Wipe dispenser threader

Abstract

A threader for a wipe dispenser to withdraw the initial wipe from the container. The threader has a base that attaches over the opening in the cap of the dispenser and includes a stem and a pair of arms extending down into the container. The threader is inserted into the container within a roll of wipes. When the threader is pulled from the container the arms contact the innermost wipe and pull the wipe through the cap opening.

1 - A wipe dispenser comprising: 
 a roll of pre-moistened wipes having an inner diameter;    a container enclosing said roll of pre-moistened wipes, said container having an opening for dispensing said wipes;    a threader removably attached to said opening, said threader closing said opening, and including a stem, a first arm, and a second arm, said stem extending into said container through said inner diameter of said roll; and    a snag on said first arm;    said first and second arms flexibly attached to said stem and folded back towards said stem to fit inside said inner diameter of said roll, such that when said threader is removed from said opening, said arms engage said inner diameter of said roll and flex outwards, said snag catching on a sheet of said wipes and pulling said sheet through said opening.    
   
   
       2 - The wipe dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap removably attached to said container, said cap closing said container when attached, said cap defining said wipe dispensing opening.  
   
   
       3 - The wipe dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein said arms are attached to said stem by flexible beams to provide an increased normal force for friction between said arms and said wipes.  
   
   
       4 - The wipe dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein said snag is a hooked end on said first arm, said hooked end having at least one barb on the outer surface, such that said barb engages said wipes and forces said arms to open normal to said stem until said hook shape catches on said wipes and is pulled from said container.  
   
   
       5 - The wipe dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein said hooked end is tapered, such that the hooked end increases in size with the distance from the end of the hook.  
   
   
       6 - The wipe dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a grip on said threader extending exterior to said container when said threader is attached, such that a user can grab and hold said grip to pull said threader from said container.  
   
   
       7 - The wipe dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein said grip is a finger hoop.  
   
   
       8 - A threader for dispensing the initial wipe of a roll of wipes from a conventional wipe dispensing container comprising: 
 an opening for dispensing the wipes;    a stem having a first end and a second end;    a base on said first end interfitting with said opening of said wipe dispensing container, said base preventing the threader from falling into said container;    a grip on said base opposite said stem, said grip allowing a user to grab and pull the threader;    first and second arms attached to said second end of said stem, said arms each attached to said stem such that when the threader is inserted into the wipe dispensing container said arms fold back against said stem to pass through the opening and when said stem passes into the inner diameter of the roll of wipes and said arms flex to fit the inner diameter of the roll; and    a snag on said first arm, said snag capable of catching at least one wipe from the inner diameter of the roll such that when the threader is pulled out of the wipe dispensing container said first and second arms engage the inner diameter of the roll and press out against the roll, said snag catching said at least one wipe, said arms flexing downward to fit through said opening, said snag pulling said at least one wipe from the container as the threader is removed from the container.    
   
   
       9 - The threader of  claim 8  wherein said snag is a hook on the end of said first arm, said hook having a pointed tip that faces said stem when said arms are flexed back towards said stem.  
   
   
       10 - The threader of  claim 9  further comprising at least one barb on said hook opposite said pointed tip, said barb providing increased friction between said first arm and said inner diameter of said roll.  
   
   
       11 - The threader of  claim 10  wherein said hook is tapered such that the hook increases in size with the distance from said pointed tip.  
   
   
       12 - The threader of  claim 8  wherein said grip is a finger loop that a user may insert a finger through to pull the threader from the container.  
   
   
       13 - The threader of  claim 8  wherein said base is removably attached over the entire opening of said container to seal said container until the threader is manually removed.  
   
   
       14 - A wipe dispensing container comprising: 
 a container;    a cap attached to said container, having an opening for dispensing wipes;    a threader removably attached to said opening; and    threading means for threading an initial wipe through said opening when said threader is manually removed from said opening.    
   
   
       15 - The container of  claim 14  wherein said threading means comprises a threader having a base, a stem, and first and second arms, said arms flexibly attached to said stem such that they may be folded back against the stem to push the threader through said opening then flex outwards to engage the wipes as the threader is removed and then flex completely downward to allow the threader to pass back through said opening upon removal of the threader.  
   
   
       16 - The container of  claim 15  wherein said base is removably attached to said opening.  
   
   
       17 - The container of  claim 15  wherein said first and second arms are each flexibly attached to said stem by flexible bars.  
   
   
       18 - The container of  claim 17  wherein the end of said first arm opposite said stem has a snag for catching a single wipe when said threader is removed from the container.  
   
   
       19 - The container of  claim 18  wherein said snag is a hook that faces said stem when said arms are folded back against said stem.  
   
   
       20 - The container of  claim 19  wherein said hook includes at least one barb that contacts the wipes, said barb increasing the friction between said first arm and the wipes as said threader is manually removed from the container.  
   
   
       21 - The container of  claim 20  wherein said hook is tapered such that the width of the hook is greater as the distance from the tip of the hook increases.  
   
   
       22 - The container of  claim 21  wherein said removably attached base is initially attached over said opening such that it closes said opening and seals the container.  
   
   
       23 - The container of  claim 22  wherein said base includes means for gripping said threader such that said threader can be easily removed from the container.  
   
   
       24 - The container of  claim 23  wherein said means for gripping is a finger loop.  
   
   
       25 - A sheet dispenser comprising: 
 a generally cylindrical container having an end defining an opening;    a generally cylindrical roll of continuously connected sheets within said container; and    a threader including a stem extending through said opening and into said roll, said threader further including a handle portion connected to a first portion of said stem outside said container, said threader further including a sheet-grasping means connected to a second portion of said stem inside said container and within said roll for engaging and retaining at least one of said sheets as said threader is withdrawn from said container.    
   
   
       26 - A threader for withdrawing a portion of a continuous coil of sheets from a container through an opening in the container, said threader comprising: 
 an elongated stem having an upper portion and a lower portion;    a manually graspable device connected to said upper portion of said stem; and    a pair of opposed arms each having a first end hingedly connected to said lower portion of said stem and a second end, at least one of said second ends including a snagging means (a) for snagging the portion of the coil of sheets when the threader is moved in a first direction within the container and (b) for avoiding snagging the portion of the coil of sheets when the threader is moved in a second direction within the container.    
   
   
       27 - A sheet dispenser kit comprising: 
 a container defining an opening;    a coil of sheets within said container; and    a threader capable of insertion into and withdrawal from said container through said opening, said threader including a grasping portion, said grasping portion adapted to slide along said coil as said threader is inserted into said container, said grasping portion adapted to grasp a portion of said coil as said threader is withdrawn from said container.