CLEANING WIPES DISPENSER

Abstract

The cleaning wipes dispenser includes an outer protective sleeve and an inner central core disposed within the outer protective sleeve in slidable relation relative thereto. The inner central core includes a chamber for storing a set of wipes therein and moves relative to the outer protective sleeve between a first stored position wherein the set of wipes are generally non-accessible and maintained in a relatively moist environment therein and a second use position wherein the inner central core extends out from within the outer protective sleeve exposing a dispense channel therein and presenting an outermost wipe for dispensing from the set of wipes therein.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a cleaning wipes dispenser. More specifically, the present invention relates to a dispenser for cleaning wipes that generally includes an outer cylindrical protective sleeve configured to selectively receive and retain an inner core housing a roll of wipes therein, the inner core extendable out from within the outer cylindrical protective sleeve to expose a portion of the role of wipes for dispensing therefrom, the wipes including a non-abrasive cleaning solution for use in cleaning smartphones, tablets, laptop computer screens, and the like.

There are hundreds of cleaning wipes known in the art, and the related packaging is largely the same, i.e., designed to retain one or more disposable wipes in a package that generally shields the wipes therein from the external environment to preserve freshness (e.g., moistness). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,113,759 to Ray et al. discloses a wipes dispenser that includes a generally cylindrical container having an interior capacity to hold a roll of wipes therein. Wipes are dispensed out from within the interior of the cylindrical container by pulling one end of the roll of wipes through a “+” shaped orifice in the cap. Once the end wipe is pulled through the “+” shaped orifice, the next wipe catches within the “+” shaped orifice, thereby allowing the end wipe to tear away and leave the next wipe extending out from the “+” shaped orifice. As such, dispensing another wipe involves the same pulling, catching, and tearing steps mentioned above. The process can be repeated until the roll of wipes inside the container is exhausted. The drawback of such design is that the next usable wipe is held in an extended position protruding out from within the cylindrical container. While Ray discloses the use of an over cap that can generally conceal the exposed wipe, it is still exposed to the external environment and susceptible to contaminants and drying over time.

Other wipes known in the art include wet wipes, which are also known as a wet towel or a moist towelette. These generally consist of a relatively small moistened piece of paper or cloth folded into and packed within a material designed to shield the wipe from the external environment and maintain its moisture content. In most cases, the wet wipes are individually packed and are accessed for single use by way of tearing open the external packaging and removing the wet wipe or moist towelette from the package. Once open, the wet wipe or moist towelette should be immediately used as they tend to dry out quickly once the surface area thereof is exposed to the external environment. Moreover, the package is designed for single use only because it cannot easily be resealed once torn open and the wet wipe or moist towelette is removed. Even over time, the wet wipes or moist towelettes in the package can dry out over quickly in arid environments. For example, liquid in the wet wipes or moist towelettes has been known to precipitate out from the paper or towel material and migrate to the package walls due to insufficient sealing. This may leave the wet wipes or moist towelettes therein in a drier than desired condition.

Wet wipes and moist towelettes known in the art may be used for sanitary purposes (e.g., to clean hands), for clearing glasses (e.g., to clear smudges or streaks from reading glasses or sunglasses), or for cleaning electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, or laptop computer screens. For instance, one type of “wet wipe” or “moist towelette” known in the art is the Lens Cleaning Wipe manufactured and sold by Carl Zeiss AG Corporation of Carl-Zeiss-Strasse 22, Oberkochen, Germany 73447. Similar to the above, the wet wipe is stored within a package that can be ripped open to expose the wet wipes inside. When folded for storage within the package, the wet wipe is approximately 1 inch by 1.4 inches and about 0.100 inches in thickness. When unfolded—in this case a single layer—the wet wipe is approximately 0.004 inches thick and has an overall dimension of approximately 5 inches wide by 6 inches high (i.e., approximately 30 square inches). Thus, approximately 24 wipes can fit into each package.

Although, recent trends in the cleaning wipes market is to repackage known wipes into smaller quantities for “on-the-go” packaging. Even so, instead of creating a new type of wipe and/or new type of packaging to retain or carry one or more wipes, those in the industry continue to use the same single use tear open packages. The problem is that traditional wipes known in the art are too large and are typically wasteful because the wipes themselves are either too big or incorrectly stored in packaging and otherwise not designed to withstand the rigors of travel. Moreover, traditional wipes can absorb or contain too much cleaning solution and can damage electronics when used therewith.

In this respect, while a variety of wet wipes are known in the art (mostly used for personal hygiene or household cleaning), relatively few include base materials and disinfecting chemicals suitable for safe use with electronic devices. In fact, no known disinfectant wipes have been deemed safe for use in connection with electronic products manufactured by major companies such as Apple or Samsung. In this respect, traditional disinfecting wipes use either ethanol or isopropyl-alcohol, both of which erode the oleophobic layer that generally forms the top layer of most electronic touch screen devices. This drawback can cause damage to the electronic device, especially when used repetitively over time.

There exists, therefore, a significant need in the art for an on-the-go cleaning wipes dispenser that includes a compact design having a durable outer sleeve for portability and an inner central core that can be stored therein for retaining a roll of wipes in a moist environment, and that are made from a disinfecting material compatible for use with electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptop computer screens. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the cleaning wipes dispenser as disclosed herein includes an outer protective sleeve and an inner central core disposed within the outer protective sleeve in slidable relation relative thereto. The inner central core may include a set of wipes storable within the inner central core and movable thereby relative to the outer protective sleeve between a first stored position wherein the set of wipes are generally non-accessible and maintained in a relatively moist environment and a second use position when the inner central core extends out from within the outer protective sleeve exposing a dispense channel therein presenting an outermost wipe for dispensing from the set of wipes therein. Moreover, the cleaning wipes dispenser may also include an end cap selectively engageable with a lower rim of the inner central core by friction fit or snap fit engagement and removable therefrom by hand manipulation of an outwardly projecting radial edge, thereby exposing an inner channel housing the set of wipes. Here, the set of wipes may be removable from and replaceable within the inner central core after removal of the end cap. Accordingly, this permits replacing and reloading the inner central core with a new set of wipes.

In another aspect of these embodiments, the outer protective sleeve and the inner central core may be made from a relatively hard plastic material for durability and portability and cooperate to enclose the set of wipes in the relatively moist environment to preserve freshness. In one embodiment, the set of wipes may include a cylindrical roll of wipes wound around a central sponge relatively moister than the cylindrical roll of wipes. Here, the cylindrical role of wipes may include multiple interconnecting micro-cleaning wipes.

In another embodiment, the dispense channel may be formed between an overlapping first end of the inner central core and an under folded second end of the inner central core. Here, the under folded second end may include a relatively straight edge and the overlapping first end may include a generally hemispherical notch exposing a relatively larger surface area of the outermost wipe for dispensing from the set of wipes therein. The under folded second end may be spring biased into engagement with the overlapping first end to pinch closed the dispense channel, to help lock the interior of the inner central core to preserve freshness. Moreover in this respect, an upper head may couple to the inner central core and be movable therewith. The upper head may then cooperate with the outer protective sleeve to enclose the inner central core therebetween when the inner central core is in the first stored position.

The outer protective sleeve may also include a plurality of grip enhancing corrugations formed from an outer surface of the outer protective sleeve. In this embodiment, the plurality of grip enhancing corrugations may include a set of recessed channels or a set of outwardly extending ribs intermittently disposed along the outer surface of the outer protective sleeve.

In another embodiment, the dispense channel may include an arcuate recess opposite an arcuate catch. The arcuate recess may expose a relatively larger surface area of the outermost wipe for better hand manipulation when dispensing the outermost wipe from the cleaning wipes dispenser. Each wipe of the set of wipes may be separated by a cutout and at least one perforation (e.g., an upper and lower perforation) such that the cutout is positioned to engage the arcuate catch upon dispensing to facilitate tearing the outermost wipe away from the set of wipes along the at least one perforation.

In another aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein, a detent may couple with the outer protective sleeve and be designed to terminate outward sliding movement of the inner central core at the second use position. This may ensure that the inner central core simply does not fall out from within the lower outer sleeve during travel and/or use. Alternatively, a spring movable between a normal first position engaging an upper edge of the outer protective sleeve may also be designed to prevent removal of the inner central core out from within the outer protective sleeve. Moving the spring to a second disengaged position where the spring pivots away from engagement with the upper edge may accordingly permit removal of the inner central core from the outer protective sleeve. Additionally, one or more ribs may extend outwardly from one of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core and be configured for keyed slotted engagement with one or more elongated channels formed from the other of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core. Here, the ribs and the elongated channels cooperate to prevent the outer protective sleeve from spinning relative to the inner central core.

In another embodiment as disclosed herein, the cleaning wipes dispenser includes an outer protective sleeve and an inner central core disposed therein and in slidable relation relative thereto. In this embodiment, the inner central core includes an overlapping first end spring biased into engagement with an under folded second end, wherein each cooperate to form a generally pinched closed dispense channel formed therebetween. Moreover, a set of wipes may be storable within the inner central core and movable thereby relative to the outer protective sleeve between a first stored position wherein the set of wipes are generally non-accessible and maintained in a relatively moist environment therein and a second use position when the inner central core extends out from within the outer protective sleeve exposing the dispense channel therein and presenting an outermost wipe for dispensing from the set of wipes therein. Here, each wipe of the set of wipes may be separated by a cutout and at least one perforation.

In another aspect of this embodiment, an end cap may be selectively engageable with a lower rim of the inner central core by friction fit or snap fit engagement and removable therefrom by hand manipulation of an outwardly projecting radial edge. The set of wipes may be removable from and replaceable within the inner central core after removal of the end cap and include a cylindrical roll of multiple interconnecting micro-cleaning wipes wound around a central sponge relatively moister than the cylindrical roll of wipes. Moreover, the under folded second end may include a relatively straight edge and the overlapping first end may include a hemispherical notch exposing a larger surface area of the outermost wipe. One or more ribs may extend outwardly from one of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core and be configured for keyed slotted engagement with one or more elongated channels formed from the other of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core to prevent the outer protective sleeve from spinning relative to the inner central core.

Additionally, the cleaning wipes dispenser may include an upper head coupled to the inner central core and movable therewith. The upper head may then cooperate with the outer protective sleeve to enclose the inner central core therebetween when the inner central core is in the first stored position. Additionally, the outer protective sleeve may include a plurality of grip enhancing corrugations formed from an outer surface to provide additional grip to the cleaning wipes dispenser. These grip enhancing corrugations may include a set of recessed channels or a set of outwardly extending ribs intermittently disposed along the outer surface of the outer protective sleeve. A spring movable between a normal first position engaging an upper edge of the outer protective sleeve and a second disengaged position pivoted away from engagement with the upper edge may also govern removal of the inner central core out from within the outer protective sleeve.

In another embodiment, the cleaning wipes dispenser may include an outer protective sleeve, an inner central core disposed within the outer protective sleeve in slidable relation relative thereto, a set of wipes storable within the inner central core and movable thereby relative to the outer protective sleeve between a first stored position and a second use position exposing a dispense channel that includes an arcuate catch opposite an arcuate recess presenting a relatively larger surface area of an outermost wipe for dispensing, one or more ribs extending outwardly from one of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core may be configured for keyed slotted engagement with one or more elongated channels formed from the other of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core, and a detent coupled with one of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core may terminate outward sliding movement of the inner central core at the second use position.

Additionally, in these embodiments, the cleaning wipes dispenser may further include an end cap selectively engageable with a lower rim of the inner central core and removable therefrom by hand manipulation of an outwardly projecting radial edge. This exposes an inner channel for replacing and reloading the inner central core with a new set of wipes. Additionally, an upper head coupled to the inner central core may cooperate therewith to enclose the inner central core therebetween when the inner central core is in the first stored position. A plurality of grip enhancing corrugations that include a set of recessed channels or a set of outwardly extending ribs intermittently disposed along an outer surface of the outer protective sleeve may provide enhanced gripping of the cleaning wipes dispenser.

The outer protective sleeve and the inner central core may include a relatively hard plastic material and cooperate to enclose the set of wipes that include a cylindrical roll of multiple interconnecting micro-cleaning wipes wound around a central sponge relatively moister than the cylindrical roll of wipes. Moreover, the dispense channel may be formed between an overlapping first end of the inner central core and an under folded second end of the inner central core spring biased into engagement with the overlapping first end to pinch closed the dispense channel. Each wipe of the set of wipes may also be separated by a cutout and at least one perforation. The cutout may be engageable with the arcuate catch to facilitate tearing the outermost wipe away from the set of wipes along the at least one perforation during dispensing.

In another embodiment, the cleaning wipes dispenser may generally include an outer cylindrical protective sleeve configured to selectively receive and retain an inner core housing a roll of wipes therein, the inner core extendable out from within the outer cylindrical protective sleeve to expose a portion of a role of wipes for dispensing therefrom. The wipes may include a non-abrasive cleaning solution for use in cleaning smartphones, tablets, laptop computer screens, and the like.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cleaning wipes dispenser as disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a central core partially withdrawn out from within a cylindrical lower outer sleeve of the cleaning wipes dispenser;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the central core withdrawn from the cylindrical lower outer sleeve, further illustrating removal of an end cap to expose a roll of wipes therein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the central core of FIG. 3 with the roll of wipes removed;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the central core of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an empty cylindrical lower outer sleeve;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a roll of wipes wound around a cylindrical central sponge;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view illustrating a sheet of unrolled wipes;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the central core incorporating an arcuate catch;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating disconnecting an outermost wipe from the roll of wipes by way of snagging a cut out on the arcuate catch of the central core;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the central core incorporating a hemispherical notch; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating unrolling the roll of wipes out from within a gap between an overlapping first end of the central core and an under folded second end of the central core.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the exemplary drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention for a cleaning wipes dispenser is generally illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 with respect to reference numeral 20. In general, and as discussed in more detail below, the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 as disclosed herein is of a durable and easy to manufacture design that results in a lower per unit cost. Moreover, the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 provides several benefits that results in users having the right amount of moist cleaning wipes at hand when needed, including when “on-the-go”, as a result of providing better insulation from air flow (and drying) and the option for the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 to be reloaded and reused when emptied, instead of being thrown away like other wipes packaging.

For instance, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 generally including a cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22, a central core 24, and an optional key ring 26 threaded through a channel 28 formed from a head 30 of the central core 24. The cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 cooperates with the head 30 of the central core 24 to provide a relatively compact design as illustrated, e.g., in FIG. 1. Specifically, in one embodiment, the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be approximately 3.25 inches tall and 0.86 inches in diameter. Moreover, the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 and the head 30 may cooperate with one another to seal the interior of the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 from the external (and drier) environment, which helps keep the wipes moist to ensure longer term freshness.

In the embodiments illustrated with respect to FIGS. 1-2 and 6, the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 includes a set of corrugations 32 positioned near a base 34 thereof. In general, the corrugations 32 may be designed to enhance gripping the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22. Although, of course, the entire outer surface area of the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 may be smooth and contain no corrugations or other surface level interruptions. Although, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 6, the corrugations 32 may include a set of recessed channels 36 (best shown in FIG. 6). Each of the channels 36 may provide enhanced friction engagement by adding a series of corrugations to the otherwise smooth outer surface layer of the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22. Of course, the corrugations 32 may include other surface level disruptions designed to enhance gripping of the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22. For example, in other embodiments, the corrugations 32 may include outwardly extending ribs that provide a rounded or jagged gripping surface to enhance gripping thereof. The corrugations 32 may be located near the base 34 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 6; although, alternatively, the corrugations 32 may also be located at different locations along the height of the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22. For example, a substitute or supplemental set of the corrugations 32 may be located at or near an upper rim 38 of the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper rim 38 and the head 30 may be of approximately the same diameter. Additionally, the corrugations 32 may be located at intermittent intervals along the height of the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22. The recessed channels 36, e.g., could also be located at larger or smaller intervals along the height of the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22.

As briefly mentioned above, the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 may also include the optional key ring 36 designed to thread through the head 30 of the central core 24. In this respect, the key ring 26 may be used to attach the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 to a keychain or the like for easy carry along for portability (e.g., in a car, purse, brief case, pocket, etc.). The key ring 26 may be used to operate, i.e., open and/or close, the cleaning wipes dispenser 20, as discussed in more detail below.

Manufacturing the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 and/or the central core 24 (including the exposed head 30) from a resilient material such as plastic enhances the rigidity, use, and portability of the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 disclosed herein. A durable and resilient cleaning wipes dispenser 20 may be particularly desirable for long-term use, especially relative to moist towelettes that are sold in paper packets designed for one time use after being torn open to access the internally located wet wipe.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning wipes dispenser 20, illustrating the central core 24 pulled out from within the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22. As briefly mentioned above, the key ring 26 threateningly engaged with the head 30 of the central core 24 may provide a grip for selectively removing and/or inserting the central core 24 into or out from the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22. In this respect, a user may grip the key ring 26 with one hand (or finger) and may grip one or more of the recessed channels 36 at the base 34 of the cylindrical lower sleeve 22 with the other hand to facilitate separating the central core 24 from the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The central core 24 may include one or more extensions 40 (best shown in FIG. 5) having a size in shape for keyed engagement with one or more elongated channels 42 (e.g., best shown in FIG. 6) formed from an interior surface 44 of the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22.

Once removed from the interior of the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22, a now exposed end cap 46 may be removed from a lower open rim 48 of the central core 24 to expose a cylindrical roll of wipes 50 therein. The end cap 46 may engage with the lower open rim 48 by friction fit or snap fit engagement therewith. In one embodiment, the end cap 46 may simply be removed by pulling on an exposed outer radial edge 52 that disengages an inner plug 54 of reduced diameter out from within an interior side wall 56 of the central core 22. The end cap 46 may be made of a rubber-based material and be desired for friction fit engagement with the lower open rim 48. Alternatively, or in addition to, the inner plug 54 may include a circumscribing and exteriorly located O-ring 57 designed to further engage and, in some embodiments, hermetically seal against the interior side wall 56. Removal of the end cap 46 permits accessibility to the interior of the central core 24 for purposes of inserting, removing, and/or replacing the cylindrical role of wipes 50, as may be needed and/or desired. The cylindrical role of wipes 50 may be formed by multiple interconnecting micro-cleaning wipes (e.g., for consumer or business use), designed to disinfect hands and clean and/or disinfect glass surfaces such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, smart phones, glasses, other tech related products, etc.

While FIG. 1 illustrates the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 in a compact or closed position, FIG. 2 illustrates the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 in an open or use position wherein the central core 24 is in a fully extended position relative to the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 to expose the cylindrical role of wipes 50 located therein. When in the extended position illustrated in FIG. 2, a user may grip an outermost wipe 58 through a window 60 formed within the central core 24 for purposes of dispensing wipes out therefrom, for use as needed and/or desired. The window 60 may generally include an opening formed from the housing of the central core 24. The window 60 may further be of a height approximately commensurate in size with the height of the cylindrical role of wipes 50 residing within the central core 24. This may facilitate easy access to and removal of the outermost wipe 58. Of course, when finished, the central core 24 and the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 may slide back together into the compact or storage position illustrated in FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 may include a detent 61 designed to terminate sliding movement of the central core 24 out from within the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 (e.g., in the position illustrated in FIG. 2). The detent 61 may be designed to prevent the central core 24 from being pulled out from within the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 when the user simply wants to dispense the outermost wipe 58 (as opposed to removing and/or replacing the entire roll of wipes 50). The detent 61 may include any structure known in the art to stop sliding movement of the central core 24 relative to the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 at the desired position. For example, the detent 61 could include a spring that catches an upper edge near the upper rim 38 of the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22. In this embodiment, biasing the spring out from engagement with the upper rim 38 may facilitate removal of the central core 24 to facilitate, e.g., removal and/or replacement of the cylindrical role of wipes 50.

As briefly mentioned above, the cylindrical role of wipes 50 may be removed and/or replaced once the central core 24 is removed from the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 by removing the end cap 46 out from within the interior side wall 56 at the lower open rim 48 thereof. FIG. 3 illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of the central core 24 removed out from within the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22, and further illustrating the end cap 46 disconnected therefrom. Here, the cylindrical role of wipes 50 is now accessible through the central core 24. Removal and/or replacement may simply entail sliding out a now diminished or exhausted cylindrical role of wipes 50 (which may just include a roller core), and then inserting a new or replenished cylindrical role of wipes for use within the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 as disclosed herein.

Additionally, FIG. 3 illustrates that the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 may further include a cylindrical central sponge 62 that may be designed to maintain the cylindrical role of wipes 50 wrapped there around in a wet or moist condition. In this embodiment, removal and/or replacement of the cylindrical roller wipes 50 may include replacement of the cylindrical central sponge 62, refreshing the cylindrical central sponge 62 with additional moisture, or simply reloading a new cylindrical role of wipes 50 to the existing cylindrical central sponge 62 for insertion back into the interior of the central core 24 separately or together as a single unit. Alternatively, the cylindrical role of wipes 50 may be rolled around the central sponge 62 as a unit, prior to insertion within the central core 24, and sold as separate refillable cartridges. In this embodiment, the cleaning wipes dispenser 20 may be reusable and refillable with refreshed cartridges of new wipes 50 rolled around the cylindrical central sponge 62. Such a design helps reduce waste and lowers the cost of product ownership over the long-term.

FIGS. 4 and 5 more specifically illustrate the plurality of extensions 40 extending outwardly from the generally cylindrical central core 24, which are designed for slotted engagement with the elongated channels 42 formed from the interior surface 44 of the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22. In particular, keyed engagement of the extensions 40 with the elongated channels 42 may prevent the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 from spinning relative to the central core 24 when engaged thereto. Furthermore, FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the central core 24 illustrating a slot 64 that may be formed as part of the window 60 that permits selected dispensing of the outermost wipe 58 (FIGS. 2 and 3) out from the cleaning wipes dispenser 20.

FIG. 7 more specifically illustrates the cylindrical role of wipes 50 wrapped around the cylindrical central sponge 62. In one embodiment, the cylindrical role of wipes 50 may be 2.5 inches tall and approximately 24 inches in length. Moreover, each wipe may be of approximately the same size or each wipe may be a different size. For example, in embodiments wherein the wipes are the same size, when the outermost wipe 58 is approximately 2.5 inches by 3 inches, a roll of wipes 50 that includes 8 total wipes would be approximately 24 inches in length (i.e., 8 wipes multiplied by 3 inches per wipe). Although, of course, the size of the cylindrical role of wipes 50 and/or the sponge 62 may be designed and manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes. For instance, in one embodiment, the aggregate diameter of the cylindrical sponge 62 and the outwardly circumscribing cylindrical role of wipes 50 may be approximately equal to the inner diameter of the interior side wall 56 of the central core 24. As such, the unit comprising the cylindrical role of wipes 50 and the cylindrical central sponge 62 may initially sit relatively snugly within the central core 24. Of course, the relative dimensions of the size of the cylindrical role of wipes 50 and/or the cylindrical central sponge 62 may vary from embodiment to embodiment. Although, in one embodiment, the cylindrical central sponge 62 may be of a generally uniform size such that the cylindrical role of wipes 50 may be generally universally interchangeable therewith. Of course, the overall diameter of the cylindrical role of wipes 50 depend on the number of individual wipes incorporated therein.

In this respect, FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a plurality of wipes 66, including the outermost wipe 58. As shown, each of the wipes 58, 66 are separated from one another by a set of upper and lower perforations 68, 68′. This may allow the user to tear one of the wipes 58, 66 relative to another for easy and predictable sizing. During dispensing, e.g., pulling the outermost wipe 58 out through the window 60 of the central core 24 may result in an arcuate cut out 70 positioned in between the upper and lower perforations 68, 68′ to catch or otherwise snag on to an arcuate catch 72 formed along the length of the central core 24 as generally illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. More specifically, FIG. 10 illustrates the cut out 70 catching on the relatively rigid arcuate catch 72 of the cylindrical lower outer sleeve 22 as the outermost wipe 58 is being dispensed out from within the cleaning wipes dispenser 20. Accordingly, catching the dispensed wipes in this manner then causes the role of wipes 50 to tear along the respective upper and lower perforations 68, 68′. This results in the user being able to dispense a single one of the wipes 58, 66 while the central core 24 effectively prevents further dispensing of multiple of the wipes 58, 66 at once. Of course, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the window 60 includes an arcuate recess 74 opposite the arcuate catch 72 to facilitate slide through dispensing of the thickness of the wipes 58, 66.

The use of cylindrical role of wipes 50 reduces the complexity of manufacturing since no special equipment or processes are needed to create folded and/or overlapping sheets, as in the prior art. Instead, a single roll of wipe material may be formed and stamped with the aforementioned perforations 68, 68′ and cut out 70 along an assembly line. Subsequently, the sheet of wipes 76 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 8) may be rolled about a core (not shown) approximately the same diameter as the cylindrical central sponge 62 for eventual slide-on reception. Alternatively, the sheet of wipes 76 may be rolled directly on to the cylindrical central sponge 62 and sold as a package. As such, this may help reduce waste and create a new category of wet or moist wipes or towelettes and refillable cartridges. Stamping the upper and/or lower perforations 68, 68′ along with the cut out 70 to the sheet of wipes 76 may make it easier for a user to tear off a single and appropriately sized wipe 58, 66.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the central core 24. Here, the alternative central core 24′ includes an overlapping first end 78 that cooperates with an under folded second end 80 to dispense wipes therefrom. In this embodiment, the arcuate catch 72 has been replaced by a straight edge that forms the under folded second end 80 and the arcuate recess 74 has been replaced by a hemispherical notch 82 in the overlapping first end 78. The user may access the outermost wipe 58 by way of a portion thereof exposed within the opening formed by the hemispherical notch 82 in the overlapping first end 78. The hemispherical notch 82 may provide a larger surface area for grabbing the outermost wipe 58 for pull-through extension and dispensing as disclosed herein. The sheet of wipes 76 may include one or more of the aforementioned perforations 68, 68′ and/or the cut out 70 to facilitate tear away dispensing of one or more of the wipes 58, 66. For example, in this embodiment, the perforations may be straight perforations and extend generally along the width of the sheet of wipes 76.

Lastly, FIG. 12 illustrates a general schematic view dispensing the outermost wipe 58 out from within the interior of the central core 24, and between the overlapping first end 78 and the under folded second end 80. As shown, a gap 84 between the overlapping first end 78 and the under folded second end 80 may be of a sufficient width to permit slide through dispensing of the wipes 58, 66 from the cylindrical role of wipes 50 that reside within the central core 24 of the cleaning wipes dispenser 20. In one embodiment, the under folded second end 80 may be spring biased into engagement with the overlapping first end 78 to pinch closed the gap 84. Here, a user may simply need to apply a small amount of pressure to the under folded second end 80 to open the gap 84, which then permits select dispensing of the wipes as disclosed herein.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning wipes dispenser, comprising: an outer protective sleeve;an inner central core disposed within the outer protective sleeve in slidable relation relative thereto; anda set of wipes storable within the inner central core and movable thereby relative to the outer protective sleeve between a first stored position wherein the set of wipes are generally non-accessible and maintained in a relatively moist environment therein and a second use position when the inner central core extends out from within the outer protective sleeve exposing a dispense channel therein presenting an outermost wipe for dispensing from the set of wipes therein.

2. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 1, including an end cap selectively engageable with a lower rim of the inner central core by friction fit or snap fit engagement and removable therefrom by hand manipulation of an outwardly projecting radial edge, thereby exposing an inner channel housing the set of wipes.

3. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 2, wherein the set of wipes are removable from and replaceable within the inner central core after removal of the end cap, thereby permitting replacing and reloading the inner central core with a new set of wipes.

4. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 1, wherein the outer protective sleeve and the inner central core comprise a relatively hard plastic material and cooperate to enclose the set of wipes.

5. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 1, wherein the set of wipes comprises a cylindrical roll of wipes wound around a central sponge relatively moister than the cylindrical roll of wipes.

6. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 5, wherein the cylindrical role of wipes comprise multiple interconnecting micro-cleaning wipes.

7. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispense channel is formed between an overlapping first end of the inner central core and an under folded second end of the inner central core.

8. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 7, wherein the under folded second end includes a relatively straight edge and the overlapping first end includes a hemispherical notch exposing a larger surface area of the outermost wipe for dispensing from the set of wipes therein.

9. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 8, wherein the under folded second end is spring biased into engagement with the overlapping first end to pinch closed the dispense channel.

10. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 1, including an upper head coupled to the inner central core and movable therewith, the upper head cooperates with the outer protective sleeve to enclose the inner central core therebetween when the inner central core is in the first stored position.

11. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 1, wherein the outer protective sleeve includes a plurality of grip enhancing corrugations formed from an outer surface of the outer protective sleeve.

12. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 11, wherein the plurality of grip enhancing corrugations comprise a set of recessed channels or a set of outwardly extending ribs intermittently disposed along the outer surface of the outer protective sleeve.

13. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispense channel comprises an arcuate recess opposite an arcuate catch, the arcuate recess exposing a relatively larger surface area of the outermost wipe.

14. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 13, wherein each wipe of the set of wipes is separated by a cutout and at least one perforation, the cutout being engageable with the arcuate catch to facilitate tearing the outermost wipe away from the set of wipes along the at least one perforation during dispensing.

15. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 1, including a detent coupled with the outer protective sleeve that terminates outward sliding movement of the inner central core at the second use position.

16. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 1, including a spring movable between a normal first position engaging an upper edge of the outer protective sleeve to prevent removal of the inner central core out from within the outer protective sleeve and a second disengaged position where the spring pivots away from engagement with the upper edge to permit removal of the inner central core from the outer protective sleeve.

17. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 1, including one or more ribs extending outwardly from one of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core and configured for keyed slotted engagement with one or more elongated channels formed from the other of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core to prevent the outer protective sleeve from spinning relative to the inner central core.

18. A cleaning wipes dispenser, comprising: an outer protective sleeve;an inner central core disposed within the outer protective sleeve in slidable relation relative thereto and including an overlapping first end spring biased into engagement with an under folded second end that cooperate to form a generally pinched closed dispense channel therebetween; anda set of wipes storable within the inner central core and movable thereby relative to the outer protective sleeve between a first stored position wherein the set of wipes are generally non-accessible and maintained in a relatively moist environment therein and a second use position when the inner central core extends out from within the outer protective sleeve exposing the dispense channel therein and presenting an outermost wipe for dispensing from the set of wipes therein, wherein each wipe of the set of wipes is separated by a cutout and at least one perforation.

19. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 18, including an end cap selectively engageable with a lower rim of the inner central core by friction fit or snap fit engagement and removable therefrom by hand manipulation of an outwardly projecting radial edge, wherein the under folded second end includes a relatively straight edge and the overlapping first end includes a notch exposing a larger surface area of the outermost wipe.

20. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 19, including one or more ribs extending outwardly from one of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core and configured for keyed slotted engagement with one or more elongated channels formed from the other of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core to prevent the outer protective sleeve from spinning relative to the inner central core, wherein the set of wipes are removable from and replaceable within the inner central core after removal of the end cap.

21. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 18, wherein the set of wipes comprises a cylindrical roll of multiple interconnecting micro-cleaning wipes wound around a central sponge relatively moister than the cylindrical roll of wipes.

22. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 18, including an upper head coupled to the inner central core and movable therewith, the upper head cooperates with the outer protective sleeve to enclose the inner central core therebetween when the inner central core is in the first stored position, wherein the outer protective sleeve includes a plurality of grip enhancing corrugations formed from an outer surface thereof.

23. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 22, including a spring movable between a normal first position engaging an upper edge of the outer protective sleeve and a second disengaged position pivoted away from engagement with the upper edge to permit removal of the inner central core from the outer protective sleeve, wherein the plurality of grip enhancing corrugations comprise a set of recessed channels or a set of outwardly extending ribs intermittently disposed along the outer surface of the outer protective sleeve.

24. A cleaning wipes dispenser, comprising: an outer protective sleeve;an inner central core disposed within the outer protective sleeve in slidable relation relative thereto;a set of wipes storable within the inner central core and movable thereby relative to the outer protective sleeve between a first stored position and a second use position exposing a dispense channel comprising an arcuate catch opposite an arcuate recess presenting a relatively larger surface area of an outermost wipe for dispensing;one or more ribs extending outwardly from one of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core and configured for keyed slotted engagement with one or more elongated channels formed from the other of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core; anda detent coupled with one of the outer protective sleeve or the inner central core that terminates outward sliding movement of the inner central core at the second use position.

25. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 24, including an end cap selectively engageable with a lower rim of the inner central core and removable therefrom by hand manipulation of an outwardly projecting radial edge, thereby exposing an inner channel permitting replacing and reloading the inner central core with a new set of wipes.

26. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 24, wherein the outer protective sleeve and the inner central core comprise a relatively hard plastic material and cooperate to enclose the set of wipes comprising a cylindrical roll of multiple interconnecting micro-cleaning wipes wound around a central sponge relatively moister than the cylindrical roll of wipes.

27. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 24, wherein the dispense channel is formed between an overlapping first end of the inner central core and an under folded second end of the inner central core spring biased into engagement with the overlapping first end to pinch closed the dispense channel.

28. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 24, including an upper head coupled to the inner central core and cooperating therewith to enclose the inner central core therebetween when the inner central core is in the first stored position and a plurality of grip enhancing corrugations comprising a set of recessed channels or a set of outwardly extending ribs intermittently disposed along an outer surface of the outer protective sleeve.

29. The cleaning wipes dispenser of claim 24, wherein each wipe of the set of wipes is separated by a cutout and at least one perforation, the cutout being engageable with the arcuate catch to facilitate tearing the outermost wipe away from the set of wipes along the at least one perforation during dispensing.