Tissue dispenser

Abstract

A tissue dispenser adapted to mount into the cup holders of a modern vehicle. A tissue dispenser comprising all recyclable products. A tissue dispenser adapted to mount into the cup holder of a vehicle with refillable tissue package inserts. A method for folding tissues for dispensing from a cylindrical dispenser. A portable tissue dispenser adapted to be carried in a purse or the like.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to dispensers for tissues, and more specifically to a dispenser intended for use in vehicles.

2. Description of Related Art

It is difficult to hold a tissue dispenser box stationary in a moving vehicle with the tissues within reach of the driver. The dispenser tends to move about in response to movements of the vehicle. There may be no convenient surface near the use upon which the tissue dispenser may be placed.

U.S. Patent Application No. US2003/0213810 A1 to Wu discloses a tissue dispenser with an attachment mechanism secured to the bottom for attaching the tissue dispenser to a support surface. A drawback of this approach is that there may not be an available and appropriate surface on which to mount this traditional sized tissue dispenser.

U.S. Patent Application No. US2001/0019072 A1 to Wu discloses another tissue dispenser with an attachment means for securing the box holder in a desired position on a support surface. The box holder is made of elastic cord or strap material in a woven fish-net pattern, which is attached on its underside to the vehicle. Once again, a drawback of this approach is that there may not be an available and appropriate surface on which to mount this traditional sized tissue dispenser.

Also, smaller packages that dispense tissues, that can be carried in a purse or the like, typically come in a rectangular soft package that may be difficult to use and store.

What is called for is a dispenser that utilizes existing mounting features in a vehicle. What is also called for is a dispenser that is easy to use and store in something such as a purse or a pocket.

SUMMARY

A tissue dispenser adapted to mount into the cup holders of a modern vehicle. A tissue dispenser comprising all recyclable products. A tissue dispenser adapted to mount into the cup holder of a vehicle with refillable tissue package inserts. A method for folding tissues for dispensing from a cylindrical dispenser. A portable tissue dispenser adapted to be carried in a purse or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sketch of a tissue dispenser according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sketch of a tissue dispenser being opened according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sketch of a tissue dispenser according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sketch of aspects of a tissue dispenser according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sketch of a tissues packet according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sketch of a loaded tissue dispenser according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sketch of a tissue folding regimen according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sketch of a fan fold tissue folding regimen according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sketch of a fan fold tissue folding regimen according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sketch of a tissue dispenser with a coil of fan folded tissues according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sketch of a tissue dispenser with a roll of fan folded tissues according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sketch of a tissues packet.

FIG. 13 is a sketch of a tissue dispenser according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sketch of a tissue dispenser according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 15A-B are a sketches of a tissue dispenser according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a sketch of a tissue dispenser 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The main body 101 of the tissue dispenser 100 is predominantly cylindrical in shape. The main body 101 is adapted to fit snugly into a cup or can holder of a motor vehicle. Many of the cup holders in modern vehicles are sized such that they fit snugly with a friction fit against a standard sized soft drink can. This is typically a diameter of 2 and ½ inches to 2 and ⅝ inches in diameter. By mounting the tissue dispenser in a cup holder, the tissue dispenser is both securely mounted and within ready reach of the user.

The main body 101 has a bottom surface 105 and a top surface 102. In some embodiments, the top surface will be the surface through which tissues stored within the tissue dispenser 100 are removed. A pull tab 103 may be mounted onto the top surface 102. The pull tab 103 is mounted to a tear portion 104 of the top surface 102 which is surrounded by a serrated, or partially punched out, edge.

FIG. 2 is a sketch of the tissue dispenser 100 in a state after the pull tab 103 has been pulled. A first tissue 107 has been pulled up through a hole 108 in the top surface of the dispenser. The first tissue in the dispenser may be attached to the tear portion 104 which has been torn from the top surface by the pulling of the pull tab 103. The first tissue 107 may be adhered to the tear portion 104 with a small amount of adhesive or other appropriate method.

In some embodiments, a tissue dispenser in which the first tissue is attached to the tear portion, and thus adapted to have the first tissue pulled out of the dispenser as the tear portion is pulled by the pull tab, can be of any of a variety of sizes and shapes.

FIG. 3 is a sketch of the tissue dispenser 100 after the first tissue 107 has been pulled out of the dispenser. A second tissue 109 has been pulled through the hole in the top surface by the first tissue. The tissues are connected in manner such that the tissue being removed through the hole pulls out the next tissue, but then separates from that next tissue after that next tissue has been somewhat pulled through the hole in the top surface.

In some embodiments, all of the tissue dispenser is made from recyclable material. In some embodiments, all of the tissue dispenser is made from paper. In today's environmentally conscious world, having a product made from recyclable material, which is then in turn also recyclable, reduces the environmental cost of the product. In some embodiments, the tissue dispenser is sized such that its height is the height of a typical soft drink can, approximately 5 inches. In some embodiments, the tissue dispenser is sized to be shorter, such as the size of a “half can” of soda. In some embodiments, the tissue dispenser is sized to be longer, such as the size of a tall can, approximately 6.5 inches in height.

FIG. 4 is a sketch of aspects of a tissue dispenser 200 according to some embodiments of the present invention. A main body 202 is adapted to fit snugly in the cup holder of a modern vehicle. In some embodiments, the main body 202 is substantially cylindrical. The main body has tabs 205 along its periphery near the top 203. The tabs 205 are adapted for the easy sealing, and subsequent removal, of the top 201. In some embodiments, the top 201 will have a slight inner flange along the inner surface of its side 206. The slight inner flange will allow the top 201 to be gently pushed onto the main body 202 so that it will snap into place and remain attached. In some embodiments, the top 201 may be attached to the main body 202 using threads on the outside of the main body adapted to thread into threads along the inner surface of the side 206 of the top 201. The top 201 has a top surface 207 which has a large annular hole 204 through it.

FIG. 5 is a sketch of a tissues packet 250 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The tissues packet 250 has a top 252 and a tissue container 251 which contains a plurality of dry tissues. In some embodiments, the top 252 of the tissues packet 250 has a slight rim flange 255 adapted to be captured between the top 201 of the tissue dispenser 200 and the top 203 of the main body 202. The tissue packet 250 may be sized such that it fits relatively snugly into the tissue dispenser 200. The tissue packet 250 has a pull tab 254 used to open a removable portion 253 of the top 252. In some embodiments, the first tissue in the tissue packet 250 is attached to the bottom of the removable portion 253 such that it is dispensed as the removable portion 253 is pulled away by the action of the user pulling on the pull tab 254.

FIG. 6 is a sketch of a loaded tissue dispenser 300 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The tissue dispenser 200 is seen with the tissue packet 250 loaded within it. In such an embodiment, a reusable dispenser may be continually reloaded with tissue packets, thus only creating recyclable waste.

FIG. 7 is a sketch of a tissue folding regimen according to some embodiments of the present invention. A plurality of dry tissues 310, 311, 312 are seen laid end to end along a first direction. Although three tissues are shown, it is understood that a significantly larger number of tissues may be folded using folding regimens according to embodiments of the present invention. The tissues may be overlapped approximately two inches in some embodiments. The tissues are overlapped such that the overlap provides sufficient friction for the pulling of the next tissue partially out of the dispenser by the pulling of the previous tissue. Once the next tissue has been partially pulled out of the dispenser, the previous tissue's area of overlap with the next tissue is under less pressure, resulting in less friction, and the previous tissue pulls free of the next tissue.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate two types of fan folds according to some embodiments of the present invention. As seen in end views in FIGS. 8 and 9, using two tissues 320, 321 as an example, the overlapping tissues are folded in a fan type pattern along a direction perpendicular to their overlapping direction. The folds shown are then compressed horizontally so that the result is a folded plurality of dry tissues. The fold shown in FIG. 9 with two exemplary tissues 330, 331, may be used when the vertical height of the folded tissues is desired to be higher than that of the fold shown in FIG. 8. The fan fold results in fold lines that are parallel to the pull direction of the tissues.

FIG. 10 illustrates a tissue dispenser 350 loaded with a coil of fan folded tissues 351. A first tissue 352 is seen exiting through a hole 353. In embodiments such as exemplified by the example in FIG. 10, the tissues have been fan folded such that their vertical height is minimized, and then a long length of fan folded tissue is laid into the dispenser as one would coil a rope into a bucket. The fan folding of the overlapping tissues provides sufficient friction that the pulling of the exterior tissue that has exited the hole will pull the next tissue in the line out of the hole, but once out of the hole the overlap portion will be able to expand, loosening the pulled tissue from the dispenser.

FIG. 11 illustrates a tissue dispenser 400 with a roll 401 of fan folded tissues. In embodiments such as exemplified by the example in FIG. 11, the tissues have been fan folded such that their vertical height is set to the height of the inside of the dispenser and rolled into a roll. The tissue on the inside of the roll is pulled through the top of the dispenser and pulls the next tissue out as in the earlier example.

FIG. 12 illustrates a prior art tissue package 450. Typically, the tissue package has a clear cellophane or plastic soft outer packaging 451 in the shape of a rectangle, through which the tissues 452 are visible. A pull tab 454 is used to tear open perforations 453 in the outer packaging. The pull tab typically has an adhesive such that the opening in the packaging can be resealed.

FIG. 13 is a sketch of a tissue dispenser 500 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The tissue dispenser 500 has a main body 501 which is in the shape of a disc. The main body 501 has a top 502. The top 502 of the main body 501 has a removable portion 504 which may be removed by the pulling of the pull tab 503. The top 502 of the main body may be made of paper or other material and the removable portion 504 may be circumscribed by perforations which tear when the pull tab 503 is pulled, thus creating a hole in the top of the dispenser. The dispenser may be filled with dry tissues. In some embodiments, the dry tissues may be overlapped and fan folded. In some embodiments, the first of the tissues may be adhered to the removable portion such that the removal of the removable portion pulls the first tissue through the hole created by the removal of the removable portion. The small disc shape of the dispenser in some embodiments is similar to a small tin of mints, and may fit into the purse of a user, or the pocket of the user, for easy carrying. In some embodiments, all or most of the dispenser may be made of recyclable material such as paper.

FIG. 14 is a sketch of a tissue dispenser 530 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The tissue dispenser is also disc shaped. The tissue dispenser may be approximately 1 inch high and 3 inches in diameter in some embodiments. The tissue dispenser 530 is seen with a tissue packet 534 loaded within it. In such an embodiment, a reusable dispenser may be continually reloaded with tissue packets, thus only creating recyclable waste. The main body 531 of the dispenser has a top 531 and a bottom piece 533. The top 531 has a hole 535 in it exposing the top of the tissue packet. The tissues packet has a removable portion 536 which can be removed by pulling the attached pull tab 537. In some embodiments, the first of the tissues may be adhered to the removable portion such that the removal of the removable portion pulls the first tissue through the hole created by the removal of the removable portion. The small disc shape of the dispenser in some embodiments is similar to a small tin of mints, and may fit into the purse of a user, or the pocket of the user, for easy carrying. In some embodiments, the top and bottom of the dispenser may snap together. In some embodiments, the top and the bottom of the dispenser may thread together.

FIGS. 15A-B are sketches of another small tissue dispenser 550 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The size of the small tissue dispenser 550 may be similar to the size of a roll of candies or mints in some embodiments. The dispenser 550 may have a main body 551 consisting of a tube 552 and a top 553. The top 553 may have a hole allowing access to a tissue packet 554 contained within. The top 553 may be removable to allow for the replacement of the tissue packet. Tissues 555 are removed from the dispenser through a hole 556 in the top of the tissue packet. The hole may result from the removal of a removable portion of the top of the tissue packet.

As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments may be configured from the description given herein and additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general invention.

Claims

1. A tissue dispenser for dispensing tissues, the dispenser comprising:

a main body for containing a plurality of dry tissues, said main body being substantially cylindrical, said main body having a top and a bottom; and

a plurality of tissues contained within said main body.

2. The tissue dispenser of claim 1 wherein said main body is adapted to fit snugly into a vehicle cup holder.

3. The tissue dispenser of claim 2 wherein said main body has a cylinder diameter of approximately 2.5 inches.

4. The tissue dispenser of claim 2 wherein said plurality of dry tissues are fan folded and overlapped within said main body.

5. The tissue dispenser of claim 4 wherein said top of said main body includes a pull tab attached to a removable portion of said top.

6. The tissue dispenser of claim 5 wherein one of said plurality of dry tissues is attached to the removable portion of said top.

7. The tissue dispenser of claim 2 wherein said top of said main body includes a pull tab attached to a removable portion of said top.

8. The tissue dispenser of claim 7 wherein one of said plurality of dry tissues is attached to the removable portion of said top.

9. The tissue dispenser of claim 8 wherein said main body comprises paper.

10. A method for removing tissues from a dispenser comprising:

overlapping a plurality of dry tissues along a first direction; and

fan folding said plurality of dry tissues along a second direction, wherein said first direction is substantially perpendicular to said second direction.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising wrapping said plurality of tissues into a shape adapted to fit within a substantially cylindrical dispenser.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising confining said plurality of tissues within a substantially cylindrical dispenser.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said substantially cylindrical dispenser has a top with a removable portion.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising attaching one of said plurality of tissues to said removable portion.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising removing said removable portion from the top of the dispenser, thereby pulling the attached tissue through a hole in the top of the dispenser.

16. A tissue dispenser for dispensing tissues, the dispenser comprising:

a main body for containing a plurality of dry tissues, said main body having sides and a bottom;

a top for said main body, said top adapted to attach to the substantially cylindrical sides of said main body, said top having a large hole in its middle; and

a tissues packet, said tissues packet adapted to fit into said main body, said tissues packet having a top, the top of said tissues packet adapted to fit under said top of said main body, the top of said tissues packet accessible through said large hole in the top of said main body.

17. The tissue dispenser of claim 16 wherein said sides of said main body are substantially cylindrical.

18. The tissue dispenser of claim 16, wherein said tissues packet comprises a plurality of dry tissues.

19. The tissue dispenser of claim 18 wherein said top of said tissues packet includes a pull tab attached to a removable portion of said top of said tissues packet.

20. The tissue dispenser of claim 19 wherein one of said plurality of dry tissues is attached to the removable portion of said top of said tissues packet.

21. The tissue dispenser of claim 20 wherein said plurality of dry tissues are fan folded and overlapped within said tissues packet.

22. A tissue dispenser comprising:

a main body for containing a plurality of dry tissues, said main body including a removable portion;

a plurality of dry tissues contained within said main body, wherein one of said plurality of dry tissues is attached to said removable portion.

23. The tissue dispenser of claim 22 further comprising a pull tab attached to said removable portion.