Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling the height of a clip of sheet material that is independent from the other steps of the manufacturing, converting and packaging operations. The invention comprises introducing positive pressure air flow after the clip has been at least partially inserted into a carton. Positive pressure air flow is provided in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the clip and transverse to the cut end of the sheet causing the clip to increase in height. The degree of increase may be controlled by controlling the positive air pressure, while the carton acts as a restraint for the clip.

Abstract: A container including: a container top having a dispensing opening formed from a plurality of top flaps; a container bottom disposed opposite the container top formed from a plurality of bottom flaps; and a plurality of decorative panels forming a sidewall of the container having a continuous decorative surface. The container is formed from a substantially symmetrical blank. As a result, the container can be loaded from either end on a cartoner. The container's continuous decorative surface on the sidewall allows for graphics on the container's sidewall to continue unimpeded. Advantageously, the container is designed for use on high speed cartoners and can be filled from either the top or the bottom as required.

Abstract: By either rotating a folded clip within a dispenser, or by folding the clip into a J-shape instead of a U-shape and then placing the clip into a dispenser, more sheets can be placed into the dispenser without causing an increase in dispensing problems. Alternatively, fewer dispensing problems result if the same number of sheets is placed into the dispenser. In one embodiment, the dispenser was an upright facial tissue carton and the clip was an interfolded stack of facial tissues.

Abstract: A compressible package having pair of scored sidewalls, which facilitate compression of the package into a wedge shape for storage in narrow recesses. Optionally, the compressible package may include a scored bottom flap wherein the bottom portion of the sidewalls and the bottom flap are shaped such that when the carton is compressed by a user the resulting shape of the bottom flap complements the shape of the sidewalls, maintaining a substantially closed carton. Preferably the compressible package is a carton for storing and dispensing tissue and the carton assumes a wedge shape, which allows the carton to be fit into tight spaces, such as between the seat and the center console of the automobile while maintaining a substantially closed carton.

Abstract: A product including a stack of a: plurality of interfolded sheets assembled from a folded sheet material. The stack having a first side, a second side, a plurality of first side folded sheets and a plurality of second side folded sheets. A majority of the first side folded sheets folded into a first fold configuration and a majority of the second side folded sheets folded into a second fold configuration. Within the stack, the first fold configuration is different than the second fold configuration. In one embodiment, the first side folded sheets were V-folded and the second side folded sheets were Z-folded. In another embodiment, the first side folded sheets were V-folded and the second side folded sheets were C-folded.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly package containing refill folded sheets is provided. The package contains a plurality of refill cartridges stacked together. Each refill cartridge contains a stack of interfolded sheets. In one embodiment, for instance, the sheets may comprise facial tissues. Each refill cartridge is configured to refill a sheet dispenser such as a paperboard dispenser. In this manner, a consumer can continually refill a single dispenser instead of having to repurchase a dispenser each time the folded sheet product is purchased.

Abstract: A compressible package having pair of scored sidewalls, which facilitate compression of the package into a wedge shape for storage in narrow recesses. Optionally, the compressible package may include a scored bottom flap wherein the bottom portion of the sidewalls and the bottom flap are shaped such that when the carton is compressed by a user the resulting shape of the bottom flap compliments the shape of the sidewalls, maintaining a substantially closed carton. Preferably the compressible package is a carton for storing and dispensing tissue and the carton assumes a wedge shape, which allows the carton to be fit into tight spaces, such as between the seat and the center console of the automobile while maintaining a substantially closed carton.

Abstract: In order to improve the reliability of cleanly dispensing the first tissue in a pop-up dispensing tissue container, a relatively high strength sacrificial top sheet is interfolded with the tissue clip. The sacrificial top sheet is adhered to the underside of a removable surfboard in the top of the container, such that when the surfboard is removed to access the tissues, the sacrificial sheet is simultaneously removed, which causes the first tissue to pop up into a ready position for subsequent dispensing by the user.

Abstract: By controlling the profile of a folded stack when placed into an oval dispenser, it is possible to reduce the compression of the folded stack by the dispenser's sidewall, thereby reducing or eliminating sheet tears when dispensing the sheet-material from the dispenser. In particular, by making the folded stack thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges, as a result of providing a variable width flat stack prior to folding the flat stack, the folded stack will better fit into an oblong or circular dispenser.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly package containing refill folded sheets is provided. The package contains a plurality of refill cartridges stacked together. Each refill cartridge contains a stack of interfolded sheets. In one embodiment, for instance, the sheets may comprise facial tissues. Each refill cartridge is configured to refill a sheet dispenser such as a paperboard dispenser. In this manner, a consumer can continually refill a single dispenser instead of having to repurchase a dispenser each time the folded sheet product is purchased.

Abstract: In order to improve the reliability of cleanly dispensing the first tissue in a pop-up dispensing tissue container, a relatively high strength sacrificial top sheet is interfolded with the tissue clip. The sacrificial top sheet is adhered to the underside of a removable surfboard in the top of the container, such that when the surfboard is removed to access the tissues, the sacrificial sheet is simultaneously removed, which causes the first tissue to pop up into a ready position for subsequent dispensing by the user.

Abstract: By interfolding or interleaving at least a portion of the dispensing panel of a dispenser with the first sheet in a stack of sheet material such that a leading edge of the first sheet is exposed, it is no longer necessary to reach into the dispenser to dispense the first sheet. To dispense the first sheet, the optional removable panel is torn from the dispenser, and then the already exposed leading edge of the first sheet protruding from the dispensing panel is grasped and pulled to withdraw the first sheet from the dispenser.

Abstract: An oblong dispenser having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, and wherein a maximum length of the dispenser, Ld, along the longitudinal axis is greater than a maximum width of the dispenser, Wd, along the transverse axis. The dispenser containing a plurality of sheets of a sheet-material formed into a flat stack, and the flat stack folded about a transverse fold axis forming an arch-shaped folded stack having an arched stack top and a stack bottom comprising two legs. The arch-shaped folded stack is placed into the oblong dispenser with the transverse fold axis parallel to the oblong dispenser's transverse axis.

Abstract: By loading both upright and flat tissue clips into their respective cartons by pushing on one end of the clip along the clip's longitudinal axis, a simple flexible carton loading apparatus is possible. To load flat tissue clips, the buckets of the carton loading apparatus are configured to hold the clip such that a pusher head contacts one end of the clip while sliding the clip from the bucket into the carton. To load upright tissue clips, the buckets of the carton loading apparatus are configured to hold the clip such that a pusher head contacts one end of the clip, while the opposing end of the clip is moved either up or down such that the leading half of the clip is folded backwards about a transverse fold axis by a folding plate attached to the pusher head as the clip is advanced through the bucket towards the carton. Upon entering the carton, the clip is folded in a backwards C-shape.

Abstract: By controlling the profile of a folded stack when placed into an oval dispenser, it is possible to reduce the compression of the folded stack by the dispenser's sidewall, thereby reducing or eliminating sheet tears when dispensing the sheet-material from the dispenser. In particular, by making the folded stack thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges, as a result of providing a variable width flat stack prior to folding the flat stack, the folded stack will better fit into an oblong or circular dispenser.

Abstract: A container including: a container top having a dispensing opening formed from a plurality of top flaps; a container bottom disposed opposite the container top formed from a plurality of bottom flaps; and a plurality of decorative panels forming a sidewall of the container having a continuous decorative surface. The container is formed from a substantially symmetrical blank. As a result, the container can be loaded from either end on a cartoner. The container's continuous decorative surface on the sidewall allows for graphics on the container's sidewall to continue unimpeded. Advantageously, the container is designed for use on high speed cartoners and can be filled from either the top or the bottom as required.

Abstract: An oblong dispenser having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, and wherein a maximum length of the dispenser, Ld, along the longitudinal axis is greater than a maximum width of the dispenser, Wd, along the transverse axis. The dispenser containing a plurality of sheets of a sheet-material formed into a flat stack, and the flat stack folded about a transverse fold axis forming an arch-shaped folded stack having an arched stack top and a stack bottom comprising two legs. The arch-shaped folded stack is placed into the oblong dispenser with the transverse fold axis parallel to the oblong dispenser's transverse axis.

Abstract: By interfolding or interleaving at least a portion of the dispensing panel of a dispenser with the first sheet in a stack of sheet material such that a leading edge of the first sheet is exposed, it is no longer necessary to reach into the dispenser to dispense the first sheet. To dispense the first sheet, the optional removable panel is torn from the dispenser, and then the already exposed leading edge of the first sheet protruding from the dispensing panel is grasped and pulled to withdraw the first sheet from the dispenser.

Abstract: By reducing the overlap distance O of the interfolded sheets in the upper layer of a stack of interfolded sheets, sheet tears and/or multiple dispensing can be avoided for the initial sheets dispensed. By increasing the overlap distance O of the interfolded sheets in the lower layer of a stack of interfolded sheets, fallback of the subsequent sheets can be avoided. To maximize the number of sheets that can be placed into the same sized dispenser, the folded width of all sheets in the stack should be substantially the same. The interfolded stack is especially useful in an upright dispenser to improve sheet dispensing, but can also be utilized in a flat dispenser.

Abstract: By loading both upright and flat tissue clips into their respective cartons by pushing on one end of the clip along the clip's longitudinal axis, a simple flexible carton loading apparatus is possible. To load flat tissue clips, the buckets of the carton loading apparatus are configured to hold the clip such that a pusher head contacts one end of the clip while sliding the clip from the bucket into the carton. To load upright tissue clips, the buckets of the carton loading apparatus are configured to hold the clip such that a pusher head contacts one end of the clip, while the opposing end of the clip is moved either up or down such that the leading half of the clip is folded backwards about a transverse fold axis by a folding plate attached to the pusher head as the clip is advanced through the bucket towards the carton. Upon entering the carton, the clip is folded in a backwards C-shape.