Non-planar dispenser for articles

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing individual interleaved and/or releasably attached articles such as sheets impregnated with moisture or a composition or substance useful for treating, cleaning and/or disinfecting various surfaces, including the human skin. The dispenser includes a dispensing element including at least one larger aperture and a smaller aperture in a non-planar relationship to one another. A closure or lid can usefully be incorporated as part of the dispenser. The articles may easily be reached from above the top surface of the dispenser through the larger aperture, and fed through from underneath the top surface and through the opening of the small aperture. Thereafter, the articles may be dispensed through the small aperture, e.g., in a pop-up mode. The arrangement of the elements is conducive to one-handed dispensing of articles from the dispenser.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a dispenser for articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to sequential dispensers, in which the articles are provided as individual interleaved or separably connected sheets and can pop-up above the top of the dispenser when the preceding article is removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Dispensers for articles such as tissues are well known in the art. Such articles may be supplied dry, with lotion, or moistened and are typically generally rectangular in shape and supplied as e.g., interleaved, discrete sheets or separably connected. Dispensers for such articles typically are in box form, e.g., in the shape of a parallelepiped. The dispenser has an opening, typically at the top, through which individual articles or sheets are removed by the user. The desire for increased convenience led to sequential or “pop-up” dispensers. In a pop-up dispenser, a tissue usually extends through an opening to an elevation above that of the dispenser. The user grasps the exposed portion of the tissue, without the necessity of inserting fingers through the opening. In pop-up dispensing, each tissue has a leading portion that is first to pass through the opening, and a trailing portion that later passes through the opening. In an interleaved arrangement, the trailing portion of a first tissue to be dispensed overlaps the leading portion of the next tissue to be dispensed. As the first tissue is withdrawn by the user, the leading portion of the next tissue is pulled through the opening, for later dispensing. The tissues are folded against one another in a variety of configurations so that the friction of the trailing portion of the withdrawn sheet against the succeeding sheet pulls the leading portion of the succeeding sheet through the opening. However, devices for interfolding are both complex and expensive. Purchasing such devices represents a significant capital outlay that is ultimately passed on to the consumer of the interfolded tissues.

[0003] One problem frequently encountered in pop-up dispensing packages of the prior art is the transition from the reach-in dispensing mode in which the product is shipped to the pop-up dispensing mode preferred by the consumer, as well as recovery from the dispenser of tissues that have fallen back in order to reinitiate the pop-up sequence. The opening through which the tissue is dispensed must be large enough to allow the consumer to reach his or her fingers therethrough to grasp the tissue and begin the pop-up dispensing process. However, the opening must be small enough to constrict the tissues dispensed therethrough, so that a tissue may be separated from succeeding tissues. Fallback is exacerbated with relatively tall dispensing packages that are often preferred by the consumer for economic reasons. The usable height of the dispensing package is often limited to the length of the overlap of the interfolded tissues. This limitation occurs due to the leading and trailing portions of adjacent tissues unfolding inside a package taller than the overlap, resulting in the second tissue falling back into the package. Furthermore, fallback can occur as a consequence of the tissue or article being impregnated with another substance, such as moisture, lotion, cleansing composition, etc. When the article is impregnated it is heavier and its surface friction may be reduced, therefore making it more susceptible to falling back. Various attempts to solve the problem of fallback when trying to dispense interfolded tissues are referred to in U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,001, but such solutions are said to have resulted in additional expense due to the use of additional elements or materials.

[0004] Similar problems of fallback occur even if tissues are not interfolded, but rather are connected at perforations. As fewer tissues remain in the bottom of a tissue package, particularly a taller package, a greater portion of the tissue hangs from the opening where they are dispensed to the top of the remaining articles at the bottom of the package. When this occurs, the weight of the free portion of the tissue increases, making it more likely that the frictional engagement with the opening is insufficient to prevent the tissue from falling back into the dispensing package. When fallback occurs, the user not only must reach through the aperture in the opening to retrieve the tissue and start the pop-up dispensing process all over again, but the tissue is well below the open, having fallen to nearly the bottom of a tall dispensing package.

[0005] Nakamura et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,575 discloses variously configured apertures or a combination of large and small apertures joined by a slit-like portion. In each instance the user inserts fingertips into the openings to grasp a tissue and pull it through the opening, and, where a slit is present, deflecting the slit-like portion. However the shape of the various apertures is round, thereby reducing the chance of success in preventing fallback. Furthermore, in various embodiments the user is required to deflect the material at the opening in order to reach into the container to grasp a tissue and again to deflect it when pulling the tissue out. Where the dispenser is constructed of a rigid, albeit flexible, material, this process can be uncomfortable.

[0006] Beard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,907 uses a relatively small, opening of fixed, preferably rounded, shape, but also acknowledges that re-starting a sheet inadvertently broken off below the dispensing surface requires the user to open the dispenser.

[0007] Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 2,640,587 discloses a tissue dispenser in which the cover includes an hourglass-shaped opening that is sufficiently wide to permit insertion of fingers to grip tissues and withdraw them through the opening. Thus, at each side of the neck portion 14, the openings flare out to enlarged portions 16 and 18 for such purposes. The large opening makes such a dispenser susceptible to fallback.

[0008] Margulies, U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,291 discloses an opening that includes a closure that can be moved between a first position covering a smaller aperture in the dispensing surface or a second position that fully exposes the dispensing surface. The dispensing surface includes a larger aperture, 18, connected by a slit, 20, to a smaller aperture, 22. The larger aperture is said to permit a consumer to grasp a first towel of a web of towels and to pull the first towel toward and into the slit and smaller aperture. The side edges of the slit are said to apply sufficient tension on the towel being pulled through the slit to cause separation of the towel from a succeeding towel at the perforations whereby the succeeding towel is partially extended through the slit.

[0009] Dearwester, U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,074, discloses a dual dispensing carton, which includes an upper slot and an extending side slot, so that a bundle of tissues can be removed in a single instance.

[0010] Hunt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,200, discloses a container for plastic bags which, as shown in FIG. 1 thereof, includes an upper opening 17 through which the bags are passed, and a finger slot 18 in the front wall 11 to provide access to maneuver the bags for removal from the confined storage space. However, the invention relies on both the limited elastic memory of the plastic from which the bags are made and compressing or wadding into a bulbous shape of each individual bag by the consumer before placing each bag in the container for later removal from any opening in the container, including the finger slot. Pop-up operation of the container to dispense the plastic bags is not contemplated.

[0011] Muckenfuhs et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,001, discusses the background of pop-up dispensers, the need to prevent the next tissue from falling back into the box and having both large and small apertures spaced apart, but connected to one another. As can be seen in FIG. 1 of the patent, the claimed dispensing opening has a first, larger sized aperture, 20 designed for “reach-in” and a second, smaller aperture 22 designed to constrict the tissues as they are pulled through the smaller opening, 22 by the user. This is said to mean that the tissues touch the walls of the opening upon withdrawal. The two apertures 20 and 22 are required to be connected by an “isthmic” connection 24 (essentially a slit). The disclosure contemplates wet tissues, in which case the package is said to be water impervious. Referring to FIGS. 3-5, a tissue grasped through the large aperture 20, is funneled through the taper 26, towards the apex 28, through the isthmus 24 towards 30 or 36 and, e.g., into one of the smaller openings 222. Thus, the lobes 34 and the narrower second aperture are intended to prevent the tissues from falling back into the package; the larger aperture 20 is intended to allow the user to grasp the tissue closest to the opening. This is also said to permit one to grasp the tissue if it has fallen back through the opening and to rethread it through the small aperture. However, as noted, the patent requires not only a connection between the larger and smaller apertures, but also a specific isthmus or slit-like shape for the connection. The introduction of the slit-like connection also requires that the lobes 34 adjoining the isthmus have a low modulus or high flexibility in order to allow for the passage of the tissue through the isthmus. Consequently, the low modulus or high flexibility reduces the ability of the lobes to hold, retain and/or separate an article, particularly a moisture impregnated article, and to prevent it from falling back into the dispenser. Furthermore, the structural arrangement of the isthmus and openings suggests that it would not be simple or inexpensive to fabricate the necessary equipment, such as a mold, to form the dispensing opening.

[0012] Annand, U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,281, discloses a dispenser which includes a control plate 20 that sits on top of the stack of sheets to be dispensed, and provides for removal through the side wall of the container.

[0013] Hill, U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,017 discloses a dispensing face for a dispensing unit where the face has not less than two orifices and the orifices are coplanar and independent of one another.

[0014] Julius, WO 02/42188 discloses a dispenser face including larger apertures allowing for convenient reach-in from above so that an article can be fed from underneath and partially through a small aperture. Thereafter, the article, and those releasably attached thereafter, is available for pop-up dispensing. Various structural features of the smaller aperture are illustrated such that the article to be dispensed can be held in place. Similarly, dispensing faces having two or more larger apertures are also illustrated. The full disclosure of this reference is incorporated herein to the extent permitted.

[0015] There is a continuing need in the art for a dispensing element and a dispenser employing such an element that is functional, simple, inexpensive to fabricate and that provides the convenience of pop-up dispensing. There is a also a need in the art for a dispenser to allow for pop-up dispensing of articles such as impregnated tissues or cloths, particularly when supplied in relatively tall dispensers, but that prevents the articles from falling back through the dispensing element or, in the event such fallback occurs, conveniently to retrieve the article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A dispenser for dispensing individual articles from a plurality of said articles, said dispenser comprising a housing including depending side walls for retaining said plurality of said articles and a top wall including a non-planar outer surface having a first aperture including at least a pair of juxtaposed adjacent side walls sufficiently close to one another to grasp and retain said individual articles at least partially removed from said housing, and at least one second aperture, said at least one second aperture being sufficiently large to permit at least one of said articles to be grasped by one or more fingers of the human hand from above said at least one second aperture in order to thrust said at least one individual article up and at least partially through said first aperture, whereby said article extends above said top wall and is retained by said first aperture for removal from said dispenser and optionally including a closable cover for sealably closing said first aperture and said at least one second aperture. Articles usefully employed with such a dispenser include natural and/or synthetic cloth or paper sheets, preferably impregnated with moisture, one or more cleaners or skin treatment compositions.

[0017] The invention further comprises a dispensing element as described above for use with a plurality of such articles that are interleaved or releasably attached.

[0018] The nonplanar structure of the invention allows a user comfortably to reach into a dispenser through the at least one larger opening to grasp one of the articles and pass it up and at least partially through the smaller aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the dispensing element according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the smaller aperture in the dispensing element according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the smaller aperture in the dispensing element according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a further alternative embodiment of the smaller aperture in the dispensing element according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a plan view and FIG. 5(A) is a side view of an alternative embodiment incorporating an undulating non-planar surface of the dispensing element according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a plan view and FIG. 6(A) is a side view of an alternative embodiment incorporating an undulating non-planar surface of the dispensing element incorporating several larger apertures according to the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of the dispensing element incorporating multiple large openings.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the dispensing element incorporating multiple large openings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The dispenser of the instant invention can be used with dry or impregnated articles, but is particularly useful for dispensing moisture-impregnated articles. For purposes of the present invention “moisture-impregnated articles” is defined to include articles impregnated with at least one substance selected from the group consisting of water, a surface cleaner, a cleaning composition capable of attracting particulate matter, a medicament, skin cleanser, skin moisturizer, skin lotion and antiseptic.

[0029] The “articles” usefully employed with a dispenser of the present invention include natural and/or synthetic cloth or paper sheets. Such articles include paper products such as tissues and woven and nonwoven products, the latter based on natural or synthetic fibers and mixtures thereof. The dispenser can contain articles such that the dispenser is either disposable or refillable. By “disposable” is meant a dispensing package containing a supply of articles intended to be discarded after the plurality of articles supplied therewith is depleted, i.e., the dispensing package is not intended to be restocked with such articles. Likewise, each article is discarded after use, and is not laundered, or otherwise restored. By “refillable” it is meant that the dispensing package is or may be restocked with articles after the supply is depleted.

[0030] For purposes of the present invention, non-planar means that at least one of the larger openings or apertures and one of the smaller openings or apertures in the dispensing face is located in a plane that is not the same. Such non-planar configurations include, e.g., those in which at least one of the smaller or larger apertures is raised above the other as well as those in which a plane incorporating the larger and smaller apertures has an undulating or wave-like configuration. In the circumstance where an undulating plane is employed, at least one of the larger or smaller apertures will more closely approach the surface of the article to be dispensed, thereby facilitating either grasping of an article or thrusting such article through the smaller aperture from below and into the pop-up position. For purposes of the present invention, an undulating plane need not be generated as a consequence of a gradual or wave-like curvature, but also includes a plane formed by a step change, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 4. Each of these alternative embodiments are further described hereinbelow.

[0031] Each article, i.e., an individual article, is releasably attached to each previous and subsequent article (except, respectively, for the first and last) by any releasable attachment means which allows easy separation to occur as the article is being dispensed or after the article is withdrawn through the dispensing element. The releasable attachment means may comprise adhesively joining the article to the adjacent articles with an adhesive that is suitable for use with the impregnant present on or in the article as well as with skin (where the impregnated article is intended to be used in contact with skin). “Releasably attached” means each article is easily separated from adjacent article, and may include releasable attachment means such as friction, cohesion, or other forces that releasably attach adjacent articles. Where articles are preferably interleaved, releasable attachment results from friction or cohesion between adjacent articles. In a preferred embodiment, each article is releasably attached to an adjacent article by a plurality of frangible lands. As used herein a “land” refers to a small connection separated by cuts and joining adjacent articles. Lands are considered to be “frangible” if, upon separation of one article from an adjacent article in tension, the lands break prior to significant ripping or tearing of either article. The articles may be connected by a plurality of lands. The number and size of the lands and cuts will vary depending on the type and composition of the article, e.g., whether an article is comprised of paper, cloth, non-woven synthetic fibers, etc. and whether it is dry or impregnated. Limited experimentation by one skilled in the art will readily determine the appropriate configuration to assure separation of the articles without undue tearing as well as assuring that the article is dispensed through the dispenser opening to assure availability of the succeeding article in the pop-up mode.

[0032] An article is considered to have been “dispensed through” the dispensing element when it passes at least partially from inside the dispenser to outside the dispenser, either due to the consumer reaching in, grasping the article and forcing it through the smaller dispenser opening from underneath the dispensing element, or the article popping up through the dispensing element by trailing the article previously withdrawn by the user. An article is considered to be “withdrawn” after it has passed completely from inside the dispensing element to outside the dispensing element, and no portion or edge of the article remains within the dispensing element.

[0033] “Fallback” is described hereinabove. In summary, it is understood to mean that an article that has dispensed through the smaller aperture of the dispensing element, rather than being retained in the pop-up mode above the surface of the dispensing element and available to be grasped and withdrawn by the user, falls back into the dispenser and beneath the surface. The user is then required to reach into the dispenser to grasp the article in order to “re-thread” it through the smaller aperture of the dispensing element (as noted above, such a process may require the user to at least partially disassemble the dispenser in order to gain access to the article). Fallback can occur as a consequence of the weight, thickness and/or frictional characteristics of the article in combination with the structure of the smaller aperture of the dispensing element and the surface characteristics of the material from which the walls of that opening are made, e.g., their frictional properties. Even an article that is dry can be subject to fallback if the aperture is improperly sized or shaped to grab and hold the article, particularly when the article is heavy, and given the size, shape and frictional properties of the aperture.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 7, the dispenser 71 according to the present invention comprises front, back and side walls 72 and 73, a top wall 74, also referred to as dispensing element 74, which includes the smaller aperture 79 through which an article is dispensed (i.e., a dispensing opening). The dispenser 71 is generally box shaped in the form of a parallelepiped, although it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the dispenser can be cylindrical with appropriate adjustment to the shape of the dispensing element 74. Furthermore, the dispenser can be made to include a bottom wall 711, or the bottom can be left open to facilitate refilling of a refillable dispenser. The dispensing element 74 is generally non-planar with at least one dispensing aperture 79 therein. Alternatively, the dispensing element 74 can take on the features as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, herein. In each instance the dispensing element can be made to be removable from the walls of the dispenser as indicated by the overlapping or fitted connection therewith at 710. Where the dispenser is constructed to include a bottom wall 711, the dispensing element 74 is removable where the dispenser is intended to be refillable. A plurality of articles are disposed in the dispenser.

[0035] The dispenser 71 and/or dispensing element 74 can be constructed so as to be closable using a hinged lid or closure such as 75. A closure is particularly useful where the articles are impregnated with a substance that is susceptible to evaporation if the dispenser is left open, especially when at least one article is exposed in the pop-up position. It is also preferred where it is particularly necessary to avoid contamination of the impregnated articles, such as in a medical application or contact with sensitive skin is anticipated. The closure can be formed so as to cover only the area encompassed by the apertures or it can be formed so as to close the entire top of the dispensing element 74, or a major portion thereof. Where less than the entire top of the dispensing element is closable, it is convenient, but not required, to recess the closure 75 within a recess 77. In that circumstance as well as generally, it is useful to include a closure release 712 to facilitate opening and closing the closure. Where the closure overlaps the dispensing element at 713, it is convenient to have the area recessed as it is for 77 so that the closure 712 is recessed within the area 713 and the top surface of the closure 715 is contiguous with the top surface of 74. Where the closure joins the dispensing element at 76, it is particularly useful to form the joint so as to construct a “living hinge”, e.g., using a polyolefin such as polypropylene, and further to include an opening therein, as shown at 714, in order to reduce the stress on the hinge 76. Alternatively, a conventional hinge well known to those skilled in the art can be constructed using multiple elements and incorporating a lid or closure 75 as a separate element and dispensing element 74. Preferably, such a conventional hinge can be constructed from such elements fabricated from polymeric materials in suitable shapes that can snap together in the area shown at 76 in FIG. 7 in order to form the hinge.

[0036] Incorporation of a closure or lid in combination with the larger second aperture 78 in the dispensing element or the dispenser is particularly useful for protecting an article, particularly a moisture-impregnated article, that has been dispensed through the first aperture 79, resulting in a large portion of the article extending above the top surface of 74 while the article remains in the pop-up mode. In such circumstances, the user can return the lead end of the extended portion of the article into the larger aperture 78 from above the top surface 74 so that it is partially secured and close the lid in order to prevent the article from drying out or becoming contaminated. Similarly, an article that has been inadvertently withdrawn from the dispenser can be placed in the larger aperture 78 and the lid closed in order to prevent the article from drying out or becoming contaminated. Upon re-opening the lid, either the inadvertently withdrawn article or the leading end of the dispensed-through article is easily retrieved from the larger aperture without having experienced fallback and/or the need to rethread the article through the smaller aperture in order to initiate the pop-up mode.

[0037] Examining the general configuration of the first aperture 79, it may have any suitable shape, and is smaller in area than the larger second aperture 78. It is essential that the first aperture 79 be smaller in area than the second aperture 78, so that articles that are dispensed from the dispenser 71, after the first article has been withdrawn, do not fall back into the dispenser. The second aperture 78 serves to allow the user to grasp the article closest to the dispensing element 74.

[0038] The height of the dispenser can be an issue if it exceeds the overlap of interleaved articles (as described above), or if articles are joined by releasable attachment means and the breaking strength of the releasable attachment means is overcome by the weight of the article between the releasable attachment means and the magazine or plurality of articles therebelow. As the dispenser is made taller in the vertical direction, and the weight of the free hanging article increases, the aperture 79 of the dispensing element 74 is preferably more restrictive in order to grasp and hold the article so as to prevent the article to be dispensed from falling back into the dispenser. Furthermore, as the articles become thicker, the configuration of the aperture 79 can be adjusted in order to permit the articles to be dispensed according to the present invention. The first aperture is of a size designed to constrict the articles as they are pulled through aperture 79 by the user. Articles are considered to be “constricted” when they must touch one or more walls of aperture 79 upon withdrawal by the user.

[0039] There is present in the dispensing element at least one second aperture 78 that is distinct from the first aperture 79 and is not considered to be in the same plane, i.e., it is non-planar for the purposes of the present invention, even where the larger and smaller apertures are present on an undulating surface. For purposes of the present invention, “distinct” means that apertures 78 and 79 are not wholly present on a single, substantially rigid imaginary plane that passes through one of the apertures. The second aperture is of a size suitable so that a user can reach into the dispenser to grasp an article and push it through the aperture 79 from beneath the surface of the dispensing element in order to initiate the pop-up mode of dispensing an article from a plurality of articles present in the dispenser when the dispenser is first supplied or re-supplied with articles, or to re-initiate the pop-up mode if an article has fallen back into the dispenser.

[0040] It is to be understood that the articles may either be wetted, impregnated or dry. One skilled in the art will recognize that the dispenser 71 will be impervious to water, moisture or another substance if the articles are wetted or impregnated with such substance. For example, the dispenser and/or dispensing element can be formed of a semi-rigid thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins and polyamides; preferably the dispenser and dispensing element are formed of the same material. The dispenser and dispensing element are particularly useful with articles that are impregnated with at least one substance selected from the group consisting of water, surface cleaner, cleaning composition capable of attracting particulate matter, a medicament, skin cleanser, skin moisturizer, skin lotion and antiseptic.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, the dispensing element 11 comprises first and second apertures 12 and 14, that are non-planar. The second aperture 12 is larger in area than the first aperture 14. A suitable second aperture 12 may be generally oval shaped or generally rectangularly shaped with, e.g., rounded corners. Where, the larger and smaller apertures are set within a recessed area within dispensing face 11, the shape of the larger aperture will generally follow the shape of the recess, e.g., oval, circular or rectangular. Aperture 12 conveniently has dimensions of about 6 centimeters by about 2.5 centimeters. However, the dimensions and specific shape of aperture 12 can be varied, e.g., for aesthetic reasons, provided that the dimensions and shape are sufficient to permit the fingers of a user to reach within the dispenser, grasp an article and initiate or re-initiate the pop-up function as described above.

[0042] Referring again to FIG. 1, the first aperture 14 includes a pair of juxtaposed adjacent sidewalls 17, sufficiently close to one another to grasp and retain individual articles that are at least partially removed or dispensed from the dispenser, i.e., in a pop-up position. The opening at 17 can be sufficiently narrow so as to form a slit joining larger areas 18. A “slit” refers to a severing between two otherwise contiguous pieces of material, wherein the opposite sides of the slit are generally in touching contact, the slit preferably not having been formed by removal of material but rather by cutting into the surface of the material. Alternatively, and preferably, the opening may comprise a narrow passageway wherein opposite sides are in close proximity but do not touch. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the specific shape of aperture 14, including closely juxtaposed sidewalls 17, areas 18 and narrow protuberances or extensions 19 are not significant, provided that aperture 14 is capable of grasping and retaining an article in a dispensed or pop-up position. For example, the narrow protuberances 19 also can be viewed as alternative or assisting structures by which an article is held in a pop-up position as a consequence of being “trapped” by a narrow passageway communicating from beneath the dispensing face 11 to above the dispensing face; this can also be accomplished with the use of a slit. In the present illustrations, the protuberances are shown with rounded sidewall configurations, but they can, of course have sharp, angular shapes which are included within the scope of the invention. An alternative embodiment for aperture 14 is illustrated in FIG. 4 of WO 02/42188, incorporated by reference and, including narrow passageways 41, small opening 42 and protuberances 43; others shapes can be found illustrated in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,328,907, 4,289,262 and 4,848,575, relevant parts thereof, including the figures, incorporated herein to the extent permitted. Alternative embodiments for smaller apertures 14, 24, 34, 43, 53 and 63 are shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) of WO 02/42188, incorporated herein to the extent permitted. In these embodiments the narrow passageways identified as 51 and 52 therein include ridges or teeth, 54, designed to engage the article and hold it in the pop up position so as to prevent or reduce the chance of it falling back into the dispenser, as well as to grasp the article so as to facilitate separation of one article from the following article. In each instance, it is the objective that the size and shape characteristics of the smaller aperture are sufficient to grasp and hold the article in a more restrictive portion or passageway thereof, so as to prevent or significantly inhibit the article from falling back into the dispenser holding the plurality of articles, as well as to provide that the articles can be individually withdrawn from the dispenser. In other words, interleaved articles or adhered articles will be separated from one another by overcoming frictional or adhesive forces and releasably attached articles joined e.g., by frangible lands, will have the lands broken so as to allow individual articles to be withdrawn.

[0043] Smaller aperture 14 is shown in FIG. 1 as terminating with the perimeter of the opening forming larger opening 12. However, the surface on which smaller aperture 14 is present is configured so as to extend above the surface of the larger opening and dispensing face 11. Consequently, a user can insert his or her fingers into the larger opening, grasp at least one article and push it through the smaller opening above the plane of the larger opening. The additional space between, and separation of, the planes of the larger and smaller openings created by the configuration of the present invention, facilitates manipulation of the article to effect pop-up dispensing. As illustrated, the structure or surface in which smaller aperture 14 is incorporated begins at 15 and ends at 16 in the plane of the larger aperture, but extends above it in a curved or peaked fashion, although the choice of shape can be at the discretion of one skilled in the art consistent with the principles of the present invention.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, an alternative construction for smaller aperture 23 is illustrated. In this figure, while the structure or surface in which smaller aperture 23 begins at 25 and ends at 26 in the plane of larger aperture 22, it does so at a distance somewhat removed from the edge or perimeter of aperture 22 and in the top surface of dispensing face 21. The specific location of the starting and ending points 25 and 26 are not critical and can occur anywhere between the edges of larger aperture 22 and the sidewall of dispensing face 21. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the height of the peak can be adjusted by extending or reducing the distance between the starting and ending points 25 and 26.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3 there is illustrated another embodiment for the surface 33 incorporating the smaller aperture 34. In this embodiment surface 33 begins at 37, illustrated as beginning at the edge of larger aperture 32, but, as noted above, it can be located at any point within the top surface of dispensing face 31 between the edge at 37 and the sidewall of 31. At the furthest end of surface 33 there is illustrated a tab 35 designed to fit within slot 36 cut in the top surface of dispensing face 31. When the tab is placed within the slot, as indicated by the dashed line 38, a surface is formed that extends above the larger aperture 32 in a manner analogous to that in FIGS. 1 and 2. To do so, surface 33 is constructed so that it is longer in the axial direction, from 35 to 37, than the distance from 37 to 36. Furthermore, in a further alternative embodiment, surface 33 can be formed totally independently of dispensing face 31 and including tabs at each of its ends designed to fit within matching slots within dispensing face 31. As before, the axial length of surface 33 would be selected so as to exceed the distance between the dispensing face slots so as to form a surface that is raised above dispensing face 31, the extent of such elevation determined by the different between the length of surface 33 and the distance between the slots. Such a distance can be varied in each of the embodiments disclosed so as to accommodate the physical characteristics of various articles to be dispensed, e.g., thin tissues or thicker non-woven cloths. Furthermore, the amount of rise or separation can be selected, after some limited experimentation, to facilitate the comfort and convenience of the average user's fingers.

[0046] With regard to the embodiments illustrated in each of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the location of the narrow surface incorporating the smaller aperture can be adjusted to be along the largest axis of the larger aperture or at a position traversing a shorter distance across the larger aperture. In so traversing a shorter distance, a larger exposure of the larger aperture can be obtained, thereby facilitating entry of the user's fingers into the dispenser. Consequently, the present invention allows for design variations based on convenience, comfort and consideration of the physical attributes of the article to be dispensed.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that in another embodiment of the present invention the larger and smaller apertures 42 and 43 are independent of one another. In this figure, the smaller aperture 43 is located on a raised surface 44 and, therefore, the two apertures are non-planar. Conversely, the larger aperture can be located on an elevated surface and the smaller opening can be in the plane of the dispenser, or one or the other of the apertures, but not both, can be located in a recess relative to the other.

[0048] Referring to still further alternative embodiments, in FIGS. 5, 5A, 6 and 6A the larger and smaller apertures are non-planar since they are present on different elevations of an undulating surface; FIGS. 5A and 6A are side elevations of the corresponding plan view in FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 5, the larger aperture 52 is located on a raised area and the smaller aperture 53 is located on a lowered area. In FIG. 6, the locations of each of the apertures is reversed. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, the dispensing face 551 and 661 covers the body of the dispenser, 555 and 665, the latter holding a plurality of articles to be dispensed. As a result of the placement of the larger and smaller apertures, more or less space is provided between the entry of the user's fingers and the article to be dispensed or between the article to be dispensed and the smaller, dispensing aperture. These alternative arrangements also provide for design flexibility. Furthermore, the magnitude of the undulation or wave in the dispensing face also can be used to increase or decrease the spacing between the bottom of the dispensing face and the top of the articles to be dispensed, thereby providing additional design flexibility. Finally, multiple larger apertures can be accommodated by, e.g., utilizing an undulating surface suitable for placement of such openings, e.g., multiple undulations such as three instead of the two illustrated in the figures, with an appropriate adjustment of the size of the large apertures. In this manner, one can utilize two larger apertures separate from and proximate the smaller aperture, wherein each of the larger apertures is present on a portion of the undulating surface different from that of the smaller aperture.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the dispensing element incorporating multiple large openings, 8. Smaller opening 9 is present on a surface 10 that is raised above the plane comprising larger openings, 8.

[0050] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a further alternative embodiment of the dispensing element similarly incorporating multiple larger openings, 8, that are present on either elevated or lowered areas of the dispensing element surface, 7, relative to the smaller opening, 9. Consequently, the dispensing element surface has the characteristic of a wave-like or undulating surface.

[0051] Again referring to FIG. 7, in use, articles may be first dispensed, or may be re-dispensed if fall-back has occurred, from the dispenser 71 according to the following procedure. The user inserts his or her fingers through the second aperture 78, and partially dispenses at least a first article by grasping it, e.g., with the thumb and forefinger and, from beneath the surface of the dispensing element 74, pushing the article up and at least partially through smaller opening 79. The first article can thereafter be withdrawn from the dispenser 71 through the smaller first aperture 79. The first article is separated from the adjacent or succeeding article, e.g., by breaking frangible lands between successive articles, overcoming frictional or adhesive forces (if the articles are adhesively joined), or exceeding the tensile strength of any other releasable attachment means that may be employed. The present invention is particularly suited to the withdrawal of individual articles from a dispenser using one hand, even in those circumstances where an article has fallen back into the dispenser (as described above). This can be particularly important where the articles being dispensed are intended for the care of an infant, requiring the user to maintain the security of the infant with one hand while withdrawing an article, especially an article impregnated with a composition used to clean or treat the skin of the infant.

[0052] Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments or variations within the scope of the claims, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing individual articles from a plurality of said articles, said dispenser comprising a housing including depending side walls for retaining said plurality of said articles and a top wall including a non-planar outer surface having a first aperture including at least a pair of juxtaposed adjacent side walls sufficiently close to one another to grasp and retain said individual articles at least partially removed from said housing, and at least one second aperture, said at least one second aperture being sufficiently large to permit at least one of said articles to be grasped by one or more fingers of the human hand from above said at least one second aperture in order to thrust said at least one individual article up and at least partially through said first aperture, whereby said article extends above said top wall and is retained by said first aperture for removal from said dispenser.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said non-planar outer surface includes a recessed portion, said first aperture and said at least one second aperture being disposed in said recessed portion.

3. The dispenser of claim 2 including a closable cover sized so as to closably seal said recessed portion upon closure thereof.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said at least one second aperture comprises at least two of said second apertures.

5. The dispenser of claim 3 including a living hinge connecting said closable cover to said housing.

6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said top wall is separate from and affixable to said depending sidewalls of said housing.

7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein said closable cover is affixed to said top wall.

8. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said housing has sufficient rigidity to retain its shape subsequent to its manufacture.

9. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein said housing comprises semi-rigid thermoplastic material.

10. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein said thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins and polyamides.

11. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a bottom wall.

12. The dispenser of claim 11 wherein at least one of said top wall and said bottom wall is removable from said housing for filling said housing with said plurality of articles.

13. The dispenser of claim 1 further including a closable cover for sealably closing said first aperture and said at least one second aperture.

14. The dispenser of claim 13 comprising two of said second apertures wherein each of said second apertures is separated from one another and from said first aperture.

15. The dispenser of claim 13 wherein said at least one second aperture comprises at least four of said second apertures disposed around the perimeter of said non-planar surface.

16. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said articles comprise moisture impregnated articles.

17. The dispenser of claim 16 wherein said moisture impregnated articles are impregnated with at least one substance selected from the group consisting of water, surface cleaner, cleaning composition capable of attracting particulate matter, a medicament, skin cleanser, skin moisturizer, skin lotion and antiseptic.

18. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said articles are interleaved and/or releasably attached.

19. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said juxtaposed adjacent side walls of said first aperture are so constructed as to cause said individual article to be separated from said plurality of articles upon said individual article being withdrawn from said dispenser.

20. A dispensing element for dispensing individual articles from a plurality of said articles, said dispensing element comprising a non-planar surface having a first aperture including at least a pair of juxtaposed adjacent side walls sufficiently close to one another to grasp and retain said individual articles at least partially above said opening, and at least one second aperture, said at least one second aperture being sufficiently large to permit at least one of said articles to be grasped by one or more fingers of the human hand from above said at least one second aperture in order to thrust said at least one said individual articles up and at least partially through said first aperture from beneath said first aperture, whereby said article extends above said surface.

21. The dispensing element of claim 20 adapted for use with a dispenser capable of holding a plurality of interleaved and/or releasably attached articles.

22. The dispensing element of claim 21 further including a closable cover for sealably closing said first aperture and said at least one second aperture.

23. The dispensing element of claim 22 wherein said at least one second aperture comprises at least four of said second apertures disposed around the perimeter of said non-planar surface.