US20100017982A1

US20100017982A1 - Scented pre-moistened cleaning wipes for personal electronics

Info

Publication number: US20100017982A1
Application number: US12/507,452
Authority: US
Inventors: Jessica White Pohkamp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-23
Filing date: 2009-07-22
Publication date: 2010-01-28

Abstract

Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics are LCD screen safe wet wipes infused with fragrance and packaged in packaging using with Inno-Lok® technology. The wipes are intended for use in cleaning personal electronics including cellular phones, smart phones, PDA's, laptops, computers, MP3 players, music players, digital cameras, GPS devices, video game consoles and handhelds. The wipes remove dirt and grime where germs may reside, thereby limiting exchange of debris from user and device, leaving the device refreshed with fragrance.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/007,504 filed Jul. 23, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

(Not Applicable)

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX

(Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a scented pre-moistened cleaning wipe, such as non-woven fabrics, for cleaning small or personal electronics including, but not limited to, cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDA's), laptops, computers, MP3 players, music players, digital cameras, global positioning satellite (GPS) devices, video game consoles and handhelds.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently there exist wet wipes manufactured and sold for the purpose of cleaning and disinfecting personal electronics. However, these wipes are not infused or impregnated with fragrances for the purpose of refreshing the personal electronics device after application. A citrus fragrance, for example, serves as much as a distraction to the non-pleasant or malodor of the actual cleaning solution as it serves to leave the device with a refreshing and pleasant aroma for the purpose of personalization with fragrance.
Personal electronics wipes are manufactured and packaged in different manners. This includes single sachets with one wet and/or one dry wipe to use as a combination to cleanse the device. This also includes packaging in large or small canisters where wipes at the top of the canisters can become dry and wipes at the bottom of the canister can become oversaturated with fluid (the latter leaves streaks on the device and potentially leaks liquid into the components of the device, which can damage it). Electronics sprays are also available with microfiber cloths to clean surfaces. Wipes are also manufactured in re-sealable bins and packages with “peel-and-seal” type applications.
Scented pre-moistened cleaning wipes are already manufactured, such as for cleaning hands. Food packaging technology incorporates re-sealable pouches with Inno-Lok® brand Technology, which utilizes a re-sealable zipper lock to ensure freshness of the product.
People who own personal electronics are faced with challenges when choosing how to effectively clean and refresh their devices. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a product that could meet this need.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics that are minimal line or lint-free. These wipes are infused with any desirable fragrance, preferably sold in single use pouches or re-sealable, multi-pack pouches utilizing Inno-Lok® brand technology (zipper lock) to ensure freshness. The wipes are LCD screen safe with minimal to no streaking.
Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics offer the solution to the problem of personal electronics hygiene. The product allows consumers and owners of personal electronics to remove the dirt and grime where germs may reside, limiting the exchange of dirt and debris between user and device while at the same time rendering the device with the fragrance of their choice.
Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics provide a single application for cleansing personal electronics while also leaving the device refreshed with fragrance for the purpose of personalization. Scented pre-moistened cleaning wipes for personal electronics are the first wet wipe known to applicant to offer packaging in a re-sealable multi-pack pouch with Inno-Lok® Technology. This technology utilizes a re-sealable zipper lock to ensure freshness of the product. Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics come in any fragrance, such as berry, melon and piña colada.
Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics have been independently tested by COLTS Laboratories (an ophthalmic lens testing lab) and have been approved for use on any device with an LCD or liquid crystal screen. The product will not scratch or damage LCD screens on personal electronics, and are the only wet wipe with the added personalization of fragrance that are LCD screen tested and safe for use on personal electronics devices.
Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics are wet wipes that are impregnated with fragrance for the purpose of refreshing the device as well as removing dirt and grime where germs may reside without streaking or damaging the LCD screen or device itself. The advantages include portability as they are packaged in re-sealable pouches utilizing Inno-Lok® technology or single sachets or other packaging styles in multi-packs. The advantages also include a pleasant, specific fragrance the consumer chooses to personalize their device including, but not limited to, cellular phones, smart phones, PDA'S, laptops, computers, MP3 players, music players, digital cameras, GPS devices, video game consoles and handhelds. Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics are a disposable wet wipe with a pre-proportioned amount of solution that does not over-saturate the wet wipe. Therefore, the wipes do not streak and they will not damage LCD screens or the device if used properly.
Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics are the answer to cell phone and personal electronics hygiene problems with the added sensual component of fragrance. Recent media coverage and professional studies have made clear that personal electronics are dirtier than a public toilet seat or a bottom of a shoe, which can lead to external and internal disease(s). Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics remove the dirt and grime where germs may reside, limiting the exchange of debris between user and device while leaving behind a refreshing fragrance of the consumer's choice. These wipes encourage frequent cleansing of personal electronics because the added fragrance component is pleasant and not malodorous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an electronic device and a wipe according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a table containing data for the preferred wipe according to the present invention.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected or term similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection, but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics are shown in FIG. 1 including a wet wipe 10 with fragrance added to the moistened wipe. The intended use of the wipe 10 is to cleanse personal electronics including, but not limited to, cellular phones, such as the phone 20. Of course, the wipe 10 can alternatively be used to clean smart phones, PDA's, laptops, computers, MP3 players, music players, digital cameras, GPS devices, video game consoles and handhelds.
Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics are manufactured at a wipes manufacturing plant on large machines that are designed to mass produce wet wipes. The wipes are made in a conventional manner, but the differences and benefits of the invention include the addition of fragrance to the cleaning solution, the packaging utilizing a zipper locking mechanism, the single application use, the lint-free non-woven polypropylene fabric, and the laboratory testing deeming this product safe for use on LCD screens.
Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics may use different packaging designs, but the addition of fragrance, the non-woven lint-free fabric and laboratory testing will continue to set this invention apart from older products that do not compare on all these levels. Pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics wipes are composed of a screen cleaning solution and fragrance component (at 1.5% of the total solution). Note in FIG. 2 the ingredients of the pre-moistened wipes is a combination of fragrance and cleaning solution.
Inno-Lok® brand transverse pre-zippered film runs at the same speed as standard, non-zippered film. Inno-Lok® (zipper pre-applied to film) can run 15% faster than In-Line or On-Line Transverse System and up to 30% faster than On-Line non-transverse system.
Inno-lok® can save up to 50% in zipper material, the length of the zipper is not determined by the width of the package or the size of the product. The zipper is typically attached only to the front wall of package instead of opposing walls as in the prior art.
Whereas conventional in-line zipper packages require added package length below the zipper for product head space (up to 2.0″), the Inno-lok® product saves up to 15% in packaging material. This is because the front panel zipper requires no additional package length for product head space, thereby saving up to an inch or more of film in each package.
Whereas, systems using in-line or on-line zipper application can cause as much as 20% scrap and waste due to zipper sealing problems and machine set-up waste, Inno-lok® saves up to 20% in lost scrap. This is because the zipper application apparatus requires 2 times as much film for machine thread-up. Furthermore, machine adjustments or roll changes result in additional scrap. Returning to a non-zippered package also causes additional scrap.
With Inno-Lok® pre-zippered film, the zipper is pre-applied to the film prior to running in form, fill and seal machine, resulting in no additional scrap or waste.
In-line or on-line systems require separate zipper and bag material rolls, which require roll changes at different times—resulting in additional down time and additional scrap due to butt rolls of zipper or packaging film. Inno-lok® saves down time because fewer roll changes are necessary due to Inno-Lok® using a single roll of material.
Rolls of pre-zippered film, unlike in-line or on-line zipper applicator systems, provide the converter another inspection point before product is shipped to the processor. Therefore, Inno-lok® achieves a better quality package. The form, fill, and seal machine operators have more time to pay attention to quality related concerns since they are not required to operate a more complex in-line or on-line system.
Inno-Lok® reduces zipper failures, because the front panel zipper is never under stress from the product. This configuration also provides a unique appearance and functionality of packages.
Other re-closeable packaging methods (such as In-Line or On-Line Transverse System and On-Line Non-Transverse System) require cutting, positioning, placing and heat sealing in-line, which are difficult and complex, especially in hostile environments. In-Line or On-Line Transverse System and On-Line Non-Transverse System slows production rates as much as 15%. On-Line Non-Transverse System requires sealing through a thicker zipper profile, causing up to 30% reduction in production rates.
Thus, pre-moistened wipes for personal electronics are the only fragrance-infused wet wipe known to applicant that is intended for use on personal electronics to refresh the device and provide maximum scent transfer after application. The fragrance component is added to provide a pleasant scent after use. It is preferred that the percent fragrance in the invention is higher than in the prior art to ensure scent transfer to the device while cleaning the device. The invention has been tested safe for use on electronic devices with LCD screens.
The packaging of the invention, which is preferably plastic, waterproof paper or other material that ensures freshness and correct saturation of the product solution in each wipe, and preferably prevents, or at least reduces, evaporation of the product solution. This is accomplished by maintaining that the zipper lock prevents fluid body weight loss of the fragranced solution. Therefore, the wipes have an extended shelf life, and extended post-opening life versus peel-and-seal applications of other types of wet wipes. Therefore they are re-sealable and portable in the multi-wipe package.
This detailed description in connection with the drawings is intended principally as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention and that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the invention or scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A flexible, absorbent, disposable wipe in a re-closable package that prevents substantial evaporation of a liquid absorbed in the wipe that provides a cleaning solution that will not damage liquid crystal displays and has a human-perceivable scent.