Aperture for dispensing wipes

Abstract

The present invention relates to provide a dispensing aperture for a container comprising vertically stacked wipes, which provides improved sequential dispensing of the contained wipes while permitting enhanced accessibility to the wipes within the container.

1 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) for a container ( 2 ) comprising vertically stacked wipes ( 3 ), wherein said dispensing aperture ( 1 ) comprises at least three flaps ( 4 ) extending substantially towards the interior of said dispensing aperture ( 1 ), and wherein said dispensing aperture ( 1 ) is provided in a plane ( 5 ) defined by said container ( 2 ) which forms an angle of at least about 20 degrees with a virtual vertical plane. 
   
   
       2 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said plane ( 5 ) forms an angle of from about 30 to about 90 degrees with a virtual vertical plane. 
   
   
       3 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said plane ( 5 ) forms an angle of from about 80 to about 90 degrees with a virtual vertical plane. 
   
   
       4 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said plane ( 5 ) is substantially orthogonal with a virtual vertical plane. 
   
   
       5 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said container ( 2 ) comprises a body portion ( 7 ) and a cover member ( 8 ) attached thereto. 
   
   
       6 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein said body portion ( 7 ) has a substantially rectangular shape. 
   
   
       7 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein said cover member ( 8 ) is in the form of a substantially rectangular box-like body comprising a top wall ( 9 ), a front wall ( 10 ), a back wall ( 11 ), a pair of sidewalls ( 12 ) and an open bottom defining a cavity for receiving edges of the stack of wipes ( 3 ). 
   
   
       8 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 7  wherein said dispensing aperture ( 1 ) is provided in said top wall ( 9 ), and wherein the upper edges of said vertically stacked wipes ( 3 ) are placed near or in contact with said top wall ( 9 ) and adjacent to said dispensing aperture ( 1 ). 
   
   
       9 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein said cover member ( 8 ) is removably mounted in said body portion ( 7 ). 
   
   
       10 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said at least three flaps ( 4 ) extend from opposite sides of said dispensing aperture ( 1 ). 
   
   
       11 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 10  wherein said opposite flaps ( 4 ) are tapered. 
   
   
       12 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 10  wherein said opposite flaps ( 4 ) are inclined with an angle of from about −90 degrees to about 90 degrees with respect to said plane ( 5 ). 
   
   
       13 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said at least three flaps ( 4 ) are offset and co-planar. 
   
   
       14 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said at least three flaps ( 4 ) are co-linear and non-adjacent to each other. 
   
   
       15 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein each of said flaps ( 4 ) has a tip ( 13 ) terminating the flap before an edge of an opposing side of said aperture. 
   
   
       16 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said dispensing aperture ( 1 ) is provided with a substantially ovoid shape having a central longitudinal axis (X-X). 
   
   
       17 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 14  wherein said at least three flaps ( 4 ) are substantially orthogonal to said central longitudinal axis (X-X). 
   
   
       18 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 10  wherein said opposite flaps ( 4 ) are provided with a length such that said opposite flaps ( 4 ) are not in contact with each other. 
   
   
       19 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said dispensing aperture is in communication with a secondary aperture ( 14 ). 
   
   
       20 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said container ( 2 ) further comprises a hinged lid ( 6 ) intended to sealingly cover said dispensing aperture ( 1 ). 
   
   
       21 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 20  wherein said lid ( 6 ) is provided with a fastening means. 
   
   
       22 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said container ( 2 ) further comprises a spring element. 
   
   
       23 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said wipes ( 3 ) are interleafed. 
   
   
       24 . A dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said wipes ( 3 ) are pre-moistened with a cleaning lotion. 
   
   
       25 . A dispensing container ( 2 ) suitable for comprising vertically stacked wipes ( 3 ), wherein said container ( 2 ) comprises a dispensing aperture ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       26 . A dispensing container ( 2 ) according to  claim 25  which is a rigid container ( 2 ). 
   
   
       27 . A process of manufacturing a container ( 2 ) for dispensing vertically stacked wipes ( 3 ), wherein said process comprises the steps of:
 (a) providing a container ( 2 ) suitable for containing and dispensing vertically stacked wipes ( 3 ), wherein said container ( 2 ) defines a plane ( 5 ) which forms an angle of at least about 20 degrees with a virtual vertical plane;   (b) providing a dispensing aperture ( 1 ) located in said plane ( 5 ), wherein said dispensing aperture comprises at least three flaps ( 4 ) extending substantially towards the interior of said dispensing aperture ( 1 ).   
   
   
       28 . A process of dispensing wipes ( 3 ) contained within a container ( 2 ), wherein said process comprises the steps of:
 (a) providing a container ( 2 ) suitable for containing and dispensing vertically stacked wipes ( 3 ), wherein said container ( 2 ) defines a plane ( 5 ) which forms an angle of at least about 20 degrees with a virtual vertical plane;   (b) providing a dispensing aperture ( 1 ) located in said plane ( 5 ), wherein said dispensing aperture comprises at least three flaps ( 4 ) extending substantially towards the interior of said dispensing aperture ( 1 );   (c) disposing vertically stacked wipes ( 3 ) inside said container ( 2 ), each wipe ( 3 ) being releasably attached to an adjacent wipe ( 3 );   (d) partially drawing at least one first wipe ( 3 ) through said dispensing aperture ( 1 ) by reaching therethrough;   (e) withdrawing said at least one first wipe ( 3 ) from said container ( 2 );   (f) separating said at least one first wipe ( 3 ) from said adjacent wipe ( 3 ), whereby said adjacent wipe ( 3 ) is prevented from falling back inside said container ( 2 ) by said at least three flaps ( 4 ); and   (g) repeating steps (e) and (f) until all the wipes ( 3 ) contained within said container ( 2 ) are depleted.