Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FLEXIBLE ~ISPENSER PACKET
FOR PRE-MOISTENED TOWELETTES
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a packet dispenser containing
pre-moistened towelettes in which 1he packet is formed from
a flexible, moisture impervious material, said packet having
an opening through which successive towelettes are
successively dispensed. The aforementioned packet contains
in addition a rigid insert positioned atop a stack of
towelettes, said insert, when in place within the packet
atop the ctack of towelettes, having an opening therethrough
which is located in alignment with the opening through said
packet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the art of dispenser packaging, structurally rigid
containers with resealable lids for maintaining moistened
tissues are well known. These contain a plurality of
pre-moistened tissues stacked within a container or package
having rigid top, bottom and side walls. Access to the
towelettes is usually through a symmetrical opening in the
top side of the rigid container; the opening is generally
resealed by a cover extending directly over and beyond all
sides of the opening.
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An example of such dispenser construction is disclosedin U.S. Patent No. 3,819,043 to Harrison. The dispenser
pack has an opening covered by a flap in a top side of the
container. The flap, having the same shape as the opening,
may have a depression molded onto its bottom side. The flap
self closes when allowed to return to a horizontal position,
and the optional depression protrudes into the opening to
further tighten the seal.
Further examples of access openings covered directly by
extended flaps are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,420,080;
4,143,762; and 4,131,195.
Problems associated with these dispenser constructions
are the bulky size of the rigid containers, the immediatP
exposure of the towelettes to moisture loss when the flap
seal is left open or fails and the soiling of the towelettes
during the opening and closing of the flap.
In the past, in order to combine the "pop up" feature
with a high count number of towelettes contained within the
dispensing unit, the towelettes were usually packaged in
bulky containers center-wound on a roll and containing
perforations which facilitated detachment of the individual
towelettes when needed.
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The present invention consisting of a flexible
outer packet containing a rigid insert within to maintain
the towelettes in place represents an improved portable
dispenser pack which can be conveniently sealed to hold
the moisture within the packet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In its broadest aspects, this invention provides a
sealed flexible outer plastic packet container having a
bottom and a top, and a means to separate said bottom
and said top to provide a space, an opening through the
top of said flexible packet container, a resealable top
in position to seal off said opening, said packet
containing within, a rigid tray insert comprising a top
and side walls and having a cavity comprising a base
wall and peripheral walls extending from said base wall
to said top of said rigid tray insert a portion of said
base wall resting in contact with having an opening
transversely positioned relative to a presented edge of
one of a plurality of disposable pre-moistened towel-
ettes removably positioned in said space of said product
beneath said rigid tray insert whereby access is pro-
vided to said towelette for removal of said towelette
from said container such that upon removal of said towel- -
ette from said container the next succeeding towelette
is presented for storage in and subsequent removal from
said cavity. The bottom edges of each of the side
walls of the floating rigid tray insert extend an equal
distance below the base wall, i.e., a sufficient depthto
enclose only those towelettes located at the top of the
stack of towelettes contained within the packet. The
depth of the stack of towelettes in the packet is greater
than the depth to which the bottom edges of each of the
side walls extend so that as the towelettes are removed
from the stack, the rigid floating tray rests on and
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1321 175
remains in contact with the next succeeding top towel-
ette in the stack as the stack of towelettes is depleted.
The packets according to the present invention are
intended to provide towelettes for personal hygiene,
primarily when soap and water are not available. Such
a towelette normally consists of paper or non-woven
fabric and is generally saturated with a cleansing agent
or an antiseptic solution containing a mild cleansing
component, an oil-replenishing agent preventing the
skin from drying, a bactericide and possibly perfume.
The rigid plastic insert which is contained within
the flexible packet rests on the topmost towelette and
conforms generally to the shape and dimensions of the
top of the packet. The sides of the insert are described
,as abbreviated and are formed with a continuous arcuate
course around the periphery of the top so as to enclose
a number of towelettes at the top of the stack of towel-
ettes enveloped within the packet.
The sides of the insert are referred to herein as
"abbreviated" because they do not extend the entire
depth of the packet containing the towelettes when
full prior to use but only extend downward for such
distance as to enable the stack of towelettes to be
kept in alignment. The abbreviated side walls of the
insert extend beyond the depth of the peripheral walls
which determine the depth of the cavity.
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The cavity referred to above is formed into the top of
the rigid insert and comprises a bottom wall and peripheral
walls which extend from said bottorn wall to the top of said
rigid insert, said bottom wall hav.ing an opening
transversely positioned relative to a presented edge of the
pre-moistened towelettes positioned beneath the insert. The
opening in the bottom wall of the cavity in the insert is in
substantial alignment with the opening in the top of the
flexible packet.
The insert provides a convenient means which allows
flexible packaging to be used with a high count put-up of
interfolded wet wipes. The insert provides a restrictive
pressure against the top of the stack of towelettes. This
pressure causes the lead edge of the interfolded towelettes
to shift from side to side as pulled from the pouch, and
therefore, providing the "pop out" dispensing feature which
is unique to this flexible dispenser.
The invention embodied within the instant dispensing
system provides a flexible dispenser that both "pops up" and
concurrently permits the packaging of a high count number of
wipes. In the prior art, the pop-up wet wipes were caused
to pop up through the use of a small hole orifice used in
conjunction with a roll of center-wound, perforated
towelettes.
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The compact and lightweight package of the present
invention is more efficient than pop-up wet wipe
alternatives currently packaged in heavy plastic canisters
containing the center-wound, perforated roll towele~tes.
Therefore, this invention creates new features and
benefits to the user not currently available with other wet
wipe dispensers.
BRIEF ~ESCRIPTION OF THE ~RAWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention, together
with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to
the following description, taken in connection with the
accompa}.ying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in
the appended claims.
Referring now to the drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the packet.
Figure 2 is an cross sectional view of the dispenser
along its length, illustrating its components including the
rigid insert.
Figure 3 is exploded perspective view, illustrating in
detail the outer packet, sealing tab, insert and
pre-moistened towelettes.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the present invention
provides a flexible packet container for dispensing a
quantity of pre-moistened towelettes or tissues which are
contained therein having a resealable tab 2, which when
removed reveals an opening through the packet 1 to allow the
user to have access to the towelettes contained therein.
The packet 1 is preferably made from a highly moisture
and vapor proof flexible plastic and has a top 3, bottom 4
and sides 5. Although a thermoplastic material, such as
polyethylene or polypropylene, is preferred because it is
inexpensive and easy to form, it may be appreciated that any
material such as saran or a laminated metallized film which
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is moisture and vapor resistant may be used to produce the
packet.
The material used should be of a grade approved for
direct food contact so that toxic or hazardous contaminants
will not leach into the towelettes to cause irritation or
illness. The moisture-proof material preferably consists of
a diffusion-tight plastic which is inert to the constituents
of the moisturizing solution.
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The resealable tab 2 which is made of highly moisture
and vapor proof material is positioned so as to permit a
sealing off of the opening on the top of the packet.
The moist towelettes used herein consist, for instance,
of paper cloths or cloth of non-wo~en fabric. If the
towelette shall be used for cleansing purposes, it can be
imp~egnated with a cleansing, antiseptic solution,
preferably a 15~ ethanol solution containing a bactericide
such as triclorhydroxy phenyl ether or cetyl pyridin
chloride and an agent reducing surface tension, such as an
amphoteric tenside. The solution may also contain
substances beneficial to the skin such as lanolin and
isopropyl myristate, as well as perfumes such as menthol.
The flexible packet 1 is produced from a continuous
wall of film which is formed into discrete packets having
fin seals along the center bottom 4 of the packet (not
shown) and end seals 6. The aforementioned seals can be --
effected either sonically or thermally as desired.
The towelettes are prefolded and packed such that they
lay in direct contact with each other to form a stack. The
towelettes should be interfolded in a "pop up"
configuration. The term "pop up" in reference to towelettes
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is a term of art referring to the fact that the trail-
ing edge of a removed towelette causes the leading
edge of a subsequent towelette to protrude through an
opening for use.
Access to the towelettes 7 in the packet 1 is
gained through an opening beneath tab 2 which is found
in cavity 8 located in rigid insert 9.
Referring to Figure 3, inside of the sealed,
flexible packet and immediately beneath the top 3 of
said packet is positioned a rigid tray insert 9 which
serves to provide structural reinforcement to the
packet. Within the overall dimensions of the rigid
insert 9, there is a cavity 8 formed by a bottom or base
wall 10 and peripheral walls 11, 12, 13, 14, which
extend from the bottom wall to the top 15 of the rigid
insert. In the bottom wall 10 of the cavity, there is
an opening 16 which provides access to the towelettes.
The rigid tray insert is preferably made of
plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene and poly-
styrene and conforms generally to the shape and
dimensions of the top 3 of the flexible packet. The
abbreviated sides 18, 18', 19, 19' of the insert 9 are
formed with a continuous arcuate course around the
periphery of the top so as to enclose a number of
towelettes at the top of the stack of towelettes. The
rigid tray rests unencumbered on the top towelette
of the stack and moves downward in the packet as the
towelettes are removed therefrom.
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The opening 17 through which the towelettes are
aispensed comprises two parallel longitudinal slits
separated from each other and connected at each of the ends
of these longitudinal slits by two semi-circular sections
which are diametrically opposite each other. The resulting
transverse slit which connects the longitudinal slits is
defined by two semicircular or parabolic shapes which are
the mirror image of each other and thus is rounded and the
opening is therefore a modified "H" configuration.
Opening 17 has the modified "H" type configuration
described because it has been found that that particular
rounded tabs 21 and 22 extending into the opening provide a
configuration which resists removal of more than one tissue
~ at once by forcing a breakaway action when the tissue is
subjected to a pulling force.
The tabs 21 and 22 forming a part of the modified H
shape of the orifice in the plastic tray insert are flexible
enough so as not to tear the wipes as they are being pulled
from the package, but rigid enough so that when this opening
is positioned in the center on the top of the stack of
interfolded wipes, it aids the wipes in shifting from side
to side so the lead fold of the next wipe protrudes through
either of the longer sides of the H opening.
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The cavity 8 provides a space for the storage of the
next towelette in line for removal so that it is immediately
available and yet does not contact the seal tab 2 which
covers the opening 23 through the l:op of the flexible packet
1.
Towelettes 7 are disposed in the packet 1 with their
lengthwise edges along and within abbreviated insert sides
19, 19' parallel to the longitudinal dimensions of the "H"
type opening such that an exposed edge of a top towelette 7
can protrude through opening 17 into cavity 8. As a result
of this presentation, one may pull the exposed edge of the
towelettes 7 to remove it through opening 17 from cavity 8
~rom opening 23, e~posing thereafter the leading edge of the
next towelette immediately behind it which then protrudes
through opening 17 and is available for removal when the
next tissue 7 is desired.
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The cavity in the plastic tray insert provides not only
; a place in which to tuck the leading portion of the next
wipe after a single wipe has been dispensed, but also holds
that wipe in place so that when the reseal flap 2 is pulled
back, the towelette is readily available in the opening 23
directly under the reseal flap. Also, although
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there are other reseal flaps now in use with similar pouch
pac~ayes, there is no high count pop-up, flexible packet
dispenser closed with a reseal flap which possesses the
lightweight portability of thP instant invention.
While there has been describecl what are at present
considered to be the preferred embodiments of this
invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art
that various changes and modifications may be made therein
without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore,
aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall
within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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