Special receptacle or package – For roll or reel – With pay-out aperture
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-26
2001-04-24
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For roll or reel
With pay-out aperture
C206S210000, C221S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220435
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to presaturated wiper products utilized in various industrial and manufacturing situations. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in the storage and dispensing of presaturated wiper sheets.
Presaturated wiper sheets are beginning to enjoy more widespread usage in many industrial and manufacturing situations. Often, tasks that were previously performed using loose rags and separately stored can now be performed more economically using a presaturated wiper system. For example, each of the presaturated wipers will carry a more optimized amount of solvent than a loose rag saturated with separate solvent, thus leading to less solvent waste.
In the past, wiper systems have been provided in which a reusable wiper dispenser can be refilled with a fresh supply of wiper sheets when a previous supply has been exhausted. One such system uses a tub having a base and a removable lid. Refill wiper rolls are maintained in a foil package until use. The rolls are configured as a continuous length of wiper sheets connected together by perforations, thus permitting individual sheets to be separated when desired. After the roll is placed in the dispenser, sheets are removed by pulling them through an aperture in the lid. The lid includes a cap element that may be closed to cover the aperture between pulls, i.e., times when a sheet is being withdrawn.
While this prior art system works generally well for its intended purpose, some room for improvement exists. For example, the lid aperture of the prior art system is relatively shallow. As such, the portion of the leading sheet extending through the aperture between pulls must be very short. For example, a longer portion may undesirably interfere with closing of the cap element. A short portion, however, can be difficult to grasp by an industrial worker, particularly if the worker is wearing glove. In addition, a gloved worker may find it difficult to open the cap element when desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes various disadvantages of prior art constructions and methods. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a presaturated wiper assembly having one or more novel features.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a presaturated wiper assembly adapted for ease of use in a manufacturing environment.
It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a presaturated wiper assembly which may be easily opened by an industrial worker.
It is also a particular object of the present invention to provide a presaturated wiper assembly which inhibits undesired solvent escape.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved presaturated wiper dispensing system.
Some of these objects are achieved by a presaturated wiper assembly comprising a plurality of wiper sheets presaturated with a predetermined solvent. The wiper sheets are connected together in a continuous length such that individual sheets thereof can be pulled apart from the continuous length by a user. A container is also provided, having a base and a lid attached to the base. The base defines a receptacle containing the plurality of wiper sheets. The lid defines an aperture having a portion of a leading wiper sheet in the continuous length extending therethrough. The lid further includes a cap element having a main cap portion closeable to cover the aperture. The cap element also includes a protruding lip extending upwardly therefrom to facilitate opening of the cap element to expose the portion of the leading wiper sheet.
In some exemplary embodiments, the cap element includes a hinge located opposite to the protruding lip across the main cap portion. The protruding lip preferably extends up from the main cap portion at an acute angle. Generally, the aperture will be defined in a bottom portion of a lid well. Often, the main cap portion of the cap element may carry a depending seal ring engaging an inner surface of the lid well to provide a seal when the main cap portion is closed. The cap element and the lid well may be constructed as an integral unit fixedly attached to the lid.
Other objects of the present invention are achieved by a presaturated wiper assembly comprising a plurality of wiper sheets presaturated with a predetermined solvent. The wiper sheets are connected together in a continuous length such that individual sheets thereof can be pulled apart from the continuous length by a user. A container is also provided, having a base and a lid attached to the base. The base defines a receptacle containing the plurality of wiper sheets. The lid defines an aperture having a portion of a leading wiper sheet in the continuous length extending therethrough. The lid further includes a cap element having a main cap portion closeable to cover the aperture and openable to expose the portion of the leading wiper sheet. An annular gasket is interposed between the base and the lid.
In some exemplary embodiments, the gasket is formed as an annular disc of a compressible gasket material. For example, the compressible gasket material may be a foam material. Often, the lid of the container will threadingly engage the base.
Still further objects of the present invention are achieved by a presaturated wiper assembly comprising a plurality of wiper sheets presaturated with a predetermined solvent. The wiper sheets are connected together in a continuous length such that individual sheets thereof can be pulled apart from the continuous length by a user. A container is also provided, having a base and a lid attached to the base. The base defines a receptacle containing the plurality of wiper sheets. The lid has a lid well defining an aperture having a portion of a leading wiper sheet in the continuous length extending therethrough. The lid further includes a cap element having a main cap portion closeable to cover the aperture and openable to expose the portion of the leading wiper sheet. The main cap portion of the cap element carries a depending seal ring engaging an inner surface of the lid well to provide a seal when the main cap portion is closed.
Additional objects of the present invention are achieved by a wiper assembly comprising a container having a plurality of wiper sheets located therein. An integral cap unit is fixedly attached to the container and has a well defining an aperture in a bottom portion thereof. The aperture is configured to permit a respective wiper sheet to be pulled through from inside of the container. The cap unit further includes a cap element having a main cap portion closeable to cover the aperture. A protruding lip extends upwardly from the cap unit to facilitate opening of the cap element for allowing access to the respective wiper sheet.
Still further objects of the present invention are achieved by a presaturated wiper dispensing system comprising a reusable container for containing a roll of presaturated wiper sheets. The reusable container has a lid defining an aperture through which respective of the wiper sheets will be pulled in use. A refill package is also provided, containing the roll of presaturated wiper sheets. An endmost sheet in the roll has a leader element extending therefrom to facilitate threading of the endmost sheet through the aperture by a user. Preferably, the leader element may comprise an elongate plastic member attached to the endmost sheet.
Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are provided by various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed elements, as well as methods of practicing same, which are discussed in greater detail below.
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Barutha Melvin D.
Nobile David P.
Bryan Cave LLP
Contec Inc.
Mohandesi J.
Sewell Paul T.
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