Aperture for dispensing wipes

Abstract

The present invention relates to provide a dispensing aperture for a container comprising vertically stacked wipes, which provides improved sequential dispensing of the contained wipes while permitting enhanced accessibility to the wipes within the container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a dispensing container 2 comprising a dispensing aperture 1 according to the invention, wherein the dispensing aperture 1 is provided with three flaps 4.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a dispensing container 2 comprising a dispensing aperture 1 according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the dispensing aperture 1 is provided in a plane 5 which is substantially orthogonal with a virtual vertical plane.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a dispensing container 2 comprising a dispensing aperture 1 according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the dispensing aperture 1 is provided with four flaps 4.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a dispensing container 2 comprising a dispensing aperture 1 according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the dispensing aperture 1 is provided with seven flaps 4.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a dispensing container 2 comprising a dispensing aperture 1 according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the dispensing aperture 1 is in communication with a secondary aperture 14.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a dispensing container 2 comprising a dispensing aperture 1 according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the dispensing aperture 1 is in communication with an alternative secondary aperture 14.

FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of an aperture according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the flaps 4 are not co-planar.

Claims

1. A dispensing aperture (1) for a container (2) comprising vertically stacked wipes (3), wherein said dispensing aperture (1) comprises at least three flaps (4) extending substantially towards the interior of said dispensing aperture (1), and wherein said dispensing aperture (1) is provided in a plane (5) defined by said container (2) which forms an angle of at least about 20 degrees with a virtual vertical plane.

2. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein said plane (5) forms an angle of from about 30 to about 90 degrees with a virtual vertical plane.

3. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein said plane (5) forms an angle of from about 80 to about 90 degrees with a virtual vertical plane.

4. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein said plane (5) is substantially orthogonal with a virtual vertical plane.

5. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1, wherein said container (2) comprises a body portion (7) and a cover member (8) attached thereto.

6. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 5, wherein said body portion (7) has a substantially rectangular shape.

7. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 5, wherein said cover member (8) is in the form of a substantially rectangular box-like body comprising a top wall (9), a front wall (10), a back wall (11), a pair of sidewalls (12) and an open bottom defining a cavity for receiving edges of the stack of wipes (3).

8. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 7 wherein said dispensing aperture (1) is provided in said top wall (9), and wherein the upper edges of said vertically stacked wipes (3) are placed near or in contact with said top wall (9) and adjacent to said dispensing aperture (1).

9. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 5, wherein said cover member (8) is removably mounted in said body portion (7).

10. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein said at least three flaps (4) extend from opposite sides of said dispensing aperture (1).

11. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 10 wherein said opposite flaps (4) are tapered.

12. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 10 wherein said opposite flaps (4) are inclined with an angle of from about −90 degrees to about 90 degrees with respect to said plane (5).

13. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein said at least three flaps (4) are offset and co-planar.

14. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein said at least three flaps (4) are co-linear and non-adjacent to each other.

15. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein each of said flaps (4) has a tip (13) terminating the flap before an edge of an opposing side of said aperture.

16. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein said dispensing aperture (1) is provided with a substantially ovoid shape having a central longitudinal axis (X-X).

17. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 14 wherein said at least three flaps (4) are substantially orthogonal to said central longitudinal axis (X-X).

18. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 10 wherein said opposite flaps (4) are provided with a length such that said opposite flaps (4) are not in contact with each other.

19. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein said dispensing aperture is in communication with a secondary aperture (14).

20. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein said container (2) further comprises a hinged lid (6) intended to sealingly cover said dispensing aperture (1).

21. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 20 wherein said lid (6) is provided with a fastening means.

22. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein said container (2) further comprises a spring element.

23. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein said wipes (3) are interleafed.

24. A dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1 wherein said wipes (3) are pre-moistened with a cleaning lotion.

25. A dispensing container (2) suitable for comprising vertically stacked wipes (3), wherein said container (2) comprises a dispensing aperture (1) according to claim 1.

26. A dispensing container (2) according to claim 25 which is a rigid container (2).

27. A process of manufacturing a container (2) for dispensing vertically stacked wipes (3), wherein said process comprises the steps of: (a) providing a container (2) suitable for containing and dispensing vertically stacked wipes (3), wherein said container (2) defines a plane (5) which forms an angle of at least about 20 degrees with a virtual vertical plane;(b) providing a dispensing aperture (1) located in said plane (5), wherein said dispensing aperture comprises at least three flaps (4) extending substantially towards the interior of said dispensing aperture (1).

28. A process of dispensing wipes (3) contained within a container (2), wherein said process comprises the steps of: (a) providing a container (2) suitable for containing and dispensing vertically stacked wipes (3), wherein said container (2) defines a plane (5) which forms an angle of at least about 20 degrees with a virtual vertical plane;(b) providing a dispensing aperture (1) located in said plane (5), wherein said dispensing aperture comprises at least three flaps (4) extending substantially towards the interior of said dispensing aperture (1);(c) disposing vertically stacked wipes (3) inside said container (2), each wipe (3) being releasably attached to an adjacent wipe (3);(d) partially drawing at least one first wipe (3) through said dispensing aperture (1) by reaching therethrough;(e) withdrawing said at least one first wipe (3) from said container (2);(f) separating said at least one first wipe (3) from said adjacent wipe (3), whereby said adjacent wipe (3) is prevented from falling back inside said container (2) by said at least three flaps (4); and(g) repeating steps (e) and (f) until all the wipes (3) contained within said container (2) are depleted.