Tissue roll and dispenser

Abstract

A novel tissue package and tissue dispenser is disclosed, where the tissue package is a tissue roll of height and width, where the tissue roll is taller than it is wide, and a tissue dispenser comprised of a dispenser housing with a central core and an exterior, where the central core is compatibly sized to receive the tissue roll and where the exterior is comprised of a decorative format. The tissue roll and the tissue dispenser of the present invention allow for variations in the distance between a first tissue and the top of the tissue roll while maintaining an integral connection between the first tissue and the tissue roll for providing the sequential propagation of successive tissues from the dispenser housing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tissue rolls and tissue dispensers. More particularly, the present invention relates to tissue rolls that fit a number of tissue dispensers with decorative housings.

Tissues have typically been supplied in packages reflecting a cubic shape. The tissues are individually stacked and are folded in such a way as to be interconnected thus when the first tissue is pulled through a dispenser, the next tissue is raised to a position where it may be grasped by the next user. This method does not always work as planned and sometimes the next consecutive tissue does not advance. This may mean that the user will have to reach into the tissue box or dissemble a tissue dispenser in order to gain access to the second tissue. The usage of tissues packaged in this manner has drawbacks even though it has been a commercially popular way to offer the product.

Tissue rolls have been known in the prior art and attempts have been made to promote the usage of tissue rolls in way that mimic the dispensers used for the regular cubic forms of tissue packages. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,864,495 (Ritchie) teaches a tissue roll that can be inserted into a rectangular housing that resembles a conventional type of tissue dispenser. Similarly in U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,129 (Sedgwick) teaches the use of a tissue roll in providing a moist towellette. The container in this instance is provided as a cylindrical housing that fits the tissue roll closely. The container is utilitarian in that it provides the most economical means for containing the tissue roll. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,281 (Annand) a folded tissue stack for use as facial tissues is disclosed that is used in combination with a dispenser to provide a means for dispensing the individual tissues more reliably. None of these prior art dispensers teaches a decorative housing that utilizes a tissue roll.

In U.S. Pat. No. D385,734 (Mervar, et al) a substantially cylindrical housing is shown for retaining a tissue roll. Again, the housing is utilitarian and does not provide a decorative function. Another utilitarian solution for retaining a tissue roll is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,921 (Johnson) where a center-pull moistened tissue roll is housed in a cylindrical container that has a cap that retards the loss of moisture. Yet another center-pull dispenser is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,137 (Schutz, et al) where the tissues are dispensed through a nozzle type exit. None of these prior art devices disclose a housing that compatibly serves to retain a tissue roll of a standard dimension.

A very different tissue roll and dispenser is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,064 (Rizzuto) where a large roll is installed in a cabinet for dispensing through the top. The roll is oversized and meant for providing a long term supply of tissues. A more conventional towel dispenser is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,608 (Yamazaki) where the roll of paper towels is dispensed through a roller mechanism.

Notwithstanding the use of the tissue roll in the prior art there has not been an effective system for providing a tissue roll for use in a set of standardized housing that provide a decorative function. In addition, there has been no showing of a decorative housing that utilizes the benefit of the tissue roll for dispensing tissues in conjunction with a decorative theme. These and other features and benefits of the present invention will be discussed in more detail below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A novel tissue dispenser for use in conjunction with a standardized tissue roll is disclosed where the tissue roll fits within a dispenser and where the dispenser includes a housing that has an exterior portion and a core portion. The core portion is sized for the compatible installation of the tissue roll into the housing. The housing also includes a tissue portal through which the lead tissue of the tissue roll is allowed to exit.

The exterior of the housing is fabricated in a decorative manner and may co-extensively surround the core portion without infringing upon the compatible installation of the tissue roll therein. The decorative theme of the dispenser housing can be offered in a plurality of styles that may make use of the ability of the tissue roll to supply consecutive tissues at a distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a tissue roll for use in combination with the tissue dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the tissue roll of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a package of tissue rolls used in combination with the dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a tissue dispenser of the present invention with a tissue roll installed therein, where the tissue dispenser resembles a candle.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a tissue dispenser of the present invention with a tissue roll installed therein, where the tissue dispenser resembles a sea shell.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a tissue dispenser of the present invention with a tissue roll installed therein, where the tissue dispenser resembles a basketball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A novel tissue roll and dispenser in accordance with the present invention is disclosed in the drawings and in this specification. Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tissue roll 10 is disclosed with the tissue roll base 12, the tissue roll body 14, the tissue roll top 16, and with a tissue 18 shown exiting the top 16. The tissue roll 10 further includes the perforated seam(s) 20 and the center 22. In FIG. 3 a package 24 of tissue rolls 10 is shown in a configuration that would be suited for sale in the retail marketplace.

In the interest of clarity, a discussion is first provided regarding the attributes and characteristics of a tissue roll of the present invention. In particular, the optimal size for a tissue roll of the present invention would be sufficient to supply enough tissues to avoid replenishment on a frequent basis. In addition, the size is relevant to the presentation of the tissues as they exit the tissue roll so that the exiting tissue is compatible with the tissue dispenser (discussed below). One advantage, however, of the tissue roll is that unlike the conventional folded tissues the individual tissues are linked together and are separated by tearing one tissue from the other at the seams. The seams are typically perforated to allow for easier separation. Folded tissues, as noted in the prior art discussion, do not reliably index tissues consecutively as they are pulled from a dispenser. In the present invention, the tissue roll functions differently by providing integral attachment, one tissue to the next so as to avoid this problem. Thus when used in a tissue dispenser, the distance between the point at which tissues may be removed from the dispenser to the point where the tissues are being ejected from a roll (or when compared to the prior art, a set of folded tissue) can be greater allowing for more variation (and functionality) as to how many tissues may be deployed and the types of structures that may be used to contain the tissue roll. As will be seen, this leads to unexpected flexibility in the design of a tissue dispenser that would not be possible until now.

The dimensions for a preferred tissue roll of the present invention would approximately comprise eight and one-half inches (8½″) in height and four inches (4′) in diameter. As may be appreciated, the tissue roll is taller than it is wide which places the center of gravity at a higher point than a shorter tissue roll when the tissue roll is seated on its base. It is desired to have the tissue roll taller than it is wide notwithstanding the problem associated with stability since the tissue roll will hold more tissues. When used in conjunction with the tissue dispenser of the present invention the higher center of gravity is minimized as a factor in the instability of the tissue roll and renders it less likely to be tipped over. In addition, the tissue roll would not be limited to a single color but could be produced in any color that a manufacturer could feasibly consider.

Now that the particulars of the tissue roll have been disclosed, the tissue dispenser of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4 as the dispenser housing 30, which includes a central core 32. The central core 32 has a core bottom 34, a core top 36 and core sidewalls 38. The dispenser housing 30 includes the dispenser housing base 40, the dispenser housing exterior 42 and the tissue portal 44. In essence the same structure is shown for the embodiments displayed in FIGS. 5 and 6 as well. The tissue roll 10 is shown in the installed condition in the dispenser housing 30 with the tissue 18 extending through the tissue portal 44.

It can now be appreciated that the tissue dispenser of the present invention represents a novel manner for adding a decorative treatment to a tissue roll. As is noted above and in the drawings, the tissue roll is installed within the tissue dispenser in the area described as the central core. This installation can occur merely by placing the dispenser housing over the tissue roll (the central core being open through the core bottom) and covering the tissue roll with the dispenser housing as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. A first tissue is threaded through the core top where it meets the tissue portal and is allowed to extend therefrom, again, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, and being integrally connected to the next tissue, and so on, such that the user is able to pick each tissue as needed and advance successive tissues through the tissue portal in a sequential fashion.

The dispenser housing has as its primary function the enclosing of the tissue roll, not unlike other tissue dispensers. In the present case, however, the dispenser housing provides an exterior format that is decorative in appearance. This exterior treatment differs from the prior art though in that it can take advantage of the manner in which the tissues are advanced through the dispenser housing and this feature can be used to coordinate with the decorative formats of the exterior. For instance, in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 the tissue extending from the tissue portal does not rely on the typical folded tissue method for propagation of the presentation of tissues. This means the distance between the dispenser housing top and the tissue roll can vary in distance to a much greater degree than previously allowed while allowing for the sequential propagation of the tissue from the tissue roll. In fact, the distance between the dispenser housing top and the tissue roll can easily fall within a range of distances between a nominal distance and a distance that can exceed twelve inches or more since each individual tissue is integrally connected at the perforated seam. The actual distance that is selected for a particular application is dependent upon the tissue design, the type and degree of perforations, and the physical characteristics of the tissue itself. One skilled in the art may make selections regarding the distance that can be obtained. Once in use, the tissues are separated, the first tissue from the next successive tissue, by tearing along the perforated seam. By comparison, the folded tissues known in the prior art are limited in the distance that can be obtained between the top of the folded stack and the tissue portal of the tissue dispenser in which they are installed. This owing to the fact that the folds that are slightly less than half the width of the folded tissue have to remain in contact in order to propagate the advancement of the successive tissues. Where the distance between the top of the stack of folded tissues and the tissue portal of the dispenser in which they are installed exceeds the fold size, the individual tissues may separate within the dispenser thus leaving the user without a tissue to access. This long standing problem in the prior art results in practical limitations in the parameters for constructing a tissue dispenser for folded tissues. Thus in the present embodiment, the exterior treatments for the dispenser housing are not so limited and can take different forms allowing for more flexibility in the expression that a person may desire for a tissue dispenser.

The dispenser housing and tissue roll of the present invention also combine in a way to provide more utility than has previously been known. For instance, as shown in FIG. 6, the base of the dispenser housing can be increased in width (or diameter) to provide additional stability and thereby overcome the tendency of the tissue roll to tip when jostled or bumped. The construction of the dispenser housing may include an exterior formed from a number of materials such as plastic, ceramic, wood or metal. The shape and material selection can be made to provide a wider base (such as shown in FIG. 6) or a different center of gravity where a the dispenser housing is made lighter than the tissue roll such as where a plastic is utilized (such as shown in FIG. 4). The dispenser housing, being lighter than the tissue roll, is also typically wider and where the height of the housing is calculated to keep the overall center of gravity in mind, the combination of the tissue roll and the dispenser housing will have a lower center of gravity in a collective sense. In either case the combination of the tissue roll and the tissue dispenser will provide additional stability above that of the tissue roll alone. As mentioned above, this allows the use of a tissue roll that can supply a larger volume of tissues and yet fit within an envelope that is cosmetically pleasing and not unduly large or bulky. This would not be the case with respect to the prior art tissues and dispensers which are limited by their geometry and/or their manner of packaging.

As indicated in the drawings, the dispenser housing exterior may be modified to fit any number of decorative formats. The benefits of the present invention can be applied to such formats, keeping the foregoing attributes in mind, by one skilled in the art of designing tissue dispensers. It is presumed that the tissue roll of the present invention would be manufactured for the purposes stated herein although it is understood that tissue rolls of different- dimensions could be used in conjunction with teachings for the tissue dispensers herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the preferred embodiments.

Claims

1. A tissue roll and dispenser for dispensing tissues in sequential fashion, the tissue roll and dispenser comprising:

A tissue roll of a height and width, where the tissue roll has more height than width, and where the tissue roll includes a first tissue and a plurality of successive tissues; and,

A dispenser housing with comprising a central core portion, a base, a tissue portal and an exterior portion, where the central core portion receives said tissue roll and where said first tissue extends through said tissue portal and as the first tissue is removed for use each successive tissue is advanced through said tissue portal and where said dispenser housing exterior compensates for the center of gravity of said tissue roll in a manner to cause the combined center of gravity of the dispenser housing and the tissue roll to be lower than the center of gravity of the tissue roll alone.

2. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 1, where the central core portion includes a core top, a core bottom, core sidewalls, where the tissue portal meets the core top.

3. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 1, where the dispenser housing compensates for the center of gravity of the tissue roll by the width of the dispenser housing base.

4. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 1, where the dispenser housing compensates for the center of gravity of the tissue roll through the use of a lighter construction, the combination of the dispenser housing and the tissue roll collectively having a lower center of gravity than the tissue roll alone.

5. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 1, where the dispenser housing exterior is fashioned to reflect a decorative format.

6. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 5, where said decorative format of the dispenser housing exterior can be adjusted over a range with respect to the distance between the top of said tissue roll and the tissue portal.

7. A tissue roll and dispenser for dispensing tissues in sequential fashion, the tissue roll and dispenser comprising:

A tissue roll of a height and width, where the tissue roll has more height than width, and where the tissue roll includes a first tissue and a plurality of successive tissues; and,

A dispenser housing with comprising a central core portion, a base, a tissue portal and an exterior portion, where the central core portion receives said tissue roll and where the central core portion includes a core top, a core bottom, core sidewalls, where the tissue portal meets the core top and where said first tissue extends through said tissue portal and as the first tissue is removed for use each successive tissue is advanced through said tissue portal and where said dispenser housing exterior is fashioned to reflect a decorative format where said decorative format of the dispenser housing exterior can be adjusted over a range with respect to the distance between the top of said tissue roll and the tissue portal.

8. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 7, where said dispenser housing exterior compensates for the center of gravity of said tissue roll in a manner to cause the combined center of gravity of the dispenser housing and the tissue roll to be lower than the center of gravity of the tissue roll alone.

9. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 8, where the dispenser housing compensates for the center of gravity of the tissue roll by the width of the dispenser housing base.

10. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 8, where the dispenser housing compensates for the center of gravity of the tissue roll through the use of a lighter construction, the combination of the dispenser housing and the tissue roll collectively having a lower center of gravity than the tissue roll alone.

11. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 7, the distance between the top of said tissue roll and the tissue portal comprising a range extending from a nominal distance to twelve inches.

12. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 7, where the height of the tissue roll is approximately eight and one-half inches and the width is approximately four inches.

13. A tissue roll and dispenser for dispensing tissues in sequential fashion, the tissue roll and dispenser comprising:

A tissue roll of a height and width, where the tissue roll has more height than width, and where the tissue roll includes a first tissue and a plurality of successive tissues; and,

A dispenser housing with comprising a central core portion, a base, a tissue portal and an exterior portion, where the central core portion receives said tissue roll and where the central core portion includes a core top, a core bottom, core sidewalls, where the tissue portal meets the core top and where said first tissue extends through said tissue portal and as the first tissue is removed for use each successive tissue is advanced through said tissue portal and where said dispenser housing exterior is fashioned to reflect a decorative format where said decorative format of the dispenser housing exterior can be adjusted over a range with respect to the distance between the top of said tissue roll and the tissue portal, and further where said dispenser housing exterior compensates for the center of gravity of said tissue roll in a manner to cause the combined center of gravity of the dispenser housing and the tissue roll to be lower than the center of gravity of the tissue roll alone.

14. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 13, where the dispenser housing compensates for the center of gravity of the tissue roll by the width of the dispenser housing base.

15. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 13, where the dispenser housing compensates for the center of gravity of the tissue roll through the use of a lighter construction, the combination of the dispenser housing and the tissue roll collectively having a lower center of gravity than the tissue roll alone.

16. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 13, the distance between the top of said tissue roll and the tissue portal comprising a range extending from a nominal distance to twelve inches.

17. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 13, where the height of the tissue roll is approximately eight and one-half inches and the width is approximately four inches.