GB2460068A

GB2460068A - Wipe

Info

Publication number: GB2460068A
Application number: GB0808813A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Gordon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-15
Filing date: 2008-05-15
Publication date: 2009-11-18
Also published as: GB0808813D0

Abstract

The invention relates to wipes 1 formed from a continuous length of material 2 with parallel side edges 2A,2B having a leading end 3A and a trailing end 3B. Ruputurable lines 4 are spaced along the length of material separating each wipe 1. The rupturable lines 4 extend from point 5A on one first side edge 2A to a point 5B on the other second side edge 2B. Each rupturable line 4 requiring varying degrees of strength to rupture it at different points over its length and the rupturable line being other than normal (perpendicular) to the first and second side edges. The line may be easier to rupture at one edge than the other or may be more difficult to rupture in the middle. The rupture lines are formed by slots or apertures wherein the slots are longer where it is easier to rupture or the apertures occur at a greater frequency.

Description

Title: Wipes The present invention relates to wipes.

Wipes are usually formed from a continuous length of impregnated non-woven fabric with parallel side edges, and lines of rupturable perforations equally spaced along the length of the fabric with each line normal (i.e. perpendicular) to and spanning the width of fabric between the side edges. Each wipe is thus formed between lines of perforations.

Such wipes are often packaged in a tub and dispensed through a tub aperture. As a wipe is drawn through the aperture the perforations rupture so separating an individual wipe from the rest of the length of wipes, and the leading edge of the next wipe is left projecting through the aperture to be pulled out of the tub when the next wipe is to be used.

A problem with such wipes is that the perforations between wipes can rupture before the leading edge of the next wipe is left projecting through the aperture, so a user cannot withdraw another wipes without opening the tub and feeding the next wipe through the aperture. Alternatively the perforations rupture just as the leading edge of the next wipe projects through the aperture, but there is insufficient length of the leading edge to be grasped to withdraw the next wipe.

An example of an improved method for ensuring that a tail or presentment' is made available for the next user is described in US 20020074375A1. The wipes feature a perforated region along its length with cut' regions on one or both sides of the perforated region. The perforations in the perforated region are uniform along their length and require the same strength to rupture them at any point along their length. As the wipe is drawn to the opening of the container, these cuts cause areas of the wipe to bend backwards and catch with the opening. These distorted areas neccessarily become catch flaps. This causes enough tension in the perforated region which is now outside the opening of the container to break the dispensed individual sheet free. The wipes emerge from a slit-like dispensing opening, the mechanism for separating the wipes being the action of catch flaps engaging with the slit like opening. This method applies to a pop-up wipe dispensing system with wipes being dispensed from the outside of the roll of wipes contained within the dispenser.

In the case of a tub of wipes, the continuous length of material emerges from the centre of the web in a generally twisted, tube-like format which will not of necessity allow for catch flaps to be formed from cut sections because the cut sections which formed the catch flaps as detailed in US 20020074375A1, become part of the twisted tube-like arrangement. A different mechanism is therefore required to encourage wipes dispensed from a tub to separate into individual sheets.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided wipes formed from a continuous length of material with parallel side edges having a leading end and a trailing end, and ruputurable lines spaced along the length of material separating each wipe, said rupturable lines extending from a point on one first side edge to a point on the other second side edge, and each rupturable line requiring varying degrees of strength to rupture it at different points over its length and the rupturable line being other than normal (perpendicular) to the first and second side edges.

In one embodiment each rupturable line is more easily ruptured adjacent the second side edge than the first side edge.

Preferably the point on the other second side edge is further towards the trailing end.

Preferably in use, when a rupture is initiated at the second side edge, the rupturable line continues to rupture towards the first side edge.

Preferably each rupturable line is progressively more difficult to rupture along its length from the second side edge to the first side edge.

In another embodiment each rupturable line is more easily ruptured adjacent the first and second side edges and more difficult to rupture towards the centre of each line.

Preferably the material is a non-woven fabric. The material may be impregnated. The wipes may be wet or dry.

Preferably the rupturable lines are formed from apertures or slots in the material. In one embodiment slots are provided and the slots are longer adjacent where it is easier to rupture each line. In another embodiment apertures are provided and the apertures are greater in frequency where it is easier to rupture each line.

Preferably the rupturable lines are straight lines.

The invention also extends to a container of wipes as defined above adapted to be dispensed through a container aperture. Preferably when one wipe is removed by rupturing the line between it and the next wipe, an edge of the next wipe extends out of the aperture.

The container of wipes may be of the type described in patent application nos GB 0710596.8, GB0617067.4, and GB 0805919.8 the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of wipes, and Figure 2 shows a wipe separating from the leading edge of a wipe emerging through a tub aperture.

Figure 3 showing plan view of wipes with rupture lines more easily ruptured at edges than in the centre.

Referring to Figure 1 there are shown wipes 1 formed from a continuous length of material 2 with parallel first and second side edges 2A,2B having a leading end 3A and a trailing end 3B.

Ruputurable straight lines 4 in material 2 are spaced along the length of material separating each wipe 1. Each rupturable line extends from a point 5 A on first side 2A edge to a point 5B on the other second side edge 213 further towards the trailing end.

As shown, each line 4 is formed from slots 6A,6B,6C,6D,6E,6F which progressively reduce in length so that slot 6A is the longest and slot 6F the shortest. Each line 4 is thus more easily ruptured adjacent the second side edge 2B than the first side edge 2A, and each line 4 is progressively more difficult to rupture along its length from the second side edge to the first side edge.

The wipes 1 may be formed of any suitable material, such as a non-woven fabric or paper, and may be impregnated as is well know in the art. The wipes may be wet or dry.

Refening now to Figure 2, there is shown a tub 10 housing and dispensing wipes 1 of the type shown in Figure 1 through a nozzle or aperture 11.

As the first wipe 1 is withdrawn from the nozzle, it pulls with it the next second wipe until the point 5B on second edge 2B emerges out of the nozzle. The friction of the nozzle is not great enough such that the rupturable line 4 starts to rupture adjacent point 5A, but is great enough to cause the onset of ruptures at point SB. Once started, the rupturable line continues to rupture back towards the first side edge. So the rupturing process does not start until trailing edge SB has reached the nozzle, leading edge 5A already being outside the container. Whilst the rupturing process is taking place, the ruptured areas of the wipe, having become separated from and now creating a gap with the main body of the material as shown in figure 2, will of necessity fall behind and further trail the non ruptured areas. So the angularity of rupturable line together with the delay between the rupture of edge 5B and edge 5A ensuring that when the first wipe has separated from the next second wipe, the leading edge of the next wipe to be withdrawn extends fully out of the aperture so it can be gripped easily.

Referring now to Figure 3 there are shown wipes 21 formed from a continuous length of material 22 with parallel first and second side edges 22A,22B having a leading end 23A and a trailing end 23B.

Ruputurable chevron lines 24 in material 2 are spaced along the length of material separating each wipe 21. Each rupturable line 24 extends from a point 25A on first side 22A edge to a point in the centre of a wipe 25B towards the leading end 23A, and then to a point 25C on the other second side edge 22B back towards the trailing end.

As shown, each line 24 is formed from slots 26A,26B,26C,26D,26E,26F which vary in length so that slot 26A and 26F are both the longest, and slot 26C and 26D the shortest. Each line 24 is thus more easily ruptured adjacent the first side edge 22A and the second side edge 22C than at the centre 22B, and each line 24 is progressively more difficult to rupture along its length from the first and second side edges to the centre. In this instance, the rupturing process does not start until trailing edges 25A and 25C have reached the nozzle, leading edge 25B already being outside the container. Whilst the rupturing process is taking place, the ruptured areas of the wipe, having become separated from and now creating gaps with the main body of the material, will of necessity fall behind and further trail the non ruptured areas. So the angular nature of the rupturable chevron lines together with the delay between the rupture of the trailing edges 25A, 25C and that of the leading edge 25B ensures that when the first wipe has separated from the next second wipe, the leading edge of the next wipe to be withdrawn, 25B, extends fully Out of the aperture so it can be gripped easily.

The wipes 1 or 21 may be formed of any suitable material, such as a non-woven fabric or paper, and may be impregnated as is well known in the art. The wipes may be wet or dry.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. Instead of slots of varying length, uniform apertures could be provided which are greater in frequency adjacent the second side edge. Instead of the lines 4 or 24 being straight lines, they could be other shapes such as curved, wavy or any other non straight orientation.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Wipes formed from a continuous length of material with parallel side edges having a leading end and a trailing end, and ruputurable lines spaced along the length of material separating each wipe, said rupturable lines extending from a point on one first side edge to a point on the other second side edge, and each rupturable line requiring varying degrees of strength to rupture it at different points over its length and the rupturable line being other than normal (perpendicular) to the first and second side edges.
2. Wipes according to claim 1, wherein each rupturable line is more easily ruptured adjacent the second side edge than the first side edge.
3. Wipes according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the point on the other second side edge is further towards the trailing end.
4. Wipes according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein in use, when a rupture is initiated at the second side edge, the rupturable line continues to rupture towards the first side edge.
5. Wipes according to any preceding claim, wherein each rupturable line is progressively more difficult to rupture along its length from the second side edge to the first side edge.
6. Wipes according to claim 1, wherein each Ime is more easily ruptured adjacent the first and second side edges and more difficult to rupture towards the centre of each line.
7. Wipes according to any preceding claim, wherein the material is a non-woven fabric.
8. Wipes according to any preceding claim, wherein the material is impregnated.
9. Wipes according to any preceding claim, wherein the wipes are wet or dry.
10. Wipes according to any preceding claim, wherein the rupturable lines are formed from apertures or slots in the material.
11. Wipes according to claim 10, wherein slots are provided and the slots are longer where it is easier to rupture each line.
12. Wipes according to claim 10, wherein apertures are provided and the apertures are greater in frequency where it is easier to rupture each line.
13. Wipes according to any preceding claim, wherein the rupturable lines are straight lines.
14. Wipes according to any preceding claim, wherein the rupturable lines are curved, wavy or any other non straight orientation.
15. A container of wipes according to any preceding claim, said wipes being dispensed through a container aperture.
16. A container of wipes according to claim 15, wherein when one wipe is removed by rupturing the line between it and the next wipe, an edge of the next wipe extends out of the aperture.
17. Wipes substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
18. A container of wipes substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. A container having a nozzle or opening, containing wipes for dispensation through said nozzle or opening of the container, the wipes being formed from a continuous length of material with parallel side edges having a leading end and a trailing end, and rupturable lines spaced along the length of material separating each wipe, said rupturable lines extending from a point on one first side edge to a point on the other second side edge, and each rupturable line being more easy to rupture from at least the point on the first side edge than a harder to rupture point on the rupturable line, the rupturable line being other than normal (perpendicular) to the first side edge and second side edge and the wipes being arranged so that the harder to rupture point on the rupturable line emerges from the nozzle or opening before the rupturable line at ** the point on the first side edge. * ** * . * * a.2. A container according to claim I wherein each rupturable line being easy to * : rupture from the first side edge than the second side edge, and the wipes being S...* * arranged so that the rupturable line at the point on the second side edge emerges from the nozzle or opening before the rupturable line at the point on the first side edge.3. A container according to claim I wherein there is provided wipes formed in a continuous roll for dispensation from the centre of the roll and in a direction parallel to the axis of the roll, being formed from a continuous length of material with parallel side edges having a leading end and a trailing end, and rupturable lines spaced along the length of material separating each wipe, said rupturable lines extending from a point on one first side edge to a point on the other second side edge, and each rupturable line being more easy to rupture from at least the point on the first side edge than a harder to rupture point on the rupturable line, the rupturable line being other than normal (perpendicular) to the first side edge, 4. A container according to either previous claim, wherein each rupturable line is more easily ruptured adjacent the second side edge than the first side edge.5. A container according to any previous claim, wherein the point on the other second side edge is further towards the trailing end. * * I S. * *5S S* ,. 6. A container according to any previous claim wherein in use, when a rupture is * :* : :* initiated at the second side edge, the rupturable line continues to rupture towards the first side edge. S... *...* *. 7. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein each rupturable line is progressively more difficult to rupture along its length from the second side edge to the first side edge.8. A container according to any of claims I to 5, wherein each rupturable line is more easily ruptured adjacent the first and second side edges and more difficult to rupture towards the centre of each line.9. Wipes being formed from a Continuous length of material with parallel side edges having a leading end and a trailing end, and rupturable lines spaced along the length of material separating each wipe, said rupturable lines extending from a point on one first side edge to a point on the other second side edge, and each rupturable line being more easy to rupture from at least the point on the first side edge than a harder to rupture point on the rupturable line, the rupturable line being other than normal (perpendicular) to the first side edge, for use in a container according to any previous claim.10. Wipes being formed in a continuous roll for dispensation from the centre of the ::: : roll and in a direction parallel to the axis of the roll, being formed from a continuous * length of material with parallel side edges having a leading end and a trailing end, * : :; and rupturable lines spaced along the length of material separating each wipe, said rupturable lines extending from a point on one first side edge to a point on the other * second side edge, and each rupturable line being more easy to rupture from at least 4b* * the point on the first side edge than a harder to rupture point on the rupturable line, the rupturable line being other than normal (perpendicular) to the first side edge, for use in a container according to any previous claim.11. Wipes according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the material is a non-woven fabric.12. Wipes according to either claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the material is impregnated.13. Wipes according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the wipes are wet.14. Wipes according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein the rupturable lines are formed from apertures or slots in the material.15. Wipes according to any of claims 8 to 14, wherein slots are provided and the slots are longer where it is easier to rupture each line.16. Wipes according to any of claims 8 to 14, wherein apertures are provided and the apertures are greater in frequency where it is easier to rupture each line. * I S S. * Iii... 17. Wipes according to any of claims 8 to 16, wherein the rupturable lines are straight lines.18. Wipes according to any of claims 8 to 16, wherein the rupturable lines are curved, S...* wavy or any other non straight orientation.
19. Wipes substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
20. A container of wipes substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.