Patent Publication Number: US-10779692-B2

Title: Wipes dispenser

Description:
The present application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/978,003 filed on Dec. 22, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates in some aspects to a dispenser and in other aspects to a dispenser system having a dispenser and a cartridge. In still other aspects, the disclosure generally relates to methods for providing an airtight seal between a cartridge and a dispenser. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Disposable wipes are often sold in disposable wipe containers. The wipes are typically sheets of paper or cloth, and may be dry or pre-moistened. For example, in healthcare facilities, disposable pre-moistened wipes often include disinfectant or sanitizing formulas. Wipes intended for use on infant skin are also typically sold as pre-moistened wipes. 
     In many conventional dispensers, it is advantageous to provide a wipe dispenser to house the disposable wipe cartridges. Dispensers often include a lid to cover the wipe cartridge and wipes when not in use. Even in the closed position, ambient air may pass through spaces between lid and the dispenser (or through other apertures in the dispenser) and into the wipe cartridge. Over time, the air dries out the pre-moistened wipes, rendering the wipes less desirable or even unfit for their intended use. Air gaps in the dispenser may also allow bacteria to enter into the interior of the wipe cartridge. 
     To address the above, a dispenser with substantially airtight features is now provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dispenser in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a left side elevational view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a right side elevational view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  showing the lid in an open position. 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  showing the lid in an open position. 
         FIG. 10  is a left side elevational view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  showing the loading door in an open position. 
         FIG. 11  is a left side elevational view showing an alternative embodiment of a dispenser with an interior shelf. 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  looking into the interior of the dispenser. 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom plan view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the bottom surface removed. 
         FIG. 14  is side elevational view of the mount of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 15  is a partially rotated side elevational view of the mount of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a cartridge suitable for use with the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of the cartridge of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a left side elevational view of the cartridge of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is a right side elevational view of the cartridge of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 20  is a front elevational view of the cartridge of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 21  is perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  showing the loading door in an open position, and the cartridge of  FIG. 16  disposed adjacent to the dispenser. 
         FIG. 22  is a left side elevational view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  showing the loading door in an open position, and the cartridge of  FIG. 16  disposed within the interior of the dispenser. 
         FIG. 23  is a partially rotated side elevational view of the mount of  FIG. 14 , and the cartridge mount of the cartridge of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  showing the lid in an open position, and a wipe being withdrawn through the dispenser. 
     
    
    
     References to “top,” “left,” “front,” “right,” and other points of direction are for internal reference and are not intended to limit the orientation of the dispenser in use. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. 
     DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, the term “wipes” refers to sheet portions that may be, for example, a paper or non-woven cloth. The sheet portions may form a continuous sheet with perforations to allow a user to tear the sheet into discrete wipes. The sheet portions may instead take the form of pre-cut discrete wipes. Pre-cut wipes are typically interlocked with adjacent wipes such that removal of a first wipe pulls the next wipe partially outside of the cartridge. The wipes may be pre-moistened during manufacture by applying a liquid disinfectant, sanitizing, or lubricating formula. The wipes may also be dry wipes that may be used, for example, as wiping or absorbing sheets. 
     The dispenser advantageously provides substantially airtight seals between the cartridge and the dispenser, and between a dispenser lid and the dispenser. This refers to a seal between two surfaces that is substantially gas impermeable at atmospheric pressure. In this way, ambient air is substantially inhibited from passing through the seals provided by the dispenser. The airtight seals of the dispenser inhibit ambient air from drying out the wipes or introducing bacteria to the wipes. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1-7 , the dispenser  2  includes a dispenser body  4 , a loading door  6 , and a lid  8 . In a preferred approach, at least one exterior surface of the dispenser  2  is a substantially flat surface  10  for resting on a horizontal table or like surface. As shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , and in particular  FIG. 7 , the flat surface  18  may include a wall mount interface  12  that permits mounting of the dispenser  2  to a wall. 
     The loading door  6  is preferably pivotably mounted to the dispenser body  4  via a hinge assembly  9  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The loading door  6  includes an aperture  14  that aids the user in opening the loading door  6 . For example, a user desiring to open the loading door  6  inserts a finger into the aperture  14 , grips the loading door  6 , and pivots the loading door  6  about a pivot bar  16  (shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) to an open position. Other approaches for mounting the loading door  6  to the dispenser body  4  and for opening the loading door  6  are possible. Opening the loading door  6  permits user access to the interior cavity of the dispenser  2  to insert or remove a cartridge. 
     The lid  8  is also preferably pivotably mounted to the dispenser body  4  via hinge a assembly  11  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The lid  8  includes a user interface such as a tab  18  that aids the user in opening the lid  8 . For example, a user desiring to open the lid  8  lifts the tab  18  and pivots the lid  8  about a pivot bar  20  to an open position. The tab  18  preferably extends a sufficient distance (e.g., 1 inch) from the dispenser  2  to permit a user to open the lid  8  with the user&#39;s finger, and in some approaches, extends a sufficient distance (e.g., 2 inches) from the dispenser  2  to permit a user to open the lid  8  with, for example, the back of the user&#39;s hand or the user&#39;s forearm. Other approaches for mounting the lid  8  to the dispenser body  4  and for opening the lid  8  are possible. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the dispenser body  4  has a dispenser surface  22  that has an aperture  24  disposed therethrough. The aperture  24  provides access from the exterior of the dispenser body  4  to the interior of the dispenser body  4 . The aperture  24  may include first and second aperture regions  26 ,  28  having different dimensions. The first aperture region  26  is preferably sized so as to permit a user to insert one or more fingers into the interior of the dispenser body  4  to access wipes disposed within a cartridge (not shown in  FIG. 8 or 9 ). The second aperture region  28  preferably includes at least one separation surface  30  that facilitates separating each wipe from the next adjacent wipe. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the dispenser body  4  may have two separation surfaces  30 , each comprising a plurality of protrusions or teeth that extend into the aperture  24 . In another approach, the separation surface may be a sharp ridge (not shown). 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the lid  8  may include a magnet  32 . When the lid  8  is in the closed position, the lid magnet  32  cooperates with a corresponding magnet  34  or ferrous disc (not shown) disposed on the dispenser body  4 . The magnets are sized such that an attraction force between the two magnets  32 ,  34  is sufficiently strong enough to hold the lid  8  securely against the dispenser body  4  when the lid  8  is rotated to the closed position. In another approach, the magnet  34  of the dispenser body cooperates with a corresponding ferrous disc (not shown) disposed on the lid  8 . The positions of the magnet and ferrous disc may be reversed. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the dispenser surface  22  of the dispenser body  4  preferably includes a gasket  36 . The gasket  36  is disposed at the perimeter of the dispenser surface  22  to thereby surround the aperture  24 . When in the closed position, a perimeter region  37  of the lid  8  presses against the gasket  26 , thereby creating a substantially airtight seal. This substantially airtight seal inhibits ambient air from passing through the aperture  24  when the lid  8  is in the closed position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10-12  the loading door may include one or more magnets  38   a ,  38   b . When the loading door  6  is in the closed position, the loading door magnets  38   a ,  38   b  interface with magnets  40   a ,  40   b  disposed on the dispenser body  4 . An attraction force between the two sets of magnets  38   a ,  38   b  and  40   a ,  40   b  is sufficiently strong enough to hold the loading door  6  securely against the dispenser body  4  when the loading door  6  is rotated to the closed position. In some approaches, one of the sets of magnets (e.g., magnets  38   a ,  38   b ) cooperates with corresponding ferrous discs (not shown) disposed, for example, on the dispenser body  4 . Alternatively, the magnets may be disposed on the dispenser body and the ferrous disks may be disposed on the loading door. In other approaches, a greater or smaller number of magnets or a different type of connector may be employed 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the interior cavity  42  of the dispenser  2  is substantially empty. In an alternative approach, shown in  FIG. 11 , a shelf  44  extends into the interior cavity  42 . The shelf  44  may serve to aid in aligning a cartridge (not shown in  FIG. 11 ) with the aperture  24 . When the dispenser  2  is mounted to a wall, the shelf  44  may additionally serve to support the weight of a cartridge within the interior cavity  42 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12-15 , a mounting surface  46  is located within the interior cavity  42  near the aperture  24  of the dispensing surface  22 . The mounting surface  46  includes a mounting interface  48  that enables mounting of a cartridge (not shown in  FIGS. 12-15 ) within the dispenser  2 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the mounting interface  48  includes at least one, and preferably two, interference fit regions  50   a ,  50   b . The interference fit regions  50   a ,  50   b  engage a mounting interface of a cartridge (not shown in  FIG. 14 or 15 ) to create a substantially airtight seal between the mounting portions of the cartridge and the interference fit regions  50   a ,  50   b . The interferences fit regions  50   a ,  50   b  preferably include grooves  52   a ,  52   b . The heights of the grooves  52   a ,  52   b  are defined by the distances between flanges  54   a ,  54   b  of the mounting interface  48  and the mounting surface  46 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , groove  52   b  has a first groove height (indicated by H 1 ) at a first groove region  56  and a second groove height (indicated by H 2 ) at a second groove region  58 . Preferably, the second groove height W 2  is narrower than the first groove height H 1 . This may be accomplished, for example, by providing the rail  54   b  with a ramped upper surface  59   b . In this way, the height of the groove  52   b  is height proximal the loading door  6 , and narrower distal the loading door  6 . In a preferred approach, groove  52   a  has similar geometry as that of groove  52   b . In an alternative approach (not shown), groove has a constant height along a longitudinal axis of the groove, while groove has a narrowing height along a longitudinal axis of the groove. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 16-20 , a cartridge  60  includes a cartridge body  62  having an interior cartridge cavity  64 . The cartridge body is preferably a plastic material and may be, for example, a flexible bag or a rigid canister. 
     A plurality of wipes  66  are disposed within the interior cartridge cavity  64 . As discussed, the wipes  66  may comprise one continuous sheet with perforations, or comprise a plurality of pre-cut sheet portions. The wipes  66  are removed from the interior cartridge cavity  64  through a cartridge aperture  68  of the cartridge body  62 . The cartridge aperture  68  may be formed, for example, by tearing a perforation in the cartridge body  62 , or by removing an adhesively applied cover (not shown). 
     The cartridge  60  includes a cartridge mounting interface  70  disposed on an exterior of the cartridge body  62 . The cartridge mounting interface  70  includes an aperture  72  that permits access to the cartridge aperture  68  of the cartridge body  62 . In a preferred approach, the aperture  72  of the cartridge mounting interface  70  has a profile similar to that of the aperture  24  of the dispensing surface  22 . In this way, the aperture  72  of the cartridge mounting interface  70  may include a first aperture region  74  and a second aperture region  76  (shown in  FIG. 17 ). 
     Returning to  FIG. 16 , the cartridge mounting interface  70  further includes at least one, and preferably two, cartridge interference fit regions  78   a ,  78   b . The cartridge interference fit regions  78   a ,  78   b  includes cartridge guides  80   a ,  80   b . In a preferred approach, cartridge guides  80   a ,  80   b  include rails  82   a ,  82   b  that extend inwardly toward the aperture  72  so that they may be received by the grooves  52   a ,  52   b  of the mounting interface  48  of the dispenser  2 . Depending on the groove configuration of the dispenser mounting interface  48 , the rails of the cartridge guides  80   a ,  80   b  may instead extend outwardly away from the aperture (not shown). 
     With reference to  FIG. 21 , to mount the cartridge  60  within the dispenser  2 , the cartridge mounting interface  70  is positioned adjacent to the dispenser mounting interface  48 . The rails  82   a ,  82   b  of the cartridge guides  80   a ,  80   b  are inserted into grooves (not visible in  FIG. 21 ) of the dispenser mounting interface  48 . The cartridge  60  is then slid along a longitudinal axis of the dispenser mounting interface  48  and into the interior cavity  42  of the dispenser  2 . 
     As discussed, the grooves  52   a ,  52   b  narrow in height along the longitudinal axes of the grooves  52   a ,  52   b  in the direction moving away from the loading door  6 . Thus, during insertion of the cartridge  60 , the rails  82   a ,  82   b  of the cartridge guides  80   a ,  80   b  travel along the ramped upper surfaces  59   a ,  59   b  and are increasingly pressed against the mounting surface  46 . This also serves to increasingly pull the cartridge mounting interface  70  against the dispenser mounting interface  48 . Upon full insertion of the cartridge  60  within the dispenser  2  (shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 ), the cartridge mounting interface  70  becomes firmly pressed against the dispenser mounting interface  48  so as to create a substantially airtight seal between the two surfaces. In this way, air entering the interior cavity  42  of the dispenser  2  is substantially inhibited from entering the interior cartridge cavity  64 . When all of the wipes have been removed from the cartridge  60 , the user may open the loading door, remove the spent cartridge, and insert a new cartridge. 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , upon installation of the cartridge within the dispenser  2 , a user may access and withdraw wipes  66  through the aperture  24  of the dispenser  2 . 
     In an alternative approach (not shown), the heights H 1  and H 2  of the grooves of the dispenser mounting interface are constant along the longitudinal axes of the grooves. In this approach, the heights of the rails of the cartridge interference fit regions may decrease along longitudinal axes of the rails. This will also permit the cartridge mounting interface to increasingly pull against the dispenser mounting interface during insertion of the cartridge, thereby creating an airtight seal between the two surfaces. 
     The dispenser mounting interface  48  and the cartridge mounting interface  70  are preferably formed of plastic materials, which each may be the same or different. For example, the dispenser mounting interface  48  may be polypropylene, and the cartridge mounting interface  70  may be polycarbonate. The use of different plastics having different rigidities is believed to assist in providing a sealing effect between the dispenser mounting interface  48  and the cartridge mounting interface  70 . The components of the dispenser  2 , including the dispenser body  4 , loading door  6 , and lid  8 , may be made of any suitable material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or polycarbonate. 
     It is thus seen that an improved dispenser with substantial airtight features is provided. A first substantially airtight seal is provided between the lid  8  and the dispenser body  4  when the lid  8  is in the closed position. This inhibits ambient air from passing through the aperture  24  of the dispenser  2 . A second substantially airtight seal is provided between the cartridge  60  and the dispenser  2 . This inhibits ambient air that enters the interior cavity  42  of the dispenser from passing through the aperture  72  of the cartridge  60 . This configuration is believed to prolong the usage life of the wipes  66  and inhibit bacteria from contacting the wipes  66 . 
     Uses of singular terms such as “a,” “an,” are intended to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms. Any description of certain approaches or embodiments as “preferred” approaches or embodiments, and other recitation of approaches, embodiments, features, or ranges as being preferred, or suggestion that such are preferred, is not deemed to be limiting. The invention is deemed to encompass embodiments that are presently deemed to be less preferred and that may be described herein as such. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended to illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention. Any statement herein as to the nature or benefits of the invention or of the preferred embodiments is not intended to be limiting. This invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited herein as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The description herein of any reference or patent, even if identified as “prior,” is not intended to constitute a concession that such reference or patent is available as prior art against the present invention. No unclaimed language should be deemed to limit the invention in scope. Any statements or suggestions herein that certain features constitute a component of the claimed invention are not intended to be limiting unless reflected in the appended claims. Neither the marking of the patent number on any product nor the identification of the patent number in connection with any service should be deemed a representation that all embodiments described herein are incorporated into such product or service.