Tissue Dispenser With Integral Waste Receptacle

Abstract

A tissue dispenser includes a tissue container having a plurality of walls forming a rectangular-shaped hollow interior space for holding clean tissues and a dispensing opening for removing the clean tissues from the interior space, and a plastic bag having an interior cavity separate from the interior space and an access opening for inserting soiled tissues into the interior cavity. The plastic bag is secured to the container and lays flat against an exterior surface of the container when the plastic bag is empty. At least a portion of the plastic bag is stretchable so that the plastic bag elastically expands when the soiled tissues are inserted into the plastic bag to hold and retain the soiled tissues within the plastic bag.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention generally relates to tissue dispensers, and more particularly, to tissue dispensers having integral waste receptacles for soiled tissues and other debris.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standard tissue dispensers such as disposable boxes are portable and can be taken anywhere including locations outdoors, in motor vehicles, and on public transportation, etc. However, unless there is a waste receptacle nearby, you cannot promptly dispose the tissues once they are soiled. Even when a waste receptacle is present, it can be difficult to timely reach the waste receptacle or to get the soiled tissues into it. This is especially true when outdoors, in an automobile, or bed ridden, or at any time for a young child.

Many attempts have been made to combine tissue dispensers with waste receptacles. Some of these attempts have failed because they create containers that are bulky even when the waste receptacle is empty and/or that are difficult or troublesome to insert soiled tissues into or remove soiled tissues from. Others of these attempts have failed because the waste receptacle does not adequately retain the soiled tissues, particularly when the tissue dispenser is to be carried or otherwise mobile. Yet others of these attempts have failed because they are overly complex and/or are too expensive to produce. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved tissue dispenser with an integral waste receptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are tissue dispensers and waste receptacles which overcome at least one of the deficiencies of the prior art. Disclosed is a tissue dispenser comprising, in combination, a container having a plurality of walls forming a rectangular-shaped hollow interior space for holding clean tissues and a dispensing opening for removing clean tissues from the interior space, and a plastic bag having an interior cavity and an access opening for inserting soiled tissues into the interior cavity. The plastic bag is secured to the container and lays flat against an exterior surface of the container when the plastic bag is empty. At least a portion of the plastic bag is stretchable so that the plastic bag elastically expands when soiled tissues are inserted into the plastic bag.

Also disclosed is a tissue dispenser comprising, in combination, a container having a plurality of walls forming a rectangular-shaped hollow interior space for holding clean tissues and a dispensing opening for removing clean tissues from the interior space, a cover over the container and having an open bottom so that the cover can be slid onto and off of the box, and a plastic bag having an interior cavity and an access opening for inserting soiled tissues into the interior cavity. The plastic bag is secured to the cover and lays flat against an exterior surface of the cover when the plastic bag is empty. At least a portion of the plastic bag is stretchable so that the plastic bag elastically expands when soiled tissues are inserted into the plastic bag.

Also disclosed is a waste receptacle for holding soiled tissues to be secured to a tissue container comprising, in combination, a plastic bag having a plurality of rectangular-shaped walls secured together to form an interior cavity and an access opening for inserting soiled tissues into the interior cavity, pressure-sensitive adhesive located on at least a portion of one of the wall for securing the plastic bag to the tissue container; and a release liner temporarily covering the pressure-sensitive adhesive. At least a portion of the plastic bag is stretchable so that the plastic bag elastically expands when soiled tissues are inserted into the plastic bag.

From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology and art of tissue dispensers. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for providing an easy to use and effective waste receptacle for a tissue dispenser that is relatively inexpensive and simple in design. Additional features and advantages of various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of tissue dispenser with an integral waste receptacle according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein a plastic bag is secured to a sidewall of an upright-type tissue container.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 1, wherein the plastic bag is empty.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 1 similar to FIG. 2, but wherein soiled tissues are retained within the plastic bag.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of first variation of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 1, wherein the plastic bag is located on a bottom wall of the tissue container rather than on a side wail of the tissue container.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the first variation of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 1 similar to FIG. 4, but wherein soiled tissues are retained within the plastic bag.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of second variation of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 1, wherein a plurality of the plastic bags are secured to the tissue container.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the second variation of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 1 similar to FIG. 6, but wherein soiled tissues are retained within the plastic bag.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of third variation of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 1, wherein the tissue container is located within the plastic bag.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the third variation of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 1 similar to FIG. 8, but wherein soiled tissues are retained within the plastic bag.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tissue dispenser with an integral waste receptacle according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a plastic bag is secured to a sidewall of an flat-type tissue container.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 10, wherein the plastic bag is empty.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a tissue dispenser with an integral waste receptacle according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein a plastic bag is secured to a sidewall of an family size flat-type tissue container.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 1, wherein the plastic bag is empty.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a first variation of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 12, wherein the plastic bag has a height less than the height of the tissue container and the tissue container is located within the plastic bag.

FIG. 14A is a cross sectional view of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 14.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a tissue dispenser with an integral waste receptacle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein a plastic bag is secured to a cover located on a tissue container.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 15, wherein the plastic bag is empty.

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of a waste receptacle to be secured to a tissue container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein a plastic bag is configured to be secured to an exterior wall of a tissue container.

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of a waste receptacle to be secured to a tissue container according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein a plastic bag is configured to receive a tissue container therein.

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of a waste receptacle to be secured to a tissue container according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a tissue dispenser with an integral waste receptacle according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, wherein a plastic bag is secured to a sidewall of an pocket-pack type tissue container.

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 20, wherein the plastic bag is empty.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a tissue dispenser with an integral waste receptacle according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, wherein a plastic bag is secured to a sidewall of an travel-pack type tissue container.

FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of the tissue dispenser of FIG. 22, wherein the plastic bag is empty.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the tissue dispensers and the waste receptacles as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes of the various components, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the tissue dispensers and the waste receptacles illustrated in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the improved tissue dispensers and waste receptacles disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with regard to disposable box-type tissue containers. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a tissue dispenser 10 according to a first illustrated embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated tissue dispenser 10 includes a tissue container 12 having a rectangular-shaped hollow interior space 14 for holding clean facial tissues 16 and a dispensing opening 18 for removing the clean facial tissues 16 from the interior space 14, and a waste receptacle 20 including a plastic bag 22 having an interior cavity 24 and an access opening 26 for inserting soiled facial tissues 28 into the interior cavity 24. The plastic bag 22 is secured to the tissue container 12 and lays flat against an exterior surface of the tissue container 12 when the plastic bag 22 is empty. At least a portion of the plastic bag 22 is stretchable so that the plastic bag 22 elastically expands when the soiled facial tissues 28 are inserted into the plastic bag 22.

The illustrated tissue container 12 has a plurality of walls 30a, 30b, 30c including a planar and rectangular-shaped top wall 30a, a planar and rectangular shaped bottom wall 30b opposed and parallel to the top wall 30a, and tow planar and rectangular-shaped side walls 30c perpendicularly extending between edges of the top wall 30a and the bottom wall 30b. The plurality of walls 30a, 30b, 30c form the rectangular-shaped hollow interior space 14 in which a stack of the clean facial tissues 16 is stored. The illustrated top wall 30a is provided with the entire dispensing opening 18. It is noted that the dispensing opening 19 can alternatively be provided in any other one of the walls 30b, 30c and/or can extend between more than one of the walls 30a, 30b, 30c. The dispensing opening 18 is sized and shaped so that the clean facial tissues 16 are retained within the interior space 14 but can be withdrawn through the dispensing opening 18 one by one when desired from the top of the stack. The illustrated dispensing opening 18 is oval shaped but any other suitable shape can alternatively be utilized. The clean facial tissues 16 are typically stacked folded in an interlocking manner so that the withdrawal of the top clean facial tissue 16 partially withdraws the next clean facial tissue 16 in the stack but the facial tissues 16 can be stored in any suitable manner. The clean facial tissues 16 are typically stacked flat when stored in a flat-type tissue container (see FIGS. 10 to 14). The illustrated tissue container 12 holds facial tissues 16 are standard paper facial tissues but it is noted that any other type of facial tissue or any other type of disposable tissue can alternatively be utilized.

The illustrated tissue container 12 is an upright or cube-style disposable container but the tissue container 12 can alternatively be of any other suitable style or configuration such as, for example, a disposable flat box, a family size disposable flat box, a travel pack, a pocket pack, a non-disposable container, and the like. The illustrated tissue container 12 has a size of about 4½ inches wide by about 4½ inches deep by about 5 inches tall but it is noted that any other suitable size can be utilized. The illustrated tissue container 12 in constructed of paperboard that has been folded and secured together with adhesive. It is noted however that the tissue container 12 can comprise any other material such as, for example, plastic or other films, rigid plastic and the like and/or can be constructed in any other suitable manner such as, for example, molding.

The illustrated plastic bag 22 has a plurality of walls 32a, 32b including opposed inner and outer planar and rectangular-shaped walls 32a, 32b secured together along three edges of the inner and outer walls 32a, 32b to form the interior cavity 24 between the inner and outer walls 32a, 32b. The remaining fourth edge of the inner and outer walls 32a, 32b is not secured together to form the access opening 26 to the interior cavity 24. Constructed in this manner, the plastic bag 22 lays flat against an outer planar surface the tissue container 12 with the opposed outer wall 32b laying generally flat against the inner wall 32a when the interior cavity 24 is empty. It is noted that the plastic 22 bag can alternatively have any other suitable configuration such as, for example, the alternative configurations described herein below.

The illustrated walls 32a, 32b of the plastic bag 22 comprise a light weight plastic material such as, for example, Low Density Poly Ethylene (LDPE) or the like, but any other suitable material can alternatively be utilized. The illustrated walls 32a, 32b are plastic film having a thickness of about 0.7 mils to about 1.5 mils and more preferably about 1.1 mills but any other suitable thickness can alternatively be utilized. At least a portion of the walls 32a, 32b of the plastic bag 22 is stretchable so that the plastic bag 22 elastically expands when the soiled facial tissues 28 are inserted into the plastic bag 22. Both of the illustrated inner and outer walls 32a, 32 are entirely stretchable. However, only the illustrated outer wall 32b, either entirely or partially, needs to be stretchable (because the inner wall 32a cannot stretch once entirely secured to the tissue container 12 with adhesive as described below).

The illustrated stretchable portion of the plastic bag 22 comprises a plastic film that was mechanically treated by a process SELFing (Structurally Elastic-Like Film) to increase elasticity of the plastic film. It is noted however that the stretchable portion can alternatively be formed by mechanically treating plastic form by any other suitable process such as for example, ring rolling, corrugating, mechanically straining, heating and deforming, and the like and/or can comprise any other suitable elastic material. The SELFing process subjects the plastic film to compression between mating plates to form a network of distinct regions therein to provide properties of a SELF film material. The plastic film is deeply embossed with a pattern, such as a diamond-like pattern or the like, that gives the plastic film elasticity so that pressure is diverted away from a point of impact and the plastic film stretches around objects instead of puncturing or tearing. The SELFing process is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,518,801, 5,691,035, 5,723,087, 5,891,544, 5,916,663, 5,968,029, and 6,027,483, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

The illustrated plastic bag 22 also includes a strip of resiliently elastic material 34 encircling the access opening 26 to resiliently close the access opening 26 to retain the soiled facial tissues 28 within the plastic bag 22. The elastic material 34 can be of any suitable type and is sized so that when relaxed or nearly relaxed, the access opening 26 is closed, even when the soiled facial tissues 28 are within the interior cavity 24 but can be resiliently expanded in order to open the access opening 26 to insert the soiled facial tissues 28 through the access opening 26. The illustrated elastic material 34 extends entirely about the access opening 26 but it is noted that the elastic material 34 can alternatively be provided only on the outer wall 32b (because the inner wall 32a cannot stretch once the inner wall 32a is fully secured to the tissue container 12 with adhesive as described below). It is noted that the elastic material 34 can alternatively be eliminated so that the soiled facial tissues 28 are retained within the plastic bag 22 solely by the stretchable portion of the plastic bag 22 or other means of securing the access opening 26 closed.

The illustrated inner wall 32a of the plastic bag 22 is secured to one of the side walls 30c of the tissue container 12 with the access opening 26 facing in an upward direction. The plastic bag 22 can alternatively be secured to any other one of the side walls 30c of the tissue container 12, to any other one of the walls 30a, 30b of the tissue container 12, to more than one wall 30a, 30b, 30c of the tissue container 12, and/or in any other suitable orientation such as sideways or downward. The illustrated plastic bag 22 is sized so that it is substantially the same size as the side wall 30c of the tissue container 12 but the plastic bag 22 can alternatively have any other suitable size such as, for example, the plastic bag 22 can have a height and/or length that is less than the height and/or length of the tissue container 12. Substantially the entire outer surface of illustrated inner wall 32a of the plastic bag 22 is secured to the planer outer surface of the tissue container 12 with an adhesive such as, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive. The plastic bag 22 can alternatively be secured to the tissue container 12 with any other suitable adhesive and/or in any other suitable manner. With substantially the entire inner wall 32a of the plastic bag 22 adhered to the side wall 30c of the tissue container 12, the illustrated plastic bag 22 lays flat against the exterior surface of the tissue container side wall 30c when the plastic bag 22 is empty (best shown in FIG. 2). When the soiled facial tissues 28 are inserted through the access opening 26 and into the interior cavity 24, the outer wail 32b stretches to generally conform to the shape of the contents of the plastic bag 22 and resiliently holds the soiled facial tissues 28 within the plastic bag 22.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a first variation of the tissue dispenser 10a which is substantially the same as the first embodiment described above except that the plastic bag 22 is secured to an exterior surface of the bottom wall 30b of the tissue container 12. This first variation illustrates that the plastic bag 22 can be alternatively secured to any of the walls 30a, 30b, 30c of the tissue container 12.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a second variation of the tissue dispenser 10b which is substantially the same as the first embodiment described above except that a plurality of the plastic bags 22 is secured to the tissue container 12. This second variation illustrates that any quantity of the plastic bag 22 can be alternatively secured to the tissue container 12. For example, 1 to 6 of the plastic bags 22 can be utilized if a single one of the plastic bags 22 is secured to one or more of the walls 30a, 30b, 30c of the tissue container 12 and more if more than one plastic bag is secured to each of the walls 30a, 30b, 30c of the tissue container 12.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a third variation of the tissue dispenser 10c which is substantially the same as the first embodiment described above except that the tissue container 12 is located within the plastic bag 22a and an interior surface of the plastic bag 22a is secured to the tissue container 12. This third variation illustrates that the plastic bag 22 can have alternative configurations within the scope of the present invention.

The illustrated plastic bag 22a has a plurality of walls 32a, 32b, 32c 32d including a planar and rectangular-shaped inner wall 32a, an outer planar and rectangular-shaped outer wall 32b parallel and opposed to the inner wall 32a, a pair of planar, rectangular-shaped, parallel and spaced-apart side walls 32c perpendicularly extending from side edges of the inner and outer walls 32a, 32b to connect the inner and outer walls 32a, 32b together, and a planar, rectangular-shaped bottom wall 32d connecting bottom edges of the inner, outer and side walls 32a, 32b 32c together to form a closed bottom of the plastic bag 22a. Configured in this manner, the walls 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d form the interior cavity 24 between the inner and outer walls 32a, 32b. The upper edge of the inner, outer and side walls 32a, 32b, 32c form the access opening 26 to the interior cavity 24. The illustrated plastic bag 22a is sized to closely receive the tissue container 12 therein with the exterior surface of the bottom wall 30b of the tissue container 12 engaging the exterior surface of the bottom wall 32d of the plastic bag 22a and the exterior surfaces of the side walls 30c of the tissue container 12 adjacent the interior surfaces of the inner, outer, and side walls 32a, 32b, 32c of the plastic bag 22a. Constructed in this manner, the plastic bag 22a lays flat against the outer surface the tissue container 12 when the interior cavity 24 is empty of debris (but contains the closely conforming tissue container 12).

The illustrated plastic bag 22a also includes the strip of resiliently elastic material 34 encircling the access opening 26 to resiliently close the access opening 26 to retain the soiled facial tissues 28 within the plastic bag 22. The elastic material 34 can be of any suitable type and is sized so that when relaxed or nearly relaxed, the access opening 26 is closed, even when the soiled facial tissues 28 are within the interior cavity 24. The illustrated elastic material 34 extends entirely about the access opening 26 by extending about the entire upper edge of the inner, outer, and side walls 32a, 32b, and 32c so that the elastic material 34 resiliently engages the side walls of the tissue container 12 to close the access opening 26. The elastic material 34 is preferably sized substantially equal to or less than the size of the perimeter of the tissue container 12 so that even in its relaxed state it is at or near the perimeter of side walls 30c of the issue container to close the access opening 26 but can be resiliently expanded in order to open the access opening 26 to insert the soiled facial tissues 28 through the access opening 26. It is noted that the elastic material 34 can alternatively be eliminated so that the soiled facial tissues 28 are retained Within the plastic bag 22 solely by the stretchable portion of the plastic bag 22 or other means of securing the access opening 26 closed.

The illustrated inner, outer, and side walls 32a, 32b, 32c of the plastic bag 22a are stretchable but it is noted that all or any other portions of the plastic bag 22a can alternatively he stretchable. The inner surface of the bottom wall 32d the illustrated plastic bag 22a is secured to the exterior surface of the bottom wall 30b of the tissue container 12 with adhesive. It is noted, however, that the plastic bag 22a can alternatively be secured to the tissue container 12 in any other suitable manner such as for example, one or more (but not all) of the inner, outer, and side walls 32a, 32b, 32c of the plastic bag can be adhered to the tissue container 12. Configured in the manner, soiled facial tissues 28 can be inserted into the plastic bag 22a along the entire perimeter of the tissue container at the upper edge of the plastic bag 22a.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a tissue dispenser 10d according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The tissue dispenser 10d which is substantially the same as the first embodiment described above except that the tissue container 12a is of a different type or style. The illustrated tissue container 12a is a flat-style disposable container or box. The illustrated container has a size of about 9⅛ inches long by about 4¾ inches wide by about 4 inches tall but it is noted that any other suitable dimensions can be utilized. The size of the plastic bag 22 can be adjusted accordingly.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a tissue dispenser 10e according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The tissue dispenser 10e which is substantially the same as the first and second embodiments described above except that the tissue container 12b is of a different type or style. The illustrated tissue container 12b is a family size flat-style disposable container or box. The illustrated container has a size of about 9⅛ inches long by about 4¾ inches wide by about 5 inches tall but it is noted that any other suitable dimensions can be utilized. The size of the plastic bag 22 can be adjusted accordingly.

FIG. 14 illustrates a variation of the tissue dispenser 10f which is substantially the same as the third embodiment described above except that the tissue container 12 is located within the plastic bag 22a, an interior surface of the plastic bag 22a is secured to the tissue container 12, and the plastic bag has a height that is less than the height of the tissue container 12b. This variation illustrates that the plastic bag 22a can alternatively have any suitable size such as, for example a height smaller than the height of the tissue container 12b.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a tissue dispenser 10g according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention which is substantially the same as the first embodiment described above except that the waste receptacle 20 includes a container cover 38 for securing the plastic bag 22 to the tissue container 12.

The illustrated container cover 38 is generally rectangular-shaped and sized to slide over the tissue container 12 such that the tissue container 12 is closely received within the container cover 12. The illustrated container cover 38 has a plurality of walls including a planar rectangular-shaped top wall 40a, and four planar and rectangular-shaped side walls 40b perpendicularly extending downward form edges of the top wall 40a to form a hollow interior space 42 sized and shaped for closely receiving the tissue container 12 therein. The container cover can comprise any suitable material such as, for example, a HDPE plastic film, a LDPE plastic film, or the like. The illustrated top wall 40a is provided with a clearance opening 44 sized, shaped, and located so that the top wall 40a does not interfere with the dispensing opening 18 of the tissue container 12. The plastic bag 22 is secured to a side wall 40b of the tissue cover 38 rather than directly to the tissue container 12. If desired the container cover 38 can be attached to the tissue container 12 with heat welding, adhesive, or any other suitable means configured in this manner, the container cover 38 secures the plastic bag 22 to the tissue container 12.

FIG. 17 illustrates a waste receptacle 20A for attachment to a tissue dispenser according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated waste receptacle 20A is substantially the same as the waste receptacle 20 described above with regard to the first embodiment of the tissue dispenser 10 (best seen in FIG. 2) except that the waste receptacle 20A is unattached to the tissue container 12 and configured to be sold as a stand-alone product that can be secured to the tissue container 12 by the consumer. This embodiment illustrates that the waste receptacle of the present invention can be sold as a stand-alone product instead of or in addition to integrated products described above. The layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive 36 is temporarily covered by a release layer or liner 46 to protect the adhesive 36. When the consumer desires to attached the waste receptacle 20A to the tissue dispenser 12, the release layer 46 is peeled off of the adhesive 36 and the adhesive 36 is pressed onto the exterior surface of the tissue container 12 where it is desired to secure the waste receptacle 20A.

FIG. 18 illustrates a waste receptacle 20B for attachment to a tissue dispenser according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated waste receptacle 20B is substantially the same as the waste receptacle 20 described above with regard to the third variation of the first embodiment of the tissue dispenser 10 (best seen in FIG. 8) except that the waste receptacle 20B is unattached to the tissue container 12 and configured to be sold as a stand-alone product that can be secured to the tissue container 12 by the consumer. This embodiment further illustrates that the waste receptacle of the present invention can be sold as a stand-alone product instead of or in addition to integrated products described above. The layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive 36 is temporarily covered by a release layer or liner 46 to protect the adhesive 36. When the consumer desires to attached the waste receptacle 2013 to the tissue dispenser 12, the release layer 46 is peeled off of the adhesive 36 and the adhesive 36 is pressed onto the exterior surface of the tissue container 12 where it is desired to secure the waste receptacle 20B.

FIG. 19 illustrates a waste receptacle 20C for attachment to a tissue dispenser according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated waste receptacle 20B is substantially the same as the waste receptacle 20 described above with regard to the fourth embodiment of the tissue dispenser 10f (best seen in FIG. 16) except that the waste receptacle 20C is unattached to the tissue container 12 and configured to be sold as a stand-alone product that can be secured to the tissue container 12 by the consumer. This embodiment further illustrates that the waste receptacle of the present invention can be sold as a stand-alone product instead of or in addition to integrated products described above. Pressure-sensitive adhesive 36 is provided on an interior surface of the container cover 38 and is temporarily covered by a release layer or liner 46 to protect the adhesive 36. When the consumer desires to attached the waste receptacle 20C to the tissue dispenser 12, the container cover 38 is slid over the tissue container 12, the bottom edge of the container cover 38 is bent up to peel the release layer 46 off of the adhesive 36 and the adhesive 36 is pressed onto the exterior surface of the tissue container 12. It is noted that the container cover 38 can be secured in other manners such as for example extensions can be provided at the lower end of the container side wails 40b that have the adhesive 36 thereon and bend to engage the adhesive with the bottom wall of the tissue container 12, or the adhesive 36 can be eliminated.

This embodiment further illustrates that the plastic bag 22 and the container cover 38 can have a common wall. The illustrated waste receptacle utilizes the inner wall of the plastic bag 22 as the side wall 40b of the container cover 38. In this configuration, the plastic bag outer wall 32b can be secured to the plastic bag inner wall 32a in any suitable manner such as heat welding, adhesive, and the like. It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments not having a container cover, the plastic bag 22 and the tissue container 12 can share a common wall in a similar manner.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a tissue dispenser 10h according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The tissue dispenser 10h which is substantially the same as the that second, and third embodiments described above except that the tissue container 12c is of a different type or style. The illustrated tissue container 12c is a “pocket pack” type package such as, for example, the Kleenex-On the Go™ Go Pack available from the Kimberly Clark Corporation. It is noted, however, that any other pocket pack container can be utilized such as, for example, the Kleenex-On the Go™ Slim Pack available from the Kimberly Clark Corporation which is sized to fit in a back pack or other suitable locations. The illustrated container 12c has a size and shape to hold a relatively small quantity of the facial tissues 16 such as, for example, a quantity of about 10 so that the container 12c can be carried almost anywhere in a pocket, purse, backpack and the like. The illustrated container 12c is formed with transparent plastic film but any other suitable type of film and/or any other suitable type of material can alternatively be utilized. The size of the plastic bag 22 is adjusted accordingly to cooperate with the container 12c.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a tissue dispenser 10i according to an ninth embodiment of the present invention. The tissue dispenser 10i which is substantially the same as the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments described above except that the tissue container 12d is of a different type or style. The illustrated tissue container 12d is a “travel pack” type package that has a size and shape to hold a relatively small quantity of the facial tissues such as, for example, a quantity of about 15 to about 50 so that the container can be placed almost anywhere such as in a purse, backpack, car or the like. The illustrated container 12d is formed of transparent plastic film but any other suitable film and/or any other suitable material can alternatively be utilized. For example, the container 12d can alternatively be formed of paperboard such as the Kleenex-On the Go™ Car Wedge available from the Kimberly Clark Corporation. The size of the plastic bag 22 is adjusted accordingly to cooperate with the container 12d.

It is noted that each of the features and variations of the above disclosed embodiments can be used in any combination which each of the other embodiments.

From the foregoing disclosure it is apparent that the present invention addresses the previously mentioned needs in the art by providing tissue dispensers and waste receptacles that do not substantially change the size and weight of the tissue containers, particularly when the plastic bags are empty. Additionally, they permit easy insertion and removal of soiled tissues, and effectively retain the soiled tissues within the plastic bag regardless of the orientation of the plastic bag, without the use of zip locks, snaps, or any other fasteners that would decrease case of use. Furthermore, the disclosed tissue dispensers and waste receptacles are relatively inexpensive to produce so they can be used in conjunction with disposable tissue containers. It should also be appreciated that when the tissue container® is disposable, the waste receptacle can be disposed along with the tissue container so that the soiled tissues do not need to be removed from the plastic bag or otherwise directly handled once they are inserted into the plastic bags.

From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, it is also apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

1. A tissue dispenser comprising, in combination:

a container having a plurality of walls forming a rectangular-shaped hollow interior space for holding clean tissues and a dispensing opening for removing clean tissues from the interior space;

a plastic bag having an interior cavity and an access opening for inserting soiled tissues into the interior cavity;

wherein the plastic bag is secured to the container and lays flat against an exterior surface of the container when the plastic bag is empty; and

wherein at least a portion of the plastic bag is stretchable so that the plastic bag elastically expands when soiled tissues are inserted into the plastic bag.

2. The tissue dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the stretchable portion of the plastic bag is mechanically treated plastic film.

3. The tissue dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the wherein the stretchable portion of the plastic bag comprises SELF (Structurally Elastic-Like Film).

4. The tissue dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the plastic bag includes elastic material at the access opening that resiliently closes the access opening to retain soiled tissues within the plastic bag.

5. The tissue dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the plastic bag is secured to the container with adhesive.

6. The tissue dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

7. The tissue dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the plastic bag includes opposed inner and outer rectangular-shaped walls secured together along three edges of the inner and outer walls to form the interior cavity between the inner and outer walls, and the inner wall engages and is secured to the exterior of the container so that the plastic bag lays flat against the container with the opposed outer wall lays generally against the inner wall when the interior cavity is empty.

8. The tissue dispenser according to claim 7, wherein, the plurality of walls of the container includes a top wall, a bottom wall opposed to the top wall, and four side walls perpendicularly extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, and the inner wall of the plastic bag is secured to one of the side walls of the container.

9. The tissue dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the container is located within the plastic bag.

10. The tissue dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of walls of the container includes a top wall, a bottom wall opposed to the top wall, and four side walls perpendicularly extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, and wherein the plastic bag is secured to the bottom wall of the container.

11. A tissue dispenser comprising, in combination:

a container having a plurality of walls forming a rectangular-shaped hollow interior space for holding clean tissues and a dispensing opening for removing clean tissues from the interior space;

a cover over the container and having an open bottom so that the cover can be slid onto and off of the box;

a plastic bag having an interior cavity and an access opening for inserting soiled tissues into the interior cavity;

wherein the plastic bag is secured to the cover and lays flat against an exterior surface of the cover when the plastic bag is empty; and

wherein at least a portion of the plastic bag is stretchable so that the plastic bag elastically expands when soiled tissues are inserted into the plastic bag.

12. The tissue dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the stretchable portion of the plastic bag is mechanically treated plastic film.

13. The tissue dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the wherein the stretchable portion of the plastic bag comprises SELF (Structurally Elastic-Like Film).

14. The tissue dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the plastic bag includes elastic material at the access opening that resiliently closes the access opening to retain soiled tissues within the plastic bag.

15. The tissue dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the plastic bag includes opposed inner and outer rectangular-shaped walls secured together along three edges of the inner and outer walls to form the interior cavity between the inner and outer walls, and the inner wall engages and is secured to the exterior of the cover so that the plastic bag lays flat against the cover with the opposed outer wall lays generally against the inner wall when the interior cavity is empty.

16. A waste receptacle for holding soiled tissues to be secured to a tissue container comprising, in combination:

a plastic bag having a plurality of rectangular-shaped walls secured together to form an interior cavity and an access opening for inserting soiled tissues into the interior cavity;

wherein at least a portion of the plastic bag is stretchable so that the plastic bag elastically expands when soiled tissues are inserted into the plastic bag;

pressure-sensitive adhesive located on at least a portion of one of the wall for securing the plastic bag to the tissue container; and

a release liner temporarily covering the pressure-sensitive adhesive.

17. The tissue dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the stretchable portion of the plastic bag is mechanically treated plastic film.

18. The tissue dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the plastic bag includes elastic material at the access opening that resiliently closes the access opening to retain soiled tissues within the plastic bag.

19. The tissue dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of rectangular-shaped walls includes opposed inner and outer rectangular-shaped walls secured together along three edges of the inner and outer walls to form the interior cavity between the inner and outer walls and the access opening along a fourth edge of the inner and outer walls, and wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive located on at least a portion of an exterior side of the inner wall.

20. The tissue dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the wherein the plurality of rectangular-shaped walls includes a rectangular-shaped bottom wall and four rectangular-shaped side walls perpendicularly and upwardly extending from four edges of the bottom wall, and wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive located on at least a portion of an interior side of the bottom wall.