SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING WET WIPES, AND METHOD OF PROVIDING A STACK OF WET WIPES

Abstract

 The invention provides a system (1) for providing wet wipes (2), comprising: a stack (3) of wet wipes (2), a storage means (4) being designed to provide a closed envelope for storing the stack (3) of wet wipes (2), the storage means (4) having an aperture (5), through which the wet wipes (2) are removable individually from the storage means (4), wherein an angle (6) between a bottom surface (7) of the stack (3) and a front side surface (8) of the stack (3) is smaller than 90 degrees, wherein each wet wipe (2) has contact with a basal surface (9) of the storage means (4), wherein the aperture (5) lies adjacent to the front side surface (8) of the stack (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system providing wet wipes, methods of providing a stack of wet wipes, a method of providing a system for providing wet wipes, and a machine for manufacturing the system for providing wet wipes.

[0002] A common issue of wet wipes sold in containers, including both flexible and rigid containers, is that the liquid, i.e. impregnation solution, sinks to the bottom of the stack by gravity and is thus unevenly distributed from the top to the bottom of the container. This problem is even more critical in the medical branch because it causes hygienic problems and loss of infection control. The wipes at the top of the container that do not contain the necessary amount of disinfectant liquid may no longer meet the European Standard DIN EN 16615:2015.

[0003] DE 20 2017 103 937 U1 discloses a system for providing wet wipes with liquid-tight separating layers for separating two moist wipes lying on top of one another. By arranging a liquid-tight separating layer between two successive wet wipes, the soaking solution can largely be prevented from sinking if the storage container is stored as intended, i.e. with the bottom on a largely horizontal surface. However, the usage of liquid-tight separating layers increases production costs and the weight of the system.

[0004] US 7,252,209 B2 discloses a dispensing system for wet wipes with a support member for holding the wet wipe container in a vertical or generally downward direction so that each of the wet wipes is maintained in a moist condition. However, this system is expensive and also complicated for the users, since the container can only be used together with the support member to maintain the moist condition of the wet wipes.

[0005] It is therefore the object of the invention to eliminate the problems described above and to provide an improved system for providing wet wipes, a method providing thereof and a machine for manufacturing the system.

[0006] This object is achieved by the features of independent claims 1, 14 and 15, respectively.

[0007] In one aspect, the invention provides a system of providing wet wipes comprising a stack of wet wipes and a storage means being designed to provide a closed envelope for storing the stack of wet wipes. The storage means has an aperture through which the wet wipes are individually removable from the storage means. The aperture might be covered with a closable slip of paper and/or a lid. The angle between a bottom surface of the stack and a front side surface of the stack is smaller than 90 degrees and each wet wipe has contact with a basal surface of the storage means. This enables an equal distribution of the liquid to all single wipes because in this arrangement of the stack, each single wipe can soak liquid so that the liquid moves up into the upper parts of each wipe by capillary force. The aperture lies adjacent the front side surface of the stack. Thus, the large surface of the wet wipes arranged behind the aperture is easily accessible to the users. The stack of wet wipes might have various shapes, such as a parallelogram or rhombus. The liquid can be an impregnation solution.

[0008] Preferably, the angle between the bottom surface of the stack and the front side surface of the stack is approximately between 25 to 85 degrees, more preferably approximately 45 to 60 degrees. The smaller angles enable easier accessibility to the wet wipes behind the aperture.

[0009] Preferably, the storage means comprises a first seam sealing the basal surface of the storage means and a back surface of the storage means, wherein the first seam has an extension extending from a proximal end to a distal end of 8 to 55 millimeters, preferably 11 to 30 millimeters. This improves the stabilization of the system while standing freely on a largely horizontal user surface, especially when emptying the storage means.

[0010] Preferably, the storage means comprises a second seam provided at a right side surface of the storage means or at a left side surface of the storage means. The second seam might seal the storage means on the right side or left side surface diagonally. Thus, the storage container is fluid-tight all around.

[0011] Preferably, the storage means is provided with a foldable support having a vertical and a horizontal portion attached to the back surface of upper surface of the storage means. The lower end of the foldable support with the horizontal portion can be detached from the storage means and swing outward such that the horizontal portion stands on a user surface to stabilize the system.

[0012] Preferably, an adhesive is provided at the basal surface of the storage means for securing the storage means on a user surface, preferably a glue sticker. This adheres the storage means to the user surface and avoids slippage of the system during use. The adhesive might be covered with a removal cover. The adhesive might be arranged in the vicinity of the aperture, preferably covered with a closable slip of paper and/or a lid. The basal surface of the storage means might be provided with multiple adhesives or zones of adhesive. The extension of the first seam might also be provided with an adhesive. The horizontal surface of the foldable support might also be provided with an adhesive. It is also possible that the stack has a right-angled trapezoid shape and the storage means is provided with an adhesive at the back surface to attach the system to a wall or vertical surface.

[0013] Preferably, the storage means contains wet wipes only. Thus, the production costs and the weight of the system will be reduced.

[0014] Preferably, the storage means is made of or comprises flexible material, preferably a foil. Using a flexible material low-cost and low-weight bag-like storage means, such as flowpacks can be produced. Storage means with solid walls can also be provided, or alternatively a mixed form. The material of the storage means enables the wet wipes to be stored safely without the liquid impregnation solution being able to run off or dry out.

[0015] Preferably, the wet wipes are impregnated with a disinfectant solution. Thus, disinfectant wet wipes can be provided, in particular, for disinfecting skin or surfaces.

[0016] Wet wipes might be hygiene wipes, baby wipes, facial skincare wipes, feminine hygiene wipes, refreshing hand wipes or moist toilet tissue.

[0017] In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of providing a stack of wet wipes comprising the following steps: placing a first wet wipe on a conveyor belt and then placing several wet wipes on the first wet wipe one by one such that each wet wipe is shifted laterally by at least approximately the same distance with respect to the position of the wet wipe underneath.

[0018] Preferably, the distance is 0,8 to 1,9 millimeters.

[0019] The system might comprise e.g. at least 80 wet wipes, more preferably at least 120 wet wipes, more preferably at least 200 wet wipes. The length of the extension might be increased with respect to the increase in the number of wet wipes.

[0020] In a third aspect, the invention provides a method of providing a stack of wet wipes comprising the following steps: placing several wet wipes on top of each other and then pushing the wet wipes with an inclined surface of a wedge-shaped pusher towards an inclined surface of a receiver tool, wherein the inclined surface of the wedge-shaped pusher and the inclined surface of the receiver tool are arranged parallel to each other.

[0021] In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method of providing a stack of wet wipes comprising placing several wet wipes on top of each other into a stacking mould, wherein the stacking mould has two planar surfaces joined to each other at an edge with an angle of 95 to 155 degrees.

[0022] In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a method of providing a system for providing wet wipes comprising the following steps: providing the stack of wet wipes with a method according to any of claims 9 to 12, enveloping the stack of wet wipes with a storage means having an aperture, turning the stack enveloped by the storage means by an angle of between 25 degrees to 85 degrees such that each wet wipe has contact with a basal surface of the storage means.

[0023] Preferably, the method further comprises sealing the storage means with a first seam along an edge and a second seam at a right side surface of the storage means or at a left side surface of the storage means.

[0024] Preferably, the method further comprises providing an adhesive at the backside of the basal surface of the storage means.

[0025] In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a machine for manufacturing the system for providing wet wipes according to any of claims 1 to 9 or for carrying out the method according to 14.

[0026] Below, an advantageous embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the below drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the system for providing wet wipes;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the system shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows the feeder system for manufacturing a stack according to the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a side view of a pusher system according to the invention;

Fig. 5 shows a side view of a pusher system according to the invention;

Fig. 6 shows a side view of a stacking mould according to the invention;

Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of a machine according to the invention.

[0027] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the system 1 for providing wet wipes 2. In the Figure 1, the storage means 4 is cut open on one side in order to allow a view of its interior. The wet wipes 2 are stacked in a storage means 4 forming a stack 3. The stack 3 has a bottom surface 7 and a front side surface 8. The stack 3 is arranged in the storage means 4, such that the angle 6 between a bottom surface 7 and a front side surface 8 is less than 90 degrees, for example 60 degrees.

[0028] The storage container 4 can, for instance, comprise a flexible material such as a plastic film and can be used as a hose or bag-shaped softpack or flowpack.

[0029] The wet wipes 2 are impregnated with a disinfectant solution and thus form disinfectant wet wipes 2, in particular, for disinfecting skin or surfaces while avoiding the spread of microorganisms.

[0030] The storage means 4 has a basal surface 9 and a back surface 11. Each wet wipe 2 has contact with the basal surface 9 of the storage means 4 for securing adequate amounts of disinfection liquid at each single wipe 2 because, in this arrangement, the disinfection liquid will move up to the top portions of the wet wipes 2 by capillary motion.

[0031] The storage means 4 can comprise a first seam 10 sealing the basal surface 9 and a back surface 11 of the storage means 4. The first seam 10 has an extension 12 extending from a proximal end 13 to a distal end 14 by approximately 10 millimeters.

[0032] The storage means 4 can comprise an adhesive 18 provided below the basal surface 9 of the storage means 4 for securing the storage means 4 on a user surface. The adhesive 18 can be a glue sticker, preferably covered with a slip of paper before use. The adhesive 18 can be provided close to the front side surface 8 of the stack 3.

[0033] Figure 2 shows the perspective view of the system shown in Fig. 1. It can be seen here that the storage means 4 has an aperture 5, through which the wet wipes 2 are removable individually from the storage means 4. The aperture 5 can be covered with a closable slip of paper 29 and/or a lid 30. The aperture 5 lies adjacent to the front side surface 8 of the stack 3. The aperture 5 lies on the front side surface 31 of the storage means 4.

[0034] It can be seen in Figure 2 that the storage means 4 can be provided with a second seam 15 at a right side surface 16 of the storage means 4. The storage means 4 can also be provided on a left side surface 17 of the storage means 4.

[0035] The wet wipes 2 can be made of a flat, pliable and soakable material, for example a nonwoven fabric.

[0036] The composition of the nonwoven fabric can depend on the type of impregnation solution and can be based on cellulose or viscose, for example, and optionally have plastic fibers. Mixed fibers are also common. The type and dimensions of the wet wipes can be selected so that the wet wipes can be used easily and efficiently, in particular to disinfect surfaces, for example 12 cm x 20 cm. Of course, the wet wipes 2 can also have other dimensions, for example 17.5 cm x 28 cm. The thickness of wet wipes can change between 0,5 mm to 1,5 mm. The thickness of wet wipes can be 1 mm. In a storage means, for example 80 to 120 wet wipes can be stored.

[0037] The dimensions of the interior of the storage means 4 and the dimensions of the stack 3 of wet wipes 2 should essentially be matched to one another.

[0038] Different methods for preparing a stack 3 of wet wipes 2 in essentially rhombus or parallelogram shapes will be introduced below.

[0039] In the first method, a feeder system 32, is provided in a machine 33 for manufacturing the system for providing wet wipes 2. The feeder system 32 has an upper conveyor belt 34 and a lower conveyor belt 35, as shown in Figure 3. The upper conveyor belt 34 can be a part of a conveyor assembly or a web guider. The upper conveyor belt 34 can transport wet wipes 2 impregnated in a disinfectant solution. The first wet wipe 19 is placed from the upper conveyor belt 34 to the lower conveyor belt 35. The subsequent wet wipes 2 are placed on the first wet wipe 19, such that each subsequent wet wipe 2 or a bundle of wet wipes 2 is shifted laterally by at least approximately 1,0 to 1,5 millimeters with respect to the position of the wet wipe 2, 19 or wet wipe 2 bundle underneath. One way of doing this can be shifting the lower conveyor belt 35 laterally by the same amount after the placement of each wet wipe 2 or wet wipe 2 bundle, then stopping the lower conveyor belt 35 until the next wet wipe 2 or wet wipe 2 bundle is transported from the upper conveyor belt 34. The lower conveyor belt 35 can be provided with a sensor, e.g. a weight sensor or an optical sensor, to sense the placement of the wet wipe 2 or wet wipe 2 bundle. Alternatively, the timing of the shift of the lower conveyor belt 35 can be programmed according to the speed of the transport of wet wipes 2 or wet wipe 2 bundles from the upper conveyor belt 34. As a result, a stack 3 of wet wipes 2 being e.g. essentially in the shape of a rhombus or parallelogram can be produced. In this stack 3 of wet wipes 2 only the lowest wet wipes 2 in the stack 3 contact the surface below the stack 3.

[0040] In the second method, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a pusher system 36 is provided in a machine 33 for manufacturing the system for providing wet wipes. Several wet wipes 2 impregnated in a disinfectant solution are placed on top of each other, forming a stack 3 on the conveyor belt 20 by means of the feeder system 32. This stack 3 of wet wipes 2 is essentially rectangular in shape, where the wet wipes 2 are arranged on top of each other in a parallel fashion. The pusher system 36 can be provided on or close to a conveyor belt 20 transporting the rectangular stack 3 of wet wipes 2.

[0041] The pusher system shown in Figure 4 has a receiver tool 24 with an inclined surface 23 and a pusher tool 22 with an inclined surface 21. The receiver tool 24 and the pusher tool 22 can have a wedge-shape. The inclined surface 21 of the pusher tool 22 and the inclined surface 23 of the receiver tool 24 are arranged parallel to each other. The wet wipes 2 are pushed with the inclined surface 21 of a pusher tool 22 towards the inclined surface 23 of the receiver tool 24. The pusher tool 22 can be displaced by a sliding mechanism. The receiver tool 24 can also be displaced by a sliding mechanism. As a result, a stack 3 of wet wipes 2 being essentially in the shape of a rhombus or parallelogram can be produced. In this stack 3 of wet wipes 2, only the lowest wet wipes 2 in the stack 3 contact the surface below the stack 3.

[0042] In the alternative pusher system 36 shown in Figure 5, the receiver tool 24 can be a plate with an inclined surface 23 and the pusher tool 22 can be a plate with an inclined surface 21. The inclined surface 21 of the pusher tool 22 and the inclined surface 23 of the receiver tool 24 are arranged parallel to each other. The wet wipes 2 are pushed with the inclined surface 21 of a pusher tool 22 towards the inclined surface 23 of the receiver tool 24. As a result, a stack 3 of wet wipes 2 being essentially in the shape of a rhombus or parallelogram can be produced. The receiver tool 24 can be provided with a horizontal plate 37 for holding the stacks 3. The receiver tool 24 can be turned around a holding rod 38 for transporting the stacks 3 individually.

[0043] In the third method, see Fig. 6, a stacking mould 25 or several stacking moulds 25 is provided in a machine 33 for manufacturing the system for providing wet wipes. The stack 3 of wet wipes 2 being essentially in the shape of a rhombus or parallelogram can be produced by placing several wet wipes 2 on top of each other into the stacking mould 25.

[0044] The stacking mould 25 has two planar surfaces 26, 27 joined to each other at an edge 28 with an angle 95 degrees to 155 degrees. A stacking mould 25 can be provided below an upper conveyor belt 34 such that the transported wet wipes 2 fall into the stacking mould 25. The planer surfaces 26, 27 of stacking mould 25 can be covered or sprayed with a lubricant for facilitating the slippage of the wet wipes 2. The upper conveyor belt 32 can be a part of a conveyor assembly or a web guider. The stacking mould 25 can be mounted on a movable holding rod 38. First, the stack 3 formed in the stacking mould 25 can be transported away and after freeing the stacking mould 25 the next stack 3 can be loaded in it. It is also possible that a lower conveyer belt 35 is provided with multiple stacking moulds 25 on it, such that after loading one of the stacking moulds 25 with the wet wipes 2 transported from the upper conveyor belt 34, the lower conveyor belt 35 is shifted and the next free stacking mould 25 is transported under the upper conveyor belt 34 to be loaded with wet wipes 2.

[0045] Figure 7 shows a schematic view of the machine 33 for manufacturing the system 1 for providing wet wipes 2.

[0046] In the stack 3 of wet wipes 2 produced e.g. by one of the methods described above, only the lowest wet wipes 2 in the stack 3 contact the surface below the stack 3, when the stack 3 rests on a horizontal surface. These stacks 3 are transported in the machine 33 to an enveloping station 39 with a storage means 4. An aperture 5 can be formed on the storage means 4 by a puncher and the aperture 5 can be covered with a closable slip of paper 29 and a lid 30. In the enveloping station 39, the prepared angular stack 3 can be placed onto the storage means 4 in such a way that the lowest wet wipes 2 in the stack 3 contact the surface below the stack 3. These stacks 3 can be covered with the storage means 4 such that the aperture 5 lies adjacent to the top of the stack 3 while the lowest wet wipes 2 in the stack 3 contact the surface below the stack 3 . The storage means 4 is then sealed with a sealing machine 40 along an edge sealing the basal surface 9 and the back surface 11 of the storage means 4. The storage means 4 is sealed further at a right side surface 16 or a left side surface 17 of the storage means 4, preferably diagonally. The stacks 3 enveloped by the storage means 4 are transported to a turning station 41 where they are turned by the angle 6 defined above. In the turned position, the aperture 5 lies adjacent to the front side surface 8 of the stack 3 and each wet wipe 2 has contact with a basal surface 9 of the storage means 4 as shown in Figure 1.

Claims

1. System (1) for providing wet wipes (2), comprising:

- a stack (3) of wet wipes (2),

- a storage means (4) being designed to provide a closed envelope for storing the stack (3) of wet wipes (2), the storage means (4) having an aperture (5), through which the wet wipes (2) are removable individually from the storage means (4),

characterized in that
an angle (6) between a bottom surface (7) of the stack (3) and a front side surface (8) of the stack (3) is smaller than 90 degrees, wherein each wet wipe (2) has contact with a basal surface (9) of the storage means (4), wherein the aperture (5) lies adjacent to the front side surface (8) of the stack (3).

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the angle (6) between the bottom surface (7) and the front side surface (8) is between 25 to 85 degrees, preferably 45 to 60 degrees.

3. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage means (4) comprises a first seam (10) sealing the basal surface (9) of the storage means (4) and a back surface (11) of the storage means (4), wherein the first seam (10) has an extension (12) extending from a proximal end (13) to a distal end (14) of 8 to 55 millimeters, preferably 11 to 30 millimeters.

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage means (4) comprises a second seam (15) provided at a right side surface (16) of the storage means (4) or at a left side surface (17) of the storage means (4).

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an adhesive (18) is provided at the backside of the basal surface (9) of the storage means (4) for securing the storage means (4) on a user surface.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage means (4) contains wet wipes (2) only.

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage means (4) comprises a flexible material.

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wet wipes (2) are impregnated with a disinfectant solution.

9. A method of providing a stack (3) of wet wipes (2) comprising,

- placing a first wet wipe (19) on a conveyor belt (20),

- placing several wet wipes (2) on the first wet wipe (19) one by one such that each wet wipe (2) is shifted laterally by at least approximately the same distance with respect to the position of the wet wipe (2, 19) underneath.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the distance is 0,8 to 1,9 milimeters.

11. A method of providing a stack (3) of wet wipes (2) comprising,

- placing several wet wipes (2) on top of each other,

- pushing the wet wipes (2) with an inclined surface (21) of a pusher tool (22) towards an inclined surface (23) of a receiver tool (24), wherein the inclined surface (21) of the pusher tool (22) and the inclined surface (23) of the receiver tool (24) are arranged parallel to each other.

12. A method of providing a stack (3) of wet wipes (2) comprising,
- placing several wet wipes (2) on top of each other into a stacking mould (25), wherein the stacking mould (25) has two planar surfaces (26, 27) joined to each other at an edge (28) with an angle of 95 degrees to 155 degrees.

13. A method of providing a system (1) for providing wet wipes (2) comprising,

- providing the stack (3) of wet wipes (2) with a method according to any of claims 9 to 12,

- enveloping the stack (3) of wet wipes (2) with a storage means (4) having an aperture (5),

- turning the stack (3) enveloped by the storage means (4) by an angle (6) of between 25 degrees to 85 degrees such that each wet wipe (2) has contact with a basal surface (7) of the storage means (4).

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising sealing the storage means (4) with a first seam (10) along an edge and a second seam (15) at a right side surface (16) of the storage means (4) or at a left side surface (17) of the storage means (4).

15. A machine (33) for manufacturing the system (1) for providing wet wipes (2) according to any of claims 1 to 8 or for carrying out the method according to any of claims 13 to 14.

Drawing