By Cooperation Of Interleaved Folds Patents (Class 221/48)
  • Patent number: 6648172
    Abstract: A tissue box (10) for dispensing tissues, said tissue box includes a bottom wall (18) having a second aperture (21) for allowing tissues (22, 22′) to be pulled from inside of the box and a side wall (14) extending between the top wall (16) and the bottom wall (18). The side wall defines a void inside the box for containing tissues. The tissue box also includes a dividing wall (24) within the void. The dividing wall is supported between the top wall and the bottom wall and is for dividing the tissues into a first group (22) that are able to be removed through the first aperture (20) and a second group (22′) that are able to be removed through the second aperture. In use, after the first group of tissues is used, the box may be inverted, so that the second group of tissues may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel Leighton, Angela Mary Leighton
  • 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: 6644501
    Abstract: A sheet package can prevent a sheet from causing damage upon dispensing the sheet through a dispensing opening without widening an opening width of the dispensing opening and providing extra gap within a package container. The sheet package includes a sheet stack, in which a plurality of folded sheets are stacked, received within a package container with a dispensing opening. Each individual sheet is folded into two-ply sheet along a first folding line, two sheets of the two-ply sheet are folded along a second folding line extending in parallel to the first folding line together for forming a folded sheet, a plurality of folded sheets are stacked in such a manner that a portion including the first folding line of a lower folded sheet is disposed within a valley folded portion of an upper folded sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yukiko Iida
  • Patent number: 6641894
    Abstract: Provided is a stack of sheets including a plurality of individually folded sheets which are stacked vertically one on a top of the other via an overlapping portion having a predetermined width so that an underlying sheet is lifted along with an overlying sheet when the overlying sheet is withdrawn. Each sheet is folded about fold lines all parallel to one side of the sheet to define two central portions, a top flap portion folded upward upon one central portion, and a bottom flap portion folded downward under the other central portion. The folded sheets are stacked up so that the odd-numbered sheets and the even-numbered sheets are alternately arranged, and that the top flap portion of the underlying sheet overlies the bottom flap portion of the overlying sheet to define the overlapping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Bando
  • Publication number: 20030192902
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of fan folded material and related systems and processes. The stack includes at least two clips of fan folded material. Each clip includes a plurality of fan folded sheets, with each sheet joined to at least one adjacent sheet by a weakened line. Each clip is joined to an adjacent clip by a last sheet of one clip being separably joined to a first sheet of a succeeding clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Sosalla, Yung Hsaing Huang
  • Publication number: 20030192903
    Abstract: A product comprising an absorbent paper material and a dispenser adapted to hanging from a support such as a towel bar or a hook is disclosed. The dispenser can be optionally located on a surface instead of hung from a support, and a space at the bottom of the dispenser protects the absorbent paper material from damage due to liquid spills on the surface. The dispenser has an advantage of two distinct dispensing modes, and protection of the unused absorbent paper material from liquid spills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Barbara O. Sauer, Richard Frederick House, Paul Roy Schmidt, Herb F. Velazquez
  • Publication number: 20030183644
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing precut interleaved sheets; the dispenser has a main body which defines a sheet storage cavity. A cover is adjustably coupled to the main body. The cover is also adjustable to orient the dispenser in a dispensing position wherein said cover is oriented to define an elongated opening to allow for egress of precut interleaved folded sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Norton Sarnoff, Kraig Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20030168467
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing interfolded disposable sheets is disclosed. The dispenser includes a removable top that is releasably attached to the first sheet in the stack contained in the container. In accordance with the present invention, when the removable top is pulled off the container, the first sheet in the stack is partially withdrawn from the container. After being partially withdrawn, however, the sheet releases from the removable top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig M. Thoms
  • Patent number: 6612462
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of fan folded material and related systems and processes. The stack includes at least two clips of fan folded material. Each clip includes a plurality of fan folded sheets, with each sheet joined to at least one adjacent sheet by a weakened line. Each clip is joined to an adjacent clip by a last sheet of one clip being separably joined to a first sheet of a succeeding clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Sosalla, Yung Hsaing Huang
  • Patent number: 6604651
    Abstract: A storage and dispensing package for wipes comprising a non-rigid container having sides which define a cavity. A collapsible-expandable baffle structure having a width is positioned within the sides of the container and divides the cavity into a storage portion for wipes and a dispensing portion. The baffle structure includes a dispensing orifice through which wipes can pass and communicate with the dispensing portion. A resealable mechanism can also be included at an end of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John David Amundson, Dennis Edward Fryer, Peter Booth, Martin Christopher Bunce
  • Patent number: 6595386
    Abstract: Stacks of wet wipes having improved dispensability are provided. The stacks comprise a first clip of wet wipes and a second clip of wet wipes positioned on top of the first clip of wet wipes. Clips of wet wipes generally include a last wet wipe comprising a bottom portion having a surface area that is greater than the surface area of the top portion. Clips of wet wipes also generally include a next-to-last wet wipe comprising a bottom portion having a surface area that is less than the surface area of the top portion. Individual wet wipes in stacks of the present invention have less tendency to stick together than wet wipes in stacks found in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Vogel, Scott R. Lange, Yung Huang
  • Patent number: 6585131
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible orifice for pop-up style dispensing with a wet wipes dispenser. The orifice includes a flexible, rubber-like sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface. A continuous slit extends across the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet and enables a wet wipe to pass from the bottom surface to the top surface or from the top surface to the bottom surface. A first portion of the sheet has a first thickness and a second portion of the sheet located between the continuous slit and the first portion has a second thickness which is greater than or less than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yung Hsiang Huang, Timothy Walter Shoaf, Robert Samuel Shlaupitz, Gerald Keith Sosalla, Paige Annette Dellerman, Stephen Robert Kehn, James Ronald Bath, Rodney Carlton Christianson
  • Patent number: 6550634
    Abstract: The present invention relates to wet wipes for use in wiping surfaces in the home and in industry, in addition to their use on the human body such as for baby wipes, make-up removal and other skin care applications. The wet wipes are stacked and contained in a dispensing container (20). According to the present invention improved pop up dispensing of the wipes is provided by the combination of the dispensing aperture (29) of the dispensing container (20) having certain dimensions in combination with a wipe stack wherein the wipes are provided such that the average separation force between two adjacent wipes is from 75 g/cm2 to 250 g/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Marita Alegre De Miquel, Northild Busch
  • Patent number: 6546594
    Abstract: A covering device for use with a door handle and interconnecting shaft extending from a hingedly secured door. The device includes an elasticized body having a substantially three dimensional shape with an inner face, an outer face, and an open inserting end defined around a narrowed neck of the body. The body further including a flexible and plasticized material which may be covered by a soft fabric outer layer. A resilient retaining portion, such as an elasticized ring is disposed around the neck in association with the open inserting end and for securing the body in place over the door handle and shaft. Frictional engagement is provided between the inner face of the elasticized body and the door handle surface in use and is preferably provided as an adhesive tacking surface which may be incorporated into an inner ply of covering device or spray applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Steven Wills
  • Patent number: 6543643
    Abstract: Provided is a sheet package including a stack of sheets having a plurality of sheets folded about fold lines and arranged in a vertically stacked configuration, and a receptacle for containing the stack of sheets which is made of hard or soft material and has a dispensing opening in a top surface thereof. The stack of sheets includes an upper layer of a plurality of sheets located in the vicinity of the dispensing opening, and a lower layer of a plurality of sheets located under the upper layer. The width of the upper layer is smaller than that of the lower layer in a direction perpendicular to the fold lines of the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yukiko Iida, Hiroki Ishikawa
  • 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: 20030062376
    Abstract: An auto-start dispensing container for sheet products includes a sealing member secured to a first sheet to be dispensed from the container. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided an auto-start dispenser for dispensing moistened inter-folded wipes which includes: (a) a container provided with a dispensing aperture for receiving a plurality of moist wipes; (b) a removable sealing member affixed to said container to seal the aperture wherein the sealing member and the container form an enclosure adapted to retain moisture; and (c) a lead sheet engaged with the plurality of moist wipes and secured to said removable sealing member, the removable sealing member and the lead sheet being adapted to draw a moist wipe partially through the aperture upon removal of the sealing member from the container. Preferably, the lead sheet is affixed to the removable sealing member by way of a hot-melt adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Charles W. Sears, Elizabeth J. Larson, Bradley G. Schmidt, Edward J. Yock
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030057223
    Abstract: Stacks of wet wipes having improved dispensability are provided. The stacks comprise a first clip of wet wipes and a second clip of wet wipes positioned on top of the first clip of wet wipes. Clips of wet wipes generally include a last wet wipe comprising a bottom portion having a surface area that is greater than the surface area of the top portion. Clips of wet wipes also generally include a next-to-last wet wipe comprising a bottom portion having a surface area that is less than the surface area of the top portion. Individual wet wipes in stacks of the present invention have less tendency to stick together than wet wipes in stacks found in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Nathan Vogel, Scott R. Lange, Yung Huang
  • Patent number: 6520331
    Abstract: A dispensing article, particularly for dispensing towelettes, is provided and includes a container body for storing the towelettes and a lid hingedly attached to the body. The container is formed from a floor panel, left and right side panels, front and rear panels. A button flap unitarily formed with the front wall includes a button projecting outwardly from a surface thereof. The lid includes a latch flap unitarily formed therewith and projecting downward toward the container body. An aperture is formed in the latch flap shaped to receive the button. Latch and button flaps are more flexible than other sections of the lid and container body panels. This flexibility allows for an easy to use, relatively inexpensive locking mechanism and provides good sealing characteristics. A refill canister can be placed within the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Scott Okin, Raymond Michael Flaig
  • Publication number: 20030019880
    Abstract: A curl reducing adapter kit for a napkin dispenser used for dispensing interfolded napkins including an enclosure with a dispensing wall defining a dispensing slot and a slidably mounted, biased pressure carriage adapted to advance a stack of napkins in the enclosure toward the dispensing wall includes a tongue for mounting about the dispensing wall such that the tongue projects into the dispensing slot and narrows the slot. The tongue further includes a plurality of friction tabs configured to project inwardly into the enclosure from the upper inner lip of the dispensing slot and frictionally engage the napkins to limit bulge through the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: James K. Timmers, Chester W. Gooding, Daniel J. Geddes
  • Publication number: 20030010789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of fan folded material and related systems and processes. The stack includes at least two clips of fan folded material. Each clip includes a plurality of fan folded sheets, with each sheet joined to at least one adjacent sheet by a weakened line. Each clip is joined to an adjacent clip by a last sheet of one clip being separably joined to a first sheet of a succeeding clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Sosalla, Yung Hsaing Huang
  • Publication number: 20020162765
    Abstract: A dispensing article, particularly for dispensing towelettes, is provided and includes a container body for storing the towelettes and a lid hingedly attached to the body. The container is formed from a floor panel, left and right side panels, front and rear panels. A button flap unitarily formed with the front wall includes a button projecting outwardly from a surface thereof. The lid includes a latch flap unitarily formed therewith and projecting downward toward the container body. An aperture is formed in the latch flap shaped to receive the button. Latch and button flaps are more flexible than other sections of the lid and container body panels. This flexibility allows for an easy to use, relatively inexpensive locking mechanism and provides good sealing characteristics. A refill canister can be placed within the container body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Scott Okin, Raymond Michael Flaig
  • Patent number: 6446831
    Abstract: An apron dispensing system including a container and first and second aprons each having a stored state and a usable state. The first and second aprons each consist of a sheet and at least one of a) a strap that is extendable around the neck of a wearer, b) a strap that is extendable around the torso of a wearer, and c) a strap that is extendable around at least one of a leg and an arm of the wearer to maintain the sheet in a protective covering position over a part of the wearer with the apron in the usable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventors: Kathy Smith, Mary Ellen Wirtz
  • Publication number: 20020079322
    Abstract: A dispenser for folded interconnected disposable wipes includes at least one dispensing container having side and end walls, and a dispensing wall adjacent to the side and end walls. The dispensing wall has a center dispensing aperture located generally in the center thereof. The dispensing wall may also have an additional dispensing aperture, for example an off-center aperture or a corner dispensing aperture located near one corner of the dispensing wall adjacent to one of the end walls and one of the side walls. Disposable wipes can be withdrawn from either the corner and/or off-center dispensing aperture or the center dispensing aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Patsy McEachern Wilkes, Craig F. Thomaschefsky, Malcolm Colin Halls
  • Publication number: 20020074340
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing stacked folded sheets includes a housing defining an internal storage space for a supply of folded sheets, for example folded paper towels or tissues. The housing includes a cover member that is movable between an open position and a closed position. An overfill prevention device is configured within the housing and is actuated by movement of the cover from its closed position to its open position. The overfill prevention device reduces the storage space within the housing upon movement of the cover to its open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen L. Phelps
  • Publication number: 20020070141
    Abstract: A sheet package can prevent a sheet from causing damage upon dispensing the sheet through a dispensing opening without widening an opening width of the dispensing opening and providing extra gap within a package container. The sheet package includes a sheet stack, in which a plurality of folded sheets are stacked, received within a package container with a dispensing opening. Each individual sheet is folded into two-ply sheet along a first folding line, two sheets of the two-ply sheet are folded along a second folding line extending in parallel to the first folding line together for forming a folded sheet, a plurality of folded sheets are stacked in such a manner that a portion including the first folding line of a lower folded sheet is disposed within a valley folded portion of an upper folded sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yukiko Iida
  • Publication number: 20020066742
    Abstract: A motorcycle helmet including a transparent shield acceptable of a removable tinted strip taken from a dispenser to form an antiglare shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Kent A. Stubbs
  • Publication number: 20020060222
    Abstract: Provided is a sheet package including a stack of sheets having a plurality of folded sheets and a receptacle for packaging the stack of sheets. The stack of sheets includes first folded sheets and second folded sheets. The first folded sheets and the second folded sheets are alternately stacked in such a manner that the bottom flap portion of the first folded sheet is interfolded with the top flap portion of the second folded sheet, and one pair of the first and second folded sheets and the other pair of the first and second folded sheets next to one pair are so arranged as to interfold the bottom flap portion of the second folded sheet of one pair with the top flap portion of the first folded sheet of the other pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeshi Bando
  • Publication number: 20020051863
    Abstract: A stack of interleaved towels is provided wherein each towel is configured from a sheet of material having a first fold offset from a centerline of the sheet to generate a folded sheet having a long side and a short side. A second fold in the folded sheet is made substantially parallel to the first fold to create a lead flap and a trailing flap. The lead flap presents a continuous folded leading edge for grasping by a user. The trailing flap is defined between the second fold and edges of the long side and short side. The trailing flap of each towel is disposed against the lead flap of an adjacent towel. In the stack, the short side of the trailing flap is disposed so that it is facing upwards upon a user grasping the lead flap and pulling the towel from a dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Y. Chan
  • Publication number: 20020039638
    Abstract: Provided is a stack of sheets including a plurality of individually folded sheets which are stacked vertically one on a top of the other via an overlapping portion having a predetermined width so that an underlying sheet is lifted along with an overlying sheet when the overlying sheet is withdrawn. Each sheet is folded about fold lines all parallel to one side of the sheet to define two central portions, a top flap portion folded upward upon one central portion, and a bottom flap portion folded downward under the other central portion. The folded sheets are stacked up so that the odd-numbered sheets and the even-numbered sheets are alternately arranged, and that the top flap portion of the underlying sheet overlies the bottom flap portion of the overlying sheet to define the overlapping portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeshi Bando
  • Patent number: 6354462
    Abstract: The invention proposes a dispenser of paper, or other equivalent product, including a housing storing the product in the form of folded sheets to be dispensed through a dispensing opening. The paper is contained in a detachable cartridge compatible with the paper dimensions and assembled to the dispenser inside the housing. The cartridge includes an end wall situated opposite an opening of the housing wherein is located a dispensing slot of which the shape matches the paper sheets to be dispensed. The cartridge includes walls which guide the stack of folded sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Sébastian Conran, Joseph Patrick O'Connor, Jean-Louis Neveu, Bernard Louis Dit Picard, Yves Malecot
  • Patent number: 6305572
    Abstract: A series of interleaved roll mounted bags and dispenser for them are described. The bags are folded longitudinally and rolled switch an upper portion of each bag located above a lower portion of a succeeding bag. The compact roll of bags is placed in a tray like dispenser with the upper end of the outermost bag extending over either of the font or back wall of the dispenser. As the upper portion of the first bag is pulled from the roll, the bag roll will rotate, presenting the succeeding bag for dispensing after the first bag is removed. In a variant of the invention, the rolled bags are gusseted T-shirt style shopping bags. These T-shirt bags have top and bottom seals, gusseted sides, a U-shaped cutout at the top seam, an open mouth and a pair of bag handles. Variations of the dispenser include a simple tray or box with an top, and various designs of wireform trays. In other variants, the dispenser includes a bag guide extending from a front wall of the dispenser to a rear wall of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: The Advantage Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Daniels, Joseph L. Wicherski
  • Patent number: 6299016
    Abstract: A wet sheet stacked body to be housed in one of container and package, composed of a plurality of folded wet sheets. The folded wet sheets are consecutively combined such that a lower fold of an upper folded wet sheet is sandwiched by an upper fold of a succeeding lower wet sheet. A gap is formed between a folding line forming the lower folded portion of the upper wet sheet and a folding line forming the upper folded portion of the lower wet sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Bando, Yoshikazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6296143
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus 12 adapted for dispensing interleaved folded paper products 10 and 28 by means of a plurality of conventional dispensing perforations including one such perforation on the top face of a paper products container 14 and at least one other similar such perforation 20 on another face 22 of the container positioned at a point intermediate the height of the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Maged Ghabriel
  • Publication number: 20010020624
    Abstract: The device for dispensing paper towels has a housing for holding a generally vertical stack of the paper towels and including a lower portion through which individual towels can be dispensed. The lower portion includes an elongated opening through which a fold of the bottommost towel can extend and be accessible for a user to grab and pull the bottommost towel from the stack. Improved towel dispensing is enabled by laterally spaced and upwardly-directed ramps located in the vicinity of the front edge of the opening and upon which an edge of the stack rests, opposed end pads angled downwardly to the opening and upon which the stack ends rest, and/or a bottom cabinet portion angled with respect to the rest of the cabinet to transfer stack weight. The opening preferably is shaped to cause the fold of the bottommost towel to assume a C-shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Brian D. Hubanks, Paul A. Omdoll
  • Publication number: 20010020626
    Abstract: The present invention provides a napkin assembly for a dispenser. The napkin assembly may include a first napkin sheet further including a plurality of napkins and a second napkin sheet further including a plurality of napkins. Each napkin of both sheets having a basis weight from about 20 gsm to about 40 gsm may be connected to an adjacent napkin in series by a plurality of tabs. The second napkin sheet may be positioned proximate to the first napkin sheet in an offset relation and the first and second napkin sheets may be formed into a nested configuration for dispensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: John Richard Skerrett, Michael Yuwah Chan
  • Publication number: 20010020625
    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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Tonino De Angelis, Davide Sepe, Alessandro D'Andrea
  • 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: 6286713
    Abstract: A dispensing system for individual folded webs having an area of non-uniform thickness across the length of the web is composed of several components. An outer housing defines an interior space in which stacking means for holding a stack of individual folded webs are mounted. A dispensing face is defined in the outer housing proximate to an end of the stacking means. The dispensing face has a central portion projecting out from the dispenser in the form of a first surface and a second surface joined at an obtuse angle and a dispensing throat located in the central portion at about the intersection of the first and second surfaces. The dispensing system also includes a stack of individual folded webs having an area of non-uniform thickness across the length of the web aligned so that an area of greatest thickness extends across the width of the dispensing throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Yuwah Chan, Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Patent number: 6250495
    Abstract: A wet tissue product composed of a stacked body of folded wet tissues and a container or package housing the stacked body is disclosed. The folded wet tissues fall into two groups; a first-group of folded wet tissues and a second-group of folded wet tissues. Each of the first-group of folded wet tissues is formed by folding a plane wet tissue in two generally along a centerline thereof to have an upper half and a lower half, and each of the second-group of folded wet tissues is formed by folding a plane wet tissue with one edge thereof upward and the other edge thereof downward, to have an upper folded portion, a lower folded portion and an intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Bando
  • 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: 6213346
    Abstract: The present invention provides a napkin assembly for a dispenser. The napkin assembly may include a first napkin sheet further including a plurality of napkins and a second napkin sheet further including a plurality of napkins. Each napkin of both sheets having a basis weight from about 20 gsm to about 40 gsm may be connected to an adjacent napkin in series by a plurality of tabs. The second napkin sheet may be positioned proximate to the first napkin sheet in an offset relation and the first and second napkin sheets may be formed into a nested configuration for dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John Richard Skerrett, Micharl Yuwah Chan
  • Patent number: 6202845
    Abstract: The present invention relates to wet wipes for use in wiping surfaces in the home and in industry, in addition to their use on the human body such as for baby wipes, make-up removal and other skin care applications. The wet wipes (1) are folded and interleaved with one another to provide an improved stacking configuration whereby each wipe can be readily singly separated from the wet wipe stack (23) by the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Simon D. J. Hill
  • 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: 6170698
    Abstract: An adapter is provided for dispensing stacked interfolded sheets from a rolled product dispenser. The adapter includes a body having a configuration so as to fit over an open front of a conventional rolled product dispenser. The body cooperates with the dispenser to define a receptacle space for stacked interfolded sheets, such as bathroom or facial sheets. A dispensing opening is defined through the front wall of the body. The opening may have a width dimension so that side edges of the stacked interfolded sheets are urged inwardly upon being pulled through the dispensing opening. A releasable attaching device is configured on the body whereby the body is removably attachable to the rolled product dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Phelps, Diane Scheurell
  • Patent number: 6168848
    Abstract: A stack of folded sheets includes right and left W folded sheets and right and left Z 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. The W and Z folded sheets advantageously have a maximum width of 120 mm, an overlap of about 40 mm, and a sheet width of up to 340 mm. Narrower stacks of W and Z folded sheets have folded widths of 100 mm or 75 mm and sheet widths of 292 mm or 215 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Paper Converting Machine Co.
    Inventor: Peter A. Heath
  • 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: 6090467
    Abstract: A tissue stack (10) including a plurality of discrete leaves (11-14), which each leaf including a pair of panels (15A) between which there is folded a pair of panels (15B) of the next adjacent leaf. There is also disclosed a machine and method for manufacturing the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Romuald Yip
  • 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