Abstract:
A wipe container and dispenser in which tray for receiving the wipes can be removably attached expeditiously to a decorative cover. The tray snaps into the decorative cover from the bottom. A coupling member provides releasable snap fit coupling between the tray and the cover. The cover can have a molded design such as an animal shape or sports related shape.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/891,168, filed Oct. 15, 2013, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a wipe container and dispenser in which a tray for receiving the wipes can be removably attached expeditiously to a decorative cover. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Conventional containers for holding wipes, such as baby wipes, are formed as a rectangular box which can be opened or closed from the top. The lid of the box snaps into engagement with the side of the box. 
         [0006]    It is desirable to provide an improved wipe container and dispenser in which the container can be removably attached expeditiously to a decorative cover. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention relates to a wipe container and dispenser in which tray for receiving the wipes can be removably attached expeditiously to a decorative cover. The tray snaps into the decorative cover from the bottom. The tray and cover combine to preserve the moisture of the wipes. A coupling member provides releasable snap fit coupling between the tray and the cover. In one embodiment, the coupling member is squeezed inwardly to release the tray from the cover. The cover can have a molded design such as an animal shape or a sports related shape. The tray can have a size to receive baby wipes, toddler wipes or adult wipes. The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings. 
         [0008]    The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a bottom view of the wipe container and dispenser in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the tray attached to the housing support plate. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a cover attached to the housing support plate being received over the tray. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the cover including an opening for dispensing of the wipes. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the cover attached to the housing support plate. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of the wipe container and dispenser  10  shown from the bottom in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Walls  12  and  13  extend from tray base  14 . Adjacent walls  12   a,    13   a,  and  12   b,    13   a  meet at respective corners  15   a,    15   b.  Adjacent walls  12   a,    13   b,  and  12   b,    13   b  meet at respective corners  15   c ,  15   d.  Walls  12 , walls  13 , tray base  14  and corners  15  can be integral to one another to form tray  18 . 
         [0016]    Tray  18  can have a rectangular shape. Tray  18  can have a width W and a length L to be slightly larger than the size of a conventional baby wipe. Alternatively, tray  18  can be a width W and a length L to be slightly larger than the size of a conventional toddler or adult wipe. For example tray  18  can have a width W in the range of about 5 to about 7 inches and a length L in a range of about 5 to about 7 inches for a baby wipe. For example tray  18  can have a width W in the range of about 7 to about 9 inches and a length L in a range of about 7 to about 9 inches for a toddler wipe. For example tray  18  can have a width W in the range of about 4 to about 5 and a length L in a range of about 5 to about 6 inches for an adult wipe. Tray  18  is slightly larger for example about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches for each of the tray size. 
         [0017]    Tray  18  can be coupled to housing support plate  20  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Walls  12   a  and  12   b  of tray  18  can include coupling member  24  for releasable snap fit coupling of tray  18  into housing support plate  20 . Coupling member  24  can include protrusion  26 . 
         [0018]    In the closed position protrusion  26  extends over indentation  30  of housing support plate  20  to lock tray  18  into engagement with housing support plate  20 . In the open position, protrusion  26  is moved in the direction of arrow A l  to release tray  18  from housing support plate  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Walls  12   a  and  12   b  can include movable section  32  positioned below protrusion  26  for providing spring action of coupling member  24 . 
         [0019]    Tray  18  in the upright position receives wipes  40  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Housing support plate  20  is coupled or integral with cover  50  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Cover  50  and housing support plate  20  can be received over tray  18  such that tray  18  is attached and removed from bottom  52  of cover  50 . Housing support plate  20  is snapped into engagement with tray  18 . Cover  50  can have a decorative molded design, such as for example an animal shape. Alternatively, cover  50  can have a decorative molded design of a sport related shape, such as for example a shape of an ice rink, football field, baseball field, basketball court and the like. Tray  18  can be disengaged from cover  50  through activation of coupling member  24 . Wipes  40  can be removed from opening  54  formed in cover  50  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Opening  54  can be closed with flap  55  have substantially the same size as opening  54 . 
         [0020]    It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.