Dispensing Cover for Moist Wipe Container

Abstract

A dispensing cover for a container for moist towlettes, where the container has an open end and is constructed and arranged to hold a bulk supply of interconnected towlettes that are separable from each other by tearing along perforations. The dispensing cover has a lower portion that is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the open top of the container. The power portion defines a large opening. There are one or more dispensing structures projecting into the opening and having an anchored proximal end and a free distal end that is in the central opening to define a tapered slot that has a relatively wide opening and narrows to a pinch point wherein a towlette can be captured. There is a cap that is coupled to the lower portion and is adapted to be engaged with the lower portion to form a seal that inhibits loss of moisture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispensing cover for a container for moist towlettes, where the container has an open end and is constructed and arranged to hold a bulk supply of interconnected towlettes that are separable from each other by tearing along perforations, the dispensing cover comprising:
 a lower portion that is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the open end of the container, where the lower portion defines a large opening;   one or more dispensing structures projecting into the opening and having an anchored proximal end and a free distal end that is in the central opening, to define a tapered slot that has a relatively wide opening and narrows to a pinch point wherein a towlette can be captured; and   a cap that is coupled to the lower portion and is adapted to be engaged with the lower portion to form a seal that inhibits loss of moisture.   
     
     
         2 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the opening is generally circular and the dispensing structures are non-radial. 
     
     
         3 . The cover of  claim 2  in which the dispensing structures are curved. 
     
     
         4 . The cover of  claim 3  comprising two or more dispensing structures. 
     
     
         5 . The cover of  claim 4  in which at least one dispensing structure curves in a clockwise direction and at least one dispensing structure curves in a counterclockwise direction when looked at from above. 
     
     
         6 . The cover of  claim 4  in which the dispensing structures curve in the same direction as one another. 
     
     
         7 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the periphery of the opening is generally circular and a dispensing structure has a curved edge that faces the periphery, to create a slot that is defined by two curved edges. 
     
     
         8 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the inner periphery of a dispensing structure is curved, and the distal end of a dispensing structure overlies the curved inner periphery of another dispensing structure so as to create a slot between the two. 
     
     
         9 . The cover of  claim 1  comprising two dispensing structures, each dispensing structure having an edge that faces an edge of another dispensing structure, where the edges diverge from one another from the proximal ends toward the distal ends to define a slot that narrows from its entrance that is open to the opening toward the periphery of the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The cover of  claim 9  wherein the edges of the dispensing structures are straight. 
     
     
         11 . The cover of  claim 10  wherein the edges are serrated. 
     
     
         12 . The cover of  claim 9  wherein the slot lies along a slot longitudinal axis, where the axis is curved. 
     
     
         13 . A dispensing cover for a container for moist towlettes, where the container has an open end and is constructed and arranged to hold a bulk supply of interconnected towlettes that are separable from each other by tearing along perforations, the dispensing cover comprising:
 a lower portion that is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the open top of the container, and that defines a large generally circular opening with a generally circular periphery;   two curved, non-radial dispensing structures projecting into the opening and each having an anchored proximal end and a free distal end that is in the central opening, where the dispensing structures each have an edge that faces but is spaced from the periphery to define a tapered slot that has a relatively wide opening, is defined by two curved edges, and narrows to a pinch point wherein a towlette can be captured; and   an integral cap that is coupled to the lower portion and is adapted to be engaged with the lower portion to form a seal that inhibits loss of moisture.   
     
     
         14 . The cover of  claim 13  wherein the cover has a front and a rear, where the coupling is accomplished by a living hinge that is in the rear, and wherein the openings of the slots face the rear and the pinch points are located closer to the front than are the openings, such that a dispensing action comprises pulling a towlette toward the front of the container.