Wipes dispensing nozzles having wear indicators and wipes dispensers having the same
Exemplary embodiments of wipes dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary wipes dispenser having a nozzle with a wear indicator includes a container, a plurality of wipes contained within the container, a fluid for wetting the plurality of wipes, a receiving member connected to the container, and an outlet nozzle housing for holding an elastomeric outlet nozzle. The elastomeric outlet nozzle includes a wear indictor that provides a visual indication that the nozzle should be replaced.
1. A wipes dispenser comprising:
a container for holding a plurality of wipes; and
an outlet nozzle secured to the container;
the outlet nozzle comprises
an elastomeric member;
an aperture is located in the elastomeric member for wipes to be pulled through;
a wear indicator located proximate the aperture;
wherein the wear indicator at least partially surrounds the aperture;
wherein the aperture wears due to frictional forces and expands in size after a plurality of wipes are pulled through the aperture; and
wherein the wear indicator is configured to provide a visual indication that the aperture has expanded and the outlet nozzle should be replace;
wherein the visual indication is that at least a portion of the aperture has expanded to one of a) to the wear indicator or b) through at least a portion of the wear indicator.
2. The wipes dispenser of claim 1 wherein the wear indicator is a different color than an area surrounding the wear indicator.
3. The wipes dispenser of claim 1 wherein the wear indicator is thicker than a thickness of the material surrounding the wear indicator.
4. The wipes dispenser of claim 1 wherein the wear indicator is molded on top of the outlet nozzle base material.
5. The wipes dispenser of claim 1 wherein the wear indicator has a round shape.
6. The wipes dispenser of claim 1 wherein the wear indicator is printed on the outlet nozzle.
7. The wipes dispenser of claim 1 wherein the wear indicator is a different material than the outlet nozzle.
8. The wipes dispenser of claim 1 wherein the wear indicator extends entirely around the perimeter of the aperture.
9. A wipes dispenser comprising:
a container for holding a plurality of wipes;
a nozzle holder secured to the container; and
an outlet nozzle retained by the nozzle holder;
the outlet nozzle configured to rotate with respect to the nozzle holder;
the outlet nozzle comprising an elastomeric member;
the outlet nozzle having an aperture for wipes to be pulled through;
a wear indicator at least partially surrounding the aperture;
wherein the wear indicator is configured to provide a visual indication that the nozzle opening has increased in size and the nozzle needs to be replaced;
wherein the visual indication is that at least a portion of the aperture contacts an edge of the wear indicator.
10. The wipes dispenser of claim 9 wherein the wear indicator is a different color than an area surrounding the wear indicator.
11. The wipes dispenser of claim 9 wherein the wear indicator is thicker than a thickness of the material surrounding the wear indicator.
12. The wipes dispenser of claim 9 wherein the wear indicator is molded on top of the outlet nozzle base material.
13. The wipes dispenser of claim 9 wherein the wear indicator is printed on the nozzle.
14. The wipes dispenser of claim 9 wherein the wear indicator is a different material than the outlet nozzle.
15. A wipes dispenser comprising:
a container for holding a plurality of wipes; and
an outlet nozzle;
the outlet nozzle comprises
an elastomeric member;
an opening in the elastomeric member;
a wear indicator located at least partially around the opening;
wherein the wear indicator is configured to provide a visual indication that the nozzle opening has increased in size and the nozzle needs to be replaced;
wherein the visual indication is that the opening has enlarged to or through the wear indicator.
16. The wipes dispenser of claim 15 wherein the wear indicator is a different color than the area surrounding the wear indicator.
17. The wipes dispenser of claim 5 wherein the wear indicator is thicker than the thickness of the material surrounding the wear indicator.
18. The wipes dispenser of claim 15 wherein the wear indicator is over-molded on the nozzle.
19. The wipes dispenser of claim 15 wherein the wear indicator is a different material than the outlet nozzle.
20. The wipes dispenser of claim 15 wherein the different material slows down wear of the outlet nozzle.