Storing and dispensing container for wipes

A storing and dispensing container for moist wipes, the container defining a length dimension, a width dimension, and a height dimension, the length dimension, width dimension, and height dimension all being perpendicular to each other, the container comprising:

• a stack of moist wipes, the stack having a stack length that extends in the length dimension, a stack width that extends in the width dimension, and a stack height that extends in the height dimension, the stack having a stack top surface and a stack bottom surface spaced from one another in the height dimension, the stack having first and second end walls spaced from one another in the length dimension, the stack having first and second side walls spaced from one another in the width dimension;
• a flexible film pouch surrounding the stack of moist wipes, the flexible film pouch having an inner surface generally facing the stack of moist wipes, and an opposing outer surface, the flexible film pouch defining a dispensing orifice;
• and
• a rigid flip top comprising a lid connected to a flange by a hinge,
• wherein the flange is affixed to the outer surface of the pouch, wherein the flange surrounds the dispensing orifice,
• the flange able to assume a bent state and an unbent state, wherein when in the unbent state the flange defines a flange length that extends in the length dimension and a flange width that extends in the width dimension, wherein the flange length and the flange width together define a flange plane, wherein the flange plane is generally parallel to the stack top surface, wherein the flange length is less than 80 percent of the stack length, and wherein the flange width is less than 80 percent of the stack width,
• the flange having a first hinge and a second hinge that each extend along a first bending axis, such than when a top wipe is extracted from the package through the dispensing orifice, the first bending axis is pulled away from the stack, and the flange bends about the first bending axis to assume the bent state,
• wherein the flexible film pouch is substantially moisture impervious other than the presence of the dispensing orifice,
• wherein the flexible film pouch defines first and second side wall portions that face the first and second stack side walls respectively, wherein the stack of moist wipes prevents the first and second side wall portions from collapsing toward one another by more than 10 percent of the stack width when the flange bends about the first bending axis during extraction of the top wipe,
• wherein the flexible film pouch includes a removable portion that can be removed to form the dispensing orifice,
• wherein the flange includes a plurality of strengthening ribs, and wherein the first hinge is at least partially defined by a first gap in the ribs, and wherein the second hinge is at least partially defined by a second gap in the ribs,
• wherein the first hinge is further at least partially defined by a first area of reduced flange thickness, and wherein the second hinge is further
• at least partially defined by a second area of reduced flange thickness.