Patent Description:
Containers can be configured for dispensing sheets of material, such as nonwoven articles used for cleaning, sanitizing, or personal use. Such articles can be circular, oval or rectangular in shape, and can be stored as a roll and the like, and can be stored perforated or separably connected in a container. The material can be packaged dry or can be packaged moistened with a cleaning solution or lotion, for example to produce wet wipes. Conventional containers for such material can include boxes, stand-up containers, canisters or the like, and can be configured as a unitary piece with an orifice to dispense the sheets of material therethrough. Such containers can be rigid, or can be made from a relatively flexible material. The containers can have an opening through which the materials may be removed. Furthermore, the opening may be covered by a lid, such as a hinged cover or adhesive strip that can be opened or closed repeatedly. An example of such containers can be found in <CIT>, entitled "Dispenser," and in the <CIT>, entitled "Wipes Dispenser and Disposal" and <CIT>, entitled "Wipes dispenser with anti-roping and anti-fallback features". Typically, these containers are disposable and cannot be refilled with tissue by the consumer.

A disadvantage of such containers is that removal of material can deform the lid assembly, which can cause the closure mechanism of the lid assembly to become loose and/or can decrease the effectiveness of the lid orifice to control dispensing of material. Further deformation can cause such closure mechanisms to fail, thus preventing the lid from being secured in a closed position over the container. In some conventional containers, the lids have been known to entirely detach from the container.

Another disadvantage of such containers is that the orifice size can affect the dispensing of the material. That is, an orifice that is too small can cause individual sheets of material to tear when pulled out through the orifice. On the other hand, an orifice that is too large can cause the sheets of material to clump or rope when pulled out through the orifice or can cause unnecessary moisture release from the package itself.

Thus, there remains a continued need for improved containers, including lid assemblies for containers for dispensing sheets of material, including wipes. The presently disclosed subject matter satisfies these and other needs.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a lid for a container of articles as set forth in independent claim <NUM>. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a closure assembly for a container as set forth in claim <NUM>. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a container system as set forth in claim <NUM>. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of dispensing articles from a container system as set forth in independent claim <NUM>. Preferable and/or optional features are set forth in the appended.

dependent claims. The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in and are apparent from the description that follows, as well as will be learned by practice of the disclosed subject matter. Additional advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be realized and attained by the devices particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described, the disclosed subject matter includes a closure assembly, lid, container system, and method of dispensing articles.

According to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a closure assembly for a container is provided. The closure assembly includes a frame configured to couple to a container; an interior lid hingedly coupled to the frame along a first longitudinal side thereof and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the lid includes a lid rim that defines an opening, a flexible membrane housed within the opening of the lid rim, wherein the flexible membrane defines a zone configured to permit a plurality of articles to feed therethrough, and a tab member fixedly coupled to the lid rim and extending above the membrane, wherein the tab member defines a channel groove configured to receive a leading article of the plurality of articles therein and separate the leading article from the plurality of articles; and a cover panel hingedly coupled to the frame along the first longitudinal side thereof and movable between an assembly closed position and an assembly open position.

According to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a lid for a container is provided. The lid comprises a lid rim that defines an opening; a flexible membrane housed within the opening of the lid rim, wherein the flexible membrane defines a zone configured to permit a plurality of articles to feed therethrough; and a tab member fixedly coupled to the lid rim and extending above the membrane, wherein the tab member defines a channel groove configured to receive a leading article of the plurality of articles therein and separate the leading article from the plurality of articles.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a container system is disclosed comprising a container, a plurality of articles therein, and the closure assembly as described herein.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a method of dispensing articles from a container system is further provided. The method includes providing a container system as described herein; transitioning the cover panel to the assembly open position and the lid to the open position; inserting a plurality of articles into the container; transitioning the lid to the closed position; pulling a leading article of the plurality of articles through the zone; and selectively inserting the leading article through the channel grove to separate the leading article from a next article in the plurality of articles.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description and drawings are examples and are provided for purpose of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter in any manner.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the devices of the disclosed subject matter. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosed subject matter.

The subject matter of the application will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The examples herein are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter in any manner. The disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with the detailed description of the system.

The term "about" or "approximately" means within an acceptable error range for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which will depend in part on how the value is measured or determined, i.e., the limitations of the measurement system.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides closure assembly, lid, container system, and method of dispensing articles. According to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the closure assembly includes a frame configured to couple to a container; an interior lid hingedly coupled to the frame along a first longitudinal side thereof and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the lid includes a lid rim that defines an opening, a flexible membrane housed within the opening of the lid rim, wherein the flexible membrane defines a zone configured to permit a plurality of articles to feed therethrough, and a tab member fixedly coupled to the lid rim and extending above the membrane, wherein the tab member defines a channel groove configured to receive a leading article of the plurality of articles therein and separate the leading article from the plurality of articles; and a cover panel hingedly coupled to the frame along the first longitudinal side thereof and movable between an assembly closed position and an assembly open position. According to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a container system is provided including the closure assembly coupled with a container.

Solely for purpose of illustration, <FIG> shows a perspective view of the closure assembly <NUM> coupled with a container <NUM>. <FIG> is a back view of the device of <FIG>, <FIG> is a front view thereof, and <FIG> is a cross section view of <FIG> about lines A-A. <FIG> is a top view of the closure assembly of <FIG> and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of <FIG> about lines B-B. As depicted in <FIG>, the closure assembly <NUM> includes a frame <NUM>, a lid <NUM>, and a cover panel <NUM>. The frame <NUM>, lid <NUM>, and cover panel <NUM> all move about the same axis. As best shown in <FIG>, the frame <NUM> is configured to couple with the container <NUM>, which thus couples the closure assembly with the container. As further discussed herein, the cover panel <NUM> is movable between an assembly closed position and an assembly open position. As depicted in <FIG>, the cover panel in an assembly open position for purposes of discussion.

The cover panel <NUM> and the lid <NUM> are individually hingedly coupled to the frame <NUM> along a first longitudinal side thereof. The cover panel is movable between an assembly open position and an assembly closed position, and the lid <NUM> is movable between a closed position and an open position. As depicted in <FIG>, the cover panel <NUM> is shown in an assembly open position, whereas the lid <NUM> is shown in its closed position. The cover panel <NUM> can have a wide range of open positions and the assembly open position of <FIG> is exemplary. <FIG> depict the closure assembly of <FIG> with the cover panel <NUM> and the lid <NUM> in open positions.

As shown in <FIG>, the lid <NUM> includes a lid rim <NUM> that defines an opening and a flexible membrane <NUM> housed within the opening of the lid rim <NUM>. The flexible membrane <NUM> defines a zone configured to permit a plurality of articles to feed therethrough, as further discussed herein. The lid further includes a tab member <NUM> fixedly coupled to the lid rim <NUM> and extending above the membrane <NUM> at an angle. Alternatively, the tab member can be fixedly coupled to and parallel with the rim. The tab member <NUM> defines a channel groove <NUM> configured to receive a leading article of the plurality of articles therein and separate the leading article from the plurality of articles, as further discussed herein.

An embodiment of the lid rim <NUM> with the flexible membrane <NUM> therein is shown as an isolated unit in <FIG> and <FIG>. The flexible membrane <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> separated by a distance dimension of the slot gap <NUM> that creates the zone. The flexible membrane <NUM> is designed to permit roping of articles stored within the container <NUM>. The first portion and the second portion cooperate together to permit a plurality of articles to be pulled therethrough without causing a separation of individual articles from the plurality of articles. The first portion <NUM> and section portion <NUM> are configured to retain an article therebetween, such as a wet wipe, to permit an edge of a leading article to extend through the membrane while the cover panel <NUM> is in the assembly closed position. As such the distance dimension of the slot can be any suitable dimension to permit roping during use, but also to allow for retention of an article when not in use. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> can overlap with each other such that a slot gap is not evident until an article is being pulled through the membrane. In further embodiments, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> can overlap even during use such that a passage is created for the zone that deflects the first portion <NUM> with respect to the second portion <NUM> to permit an article to pass between <NUM> and <NUM> through the passage. As such, the distance dimension between the first portion and the second portion can range from zero to an approximate diameter dimension of the article when in a roped or twisted configuration when in use.

The flexible membrane is pliable enough to permit a user to insert their fingers through the membrane at the slot gap and to pull an article from the container therethrough, and strong enough to retain a wipe between the first and second portions such as when the cover panel is in the assembly closed position. As such, the flexible membrane has a first configuration with the first portion and second portion separated by the distance dimension of the slot gap, as shown in <FIG>. A separation force exerted on the first portion and the second portion, such as by a user's fingers, expands the slot gap into a second configuration and upon removal of the separation force, the first and second portion transition back to the first configuration shown by <FIG>. The membrane can comprise any suitable material to permit such features of the membrane to function, such as, but not limited to silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyester, polyethylene and other plastics.

As best shown in the back view of <FIG>, the first and second portions can define a center aperture <NUM> that is disposed at an approximate center of the slot gap. The center aperture <NUM> of the membrane can facilitate ease of separation of the first portion and second portion of the membrane to permit a user's fingers to be inserted therethrough. The center aperture <NUM> can also cooperate with the tab member <NUM>, as further discussed herein. The first and second portions can further define apertures <NUM> at the respective ends of the slot gap. The apertures <NUM> can provide further structural support for the membrane to prevent any tearing of the membrane during use. Although the slot gap is shown as a curved line, the slot gap can be any suitable shape to facilitate the functionality of the membrane while also providing a seal for the opening of the lid rim to maintain any moisture in the container and prevent evaporation thereof. <FIG> depicts examples of other various shapes 320A-<NUM> of the slot gap of the membrane <NUM>, for purposes of example.

As depicted in <FIG>, the tab member <NUM> is fixedly coupled to the lid rim <NUM> and extends above the membrane <NUM>. The tab member <NUM> is rigidly disposed at an angle to the lid rim and disposed opposite the first longitudinal side of the frame. The angle of the tab can be any suitable dimension to permit the tab member to function as described herein, and enable the tab member to be housed within the space between the membrane and the cover panel when the cover panel is in the assembly closed position. The tab member <NUM> defines the channel groove <NUM> groove configured to receive a leading article of the plurality of articles therein and separate the leading article from the plurality of articles. The tab member <NUM> further includes a flexible section <NUM> that defines a flexible orifice <NUM> at an end of the channel groove <NUM>. The flexible orifice <NUM> cooperates with the channel groove and separates a leading article from the plurality of articles without substantially removing excessive or material liquid from the leading article and retains a next article within the orifice <NUM> after the leading article is removed. Accordingly, the channel groove <NUM> and the orifice <NUM> can cooperate with the central aperture <NUM> when the tab member <NUM> is in use.

<FIG> depict isolated views of a flexible section <NUM> of the tab member depicting an exemplary orifice <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. <FIG> is a top perspective view of the orifice that shows a portion of the channel groove <NUM> and <FIG> is a bottom perspective view. <FIG> is a bottom view of <FIG> and <FIG> is a cross section view of <FIG> along lines A-A. As depicted in <FIG>, the flexible section can include a groove <NUM>, which can couple with a rigid section of the tab member to affix the flexible section to the rigid section of the tab member.

As best shown in <FIG>, the lid can further include a sidewall <NUM> extending downwardly from a perimeter of a bottom surface of the interior lid. The sidewall <NUM> can defining a cavity <NUM> configured to cooperate with the frame to releasably lock the lid in the closed position. As such, an interior surface of the frame can include a frame latching member <NUM> extending outwardly therefrom, such as a frame projection. The cavity <NUM> can receive the frame projection <NUM> therein to releasably lock the lid with the frame in the closed position. <FIG> is a magnified partial view of <FIG>. As best depicted in <FIG> the frame latching member is depicted as a frame projection <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. In this embodiment, the lid can further include a seal <NUM> circumscribing a perimeter of the lid rim and the cover panel <NUM> can further include a raised bead <NUM>. The seal <NUM> and the raised bead <NUM> can cooperate with each other to provide a tight seal assembly for the closure assembly when the cover panel is in the closed assembly position. As such, the raised bead <NUM> can rest on the elastomer seal <NUM> to create a seal assembly. In other embodiments as depicted in <FIG>, the cover panel <NUM> alone can include a seal <NUM> to seal the closure assembly when the cover panel is in the closed assembly position.

As noted above, the cover panel <NUM> and the lid <NUM> move independently of one another but share the same longitudinal axis for rotation. The lid <NUM> can be moved between the open and closed position with unrestricted movement. The cover panel <NUM> can be biased towards the assembly closed position such that the cover panel <NUM> moves toward the frame when the cover panel is released from the assembly open position. The cover panel can be spring loaded to provide the biasing of the cover panel in the assembly closed position. <FIG> is a side view of <FIG> showing the cover panel <NUM> in the assembly open position and <FIG> is a cross section view of <FIG> about lines C-C. <FIG> is a side view of <FIG> showing the lid <NUM> in an open position and <FIG> is a cross section view of <FIG> about lines C-C. The cover panel <NUM> can further include a shaft that locks the cover panel with the frame <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> can include a spring-loaded section <NUM> for biasing and a closure retarding system <NUM>, as discussed herein. <FIG> depicts an exemplary spring-loaded section <NUM> and <FIG> is an exploded view thereof. As shown in <FIG>, the spring-loaded section <NUM> can include a spring <NUM>. <FIG> depicts a phantom side view of the spring-loaded section with the spring <NUM> therein.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the shaft can further include a closure retarding system <NUM>. The closure retarding system is configured to retard movement of the cover panel when the cover panel transitions from the assembly open position to the assembly closed position. As such, the cover panel can slowly close within a reasonable period of time after being in the assembly open position. This enables a user to quickly remove an article without wasting the user's time to close the cover panel. <FIG> depicts an isolated partial phantom view of the cover panel <NUM> with the spring-loaded section <NUM> and the closure retarding system <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the closure retarding system includes a rotary damper, such as commercially available FRT-S1 Series Rotary Damper by Bansbach.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a container system is disclosed comprising a container <NUM>, a package <NUM> of articles therein, and the closure assembly as described herein. The container can be any suitable container that can contain objects, such as a package of articles therein, and that can be coupled with the frame of the closure assembly. The container can be coupled with the frame in any suitable arrangement, such as for purposes of example by threading or snap fit arrangement. As best shown in the embodiment of <FIG>, the container <NUM> can have a snap fit connection that is complementary with mateable beads of the frame <NUM>. In one embodiment, the container has partial or complete transparency such that product information of a package or articles therein is viewable through the container. As example of a suitable container is provided in <FIG>, and an exemplary package <NUM> is provided in <FIG>. In certain embodiments, the container <NUM> and frame <NUM> can be manufactured as one component with the closure assembly including the lid and the cover panel alone.

The container <NUM> can receive the package <NUM> containing a plurality of articles. The package can be any suitable package such as a flexible wrap package that contains sanitizing wet wipes, as shown for purposes of example in <FIG>. The package can contain a plurality of articles, such as wet or dry wipes. Thus, the package can include any articles therein that can be dispensed. Alternatively or additionally thereto, the container <NUM> can receive a plurality of articles in an unpackaged state. Further examples of suitable articles include wipes, tissues such as moist toilet tissue or dry tissues, facial pads, nonwoven materials, woven materials, and the like. As such, the article can be dry, moist, or wet and include lotions, chemical formulations, and the like. The articles can be arranged in a roll for easy dispensing and desired roping. An end of the package can be removed in order to retrieve the articles therefrom such that the opened package is accessible in the container, as further described herein with respect to the method of dispensing.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a method of dispensing articles from a container system is further provided and as furthermore discussed above in relation to the aspects of the disclosed subject matter. <FIG> depict steps of using the container system and steps of dispensing articles therefrom once the closure assembly is affixed to the container. As such, the method includes providing a container system as described herein, as provided in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the cover panel has been transitioned from the assembly closed position to the assembly open position. As shown in <FIG>, the lid has transitioned to the open position. As represented by <FIG>, the package of <FIG> has been opened and is being inserted into the container. As shown in <FIG>, the lid is transitioning to the closed position. As represented by <FIG>, a leading article <NUM> of the plurality of articles is pulled through the slot gap of the membrane. As shown in <FIG>, the leading article <NUM> is selectively inserted through the channel grove to separate the leading article from a next article in the plurality of articles. However, as further discussed herein, the articles can be selectively fed through the membrane alone or selectively fed through the membrane and the tab member. As shown in <FIG>, the cover panel has automatically transitioned from the assembly open position to the assembly closed position and is ready for a next use.

The container system can be attached to a bracket as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively or additionally thereto, a base of the container can support the container system alone as shown in <FIG>, or can fit within a holder <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. When attached to a bracket, the lid assembly can be coupled to the bracket in any suitable manner. <FIG> depict an exemplary connection for the container system and the bracket. As shown in <FIG>, the frame <NUM> can include recesses <NUM> configured to receive prongs <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> for a secure connection. In certain embodiments, the bracket can include two locations to receive two container systems, as shown in <FIG>. As such, each location can house different kinds of products, such as one location for germicidal disposable wipes suitable for skin exposure and another location for germicidal disposable wipes containing bleach (and not suitable for skin exposure). <FIG> provides an example of a double bracket used that secures two different product packages therein. In this embodiment, the wall attachment system is positioned between the two dispensers as such the unit as shown has a low profile depth from the wall. Accordingly, the profile depth of the unit is dependent upon the depth of the containers rather than known systems that have profiles dictated by the bracket in combination with the containers. As shown in <FIG>, the overall depth of the unit from the wall in said embodiment is less than <NUM> inches, which meets compliance with the American Disabilities Act and in particular ADA Section <NUM> regarding protruding objects.

The closure assembly, including any of the components thereof, can be made of any suitable material to enable the device to function as described herein. For example, components of the assembly not otherwise specified herein can be made of a polymer, copolymer or resin, such as HDPE - High Density Polyethylene, LDPE - Low Density Polyethylene, LLDPE - Linear low-density polyethylene, PS - Polystyrene, PVC - Polyvinyl chloride, PP - Polypropylene, ABS - Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, PET or PETE - Polyethylene terephthalate, PC - Polycarbonate, SAN - Styrene acrylonitrile, POM- Polyoxymethylene, Acrylic, Nylon, and combinations or blends thereof. Furthermore, the assembly or components of the device can comprise metal, glass or ceramic. The components can be made of the same material or can be made of different material.

The assembly can be constructed by any suitable method. Examples of such methods includes, but is not limited to, overmolding, injection molding, thermoforming, compression molding, transfer molding, machining, additive manufacturing/ three dimensional printing, and the like and other suitable methods are contemplated herein.

Claim 1:
A lid (<NUM>) for a container of articles disposed therein, the lid (<NUM>) comprising:
a lid rim (<NUM>) that defines an opening;
a flexible membrane (<NUM>) housed within the opening of the lid rim (<NUM>), wherein the flexible membrane (<NUM>) defines a zone configured to permit a plurality of articles to feed therethrough; and
a tab member (<NUM>) fixedly coupled to the lid rim (<NUM>) and extending above the membrane (<NUM>), wherein the tab member (<NUM>) defines a channel groove configured to receive a leading article of the plurality of articles therein and separate the leading article from the plurality of articles,
wherein the flexible membrane (<NUM>) includes a first portion (<NUM>) and a second portion (<NUM>) separated by a distance dimension of a slot gap (<NUM>) defining the zone, wherein the first portion (<NUM>) and second portion (<NUM>) are configured to retain an article therebetween, characterized in that the flexible membrane (<NUM>) has a first configuration with the first portion (<NUM>) and second portion (<NUM>) separated by the distance dimension of the slot gap (<NUM>), wherein a separation force exerted on the first portion (<NUM>) and the second portion (<NUM>) expands the slot gap (<NUM>) into a second configuration and upon removal of the separation force, the first (<NUM>) and second portion (<NUM>) transition back to the first configuration.