Expandable bag for used tissues

Abstract

An expandable plastic bag which is attached to a side of a tissue box for receiving used tissues. The bag has an elasticized opening for keeping the bag closed between uses. An optional reclosable opening along the bottom end of the bag allows the user to periodically empty the bag and dispose of the used tissues contained therein.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates generally to an expandable plastic bag which can be attached to a tissue box and which can hold used tissues until disposal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Boxed tissues are conveniently portable in the home, at work, at school, and in moving vehicles. However, a person with a cold or allergies who uses one to contain a sneeze often has no good way of disposing of a used tissue short of finding a trash can. Used tissues often wind up in pockets, under bed covers, and on car seats. Besides being unsightly, such used tissues may be handled by others, potentially spreading germs. A need exists for a convenient and sanitary way of disposing of used tissues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention disclosed herein is designed to provide a bag for holding and disposing of used tissues. The disposable, expandable bag is constructed of biodegradable plastic. The bag has an elasticized mouth for easy opening and self-closing. Optionally, a reclosable opening strip along the bottom end of the bag allows the bag to be opened periodically for the disposal of used tissues into a proper receptacle. An adhesive strip on the back of the bag is used to attach the bag to a box of tissues. Bags can be made to fit each of the different-sized tissue boxes which are commercially available.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an expandable bag for the disposal of used tissues.

[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bag with a self-closing elastic opening.

[0006] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bag which is easily attached to the side of a box of tissues.

[0007] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a bag which can be opened and resealed for periodic disposal of used tissues.

[0008] These and other advantages of the invention will appear in the following description of embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the bag of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the bag of the present invention.

[0011] Fig.3 is a front view showing the bag of the present invention, showing the optional reclosable opening strip along the bottom.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the bag of the present invention attached to a side of a tissue box.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, the bag 1 is formed from plastic film material, which is preferably biodegradable. The bag 1 may be made from clear or colored plastic film. The bag 1 has a front portion 2, two side portions 3, 4, a back portion 5 (not shown), a top portion 6, and a bottom portion 7. The two side portions 3, 4 are formed to be expandable as the bag is filled. The top portion 6 has an opening 8 for receiving used tissues. Around the circumference of the opening 8 is an elastic strip 9 for keeping the opening closed. The elastic strip 9 allows the hand to easily expand the opening 8 for depositing a used tissue. The elastic strip 9 then pulls the opening 8 closed and keeps it closed between uses. Shown on the back portion 5 is an attachment strip 10 (in dotted lines) for attaching the bag 1 to the side of a tissue box. The attachment strip 10 has adhesive material on both sides; one side is attached to the bag 1 and the other will be attached to a tissue box. The bag 1 of the present invention can be offered for sale in at least two different ways. It may be sold in packages containing several bags, in which case one side of each attachment strip 10 will already be attached to a bag 1, while the other side of the attachment strip 9 will be covered with a strip of protective film or paper for easy removal by the consumer, who will then attach the bag I to the side of a box of tissues. Each plastic bag 1 may also be pre-attached to a box of tissues and the bag and box sold as a unit.

[0014] In FIG. 2, a side portion 3 of the plastic bag 1 is shown, as well as the placement of the attachment strip 10.

[0015] In FIG. 3, the bag 1 is shown with an optional reclosable opening system 11 along the bottom portion 7. The reclosable opening system 11 shown generally involves two sidewalls with closure profiles which can be engaged and disengaged with respect to each other for opening and closing the bottom portion 7 of the bag 1. Other reclosable systems can be utilized, including a flap held closed with resealable adhesive material (not shown). A reclosable opening along the bottom of the bag allows the consumer to periodically dispose of used tissues without having to handle them. (Disposal through the opening 8 of the bag 1 would be harder and might overextend the elastic strip 9.)

[0016] In FIG. 4, the bag 1 is shown attached to the side of a tissue box 12, ready for use. After the tissue 13 is used, the elastic strip 9 around the opening 8 of the bag 1 can be expanded and the tissue 13 can be deposited into the bag 1. When the tissue box 12 is empty, the box and bag can simply be thrown away.

[0017] The present invention is not limited to any particular size or shape of bag or tissue box, or to a particular material.

Claims

1. An expandable plastic bag for mounting on a side of a tissue box, the bag having a front side, a back side, an upper portion, and a lower portion, the upper portion of the bag having an elasticized opening and the back side having an elongated horizontal strip of adhesive material for mounting the bag onto the side of the tissue box.

2. The bag of claim 1 wherein the bag is made from biodegradable plastic film material.

3. The bag of claim 1 wherein the lower portion has a reclosable opening.

4. The bag of claim 3 wherein the reclosable opening has two sidewalls with closure profiles which can be engaged and disengaged with respect to each other.

5. The bag of claim 3 wherein the reclosable opening further comprises a flap coated with resealable adhesive material.

6. A disposal system for used tissues comprising:

a tissue box with four sides, a top and a bottom;

an expandable plastic bag with a front side, a back side, a lower portion, and an upper portion, the upper portion of the bag having an elasticized opening;

an elongated strip of adhesive material attached to the back side of the bag, said strip used for mounting the bag onto one of the sides of the tissue box.

7. The disposal system of claim 6 wherein the bag is made from biodegradable plastic film material.

8. The disposal system of claim 6 wherein the lower portion of the bag has a reclosable opening.

9. The disposal system of claim 8 wherein the reclosable opening has two sidewalls with closure profiles which can be engaged and disengaged with respect to each other.

10. The disposal system of claim 8 wherein the reclosable opening further comprises a flap coated with resealable adhesive material.