For Folded Sheetlike Article Patents (Class 206/494)
  • Publication number: 20020056719
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container for a stack of interfolded tissue sheets. The container has a generally planar bottom wall and a top wall and side walls connecting the bottom wall with the top wall. An opening is provided in the top wall for the removal of the tissue-sheets from the container, which opening is wider than the width of the tissue-sheets. The stack of interfolded tissue-sheets is placed in the container with a lowermost tissue-sheet placed on the bottom wall and an uppermost tissue-sheet placed near or in contact with the top wall and adjacent to the opening in the top wall. The opening is provided with a positioning feature having elongated, overlapping projections extending from opposite sides of the opening in order to allow the uppermost tissue-sheet to be dispensed, holding it substantially flat. The invention also relates to a method for producing the positioning feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Emmanuelle Morin, Urban Widlund
  • Patent number: 6378698
    Abstract: A disposable dental wipe made of a material substrate of predetermined size and dimensions for use in wiping the teeth, gums, and oral mucosa of an infant is provided. The dental wipes are impregnated with fluoride to strengthen erupted and growing teeth. Use of the dental wipes depends upon sensory pressure nerve endings in the user's fingers to quantitate the pressure at the time of cleaning. Fluoride may be impregnated onto the wipe for introduction into the oral cavity through any suitable composition, including gels, pastes, and powders, but is preferably introduced through an aqueous solution. Also included is a dental wipe dispenser for storing the wipes for ready usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Katrina M. Scoggins
  • Publication number: 20020046549
    Abstract: A package of strip material includes a plurality of stacks of the strip side by side where each strip forms a stacked fan folded supply of the strip which is spliced to or arranged so that it can be subsequently spliced to a next adjacent strip for supply of a continuous strip from the package. The side by side stacks are simultaneously built up from the bottom by moving a carriage back and forth below a stationary bottom surface of the stacks with the strips supplied side by side through a slot in the carriage. The stacks are supported side by side as they are built up by rigid side walls of a chute or rectangular container into which the package is to be packaged for transportation. Splice tail portions extend from the strips and are supported or arranged so that they are ready for splicing when the package is completed before transportation. Transfer of the completed stacks is effected simultaneously by a slip sheet arrangement or by moving one of the belts of the carriage as an ejection belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: BKI HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence J. O'Connor, Darrell Van Mol
  • Publication number: 20020046550
    Abstract: A package has at least one stack of a strip of material repeatedly folded back and forth so that the stack contains a plurality of folded overlying strip portions of the strip. Each strip portion is folded relative to one next adjacent strip portion about a first fold line transverse to the strip and relative to a second next adjacent strip portion about a second fold line transverse to the strip and spaced from the first fold line. The strip portions form a plurality of first fold lines at each end of the stack. The stack can be arranged substantially upright and has a splice tail portion of the strip extending from the bottom strip portion beyond an end of the stack to be accessible for splicing. The entire top surface and the entire bottom surface of the stack is compressed from an external force in a direction at right angles to the top surface and the bottom surface of the stack. The stack is engaged by packaging which maintains the compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: BKI HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence J. O'Connor, Darrell Van Mol
  • Patent number: 6371296
    Abstract: Receptacle for holding a disposable boxes of tissues therein. The receptacle has two compartments, one for holding a full box of tissues and a second trash receptacle for holding an empty box of tissues, wherein the empty box of tissues is used as a trash bin for the full box of tissues. After the full box of tissues is emptied, the user removes the trash bin box and inserts a new box of tissues therein, and the empty box of tissues is used as a trash bin. Holders such as raised frame edges, and a separate outer wall allow for card shaped objects such as photographs and postcards, and the like, to be inserted and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Sheila Rumbough
  • Patent number: 6364101
    Abstract: A dispenser of moist wipes, towelettes, or liquid impregnated fibrous tissues, comprising a container, a lid having an orifice therein for withdrawal of the wipes, and a cap over the orifice to prevent evaporation of liquid from the container. The wipes may be placed in the container in roll form, and withdrawn sequentially and individually by pulling through the orifice and tearing apart at perforations between the wipes. The lid is removably attached by a snap fit to the container, and the lower edge of the lid is protected by an outwardly extending circumferential protrusion on the vertical side of the container adjacent the lower edge of the lid, so as to inhibit accidental removal of the lid. An opening is provided in the protrusion to permit removal of the lid as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Marissa A. Schultz
  • Patent number: 6364185
    Abstract: A sheet material dispenser box holder, such as a cosmetic tissue box holder, is made of elastic cord or strap material in a woven fish-net pattern forming a bag shaped container closed at the top except for an access opening for easy placement of a tissue box inside the box holder. Attachment means are fastened to the box holder for securing the box holder in a desired position on a support surface whereby it will remain reliably in any attitude of a vehicle or other surface to which it is mounted and readily allowing removal of individual tissue sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Charles Wu
  • Publication number: 20020036153
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a tissue paper case structure having an appropriate stacking restriction, comprising a case body and a lifting plate; wherein the case body has a corresponsive protruding member being disposed at a predetermined position on sidewalls at the top section; the lifting plate being disposed in the interior of the case body, and has a plurality of latch holes on both sides of the lifting plate; and the above structure constitutes the case structure. In addition, the lifting plate is placed into the case body so that both sides of the lifting plate pass through the upper flange of the protruding member at a predetermined height, and it allows a stack of neatly folded tissue paper sheets being placed in the case body, and a lid is used to cover the case body, so that the user can draw the tissue paper out from the opening of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventor: Chin-Ju Yang
  • Publication number: 20020017469
    Abstract: A cleaning member, specifically a pad or cloth which is preferably saturated with a wet cleansing solution and is retained within a sealed enclosure and attached to, embedded in or in some way captured by a food holding means to facilitate cleansing during and after consuming of said food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Peter Sedgwick Snedeker, James Phyfe Snedeker
  • Publication number: 20010052477
    Abstract: In a combination of a display sleeve and a dispensing container, the dispensing container has a hollow interior volume for holding and dispensing materials and a dispensing opening for allowing materials contained in the interior volume to be passed through the opening to outside the dispensing container. The display sleeve has a body with a hollow interior volume and an installation entrance to the hollow interior of the body. The hollow interior volume of the body is adapted to receive the dispensing container. The display sleeve has an access opening where the access opening is shaped to coincide and match with the dispensing opening when the dispensing container is inserted into the display sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Allen R. McNeill
  • Publication number: 20010045367
    Abstract: A display and carrying package is provided which is particularly adapted for displaying and carrying a bedding ensemble, but which could be used for displaying and carrying any ensemble of products of different sizes. The package is in the form of a closed flexible bag, preferably box-shaped, having generally flat transparent front and rear walls and, preferably, having non-transparent side and top walls connected thereto. The bag preferably includes a zipper for closing and opening the bag to provide access to the interior of the bag. The ensemble of products of different sizes is positioned inside the bag with the large ensemble product in juxtaposition to the transparent front bag wall for viewing therethrough and the other smaller ensemble products are positioned inside the bag, preferably in pockets attached to the inside of the rear wall, in juxtaposition to the rear transparent wall and in side-by-side position for being viewed from the outside through the transparent rear wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Maribel Bisbal, Derrick L. Anderson, Harvey J. Simon, Tracy A. Smith, Timothy J. Landers
  • Publication number: 20010045372
    Abstract: A compressible pet product in a packaged system including both methods and specific types of packaging addresses the need for a fully recoverable, reduced-volume package. The system may involve initially folding the pet product and the like and wrapping the pet product for insertion into a bag or other flexible encasing. This bag may then be compressed externally or through evacuation. If the compression occurs through evacuation, the flexible encasing may act in conjunction with the ambient pressure environment to hold the pet product in a compressed state. An outer encasing may then be placed over the compressed pet product to hold it in a compressed state before releasing the compressed pet product to the ambient pressure environment. Alternatively, the compressed pet product may be compressed without an encasing such as through a mechanical compression element and extruded into an outer encasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: DENNIS M. CURLEY, CHRIS M. BOOS
  • Patent number: 6321511
    Abstract: A package has at least one stack of a strip of material repeatedly folded back and forth so that the stack contains a plurality of folded overlying strip portions of the strip. Each strip portion is folded relative to one next adjacent strip portion about a first fold line transverse to the strip and relative to a second next adjacent strip portion about a second fold line transverse to the strip and spaced from the first fold line. The strip portions form a plurality of first fold lines at each end of the stack. The stack can be arranged substantially upright and has a splice tail portion of the strip extending from the bottom strip portion beyond an end of the stack to be accessible for splicing. The entire top surface and the entire bottom surface of the stack is compressed from an external force in a direction at right angles to the top surface and the bottom surface of the stack. The stack is engaged by packaging which maintains the compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: BKI Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J. O'Connor, Darrell Van Mol
  • Patent number: 6318555
    Abstract: A flexible packaging bag is provided for containing a plurality of articles. Each of the articles has a component which is desirably visible to a user, purchaser, or the like. The flexible packaging bag includes a window in one of its walls that has a periphery substantially framing the graphic that is desired to be seen. A visual cue can be provided in another wall such that it is visually associated with the window in order to draw the attention of the user, purchaser, or the like to the graphic of the visible article. An accessory window is also provided in the flexible packaging bag so that the number of remaining articles can be easily determined visually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Marci Elizabeth Kuske, Anne Louise Miller, Leonard Michael Kaczmarzyk
  • Publication number: 20010040114
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bundle (16) of stacked products (18) consisting of absorbent paper, of the type which comprises a sheet of flexible material, such as a plastic wrapping sheet (20), and of the type which comprises opening means making it possible to release a zone (86) for gripping at least one paper product (18) in order to extract it individually from the wrapping (20), and of the type of which the opening means comprise a flap (36) which is movable between an opening position and a closing position, covering the gripping zone (86), and which is a part of the wrapping sheet (20) delimited by a precut (72) or a cut of the wrapping sheet (20), characterized in that the precut (72) or cut is arranged in a corner (74) of the bundle (16) and comprises at least two portions which are connected to one another and which each extend over a separate face (22, 28) of the bundle (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventor: Pierre Laurent
  • Patent number: 6315114
    Abstract: A cleaning system is provided comprising a sealable container housing a saturated stack of durable fine spunbond fiber cleaning sheets; the cleaning sheets have an average fiber diameter less than 18 micrometers, a tensile strength of at least 140-g/g/m2 and a basis weight between about 15 g/m2 and 85 g/m2. The cleaning sheets can be provided in stacked form and maintained within a sealed container wherein liquid is retained within the individual sheets as well as throughout the stack over time. The sheets can subsequently be removed from the container and applied to a surface wherein a high percent of the liquid is released from the sheet onto the surface in the initial pass and thereby allowing for improved treatment and/or cleaning of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura Elizabeth Keck, Nicole Michele Amsler, Andrew Edward Diamond, James J. Holley
  • Patent number: 6309105
    Abstract: A pack has a body (11) defining a cavity for receiving articles such as wet wipes. The body (11) is provided with a slit (13) which is non-rectilinear and which has first and second ends, for example V-shaped. A sealing member (15) covers the slit and is resealably adhered to the body on both sides of the slit, whereby to provide a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gianfranco Palumbo
  • Patent number: 6308842
    Abstract: A retail display system for a desk chairmat includes a display stand having at least one support component thereon. A desk chairmat having a longitudinal fold line, is folded in half about the fold line and a wrap extends about the chairmat in the folded condition. The chairmat is suspended from the support component. In another embodiment, the retail display system comprises a display stand including a pair of vertical standards and one or more horizontal reinforcing rods; at least two laterally spaced support components mounted on the display stand; a desk chairmat having four side edges, with a pair or hang tabs laterally spaced along one of the side edges; wherein the desk chairmat is suspended from the support components by the hang tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventors: Edward S. Robbins, III, John D. Carlton, Gary L. House
  • Patent number: 6299017
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispensing face (10) for a dispensing unit (11) comprising at least one stack of laminar articles (12) wherein the dispensing face (10) is continuous, comprises lateral outer edges (13, 14) and longitudinal outer edges (15, 16) and not less than two orifices (17, 18). The first orifice (17) and the second orifice (18) are coplanar, the second orifice (18) being independent of the first orifice (17) and being disposed at a distance not greater than 20 millimetres from the first orifice (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Simon David Julian Hill
  • Patent number: 6296144
    Abstract: There is disclosed a wet tissue package including a plurality of rectangular or square wet tissues which are individually folded and are stacked in a bag-shaped or container-shaped packaging material of which an upper face is formed with an opening for taking out the wet tissues therethrough one by one. In this wet tissue package, each of the wet tissue is double-folded on a first folding line (L1), and further folded at least on second, third and fourth folding lines (L2, L3 and L4). The first folding line (L1) appears in the opening of the packaging material. Alternatively, if a portion folded on the second folding line (L2) and laid over the upper side of the double-folded wet tissue is further folded on a sixth folding line (L6), at least one of the first folding line (L1) and the sixth folding line (L6) appears in the opening of the packaging material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Tanaka, Mitsuko Yamaji
  • Patent number: 6293075
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a package of a plurality of side-by-side stacks of continuous strips of material without intervening rigid container walls. Each strip is folded back and forth about first and second fold lines to form a stack of a plurality of folded overlying strip portions. The fold lines are transverse to the strip and arranged at opposite ends of the stack. The strip portions of each stack are arranged side-by-side so that the side edges are aligned. The strips are fed simultaneously through a guide slot in a movable carriage that is parallel to the stacks end upon which the stacks are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: BKI Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J. O'Connor, Darrell Van Mol
  • Patent number: 6286712
    Abstract: A stack of interfolded sheets is formed from a plurality of groups of interfolded sheets. Adjacent groups are secured or bonded together so that the bottom sheet of each group pulls the top sheet of the next group. In one embodiment of the invention, the strength of the bond is such that when the bottom sheet of a group is withdrawn through an opening in a package for the stack, the bond releases the top sheet of the next group after the top sheet is partially withdrawn through the opening. In another embodiment of the invention, the strength of the bond is such that the top sheet remains secured to the bottom sheet and is completely withdrawn through the opening. The sheets can be secured by an adhesive bond or by a non-adhesive bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Paper Converting Machine Co
    Inventors: Grantland A. Craig, James E. Hertel, Gary E. Johnson, Wayne W. Luebke, Peter A. Heath, Thomas D. Huempfner, John H. Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 6283295
    Abstract: An improved container for dispensing facial tissues, sheet materials or bulk products using an elevating panel and a bracing panel, generally opposed to one another, and a pair of support panels generally opposed to one another. A tab is present in the bracing panel and is receivable by the elevating panel. Upon a user urging the floor towards the top of the container, the tab engages the slot to form a stable structure wherein the support panels rest on the elevating and bracing panels. A floating panel may be placed in the container to provide a more planar floor for certain applications. Also disclosed is a multifaceted container wherein each floor panel has both tabs and slots and are arranged in a fan-like manner. Each tab then engages an adjacent slot formed in an adjacent panel to accomplish the elevated floor upon user biasing actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Donald Akutagawa, Terry Whitman
  • Patent number: 6273610
    Abstract: There is disclosed a package including a box body having an opening and a cover member for closing the opening of the box body. The box body is formed of a packaging material of a soft sheet having a monolayer of a resin film or a multi-layer structure having a resin film. The box body includes: a rectangular bottom face portion; four side face portions folded from the four sides of the bottom face portion; corner sealing portions formed by jointing the inner faces of the side face portions at corner portions between the adjoining side face portions; flange portions folded outward of the box body from the upper ends of the side face portions substantially at a right angle thereto and with a predetermined width size; and flange jointing portions jointing the flange portions folded from the side face portions without any clearance between each other at the upper ends of the corner portions between the adjoining side face portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Koyama, Takeshi Bando, Yukiko Iida, Ikuya Saitou
  • Patent number: 6263814
    Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip of material includes a splice defined by the two ends of the strip. The two ends of the strip are held together by yarn stitches passing through and bridging the strip ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: BKI Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence J. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6229061
    Abstract: The present invention provides a package containing absorbent articles and inserts. The package includes at least one first absorbent article having a predetermined absorbent capacity, and at least one insert. When the insert is joined with the absorbent article, either before being placed in the package or by the caretaker before being placed on the wearer, the insert and the first absorbent article together form a combined absorbent article having an absorbent capacity which is greater than the absorbent capacity of the first absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jerry L. Dragoo, Glen R. Lash
  • Patent number: 6213300
    Abstract: A towelette product is provided which includes a stack of flexible towelettes, a refill package for storing the towelettes and a cover housing surrounding the refill package. The refill package has deck and floor walls in parallel relationship to one another. An aperture in the deck allows access and egress of individual towelettes and is circumscribed by a rigid mouth with a coupling structure. The cover housing is formed with a roof on an upper surface and an open mouth along a lower edge. A dispensing port of the roof is defined by a rigid engagement wall directed downward toward the open mouth and engageable with the coupling structure of the rigid mouth in a sealable relationship to prevent moisture from transferring therebetween. Only a single seal is necessary to both join together refill and cover housing and serve as a towelette dispensing orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco,Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Michael Flaig, Josephine Telesca
  • Patent number: 6213345
    Abstract: A pop-up tissue dispenser comprising a dispensing package and tissues is disclosed. The tissue-dispensing package is cylindrically shaped with a dispensing opening through which tissues are removed individually. The tissues are disposed in the dispensing package in a specific interleaved pattern and orientation, permitting the convenience of pop-up tissue access from the cylindrically shaped dispensing package. The dispensing package may be disposable or refillable, and may also be provided with an attachment means to further facilitate tissue removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Wendy Ann Plank
  • Patent number: 6196390
    Abstract: A wet tissue product composed of a stacked body of folded wet tissues and a container or package housing the stacked body in which each of the folded wet tissues is formed by folding a plane wet tissue with one edge thereof upward and the other edge thereof downward along folding line portions to have an upper folded portion, a lower folded portion and an intermediate portion between the upper and lower folded portions. The folded wet tissues are consecutively combined such that the folding line portion forming the lower folded portion of the upper wet tissue is sandwiched between the upper folded portion and the intermediate portion of the succeeding lower wet tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Bando
  • Patent number: 6196287
    Abstract: A courier expressable cargo quilt having an elongated, substantially rectangular body comprising an insulative material including a plurality of panels substantially foldably connected, defining an accordian-like structure, the accordian-like structure having an unfolded position adapted to facilitate placement of the body substantially over a temperature sensitive load by unfolding the accordian-like structure and a folded position adapted to provide a courier-expressable cargo quilt; and an exterior cover structure adapted to at least partially enclose the accordian-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Robert W. Haberkorn
  • Patent number: 6176068
    Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material comprises a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and is connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. The package is compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag. The preferred package arrangement uses the package for pay off of the strip in the orientation in which it is formed with the bottom of the stacks resting on a support and the package tilted to one side so that the stacks lean against a support surface for stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: BKI Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence J. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6164441
    Abstract: A device for cleansing skin having a container made from a flexible polymeric sheet with an opening in its top, a self-resealing flap positioned on the container top, a stack of non-woven cleansing cloths placed within the container, and an insulator positioned under the stack of cleansing cloths. The flap is constructed from a laminated polyolefin composite, exhibits memory, and reseals itself against the container after being opened. The insulator is sized and shaped so that it may be easily handled with automated machinery, but is designed to enhance the heat retention capabilities of the device. The cloths in the stack of cloths are folded in a manner that facilitates their removal from the container and are impregnated with a cleansing solution that is pH balanced and exhibits a low incidence of allergic reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Guy & O'Neill, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Guy, Dale R. Hamann, Michael T. Kryshak, Julie E. Suhr
  • Patent number: 6126009
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a facial tissue dispensing system which is a portable, flexible pack for dispensing tissues. The portable, flexible pack container is thin yet contains large tissues for cleaning when paper towels or rags are not available. Each of the large tissues is reversibly pre-folded three times onto itself in the lateral direction, and is not pre-folded in the longitudinal direction. The tissues are folded such that they unfold as they are being dispensed through the tissue dispensing opening of the container. After being placed into the portable, flexible pack container, the container is itself folded in half or folded in thirds ensuring the tissue dispensing opening on the top wall of the container is contained inside the fold or folds of the container. In this manner, tissues are kept clean and dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin N. Shiffler, John L. Herzberg, Cynthia W. Henderson
  • Patent number: 6113271
    Abstract: A resealable label flap including a label stop that bonds with a product package to prevent removal of the label flap from the product package. The label flap includes a base layer having a first adhesive applied to its bottom face surface. The first adhesive is a removable adhesive that allows the label flap to be repeatedly pealed and reapplied to the package body. The label flap further includes a top layer applied to the top face surface of the base layer. A portion of the top layer extends past the base layer to form a label stop for the label flap. The label stop of the label flap includes a second adhesive that permanently bonds with the package body to prevent the complete removal of the label flap from the package body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Prime Label & Screen, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry M. Scott, James F. Konicke
  • Patent number: 6109430
    Abstract: A wet tissue product composed of a stacked body of folded wet tissues and a container or package housing the stacked body in which each of the folded wet tissues is formed by folding a plane wet tissue with opposite edges thereof to the same side along folding line portions to have a first folded portion, a second folded portion and an intermediate portion between the upper and lower folded portions. The folded wet tissues are consecutively combined such that the folding line portion forming the second folded portion of the upper wet tissue is sandwiched between the first folded portion and the intermediate portion of the lower wet tissue, and the second folded portion of the upper wet tissue and the first folded portion of the lower wet tissue are in face-to-face contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Bando, Yukiko Iida, Yoshikazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6098806
    Abstract: A pack of merchandise bags is provided in a closed storage and dispensing unit. A portion of the unit is removable to provide a window through which the bag pack is exposed. Each bag in the pack is provided with a front and rear tab at the top, with the rear tab of a bag being attached to the front tab of the next bag. In addition, the rear tabs are formed together in a stack which is secured inside the unit, and each rear tab is attached to its respective bag through a relatively weak perforation. Thus, when a bag is withdrawn from the back pack by means of the front tab, the bag is opened, because the rear tab is retained to the stack of tabs. However, as additional force is exerted on the bag, the rear tab is torn free at the perforation. Since this rear tab is attached to the front tab of the next bag, the next bag is automatically opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Trinity Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel J. Mills
  • Patent number: 6095326
    Abstract: Packaging of disposable gloves with consumer tissue products in order: To provide first aid protection (disposable gloves) in every type of package of consumer tissue products, and To utilize the widely used consumer tissue products as a vehicle to deliver the disposable gloves to end user. A new package form for consumer tissue products and particularly facial tissue for containing infectious body fluids resulting from the said injuries comprising: a) Any form of consumer package tissue products, b) One or more protective disposable gloves, c) Said gloves package having dimensions allowing said package to be incorporated in any existing forms and shapes of consumer tissue products and particularly facial tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventors: Maher N. Madhat, Munir A. Hussain
  • Patent number: 6092690
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container for containing a stack of moist wipes, the container comprising a container body and a lid covering the container body, the lid comprising a dispensing aperture and a hinging cover connected to the lid and overlying the dispensing aperture, wherein the hinging cover is pivotable around a hinging axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bruce Kevin Bitowft, Martin Werner Frank
  • Patent number: 6079562
    Abstract: A bag of folded disposable diapers including folded diapers arranged in at least two superimposed stacks in a direction substantially parallel to their thickness. Each of the diapers has a pair of substantially planar surfaces which are oriented to be substantially parallel to the side panels of the bag and each diaper is folded along at least one folding line in the cross direction so as to define at least one folded area and two non-folded end areas. The diapers are arranged in the bag such that the non-folded end areas corresponding to the waist areas are positioned inwardly, away from the end panels of the flexible bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Rainer Richard Bernd Bauer, Bruce Kevin Bitowft, Andreas Flohr
  • Patent number: 6068583
    Abstract: A facial tissue carton, which enables the user to elevate the clip of tissues within the carton as the tissues are removed from the carton, comprises a strip of material, such as a paper strip, which is fixed at one end of the carton and extends underneath the tissue clip. A free end of the strip passes out through the opposite end of the carton. To elevate the partially used clip in order to avoid "fallback", the user simply pulls on the exposed end of the strip and appropriately secures the end of the strip at the end of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Clement Sigl
  • Patent number: 6068125
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging planar container carriers. A package of fan folded container carriers having a carton with vertical walls and a moveable platform positioned with respect to a bottom of the carton. Stacks of fan folded planar container carriers are then positioned in the cartons using a method for packaging wherein each stack of fan folded planar container carriers are secured with dividers positioned within the cartons. At least one carton is positioned on a base of the package to accommodate at least one additional stack of container carriers. The method is performed so that the package accommodates successive stacks of container carriers to form a generally continuous strip of container carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur R. Slaters, Jr., Victor I. Deonarine, F. Ronald Seager, Dennis J. Boyd
  • Patent number: 6067775
    Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and is connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. The package is compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag. The fold lines in the package are marked by a machine readable marking so that the strip portions from the package can be cut into strip elements with the cut lines being arranged at the fold lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Stac-Pac Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6065591
    Abstract: A non-resealable package for wet wipes has a base layer and a flexible top layer which overlays a stack of wet wipes and is sealed to the base layer, and a slit is formed in the flexible top layer along one side of the stacked lateral edges of the stack near a topmost-lying one of the wipes. The top layer is made of a selected flexible material and the slit is positioned and cut with a selected length such that opposing slit ends of the flexible top layer can be pushed apart by a user with fingers of one hand while keeping evaporation of solvent or fluid to a low level. In one version, the slit is simply cut through the top layer and closed with a membrane and adhesive-coated covering for shipping and storage. In another version, a reinforcing layer of greater thickness or stiffness is adhered to the top layer around the slit so that the slit edges tend to resume their initial positions and realign to minimize the open area of the slit when the user's fingers are withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: BBA Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Dill, Deborah L. Elsea
  • Patent number: 6053357
    Abstract: An upright, or "pop-up", box dispenser having a curvilinear opening for dispensing thin sheets of paper such as tissues or non-woven products. The curvilinear opening may be in the shape of an "S", multiple "S" shapes or arcs. Preferably, the effective open area of the curvilinear opening is about 2.5 square inches or less. Typically, the curvilinear opening is incorporated into a thin plastic film overlaid on the top of a cardboard box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Irving Tissue Inc.
    Inventor: Julie Yoh
  • Patent number: 6045002
    Abstract: A stack of folded sheets includes right and left Z folded sheets and right and left V folded sheets which are arranged and interfolded so that the stack is balanced and has uniform bulk across its width. Withdrawal of the top sheet of the stack lifts the next sheet into position for withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignees: Paper Converting Machine Company, Procter & Gamble Corporation
    Inventor: Larry D. Wierschke
  • Patent number: 6041928
    Abstract: An inner packaging for sterilized abdominal towels packed in an outer packaging includes an essentially rectangular sheet of material having pairs of mutually opposing first edges and mutually opposing second edges which are folded around a bundle of abdominal towels placed on the sheet such that a first part of the sheet which includes one of the first edges covers a substantial part of the abdominal towels, and a second part of the sheet which includes the second of the first edges covers part of the inwardly folded first part of the sheet, and such that those sections of each edge in the pair of second edges included in the first and the second inwardly folded sheet-parts lie substantially in line with remaining sections of the second edge concerned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Molnlycke Health Care AB
    Inventors: Erkki Jousinen, Lennart Nilsson, Ulf Johannisson, Staffan Kuse
  • Patent number: 6035608
    Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and is connected from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack by a traverse portion extending between the stacks. The package can be compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Stac-Pac Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6029819
    Abstract: Discrete lengths of a web (1) of sample bags are each arranged in a container in an ordered manner such that each web can be removed from its container (13) without additional aids by pulling on a head end (A) of the web length, and so that the tail end (E) of each such web length can also be gripped without changing the web arrangement in the container and independently of the fullness of the container. For feeding sample bags into a processing station, a first container is positioned in the region of the feeding location and the head end (A) of the web length is pulled out of its container and led to a feeding mechanism of the processing station. During the feeding of the first web length of bags into the processing, further containers are formed into a series of containers by connecting the tail end (E) of the web in one container to the head end (A) of a web length in the following container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Erich Jaeger, Marcus Scheuber
  • Patent number: 6026957
    Abstract: A package comprising an array of at least two substantially parallelepipedal packs, the packs including compressed flexible articles encased in a flexible bag, and a flexible paper covering disposed adjacent the whole of the bottom panel of the array and a substantial part of the side panels of the array corresponding to at least 30 percent of the height of the array. The paper covering is held under tension around the array so as to create a strong and protective outer casing for the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Rainer Richard Bernd Bauer, Khalid Berrada, Bruce Kevin Bitowft, Bettina Hoinke, Jorg Andreas Muller, Martin Zethoff
  • Patent number: 6026953
    Abstract: A resealable dispenser-container for containing wet tissues. A container, made of a flexible and impervious sheet, has at a top surface an opening for dispensing the wet tissues. A reinforcing sheet, larger than the dispensing opening and of a material harder than that forming the container, is attached to the top surface of the container and has an open looped cut line locating outside of the dispensing opening. The inside region of the open looped cut line is removable from the front end, opposite to the open portion of the open looped cut, toward the open portion so as to form a resealable flap. The reinforcing sheet has a crease locating at the open portion of the open looped cut and extending across the open portion so as to facilitate opening and closing of the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventors: Kenji Nakamura, Koji Nakamura