KR20110084242A - Dispenser for personal care products with a wide lid-activation button - Google Patents

Abstract

A lid structure for use in a container for storing personal care products is disclosed. The lid structure includes a lid top that is connected to the lid base by a hinge. In an exemplary embodiment, the lid structure includes a lid activation button that, when pressed, causes the top of the lid to rotate relative to the lid base when pressed to allow the consumer to access the contents of the container. The lid activation button is wide enough to allow the consumer to easily contact the lid activation button to open the lid top. The lid activation button also functions to release the top of the lid regardless of which portion of the lid activation button the consumer pressed.

Description

DISPENSER FOR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS WITH A WIDE LID-ACTIVATION BUTTON}

1. Field

The present invention relates to a lid structure for use in dispensers of personal care products. More particularly, a dispenser with a wider lid activation button is disclosed that allows for easier access to a personal care product.

2. General Background

There are various containers on the market for storing and dispensing, in particular containers for storing and dispensing personal care products. Personal hygiene products, especially wipes, are made of a variety of materials that can be dry or wet when used. Wet wipes may be moistened with a variety of suitable wiping solutions. Typically, wet wipes have been laminated to containers in folded or unfolded configurations. For example, a container of wet wipes in which each wet wipe stacked in a container is arranged in a folded configuration, such as a c-type, z-type, or quartered configuration, known to those skilled in the art is available. . Occasionally, the folded wet wipe was also interfolded with the wet wipe directly above and below the stack of wet wipes. The wet wipes were also placed in the container in the form of a continuous web of rolled material that contained perforations for separating the individual wet wipes. Such wet wipes have been used in baby wipes, hand wipes, household cleaning wipes, industrial wipes, and the like.

Conventional containers containing wipes are typically designed to be placed on flat surfaces such as countertops, tables, and the like. Such conventional packages have generally been provided in plastic containers, tubs, or packages that provide a sealed environment so that wet wipes are not dirty and / or overly dry. To access the wipes, many containers have an access lid that is opened by pressing a button on the top of the container. Some of these conventional packages were configured to dispense each wet wipe one at a time using one hand after the container was opened. This dispensing one at a time is particularly desirable because the other hand of the user or caregiver is usually required to be used simultaneously for different functions. For example, when replacing an infant's diaper product, the caregiver typically attempts to dispense the baby wipe to clean the infant with the other hand while holding the infant in the desired position with one hand. The caregiver may not want to look away from the infant to open the container and access the wipe.

However, the distribution of wipes from such conventional wipe containers has not been completely satisfactory. For example, many conventional containers have small buttons that can be difficult to press or find if the consumer does not see the package directly. In addition, pressing a part far from the center of the button has a problem that the button does not function properly. Therefore, there is a need to provide a dispenser with a wider lid activation button so that consumers can more easily access the wipe for easier dispensing, particularly in the pop-up wipe product format.

A container for storing personal care articles is disclosed that includes a lid structure attached to a container. The lid structure has an upper lid portion having a lid fastening mechanism connected to the base lid portion by one or more hinges and extending from the opposite side of the hinge. The base lid portion has a dispensing hole formed through the base lid portion. The lid structure also has a lid activation button having a button fastening mechanism along the longitudinal edge of the button in communication with the lid fastening mechanism. The lid activation button has a width that is at least as wide as the width of the arm of the person to allow easier one hand opening.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lid activation button extends the full width of the lid structure. In other embodiments, the lid activation button has a width greater than 52 mm. In another embodiment, the lid activation button has a width greater than 72 mm. In another embodiment, the lid activation button has a width greater than 105 mm.

In another embodiment, the full lid activation button rotates about the same axis when pressed by the user to release the lid fastening mechanism from the button fastening mechanism and the upper lid portion to rotate away from the lower lid portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, to provide a uniformly rotating lid activation button, the strength of the lid activation button increases closer to the inner longitudinal edge.

In another embodiment, the lid activation button is an integral part of the lid structure connected to the lid base via a living hinge. In some embodiments, the living hinge has a width of at least 50% of the width of the lid activation button to provide a uniformly rotating lid activation button. In other embodiments, the living hinge has a width substantially the same as the width of the lid activation button.

1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary dispenser for personal care products.
FIG. 2 shows a top view of an exemplary dispenser for the personal care article shown in FIG. 1.
3 shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary lid structure in the closed state shown in FIG. 1.
4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary lid structure shown in FIG. 1 with the lid activation button pressed. FIG.
5 shows a perspective view of another exemplary dispenser for personal care products.
FIG. 6 shows a top view of an example dispenser for the personal care article shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary dispenser for the personal care article shown in FIG. 5.
8 shows a perspective view of another exemplary dispenser for personal care products.

Generally described, a lid structure for use in a container for storing personal care products is disclosed. The lid structure includes a lid top that is connected to the lid base by a hinge. In an exemplary embodiment, the lid structure includes a lid activation button that, when pressed, causes the top of the lid to rotate about the lid base through the hinge to allow the consumer to access the contents of the container. The lid activation button is wide enough for the consumer to easily contact the lid activation button to open the lid top. The lid activation button also functions to release the top of the lid regardless of which portion of the lid activation button the consumer pressed.

Reference is now made in detail to one or more examples of presently preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation, and not as a limitation. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment or figure may be used in another embodiment or figure to make another embodiment. It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the container for storing personal care products is hingedly attached to the lid base 14 to allow the consumer to access the contents of the container through the container 15. It has a lid structure 12 having. The tension member 75 is positioned in contact with the lid top and lid base at the hinge. The tension member 75 is formed by a band or strip of flexible rubber or plastic, such as silicone, and / or a metal spring. When the consumer presses the lid activation button 30 to open the lid structure 12, the end of the tension member 75 exerts a force on the lid top 15 such that the lid top 15 and the lid base 14 cross each other. Let it fall

In an exemplary embodiment, the personal care product stored in the container is a wet wipe used in baby wipes, hand wipes, household cleaning wipes, industrial wipes, and the like. The lid structure 12 can be formed as an integral part of the container 10 or can be located above the lid base 14. In the exemplary embodiment, the lid base 14 is connected to the container base 25 by a hinge 22 to enable a second opening into the container 10. The consumer can then refill the container with additional wipes as needed.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lid base 14 contains a pop-up style dispensing partition, where the flexible rubber-like material or sheet 60 has slits or holes in which individual wet wipes are removed from the container. In other embodiments, there is a simple opening area that is not a flexible sheet to allow rich dispensing of the wet wipe through the base lid. Examples of flexible rubbery materials used in the containers of the present invention include thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) materials that can be used to provide acceptable distribution. Materials that can be employed include any styrene-based TPE family (ie, styrene block copolymer compounds); Styrene-based TPE containing rubber modifiers such as Kraton ™, Santoprene ™ or other rubber modifiers; Specialty copolymers such as ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymers (eg, EMAC ™ from Eastman Chemical Company); Thermosetting rubber; Polyurethane; Alloys; amides; Engineering TPE; Olefin based materials; Olefin vulcanizates; Polyester based materials; Polyurethane based materials, including but not limited to. One such material for the flexible rubber sheet may be one manufactured by GLS Corporation (McHenry, Ill.) And known as Resin # G2701. G2701 material is one of TPE's product lines. G2701 is a styrene-based material and belongs to the family of styrene block copolymer compounds. Some specific properties of G2701 have a specific gravity of 0.90 g / cc (according to ASTM D792); Hardness (Shore A durometer) 68 (ASTM D2240); And permanent compression of 24% at room temperature, 96% at 70 ° C. (according to ASTM 395B). Another similar material is known as G2755 and is also sold by GLS Corporation. Lubricants (eg, waxes) may also be added to lower the coefficient of friction of the continuous slits, which may be beneficial for injection molding, wet wipe dispensing, and physical handling of flexible orifices. G2701 TPE resins sold by GLS Corporation and having 0.25% wax additive known as # LC217-189 can be used.

To enable access to the wipe stored in the container, the lid structure 12 includes a lid activation button 30 having an inner longitudinal edge 35. The lid activation button 30 includes a substantially flat top surface 50 having a peripheral outer edge 45 configured to be contacted by the user. The inner longitudinal edge 35 of the lid activation button 30 extends downwardly from the top surface 50 and is connected to the lid base 14. In some exemplary embodiments, the flexible rubbery material 60 extends up from the lid base 14 and covers the remainder of the peripheral outer edge 45 of the lid activation button 30 to create a proper seal. (14). Once the lid activation button 30 is pressed and released by the consumer, the flexible rubbery material 90 helps the lid activation button 30 return to its original state.

After the lid activation button 30 is pressed, the lid top 15 is disengaged from the lid base to allow the user to access the opening into the container. The lid top 15 is secured in a closed state by an appropriate lid latching mechanism 40 engaged with the button latching mechanism 80. In an exemplary embodiment, the lid latching mechanism 40 is at the front edge of the lid top 15, which is engaged by a button latching mechanism 80 that includes a hole catch on the inner longitudinal edge of the lid activation button 30. And a protruding latch. In another exemplary embodiment, the lid latching mechanism 40 is front edge of the top of the lid, engaged by a button latching mechanism 80 that includes a protrusion catch on the inner longitudinal edge 35 of the lid activation button 30. On the protruding latch. In another embodiment, lid latching mechanism 40 of lid top 15 is engaged by button latching mechanism 80 that includes a protruding latch on the inner longitudinal edge 35 of lid activation button 30. It includes a hole trap in the front edge.

In certain embodiments, lid activation button 30 is wide enough to allow a consumer to easily press or contact lid activation button 30. Many conventional dispensers have a small lid activation button designed to press with a thumb or one finger to open the lid. Small buttons require accurate contact by the consumer. For example, in some cases, a caregiver who changes an infant's diaper will need to look away from the infant and point towards the dispenser to open the lid correctly. Toddlers can unexpectedly potentially damage infants by rolling away from people moving or caring. Other consumers, such as babies or the elderly, may lack the dexterity or power to correctly open the lid.

The lid activation button 30 of the present invention has a width 55 substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinge, which allows the consumer to easily open a portion of the arm of the consumer to open the lid top 15 and access the contents of the container. This allows the container to open hands free. For example, the consumer may open the lid top 15 by pressing the lid activation button 30 using the palm of their hand, their arm, or their elbow. This allows the consumer to easily open the lid of the container with less dexterity or without looking at the container. Therefore, the caregiver can easily reach the container and open the lid without keeping his eyes on the infant and without looking directly at the container.

In addition, the wider lid activation button 30 can prevent the spread of bacteria on the surface of the container. Caregivers can acquire bacteria in their hands before using wipes in containers, such as when changing diapers in infants, using the toilet, or during other activities that require the use of wipes. By allowing the consumer to push the wider lid activation button into various parts of their arms, the consumer does not transfer any bacteria from their hands to the lid of the container. Therefore, the wider lid activation button provides a potentially more hygienic way to access the wipe of the container.

In an exemplary embodiment, the width 55 of the lid activation button 30 extends the full width of the container 10. In other embodiments, the width 55 of the lid activation button 30 extends by at least 50% of the width of the lid structure 12. In other embodiments, the width 55 of the lid activation button 30 extends by at least 75% of the width of the lid structure 12.

In another exemplary embodiment, the lid activation button 30 extends to a width 55 that is at least as wide as the average person's arm. Thus, the width must be greater than or equal to the width of the dispenser's target user. Therefore, the width 55 of the lid activation button 30 extends at least about 52 mm. In other embodiments, the width 55 of the lid activation button 30 extends by at least about 72 mm. In another embodiment, the width 55 of the lid activation button 30 extends by at least about 105 mm.

In another exemplary embodiment, the lid activation button 30 is specifically designed to provide a button in which the entire top surface 50 of the lid activation button 30 rotates about a single axis or pivot point. Conventional dispensers with a lid activation button 30 are pressed by the consumer on the side or edge of the lid activation button and sometimes fail to open. By increasing the width of the lid activation button 30, one of ordinary skill in the art would expect additional failures to occur because the potential contact area increases away from the center of the button.

However, the present invention solves this potential problem by having the top surface 50 of the lid activation button 30 rotate about a single axis or pivot point. Thus, the lid activation button 30 is pressed at any point along its entire width and also allows the top of the lid to rotate and access into the container. In one embodiment, the strength of the lid activation button 30 increases towards the inner longitudinal edge 35. The increase in strength at the inner longitudinal edge 35 causes the lid activation button 30 to rotate more evenly because the entire rigid portion rotates and pivots as a single piece. Therefore, the lid activation button 30 can be pressed at any point along its width and still provide access into the container.

As used herein, strength refers to the level of stiffness typically associated with materials used to make tubs or portions thereof containing primarily wet wipes. Numerically, such materials usually have a flexural modulus of at least 100 N / mm 2 (as measured according to ASTM D790 “Standard Test Method for Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Bending Properties of Electrical Insulating Materials”). In certain embodiments, the lid activation button has a flexural modulus of about 1100 to about 1500 N / mm 2. According to the invention, the strength of the lid activation button 30 may be at least 10% greater at the inner longitudinal edge than the rest of the lid activation button 30. For example, if the remainder of the lid activation button 30 is 1215 N / mm 2, the inner longitudinal edge 35 of the lid activation button 30 may be at least 1350 N / mm 2. To achieve a more rigid inner longitudinal edge 35, the lid activation button may be formed of a more rigid material at the inner longitudinal edge 35 or a thicker portion of material at the inner longitudinal edge 35. .

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the inner longitudinal edge 35 of the lid activation button 30 is attached to the bottom of the lid via a living hinge 65 integrally formed with the lid base 14. . The living hinge can be made of plastic and other materials and can be integrally formed between the two members. Living hinges allow one member to pivotally move relative to another connecting member. In order for the lid activation button 30 to function when the lid activation button 30 is pressed, the living hinge 65 has a specific width with respect to the width of the lid activation button 30. In the exemplary embodiment, the living hinge 65 has the same width as the lid activation button 30, which is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinge. In another exemplary embodiment, the living hinge 65 has a width that is at least 50% of the width of the lid activation button. The lid activation button 30 may additionally have increased rigidity in the inner longitudinal edge 35 to increase the functionality of the living hinge 65 as well as the lid activation button 30 that rotates about a single axis point. .

When the lid structure 10 needs to be opened, the lid activation button 30 is pressed. This causes the inner longitudinal edge 35 and top surface 40 of the lid activation button 30 to rotate relative to the living hinge 65. As the lid activation button 30 rotates, the latching mechanism 40 of the lid top 15 is released. Once the lid top 12 is disengaged from the lid activation button 30, the tension member 75 moves the lid top 12 away from the lid base 14 so that the consumer can access the wipe. The lid top 12 can be closed again by moving the latching mechanism 40 in communication with the lid activation button to reseal the container.

5 to 7 show further embodiments of containers for storing personal care products of the present invention. As shown, the lid structure 112 with the lid top 115 is hingedly attached to the lid base 120 to allow a consumer to access the contents of the container through the container. In order to access the wipe stored in the container, lid structure 112 includes a lid activation button 130 having an inner longitudinal edge 135. Lid activation button 130 includes a substantially flat top surface 150 having a peripheral outer edge configured to be contacted by a user. The inner longitudinal edge 135 of the lid activation button 130 extends downwardly from the top surface 150.

In this embodiment, the lid activation button 130 is part of the lid structure 110 that is separate from the lid base and the lid top. To be connected to the lid structure 112, the hinge mechanism 145 connects the lid activation button 130 to the lid base 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the hinge mechanism 145 includes a protrusion extending from the inner longitudinal edge 135 of the lid activation button 30 in communication with the aperture of the lid base 120. In another embodiment, the lid activation button is also connected to a rod in communication with a hole in the lid base. When the lid activation button 130 is pressed, this causes the inner longitudinal edge 135 of the lid activation button 130 and the entire top surface 150 to rotate relative to the hinge mechanism 145. As the lid activation button 130 rotates, the latching mechanism 140 of the lid top 115 is released from the mating latching mechanism of the lid activation button 130 to allow access into the container. In an exemplary embodiment, the lid activation button 130 extends to a width 55 that is at least as wide as the average person's arm. Therefore, the width 55 of the lid activation button 130 extends at least about 52 mm. In other embodiments, the width 55 of the lid activation button 30 extends by at least about 72 mm. In another embodiment, the width 55 of the lid activation button 30 extends by at least about 105 mm.

8 is a perspective view of another container 210 in accordance with the present invention, where the container is a flexible package, such as a package wrapped with a plastic film, having a dispensing opening with a lid structure 212. The lid structure is provided on top of the flexible package, and the lid structure 212 includes a lid top 215 hingedly attached to the lid base 220, where the lid base has one or more slits or holes. It is to surround a hole in a film-wrapped package, or a film wrapped package, in which the wipe is simply removed from the package. In the exemplary embodiment, the lid activation button 230 extends to a width 55 that is at least as wide as the width of at least an average human arm that opens the lid structure 212 when contacted by a consumer. Therefore, the width 55 of the lid activation button 230 extends at least about 52 mm. In other embodiments, the width 55 of the lid activation button 30 extends by at least about 72 mm. In another embodiment, the width 55 of the lid activation button 30 extends by at least about 105 mm.

Products such as, for example, wipes or wet wipes may be arranged in the dispenser in any manner that provides one dispensing at a time, conveniently and reliably and which helps to prevent the wipe from becoming dirty and / or overly dry. For example, the wipe may be arranged in a dispenser or container as a plurality of individual sheets arranged in a laminated structure to provide a stack of wipes that may be folded individually or not folded individually. The wipe may be an individual wipe that is folded into a c-type fold, a z-type fold, a quarter fold or other zigzag fold or an interfolded or unfolded configuration known to those skilled in the art. The article may include a plurality of wipes that are stacked on top of each other in an unfolded configuration for “rich in” dispensing. These non-collapsed wipes are each wipe self-folded, with portions of the other wipe not located between or below any portion of the fold of the adjacent wipe. In addition to those discussed herein, such configurations for wipes may be provided by means known to those skilled in the art.

Alternatively, individual wipes may be interfolded or otherwise related so that the leading and trailing edges of successive wipes in a stacked configuration overlap for "pop-up" distribution. In this configuration, the leading edge of the subsequent wipe is loosened from the stack by the trailing edge of the previous wipe as the previous wipe is removed by the user. Wipes may be interfolded to facilitate such dispensing by means known to those skilled in the art.

Alternatively, the wipes can be arranged in the dispenser as a continuous web of interconnected wipes folded into an accordion-like laminate or roll. Individual wipes may be joined together along a fragile line, such as a perforation line, to allow subsequent wipes to be in position for being gripped by the user after the previous wipe has been removed. For example, the wipe may be provided by a continuous web of material having a series of lines of weakness that extend across the width of the web. The portion of the web of material between successive lines of weakness provides each individual wipe. The line of weakness may be provided by means known to those skilled in the art, such as perforations, recesses or cuts in the web of material. For example, the weak line or perforation can be provided to the web of material by passing a web of material between the die cutter roll and the anvil roll. After the fragile wire is included in the web of material, the web can then be arranged in a laminated structure for easy insertion into the dispenser during formation of the dispenser.

The container may contain any suitable number of individual wipes depending on the desired packaging and end use. For example, the container is configured to include a stack of wipes that may include at least about 5 wipes, preferably about 8 to about 320 individual wipes, more preferably about 16 to about 80 wipes. Can be. The size and shape of the stack of wipes depends on the size and shape of the container and vice versa.

Each wipe is generally rectangular in shape and forms a pair of opposite side edges and a pair of opposite end edges, which may be referred to as leading edges and trailing edges. The tip edge of each wet wipe is typically located under a dispensing orifice in the dispenser to be gripped by the user to facilitate removal of the wipe from the container.

Suitable materials for the wipes of the present invention are known to those skilled in the art. Wet wipes may be made of any material suitable for use with wet wipes, including meltblown, coform, airlaid, bonded carded web materials, entangled materials, high wet strength tissues, and the like, and may be made of synthetic fibers or natural Fibers or combinations thereof. The wipes of the various aspects of the present invention can include a liquid that can be absorbed into the wipe and can be any solution that makes the wipe a "wet wipe." The liquid contained in the wet wipes may include any suitable ingredient that provides the desired wiping properties. For example, the ingredients may include water, emollients, surfactants, preservatives, chelating agents, pH buffers, perfumes or combinations thereof. Liquids may also include lotions, ointments and / or medications. The amount of liquid contained in each wet wipe depends on the type of material used to provide the wet wipe, the type of liquid used, the type of container used to store the stack of wet wipes, and the desired end use of the wet wipe. Can change accordingly. In general, each wet wipe may contain about 15 to about 600 weight percent, preferably about 200 to about 400 weight percent liquid, based on the dry weight of the wipe, for improved wiping.

Accordingly, various aspects and features of the present invention can provide a container for wipes that provides the same container storage and distribution improved as compared to conventional wipe containers. Such containers are particularly useful for dispensing baby wipes because the caregiver is usually only one hand free during the diaper filling process. Thus, a package for a wipe of the present invention, for example a wet wipe, is opened stably and easily with one hand of the user or caregiver for improved convenience and personal hygiene. In addition, the package of the present invention can provide better, easier distribution.

Although containers useful for the purposes of the present invention are specifically shown in the drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that many different container designs are possible within the scope of the present invention, including canister style containers. It is to be understood that the above description given for purposes of illustration is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is formed by the following claims and all equivalents thereof.

Claims (13)

Lid structure attached to a container having an upper lid portion connected to the base lid portion by one or more hinges-the upper lid portion has a lid fastening mechanism extending from an opposite side of the hinge, the base lid portion having a dispensing hole formed through the base lid portion -; And
Lid activation button having a button fastening mechanism along the longitudinal edge of the button in communication with the lid fastening mechanism and having a width greater than 52 mm
Including,
The full lid activation button rotates about the same axis when pressed by the user to release the lid fastening mechanism from the button fastening mechanism and cause the upper lid to rotate away from the lower lid portion. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid activation button extends the full width of the lid structure. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid activation button extends at least 75% of the total width of the lid structure. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid activation button extends at least 50% of the total width of the lid structure. The container of claim 1, wherein the width of the lid activation button is greater than 72 mm. The container of claim 1, wherein the width of the lid activation button is greater than 105 mm. The container of claim 1, wherein the strength of the lid activation button increases as the inner longitudinal edge is closer. 8. The container of claim 7, wherein the strength of the inner longitudinal edge is at least 10% greater than the strength of the remainder of the lid activation button. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid activation button is an integral part of a lid structure connected to the lid base via a living hinge. 10. The container of claim 9, wherein the living hinge has a width of at least 50% of the width of the lid activation button. 7. The container of claim 6, wherein the living hinge has a width substantially the same as the width of the lid activation button. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid activation button is a separate portion from the rest of the lid structure. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid activation button is attached to the lid base via a hinge mechanism extending from the inner longitudinal edge of the lid activation button.

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