MXPA99001369A - Pop-up tissue package - Google Patents

Abstract

A tissue package (10) comprising tissues (14) and a dispensing package (12) in combination. The dispensing package (12) has a dispensing opening (16) through which the tissues (14) are dispensed. The dispensing package (12) further has an engaging tab (18) which separates one of the tissues (14) as it is dispensed, thereby separating the tissue (14) from succeeding tissues (14).

Description

PACKING SALTARIN FOR DISPOSABLE SCARVES FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a disposable tissues dispenser package. More particularly, this invention relates to a package for the sequential dispensing of disposable tissues that leap beyond the walls of the tissue package, and which normally jump over the top wall of the dispenser package, when the preceding tissue is removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Disposable tissues are well known in the art. Disposable handkerchiefs, such as disposable facial tissues, are normally used to clean the nose, in cleaning tasks, etc. Disposable handkerchiefs and their packaging must be economical and disposable so that they have wide consumer acceptance. Disposable handkerchiefs can be supplied dry, lotioned or wet. The handkerchiefs are usually rectangular in shape and are supplied in discontinuous sheets. Disposable handkerchiefs are usually supplied in a dispenser box or package of generally parallelepiped shape. The dispenser package has a dispensing opening, typically at the top, through which the individual sheets are removed by the user. Previous disposable tissue dispenser packages were of the "static" type. The user had to put his fingers through the dispensing opening, take a handkerchief and pull it out through the dispensing opening. Examples of static dispensers and improvements thereto can be found in U.S. Patent No. 3,021,002, issued February 13, 1962 to Guyer; No. 3,576,243 assigned in a common manner, granted on April 27, 1971 to Trunnic, and 4,458,810 granted on July 10, 1984 to Mahone. Over time, the desire for greater convenience led to sequential or jump dispatchers. In a "jump" dispenser, a disposable tissue normally extends through the dispensing opening to an elevation above that of the dispenser package. The user simply takes the exposed portion of the handkerchief, without the need to insert the fingers through the dispensing opening. In the jump office, each handkerchief has a guiding portion that is the first to pass through the dispensing opening, and a posterior portion that passes through afterwards.

E'7r39 the dispatch opening. Normally, the back portion of a tissue that is to be dispensed overlaps the guide portion of the next tissue to be dispensed. The overlap is generally measured parallel to the direction of removal of the tissues through the dispensing opening. The overlap is normally, but not necessarily, the same for each handkerchief and constant across the width of each handkerchief. When the first handkerchief is removed by the user, the guiding portion of the next handkerchief is pulled through the dispensing opening for later dispatch. Typically, the sequential removal of the handkerchief in turn through the dispensing opening occurs due to the interfolding of the adjacent handkerchiefs. An example of an interplaying arrangement is found in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 3,881,632 issued May 6, 1975 to Early et al., The disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Attempts to improve hopper dispenser packages also include attaching the packages to the removable top of the box, so that the first handkerchief is pulled through the dispenser opening when the box is opened. Another attempt provides an overlapped fold that aims to keep the sheets partially dispatched from E'7rj0 of the folded inside the package. Examples of these attempts in the art include U.S. Patent No. 2,890,791 issued June 16, 1959 to Wenzel; and No. 4,574,952 granted on March 11, 1986 to Masui. An improvement in technique, commercially successful is the dual-mode dispatch package that allows both skip and static dispatch, as found in commonly assigned United States Patent No. 4,623,074, issued on November 18, 1986 to Dearwester, whose The exhibition is incorporated here as a reference. Still another teaching that provides a sequential dispatch from a static and jumping mode is found in United States Patent 5,516,001 commonly assigned, granted on May 14, 1996 to Muckenfuhs et al., Whose exposition is incorporated in the present as a reference. However, a suggestion has been made in the art to no longer use the interfolding arrays. The devices for interfolding are both complex and expensive. the acquisition of these devices represents a capital outlay that is finally passed on to the consumer. A teaching to avoid interfolding and still providing the jump clearance is found in commonly assigned United States Patent 5,520,308, issued May 28, 1996 to Berg et al. , and the study of which is incorporated here as a reference. In the technique there is still the need to improve the jump clearance, particularly for non-interleaved disposable tissues. There is also a need in the art for a package that allows the dispatch of one, two or more sheets at a time, as desired by the user. It is an object of the present invention to overcome these needs in the art, as well as to improve a dispensing package that is easily adjusted to provide the different degrees of separation forces required to separate adjacent disposable tissues by various joining means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser package in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a line of weakness having an elongated slit and a coupling tongue which is complementary to it. Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view E'7S9 vertical of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, having a spring and a piston in place of the hinged coupling tongue of Figure 1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises a package for disposable tissues comprising a plurality of tissues and a dispensing package in combination. The disposable tissues are detachably attached in succession to the dispatch from the dispenser package. The dispenser package houses the tissues and has an opening through which the tissues are dispensed. The dispenser package further has a coupling tab extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The coupling tongue intercepts one of the tissues as it is dispensed from the dispenser package. When the coupling tongue intercepts the handkerchief, it is separated from the following handkerchiefs, which remain in the dispenser package. The coupling tongue exerts a frictional force against the tissues, causing the separation that occurs when the handkerchief is intercepted by the coupling tongue. The coupling tongue can be deflected towards the tissues. This deflection can provide an increase in frictional force while dispensing the tissue.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 1, the package 10 for disposable tissues, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a dispenser package 12 and handkerchiefs 14 in combination. The dispenser package 12 may have defined walls, and is preferably generally parallelepiped in shape. The dispensing package 12 further has a dispensing opening 16 therein. Disposable tissues 14 can be dispensed through the dispensing aperture 16. The dispensing package 12 further has a coupling tab 18 to intercept one of the tissues 14 while it is dispensed from the package. The coupling tongue 18 separates one of the tissues 14 from the subsequent tissues 14. By exang the dispensing package 12 in greater detail, it may have discontinuous walls. The walls preferably define an upper part 24, bottom, front and rear sides 26 and left and right sides 28. Preferably, the dispensing opening 16 intercepts the upper wall 24, and can intercept one of the other walls 26, 28 of the dispenser pack 12, so that the handkerchief 14 is dispensed in a jump manner. A suitable dispensing package 12 can be made, in general, in accordance with the teachings of the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 4,623,074, commonly assigned and previously incorporated by reference. The package 10 for disposable tissues in accordance with the present invention can be either disposable or rechargeable. By "disposable" it is meant that the dispensing package 12 is intended to be discarded after the plurality of tissues 14 supplied therewith is terted. A dispensing package 12 such as this is not intended to be replenished with tissues 14. Similarly, each tissue 14 is discarded after use, and is not washed or restored in any other way. By "rechargeable" it is meant that the dispenser package 12 is dispensed or can be replenished with tissues 14 after the supply is terted. Exang the disposable tissues 14 in greater detail, the tissues 14 comprise a plurality of discontinuous sheets or sheets that can be separated. As used herein, handkerchiefs 14 are considered "discontinuous" if they are separated from other handkerchiefs 14 before being detachably attached to adjacent handkerchiefs 14. Handkerchiefs 14, whether or not discontinuous, are considered separable if they can be removed. detach from each other E'7l ", 9 without undue or unduly important or unintentional deformation of the handkerchief 14. It is recognized that a handkerchief 14 can tear from an adjacent handkerchief along a predetermined line of weakening and can still be considered as separable. The removable handkerchiefs 14 can be joined by weakening lines such as perforations 30, since they are well known in the art, suitable perforations 30 can be made in accordance with United States Patent No. 5,114,771 commonly assigned and granted the May 19, 1992 to Ogg et al. It will be recognized that disposable tissues 14 removably attached, joined by perforations 30 may be wound in a center, as is common with toilet paper, or may be folded in any of suitable and well-known forms It will be recognized that weakening lines or other perforations 30 will have to be modified as discussed further to be complementary to the coupling tongue 18 mentioned in the present invention. Alternatively, discontinuous handkerchiefs 14 may be attached by interfolding or releasable attachment directly to an adjacent handkerchief 14, as discussed in U.S. Patent No. 5,520,308 commonly assigned and incorporated and issued to Berg, jr. et al. The removable bond directly to the adjacent scarves 14 can be completed by means of adhesive, cohesive overlap, fusion bonding or by autogenous bonding, as discussed in the Patent of the United States commonly assigned No. 4,854,984 issued on August 8, 1989 to Ball et al., The disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Additionally, mechanical complications such as needle-punched, steam-sealed, embossed or embossed can be used to releasably join the discontinuous sheets of the disposable paper with one another. 14. Appropriate disposable handkerchiefs 14 may be made in accordance with commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 4,191,609, issued March 4, 1980 to Trokhan; 4,637,859 issued on January 20, 1987 to Trokhan and 5,332,118 issued July 26, 1994 to Muckenfuhs, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, with the purpose of showing how to make disposable handkerchiefs 14 suitable for use with the present invention, or by any other suitable means. Note that the handkerchiefs 14 can be provided either wet, dry or with lotion. By examining the dispenser package 12 in greater detail, the dispenser package 12 can have a E'7r.9 plurality of walls 24, 26, 28 and preferably has at least one wall defined with a dispensing opening 16 therethrough. The tissues 14 can be dispensed through this dispensing opening 16. The dispensing package 12 can be generally in the form of a parallelepiped as shown, or, alternatively, it can be made of material having a relatively amorphous shape. However, the dispenser package 12 is preferably sufficiently rigid so that the coupling tongue 18 can intercept and separate the adjacent tissues 14 when dispensing them through the dispensing opening 16. It is understood that the coupling tongue 18 can intercept any portion of the handkerchief 14 that causes separation of the subsequent handkerchiefs 14. The coupling tongue 18 preferably intercepts the handkerchief 14 in the line of weakness that separates the adjacent handkerchiefs 14, or in any other means that removably detaches the adjacent handkerchiefs 14, such as, for example, an overlap. The tongue 18 must be mounted rigidly to the dispenser package 12 so that it can apply a reaction force to the tissue 14 at the time of dispatch. The reaction force separates one of the handkerchiefs 14 from the subsequent handkerchiefs 14. Referring to Figure 2, the tongue of The coupling 18 is mounted to the dispenser package 12 in any convenient manner and, preferably, is cantilevered from the dispenser pack 12. More preferably, the walls of the dispenser pack 12 have inner and outer surfaces, and the coupling tab 18 it is attached to and cantilevered from one of the interior surfaces of the walls of the dispenser package 12. This arrangement provides a package 10 for disposable tissues that is relatively simple in appearance as presented to the end user. Additionally, the potential of pressure points as well as accidental shifting of the position of the coupling tongue 18 is reduced. The coupling tongue 18 may be cantilevered from a proximal, preferably separate, end relatively away from the dispensing opening 16, and extends towards a distal end. The distal end is preferably juxtaposed to the dispensing aperture 16, so as to intercept the tissues 14 at the time of withdrawal through the dispensing aperture 16. The coupling tab 18 may extend through the dispensing aperture 16 in FIG. an intermediate position of the proximal and distant ends, so that the distal end is outside the dispensing pack 12. In this way, the coupling tongue 18 can E'7r, 9 intercept the handkerchiefs 14 on dispatch, and cause the separation of a handkerchief 14 from an adjacent handkerchief or the subsequent handkerchiefs 14 creating friction between the handkerchief 14 and the adjacent or subsequent handkerchiefs 14. This arrangement provides a visual signal to user. When the engaging tongue 18 intercepts the subsequent tissues (preferably in the line of weakness that separates a tissue 14 from the adjacent or subsequent tissues 14), the user will recognize that this has occurred because the remote end of the tissue tongue 14 coupling 18 is outside the packaging 10 for tissues. The coupling tongue 18 may be integral with the dispenser package 12. In this arrangement, the coupling tongue 18 comprises an angular segment 22 cut off from the dispenser package 12 and bent backwards to itself to be cantilevered from the package. More particularly, the coupling tongue 18 can be formed from one of the rigid walls of the dispensing package 12. In this arrangement, the coupling tongue 18 is not integral with the dispensing package 12 but is also connected in an articulated manner to the same. Folding the coupling tongue 18 away from the rigid wall of the dispenser package 12, E'7.r) 9 the coupling tongue 18 may be biased toward the tissues 14. Alttively, the coupling tongue 18 may be biased toward the tissues 14 using a separation spring. The deviation of the coupling tongue 18 towards the handkerchiefs 14 provides the advantage that while the handkerchiefs are dispensed through the dispensing opening 16 and intercept the coupling tongue 18, the friction exerted by the coupling tongue 18 against the handkerchiefs 14 increases as the coupling tongue moves against the deflection force. The friction can be increased in this manner, as can be distinguished by the user from the touch, until the separation force is sufficient to cause the separation of a tissue 14 from the adjacent tissues. The deflection can be provided with a spring 20 exerting a force against the walls 26, 28 or the top 24 of the dispenser package 12. Referring to Figure 2, if desired, multiple tissues 14 can be dispensed from the dispenser package 12 before of the separation of a handkerchief 14 from the subsequent handkerchiefs 14. for example, the handkerchiefs 14 can be pulled through the dispenser pack 12 in the direction of the arrow A and away from the coupling tab 18. Thus, the tongue of E'7! 39 coupling 18 does not intercept the handkerchiefs 14, providing the flexibility so that several handkerchiefs 14 can be removed at the same time. When the desired number of handkerchiefs 14 has been removed through the dispensing opening 16, the user can then pull in the direction of the arrow B. The engagement tab 18 now intercepts the handkerchiefs 14, causing the separation of the plurality of handkerchiefs 14. withdrawn from the balance of the bra. Referring to Figure 3, a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the weakening line separating the adjacent tissues 14 comprises an elongated slit 32. The shape and position of the slit is complementary to the coupling tongue 18. That is, the coupling tongue 18 is dimensioned to fit inside. of the slit and is located in a lateral position (i.e., generally parallel to the line of weakness), which allows the coupling tongue 18 to engage the elongated slit 32. In this arrangement, a tissue 14 is successively removed through the slit. of the dispensing opening 16 and is passed through the coupling tongue 18. The coupling tongue 18 is biased towards the tissues 14. While the elongated slit 32 separating the tissues í'15 < adjacent passes close to the coupling tongue 18 which is biased towards the tissues 14, the coupling tongue 18 intercepts the tissue 14 in the elongate slot 32. This provides a step change in the withdrawal force and provides the user with a signal to the Touching that the clearance of that handkerchief 14 has been completed, and the handkerchief 14 must be peeled off or otherwise tear off the balance of the handkerchief holder 14 with a suitable separation force. By providing this step change to the user, the user receives the signal that the withdrawal process has been completed and that the handkerchief 14 must be separated. It will be apparent that many other variations are feasible and that they fall within the scope of the claimed invention. For example, a torsion spring 20 may be used to provide the deflection force better than that of the coil spring, as illustrated in the figures. As illustrated in Figure 4, a helical and piston spring arrangement could be used more than the articulated connected arrangement illustrated in Figures 1-2. Alternatively, the multiple coupling tongue 18 may be used in parallel to increase the separation force applied to the tissues 14. More particularly, a line of Weakening has a plurality of elongate slots 32 and a plurality of coupling tongues 18. This arrangement may be more useful for heavier sheets that require greater separation force, as is commonly used for hand towels, etc. alternatively, the line of weakness that separates the adjacent sheets 14 need not be in general, perpendicular to the direction of dispatch, but may be diagonal. The coupling tongue 18 would of course have to be placed on a diagonal for maximum efficiency. If desired, two or more opposite coupling tongues 18 can be used to increase the separation force by placing a coupling tongue 18 on each side of the tissues 14.

E'759

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS; A package for disposable tissues comprising disposable tissues and a dispensing package for them in combination, the tissue package comprises: a plurality of removable tissues, the tissues are removably attached in succession to be dispensed from the dispensing package; and a dispenser package for accommodating the tissues, the dispenser package has a dispensing aperture therethrough, the tissues can be dispensed through the dispensing aperture, the dispenser package has a coupling tab extending from a proximal end toward an aperture. a distant end to intercept one of the handkerchiefs while it is dispatched from the dispensing package, thus separating one of the handkerchiefs from the subsequent handkerchiefs.
2. 2. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 1, wherein the coupling tab is cantilevered from the dispenser package.
3. 3. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 2, wherein the dispenser package has walls with interior surfaces and exterior surfaces, and the coupling tab is attached to one of the interior surfaces of the walls of the package. P759 dispatcher. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 3, wherein the coupling tab is attached to one of the inner surfaces at a proximal end and extends through the dispensing opening to terminate at a distal end. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 1, wherein the coupling tab intercepts the tissues and causes the separation of the adjacent tissues creating friction between the tissue and the subsequent tissues. 6. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 5, wherein the tissues are interleaved. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 2, wherein each of the tissues can be separated from the adjacent tissue in a line of weakness. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 7, wherein the coupling tab intercepts the line of weakness between the adjacent tissues and causes separation of the tissues in the line of weakness. 9. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 8, wherein the line of weakening P759 comprises an elongated slot between the adjacent tissues. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 9, wherein the elongated slit is complementary to the coupling tab, so that the tissue is dispensed through the dispensing opening, the coupling tab intercepts the elongated slit to cause the torn in the line of weakening. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 10, wherein the coupling tab is biased toward the tissues. 12. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 11, wherein the coupling tab is deflected from a neutral position by the action of dispensing the tissues through the dispensing opening. 13. A disposable tissue package comprising a disposable tissue dispenser package, the tissues are detachably attached in succession, each tissue can be separated from the adjacent tissue in a weakening line, the dispenser package has a dispensing aperture for dispensing the tissues through it, a coupling tongue extending from a proximal end to a distal and joined end E'75 to the dispensing package and complementary to the lines of weakening, therefore, the coupling tongue intercepts the lines of weakening while the tissues are dispensed through the dispensing opening, and thus causing the separation of a tissue from the tissues following, in the weakening line. 14. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 13, wherein the coupling tongue is generally orthogonal to the plane of the handkerchief while the handkerchief is dispensed through the dispensing opening. 15. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 14, wherein the coupling tab is biased from a neutral position while intercepting a weakening line. 16. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 13, wherein the coupling tab is integral with the dispenser package. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser package comprises one or more rigid walls and the coupling tab is formed from one of the rigid walls. 18. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 17, wherein the coupling tongue is formed from a cut of the rigid wall, wherein the cut is bent away from the wall. E'75 rigid. A package for disposable tissues according to claim 18, wherein the weakening line is generally transverse to the main direction of dispensing of the tissues and the weakening line comprises an elongated slit, complementary to the coupling tab. 20. A disposable tissue package comprising a tissue dispenser package, the tissues are detachably attached in succession to be dispensed from the dispenser package, the dispenser package has a dispensing aperture for sequentially dispensing the tissues through the tissue. In response to a dispatch force, the dispatch force is sufficient to remove the tissues through the dispensing opening, the tissue package further comprises a coupling tab extending from a proximal end to a distant end to intercept one of the tissues as it is dispensed from the dispenser package whereby the dispensing force overcomes a step increase where the coupling tab intercepts the tissue being dispensed, and thereby provides a tactile signal to the user, that the coupling tongue has intercepted the handkerchief. E'7 I