TISSUE DISPENSER

Abstract

A tissue dispenser includes a first tissue box holding unused tissues. The first tissue box includes an opening configured for dispensing the unused tissues. At least one tab located on a side of the first tissue box, is configured to interlock with at least one tab located on a side of a second tissue box so that the first tissue box is joined to the second tissue box by the interlocking of the at least one tab located on the side of the first tissue box with the at least one tab located on the side of the second tissue box.

Description

BACKGROUND

Disposal cleaning cloths known as tissues or facial tissues are used for cleansing purposes, particularly for those who suffer from colds allergies and the flu. The disposable nature of tissues makes them an excellent replacement for uses also performed by a handkerchief. Tissues are often sold in disposable cardboard boxes known as tissue boxes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a tissue box with perforated lines that outline tabs in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 2 shows two tissue boxes, one empty, one full of tissues, which have tabs formed from breaking open perforated lines in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 3 shows the two tissue boxes of FIG. 2 with tabs folded out in preparation for being joined in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 4 shows the two tissue boxes of FIG. 2 in position for being joined in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 5 shows the two tissue boxes of FIG. 2 joined in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 6 shows another the two tissue boxes with tabs folded out in preparation for being joined in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 7 shows the two tissue boxes of FIG. 6 joined in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 8 shows a cutaway view of the two tissue boxes of FIG. 6 joined in accordance with an implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A tissue dispenser includes a first tissue box holding unused tissues. The first tissue box includes an opening configured for dispensing the unused tissues. At least one tab located on a side of the first tissue box, is configured to interlock with at least one tab located on a side of a second tissue box. The interlocking of the at least one tab located on the side of the first tissue box with the at least one tab located on the side of the second tissue box joins the first tissue box to the second tissue box. This is illustrated in the accompanying Figures.

FIG. 1 shows a tissue box 10 with a tissue opening 19 from which unused tissues are dispensed. A perforated line 33 delineates a tab 11 used to join two tissue boxes. Likewise, a perforated line 34 delineates a tab 12 used for the same purpose. Tab 11 includes a tapered end 31 forming a narrowing tab section used to facilitate smooth joining of the two tissue boxes. Likewise, tab 12 includes a tapered end 32 forming a narrowing tab section used to facilitate smooth joining of the two tissue boxes. Tapered ends 31 and 32 can form a point, be more rounded, or include any shape that will allow joining the two tissue boxes.

For example, a bend line 35 shows where tab 11 will be bent up to facilitate joining two tissue boxes. Likewise, a bend line 36 shows where tab 12 will be bent up to facilitate joining two tissue boxes.

For example, a distance 13 between a side end of tissue box 10 and bend line 35 is approximately two inches. For example, a distance 14 between a side end of tissue box 10 and bend line 36 is approximately two inches. For example, a distance 15 between a top of tissue box 10 and a top of tab 11 is approximately one half inch or less. For example, a distance 16 between a bottom of tissue box 10 and a bottom of tab 11 is approximately one half inch or less. For example, a distance 17 between a top of tissue box 10 and a top of tab 12 is approximately one half inch or less. For example, a distance 18 between a bottom of tissue box 10 and a bottom of tab 12 is approximately one half inch or less.

All the distances described above are exemplary and can be varied significantly depending on desired placement and shape of the tabs. Further, while two tabs are shown in FIG. 1, one, three or more tabs can be used instead of the two tabs shown. The tabs can also variously be placed on the sides or other surfaces of tissue box 10. For example, while tabs are shown on one side of tissue box 10, additional tabs may be placed on other sides of tissue box 10 allowing additional options to join tissue box 10 to other boxes.

FIG. 2 shows tissue box 10 ready to be joined with another tissue box 20. Perforated line 33 and perforated line 34 have been broken to form tab 11 and tab 12. Likewise, tissue box 2 has a tab 21 with a tapered end 41 and a tab 22 with a tapered end 22 ready to join tissue box 20 to tissue box 10. For example, tissue box 10 is full of unused tissues as illustrated by a tissue 9 placed in position to be removed from tissue box 10 and subsequently used. Tissue box 20 has an opening 29 in which can be placed used tissues. Thus, a user can draw tissue 9 and after use, conveniently throw away tissue 9 by placing tissue 9 through opening 29 into tissue box 20.

FIG. 3 shows tab 11 bent up at bend line 35. Likewise, tab 12 is shown bent up at bend line 36. Tab 21 and tab 22 on box 20 are similarly bent up. This facilitates joining tissue box 10 and tissue box 20.

FIG. 4 shows tissue box 10 placed adjacent to tissue box 20 in preparation for joining.

FIG. 5 shows the result of sliding tissue box 10 along tissue box 20 so that tissue box 10 is joined to tissue box 20. The result is that tab 11 and tab 12 of tissue box 10 are interlocked respectively with tab 22 and tab 21 of tissue box 20 joining tissue box 10 to tissue box 20 and providing a tissue dispenser that includes a tissue box with unused tissues (tissue box 10) and a container (tissue box 20) where tissues can be conveniently discarded after use. Once tissue box 10 is empty of unused tissues, tissue box 20 can be thrown away, and tissue box 10 can be joined to a new tissue box and used as a container where tissues from the new tissue box can be conveniently discarded after use.

FIG. 6 shows a tissue box 60 ready to be joined with a tissue box 70. For example, tissue box 60 is full of unused tissues as illustrated by a tissue 68 placed in position to be removed from tissue box 60 and subsequently used. Tissue box 60 has an opening 69 in which can be placed used tissues. Thus, a user can draw tissue 68 and after use, conveniently throw away tissue 68 by placing tissue 68 through opening 79 into tissue box 70. A tab 61 of tissue box 60, a tab 62 of tissue box 60, a tab 71 of tissue box 70 and a tab 72 of tissue box 70 are all bent up to facilitate joining tissue box 60 and tissue box 70. Tissue box 60 is placed adjacent to tissue box 70 in preparation for joining.

FIG. 7 shows the result of sliding tissue box 60 along tissue box 70 so that tissue box 60 is joined to tissue box 70. The result is that tab 61 and tab 62 of tissue box 60 are interlocked respectively with tab 72 and tab 71 of tissue box 70 joining tissue box 60 to tissue box 70 and providing a tissue dispenser that includes a tissue box with unused tissues (tissue box 60) and a container (tissue box 70) where tissues can be conveniently discarded after use. Once tissue box 60 is empty of unused tissues, tissue box 70 can be thrown away, and tissue box 60 can be joined to a new tissue box and used as a container where tissues from the new tissue box can be conveniently discarded after use. This cycle can be repeated indefinitely.

FIG. 8 shows a cutaway view at reference 8 of joined tissue box 60 and tissue box 70. The cross section view shows tab 61 of box 60 interlocked with tab 72 of tissue box 70. Likewise, tab 62 of box 60 is interlocked with tab 71 of tissue box 70.

Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments, and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tissue dispenser comprising:

a first tissue box holding unused tissues, the first tissue box including, an opening configured for dispensing the unused tissues, and at least one tab located on a side of the first tissue box,

a second tissue box of an identical shape and size as the first tissue box, the second tissue box being configured to dispense unused tissues, and when emptied of unused tissues to receive used tissues, the second tissue box including: an opening configured for receiving the used tissues, and at least one tab located on a side of the second tissue box;

wherein the at least one tab located on the side of the first tissue box is interlocked with the at least one tab located on the side of the second tissue box so that the first tissue box is joined to the second tissue box in a side-to-side configuration by the interlocking of the at least one tab located on the side of the first tissue box with the at least one tab located on the side of the second tissue box.

2. A tissue dispenser as in claim 1:

wherein the at least one tab located on the side of the first tissue box comprises a first tab and a second tab; and,

wherein the at least one tab located on the side of the second tissue box comprises a third tab and a fourth tab.

3. A tissue dispenser as in claim 1 wherein the first tissue box is composed of cardboard and the at least one tab on the side of the first tissue box is formed from the cardboard by breaking at least one perforated line to form the at least one tab on the side of the first tissue box.

4. A tissue dispenser as in claim 1 wherein each of the at least one tab on the side of the first tissue box has a narrowing tab section configured to facilitate smooth joining of the first tissue box with the second tissue box and wherein each of the at least one tab on the side of the second tissue box has a narrowing tab section configured to facilitate smooth joining of the first tissue box with the second tissue box.

5. A method used to form a tissue dispenser, comprising:

configuring a first tissue box to hold unused tissues, including: dispensing the unused tissues from an opening in the first tissue box;

configuring a second tissue box to receive used tissues, including: receiving the used tissues via an opening in the second tissue box; and,

joining the first tissue box to the second tissue box, including: aligning at least one tab located on a side of the first tissue box with at least one tab located on a side of the second tissue box, and interlocking the at least one tab located on the side of the first tissue box with the at least one tab located on the side of the second tissue box so that the first tissue box is joined to the second tissue box by the interlocking of the at least one tab located on the side of the first tissue box with the at least one tab located on the side of the second tissue box.

6. A method dispenser as in claim 5:

wherein the at least one tab located on the side of the first tissue box comprises a first tab and a second tab; and,

wherein the at least one tab located on the side of the second tissue box comprises a third tab and a fourth tab.

7. A method dispenser as in claim 5 wherein joining the first tissue box to the second tissue box additionally includes:

forming the at least one tab on the side of the first tissue box from cardboard of the first tissue box by breaking at least one perforated line to form the at least one tab on the side of the first tissue box.

8. A method dispenser as in claim 5 additionally comprising:

forming the at least one tab on the side of the first tissue box to have a narrowing tab section configured to facilitate smooth joining of the first tissue box with the second tissue box; and,

forming each of the at least one tab on the side of the second tissue box to have a narrowing tab section configured to facilitate smooth joining of the first tissue box with the second tissue box.

9. A tissue dispenser comprising:

a first tissue box holding unused tissues, the first tissue box including, an opening configured for dispensing the unused tissues, and at least one tab located on a side of the first tissue box; and,

a second tissue box of an identical shape and size as the first tissue box, the second tissue box holding unused tissues, the second tissue box including: an opening configured for dispensing the unused tissues in the second tissue box, and at least one tab located on a side of the second tissue box;

wherein the at least one tab located on the side of the first tissue box is configured to interlock with the at least one tab located on the side of the second tissue box so that the first tissue box is joined to the second tissue box in a side-to-side configuration by the interlocking of the at least one tab located on the side of the first tissue box with the at least one tab located on the side of the second tissue box and so that when the first tissue box is emptied of unused tissues, the first tissue box is configured to be joined to the second tissue box and is configured to receive used tissues that originated as unused tissues from the second tissue box.

10. A tissue dispenser as in claim 9:

wherein the at least one tab located on the side of the first tissue box comprises a first tab and a second tab; and,

wherein the at least one tab located on the side of the second tissue box comprises a third tab and a fourth tab.

11. A tissue dispenser as in claim 9 wherein the first tissue box is composed of cardboard and the at least one tab on the side of the first tissue box is formed from the cardboard by breaking at least one perforated line to form the at least one tab on the side of the first tissue box.

12. A tissue dispenser as in claim 9 wherein each of the at least one tab on the side of the first tissue box has a narrowing tab section configured to facilitate smooth joining of the first tissue box with the second tissue box and wherein each of the at least one tab on the side of the second tissue box has a narrowing tab section configured to facilitate smooth joining of the first tissue box with the second tissue box.