US20060151351A1

US20060151351A1 - Wet and dry wipes with packaging

Info

Publication number: US20060151351A1
Application number: US11/030,050
Authority: US
Inventors: Lillian Hughes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-07
Filing date: 2005-01-07
Publication date: 2006-07-13

Abstract

A package having two separate, sealed compartments. The compartments are connected at their distal ends with a fold-seal arrangement so that the compartments may be collapsed or folded in billfold fashion. The proximate ends are constructed with a sticky tab, which sticky tab is disposed on a tear-away area. The sticky tab functions to hold the compartments together in folded position. Each compartment is sealed to prevent the egress of dirt or moisture. One compartment is adapted to house a dry, absorbent tissue or wipe. The second compartment will contain a pre-moistened tissue or wipe.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to containers. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a package, which package has separate wipe-containing compartments.
2. Description of the Related Art
The need for cleansing tissues or wipes arises in all types of situations. In a bathroom (public or private), in an automobile, with the kids after ice cream in the park, at the movies after buttered popcorn, the list is endless. There are times when there is need for a dry wipe to clean away dust or to absorb moisture from a surface or skin. At other times, only a wet bacteria-killing wipe will suffice. It would be most convenient if both wet and dry wipes were available in a single, handy, accessible package.
The related art (see accompanying IDS) is replete with packages having compartments designed to contain disparate materials including wet and dry wipes. However, the packages are either bulky or lack easy access.
None of the inventions and patents cited in the IDS, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a wet and dry wipe-containing package as will be subsequently described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a package having two separate, sealed compartments. The compartments are connected at their distal ends with a fold-seal arrangement so that the compartments may be collapsed or folded in billfold fashion. At least one of the proximate ends is constructed with a sticky tab, which sticky tab is disposed on a tear-away area. The sticky tab functions to hold the compartments together in folded position. Each compartment is sealed to prevent the egress of dirt or moisture.
One compartment is adapted to house therein a dry, absorbent tissue or wipe. The second compartment will contain a pre-moistened tissue or wipe. As contemplated, isopropyl alcohol will be utilized as the moistening agent. Isopropyl alcohol is noted for its cleaning and germ-killing ability. Furthermore, it is not harmful to humans when used externally. It should be recognized however that other similar non-toxic moistening agents could be used if desired. Each wipe is dimensioned in a convenient 6×6 inch size, folded to 2×2 inches. The wipes are fabricated from any of the popular, soft, pliable materials used in the industry. In the preferred embodiment, each compartment will house a single wipe for easy convenient use. It should be recognized however, that the compartments could be modified to contain multiple wipes. The packaging and wipes may be fabricated from biodegradable material for safe disposal thereof.
Accordingly, the instant invention presents a novel and uniquely transformable packaging arrangement containing at least one wet and one dry cleansing wipe. The package is compact and in its folded state can easily be accommodated in a purse, pocket, vending situations, etc. In its unfolded state the package can be accommodated in billfolds. The package can be easily accessed and may be safely disposed.
The invention provides for improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
A clear understanding of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a wet and dry wipe-containing package according the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a wet and dry wipe-containing package according the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view (unfolded) of a wet and dry wipe-containing package according the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a front view (folded) of a wet and dry wipe-containing package according the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a wet and dry wipe-containing package without a sticky tab according the present invention.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings wherein the wet and dry wipe package of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. Package 10 comprises a first compartment 12 and a second compartment 14. Compartments 12 and 14 are sealed and are connected at their distal ends by a fold member 16. The proximate end of each compartment terminates in respective tear-away members 18. A sticky tab 20 is disposed on one tear-away member 18 for reasons as will be explained below. A dry cleansing wipe 22 is housed in compartment 14. A moistened cleansing wipe 24 is housed in compartment 12. The wipes may be removed from the compartments at the proximate ends thereof. In use, the package is adapted to be carried in a folded or unfolded position (FIGS. 3 and 4). Sticky tab 20 functions to retain the package in the folded position until ready for use. Tearing or removing the sticky tab allows the package to lay flat. When wipes are needed, one merely removes tear-away members 18 (FIG. 1). It is obvious that the opening for each compartment could be positioned at another area, if desired.
In lieu of a sticky tab, the package may be sealed in a folded position at its proximate ends and perforations 26 provided at the edge to tear the seal and lay the package flat.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A wet and dry wipe container, comprising:

a first compartment, said first compartment having a proximate end and a distal end;

a second compartment, said second compartment having a proximate end and a distal end;

a fold member, said fold member attached to the distal end of said first compartment and the distal end of said second compartment;

a first wipe housed in said first compartment;

a second wipe housed in said second compartment; and

an adhesive structure for securing the proximate end of said first compartment to the proximate end of said second compartment.

2. The wet and dry wipe container as recited in claim 1, wherein said first wipe is a dry wipe.

3. The wet and dry wipe container as recited in claim 1, wherein said second wipe is a pre-moistened wipe.

4. The wet and dry wipe container as recited in claim 1, wherein said adhesive structure is a sticky tab.

5. The wet and dry wipe container as recited in claim 1, wherein respective tear-away members define the proximate end of said first compartment and the proximate end of said second compartment.

6. The wet and dry wipe container as recited in claim 5, wherein said adhesive structure is disposed on one of said tear-away members.

7. The wet and dry wipe container as recited in claim 6, wherein said adhesive structures is a sticky tab.

8. A wet and dry wipe container, comprising:

a first sealed compartment, said first sealed compartment having a proximate end and a distal end;

a dry wipe housed in said first sealed compartment;

a second sealed compartment, said second sealed compartment having a proximate end and a distal end;

a pre-moistened wipe housed in said second sealed compartment;

a fold member, said fold member attached to the distal end of said first sealed compartment and the distal end of said second sealed compartment; and

adhesive structure for securing the proximate end of said first sealed compartment to the proximate end of said second sealed compartment.

9. The wet and dry wipe container as recited in claim 8, wherein said adhesive structure is a sticky tab.

10. The wet and dry wipe container as recited in claim 8, wherein respective tear-away members define the proximate end of said first compartment and the proximate end of said second compartment.

11. The wet and dry wipe container as recited in claim 10, wherein said adhesive structure is disposed on said tear-away members.

12. The wet and dry wipe container as recited in claim 11, wherein said adhesive structure is a sticky tab.