DISPENSERS FOR SANITARY TISSUE PRODUCTS

Abstract

A dispenser for sanitary tissue products comprises a base and a lid comprising an arcuate portion. An aperture is defined in the arcuate portion. The lid or the base is movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position and the lid and the base define a receiving cavity when the lid and the base are in the closed position. The lid or the base comprises a first side wall and a second side wall. When the lid and the base are in the closed position, a first edge of the arcuate portion is positioned adjacent to the first side wall, a second edge of the arcuate portion is positioned adjacent to the second side wall, and the arcuate portion extends intermediate the first side wall and the second side wall in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane of the first side wall.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/479,978 filed on Apr. 28, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to dispensers and, more particularly, relates to dispensers for sanitary tissue products.

BACKGROUND

Sanitary tissue products in the form of paper towels, shop towels, toilet tissue, facial tissue, wet or dry wipes, and table napkins, for example, find great utility among users who value affordability, ease of use, and disposability. Sanitary tissue products are used in virtually every household, including in kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, and garages, for example. Sanitary tissue products, such as rolls of paper towels or hand towels, are often dispensed from sanitary tissue product holders, from which they may be unrolled one or more sheets at a time. These sanitary tissue product holders can have two projections, wherein each end of a core of a roll of a sanitary tissue product can engage a projection to rotatably retain the sanitary tissue product thereto. To tear off a sheet, a user would generally inhibit the roll from rotating with one hand and tear the sheet off of the roll with the other hand (i.e., two hand dispensing). Such sanitary tissue product holders are generally not located in bathrooms for aesthetic or other reasons. Sanitary tissue products, such as paper towels or hand towels, however, have great utility in bathrooms for many purposes, such as hand drying, makeup removal, and/or cleaning, for example. In view of the utility that sanitary tissue products can provide in a bathroom setting or other settings, dispensers should be provided that are more aesthetically pleasing and more functional than current sanitary tissue product holders. Furthermore, dispensers that can provide one hand dispensing are desirable.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a dispenser for a sanitary tissue product. The dispenser comprises a base and a lid comprising an arcuate portion. An aperture is defined in the arcuate portion. The lid or the base is movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position and the lid and the base define a receiving cavity when the lid and the base are in the closed position. The lid or the base comprises a first side wall and a second side wall. When the lid and the base are in the closed position, a first edge of the arcuate portion is positioned adjacent to the first side wall, a second edge of the arcuate portion is positioned adjacent to the second side wall, and the arcuate portion extends intermediate the first side wall and the second side wall in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane of the first side wall.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a dispenser for a sanitary tissue product. The dispenser comprises a base and a lid comprising an arcuate portion. An aperture is defined in the arcuate portion. The base or the lid comprises a first side wall and a second side wall. The lid or the base is movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position and the lid and the base define a package-receiving cavity when the lid and the base are in the closed position. The dispenser comprises a package of sanitary tissue products positioned within the package-receiving cavity. The package of sanitary tissue products comprises a bottom wall and an arcuate portion defining an opening therein. The bottom wall and the arcuate portion of the package of sanitary tissue products form an article space. The package of sanitary tissue products comprises a plurality of sanitary tissue products positioned within the article space.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a refill for a sanitary tissue product dispenser. The refill comprises a package of sanitary tissue products comprising a bottom wall and an arcuate portion defining an opening therein. The bottom wall and the arcuate portion together form an article space. The package of sanitary tissue products comprises a plurality of sanitary tissue products positioned within the article space and a removable portion positioned over the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of dispensers of the present disclosure in accordance with various non-limiting embodiments in a bathroom setting, for example;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of one of the dispensers of FIG. 1 in a closed position with a refill positioned outside of the dispenser in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 2 in an open position with a refill partially positioned within a package-receiving cavity of the dispenser in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 2 in an open position with a refill partially positioned within a package-receiving cavity of the dispenser in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 2 in the closed position with the refill positioned within the package-receiving cavity of the dispenser in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIGS. 6-8B is are cross-sectional views of various dispensers of the present disclosure supported by a towel bar in accordance with various non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the dispenser of FIG. 8A supported by a towel bar in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another dispenser of the present disclosure positioned within a bathroom setting, for example, in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 10 in a partially open position in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a refill for the dispenser of FIG. 10 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 11 in an open position with the refill of FIG. 12 positioned partially within the dispenser in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 11 in an open position with the refill of FIG. 12 positioned within the dispenser in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the dispensers for sanitary tissue products disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the dispensers for sanitary tissue products specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting example embodiments and that the scope of the various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

“Fiber” as used herein means an elongate physical structure having an apparent length greatly exceeding its apparent diameter, i.e., a length to diameter ratio of at least about 10. Fibers having a non-circular cross-section and/or tubular shape are common. The “diameter” in this case may be considered to be the diameter of a circle having a cross-sectional area equal to the cross-sectional area of the fiber. More specifically, as used herein, “fiber” refers to fibrous structure-making fibers. The present disclosure contemplates the use of a variety of fibrous structure-making fibers, such as, for example, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, any other suitable fibers, or any combination thereof.

“Fibrous structure” as used herein means a structure that comprises one or more fibers. Nonlimiting examples of processes for making fibrous structures include known wet-laid papermaking processes and air-laid papermaking processes. Such processes typically include the steps of preparing a fiber composition in the form of a suspension in a medium, either wet, more specifically aqueous medium, or dry, more specifically gaseous, i.e., with air as medium. The aqueous medium used for wet-laid processes is oftentimes referred to as a fiber slurry. The fibrous suspension is then used to deposit a plurality of fibers onto a forming wire or belt such that an embryonic fibrous structure is formed, after which drying and/or bonding the fibers together results in a fibrous structure. Further processing the fibrous structure may be carried out such that a finished fibrous structure is formed. For example, in typical papermaking processes, the finished fibrous structure is the fibrous structure that is wound on the reel at the end of papermaking, and may subsequently be converted into a finished product, e.g., a sanitary tissue product.

“Sanitary tissue product” as used herein means one or more finished fibrous structures, converted or not, that is useful as a wiping implement for post-urinary and post-bowel movement cleaning (e.g., toilet tissue or wet or dry wipes), for otorhinolaryngological discharges (e.g., facial tissue and wet or dry wipes), and multi-functional absorbent and cleaning uses (e.g., paper towels, shop towels, and hand towels). The sanitary tissue products can be embossed or not embossed, creped or uncreped, and can be single-ply or multi-ply.

The various dispensers of the present disclosure can be configured to dispense sanitary tissue products. The sanitary tissue products can have a multitude of functions, such as cleaning or wiping body surfaces, cleaning generally, medical usage, receiving bodily discharges, hand drying, face drying, and/or makeup removal, for example. Such sanitary tissue products can be provided within the dispensers and/or within refills that are configured to be positioned within the dispensers. The sanitary tissue products can be provided in stacks, sheets, folded sheets, interfolded sheets, C-folded sheets, Z-folded sheets, semi-folded sheets, rolls, or in any other suitable configuration for a particular use. The dispensers can be configured to dispense one or more sanitary tissue products at a time. In one embodiment, the dispensers can be configured for one hand dispensing of one or more sanitary tissue products or can be configured for two hand dispensing of one or more sanitary tissue products.

In various embodiments, portions of the dispensers that abut, are positioned against, and/or rest on a surface, such as a countertop or the top of the back of a toilet, can comprise suction cups, hook and/or loop fasteners, hook and hook fasteners, magnets, other suitable fasteners, adhesives, and/or high coefficient of friction materials (e.g., rubber), for example. Such features can at least inhibit the dispensers from moving or sliding during dispensing of one or more sanitary tissue products. In one embodiment, a complimentary fastener, such as an opposite pole magnet to a magnet on the dispenser can be attached to the surface on which the dispenser will be positioned, for example. In still other embodiments, the dispensers can be weighted or can have sufficient weight to prevent, or at least inhibit, movement or sliding during dispensing. In one embodiment, the dispensers can comprise hangers extending therefrom or hangers attachable to the dispensers. The hangers can be used to hang the dispensers from towel racks, towel bars, doors, or other items or surfaces. The hangers can be straps that can be attached to a portion of the dispensers on one end and can be removably attached to another portion of the dispensers on the other end. The straps can enable hanging the dispensers on a towel rack or a towel bar. In other embodiments, both ends of the straps can be removably attached to portions of the dispensers. Such removable attachment can be through the use of hook and loop fasteners, hook and hook fasteners, tabs on the straps engaging slots in the dispensers, and/or any other suitable methods of removable attachment. In one embodiment, the dispensers can have portions that define one or more apertures therethrough. Fasteners, such as nails or screws, can be positioned at least partially through the apertures to retain the dispensers to a surface, such as a wall, for example.

In one embodiment, a portion of the dispensers of the present disclosure can be positioned intermediate a towel bar or towel rack (hereafter “towel bar”) and a wall to retain the dispensers to the wall. In other embodiments, the dispensers can be hung from the towel bar or otherwise engaged with the towel bar. When engaged, in some form, with various towel bars, the dispensers of the present disclosure can be configured to dispense sanitary tissue products “over the bar” or “under the bar.” “Over the bar” means the sanitary tissue product is dispensed from a location on the dispenser 10 that is above (vertically) the towel bar, when a portion of the dispenser is situated between the towel bar and a wall. “Under the bar” means the sanitary tissue product is dispensed from a location on the dispenser 10 that is below (vertically) the towel bar, when a portion of the dispenser 10 is situated between the towel bar and a wall. The dispenser of FIG. 1 illustrates under the bar dispensing, but also discloses dotted slots intended to illustrate over the bar dispensing. In certain embodiments, over the bar dispensing and under the bar dispensing can be provided by a single dispenser or an over the bar dispenser can be positioned beside an under the bar dispenser, for example. In any event, an aperture or slot can be provided in the dispensers at any suitable location for over the bar dispensing or for under the bar dispensing. In one embodiment, a dispenser can comprise one or more apertures or slots having covers thereover, wherein the covers can be removed from the particular desired slot for dispensing. As such, a consumer can choose whether she desires over the bar dispensing and/or under the bar dispensing merely by removing the appropriate covers.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, a dispenser 10 (both dispensers referred to as 10) is illustrated in a bathroom setting, although such a setting is by no means limiting. In various embodiments, the dispenser 10 can be positioned on a vanity top, a top of a back portion of toilet, a kitchen counter, and/or engaged with a towel bar, for example. In other embodiments, the dispenser 10 can be engaged with or attached to a mirror through the use of suctions cups, adhesive strips, and/or an adhesive backing, for example. The dispenser 10 can comprise an aperture, such as slot 12, therein through which a portion of a sanitary tissue product 14 can extend for dispensing. Removal of one sanitary tissue product 14 from the dispenser 10 can cause a portion of another sanitary tissue product 14 to extend through the slot 12 into a dispensing position. This can be accomplished through the use of interleaved or semi-interleaved sheets of the sanitary tissue products 14 positioned within the dispenser 10.

One advantage of the dispenser 10 is that can have a universal function when engaged with a towel bar, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The dispenser 10 can be an “over the bar” dispenser and an “under the bar” dispenser merely by rotating the dispenser 10 180 degrees. In one embodiment, if towels are not hanging on the towel bar, a user may desire under the bar dispensing, while if towels are hanging on the towel bar, a user may desire over the bar dispensing. Related art dispensers, owing to their awkward shape, can only function as under the bar dispensers, thereby limiting their usefulness when towels are hanging from the towel bar. The dispenser 10 can also be positioned on a countertop.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2-5, the dispenser 10 can comprise a base 16 and a lid 18. The base 16 can have a generally flat surface or, in other embodiments, can have an arcuate surface. In one embodiment, the arcuate nature of a surface of a base can mimic an arcuate nature of a lid surface to aid in keeping the sanitary tissue product 14 close to the slot 12 and reduce fallback of the sanitary tissue product 14. The base 16 and/or the lid 18 can comprise any of the fastening components discussed above (e.g., suction cups) on an outer surface thereof. The base 16 can also comprise elements that permit engagement with a portion of the lid 18. The base 16 and the lid 18 can be snap-fit together, can have a lock and key type engagement, can be press-fit together, and/or can have any other suitable engagement therebetween. In still other embodiments, the lid 18 may merely rest on the base 16 (through gravity) when the dispenser 10 is in the closed position. In certain embodiments, the base 16 can support a refill (e.g., a package of sanitary tissue products) when the refill is positioned within the dispenser 10. A base may also comprise hanging or mounting portions that extend beyond a perimeter of a lid having apertures defined therein for hanging or mounting of the dispenser 10 to a surface, such as a wall, for example.

In various embodiments, the base 16 and the lid 18 can be movable with respect to each other between an open position (e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4) and a closed position (e.g., FIGS. 1, 2, and 5). The base 16 can be movable with respect to the lid 18 and/or the lid 18 can be movable with respect to the base 16. In one embodiment, the base 16 may not be attached to the lid 18, but can be engaged with the lid 18. In other various embodiments, the base 16 can be slidably engaged with the lid 18 using tracks and grooves, movably attached to the lid 18, and/or pivotably engaged with the lid 18, such as by using a hinge or other suitable connection, for example. In various embodiments, referring to FIG. 3, the lid 18 can be pivotably engaged with the base 16 without an independent hinge, but instead, portions of the material forming the lid 18 and the base 16 can be joined to create a pivotable joint. In an embodiment where the dispenser 10 is disposable, the lid 18 may be formed with or permanently attached to the base 16. In such an embodiment, the lid 18 and the base 16 may be formed of the same material, for example. In one embodiment, the lid 18 and the base 16 may form an article receiving cavity 17 therebetween, when the lid 18 and the base 16 are in the closed position. The article-receiving cavity 17 can receive a plurality of sanitary tissue products or one or more packages of sanitary tissue products, for example. The sanitary tissue products can be of the same type or of different types (e.g., paper towels and wet wipes, toilet tissue and paper towels). Furthermore, the sanitary tissue products can have the same or different sizes, shapes, and/or properties (e.g., absorbency, wet strength).

In one embodiment, the lid 18 can comprise an arcuate portion 20 having a first edge 22, a second edge 24, a first end 26, and a second end 28. Either the base 16 or the lid 18 can comprise or be attached to a first side wall 30 and a second side wall 32 of the dispenser 10. The first side wall 30 can be positioned adjacent to the first edge 22 at least when the dispenser 10 is in the closed position. Likewise, the second side wall 32 can be positioned adjacent to the second edge 24 at least when the dispenser is in the closed position. The first and second side walls 30 and 32 can each comprise a bottom surface 34 configured to engage with, be formed with, and/or associate with a portion of the base 16. The first and second side walls 30 and 32 can also each comprise an arcuate surface 36. The arcuate surfaces 36 can be formed with the first and second edges 22 and 24 of the arcuate portion 20 or can be configured to be engaged with or be positioned adjacent or proximate to the first and second edges 22 and 24 of the arcuate portion 20. In one embodiment, the arcuate portion 20 can extend intermediate, or at least partially intermediate, the first side wall 30 and the second side wall 32 in a direction generally perpendicular or transverse to a plane of the first side wall 30 or a plane of the second side wall 32. In one embodiment, the first and second side walls 30 and 32 can have a first length 38 and the arcuate portion 20 can have a second length 39. The first length 38 can be generally equal to the second length 39, or greater or less than the second length 39. The lengths can be measured using a ruler or a tape measure, measuring from one end of a side wall to the other end of a side wall, and from one end of the arcuate portion to another end of the arcuate portion. The measurements will be taken in a linear direction about the longest portion of each side wall and the longest portion of the arcuate portion.

As described above, the dispenser 10, such as the arcuate portion 20, for example, can comprise the slot 12 defined therein. The slot 12 can be positioned at any suitable orientation or position on the arcuate portion 20. In various embodiments, the slot 12 can be positioned a first distance from the first end 26 and a second distance from a second end 28, wherein the first distance can be greater than the second distance, less than the second distance, or generally equal to the second distance. In one embodiment, the first distance can be at least twice as great as the second distance, three times as great as the second distance, four times as great as the second distance, and so forth, for example. The first distance can be measured by using a flexible tape measure and measuring, about a central axis, C, of the dispenser 10, from the first end 26 to the most proximate portion of a side wall of the slot 12. The second distance can be measured by using a flexible tape measure and measuring, about the central axis, C, of the dispenser 10, from the second end 28 to the most proximate portion of a side wall of the slot 12. The flexible tape measure is used because of the arcuate nature of the arcuate portion 20. The slot 12 can have any suitable size and shape and can have design elements, such as curved portions, for example, forming a perimeter thereof. In any event, the slot 12 can be suitable for dispensing the sanitary tissue products 14 therethrough. In one embodiment, the slot 12 can be configured to cause perforations between sheets of the sanitary tissue products being dispensed therethrough to break or at least partially break. In other embodiments, the sanitary tissue products may be individual sheets not having perforations.

In one embodiment, the receiving cavity 17 can be configured to receive any number of unpackaged sanitary tissue products 14 or one or more packages of sanitary tissue products 14. In various embodiments, the sanitary tissue products 14 can be stacked, folded, rolled, and/or otherwise suitably manufactured and/or arranged such that they can be easily dispensed from the dispenser 10. In certain embodiments, the sanitary tissue products 14 can be suitably manufactured and/or arranged such that one individual sanitary tissue product 14 can be dispensed at a time. In the event that the sanitary tissue products 14 are packaged, they can be packaged using a film wrapper, a polymeric film wrapper, a wrapper comprising cellulosic and/or nonwoven fibers, a container, or any other suitable sanitary tissue product covering and/or containing material.

In one embodiment, again referring to FIGS. 2-5, a refill 40 for the dispenser 10 can be provided. The refill 40 can comprise a plurality of the sanitary tissue products 14 configured to be dispensed using the dispenser 10. In one embodiment, the refill 40 can comprise a bottom wall 42 and an arcuate portion 44 defining an opening 46 therein. The bottom wall 42 and the arcuate portion 44 can define an article space configured to receive the sanitary tissue products 14. The bottom wall 42 and the arcuate portion 44 can be formed of the same material, such as a film, a polymeric film, a plastic, a polymer, and/or a wrapper formed of cellulosic fibers and/or nonwoven fibers, for example. Such a covering material can protect the sanitary tissue products 14 within the article space from damage, such as damage caused by moisture or contamination, for example. In various embodiments, a refill can have many different shapes, such as cylindrical, conical, and/or cubic, for example. The shape of the refills can depend on the type or configuration of the sanitary tissue products 14 positioned within the article space and on the shape of the dispenser 10. For example, a refill can be cylindrical when it contains a roll of the sanitary tissue products 14. In various embodiments, the shape and size of the refills can be dependent on the shape and size of a particular receiving cavity of a dispenser. In one embodiment, the refills can have a similar size and shape as the receiving cavities into which they are to be positioned.

In one embodiment, the opening 46 of the refill 40 can be created prior to inserting the refill 40 into the dispenser 10, for example, by tearing or separating a perforated or scored portion of the arcuate portion 44 away from the refill 40 or by pulling portions of the arcuate portion 44 away from each other. In various embodiments, referring to FIG. 2, a removable portion 48 can be positioned over, or at least partially over, the opening 46. The removable portion 48 can be formed with the arcuate portion 44 and perforated about its perimeter, such that it can be removed from the arcuate portion 44. In other various embodiments, the removable portion 48 can comprise an adhesive on a portion of one side thereof which can allow the removable portion 48 to be adhered to the arcuate portion 44 about the opening 46. In one embodiment, the removable portion 48 can comprise a pull tab 50 configured for disengagement of the removable portion 48 from the arcuate portion 46. After the removable portion 48 is removed or separated from the arcuate portion 46 of the refill 40, access to the sanitary tissue products 14 within the article space is permitted. In one embodiment, the removable portion 48 can be removed prior to or after insertion of the refill 40 into the receiving cavity 17 of the dispenser 10. In various embodiments, the removable portion 48 can also be formed with the arcuate portion 44 and separated therefrom by breakable perforations or score marks.

In one embodiment, to insert the refill 40 into the dispenser 10, the base 16 and the lid 18 of the dispenser 10 can be moved into the open position (e.g., FIG. 3). If a removable portion 48 is provided on the refill 40, it can be removed. Otherwise, the opening 46 (if not already present) can be created in the arcuate portion 44 of the refill 40 to allow access to the sanitary tissue products 14 within the article space. In other embodiments, the removable portion 48 can be removed and/or the opening 46 can be created after the refill 40 is positioned within the receiving cavity 17 and the base 16 and the lid 18 are in the closed position. In one embodiment, the refill 40 can be positioned within the dispenser 10 and then the opening 46 can be created in the arcuate portion 44 by a user reaching his or her fingers through the slot 12. In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom wall 42 of the refill 40 can be inserted into the dispenser 10 such that it faces, rests on, and/or abuts the base 16. The lid 18 can then be closed onto the base 16 (i.e., the dispenser 10 can be moved into a closed position) such that the arcuate portion 46 of the refill 40 faces and/or abuts the arcuate portion 20 of the dispenser 10. Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the refill 40 can be inserted into the dispenser 10 such that the arcuate portion 46 of the refill 40 faces, rests on, and/or abuts the arcuate portion 20 of the dispenser 10. Then, the dispenser 10 can be moved in the closed position by moving the base 16 toward the lid 18, thereby causing the bottom wall 42 to face or abut the base 16. When the refill 40 is positioned within the receiving cavity 17, the slot 12 can be aligned with, or generally aligned with, the opening 46, such that the sanitary tissue products 14 can be pulled from within the article space of the refill 40 to a position outside of the dispenser 10.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, cross-sectional views of dispensers 10′ and 10″ are illustrated. The dispensers 10′ and 10″ are situated between a wall 52 and a towel bar 54. Although the dispensers 10′ and 10″ are illustrated as over the bar dispensers they can also be under the bar dispensers or combination over the bar dispensers and under the bar dispensers. When a sanitary tissue product 14′ is removed from the dispenser 10′ or 10″, a removal force having a downward vector component and a horizontal vector component can be asserted upon the dispenser 10′ or 10″. Such a removal force may also have only a horizontal vector component or a horizontal vector component and an upward vector component. The towel bar 54 and the wall 52, upon application of the removal force to the dispenser 10′ or 10″, can prevent or at least inhibit the dispenser 10′ or 10″ from being dislodged from its position intermediate the wall 52 and the towel bar 54 owing to the wedging or positioning of the dispenser between the wall 52 and the towel bar 54. An under the bar dispenser can be retained to the wall 52 and the towel bar 54 in a similar manner. Dispenser 10′ has an arcuate portion 20′ with a beveled portion 56 extending therefrom. The beveled portion 56 can be used to essentially wedge a portion of the dispenser 10′ between the wall 52 and the towel bar 54. The beveled portion 56 can be replaced with a stepped portion or an arcuate portion to accomplish a similar function. Dispenser 10″ has a similar beveled portion 56′ extending from a like beveled portion 56″. The sanitary tissue products 14′ within the dispensers 10′ and 10″ can be situated in any suitable orientation or manner to aid in dispensing. The dispensers 10′ and 10″ can be refillable by opening lids 61′ and 61″ (illustrated in dashed lines), respectively, and then inserting sanitary tissue products 14′ or refills thereof into the cavity within the dispensers 10′ and 10″. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the lids 61′ and 61″ can be located at other locations on the dispensers 10′ and 10″.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, cross-sectional views of dispensers 11 and 11′ are illustrated. FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of the dispenser 11 of FIG. 8A illustrating a slot 12′ over the towel bar 54. The dispensers 11 and 11′ can be situated between the wall 52 and the towel bar 54 much like the dispensers 10′ and 10″ described above. Such dispensers 11 and 11′ can be over the bar dispensers, so as to not interfere with any towels 58 (shown in dash in FIG. 9) hanging from the towel bar 54. Related art dispensers have been under the bar dispensers, which can interfere with any towels 58 hanging on the towel bar 54. Furthermore, to access the sanitary tissue products within the related art under the bar dispensers, a user would actually have to move the towel 58 aside or lift it up, making such related art dispensers undesirable and inconvenient. The dispensers 11 and 11′ can be refillable by opening the lids 60 and 60′ (illustrated with dashed lines) and inserting additional sanitary tissue products 14′ or refills thereof into the cavities of the dispensers 11 and 11′. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the lids 60 and 60′ can be located at other locations on the dispensers 11 and 11′. The sanitary tissue products 14′ within the dispensers 11 and 11′ can be situated in any suitable orientation or manner within the dispensers 11 and 11′ to aid in dispensing.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 10-14, another dispenser 110 for dispensing sanitary tissue products 114 is provided. The dispenser 110 is illustrated positioned beside a sink, on a countertop, in a bathroom, although it can be used in any other suitable setting. In various embodiments, the dispenser 110 can also be hung or mounted on a towel bar, a wall, and/or another surface, as described in greater detail above with respect to various other dispensers. The dispenser 110 can comprise a base 116 and a lid 118. The lid 118 can be moveable with respect to the base 116 and/or the base 116 can be movable with respect to the lid 118. In one embodiment, although not illustrated, the lid 118 can be pivotably or slidably moveable with respect to the base 116 or the base 116 can be pivotably or slidably moveable with respect to the lid 118. Such features can allow the dispenser 110 to be moved between an open position and a closed position for refilling purposes. When in the closed position, the lid 118 and the base 116 can form a cavity or package-receiving cavity 117 therein. The dispenser 110 can receive a refill 140, which can comprise sanitary tissue products 114 that are either packaged (e.g., surrounded by a film) or loose (e.g., in a stack). Although the sanitary tissue products 114 are illustrated in a stack, those of skill in the art will recognize that a roll of sanitary tissue products, for example, can instead be utilized with the dispenser 110.

In various embodiments, the dispenser 110 can have the same or similar features as the dispenser 10 described above, such as weight features to enable one hand dispensing, attachment features to mount the dispenser 110, and the like. Such features will not be discussed again here in detail for brevity.

In one embodiment, the base 116 can comprise a bottom wall 119. The bottom wall 119 can be generally concave or arcuate. The base 116 can comprise a first edge 122, a second edge 124, a first end 126, and a second end 128. Arcuate projections 129 can extend from the bottom wall 119, in a direction toward the lid 118, from each of the first edge 122 and the second edge 124. The arcuate projections 129 can function to receive or guide portions of the lid 118 during engagement of the base 116 and the lid 118. The arcuate projections 129 can fit within the lid 118 or can fit outside of the lid 118 when the base 116 is engaged with the lid 118. If the base 116 comprises an arcuate bottom wall 119, the arcuate nature of the base 116 can essentially mimic the curvature of an arcuate portion 120 of the lid 118 to make dispensing the sanitary tissue products 114 easier in that a central portion of the sanitary tissue products 114 will be positioned closer to a dispensing aperture in the lid 118, thereby reducing fallback of the sanitary tissue products 114.

In one embodiment, the lid 118 can comprise the arcuate portion 120. The arcuate portion 120 can define a dispensing aperture, such as slot 112, therein. The sanitary tissue products 114 can be dispensed through the slot 112. The slot 112 can include various design features such as curved side walls for aesthetic purposes or dispensing purposes, such as to help aid in breaking perforations between one sheet of the sanitary tissue product 114 and another sheet of the sanitary tissue product 114. The lid 118 can comprise a first end wall 162, a second end wall 164, a first side wall 166, and a second side wall 168. The first and second end walls 162 and 164, the first and second side walls 166 and 168, and the arcuate portion 120 can define the cavity or package-receiving cavity 117, when combined with the bottom wall 119 of the base 116. In various embodiments, the first and second end walls 162 and 164 can be formed with the base 116 instead of the lid 118 and can extend from the first end 126 and the second end 128 of the base 116 in a direction toward the lid 118. In other embodiments, the first and second side walls 166 and 168 can be formed with the base 116 instead of the lid 118 and can extend from the first edge 122 and the second edge 124 in a direction toward the lid 118. In such an embodiment, the arcuate projections 129 may not be provided.

In various embodiments, the slot 112 can extend to one or more of the first end wall 162, the second end wall 164, the first side wall 166, and the second side wall 168. Such slots 112 are illustrated in dashed lines in FIGS. 11 and 13. The slot 112 extending to one or more of these end and/or side walls can allow dispensing of the sanitary tissue products 114 through one of the end walls or side walls when the dispenser 110 is hung on or from a wall, a towel bar, a shower curtain rod, and/or another surface or device. In one embodiment, the base 116 or other portion of the dispenser 110 can have arms or hooks extending therefrom that can be used to engage a towel bar, a towel ring, a toilet tissue holder, and/or a shower curtain rod when the dispenser 110 is hung therefrom. The base 16 and/or other portion of the dispenser 10 discussed above can also have arms or hooks extending therefrom such that the dispenser 10 can be hung in a similar fashion.

In one embodiment, the dispensers of the present disclosure can be reusable or disposable. Disposable dispensers can be comprised of cellulosic fibers, such as paper stock, cardboard, other fibers, and/or other suitable or biodegradable materials. In general, disposable dispensers can be purchased with a plurality of sanitary tissue products positioned in a receiving cavity thereof and such dispensers may not be refillable. Reusable dispensers can be comprised of plastic, metal, wood, anti-microbial materials, anti-bacterial materials, and/or any other suitable materials. In general, reusable dispensers can be purchased with or without sanitary tissue products positioned in a receiving cavity thereof or with or without a refill positioned therein. These reusable dispenses can be multi-use dispensers. When the supply of sanitary tissue products within a reusable dispenser is exhausted, a consumer can insert additional sanitary tissue products or a refill of additional sanitary tissue products to the receiving cavity of the reusable dispenser. The refills can be purchased at the same store or location as the reusable dispenser was purchased. The refills can comprise films, polymeric films, and/or materials comprising cellulosic fibers and/or nonwoven fibers surrounding a plurality of sanitary tissue products.

In one embodiment, the refills can comprise a perfume or fragrance therein or thereon. In other embodiments, the sanitary tissue products within the refills can comprise the perfume or fragrance. In still other embodiments, the film or other material forming the outer covering of the refills can comprise the perfume or fragrance. Once inserted into a cavity of the dispenser, the perfume or fragrance can diffuse through an aperture, such as the slot 12, in the dispenser into an environment surrounding the dispenser to provide a pleasant scent to the environment.

The various dispensers of the present disclosure can comprise transparent or see through “windows” that enable a consumer to view into the receiving cavity of a dispenser and/or the article space of a refill and determine how many sanitary tissue products remain or to determine the status of the sanitary tissue products. In one embodiment, a portion of a film surrounding a refill can be transparent or see through to allow a user to view the sanitary tissue products in an article space. The dispensers and/or the refills can comprise indicia, such as branding information, thereon or formed in outer surfaces thereof. In one embodiment, portions of the dispensers can comprise one or more light sources that can act as night lights, for example. In various embodiments, the one or more light sources can be operably linked to switches or motion detectors to activate the light sources. The lights sources can be powered by any suitable sources, such as a battery, for example. In one embodiment, the dispensers can comprise one or more sealing members configured to seal the receiving cavities of the dispensers to inhibit air from entering and exiting the receiving cavity. Such seals can be useful when sanitary tissue products, such as wet wipes, are positioned within the receiving cavities to inhibit the wet wipes from drying out. In other embodiments, the seals can be useful in inhibiting contamination, such as dirt, from entering the receiving cavities. In one embodiment, the seals can be positioned intermediate the lid and the base. In various embodiments, a flexible membrane can extend into the slots of the dispensers. The flexible membrane can have one or more openings therein for dispensing sanitary tissue products, such as wet wipes, therethrough. The flexible membrane can help maintain sanitary tissue products, such as wet wipes, within a cavity of a dispenser in a wet or sanitary condition.

In various embodiments, the dispensers of the present disclosure can have slots, apertures, or recesses therein configured to receive scent packets, such that a scent can be diffused into an environment surrounding the dispensers. In other embodiments, the scent packets may be attachable to the dispensers.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any embodiment disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such embodiment. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A dispenser for a sanitary tissue product, the dispenser comprising:

a base; and

a lid comprising an arcuate portion, wherein an aperture is defined in the arcuate portion;

wherein the lid or the base is movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position, wherein the lid and the base define a receiving cavity when the lid and the base are in the closed position, and wherein the lid or the base comprises: a first side wall; and a second side wall;

wherein, when the lid and the base are in the closed position, a first edge of the arcuate portion is positioned adjacent to the first side wall, a second edge of the arcuate portion is positioned adjacent to the second side wall, and wherein the arcuate portion extends intermediate the first side wall and the second side wall in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane of the first side wall.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the aperture in the arcuate portion is a slot through which the sanitary tissue product is dispensed.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the slot is positioned a first distance from a first end of the arcuate portion and a second distance from a second end of the arcuate portion, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the first distance is at least twice as great as the second distance.

5. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the slot is positioned a first distance from a first end of the arcuate portion and a second distance from a second end of the arcuate portion, and wherein the first distance is generally equal to the second distance.

6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the base comprises an arcuate portion.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first side wall has a first length, wherein the arcuate portion has a second length, and wherein the first length is generally equal to the second length.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, comprising a package of sanitary tissue products, wherein the package of sanitary tissue products comprises:

a bottom wall;

an arcuate portion defining an opening therein; and

a plurality of sanitary tissue products positioned at least partially intermediate the bottom wall and the arcuate portion.

9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the arcuate portion of the package comprises a removable portion positioned over the opening.

10. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the bottom wall and the arcuate portion are comprised of a film or a material comprising cellulosic fibers.

11. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the base and the lid are pivotably engaged with each other.

12. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a beveled portion extending from the arcuate portion.

13. A dispenser for a sanitary tissue product, the dispenser comprising:

a base;

a lid comprising an arcuate portion, wherein an aperture is defined in the arcuate portion;

wherein the base or the lid comprises: a first side wall; and a second side wall;

wherein one the lid or the base is movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the lid and the base define a package-receiving cavity when the lid and the base are in the closed position; and

a package of sanitary tissue products positioned within the package-receiving cavity, the package of sanitary tissue products comprising: a bottom wall; an arcuate portion defining an opening therein, wherein the bottom wall and the arcuate portion of the package of sanitary tissue products form an article space; and a plurality of sanitary tissue products positioned within the article space.

14. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the aperture and the opening are generally aligned when the package of sanitary tissue products is positioned within the package-receiving cavity and the lid and the base are in the closed position such that one or more of the sanitary tissue products are dispensable through the opening and the aperture.

15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the aperture and the opening are slots.

16. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the aperture is positioned a first distance from a first end of the arcuate portion, wherein the aperture is positioned a second distance from a second end of the arcuate portion, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

17. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein the first distance is at least twice as great as the second distance.

18. A refill for a sanitary tissue product dispenser, the refill comprising:

a package of sanitary tissue products comprising: a bottom wall; an arcuate portion defining an opening therein, wherein the bottom wall and the arcuate portion together form an article space; a plurality of sanitary tissue products positioned within the article space; and a removable portion positioned over the opening.

19. The refill of claim 18, wherein the bottom wall and the arcuate portion are comprised of one of a polymeric material and a material comprising cellulosic fibers.

20. The refill of claim 18, wherein the removable portion comprises:

an adhesive material; and

a pull tab configured for disengagement of the removable portion from the arcuate portion.