Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MUSICAL LID ASSEMBLY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is related to, and claims the benefit of, U.S.
Provisional Application Serial No. 62/773,423, filed November 30, 2018, which
is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
The disclosed subject matter relates to dispensers for articles, and
particularly to a
device, system, and method of operating a musical wipes dispenser.
BACKGROUND
Dispensers for articles such as tissues and wet wipes are well known in the
art. Such
articles may be provided as moistened, but also dry or with lotion, and are
often generally
rectangular in shape and supplied interleaved, as discrete sheets, or
separably connected.
Dispensers for such articles typically include an opening through which the
articles can be
removed. The opening of the dispenser can be covered by a label or a lid that
may be
opened by, for example, having an adhesive that may be sealed and unsealed
repeatedly, or
by having a hinged cover that can be opened and closed repeatedly.
Baby wipes are such articles that are often dispensed from a dispenser having
an
openable and closable lid. When using dispensers for baby wipes, the consumer
is often
having to multitask to keep the baby entertained while changing a diaper and
applying the
wipe to the child, which can be especially challenging for a cranky baby that
is resistant to
diaper changes or resistant to the application of wipes in general. Such
issues can create a
stressful situation for the consumer. Some consumers utilize mobiles, sound
machines,
iPads, and other media or devices to soothe a baby or keep the baby still
while changing a
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diaper. In fact, it is known that music is soothing and calming to babies,
serves as a
distraction, and can help the cognitive development of babies. Unfortunately,
such kinds of
media devices are not immediately available and within reach at a changing
station, or often
changing stations are too crowded and do not have additional space for such
devices.
There remains a continued need for an enhanced, efficient, and economic
system,
device, and method for creating a better experience while changing a baby for
the consumer
and for the baby, and for an improved lid and dispenser for articles. The
presently disclosed
subject matter satisfies these and other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER
The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth
in and
are apparent from the description that follows, as well as will be learned by
practice of the
disclosed subject matter. Additional advantages of the disclosed subject
matter will be
realized and attained by the devices particularly pointed out in the written
description and
claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of
the
disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described, the disclosed
subject matter
includes a lid assembly for a container, comprising: a base frame; a cover
panel coupled to
the base frame along a longitudinal side thereof, the cover panel movable
between a closed
position and an open position, the cover panel defining a housing; and a sound
device
disposed in the housing, wherein the sound device is activated when the cover
panel moves
between the closed position and the open position.
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In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a dispenser
system is provided comprising a base compai _____________________________
iment defining an internal cavity; and a lid
assembly coupled with the container having the features described herein.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a method of
operating a musical wipes dispenser is provided comprising providing a
dispenser having
wipes and lid assembly having the features described above, moving the cover
panel
between the closed position and the open position to access wipes in the
internal cavity; and
activating the sound device when the cover panel moves between the closed
position and
the open position.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following
detailed description and drawings are examples and are provided for purpose of
illustration
and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter in any
manner.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of
this
specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding
of the devices of
the disclosed subject matter. Together with the description, the drawings
serve to explain
the principles of the disclosed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The subject matter of the application will be more readily understood from the
following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings,
in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the lid assembly in a closed
position according to the disclosed subject matter;
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FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the lid assembly in an open position
with
the sound device and sealing plate shown separated from the lid assembly,
according to the
disclosed subject matter;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the lid assembly in the open position, according to
the
disclosed subject matter;
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B depict closed and open circuits of the sound device,
according
to the disclosed subject matter;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lid assembly in a closed position and
coupled to a
dispenser, according to the disclosed subject matter;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lid assembly in an open position and
coupled to a
dispenser, according to the disclosed subject matter;
FIG. 7 is a front partially exploded view of the lid assembly in a transition
position
and coupled to a dispenser, according to the disclosed subject matter;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lid assembly in a transition position and
coupled
to a dispenser, according to the disclosed subject matter;
FIG. 9A and 9B are perspective views of the lid assembly alone and coupled
with a
container, according to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the lid assembly having a separable cover
panel,
according to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter; and
FIG. 11A and 11B are a perspective and side view of a lid assembly embodied as
a
label, according to the disclosed subject matter.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosed subject
matter, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The
disclosed
subject matter will be described in conjunction with the detailed description
of the system.
In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, a lid assembly for a
container is
provided, comprising: a base frame; a cover panel coupled to the base frame
along a
longitudinal side thereof, the cover panel movable between a closed position
and an open
position, the cover panel defining a housing; and a sound device disposed in
the housing,
wherein the sound device is activated when the cover panel moves between the
closed
position and the open position.
Solely for purpose of illustration, an embodiment of a lid assembly 100, is
shown
schematically in FIG. 1. The examples herein are not intended to limit the
scope of the
disclosed subject matter in any manner. Particularly, and as illustrated, the
lid assembly 100
has a base frame 110 and a cover panel 140 coupled to the base frame 110. The
cover panel
140 is movable between a closed position and an open position, including any
transition
positions there between. FIG. 1 depicts the lid assembly in the closed
position. FIG. 2
depicts an exploded view of the lid assembly 100 in the open position. As best
shown in
FIG. 1, the cover panel 140 can additionally include a finger tab 150 to allow
a consumer to
grip the cover panel and move the cover panel to the open position. The lid
assembly can
further include other features as desired, such as but not limited to, an area
for a tail of a
wipe to be stored.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cover panel can be coupled to the base frame along a
longitudinal side thereof by a hinge 155, such as but not limited to a living
hinge, a butterfly
hinge, a bi-fold hinge, a butt hinge, a concealed hinge, or a continuous
hinge. Alternatively,
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the cover panel can be separable from the base frame without a tether, as
discussed with
respect to FIG. 10. When hingedly coupled, the cover panel can be
independently fully
extended at any suitable angle, such as for example, up to approximately 180 .
In
alternative embodiments, the cover panel and base frame can be coupled
together along a
transverse side of the lid assembly.
The cover panel further includes a housing 130, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown,
the
housing 130 can includes a sidewall substantially perpendicular to the cover
panel and
extending about a perimeter of the interior of the cover panel. The housing
130 is structured
to complement the structure of the base frame such that the housing can be
housed within
the base frame in the closed position. As shown in FIG. 2, the base frame
includes a
recessed structure 150 to receive the housing therein.
The cover panel and base frame can further include any number of suitable
features.
Such features are further described in PCT Publication No. WO 2016/007846, the
content of
which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, the cover
panel 140 can
include a clasp 145 that mates with a ridge 135 of the base frame 110 to close
the cover
panel and in some embodiments, seal the contents of a container coupled
thereto, such as by
a hermetic seal or plug seal. As shown in FIG. 2, the base frame can further
include,
without limitation, an upper tab 125, a lower tab 130, and a notch 133 and can
cooperate
with other devices as further described in PCT Publication No. WO 2016/007846.
The base
frame further defines an orifice 135 such that any articles (such as wipes)
are accessible
through the orifice when the lid is in the open position and coupled to a
suitable container.
As shown in the exploded view of the lid assembly of FIG. 2, the lid assembly
can
further include a sound device 230 disposed in the housing 130. The sound
device can be
activated when the cover panel moves between the closed position and the open
position.
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The sound device 230 emits sound when the sound device is activated. The sound
can
comprise, but is not limited to, a song, music, melody, or speech. Such sound
can be
aurally pleasing and be directed towards soothing, captivating, and
entertaining infants and
children. In one embodiment, the sound can be pre-recorded or can be recorded
by the user.
With recording capabilities by the user, a button (not shown) can be provided
to permit
recording of any sounds.
The sound device can furthermore include supplemental features such as having
a
display that depicts at least one image. The image can be static and/or
dynamic and can
further include cartoons, letters, numbers, and any other images that can
captivate and
entertain infants and children. The sound device can further release a scent,
such as but not
limited to lavender, which is known for relaxing the nervous system and
calming infants
and children. Furthermore, the sound device can include a light when the sound
device is
activated to further engage and entertain infants and children.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a sealing plate 330 can be coupled with the housing
130
and include the sound device 230 between the sealing plate and cover panel.
The sealing
plate can seal and secure the sound device 230 within the housing 130. The
space between
the cover panel and the sealing plate that houses the sound device 230 can be
sealed to
prevent any moisture from entering therein. Once the sealing plate is coupled
with the
cover panel, the sound device is hidden from a consumer when the lid assembly
is in the
open position, as best seen by FIG. 3. The lid assembly can further include
apertures 333 or
a speaker to permit the emanation of sound to exit the sound device. The
apertures can be
disposed on the interior and/or exterior of the lid assembly.
The sound device has a sensor 250 that activates the sound device in the open
position (or any transition positions) and deactivates the sound device in the
closed position.
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In one embodiment, the sensor includes a sensor device 255 having a movable
insulating tab
260 and a circuit 265. As shown in FIG. 4A, the insulating tab engages with
the circuit to
deactivate the sound device when in the closed position. In the closed
position, the sound
device is considered "off" 270 such that sound, displays, images, lights and
the like are not
active, playing or emitting. As shown in FIG. 4B, the insulating tab 260 is
disengaged with
the circuit 265 to activate the sound device in the open position, as known in
the art. In the
open position, the sound device is considered "on" 270 such that sound,
displays, images,
lights and the like are active, playing or emitting. In one embodiment, the
sound device can
be active in the open or transition positions for a predetermined amount of
time, such as for
purposes of example, approximately 2-3 minutes. As such, the sound device can
automatically deactivate after the predetermined amount of time expires even
when the
cover panel is in the open or transition position. Such time lapse feature can
accommodate
for situations in which the cover panel is inadvertently left ajar.
In one embodiment, at least one end of the insulating tab is coupled to the
base
.. frame or hinge and extends into the housing. In another embodiment, at
least one end of the
insulating tab is coupled to a dispenser that is coupled with the lid
assembly. In either
embodiment, at least one end of the insulating tab can be fixed, whereas the
other end of the
insulating tab can be movable with respect to the cover panel. In other
embodiments, the
sensor can include, but is not limited to, at least one of a gravity sensor,
orientation sensor,
and position sensor.
The lid assembly can further comprise an override button that deactivates the
sound
device when the cover panel is in the transition position or the open
position. As depicted
in FIGS. 2 and 3, the override button 335 is disposed on the sealing plate
330, but other
locations of the button are contemplated herein. For example, the override
button 335 can
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be disposed on the exterior of the cover panel to deactivate the sound device
prior to the
opening of the cover panel, or while the cover panel is in the open or
transition position and
the user wants to deactivate the sound device. The lid assembly can
furthermore include an
on/off switch that deactivates the sound device in any position.
The lid assembly is configured to be coupled to a container, such as a
dispenser 400
to dispense wipes. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lid assembly 100 in a
closed position
and coupled to a dispenser, according to the disclosed subject matter. In this
embodiment,
the override button is disposed on the exterior of the cover panel. FIG. 6 is
a perspective
view of the lid assembly in an open position and coupled to a dispenser 400.
In this
embodiment, a display 350 is provided for depicting images, as further
discussed herein.
FIG. 7 is a front partially exploded view of the lid assembly in a transition
position
and coupled to a dispenser 400. In this embodiment, at least one end of the
insulating tab
260 is fixed and coupled to the base frame 110. In some embodiments and as
shown, the
sealing plate 330 can be removable to permit battery changes and the like. In
such
embodiments, the sealing plate can be coupled to the cover panel in any
suitable manner as
known in the art. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 7
in a transition
position and coupled to a dispenser,
The lid assembly 100 can be any suitable shape that complements a container
coupled thereto. The lid assembly 100 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B has a base
frame 110
of a circular shape. The lid assembly 100 can be coupled with a container
having a circular
opening as shown. In this example, the base frame 110 is coupled to the top of
the
container. The lid assembly can be coupled together with the container by any
suitable
mechanism, such as but not limited to a threaded or snap-fit engagement. In
this
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embodiment, the cover panel 140 is tethered by a hinge 155 to the base frame
110 and the
sound device 230 can have a sensor disposed in the cover panel 140.
FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the lid assembly having a separable
cover panel, according to the disclosed subject matter. The separable cover
panel can be
coupled with the container in any suitable manner, such as but not limited to
a snap fit
connection. Alternatively, the cover panel and base frame can each include
magnetic
portions to permit the coupling of the cover panel with the base frame. As
shown, the
separable cover includes the sound device 230 therein. In this embodiment, the
separable
cover panel can furthermore be used to entertain a child. For example, when
the cover
panel is disengaged from the container to permit access to the container such
as a baby wipe
container, a child can hold the activated cover panel to provide a distraction
to the child
during diaper changes. When the sound device includes a gravity sensor, the
lid assembly
can furthermore include a device that senses when the cover panel is affixed
to the base
frame and when the cover panel is separable from the base frame. This device
can
inactivate the sound device when the cover panel is affixed to the base frame
in order to
prevent the sound device from activating when the container with closed lid
assembly is
turned upside down.
FIG. 11A and 11B are a perspective and side view of a lid assembly embodied as
a
label 170. The label can be coupled with the container 400 by any suitable
manner, such as
adhesive or glue. As such, the label can be separable from the container and
reapplied to
the container after each use. In this embodiment, the label 170 can be
directly coupled to
the container without a base frame. As shown, the label 170 includes the sound
device 230
therein having a sensor, such as a gravity sensor. When the label 170 is
pealed back, the
sound device 230 can be activated and any products contained within the
container can be
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accessible. The label can furthermore include a device that senses when the
label is affixed
to the container and when the label is separable from the container. This
device can
inactivate the sound device when the label is affixed to the container in
order to prevent the
sound device from activating when the container with closed label is turned
upside down.
The container 110 can contain any article capable of dispensing through the
lid
assembly 100. For example, the article can include baby wipes, moist toilet
tissue or dry
tissues, wipes, nonwoven materials, woven materials, facial pads, and the
like. As such, the
article can by dry, moist, or wet and include lotions, chemical formulations,
and the like.
When the lid assembly is provided with a container coupled thereto, the lid
assembly in the
closed position hinders evaporation of moisture of any wet wipes therein or
can keep dry
products therein protected from an external environment. Articles, such as wet
wipes,
within the container 110 can be dispensed via a tortuous path as desired to
further hinder
evaporation. Further details regarding suitable dispensers and containers can
be found in the
commonly assigned U.S. Publication No. 2014/0048553, entitled "Dispenser," and
in the
commonly assigned U.S. Publication No. 2014/0103058, entitled "Wipes Dispenser
and
Disposal," the contents of each of which is incorporated by reference in their
entireties. The
lid assembly can be any suitable size, shape, and material of construction to
enable articles
to be dispensed therethrough.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a method of
operating a dispenser, such as a musical wipes dispenser comprises providing a
dispenser
and lid assembly as further described herein. The method includes moving the
cover panel
between the closed position and the open position to access the wipes in the
internal cavity;
and activating the sound device when the cover panel moves between the closed
position
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and the open position. The can further comprise deactivating the sound device
when the
cover panel is in the closed position.
In commonly owned PCT Publication No. WO 2016/007846, which is incorporated
by references herein it is entirety, an integration device is described that
cooperates with a
dispenser and lid of a wipes package. It is contemplated herewith to include
the lid
assembly with the sound device into the lid of the integration device itself,
thus creating a
more permanent solution.
While the disclosed subject matter is described herein in terms of certain
preferred
embodiments and representative examples, those skilled in the art will
recognize that
various modifications and improvements can be made to the disclosed subject
matter
without departing from the scope thereof Additional features known in the art
likewise can
be incorporated, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,939,320; 9,272,831;
and D729,062;
U.S. Application No. 15/987,526; and PCT Publication No. WO 2016/007846, the
contents
of each of which are incorporated herein by their entireties. Moreover,
although individual
features of one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter can be discussed
herein or
shown in the drawings of the one embodiment and not in other embodiments, it
should be
apparent that individual features of one embodiment can be combined with one
or more
features of another embodiment or features from a plurality of embodiments.
In addition to the various embodiments depicted and claimed, the disclosed
subject
matter is also directed to other embodiments having any other possible
combination of the
features disclosed and claimed herein. As such, the particular features
presented herein can
be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the disclosed
subject
matter such that the disclosed subject matter includes any suitable
combination of the
features disclosed herein. Thus, the foregoing description of specific
embodiments of the
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disclosed subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed subject matter to
those embodiments
disclosed.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations
can be made in the device, system and method of the disclosed subject matter
without
departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it
is intended that
the disclosed subject matter include modifications and variations that are
within the scope of
the appended claims and their equivalents.
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