MXPA06000136A - Storing and dispensing container for product - Google Patents

Abstract

A storing and dispensing container for product. The container includes a flexible pouch for storing product. A rigid flip top, having a lid connected to a flange by a hinge, is affixed to an outer surface of the pouch at the top portion of the pouch surrounding a removable portion of the pouch. The flange forms a dispensing orifice through which the product can be dispensed when the lid is opened. The lid is removably positionable to seal the pouch at the outer surface when the lid is closed upon the flange.

Description

CONTAINER FOR STORAGE AND ASSORTMENT OF PRODUCT This application claims the benefits of the United States of America patent application number 60 / 487,695 filed on July 15, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are a variety of containers and storage and stocking containers on the market, particularly those for storing and dispensing products of the type of cleaning cloth. Wiper type products or wipers have been made from a variety of materials which can be dry or wet when used. Wet cleaning cloths can be wetted with a variety of suitable cleaning solutions. Typically, wet cleaning cloths have been stacked in a container in a configuration either bent or unfolded. For example, containers or containers of wet cleaning cloths have been made available in which each of the wet cleaning cloths stacked in the container has been arranged in a bent configuration such as a bent-C configuration, a bent-Z configuration or a bent configuration of a room as is well known to those skilled in the art. Sometimes folded wet cleaning cloths have also been folded in with the wet cleaning cloths immediately above and below the wet cleaning cloth stack. In an alternate configuration, the wet cleaning wipes have been placed in the container in the form of a fabric of continuous material which includes perforations to separate the individual wet wipes and which are wound on a roll. Such wet cleaning cloths have been used for baby wipes, hand wipes, wipes for domestic cleaning, industrial wipes and the like.

Conventional packages which contain cleaning wipes, have typically been designed to be placed on a flat surface such as a counter, table or the like. Such conventional packages generally provide a plastic container, tube or package which provides a sealed environment for the wet cleaning cloths to ensure that they do not dirty or dry out unduly. Some of the conventional packages have also been configured to provide an assortment of one at a time of each wet cleaning diaper which can be achieved by using a single hand after the package has been opened. Such a one-handed assortment of one at a time is particularly desirable because the other hand of the user or caregiver is typically required to be used simultaneously for other functions. For example, when changing a diaper product over an infant, the caregiver typically uses one hand to hold and hold the infant in a desired position while the other hand attempts to supply a baby cleansing cloth to clean the infant.

However, the spout of cleaning cloths of such conventional cleaning cloths has not been completely satisfactory. For example, many conventional containers are not compact or easy to transport while they are also reliable and easy to store and supply cleaning cloths, in either a reach or emergence format, in the same package container. In addition, the invention herein allows such containers to better maximize the size of the assortment opening while still maintaining an easy-opening lid and optionally also achieving a blow-out hinge that allows consumers access to the cloths. cleaners for an easier assortment, particularly in the format of cleaning cloth products that are achieved.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION In response to the difficulties and problems discussed above, for example, a new packaging for cleaning cloths has been invented that provides improved storage and assortment, which has improved compaction and reliability. The purpose and features of the present invention will be established and will become more apparent from the description that follows, as will be learned by the practice of the invention. The additional features of the invention will be realized and achieved by the containers particularly pointed out in the written description and in the claims of the invention as well as the attached drawings.

As used herein, "flexible" means a film containing unfoamed polymer with a thickness of about 250 microns or less or a foamed polymer-containing film having a thickness of about 2,000 micrometers or less.

As used herein, "rigid" means a level of rigidity commonly associated with materials used to make buckets of wet cleaning cloth parts thereof. Numerically, these materials typically have a flexural modulus (as measured in accordance with the "ASTM D790 Standard Test Method for Flexural Properties of Reinforced and Reinforced Plastics in Electrical Insulation Materials") of about 100 Newtons per square millimeter or more, specifically more than about 1,100 to about 1,550 Newtons per square millimeter.

In one aspect, the invention provides a storage and assortment container for a product. The container comprises a flexible bag for storing the product. The bag comprises a bottom portion with side portions adjacent to the bottom portion and each side portion adjacent to an adjacent side portion and the side portions extending outwardly of said bottom portion. The side parts are also attached to an upper part with the upper part lying on the bottom part and being generally parallel to the bottom part. The upper part includes a removable part which seals the product inside the bag in a first condition and which allows access to the product inside the bag in a second condition. The container further comprises a rigid cover comprising a cover connected to a flange by a hinge. The flange is fixed to an outer surface of the bag at the top of the bag so that the rigid cover lies on the removable part of the bag and the removable part is surrounded by the rigid cover on the outer surface of the bag. The flange forms a jet hole through which the product can be dispensed when the lid is open and the lid is removably fitted to be closed to engage the flange and thereby seal the bag on the outer surface where the removable part is surrounded by the rigid cover.

In another aspect, the invention provides, optionally or additionally, the cap including a latch with a first elongated rib projecting horizontally therefrom and the flange includes a retainer with a second elongated rib projecting horizontally therefrom. In this manner, the first and second ribs removably engage one another in an interference fit to keep the lid closed, and are releasably detached from each other when the lid is opened and at least one of the first and second ribs is opened. it has a non-uniform elongated cross section.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides, optionally or additionally, the lid having a length and a width with the length being greater than the width. The lid can be defined by a horizontal perimeter and has an opening tab projecting out from the perimeter with at least 60% of the opening tab being located on either side of the dividing line located across the width of the lid at the midpoint of the length of the lid.

In other aspects, the invention provides, optionally or additionally, the hinge comprising a live hinge, the live hinge includes a central strip and a pair of elbow strips with each elbow stripe coiled on an opposite side of the central strip . In this manner, the living hinge allows the lid to move through a first open position so that moving the lid beyond the first open position requires overcoming a force created by the central strip and the pair of strips elbow, and when the force is exceeded the lid is maintained in a second open position with the lid in the second open position being at an arc greater than the arch of the lid in the first direction.

In still other aspects, the invention provides, optionally, or additionally, the cap having a first stiffness value and the flange having a second stiffness value, wherein the first stiffness value is greater than the second stiffness value.

As with the other packages of the invention, the bag and / or the rigid cover may be transparent or translucent to provide an indication of the amount of cleaning wipes remaining in the container. The bag and / or the rigid cover can be made of various polymers, copolymers and blends, including for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene and other polymers.

It should be understood that both the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide a further explanation of the claimed invention. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and constitute part of this description, are included to illustrate and provide further understanding of the packages of the invention. Along with the description, the drawings serve to explain the various aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully understood and the additional features will become more apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Equal parts of the packages shown in the drawings are mentioned by the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 representatively shows a perspective view of a flexible bag for a product such as cleaning cloths, with a removable part shown in dotted lines sealing the product inside the bag.

Figure 2 representatively shows a cross-sectional view of the cleaning cloth container illustrated in Figure 1 with a stack of cleaning cloths there, taken along line 2-2.

Figure 3 representatively shows a perspective view of an example of a container for cleaning cloths according to the present invention when a user is almost moving the lid from being closed to being open.

Figure 4 representatively shows a top view of an example of a cleaning cloth container according to the present invention.

Figure 5 representatively shows an enlarged top view of the rigid cover with the lid and the flange placed open flat to see the inside of the rigid cover (for example as one would see if the lid in figure 3 had been removed to a second position, this is to a completely open position in relation to the container).

Figure 6 representatively shows a top view of the rigid cover, with the lid and the flange placed open and flat to see the outside of the rigid cover (for example as it could be seen from below if the cover in figure 3 had been moved to a second position, that is, a completely open position in relation to the container, and without the bag connected to the flange).

Figure 7 representatively shows a view of the right side (for example where the left side view is an identical image thereof except for the opening tab) of the rigid cover in a completely open flat orientation.

Figure 8 shows an enlarged side view of the hinge 56 that is seen between the lid and the flange of the rigid cover of Figure 7.

Figure 9 representatively shows an enlarged view of the circumscribed part 9 seen in Figure 5.

Fig. 10 representatively shows an enlarged view of the circumscribed part 10 seen in Fig. 5.

Figure 11 representatively shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the lid latch seen in Figure 10 taken along line 11-11.

Fig. 12 representatively shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the lid latch seen in Fig. 10, taken along line 12-12.

Figure 13 representatively shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the rigid cover seen in Figure 3, taken along the line 13-13, and also an amplified view of the circumscribed part 13 seen in Figure 14 .

Fig. 14 representatively shows a cross-sectional view of the rigid cover seen in Fig. 3, taken along line 14-14.

Fig. 15 representatively shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the rigid cover seen in Fig. 17, taken along line 15-15.

Figure 16 representatively shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the circumscribed portion 16 seen in Figure 14.

Figure 17 representatively shows a top view of a rigid cover according to the present invention.

Figure 18 representatively shows the equipment for carrying out the rigidity value test.

Figure 19 shows an amplified view of the probe seen in Figure 18.

Figures 20-23 representatively show the results of the respective parts of a cover made in accordance with the present invention and tested according to the rigidity value test.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to solve the problems related to the storage and assortment of products such as cleaning cloths and wet cleaning cloths from the containers. As representatively illustrated through the figures, the present invention provides a storage and assortment container 20 for the product 22. The product 22 may be a variety of collapsible type articles, such as wipes, wet wipes or other where a single unit assortment is desired. The container 20 generally includes a flexible bag 30 for storing the product 22 and a rigid cover 50 for dispensing the product and then resealing the container. The bag includes a bottom portion 32 with the side portions 34 adjacent to the bottom portion and each side portion on one side of an adjacent side portion and the side portions extending outward from the bottom portion. As seen in the figures, the bag is rectangular, however this can be of a variety of other shapes as long as there is a bottom attached to at least one side (for example the side which is a cylinder). The side parts 34 are also attached to an upper part 36 with the upper part lying on the bottom part. Advantageously, the upper part may be generally parallel to the bottom part but does not require it to be. The upper part 36 includes a removable part 40 which seals the product inside the bag in a first condition (as seen in figure 1, for example before the product is stocked the first time) and that allows access to the product. product inside the bag in a second condition (for example when the removable part is removed and the rigid cover 50 is in an open condition (as will be seen in figure 5 where the shown rigid cover 50 attached to the bag 30 seen in FIG. Figures 1-4.) The removable portion 40 may be a perforated die cut oval (as seen in Figure 1), a marked material, in a variety of ways and may include a conventional resealable label. The use of the terms "superior", "bottom" and "side (s)" indicated here only establishes the placement of the various components in relation to each other and does not otherwise limit the scope of the invention.

The rigid cover 50 includes a cover 52 connected to a flange 54 by a hinge 56, seen for example, in Figures 3-7. The flange is fixed (for example as discussed further herein) to an outer surface 38 of the bag in the upper part 36 of the bag so that the rigid cover lies on the removable part 40 of the bag and the removable part is surrounded by the rigid cover on the outer surface of the bag. The rigid cover may be located partially or completely fixed to only the top 36, or a part thereof may also be fixed to a side part, provided that the bolt 60 is placed one side of the top part. The flange 54 forms a jet hole 58 through which the product can be dispensed when the lid is opened. The flange may include the reinforcement ribs 55 around the flange to stiffen the flange as desired. The cover 52 is removably positioned to be closed (for example as seen in Figures 3-4) to engage the flange and thus seal the bag on the outer surface where the removable part is surrounded by the rigid cover, and in this way sealing the bag and the product there from the outer environment of the bag after the removable part 40 is removed and no additional wiping cloths are desired during a particular assortment occasion. The cap may include an annular sealing ring 51 extending downwardly and outwardly from the inside of the cap and which is dimensioned to fit against an annular seal ring 53 extending upwardly and outwardly from the outside of the flange, to help therefore to better seal the cover to the flange when the cover is closed.

Several additional features of the »Invention will be discussed now. These features may be used individually or in combination with some or all of those discussed herein, as desired to take advantage of the invention in different ways. One of the features refers to the cover 52 and the flange 54, see for example, figures 5 and 10-13. The cap may include a latch 60 with a first elongated rib 62 projecting horizontally therefrom, and the flange may include a detent 64 with a second elongated rib 66 projecting horizontally therefrom. The first and second ribs 62 and 66, respectively, can be removably engaged with one another in an interference fit to keep the lid closed (as seen in FIG. 13) and releasably detached from each other when the lid is opened; Advantageously, at least one of the first and second ribs 62 and 66, respectively, has a non-uniform elongated cross-section (for example the non-uniform cross-section not being determined along the length of the rib). Such non-uniformity is seen as an example in Figures 10-12. In this way, for example, a gradual decreasing interference (e.g. due to the thickness and / or the amount of horizontal projection) of the rib profile provides less material on one side of the latch (e.g. the right side of FIG. 10) for therefore reduce the force necessary to overcome the interference fit ratio with the rib on the retainer. As seen in Figure 10, approximately half along the length of the latch, the rib 62 is of a uniform elongated cross section that allows, if desired, an audible means to signal the complete closure of the lid over the flange. Furthermore, in this aspect, another notable advantage for such non-uniform rib feature is a unique latch / detent relationship that allows the bolt to be peeled outwardly from the detent as the aperture tab 74 flexes the lid toward the open position, further rather than having to overcome the full latch / latch interference fit in a moment to disengage the two limbs.

The non-uniformity of the rib 62 and / or 66 can further be defined as an elongated cross-section at an angle (eg tapered) as seen in detail in Figures 11-12. Alternatively and originally, the first elongated rib of the latch can project inwardly (for example as seen in FIG. 10) relative to the perimeter of the lid in a horizontal plane of the lid and the second elongated rib of the latch can project outwardly. (for example as seen in figure 13) with respect to a perimeter of the flange in a horizontal plane of the flange. Still alternatively, or additionally, the first rib may have a non-uniform elongated cross-section (for example as seen in Figure 10) and the second rib may have a uniform elongated cross section (for example as would be seen with the rib in the figure 10 if it had the same cross section as seen in figure 11 for its full length from end to end).

Other of these features relate to the lid 52 and the opening tab 74, see for example Figures 3-5, 15 and 17. The "opening tab" is defined herein as a part of the lid that projects radially towards outside the lid from the sealing portion of the rigid cover and therefore allows a user to place at least the tips of his fingers between the projecting part and the flexible bag to help separate the flange cap when move the lid to the open position. The opening tab projects from the rigid cover 50 so that a user can more easily find it and have an identifiable lever point to open the lid. By placing the offset opening tab (for example to the left or right of the bisect line 76-76), or alternatively, a left appendix and a second appendix to the right of line 76-76) and particularly at least 60%, and more advantageously at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, and more advantageously 100% of such appendage being located, one is more able to maximize the size of the spout hole 58 to have access to the cleaning cloths and facilitate the assortment. The size of the spout hole is a function of the area (width and length) of the stack of cleaning cloths inside the bag minus manufacturing tolerances to produce the bag material, the removable part, the stack of cleaning cloths, and fix the flange to the bag. If the opening tab 74 is placed in the center of the rigid cover in a manner similar to conventional packages, the size (eg the assortment area) of the dispensing orifice is disadvantageously reduced by the length of the protruding part of the opening tab. beyond the perimeter of the lid in order to be able to maintain the perimeter of the rigid cover within the perimeter of the container, which is necessary for acceptable container manufacturing tolerances and consumer acceptance (for example, it will not open inadvertently ). Also, and without being limited to a previous operation, by placing the opening out of center, for a given force applied to the appendix, the torsional force generated to open the lid will increase. As a result of such an increase, it may be easier (for example through less effort) to open the lid.

Referring to Figure 17, the lid is defined by a length 70 and a width 72, where the length is defined as being greater than the width (for example, and the length and width are each determined as the respective sides of the rectangle. longer that can be formed around the lid in a horizontal plane of the lid). If the length and width are equal, then the dimension of either is used here as the length and the width. The lid can also be defined by a horizontal perimeter and the opening tab 74 projecting out from the perimeter. The opening tab (for example, at least the lever point created by the opening tab) may advantageously be located on either side of a dividing line located across the width of the lid at a mid-point of the length. As can be seen in Figure 17, such a dividing line for the cover 52 will be line 76-76 located across the width of the lid at the midpoint of the length. Generally, for covers of other shapes the dividing line will be determined by placing the dividing line perpendicular to the length of the cap (as the length was defined above) at the midpoint of the length. More advantageously, the opening tab (for example, at least the lever point created by the opening tab) can additionally be located on the non-hinge side of a dividing line located across the length of the lid in a midpoint of width As seen in Figure 17, such a dividing line for the cover 52 will be line 78-78 located across the length of the lid at the midpoint of the width. Generally, for covers of other shapes the dividing line will be determined by placing the dividing line perpendicular to the width of the lid at the midpoint of the width. Alternatively, or additionally, the opening tab 74 may include a bag 80 (eg, Figure 15) located between the opening tab and the outer surface adjacent thereto, which helps a user grasp the flange, when open it Alternatively, or additionally, the lid may be of a simple, essentially uniform geometric shape (eg, circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, etc.) except for the aperture tab 74 projecting toward outside the perimeter.

Another of these features relates to hinge 56, see for example, figures 5-9. Frequently it may be desirable to have a hinge that snaps open. The hinge may have a living hinge where "living hinge" is defined herein to mean a hinge formed integrally with the members that are between them. As seen in the figures, for example, such members are the cover 52 and the flange 54. The hinge may include a central strip 92 and a pair of tensioner strips 94, with each tensioner strip located on an opposite side of the central strip. Advantageously, the hinge allows the lid to be moved through a first open position (for example from about 0 degrees defined in relation to the horizontal plane, to at least about 90 degrees defined in relation to the same horizontal plane) . Then, moving the cover beyond the first open position requires overcoming a force (for example a tension release point anywhere from about 90 degrees defined in relation to the same horizontal plane at about 180 degrees defined in relation to to the same horizontal plane) created by the central strip and the pair of tensioner strips, and when the force is exceeded the cover is held in a second open position (e.g. anywhere beyond the voltage release point, for example about 135 degrees with respect to the same horizontal plane which then will allow the lid to open further by about 30 degrees) and therefore the lid in the second open position is at an arc greater than the arch of the lid in the first open position To move the lid of the second open position to be closed requires that the force be overcome in a reverse direction when the lid is moved from the first open position to the second open position.

Without wishing to be limited to such a theory of open-ended understanding which defines the first and second open positions, it is believed that it is achieved as follows, see, for example, Figures 7-9. The central strip 92 creates a pivot axis halfway between its ends connected to the cover and the flange and as such acts much like a mechanical hinge. The tensioner strips 94 are located on either side of the central strip and are located in a horizontal plane different from that of the central strip (for example seen in Figure 8 where the central strip is in a horizontal plane below a horizontal plane containing the tensioner strips). By nature of the elliptical geometry of the rigid cover, the tensioner strips extend a greater distance than the living hinge and from a side view when the cover is closed, the tensioner strips are placed further outside the perimeter of the rigid cover that the central strip. As such, when the lid is closed the tensioner strips are under moderate compression. Once the lid is opened, the horizontal pivot axis of the tensioner strips moves towards the horizontal pivot axis of the center strip. When this happens, the tensioner strips are under an increased tension and are stretched until the horizontal pivot axis of the tensioner strips moves past the horizontal pivot axis of the central strip and the horizontal pivot axis of the strips Tensioner moves to a relaxed position as originally formed. This movement produces a spring / blow action as the tension on the tensioner strips increases, reaches a maximum and then rapidly decreases through the range of motion from the cover being closed to being fully open.

More particularly, the hinge can be defined wherein at least one tensioner strip includes a pair of channels with a first channel 96 located at the first end of the strip adjacent to the cover and a second channel 98 located at the second end of the cover. pull it to the side of the flange. In this form, the tensioner strip pivots at its ends as opposed to in its middle as the central strip, which may also be advantageous for the characteristic of blow open. However, alternatively, or additionally, the complete hinge when the lid is closed, including a thickness of the adjacent lid and the flange adjacent to the hinge, may have a thickness of no more than, in order to increase the advantage of about 4. centimeters, about 3 centimeters, about 2 centimeters, about 1 centimeters or about 0.5 centimeters.

Another of these characteristics relates to a relation of the cover 52 and of the flange 54, see for example, figures 5 and 18-23. This feature can be particularly advantageous in combination with the striking opening characteristic, because the rigidity of the lid and the flange help to contribute to the reliability of the striking opening characteristic especially since the rigid cover is fixed to a flexible material like the one that forms the bag. Also, additionally or alternatively, and without being limited to a theory of operation, the rigidity of the lid and the flange, and particularly when the flange is less rigid than the lid, can help to maintain good adhesion better between the flange and flexible bag to better avoid peeling the flange out of the flexible bag when the rigid cover is opened. In this aspect, the cap may have a first stiffness value (as defined herein) and the flange may have a second stiffness value, wherein the first stiffness value is greater than the second stiffness value. The first stiffness value can be that of the cap in either an orientation of length or width, and the second stiffness value can be that of the flange in any one length or width orientation. In any of these cases, it is advantageous if the first stiffness value in at least one of the width or length dimensions of the cover is greater than the second stiffness value in at least one of the dimensions of the length or width of the flange . Additionally, or alternatively, it may be advantageous that, in order to increase the advantage, the first stiffness value may be at least two times greater than the second stiffness value or at least three times greater than the second stiffness value. Stiffness value or at least four times, five times or six times higher than the second stiffness value. The rigidity of the flange and cover is provided, for example, by the type of material used, the thickness or thickness of the component, the ratio of the solid area component to the total area (for example including spaces and holes), the configuration of the component. , and others known by those experts in the art.

Stiffness Test Method (see, for example, Figures 18-23) Sample Preparation in the order as follows: Unless otherwise indicated, all testing is done under standard TAPPI conditions. Separate the rigid cover in its two pieces at the center point of the hinge and between the cover and the flange, without changing materially the functional capacity of the rigid cover components as these would be used before being separated. The separation can be done with scissors, blade or saw, any tool or others that allow to separate the cover from the flange without damaging any of the components materially. With reference to Figure 18, the test sample 100, for example, a cover, is secured to the L-shaped support 200 and at the fixed point 150 in such a manner (for example, the use of a screw, clip etc. .,) to prevent the movement of a test sample at the fixed point except in the vertical direction as caused by the test probe and all this as to not change materially the functional capacity of rigid shell component as this would be used before to be insured. A small screw hole (no more than 1/8 inch in diameter) and with a screw can be used to secure the test sample. The fixed point is located in the range of % to 10% within the perimeter of the sample when the stiffness value was determined with respect to the width of the sample. The fixed point is located in the range of 3% to 7% within the perimeter of the sample when the stiffness value was determined with respect to the length of the sample. The distance between the fixed point 150 and the inner edge 152 of the L-shaped support 200 is 5 millimeters. The sample, when a flange, should be oriented in an upward facing direction with respect to the equipment seen in Figure 18, where the upward face of the sample is one facing away from the flexible bag when the rigid cover It is secured to the flexible bag for use. The sample, when a lid, should be oriented in a downward direction relative to the equipment seen in Figure 18 where the face downward of the sample is a face of the flexible bag when the rigid cover is secured to the bag Flexible to use and the lid is in the closed position.

The test procedure, in the order as follows: The test to be carried out on a standard voltage tester such as a MTS Sintech l / G test machine with the Software Test or s 4.07B, where MTS is known as MTS Systems Corporation, 14000 Techonology Drive, Eden Priarie, Minnesota 55344-2290. With reference to Figure 18, the L-shaped support 200 is held in the clamping jaw 300 of the tester and the test sample 100 is perpendicular to the probe 500 (for example in a horizontal plane with respect thereto). With reference to Figure 19, probe 500 made of solid aluminum has a uniform "d" diameter of 1.27 centimeters, an "A" length of 11.43 centimeters and a spherically rounded tip that is smooth to the touch. The probe has a threaded portion 520 having a length B of 1.0 centimeters. The threaded portion 420 is adapted to be screwed into a 25 Newton 400 load cell. The end of the probe 500 opposite the threaded portion 520 is rounded to a radius of 0.635 centimeters. The center of the probe 500 is aligned at a distance L of 5 millimeters inward from the edge of the test sample 100 opposite the fixed point, as shown in Figure 18. The probe 500 is then lowered until it touches the test sample 100 with a force of 1.5 grams. This establishes the starting point of the test. The crosshead speed of the probe 500 is set at 0.2 inches per minute. Probe 500 is activated so that it moves down at a speed of 0.2 inches per minute. The probe 500 is stopped after it has moved by a distance of 10 millimeters down, for example, as measured from the starting point of the test. For each run of the test, the peak slope of the load against the deflection curve over the distance of 10 millimeters is recorded on a computer using the Software TestWorks Software Version 4.07B. With the sample oriented to determine its width dimension stiffness value (for example the probe and the fixed point being on opposite edges of the sample along the 76-76 split line), the sample preparation and the procedure of test are repeated for a total of five new samples of the same part of the rigid cover (testing the same part on the rigid cover each time but doing this with a new sample, for example, a flange or cover respectively, for each of the five repetitions) and the combined results are averaged to determine the peak-tilt of the load against the deflection curves over the distance of 10 millimeters for the five samples tested. With the sample oriented to determine its length dimension stiffness value (e.g. the probe and the fixed point being on opposite edges of the sample along bisection line 78-78), the test procedure and preparation of Sample is completed using the steps indicated above.

Results: A curve of deflection against load for a flange, taken in relation to its width, is shown in figure 20. Point B represents the beginning of data collection. Point M represents the location where the first 20% of all data points in the test are collected, for example the total data points between points B and M represent the first 20% of all data points collected during the proof. Then the "tip-tilt" as used here is defined by the slope of the line BM. The inclination-peak in this example, and therefore the stiffness value of the flange in the width dimension, is 4.3 grams force per millimeters (gf / mm). A deflection curve against load for a flange, taken in relation to its length, is shown in Figure 21. The tilt-peak in this example and therefore the stiffness value of the flange in the length dimension is 2.3 gf / mm. A deflection curve against load for cover, taken in relation to its width, is shown in figure 22. The tip-tilt in this example, and therefore the stiffness value of the cover in the width dimension, is of 26.5 gf / mm. The deflection load curve for a cover, taken in relation to its length, is shown in Figure 23. The peak-tilt in this example and therefore the stiffness value of the cover in the length dimension, is 11.0 gf / mm force per millimeter (gf / millimeter). This concludes the stiffness test method.

As shown in Figures 20-23, for example, the tip-peak of the lid is greater than that for the flange, even when comparing the length to width orientation or the length orientations of the flange. For example, using the Stiffness Test Method and a rigid cover according to the invention, the peak inclination for the cover in its width orientation can be 26.5 gf / mm, while the peak inclination for the flange in its width orientation can be 4.3 gf / mm. This indicates that the rigidity value of the lid is more than six times the rigidity value of the flange.

The "fixed" relationship of the rigid cover to the bag can be made by various mechanical and chemical methods known in the art, including, but not limited to the use of glue or other bonding material, thermal bonding or welding, bonding or ultrasonic welding, or other methods of union as long as they create a permanent united relationship between the bag and the rigid cover. The rigid cover can be made by a variety of conventional techniques, including for example, injection molding, made of polypropylene and / or being a single piece with a living hinge.

The bag of the present invention can be made of various materials and in various configurations. By way of example without limitation, reference is made to the figures for some of these. The bag can be made of polyester film laminated to the polyethylene film. The polyester film can be printed on the back, so that the print is between the two layers of film. Alternatively, a single layer surface printed film may be used. A single layer film can be composed of one or more layers of polyolefin and for example formed in a coextrusion. The flexible bag with the product there can be formed by various forming, filling and sealing techniques known to those skilled in the art.

The product, for example, wiping cloths or wet cleaning cloths, can be arranged in the bag in any way which provides an assortment of one convenient and reliable at the same time and which helps cleaning cloths not to get dirty and / or not over drying. For example, cleaning cloths may be arranged in a dispenser or container as a plurality of individual sheets arranged in a stacked configuration to provide a stack of cleaning cloths which may or may not be individually folded. The cleaning cloths can be individual cleaning cloths which are folded into a fold-c, a z-fold, a quarter fold or another zig-zag fold or between bent or non-bent configurations as known to those skilled in the art. The product 22 may include a plurality of wipers stacked one on top of the other in a non-bent configuration, for a range within reach. For such cleaning cloth not between folded, each cleaning cloth is folded on itself without any part of another cleaning cloth being placed between or under any part of the folds of the adjacent cleaning cloths. These configurations for cleaning cloths, as well as those discussed herein, may be provided by means known to those skilled in the art.

Alternatively, the individual wipers can be interfolded or in other ways can be related so that the front and tail end edges of the successive cleaning wipes in the stacked configuration overlap for an "emergence" assortment. In such a configuration, the front end edge of the glue cleaning cloth is released from the pile by the glue end edge of the front cleaning cloth when the front cleaning cloth is removed by the user. Cleaning wipes can be between bent to facilitate such assortment by means known to those skilled in the art.

Still alternatively, the wiping cloths may be arranged in the bag as a continuous weave of interconnected cleaning wipes which are folded into a stacked accordion-like configuration or a roll. The individual wiping cloths may be connected together along lines of weakness, such as lines of perforations, to ensure that the glue cleaning cloth is in a position to be grasped by the user after the front wiping cloth is removed. . For example, cleaning cloths can be provided by a continuous fabric of material which has a series of lines of weakness that extend across the width of the fabric. The part of the fabric of material between the successive lines of weakness provides each individual cleansing cloth. Lines of weakness may be provided by means known to those skilled in the art such as perforations, indentations or cuts of the material fabric. For example, lines of weakness or perforations may be provided in the weaving of material by passing the fabric of material between a die cutting roll and an anvil roll. After lines of weakness have been incorporated into the fabric of material, the fabric can then be arranged in a stacked configuration for easy insertion into the bag during the formation thereof.

The container of the present invention can include any suitable number of individual wipes depending on the desired package and the final use. For example, the container can be configured to include a stack of cleaning wipes which can include at least about 5 wiping cloths and desirably from about 8 to about 320 individual cleaning wipes, and more desirably from about 16 wipes. to about 64 cleaning cloths. The size and shape of the cleaning cloth stack will depend on the size and shape of the container and vice versa.

Each wiper blade is generally rectangular in shape and defines a pair of opposite side edges and a pair of opposite end edges which may be referred to as a front end edge and a tail end edge. The front end edge of each wet cleaning diaper is typically placed in the bag under the spout that is to be gripped by a user to facilitate removal of the cleaning cloths from the container.

Suitable materials for cleaning wipes of the present invention are well known to those skilled in the art. For wet cleaning cloths, these can be made of any material suitable for use as a wet cleaning cloth, including meltblown, coform, air-laid, and bonded and knitted fabric materials, hydroentangled materials, high-strength tissue in wet and the like and may comprise synthetic or natural fibers or combinations thereof. The cleaning cloths of the different aspects of the present invention may contain a liquid which can be any solution in which it can be absorbed into the cleaning cloths, thus making them "wet cleaning cloths". The liquid contained within the wet cleaning wipes can include any suitable component which provides the desired properties in wiping cloths. For example, the components may include water, emollients, surfactants, preservatives, chelating agents, pH buffers, fragrances or combinations thereof. The liquid may also contain lotions, ointments and / or medications. The amount of liquid contained within each wet cleaning cloth may vary depending on the type of material that is being used to provide the wet cleaning cloth, the type of liquid being used, the type of container being used to store the battery. of wet cleaning cloths, and in desired final use of the wet cleaning cloth. Generally, each wet cleaning cloth can contain from about 150 to about 600 percent by weight and desirably from about 200 to about 400 percent by weight of liquid based on the dry weight of the cleaning cloth for improved cleaning .

Therefore, the different aspects and features of the present invention can provide containers for cleaning cloths which, when compared to conventional cleaning cloth containers, provide improved storage and container assortment. Such containers are particularly useful for dispensing baby wipes since the caregiver typically only has one free hand during the diapering process. Thus, packs for cleaning cloths, for example, wet cleaning cloths, of the present invention are reliably and easily opened with a hand of the caregiver's user to improve convenience and personal hygiene. Additionally, the packs of the invention can provide an assortment of cleansing cloth easier and better.

Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon achieving an understanding of the foregoing, can readily conceive alterations, variations and equivalents of these aspects. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be evaluated as that of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A storage and assortment container for products that includes: a flexible bag for storing products, the bag comprises a bottom part with side parts adjacent to the bottom part and each side part adjacent to said adjacent side part and to the side parts extending outwardly from the bottom part, the side parts also adjacent to an upper part with the upper part covering the bottom part and being generally parallel to the bottom part, and the upper part includes a removable part which seals the product inside the bag in a first condition and which allows access to the product inside the bag in a second condition; a rigid cover comprising a cover connected to a flange by a hinge, the flange being fixed to an outer surface of the bag at the top of the bag so that the rigid cover lies on the removable part of the bag and the part removable is surrounded by the rigid cover on the upper surface of the bag, - the flange forms a dispensing orifice through which the product can be dispensed when the lid is opened and the lid is removably placed to be closed to engage with the flange and therefore sealing the bag on the outer surface where the removable part is surrounded by the rigid cover; Y the cap includes a latch with a first elongated rib projecting horizontally therefrom and a flange including a retainer with a second elongated rib projecting horizontally therefrom whereby the first and second ribs removably engage each other in an interference fit for keeping the lid closed and releasably detached from one another when the lid is opened and where at least one of the first and second ribs has a non-uniform elongated cross section.

2. The container as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the non-uniform cross section comprises an elongated cross-section at an angle.

3. The container as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the first elongated rib of the latch projects inwardly with respect to a perimeter of the lid in a horizontal plane of the lid and the second elongated rib of the latch projects outwardly. in relation to a perimeter of the flange in a horizontal plane of the flange.

4. The container as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the first rib has a non-uniform elongated cross section and the second rib has a uniform elongated cross section.

5. The container as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the lid is defined by a horizontal perimeter and includes an opening tab projecting out from the perimeter.

6. The container as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that at least 60% of the opening tab is located on either side on a dividing line located across the width of the lid at a mid-point of the length.

7. A storage and assortment container for the product that includes: a flexible bag for storing the product, the bag comprises a bottom part with the side parts adjacent to the bottom part and each side part adjacent to an adjacent side part and the side parts extend outwardly from the bottom part, side portions also adjacent to an upper part with the upper part lying on the bottom part and generally parallel to the bottom part, and the upper part includes a removable part which seals the product inside the bag in a first condition and the which allows access inside the bag in a second condition; a rigid cover comprising a cover connected to a flange by a hinge, the flange being fixed to an outer surface of the bag at the top of the bag so that the rigid cover lies on the removable part of the bag and the part removable is surrounded by the rigid cover on the outer surface of the bag; the flange forms a dispensing orifice through which the product can be dispensed when the lid is opened and the lid is removably fitted to be closed to engage the flange and thus seal the bag on the outer surface where the removable part is surrounded by the rigid cover; Y the lid having a length and a width with the length being greater than the width, the lid being defined by a horizontal perimeter and an opening appendage projecting out from the perimeter with at least 60% of the opening appendix being located on any side of the dividing line located across the width of the lid at a midpoint of the length of the lid.

8. The container as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that the horizontal perimeter of the lid is defined by an essentially uniform and simple geometric shape except for the opening tab projecting out from the perimeter.

9. The container as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that the opening tab comprises a pocket located between the opening tab and the outer surface adjacent thereto.

10. The container as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that at least 60% of the opening tab is also located on a non-hinge side of the dividing line through the length of the lid at the mid-point of the width .

11. A storage and assortment container for product that includes: a flexible bag for storing the product, the bag comprises a bottom part with side parts adjacent to the bottom part and each side part adjacent to an adjacent side part and the side parts extending outward from the bottom part, the side parts also adjacent to an upper part with the upper part lying on the bottom part and being generally parallel to the bottom part, and the upper part includes a removable part which seals the product inside the bag in a first condition and which allows access to the product inside the bag in a second condition; a rigid cover comprising a cover connected to a flange by a hinge, the flange being fixed to an outer surface of the bag at the top of the bag so that the rigid cover lies on the removable part of the bag and the part removable is surrounded by the rigid cover on the outer surface of the bag; the flange forms a dispensing orifice through which the product can be stocked when the lid is open and the lid being removably fitted to be closed to engage the flange and thus seal the bag on the outer surface where the removable part is surrounded by the rigid cover; Y the hinge comprises a living hinge, the living hinge includes a central strip and a pair of tensioner strips with each tensor strip located on an opposite side of the central strip so that the living hinge allows the lid to be moved through of a first open position and wherein moving the cover beyond the first open position requires overcoming a force created by the central strip and the pair of tensioner strips and when the force is overcome the cover is held in a second position open where the lid in the second open position is at an arc greater than the arch of the lid in the first position.

12. The container as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that moving the lid from the second open to the closed position requires that the force be overcome in a reverse direction when the lid is moved from the first open position to the second position open

13. The container as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that at least one tensioner strip includes a pair of channels with a first channel located at a first end of the strip adjacent to the cover and a second channel located at a second end of the strip adjacent to the flange.

114. The container as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the complete hinge when the lid is closed, including a thickness of the adjacent lid and the flange adjacent to the hinge, has a thickness no greater than about 4 centimeters.

15. The container as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the thickness is no more than about 3 centimeters, preferably no more than about 2 centimeters, more preferably about 1 centimeter, and even more preferably no more than about 0.5 centimeters.

16. The container as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the cover has a "first stiffness value and the flange has a second stiffness value where the first stiffness value is greater than the second stiffness value.

17. A storage and assortment container for product that includes: a flexible bag for storing product, the bag comprises a bottom part with side parts adjacent to the bottom part and each side part adjacent to an adjacent side part and the side parts extend outward from the bottom part, the side parts also adjacent to an upper part with the upper part covering the bottom part and being generally parallel to the bottom part, and the upper part includes a removable part which seals the product inside the bag in a first condition and which allows accessing the product inside the bag in a second condition; the rigid cover comprises a cover connected to a flange by a hinge, the flange is fixed to an outer surface of the bag at the top of the bag so that the rigid cover lies on the removable part of the bag and the removable part it is surrounded by the upper cover on the upper surface of the bag; the flange forms a dispensing orifice through which the product can be dispensed when the lid is opened and the lid being removably placed to be closed to engage the flange and thus seal the bag on the outer surface where the removable part is surrounded by the rigid cover; Y the cap has a first stiffness value and the flange has a second stiffness value where the first stiffness value is greater than the second stiffness value.

18. The container as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that the first stiffness value is at least two times greater than the second stiffness value, or preferably the first stiffness value is at least five times higher than the second stiffness value.

19. The container as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that the lid is defined by a horizontal perimeter and includes an opening tab projecting out from the perimeter.

20. The container as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that at least 60% of the opening tab is located on either side of a dividing line located across the width of the lid at a mid-point of the length. SUMMARIZES A storage container and assortment for product. The container includes a flexible bag for storing product. A rigid cover, which has a lid connected to a flange by a hinge, and is fixed to an outer surface of the bag at the top of the bag surrounding a removable part of the bag. The flange forms a jet hole through which the product can be dispensed when the lid is opened. The lid is removably attached to seal the bag on the outer surface when the lid is closed on the flange.