Container for dispensing wipes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container for dispensing vertically configured 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 1 according to the invention, representing a body portion 2 with a lid 9 in an open position to expose a cover member 3 defining an exemplary combination of a first aperture 6 and a second 7 aperture.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the dispensing container 1 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the dispensing container 1 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the dispensing container 1 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a dispensing container 1 according to the invention, with a lid 9 in a closed position.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the dispensing container 1 of FIG. 5.

Claims

1. A container (1) for dispensing vertically configured wipes (8), said container (1) comprising a body portion (2) and a cover member (3) attached to said body portion (2); wherein said cover member (3) defines at least a first plane (4) and a second plane (5), said cover member (3) further comprising a first aperture (6) located in said first plane (4) and a second aperture (7) located in said second plane (5), wherein said first aperture (6) and said second aperture (7) are in communication with each other, and wherein said first aperture (6) partially extends over said second plane (5).

2. A container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first plane (4) and said second plane (5) form an angle of from about 70 to about 110 degrees.

3. A container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first plane (4) and said second plane (5) form an angle of from about 85 to about 95 degrees.

4. A container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first plane (4) and said second plane (5) are substantially orthogonal with each other.

5. A container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said body portion (2) has a substantially rectangular shape.

6. A container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said cover member (3) is in the form of a substantially rectangular box-like body comprising a top wall (16), a front wall (17), a back wall (18), a pair of sidewalls (19) and an open bottom defining a cavity for receiving edges of the stack of wipes (8).

7. A container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said cover member (3) is removably mounted in said body portion (2).

8. A container (1) according to claim 6, wherein said front wall (17) of said cover member (3) corresponds to said first plane (4), and said top wall (16) of said cover member (3) corresponds to said second plane (5).

9. A container (1) according to claim 6, wherein said first aperture (6) has a curved substantially rectangular shape extending over substantially the entire surface of said front wall (17), and said second aperture (7) is provided with a substantially ovoid shape comprising protrusions (32,33).

10. A container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said body portion (2) further comprises a hinged lid (9) intended to sealingly cover said cover member (3).

11. A container (1) according to claim 10, wherein said lid (9) is provided with a fastening means.

12. A container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said body portion (2) further comprises a spring element.

13. A container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said wipes (8) are interleafed.

14. A container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said wipes (8) are pre-moistened with a cleaning lotion.

15. A container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said container (1) is a rigid container.

16. A process of manufacturing a container (1) for dispensing vertically configured wipes (8), wherein said process comprises the steps of: (a) providing a container (1) suitable for containing and dispensing vertically configured wipes (8), wherein said container (1) comprises a body portion (2) and a cover member (3) attached to said body portion (2), and wherein said cover member (3) defines at least a first plane (4) and a second plane (5);(b) providing a first aperture (6) located in said first plane (4) and a second aperture (7) located in said second plane (5), wherein said first aperture (6) and said second aperture (7) are in communication with each other, and wherein said first aperture (6) partially extends over said second plane (5).

17. A process of dispensing wipes (8) contained within a container (1), wherein said process comprises the steps of: (a) providing a container (1) suitable for containing and dispensing vertically configured wipes (8), wherein said container (1) comprises a body portion (2) and a cover member (3) attached to said body portion (2), and wherein said cover member (3) defines at least a first plane (4) and a second plane (5);(b) providing a first aperture (6) located in said first plane (4) and a second aperture (7) located in said second plane (5), wherein said first aperture (6) and said second aperture (7) are in communication with each other, and wherein said first aperture (6) partially extends over said second plane (5);(c) disposing vertically configured wipes (8) inside said container (1), each wipe (8) being releasably attached to an adjacent wipe (8);(d) partially drawing at least one first wipe (8) through said first aperture (6) by reaching therethrough;(e) at least partially transferring said at least one first wipe (8) from said first aperture (6) to said second aperture (7);(f) withdrawing said at least one first wipe (8) from said container (1);(g) separating said at least one first wipe (8) from said adjacent wipe (8), whereby said adjacent wipe (8) does not fall back inside said container (1); and(h) repeating steps (f) and (g) until all the wipes (8) contained within said container (1) are depleted.