With Removable Supply Magazine Patents (Class 221/46)
  • Publication number: 20080061073
    Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method for dispensing pre-impregnated household, car, utility and personal cleaning wipes are provided. The wipes dispensing apparatus, system and method allow a wipes cartridge of wipes to connect to a front cover that attaches to a back mounting shell. The wipes cartridge may have grooves that accept tracks from the front cover to connect the wipes cartridge to the front cover. The front cover connects to the back mounting shell to form a wipes dispenser unit. The back mounting shell may have an angled plate that projects toward the cartridge of wipes to position the wipes for access. A plurality of wipes dispenser units may be connected to provide different wipes of different intended uses. The wipes of the plurality of wipes dispenser units may be differentiated by a color, text, graphic symbol and/or fragrance associated with intended uses of the wipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: John R. Laroche
  • Patent number: 7325699
    Abstract: An electrostatically charged polymeric material, such as a polyolefin non-woven web, can be used in conjunction with a container, such as a tissue carton, for example, to attract lint and reduce the amount of lint that is deposited on the surface area surrounding the carton when the tissues are dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Sara Marie Etheridge, David Lewis Myers, Daphne Lynn VanBuren, Kathy Geralyn Richardson, Tammy Jo Balzar
  • Patent number: 7303092
    Abstract: A wet wipes package including an outer carton having an opening. Disposed within the carton is an interior tub having a baffle and an aperture located in the baffle. A rigid flip top is disposed over the carton opening for access to the interior tub and a plurality of wet wipes is disposed within the interior tub beneath the baffle. Because the exterior of the wet wipes package is similar to a facial tissue carton, similar graphical treatments as applied to facial tissue cartons can be used to design an attractive package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Charles Sarbo, Walter George Bauer, Wen Zyo Schroeder, Ryan Leslie Fulscher, Wichnart Ann Imsangjan
  • Patent number: 7296705
    Abstract: An assembly useable in conjunction with a plurality of flexible articles. The assembly includes at least one compartment configured to hold a plurality of the flexible articles. The compartment defines an outlet configured to enable the flexible articles to be removed from the compartment through the outlet at least one at a time. The assembly includes at least one mount connected to the housing and a door. The door has a shelf surface. The assembly provides users with increased shelving and storage space, access to flexible articles, and convenience of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Amazer, Inc.
    Inventor: Renee Marie Boulet-Mazer
  • Patent number: 7275656
    Abstract: A tissue box holder that has a substantially similar shape of commercially available tissue box is described. In one embodiment, the holder is substantially slab-shaped with two opposing side faces, a front flap that can be opened and/or closed, a rear edge face, a bottom face with at least one attach means and a top face with an open slot that allows tissues to be retrieved or pulled out sequentially. The holder is made of sturdy material such as plastics, leathers, or the likes. The holder can be attached to a number of different surfaces such as interior surfaces of a vehicle, a wheel chair, and an office of doctor's office. The open slot is designed such that the tissue box can be inserted after the tissue box has already opened with tissues sticking out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Amanollah Samadani
  • Publication number: 20070215630
    Abstract: A dispensing assembly adapted to dispense gloves is provided, which includes a dispenser configured to hold a cartridge, and a cartridge. The dispenser may include a housing with an exit port, or a bracket. The cartridge includes a housing comprising a plurality of walls which cooperate to form an inner surface and an internal compartment. The cartridge is configured to hold a stack of gloves and the cartridge includes a dispensing opening. The cartridge includes a stack of gloves positioned in a sloping stack and positioned against a sloping means which is positioned at least partially in the internal compartment of the cartridge at least when the cartridge is positioned in a dispensing position. The sloping means and the sloping stack form a trapezoidal cross-section in the internal compartment of the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventor: Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Patent number: 7252209
    Abstract: A wet wipe dispenser is provided that includes a support having an open area adapted to be juxtaposed with the cover portion of a container of wet wipes in an inverted orientation, and a base portion supporting the support above a surface on which the base portion is placed. In one embodiment the wet wipes dispenser includes a lower support and an upper support connected by means of a hinge. A wipes package is inserted between the upper and lower supports in juxtaposition with a slot within the lower support. The package has an inverted orientation within the slot such that wipes are downwardly dispensed, which allows for removal, and preferably also heating of the wipes, without a high rate of moisture loss occurring from the package. The downward force of the upper support can compress the package as wipes are sequentially dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Nice-Pak Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Julius
  • Patent number: 7237690
    Abstract: A product dispenser attached to or associated with one or more articulating members or components, which are user manipulable to provide a novelty object dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Marilyn Stern
  • Patent number: 7172093
    Abstract: A container for dispensation of wet tissues includes an elastically flexible flap causing a part of the uppermost wet tissue exposed outward from the container through an opening to collapse toward a hinge of a lid. The flap has a covering portion adapted to cover the opening and a distal portion on the opening's periphery extending beyond the opening. The container ensures that the part of the wet tissue is held between the opening's periphery and the distal portion of the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Bando
  • Patent number: 7172091
    Abstract: A flat mop dispenser having a container comprising a holding pan and at least one roller proximate the pan. The roller is positioned proximate to a stack of flat mops in the pan and the roller rotates to engage a flat mop and dispense the flat mop out of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sweports Limited
    Inventor: George Clarke
  • Patent number: 7147128
    Abstract: This invention concerns a dispensing box for paper towels comprising a container and a cover linked by a strap hinge to the container. A retractable inner box inverted in the container defines a section for receiving a stack of towels. The inner box has a base and an elongated opening arranged in the base for removing the towels therethrough. The cover opening and the towel passage through the elongated opening enables the towels stored in a chamber with controlled atmosphere to be pulled out for use. The section can be divided into two chanbers, one moistened and one dry, by a partition to provide two types of towels for use. A cover storage can also be installed inside the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Verrault, Alain Jacques
  • Patent number: 7140492
    Abstract: A combination includes a dispenser package having a sheet of material with an opening for dispensing at least one item therefrom and a cap assembly attached to the sheet of material and surrounding the opening, the cap assembly including a flange. The combination also includes a holder including a front wall having an interior face, an exterior face and an aperture extending between the interior and exterior faces. The dispenser package is insertable into the holder so that a portion of the cap assembly passes through the aperture of the front wall with the sheet of material opposing the interior face of the holder and the flange opposing the exterior face of the holder, wherein the flange includes a portion that extends beyond the aperture of the front wall for preventing the flange from passing through the aperture when the dispenser package is inserted into the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Nice-Pak Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Julius
  • Patent number: 7134571
    Abstract: A napkin dispenser has a container body for holding a stack of napkins, and a pair of interchangeable face plates each connectable to the container body. One of the face plates has a first elongated dispensing opening exposing a bottom region of the napkin stack, for one-by-one dispensing, and the other face plate has a second elongated dispensing opening exposing an edge region of the napkin stack, for dispensing a plurality of napkins simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: SCA Tissue North America LLC.
    Inventors: Robert C Hochtritt, Andrew M Conger
  • Patent number: 7128235
    Abstract: A dual arm caddy to be attached to the spindle of a wall mounted toilet paper holder for carrying disposable wet wipes. The upper portion of each arm is attached by hooking the spindle, and the lower, utility portion is attached to a container inclined from front to rear. A lid is rear-hinged. The hooking means can be a U-shaped slot open in the rear of the arm's upper portion, and inclined upward and elongated to assure the caddy makes wall contact before engaged spindle reaches slot's upper end. Embodiments include caddies suspendable from crossbars such as towel racks to provide consistently horizontal and stable utility platforms throughout a range of crossbar-to-wall distances. The hooking means of the arms can also be rounded to allow them to freely rest on top of the crossbar and the caddy configured to always occupy the space closest to the wall to which the crossbar is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventors: Philip Laracy Haddad, Joseph Francis Haddad
  • Patent number: 7124911
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container for dispensing individual paper products that includes a housing, a cover hingedly or removably attached to the housing wherein the cover defines a dispensing opening, a means for elevating paper products, and a plunger disposed in the interior area of the housing. The plunger is urged toward the dispensing opening by the means for elevating paper products. The container may be included in a system for dispensing paper products that further includes a cartridge containing paper products. The cartridge defines a dispensing opening and a second opening wherein the means for elevating paper products extends through the second opening into the interior area of the cartridge to contact the paper products and urge the paper products toward the dispensing opening. The cartridge and container may be configured wherein the second opening is formed by removal of a removable portion during the process of inserting the cartridge into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Suzanne Michelle Hamlin, Frances Wynn Mayfield, Leonard Wesley Smith, Jr., Martin Vozar
  • Patent number: 7093737
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container for dispensing individual paper products that includes a housing, a cover hingedly or removably attached to the housing wherein the cover defines a dispensing opening, a means for elevating paper products, and a plunger disposed in the interior area of the housing. The plunger is urged toward the dispensing opening by the means for elevating paper products. The container may be included in a system for dispensing paper products that further includes a cartridge containing paper products. The cartridge defines a dispensing opening and a second opening wherein the means for elevating paper products extends through the second opening into the interior area of the cartridge to contact the paper products and urge the paper products toward the dispensing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Randall W. LeCates
  • Patent number: 7086559
    Abstract: A disposable dispensing business card holder, made of molded or folded clear, thin plastic forming a front pocket of an open-topped card holder and dispenser, the front rim of which has a cutout for grasping a single card while leaving the remainder of the cards in the dispenser. The card holder is made to hold about 25 cards for dispensing and may have an adhesive backing on the flat backing portion for attachment to a surface. The flat backing portion may also be easily attached to bulletin boards by pins, staples, tacks, or thumbtacks. Alternately, the card holder may have a magnetic backing attached for attachment to metal signs or doors. In addition, the flat backing portion of the holder may have a double wall for receiving a card, viewable by prospective customers once all the cards have been taken from the dispensing portion of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Larry S. Poole, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7063233
    Abstract: A method of interfolding gloves including superposing finger portion of second glove adjacent finger portion of first glove, with second glove finger portion being disposed parallel and in a direction opposite the first glove finger portion, in a superjacent opposing relationship. First glove hand and cuff are lapped over second glove finger, to create lapped, superjacent opposing fold. By repeatedly lapping previous glove hand over subsequent glove fingers, a glove bundle is formed. Folding can be longitudinal before lapped, superjacent opposing folding. Gloves are disposed in portable dispenser with lapped, superjacent folding and dispensing opening cooperating to dispense one glove, cuff first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Oneglove, LLC
    Inventors: Earl Jordan, Paul R. Persiani
  • Patent number: 7051899
    Abstract: A carousel-type holder for dispensing tape marker flags and flexible sheet material from a stack including a plurality of sheets disposed one on top of another, each sheet having a band of relatively releasable repositionable adhesive coated along one edge thereof, the sheets being stacked with the adhesive coated edge of each successive sheet disposed along alternate opposite edges to maintain the sheets in the stack. The dispensers include an enlarged body portion having an open ended, tubular neck portion and a supply of tape marker flags in the body portion. A preferred base is adapted to be received and supported on a substantially horizontal supporting surface while a housing is supported for rotation by said base about an upright rotational axis including a plurality of outwardly opening upright holding cavities and an openable side door for each holding cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventors: Keith Offenhauer, Harold Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7048143
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container for dispensing individual paper products that includes a housing having side walls defining an interior area for receiving a plurality of paper products, wherein one of the side walls defines a slot. The housing further includes a means for urging paper products having a first portion external to the housing and a second portion extending through the slot into the interior area of the housing. The container may be included in a system for dispensing individual paper products that further includes a cartridge containing paper products within the container. The cartridge defines a dispensing opening and a second slot wherein the second portion of the means for urging paper products extends through the second slot into the interior area of the cartridge to contact the paper products and urge the paper products toward the dispensing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lee Sanders, James J. Lee
  • Patent number: 6925763
    Abstract: Apparatus for permitting sanitary egress from a restroom having a wall, a doorway in the wall and a door in the doorway, the apparatus including a dispenser assembly adapted to contain and dispense a supply of sheets to a user prior to exiting the restroom and a disposal container assembly adapted to receive the supply of sheets upon exiting the restroom and located adjacent the doorway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventors: Brian J. Stark, Peter J. Stark
  • Patent number: 6920999
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing stacked folded sheets. The dispenser includes a housing defining an internal storage space for the stack of sheets. A cover member is pivotally attached to the housing and is movable between an open position and a closed position for loading a stack of folded sheets into the housing. A device, such as a mechanical stop system, is provided and located such that the device must be manually operated with both hands while closing the cover member. In this way, an individual is prevented from using a free hand to compress the stack of folded sheets within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Antwain D. Taylor, Victoria L. Bischoff, Robert C. Ziegenfuss
  • Patent number: 6848594
    Abstract: An apparatus for the dispensing of wipes and a color coding system for use said apparatus for identifying the product on the wipes. The dispenser includes a housing, a two sectioned tip member, a well, an opening, a cover and a self closing mechanism. The wipe packs of the present invention further includes a pin member that is inserted in the center of the wipes and engages the wipes with the protrusions extending down the pin members shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: JohnsonDiversey, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian T. Holland
  • Patent number: 6834773
    Abstract: A tissue dispenser for dispensing facial tissues and the like is described. The tissue dispenser includes a box-like structure having four sides, a top cover and a bottom cover. The top cover has an opening for enabling removal of tissues contained in the boxlike structure. A fastener is provided for releaseably fastening the top cover to at least one of the four sides. An attachment mechanism is secured to the bottom cover for attaching the tissue dispenser to a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: Charles Wu
  • Patent number: 6830151
    Abstract: A container is disclosed for dispensing a controlled amount of paper products. The container includes a housing including a first end wall and a plurality of exterior walls defining an interior surface and an interior area within the interior surface for receiving the plurality of paper products. A first, second and third of the exterior walls intersect a first end wall to form a portion of the interior surface and define an open face of the container. The exterior walls further include a fourth wall extending between the second and third walls adjacent the first end wall and the open face. The container defines a dispensing throat extending through the fourth wall adjacent the slit in the cartridge. The first end wall may be slanted relative to the second and third walls. A cartridge is inserted into the interior area of the housing through the open face of the container. The cartridge contains the plurality of paper products to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Byron Charles Spencer, Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Publication number: 20040206768
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container for dispensing individual paper products that includes a housing, a cover hingedly or removably attached to the housing wherein the cover defines a dispensing opening, a means for elevating paper products, and a plunger disposed in the interior area of the housing. The plunger is urged toward the dispensing opening by the means for elevating paper products. The container may be included in a system for dispensing paper products that further includes a cartridge containing paper products. The cartridge defines a dispensing opening and a second opening wherein the means for elevating paper products extends through the second opening into the interior area of the cartridge to contact the paper products and urge the paper products toward the dispensing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Randall W. LeCates
  • Patent number: 6769565
    Abstract: A dispensing system that includes a housing and a cartridge which is to be inserted into the interior area of the housing. The housing includes a plurality of intersecting exterior sidewalls, a first end wall defining a dispensing throat, a second end wall, and a means for securing a cartridge within the housing. The cartridge includes a flexible bag, a plurality of products compressed within the flexible bag in the dispensing direction, a means for restraining the cartridge within the housing, and a means for releasing the products from the flexible bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Jan Byron Charles Spencer, Leonard Wesley Smith, Jr., Janet Lee Watson
  • Patent number: 6752290
    Abstract: A stacked paper product dispensing cartridge is disclosed including a plurality of walls including side walls and at least one end wall, the end wall having four side edges and each of the side walls having a bottom edge, each of the side edges meeting the bottom edge of a respective one of the side walls to form a bottom corner, the side walls and the end wall defining an interior area therein. A dispensing opening is defined within at least the end wall, and a plurality of side openings are defined within the side walls and spaced from the dispensing opening. Stacked paper products are disposed in the interior area oriented so as to extend substantially perpendicular to at least one of the side walls, the stacked paper products being dispensable out of the interior area through the dispensing opening and wherein at least one of the side openings is configured to allow contact of the stacked paper products from outside of the interior area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Patent number: 6708841
    Abstract: Glove dispenser having a back plate, a cover, a angled rack for securing a pre-packaged box of gloves within the device at an angle with respect to the back plate, and an aperture in the cover through which gloves can be dispensed at an ergonomic angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Safety Today, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Baughman
  • Patent number: 6681452
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus having a flexible sheet dispenser attached thereto is provided. The clamping apparatus includes a base member, an upper member pivotally attached to the base member, and a flexible sheet dispenser removably secured to the upper member. The flexible sheet dispenser includes a housing and a flexible sleeve containing one or more stacks of flexible sheets disposed within the housing. The flexible sleeve is configured to individually dispense flexible sheets from one or more stacks disposed within the flexible sleeve. The flexible sleeve comprises opposite edge portions that are engaged by retaining members in the housing such that the flexible sleeve is maintained in arcuate, face-to-face contacting relationship with the arcuate wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Adstracts, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason S. Holland
  • Patent number: 6644500
    Abstract: A stack of interleaved laminar products comprises a first and a second array of products, each of which has at least one branch interleaved with a corresponding branch of at least one product in the other array. The products are folded into a generally W-shaped profile comprising two outer branches and two inner branches, with the distal edges of the said outer branches projecting at least partially beyond the said inner branches, so that the said distal edges can be used for interleaving with at least one other product in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Fameccanica.Data Spa
    Inventors: Tonino De Angelis, Davide Sepe, Alessandro D'Andrea
  • Patent number: 6634037
    Abstract: A personal cleansing system for substantially dry wiping articles is described suitable for use in a shower environment, utilizing a shell enclosing the wiping articles having a dispensing slot formed along the shell, a closure means, and a support device secured to the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home and Personal Care, USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lynn Turbett, Natalie Charambura
  • Patent number: 6592002
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing individual sheets of a paper product from a stack of sheets includes an external housing having a bottom opening. A module is slidably received in the compartment through the bottom opening. The module is sized for receipt of a stack of the folded paper products. The module is moveable vertically within the compartment between a loaded position wherein the module is inserted substantially entirely within the compartment, and a refill position wherein the module is slid vertically down and out of the compartment a sufficient distance for reloading the module with a refill stack of the sheets. A latch mechanism releasably holds the module within the housing at the loaded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Clark, Antwain D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6585130
    Abstract: A dispenser for the wipes is described suitable for use in a shower environment, utilizing a shell having opposed top and bottom ends and, in a preferred embodiment, a support device connected to the shell for securing the dispenser to an outside surface. In another embodiment, the dispenser prevents water spray from the shower from contaminating the wipes contained therein. The bottom end has a dispensing slot with a length dimension greater than a width dimension and a finger-access opening to enable the user to urge wipes in the direction of the dispensing slot. The inventive wipe dispenser also is conveniently refilled with disposable wipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care, USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lynn Turbett, Natalie Charambura, Michael Edward Ross
  • Patent number: 6578731
    Abstract: A system for dispensing wipes includes: (1) a continuous web of material joined at perforations and configured into a center feed roll; and (2) a flexible, moisture impervious pouch for containing and dispensing discrete lengths of web from the roll. The pouch includes a resealable opening for accessing and staging a leading edge of the roll of material and is adapted to dispense discrete lengths of web separated from the roll at the perforations. The pouch is constructed such that its shape closely conforms to the shape of the roll of web material and may be configured with a gusset to enable it to stand without external support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Craig Farrell Thomaschefsky
  • Publication number: 20030080137
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing individual sheets of a paper product from a stack of sheets includes an external housing having a bottom opening. A module is slidably received in the compartment through the bottom opening. The module is sized for receipt of a stack of the folded paper products. The module is moveable vertically within the compartment between a loaded position wherein the module is inserted substantially entirely within the compartment, and a refill position wherein the module is slid vertically down and out of the compartment a sufficient distance for reloading the module with a refill stack of the sheets. A latch mechanism releasably holds the module within the housing at the loaded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Clark, Antwain D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6550635
    Abstract: A portable folded wiper dispensing system for dispensing flexible sheets from a stack of sheets. The system includes a refillable apparatus and a stack of sheets. The refillable apparatus is composed of: 1) a relatively flat, flexible base devoid of dispensing slots, the flexible base being adapted to resiliently fold along a fold axis; and 2) a flexible cover defining an opening aligned in parallel relation to the fold axis of the flexible base such that the flexible cover is attached to said flexible base and is adapted to contain a stack of sheets. The opening defines a dispensing slot through which flexible sheets may be individually dispensed while the flexible base remains unfolded. When the flexible base is folded back along the fold axis, the opening defines a refill gap through which a stack of flexible sheets may be inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James King, James Justin Beech, Neville John Pryke
  • Patent number: 6547095
    Abstract: A coupon dispensing and containing device for use as a sweepstake's box that includes an outer box having at least one coupon-dispensing opening and at least one inner box affixed within the outer box, each of the at least one inner boxes containing coupons and having a coupon-exit opening aligned with a coupon-dispensing opening in the outer box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Michael J. Emoff
  • Patent number: 6543642
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a glove dispenser system that includes a reusable container and a disposable pouch containing stacked, partially folded gloves. The container is rigid and generally rectangular and has a lid and a bottom, spaced, parallel front and back walls, two spaced, parallel side walls and an opening in the lid. The pouch is generally rectangular shaped and it has a pair of spaced parallel extending faces yieldably connected to one another. One of the faces has an opening aligned with the opening in the lid of the container. The pouch contains a plurality of gloves in a stacked folded relationship with one another. The folded relationship being formed by a thumb of the glove being folded under a palm area of the glove and fingers of the glove being folded over the thumb and the palm area. The configuration of the pouch opening and the folded relationship of the gloves provides for the removal of one of the plurality of glove at a time during a dispensing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Daydots International, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Milliorn
  • Publication number: 20030062375
    Abstract: A gravity-feed dispenser for a stack of sheets such as inter-folded napkins includes a generally rectangular housing provided with a front wall, a back wall, two sidewalls and a lower portion as well as a funnel portion coupled to the lower portion of the housing provided with a generally convergent profile such that a front wall of the funnel portion extends downwardly and inwardly with respect to the front wall of the housing, a rear wall of the funnel portion extends downwardly and inwardly with respect to the rear wall of the housing and two sidewalls of the funnel portion extend downwardly substantially in alignment with the sidewalls of the housing. A dispensing aperture defined by the funnel portion of the dispenser has an elongate portion extending substantially from one sidewall of the funnel portion to the other sidewall of the funnel portion thus defining an elongate axis of the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: James B. Christensen, John R. Moody
  • Publication number: 20030057222
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a glove dispenser system that includes a reusable container and a disposable pouch containing stacked, partially folded gloves. The container is rigid and generally rectangular and has a lid and a bottom, spaced, parallel front and back walls, two spaced, parallel side walls and an opening in the lid. The pouch is generally rectangular shaped and it has a pair of spaced parallel extending faces yieldably connected to one another. One of the faces has an opening aligned with the opening in the lid of the container. The pouch contains a plurality of gloves in a stacked folded relationship with one another. The folded relationship being formed by a thumb of the glove being folded under a palm area of the glove and fingers of the glove being folded over the thumb and the palm area. The configuration of the pouch opening and the folded relationship of the gloves provides for the removal of one of the plurality of glove at a time during a dispensing procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: J. Michael Milliorn
  • Patent number: 6514585
    Abstract: A W-stacked pads of tape strips dispensable at a low peel angle, comprising a plurality of superimposed tape strips longitudinally reversed so as to align the first end of each tape strip with the second end of an immediately overlaying and an immediately underlying tape strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Pearson, Dennis L. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20020190073
    Abstract: A bathroom dispenser for dispensing bathing supplies comprising a body having front, back, side and bottom walls defining the dispenser and having at least one dispenser station and at least one disposal station. The dispenser station has a dispensing orifice in one of its walls for dispensing bathing supplies and the disposal station has a receiving orifice in one of its walls for disposing of said bathing supplies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Christopher B. Hewett
  • Patent number: 6431360
    Abstract: A combination includes a holder and a replaceable dispenser package. The dispenser package has an opening for dispensing one or more items from the package, and a resealable cap assembly covering the opening of the package. The resealable cap assembly includes a reclosable cap that may be opened for dispensing the one or more items from the package. The combination includes a holder for securing the dispenser package. The holder has a front wall with outer peripheral edges, and an aperture defined by inner peripheral edges of the front wall that are spaced inwardly from the outer peripheral edges of the front wall. The resealable cap assembly engages the inner peripheral edges of the front wall aperture for securing the dispenser package to the holder. In certain preferred embodiments, the resealable cap assembly may be press-fit into the aperture. In other preferred embodiments, portions of the resealable cap assembly may be slid into grooves adjacent the inner peripheral edges of the front wall aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Nice-Pak Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Julius
  • Patent number: 6422416
    Abstract: A cartridge is disclosed for holding and dispensing a plurality of paper products in a dispensing direction. The cartridge is insertable into an interior area of a container having a housing. The interior area is disposed within an interior surface defined by a plurality of exterior walls. The housing includes at least one protrusion extending into the interior of the housing proximate a dispensing throat. The cartridge comprises a cartridge body including cartridge side walls and a cartridge end wall and at least one opening defined through at least the end wall of the cartridge body so that when the cartridge is placed in the interior area of the housing the protrusion extends through at least a portion of the opening disposed in the end wall to contact the plurality of paper products to oppose movement of the paper products through the dispensing throat in the dispensing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Patent number: 6419113
    Abstract: A cartridge is disclosed for holding and dispensing a plurality of paper products in a dispensing direction, the cartridge being insertable into an interior area of a container having a housing defining a plurality of exterior walls and a dispensing throat, the interior area being disposed within an interior surface defined by the plurality of exterior walls, at least one protrusion extending from the interior surface into the interior area. The cartridge includes a cartridge body including a plurality of cartridge side walls and an end defining a dispensing opening configured to guide paper products in the dispensing direction through the dispensing throat. At least one opening is defined in at least one of the side walls of the cartridge body extending through the at least one of the cartridge side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul F. Tramontina
  • Patent number: 6394324
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispensing device for moist towel, comprising a top cover, a push button, top board, an external cylindrical body, a blocking board, a bottom board, and a bottom cover, wherein the top cover and the bottom cover are respectively mounted at the top and the bottom of the external cylindrical body and are fastened at the cylindrical body by engaging holes at the sides of the cylindrical body, the top cover and one lateral side of the cylindrical body are provided with a sliding slot having mounted with the top board and the bottom board and the end section of the top board is provided with a triangular block and the end section of the bottom board is provided with an upward connection board having an engaging hole, and the top of the connection board is provided with an inter-linked push button, the top cover, and the center of the external cylindrical body are provided with a key hole for cutting and holding moist towel with the top and bottom board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Mei-Shing Chen
  • Patent number: 6375034
    Abstract: An Improved Glove Dispenser is disclosed. Also disclosed is a device that permits a user to don gloves without first touching their exterior. The disclosed device includes a plurality of gloves attached by their cuffs to a filament, with the filament and cuffs being dispensed from an exchangeable glove cartridge. It is a further feature that the dispenser may be responsive to a user's voice. Furthermore, the invention provides a new method for donning gloves that will prevent user contamination of the gloves by touching the exterior of the gloves during the donning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Adrian Corbett
  • Patent number: 6364156
    Abstract: A goods dispenser adapted particularly for the dispensing of substantially flat flexible goods such as anti-static dryer sheets, napkins, thin protective gloves and the like that also provides for convenient disposal of used goods and other trash. The dispenser comprises a holding means for the goods and a support means for supporting a trash receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, the trash receptacle is a plastic shopping bag and the support means is one or more hooks for engaging the handles of the plastic shopping bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventors: Paul C. Smith, Thomas L. Nixon
  • Publication number: 20020036208
    Abstract: There is provided a system and apparatus for dispensing wet wipes. The system may include a wiper assembly, which may include a chassis, a wiper blade, and a tensioner. The wiper assembly minimizes the amount of wipes which cannot be dispensed. The wiper assembly may be mounted to a dispenser for wipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Michael John Faulks, William Robert Newman, Steven John Romme, Paige Annette Dellerman, Ligia A. Rivera, Herb F. Velazquez, Jennifer Cappel Larson, Cherry A. Bochmann, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Gerald P. DeGreen