EP1358831B1

EP1358831B1 - Baby wipes warmer for maintaining moisture and coloration of baby wipes contained therein.

Info

Publication number: EP1358831B1
Application number: EP03100956A
Authority: EP
Inventors: M. Thomas E. Mcconnell; M. François Hacquart; M. Michael E. Henley; M. Gary L. Smith
Original assignee: Prince Lionheart Inc
Current assignee: Prince Lionheart Inc
Priority date: 2002-05-01
Filing date: 2003-04-09
Publication date: 2005-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-09
Also published as: EP1358831A1; CN2681664Y; ATE308912T1; DE60302175D1; DE60302175T2

Abstract

There is provided a baby wipes warmer (10) for warming baby wipes (12) while maintaining moisture and coloration thereof. Such warmer (10) comprises a base member (18) for supporting the warmer (10) on a surface. A body member (16) is engaged onto the base member (18) and has an interior-side housing wall (36) and an upper housing wall which collectively form an inside compartment (36). The warmer (10) further includes a sponge layer (92, 112) which is disposed within the inside compartment (30) and retains liquid therein. A heating element (60) is disposed about the inside compartment (30) for providing heat thereto. The liquid retained within the sponge layer (92, 112) transitions into vapors (49, 86, 104, 115) when heated by the heating element (60) for maintaining the moisture and coloration of the baby wipes (12) supported upon the sponge layer (92, 112). <IMAGE>

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to baby wipes warmers, and more particularly to an improved baby wipes warmer which is adapted to provide heated liquid vapors to the baby wipes for maintaining moisture and coloration of the baby wipes.
Baby wipes have been marketed in the United States for many years. Essentially, baby wipes are small pre-moistened paper or synthetic (non-woven) towelettes and are typically available in packages to the consuming public. They are primarily used to cleanse the skin of infants and small children. The wipe fluid content for these pre-moistened wipes is generally comprised of cleansers, lotions and preservatives.
A few years after the baby wipes were introduced into the marketplace, various products for warming the wipes were made available to the public. Such products have been devised to comfort the baby wipe users from the inherent "chill" given off by the contact of the moistened wipes. For example, it is now a common practice for parents to employ the use of warm baby wipes on their children.
These warming products are generally electrically operated and come in two distinct styles. One is an "electric blanket" style which is sized to wrap around the external surfaces of a plastic baby wipes container. The other is a self-contained plastic "appliance" style which warms the accommodated baby wipes with its internally positioned heating element. An example of such warming product is disclosed in European patent application EP 1 084 670 A, which shows a wet tissue warmer including a case having an open end and a lid internally provided with a heater. Though such currently known and available baby wipes warming products achieve their primary objective of warming baby wipes, they possess certain deficiencies which detract from their overall utility.
Perhaps the two greatest deficiencies of the prior art baby wipes warming products are the inabilities to sustain the moisture content and coloration of the baby wipes. More specifically, drying of the baby wipes occurs due to heating of their moisture content which accelerates dehydration. Further, discoloration of the same appears to be inevitable because of a reaction of various chemicals in the wipes to heating. As such, even though these existing products may adequately warm the baby wipes, they cannot, however, seem to avoid the undesirable effects of dehydration and discoloration when warming them.
Thus, there exists a substantial need in the industry, and in the infant products manufacturing business in particular, for a baby wipes warming product that can effectively provide warmth to the baby wipes without dehydrating and/or discoloring them. Further, there exists a need for a baby wipes warming product which can achieve these objectives in a user-friendly and time-efficient manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention specifically addresses and overcomes the above-described deficiencies of prior art baby wipes warming products by providing an improved baby wipes warmer that can warm baby wipes while substantially maintaining their original moisture content and coloration. Briefly, in order to accomplish such objectives, baby wipes warmers may utilize a heatable liquid tank assembly which can provide liquid vapors to the baby wipes through at least one vapor aperture, such general solution being not claimed. In contrast, the present baby wipes warmer according to the invention comprises a sponge layer in lieu of the tank assembly in which the baby wipes supported thereon can be heated while sustaining their moisture and color through vapors generated therewithin, and may in addition use an elevated support such as a suspension tray. These as well as other features of the present invention will be discussed in more detail infra.
As a general introduction to the domain of the invention and to help the reader to understand it, before introducing the baby wipes warmer according to the invention which comprises, as an essential feature, a sponge layer disposed within an inside comportment, it can be noted that a baby wipes warmer may be provided for warming baby wipes while substantially maintaining their original moisture content and coloration. Such warmer comprises a housing with a pivotally engaged lid member that can open and close relative thereto. A liquid tank assembly is disposed within the housing in such a way that its upper tank surface is vertically surrounded by the housing's interior-side housing wall and horizontally closed off by the lid member. In this respect, an inside compartment is defined which can be selectively accessed by opening and closing the lid member. Optionally, the inner surface of the lid member may be layered with sponge materials to contain condensations which result from liquid evaporations in order to reduce the risk of spillage when it is opened. This optional feature of the lid member may be provided in all of the preferably embodied baby wipes warmers discussed below.
The liquid tank assembly is preferably fabricated from any heat conducting material such as metal (e.g., aluminum) or plastic. The tank assembly comprises a liquid compartment which is formed between its upper and lower tank surfaces. The liquid compartment is used to hold any liquid that can produce vapors when heated such as water. By heating the liquid compartment, a portion of the liquid may change its physical state and flow into the inside compartment as vapors which helps to maintain the original moisture content and coloration of the baby wipes placed thereat. To allow the rising vapors to seep into the inside compartment from the liquid compartment, at least one vapor aperture is formed through the upper tank surface.
A heating element is disposed within the housing relative to the lower tank surface for the purpose of heating the liquid. The heating element may be located in various positions to achieve such purpose. For example, the heating element can be placed within the liquid compartment itself adjacent the lower tank surface to substantially extend thereabout. However, the heating element can also be placed outside the liquid compartment and still provide the requisite heat to the lower tank surface by being adjacent thereto. It is specifically contemplated herein that many types of heating element such as an electrically powered heating pad may be used.
In an example of baby wipes warmer, not claimed but described in order to clarify the domain of the invention, the upper tank surface is characterized by a generally flat support surface used for supporting the baby wipes thereon. This surface may be defined to be a part of the upper tank surface itself. In an embodiment of the baby wipes warmer according to the invention, however, the support surface is formed by a suspension tray which is removably engaged upon a sponge material that extends through an exposed opening defined on the upper tank surface. If the latter configuration according to the invention is used, the vapor aperture(s) of the upper tank surface is formed by the sponge itself as its inherent characteristics would allow the vapors to gradually flow therethrough. Moreover, a ridge may be formed around both types of support surfaces for confining the baby wipes within the physical boundary set thereby.
Further in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a baby wipes warmer which comprises a sponge layer disposed within the inside compartment, there may be provided a first liquid reservoir which is set in fluid communication with the liquid compartment. The first liquid reservoir may be disposed within the housing adjacent the liquid tank assembly, or alternatively mounted to an exterior of the housing. To establish fluid communication, any elongated and hollowed structure such as a conduit may be used to provide a flow channel between the reservoir and the liquid compartment. As will be demonstrated below, the first liquid reservoir ensures that the liquid within the liquid compartment is always sustained at a certain level sufficient to provide adequate evaporation.
In accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a baby wipes warmer which utilizes a first elevated support surface such as a first suspension tray in lieu of the tank assembly. The first support surface is disposed within an inside compartment which is collectively formed by the interior-side housing wall and the upper housing wall. More specifically, the interior-side housing wall defines a generally flattened interior compartment surface used for placing the support surface thereon above the liquid level contained within the inside compartment. By doing so, the baby wipes accommodated thereon can be heated while sustaining their moisture and color through vapors rising from the heated liquid pool disposed underneath.
In accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the baby wipes warmer utilizes a sponge layer. More specifically, a second elevated support surface is provided on the interior compartment surface of the baby wipes warmer. The second elevated support surface forms therethrough a plurality of vapor holes which allow vapors to pass through. A sponge is directly layered upon this elevated surface and the baby wipes are supported upon such sponge layer. By forming such configuration, the liquid vapors rise from the pool of liquid (upon heating) through and around the second support surface to warm and moisten the wipes, not to mention warmly moistening the sponge layer which enhances the warm moisturizing effect on the baby wipes. Optionally, an exteriorly located liquid level indicator may be placed in fluid communication with the liquid pool (via a small pipe or the like) so as to provide convenient visual indication of the existing liquid level.
In accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, a baby wipes warmer similar to the second embodied baby wipes warmer is provided. However, this baby wipes warmer does not use any type of elevated surface but rather places a layer of sponge directly upon its interior compartment surface. The sponge layer itself retains liquid to thereby dissipate the same as liquid vapors upon generation of sufficient heat. Moreover, the sponge layer may be treated with anti-microbial or anti-bacterial additives to prevent mold, mildew and unpleasant odors. By resting the baby wipes directly upon the sponge layer, the heated sponge acts to keep the wipes warm, moist and substantially without discoloration while inhibiting growth of potentially undesirable bacteria and microbes. As will be recognized, the layer of sponge can be formed as an insert for placement within the interior of conventional prior art baby wipes warmers for retrofit applications.
Further in the third embodiment of the present invention, a second liquid reservoir may be used in conjunction with the fourth embodied baby wipes warmer to maintain hydration of the sponge layer and baby wipes. A vertically mounted sponge wall is provided with the second liquid reservoir and is used to absorb the necessary liquid therefrom via at least one reservoir hole extended therethrough. The absorbed liquid is then evaporated into the baby wipe warmer's inside compartment, hence adding moisture to the baby wipes disposed therein. Simultaneously, the vertical sponge wall is disposed in abutting contact with the sponge layer so that the liquid drawn from the reservoir permeates thereto and helps to maintain the moisture content of the sponge layer. The second liquid reservoir includes an external viewing port which lets a user see the level of liquid contained therein. If the liquid level is low, then the user may pour additional liquid either directly within the inside compartment or the reservoir.
In accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, a liquid tank assembly in the form of an elongated central channel is embedded laterally along the flattened interior compartment surface. This assembly forming the elongated central channel includes a sponge material therewithin so that it may draw liquid out of the reservoir by capillarity. Similar to the first embodied baby wipes warmer, its upper tank surface comprises at least one vapor aperture which allows liquid vapor to travel therethrough.
In illustrating the operation for all embodied baby wipes warmers, a stack of baby wipes may be placed within the inside compartment simply by opening and then closing the lid member. The liquid contained within the baby wipes warmer should be checked to ensure that there is sufficient quantity (i.e., water level and/or content) present to generate optimal vapors necessary to moisten the baby wipes. This can be accomplished by checking the liquid level within the inside compartment itself and/or the liquid reservoir (for the first, second, third and fourth embodiments) or the moisture content of the sponge layer (for the third embodiment). Thereafter, the baby wipes warmer may be plugged into an electrical outlet in order to activate the heating element (if not already done). By following this easy-to-follow procedure, portions of the liquid can transition into vapors when sufficiently heated which then travel upwardly through the vapor aperture(s) to contact the baby wipes so that they may be maintained in constant moisturized condition and coloration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a baby wipes warmer constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a stack of baby wipes positioned within its inside compartment;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the baby wipes warmer of Figure 1 and illustrating a first liquid reservoir which is exteriorly mountable to its exterior-side housing wall;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the baby wipes warmer of Figure 1 and illustrating a heating element disposed between its water tank assembly and base member, but this Figure shows a baby wipes warmer which does not comprise a sponge layer, and which is not claimed, but only represented for illustrating the domain of the invention;
Figure 3A is a plan view of the water tank assembly of Figure 3 and illustrating a plurality of vapor apertures which are formed through its upper tank surface;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the baby wipes warmer of Figure 1 and illustrating a heating element immersed in a quantity of liquid contained within its water tank assembly, but this Figure shows a baby wipes warmer which does not comprise a sponge layer, and which is not claimed, but only represented for illustrating the domain of the invention;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the baby wipes warmer of Figure 1 and illustrating a suspension tray which is placed upon a sponge extending through an exposed opening of its water tank assembly;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a baby wipes warmer constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a suspension tray which is placed directly over a quantity of liquid contained within its inside compartment, but this Figure shows a baby wipes warmer which does not comprise a sponge layer, and which is not claimed, but only represented for illustrating the domain of the invention;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a baby wipes warmer constructed in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a sponge disposed within its water tank assembly which is in the form of a laterally extending central water channel;
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a baby wipes warmer constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a sponge which is layered on its interior compartment surface for warmly moisturizing the baby wipes directly accommodated thereupon;
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the baby wipes warmer of Figure 8 and illustrating a second liquid reservoir which is interiorly mounted within its exterior-side housing wall;
Figure 9A is a perspective view of the second liquid reservoir of Figure 9 and illustrating its removably attachable cap which is utilized for selectively accessing the interior thereof;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a baby wipes warmer constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a sponge which is layered upon a suspension tray directly elevated over a quantity of liquid contained within its inside compartment; and
Figure 11 is a symbolic perspective illustration of all the preferably embodied baby wipes warmers portrayed herein to show the optional use of a lid member which is layered with sponge materials on its inner surface for containing the liquid condensations formed within their respective inside compartments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings arc for purposes of illustrating the domain of the invention in order to understand it and preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, Figure 1 prospectively illustrates a baby wipes warmer (10) constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As indicated above, the baby wipes warmer (10) is adapted to warm a stack of baby wipes (12) accommodated therein while maintaining the wipes (12) in a substantially moisturized condition and with their original coloration (i.e., white). Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the baby wipes warmer (10) may be formed to have a variety of external housing shapes, configurations, geometries, sizes and textures other than for that shown in the provided figures. The sponge layer comprised in the baby wipes warmer according to the invention is not represented in Fig. 1 and 2.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the baby wipes warmer (10) comprises a housing (14). This housing (14) may be fabricated from any rigid material, but plastic polymer is preferred. The housing (14) is formed having a main body member (16) and a base member (18). More particularly, the body member (16) is peripherally defined by an exterior-side housing wall (20) with a base end (22) that engages onto the base member (18). The base member (18) is contemplated to be used for supporting the baby wipes warmer (10) on any provided surface (e.g., desktop, floor, night stand, etc.) and may optionally include a plurality of adjustable foot pads (24) for this purpose.
The housing (14) of the present baby wipes warmer (10) comprises a pivotally engaged top lid member (26) which is capable of opening and closing relative to the housing (14). The lid member (26) may open and close utilizing any conventional methods such as using a door spring (28), for example. When such lid member (26) is closed with respect to the housing (14), it becomes an upper housing wall as it encloses the interior of the housing (14) from the outside. On the other hand, the opening of the lid member (26) allows access to an inside compartment (30) of the housing which will be discussed in more detail below. By accessing the inside compartment (30), a stack of baby wipes (12) (layered or inter-folded stack) may be inserted and individually withdrawn for use.
Figure 11 demonstrates the use of a top lid member (27) which is differently configured than the lid member (26) discussed above. More specifically, this differently configured lid member (27) includes the use of a sponge material (29) which lines the inner lid surface (31) thereof. It should be expressly emphasized herein that the application of sponge material (29) on the inner lid surface (31) is an optional feature which may be provided at the time of manufacturing or retrofitted thereafter. In this respect, such top lid member (27) may be utilized in conjunction with all the preferably embodied baby wipes warmers portrayed throughout this application.
The sponge material (29) may be applied to the inner lid surface (31) in any conventional manner such as through the use of adhesives, tapes, fasteners or the like. The importance of sponge material (29) is realized in that it serves to capture the condensation which forms as the result of liquid evaporation. More particularly, liquid vapors within the baby wipes warmers rise upwardly toward the inner lid surfaces (31) where condensation forms. Consequently, when the top lid members (27) are opened to retrieve the baby wipes (12), condensation often drips down which may damage adjacent surfaces where the baby wipes warmer is positioned (e.g., wood changing table). To prevent such unnecessary consequences, the addition of a sponge material to the inner lid surfaces (31) serves to capture the condensation and lessen the risk of spill damage caused when the lid members (27) are opened.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the latter referring to a baby wipe warmer which is not claimed and presented only in order to illustrate the domain of the invention, a liquid tank assembly (32) is provided within the housing (14). More specifically, the liquid tank assembly (32) is located between the body and base members (16, 18) when they are engaged to each other in the manner described above. Upon such placement, the upper tank surface (34) of the tank assembly (32) collectively forms the inside compartment (30) with the interior-side housing wall (36) and the lid member (26) of the housing (14). To describe this aspect in more detail, the upper tank surface (34) becomes vertically surrounded as the tank end (38) of the interior-side housing wall (36) is rested against the upper tank peripheral edge (40) thereof. The upper tank surface (34) is then horizontally closed off by the top lid member (26) forming the closed position. By such structural interaction, the requisite inside compartment (30) may be formed.
Although Figure 2 illustrates the liquid tank assembly (32) to be generally rectangular in configuration, it is expressly stated herein that the tank assembly (32) may be configured in other ways without deviating from its operational capabilities. The liquid tank assembly (32) defines a lower tank surface (42) which is positioned beneath the upper tank surface (34) towards the base member (18). The upper and lower tank surfaces (34, 42) are connected to each other by a surrounding side tank surface (44) to thereby form a liquid compartment (46) within the tank assembly (32). This liquid compartment (46) is used for holding any liquid (48) that can evaporate when sufficiently heated and thus produce vapors (49) which are able to moisturize. A type of liquid (48) which is exemplary of this nature is water. However, the use of any fluids which may safely moisturize the baby wipes (12) are foreseeable.
Because the contained liquid (48) must evaporate upon sufficient heating, the liquid tank assembly (32) should therefore be made from any material that is capable of rising in temperature in reaction to heating. It is preferred that the tank assembly (32) is fabricated from a heat-conducting material such as metal. More preferably, aluminum would be desirable for fabricating the tank assembly (32) as it reacts very well to heating. It is also expressly contemplated herein that the tank assembly (32) may be fabricated from any number of plastic materials in lieu of metal.
As shown in Figures 3 and 3A, the upper tank surface (34) includes a plurality of vapor apertures (50) extending therethrough which provide fluid communication between the inside and liquid compartments (30, 46). The vapor apertures (50) allow the vapors (49) to pass through from the liquid compartment (46) to the inside compartment (30) so as to heat the wipes and maintain the baby wipes (12) in a constant moisturized condition and coloration. Preferably, the vapor apertures (50) are formed within the support surface (52) which is surrounded by a ridge (54) formed therearound. The support surface (52) is primarily used for accommodating the baby wipes (12) in which the surrounding ridge (54) confines them in place to prevent side-to-side movement.
Referring now to Figure 5 only, an alternative embodiment of the support surface (52) is depicted. In this embodiment, the upper tank surface (34) may instead define an exposed opening (56) between the ridge (54). A support surface (52) may be disposed within this opening (56) in a manner as to extend substantially thereabout. Any structure providing a horizontal flat surface can be defined as the support surface (52) such as a suspension tray, for example. A sponge material (58) extending through the exposed opening (56) from the liquid compartment (46) is used to removably secure the support surface (52) in place. The sponge (58) is preferred for this purpose as its naturally formed pores may simulate the vapor apertures (50) thereby permitting the vapors (49) to seep therethrough.
Referring now to Figures 3-5, a heating element (60) is provided within the housing (14) relative to the lower tank surface (42). As noted above, the purpose of the heating element (60) is to heat the tank assembly (32) so that portions of liquid (48) are changed into vapors (49). The heating element (60) may be disposed in various positions to achieve this purpose. One position is to locate the heating element (60) within the liquid compartment (46) so that it is immersed in liquid (48) to substantially extend adjacent the lower tank surface (42) (best shown in Figure 4). The heating element (60) may also be positioned outside the liquid compartment (48) to extend adjacent the lower tank surface (42) (best shown in Figures 3 and 5). Although the use of various heaters is contemplated, it is preferred that an electrically powered heating pad is utilized. It should be noted herein that the description of the heating element (60) not only applies to the baby wipes warmer (10) of the first preferred embodiment, but extends to other preferably embodied baby wipes warmers as well.
Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, a first liquid reservoir (62) may optionally be incorporated into the present baby wipes warmer (10). However, the use of the first liquid reservoir (62) is not mandatory as the liquid level within the liquid compartment (46) may be manually refilled. The first liquid reservoir (62) is in fluid communication with the liquid compartment (46). By such communication, the reservoir (62) can provide additional liquid to the liquid compartment (46) when needed. The additional liquid may be provided manually by operation of a valve device which may open and close the liquid flow into the liquid compartment (46). The first liquid reservoir (62) includes a refill cap (64) preferably fabricated from a rubber material for selectively accessing its interior.
Similar to the heating element (60), the first liquid reservoir (62) may also be located in multiple positions. For example, it can be disposed within the housing (14) adjacent the liquid tank assembly (32) (shown in Figure 7). Alternatively, the first liquid reservoir (62) may be exteriorly mounted to the exterior-side housing wall (20) (shown in Figure 1). Irrespective of its positioning, the important concept to be derived is that the reservoir (62) fluid communicates with the liquid compartment (46) for providing additional liquid (48) thereto when needed. To establish fluid communication, any elongated and tubular structure (66) such as a conduit may be used to form a reservoir channel (66) between the reservoir (62) and the liquid compartment (46). In this respect, the first liquid reservoir (62) ensures that the liquid (48) within the liquid compartment (46) is always kept at a certain level which is sufficient to provide adequate evaporation.
Figure 6 illustrates a baby wipes warmer (70) which is not claimed but merely presented to illustrate the domain of the invention. This baby wipes warmer (70) is substantially identical to the first embodiment with one major distinction. More specifically, the baby wipes warmer (70) of the second embodiment eliminates the use of the liquid tank assembly (32). Rather, its interior-side housing wall (72) is adapted to define a substantially flattened interior compartment surface (74) which extends generally parallel to the base member (18). By merely closing the top lid member (not shown), an inside compartment (78) is formed. A quantity of liquid (80) is directly contained within this compartment (78).
A first support surface (82) which is defined by a first suspension tray (84) is disposed within the inside compartment (78). However, it should be noted that the first support surface (82) is positioned above the pool of liquid (80) as it must accommodate the baby wipes (12) thereon. The first support surface (82) may be engaged upon the interior compartment surface (74) through any known process such as bonding or fastening. By utilizing this arrangement, the baby wipes (12) are adequately heated while sustaining their moisture and color through vapors (86) rising from the heated liquid pool (80) disposed immediately underneath the support surface (82).
Referring now to Figure 10, there is provided a baby wipes warmer (90) which is manufactured according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, this baby wipes warmer (90) is very similar to the baby wipes warmer (70) illustrated in Fig. 6. However, the two warmers (70, 90) differ in that the baby wipes warmer (90) of the second embodiment additionally utilizes a sponge layer (92). More particularly, a second elevated support surface (94) which is defined by a second suspension tray (96) is disposed within the interior compartment surface (98) of the baby wipes warmer (90) above the pool of liquid (100). A plurality of surface vapor holes (102) are formed through the second elevated support surface (94) which allow the heated vapors (104) to flow therethrough.
A sponge (92) is directly positioned upon the second elevated support surface (94) and the baby wipes (12) are rested upon the upper surface of sponge layer (92). In this regard, the heated liquid vapors (104) rise from the pool of liquid (100) (upon heating) through and around the second support surface (94) to warm and moisten the wipes (12), as well as warmly moistening the sponge layer (92) which by the way enhances the warm moisturizing effect on the baby wipes (12). Optionally, an exteriorly located liquid level indicator (not shown) may be placed in fluid communication with the pool of liquid (100) (via a small pipe or the like) so as to provide convenient visual indication of the existing liquid level.
Figure 8 shows a baby wipes warmer (110) which is manufactured in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. This baby wipes warmer (110) is also similar to the baby wipes warmer (70) illustrated on Fig. 6 with some notable distinctions. Specifically, the baby wipes warmer (110) of the third preferred embodiment does not use any type of elevated surface but rather places a layer of sponge (112) directly upon its interior compartment surface (114). As such, the sponge layer (112) itself retains poured liquid to thereby dissipate the same as heated liquid vapors (115) upon generation of sufficient heat. Further, condensation resulting from liquid evaporations may run down the lid member (not shown) and the interior-side housing wall (117) of the baby wipes warmer (110) to re-hydrate the sponge layer (112).
Optionally, the sponge layer (112) may be treated with anti-microbial or anti-bacterial additives to prevent mold, mildew and unpleasant odors. By resting the baby wipes (12) directly upon the such treated sponge layer (112), the heated sponge (112) acts to keep the baby wipes (12) warm, moist and substantially without discoloration, while simultaneously inhibiting growth of potentially undesirable bacteria and microbes. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the sponge layer (112) may additionally be formed as a separate sponge insert for retrofit use in conventional prior art baby wipes warmers.
Referring now to Figures 9 and 9A, a second liquid reservoir (116) may optionally be provided with the above-described baby wipes warmer (110). The second liquid reservoir (116) is primarily used to maintain the hydration of the sponge layer (112) and the baby wipes (12). To achieve such purpose, a vertically mounted sponge wall (118) is included along an inner reservoir surface (120) of the second liquid reservoir (116). The vertical sponge wall (118) is essentially used to absorb the necessary liquid from the second liquid reservoir (116) via at least one reservoir hole (122) extended therethrough. The absorbed liquid is then evaporated into the inside compartment (124) of the baby wipes warmer (110) which adds further moisture to the baby wipes (12) disposed therein. Simultaneously, because the vertical sponge wall (118) is disposed in abutting contact with the sponge layer (112), the liquid drawn from the reservoir (116) by the sponge wall (118) can permeate to the sponge layer (112). This helps to maintain the moisture content of the sponge layer (112).
The second liquid reservoir (116) includes an external viewing port (126) at the outer reservoir surface (128). The external viewing port (126) lets a user see the level of liquid contained therein. If the liquid level is low, then the user may pour additional liquid either directly within the inside compartment (124) or the second liquid reservoir (116).
Figure 7 shows a baby wipes warmer (140) which is made in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. This warmer (140) is substantially identical to the first embodied baby wipes warmer (10) except that its liquid tank assembly (142) is fabricated in the form of an elongated central channel and is embedded laterally along the interior compartment surface (144). This elongated central channel serving as the liquid tank assembly (142) includes a sponge (146) within its liquid compartment (148). The sponge (146) operates to draw the liquid (150) out of the adjacently located liquid reservoir (152) by capillary action. Similar to the tank assembly (32) of the first embodiment, its upper tank surface (154) includes a plurality of vapor holes (156) which allow the liquid (150) to evaporate therethrough.
The operation of the first embodied baby wipes warmer (10) is described herein which is simultaneously representative for operations of all the above embodied baby wipes warmers (70, 90, 110, 140). First, a stack of baby wipes (12) to be warmed is placed within the inside compartment (30) simply by opening and then closing the lid member (26). The liquid (48) contained within the baby wipes warmer (10) should be checked to ensure that there is sufficient level present for adequate evaporation. This can be accomplished by visually checking the liquid reservoir and/or inside compartment (for the first, second, and fourth embodiments) or the moisture content of the sponge layer (for the third embodiment). Thereafter, the baby wipes warmer (10) should be plugged into an electrical outlet (not shown) in order to activate the heating element (60) (if not already done). By following this easy-to-follow procedure, portions of the liquid (48) can transition into vapors (49) when sufficiently heated which are then provided to the baby wipes (12) so that they may be maintained in constant moisturized condition and coloration.

Claims

A baby wipes warmer (10) for warming baby wipes (12) while maintaining moisture and coloration thereof, the warmer (10) comprising:

a base member (18) for supporting the warmer (10) on a surface;

a body member (16) engaged onto the base member (18) and having an interior-side housing wall (36) and an upper housing wall which collectively form an inside compartment (30); and

a heating element (60) disposed about the inside compartment (30) for providing heat thereto;

characterized in that it further comprises a sponge layer (92, 112) disposed within the inside compartment (30) and retaining liquid therein;
and in that the liquid retained within the sponge layer (92, 112) transitions into vapors (104, 115) when heated by the heating element (60) for maintaining the moisture and coloration of the baby wipes (12) supported upon the sponge layer (92, 112).
The warmer (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that the base and body members (18, 16) are each fabricated from a plastic material.
The warmer (10) according to any one of preceding claims characterized in that the upper housing wall is an openable/closeable lid member (26) pivotally engaged to the body member (16) for selectively providing access to the inside compartment (30) thereof.
The warmer (10) according to claim 3 characterized in that the lid member (26) comprises an inner lid surface (31) layered with sponge materials (29).
The warmer (10) according to any one of preceding claims characterized in that the interior-side housing wall (36) defines an interior compartment surface (74) which extends generally parallel to the base member (18) and disposing a support surface (52, 82) thereon.
The warmer (10) according to any one of preceding claims characterized in that the heating element (60) is disposed within the inside compartment (30).
The warmer (10) according to any one of preceding claims characterized in that the heating element (60) is an electrically powered heating pad.
The warmer (10) according to claim 5 characterized in that the heating element (60) is disposed between the base member (18) and the interior compartment surface (74).
The warmer (10) according to any one of preceding claims characterized in that the base member (18) has a plurality of foot pads (24) for supporting the warmer (10) on a surface.
The warmer (10) according to any one of preceding claims characterized in that it further comprises a support surface (82) disposed within the inside compartment (30) and rising above a pool of liquid (100) when provided therein, the sponge layer (92) being positionable upon the support surface (82, 94).
The warmer (10) according to claim 10 characterized in that the support surface (82, 94) is a suspension tray (84, 96).
The warmer (10) according to claim 10 or 11 characterized in that the support surface (82, 94) comprises a plurality of surface vapor holes (102) formed therethrough.
The warmer (10) according to any one of preceding claims characterized in that the liquid retained within the sponge layer (92, 112) is water.
The warmer (10) according to any one of preceding claims characterized in that it further comprises a liquid reservoir (62, 116, 152) which is placed in communication with the inside compartment (30).
The warmer (10) according to claim 14 characterized in that the liquid reservoir (62) is disposed adjacent the inside compartment (30).
The warmer (10) according to claim 14 characterized in that the liquid reservoir (116) comprises an inner reservoir surface (120) having a sponge wall (118) thereon, the sponge wall (118) being sized and configured to absorb liquid from the liquid reservoir (116) and provide moisture within the inside compartment (30).
The warmer (10) according to claim 16 characterized in that the sponge wall (118) absorbs the liquid from the liquid reservoir (116) through a conduit formed therebetween.
The warmer (10) according to claim 16 or 17 characterized in that the sponge wall (118) is in abutting contact with the sponge layer (92, 112) to provide moisture thereto.
The warmer (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that the sponge layer (92, 112) is removably disposed within the inside compartment (30).