Compressed Wipe Activation and Deployment System

Abstract

A compressed-wipe activation and deployment system is disclosed in which a dehydrated sanitary wipe is stored in a compartment associated with a beverage container and selectively hydrated immediately prior to use. In various embodiments, a liquid reservoir or beverage-activated fluid conduit delivers a controlled quantity of liquid to the wipe in response to an activation event such as pressing, twisting, opening a closure, or creating a pressure differential. Configurations include cap-integrated modules, externally mounted self-contained modules for unmodified containers, standalone attachable wipe units, beverage-activated conduits drawing liquid from the container interior, multi-module tumbler lids, and temperature-conditioned modules that use heat or cooling from the beverage to provide warm or cool wipes. Components may be formed of food-contact-safe materials and may incorporate frangible capsules, fluid-transfer channels, venting structures, and thermal-transfer paths to promote reliable, on-demand expansion and dispensing of the wipe while resisting unintended activation.

Claims

1. A wipe-activation module for use with a beverage container, comprising: a compartment configured to be mounted to the beverage container; a compressed sanitary wipe disposed within the compartment in a dehydrated state; a liquid reservoir disposed within the compartment proximate to the compressed sanitary wipe, the liquid reservoir containing a cosmetically acceptable liquid; and an activation structure associated with the compartment and configured, in response to an activation event, to release the cosmetically acceptable liquid from the liquid reservoir into contact with the compressed sanitary wipe to expand the compressed sanitary wipe into a hydrated wipe for removal from the compartment.

2. A beverage-activated wipe system comprising: a beverage container defining an interior volume configured to contain a beverage; a closure coupled to the beverage container; a wipe compartment within or coupled to the closure; a compressed sanitary wipe disposed in the wipe compartment in a dehydrated state; and a fluid conduit extending between the interior volume and the wipe compartment, the fluid conduit being configured, in response to opening of the closure or another activation event, to transfer a quantity of the beverage from the interior volume into the wipe compartment to expand the compressed sanitary wipe into a hydrated wipe.

3. A temperature-conditioned wipe-activation module for use with a beverage container, comprising: a housing configured to be mounted to a beverage container containing a beverage at a non-ambient temperature; a compressed sanitary wipe disposed within the housing in a dehydrated state; a liquid reservoir within the housing and containing a cosmetically acceptable liquid proximate to the compressed sanitary wipe; a thermal-transfer path between the beverage and at least one of the compressed sanitary wipe and the liquid reservoir, the thermal-transfer path being configured to transfer heat or cooling from the beverage prior to activation; and an activation structure configured, in response to an activation event, to release the cosmetically acceptable liquid from the liquid reservoir into contact with the compressed sanitary wipe to expand the compressed sanitary wipe into a temperature-conditioned hydrated wipe.

4. A temperature-conditioned wipe module for use with a beverage container, comprising: a housing configured to be mounted to the beverage container; a compressed sanitary wipe disposed within the housing; and a thermal-transfer path between the beverage and the compressed sanitary wipe, the thermal-transfer path comprising at least one vent, permeable section, or heat-transfer channel configured to deliver steam or vapor from the beverage into contact with the compressed sanitary wipe to expand the compressed sanitary wipe into a hydrated wipe without a separate liquid reservoir.

5. A wipe-dispensing module configured for mounting to a beverage container, the wipe-dispensing module comprising: a housing defining an interior compartment; a pre-moistened sanitary wipe disposed within the interior compartment in a sealed condition prior to use; and a user-operable access feature associated with the housing and configured to provide selective access to the pre-moistened sanitary wipe, wherein the housing is further configured to attach to, or be integrated with, a closure of the beverage container such that the wipe-dispensing module is carried with the beverage container during transport and use.

6. The module of claim 1, wherein the compartment is defined at least in part by a cap configured to be secured over a neck of the beverage container.

7. The module of claim 1, further comprising a protective layer positioned between the compartment and the neck of the beverage container, the protective layer configured to isolate the compressed sanitary wipe and the liquid reservoir from a beverage contained in the beverage container.

8. The module of claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir abuts the compressed sanitary wipe within the compartment.

9. The module of claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir comprises a frangible capsule formed of a flexible membrane, and the activation structure is configured to rupture the frangible capsule in response to manual pressing or twisting of the compartment.

10. The module of claim 1, further comprising one or more retaining elements selected from snap-fit rings, molded retaining rings, and adhesive bonds that hold the liquid reservoir in position within the compartment.

11. The module of claim 1, further comprising venting channels in fluid communication with the compressed sanitary wipe, the venting channels being configured to promote distribution of the cosmetically acceptable liquid across the compressed sanitary wipe during expansion.

12. The module of claim 1, wherein the compartment is part of a self-contained module configured to be attached to and removed from different beverage containers by at least one of a snap-fit connection, a threaded connection, an adhesive ring, and a friction seal.

13. The module of claim 1, wherein components of the compartment are formed from food-contact-safe polymers, elastomers, foil laminates, or coated papers, and the compressed sanitary wipe comprises fibers selected from rayon, viscose, cotton, and biodegradable fibers.

14. The module of claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir comprises a liquid layer bounded between first and second flexible membranes having scored or burstable zones configured to open in response to pressure to discharge a cosmetically acceptable liquid toward the compressed sanitary wipe.

15. The module of claim 1, further comprising a protective membrane positioned between the liquid reservoir and the compressed sanitary wipe, the protective membrane configured to inhibit premature contact between the cosmetically acceptable liquid and the compressed sanitary wipe before the activation event.

16. The module of claim 1, wherein the activation structure is configured such that removal or initial opening of the beverage container closure causes the liquid reservoir to release the cosmetically acceptable liquid onto the compressed sanitary wipe.

17. The module of claim 1, wherein at least one of the compressed sanitary wipe and the cosmetically acceptable liquid includes a fragrance, hypoallergenic formulation, herbal extract, or medicated treatment.

18. The module of claim 1, wherein the compartment and the liquid reservoir are configured to be stored in at least one of a freezer and a warming unit prior to mounting to the beverage container so that the cosmetically acceptable liquid and the compressed sanitary wipe are temperature-conditioned before the activation event.

19. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least one one-way restriction associated with the fluid conduit and configured to limit flow of the beverage toward the wipe compartment.

20. The system of claim 2, wherein opening the closure creates a pressure differential or suction effect that drives the beverage through the fluid conduit into the wipe compartment.

21. The system of claim 2, wherein the closure comprises a bottle cap and the wipe compartment is located within the bottle cap above the interior volume.

22. The system of claim 2, wherein the wipe compartment is configured such that the hydrated wipe protrudes for access after expansion.

23. The system of claim 2, wherein the beverage-activated wipe system further comprises an external module mounted on the closure, the external module housing at least part of the wipe compartment while the beverage container and its contents remain otherwise unmodified.

24. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid conduit is configured to transfer the beverage by at least one of capillary wicking, manual squeezing of a deformable region, or operation of a small pump or bladder.

25. The system of claim 2, further comprising a liquid reservoir distinct from the beverage, disposed proximate to the compressed sanitary wipe, wherein the compressed sanitary wipe is expandable by liquid from at least one of the liquid reservoir and the beverage.

26. The module of claim 3, wherein the housing is mounted above a lid of the beverage container and the thermal-transfer path comprises conductive regions of the lid configured to transfer heat from the beverage to the liquid reservoir.

27. The module of claim 3, wherein the thermal-transfer path comprises at least one vent, permeable section, or heat-transfer channel that permits steam or vapor from the beverage to enter the housing.

28. The module of claim 3, wherein the thermal-transfer path is configured to cool the compressed sanitary wipe or the cosmetically acceptable liquid when the beverage is chilled.

29. The module of claim 3, wherein the housing is configured as a reusable clip-on accessory compatible with standard beverage-container lids or cups.

30. The module of claim 3, wherein the housing forms part of a beverage-container lid and defines a plurality of wipe compartments arranged in an array, each wipe compartment containing a respective compressed sanitary wipe and associated liquid reservoir.

31. The module of claim 4, wherein the housing comprises at least one vent, permeable region, or steam-transfer channel configured to direct heat, vapor, or steam from the beverage toward the compressed sanitary wipe to facilitate expansion of the compressed sanitary wipe during use.

32. The module of claim 5, wherein the user-operable access feature comprises at least one peelable seal, hinged cover, sliding panel, or removable barrier configured to maintain the moisture of the pre-moistened sanitary wipe until use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1A is an exploded view showing a bottle neck, an interior wipe compartment, a compressed wipe, a liquid capsule positioned above the wipe, and an outer cap.

[0008] FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the cap of FIG. 1A with the wipe and capsule enclosed; in some views the expanded wipe protrudes for access after activation.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an external wipe module mounted on a standard bottle cap; the container contents remain unmodified.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a standalone wipe-activation module that can be attached to various containers.

[0011] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a beverage-activated embodiment in which a conduit draws beverage liquid into the wipe compartment upon opening.

[0012] FIG. 4B is the same embodiment after activation, with the wipe expanded inside the cap following liquid transfer from the beverage.

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a pre-moistened-wipe embodiment located inside the cap without a separate activation capsule (non-limiting variation).

[0014] FIG. 6 is an inside (bottom) view of a tumbler lid carrying multiple wipe-activation modules arranged in a revolver-style array.

[0015] FIG. 7 shows a wipe-activation module coupled to a warm-beverage container, where heat from the beverage warms the liquid capsule so that the expanded wipe is dispensed warm for use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0016] The invention is a compressed-wipe activation and deployment system. A variety of beverage containers are accompanied by a compressed (dehydrated) sanitary wipe which can be activated and made available to users in a hydrated state, ready for use.

[0017] When a sanitary wipe is dehydrated, it is very compressed and takes up a small amount of volume. It can therefore be contained in a small volume and be available to be activated (hydrated) and deployed. The key is to prevent unintended activation, and provide reliable when-desired activation. Novelty is derived from unique encapsulation and activation.

[0018] The crux of this invention system is reliable encapsulation and activation. It may be manifested in different ways but the common denominator is convenience and resistance to unintended activation. A variety of embodiments drawn and described, herein, all subscribe to the objectives of convenience and intended activation. These embodiments are exemplary and should not be read as limiting the scope of claims to those specific drawings and descriptions.

[0019] In FIG. 1A, there is an exploded layer-by-layer view showing a bottle neck (101) with a protective layer (102) positioned above it, followed by a compressed (dehydrated) wipe (103), a liquid capsule (104) above the wipe and the outer cap (105) which encloses the whole assembly. FIG. 1B shows the same arrangement in a sectional perspective with compressed wipe (103) and liquid capsule (104) enclosed inside the outer cap (105) and positioned above the bottle neck (101). The protective layer (102) is shown below the outer cap.

[0020] In both views, the liquid capsule is retained by elements such as snap-fit rings, molded retaining rings, or adhesive bonds. The liquid capsule is formed of a flexible or frangible material and contains a measured amount of a cosmetically acceptable liquid (e.g., potable water, sanitizing solution, or the beverage itself). An optional protective layer separates the liquid capsule from the wipe to resist unintended activation.

[0021] Upon an activation eventsuch as manual pressing on the cap top, twisting during opening, or an auto-trigger associated with cap removalthe liquid capsule ruptures and releases liquid onto the compressed wipe, causing it to expand into a moist, usable form. Venting channels may be included to promote even liquid dispersion and rapid expansion.

[0022] In alternative arrangements, the wipe and liquid capsule may be inverted so that the capsule releases fluid upward into the wipe compartment, or they may be positioned side-by-side with lateral fluid transfer channels or pressure-responsive walls.

[0023] In another configuration, the liquid may be contained as a layer between two flexible membranes positioned above the wipe, with scored or burstable zones that open when pressed to discharge liquid into the wipe compartment. This configuration allows for a fully integrated activation mechanism without requiring a discrete capsule or contact with the beverage inside the bottle.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary case of an external-cap-mounted module. A self-contained module (200) mounts onto an existing drink bottle or directly onto its cap (105). The module houses a compressed wipe (103), a liquid reservoir or capsule (104), and, optionally, a protective membrane positioned between the liquid and the wipe to resist unintended activation. The module may be pre-attached during bottling by the beverage manufacturer, or fitted afterward, and can be secured by a snap-fit, threaded connection, adhesive ring, or friction seal.

[0025] In this configuration, the original bottle and its contents remain unaltered. The external module houses both the activation liquid and the wipe, enabling convenient access without requiring any modification to the bottle itself. Activation may be achieved by pressing down on the module, twisting a portion of it, or by other mechanical means that rupture or open the liquid capsule releasing liquid to hydrate the compressed wipe. The wipe then expands and can be withdrawn directly from the unit.

[0026] This design can mimic familiar push-pull or sports-cap interfaces. The external-cap-mounted module may employ any activation mechanism described herein, including frangible capsules, fluid layers between membranes, or beverage-drawn transfer systems.

[0027] A stand-alone module is depicted in FIG. 3. It comprises a detachable wipe-activation module attached to a container via adhesive rings, snap-fits, threads, or friction seals. The module houses a compressed wipe (103) and a liquid capsule (104). In the FIG. 3 example, an optional mechanism is provided to open the capsule (104) by directing it downward onto a small pin (not shown) when pressed, thereby releasing liquid onto the compressed wipe (103). Other activation methods, such as twisting, squeezing, or peeling, may also be used.

[0028] The standalone module may be stored in environments that adjust the wipe's temperature prior to activation and deployment. For example, when kept in a freezer, the liquid within the liquid capsule and the surrounding components are cooled or frozen, providing an extended cooling effect to the wipe, during use. Conversely, the module may be stored in a warming unit or heated display, such as those used in retail environments for food products, to provide a warm wipe for comfort in cold conditions. The module may employ any activation mechanism described herein, including frangible capsules, fluid layers between membranes, or beverage-drawn transfer systems.

[0029] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a beverage-activated conduit embodiment. The activation fluid is drawn from the beverage itself. A conduit (401), such as a narrow straw or capillary channel, extends from the compressed wipe (103) housed inside the bottle cap into the beverage. Upon opening the bottle, a pressure differential, suction effect, wicking action, or other fluid transfer method moves a small quantity of beverage into contact with the compressed wipe, causing it to expand for immediate use. Optional one-way valves, pumps, squeezable bladders, or other liquid-transfer components may also be employed to control the timing and volume of fluid delivery. FIG. 4A illustrates the configuration prior to activation, with the wipe (103) in its compressed state. FIG. 4B shows the same embodiment after the bottle has been opened and the wipe (103) has expanded inside the cap for removal and use.

[0030] In a pre-moistened embodiment, FIG. 5, a drink bottle is provided with a normal cap that encloses a pre-moistened and wrapped wipe. The wipe may be positioned just under the cap, with or without a protective layer to maintain freshness. Access may be provided by peeling a cover, opening a hinged or sliding lid, pressing a button on the cap to extend a small drawer (501), or by other mechanical means, such as twisting the cap. In other implementations, the pre-moistened wipe could be housed in an attachment mounted externally to the bottle for convenience. This variant does not employ a separate activation capsule and is presented for illustrative completeness. The primary inventive concept resides in activation of a compressed wipe using a proximate liquid source immediately prior to use.

[0031] In FIG. 6, a tumbler-lid, multi-module array is depicted (601). The inside view of a tumbler cap (603) shows multiple wipe-activation modules (602) arranged in a circular, revolver-style configurationin this example, six modules are shown. Each module is shaped to fit within the array and can be individually pressed or otherwise actuated to release a wipe. The wipes within these modules may be warm or cold depending on the temperature of the beverage inside the tumbler. Protective covers may be included to maintain hygiene until use.

[0032] Each module may employ any of the activation mechanisms described for other embodiments hereinincluding, but not limited to, frangible capsules, fluid layers between membranes, or beverage-drawn fluid transfer systemsto release liquid and expand the wipe prior to removal.

[0033] FIG. 7 depicts a warm-beverage-heated wipe module (701). In this embodiment, a wipe-activation module is mounted to a warm-beverage container, such as a disposable coffee or tea cup. The module is positioned above the cup's standard lid so that a liquid capsule faces downward toward the beverage, allowing heat transfer to warm the liquid before activation. Above the liquid capsule, a compressed wipe is oriented for outward dispensing when expanded.

[0034] Heat from the beverage is conducted through the lid into the liquid capsule and the wipe compartment, raising the temperature of the wipe prior to activation. In some configurations, steam from the beverage may pass through vents, permeable sections, or heat-transfer channels in the lid to aid in warming the wipe. In certain embodiments, the capsule may be omitted entirely, with steam or vapor from the beverage serving as the sole heat and/or moisture source for expansion of the wipe.

[0035] Additional elements may include a protective layer beneath the capsule to regulate heat transfer, and a protective cover above the wipe to maintain hygiene until use. The module may be affixed via adhesive rings, snap-fit clips, friction seals, or integrated molding. Alternate configurations may position the module laterally along the sidewall of the cup, angled toward the beverage for heat transfer, or integrated into cup sleeves or insulated wraps. Side-mounted versions may include heat-conductive fins or wicks to draw warmth upward from the beverage. This embodiment may be implemented as a single-use attachment sold with the beverage, a reusable clip-on accessory compatible with standard coffee shop lids, or an aftermarket product for custom drinkware. The same design can also be used with chilled beverages to deliver a cool, refreshing wipe, with the beverage temperature naturally determining the wipe's final temperature.

[0036] Components may be formed from food-contact-safe polymers, elastomers, foil laminates, or coated papers. Capsules may be formed as blister packs, sachets, or membrane-bounded fluid layers. Adhesives and seals may be pressure-sensitive, heat-seal, or ultrasonic welds. Wipes may include rayon, viscose, cotton, or biodegradable fibers and may incorporate optional fragrance or antimicrobial agents consistent with regulatory guidance.

[0037] Elements described in connection with any embodiment may be combined with elements of other embodiments unless context dictates otherwise. Variations in component positions (e.g., above, below, or adjacent), component quantities (single or multiple modules), and activation mechanisms (including but not limited to pressing, twisting, peeling, puncturing, squeezing, or beverage-activated transfer) are contemplated. Unless expressly stated, no feature is essential, and the scope is intended to encompass all variations consistent with the inventive concepts disclosed herein, whether or not they are expressly illustrated in the drawings.

[0038] In alternative implementations, the modules described herein may be adapted for use with beverage cans, including aluminum soft-drink cans, energy drink cans, and other metal or composite containers, and may optionally incorporate tamper-evident seals, tamper-indicating membranes, or breakable bands to prevent premature access or activation.