Container and cap for dispensing wipes

Abstract

A container for wipes, and a cap for the container, having a pop-up style dispensing means positioned beneath a reclosable lid. The container may be as upright cylindrical container for perforated wipes or a rigid tub for interfolded wipes. The dispensing means comprises a raised member made of flexible, rubber-like material, having at least one opening through which wipes are removed when the lid is open. When the lid is closed it compresses the raised member. When the lid is released from its closed position the raised member pushes the lid open. The dispensing means may have a hard plastic backing member underneath a portion of the rubber-like material adjacent the opening through which wipes are removed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for wipes having a pop-up style dispensing means positioned beneath a reclosable lid, said dispensing means comprising a raised member made of flexible, rubber-like material having at least one opening therein through which individual wipes are removed from the container when the lid is open, wherein when the lid is in a closed position it at least partially compresses the raised member and when the lid is released from its closed position the raised member pushes the lid open. 
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the wipes are perforated and contained within an upright cylindrical container. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the wipes are interfolded and contained within a rigid tub. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one opening is at least one slit and the flexibility of the rubber-dike material and the length of the at least one slit are sufficient to enable a user to reach into the container and retrieve a wipe in the event the pop-up feature fails. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the flexibility of the rubber-like material and the length of the at least one slit sufficiently seal moisture in the container to prevent substantial dry-out of wet wipes in the container. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the raised member has at least two intersecting slits which create a “cross” slit, configuration through which individual wipes are removed from the container. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the raised member has a front surface that is inclined upward toward the back of the lid at an angle of from about 20 degrees to about 60 degrees when the lid is open, and the front surface of the raised member has at least one slit therein through which individual wipes are removed. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the front surface of the raised member is inclined upward toward the back of the lid at an angle of from about 30 degrees to about 50 degrees when the lid is open, and the front surface of the raised member has at least two intersecting slits which create a “cross” slit configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the at least one opening extends into a recessed area made of flexible, rubber-like material adjacent the raised member and said portion helps retain individual wipes in the at least one opening and prevent them from falling back into the container. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the pop-up style dispensing means is recessed within a cap having a button along a front periphery of the cap, wherein when the button is depressed a front portion of the lid, opposite a rear portion of the lid hingedly attached to the cap, is released to provide access to the pop-up style dispensing means. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the dispensing means further comprises a hard plastic backing member underneath a portion of the rubber-like material adjacent the at least one opening through which individual wipes are removed from the container. 
     
     
         12 . A cap for a container for wipes, said cap having a pop-up style dispensing means positioned beneath a reclosable lid, said dispensing means comprising a raised member made of flexible, rubber-like material having at least one opening therein through which individual wipes are removed from the container when the lid is open, wherein when the lid is in a closed position it at least partially compresses the raised member and when the lid is released from its closed position the raised member pushes the lid open. 
     
     
         13 . The cap of  claim 12  for an upright cylindrical container containing perforated wipes. 
     
     
         14 . The cap of  claim 12  for a rigid tub containing interfolded wipes. 
     
     
         15 . The cap of  claim 12  wherein the at least one opening is at least one slit and the flexibility of the rubber-like material and the length of the at least one ski are sufficient to enable a user to reach into the container and retrieve a wipe in the event the pop-up feature fails. 
     
     
         16 . The cap of  claim 15  wherein the flexibility of the rubber-like material and the length of the at least one slit sufficiently seal moisture in the container to prevent substantial dry-out of wet wipes in the container. 
     
     
         17 . The cap of  claim 12  wherein the raised member has at least two intersecting slits which create a “cross” slit configuration through which individual wipes are removed from the container. 
     
     
         18 . The can of  claim 12  wherein the raised member has a front surface that is inclined upward toward the back of the lid at an angle of from about 20 degrees to about 60 degrees when the lid is open, and the front surface of the raised member has at least one slit therein through which individual wipes are removed. 
     
     
         19 . The can of  claim 18  wherein the front surface of the raised member is inclined upward toward the back of the lid at an angle of from about 30 degrees to about 50 degrees when the lid is open, and the front surface of the raised member has at least two intersecting slits which create a “cross” slit configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The cap of  claim 12  wherein a portion of the at least one opening extends into a recessed area made of flexible, rubber-like material adjacent the raised member and said portion helps retain individual wipes in the at least one opening and prevent them from falling back into the container. 
     
     
         21 . The cap of  claim 12  wherein the pop-up style dispensing means is recessed within the cap, wherein when a button along a front periphery of the cap is depressed a front portion of the lid, opposite a rear portion of the lid hingedly attached to the cap, is released to provide access to the pop-up style dispensing means. 
     
     
         22 . The cap of  claim 12  wherein the dispensing means further comprises a hard plastic backing member underneath a portion of the rubber-like material adjacent the at least one opening through which individual wipes are removed from the container.