US20180116472A1

US20180116472A1 - Wet wipe dispensing systems

Info

Publication number: US20180116472A1
Application number: US15/339,855
Authority: US
Inventors: Joan Felts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-10-31
Filing date: 2016-10-31
Publication date: 2018-05-03

Abstract

A wet wipe dispensing system includes a wet wipe dispensing assembly having a cylindrical body enclosure having a top-half-cylindrical-lid having a left-top-semi-circular-end-opening, and a right-top-semi-circular-end-opening, a bottom-half-cylindrical-lid, a left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, a right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, a dispensing slot, at least one hinge, and an opening-closing tab. As such, the wet wipe dispensing system comprises the wipe dispensing assembly. The wet wipe dispensing system is useful for enclosably dispensing wet wipes for use off of a roll.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of containers and more specifically relates to a wet wipe dispensing system.

2. Description of Related Art

Wet wipes can be bought in stores for private usage. In Southeast Asia, wet wipes are often sold out of refrigerators to give the wipes a refreshingly cool effect. Many adults use wet wipes in place of toilet paper. They are often dispensed in restaurants, at service stations, along with airline meals, in doctors' offices, and other similar places. They are often included as part of a standard sealed cutlery package. Wet wipes have also found a use among visitors to outdoor music festivals, particularly those who camp, as an alternative to the communal showers. The wet wipes are a preferable option to the communal facilities for which there are generally extremely long queues. At present wet wipes may not be conveniently accessible for use.
Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Patent and U.S. Publication numbers: 2013/0075416; U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,014,062; and 5,765,717. This art is representative of dispensing containers. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
Preferably, a wet wipe dispensing system should provide a more effective way for storing and using wet wipes for personal hygiene and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable wet wipe dispensing system to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known wet wipe container art, the present invention provides a novel wet wipe dispensing system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a more effective way for storing and using wet wipes for personal hygiene.
A wet wipe dispensing system is disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment, comprising: a wet wipe dispensing assembly including a cylindrical body enclosure having a top-half-cylindrical-lid having a left-top-semi-circular-end-opening, and a right-top-semi-circular-end-opening, a bottom-half-cylindrical-lid, a left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, a right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, a dispensing slot, at least one hinge, and an opening-closing tab. As such, the wet wipe dispensing system comprises the wipe dispensing assembly.
The wipe dispensing assembly comprises in functional combination the cylindrical body enclosure having the top-half-cylindrical-lid, the bottom-half-cylindrical-lid, the at least one hinge, and the opening-closing tab, the at least one hinge comprises exactly two hinges, the at least one hinge allows the top-half-cylindrical-lid, and the bottom-half-cylindrical-lid to rotate about a center-line of the at least one hinge.
The opening-closing tab comprises a two-piece-construction; the opening-closing tab comprises a male-portion and a female-portion. The top-half-cylindrical-lid comprises the left-top-semi-circular-end-opening, and the right-top-semi-circular-end-opening, the left-top-semi-circular-end-opening, and the right-top-semi-circular-end-opening located opposed to one another. The top-half-cylindrical-lid comprises a second-arcuate-wall. The bottom-half-cylindrical-lid comprises a first-arcuate-wall. The opening-closing tab is structured and arranged to open and alternately close the top-half-cylindrical-lid, and the bottom-half-cylindrical-lid.
The bottom-half-cylindrical-lid comprises the left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, and the right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening. The left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, and the right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening located opposed to one another. The bottom-half-cylindrical-lid may comprise the dispensing slot though a bottom of the bottom-half-cylindrical-lid such that wet wipes are able to be dispensed sequentially from a roll of wet wipes. The dispensing slot is structured and arranged to allow a user to tear the wet wipe from the roll along an inner edge. The wet wipes comprise perforations between sheets for convenient removal. The wet wipes, as dispensed, comprise cleaning solution in preferred embodiments.
The top-half-cylindrical-lid and the bottom-half-cylindrical-lid are able to rotate in relation to each other via at least one hinge between an open position and a closed position. The wet wipe dispensing assembly is bifurcated allowing it to be manipulated into the open-position to be loaded with the roll of the wet wipes.
The cylindrical body enclosure, when in the closed position, allows a cylindrical-member to pass horizontally through the left-top-semi-circular-end-opening, the right-top-semi-circular-end-opening, the left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, and the right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening. The wet wipe dispensing assembly is bifurcated allowing it to be manipulated into the closed-position such that the roll of the wet wipes are substantially isolated from an ambient environment. The closed position defines an inner volume within the cylindrical body enclosure. Isolation prevents drying of the wet wipes. The cylindrical-member holds the roll of the wet wipes for roll dispensing out of the dispensing slot when pulled.
The wet wipes dispensed comprise impregnated, sanitized fluid. The wet wipes are environmentally disposable. The wet wipe dispensing system is useful for enclosably dispensing the wet wipes for use off of the roll.
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a wet wipe dispensing system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, wet wipe dispensing system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a wet wipe dispensing system during an ‘in-use’ condition showing a user dispensing wet wipes according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a wet wipe dispensing assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the wet wipe dispensing assembly in relation to a wet wipe roll according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the wet wipe dispensing assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a container and more particularly to a wet wipe dispensing system as used to improve the efficiency of wet wipe dispensing and use.
Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of wet wipe dispensing system 100 comprising: wet wipe dispensing assembly 110 including cylindrical body enclosure 120 (having top-half-cylindrical-lid 122 having left-top-semi-circular-end-opening 124, and right-top-semi-circular-end-opening 126), bottom-half-cylindrical-lid 128 (having left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening 130, right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening 132, dispensing slot 160), at least one hinge 170, and opening-closing tab 180. As such, wet wipe dispensing system 100 comprises wipe dispensing assembly 110. While the shapes of the aforementioned structures are recited as the preferred embodiment, their respective description should not be construed as a limitation in the instant disclosure, as it is intended that other enclosure and opening shapes such as polygons, particularly in the nature of a square, are within the scope of the instant invention.
As shown and described, wet wipe dispensing assembly 110 comprises in functional combination cylindrical body enclosure 120 having top-half-cylindrical-lid 122, bottom-half-cylindrical-lid 128, at least one hinge 170, and opening-closing tab 180. Top-half-cylindrical-lid 122 comprises left-top-semi-circular-end-opening 124, and right-top-semi-circular-end-opening 126, left-top-semi-circular-end-opening 124, and right-top-semi-circular-end-opening 126 located opposed to one another. Bottom-half-cylindrical-lid 128 comprises left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening 130; and right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening 132, left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening 130, and right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening 132 located opposed to one another.
Bottom-half-cylindrical-lid 128 comprises dispensing slot 160, as shown, though a bottom of bottom-half-cylindrical-lid 128 such that wet wipes 190 are able to be dispensed sequentially from a roll of wet wipes 190.
Top-half-cylindrical-lid 122 and bottom-half-cylindrical-lid 128 are able to rotate in relation to each other via at least one hinge 170 between an open position and a closed position. Cylindrical body enclosure 120, when in closed position, allows a cylindrical-member to pass horizontally through left-top-semi-circular-end-opening 124, right-top-semi-circular-end-opening 126, left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening 130, and right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening 132. Cylindrical-member holds roll of wet wipes 190 for roll dispensing out of dispensing slot 160 when pulled.
Opening-closing tab 180 is structured and arranged to open and alternately close top-half-cylindrical-lid 122, and bottom-half-cylindrical-lid 128. Wet wipe dispensing system 100 is useful for enclosably dispensing (sequentially) wet wipes 190 for use off of a roll. Dispensing slot 160 is structured and arranged to allow a user to tear wet wipe from roll along an inner edge.
Wet wipes 190, as dispensed, may comprise cleaning solution. Wet wipes 190 dispensed may comprise impregnated, sanitized fluid or other such desired fluids. Wet wipes 190 comprise perforations between sheets for convenient removal. Wet wipes 190 are environmentally disposable in preferred embodiments.
Opening-closing tab 180 comprises a two-piece-construction in preferred embodiments; however other embodiments may comprise more or less piece-constructions. Opening-closing tab 180 preferably comprises a male-portion and a female-portion. Wet wipe dispensing assembly 110 is bifurcated allowing it to be manipulated into open-position to be loaded with roll of wet wipes 190.
Wet wipe dispensing assembly 110 is bifurcated allowing it to be manipulated into closed-position such that roll of wet wipes 190 are substantially isolated from an ambient environment. Isolation prevents drying of wet wipes 190 which is desirable. At least one hinge 170 allows top-half-cylindrical-lid 122, and bottom-half-cylindrical-lid 128 to rotate about a center-line of at least one hinge 170. At least one hinge 170 comprises exactly two hinges in preferred embodiments. Bottom-half-cylindrical-lid 128 comprises a first-arcuate-wall. Top-half-cylindrical-lid 122 comprises a second-arcuate-wall. Closed position defines an inner volume within cylindrical body enclosure 120.
A method of use for wet wipe dispensing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of inserting a roll of wet wipes 190 on a spindle (toilet paper roller) or the like for rolling sequentially, placing an end sheet of wet wipes 190 through dispensing slot 160, pulling wet wipes 190 for use. Once wet wipes 190 have been depleted to no sheets left another roll of wet wipes 190 may be inserted for use.
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A wet wipe dispensing system comprising:

a wet wipe dispensing assembly including,

a cylindrical body enclosure having,

a top-half-cylindrical-lid having,

a left-top-semi-circular-end-opening, and

a right-top-semi-circular-end-opening,

a bottom-half-cylindrical-lid,

a left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening,

a right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, and

a dispensing slot,

at least one hinge, and

opening-closing tab, said opening-closing tab oriented along a portion of a longitudinal length of the cylindrical body enclosure,

wherein said wipe dispensing assembly comprise in functional combination said cylindrical body enclosure having said top-half-cylindrical-lid, said bottom-half-cylindrical-lid, said at least one hinge, and said opening-closing tab,

wherein said top-half-cylindrical-lid comprises said left-top-semi-circular-end-opening, and said right-top-semi-circular-end-opening, said left-top-semi-circular-end-opening, and said right-top-semi-circular-end-opening located opposed to one another,

wherein said bottom-half-cylindrical-lid comprises said left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, and said right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, said left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, and said right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening located opposed to one another,

wherein said bottom-half-cylindrical-lid comprises said dispensing slot though a bottom of said bottom-half-cylindrical-lid such that wet wipes are able to be dispensed sequentially from a roll of said wet wipes,

wherein said opening-closing tab is structured and arranged to open and alternately close said top-half-cylindrical-lid and said bottom-half-cylindrical-lid along the portion of the longitudinal length of said cylindrical body enclosure,

wherein said cylindrical body enclosure when in said closed position is configured to allow a cylindrical-member to pass horizontally through said left-top-semi-circular-end-opening, said right-top-semi-circular-end-opening, said left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, and said right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, and

wherein said wet wipe dispensing system is useful for enclosably dispensing said wet wipes for use off of said roll.

2. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said dispensing slot is structured and arranged to allow a user to tear said wet wipe from said roll along an inner edge.

3. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said wet wipes as dispensed comprise cleaning solution.

4. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said wet wipes dispensed comprise impregnated, sanitized fluid.

5. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said wet wipes comprise perforations between sheets for convenient removal.

6. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said wet wipes are environmentally disposable.

7. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said opening-closing tab comprises a two-piece-construction.

8. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 7 wherein said opening-closing tab comprises a male-portion and a female-portion.

9. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said wet wipe dispensing assembly is bifurcated allowing it to be manipulated into said open-position to be loaded with said roll of said wet wipes.

10. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said wet wipe dispensing assembly is bifurcated allowing it to be manipulated into said closed-position such that said roll of said wet wipes are substantially isolated from an ambient environment.

11. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 10 wherein isolation prevents drying of said wet wipes.

12. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said at least one hinge allows said top-half-cylindrical-lid, and said bottom-half-cylindrical-lid to rotate about a center- line of said at least one hinge.

13. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 12 wherein said at least one hinge comprises exactly two hinges.

14. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said bottom-half-cylindrical-lid comprises a first-arcuate-wall.

15. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said top-half-cylindrical-lid comprises a second-arcuate-wall.

16. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said closed position defines an inner volume within said cylindrical body enclosure.

17. A wet wipe dispensing system comprising:

a wet wipe dispensing assembly including,

a cylindrical body enclosure having,

a top-half-cylindrical-lid having,

a left-top-semi-circular-end-opening, and

a right-top-semi-circular-end-opening,

a bottom-half-cylindrical-lid,

a left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening,

a right-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, and

a dispensing slot,

at least one hinge, and

wherein said at least one hinge comprises exactly two hinges,

wherein said at least one hinge allows said top-half-cylindrical-lid, and said bottom-half-cylindrical-lid to rotate about a center-line of said at least one hinge, wherein said opening-closing tab comprises a two-piece-construction,

wherein said opening-closing tab comprises a male-portion and a female-portion,

wherein said top-half-cylindrical-lid comprises a second-arcuate-wall,

wherein said bottom-half-cylindrical-lid comprises a first-arcuate-wall,

wherein said dispensing slot is structured and arranged to allow a user to tear said wet wipe from said roll along an inner edge,

wherein said wet wipes comprise perforations between sheets for convenient removal,

wherein said wet wipes, as dispensed, comprise cleaning solution,

wherein said top-half-cylindrical-lid and said bottom-half-cylindrical-lid are able to rotate in relation to each other via at least one hinge between an open position and a closed position,

wherein said wet wipe dispensing assembly is bifurcated allowing it to be manipulated into said open-position to be loaded with said roll of said wet wipes,

wherein said cylindrical body enclosure when in said closed position allows a cylindrical-member to pass horizontally through said left-top-semi-circular-end-opening, said right-top- semi-circular-end-opening, said left-bottom-semi-circular-end-opening, and said right- bottom-semi-circular-end-opening,

wherein said wet wipe dispensing assembly is bifurcated allowing it to be manipulated into said closed-position such that said roll of said wet wipes are substantially isolated from an ambient environment,

wherein said closed position defines an inner volume within said cylindrical body enclosure,

wherein isolation prevents drying of said wet wipes,

wherein said opening-closing tab is structured and arranged to open and alternately close said top-half-cylindrical-lid, and said bottom-half-cylindrical-lid along the portion of the longitudinal length of said cylindrical body enclosure, said opening-closing tab positioned at a midpoint relative to the cylindrical body longitudinal length,

wherein said wet wipe dispensing system is useful for enclosably dispensing said wet wipes for use off of said roll,

wherein said wet wipes dispensed comprise impregnated, sanitized fluid, and

wherein said wet wipes are environmentally disposable.

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. The wet wipe dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said top-half-cylindrical-lid and said bottom-half-cylindrical-lid are able to rotate in relation to each other via at least one hinge between an open position and a closed position.