitudinal gap in the support that preferentially
resists displacement in response to any force which is non parallel
to the direction in which the extensions are inserted or removed
from the hollow or tubular channel, wherein one extension and
supporting stem has an engaging geometric cross section profile
that preferentially resists displacement in response to force in a
first direction, and another extension and supporting stem has an
engaging geometric cross section profile that preferentially
resists displacement in response to force in a second direction,
where the first and second directions are non-parallel.
2. A container and housing according to claim 1 wherein a component
of the first direction is a force applied horizontally, such as
from wipes being extracted from the pack through the orifice of the
housing.
3. A container and housing according to claim 1 wherein a component
of the first direction is a force applied in a downward direction
such as caused by the weight of the pack of wipes.
4. A container and housing according to claim 1 wherein two
extensions are provided as a single integral structure.
5. A container and housing according to claim 1 wherein the
geometric cross section profiles of each of the extensions and the
stems attaching them to the rigid flip top are different to each
other.
6. A container and housing according to claim 1 wherein two
supports are provided as a single integral structure.
7. A container and housing according to claim 1 wherein the
geometric cross section profiles of the extensions and the stem or
stems attaching them to the rigid flip top are such that they will
engage with the supports within the housing when inserted in one
orientation, but will not engage with the supports within the
housing when inserted in the opposite orientation.
8. A container and housing according to claim 1 wherein the
geometric cross section profiles of the extensions, the stems
attaching them to rigid flip top and the sealing caps attached to
the rigid flip top are such that they will engage with the supports
within the housing when inserted in one orientation, but will not
engage with the supports within the housing when inserted in the
opposite orientation.
9. A wipe dispensing container and housing according to claim 1
wherein the container includes a sealing cap which includes a fin,
while the housing includes a notch, the fin and the notch being
shaped to engage with one another when the sealing cap is opened,
the difference in the geometric cross section profiles of each of
the extensions and the stems attaching them to the rigid flip top
ensuring that the container is correctly oriented for the fin on
the sealing cap to engage with the notch on the housing.
10. A container and housing system comprising at least two soft
pack dispensing containers for wipes and housings according to
claim 1 wherein there are at least two types of soft pack
dispensing container each having rigid flip tops with sets of
extensions that are different in geometric cross section profile to
each other and at least two different types of housing each having
supports with different geometric cross section profiles running
through them such that, in use, the extensions of each soft pack
container of wipes is only able to fully engage with supports
within a housing when the geometric cross section profiles of the
extensions and the stem attaching them to the rigid flip top are
mutually compatible with the geometric cross section profiles of
the support rails and the gaps in their perimeter.
11. A container and housing system according to claim 10 wherein
each type of housing is similar in size and shape with the
exception of the shape of the geometric cross section profile of
the support rails and the gaps in their perimeter.
12. A container and housing system comprising at least two soft
pack dispensing containers for wipes and housings according to
claims 10 and 11 wherein there are at least two types of soft pack
dispensing container each having rigid flip tops with sets of
extensions and sealing caps that are different in geometric cross
section profile to each other and at least two different types of
housing each having supports with hollow or tubular channels and
gaps of different geometric cross section profiles running through
them such that, in use, the extensions of each soft pack container
of wipes is only able to fully engage with supports within a
housing when the geometric cross section profiles of the extensions
plus stem plus sealing caps are mutually compatible with the
geometric cross section profiles of the support rails and the gaps
in their perimeter.
13. A container and housing system according to claim 12 wherein
each type of housing is similar in size and shape with the
exception of the geometric cross section profile of the support
rails and the gaps in their perimeter.
14. A container and housing system according to any of claims 10 to
13 wherein there are at least two types of soft pack dispensing
container and at least two different types of housing, each housing
having supports set at different widths apart such that, in use,
the extensions of each soft pack container of wipes is only able to
fully engage with supports within a housing when the width between
the extensions and the width between the supports and extensions
are mutually compatible.
15. A container and housing system according to claim 14 wherein
each type of housing is similar in size and shape with the
exception of the relative width between the pairs of supports, and
the relative width between pairs of extensions.
16. A container and housing system according to any of claims 10 to
15 wherein there are at least two types of soft pack dispensing
container and at least two different types of housing, each housing
having supports set at different heights such that, in use, the
extensions of each soft pack container of wipes is only able to
fully engage with supports within a housing when the relative
heights between the supports within the housing and the relative
heights between the extensions are mutually compatible.
17. A container and housing system according to claim 16 wherein
each type of housing is similar in size and shape with the
exception of the relative height between the pairs of supports, and
the relative height between pairs of extensions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a `Rigid Flip Top` (RFT)
for a soft pack dispensing container for wipes which features a
device to enable the pack to remain in a stable position within a
dispenser as wipes are extracted from it.
[0002] Wipes are often sold in dispensing containers that take the
form of a soft pack with hermetically sealed side edges and a mouth
in the middle of the top side of the pack from which to access the
wipes. In order to prevent moisture loss from the pack, this mouth
is generally sealed in one of two ways; either by way of a
removable self adhesive strip or by way of an integral hard plastic
lid assembly called a `Rigid Flip Top` (RFT). The latter consists
of a hard plastic frame fixed to the upper side of the soft pack
and features a lid or cap connected to it by a hinge mechanism. The
frame defines the opening or mouth of the soft pack through which
the wipes will be dispensed and is permanently fixed to the soft
pack by adhesive the lid or cap can be closed after wipes have been
dispensed in order to seal the pack.
[0003] Soft pack dispensing containers are becoming increasingly
popular because these packs are less expensive to make than hard
plastic tubs or canisters, require less raw materials to make them
and are perceived to be far more environmentally friendly.
[0004] It is also well known to deploy wipes that are sold in hard
plastic tubs in a lockable dispenser housing, such as described in
PCT publication number WO2007148125 (A2), wherein the housing
allows an empty tub of wipes within the housing to be replaced with
a new tub of wipes. Due to the rigid construction of a tub, tubs
can be held in a fixed position within the housing without
compressing the wipes, thereby giving stability to the wipes as
they are extracted from the housing.
[0005] There are however challenges associated to deploying
hermetically sealed soft pack containers within such housings. Due
to their flexible nature, it is much more difficult to hold these
soft pack containers in a fixed position within the housing. The
mechanism that fixes the packs within the housing must be able to
accommodate the vertical pressures from the weight of the packs and
resist any horizontal pressures resultant from the action of
pulling wipes from the pack.
[0006] Additionally in certain circumstances, organisations or
households will want to be able to ensure that only a specific type
of wipe is deployed into a specific dispenser housing.
[0007] It may be desirable that a number of similar wipe dispenser
housings might be located in various places around a building, e.g.
in a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, but that container of wipes in
each housing should be adapted to perform a different task. For
example wipes used in the kitchen may need to be impregnated with a
liquid to cut through grease, wipes used in the bathroom may need
to be impregnated with an antiseptic, and wipes used in the baby
changing room may need to be impregnated with a gentle cleansing
liquid suitable for cleaning the sensitive skin of a baby. If
however a container of kitchen wipes should erroneously be placed
in a dispenser housing in the baby changing room, a person will end
up using a kitchen wipe on the baby's skin which could be
detrimental to the baby's health.
[0008] The invention seeks to provide a solution to these
problems.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] According to the present invention there is provided a soft
pack dispensing container for wipes and housing comprising: [0010]
a) a housing featuring at least two longitudinal supports having a
hollow or tubular channel over at least part of their length and
open from at least one end, so that when considered in cross
section, each support has a boundary wall that contains the hollow
or tubular channel, this boundary wall having a gap in its
perimeter, and [0011] a soft pack dispensing container for wipes
featuring a rigid flip top, the rigid flip top featuring a frame
fixed to the dispensing container, the fixed frame surrounds an
aperture through which wipes are extracted from the dispensing
container, the fixed frame featuring at least two longitudinal
extensions which engage with the supports within the housing,
[0012] each of the extensions having a geometric cross section
profile such that the extension can be inserted through the open
end of the support and axially translated into the hollow or
tubular channel, and having a supporting stem which spaces the
extension from the fixed frame, the supporting stem being
accommodated by the gap in the perimeter of the boundary wall of
the support, [0013] at least one extension comprises a longitudinal
bulbous or T-shaped or widened or thickened shape upon a supporting
stem which is inclined from the vertical and horizontal which
engages with a corresponding hollow or tubular channel and a
longitudinal gap in the support that preferentially resists
displacement in response to any force which is non parallel to the
direction in which the extensions are inserted or removed from the
hollow or tubular channel, [0014] wherein one extension and
supporting stem has an engaging geometric cross section profile
that preferentially resists displacement in response to force in a
first direction, and another extension and supporting stem has an
engaging geometric cross section profile that preferentially
resists displacement in response to force in a second direction,
where the first and second directions are non-parallel.
[0015] Preferably the container and housing features a component of
the first direction is a force applied horizontally, such as from
wipes being extracted from the pack through the orifice of the
housing.
[0016] Preferably the container and housing features a component of
the first direction is a force applied in a downward direction such
as caused by the weight of the pack of wipes.
[0017] Preferably the container and housing features two extensions
are provided as a single integral structure.
[0018] Preferably the container and housing features a structure
wherein the geometric cross section profiles of each of the
extensions and the stems attaching them to the rigid flip top are
different to each other.
[0019] Preferably the container and housing features two supports
are provided as a single integral structure.
[0020] Preferably the wipe dispensing container and housing
features a container which includes a sealing cap which includes a
fin, while the housing includes a notch, the fin and the notch
being shaped to engage with one another when the sealing cap is
opened, the difference in the geometric cross section profiles of
each of the extensions and the stems attaching them to the rigid
flip top ensuring that the container is correctly oriented for the
fin on the sealing cap to engage with the notch on the housing.
[0021] Preferably the container and housing system features at
least two soft pack dispensing containers for wipes and housings
wherein there are at least two types of soft pack dispensing
container each having rigid flip tops with sets of extensions that
are different in geometric cross section profile to each other and
at least two different types of housing each having supports with
different geometric cross section profiles running through them
such that, in use, the extensions of each soft pack container of
wipes is only able to fully engage with supports within a housing
when the geometric cross section profiles of the extensions and the
stem attaching them to the rigid flip top are mutually compatible
with the geometric cross section profiles of the support rails and
the gaps in their perimeter.
[0022] Preferably the container and housing system is such that
each type of housing is similar in size and shape with the
exception of the shape of the geometric cross section profile of
the support rails and the gaps in their perimeter.
[0023] Preferably the container and housing system comprises at
least two soft pack dispensing containers for wipes and housings
wherein there are at least two types of soft pack dispensing
container each having rigid flip tops with sets of extensions and
sealing caps that are different in geometric cross section profile
to each other and at least two different types of housing each
having supports with hollow or tubular channels and gaps of
different geometric cross section profiles running through them
such that, in use, the extensions of each soft pack container of
wipes is only able to fully engage with supports within a housing
when the geometric cross section profiles of the extensions plus
stem plus sealing caps are mutually compatible with the geometric
cross section profiles of the support rails and the gaps in their
perimeter.
[0024] Preferably the container and housing system is such that
each type of housing is similar in size and shape with the
exception of the geometric cross section profile of the support
rails and the gaps in their perimeter.
[0025] Preferably the container and housing system comprises at
least two types of soft pack dispensing container and at least two
different types of housing, each housing having supports set at
different widths apart such that, in use, the extensions of each
soft pack container of wipes is only able to fully engage with
supports within a housing when the width between the extensions and
the width between the supports and extensions are mutually
compatible.
[0026] Preferably the container and housing system is such that
each type of housing is similar in size and shape with the
exception of the relative width between the pairs of supports, and
the relative width between pairs of extensions.
[0027] Preferably the container and housing system is such that
there are at least two types of soft pack dispensing container and
at least two different types of housing, each housing having
supports set at different heights such that, in use, the extensions
of each soft pack container of wipes is only able to fully engage
with supports within a housing when the relative heights between
the supports within the housing and the relative heights between
the extensions are mutually compatible.
[0028] Preferably the container and housing system is such that
each type of housing is similar in size and shape with the
exception of the relative height between the pairs of supports, and
the relative height between pairs of extensions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] According to the present invention there is provided a soft
pack dispensing container as provided by claim 1.
[0030] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a soft pack dispensing container
of wipes featuring an RFT with its sealing cap in an open
position.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows the top view of a soft pack dispensing
container of wipes featuring an RFT with its sealing cap in a
closed position.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the housing revealing the
supports, the aperture of the housing and the engagement means with
which the sealing cap of the dispensing container cooperates.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows cross sectional views, 4a) to 4d), of four
different embodiments of RFTs and the corresponding support
rails.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows show cross sectional views, 5a) and 5b) of two
different embodiments of RFTs and the corresponding support
rails.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows show cross sectional views 6a) and 6b) of two
different embodiments of RFTs and the corresponding support
rails.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows an RFT located next to the top section of a
housing which features the support rails, the sealing cap of the
RFT being in its closed position.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows an RFT located inside the top section of a
housing which features the support rails, the sealing cap of the
RFT being in its closed position.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows an RFT located inside the top section of a
housing which features the support rails, the sealing cap of the
RFT being in its open position thereby exposing an aperture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0041] Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a top view of an RFT A
attached to a hermetically sealed soft pack dispensing container of
wipes B. The soft pack is generally cuboid, having two similar
rectangular sides (only one side 8 being here visible), two ends
10, 11, and an upper face 12, and lower face 13 (not here visible).
The soft pack contains a stack of wipes encapsulated by an outer
covering of flexible, impermeable material, typically formed from a
sleeve of material bonded at each of the ends 10, 11, so that the
soft pack is hermetically sealed, apart from the opening through
the RFT A.
[0042] The upper face 12 is rectangular, having two long edges 14,
15 and two short edges 16, 17 where it meets the sides (that is,
side 8 and the opposite side not here visible) and ends 10, 11
respectively. The lower face 13 has the same dimensions as the
upper face. The height of the soft pack (the distance between the
upper face 12 and the lower face 13) is small relative to the two
long edges 14, 15 and two short edges 16, 17.
[0043] The soft pack has an RFT A bonded to the upper face 12. The
RFT A will usually be rectangular, smaller and possibly in similar
proportions to the upper face 12, and centrally positioned, so that
the long edges of the RFT A are parallel to the long edges 14, 15
of the upper face 12.
[0044] The RFT A has a central aperture (which conveniently could
be circular), which is shown with the tail of a wipe 6 protruding
through the aperture 7. The aperture may be sealed using a sealing
cap 1, here shown in its open position.
[0045] The RFT A features slide tracks 3 & 4. These extend
along each side of the RFT A, parallel to the long edges 14, 15 of
the upper face 12. In use, these slide tracks would engage with
supports within a housing (not shown) so as to enable the container
of wipes B to be maneuvered into the correct position within the
dispenser housing.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a top view of an RFT A
attached to a hermetically sealed soft pack dispensing container of
wipes B, the cap 1 of the RFT A in its closed position. The RFT A
features slide tracks 3 & 4 in the form of extensions to the
RFT A. These slide tracks 3 & 4, here shown running parallel
with the hermetically sealed edges 10, 11 of the container B could
be formed during the process of manufacturing the RFT A or could be
bonded or retrofitted to the RFT A. The slide tracks 3 & 4
shown in FIG. 1 extend along the length of the RFT A, parallel to
each other and to the short sides 10, 11 of the container B. In
this figure, the sealing cap 1 is shown in its closed position,
thereby sealing the aperture 7 as shown in FIG. 1. The sealing cap
1 is attached to the RFT A by a stem hinge 5. The sealing cap 1
features a male lug engagement means 2 which, once the soft pack
dispensing container of wipes has been maneuvered into position,
connects with an engagement means 21 on the outside of a housing C
as shown in FIG. 3 in order to deter movement of the soft pack
dispensing container of wipes during use.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a front-side view of the
dispenser housing C. The housing C comprises an upper panel 30, a
base panel 31, and two side panels 32, 33. The housing C is
generally cuboid, with an openable flap or lid on at least one
side, and sufficiently large to accept the soft pack dispensing
container B.
[0048] The upper panel 30 of the housing C has two long sides 35,
36 and two short sides 37, 38. On the inner surface of the upper
panel 30, inside the housing C, the housing C features two support
rails 23, 24 which extend from the long side 36 inside the housing
C. The support rails 23, 24 extend parallel to each other and to
the short sides 37, 38 of the upper panel 30, located approximately
in the mid-section of the upper panel, and the support rails' width
corresponds to the width of the slide tracks 3, 4 of the soft pack
dispensing container (not shown here). The slide tracks 3, 4 extend
along part of the length of the pack, are typically smaller in
length than support rails, the latter extending from side 36 to at
least the position 5 on the RFT A. The support rails 23, 24 are
generally hollow in section, with gaps in their perimeter 27, 28;
details of the configuration will be described in more detail
below.
[0049] The Housing C also features an aperture 22 in the upper
panel 30, and female engagement means 21 on the outside. Housing C
also has a raised section 29 which allows the cap to pass beneath
it as the container of wipes is moved into position within the
housing. The raised section is small enough such that once the
container of wipes is in position, the user is able to open and
close the cap without restriction but still large enough to provide
cover for the area of the container between the end of the slide
tracks 3 & 4 and the long side 14.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 1-3, in use, the soft pack container B is
placed in the dispenser housing C by aligning the slide tracks 3, 4
with the support rails 23, 24 so that the ends of the slide tracks
3, 4 engage with the hollow sections of the support rails, and
pressing the soft pack container B forward so that the slide tracks
3, 4 slide into the support rails 23, 24 and the soft pack
container B is fully accommodated within the housing C, and the
aperture 7 of the RFT A is aligned within the aperture 22 of the
upper panel 30, and the cap 1 of the RFT A is accessible through
the aperture 22 of the housing C. The user would then be able to
release the sealing cap 1 from the aperture 7 of the RFT A, the
hinge 5 which connects the sealing cap 1 to the RFT A allowing the
user to flex the sealing cap 1 back so as to enable the male lug
component 2 on the sealing cap to engage with the female engagement
component 21 which is on the outside of the housing C. By removably
fixing the sealing cap 1 to the female engagement means, the cap
will thereby not impede access to the wipes as they are withdrawn
from the dispensing container of A and also help prevent movement
of the pack of wipes within the housing C during use.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 4, the bulbous ends of slide tracks 3, 4
featured in 4a) each have a generally square section, and are
spaced from RFT A by stems 43, 44. The stem 43 of slide track 3 is
at an inclined 45 angle from the vertical, while the stem 44 of
slide track 4 is vertical. The geometric cross section profiles of
the slide tracks shown in 4a) extend in a uniform manner throughout
the length of both slide tracks.
[0052] The geometric cross section profiles of the support rails
23, 24 correspond and conform to the geometric cross section
profiles of slide tracks 3, 4, so that the slide tracks can be
inserted into the support rails. Each support rail 23, 24 has a
hollow square section which extends in a uniform manner throughout
their length.
[0053] Support rail 23 has a gap 27 in its sectional perimeter, at
the lower corner, having inclined edges, corresponding to the
inclined stem 43 of the slide track 3. Similarly, support rail 24
has a gap 28 in its sectional perimeter, in this case in the lower
surface, which corresponds to the vertical stem 44 of the slide
track 4. The separation between the support rails 23, 24
corresponds to the separation between the slide tracks 3, 4.
[0054] The hollow cross section profile of the support rails and
gaps shown in 4a) is such that in order for the pack of wipes to be
compatible with housing, the slide tracks and stems on the RFT must
be of a particular corresponding geometric cross section profile
shown in 4a). A convenient material for the manufacture of the RFT
and slide tracks, and for the support rails is some type of plastic
or polymer.
[0055] The slide track 3 on the left hand side of the RFT is of a
wide square shape and the engagement of the stem 43 with the side
position of narrow gap 27 prevents a horizontal force applied to
the pack of wipes from dislodging the pack of wipes from its
position. The slide track 4 on the right hand side of the RFT is of
a wide square shape and the engagement of the stem 44 with the
vertical position of the narrow gap 27 prevents the pack of wipes
from becoming dislodged due its own weight.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 4, there are shown in 4a) to 4d) just four
of the many different vertical geometric cross section profiles
that are possible as to RFT A as shown in FIGS. 1 & 2. The RFT
A features slide tracks 3 & 4 of various geometric sectional
profiles and sizes and a sealing cap 1. Next to these iterations of
the RFT A are the corresponding compatible iterations of the
receptacle section 26 comprising the support rails 23, 24 of the
dispenser housing C and the gaps 27, 28 in their sectional
perimeter that are required in order for the pack of wipes to be
received by the dispenser housing. The hollow geometric cross
section profiles within 23 & 24 and the gaps 27, 28 compliment
the geometric cross section profiles of the slide tracks 3 & 4
and their stems 43 & 44 respectively so as to enable the user
to insert the slide tracks 3 & 4 of the RFT into the supports
23 & 24. This then enables the user to maneuver the soft pack
dispensing container of wipes B into the desired position, the
slide tracks thereby sliding within the hollow shapes of the
supports 23 & 24 until the correct position for the container
of wipes B has been reached.
[0057] The slide tracks 3 & 4 shown in 4a) can only engage with
supports 23 & 24 because the geometric cross section profile of
the slide tracks and their stems are compatible with the geometric
cross sectional profile of the cavities and the gaps in the
perimeter running through those support rails, and not with any of
the geometric cross section profiles of the supports featured in
4b), 4c) or 4d). A pack of wipes with an RFT featuring slide tracks
similar to those featured in 4a) could therefore only be received
into a dispenser housing featuring supports and gaps with the
respective geometric cross section profiles. A pack of wipes with
an RFT featuring slide tracks as shown in 4c), for example, could
not mistakenly be deployed into a dispenser featuring a receptacle
and gap geometric cross section profile as shown in 4d), and so
on.
[0058] Therefore, housings may be adapted or labeled for a
particular uses, each use being assigned a particular configuration
of support rails, so that the particular wipe suitable for that use
is supplied with the specific RFT and sliding tracks produced for
that housing. Having RFT's with different geometric cross section
profiles that exclusively compliment the geometric cross section
profiles of the support rails for specific dispenser housings
ensures that only the correct types of wipes are placed within
appropriate dispenser housings.
[0059] Therefore a container of, say, kitchen wipes impregnated
with a harsh grease cutting ingredient would simply not fit into a
baby wipe dispenser housing fixed next to a baby changing table,
because the geometric cross section profile of the RFT fitted onto
a soft pack of kitchen wipes would be incongruous to that of the
support rails within the baby wipe dispenser housing. Such a
deployment mistake as to the pack of kitchen wipes, which could
have detrimental consequences because of the sensitive nature of a
baby's skin, could therefore not be made.
[0060] A similar principle is presented in FIG. 5 in which there is
shown two different iterations 5a) and 5b) of vertical geometric
cross section profile views of RFT A and the respective vertical
geometric cross section profile views of the receptacle sections 26
both of which are shown in FIGS. 1 & 2. In both 5a) & 5b),
the RFT A features a sealing cap 1 and slide tracks 3 & 4 of
similar geometric cross section profiles. However, the slide tracks
featured in 5a) are separated at a different horizontal spacing to
the slide tracks featured in 5b). A pack of wipes with an RFT
featuring slide tracks that are spaced as per 5a) could therefore
not be received into a dispenser housing with support rails spaced
apart as per iteration 5b), and vice versa. By restricting RFT's
featuring slide tracks at particular widths apart to certain
specific types of packs of wipes, the manufacturer could therefore
ensure that only those types of packs of wipes can be received into
their intended housings, thereby eliminating the sort of user
mistakes mentioned earlier.
[0061] Another similar principle is presented in FIG. 6 in which
there is shown two different iterations 6a) and 6b) of front side
views of RFT A and the respective front side views of the
receptacle sections 26. In both iterations 6a) and 6b), the RFT A
features a sealing cap 1 and slide tracks 3 & 4 of similar
geometric cross section profiles. However, the slide tracks
featured in 6a) are at different heights as compared to the slide
tracks featured in 6b). A pack of wipes with an RFT featuring slide
tracks that are spaced as per iteration 6a) could therefore not be
received into a dispenser housing with support rails spaced as per
iterations 6b), and vice versa. By restricting RFT's featuring
slide tracks at particular relative heights to certain specific
types of packs of wipes, the manufacturer could therefore ensure
that only those particular types of packs of wipes can be received
into their intended housings, thereby again eliminating the sort of
user mistakes mentioned earlier.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 7, the soft pack container B (not here
shown) will be subjected to forces relative to the dispenser
housing C, due to users extracting tissues and the weight of the
container itself. In the direction that the container is inserted
and removed--hereafter, the insertion axis--the movement of the
container is constrained by the stop in one direction, and an
openable flap or lid (not here shown) on the side of the housing C
in the other direction.
[0063] The material of the slide tracks and support rails
(typically plastic), its resilience, the precise geometric cross
section profiles of the slide tracks and support rails and
tolerances will determine how securely the slide tracks fit in the
support rails. In particular, these parameters are chosen so that
the container of wipes B can withstand a sufficient force applied
in a direction perpendicular to the insertion axis, so that the
support rails do not cause the slide tracks to flex and deform and
allow the slide tracks to snap out of the support rails.
Specifically, the bulbous or thickened shape of the ends of the
slide tracks catch against the corresponding shape of the support
rails so that a force acting in the direction of the stem does not
pull the slide track from the support rail. Further, since ideally
one slide track and support rail (and specifically the stem and
gap) is oriented in a different manner to the other slide track and
support rail, one of the slide track/support rail pairs will be
able to resist a force applied in a direction perpendicular to the
insertion axis.
[0064] Referring for example to FIG. 4, in each of these
embodiments 4c) and 4d), the stem and gap of one slide
track/support rail pairing is suited to resist a horizontal force,
while the stem and gap of the other slide track/support rail
pairing is suited to resist a vertical force. Of course, an angled
force acting perpendicularly to the insertion axis will have a
horizontal component and a vertical component, so the vertical
component of this force will be resisted by one slide track/support
rail and the horizontal component by the other slide track/support
rail.
[0065] Referring to 4a) and 4b), the stem and gap of one slide
track/support rail pairing is at an angle to the horizontal, so
this will resist an angled force while the other slide
track/support rail pairing resists a vertical force. A horizontal
force will be resisted by the angled slide track/support rail pair,
since the slide track/support rail pair is angled. Each slide
track/support rail will resist some force in any direction
perpendicular to the insertion axis, though it will be seen that it
is advantageous if the stem and gap of one slide track/support rail
pair is angled with respect to the stem and gap of the other slide
track/support rail pair.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 7, a soft pack container B (visible in
FIG. 2) features an RFT A with a cap 1, which covers the aperture 7
(visible in FIG. 9) in the RFT A. The RFT includes two longitudinal
slide tracks 3, 4 disposed generally either side of the container,
running in parallel. Each bulbous end of the slide track has a
square cross section, and is supported by a longitudinal flange
that in cross section appears like a stem. The stem of the right
slide track 4 joins the slide track 4 vertically from underneath,
meeting the lower edge of the square section at approximately
mid-way. The stem of the left slide track 3 joins the slide track
diagonally, included at approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal,
meeting the square section at the lower left corner.
[0067] A housing C (section of upper panel shown) includes two
support rails 23, 24, both of which comprise a hollow square
channel to accommodate the slide tracks 3, 4. The left support rail
includes a longitudinal gap on its lower side to accommodate the
stem of the slide track 3, while the right support rail 24 includes
a longitudinal gap at bottom right corner of the channel to
accommodate the stem of the right slide track 4.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 8 & 9, the container B, as shown in
FIGS. 1 & 2, is slid into the housing C (upper panel shown)
with the slide tracks 3, 4 (not shown) engaging the support rails
23, 24 which are of corresponding geometric cross section profiles.
The domed lid 1 may now be opened. The domed lid includes a fin 2,
while the housing C includes a female engagement means in the form
of a notch 21, which are shaped so that when the domed lid 1 is
opened, it can be folded back until it abuts the housing C, so that
the fin 2 on the domed lid 1 engages with the notch 21, so that the
lid is conveniently held in the open position exposing the
container aperture 7 as shown in FIG. 9.
[0069] As previously described the difference in the geometric
cross section profiles of tracks 3 and 4 (and the support rail 23,
24) confers several advantages. When the container B is engaged in
the housing C, the right track 4 engages more securely with the
right support rail 24 when subjected to downward forces acting on
the container B than the left track 3 and support rail 23. The left
slide track 3 engages more securely with the left support rail 23
when subjected to diagonally and sideways acting forces than the
right slide track 4 and support rail 24. The rails then are adapted
to withstand forces in different, non-parallel (i.e. inclined)
directions. Using rails of different geometrical profiles also
ensures that only a container intended for use in a particular
housing can be fitted.
[0070] A further advantage illustrated in this embodiment is that
the container can only be inserted one way round. This ensures that
the container is correctly oriented for the fin on the domed lid to
engage with the notch on the housing.
[0071] The embodiments herein described all show slide tracks
having a thickened or bulbous, or other shape carried by a
relatively thin stem, and support rails having a generally hollow
or tubular section with a gap to accommodate the stem of the slide
track.
[0072] The previously described embodiments could also be used in
conjunction with other methods to aid or ensure that the correct
container is placed in the correct housing, and in the correct
orientation. For example, to indicate whether a container is
compatible with a housing, the container and housing could be
provided in the same color. If a user goes to fit an incorrect
container in the housing, the difference in color will clearly
indicate that fitting should not be attempted. As well as color, or
instead of color, the container and housing could share a pattern.
Sections of the container and housing could also share patterns or
colors, possibly ones that line up or when the container is being
inserted into the housing, or when it is fully inserted, to
visually confirm it's correct compatibility. The supports of the
container and housing could also be color coded, for example one
support rail and one slide track could share a color, while the
other support rail and slide track pair are uncolored, or have a
different color.
[0073] The housing and/or container could also feature or share a
legend, symbol or wording to indicate their particular function,
for example wording or symbols to indicate that the container (and
also the housing) are compatible with Islamic Istinjah
obligations.
[0074] The embodiments described herein all show hollow or tubular
support rails disposed in the housing into which the wipe
containing dispensing inserted, with the RFT for the wipe container
having slide tracks with solid geometric cross section profiles
which engage with the support rails and slide inside them. It will
be realized that the support rails may have a solid section (with
supporting stem), while the sliding tracks of the RFT may have a
hollow or tubular section (with a corresponding gap for the stem).
Equally, one support rail may have a solid section (with supporting
stem), while the other support rail has a hollow or tubular section
(with a corresponding gap for the stem), and the RFT has a
corresponding solid section sliding track and hollow or tubular
section sliding track.
[0075] Also, the support rails and slide tracks herein have all
been illustrated using continuous examples (conveniently made by
extrusion of plastic material for example). It would also be
possible though that either or both slide tracks and/or support
rails are sectional. In particular, if the slide track is
continuous, the support rail may be formed from two or more clips,
having sections as described and which the slide track is inserted
into as previously, but which do not extend in a continuous
longitudinal manner. Similar, the support rail may be continuous,
while the slide track comprises two of more discrete sections.
[0076] Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in
the art without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *