초록 ▼

The new invention allows for easy retrieval of fall backs and eases the initial threading process upon initial opening/use of the package. Threading is done without removing the cap. Several of the embodiments allow refills to be inserted into the canister without removing the lid/cap. The layout of

The new invention allows for easy retrieval of fall backs and eases the initial threading process upon initial opening/use of the package. Threading is done without removing the cap. Several of the embodiments allow refills to be inserted into the canister without removing the lid/cap. The layout of the dispensing system and the geometry and shape of the dispensing orifice/aperture minimize and mitigate product fall backs. The new invention improves performance of the orifices/apertures through unique geometry and shape as well as using different materials from existing products or the combination of multiple materials. Varying orifice diameter, co-molded density and stiffness or geometry of the actual lobes defining the dispensing aperture allows the precise amount of friction to be created in the dispensing opening for selectively grabbing or releasing the towelette, thereby tearing the towelette connecting perforations at just the right time.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. Dispenser apparatus for towelettes, comprising a series of towelettes joined end to end with relative weak bridges, a container holding the series, an open end on the container, and a towelette dispenser connected to the open end, the towelette dispenser having an openi

The invention claimed is: 1. Dispenser apparatus for towelettes, comprising a series of towelettes joined end to end with relative weak bridges, a container holding the series, an open end on the container, and a towelette dispenser connected to the open end, the towelette dispenser having an opening with restrictions for allowing individual towelettes from the series to pass through the opening, the restrictions holding a leading end of a towelette while a preceding towelette is pulled away from the opening for breaking the bridges between the ends of the towelettes, the towelette dispenser being movable with respect to the open end of the container for reaching into the container through the open end and pulling a towelette from the series into the opening, further comprising a cap connected to the open end of the container, wherein the dispenser further comprises a flap hinged into the cap, and further comprising a cover hinged on the cap for closing over the hinged flap and sealing the open end of the container, wherein the opening is in the flap and the flap is slit opposite the hinge for threading a lead towelette from the series through the slot and into the opening, wherein the opening has a central open area and lobes extending inward from a peripheral area of the opening toward the central open area, and having an enlarged portion of the opening connected to the slit for receiving the leading towelette, further comprising a center support lobe extending from an inner edge of the cap opposite the hinged connection of the flap for cooperating with and blocking at least a part of the enlarged portion of the opening to hold and permit outward passage of a lead towelette. 2. Towelette dispenser apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a lid connected to the container positioned over the open end of the container, wherein the opening in the flap is an orifice in the lid for passing towelettes out of the container, one or more lobes protruding into the orifice, wherein a first towelette and a leading portion of a subsequent towelette are pulled through the orifice, and the connections between the first towelette and the subsequent towelette are separated, and wherein a leading portion of the subsequent towelette remains outside of the lid and secured within the orifice. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lid further comprises a stationary lid and a hinged door cooperating with the stationary lid, and the orifice is formed between the door and the stationary lid, wherein the lobes are on the door and on the stationary lid, wherein the lobes on the door cooperate with the lobes on the stationary lid for holding the leading portion of a towelette, wherein the trap door is connected to the lid by a living hinge, further comprising door lock stops for holding the door in a dispensing position, a central depression in the lid for holding the leading portion of a towelette when the cover is closed, lugs for controlling movement of the door, and wherein the orifice and lobes are located only on the door, further comprising a slit from the edge of the trap door to the orifice. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lid comprises a lower lid and an upper lid, wherein the lower lid is permanently fixed within the container and the upper lid is connected to the container by a living hinge, wherein the lower lid has a lobe extending into an opening, wherein the upper lid and cover are hinged on opposite sides of the container, wherein the lower and upper lids are sealed under the cover when the apparatus is not in use, wherein the upper lid has the orifice and lobes, wherein closing the upper lid pinches a leading portion of the first towelette between the lobe on the lower lid and the lobes on the upper lid, further comprising a split in the upper lid for threading towelettes. 5. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising parallel V-shaped brackets on an inner surface of the cover, outward extending pins on a detachable hinge complementary to the parallel V-shaped brackets, a hinge plate connected to an orifice plate by a living hinge and wherein the orifice plate is connected to the container by a living hinge, wherein closing the cover folds the living hinge between the hinge plate and the orifice plate and folds the living hinge inward toward the center of the container, wherein opening the cover unfolds the living hinge until the hinge plate and the orifice plate are in the same plane, wherein the hinge plate is detachably hinged to the parallel V-shaped brackets via the outward extending pins, wherein the orifice and lobes are on the orifice plate, wherein the orifice and lobes are on the hinge plate, and wherein the orifice and lobes are formed at the intersection of the hinge plate and orifice plate. 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lid further comprises a hole and a telescoping member movable through the hole and wherein the orifice is in the telescoping member for holding the leading portion in the telescoping member, further comprising one or more rims around the telescoping member for preventing the telescoping member from falling into the container and from being completely extracted from the lid, a central opening in the telescoping member leading to the orifice, a hinged handle on an outer end of the telescoping member for moving the telescoping member, a rib for retaining the telescoping member in a fixed position, and a central molded dish within the lid with the orifice within the dish, wherein the dish is made of soft, relatively flexible material, and wherein reaching through the orifice stretches the orifice and allows the user to grasp a towelette. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the orifice is offset from the center of the lid, further comprising a second orifice large enough for a user to reach into the container and retrieve a towelette, and a slit leading from the first orifice to the second orifice for threading a towelette. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flap and the cover are hinged to the cap respectively by first and second living hinges at spaced positions on the cap, wherein the flap is hinged on a hinge extending within the cap, and further comprising a ledge extending inward from an inner edge of the cap opposite the hinge, wherein the flap rotates on the hinge inward in the container, and wherein the ledge prevents outward movement of the cap, wherein the cap is removable from the open end of the container and attachable to an open end of another container, and wherein the cap is removable from the open end of the container for filling the container with a replacement series of towelettes. 9. Towelette dispenser apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: wherein the opening flap is an orifice, one or more rounded lobes extending inward from the dispenser and protruding into the orifice, wherein a first towelette and a leading portion of a subsequent towelette are pulled through the orifice among the lobes protruding into the orifice, and the connections between the first towelette and the subsequent towelette are separated as a first towelette is pulled from the container through the orifice and along the lobes, and wherein a leading portion of the subsequent towelette remains outside of the dispenser and secured by the lobes protruding within the orifice. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the dispenser has an edge connected to the lid and an opposite free edge, and further comprising a slot extending through the free edge of the dispenser and into the orifice 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the free edge of the dispenser has a convergent shape leading to the slot for guiding a towelette into the slot. 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the dispenser is an inward extending dispenser shelf in which the orifice is formed, and further comprising a large opening adjacent the shelf, through which opening an innermost towelette in the underlying roll may be grasped, lifted and slid laterally through the slot into the orifice. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the dispenser has an edge connected to the lid and an opposite free edge, and further comprising a slot extending through the free edge of the dispenser and into the orifice. 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the free edge of the dispenser has a convergent shape leading to the slot for guiding a towelette into the slot. 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the dispenser is an inward extending dispenser shelf in which the orifice is formed, and further comprising a large opening in the cap adjacent the shelf, through which opening an innermost towelette in the underlying roll may be grasped, lifted and slid laterally through the slot into the orifice.