HAVING THE SAME

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention claims the benefits of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional

Patent Application Serial No. 62/944,021 titled LONG-LASTING WIPES DISPENSING NOZZLES AND WIPES DISPENSERS HAVING THE SAME, which was filed on December 5, 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention generally relates to methods and systems for dispensing wipes or moist towelettes. More particularly, the present invention relates to long-life or long-lasting wipes dispensing nozzles, dispensers having long-life dispensing nozzles and methods for dispensing wipes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Wipes are typically made from a variety of materials, such as non-woven materials. Wipes are often moistened with solutions, such as cleaning solutions and/or antimicrobial solutions. The wipes may be stacked and folded in a container or may be in the form of a roll. Wipes in the form of a roll typically have perforations between the individual wipes. The strength of the material between the individual wipes is important as it needs to be strong enough so the wipes remain attached to one another until the top of the trailing wipe is pulled up through a dispensing outlet nozzle and weak enough to break when the leading tail of the trailing wipe is high enough above the outlet nozzle that it may be grabbed by a user and pulled out of the container when another wipe is required. Often the lead tail does not extend high enough past the opening for a user to grab, which leads to customer “short tail” complaints. In addition, the strength of the material between the two wipes must be weak enough to ensure that when the leading edge of the wipe is sufficiently above the outlet nozzle, the material breaks. When the perforated portions do not break or separate properly, “roping” occurs. Roping is when multiple wipes are pulled out of the nozzle without separating from one another. In addition, the wipes outlet nozzle must retain the trailing wipe when the lead wipe is separated and prevent the trailing wipe from falling back into the container. Several wipes dispensing nozzles have reduced issues relating to roping and short tails, however, some of these solutions utilize materials that wear after a period of time, which results in roping issues.

[0004] In environments, such as, for example, grocery stores and super markets wherein large volumes of wipes are dispensed on a daily basis, prior art wipes dispensing nozzles wear due to the frictional forces of the wipes being pulled therethrough leading to increased complaints due to issues with roping and/or fall back.

SUMMARY

[0005] Exemplary embodiments of novel wipes dispensers and novel wipes nozzles are disclosed herein. An exemplary wipes dispenser includes a container, a plurality of interconnected wipes contained within the container, a fluid for wetting the plurality of wipes, and a dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle has two or more moveable teeth. The two or more movable teeth have a base and a top. The base is wider than the top. The tops of the two or more teeth are configured to contact one of the plurality of interconnected wipe as the wipe is removed from the container. The container is made of a first materials and at least a portion of the two or more teeth are made of a second material.

[0006] Another exemplary wipes dispenser includes a container, a plurality of wipes contained within the container, the plurality of wipes interconnected to one another by one or more perforations, optionally a fluid for wetting the plurality of wipes, and a lid having a hardness factor of less than the hardness factor of a wipes nozzle. A wipes nozzle is connected to the lid. The wipes nozzle includes a plurality of teeth. The plurality of teeth are movable and have a wipes contact portion. The wipes contact portions of the plurality of teeth have a hardness factor of greater than about 50 durometers on a Shore D scale.

[0007] Exemplary embodiments of wipe nozzles are also disclosed herein. One exemplary wipes nozzle includes a teeth retaining member and a plurality of teeth retained by the teeth retaining member. The plurality of teeth are moveable and the teeth are configured so that the tops of the teeth move away from each other and towards each other. The plurality of teeth have a wipes contact portion and a base portion. A biasing member for biasing wipes contact portion of the plurality of teeth toward one another is also included.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, and accompanying drawings where:

[0009] Figure 1 is simplified cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a wipes dispenser having a long-lasting dispensing nozzle;

[0010] Figure 2 is a plan view of a wipes dispenser having a long-lasting dispensing nozzle of Figure 1;

[0011] Figure 3 is cross-sectional view of Figure 1 having a wipe threaded through the long-lasting dispensing nozzle;

[0012] Figure 4 is a prospective view of the dome and encloser of Figure 1;

[0013] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dome of Figure 1;

[0014] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional prospective view of the enclosure of Figure 1;

[0015] Figure 7 is a prospective view of the enclosure, the resilient teeth retaining member and a plurality of teeth;

[0016] Figure 8 is a prospective view of an exemplary tooth;

[0017] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the resilient teeth retaining member;

[0018] Figure 10 is a prospective view of the resilient teeth retaining member; and

[0019] Figure 11 is another exemplary embodiment of a long lasting dispensing nozzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Figure 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a wipes dispenser 100 Wipes dispenser 100 includes a container 102 Located inside of container 102 is a roll of wipes 104 The role of wipes 104 has periodic perforations 105 that separate individual wipes from one another. The periodic perforations 14005 provide a weakened line of tear points that tear or break to separate the lead wipe from the trailing wipes. In some embodiments, the wipes 104 are individual wipes that are folded together (not shown) in a manner such that the leading wipe pulls the trailing wipe through the opening before the two wipes separate. Wipes dispenser 100 includes a cap 106 secured to container 102. Cap 106 may be secured to container 102 by any means such as, for example, a threaded connection, a welded connection, a snap-fit connection, an adhesive bonding connection, a friction fit, or the like.

[0021] Lid or cap 106 includes an opening 108 with a long lasting dispensing nozzle

110 inserted therein. In this exemplary embodiment, long lasting wipes dispensing nozzle 110 includes an encloser 112, an outer dome 120, a resilient teeth retaining member 130 and a plurality of teeth 140. The term “long lasting” is not a defined amount of time or number of wipes dispensed therethrough. The term long lasting is means that the nozzles will last longer than the types of nozzles that are currently on the market, which are made of plastic or silicone.

[0022] In some embodiments, outer dome 120 is included. Outer dome 120 is optional. Outer dome 120 may be made of any material. Preferably dome 120 is made of a resilient material. In some embodiments, the resilient material is a rubber or rubber like material. In some embodiments, the resilient material is an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the resilient material is one or more polymers. In some embodiments, the resilient material includes silicone. In some embodiments, the resilient material is made of a thermoplastic material. In some embodiments, the resilient material is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0023] In some embodiments, resilient teeth retaining member 130 is replaced with one or more connecting members (not shown) and the one or more connecting members connect to an encloser 112 that connects to lid or cap 106. Such connecting members (not shown) may be, for example, one or more hinges, one or more living hinges, or the like, that provide for the movements described herein.

[0024] An encloser 112 is provided to secure one or more of the long lasting wipes dispensing nozzle 110 components to the wipes dispenser 100. In this exemplary embodiment, encloser 112 has a cylindrical shape and includes a first annular groove 114. First annular groove 114 receives the edge of the opening 108 of cap 106 and secures the long lasting dispensing nozzle 110 to the cap 106. Encloser 112 includes a base 115. An opening 116 in base 115 is also included which allows wipes 104 to be pulled therethrough. In this exemplary embodiment, the base 115 has a non-sloped, horizontal surface 117. In some embodiments, opening 116 is sized to contact the surface of the wipe.

[0025] Encloser 112 has a second annular groove 118. Second annular groove 118 retains cylindrical projection 124 of optional outer dome 120 and secures the outer dome 120 to the encloser 112. Outer dome 120 includes an opening 122. Opening 122 allows a wipe to be pulled therethrough. In some embodiment, opening 122 is sized to apply some pressure to the wipe as the wipe is pulled through. Opening 122 is preferably sized to aid in preventing, or reducing, evaporation of fluid in the container 102. In addition, in some embodiments, opening 122 applies pressure to the wipe to aid in separating a trailing wipe from the lead wipe. In some exemplary embodiments, opening 122 is sized to grip the wipe with sufficient force to prevent and/or aid in preventing fall back of the trailing wipe after it separated from the lead wipe.

[0026] Resilient teeth retaining member 130 (shown in more detail in Figures 9 and

10) is preferably comprised of a resilient material. Resilient teeth retaining member 130 at least partially retains the teeth 140 and urges the teeth 140 inward. In some embodiments, resilient teeth retaining member 130 allows each tooth 140 to move individually. In some embodiments, two or more teeth 140 are configured to move in concert with one another. In some embodiments, the resilient material is a rubber or rubber like material. In some embodiments, the resilient material is one or more polymers. In some embodiments, the resilient material includes silicone. In some embodiments, the resilient material is made of a thermoplastic material. In some embodiments, the resilient material is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In some embodiments, when outer dome 120 is not used, resilient teeth retaining member 130 may include an annular outer projection configured to fit within annular groove 124 to hold resilient teeth retaining member 130 in place.

[0027] In some embodiments, resilient teeth retaining member 130 includes a plurality of teeth pocketsl32. The teeth pockets 132 are configured to receive the base of one or more teeth 140. The teeth pockets 132 are formed in part by one or more projections 902 located around the inner diameter of resilient teeth retaining member 130. In some embodiments, the teeth pockets completely surround the base of the teeth 140. Resilient teeth retaining member 130 includes an inner wall 904. Inner wall 904 curves inward as it moves upward away from the base. Resilient teeth retaining member 130 is made of a resilient material so that the two or more teeth 140 may move with respect to one another, either individually, or in concert with one or more other teeth 140, as a wipe is pulled through the long lasting wipes dispensing nozzle 110, or threaded through the long lasting wipes dispensing nozzle 110.

[0028] As illustrated in Figure 3, the tops of the two or more teeth 140 are configured flex outward to expand the opening 702 (Figure 7) between the tops of the two or more teeth 140. In some embodiments, the resilient teeth retaining member 130 applies a biasing force to teeth 140 urging the teeth 140 toward one another when the tops are moved outward. Preferably, the resilient teeth retaining member 130 constantly applies a biasing force to the teeth 140. Thus, the opening 702 is urged to its smallest state. In some embodiments, outer dome 120 biases, or aids in the biasing, of the teeth 140 toward one another.

[0029] In some embodiments, the type of material and thickness of walls 950 of resilient teeth retaining member 130 are configured to exert a desired biasing force to teeth 140. In some embodiments, the biasing pressure exerted on the two or more teeth 140 increases as the opening 702 increases.

[0030] In addition, in some exemplary embodiments, the surface 117 of resilient teeth retaining member 130 extends further inward. The extended portion is identified as annular extension member 136. In this exemplary embodiment, annular extension member 136 is thinner than surface 117, and is more flexible. In some exemplary embodiments, annular extension member 136 may be configured to be an anti-dry out member and thereby is configured to contact the wipe thereby reducing evaporation. In some embodiments, such as when outer dome 120 is not used, annular extension member 136 may provide an anti-dry out function by sealing against the wipe, or reducing and/or limiting the open area between the wipe and the opening 134. In some exemplary embodiments, annular extension member 136 may be configured to be a fluid retaining member. In such embodiment, annular extension member 136 is configured to collect fluid that is squeezed out of a wipe and direct that fluid back against the wipe as it is pulled through opening 134. In this manner, annular extension member 136 may ensure or increase the likelihood that all of the wipe is sufficiently wetted. In some embodiments, annular extension member 136 is sloped upward so as to create a pool for the fluid to connect. In some embodiments, the opening 134 of annular extension member 136 is sized to contact the wipe and apply sufficient force to the wipe to prevent the wipe from falling back into the container. [0031] In this exemplary embodiment there are four teeth 140. In some embodiments, there are two teeth. In some embodiments, there are three teeth. In some embodiments, there are five teeth. In some embodiments, there are six teeth. In some embodiments, there are seven teeth. In some embodiments, there are eight or more teeth. In this exemplary embodiment, each tooth is roughly ¼ of one half of a sphere. Thus, in this embodiment, the four teeth 140 have a collective shape that forms substantially a half sphere.

[0032] In addition, located at the top of each tooth 140 is a recess 142. In some embodiments, recesses 142 are sized so that when the teeth 140 are urged together, there is always an opening 702 at the top of teeth 140. In some embodiments, the opening 702 is sized so that it is smaller than the diameter of a wipe that is being pulled through so that the teeth 140 will grip a wipe that is located in the opening 702 with enough pressure to separate a trailing wipe from the lead wipe. In some embodiments, the diameter of the opening 702 is less than 75% of the diameter of a wipe being pulled through. In some embodiments, the diameter of the opening 702 is less than 50% of the diameter of a wipe being pulled through. In some embodiments, the diameter of the opening 702 is less than 40% of the diameter of a wipe being pulled through. In some embodiments, the diameter of the opening 702 is less than 30% of the diameter of a wipe being pulled through. In some embodiments, the diameter of the opening 702 is less than 20% of the diameter of a wipe being pulled through. In some embodiments, the diameter of the opening 702 is less than 10% of the diameter of a wipe being pulled through. In some embodiments, recess 142 is a partial cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the recess 142 tapers so that it is wider at the bottom then it is at the top. The recess 142 and/or surrounding portion of the teeth 140 may be referred to herein as wipes contact portions.

[0033] The teeth 140 may be made of any material that is chemical resistant to the fluid contained in the wipes and that are also more resistant to wear than the plastic or silicone outlet nozzles currently on the market. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may be made of a ceramic material. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may contain silicon or carbon. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may contain aluminum oxide. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may contain zirconium oxide. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may contain fused silica. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may contain titanium diboride. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may contain boron carbide. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may contain silicon carbide. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may contain tungsten carbide. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may contain aluminum nitride. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may contain boron nitride. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may contain silicon nitride. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may be made of stainless steel. In some embodiments, teeth 140 may be made of aluminum. In some embodiments, the wipes contact portion of the teeth are made of material, such as, for example, the materials described above, and other portions of the teeth are made of a different material. In some embodiments, the tooth is made of a first material and the first material is coated with a material that exhibits high wear resistance properties.

[0034] The teeth 140 are preferably made of a material that is harder than the material that makes up the wipe. Preferably, the teeth 140 are made of a material that is substantially harder than the material that makes up the wipe. In some embodiments, the teeth 140 have a have a Shore D hardness of greater than 50 durometers. In some embodiments, the teeth 140 have a have a Shore D hardness of greater than 55 durometers. In some embodiments, the teeth 140 have a have a Shore D hardness of greater than 60 durometers. In some embodiments, the teeth 140 have a have a Shore D hardness of greater than 65 durometers. In some embodiments, the teeth 140 have a have a Shore D hardness of greater than 70 durometers. In some embodiments, the teeth 140 have a have a Shore D hardness of greater than 75 durometers. In some embodiments, the teeth 140 have a have a Shore D hardness of greater than 80 durometers. In some embodiments, the teeth 140 have a have a Shore D hardness of greater than 85 durometers. In some embodiments, the teeth 140 have a have a Shore D hardness of greater than 90 durometers. In some embodiments, the teeth 140 have a have a Shore D hardness of greater than 95 durometers. In some embodiments, if only a portion of the teeth are made of the high wear resistant material, it is that portion that has the above hardness factors.

[0035] The lid or cap 106 of the container 102 and the containers 102 are typically made of a plastic or polymer that has a Shore D hardness that is substantially less than that of the teeth 140. The teeth 140 are made of a different material than the lid or cap 106 of the container 102 and a material that is substantially harder than the material that forms the lid and/or container.

[0036] In some embodiments, teeth 140 are devoid of plastics. In some embodiments, teeth 140 are devoid of polymers. In some embodiments, teeth 140 are devoid of rubber. In some embodiments, teeth 140 are devoid of silicon. In some embodiments, teeth 140 are devoid of an elastomer. In some embodiments, teeth 140 are devoid of silicon. In some embodiments, teeth 140 are devoid of thermoplastic material. Each of these elements have a Shore D hardness that does not provide suitable long term wear resistance.

[0037] Figure 11 is another exemplary embodiment of a nozzle 1100 for a wipes container. The nozzle 1100 includes a support member 1102. Support member 1102 connects to a lid (not shown) of a container. Secured to support member 1102 is a plurality of teeth 1140. In this exemplary embodiment, there are four teeth 1140, but like the embodiments described above, there may be any number of teeth 1140. Teeth 1140 are secured to support member 1102 by a flexible connection (not shown) such as, for example, a hinge, a living hinge, an elastomeric hinge. Preferably, teeth 1140 freely move up and down. Upward movement expands opening 1142 and downward movement contracts opening 1142. In some embodiments, downward movement of teeth 1140 is caused by gravity. In some embodiments, a biasing member (not shown) biases teeth 1140 downward. In some embodiments, the biasing member is an elastomeric member. In some embodiments, the biasing member is an integral part of support member 1102. In some embodiment, support member 1102 is made of a moldable material, such as, for example, a polymer, and a resilient projection (not shown) extends from the support member 1102 and exerts downward force on the teeth 1140.

[0038] In addition, support member 1102 may have an extended annular base (not shown) that has an opening in the center to reduce the volume of open area around the wipe when a wipe is pulled up in the nozzle 1100 to aid in preventing dry-out and or aid in preventing fall back. The teeth 1140 exert sufficient pressure on the wipes to separate the leading wipe from the trailing wipe. In some embodiments, the teeth 1140 exert sufficient force to prevent the wipe from falling back into the container 102.

[0039] Like teeth 140, teeth 1140 may be made of one or more of the materials, or combinations thereof, described above. Teeth 1140 preferably are made of a heavy material if gravity is used for the downward movement.

[0040] In some exemplary embodiments, an outer dome (not shown) similar to outer dome 120 is added to this exemplary embodiment. In such a case, the outer dome (not shown) may aid in preventing dry out and/or aid in preventing fall back. [0041] In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 100,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 150,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 200,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 250,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 300,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 350,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 400,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 450,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 500,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 600,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 700,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 800,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 900,000 wipes have been pulled through. In some embodiments, the material of the teeth 140, 1140 is selected so that the substantially no wear occurs after 1,000,000 wipes have been pulled through.

[0042] In some embodiments, the containers contain a fluid for wetting the wipes. In some embodiments, the fluid is a sanitizer. In some embodiments, the fluid is an antimicrobial. In some embodiments, the fluid is a disinfectant. In some embodiments, the fluid includes an alcohol. In some embodiments, the fluid includes ethanol. In some embodiments, the fluid includes isopropyl alcohol. In some embodiments, the fluid includes denatured ethanol. In some embodiments, the fluid includes a quat. In some embodiments, the fluid includes a quaternary ammonium cation or salt. In some embodiments, the fluid includes a bleach. [0043] While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant’s general inventive concept.