Clippable Portable Tissue Dispenser
A portable tissue dispenser having a clip which provides a convenient means for users to have a supply of tissues readily available on their person, or attached to other nearby locations like purses, backpacks, desks, wheelchairs, and the like. The clip may be rotatable into a desired orientation, and the dispenser may include a means for preventing “fallback” of tissues into the dispenser when few tissues remain to be dispensed. Other embodiments are disclosed.
The use of disposable paper facial tissues as a hygienic substitute for the traditional handkerchief has been known since the 1930s, but having a supply of tissues readily available in a portable format that is as convenient as the handkerchief they replaced has proven to be an elusive goal. Existing “pocket-packs” of facial tissue usually consist of smaller than full-size tissues in a thin flexible plastic overwrap that can be easily torn or crushed, exposing the tissues to soiling, crumpling or tearing in the pocket or purse, particularly when few tissues remain in the pack. Such disposable packaging is not intended to be refillable, and unlike full-size tissue boxes that may feature printed designs, it lacks aesthetic appeal. Even a more rigid cardboard container, similar to those used for full-sized tissue boxes in the home and office, can be crushed and deformed when carried in the interior of a student's backpack, a purse, or an automobile. A rigid container strong enough to protect the tissues would however likely be uncomfortable if carried in a pocket, and as with full-size tissue boxes, the known problem of “fall back” of the tissue into the container when few tissues remain to be dispensed must be addressed. A need therefore exists in the art for a durable, refillable and readily accessible facial tissue dispenser that can be carried conveniently, that can feature decorative graphics or attractive case materials, and which reliably protects and dispenses tissues when only a few remain in the container.
- 100 Case
- 110 Case box
- 112 Catch rail
- 114 Lift plate guides
- 120 Lifter spring track
- 122 Lifter spring track rail
- 130 Case lid
- 132 Dispensing aperture
- 134 Case lid hinge
- 136 Case lid rim
- 138 Snap ridge
- 140 Case lid front
- 142 Case lid latch
- 144 Recess
- 150 Lift plate assembly
- 160 Lift plate
- 162 Guide notches
- 170 Lifter spring
- 172 Lifter spring tabs
- 180 Lifter spring fasteners
- 190 Clip assembly
- 200 Clip hub
- 202 Clip mount bracket
- 204 Clip
- 206 Clip spring
- 208 Clip hinge pin
The preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain specific presently preferred embodiments, the given embodiments should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but as illustrative examples, and those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will undoubtedly find alternative embodiments obvious after reading this disclosure.
Claims
1. A portable, clippable tissue dispenser, comprising:
- a case box configured for holding a supply of tissues;
- a case box lid comprising a dispensing aperture, said case box lid configured to reversibly open and close said case box to permit filling of said case box with tissues, said dispensing aperture configured to permit dispensing of tissues from said case box without opening said case box lid; and
- at least one clip externally mounted to said case box opposite to said dispensing aperture of said case box lid.
2. The tissue dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the case box lid is attached to the case box by a hinge, and the case box and case box lid further comprise a means for cooperatively and reversibly fixing the case box lid in a closed position.
3. The tissue dispenser as in claim 1, further comprising a means for biasing a supply of tissues within the case box in the direction of the dispensing aperture of the closed case box lid.
4. The tissue dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the at least one clip comprises a single clip rotatably mounted to the case box.
5. The tissue dispenser as in claim 2, further comprising a means for biasing a supply of tissues within the case box in the direction of the dispensing aperture of the closed case box lid.
6. The tissue dispenser as in claim 2, wherein the at least one clip comprises a single clip rotatably mounted to the case box.
7. The tissue dispenser as in claim 5, wherein the at least one clip comprises a single clip rotatably mounted to the case box.
8. The tissue dispenser as in claim 7, wherein the means for biasing a supply of tissues within the case box comprises a lift plate urged by at least one compressible member.
9. The tissue dispenser as in claim 7, wherein the single clip rotatably mounted to the case box further comprises a means for reversibly fixing the rotation of the clip in at least one predetermined position.
10. The tissue dispenser as in claim 8, wherein the single clip rotatably mounted to the case box further comprises a means for reversibly fixing the rotation of the clip in at least one predetermined position.
11. A portable, clippable tissue dispenser, comprising;
- a case box comprising a plurality of sides substantially enclosing an interior space having a volume sufficient to hold a supply of tissues, each of said sides comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, said plurality of sides forming an opening permitting access to said interior space, said opening located opposite to one of said plurality of sides;
- a case box lid comprising a dispensing aperture, said case box lid reversibly covering said opening in said case box, said dispensing aperture providing access to said interior space of said case box when said case box lid is covering said opening in said case box; and
- at least one clip mounted to said exterior surface of said side of said case box opposite to said opening in said case box.
12. The tissue dispenser as in claim 11, wherein the case box lid is attached to the case box by a hinge, and the case box and case box lid further comprise a means for cooperatively and reversibly fixing the case box lid in a closed position.
13. The tissue dispenser as in claim 11, further comprising a means for biasing a supply of tissues within the case box in the direction of the dispensing aperture of the closed case box lid.
14. The tissue dispenser as in claim 11, wherein the at least one clip comprises a single clip rotatably mounted to the case box.
15. The tissue dispenser as in claim 12, further comprising a means for biasing a supply of tissues within the case box in the direction of the dispensing aperture of the closed case box lid.
16. The tissue dispenser as in claim 12, wherein the at least one clip comprises a single clip rotatably mounted to the case box.
17. The tissue dispenser as in claim 15, wherein the at least one clip comprises a single clip rotatably mounted to the case box.
18. The tissue dispenser as in claim 17, wherein the means for biasing a supply of tissues within the case box comprises a lift plate urged by at least one compressible member.
19. The tissue dispenser as in claim 17, wherein the single clip rotatably mounted to the case box further comprises a means for reversibly fixing the rotation of the clip in at least one predetermined position.
20. The tissue dispenser as in claim 18, wherein the single clip rotatably mounted to the case box further comprises a means for reversibly fixing the rotation of the clip in at least one predetermined position.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 19, 2010
Publication Date: Jan 20, 2011
Inventor: Julie Johnson (Memphis, TN)
Application Number: 12/839,167
International Classification: B65D 83/08 (20060101);