PRODUCT DISPENSER
An octahedral product dispenser for dispensing discrete product portions and a corresponding blank for constructing the product dispenser are described. The product dispenser includes two opposing hexagonal end panels, and six integrally connected rectangular side panels extending between the two end panels, wherein a first and a last of these six side panels are not integrally connected to each other but connected to one another with a flap portion. An opening is formed in one of the end or side panels for allowing access to product portions within the product dispenser, and these product portions can be arranged vertically.
This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/338,829, filed on Feb. 24, 2010, and entitled “Product Dispenser,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure relates generally to dispensers and more particularly to dispensers for dispensing a product, such as a paper or cloth product.
BACKGROUNDA variety of product dispensers are available for holding and dispensing products, such as stacked paper tissues or other products, to a user. Such dispensers can take a wide variety of forms depending on a variety of factors, such as the product to be dispensed, and the intended consumer segment, among others.
Such dispensers are often configured to have aesthetically appealing outer packaging graphics, so that when placed in use they can blend in with or enhance, by way of example, the decor of the room or surroundings in which they are situated. One such popular product dispenser is a tissue dispenser, which holds and dispenses facial tissues. As a result, the tissue dispenser category is one of a few grocery store consumer product categories where the outer packaging graphics are a primary reason for choosing one dispenser over another. Research shows that the average consumer often first selects the brand of a tissue dispenser (Puffs®, Kleenex®, etc.), and then reviews the various graphics for selection of desired color and design. In consideration of these purchasing points, in the facial tissue category packages are often displayed in the grocery store with the brand name on the shelf facing the consumer based on the first consumer criteria for brand selection. Further, to accommodate visibility of both the packaging graphics and the brand name simultaneously, and to decrease the likelihood of product tampering, it is common to place a film over the top and one side panel for display on the shelf. Such film is often made from polyethylene and thus termed a “poly” overwrap film. Such poly film or wrap can be wrapped around an individual dispenser and/or a plurality of such dispensers for shipment and/or display. The use of a transparent film is common and allows the consumer to see the packaging graphics (including advertising indicia or printing, also referred to as “signage”) as well as the brand identity when the dispenser is stacked on a shelf. Alternatively, the poly film can itself incorporate printed material or other signage, including the brand identity. Although such poly film is abundant, the film is not inexpensive and its incorporation into the packaging scheme increases the carbon footprint of the product dispenser and/or products to be dispensed.
Another problem with packages or dispensers presents itself when dispensing product that includes discrete product portions (e.g., facial tissue). Product portions of this kind are generally positioned in a stacked folded configuration and interfolded or interleaved so that each portion is at least partially folded with or with respect to an adjacent (previous or next) product portion. In one example, as a product portion (e.g., tissue) is pulled outwardly or out of the dispenser, the next product portion, which is interleaved with the prior product portion, will be pulled along to partially extend out of the container to be ultimately dispensed. However, product portions in the dispenser tend to become disconnected from, and no longer interleaved with, one another. When this occurs, the next product portion falls back into the dispenser. Such “fall back” typically occurs as number of discrete product portions (e.g., tissues) within a dispenser decreases, and thus the distance between the top-most discrete product portion (e.g., the top tissue in a stack of tissues) and the dispenser opening increases. At a certain critical distance (e.g., typically when about one third to one quarter of the total discrete product portions remains in the container), the top-most product portion falls back into the dispenser, rather then being retained or supported, usually at or at least in part by the container opening, for easy removal. Thus, the fall back problem increases along with the emptying of the dispenser, and the final tissues following the last one-third to one-quarter tissues can become difficult or inconvenient to remove. For example, a user will typically have to reach into the interior of the dispenser in order to pull the next discrete product portion out of the container. The problem of “fall back” is increased with increased dispenser height, because product portions are typically stacked in a horizontal position from the bottom of the dispenser up.
Finally, product dispensers, such as facial tissue containers, are typically stacked on store shelves. Such dispensers are often rectangular in shape and include a portion that is to be removed (i.e., referred to as a “serf”) to permit access to the contents of the dispenser (i.e., the tissues) and this portion is typically included on a top surface of the container. When a multiplicity of such dispensers are stacked one on top of the other, the serf, which frequently includes product branding information, is hidden from view, thereby reducing the benefits of such branding when presented to a consumer.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide new product dispensers and blanks for constructing the dispensers that address the aforementioned issues in a cost-effective manner.
SUMMARYIn accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, disclosed herein is a blank for making an octahedral product dispenser and which includes a plurality of primary portions that each comprise a generally hexagonal shape, and a plurality of secondary portions that each comprise a generally rectangular shape, the plurality of secondary portions connected at least indirectly to the plurality of primary portions, and a plurality of additional portions connected at least indirectly to one or more of the plurality of primary and/or secondary portions, the additional portions including at least one of a plurality of tertiary portions and a flap portion.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an octahedral product dispenser is disclosed herein, the product dispenser constructed from the blank. Such an octahedral product dispenser can dispense product such as discrete product portions, and can include two hexagonal end panels opposite each other, and six integrally connected rectangular side panels extending between the two end panels, wherein a first and a last of these six side panels are not integrally connected to each other but connected to each other by a flap portion. Further, the end panels can each be integrally connected to one of the side panels, and the remaining side panels can he connected to the end panels by respective flap portions. An opening formed in one of the end or side panels allows for access to product within the product dispenser,
Other embodiments, aspects, features, objectives and advantages of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated upon a full reading of the detailed description and the claims that follow.
Embodiments are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. The present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction or the arrangement of the components illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure encompasses other embodiments and is capable of being practiced or carried out in other various ways. The drawings illustrate, a best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components. In the drawings:
FIGS. 1A′ and 1A″, 1B′ and 1B″, 1C′, and 1D″, each illustrate alternative exemplary embodiments of open/cover structures for use in conjunction with the embodiments of the blanks, including the blanks shown in
Throughout the detailed description, like numerals are used to describe like parts, portions, components, etc.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONEach of the illustrated blanks 2a-2d, respectively, is generally further segregated into, and thus comprises, a plurality of portions or sections that are used to form or otherwise facilitate formation and/or construction of a respective dispenser. First, each blank 2a-2d comprises a plurality, and as illustrated in the Figures a pair, of hexagonal-shaped portions or end panels. With reference to
Second, and still referring to
Each of the blanks 2a-d shown in the FIGS. further provides for an opening that has a boundary or edge 50a-d, respectively. As shown, blanks 2a-2c provide for openings in secondary or rectangular portions 20a-c, while blank 2d provides for an opening in primary or hexagonal-shaped portion 6d. Cover portions 52a-d (also referred to as “serfs”), respectively, are included and, as shown, are connected to (e.g., via perforations) to the respective blank primary or secondary portion as appropriate and these respective cover portions, again as shown, provide for a pair of openings (also termed “finger openings”) 54a-d, respectively to permit removal of the cover portion when the blank is assembled as a dispenser to permit a user to access product within the dispenser. It is understood that the boundaries 50a-d for the openings and the respective cover portions 52a-d can be sized and shaped (or otherwise varied) according to convenience. For example, FIGS. 1A′ and 1A″, 1B′ and 1B″, 1C′, and 1D′, each illustrate alternative exemplary embodiments of boundaries 50a′ and 50a″, 50b′ and 50b″, 50c′, and 50d′, respectively, are shown in conjunction with associated cover portions 52a′and 52a″, 52b′ and 52b″, 52c′, and 52d′, created in respective portions 20a′ and 20a″, 20b′ and 20b″, 20c′, and 6d′. Accordingly, alternative shapes, orientations, geometries and the like for these features are considered as being within the scope of the present disclosure.
Third, and referring again to
Although exemplary dimensions are shown in
In accordance with at least some embodiments, blanks or dies 2a-2d are cut, stamped or otherwise formed from a substantially planar material, such as a paper-based material, for example, Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) paper-board (e.g. cardstock). The blanks are cut so that the portions previously described are generally connected and contiguous. To create a product from a blank, such as blanks 2a-2d, the respective primary, secondary and tertiary portions, as well as the additional tab portion, are folded or otherwise manipulated in one of a number of appropriate manners. Portions are then abuttingly secured to form the product dispenser, for example using an adhesive (which can be applied to one or more surfaces or portions of surfaces of respective portions), with the respective portions typically secured together to contain a product to be dispensed. Various ways in which a dispenser can be constructed from a blank, such as the blanks noted above, would be readily apparent to one of skill in the art. For example, the ordering of respective folding operations can vary, and/or the folding can include simultaneous folding. Moreover, it is understood that folding and other aspects of the construction of a dispenser (e.g., application of adhesive) can be manual or automated.
The dispenser body structure 62 bounds or otherwise provides for an enclosed space or enclosure 69 that can contain or otherwise hold various types of product 70, including but not limited to cloth or paper products, such as disposable facial tissues and moist wipes, among others. As shown, product 70 is illustrated to comprise a plurality of distinct or discrete product portions 72a, b, c, and so on that are interleaved with one another and, when such is the case, the product can also be termed “interleaved product” (it is understood that the dispenser can contain various product and such product need not necessarily be interleaved). The interleaved product illustrated is created as a stack 71. As shown, a discrete product portion 72 is extending out from an opening 74 in side 66b. As the product portion 72 is removed by a user, another discrete product portion 72a which is still in the enclosure 69 remains interleaved and thus in contact with the next discrete tissue product portion 72b, which in turn is interleaved with discrete product portion 72c and so on, and in this manner serves to facilitate advancement of this next product portion.
In general, as a product portion is pulled or otherwise removed from the dispenser, an additional product portion is advanced and pulled outwardly from the dispenser due to the interleaving. Advantageously and as illustrated, by providing the dispenser body structure 62 that can be positioned on side 66e, the product 70 can be positioned substantially parallel with a vertical axis 71. The positioning of the product 70 in this manner serves to diminish “fall back” by maintaining contact between the preceding and subsequent product portions as the product is dispensed through the opening 74. In addition, as the product 70 is positioned substantially parallel with a vertical axis 71, the distance between the opening 74 and the product 70, as the product is consumed, has only a de minimus effect on the dispenser's ability to dispense the product 70 without “fall back”. By reducing “fall back” in this manner, the amount of product 70 provided with each dispenser 60 can be increased without limiting the functionality of the dispenser 60. Also, in at least some embodiments, the product in the dispenser can be dispensed in a generally horizontal direction, or in a direction having both a horizontal and a vertical component.
The product dispenser 60 can be designed to dispense product in more than one position. For example, the product dispenser can be designed to sit or otherwise rest on one of its generally rectangular or hexagonal shaped panels or sides. These shapes and positioning variations serve to accommodate specific product access issues that would be not be addressed by less versatile shapes. In addition, to provide even greater versatility, the product dispenser 60 can be secured to a structure as is shown in
Additional advantages of an octahedral product dispenser over a decahedral product dispenser can be gleaned from
In contrast,
Although the product dispensers of the present disclosure have been described herein as being formed or constructed from a blank that is comprised of a single material, it is to be understood that the blank (and a resulting dispenser) can comprise a plurality of discrete pieces and/or sections made of the same or additional (different) materials. In addition, the blanks have been described herein as being generally and/or substantially planar. However, in accordance with other embodiments, such blanks and corresponding dispensers) can include non-planar surfaces and/or portions of such surface, and/or further including raised and/or recessed features as desired.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A blank for making an octahedral product dispenser, the blank comprising:
- two primary portions that are each generally hexagonal;
- six secondary portions integrally connected to one another by fold lines, wherein each secondary portion is generally rectangular, and each primary portion is integrally connected to a respective one of the secondary portions;
- a plurality of flap portions each connected to a respective one of a primary portion and a secondary portion; and
- one of an opening or a removable portion formed in one of the primary portions and secondary portions for allowing access to a product to be contained within an assembled product dispenser.
2. The blank of claim 1, wherein each of the two primary portions are integrally connected to the same one of the secondary portions.
3. The blank of claim 1, wherein the removable portion is generally oval.
4. The blank of claim 1, wherein the secondary portions are all generally the same size.
5. The blank of claim 1, wherein two of the secondary portions are each a first size and four of the secondary portions are each a second size.
6. An octahedral product dispenser comprising:
- two opposing hexagonal end panels; and
- six integrally connected rectangular side panels with each side panel extending between the two end panels, wherein a first side panel is not integrally connected to a last side panel; and
- wherein an opening is formed in one of the end or side panels for allowing access to product within the product dispenser.
7. The product dispenser of claim 6, wherein each end panel is integrally connected to a respective one of the side panels.
8. The product dispenser of claim 6, wherein each end panel is integrally connected to the same one of the side panels.
9. The product dispenser of claim 6, wherein at least some of the side panels are attached to the end panels via respective flap portions.
10. The product dispenser of claim 6, wherein the first side panel is connected to the last side panel via a flap portion.
11. The product dispenser of claim 6, further including discrete product portions that are arranged within the product dispenser and substantially parallel with a vertical axis.
12. The product dispenser of claim 11, wherein the product dispenser has a preferred upright position with the end panels arranged substantially parallel with a vertical axis.
13. The product dispenser of claim 12, wherein the opening is formed in one of the side panels.
14. The product dispenser of claim 12, wherein the opening is formed in a side panel that is not the top panel when the product dispenser is in the preferred upright position.
15. The product dispenser of claim 6, wherein the opening is formed in one of the end panels.
16. An octahedral product dispenser for dispensing discrete product portions, the product dispenser comprising:
- two hexagonal end panels opposite each other; and
- six integrally connected rectangular side panels extending between the two end panels;
- wherein a first and a last of these six side panels are not integrally connected to each other but are connected to each other by a flap portion;
- wherein each of the end panels is integrally connected to one of the side panels, and the remaining side panels are connected to the end panels by respective flap portions; and
- wherein an opening is formed in one of the end or side panels for allowing access to product portions within the product dispenser.
17. The product dispenser of claim 16, further including discrete product portions that are arranged within the product dispenser substantially parallel to a vertical axis.
18. The product dispenser of claim 17, wherein the product dispenser has a preferred upright position with the end panels arranged vertically.
19. The product dispenser of claim 18, wherein the opening is formed in one of the side panels.
20. The product dispenser of claim 19, wherein the opening is formed in a side panel that is not the top panel when the product dispenser is in the preferred upright position.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 23, 2011
Publication Date: Aug 25, 2011
Applicant: TRINOVA DESIGN, INC. (Appleton, WI)
Inventors: Gerald J. Keberlein (Hortonville, WI), Gregory A. DiLoreto (Neenah, WI)
Application Number: 13/033,448
International Classification: B65D 83/00 (20060101); B65D 25/00 (20060101);