CONTAINER

Abstract

Provided is a container for supporting a cylinder-shaped cleaning wipe container. The container includes an opened first end and a closed second end, and a lid at the first end. The container also includes a two-tiered shelf disposed in a cavity of the container at the second end, the two-tiered shelf configured to support cleaning wipe containers of two different diameters.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally containers, and more particularly to containers for housing disinfectant wipe containers.

BACKGROUND

Disinfectant wipes are used to clean and sanitize various surfaces. Often, disinfectant wipes are sold and packaged in plastic cylinder-shaped containers and/or packages. The plastic containers may be used to store and dispense the disinfectant wipes.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present application provides a container for storing and dispensing disinfectant wipes. The container can include a body having an open first end, a closed second end, and defining a cavity therebetween, a lid configured to attach to the body at the first end, and a shelf disposed in the cavity and extending from the second end, the shelf having a first tier having a first diameter for supporting a first cylinder and a second tier having a second diameter greater than the first tier for supporting a second cylinder. The container can be configured to accept containers of disinfectant wipes of at least two sizes.

According to an aspect, the first tier includes a first base and a first wall projecting upward from a periphery of the base towards the first end, and wherein the second tier includes a second base and a second wall projecting upward from a periphery of the second base towards the first end.

According to another aspect, the second base extends radially outwardly from a top of the first wall.

According to another aspect, the second wall is radially inwardly spaced from an inner surface of the body to form a circumferential gap between the second wall and the inner surface.

According to another aspect, the lid further includes a collar portion coupled to the first end of the body, and a top portion coupled to the collar portion at a hinge, wherein the top portion pivots at the hinge between a closed position and an opened position.

According to another aspect, the lid further includes a lid spring, the lid spring configured to bias the lid in the opened position.

According to another aspect, the container further includes a push button configured to release the lid from the closed position when the push button is pressed in a first direction, the lid spring rotating the lid to the opened position when the lid is released.

According to another aspect, the push button is biased in a second direction with a push button spring, the second direction the opposite of the first direction.

According to another aspect, the container further comprises a non-slip ring disposed in a groove on an underside of the container at the second end, the non-slip ring configured to engage a surface to mitigate lateral movement of the container respective the surface.

According to another aspect, the lid further includes a seal groove on the collar that receives a seal, and a circular protrusion on the top portion that seats against the seal to seal the lid when in the closed position.

According to another aspect, the container further includes a retaining portion located proximate the first end configured to retain at least a portion of a least one cleaning wipe in a position proximate the first end of the body.

The foregoing and other features of the application are described below with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary container for cleaning wipes.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the container.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the container with the lid in an opened position.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the container with the lid in an opened position.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the container.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the container.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the container.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the container.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the container taken from line 9-9 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the container taken from line 9-9 of FIG. 2 showing a cylinder of a first size placed in the container.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the container taken from line 9-9 of FIG. 2 showing a cylinder of a second size placed in the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning initially to FIG. 1, an exemplary container 10 for storing and dispensing cleaning wipes is illustrated. The container 10 includes a body 12 having an opened first end 14 (FIG. 9) and a closed second end 16 opposite the first end 14 and a lid 18 configured to attach to the body 12 at the first end 14. The body 12 defines a cavity 56 (FIG. 9) between the first and the second ends 14 and 16 for receiving another container, such as a cleaning wipe container for storage and/or dispensing of cleaning wipes through the lid 18 when the lid 18 is opened.

Turning additionally to FIGS. 2-4, the lid 18 includes a collar portion 20, a top portion 22, and a hinge 24 connected to the collar portion 20 and top portion 22. The collar portion 20 can be attached to the first end 14 of the body 12 in a suitable manner, such as via a threaded connection. The top portion 20 can be pivotally coupled to the collar portion 22 at the hinge 24 such that the top portion 20 may pivot between a closed position and an opened position. The lid 18 can form a seal when in the closed position and can provide an opening for dispensing wipes when in the opened position. For example, the collar 22 includes a seal groove 26 that receives a suitable seal 28 to which a circular protrusion 42 on the top portion 22 seats against to seal the lid 18. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the lid 18 in a closed position, and FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the lid 18 in an opened position.

The collar portion 20 defines an opening through which objects exit the container 10. As shown, the opening includes a main opening 30 and retaining slot 32. The retaining slot 32 can be substantially T-shaped and formed from abutting edges of projections 34 and 36 that project inwardly from the seal groove 26 of the collar 20. The retaining slot 32 can be configured to retain a portion of a cleaning wipe for easy access by a user. For example, a user can open the lid 18 and retrieve a cleaning wipe held in place by retaining slot 32.

The collar portion 20 also includes a recess that receives a push button 44 having a tab 38 with a catch that engages a ledge 40 of the top portion 22 of the lid 38 when the lid 18 is in the closed position. The tab 38 engages the ledge 40 to hold the protrusion 42 against the seal 28 to seal the top portion 22 to the collar 20. The push button 44 is configured to release tab 38 from the ledge 40 when the push button 44 is pressed in a first direction. When the push button 44 is pressed in the first direction, the tab 38 disengages with the ledge 40, allowing the top portion 22 of the lid 18 to rotate to the opened position from the spring action of the hinge 24.

The lid 18 can include a gasket between the collar 20 and the first end 14 to improve a seal between the lid 18 and the first end 14 of the container 10. It should be appreciated that gaskets can be used according to sound engineering judgment to improve a seal (e.g., form an air tight seal) in various locations of the container 10 to seal the container 10 from open air and elements to achieve a longer shelf life for wipes within the container 10.

Turning additionally to FIG. 9, the container 10 includes threading 50 at the first end 14 and the collar 20 includes corresponding grooves 52 to engage the threading 50 of the container 10 to attach the collar 20 to the first end 14 of the container 10. It should be appreciated, however, that the collar 20 can be removably attached to the first end 14 in any suitable manner, such as a pressure fit, snap fit, adhesive, latches, or the like.

The lid 18 further includes a first biasing spring 54 located between the push button 44 and a surface 58 of the collar 20 that is configured to bias the push button 44 in a second direction 82, and a second biasing spring 84 located proximate the hinge 24 that biases the top portion 22 of the lid 18 in the opened position. Biasing the push button 44 in the second direction 82 causes the tab 38 to engage with the ledge 40 of the top portion 22. In this manner, the circular protrusion 42 is held against the seal 28 when the lid 18 is in the closed position.

In an example, when the lid 18 is in the closed position, a user can open the lid 18 by pressing the push button 44 in the first direction 80. When the user presses the push button 44, the push button 44 and the tab 38 move in the first direction, and the tab 38 disengages with the ledge 40 of the top portion 22. When the tab 38 disengages with the ledge 40, the top portion 22 can be freely pivoted to the opened position by the second biasing spring 84 to allow a user to retrieve a cleaning wipe from the cavity 56 of the container 10. It should be appreciated that the second biasing spring 84 can also keep the lid 18 in the opened position for ease of use. When a user is done using the container 10, the user can pivot the lid 18 to the closed position to engage the tab 38 with the ledge 40 to ensure that the lid 18 forms a seal and remains in the closed position. It should also be appreciated that the second biasing spring 84 can allow a user to open the lid 18 of the container 10 with a single push of the push button 44.

The container 10 also includes a non-slip ring 90 disposed in a groove 92 on the second end 16 of the container 10. The non-slip ring 90 can help mitigate translational movement of the container 10 with respect to a surface on which the container is located. Translational movement can be mitigated, for example, by increasing the frictional forces between the container 10 and the surface. In this respect, the material can be chosen from a non-slip material such as, but not limited to, silicone, rubber, cork, neoprene, foam, or the like.

The container 10 further includes a shelf 60 disposed in the cavity 56 and extending from the second end 16 toward the first end. The shelf 60 includes a first tier 62 and a second tier 64. The first tier 62 includes a surface 66 and extends to outer peripherals of wall 68 that serve to center a container. The second tier 64 includes a ledge 70 and extends to outer peripherals of a wall 72 that serve to center a container. The first tier 62 is configured to support a first container of cleaning wipes and the second tier 64 is configured to support a second container of cleaning wipes. In an example, the first container can be a cylinder having a first diameter and the second container can be a cylinder of a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. In an embodiment, the surface 66 may be formed from the bottom of the container 10 or by a separate component integral with or separate from the container 10.

Turning now to FIG. 10, illustrated in broken line is a first container of cleaning wipes 100 positioned within the container 10. The container 100 has a diameter 120, an opened first end 114, and a closed second end 116. In an example, the container 100 can be a packaging container for disinfectant or cleaning wipes with its top removed. For example, a user may retrieve a cleaning wipe from the container 100 through an opening in the container 100 proximate the first end 114. The opening proximate the first end 114 can be accessible by a user through the main opening 30 of container 10. In this manner, a user can access cleaning wipes from the container 100 when the container 100 is positioned in the container 10.

In an example, the first tier 62 can be configured such that the diameter of the first tier 62 is a suitable size to accommodate the diameter 120 of the container 100. The second end 116 of the container 100 may be supported by the surface 66, and can allow the container 100 to abut the wall 68. The container 100 can abut the wall 68 or can be located adjacent to wall 68 without making contact. The first tier 62 can be configured to support the container 100 such that the container 100 does not move within the container 10 or moves minimally. It should be appreciated that the size and dimensions of the first tier 62 can be configured according to sound engineering judgment to achieve a desired interaction between the container 100 and the container 10.

Turning now to FIG. 11, illustrated in broken line is a second container 200 positioned within the container 10. Similar to the container 100, the container 200 has a diameter 220, an opened first end 214, and a closed second end 216. The container 200 can be similar to the container 100 in all aspects except a diameter 220 of the container 200 is larger than diameter 120 of container 100.

In an example, the second tier 64 can be configured such that the diameter of the second tier 64 is a suitable size to accommodate the diameter 220 of the container 200. The second end 216 of the container 200 can be supported by the ledge 70, and the container 200 can abut the wall 72. The container 200 can abut the wall 72 or can be located adjacent to the wall 72 without making contact. The second tier 64 can be configured to support the container 200 such that the container 200 does not move within the container 10 or moves minimally. It should be appreciated that the size and dimensions of the second tier 64 can be configured according to sound engineering judgment to achieve a desired interaction between the container 200 and the container 10.

In example embodiment, the container 10 can be configured to accept/support the first the container 100 or the second container 200 of cleaning wipes. In this embodiment, the container 10 can store a cleaning wipe container and may allow a user to retrieve cleaning wipes from within the container when desired. It should be appreciated that while the container 10 can be configured to accept/support the first container 100 or the second container 200, only one container may be inserted at a given time. For example, a user may decide to place the first container 100 into container 10 and may use the container 10 in this manner until desired. The user may then decide to remove the first container 100 and insert the second container 200, having a larger diameter than the first container 100. The user may use the container 10 in this manner until desired.

In an example, the first container 100 or the second container 200 can be inserted or removed from the cavity 56 of the container 10 by removing the lid 18 from the container 10. When the lid 18 is removed, a user can access the opened first end 14 of the container 10 allowing a user to insert or retrieve a cleaning wipe container (e.g., container 100 or 200) from the cavity 56 of the container 10. It should be appreciated that removing the lid 18 can allow ease of access to the cavity 56, but may not be required in all instances. For example, in certain embodiments, the container 100 or 200 may be removed or inserted through the main opening 30 by placing the lid 18 in the opened position.

It should be appreciated that while certain embodiments of the container 10 are configured to accept/support the first container 100 or the second container 200, various sizes of containers can be installed if the containers have either a first or the second diameter. For example, a container of the first diameter may be any height so long as the height of the container does not exceed the interior height of the container 10. Likewise, a container of the second diameter may be any height not exceeding the interior height limits of the container 10. In certain embodiments, the container 10 may be configured such that the height of the container 10 is configured according to a height of a container of cleaning wipes.

In another embodiment, a container can be provided to include a tiered shelf having more than two tiers. In this manner, the container can be configured to accept/support cleaning wipe container of more than two different diameters. For example, a container can have a shelf having a first tier, a second tier, and a third tier. The first tier can be configured to accept a container of a first diameter, the second can be configured to accept a container of a second diameter, and the third can be configured to accept a container of a third diameter. In this example the third diameter is larger than the second diameter, and the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

It should be appreciated that, the container 10, including the body 12 and the lid 18, can be a cylinder corresponding to a cylinder-shaped cleaning wipe container. In this manner, the cleaning wipe packing can be installed into the cavity 56 of the container 10. In other embodiments, however, containers can be configured to accept/support cleaning wipe containers or containers of shapes other than cylinders. For example, the container and/or tiered shelf can be configured to be a square or a pentagon. It should be appreciated that the shape, size, and configuration of the container can be configured according to the shape and size of respective cleaning wipe container.

Although certain embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that equivalents and modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims will occur to others who are skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a body having an open first end, a closed second end, and defining a cavity therebetween;a lid configured to attach to the body at the first end; anda shelf disposed in the cavity and extending from the second end, the shelf having a first tier having a first diameter for supporting a first cylinder and a second tier having a second diameter greater than the first tier for supporting a second cylinder.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first tier includes a first base and a first wall projecting upward from a periphery of the base towards the first end, and wherein the second tier includes a second base and a second wall projecting upward from a periphery of the second base towards the first end.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the second base extends radially outward from a top of the first wall.

4. The container of claim 2, wherein the second wall is radially inwardly spaced from an inner surface of the body to form a circumferential gap between the second wall and the inner surface.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid further includes a collar portion coupled to the first end of the body, and a top portion coupled to the collar portion at a hinge, wherein the top portion pivots at the hinge between a closed position and an opened position.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the lid further includes a lid spring, the lid spring configured to bias the lid in the opened position.

7. The container of claim 6, further comprising a push button configured to release the lid from the closed position when the push button is pressed in a first direction, the lid spring rotating the lid to the opened position when the lid is released.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the push button is biased in a second direction with a push button spring, the second direction the opposite of the first direction.

9. The container of claim 1, further comprising a non-slip ring disposed in a groove on an underside of the container at the second end, the non-slip ring configured to engage a surface to mitigate lateral movement of the container respective the surface.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid further includes a seal groove on the collar that receives a seal, and a circular protrusion on the top portion that seats against the seal to seal the lid when in the closed position.

11. The container of claim 1, further comprising a retaining portion located proximate the first end configured to retain at least a portion of a least one cleaning wipe in a position proximate the first end of the body.

12. A container for storing a wipe container, the container comprising: a body having an open first end, a closed second end, and defining a cavity therebetween;a lid configured to attach to the body at the first end; anda shelf disposed in the cavity and extending from the second end toward the first end, the shelf having a first tier including a first base and a first wall projecting upward from a periphery of the first base towards the first end, a second tier including a second base and a second wall projection upward from a periphery of the second base towards the first end, and legs spacing the first and second tiers from the second end.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the first tier has a first diameter for supporting a first cylinder and the second tier has a second diameter greater than the first tier for supporting a second cylinder.

14. The container of claim 12, wherein the second base extends radially outward from a top of the first wall, and the second wall is radially inwardly spaced from an inner surface of the body to form a circumferential gap between the second wall and the inner surface.

15. The container of claim 12, wherein the lid further includes a collar portion coupled to the first end of the body, and a top portion coupled to the collar portion at a hinge, wherein the top portion pivots at the hinge between a closed position and an opened position.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the lid further includes a lid spring, the lid spring configured to bias the lid in the opened position.

17. The container of claim 16, further comprising a push button configured to release the lid from the closed position when the push button is pressed in a first direction, the lid spring rotating the lid to the opened position when the lid is released, and wherein the push button is biased in a second direction with a push button spring, the second direction the opposite of the first direction.

18. The container of claim 12, further comprising a non-slip ring disposed in a groove on an underside of the container at the second end, the non-slip ring configured to engage a surface to mitigate lateral movement of the container respective the surface.

19. The container of claim 12, wherein the lid further includes a seal groove on the collar that receives a seal, and a circular protrusion on the top portion that seats against the seal to seal the lid when in the closed position.

20. A container comprising: a body having an open first end, a closed second end, and defining a cavity therebetween;a lid configured to attach to the body at the first end, wherein the lid includes a collar portion coupled to the first end of the body, and a top portion coupled to the collar portion at a hinge, wherein the top portion pivots at the hinge between a closed position and an opened position; anda shelf disposed in the cavity and extending from the second end, the shelf having a first tier having a first diameter for supporting a first cylinder and a second tier having a second diameter greater than the first tier for supporting a second cylinder, wherein the first tier includes a first base and a first wall projecting upward from a periphery of the base towards the first end, and wherein the second tier includes a second base and a second wall projecting upward from a periphery of the second base towards the first end.