FIELD
The present invention relates generally to pre-packaged wipe products. More particularly, the present invention relates to an add on enclosure for current and future pre-packaged wipe products.
BACKGROUND
Prepackaged wipe products for a variety of personal care uses are known in the art. However, such known products come packaged in soft sided disposable containers that suffer from several known issues. In particular, the existing containers are not easily sanitized without potentially damaging unused wipes in the packaging and also lack an integrated location for containing used wipes when a trash receptacle is not available.
In view of the above, there is a continuing, ongoing need for improved systems and methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric top view of an enclosure in accordance with disclosed embodiments;
FIG. 2 is an isometric bottom view of an enclosure in accordance with disclosed embodiments;
FIG. 3. is an isometric view of an enclosure in accordance with disclosed embodiments;
FIG. 4 is an open view of an enclosure in accordance with disclosed embodiments;
FIG. 5 is an open view of an enclosure shown holding a package of wipes in accordance with disclosed embodiments; and
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an enclosure according to disclosed embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments.
Embodiments disclosed herein can include an enclosure 20 for holding and dispensing pre-packaged wipe products. FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the enclosure 20 and FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the enclosure 20 according to disclosed embodiments. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the enclosure 20 can include a top section 22, a bottom section 24 coupled to the top section 22, and an integrated receptacle 26. In some embodiments, the integrated receptacle 26 can be used to store used wipe products and can include a door 32. The door 32 can maneuver between an opened position to allow access to the receptacle 26 and a closed position to close off the receptacle 26. In some embodiments the door 32 is hinged, and in other embodiments the door 32 may slide or operate in another manner to provide access to the receptacle 26. As seen in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the top section 22 can include an opening 28 for accessing new wipes from a package of wipes 50 secured between the top section 22 and the bottom section 24 (see FIG. 5). In some embodiments, the opening 28 can be sized to accommodate different brands and types of wipe products in the market. In some embodiments, the enclosure 20 can include a second door that is configured to cover the opening 28. In these embodiments, the second door can cover the opening 28 to isolate the wipe products from the exterior of the enclosure. Similar to the door 32, the second door can maneuver between an open and closed position and can be coupled to the top section 22 by a hinge or similar manner to provide access to the opening 28. In some embodiments the second door can include a door 52 that is integrated into the package of wipes 50 (See FIG. 5). Because the enclosure 20 is separate from the package of wipes 50, the enclosure 20 can be cleaned and sanitized without damaging the package of wipes 50. For example, in some embodiments, the enclosure 20 can be cleaned in a dishwasher.
As seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the exteriors of the top section 22 and the bottom section 24 can include a smooth and tapered profile for easy insertion into pockets and travel bags. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the enclosure 20 can be manufactured from a custom blended polymer for improved performance and customer tactile feel.
As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the enclosure 20 can include apertures 30. In some embodiments, the apertures 30 can include, for example, pass through holes, gaps, slits, or other openings, etc. In some embodiments, the apertures 30 can be sized for attachment of accessory items, lanyards, carabiner clips, etc. and/or for coupling the enclosure 20 to a purse, backpack, diaper bag, etc.
As seen in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the door 32 selectively cover and seal off a compartment 34 of the integrated receptacle 26 that is used to store used wipes. Other embodiments such as where the door 32 can be fully removed from the top section 22 are also contemplated. It is understood that although an example enclosure 20 is illustrated, other configurations of the enclosure are possible. For example, the integrated receptacle 26, the compartment 34, and/or the door 32 can be coupled to the bottom section 24 or to a side of the enclosure 20.
As seen in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the door 32 can be configured to be flush with an outer surface of the top section 22 when the door 32 is closed. Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 3, in some embodiments the door 32 can include a snap closure feature 36 that can engage with a top of the compartment 34 to securely close the door 32. It should be understood that the snap close feature 36 can include other elements for securing the door 32 including, for example, interlocking pieces or slots, clasps, magnets, latches, locks, etc. In some embodiments, a portion of the door 32 can include lift tabs 38 for moving the door 32 into the open position such as shown in FIG. 3. As seen in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the lift tabs 38 can extend over finger gaps 39 in the top section 22 that can enable a user's fingers to contact the underside of the lift tabs 38 to open the door 32.
FIG. 4 is an open view of the enclosure 20 according to disclosed embodiments. As seen in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the top section 22 can be hingedly coupled to the bottom section 24 in a clamshell design so that the enclosure 20 can be opened to receive the package of wipes 50 within an internal cavity 43 (See FIG. 5). Other embodiments such as where the top section 22 can be fully removed from the bottom section 24 are also contemplated. In some embodiments, the top section 22 and the bottom section 24 can be secured together using snap closures 41. Although example snap closures 41 are illustrated, it should be understood that other types of snap closures 41 or elements to secure the top section 22 and bottom section 24 can be utilized for the disclosed invention. For example, the top section 22 and the bottom section 24 can be secured together using a clasp or plurality of clasps, a compression latch, a push to close latch, a button, a zipper, a hook and loop, a sliding latch, a draw latch, a magnet, or other type of mechanism for holding or securing the top section 22 to the bottom section 24.
In some embodiments, the enclosure 20 can include a lift feature 40 coupled to an inside of the bottom section 24. In some embodiments, the lift feature 40 can include a leaf spring configured to bias the package of wipes 50 placed in the internal cavity 43 toward an inside of the top section 22. For example, in some embodiments, the lift feature 40 can press the package of wipes 50 housed inside the cavity 43 into an inside of the top section 22 to secure the package of wipes 50 in place. The lift feature 40 is configured to secure the package of wipes 50 in an orientation that allows the package of wipes 50 to be accessed through the opening 28. While an example lift feature 40 with an arched leaf spring is illustrated, it should be understood that other configurations of a lift feature 40 are also contemplated. For example, a lift feature comprising a spring or plurality of springs coupled to the bottom section 24. In other embodiments, the lift feature 40 may include a plastic element or a plurality of plastic elements that are constructed to secure the package of wipes 50 with some tolerance allowed to accommodate different quantities of wipes or different thicknesses of wipe packages. In some embodiments, the enclosure 20 can include additional or alternative features for securing the package of wipes 50 inside the enclosure such as brackets, flexible bands or other means for securing the package of wipes 50 within the cavity 23.
As seen in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the compartment 34 can be formed from two halves integrated into the top section 22 and the bottom section 24 respectively. Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the compartment 34 can be isolated from the cavity 43 via walls 44 included in an interior region 45 formed between the top section 22 and the bottom section 24. In some embodiments, the compartment 34 may be adjacent to the cavity 43 by sharing one or more of the walls 44 with the cavity 43. The walls 44 can be an integrated part of only one of either the top section 22 or the bottom section 24. Alternatively, the walls 44 can be an integrated part of both the top section 22 and the bottom section 24, including where portions of the walls 44 are integrated into both the top section 22 and the bottom section 24 such that the walls 44 are formed when the top section 22 is coupled to the bottom section 24. In some embodiments, the walls 44 may be removably coupled to the interior region 45 so that the interior region 45 can be easily cleaned. In additional embodiments, the interior region 45 may include multiple locations to couple to the walls 44 such that the size of the compartment 34 can be adjusted. In some embodiments, the walls 44 bisect the interior region 45 formed between the top section 22 and the bottom section 24 so as to form the compartment 34 on the top section 22 and the bottom section 24. Additional embodiments where the compartment 34 is formed as an integrated part of only one of either the top section 22 or the bottom section 24 are also contemplated. For example, in some embodiments the walls 44 can have a height that is greater than sides of either the top section 22 or the bottom section 24 so that when the top section 22 and the bottom section 24 are joined together the walls 44 still bisect the interior region 45 so as to form the compartment 34 and the cavity 43.
FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of enclosure 20 according to disclosed embodiments. As seen in FIG. 6, the compartment 34 can be located at the rear of the enclosure 20 and can be accessed by side doors 54 that are hingedly coupled to the enclosure 54. As seen in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the enclosure 20 can include a removable insert 56 configured to fit within the compartment 34 and configured to hold one or more used wipes. In operation, the removable insert 56 can be removed from the compartment 34 to either store one or more used wipes in the compartment 34 or to remove one or more used wipes previously stored in the compartment 34. It should be understood that additional embodiments for the enclosure 20 as understood by those of skill in the art are also contemplated.
Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, other components may be added to or removed from the described systems, and other embodiments may be within the scope of the invention.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific system or method described herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20220274769
