Multi-chamber wipe container

Abstract

A multi-chamber wipe container holds at least two supplies of wipes. The wipe supplies are disposed within a receptacle that may be a housing (which housing may or may not be divided by a rib) or may be a plurality of canisters. The wipes are dispensed through a lid assembly, which preferably has an opening corresponding to each wipe supply.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dispensing containers for wipe products and, more particularly, to a dispensing container having a plurality of dispensing chambers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wipe products that are dispensed from a dispensing container, typically having a cylindrical configuration, are well-known. Examples include diaper wipes, hand-cleaning wipes, furniture cleaning wipes, and car cleaning wipes.

In the typical configuration, a roll of wipes, known as a “log” is positioned within the dispensing container. Individual wipes are separated by perforations, so that application of sufficient lateral pulling force permits the separation of a wipe from the remainder of the log. Generally, the log is positioned so that wipes may be drawn through the container lid, with the tearing action occurring as the wipe to be removed is located outside the container and the perforation line is located proximate the lid.

For some applications, two different types of wipes may be desired. For example, a person utilizing a treated wet wipe for a furniture polishing application, will want to use a dry or finishing wipe to complete the polishing process. A person engaged in such a process will typically utilize wipes drawn from two separate wipe dispensing containers.

A need exists for a single wipe container that has a plurality of dispensing chambers, including preferably a container having two chambers. In one embodiment, both chambers may contain the same type of wipe. In another embodiment, each chamber can include a different type of wipe product, for example a wet wipe in one chamber and a dry wipe in the other.

The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other, related, advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a multi-chamber wipe container is disclosed. The multi-chamber container comprises, in combination: a first supply of wipes; a second supply of wipes; a receptacle; the first supply of wipes and the second supply of wipes disposed in the receptacle; and a lid assembly adapted to be fitted over the receptacle; the lid assembly having an opening therein to permit the passage of wipes therethrough from the first supply of wipes and the second supply of wipes.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a multi-chamber wipe container is disclosed. The container comprises, in combination: a first supply of wipes treated with a first treating agent; a second supply of wipes treated with a second treating agent; a receptacle; the first supply of wipes and the second supply of wipes disposed in the receptacle; and a lid assembly adapted to be fitted over the receptacle; the lid assembly having an opening therein to permit the passage of wipes therethrough from the first supply of wipes and the second supply of wipes.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a multi-chamber wipe container is disclosed. The container comprises, in combination: a first supply of wipes treated with a first treating agent; a second supply of wipes that is untreated; a receptacle; the first supply of wipes and the second supply of wipes disposed in the receptacle; and a lid assembly adapted to be fitted over the receptacle; the lid assembly having an opening therein to permit the passage of wipes therethrough from the first supply of wipes and the second supply of wipes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of an embodiment of a multi-chamber wipe dispensing container, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the multi-chamber wipe dispensing container of FIG. 1, shown without the lid assembly.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the lid assembly portion of the multi-chamber wipe dispensing container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the multi-chamber wipe dispensing container of FIG. 1, shown without the lid assembly.

FIG. 5 a side view of the multi-chamber wipe dispensing container of FIG. 1, shown without the lid assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, exploded view of an embodiment of a multi-chamber wipe dispensing container, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the lid assembly portion of the multi-chamber wipe dispensing container of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the multi-chamber wipe dispensing container of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a front, cut-away view of the lid assembly portion of the multi-chamber wipe dispensing container of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1-5, an embodiment of a multi-chamber wipe container consistent with the present invention, referred to as a container 10, is illustrated. In this embodiment, the container 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 is adapted to carry at least two logs 14 of wipes. (Although two logs 14 are shown by way of example, it should be noted that the housing 12 could be configured to carry three, four, or even a greater number of logs 14.)

It is preferred to provide a rib 16 to separate between the logs 14. It should be noted that the housing 12 and rib 16 could be manufactured as a one-piece assembly, through a molding process or the like. On the other hand, it should be noted that the rib 16 could be a removable insert, or the like. The rib 16 could be flexible or rigid.

In many instances, it will be desired to treat logs 14 with a cleaning or other treating agent. Where the logs 14 are treated with different treating agents (so that, for example, one log is treated with a first treating agent and the second is treated with a second treating agent), or where one log 14 has been treated and another has not, the rib 16 serves to prevent treating material from one log 14 from getting onto another log 14. The rib 16 can also help make the dispensing process more efficient, particularly where one log 14 has been fully dispensed, so that the remaining log 14 remains in proper alignment with its associated lid opening (described below).

Where the logs 14 are treated with different treating agents, or where one is treated and one is not, it will generally be desired to provide a rib 16 that extends from the bottom to the top of the interior of the housing 12 and fully across, in order to block the passage of treating agents. However, where the rib 16 serves a purely aligning function as between similarly treated (or non-treated) logs 14, or where blocking the passage of treating agents is not a concern, the rib 16 may not need to fully extend upward and across, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Instead, the rib 16 may only need to occupy sufficient space to align the logs 14. For example, one or more tabs extending from a front and/or rear wall of the interior of the housing 12 may be sufficient to align logs 14. Other configurations for the rib 16 could also be provided.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, an embodiment of the lid assembly portion of the container 10, referred to herein as the lid assembly 18, is described. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the lid assembly 18 is preferably fitted to the housing 12. Preferably, the lid assembly 18 is removable from the housing 12, for example by grasping an edge of the lid assembly 18 and pulling upward, so that a new log 14 may be inserted or to feed a wipe from a log 14 though its associated lid opening.

The lid assembly 18 preferably has a lid opening 20 for each log 14, through which wipes may be drawn. Different variations on the structure of the lid opening 20 are possible. In one embodiment, a substantially V-shaped tabbed area 22 is provided, having a region of teeth 24. Removal of individual wipes is facilitated by a user grasping a wipe, pulling against the tabbed area 22, and the teeth 24 gripping a lower wipe below the grasped wipe, with the result that the grasped wipe is torn away from along perforations (not shown) that separate between the lower wipe and the grasped wipe. Preferably, holes 26 are provided on the tabbed area 22, to permit excess treating agent to drain back into the interior of the housing 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the lid assembly 18 further preferably includes a lid 28 for each opening 20 and adapted to cover its respective opening. The lids 28 are permitted to open and close about their respective living hinge 30. It is further preferred to provide a finger well 32 for each lid 28, to permit the ready grasping of the lids 28 for opening.

While it is preferred to provide a one-piece lid assembly 18 that is dimensioned to be fitted over the entire housing, it should be noted that it is possible to provide a plurality of discrete lid assemblies corresponding to compartments in a multi-compartment housing 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 8, another embodiment of a multi-chamber wipe container consistent with the present invention, referred to as a container 100, is illustrated. In this embodiment, the container 100 includes a plurality of canisters 102, with two canisters 112, as shown in FIG. 8, being preferred. Each canister 112 is preferably adapted to carry a single log 114 of wipes. Although two canisters 112 are shown by way of example, it should be noted that the container 100 could be configured to carry three, four, or even a greater number of canisters 112.)

Several advantages are associated with providing canisters 112, as compared to the housing 12 described above. For example, it may be possible to utilize prior art wipe dispensers for the canisters 112, in combination with the lid assembly (described below) shown in FIGS. 6-9. In addition, each canister 112 is substantially self-contained, blocking the transmission of a treating agent from an interior of one canister 112 to an interior of another. Still further, it may be possible to provide replacement canisters 112, perhaps including a log 114 loaded therein, for an existing container 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, an embodiment of the lid assembly portion of the container 100, referred to herein as the lid assembly 118, is described. First, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the lid assembly 118 is preferably fitted to the canisters 112. Preferably, the lid assembly 118 is removable from the canisters 112. This may be accomplished by grasping an edge of the lid assembly 118 and pulling upward. Alternatively, for example where separation of the lid assembly from only a single canister 112 is desired, removal may be accomplished by pulling downward on the desired canister 112, separating it (though not any other canister 112) from the lid assembly 118. The lid assembly 118 preferably has a lid opening 120 for each log 14, through which wipes may be drawn. Each lid opening 120 is preferably formed within a cap 122. Each cap 122 is preferably adapted to be fitted over a corresponding canister 112 (see FIGS. 6 and 9). In this fashion, the risk of transmission of a treating agent from one canister 112 to another can be minimized. Where such transmission is not a significant concern, it may be possible to provide a lid assembly 118 lacking in discrete caps 122 corresponding to each canister 112.

Although it is preferred to provide a lid assembly comprising a discrete caps 122 for each canister 112, it will be preferred to have a lid assembly 118 in which the caps 122 are joined into a one-piece, web-type assembly, as shown in FIGS. 6-9. Alternatively, it may be desired to provide separate (or separable) caps 122, while coupling a plurality of canisters 112 together, so as to provide a multi-chamber container 100 in this fashion. In this embodiment, canisters 112 may be coupled with a shrink label, or other means.

The lid assembly 118 preferably further comprises a lid 128 for each opening 120 and adapted to cover its respective opening. The lids 128 are permitted to open and close about their respective living hinge 130. It is further preferred to provide a finger well 132 for each lid 128, to permit the ready grasping of the lids 128 for opening.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For example, while, in a preferred embodiment, wipes are formed into a log 14 or 114, wipes may also be positioned in a stacking configuration, with the configuration of the housing 12 or canister 112 and lid assembly 18 or 118 being modified as necessary to accommodate such configuration. The term “supply of wipes” is intended to refer to a plurality of wipes organized into a lock, provided in a stacked configuration, or otherwise organized. In addition, the term “receptacle” as used herein shall mean either a housing as described herein, a canister or canisters as described herein, or other container capable of holding wipes.

There are a number of advantages associated with the various embodiments of multi-chamber wipe containers described herein. Where each wipe supply of wipes is identically treated (or non-treated), a multi-chamber container will contain more wipes and will last longer than a single chamber container. For uses where two types of wipes are desired, such as waxing a car or cleaning a furniture surface, one compartment can contain one wipe type and a second can dispense the second type. In this manner, a user will have the convenience of having both wipe types needed for a particular application available in the same package. A single package may be easier to transport than two, and the risk that one of the two packages will be misplaced or forgotten (requiring a trip to retrieve it) is removed.

It should be further noted that one compartment can be provided having no wipe supply therein, or may be maintained in an empty state after the wipe supply previously therein is exhausted. In this configuration, a user could use the empty compartment to discard used wipes from another compartment.

Claims

1. A multi-chamber wipe container comprising, in combination: a first supply of wipes; a second supply of wipes; a receptacle; said first supply of wipes and said second supply of wipes disposed in said receptacle; and a lid assembly adapted to be fitted over said receptacle; said lid assembly having an opening therein to permit the passage of wipes therethrough from said first supply of wipes and said second supply of wipes.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein each of said first supply of wipes and said second supply of wipes is formed into a log.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein said receptacle comprises a housing adapted to hold a plurality of supplies of wipes.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein said receptacle comprises at least two canisters.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein said lid assembly includes two discrete caps, each of which is adapted to be fitted over an opening to one of said canisters.

6. The container of claim 5 wherein said two discrete caps are formed into a one-piece assembly.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein said lid assembly includes an opening corresponding to each of said first supply of wipes and said second supply of wipes.

8. A multi-chamber wipe container comprising, in combination: a first supply of wipes treated with a first treating agent; a second supply of wipes treated with a second treating agent; a receptacle; said first supply of wipes and said second supply of wipes disposed in said receptacle; and a lid assembly adapted to be fitted over said receptacle; said lid assembly having an opening therein to permit the passage of wipes therethrough from said first supply of wipes and said second supply of wipes.

9. The container of claim 8 wherein each of said first supply of wipes and said second supply of wipes is formed into a log.

10. The container of claim 8 wherein said receptacle comprises a housing adapted to hold a plurality of supplies of wipes.

11. The container of claim 8 wherein said receptacle comprises at least two canisters.

12. The container of claim 111 wherein said lid assembly includes two discrete caps, each of which is adapted to be fitted over an opening to one of said canisters.

13. The container of claim 12 wherein said two discrete caps are formed into a one-piece assembly.

14. The container of claim 8 wherein said lid assembly includes an opening corresponding to each of said first supply of wipes and said second supply of wipes.

15. The container of claim 8 wherein said first treating agent and said second treating agent are identical.

16. The container of claim 8 wherein said first treating agent is different than said second treating agent.

17. A multi-chamber wipe container comprising, in combination: a first supply of wipes treated with a first treating agent; a second supply of wipes that is untreated; a receptacle; said first supply of wipes and said second supply of wipes disposed in said receptacle; and a lid assembly adapted to be fitted over said receptacle; said lid assembly having an opening therein to permit the passage of wipes therethrough from said first supply of wipes and said second supply of wipes.

18. The container of claim 17 wherein said receptacle comprises a housing adapted to hold a plurality of supplies of wipes.

19. The container of claim 17 wherein said receptacle comprises at least two canisters.

20. The container of claim 17 wherein said lid assembly includes an opening corresponding to each of said first supply of wipes and said second supply of wipes.