Wet Wipe Clip

Abstract

A wet wipe clip for dispensing a single wipe from a wipe package. The wet wipe clip includes a top member, a base member and a hinge assembly. The top member has first handle portion and a top clamping portion. The base member has a second handle portion and base clamping portion. The hinge assembly pivotally connects the top and base members by utilizing a pin inserted through at least two hinge tabs and a spring to apply forces as the wet wipe clip goes from an open to closed position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a wet wipe clip, and, more particularly, to a wet wipe clip for dispensing a single wipe from a package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wet wipes are a widely used product for a wide range of applications. They are available in various forms and serve different purposes, catering to the diverse needs of consumers. Common types of wipes include baby wipes, facial wipes, household cleaning wipes, personal hygiene wipes, among others.

One of the most common wipe containers are the soft rectangular containers commonly used for baby wipes. These types of containers have their own set of challenges when it comes to dispensing a single wipe at a time. These containers are typically made of flexible plastic or similar materials and are designed to hold a stack of wipes. Due to their flexible nature, however, these containers often collapse or deform when pressure is applied during the wipe extraction process. This can lead to multiple wipes being pulled out inadvertently. The lack of structural rigidity in the container makes it difficult for users to exert precise control over the force applied to extract a single wipe. As a result, excessive force or imprecise movements can cause multiple wipes to be dispensed, leading to waste and frustration for the user.

Furthermore, the soft rectangular containers often lack mechanisms or features that facilitate the separation of individual wipes. Without any means to ensure proper separation, the wipes can stick together within the container, making it challenging for users to extract only one wipe at a time. This problem is exacerbated by the moistness of the wipes, which can increase their adhesion to one another.

Existing attempts to address this issue include adding weight or stiffness to the container, as well as incorporating features such as tabs or notches to assist in separating the wipes. These solutions, however, can be limited in their effectiveness or add complexity and cost to the manufacturing process.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can be added to the soft rectangular containers providing an effective solution to the challenges of dispensing a single wipe at a time. The proposed device offers a cost-effective and practical solution to enhance the performance of wipe containers, providing convenience and efficiency to parents and caregivers during their daily baby care routines while reducing waste and frustration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wet wipe clip for dispensing a single wipe from a container, such as a package of disposable wipes. In one embodiment, the wipe clip includes a top member and a base member pivotally connected to one another via a hinge assembly. The top member and base member each include a clamping portion and handle portion.

The hinge assembly includes at least two hinge tabs on the top member and at least two hinge tabs on the base member, positioned in an interlocking way to allow the top and base members to nest together. The tabs each contain a pivotal hole to receive a pin and connect the top and base members together. The pin extends through the pivotal holes of the hinge tabs, through a torsion spring to thereby pivotably connect the top and base members.

First and second handle portions are found on the top and base members which can be pressed together using an inward force to maintain an open position and extend the distance between the clamping members to receive a wipe package. Once the handle portions are released, the clamping members will revert to a closed position securing the wipe package using the force from the torsion spring pushing down on both sides. The torsion spring is attached to the pin in a way that urges the handle portions of the first and second members away from each other and the clamping portion of the first and second members towards one another. In one embodiment of the invention, the spring includes a pair of terminal ends positioned on each handle portion to achieve this result. As wipes are removed from the package, the torsion spring continues to apply force to push the clamping portions of the top and base members closer together as the package reduces in size.

In one embodiment of the invention, the clamping portion of the top member is U-shaped, or similar, creating an open area to receive a wipe package. This allows for the wipe package to be clamped down and the original cover of the package to still be used without alteration.

The foregoing and other objectives, features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wet wipe clip in its open state;

FIG. 2 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a left side view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a prospective view showing invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will be made in detail to exemplary embodiments and methods of invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described in connection with the exemplary devices and methods. It is to be understood that the features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with another and such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wet wipe clip 100. The wet wipe clip 100 includes a top member 102, a base member 104 and a hinge assembly 106. The top member includes a first handle portion 108 on one end and a top clamping portion 112. The base member includes a second handle portion 110 and a base clamping portion 114. The top clamping portion 112 includes a first clamping end 112a and a second clamping end 112b which are situated in a way to create an open area 124. The open area 124 can be generally u-shaped to receive the top part of a wipe package. The hinge assembly 106 pivotally connects the top member 102 and the base member 104 allowing for the wet wipe clip 100 to open and close as forces are applied.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the wet wipe clip 100. The first clamping end 112a and the second clamping end 112b of the top clamping portion 112 of the top member 102 are designed in a way to create an open area 124 to allow for unobstructed removal of wipes from a package. The open area 124 is generally u-shaped, but can accommodate additional configurations as long as it allows for the unobstructed removal of wipes from a wipe package.

FIG. 3 illustrates the bottom view of one embodiment of the wet wipe clip 100. The base member 104 is shaped to receive and support the base of a wipe package. The base member 104 is generally a smaller width than the top member 104 to allow for a centralized upward force in the middle of the wipe package while the top member 104 is shaped in a way with the top clamping portion 112 and first clamping end 112a and second clamping end 112b to apply downward pressure on the ends of a wipe package.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the right and left side views of one embodiment of the wet wipe clip 100. The pin 118 is inserted through the pivot holes 126 of the at least two hinge tabs 116a, 116b and through a spring 120 to create an axle for the top member 102 and base member 104 to be pivotally connected. As the first and second handle portions 108, 110 are squeezed together and pressure is applied, the distance between the top clamping portion 112 and base clamping portion 114 increases to receive a wipe package. A wipe package nests on the base member 104 and the first and second handle portions 108, 110 are released. As the inward force is released from the handle portions, the top and base clamping portions 112, 114 move closer together by pivoting about the pin 118 attaching the top and base members 102, 104 via the hinge assembly 106.

FIG. 6 illustrates the rear view of one embodiment of the wet wipe clip 100. The top member 102 attaches to the base member 104 via a hinge assembly 106 which includes the at least two hinge tabs 116a, 116b. The pivot holes 126 are bored through the hinge tabs and are meant to receive a pin 118 which is inserted through the pivot holes 126 to create a rotational axis. A torsion spring 120 is positioned between the at least two hinge tabs 116a, 116b and receives and wraps around the pin 118. A first spring end 122a extends to and applies pressure to the first handle portion 108 and a second spring end 122b extends to and applies pressure to the second handle portion 110. The spring rate of the spring 120 can vary, but applies enough pressure to each handle portion 108, 110 to maintain a secure fit on a wipe package.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the wet wipe clip 100. The top member 102 includes a first handle portion 108 on one end and a top clamping portion 112. The top clamping portion 112 includes a first clamping end 112a and a second clamping end 112b which are situated in a way to create an open area 124. The base member includes a second handle portion 110 and a base clamping portion 114. At least two hinge tabs 116b protrude from the second handle portion 110 and pivot holes 126 are bored through the at least two hinge tabs 116b in order to receive the pin 118. The spring 120 nestles between the at least two hinge tabs 116b and is secured in place by the pin 118 placed through the pivot holes 126. The base member 104 is shaped in a way so that the base clamping portion 114 receives and provides support for a wipe package.

FIG. 8 shows the wet wipe clip 100 securing a wipe package 128. The user squeezes and applies pressure to the first handle portion 108 and second handle portion 110 to position the wet wipe clip 100 in an open position. The wipe package 128 is then inserted between the top member 102 and base member 104 and pressure is released from the first and second handle portions 108, 110. The top member 102 and base member 104 secure the wipe package with pressure being maintained through the top clamping portion 112 and base clamping portion 114 by the use of the spring 120. The top clamping portion 112 has a first clamping end 112a and a second clamping end 112b to create an open area 124 which does not obstruct the wipe package opening 130 and allows for wipes to be removed from the wipe package 128.

While various aspects have been described above, one with ordinary skill in the art will be aware of a range of possible modifications of the various embodiments described. The description of this disclosure is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention

Claims

1. A wet wipe clip comprising: a top member having a first handle portion on one end and a top clamping portion;a base member having a second handle portion on one end and a base clamping portion;a hinge assembly with at least two hinge tabs protruding from the first handle portion and at least two hinge tabs protruding from the second handle portion of the top member and base member, respectively, to receive a pin and a spring to pivotally connect the top member and base member and allow pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position.

2. The wet wipe clip of claim 1 wherein the top clamping portion has a first clamping end and a second clamping end.

3. The wet wipe clip of claim 2 wherein the first clamping end and the second clamping end are situated in a way to create an open area to allow wipes to pass through unobstructed as they are pulled out of a package.

4. The wet wipe clip of claim 3 wherein the open area is generally U-shaped.

5. The wet wipe clip of claim 2 wherein the first clamping end and the second clamping end are flat.

6. The wet wipe of claim 2 wherein the first clamping end and the second clamping end are spherical.

7. The wet wipe clip of claim 1 wherein the spring includes a pair of terminal ends positioned to apply forces to the first and second handle portions.

8. The wet wipe clip of claim 1 wherein the base clamping portion is narrower than the top clamping portion.

9. A method of using the wet wipe clip of claim 1, the method comprising: a. Pressing the first and second handle portions together using an inward force to pivotally open and extend the distance between the top clamping portion and the base clamping portion;b. Inserting a wipe package in the area between the top clamping portion and the base clamping portion;c. Releasing the first and second handle portions to allow the spring to apply forces on to the top clamping portion and base clamping portion to secure the wipe package;d. Removing a wipe from the wipe package while the wipe package is secured by the wet wipe clip.