Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
  • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
  • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
  • A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
  • A47K10/38—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge
  • A47K10/3809—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge with roll spindles which are not directly supported
  • A47K10/3818—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge with roll spindles which are not directly supported with a distribution opening which is perpendicular to the rotation axis
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
  • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
  • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
  • A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
  • A47K10/36—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
  • A47K10/3662—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices with devices preventing the use of non-authorised paper rolls
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
  • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
  • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
  • A47K2010/3266—Wet wipes

Definitions

• the present invention in general, relates to a dispensing system for wet towels or wipes for cleaning and other purposes according to the preamble of independent claim 1.
• the invention also relates to a wipe pack suitable for use in the dispensing system.
• the present invention relates to a wipe dispensing system that ensures that the wipes in a dispenser do not dry ou through the wicking action of the wipe end due to its exposure to atmosphere, or due to a protruding wipe preventing a dispenser from sealing its contents from atmosphere, and that the dispenser accepts only the correct wipe pack to limit the potential for refilling with an incorrect wipe type. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wipe dispensing system according to the preamble of claim 1.
• Wipe packs are usually rolls of continuous wipe material separated into individual wipes by perforations, or pre cut as individual wipes then folded and stacked or interleaved.
• wipes are usually sheets or a roll of paper or fabric, natural or synthetic, and are moistened with water or another liquid suitable for cleaning.
• wipes are known to have multiple uses such as cleaning, washing, as toiletry wipes and pads, mould and fungus removal, disposable handkerchiefs and so on.
• the wipes are provided in packs of multiple wipes as stated in the preceding paragraph and these packs are replaceable, since the wet wipes/sheets are all disposable.
• the wet wipes are connected in a sequence with a means provided to break the connection, when one wipe is fully removed and the next is partially removed.
• a common method of combating this problem is to include a lid that covers the wipe dispensing area of the dispenser.
• Some existing wipes dispensers include a simple lid that is manually opened and closed and biased towards neither position.
• Granted European Patent EP2027042B1 attempts to solve this problem by providing a container having a lid which can seal over a recess in the container, meant for dispensing wipes.
• the opening has a panel containing a shaped aperture which restricts the passage of wipes to be dispensed.
• the lid is mounted to the container by a spring loaded hinge, which biases the lid into a closed position.
• the prior art acknowledged in the preceding paragraph is unable to properly solve the problem of wipe exposure to atmosphere. Since the wipe may be draw out at differing force/speed or angle by different users, the length of wipe end left protruding from the aperture varies greatly. As a result the protruding wipe end can often prevent the lid sealing properly around the recess, thus allowing airflow around the wipe end, and resulting in the remainder of the wipes drying out. That apart, the restricted passage for the wipes to be dispensed under the spring loaded ltd may hamper the normal flow of dispensing sheets/wipes.
• Patent EP2205506A attempts to solve the problem of moisture wicking by providing a dispenser equipped with a resilient nozzle that contracts around the exposed end of a wet wipe following wipe extraction, providing a minimum cross section of material that may wick moisture out of the dispenser interior. However this does not prevent the exposed wipe from drying out and still allows some reduced wicking action. Also and importantly, said dispenser is designed for upward wipe extraction, which when the wipe pack is almost empty, requires the user to use two hands, one to steady the wipe pack and another to draw out the wipe.
• US 399417A describes a dispenser for premoistened towe!ettes comprising a container having a cavity, an opening means for passage of the towefettes from the cavity toward the outside of the of the container.
• the dispenser has a supply of premoistened absorbent material disposed in the container cavity and also a floating barrier movably positioned in the cavity intermediate the supply and opening means, with the barrier having aperture means for passage of the supply through the barrier to the opening means.
• St is also known that in the growing worid of competition, imitation refill packs may be made available by other manufacturers, but there is no guarantee that these refill wipe packs are actually fit for purpose.
• a dispensing container which is meant for dispensing disposable handkerchiefs should not be refilled with wipe stacks meant for floor cleaning.
• a compatibility lock or blocking element that prevents the insertio of an incorrect wipe pack into the dispensing container is essential, to prevent the use of a refill pack not fit for purpose.
• the granted European Patent EP 1 717 162B1 discloses a container which is suitable for wet wipes and corresponding refill packs. It discloses a container having a recioseable lid, a dispensing orifice, a refill orifice, an opening actuator, a closure lock and a compatibility lock.
• the compatibility lock prevents the release of the lid in the absence of the correct refill pack, by requiring actuation of the actuator to allow it to open.
• the lid may be opened only in the event of actuation of the compatibility Sock by a compatibility actuator such as a magnetic material, located on the refill pack.
• a compatibility actuator such as a magnetic material
• the present invention meets the abovementioned needs by providing a wipe dispensing system which achieves its desired objectives, by way of presenting the user with an intuitive and simp!e wipe extraction method, addresses the issues of moisture loss, and providing a wipe refill system requiring the presence of the correct wipe refill pack.
• St is yet another object of the present invention to provide a wipe dispensing system which utilizes a mechanism, transparent to the user, to ensure that incorrect wipe packs may not be inserted into the dispensing container.
• Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing system that can be actuated with a simple, single hand operation.
• a wipe dispensing system comprising a dispenser and a wipe pack, said dispenser comprising a member having a lid arranged to cover a dispensing mouth, said wipe pack arranged for consecutive dispensing of wipes one after another through said mouth such that a wipe end is always left protruding from said mouth after every use, which is characterized in that the wipe dispensing system is equipped with a mechanism for withdrawing said wipe end back inside said dispenser during or prior to closure of said lid, and is also arranged to return said wipe end to an easily accessible position when next the lid is opened.
• the withdrawal mechanism of the wipe end is preferably initiated by the closing movement of the lid.
• the withdrawal mechanism of the wipe end preferabl comprises a moveable carrier element attached to dispenser or a moveable dispenstng flap attached to the wipe pack.
• the dispensing mouth is preferably located on the top member or on a moveable carrier element or container.
• the dispensing mouth is located on the collar of the wipe pack.
• the dispensing mouth is preferably located on a moveable dispensing flap and where said dispensing flap is removably connected to a carrier element such that they move together.
• the movement of the lid is preferably assisted by the spring force of a spring acting on the carrier element or on the dispensing flap or oh the lid.
• the dispensing mouth can be on top of the wipe pack and is removably connected to a hinged carrier element, said hinged carrier element is hinged together with said lid by hinge means at one of the top ends of the removable cover.
• the hinged carrier element is preferably arranged to rotate with the rotatable lid, in the event of closing of the lid, thereby causing said carrier element and said mouth on the top of the wipe pack to rotate, thus drawing the wipes back and through.
• the dispensing mouth is preferably provided with a constriction for dispensing of the wipe therein.
• a hard plastic top on said refill wipe pack contains preferably said dispensing mouth and a flap removably connects said top with said lid such that in the event of closing of said lid, said flap is arranged to rotate said refill top and withdraw the wipe end into the dispenser.
• the dispenser is preferably arranged to be automatically closed with or without a delay mechanism.
• the wipe end is preferably presented at an angle of greater than 90 degrees to the horizontal plane facilitating downward wipe extraction.
• the carrier element is preferably equipped with a blocking element containing details to interface with matching details on collar of wipe pack to prevent the correct sealing of the lid with the top member when said details on the collar of the wipe pack are not present.
• the invention also relates to a wipe pack suitable for use in a dispenser according to the invention, said wipe pack is preferably equipped with a collar surrounding an opening into said wipe pack, said collar equipped with a dispensing flap, said flap equipped with a dispensing mouth.
• the dispensing flap is preferably attached to the collar by hinge means.
• the dispensing flap is preferably equipped with spring means arranged at the hinge means.
• the collar is preferably formed so as to substantially match the shape of opening in the top member of the dispenser, such that hinge means is aligned with hinge means of carrier element.
• the dispensing flap is preferably arranged so that it may be removably connected to the ca rier element of the dispenser.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the wipe dispensing system according to a preferred embodiment.
• Figure 1a is a partially exploded view of the wipe dispensing system according to Fig. 1.
• Figure 2a is a cross-sectional v ew of the dispensing system shown in Figure 1 with the lid in open condition.
• Figure 2b is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing system as shown in Figure 1 with the lid in closed condition.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a wipe dispensing system according to a second preferred embodiment.
• Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing system shown in Figure 3 with the fid in open condition.
• Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing system shown in Figure 3 with the fid in closed condition.
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing system according to a third preferred embodiment with the ltd in open condition.
• Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing system according to the third preferred embodiment with the lid in closed condition.
• Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing system according to a fourth preferred embodiment with the lid in open condition.
• Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing system according to the fourth preferred embodiment with the lid in closed condition.
• Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing system according to a fifth preferred embodiment with the ltd in open condition.
• Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing system according to the fifth preferred embodiment with the lid in closed condition.
• Figure 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a wipe pack suitable for use in the dispensing system according to the invention.
• Figure 1 shows an isometric v ew of a preferred embodiment of the wipe dispensing system according to present invention, while figures 2a and 2b are sectional views of the same embodiment, with the Sid opened and closed, respectively.
• Figure 1a is a partially exploded view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.
• the first embodiment of a wipe dispensing system comprises of a dispenser with a removable top member 10 and a container 7 at its lower portion, which is a rectangular box generally made from a durable plastic material and houses the wipe pack 15 containing the supply of wet wipes (best shown in figures 2a and 2b).
• a rubber-like pad 8 can be located at the base of the container 7,
• the central portion of the container 7 is hollow to house th wipe pack 15 (show in figures 2a and 2b).
• the top portion of the dispenser comprises of a removable top member 10.
• the top member 10 comprises of a rotatably hinged Sid t, covering a recess 20 from which the wipes are extracted.
• Recess 20 irvtum includes opening 25 which provides access to the interior of lower portion 7 when assembled together.
• Lid 1 includes several profiles 2 protruding from its underside which guide a carrier element 3.
• Carrier element 3 contains an aperture 21 , and is otherwise hinged to top member 10 by means of a hinge 29.
• a sealing recess 4 is provided such that the lid 1 ma form a seal over recess 20 and opening 25 when in closed position.
• a hole in top member 10 allows snap detail 6 (attached to the lower portion) to create a removable connection between top member 10 and lower portion 7.
• the wip pack 15 is comprised of a flexible moisture impervious pouch 22 containing the wet wipes 13, a hard plastic exit co!lar 23 with an opening 31 for wipe extraction, with collar 23 affixed to the uppermost surface of pouch 22 and wipe dispensing flap 24 which is attached via a hinge 16 to exit collar 23, Dispensing flap 24 in turn contains a dispensing mouth 11 of the refill pack, through which the wipes are extracted during use.
• the dispensing mouth 11 can be a slot keyhole arrangement or a hole large enough for the user to thread the wipe through, with a focalized constriction area 12 for wipe dispensing.
• Dispensing flap 24 is hinged to the wipe pack 15 by hinge means 16.
• the initial insertion of the wipe pack into the dispenser is conducted as follows. Top member 10 is separated from lower portion 7 to provide access to the interior of lower portion 7. Following removal of the airtight seal, the wipe pack 15 is attached to the underside of top member 10, suc that collar 23 is removably connected via opening 25 with a predetermined alignment. Such alignment ma be determined by a matching the exterior form of collar 23 with the shape of opening 25. Dispensing flap 24 is now also removably connected to the underside of carrier element 3, such that the exterior surface of flap 24 lies congruent with the interior su face of carrier element 3.
• This removable connection can be made by snap details (not shown) between the two parts 3 and 24, by threading an extrusion from one flap through the other, or by utilizing an adhesive connection material, for example a hook and loop connection.
• the hinge points 29 and 16 of both carrier element 3 and dispensing flap 24 respectivel are arranged so as to share the same axis of rotation when carrier element 3 and flap 24 are removably connected together.
• carrier element 3 and flap 24 will rotate together, and a spring 32 (not shown) situated at the pivot axis provides an outward/upwards opening force to the conjoined parts 3 and 24.
• the spring 32 is in this case situated around hinge 29 in top portion 10, but could alternatively be positioned around hinge 16 on the top of wipe pack 15.
• lid 1 press against the upper surface of carrier element 3 so that when element 3 rotates upwards Sid 1 also rotates outwards, and likewise during the closure of ltd 1 , carrier element 3 (and flap 24 ⁇ rotate downwards.
• Lid 1 is hinged by hinge means 14 near one of the top edges of the to member 10, as shown in figures 2a and 2b.
• top member 10 of the dispenser that was earlier removed for connection to the wipe pack 15 can now be fitted back onto lower portion 7, with the wipe pack fitting into th hollow central portion of the container 7.
• a "snap fif connection between top member 10 and lower portion 7 is used to removably connect the two components, utilizing the snap details 6 on the front and rear of the dispenser.
• St is also possible to use a twisting threaded detail or other removable connection type to attach the top member 10 to Sower portion 7.
• Afte inserting the wipe pack in the container 7 along its hol!ow centra! portion the user can set several fingers through opening 25 and thus through the opening 31 in collar 23 in order to grip the leading edge 13 of the wipe roll housed within wipe pack 15.
• the wipe is then drawn up through openings 31 , 25 and then threaded through the dispensing mouth 11 on the dispensing flap 24.
• a threading aperture 21 (visible in Figure 1 ) in carrier element 3 is aligned with dispensing mouth 11 in dispensing flap 24 and allows easy initial threading of wipes down to the dispensing constriction 12. It is envisaged that this could alternatively be a simple hole for the wipe id be threaded through.
• Now carrier element 3 and dispensing flap 24 press against the underside of lid 1 so that when the lid 1 is opened, both carrier element 3 and dispensing flap 24 open outwards by spring pressure, presenting a leading edge of wipe 13 that can be easily pulled.
• Carrier element 3 and dispensing flap 24 are hinged about hinges 16 and 29 in such a manner, that they can rotate (via spring pressure) more than 90 degrees from the horizontal plane as illustrated , preferably between about 100 and 130 degrees, presenting a slightly downward facing opening to the user, when the lid 1 is opened. In the figure 1 , this angle of rotation is shown as approximately 105°.
• the included angle between the plane dispensing mouth 1 1 lies on and the horizontal plane should be between 0-90 degrees, preferably between SO- SO degrees.
• Sid 1 The weight of Sid 1 is sufficient to hold the lid 1 down in its closed position. Ltd 1 extends slightly beyond the top surface of top member 10, this extra protrusion allowing the user to set a finger beneath and flick it upwards, whereupon the spring action of spring 32 acting on carrier element 3 and dispensing panel 24 rotate the lid 1 to its open position. Once open, the spring 32 has sufficient mechanical advantage to hold the Sid open.
• the dispensing mouth 1 1 provides a constriction 12.
• the constriction 12 provides resistance to the pull sufficient to result in detachment of the wipe along the line of perforation on the wipe, once the force required to draw the wipe 13 through the constriction is greater than the force required to rupture the perforations in this section of the continuous wipe 13. This ensures that a portion of the wipe remains protruding from the openin 1 1, so that it can be gripped and extracted during next use. From experience, the exact length of wipe end 13 protruding to be gripped will vary depending on the force, speed and angle of wipe extraction.
• top member 10 can include a tooth member 5 situated along the edge of sealing recess 4 closest to the user.
• tooth member 5 provides the user wit an incentive to withdraw the wipe at a downward angle, aiding in maintaining the stability of the entire dispenser during the extractio operation. While it is intended that the user extract the wipe 13 at a downward angle in order to enhance the stability of the dispenser, it is of course possible to withdraw the wipe at a more oblique/ horizontal angle also.
• a finger scoop/recess on the front face of top member 10 and thus replacing tooth member 5 may encourage the user to draw the wipe downwards towards/throug said scoop.
• Such a scoop may also make opening of the iid 1 easier for the user, by providing a better finger grip/flick area.
• the user manually closes the lid, and the dispensing mouth 11 and the wipe end 13 are pulled back into the dispenser by the rotating action of earner element 3 and dispensing flap 24.
• the wipe end 13 is neither exposed to atmosphere, nor at risk of blocking the sealing between ltd 1 and sealing recess 4 in top member 10.
• dispensing constriction 12 becomes worn down/softened by the passage of successive wipes.
• dispensing mouth 11 and constriction 12 in dispensing flap 24 of wipe pack 15 means that mouth 1 is exposed only to the quantity of wipes in the wipe pack 15, and thus such softening will not affect future use of the dispenser when refilled with future wipe packs.
• An additional benefit of locating dispensing mouth 11 o the wipe pack 15 is that said mouth can be tailored to suit differing individual wipe types (e.g. a larger opening to suit wipes of a thicker material, or produced in a different plastic material to better suit wipes impregnated with a different liquid.)
• Downward draw allows stable one handed wipe withdrawal by not disrupting the balance of the dispenser.
• Figure 3 is a view of a preferred embodiment where, the pull back mechanism of the dispensing mouth 11 is entirely on the removable top member 10 of the dispenser, in this embodiment the hinged carrier element 3 on the dispenser top member 10, contains the dispensing mouth 11 and constriction 12.
• the wipe pack collar 23 is here a simple plastic cap with tear off top seal, and does not include dispensing flap 24. This embodiment does not include tooth detail 5.
• a pair of magnetic members 26 and 27 are attached to the underside of the Sid 1 and the underside of top member 10 respectively. These enhance positive closing of the Sid 1 by counteracting the spring loaded carrier element 3, and are especially useful if the weight of lid 1 is insufficient to counteract the upwards spring force.
• FIGS 6 and 7 are cross sectional views of a third preferred embodiment showing the lid 1 in open and closed position respectively.
• the wipe pack top collar 23 contains the tear off dispensing mouth 11 and is removably connected to a carrier element 3.
• the carrier element 3 is hinged to rotate together with the iid 1 by means of hinge means 14 at one of the top ends of the removable top member 10, as shown in figures 6 and 7.
• the carrier element 3 is located below the lid 1.
• the wipe pack collar 23 is connected to the carrier element 3 from underneath the removable top member 10 via the opening 25 in carrier element 3.
• Lid 1 and carrier element 3 are arranged such that they rotate together and with a constant angle of approximately 30° between them so as to approximate a V- sha e. This would be clear from the view in figure 7.
• lid 1 is arranged such that a small protrusion (not shown) located on lid 1 near the pivot axis of hinge 14, fits into a matching recess (not shown) on dispenser top member 10, such that the lid 'snaps ' into its open position when the user Sifts it open, and remains there until the user pushes it down, releasing the snap detail, and whereby the weight of both carrier element 3 and the wipe pack 15 are sufficient to pull the lid completely closed
• this embodiment can contain a blocking component (not shown) assembled to carrier element 3, around opening 25.
• the blocking component is arranged such that it has limited movement around opening 25, and rotates together with carrier element 3.
• several protrusions on collar 23 are required to be present. If these details are present the blocking component will move temporarily, sufficient to allow collar 23 to be removably connected to carrier element 3. Should these protrusion details not be present on the wipe pack top, the user will not be able to connect the wipe pack to the carrier element 3.
• the blocking component is arranged such that should the correct wipe pack not be inserted, the rotation of ltd 1 is hindered by the blocking component, preventing lid closure and ensuring the user is aware of the lack of the correct wip pack. Thus, it only accepts and holds only the correct refill, preventing the incorrect use of for example floor cleaning wipes in a dispenser meant to dispense baby wipes.
• FIGS 8 and 9 are cross sectional views of a fourth preferred embodiment showing the lid 1 in open and closed position respectively.
• the mouth 1 1 is situated on the top of collar 23 of the wipe pack 15.
• FIGS 8 and 9 show that collar 23 on wipe pack 15 contains dispensing mouth 11
• the top of the wip pack 15 includes a ⁇ /axle protrusion 19 that allows it to swing or move.
• Wipe pack collar 23 also has a hinged flap 18 which connects it removably with the lid 1. When the ltd 1 closes, fhe hinge flap 18 pushes on collar 23 to rotate colla 23, wipe end 13 and dispensing mouth 11 downwards into the dispenser 9 while compressing the flexible pouch of wipe pack 15.
• the pivot support on lid 1 which connects to hinge means 14 has teeth to allow the use of a rotary damper 17, attached so as to slow the movement of lid 1 on closing,
• Protrusion detail 30 slides within a track 33 set into the pivot support on lid 1 , and auto-closure means 28 is sprung in a linear manner to aiiow it to move largely parallel to the underside of top member 10. In the open position, protrusion 30 sits into a recess in track 33 such that the Sid 1 may rest in an open position.
• auto closure means 28 reacts to the extra force experienced with the wipe 13 being pulled across it and releases the lid 1 which then gradually closes, this movement slowed b rotary damper 17.
• the auto-closure means described above may use the weight of the wipe pack 15 to draw the lid 1 closed, or the weight of the lid 1 , or a downward acting spring force, or an eccentric spring action without excluding other closure assisting methods.
• Figures 10 and 11 are cross sectional views of a fifth preferred embodiment showing the lid 1 in open and closed position respectively.
• wipe pack 15 is equipped with collar 23 where dispensing flap 24 and thus dispensing mouth 11 are hinged to it via hinge means 16.
• a spring 32 (not shown) is fitted at hinge means 16, sprung so as to rotate dispensing flap 24 to an open orientation.
• the dispensing system is constructed in such a way as to remove th need for the Sower portion 7 of the dispenser housing completely.
• the top member 10 is extended ail the way down to the table or other surface that the dispenser rests on such that it completely covers the wipe pack 15.
• An advantage with such an embodiment is that it negates the need for the lower portion 7, and thus the need to connect the lower portion 7 with the top portion 10. It also negates the need for a ' floor ' beneath the refill unit, such that one simply places the dispenser unit (with hollow underside) over the wipe pack.
• lower portion 7 can be formed as an essentially flat base to the unit, such that the wipe pack is again completely enclosed by the dispenser.
• the hinge means 16 and 25 described are not limited to a traditional hinge design utilising a central pin. but may also include plastic hinges (commonly referred to as living hinges) where the two components are moulded together, snap in pivot hinges, moulded flexible bridge etc.
• the withdrawal mechanism could also operate on sliding basis, parallel motion (trapezium), scissor type action etc.
• the wipe end be translated as far as possible away from the user and lid 1, so as to minimise any chance of jamming or catching in the seal between top member 10 and ltd 1.
• the withdrawal mechanism should translate or rotate the wipe end 13 as far as possible within the confines of the internal volume of dispenser 9, While a translation of up to for example 250mm may be possible depending on the size of the dispenser, in practice a translation of 25-80mm may be sufficient to withdraw the wipe effectively from the opening area.
• the withdrawal action may be effected by another component, for example a pivoting or fixed blade attached to the underside of lid 1 which pushes th wipe end 13 back into the interior of the dispenser top member 10, and upon opening of the lid pushes it in the reverse direction to again present the wipe end 13 available for the user.
• dispensing mouth 11 could be stationary or incorporated into top member 10 as a single component.
• lid 1 may be assisted by various means, including one or several springs, through the use of magnetic members, via snap or ratchet details arranged to hold the lid 1 in a predetermined position, through the use of an over centre sprung system which aids in both opening and closing, the use of gas struts, a counter balanced or weighted element or other such similar means.
• the use of a blocking component or compatibility type lock to prevent insertion of an incorrect wipe pack may be also applied to any of the aforementioned embodiments to assist in their correct function.
• the wipe pack 15, instead of comprising a soft pouch 22 equipped with a hard plastic collar 23, is comprised of a durable largely rigid plastic exterior, where the collar 23 may be moulded into said exterior.
• the dispenser system does not require the lower portion 7, as the hard plastic wipe pack 15 now forms the lower portion of the dispenser, with the top member 10 attaching to it from above.
• a variation of the wipe pack above may comprise the hard plastic container 22 with Integrated collar 23 and opening 31 at the top end, and with the base of the container 22 open to allow initial insertion of a wipes roll prior to closure of said open base with a foil seal or other sealing means.
• Figure 12 shows an embodiment of the wipe pack 15, where the hard plastic collar 23 may be made sufficiently large such that it forms the top surface of the wipe pack 15.
• This enlargement of collar 23 also allows the inclusion of "keying" alignment details around the periphery of collar 23.
• Soft pouch 22 would then depend below the enlarged collar 23 to create a containing pouch sealed except for the opening 31 in collar 23 through which wipe end 13 may be accessed.
• a dispensing flap 24 may be attached to collar 23 around or adjacent to said opening 31 , whereby said flap may contain dispensing mouth 11.
• the opening 31 may be shaped such as to integrate dispensing mouth 11 with collar 23.
• spring 32 arranged about hinge means 16 to provide dispensing flap 24 with a biased position.
• collar 23 could be affixed to soft pouch 22 by means of and adhesive, or by welding, ultrasonic, thermal or the like.
• Wipe pack 15 should of course be sealed prior to insertion in the dispenser 9. Such sealing may be accomplished either through the use o a removable adhesive sticker or seal, or where dispensing flap 24 is moulded integrally with collar 23 and with a tear out element surrounded by a deliberately weakened area, such that upon removal of the tear out area dispensing mouth 1 1 is revealed. Alternatively initial sealing could be via the addition of an extra lid or closing element removable affixed to collar 23 thus covering dispensing flap 24, dispensing mouth 11 and opening 31.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2012
  • 2012-10-08 NO NO20121134A patent/NO335609B1/no not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2013
  • 2013-10-02 EP EP13845274.3A patent/EP2903491A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2013-10-02 WO PCT/NO2013/050166 patent/WO2014058323A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2013-10-02 CN CN201380052616.7A patent/CN105050468B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related

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