Patent Publication Number: US-10327602-B2

Title: Disinfecting wipes dispenser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/336,548 filed Oct. 27, 2016; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/684,842 filed Apr. 13, 2015, granted as U.S. Pat. No. 9,974,419, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/983,408 filed Apr. 23, 2014. The present application is related to U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D771489 and D773930. The disclosure of each of the above referenced applications and patents are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. The Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to containers including a removable lid, such as those used in the dispensing of wipes used in disinfection, cleaning, etc. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Wetted wipes including a cleaning formulation impregnated therein are employed in a wide variety of circumstances for disinfecting or cleaning various surfaces. Because the wipes are pre-wetted with a cleaning formulation, it is important that the container be sealed so as to prevent the wipes from prematurely drying out. 
     Such wipes may initially be attached to one another, with a line of perforations, rouletting, or similar mechanism by which they may in theory be easily separated from one another, as a lead wipe may be torn from the following wipe as it is pulled from the container. In actual practice, with existing dispensing configurations, there is a tendency for the lead wipe to not fully separate from the following wipe as the lead wipe is pulled from the dispenser (referred to as “roping”), leading to more than the single desired wipe being dispensed. Such roping leads to waste, as more wipes than the user intended end up being dispensed from the container. 
     Another issue with existing configurations is the tendency for the lead wipe to fall back into the container, requiring the user to retrieve the lead wipe and rethread it into the retention mechanism. As a result, there continues to be a need for improved wipe dispenser configurations that may alleviate one or more of these issues. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an embodiment, the present invention is directed to a wipes dispenser comprising a container including a container body and a removable lid forming an interior region containing a plurality of wipes that are interconnected such that pulling on a lead wipe of the plurality of wipes causes a following wipe of said plurality of wipes to also be pulled and follow the lead wipe. The wipes dispenser also includes a container aperture defined through an exterior wall of the container (e.g., over which the removable lid may be disposed). The removable lid may further include a rigid landing member that covers a portion of the container aperture by extending from a top rim of the container body toward the middle of the interior region of the container. The landing member may form an angle with a substantially vertical exterior wall of the container that is less than 90°. For example, the landing member may be angled downward, towards the bottom of the interior region of the container, or the landing member may include a concave, downwardly curved surface, which similarly forms an angle with the substantially vertical exterior wall of the container that is less than 90°. The landing member may further include a gripping channel therein that communicates with the interior of the container through the container aperture, wherein the plurality of wipes are removed from the container by being pulled through the gripping channel, the gripping channel separating a lead wipe from a following wipe as the lead wipe is pulled through the gripping channel. The landing member may further include a secondary aperture which allows a user to reach into the container, grab a lead wipe, and thread the lead wipe through the gripping channel. 
     Such configurations aid in reducing the tendency of the wipes to “rope”, particularly where the wipes are pulled from the container in a substantially vertical direction, which consumers are prone to do. Such configurations allow a user to quickly pull the lead wipe through the gripping channel, separating it from the following wipe as it is pulled through the gripping channel. The inclusion of the secondary aperture advantageously allows the user to reach through the secondary aperture of the removable lid and grab a lead wipe if the lead wipe is not already threaded within the gripping channel, without the user&#39;s fingers being uncomfortably scraped by surfaces adjacent the secondary aperture. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a wipes dispenser including a container having a container body and a removable lid forming an interior region containing a plurality of wipes that are interconnected such that pulling on a lead end of a lead wipe of the plurality of wipes causes a following wipe of the plurality of wipes to also be pulled and follow the lead wipe. The wipes dispenser further includes a container aperture defined through an exterior wall of the container. The removable lid may include a rigid landing member that covers a portion of the container aperture by extending from a top rim of the container body toward the middle of the interior region of the container creating a concave portion of the landing member. The landing member may further include one or more fingers, and a gripping channel communicating with the interior of the container through the container aperture wherein the plurality of wipes are removed from the container by being pulled through the gripping channel, the gripping channel separating a lead wipe from a following wipe as the lead wipe is pulled through the gripping channel. The landing member further includes a secondary aperture therethrough which allows a user to reach into the container and grab and thread a lead wipe through the gripping channel. 
     Another embodiment is directed to a wipes dispenser comprising a container including a container body and a removable lid. The container body and removable lid form an interior region containing a plurality of wipes that are interconnected such that pulling on a lead end of a lead wipe of the plurality of wipes causes a following wipe of the plurality of wipes to also be pulled and follow the lead wipe. A container aperture is defined through an exterior wall of the container which may be partially covered by the removable lid. The removable lid includes a crab claw sealing member which bends as it contacts a side rim of the container body when the lid is secured to the container body. The lid further includes a rigid landing member which covers a portion of the container aperture by extending from a top rim of the container body towards the middle of the interior region of the container. The landing member comprises one or more fingers. A gripping channel in the landing member communicates with the interior of the container through the container aperture, and the plurality of wipes are removed from the container by being pulled through the gripping channel, the gripping channel separating a lead wipe from a following wipe as the lead wipe is pulled through the gripping channel. The landing member may further include a secondary aperture which allows a user to reach into the container and grab a lead wipe and thread it through the gripping channel. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a wipes dispenser comprising a container including a container body and a removable lid forming an interior region containing a plurality of wipes that are interconnected such that pulling on a lead wipe of the plurality of wipes causes a following wipe of said plurality of wipes to also be pulled and follow the lead wipe. The wipes dispenser also includes a container aperture defined through an exterior wall of the container (e.g., over which the removable lid may be disposed). The removable lid may further include a rigid landing member that covers at least a portion of the container aperture by extending from a top rim of the container body toward the middle of the interior region of the container. The landing member may form an angle with a substantially vertical exterior wall of the container that is less than 90°. For example, the landing member may be angled or curved downward, towards the bottom of the interior region of the container. The landing member may further include a gripping channel formed therein that communicates with the interior of the container through the container aperture, wherein the plurality of wipes are removed from the container by being pulled through the gripping channel, the gripping channel separating a lead wipe from a following wipe as the lead wipe is pulled through the gripping channel. The landing member may further include a thickened strip or other region of material extending across at least a portion of the landing member, and surrounding at least a portion of the gripping channel. The thickened region of material may be thicker than adjacent portions of the landing member. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a wipes dispenser including a container having a container body and a removable lid forming an interior region containing a plurality of wipes that are interconnected such that pulling on a lead end of a lead wipe of the plurality of wipes causes a following wipe of the plurality of wipes to also be pulled and follow the lead wipe. The wipes dispenser further includes a container aperture defined through an exterior wall of the container. The removable lid may include a rigid landing member that covers a portion of the container aperture by extending from a top rim of the container body toward the middle of the interior region of the container creating a concave portion of the landing member. The landing member may cover a majority of the container aperture, and a gripping channel may extend through the landing member, communicating with the interior of the container through which the plurality of wipes are removed by being pulled through the gripping channel. The gripping channel separates a lead wipe from a following wipe as the lead wipe is pulled through the gripping channel. The landing member may further include a thickened strip or other region of material extending across at least a portion of the landing member, and surrounding at least a portion of the gripping channel. The thickened region of material may be thicker than adjacent portions of the landing member. 
     Another embodiment is directed to a wipes dispenser comprising a container including a container body and a removable lid. The container body and removable lid form an interior region containing a plurality of wipes that are interconnected such that pulling on a lead end of a lead wipe of the plurality of wipes causes a following wipe of the plurality of wipes to also be pulled and follow the lead wipe. A container aperture is defined through an exterior wall of the container which may be partially covered by the removable lid. The lid includes a rigid landing member configured such that the lid covers an entirety of the container aperture but for the gripping channel formed through the landing member. The gripping channel in the landing member communicates with the interior of the container through the container aperture, and the plurality of wipes are removed from the container by being pulled through the gripping channel, the gripping channel separating a lead wipe from a following wipe as the lead wipe is pulled through the gripping channel. The landing member may further include a thickened strip or other region of material extending across at least a portion of the landing member, and surrounding at least a portion of the gripping channel. The thickened region of material may be thicker than adjacent portions of the landing member. 
     Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of preferred embodiments below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the drawings located in the specification. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary removable lid including a hinged lid cover that may be used with wipes dispensers according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the removable lid of  FIG. 1 , without showing the hinged lid cover for simplicity; 
         FIG. 2B  is a top plan view of the removable lid of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 C- 2 C of  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 D- 2 D of  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 2E  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 E- 2 E of  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary wipes dispenser including the removable lid of  FIG. 2A  coupled over an exemplary container body; 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view through the removable lid and container body of  FIG. 3 , illustrating an exemplary crab claw scaling member; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of another removable lid; 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  show various cross-sectional views through the removable lid of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 4D  shows a cross-sectional view through a removable lid and container, illustrating a somewhat differently configured sealing arrangement as compared to  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4E  shows another cross-sectional view through a removable lid and container, illustrating another alternative sealing arrangement; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary wipes dispenser similar to that of  FIG. 3 , but shown with a wipe threaded in the gripping channel ready to be dispensed; 
         FIG. 5A  is an exploded view of the exemplary wipes dispenser of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIGS. 6A-6M  are top plan views showing removable lids similar to that of  FIG. 2B , but each with an alternatively configured gripping channel; 
         FIG. 7A  is a top perspective view of another removable lid that may be coupled over a container body; 
         FIG. 7B  is a bottom perspective view of the removable lid of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is a cross-sectional view through the removable lid of  FIG. 7B ; 
         FIG. 7D  is a perspective view of an exemplary wipes dispenser similar to that of  FIG. 5 , but shown with the removable lid of  FIGS. 7A-7C ; and 
         FIG. 7E  is an exploded view of the exemplary wipes dispenser of  FIG. 7D . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Definitions 
     Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularly exemplified systems or process parameters that may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein, whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     The term “comprising” which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
     The term “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps “and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)” of the claimed invention. 
     The term “consisting of” as used herein, excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. 
     It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “surfactant” includes one, two or more surfactants. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although a number of methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention, the preferred materials and methods are described herein. 
     II. Introduction 
     The present invention is directed to wipes dispensers from which wipes may be dispensed one at a time as a lead wipe of a plurality of interconnected wipes is pulled from the dispenser, becoming separated from the following wipe as it is dispensed. An exemplary wipes container may include a container body and a removable lid coupleable to the container body. The container body and lid form an interior region into which a plurality of interconnected wipes (e.g., arranged as a “donut”) may be disposed, such that pulling on a lead end of a lead wipe causes a following wipe of the plurality of interconnected wipes to also be pulled and follow the lead wipe. The wipes dispenser includes a container aperture (e.g., an open top of a cylindrical container body) defined through an exterior wall of the container. The removable lid may cover a portion of the container aperture. The removable lid may include a rigid landing member that covers a portion of the container aperture by extending from a top rim of the container body toward the middle of the interior region of the container. The landing member may form an angle with a substantially vertical exterior wall of the container, where the formed angle may be less than 90°. In an embodiment, the landing member may include a concavely shaped portion. The landing member may include one or more fingers. 
     The landing member may include a gripping channel communicating with the interior of the container through the container aperture, wherein the plurality of wipes are removed from the container by being pulled through the gripping channel, the gripping channel separating a lead wipe from a following wipe as the lead wipe is pulled through the gripping channel. A secondary aperture may be provided in the landing member which allows a user to reach into the container and grab a lead wipe and thread the lead wipe through the gripping channel. A crab claw sealing member may be provided on an internal surface of the removable lid, which crab claw sealing member bends as it contacts a side rim of the container body when the removable lid is secured to the container body. 
     III. Exemplary Wipes Dispensers 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate an exemplary removable lid  100  for use with a container body  102  so as to form a container  104  that may form a portion of a wipes dispenser  106  according to the present invention.  FIGS. 1-2E  illustrate various views of removable lid  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , removable lid  100  may include a hinged cover  140 , which closes over landing member  118  and secondary aperture  134 . Hinged cover  140  is not shown in the remaining Figures for the sake of simplicity.  FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of exemplary wipes dispenser  106 , including container  104  that is formed by removable lid  100  and container body  102 . Container body  102  and removable lid  100  of wipes dispenser  106  form an interior region  108 , e.g., within hollow container body  102 , capped by removable lid  100  (see  FIG. 3 ). As shown in  FIG. 5 , within interior region  108  may be disposed a plurality of wipes  110  that are interconnected such that pulling on a lead end of a lead wipe of the plurality of wipes causes a following wipe of the plurality of wipes to also be pulled and follow the lead wipe. Wipes  110  may be wound in the shape of a donut, as seen in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5A  shows donut of wipes  110  exploded from container body  102  and removable lid  100 . 
     A container aperture  112  may be defined through an exterior wall of container  104 . For example, container body  102  may be generally cylindrical in shape, with a hollow interior region  108 . The bottom  114  of container body  102  may be closed, while the top  116  of container body  102  may be open, so as to define container aperture  112 . A portion of container aperture  112  may be covered by removable lid  100 . 
     Removable lid  100  may include a landing member  118  that may be formed from a rigid material. Rigid landing member  118  is part of lid  100 , and covers a portion of container aperture  112  by extending from top rim  116  of container body  102  inwardly toward a middle (e.g., defined by a longitudinal axis A) of interior region  108  of container  104 . Landing member  118  may include one or more features configured to enhance the ability of a user to pull wipes from container in a substantially vertical direction, while limiting any tendency of the interconnected wipes to “rope”, to disengage from gripping channel  122  and fall back into container  104 , or both. For example, as perhaps best seen in  FIGS. 2D-2E , landing member  118  may form an angle with the substantially vertical exterior wall (e.g., wall  120 ) of container  108  that is less than 90°. In other words, landing member  118  may not be horizontal. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2E , in an embodiment, an angle between landing member  118  and substantially vertical wall  120  may be from about 45° to 85°, from about 45° to 80°, or from about 65° to about 75°. (e.g., about 70°). Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , landing member  118  may include a concave portion. For example, landing member  118  may be concavely curved, rather than generally planar, curving downward as landing member  118  extends from top rim  116  ( FIG. 3 ) towards longitudinal axis A. 
     Such an angled or downwardly curved configuration advantageously decreases any tendency of the interconnected wipes to “rope” as they are pulled from wipes dispenser  106 , through a gripping channel  122  in landing member  118 , particularly where the wipes are pulled in a generally vertical orientation, as users are prone to do. For example, existing wipes containers often instruct the user to pull wipes at an angle (e.g., 45°) relative to vertical through a generally planar, horizontal landing member in an attempt to reduce roping. Users are prone to ignore such instructions, preferring instead to pull wipes out of such dispensers in a substantially vertical orientation. By providing a landing member  118  that is downwardly angled or concavely curved, a non-perpendicular angled relationship is advantageously provided between landing member  118  and the substantially vertical wipe as it is pulled, which angle aids in detaching the lead wipe from the following wipe as it is dispensed, reducing any roping tendency. Such an angle or concavely curved portion ensures increased frictional contact against the edges of gripping channel  122  as the wipe is pulled, aiding in separation of the lead wipe from a following wipe. Such a configuration may also aid in preventing fall back of the lead wipe through gripping channel  122  of landing member  118 . 
     Container aperture  112  ( FIG. 3 ) may reside in a substantially horizontal base plane. The angle between the horizontal base plane H of container aperture  112  and the direction at which the wipes are pulled from the container (i.e., a pull plane P 1 ) may be from about 70° and about 120°. For example, even if instructed otherwise, many consumers prefer to pull wipes at an angle of about 90° relative to the horizontal base plane, as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . As described above, providing an angle between the direction of wipe pull (e.g., substantially vertical, perpendicular to container aperture  112 ) and the landing member, so that the given angle is not perpendicular (e.g., less than 90°) aids in preventing roping of the wipes as they are pulled from the dispenser. For example, the angle (θ 1 ) formed between the horizontal base plane H and landing member  118  (e.g., at a point of entry through central aperture  125  ( FIG. 2B ) of gripping channel  122 ) may be from 5° to about 45°, from about 10° to about 45°, or from about 15° to about 25° as perhaps best seen in  FIG. 2E . 
     Gripping channel  122  is perhaps best seen in  FIG. 2B . Gripping channel  122  in landing member  118  communicates with interior  108  of container  104  through container aperture  112  such that individual wipes of the plurality of wipes are removed from container  104  by being pulled through gripping channel  122 . Gripping channel  122  is configured to separate a lead wipe from a following wipe as the lead wipe is pulled through gripping channel  122 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , gripping channel  122  may be star or flower shaped, including a plurality of arms or petals  124 . For example, the illustrated embodiment includes 6 petals surrounding a central aperture  125  through which a lead wipe may be pulled. As illustrated, the arms or petals  124  may include a narrower, constricted portion between the central aperture  125  of the gripping channel and the end of the respective arm or petal  124 . Such a plurality of arms or petals  124  may further serve to separate the lead wipe from a following wipe, particularly where the wipe may be “pinched” by a constricted portion of each arm or petal  124 . 
     Gripping channel  122  may be in communication with an outer edge  126  of landing member  118 , including a threading portion  128  between outer edge  126  and the central aperture  125  of channel  122 , which allows a user to thread a lead wipe into the central aperture  125  through threading portion  128 . As shown, the entrance  130  into threading portion  128  at outer edge  126  may be funnel shaped, including a wider dimension at entrance  130 , which narrows towards threading portion  128 . In addition, as shown, threading portion  128  may be zig-zag shaped or include a curve, which may aid in preventing back-out of a lead wipe that is already engaged within central aperture  125  of gripping channel  122 . 
     Where threading portion  128  is provided in landing member  118 , a plurality of fingers  132  may be defined (e.g., on either side of entrance  130  and threading portion  128 ). Such fingers may extend towards the middle of interior region  108  and longitudinal axis A. For example, fingers  132  may define the furthest extension of landing member  118  towards longitudinal axis A. To further aid in easy threading of a lead wipe through entrance  130 , into threading portion  128 , and eventually into central channel  125  of gripping channel  122 , fingers  132  may be oppositely curved or angled relative to adjacent portions of landing member  118 , forming an upwardly directed re-curved or re-angled portion. Such a feature is perhaps best seen in  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2E . 
     To further aid in preventing roping of a following wipe as a lead wipe is dispensed, gripping channel  122  may be off-set from a center point (e.g., axis A) of container  104 . Similarly, gripping channel  122  may be off-set from a center point of container aperture  112 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the center point of aperture  112  and container  104  may be the same, represented by longitudinal axis A, although it will be appreciated that other configurations are possible. For example, container  104  is illustrated as cylindrical, although this is not required, as various rectangular box-like configurations are certainly also possible. Off-setting of the gripping channel advantageously allows the wipes to enter gripping channel  122  from below at an angle (i.e., as opposed to entering vertically, with the center of the donut aligned with gripping channel  122 ), which further serves to ensure that the lead wipe separates from the following wipe as the lead wipe is pulled through gripping channel  122 . This angled entry into gripping channel  122  is perhaps best seen in  FIG. 5 . 
     This causes the path of the wipe as it is dispensed from donut  110  into gripping channel  122  to be other than a simple vertical path, so that the wipe is pulled into gripping channel  122  at an angle as a result of the off-set. This other than simple vertical path creates increased engagement between the lead wipe and the edges of gripping channel  122 , facilitating separation of the lead wipe from the following wipe. Once the lead end of the lead wipe passes through gripping channel  122  the lead end of the lead wipe is pulled vertically, also resulting in engagement between the edges of gripping channel  122  and the lead wipe, because of the concave or downwardly angled orientation of landing member  118  in the region of gripping channel  122 . Such engagement ensures efficient separation of the lead wipe from a following wipe as the wipes are dispensed. 
     Removable lid  100  further includes a secondary aperture  134  through landing member  118 , which allows a user to easily reach into container  104  and grab a lead wipe, and thread it through gripping channel  122 . Secondary aperture may advantageously be relatively large relative to the size of landing member  118 , occupying a significant fraction of container aperture  112 . For example, as seen in  FIG. 2B , container aperture  112  may have a diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of removable lid  100 , corresponding to circle C 1 . Secondary aperture  134  defined through landing member  118  may include a portion opposite gripping channel  122  bounded by a radius associated with a circle C 2 . Circle C 2  may have a size that is about 50% to about 95%, 60% to about 85%, or about 70% to about 80% that of circle C 1 . For example, circle C 2  may have a radius that is about 75% that of C 1 . Such a relatively large circle C 2  allows for a secondary aperture  134  that is relatively large, allowing a user to easily insert their fingers or hand to retrieve a lead wipe for threading into gripping channel  122 . As shown, landing member  118  may extend inwardly over portion  136  opposite gripping channel  122 , covering a relatively small portion of container aperture  112 , if at all, preserving a wide secondary aperture  134  that will easily accommodate a user&#39;s inserted fingers and/or hand so as to grab a lead wipe. As shown, the portion  138  of landing member  118  opposite portion  136  (i.e., adjacent gripping channel  122  and fingers  132 ) may extend to a greater extent over container aperture  112 , towards axis A, but still preserve a sufficiently large space so that a user&#39;s hands and/or fingers may be easily inserted into secondary aperture  134  without undue scraping and/or interference from portions  136  and  138  of landing member  118 . For example, portion  138  of landing member  118  may cover less than 50%, less than 40%, or less than about 30% of circle C 2 . For example, fingers  132  may extend no more than about 75%, no more than about 65%, no more than about 60%, or no more than about 50% of the distance from the edge of circle C 2  towards longitudinal axis A. This preserves a majority of the area of circle C 2  as the secondary aperture  134 , allowing a user to insert fingers or a hand therein so as to retrieve a lead wipe, without fear of scraping the user&#39;s fingers or hand on the edges of secondary aperture  134 . 
       FIG. 3A  shows a cross-sectional view along upper rim  116  of container body  102 , as container body  102  engages with removable lid  100 . In an embodiment, removable lid  100  may include a crab claw sealing member  142  which bends as it contacts side rim  144  of container body  102  as lid  100  is secured to container body  102 . Such a crab claw sealing member aids in ensuring that internal region  108  is properly sealed so as to prevent the donut of wipes disposed in internal region  108  from prematurely drying out. In the illustrated embodiment, crab claw sealing member  142  may extend inwardly, towards the middle of container  104  from vertical sidewall  120  of removable lid  100 . Crab claw sealing member  142  may extend from sidewall  120  at a downward angle of less than 90°, for example, from about 30° to about 70°, or from about 40° to about 60°. Such an angle orients crab claw sealing member  142  relative to side rim  144  so that crab claw sealing member  142  is deflected on contact with side rim  144 , providing a seal therebetween. 
     Removable lid  100  may couple over top rim  116  of container body  102  by any suitable mechanism. As shown in  FIG. 3A , removable lid  100  may include an annular ring  146  configured to be received within a corresponding annular groove  148  of container body  102 . Such a mechanism may allow a user to simply press removable lid  100  over top  116  of container body  102 . When ring  146  clicks into place in groove  148 , the lid and container body are retained together. Removal of lid  100  may be achieved by simply pulling lid  100  off. In other embodiments, alternative coupling mechanisms (e.g., threads, mating grooves, etc.) may be provided. 
       FIGS. 4-4E  illustrate somewhat differently configured removable lids. For example,  FIGS. 4-4D  illustrate an embodiment similar to that of  FIGS. 1-3A , but in which the sealing arrangement by which the removable lid provides a plug or seal to seal the container body are somewhat different. For example, lid  100 ′ shown in  FIG. 4  and the cross-sections shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C  are similar to lid  100  shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C-2E , respectively. Principal differences include a differently configured entrance  130 , providing direct access into aperture  125 , rather than the zig-zag threading portion, the inclusion of an annular groove  119  at the periphery of landing member  118 , and a somewhat differently configured sealing mechanism including crab claw  142 ′. As perhaps best seen in  FIG. 4D , crab claw  142 ′ may press and seal against the uppermost curve in the S-shaped curved top portion  145  of container body  102 . In addition, S-shaped curved portion  145  at top  116  of container body  102  may be sandwiched between crab claw  142  and the outer wall  147  defining groove  119  ( FIG. 4D ). Sealing contact by both crab claw  142 ′ and the outer wall  147  provides an excellent seal for the interior of container body  102 , within which the wipes are stored, preventing the wipes from drying out. In such an embodiment, crab claw  142 ′ may be referred to as a top claw, as it is disposed at or near the top of removable lid  100 ′, and may seal against the top or last curve at top  116  of container body  102 . 
       FIG. 4E  shows a similar embodiment  100 ″, but which may be referred to as including a side claw, as the crab claw  142 ″ seals against the top portion of side rim  144 , similar to the embodiment seen in  FIG. 3A . As in  FIG. 4D , sealing contact may be provided between the S-curve portion  145  at the top  116  of container body  102  and outer wall  147  of groove  119 , again providing two points of contact for improved sealing. 
     Although  FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a gripping channel  122  including a flower shaped portion with petals  124 , it will be appreciated that variously other shaped gripping channels may be employed.  FIGS. 6A-6M  illustrate several various alternative gripping channels  122 . It will readily be apparent to one of skill in the art that gripping channels having shapes other than those shown herein may also be employed. 
       FIGS. 7A-7E  illustrate another removable lid  200  that may be used with a container body (e.g., container body  102  of  FIG. 5 ). Such a removable lid and container body may form a wipes dispenser  106 ′ from which a donut of wipes  110  may be dispensed. As other embodiments described herein, removable lid  200  may include a hinged cover  240  ( FIGS. 7A-7B ), which closes over landing member  218 . It will be apparent that the illustrated embodiment of removable lid  200  may not include a secondary aperture (e.g., analogous to secondary aperture  134  of  FIGS. 1-3 ), but may be configured such that landing member  218  covers most, or substantially all of the container aperture  112 , but for gripping channel  222 . In other embodiments, a secondary aperture such as described in other embodiments may be provided. Landing member  218  of removable lid  200  may be formed from a rigid material, and may cover nearly the entire open top (e.g., aperture  112  of  FIG. 3 ) of the container body that the lid  200  may be coupled over. For example, landing member  218  may cover at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the aperture of the container body when lid  200  is coupled over the container body. 
     While landing member  218  may not include the large secondary aperture  134  shown in other removable lid embodiments described herein, it may still include one or more features configured to enhance the ability of a user to pull wipes from container in a substantially vertical direction, while limiting any tendency of the interconnected wipes to “rope”, and/or to disengage from gripping channel  222  and fall back into the container. For example, as described with other embodiments, landing member  218  may form an angle (θ 2 ) with the substantially vertical exterior wall  120  of a cylindrical container (e.g.,  102 ) which it is coupled over or the sidewall of lid  200  that is less than 90°. A similar angle θ 2  may be referenced between landing member  218  and sidewall  220  of lid  200  (e.g., where both walls  120  and  220  are substantially vertical). Such is apparent in  FIG. 7C . An angle between landing member  218  and any such substantially vertical wall (or wall  220 ) may be from about 45° to 85°, from about 45° to 80°, or from about 65° to about 75° (e.g., about 70°). Similar to embodiments described above, the angle (θ 1 ) formed between the horizontal base plane H and landing member  218  may be from 5° to about 45°, from about 10° to about 45°, or from about 15° to about 25° as seen in  FIG. 7C . As illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7C , landing member  218  may be concavely curved along its top surface, and convexly curved along the bottom surface. 
     Gripping channel  222  may communicate with an interior of the container, and may be star or flower shaped, including a plurality of arms or petals  224 , similar to channel  222  of  FIGS. 1-3 . Another notable difference of gripping channel  222  is that it is shown as including a closed perimeter, e.g., it is not connected to any secondary aperture. For example, the gripping channel  122  of  FIGS. 1-3  is connected to secondary aperture  134  by threading portion  128 . Based on this different configuration, it will be apparent that the user may thread the lead wipe through central aperture  225  of gripping channel  222 , as seen in  FIG. 7D .  FIG. 7E  shows container body  102  exploded from removable lid  200 , with donut of wipes  110  shown therebetween. 
     To further aid in preventing roping of a following wipe as a lead wipe is dispensed, gripping channel  222  may be off-set from a center point (e.g., axis A) of the lid  200  and an underlying container. As described above, off-setting of the gripping channel advantageously allows the wipes to enter gripping channel  222  from below at an angle (i.e., as opposed to entering vertically, with the center of the donut aligned with gripping channel  222 ), which further serves to ensure that the lead wipe separates from the following wipe as the lead wipe is pulled through gripping channel  222 . 
     Similar to other embodiments described herein, removable lid  200  may couple over a top rim of container body  102  by any suitable mechanism.  FIGS. 7B-7C  shows how a strip or other shaped region  252  of thickened material may be provided along at least a portion of landing member  218 . For example, as illustrated, strip  252  may surround at least a portion, or the entirety of gripping channel  222 . As described in further detail below, strip  252  may be at least as wide, or wider than impression artifact or “witness”  256 . Thickened strip  252  may be at least about 1%, at least about 3%, at least about 5%, at least about 10%, from about 5% to about 200%, from about 10% to about 100%, or from about 25% to about 100% thicker than the immediately adjacent region of landing member  218 , which is not thickened.  FIG. 7B  shows how thickened strip  252  is wider than impression artifact or “witness”  256 , so that strip  252  fully surrounds such an artifact or “witness”. It will be appreciated that the remainder of landing member  218  may be substantially equal in thickness across its area, other than strip  252 . 
     Strip  252  is shown extending across the landing member  218  in a manner such that strip  252  is centered with the diameter D of landing member  218 . Furthermore, as perhaps best illustrated in  FIG. 7B , strip  252  may be aligned with hinge  254  which hingedly attaches cover  240  to the remainder of lid  200 . Furthermore, it will be apparent from  FIGS. 7A-7C  that the increased thickness of strip  252  may be disposed on the underside of landing member  218 , so that the entire top surface of landing member  218  may be flush across its entire surface (except for where channel  222  is formed therethrough), including where strip  252  is formed thereunder. On the bottom side, the strip or region  252  may thus project or “jut out” from the adjacent un-thickened areas of landing member  218 . Such a configuration hides the thickened region  252  during typical use (e.g., see  FIG. 7D ). 
     Thickened strip or other region  252  may provide increased strength and rigidity in the region surrounding channel  222 , as shown. For example, the lid  200  may be injection molded, after which channel  222  may be stamped or die cut through landing  218 , as shown. As shown in  FIG. 7B , such stamping or die cutting may result in an impression artifact or “witness”  256  surrounding the gripping channel  222 , having geometry and size corresponding to the slug used to create gripping channel  222 .  FIG. 7B  shows the impression artifact as hexagonal shaped (e.g., where a hexagonal shaped die or punch is used), although it will be appreciated that any other shape to impression artifact may result, depending on the geometry of the employed stamping or die cutting tooling used. The thickened strip or region  252  may be sufficiently wide to ensure that the impression artifact  256  is entirely within the bounds of thickened strip or region  252 . Such a thickened strip or region aids in ensuring that the landing member has sufficient strength and rigidity to form the channel  222  therein through a typical high volume automated production process (e.g., stamping or die cutting), without damaging surrounding regions of the landing member  218 . 
     For example, impression artifact  256  may recess into thickened region  252 . The amount of such recessing may be such that the thickness of landing member  218  within impression artifact  256  is still at least as thick as the un-thickened portions of landing member  218 , outside of thickened strip  252 . Such a thickened strip or region  252  thus helps to ensure that when stamping, die cutting or otherwise forming gripping channel  222 , the strength and thickness of the material surrounding such channel is not unduly compromised. 
     Removable lid  200  may include any feature described in the previous embodiments. By way of example, a crab claw sealing member  242  which bends as it contacts a side rim of container body  102  as lid  200  is secured to container body  102  may be provided in lid  200 , as shown in  FIG. 7C . 
     Without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, one of ordinary skill can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. As such, these changes and modifications are properly, equitably, and intended to be, within the full range of equivalence of the following claims.