Tissue dispenser

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing tissues that attaches to a substantially flat surface at a predetermined location. The apparatus includes an encasement to store and dispense the tissues. The encasement has a predetermined shape and an opening in a top portion thereof to dispense the tissues therefrom. The apparatus also includes a fastening portion connected to the encasement to attach the encasement to the substantially flat surface at the predetermined location.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/626,348 filed on Nov. 9, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to tissue dispensers and, more particularly, the invention relates to an attachable tissue dispensing apparatus capable of fastening to almost any flat surface such as a wall or door.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tissues and tissue dispensers have been in existence for many years. However, conventional tissue dispensers are limited in where they can be placed for use depending on cabinet, countertop, or desktop space available. This space is usually even more limited in public restrooms where having a tissue to use to grab a door handle or lever that may have infectious germs thereon would be convenient.

A need exists for people concerned about germs when they must use public restrooms to be able to have access to a tissue when having to open or close a door. Also, people need an alternative to conventional tissue dispensers that take up valuable cabinet, countertop, or desktop space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides a disposable apparatus for dispensing tissues that is attachable to a substantially flat surface at a predetermined location. The apparatus includes a dispenser means where the tissues are stored and dispensed from. The dispenser means has a predetermined shape and an opening in a top wall portion thereof for dispensing the tissues therefrom. The apparatus also includes an attachment means which is connected to a predetermined wall portion of the dispenser means to attach the dispenser means to the substantially flat surface at the predetermined location.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a reusable apparatus for encasing a tissue dispenser and that attaches the tissue dispenser to a substantially flat surface at a predetermined location. The apparatus includes an encasement means for containing the tissue dispenser therein. The encasement means has a first opening in a top wall portion thereof sufficient to dispense tissues through and a second opening in a first predetermined wall portion thereof sufficient to fit the tissue dispenser therethrough. The apparatus further includes an attachment means connected to a second predetermined wall portion of the encasement means to attach the encasement means to the substantially flat surface at the predetermined location.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a tissue dispenser that may attach to a wall or door of a public restroom such that a person may have access to a tissue when grabbing a door handle with possible infectious germs thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tissue dispenser that may attach to almost any substantially flat surface such as a wall, a door, or even the side or bottom of a desk to save on valuable counter, countertop, or desktop space.

In addition to the above described objects and advantages of the present invention, various other objects and advantages of the attachable tissue dispenser will become more readily apparent to those persons skilled in such art from the more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art disposable tissue dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disposable tissue dispensing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an attachable container for enclosing a conventional tissue box according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an attachable container for enclosing a conventional tissue box, as illustrated in FIG. 3, showing the attachment means of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components, having identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several drawing figures.

Referring now, more particularly, to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a disposable apparatus, generally designated 10, that dispenses tissues 12 and attaches to a substantially flat surface at a predetermined location, such as on a wall, on a door, on the side of or underneath an office desk, etc. The disposable apparatus 10 includes a dispenser means, generally designated 20, for storing and dispensing the tissues 12.

The dispenser means 20 has a predetermined shape and an opening 14 in a top wall portion 16 thereof for dispensing the tissues 12 therefrom. In addition, an attachment means, generally designated 30, is connected to a predetermined wall portion of the dispenser means 20 so that the dispenser means 20 can be attached to the substantially flat surface at the predetermined location.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the predetermined shape of the dispenser means 20 is a generally rectangular box made from a paper product.

In another presently preferred embodiment, the attachment means 30 includes an adhesive to attach the dispenser means 20 to the substantially flat surface at the predetermined location. Preferably, the adhesive used is double sided adhesive tape 18.

In yet another presently preferred embodiment, the predetermined wall portion of the dispenser means 20 having the attachment means 30 connected thereto is at least one of a bottom wall portion 22 and a side wall portion 24.

Referring now, more particularly, to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a reusable apparatus, generally designated 40, for encasing a tissue dispenser, generally designated 26 in FIG. 3, and attaching the tissue dispenser 26 to a substantially flat surface at a predetermined location. The reusable apparatus 40 includes an encasement means, generally designated 50, that encases the tissue dispenser 26 therein.

The encasement means 50 has a first opening 28 in a top wall portion 32 thereof sufficient to dispense tissues through and a second opening 34 in a first predetermined wall portion thereof sufficient to fit the tissue dispenser 26 therethrough.

The reusable apparatus 40 further includes an attachment means 30 connected to a second predetermined wall portion of the encasement means 50 for attaching the encasement means 50 to the substantially flat surface at the predetermined location.

The preferred shape of the tissue dispenser 26 is a generally rectangular box that is made from paper. Also, the preferred shape of the encasement means 50 is a generally rectangular box that is made from one of plastic and metal.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment means 30 connected to the encasement means 50 to attach the encasement means 50 to the substantially flat surface at the predetermined location includes an adhesive. It is also preferred that the adhesive is double sided adhesive tape 18.

Such first predetermined wall portion of the encasement means 50 having the second opening 34 therein sufficient to fit said tissue dispenser 26 therethrough is one of an end wall portion and a side wall portion.

In another presently preferred embodiment, the second predetermined wall portion of the encasement means 50 having the attachment means 30 connected thereto is at least one of a bottom wall portion 36 and a side wall portion 38.

While the presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been discussed in considerable detail above, it should be obvious to those persons who are skilled in the art that various modifications and adaptations of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A disposable apparatus for dispensing tissues and attaching to a substantially flat surface at a predetermined location, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a dispenser means for storing and dispensing said tissues, said dispenser means having a predetermined shape and an opening in a top wall portion thereof for dispensing said predetermined amount of tissues therefrom; and

(b) an attachment means connected to a predetermined wall portion of said dispenser means for attaching said dispenser means to said substantially flat surface at said predetermined location.

2. A disposable apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape of said dispenser means is a generally rectangular box.

3. A disposable apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said generally rectangular box is made from paper.

4. A disposable apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means connected to said dispenser means for attaching said dispenser means to said substantially flat surface at said predetermined location includes an adhesive.

5. A disposable apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said adhesive is double sided adhesive tape.

6. A disposable apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined wall portion of said dispenser means having said attachment means connected thereto is a bottom wall portion.

7. A disposable apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined wall portion of said dispenser means having said attachment means connected thereto is a side wall portion.

8. A reusable apparatus for encasing a tissue dispenser and attaching said tissue dispenser to a substantially flat surface at a predetermined location, said apparatus comprising:

(a) an encasement means for encasing said tissue dispenser therein, said encasement means having a first opening in a top wall portion thereof sufficient to dispense tissues through and a second opening in a first predetermined wall portion thereof sufficient to fit said tissue dispenser therethrough; and

(b) an attachment means connected to a second predetermined wall portion of said encasement means for attaching said encasement means to said substantially flat surface at said predetermined location.

9. A reusable apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said tissue dispenser is a generally rectangular box.

10. A reusable apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein said generally rectangular box is made from paper.

11. A reusable apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said encasement means is a generally rectangular box.

12. A reusable apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said generally rectangular box is made from one of plastic and metal.

13. A reusable apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said attachment means connected to said encasement means for attaching said encasement means to said substantially flat surface at said predetermined location includes an adhesive.

14. A reusable apparatus, according to claim 13, wherein said adhesive is double sided adhesive tape.

15. A reusable apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said first predetermined wall portion of said encasement means having said second opening therein sufficient to fit said tissue dispenser therethrough is an end wall portion.

16. A reusable apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said first predetermined wall portion of said encasement means having said second opening therein sufficient to fit said tissue dispenser therethrough is a side wall portion.

17. A reusable apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said second predetermined wall portion of said encasement means having said attachment means connected thereto is a bottom wall portion.

18. A reusable apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said second predetermined wall portion of said encasement means having said attachment means connected thereto is a side wall portion.