Container with "stay open" lid
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Corporation
InventorsDavid P. Kaufman, Lynn A. Mellenthin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wet wipe container contains first and second protruding surfaces within the lid and base, respectively, which contact each other to maintain the lid in a partially open position until the user applies a sufficient downward force to close the lid. Maintaining the lid in a partially open position is particularly advantageous for users of baby wipes, who frequently have to reach into the container for a second wipe using only one hand.
Claims9
A container comprising a lid and a base connected together at a common juncture by a hinge, the lid having a first protruding surface adjacent the hinge which protrudes toward the base when the container is closed, the base having a second protruding surface which protrudes toward the lid when the container is closed and which contacts the first protruding surface during closure of the container, said first and second protruding surfaces, while in contact, maintaining the lid in a partially open position until external force is applied to the lid to close the container, said container being sufficiently deformable to permit the protruding surfaces, when in contact, to slide past each other only when external force is applied to the lid during closure of the container.
A container comprising a lid and a base connected together at a common juncture by a continuous hinge, the lid having a first protruding ridge aligned parallel to the hinge and adjacent thereto and which protrudes toward the base when the container is closed, the base having a second protruding ridge aligned parallel to the hinge and adjacent thereto and which protrudes toward the lid when the container is closed and which contacts the first protruding ridge during closure of the container, wherein said first and second protruding ridges, while in contact, maintain the lid in a partially open position at an angle of from about 15.degree. to about 40.degree. relative to the base until external force is applied to the lid to close the container, said container being sufficiently deformable to permit the protruding ridges, when in contact, to slide past each other only when external force is applied to the lid during closure of the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.