Bottom dispensing wet wipe container

Abstract

A wet wipe dispensing cap, container and kit having a container body such as a thermoplastic pouch, containing a plurality of wet wipe and closed with a rigid dispensing cap having a flat base with an outer perimeter, an inner perimeter, an upstanding outer wall and an optional inner wall forming a weir around a passageway through the base, and having a top wall aperture dimensioned tor keeping a wet wipe roll inside the container body and cap, and where the passageway is adapted for and dimensioned for manual frictional dispensing of a wet wipe sheet, preferably with an inner wall, base, and outer wall forming a liquid reservoir; with the cap fastened to a container body opening: whereby the container is adapted to dispense wipes from the container body through the cap aperture by pulling a wipe downward with detachment by angular movement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wet wipe dispensing container comprising:
 (a) a flexible thermoplastic pouch having an opening;   (b) a rigid dispensing cap having   a base having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter with an upstanding outer wall and inner wall, respectively, connected thereto, said base, outer wall and inner wall having an exterior surface, and an interior surface, with said inner wall forming a passageway through said base, said passageway having a top wall aperture with a perimeter dimensioned for retention of a wet wipe roll of at least ⅝ inch diameter within said pouch and cap, said passageway adapted for and dimensioned for manual frictional dispensing therethrough of a wet wipe sheet of less than 20 mils thickness, wherein said inner wall forms an interiorly disposed weir surrounding said passageway, said inner wall, base, and outer wall cooperating to form a liquid reservoir; and   (c) means for fastening said cap to said pouch opening, said means being proximate said cap perimeter and said pouch opening;   wherein said container is adapted to hold a plurality of detachable wet wipes within said pouch and dispense said wipes from said pouch through said cap aperture.   
     
     
         2 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a resilient valve fixed within said passageway. 
     
     
         3 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a displaceable cover attached to said cap; said cover adapted for removably covering and uncovering said passageway by manual force. 
     
     
         4 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said cap is adapted for stable support of said container upon said exterior surface of said cap base. 
     
     
         5 . A container, as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising an exit aperture disposed in said passageway proximate said inner wall base; wherein said aperture has 4 to 8 nodes forming slot recesses adapted for (i) permitting passage of a towelette travelling perpendicular to a plane defining said supporting exterior surface of said cap base and (ii) permitting gripping of a towelette pulled at a 45° angle to said perpendicular passage. 
     
     
         6 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said reservoir has a capacity of at least 1 to 250 ml of liquid. 
     
     
         7 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pouch comprises a quad-seal bag. 
     
     
         8 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pouch has a pinched frusto-conical shape. 
     
     
         9 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said container further comprises hanger means for positioning said pouch above said cap with bottom access for removing wipes from said container. 
     
     
         10 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pouch further comprises a transverse seal area distal from said cap, and said seal area has at least one hole therethrough adapted for hanging said container from a hook. 
     
     
         11 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pouch further comprises an apertured handle formed from said pouch proximate a pouch area distal from said cap, and said handle is adapted for manually holding said container by hand or hook. 
     
     
         12 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said container further comprises a rigid pouch frame. 
     
     
         13 . A container, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said fastening means comprises at least one rib and a mating recess, each of said rib and recess fixed to at least one of (i) said exterior surface of said outer wall of said cap and (ii) said recess formed in an exterior surface of said frame whereby said cap and frame are adapted for fastening together. 
     
     
         14 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a roll of towelettes. 
     
     
         15 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising (i) a supply of towelettes and (ii) liquid. 
     
     
         16 . A container, as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said liquid is present in a total amount of at least 100 to 300 ml held within said container including liquid absorbed in said towelette supply. 
     
     
         17 . A container, as defined in  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of said pouch is transparent proving visual access to said towelettes. 
     
     
         18 . A container, as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said valve has an aperture which in a fully open position has a minimum open area of 8 mm. 
     
     
         19 . A container, as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said valve has an aperture with a length “A” and width “B” in a fully open position which aperture in said fully open position has a maximum open area of 2 square inches (1290 mm 2 ) or less. 
     
     
         20 . A container, as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said valve has an aperture which in a fully open position has a maximum open area of 0.2 square inches (129 mm 2 ) or less. 
     
     
         21 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pouch has from 1 to 15 layers. 
     
     
         22 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pouch has a WVTR of less than 0.25 g/100 in 2 /24 hours at Room Temperature(RT) (23° C.) and 1 atmosphere. 
     
     
         23 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pouch comprises at least five layers including a heat sealable layer, and a layer of aluminum foil. 
     
     
         24 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pouch has an O 2 TR value of less than or equal to 10 cm 3 /100 in 2 /24 hours at 1 atmosphere, 23° C. and 0% RH. 
     
     
         25 . A container, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pouch comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         26 . A rigid dispensing cap comprising:
 a base having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter with an upstanding outer wall and inner wall, respectively, connected thereto, said base, outer wall and inner wall having an exterior surface, and an interior surface, with said inner wall forming a passageway through said base, said passageway having a top wall aperture with a perimeter dimensioned for retaining a wet wipe roll of at least ⅝ inch diameter within said cap outer perimeter, said passageway adapted for and dimensioned for manual frictional dispensing therethrough of a wet wipe sheet of less than 20 mils thickness, wherein said inner wall forms an interiorly disposed weir surrounding said passageway, said inner wall, base, and outer wall cooperating to form a liquid reservoir; and   (c) means for fastening said cap to a pouch, said means being proximate said cap perimeter;   wherein said cap is adapted to dispense wet wipes through said cap aperture.   
     
     
         27 . A rigid dispensing cap comprising:
 a base having an outer perimeter with an upstanding outer wall; a reservoir formed at least in part by said base and outer wall and having a capacity of at least 2 ml; a passageway from an interior space of said cap to an exterior space through at least one of said base and said outer wall at a position exterior to at least 2 ml of said reservoir capacity, said passageway having a first entrance aperture from said cap interior and a resilient valve disposed across said passageway and catch means for separation of towelettes; and wherein said cap is adapted to dispense wet wipes through said cap first aperture, valve and passageway.   
     
     
         28 . A rigid dispensing cap, as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said base further comprises an inner wall, said inner wall having a first surface, and an opposing second surface wherein said first surface of said inner wall forms a portion of said reservoir and said second surface is proximate said passageway. 
     
     
         29 . A rigid dispensing cap, as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said passageway has a spaced apart second exit aperture with said exit aperture having said catch means proximate thereto. 
     
     
         30 . A rigid dispensing cap, as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said catch means comprises at least one of a roughened surface, a hooking projection, a notch, or a plurality of prongs. 
     
     
         31 . A rigid dispensing cap, as defined in  claim 27 , further comprising means for fastening said cap to a pouch, said means being proximate said cap perimeter. 
     
     
         32 . A rigid dispensing cap, as defined in  claim 27 , further comprising a cap cover for enclosing said passageway at said cap exterior space. 
     
     
         33 . A rigid dispensing cap, as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said catch means are proximate said cap exterior and located at a point at least 0.25 inches from said resilient valve. 
     
     
         34 . A kit for making wet wipe containers comprising:
 (1) thermoplastic film; and   (2) a plurality of rigid caps, wherein each cap has a base having an outer perimeter with an upstanding outer wall; a reservoir formed at least in part by said base and outer wall; a passageway from an interior space of said cap to an exterior space through at least one of said base or outer wall at a position outside of said reservoir, said passageway having a first entrance aperture from said cap interior and a resilient valve disposed across said passageway followed by catch means for separation of towelettes, said catch means proximate said cap exterior and located at a point at least 0.25 inches from said resilient valve; and wherein said cap is adapted to dispense wet wipes through said cap first aperture, valve and passageway.   
     
     
         35 . A kit for making wet wipe containers, as defined in  claim 34 , wherein said passageway has a spaced apart second exit aperture with said exit aperture having said catch means proximate thereto; said catch means comprising at least one of a roughened surface, a hooking projection, a notch, or a plurality of prongs; and further comprising: (a) means for fastening said cap to a pouch, said means being proximate said cap perimeter, and (b) a cap cover for enclosing said passageway at said cap exterior space. 
     
     
         36 . A kit for making wet wipe containers, as defined in  claim 34 , wherein said thermoplastic film has from 1 to 15 layers and includes at least one layer comprising a polyethylene and said film has a WVTR of less than 0.25 g/100 in 2 124 hours at Room Temperature(RT) (23° C.) and 1 atmosphere. 
     
     
         37 . A kit for making wet wipe containers, as defined in  claim 34 , wherein said passageway and valve are adapted for and dimensioned for manual frictional dispensing therethrough of a wet wipe sheet of less than 20 mils thickness. 
     
     
         38 . A kit for making bottom dispensing wet wipe containers comprising:
 (1) thermoplastic film; and   (2) a plurality of rigid caps, wherein each cap has a base having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter with an upstanding outer wall and inner wall, respectively, connected thereto, said base, outer wall and inner wall having an exterior surface, and an interior surface, with said inner wall forming a passageway through said base, said passageway having a top wall aperture with a perimeter dimensioned for retention of a wet wipe roll of at least ⅝ inch diameter within said pouch and cap, said passageway adapted for and dimensioned for manual frictional dispensing therethrough of a wet wipe sheet of less than 20 mils thickness, wherein said inner wall forms an interiorly disposed weir surrounding said passageway, said inner wall, base, and outer wall cooperating to form a liquid reservoir.   
     
     
         39 . A kit, as defined in  claim 38 , wherein said kit further comprises means for fastening said cap to a pouch opening of a pouch formed from said thermoplastic film, said fastening means adapted for connection proximate said cap outer wall and said pouch opening. 
     
     
         40 . A wet wipe container comprising:
 (a) a plastic container body;   (b) a rigid dispensing cap having a passageway therethrough equipped with a resilient valve and a passageway cover closure;   (c) a plurality of wipes; and   (d) at least 50 grams of a liquid selected from water, alcohol, an oil, or a mixture thereof, or at least 4 grams of said liquid per wipe; wherein said wipes and liquid are held within said body and cap with said body being attached to said cap.   
     
     
         41 . A wet wipe container, as defined in  claim 40 , wherein said body comprises a flexible thermoplastic pouch or a rigid polymeric container body. 
     
     
         42 . A wet wipe container, as defined in  claim 40 , wherein said resilient valve comprises a non-silicone elastomeric polymer or a silicone elastomer. 
     
     
         43 . A wet wipe container, as defined in  claim 40 , wherein said resilient valve comprises a self-closing valve having at least two intersecting slits. 
     
     
         44 . A wet wipe container, as defined in  claim 40 , wherein said resilient valve comprises a valve having an arcuate surface containing at least one slit adapted for dispensing a pre-moistened towelette therethrough.