MXPA02005273A - Wet wipes container having a tear resistant lid. - Google Patents

Abstract

A wet wipe container (20) having improved opening and improved tear resistance between the lid (24) and the base (22) among other features. The container includes a container base and a container lid that is connected to the container base. In one embodiment, the container lid has a guide ridge (50) that extends downward into the interior of the container. The guide ridge permits the container lid to be in a partially open position and provides better alignment between the container lid and the container base during closing of the container. In another embodiment, the container includes a closure that has an upwardly extending tongue projection (58), a flattened grip area (74) and an assistive region (78) to increase the ease with which the container can be opened. The invention also relates to a container having a more tear resistant container lid. The container lid has a hinge channel (64) of a primary thickness (67). The hinge channel has two end regions (68) that are of a secondary thickness (65) that is greater than the primary thickness. The increased thickness of the end regions resists the tearing that can occur in the lid after repeated opening and closing of the container.

Description

CONTAINER FOR HUMID CLEANING BREADS THAT HAS A TOUGH RESISTANT LID FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a recipient for previously moistened cleaning cloths. The invention is particularly concerned with covers and container bases that secure each other more easily. The coupling between the lid of the container and the base of the recipient is facilitated by structural guides that better position the tap on the upper part of the base and by an improved closure. The invention also relates to an improvement in the tear resistance in the container lid and to an improvement in the compressive strength of the container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Wet cleaning cloths are well known commercial consumer products which have been made available in many forms. Perhaps the most common form of cleaning cloths has been a pile of dampened sheets which has been packed in a plastic container. Wet cleaning cloths have been made from a variety of materials which have been moistened with a variety of suitable cleaning solutions. Typically, wet cleaning cloths have been stacked in the container in a configuration and bent or unfolded. For example, a container of wet cleaning cloths has been available in which each of the wet cleaning cloths stacked in the container has been arranged in a bent configuration such as a configuration bent in c, bent in z, or bent in quad. as it is known by those experts in the art. Some of the folded wet cleaning cloths have also been interfolded with the cleaning cloths immediately upside down in the pile of wet cleaning cloths. In an alternate configuration, the wet cleaning cloths have been placed in the container in the form of a fabric of continuous material which includes perforations for separating the individual wet cleaning cloths and which is wound in a roll. Such wet cleaning cloths have been used for baby wipes, hand wipes, cleaning cloth for domestic cleaning, industrial wipes and the like.

Conventional packages which contain the wet wiping cloths such as those described above, are typically designed to be placed on a flat surface such as a counter. Tale conventional containers have generally been provided as a plastic container or tube which provides a sealed environment for the wet cleaning cloths to ensure that they do not dry too much. Some of the conventional packages have also been configured to provide an assortment of one at a time for each wet cleaning cloth which can be achieved using only one hand after the package or package has been opened. Such an assortment of one at a time with a single hand is particularly desirable because the other hand of the user or caregiver is typically required to be used simultaneously for other functions. For example, when a diaper product is being changed over an infant, the caregiver typically uses one hand-to hold and hold the infant in a desired position while with the other hand attempts to supply a baby cleansing cloth for the infant's cleanser. .

However, the opening of such conventional containers for wet wiping cloths has not been completely satisfactory. For example, many conventional containers are not capable of being opened with one hand, or if they are designed for opening with one hand, they are not easy to open with one hand by all users. In such containers, the user typically has to open the package with both hands before dispensing a wet cleaning cloth. Many such containers have become difficult to open because they have included a cover which provides a positive frictional seal with the container body when closed to ensure that the cleaning cloths do not dry out too much. In addition, many of the conventional containers have included relatively small opening mechanisms which are difficult to handle with one hand.

Another difficulty associated with conventional containers for wet wiping cloths is that the lids of the containers typically must be either completely open or completely closed. Depending on the weight of the wet cleaning cloths remaining in the container, the container may be tilted backward by the weight of an open lid. Therefore, conventional containers do not provide a partially open position between the lid and the base of the container. Consequently, when the supply of cleaning cloths in the container is exhausted, it becomes more difficult to obtain a cleaning cloth from the container using only one hand. In some conventional containers, there is poor alignment between the lid of the container and the base of the container. Poor alignment impairs the user's ability to secure the lid to the base, particularly when the operation must be done with one hand.

With some uses of wiping cloths, such as diaper changing wipes, the container containing wiping cloths is opened and closed quite frequently. Frequent opening and closing of the lid of the container causes wear and tension on the connection or clamping between the lid and the base. After s has carried out a number of opening and closing cycles the connection may start to fail, and in some cases it will result in the lid of the container breaking out of the base of the container. The rough surface produced by a broken lid can grab the skin or fabric, becoming a problem. In the past, the outer contours of some conventional vessels have had right angles with rough edges that could be held on the skin or the fabric. For example, right angles often exist at the connection point between the container lids and the container bases. .

During the shipping and storage of the containers, the containers are frequently stacked vertically one on top of the other. Stacking can be done on a pallet or inside a shipping / storage container. The vertical stacking of the containers on the upper part of each other results in a substantial force acting on the upper part of the container. If the container n has sufficient compressive strength, the lid or bas can be deformed by arcing or buckling outward. Some conventional containers have not been designed to withstand the magnitude of the force experienced during routine shaping and storage.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION In response to the difficulties and problems discussed above, a new container has been discovered for wet wiping cloths having an improved opening and supply, which is capable of maintaining a partially open position, which has an improved alignment between the cover and the base, which it has an improved breaking strength and has an improved compressive strength. The purpose and advantages of the present invention will be established and will be apparent from the description that follows, as well as that they will be learned by the practice of the invention. The additional advantages of the invention will be realized and achieved by the recipients particularly those indicated in the written description and in the claims thereof as well as in the attached drawings.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a wet cleaning cloth having a container base and a container lid. The container lid is connected to the base of the container. The lid of the container and the container base can be a single component or they can be separate components. The connection between the container lid and the base of the container may be in the form of an ultrasonic joint, an interlocking hinge or another form of connection known in the art. The lid of the container has a front wall and an upper part, a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls. The walls extend down from the top of the container's lid in a generally rectangular configuration. The walls can also extend downwards in a generally trapezoidal configuration. The base of the container has a bottom wall and a front, a rear wall, and a pair of opposite side walls. The walls extend upwards from the bottom of the base of the container in a generally rectangular configuration to provide an interior for holding the wet cleaning cloths. The walls can also extend upwards in a generally trapezoidal configuration.

The upper part of the container lid has a guide edge that extends downwards. The rear panel of the container lid defines a length that is approximately the same as the overall length of the container. The guide rim is generally parallel to the rear wall of the container lid and the guide rim is located near or close to the rear wall. The guide rebord has a length that is less than the length of the rear wall. For example, the ratio of the guide flange length to the length of the rear wall, which generally represents the length of the container, may desirably, but not exclusively, be from about 40% to about 90%. In addition, the guide flange may extend downward by a distance of from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches. The guiding rim can also have a thickness that is from about 0.625 inches to about 0.25 inches. The rear wall of the base of the container has a top part that defines a receiving edge. The receiving edge is generally configured to receive the guide lip of the container lid. For example, the receiving edge may be arc-shaped. The receiving edge gradually receives the guide bead when the container lid is rotated from an open position to a closed position. Among other things, the guide flange facilitates the opening and closing of the container with one hand. In addition, the guiding rim improves the alignment between the container lid and the container base. The guide flange also allows a partially open position of the container lid. The recipient is set and does not tilt when the lid of the container is partially open, even if there are only a few cleaning cloths remaining in the container. In the partially open position the lid of the container is from 1.5 3.0 inches above the base of the container. The partially opened position allows a person to reach inside the container and take a damp cleaning cloth with a sun hand.

The lid of the container can be made of a polymer, copolymer or mixtures of both. For example, the tap of the container can be made primarily of a styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer. The lid of the container may be transparent or translucent, in part, to facilitate the determination of the amount of cleaning wipes remaining in the container. The base of the container can be similarly made of a polymer, copolymer or mixture of both. For example, the base of the container can be made primarily of polystyrene. The base of the container can be made of and be an opaque, translucent or transparent material. Dyes, inks and dyes can be added to material from either the container lid or the container base. The containers of wet cleaning cloths of the invention can be used beneficially for secondary purposes when they are no longer in use to contain wet cleaning cloths. For example, containers can be used to store small toys, art supplies, other household items. When the lid of the container and the base of the container are translucent or transparent, it is possible to see what is inside the container without opening the lid.

The corners that are formed at the intersections of the various walls of the recipient's lid and the base of the container can be rounded. More particularly, the corners between the front walls, the rear walls, the side walls, the top part the bottom can be curvilinear. The lid of the container and the base of the container can be joined together in their respective rear walls. The lid of the container and the container base can be joined or connected by the variety of shapes known in the art, including ultrasonic connections.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a container for wet wiping cloths that includes a container base and a separate container cover that is attached to the base of the container. The lid of the container can be fastened to the base of the container in a variety of shape including a hinge arrangement, bolts, edges of the interlock, ultrasonic connection and other forms of fastening known in the art. The lid of the container has an upper part and a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls. The walls extend down from the top in a generally rectangular configuration.

The rear wall of the container lid includes a flange that extends outward. The flange that extends outwards may be primarily of two dimensions, and therefore, the flange has a width and a length. The flange can be thought of as being divided into three areas: the area immediately to the side of the rear wall of the container lid, a hinge channel and a securing area. The clamping area is located distally from the rear wall of the container lid, the hinge channel being located between the immediately adjacent area and the clamping area. The three areas are primarily linear and are configured to be generally parallel to each other and to the rear wall of the container lid. Each of the areas has an independent length that is not greater than the length of the rear wall of the container lid. Starting from the area near the rear wall, the length of the flange can gradually taper along the width of the flange. In this case the length of the flange near the rear wall would be greater than the length of the flange in the holding area. The length of the hinge channel would be between the length of the area near the rear wall and the holding area. For example, the ratio of the length of the flange in the hinge channel to the total length of the container lid can be from about 60% to about 85% and the ratio of the length of the flange in the area of The total length of the container lid can be from about 50% to about 75%.

The hinge channel has two end regions d, each end region is located at one end of the hinge channel. The hinge channel has a primary thickness and the end regions of the hinge channel have a secondary thickness that is greater than the primary thickness. The primary thickness of the hinge channel can be from about 0.005 inches to about 0.15 inches. The secondary thickness and end regions may desirably be from about 20% to about 100 greater than the primary thickness.

In addition to the hinge channel thickness, there is a global thickness for the flange extending outward. The thickness of the flange may vary over the width of the flange. For example, the thickness of the flange includes the thickness near the rear wall, the secondary thickness of the end region of the hinge channel and the thickness of the fastening area. If the thickness of the flange near the rear wall of the container lid and the clamping area are greater than the secondary thickness, the thickness of the flange may gradually decrease along the width until the thickness equals the secondary thickness. Conversely, if the thickness of the flange near the rear wall and the clamping area is less than the secondary thickness, the thickness of the flange can gradually increase along the width until the thickness equals the secondary thickness. The flange that extends outward has two ends that are generally defined by the width of the flange. These ends may have a curvilinear shape that forms an angle of less than ninety degrees outwardly from the rear wall of the container lid. The graduated curve for the ends of the flange can prevent the skin and fabric from grabbing onto the flange.

The wet cleaning cloth container also includes a container base that includes a bottom and a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls. The walls extend upwardly from the bottom of the base of the container in a generally rectangular configuration that provides an interior for holding the wet cleaning cloths. The walls can also extend upwards in a generally trapezoidal configuration. The rear wall of the base of the container may have an upper part that includes a lip that extends outwardly. The lid of the container can be attached to the base of the recipient by holding the holding area of the container lid to the lip extending outwardly from the rear wall of the base of the container. The lid of the container and the base of the container can be fastened to each other by various methods known in the art including a hinge d between the closure, by bolts and by means of ultrasonic connection.

The lid of the container and the base of the container can be either transparent or translucent to provide an indication of the amount of wet cleaning cloths remaining in the container. The container lid and container base can be made of various polymers, copolymers and blends including polystyrene blends including polystyrene. The various corners formed by the front walls, the rear walls, the side walls, the top and bottom of the container lid and the base of the container can be curvilinear.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a wet cleaning cloth container that includes a container bas, a container lid and a closure. The lid of the container is connected to the base of the container and either the lid of the container itself may include a hinge or a hinge may be formed between the lid of the container and the base of the container. As an example of the connection between the lid and the base, the lid of the container and the base of the recipient can be ultrasonically joined together. The closure is configured to releasably retain the container lid on the base of the container in a closed position.

The closure includes a vertical tongue projection that is continuous with and extends upwardly from the upper surface of a front wall of the container base. The vertical tongue projection may have arched edges and a flattened grip area that is usually in the center of the tongue projection. The upper surface of the front wall of the container base may have an arcuate depression below the grip area of the tongue projection. The closure also included an auxiliary region that is below the arched depression is generally concentric with the tongue projection. The closure also includes an opening which is located in a convex part of a front wall of the container lid. When the container is closed, the tongue projection s extends upwards through the opening. In another embodiment, the tongue projection extends downwardly from the lid of the container and the opening is located within a convex portion of the base of the container.

The container lids of the containers having such closures may further include an upper part, a rear wall and a pair of opposed side walls which extend downwards from the top in a generally rectangular configuration. The container bases of the containers having such closures may further include a bottom and a rear wall and a pair of opposing sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom in a generally rectangular configuration to provide an interior for holding the wet cleaning cloths. . The base of the container can also have a generally trapezoidal configuration.

As with the other containers of the invention, the lid of the container and the base of the container may be transparent or translucent to provide an indication of the amount of wet wipes remaining in the container. The container lid and the base of the recipient can be made of various polymers, copolymers and blends that include polystyrene, and blends that include polystyrene. The various corners formed by the front walls, the rear walls, the side walls, the top and bottom of the container lid and the base of the recipient can be curvilinear.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a wet cleaning cloth container that includes a container base and a container lid that is connected to the base of the container. The base of the recipient includes a bottom and a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls. The walls extends up from the bottom in a generally rectangular configuration to provide an interior to contain the wet cleaning cloths. The walls may include one more generally linear ribs that are formed in the walls. The ribs can be vertical or horizontal The ribs can extend along the entire length or width of the wall or walls or the ribs can extend only along a part of the length or width of the wall or walls. The ribs provide a container with an improved compressive strength to withstand crushing or buckling that may have occurred during shipping and storage. The ribs also provide a more aesthetic appearance to the container.

Therefore, the present invention, in its various aspects, advantageously refers to a container for wet cleaning cloth which, when compared with conventional containers of wet cleaning cloths, provides access for a single hand suitable for wet cleaning cloths. . In particular, the present invention provides an aesthetically pleasing container for wet cleaning cloths that is easy to use and ergonomically secure. The improved closure provides a reliable one-handed assortment opening for an improved consumer acceptance. The containers are particularly desirable for wet wiping cloths intended for use in the typical diaper changing routine in which usually only one of the hands of the caregiver is available to retrieve or remove a wet wiping cloth. In addition, the container of the invention is stable in a partially open position regardless of the amount of cleaning cloths in the container. Being able to maintain a partially open position of the rate prevents the weight of the container lid from tipping the container back when only a small amount of the wet cleaning cloths remain in the container. The container also provides an improved alignment between the container lid and the base of the container, thus assisting a one-handed operation. Advantageously, the container of the invention has a lid that is more resistant to tearing under repeated use than conventional lids and an arched edge contour which prevents the skin or fabric from grabbing onto one edge of the container. Additionally, the container of the invention provides improved compression strength and, therefore, improved resistance to crushing and buckling.

It will be understood that both the foregoing description generates and the following detailed description are exemplary intended to provide a further explanation of the claimed invention. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and constitute part of this description, are included to illustrate and provide further understanding of the containers of the invention. Along with the description, the drawings serve to explain the various aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be better understood and the additional advantages will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Similar parts of the containers shown in the drawings are identified by the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 representatively shows a perspective view of an example of a container for wet cleaning cloth according to the present invention in a closed position; Fig. 2 representatively shows a perspective view of the container for wet cleaning cloths illustrated in Fig. 1 in an open position; Fig. 3 representatively shows a view in the upper plane of the container for wet cleaning cloths illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 representatively shows a view in the lower plane of the wet wiping container illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 representatively shows a front elevated view of the container for the wet cleaning cloths illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 representatively shows a rear raised view of the wet wiping container illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 representatively shows a cross-section end view of the container for the wet cleaning cloth illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 representatively shows a top plan view of the lid of the container of the container for the cleaning cloths illustrated in Fig. 1; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of an instrument used to measure the resistance to breakage (closed position); and Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an instrument used to measure the tear strength (open position).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to solve the problems related to the use and durability of conventional containers for wet cleaning cloths. As representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the present invention provides a container for wet cleaning cloths 20 that is configured to supply wet cleaning cloths in a conventional manner convenient for personal use. The wet cleaning cloth container 20 includes a container base 22 and a container lid 24 that is connected to or attached to the container bas 22. The base of the container 22 and the container lid 24 can be formed as a single piece or this can be separate pieces. The lid of the container 24 can be connected to the container 22 by various chemical mechanical methods known in the art, including, but not limited to, the hinges, interlock members, use of rubber or other bonding material or ultrasonic bonding.

The wet cleaning cloths can be arranged in the container 20 in any way that provides a convenient and reliable assortment of one to the one and which ensures that the wet cleaning cloths do not dry too much. For example, wet cleaning wipes may be arranged in the container 20 as a plurality of individual sheets arranged in a stacked configuration to provide a stack of wet cleaning wipes which may or may not be individually bent. The wet cleaning cloths can be individual wet cleaning cloths which are folded into a double-fold fold configuration as known to those skilled in the art and then stacked on top of each other to provide the cloth stack. wet cleaners. Alternatively, if the wet cleaning wipes are to be arranged in a stacked configuration in the container 20 the individual wet cleaning wipes can be interfolded so that the leading tail end edges of the successive cleaning wipes in the stacked configuration overlap. In such a configuration, the front end edge of the wet cabbage cleaning cloth is released from the stack by the tail end edge of the front wet cleaning cloth when the wet cleaned front cloth is removed by the user. Wet wiping cloths may be interfolded to facilitate such assortment by means known to those skilled in the art.

Alternatively, the wet wiping cloths may be arranged in the container 20 as a continuous fabric of interconnected wet cleaning wipes which are folded into a stacked accordion-type configuration. The individual wet wiping cloths may be connected together along the frangibility lines, such as the perforation lines, to ensure that the wet wiping cloth is in position to be grasped by the user after the wet cleaning cloth. Front is removed. For example, wet wiping cloths may be provided by a continuous woven fabric which has a series of frangibility lines extending across the width of the fabric. The part of the fabric of material between the successive lines of frangibility provides each individual cleaning cloth. The frangibility lines may be provided by means known to those skilled in the art such as perforations, indentations or cuts in the material. For example, frangibility lines or perforations may be provided in the fabric material by passing the weave of material between the die cutter roller and an anvil roller. After the frangibility lines have been incorporated into the fabric of the material, the fabric can then be arranged in a stacked configuration for easy insertion into the interior 38 of the container 20.

The container of wet cleaning cloths 20 of the present invention may comprise any suitable number of individual wet cleaning cloths depending on the desired package and the end use. For example, the container 20 may be configured to include a stack of wet cleaning cloths which may include at least about 5 wet cleaning cloths and desirably from about 16 to about 320 individual wet cleaning cloths.

Each wet cleaning cloth is generally rectangular in shape and defines a pair of opposite side edges and a pair of opposite end edges which may be referred to as a front end edge and a tail end edge. The front end edge of the wet cleaning cloth is typically placed in the container 20 to be grasped by a user to facilitate the removal of a wet cleaning cloth from the container. Each wet cleaning cloth defines an unfolded width and an unfolded length. The wet cleaning cloth can have any suitable width and length. For example, the wet cleaning cloth may have a doubled length d from about 2.0 to about 80.0 centimeters desirably from about 10.0 to about 25. centimeters and an unfolded width of from about 2.0 about 80.0 centimeters and desirably from about. around 10.0 to around 45.0 centimeters.

Suitable materials for the wet cleaning cloths of the present invention are well known to those skilled in the art. Wet wiping cloths can be made of any suitable material to be used as a wet cleaning cloth, including meltblown, coform, air and woven and bonded fabric, hydroentangled materials and the like can comprise synthetic or natural fibers or combinations thereof . The wet wiping cloths can have a basis weight of from about 25 to about 120 grams per square meter and desirably from about 40 about 90 grams per square meter.

In a particular aspect, the wet cleaning cloths may comprise a base sheet of polymeric microfibers and cellulose fibers having a basis weight of from about 60 to about 80 grams per square meter, and desirably about 75 grams per pound. square meter. Such coform base sheets are generally manufactured as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,100,324 issued to Anderson and others which was issued July 11, 1978, and which is incorporated herein by reference. Typically, such coform base sheets comprise a matrix formed by gas d melt blown microfibers with thermoplastic polymer melt ta such as, for example, polypropylene microfibers and cellulosic fibers, such as, for example, wood pulp fibers. The relative percentages of the polymeric microfibers and the cellulose fibers in the bas coform sheet can vary over a wide range depending on the desired characteristics of the wet cleaning cloths. For example, the coform base sheets may comprise from about 20 to about 100 percent by weight, desirably from about 20 to about 60 percent by weight, and more desirably from about 30 to about 40 percent by weight. percent by weight of polymeric microfibers based on the dry weight of the coform base sheet that is used to provide the wet cleaning cloths.

The wet cleaning cloths of the different aspects of the present invention contain a liquid which can be any solution which can be absorbed in the wet cleaning cloths. The liquid contained within the wet cleaning wipes can include any suitable components which provide the desired cleaning properties. For example, the components may include water emollients, surfactants, preservatives, chelating agents, buffering agents or combinations thereof. The liquid may also contain lotions, ointments and / or medications.

The amount of liquid contained within a wet cleaning cloth may vary depending on the type of material being used to provide the wet cleaning cloth, the type of liquid being used, and the type of container being used to store the oil. of wet cleaning cloths, and the desired fine use of the wet cleaning cloth. Generally, each humid cleaning cloth can contain from about 150 to about 600 po percent by weight, and desirably from about 250 about 450 percent by weight of the liquid based on the dry weight of the wiper cloth for improved cleaning . A particular aspect wherein the wet cleaning cloth is made of a coform material comprising from about 30 about 40 percent by weight of polymeric microfibers based on the dry weight of the cleaning cloth, the amount of liquid contained within the cloth Wet cleaner is about 300 to about 400 percent by weight desirably from about 330 percent per pes based on the dry weight of the wet cleaning cloth. If the amount of liquid is less than the above-identified range, wet cleaning cloths may be too dry and may not work properly. If the amount of liquid is greater than that of the range identified above, the wet cleaning cloths may be saturated and wet and the liquid may stagnate in the bottom of the container.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the container for wet wiping cloths 20 includes a base d container 22 defining a bottom 28 which is connected to a front wall 30, a rear wall 32 and a pair of opposite side walls 34 and 36. The front, rear side walls extend upwardly from the bottom 28 in a generally perpendicular fashion to form a rectangular container base 22. The container base 22 may also have a trapezoidal shape. The bottom and the front, rear and side walls of the container base 2 generally define an open interior 38 for containing the wet cleaning cloths. The wet wipe container 20 also includes a container cover 24 defining an upper portion 40 which is connected to a front wall 42, a rear wall 44 and a pair of opposite side walls 46 and 48. The front, rear side walls laterals extend from the top 40 in a generally perpendicular manner to form a rectangular container cover 24.

The base of the container 22 and the container lid 24 of the container 20 can be provided by a variety of materials that are cheap and capable of retaining the liquids. Suitable materials include polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene and the like or combinations thereof. For example, the base of the container 22 can be made of a polystyrene material having a thickness d from about 0.010 inches to about 0.08 inches. The lid of the container 24 can be manufactured from a combination of styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer with or polystyrene material having a thickness of from about 0.005 inches to about 0.060 inches.

The walls 30, 32, 34 and 36 of the container base 22 can be integral with the bottom 28 or can include separate members that are connected or bonded 28 to provide the base of the container 22.

Similarly, the walls 42, 44, 46 and 48 of the container lid 24 can also be an integral part of the upper part 44 or can include separate members that are connected or attached to the upper portion 40 to provide the container lid 24. Desirably, the corner connections between the walls and the top 40 and the bottom 2 of the base 22 and the lid 24 are curvilinear to provide a more aesthetically pleasing container 20.

The different components of the container 2 can be provided by conventional techniques such as thermoforming or injection molding as known to those skilled in the art. With respect to the containers of the invention, in some embodiments, the container base 22 and the container lid 24 are provided as integral units. In some cases, injection molding techniques can be used to form the integral units. When the container base 22 and container lid 24 are separate components, thermoforming techniques are typically used.

In an embodiment of the containers of the invention, the container 20 includes a container base 22 a container lid 24 as described herein. In addition to the upper part 40 and the front wall 42, the rear wall 44 and the side walls 46 and 48, the container lid 2 can also include a guide flange extending downwards 50. The guide flange 50 it is generally parallel to the rear wall 44 of the lid of the container 24. The guide rim 50 is generally located near or next to the rear wall 44. The rear wall 32 of the base of the container 20 has an upper part 52. The upper part 52 is the uppermost part of the rear wall 32 and therefore the part of the rear wall 32 that comes into close contact with the lid of the container 24. The upper part 52 s extends along the entire length of the the rear wall 32. The upper part 52 defines a receiving edge 54. The receiving edge 54 is configured to receive the guide flange 50 of the lid of the container 24. For example, the receiving edge 54 may be arched to receive the reb guide 50. The reception edge 54 receives the guide flange 50 when the lid of the container 2 is closed on the base of the container 22.

In an embodiment of the invention, when the lid of the container 24 is turned down to a closed position, the guide flange 50 comes into contact with the receiving edge 54 and the receiving edge 54 pushes the guide rebord 50 downwards and front of the receiving edge 54. Thus, the guide flange 50 is sufficiently spaced outwardly from the rear wall 44 to be able to land on the front of the receiving edge 54 when the lid of the container 24 is closed on the base of the receiving edge. Since the guide edge 50 extends downwardly from the upper portion 40 of the container lid 24, the guide recess 50 can be described as having a "depth as opposed to a height. 50 is sufficient to extend below the lowest point of the receiving edge 54. The combination of a guide rebid 50 and the receiving edge 54 increases the ease with which the container cover 24 can be closed on the base of the container 22. In addition, the combination of the guide lip 50 and the receiving edge 54 assists in the alignment of the container lid 24 on the base of the container 22 for the purpose of providing a secure closed position Because the lid of the container 24 and the container base 22 are properly aligned, the container lid 24 can completely cover the base of the container 22 and there is a possibility that the container lid 24 s "open" from the base of the container 22. If the lid of the recipient 24 is partially or completely detached from the base of the container 22, the moisture of the wet cleaning cloth product stored in the container 20 can be lost. As a consequence of this, the product of Wet cleaner cloth loses its ability to perform its intended function.

The combination of the guide flange 50 and the receiving edge 54 also helps with the use of a single handle of the container 20 by allowing a partially open relationship between the lid of the container 24 and the bas of the container 22. Typically, there are containers that they are only able to maintain either a completely open or a completely closed position. When only a small amount of cleaning cloths remains in the container 20 and the container tap 24 is in the open position, the entire container 20 can be tilted back by the weight of the container tap 24 that is not sufficiently counterbalanced. Container 20 makes it difficult to grip one-hand wet cleaning cloths. The partially open position is achieved when the guide flange 5 rests on the receiving edge 54. With the containers d the invention, the difficulties associated with the container 2 with respect to the inclination are overcome while the user can still remove the cleaning cloths from the recipient 20 with one hand. The container 20 of the invention is not tilted even when the wet cleaning cloths remain in the interior 38 of the container 20. Generally, when the lid of the container 24 is in a partially open position it is approximately 1.5 inches to 3.0 inches outside of the container. the base of the container 22. At least for these reasons, the container of the invention is easy to use with one hand and these are more stable when the small numbers of wet cleaning cloths remain in the container 20.

The guide flange 50 and the receiving edge 5 can have a variety of configurations. Typically, the receiving edge 54 is shaped or contoured to at least partially complement the carcass shape or contour downwardly of the guide flange 50. While the receiving edge has a thickness, the receiving edge 54 e is primarily two-dimensional. The receiving edge 5 can extend to the full length of the upper part 5 of the rear wall 32 or extend only along part of the length of the upper part 52. The guide flange 5 has a length 51 (shown in FIG. Figure 3), a depth 55 (shown in Figure 7), and a thickness 5 (shown in Figure 3). Generally, the length of the guide flange 50 is less than the length of the rear pad 44. The guide flange 50 may desirably have a ratio of the length 51 of the guide flange 50 to the length of the rear wall 44 of from about of 40% around 90%. In most embodiments, the depth 55 of the guide flange 50 varies from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches. The thickness 53 of the guide flange 50 may vary from about 0.0625 inches to about 0.25 inches. The position of the guide flange 50 against the rear wall 32 of the container base 22 when the lid of the container 24 is closed is visible in the cross section representative of an end container 20 shown in FIG. 7.

As described herein, the containers of the invention can be made of polymers, copolymers or mixtures of polymers and copolymers. The additional components can be added to provide several functionals to either the overall container 20 or the base of the individual container 22 and to the lid of the container 24. In example, the base of the container 22 is formed of approximately 98% of a polystyrene of high impact, as available from Dow Chemical, of Midland, Michigan as Dow SYTRON® 484. The remainder of the base composition of the container 22 may be an impact modifier such as STEREON®, which is available from Firestone Company . In an example of a container lid 24 of the invention, the container tap 24 is made of approximately 70% d styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer, such as FINAPRENEMarca thermoplastic elastomer, available from Finaclear 520, available from Fina Oil and Chemical Company The container lid 24 may also include about 20% of a polystyrene for general purposes such as polystyrene FINA® 524 available from Fina Oil and Chemical Company. The container lid 24 may further include approximately 10% high impact polystyrene, such as the Dow SYTRON® 484. If desired, the lid of the container 24 may include a colorant in an amount of from about 0.08% to about of 1.2 by weight. Suitable coloring compounds are known to those skilled in the art.

One the other of the lid of the container 24 and the base of the container 22 of the containers of the invention may be transparent, translucent or opaque. There are certain advantages associated with either the lid of the container 24 or the base of the container 22 being transparent or translucent. For example, when the lid of the container 24 is transparent, the user of the container 20 can easily determine the quantity of the cleaning cloths remaining in the container 20. That is, the user can determine the amount of wet cleaning cloth remaining in the container. container 20 without having to open the lid of the container 24 of said container. This is useful, in part, because some of the cleaning cloth products are sold without containers in filled packs. The consumer can make intermittent purchases of the cleaning cloths in a container 20, as described herein, but can also make complementary purchases of the cleaning cloths in spare packages. Consumers can fill the container 2 with the wet cleaning cloths purchased as part of the replacement packages. When the lid of the container 24 and the base of the container 22 are translucent, the container 20 of the invention is desirable for secondary uses. For example, when a consumer no longer uses the container 20 for holding the wet cleaning cloths, the consumer may wish to use the container 20 for storing small toys, art supplies and other household items. If the container 20 is translucent, one can see what is inside the container 20 without having to open the lid 24 or have to re-locate the items that may be in the upper part or around the container 20.

The aesthetic and functional advantages are also obtained when one or the other of the container lid 24 or the base of the container 22 are colored. For example, containers of different colors can be used to distinguish the packaging for different types of wet cleaning cloth products. Similarly, functional aesthetic advantages can be achieved when the lid of the recipient 24 or the base of the container 22 has graphics printed on them. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, the graphics can be used to distinguish between various products of type d cleaning cloth.

As already described herein, the lid of the recipient 24 and the base of the container 22 can be formed of a single integral piez or can be formed as separate pieces. With respect to the containers of the invention that are formed from two separate pieces, the container lid 24 is attached to the base of the container 22 using a variety of techniques known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the lid of the container 24 and the bas of the container 22 are joined to its rear walls. The rear wall 44 of the lid of the container 24 can be fastened to the rear wall 32 of the base of the container 22 through the use of gums, adhesives or other bonding agents; through heat sealing; through the ultrasonic union; or through the use of physical connectors such as interlocking member bolts.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the container 20 includes a container base 22 and a separate container cap 24 that is attached to the base of the container 22. As representatively illustrated in Figures 6-8, the wall of the container 44 of the container lid 24 has an outwardly extending flange 60. The outwardly extending flange 60 is generally two dimensional and the flange 60 has a width 61 and a length 63. The flange extending outwardly 60 it extends outwardly from the plane of the rear wall 44 in a primarily perpendicular direction. The flange 60 includes three general areas: the area closest to the rear wall 44, that is, the immediately adjacent area 66; the hinge channel 64; and the clamping area 62. The clamping area 62 is located farthest from the back wall and the hinge channel 64 is centrally located between the immediately adjacent area 66 and the clamping area 62. Each of the three areas or sections of the flange 60 is primarily linear in shape and each area has an individual length, width and thickness. The three areas are generally parallel to each other and extend in a direction that is primarily parallel to the rear wall 44 of the container lid 24. The rear wall 32 of the base of the container 22 has an upper part 52 which runs linearly to along the part of the rear wall 32 that is furthest from the bottom 28.

The upper part 52 has an outwardly extending lip 70. The outwardly extending lip 70 is generally flat and extends outwardly from the upper part 52 in a direction that is primarily perpendicular. The lid of the container 24 is attached to the base of the container 22 by securing the flange 60 to the outwardly extending labi 70. More specifically, the holding area 62 of the flange 60 is attached to the lip extending to 70. Therefore, the general terms, the lid of the container 24 and the base of the container 22 are fastened to one another along their rear walls. The clamping area 62 and the outwardly extending lip 70 can be attached to each other using any of the techniques generally known to those skilled in the art. An example of a suitable technique is ultrasonic joining.

In an embodiment of the invention, the end edges of the flange 60 can be tapered. Tapering the ends of the flange 60 result in the ends of the flange 60 being arched. When one end d of flange 60 has a curvilinear shape, the extreme shape or angle 69, shown in Figure 8, outwardly of the rear wall 44 that is less than ninety degrees. In conventional containers, the edge of the hinge between the container lid and the base of the container may be perpendicular, or ninety degrees, with the rear panel of the container lid. The provision of a curvilinear shape and an angle of less than ninety degrees provides several advantages to the container 20. The curvature of the end edges of the flange 60 gives an easier container 20 in the sense that the flange 60 It is less feasible to grab a cloth or skin. When the edges of the flange 60 are tapered along a curve, the immediately adjacent area 66 has the longer length and the holding area 62 has the smallest length. Although the length of the flange 60 typically does not exceed the length of the rear wall 44, the lengths of the three areas may vary depending on whether and how the taper is executed. For example, in a particular embodiment, the hinge channel length 64 may be from about 60% about 85% of the length of the back wall 44. The length of the fastening area 62 may be from about 50. % to about 75% of the length of the posterior wall 44.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the hinge channel 64 has the two ends, each end of the hinge channel 64 includes an end region 68. The hinge channel 64 has a primary thickness and the end regions 68 have a thickness secondary. The secondary thickness of the end regions 68 is generally greater than the primary thickness of the hinge channel 64. For example, the primary thickness of the hinge channel 64 may be from about 0.005 inches to about 0.015 inches. The secondary thickness of the end regions y8 is from about 20% to about 100% greater than the primary thickness. In a similar embodiment, the overall thickness of the outwardly extending flange 60 varies along the width of the flange 60. As with the tapered flange 60, the length described herein, the thickness of the flange 60 may have a change. stepwise through three areas of the flange 60. An example of the gradual change or taper of the thickness of the flange 60 is shown in Figure 8.

In an example of a flange 60 of the invention, the immediately adjacent area 66 has an initial thickness 73 d about 0.040 inches at the point closest to the rear stop 44. The end region 68 of hinge channel 64 has a thickness 65 of about 0.015 inches; the rest of the hinge channel 64 has a thickness 67 of about 0.009 inches. The thickness of the flange 60 can then increase over the transition from the end region 68 or the hinge channel 64 to the clamping area 62. The clamping area 62 is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, as having a thickness 71 that it is approximately the same as the thickness 73 of the immediately adjacent area 66, however, the thicknesses 71 and 73 may be different. As shown in Figure 8A, the thickness 73 of the flange 60 in the immediately adjacent area 66 can gradually thin from about 0.040 inches to about 0.015 inches, the thickness 65 of the end region 68. The thickness 65 of the flange 60 can remain fairly constant over the width of the end region 68. On the other side of the end region 68, the thickness 71 of the flange 60 will gradually increase through the width of the grip area 62 until the thickness 71 reach or value of about 0.040 inches. The variation in the thickness 73 of the immediately adjacent area 66, the thickness 67 of the hinge channel 64 and the thickness 71 of the clamping area 62 over the width of the flange 60 is generally shown in Figure 8B.

With the containers of the invention, the performance benefits are seen with a container lid 24 having an outwardly extending flange 60 from the rear wall 44 where the flange 60 has a hinge channel 64 with an end region. 68 of a major secondary thickness 65. When the hinge channel 64 has an end region 68 of a secondary thickness 65, the hinge channel 64 is more tear resistant. The hinged areas of conventional containers are typically susceptible to tearing after repeated use. Apparently, the hinge is stressed over time to the point of a tear by repeated closing of the lid opening. In order to demonstrate the improved tear resistance of the containers of the invention, the apparatus shown in Figures 9 and 10 was constructed to simulate a repetitive opening and closing of the lid of the container 24. A representation of a bending test instrument 80 is shown in Figures 9 and 10.

The flexure test instrument 80 can simulate the movement of the lid of the container 24 on two containers 20 at a time. The flexure test instrument 80 includes a motor assembly 82 that is housed approximately in the center of the platform of the instrument 90. The motor assembly 82 includes a gear motor, a motor controller and a miter gear. The appropriate motorcycle assembly components 82 can be purchased as part number from the following manufacturers: (1) Gear Motor-. . Grainger, Part # 4Z539; (2) Motor Controller-. W. Grainger, Part # 4Z527; 83) Miter Gear-. M. Berg, Part # MX-3-D. The motor assembly 82 drives the rotary movement arm 84 through a range of motion that simulates the range of motion experienced by a container lid 24 through the repeated closure opening. In relation to the vertical plane, the rotating movement arm 84 moves over a range of from about -78 ° to about + 78 °. Each cycle of the rotary motion arm 84 is detected and recorded by a counter 92. A suitable counter 92 is part number H7CS-B of Omron Corporation of Japan, or an equivalent.

Figure 9 shows the operation of the flexure test instrument 80 when the caps of the container 24 are in a virtually closed position and Figure 10 shows the flexure test instrument 80 when the caps of the container 24 are in an open position. In the positioning of the flexure test instrument 80 for carrying out a test, the containers 20 are placed on the platform 90 of the instrument 80. The containers are placed between two spacer bars, one opposite the container 20 and one behind the container 20. The rear spacer bars are not visible in the figures. The front sparger bar is an adjustable spacer bar 8 and can be moved backward through the rotation of a knob 94 until a position that firmly holds the container 20 on the platform 90 is achieved. Each ram of the rotary movement arm 84 ends with a slot 86 end. The slotted end 86 slides over and secures a part of the front wall 42 of the lid of the container 24.

In order to demonstrate the improved tear resistance associated with the containers of the invention, comparative tests were carried out between a conventional container and a container 20 of the invention using the flexo test instrument 80. To represent a conventional container, it was test a HUGGIES NATURAL CARE® container. The container 20 of the invention had a separate container lid 24 with an outwardly extending flange 60. The outwardly extending flange 60 includes a hinge channel 64 having a primary thickness 67, the hinge channel 64 has an end region 68 of a major secondary thickness 65. Primary rubber 67 was about 0.009 inches and secondary rubber 65 was about 0.015 inches. The flexure test instrument 80 was operated at about 50 cycles per minute. The conventional HUGGIE NATURAL CARE® container experienced tearing through the entire length of the hinged area after about 9.00 cycles. The representative container 20 of the invention n experienced a tearing of the hinge channel 64 after about 28,000 cycles.

The present invention is also directed to a wet cleaning cloth container 20 having a lid d container 24 which is connected to a container base 22 to a lid 56 which is configured to releasably retain the container lid 24 on the base of the container 22 in a closed position. As illustrated in Figures 1-8, the tap of the container 24 is hingedly connected to the base of the container 22. The base of the container 22 includes a front wall 30 extending upward from a bottom 28. The front wall 30 has an upper surface 72. The upper surface 72 is in a position that is furthest from the front wall 30 of the bottom 28. The closure 56 includes a vertical tongue projection 58 that is continuous with and extending upwardly from the top surface. 72. The tongue projection 58 has arched edges is generally semicircular in configuration. The tongue projection 58 is of a suitable length for grip. The tongue projection 58 includes a flattened grip area 74. The flattened grip area 74 is about a length that can be easily pushed against by a full-sized person's finger or thumb. The flattened grip area 74 is generally located at the center of the tongue projection 58 and may have a width that is greater than the width of the tongue projection 58. The larger width of the grip area 74 may create a plan surface on the upper surface of the tongue projection 58 for improved performance.

The upper surface 72 may also include an arcuate depression 76 which is located primarily below the flattened grip area 74 of the tongue projection 58. In addition to the tongue projection 58 and the arched depression 76, the upper surface may also include a relief region 78. The relief region 78 is positioned below the arcuate depression 76 and has a shape which is generally concentric and therefore semicircular, with the configuration of the tongue projection 58. The elevation d the semicircular relief region 78 approaches but n requires touching the arcuate depression 76. The closure 5 also includes an aperture 98. The aperture 98 is formed within the front wall 42 of the lid of the container 24. L front wall 42 has a convex portion 96 that extends somewhat outward and away from the front wall 42 in a perpendicular direction. The opening 98 is long enough to accommodate the length of the tongue projection 58. When the container 20 is in a closed position, the tongue projection 58 extends up through the opening 98. In another embodiment, the projection of tongue 58 may extend downward from the front wall 42 of the container lid 42 and the opening 98 may be located within the upper surface 72 of the front wall 30 of the base of the container 22.

Either the lid of the container 24 and the base of the container 22 can be transparent or translucent. Either the lid of the container 24 and the base of the container 22 can be colored. In some applications, it is desirable that the lid of the container 24 be of a different heat than the base of the container 22. If the lid of the container 24 is colored, the opening 98 is more visible and the container 20 is easier to clean. close. It is also easier to determine that the container 20 is closed securely when the components of the closure 56 have different colors.

The closure 26 provides a more friendly and ergonomic way to open the container 20. The container 26 of the invention provides a one-handed closure and opening of the container 20. The opening of the container with a hand wave is an important factor for some applications of wet cleaning cloth such as for placing a young child's diapers. In the case of baby wipes, often a father or mother must use one hand to hold the child while changing the diaper and then use his other hand to take a cleaning cloth for cleaning. If the parent does not open the container of cleaning cloths 20 before beginning the diaper changing process, he or she must use only one hand while changing the diaper. The container of baby wipes 20 of the invention is very easy to open with one hand. In one method of opening the container 20, one or two fingers can be placed on top of the tongue projection 58 while the thumb is placed under the convex part 96 of the container lid 24 and against a region of relief 78. With fingers in this type of arrangement on the closure 26, the thumb can push against the relief region 78 to raise the lid of the container 24 up and over the flattened grip area 74. The flange of Guide 54 located on the underside of the upper part 40 of the lid of the container 24 holds the lid of the container 24 in a partially open position. The partially open position of the lid of the container 24 prevents the container 20 from tilting if a very small number of cleaning cloths remain in the container 20.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a container of wet cleaning cloths 20 having a container base 22 and a container cover 24 that is connected to the base of the container 22. The base of the container 22 includes a bottom 28 and a front wall 30, a rear wall 32 and a pair of opposed side walls 34 36. The walls extend upwardly from the bottom 28 in a generally rectangular configuration to provide an interior 38 for holding the wet wiping cloths. The walls may have one or more generally linear ribs 100 formed in the walls. The ribs 100 may be linear or slightly arched. The spacing between ribs 100 may vary and ribs 100 may be oriented either horizontally or vertically.

The ribs 100 provide various benefits including a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and a container base 22 that can be more easily grasped handled. The ribs 100 make it easier to hold the container 20. Other benefits of the ribs 100 are that said ribs 100 essentially improve the compressive strength of the container 20.

During shipping and storage and even during the display, the containers are stacked vertically one above the other.

Depending on how many containers are stacked, container 20 undergoes some amount of vertical compression force. Conventional containers are susceptible to crushing and buckling when they have a number of containers stacked on them. Conventional container covers are crushed in a downward direction and the container bases are buckled by vertical force. The presence of the ribs 100 formed in one more walls of the base of the container 22 gives the container 2 a better overall resistance for the compressive forces. Thus, the containers 20 of the invention experience less crushing and are more resistant to buckling. The ribs 100 may vary in length and may be of a variable length within a given wall.

According to the various aspects of the present invention, containers for wet cleaning cloths can be advantageously provided which, when compared with conventional wet cleaning cloth containers, provide an opening and an assortment with an improved single hand. Such containers are particularly useful for dispensing baby wipes since the caregiver typically only has one free hand during the process of placing the diaper. Thus, the wet cleaning cloth containers of the present invention are reliable and easily opened with a hand of the user or the caretaker to improve convenience and personal hygiene. Thus, the containers of the invention can maintain a partially open position of the container lid and provide a better alignment between the container lid and the base of the container. The container lids of the invention are also more resistant to tearing and are less likely to fail with the repeated closure opening of the lid. In addition, the containers of the invention have an improved compressive strength and are more difficult to crush.

Even though the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to achieve an understanding of the foregoing, that alterations, variations and equivalent of these aspects can easily be conceived. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be assessed with that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

Claims (15)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A container for wet wiping cloths including a container base and a separate container lid that is attached to the container base comprising: the container lid has an upper part, a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls extending downwards from the upper part; the upper part of the container lid has a flange that extends outward, the flange has a width one length; the flange of the rear wall of the container lid has a clamping area and a hinge channel, the hinge channel being primarily linear with two end regions and extending along the length of the flange and which is located between the back wall and the holding area; the hinge channel has a primary thickness and the end regions of the hinge channel have a secondary thickness that is less than the primary thickness; the base of the container has a bottom and a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of opposite side walls extending upwards from the bottom to provide an interior for holding the wet cleaning panels; the rear wall of the container base has an upper part, the upper part has a lip that extends outwards; and where the holding area of the container lid is attached to the lip of the rear wall of the container base.

2. The container for wet cleaning cloths as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the primary thickness of the hinge channel is from about 0.005 inches to about 0.01 inches.

3. The container for wet cleaning cloths as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the secondary thickness of the bisagr channel is from about 20% to about 100% greater than the primary thickness.

4. The container for wet cleaning cloths as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the flange of the rear wall of the container lid has a thickness in which the thickness gradually changes along the width to equalize the secondary thickness of the container. the end regions of the hinge channel.

5. The container for wet cleaning cloths as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the flange of the rear wall of the lid of the container has two ends, the two ends each have a curvilinear shape that forms an angle of less than ninety degrees outward from the rear wall of the container's tap.

6. The container for wet wiping cloths as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that the length of the flange of the rear panel of the lid of the container tapers gradually along the width.

7. The container for wet wiping cloths as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that the length of the flange near the rear panel of the container lid is greater than the length d of the flange in the securing area.

8. The container for wet cleaning cloths as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that the ratio of the length of the brid in the hinge channel to the length of the rear wall of the container lid is about 60% at about 85% and the ratio of the length of the flange in the area d subject to the length of the rear wall of the container lid is from about 50% to about 75%.

9. The container for wet cleaning cloths as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the cover is translucent.

10. The container for wet cleaning cloths as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the base of the container is translucent.

11. The container for wet cleaning cloths as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the base of the container is made of a polymer mixture comprising polystyrene.

12. The container for wet cleaning cloths as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the container defines corners between the front walls, the rear walls, the side walls, the top part and the bottom which are curvilinear.

13. The container for wet cleaning cloths as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the lid of the container and the base of the container are held together on the end walls by an ultrasonic connection.

14. A container for wet cleaning cloths including a container base and a separate container lid that is fastened to the base of the container comprising: the lid of the container has a top part, a front wall and a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls extending downwards from the top part; the rear wall of the lid of the container has a flange that extends outwards, the flange has a width and a length; the flange of the rear wall of the container lid has a clamping area and a hinge channel, the hinge channel being primarily linear with two end regions and extending along the length of the flange and which are located between the rear wall and clamping area; the hinge channel has a primary thickness and the end regions of the hinge channel have a secondary thickness that is greater than the primary thickness; the flange of the rear wall of the container lid has a thickness wherein the thickness gradually changes along the width to equalize the secondary thickness of the end regions of the hinge channel; the container base has a bottom and a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls extending upwardly from the bottom to provide an interior for holding the wet wipers; the rear wall of the base of the container has an upper part, the upper part has a lip that extends outwards; and where the retainer lid holding area is attached to the lip of the rear wall of the container base.

15. A container for wet cleaning cloths including a container base and a separate container lid that is attached to the base of the container comprising: the lid of the container having an upper part and a front wall, and a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls extending downward from the top; the rear wall of the container lid has a flange that extends outward, the flange has a width and a length; the length of the flange gradually shanks along the width; the flange of the rear wall of the container lid has a clamping area and a hinge channel, the hinge channel being primarily linear with two end regions and extending along the length of the flange and which is located between the back wall and the holding area; the hinge channel has a primary thickness and the end regions of the hinge channel have a secondary thickness that is greater than the primary thickness; the base of the container has a bottom and a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls extending upwards from the bottom to provide an interior for holding the wet wipes; the rear wall of the base of the container has an upper part, the upper part has a lip that extends outwards; and where the holding area of the container lid is attached to the lip of the rear wall of the container base. SUMMARY A container for wet cleaning cloths having an improved opening and improved tearing strength between the lid and the base among other features. The container includes a container base and a container lid that is connected to the base of the container. In one embodiment, the lid of the container has a guiding rim extending down to the interior of the container. The guide flange allows the container lid to be in a partially open position and to provide improved alignment between the container lid and the container base during closure of the container. In another incorporation, the container includes a closure having a tongue projection that extends upwards, a flattened grip area and a relief region to increase the ease with which the container can be opened. The invention also relates to a container having a container cap that is more resistant to tearing. The container lid has a hinge channel of a primary thickness. The hinge channel d has two end regions that are of a secondary thickness that is greater than the primary thickness. The increased thickness of the end regions resists tearing which may occur in the lid after repeated openings and closure of the container. ol Z