WO2014170784A1 - Distributeur de lingettes présentant une stabilité accrue - Google Patents

Distributeur de lingettes présentant une stabilité accrue Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014170784A1
WO2014170784A1 PCT/IB2014/060387 IB2014060387W WO2014170784A1 WO 2014170784 A1 WO2014170784 A1 WO 2014170784A1 IB 2014060387 W IB2014060387 W IB 2014060387W WO 2014170784 A1 WO2014170784 A1 WO 2014170784A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
wipes
lid
tip test
stability value
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2014/060387
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert M. HILL
Robert Schlaupitz
Ryan L. Fulscher
Kevin C. POSSELL
Kroy D. Johnson
Original Assignee
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. filed Critical Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Priority to EP14785059.8A priority Critical patent/EP2986538A4/fr
Priority to KR1020157031462A priority patent/KR20150141986A/ko
Priority to BR112015025338A priority patent/BR112015025338A2/pt
Priority to AU2014255379A priority patent/AU2014255379A1/en
Priority to CN201480018240.2A priority patent/CN105102341A/zh
Priority to MX2015013891A priority patent/MX2015013891A/es
Publication of WO2014170784A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014170784A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/42—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked
    • A47K10/426—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked dispensing from the front or sides of the dispenser
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/16—Paper towels; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/18—Holders; Receptacles
    • A47K10/185—Holders for boxes of tissue
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
    • A47K10/38—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge
    • A47K10/3809—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge with roll spindles which are not directly supported
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K2010/3266—Wet wipes

Definitions

  • Personal care products specifically wipes
  • Wet wipes can be moistened with a variety of suitable wiping solutions.
  • Such wet wipes have been designed for end uses including, but not limited to, baby wipes, hand wipes, household cleaning wipes, industrial wipes, and the like.
  • the dispensing containers are rectangular shaped and are configured to store the wet wipes in a stacked configuration in a horizontal orientation or the dispensing containers are cylindrical in shape and configured to store the wipes in a rolled configuration in a vertical orientation.
  • the wipes can be in a folded configuration, such as a c-folded, z-folded or quarter-folded configuration, or other configurations as are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the folded wet wipes have also been interfolded with the wet wipes immediately above and below in the stack of wet wipes.
  • the wipes When the wipes are stored in a rolled configuration, the wipes have commonly been placed in containers in the form of a continuous web of material in a roll and is stored in the cylindrical dispenser in a vertical orientation. Such continuous webs often include perforations to separate the individual wet wipes.
  • these conventional wet wipes packages have generally provided a plastic container, tub, or package which provides a sealed environment for the wet wipes to ensure that they do not become dirty and/or to inhibit a reduction of moisture.
  • Some containers have a lid that is opened by pressing a button on top of the container to disengage a latch and provide access to the wipes.
  • the lid is configured to remain open to allow the consumer access to dispense one or more wipes from the container. After completing the desired dispensing, a consumer is required to shut the lid on the container to protect the wipes from dirt and other debris in the environment, and in the context of wet wipes, to provide a seal to retain the moisture properties of the wipes.
  • latches and latching mechanisms that are common to conventional containers, present a potential to not be fully engaged, and thus, not provide the proper protection from the surrounding elements and not form the desired seal, including when the consumer may believe that such latching mechanism has engaged and formed a proper seal.
  • the conventional containers which contain wipes have typically been designed to be positioned on a flat surface such as a countertop, table, flat workstation, toilet tank lid, or the like.
  • the consumer may desire to open the lid of the container, dispense the necessary amount of wipes, and close the lid of the container with one hand without removing the container from the flat surface.
  • Some of the conventional containers do not allow such operation, and even in the containers which do allow it, such containers may become unstable during the opening of the lid, the dispensing of the wipes, or the closing of the lid.
  • Such storage concerns may present difficulties in opening the lid, dispensing the wipes, or closing of the lid as desired.
  • the wipes In the dispensers storing the wipes in a stacked configuration and in a horizontal orientation, the wipes are often placed in a horizontal position with a parallel dispensing partition above the stack so that the wipes are dispensed in an upward fashion. While this design has proven dispensing performance, it requires a large space footprint when freestanding and limits wall mounting opportunities.
  • a container for storing wipes that can be dispensed by a consumer includes a container body.
  • the container body can define an interior cavity for storing the wipes.
  • the container can further include a lid.
  • the lid is configured to move between an open position and a closed position.
  • the open position can provide access to dispense the plurality of wipes stored within the interior cavity of the container body.
  • the closed position can hinder access to the interior cavity of the container body.
  • the container can exhibit a Stability Value greater than about 24 on a Tip Test when the container is oriented in a forward facing direction or a rear facing direction during the Tip Test.
  • a container for storing wipes that can be dispensed by a consumer.
  • the container includes a container body.
  • the container body can define an interior cavity for storing the wipes.
  • the container can further include a lid.
  • the lid is configured to move between an open position and a closed position.
  • the open position can provide access to dispense the plurality of wipes stored within the interior cavity of the container body.
  • the closed position can hinder access to the interior cavity of the container body.
  • the container can exhibit a Stability Value greater than about 30 on a Tip Test when the container is oriented in a side facing direction during the Tip Test.
  • a container for storing wipes that can be dispensed by a consumer includes a container body.
  • the container body can define an interior cavity for storing the wipes.
  • the container body can include a bottom wall, a midsection, and a top wall.
  • the top wall can include a dispensing aperture.
  • the container can further include a lid.
  • the lid is configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The open position can provide access to the dispensing aperture to dispense the plurality of wipes stored within the interior cavity of the container body.
  • the closed position can hinder access to the dispensing aperture.
  • the lid can include a top surface that is angled such that a first maximum height of the container at a front portion of the container is greater than a second maximum height of the container at a rear portion of the container to prevent tipping of the container towards the rear portion of the container.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary wipes container.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the wipes container of Figure 1 with the lid opened.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a front perspective view of the wipes container of Figure 1 with both the lid opened and the top wall of the container base opened showing a plurality of wipes in a stacked fashion in a vertical orientation.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a front elevational view of the wipes container of Figure 1.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a side elevational view of the wipes container of Figure 1.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a rear elevational view of the wipes container of Figure 1.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a top plan view of the wipes container of Figure 1.
  • Figure 8 illustrates a side elevational view of the wipes container of Figure 1 with the wipes container being placed on a flat surface with the rear portion located against a vertical wall and the lid partially opened.
  • Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional, detailed view taken along line 9-9 in Figure 7 with the lid being in a closed position.
  • Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional, detailed view taken along line 10-10 in Figure 9.
  • Figure 1 1 illustrates a cross-sectional, detailed view similar to Figure 9, but with the lid being in a partially open position.
  • Figure 12 illustrates a cross-sectional, detailed view similar to Figure 9, but with the lid being in an open position.
  • Figure 13 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary Tip Test apparatus to perform a Tip Test on the wipes container of Figure 1, with the wipes container being oriented in a forward facing direction.
  • Figure 14 illustrates a bottom perspective view of some of the exemplary equipment of the exemplary Tip Test apparatus of Figure 13.
  • Figure 15 illustrates a side perspective view of the tiltable member of the exemplary Tip Test apparatus being tilted during an exemplary Tip Test.
  • Figure 16 illustrates a detailed view taken along line 16-16 in Figure 15.
  • Figures 1-12 illustrate a container 10 for storing personal care products, such as a plurality of wipes 12.
  • the container 10 includes a container body 14 and a lid 16.
  • the container body 14 can include a bottom wall 18, a midsection 20, and a top wall 22.
  • the container body 14 can define an interior cavity 24 for storing the plurality of wipes 12.
  • the plurality of wipes 12 can be stored in the interior cavity 24 in a stacked fashion and in a vertical orientation. It is contemplated, however, that the container body 14 can alternatively be configured to store the plurality of wipes 12 in a rolled fashion and/or in a horizontal orientation, as is known in the art.
  • the container 10 can have a generally rectangular shaped profile as shown in the embodiment in Figures 1-12.
  • the midsection 20 of the container body 14 can include a front wall 26 located in a front portion 28 of the container 10, a rear wall 30 located in a rear portion 32 of the container 10, and two side walls 34, 36 located in between the front wall 26 and rear wall 30.
  • the front wall 26 is opposite from the rear wall 30 and the side walls 34, 36 are opposite from one another.
  • the container 10 may be configured in other profiles, including, but not limited to, generally cylindrical profiles.
  • the midsection 20 can be considered to be a unitary segment, rather than having a specific front wall 26, rear wall 30, and side walls 34, 36.
  • the container body 14 can include a dispensing aperture 38 in the top wall 22 of the container body 14.
  • a portion of the top wall 22, particularly near the dispensing aperture 38, can be manufactured from a thin, rubber-like, anti-slip material.
  • the bottom wall 18 or a portion thereof can also be manufactured from a thin, rubber-like, anti-slip material.
  • flexible rubber-like materials used in the container of the present disclosure include thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) materials that can be used to provide acceptable dispensing. Materials which can be employed include (but are not limited to): any of the family of styrenic -based TPE's (i.e.
  • styrenic block copolymer compounds styrenic-based TPE's containing rubber modifiers such as KratonTM, SantopreneTM, or other rubber modifiers; specialty copolymers, such as ethylene- methyl acrylate copolymers (e.g. EMACTM of the Eastman Chemical Company); thermoset rubbers; polyurethane; alloys; amides; engineering TPE's; olefinic -based; olefinic vulcanizates; polyester-based; polyurethane-based.
  • rubber modifiers such as KratonTM, SantopreneTM, or other rubber modifiers
  • specialty copolymers such as ethylene- methyl acrylate copolymers (e.g. EMACTM of the Eastman Chemical Company)
  • thermoset rubbers polyurethane; alloys; amides; engineering TPE's; olefinic -based; olefinic vulcanizates; polyester-based; polyurethane-based.
  • the dispensing aperture 38 is shown as a sinusoidal -type aperture in the top wall 22 of the container body 14 and in the front portion 28 of the container 10 near the front wall 26, however, the dispensing aperture 38 is not intended to be limited to such a configuration or location on the container 10.
  • the dispensing aperture 38 can assist a consumer in the dispensing of an individual wipe from the plurality of wipes 12 by providing friction to the leading wipe from the plurality of wipes 12 as it is pulled through the dispensing aperture 38.
  • This friction can help the consumer withdraw only a single wipe from the plurality of wipes 38, as is known in the art, whether the plurality of wipes 12 are in a stacked or rolled configuration and/or perforated in the various configurations known by one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the wipes can be stored in the interior cavity 24 in a stacked configuration and in a vertical orientation.
  • a vertical orientation means that the plurality of wipes 12 are stacked so that the end edges of each individual wipe that form the plurality of wipes 12 are oriented toward the bottom wall 18 more so than the midsection 20 of the container body 14.
  • the end edges referred to herein could be a cut edge or a folded edge of each wipe of the plurality of wipes 12, depending on the configuration in which the plurality of wipes 12 are stored.
  • the container can include a support partition 40 that is designed for the plurality of wipes 12 to rest against.
  • the plurality of wet wipes 12 stored in the container are wet wipes that can be used for baby wipes, flushable moist wipes, household cleaning wipes, industrial wipes, and other wiping applications and end uses.
  • Materials suitable for the wipes 12 of the present disclosure are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • wet wipes these can be made from any material suitable for use as a moist wipe, including meltblown, coform, air-laid, bonded-carded web materials, hydroentangled materials, high wet-strength tissue, and the like, and can comprise synthetic or natural fibers, or combinations thereof.
  • the wipes can contain a liquid which can be any solution that can be absorbed into the wipes, thus making them "wet wipes.”
  • the liquid absorbed into the wipes can include any suitable components that provide the desired wiping properties.
  • the components can include water, emollients, surfactants, preservatives, chelating agents, pH buffers, fragrances, or combinations thereof.
  • the liquid can contain lotions, ointments and/or medicaments.
  • the amount of liquid contained within each wet wipe can vary depending upon the type of material being used to provide the wet wipe, the type of liquid being used, the type of container being used to store the stack of wet wipes, and the desired end use or intended application of the wet wipe.
  • each wet wipe can contain from about 15 to about 600 weight percent and desirably from about 200 to about 400 weight percent liquid based on the dry weight of the wipe for improved wiping functionality.
  • the lid 16 can include a top surface 17 that is angled toward the front portion 28 of the container 10. As shown in Figures 1-3, and as will be described in further detail below with respect to Figures 9-13, the lid 16 is configured to open and close by moving between an open position and a closed position. When the lid 16 is in an open position, as illustrated in Figure 2, the lid 16 can provide access to the plurality of wipes 12. In Figure 2, a consumer can access the wipes 12 via the dispensing aperture 38 in the top wall 22, which may hold the leading edge 12a (as shown in Figure 8) of the next successive wipe in the stack of wipes 12. Additionally, if both the lid 16 and the top wall 22 of the container body 14 are in an open position, as illustrated in Figure 3, a consumer also has access to the plurality of wipes 12 and can replenish the container 10 with a plurality of wipes 12 as desired.
  • the container 10 can be configured to store the wipes 12 in any manner which provides convenient and reliable one at a time dispensing and which assists the wipes in not becoming dirty and/or overly dry.
  • the wipes may be individual wipes which are folded in a c-fold, z-fold, quarter fold, or other zigzag fold, or interfolded or non-interfolded configurations as are known to those skilled in the art.
  • the individual wipes can be interfolded or in other ways related such that the leading and trailing end edges of successive wipes in the stacked configuration overlap, for "pop-up" dispensing.
  • the leading end edge of the trailing wipe is loosened from the stack by the trailing end edge of the leading wipe as the leading wipe is removed by the user.
  • the wipes can be interfolded to facilitate such dispensing by means known to those skilled in the art.
  • the wipes can be arranged in the dispenser as a continuous web of interconnected wipes which are folded in an accordion-like stacked configuration or a roll.
  • the individual wipes can be connected together along lines of frangibility, such as lines of perforations, to ensure that the trailing wipe is in position for grasping by the user after the leading wipe is removed.
  • the wipes can be provided by a continuous web of material which has a series of lines of frangibility extending across the width of the web. The portion of the web of material between successive lines of frangibility provides each individual wipe.
  • the lines of frangibility can be provided by means known to those skilled in the art such as perforations, indentations or cuts in the web of material.
  • the lines of frangibility or perforations can be provided in the web of material by passing the web of material between a die cutter roll and anvil roll. After the lines of frangibility have been incorporated into the web of material, the web can then be arranged in a stacked or rolled configuration for easy insertion into the dispenser.
  • the container 10 can store any suitable number of individual wipes.
  • the container 10 can be configured to include at least about 5 wipes and desirably from about 8 to about 320 individual wipes, and more desirably from about 16 to about 80 wipes.
  • the container 10 and the interrelation of its components can be referred to in terms of dimensions of "height,” “width,” and “depth.” These terms are not meant to be limiting in terms of orientation, but are merely helpful for discussing the relative dimensions of the exemplary container 10 and its components.
  • Figure 1 provides a three dimensional axes in which "height” is measured in the axis denoted as “H,” “width” is measured in the axis denoted as “W,” and depth is measured in the axis denoted as "D.”
  • the container 10 can include a minimum container width 42, shown in Figures 4 and 6, and a maximum container width 44, shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7.
  • the container 10 can include a minimum container depth 46, shown in Figure 5, and a maximum container depth 48, shown in Figures 5 and 7.
  • the container 10 also has a maximum container height 49, measured as the greatest distance between the bottom wall 18 and the lid 16 of the container 10, as shown in Figure 5. Because the top surface 17 of the lid 16 is angled towards the front portion 28 of the container 10, the maximum container height 49 is in the front portion 28 of the container 10 and is greater than the height 51 of the container 10 at a rear portion 32 of the container 10.
  • the bottom wall 18 can include a maximum bottom wall width 50, shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, and a maximum bottom wall depth 52, shown in Figures 5 and 7.
  • the maximum bottom wall width 50 is equivalent to the maximum container width 44
  • the maximum bottom wall depth 52 is equivalent to the maximum container depth 48.
  • the lid 16 can include a maximum lid width 54, shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, and a maximum lid depth 56, shown in Figures 5 and 7.
  • the exemplary container 10 is structurally configured to provide certain dimensional height, width, and/or depth dimensional relationships between the container 10 and its components to provide certain benefits.
  • the maximum bottom wall depth 52 is greater than the minimum container depth 46.
  • the maximum lid depth 56 is greater than the minimum container depth 46.
  • Each of these relationships provides increased ability for a consumer to hold the container 10 and/or open the lid 16 of the container 10 to dispense or refill wipes.
  • the maximum lid depth 56 is less than the maximum bottom wall depth 52.
  • the maximum bottom wall depth 52 also provides the maximum container depth 48. This helps to lower the center of gravity of the container 10, which improves the stability of the container 10 during use and/or if the container 10 is unintentionally contacted when resting on a surface.
  • the maximum bottom wall width 50 is greater than the minimum container width 42.
  • the maximum lid width 54 is also greater than the minimum container width 42. Similar to the depth relationships noted above, these relationships each provide increased ability for a consumer to hold the container 10 and/or open the lid 16 of the container 10 to dispense or refill wipes. Furthermore, the maximum lid width 54 is less than the maximum bottom wall width 50 and the maximum bottom wall width 50 is equivalent to the maximum container width 44. These configurations provide the container 10 with a lower center of gravity to provide enhanced stability.
  • the maximum container height 49 occurs in the front portion 28 of the container 10, as opposed to the rear portion 32 of the container 10, due to the angled top surface 17 of the lid 16. This provides that the center of gravity may be closer to the front portion 28 of the container 10 than the rear portion 32 of the container 10, which may help prevent tipping of the container 10 towards the rear portion 32 of the container 10 should the container 10 be contacted in a front portion 28 of the container 10 when a consumer contacts the lid 16 to rotate the lid 16 to the open position.
  • the wipes 12 are stacked in a vertical orientation with the maximum height of the container 49 being greater than the maximum container width 44 and the maximum container depth 48. This provides a smaller footprint for the container 10, which may be especially advantageous where space is limited on work surface, countertops, toilet tank lids, and other areas where such containers 10 may be kept, depending on the intended end use.
  • the container 10 as described above is placed on a surface 58.
  • the lid 16 of the container 10 can still open sufficiently to provide access to a leading edge 12a of the next successive wipe in the plurality of wipes 12.
  • the lid 16 is still able to open sufficiently because the maximum lid depth 56 is less than a maximum container depth 48.
  • a gap 64 is provided between the lid 16 and the wall 60 that allows the lid 16 to open sufficiently to provide access to the wipes 12 without having to move the container 10 away from the wall 60.
  • the low profile of the angled top surface 17 of the lid 16 in the rear portion 32 provides more clearance between the lid 16 and the wall 60 when the lid 16 rotates towards the open position.
  • the lid 16 is hingedly coupled to a rear portion 32 of the container 10.
  • a rear segment 68 of the lid 16 is coupled to a hinge pin 66.
  • the hinge pin 66 is journaled on each of its ends in receiver portions 70 defined by the rear wall 30 of the container 10.
  • the top wall 22 is also hingedly coupled to the hinge pin 66 and can rotate with respect to the midsection 20 about the hinge axis 62 defined by the hinge pin 66.
  • the container 10 includes a slot 72 in the rear wall 30 of the midsection 20.
  • the slot 72 is configured to receive an elastic element 74 and a plunger 76.
  • the plunger 76 has a proximal end 76a and a distal end 76b.
  • the distal end 76b of the plunger 76 engages the elastic element 74.
  • the elastic element 74 can be compressed and loaded during installation of the plunger 76 in the slot 74, and can remain compressed and loaded when the lid 16 is in the closed position as shown in Figure 9, as well as when the lid 16 is in the open position, as shown in Figure 12. While the elastic element 74 is shown as a solid component capable of elastic deformation, a coil spring or other suitable elastic component can alternatively be used.
  • a bottom portion 78 of the rear segment 68 of the lid 16 engages the proximal end 76a of the plunger 76.
  • the bottom portion 78 is rounded.
  • a line 90 drawn perpendicular to the proximal end 76a of the plunger 76 and passing through the center of the hinge pin 66 establishes how the linear forces of the elastic element 74 and plunger 76 will be translated to a rotational movement of the bottom portion 78 of the lid 16. Because the contact between the proximal end 76a of the plunger 76 and the bottom portion 78 of the lid 16 is to the right of the intersection of line 90 and the proximal end 76a of the plunger 76 at point 92 (as shown in Figure 10), the elastic element 74 applies a force to the lid 16 to urge the lid 16 to move in rotational direction 80 to keep the lid 16 in the closed position.
  • the top wall 22 can include a raised rib 82 around a substantial portion of the perimeter of the top wall 22, which in the exemplary embodiment, is composed of TPE. Therefore, when the lid 16 is in the closed position, the raised rib 82 can sealingly engage an inner surface 84 of the lid 16, the sealing engagement being strengthened by the force the elastic element 74 applies to urge the lid 16 to the closed position.
  • this urging force to keep the lid 16 in the closed position and to seal the lid 16 against the top wall 22 is completed without a traditional latching mechanism, such as the latch 88 used to close the top wall 22 to the front wall 26 of the midsection 20.
  • the elastic element 74 can automatically urge the lid 16 of the container 10 to the closed position to assist a consumer in closing the lid 16.
  • the rotational forces and camming action of the bottom portion 78 of the rear segment 68 of the lid 16 against the proximal end 76a of the plunger functions in a similar, but opposite, manner. Initially, the consumer applies a force to the lid 16 in rotational direction 80 sufficient to overcome the force applied to the bottom portion 78 of the lid 16 in rotational direction 86.
  • the elastic element 74 provides a force to the plunger 76 which urges the lid 16 to rotate in rotational direction 80 to a closed position, as illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.
  • the lid 16 of the exemplary embodiment can rotate approximately 90° between the closed position and the open position, with the angle of rotation a being defined by the intersection of a line 94 parallel to the rear segment 68 of the lid 16 and a line 96 parallel to the proximal end 76a of the plunger 76, as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.
  • the angle of rotation a is equal to about 90° and when the lid 16 is in the open position the angle of rotation a is equal to about 0°.
  • the configuration of the lid 16, elastic element 74, and plunger 76 are such that the lid 16 is urged to the closed position when the lid 16 is in a first range of positions between the open position and the closed position and the lid 16 of the container 10 is urged to the open position when the lid 16 is in a second range of positions between the open position and the closed position.
  • the location of contact between the bottom portion 78 of the lid 16 and the proximal end 76a of the plunger 76 relative to point 92 on the proximal end 76a of the plunger 76 defines whether the elastic element 74 will urge the lid 16 in a rotational direction 80 towards a closed position, or in rotational direction 86 towards an open position.
  • point 92 serves as a transition point for the urging force that is translated to the lid 16 by the elastic element 74.
  • the transition point 92 occurs when the angle of rotation a is equal to about 50°.
  • This configuration provides the benefit that once the consumer rotates the lid 16 to an angle of rotation a of greater than about 50°, the lid 16 is urged to the closed position even if the consumer stops applying any force to the lid 16.
  • the lid 16 essentially closes itself and forms a reliable moisture seal for the container 10. This will help to prevent the wet wipes 12 from drying out, as is the case with a traditional latch if the latch is not completely engaged.
  • this configuration provides the benefit that once the user rotates the lid 16 to an angle of rotation in the rotation a of less than about 50°, the lid 16 essentially opens itself and remains open. This provides the benefit of allowing the consumer to not have to hold the lid 16 open while dispensing a wipe from the plurality of wipes 12 or performing other activities.
  • the point 92 from where the elastic element 74 applies a force to the plunger 76 that urges the lid 16 to a closed position and applies a force to the plunger 76 that urges the lid 16 to an open position can vary. It is not intended that this transition between urging the lid 16 closed and urging the lid 16 open be limited to an angle of rotation a of about 50°, as shown in embodiment described herein, or even to a transition point 92 that occurs based on rotational location. Rather, the configuration in the embodiment described herein and illustrated in Figures 1-12 is merely a preferable, non- limiting configuration.
  • the container 10 is configured to urge the lid 16 to the closed position and can also be configured to urge the lid 16 to the open position, depending on the particular position of the lid 16.
  • the term "urging" or “urged” with respect to the lid 16 of the container 10 is meant to encompass any type of active force, whether direct or indirect, that is provided by the container 10 to at least attempt to cause the lid 16 to change position, independent of the force of gravity and/or any force applied to the container 10 by a consumer.
  • the force provided by the container 10 to cause the lid 16 to change position towards the closed and/or open position can be less than the force of gravity, equal to the force of gravity, or greater than the force of gravity.
  • the container 10 can be configured, such as in the preferred embodiment described herein, where the force of gravity is additive to the force that the container 10 provides to urge the lid 16 to the closed position.
  • the container 10 can also be configured such that the force of gravity could also be additive to the force that the container 10 provides to urge the lid to the open position.
  • the structural configuration of the container 10 provides the container 10 with increased stability. This property is beneficial in that the container is less likely to tip over in the circumstance that a consumer loses grip on the container or the container 10 is inadvertently contacted when it is standing on a surface 58, especially where the container 10 discussed above is configured to store wipes 12 in a vertical orientation.
  • the bottom wall 18 can include TPE or another rubber-like material, however, the structural configuration alone can provide benefits in stability over prior art containers configured to store wipes 12 in a vertical orientation.
  • a Tip Test was conducted for the container 10 as well as for other containers configured to store wipes in a vertical orientation.
  • the Tip Test was configured based on ASTM D6179- 07, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Specifically, Test Method F in ASTM D6179-07 discloses a Tip Test that determines whether a filled container will tip over when tilted to a predetermined angle. The Tip Test provides useful indicia quantifying the stability of the container while storing its intended contents.
  • the Tip Test apparatus 100 used for performing the Tip Test described herein is illustrated in Figures 13-16.
  • the Tip Test apparatus 100 includes a support structure 102, a pivot arm 104, a tiltable member 106, and a protractor 108.
  • a container 10 is positioned on a top surface 107 of the tiltable member 106 when performing the Tip Test.
  • the support structure 102 is coupled to a structure 110, such as a lab bench, such that the support structure 102 remains fixed.
  • a thin sheet of a rubber-like, anti-slip material (not shown), such as TPE, can be provided on the top surface 107 where the container will be placed when the container does not have such a rubber-like, anti-slip material on its bottom wall. Such material will prevent the container from merely slipping off of the top surface 107 during the Tip Test, as will be described further below.
  • Sample rubber-like materials for the thin sheet can be obtained from a variety of manufacturers, such as GLS Corporation of McHenry, IL known as resin OM 1060.
  • Another such material for the flexible, rubber-like sheet could be that manufactured by the GLS Corporation of McHenry, IL and known as resin #G2701.
  • the G2701 material is another one of the resins in the product family of TPEs.
  • G2701 is a styrenic -based material and is in the family of Styrenic block copolymer compounds. Another similar material is known as G2755 and also sold by GLS Corporation.
  • the Tip Test apparatus 100 can include a positioning bolt 112 that is received in a slot 114 in the pivot arm 104.
  • the positioning bolt 112 couples the tiltable member 106 to the pivot arm 104 with an L-shaped bracket 116.
  • the tiltable member 106 is rotatably coupled to the support structure 102 with a hinge 118.
  • the positioning bolt 112 can be loosened such that the tiltable member 106 can be tilted with respect to the support structure 102, as shown in Figure 15.
  • the protractor 108 is coupled to the support structure 102 and has a measurement arm 120 that allows a tester to determine the angle in which the tiltable member 106 is tilted at with respect to the support structure 102, as shown in Figure 16.
  • the methodology for the Tip Test discussed herein involved testing containers for a Stability Value in each of three directional orientations: a forward facing direction, a rear facing direction, and a side facing direction. These three orientations will be described for container 10 as shown on the Tip Test apparatus 100 in Figures 13 and 15, however, the directional orientations apply to any type of container tested in a Tip Test.
  • the forward facing direction is illustrated by container 10 in Figures 13 and 15 and for the purposes of the Tip Test described herein is the orientation where the front portion 28 of the container 10 is facing the front edge 109 of the tiltable member 106.
  • the rear facing direction of a container for the purposes of the Tip Test described herein is the orientation of a container 10 where the rear portion 32 of the container 10 is facing the front edge 109 of the titlable member 106.
  • container 10 as illustrated in Figure 13 could be placed in a rear facing direction by rotating the container 10 180° on the surface 107 of the titltable member 106.
  • the side facing direction of a container for the purposes of the Tip Test described herein is the orientation of a container where one side wall 34 of the container 10 is facing the front edge 109 of the tiltable member 106.
  • container 10 as illustrated in Figure 13 could be placed in a side facing direction by rotating the container 90° in either direction on the surface 107 of the tiltable member 106.
  • a generally cylindrically shaped container For generally cylindrically shaped containers, the directional orientations of forward facing direction, rear facing direction, and side facing direction still apply, despite the fact that these containers have a midsection that is configured as a unitary structure without segments, and thus, less likely to have a common "front,” “back,” and “side walls” that make up a midsection.
  • a generally cylindrically shaped container will be considered to be in a forward facing direction for the purposes of the Tip Test described herein when the opening mechanism on the lid is facing the front edge 109 of the tiltable member 106.
  • the generally cylindrically shaped container will be considered to be in the forward facing direction for the purposes of the Tip Test described herein when the primary brand graphics are facing the front edge 109 of the tiltable member 106.
  • the rear facing and side facing directions are configured just as noted above with respect to container 10, with the rear facing direction being when the container is rotated 180° on the surface 107 of the tiltable member 106 from the forward facing direction, and the side facing direction being when the container is rotated 90° on the surface 107 of the tiltable member 106 from the forward facing direction.
  • the angle of the tiltable member 106 is adjusted with the positioning bolt 112 as described above to position the tiltable member 106 such that the measurement arm 120 on the protractor 108 shows that the surface 107 of the tiltable member 6 is at 0°.
  • the bottom wall 18 of the container 10 is placed on the surface 107 of the tiltable member 106 in the desired directional orientation for performing the Tip Test.
  • the container is placed in approximately the center portion of the surface 107. Once the container is in place, the tester can manipulate positioning bolt 112 and tilt the tiltable member 106 with respect to the support structure 102 in 1° increments.
  • the tester should stop the tiltable member 106 by locking positioning bolt 112 for a period of time equal to at least one second. If the container does not tip over at that angular increment, the tester should then move to the next angular increment. This process should be repeated until the container tips over such that the bottom wall of the container no longer rests on the top surface 107 of the tiltable member 106.
  • the angle at which the container first tips over during this process is referred to as the Tip Angle Value.
  • the tester should repeat this Tip Test methodology for each of the desired directional orientations of the container three times to obtain three Tip Angle Values. Once at least three Tip Angle Values are obtained for the desired directional orientation, the tester can average the Tip Angle Values for that directional orientation, rounding to the nearest whole number, to calculate the Stability Value associated with that directional orientation.
  • an exemplary container 10 as described above was compared to three other containers that are configured to store wipes in a vertical orientation.
  • the three comparison containers were a HUGGIES® Natural Care Wipes container, manufactured by Kimberly-Clark Corporation (referred to as "HUGGIES® Container”), a Lysol® Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes container, distributed by Reckitt Benckiser (referred to as “Lysol® Container”), and a germ-X® Antibacterial Soft Wipes container, distributed by Vi-Jon (referred to as "germ-X® Container”).
  • the exemplary container 10 described above as well as the HUGGIES® Container container each had a rubber-like, anti-slip material on their respective bottom walls.
  • the Lysol® Container and the germ-X® Container did not have a rubber-like, anti-slip material on their respective bottom walls, and thus, a thin sheet of TPE (not shown) was removably fastened to the surface 107 of the tiltable member 106 where these containers were positioned for the Tip Test, for the reasons noted above.
  • TPE (not shown) was removably fastened to the surface 107 of the tiltable member 106 where these containers were positioned for the Tip Test, for the reasons noted above.
  • Each of the tested containers was tested with the lid in the closed position and with the intended contents of wet wipes.
  • the container 10 and the three comparison containers underwent a Tip Test in each of the three directional orientations described above, with "F” meaning forward facing direction, "R” meaning rear facing direction, and "S” meaning side facing direction, to obtain the following data set for Tip Angle Values.
  • the Stability Values were calculated for each of the three directional orientations for each of the tested containers based on the recorded Tip Angle Values for each container.
  • the exemplary container 10 has improved stability values in comparison to other vertically oriented wipes containers.
  • the container 10 has a Stability Value of 31 when the container is oriented in the forward facing direction during the Tip Test.
  • the container 10 has a Stability Value of 32 when the container 10 is oriented in the rear facing direction during the Tip Test.
  • the container 10 has a Stability Value of 38 when the container 10 is oriented in the side facing direction during the Tip Test.
  • the structural configuration of the container 10 provides such improved Stability Values over other vertically oriented wipes containers.
  • the different aspects and features of the present disclosure can provide containers for wipes which, when compared to conventional containers for wipes, provide improved grip and handling of the container, improved ease of dispensing of wipes, and improved closing of the lid.
  • the different aspects and features of the present disclosure can also provide more reliable closing and sealing of the lid, providing improved moisture retention in the wipes in the case where the wipes stored in the container are wet wipes.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un contenant destiné à contenir des lingettes pouvant être extraites par un utilisateur. Le contenant comprend un corps de contenant définissant une cavité intérieure servant à contenir des lingettes. Le contenant peut en outre comprendre un couvercle configuré pour être ouvert et fermé, qui permet d'accéder à l'ouverture de distribution lorsqu'il est ouvert et empêche d'accéder à l'ouverture de distribution lorsqu'il est fermé. Le contenant peut avoir une valeur de stabilité supérieure à environ 24 lors d'un test de basculement lorsque le contenant est orienté dans une direction vers l'avant ou une direction vers l'arrière pendant le test de basculement et une valeur de stabilité supérieure à environ 30 lors d'un test de basculement lorsque le contenant est orienté dans une direction vers le côté pendant le test de basculement.
PCT/IB2014/060387 2013-04-15 2014-04-02 Distributeur de lingettes présentant une stabilité accrue WO2014170784A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14785059.8A EP2986538A4 (fr) 2013-04-15 2014-04-02 Distributeur de lingettes présentant une stabilité accrue
KR1020157031462A KR20150141986A (ko) 2013-04-15 2014-04-02 안정성이 증가된 티슈 분배기
BR112015025338A BR112015025338A2 (pt) 2013-04-15 2014-04-02 distribuidores de lenços umedecidos com estabilidade aumentada
AU2014255379A AU2014255379A1 (en) 2013-04-15 2014-04-02 Wipes dispenser with increased stability
CN201480018240.2A CN105102341A (zh) 2013-04-15 2014-04-02 具有增强稳定性的擦拭巾分配器
MX2015013891A MX2015013891A (es) 2013-04-15 2014-04-02 Dispensador de toallitas con mayor estabilidad.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/863,156 US20140305958A1 (en) 2013-04-15 2013-04-15 Wipes dispenser with increased stability
US13/863,156 2013-04-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014170784A1 true WO2014170784A1 (fr) 2014-10-23

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US (1) US20140305958A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2986538A4 (fr)
KR (1) KR20150141986A (fr)
CN (1) CN105102341A (fr)
AU (1) AU2014255379A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR112015025338A2 (fr)
MX (1) MX2015013891A (fr)
WO (1) WO2014170784A1 (fr)

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US9486117B2 (en) 2013-01-28 2016-11-08 The Clorox Company Refill article for wipes dispenser and assembly of both
AU357742S (en) * 2014-04-07 2014-09-24 Reckitt Benckiser Brands Ltd Bottle with cap
USD815531S1 (en) 2015-03-04 2018-04-17 The Clorox Company Wipes dispenser container
USD773315S1 (en) 2015-03-04 2016-12-06 The Clorox Company Wipes dispenser container
US10827885B2 (en) 2018-09-24 2020-11-10 Sameer SAID Angled flushable moist wipe dispenser
JP7300837B2 (ja) * 2019-01-25 2023-06-30 大王製紙株式会社 家庭用薄葉紙収納容器

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MX2015013891A (es) 2015-12-08
CN105102341A (zh) 2015-11-25
AU2014255379A1 (en) 2015-11-12
EP2986538A1 (fr) 2016-02-24
KR20150141986A (ko) 2015-12-21
US20140305958A1 (en) 2014-10-16
EP2986538A4 (fr) 2016-11-02
BR112015025338A2 (pt) 2017-07-18

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