초록 ▼

A moist wipes dispenser has a top attached to a bottom along a hinge. The top is adapted to pivot about the hinge's axis of rotation. The top is adapted to assume a closed position and a dispensing position. In one embodiment, the top can assume a warning position adapted to warn a user that the top

A moist wipes dispenser has a top attached to a bottom along a hinge. The top is adapted to pivot about the hinge's axis of rotation. The top is adapted to assume a closed position and a dispensing position. In one embodiment, the top can assume a warning position adapted to warn a user that the top is not shut. The top is urged to the warning position if the top is angularly disposed in a red zone that extends between the closed position and the warning position. The warning position is angularly displaced from the closed position by at least five degrees. In another embodiment, the hinge includes a pin integrally molded with the top or bottom, and an open knuckle integrally molded with the other of the top and bottom. The hinge is adapted to urge the top into closed and dispensing positions in selected angular ranges.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A moist wipes dispenser comprising a top attached to a bottom along a hinge, the hinge having an axis of rotation, the top adapted to pivot about the axis of rotation, wherein the top is adapted to assume a substantially vapor-impervious closed position, a dispensing position adapted to allow acc

1. A moist wipes dispenser comprising a top attached to a bottom along a hinge, the hinge having an axis of rotation, the top adapted to pivot about the axis of rotation, wherein the top is adapted to assume a substantially vapor-impervious closed position, a dispensing position adapted to allow access to an interior of the dispenser, and a warning position adapted to warn a user that the top is not in the closed position, wherein the warning position is angularly displaced from the closed position by at least five degrees,wherein in the closed position, the top is restrained so as to be sealingly engaged with the bottom,wherein a force must be applied to the top by a user to urge the top to the closed position,the dispenser being configured such that the top is urged to the warning position if the top is angularly disposed in a red zone that extends between the closed position and the warning position. 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the warning position is angularly displaced from the closed position by at least five degrees and by at most 45 degrees. 3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the warning position is angularly displaced from the closed position by at least 10 degrees and by at most 25 degrees. 4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises a pin integrally molded with one of the top and bottom, and further comprises an open knuckle integrally molded to the other of the top and bottom, the open knuckle being in clamped engagement with the pin, wherein the pin and the knuckle are shaped to collectively urge the top from the red zone to the warning position. 5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the pin defines an oval cross-section, the oval cross-section having a central longitudinal axis of symmetry, wherein the knuckle defines an inner profile that extends around said axis of rotation, the inner profile having a recess, wherein said recess is urged into angular alignment with said longitudinal axis of symmetry of said oval cross-section when the top is in the red zone, said angular alignment defining the warning position. 6. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the pin and the knuckle are shaped to collectively urge the top to the dispensing position when the top is angularly disposed within 20 degrees of the dispensing position. 7. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the pin is integrally molded to the bottom. 8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the top is restrained in sealing engagement with the bottom via a latch. 9. A moist wipes dispenser comprising a tub, a main lid, and a dispensing lid, the main lid attached to the tub along a first hinge, the dispensing lid attached to either the tub or the main lid along a second hinge, the second hinge having an axis of rotation, the dispensing lid adapted to pivot about the axis of rotation, wherein the dispensing lid is adapted to assume a substantially vapor-impervious closed position, a dispensing position adapted to allow access to an interior of the dispenser, and a warning position adapted to warn a user that the top is not in the closed position, wherein the warning position is angularly displaced from the closed position by at least five degrees,wherein in the closed position, the dispensing lid is restrained so as to be sealingly engaged with the main lid,wherein a force must be applied to the dispensing lid by a user to urge the dispensing lid to the closed position,the dispenser being configured such that the dispensing lid is urged to the warning position if the dispensing lid is disposed in a red zone that extends angularly between the closed position and the warning position. 10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the warning position is angularly displaced from the closed position by at least five degrees and by at most 45 degrees. 11. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the warning position is angularly displaced from the closed position by at least 10 degrees and by at most 25 degrees. 12. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the second hinge comprises a pin integrally molded with either the tub or the main lid, and further comprises an open knuckle integrally molded with the dispensing lid, the open knuckle being in clamped engagement with the pin, wherein the pin and the knuckle are shaped to collectively urge the dispensing lid from the red zone to the warning position. 13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the pin defines an oval cross-section, the oval cross-section having a central longitudinal axis of symmetry, wherein the knuckle defines an inner profile that extends around said axis of rotation, the inner profile having a recess, wherein said recess is urged into angular alignment with said longitudinal axis of symmetry of said oval cross-section when the dispensing lid is in the red zone, said angular alignment defining the warning position. 14. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the pin and the knuckle are shaped to collectively urge the dispensing lid to the dispensing position when the dispensing lid is angularly disposed within 20 degrees of the dispensing position. 15. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the second hinge comprises a pin integrally molded with the dispensing lid, and further comprises an open knuckle integrally molded with either the tub or the main lid, the open knuckle being in clamped engagement with the pin, wherein the pin and the knuckle are shaped to collectively urge the dispensing lid from the red zone to the warning position. 16. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the pin defines an oval cross-section, the oval cross-section having a central longitudinal axis of symmetry, wherein the knuckle defines an inner profile that extends around said axis of rotation, the inner profile having a recess, wherein said recess is urged into angular alignment with said longitudinal axis of symmetry of said oval cross-section when the dispensing lid is in the red zone, said angular alignment defining the warning position. 17. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the top is restrained in sealing engagement with the bottom via a latch. 18. A moist wipes dispenser comprising a top attached to a bottom along a hinge, the hinge having an axis of rotation, the top adapted to pivot about the axis of rotation, wherein the top is adapted to assume a substantially vapor-impervious closed position and a dispensing position that is adapted to allow access to an interior of the dispenser,wherein in the closed position, the top is sealingly engaged with the bottom,wherein the hinge comprises a pin integrally molded with one of the top and bottom, and further comprises an open knuckle integrally molded to the other of the top and bottom, the open knuckle being in clamped engagement with the pin,wherein the pin and the knuckle are shaped to collectively urge the top (1) toward the closed position when the top is angularly displaced from the closed position by as much as 20 degrees; and (2) toward the dispensing position when the top is angularly displaced from the dispensing position by as much as 20 degrees. 19. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein the pin defines an oval cross-section, the oval cross-section having a central longitudinal axis of symmetry, wherein the knuckle defines an inner profile that extends around said axis of rotation, the inner profile having a recess, wherein said recess is urged into a first angular alignment with said longitudinal axis of symmetry of said oval cross-section when the top is in the closed position, and wherein said recess is urged into a second angular alignment with said longitudinal axis of symmetry of said oval cross-section when the top is in the dispensing position, said first angular alignment being angularly displaced from said second angular alignment by at least 160 degrees. 20. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein the top comprises a dispensing lid and wherein the bottom comprises a main lid attached to a tub.