DISPENSING PACKAGE FOR SHEET MATERIAL

Abstract

A hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package comprising a base wall; a top wall having a rear edge and a front edge; at least one side expansion wall extending between said base wall and said top wall, expandable between a compacted state and an expanded state; a hanging arrangement for hanging of the dispensing package having a hanging portion which at a hanging position is disposed closer to the rear edge than the front edge; and a dispensing location configured to facilitate dispensing of sheet material therethrough. The dispensing location being disposed at a top portion of the dispensing package.

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to the field of dispensing packages for sheet material.

BACKGROUND ART

References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:

• • U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,386
  • U.S. Pat. No. 2,279,658
  • US20050178781
  • US20050077200
  • US20050178781
  • US20040251590
  • US20180140143
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,342
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,897

Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

BACKGROUND

Packages configured to store and dispense sheet material are well known in the art. These packages can be flexible, e.g, made of nylon or other flexible sheet material, be rigid, e.g., made of plastic, optionally plastic casting, or be semi-rigid, e.g, folded from a single sheet of cardboard.

Such packages are generally configured to contain stacks of sheet material articles, optionally interfolded, e.g., interfolded tissue napkins, which are pre-filled into the dispensing packages in advance.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,386 discloses a dispensing package including a container comprising a front and rear wall, gusseted side walls and a gusseted bottom interconnecting said front and rear walls, said front wall having an uncovered opening therein through which to show and dispense the contents of said container, a cover gusseted to provide a complementary fit with said side walls at the open end of said container, all of said gussets. being single and extending inwardly, said cover being hinged to the top edge of said front-wall and having a tab adapted to extend through said rear wall in closed position of said cover to provide means for loading and suspending said container for dispensing purposes, and a stack of folded, sheet material items standing one edge in said container with a free edge of each facing ‘the dispensing opening in said front wall, said items each having a width greater than the minimum ‘empty-container distance between said side wall gussets, all of said gussets being stressed to hold said sheet items firmly against said-opening.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,279,658 discloses a product comprising an absorbent paper material and a container for use as a dispenser, which is adapted to hanging from a support member, such as a towel bar, is disclosed. The container can be optionally located on a surface, such as a counter top, and used as a dispenser. This provides the container with two different dispensing modes. The container has a hanger member integral with the container on one end, and the hanger member is attachable to the container in at least two separate positions. The hanger member is also adapted to covering at least a portion of the absorbent paper material exposed by an opening into the container prior to hanging the container.

US20050178781 discloses a dispenser is provided which is adapted for dispensing from a table top and it is convertible to dispense from a conventional rolled product fixture. The dispenser includes a housing having a compartment configured to hold sheets. The housing also has a dispensing opening. The housing is configured to be positioned on a table top for dispensing sheets therefrom, and the housing includes a hanging port which permits the housing to be coupled to a conventional rolled product fixture. The hanging port is masked when the dispenser is positioned for dispensing from a table top. The hanging port is easily unmasked and configured to releasably couple the housing to a fixture in a bathroom for dispensing sheets therefrom.

US20050077200 discloses a package is disclosed having an enclosed compartment with a pair of oppositely aligned walls and a perimeter. An array of compressible articles is retained in the enclosed compartment. The package also includes an expansion mechanism for allowing the enclosed compartment to be enlarged. The expansion mechanism includes a pliable member positioned about the perimeter. A release strip is positioned across the expansion mechanism. The release strip is capable of being at least partially removed to allow the enclosed compartment to be enlarged as the pliable member expands or stretches. The package can also contain an opening mechanism for allowing the package to be opened so that the articles can be removed from the enlarged compartment.

US20050178781 discloses a dispenser which is adapted for dispensing from a table top and it is convertible to dispense from a conventional rolled product fixture. The dispenser includes a housing having a compartment configured to hold sheets. The housing also has a dispensing opening. The housing is configured to be positioned on a table top for dispensing sheets therefrom, and the housing includes a hanging port which permits the housing to be coupled to a conventional rolled product fixture. The hanging port is masked when the dispenser is positioned for dispensing from a table top. The hanging port is easily unmasked and configured to releasably couple the housing to a fixture in a bathroom for dispensing sheets therefrom.

US20040251590 discloses a dispenser containing sheets, for example, dry sheets and premoistened sheets is provided. The dispenser is adapted to be releas ably coupled to a conventional rolled product fixture, such as one that holds a roll of toilet tissue in a bathroom. The dispenser may include a cartridge which is positioned in the housing of the dispenser which holds sheets. The sheets dispense from the cartridge and the dispenser.

US20180140143 discloses a packaging container for interfold tissue paper includes a packaging, a dispensing slot, and a yielding hanger. The packaging has a soft-material package and a space, the space formed in the soft-material package. The dispensing slot is formed on a bottom surface of the soft-material package of the packaging and the yielding hanger is disposed on a top surface of the soft-material package of the packaging.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,342 discloses a dispenser adapted for dispensing from a table top and convertible to dispensing from a conventional rolled product fixture is provided. The dispenser has a housing having a compartment configured to hold sheets therein and a dispensing opening. The housing is configured to be positioned on a table top for dispensing sheets therefrom. The housing including arms which permit the housing to be coupled to a fixture. The arms are masked when the dispenser is positioned for dispensing from a table top. The arms are readily releasable to permit the housing to be releasably coupled to a fixture in a bathroom.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,897 discloses a disposable, compactable package for reliably dispensing a stack of sheet products even after the package has been deformed or compacted. The package comprises a top wall and a bottom wall comprised of a resiliently deformable material. The top and bottom walls are spaced from and oriented generally parallel to one another. They are connected to one another about their peripheries by means of a thinner more easily deformable substantially continuous tube or hoop which is also comprised of resiliently deformable material. The substantially continuous tube or hoop, which is preferably integrally formed with either the top wall, defines the side walls of the package. The tube, which may be of any desired cross-sectional shape, is also produced from material having a sufficient resilient memory that it easily and resiliently deforms when the external force is applied to the package, yet by virtue of its tubular configuration and its resilient memory exhibits a strong tendency to self-restore once the external applied force is removed. The package, which is preferably rectangular, includes a preformed dispensing aperture or means for providing a dispensing aperture in its top or its bottom wall. The dispensing aperture is smaller than the cross-sectional profile, i.e., the cross-sectional “footprint”, of the sheet products contained within the stack to retain the sheet products inside the package throughout the package's useful life. The sheet products may be in discrete or continuous form.

General Description

The presently disclosed subject matter concerns dispensing packages for storing and dispensing sheet material such as toilet paper, tissue napkins, handkerchiefs, plastic/paper bags, etc. The sheet material can be stacked and/or interfolded within the dispensing pack, allowing a user to retrieve a single article of sheet material in a single dispensing action.

Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the sheet material can be in the form of a continuous long strip, optionally perforated, allowing a user to choose the length of sheet material to be retrieved in every dispensing action.

According to a first aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package comprising:

a base wall;

a top wall having a rear edge and a front edge;

at least one side expansion wall extending between said base wall and said top wall, expandable between a compacted state and an expanded state;

a hanging arrangement for hanging of the dispensing package, said hanging arrangement having a hanging portion which at a hanging position is disposed closer to said rear edge than said front edge; and

a dispensing location facilitating dispensing of sheet material therethrough, said dispensing location being disposed at a top portion of the dispensing package.

The term top portion as used herein in the specification and claims denotes a portion of the dispensing package extending adjacent the front edge of the top wall. Said front portion can be configured at the top wall or at a front wall or at a top front edge of the package.

According to a second aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a kit for assembling a hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package; the kit comprising:

an expandable container having a base wall, a top wall having a rear edge and a front edge,

at least one side expansion wall extending between said base wall and said top wall which are expandable between a compacted state and an expanded state, and a dispensing location facilitating dispensing of sheet material therethrough, said dispensing location being disposed at a top portion of the dispensing package; and

a hanging arrangement for hanging of the dispensing package, the hanging arrangement having a hanging portion which at a hanging position is disposed closer to said rear edge than said front edge.

The expansion of the at least one expansion wall can induce displacing of the top wall with respect to the base wall, at least from a first position to a second position.

The top wall and the base wall can define a storing space therebetween which is greater at the second position of the top wall than at the first position thereof.

The storing space can contain at least one strip of sheet material which is compacted at the first position of the top wall and expanded at the second position of the top wall.

According to a third aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided a second hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package comprising:

a base wall;

a top wall having a rear edge and a front edge, displaceable with respect to said base wall at least from a first position to a second position;

a storing space defined between said base wall and said top wall, containing at least one strip of sheet material which is compacted at the first position of the top wall and expanded at the second position of the top wall;

a hanging arrangement for hanging of the dispensing package, said hanging arrangement having a hanging portion which at a hanging position is disposed closer to said rear edge than said front edge; and

a dispensing location configured to provide access to said storing space disposed at a top portion of the dispensing package at the second position of the top wall.

According to a fourth aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided a kit for assembling a second hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package, the kit comprising:

an expandable container comprising a base wall, a top wall having a rear edge and a front edge which is displaceable with respect to said base wall at least from a first position to a second position, a storing space defined between said base wall and said top wall, containing a strip of sheet material which is compacted at the first position of the top wall and expanded at the second position of the top wall, a dispensing location configured to provide access to said storing space disposed at a top portion of the dispensing package at the second position of the top wall; and

a hanging arrangement for hanging of the dispensing package, said hanging arrangement having a hanging portion which at a hanging position is disposed closer to said rear edge than said front edge.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be applied to a dispensing pack, a loaded dispending pack, according to the present disclosure, separately or in various combinations thereof:

The at least one expansion wall can be two expansion walls.

The prism can be a cuboid. The cuboid shape can prevent the dispensing package from rolling, e.g., when it falls from the hanger. The cuboid shape also utilizes to maximum the space in a cuboid shipping container, and thereby cheapens transportation costs for the dispensing package.

The dispensing package can be made of sheet material.

The dispensing package can further include a plunger, e.g., a tape, configured to maintain the at least one expansion wall at the compacted state/the top wall at the first position, e.g., when the dispensing pack is being stored or transported.

When the at least one expansion wall are two expansion walls, these expansion walls can be parallel and opposite to one another.

The two expansion walls can be configured to be positioned in an upright position when the dispensing package is suspended from the hanging element.

The at least one expansion wall can include a folded portion configured to unfold so as to facilitate said expansion of the at least one expansion wall from the compacted state to the expanded state. It should be appreciated that the expansion of the at least one expansion wall can increase the distance between two opposite edges thereof, disposed on both sides of the folded portion.

It should further be appreciated that the displacement of the top wall with respect to the base wall, e.g., a result of the expansion of the at least one expansion wall, can be an angular displacement.

The folded portion can be narrower at an area thereof positioned proximal to the rear edge of the top wall, than at an area thereof positioned proximal to front edge of the top wall, so as to facilitate said angular displacement of the top wall, e.g, to be configured to fold in a handheld-fan-like fashion

According to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter, the folded portion can be folded inwardly into the storing space, and thereby maintain the outer surface of the expandable container flush thereacross.

In addition to reduction of the storing space in a longitudinal direction extending between the top wall and the base wall, the inward folding reduces the storing space in a lateral direction extending laterally to the longitudinal direction.

The folded portion can be folded in a half fold where two inner surfaces of the folded portion are brought to engagement, in a Z fold (in zig-zag/an concertina like fashion), where in addition to the two inner surfaces of the folded portion, two outer surfaces thereof are also brought to engagement, or in any other suitable fold which changes the distance between two opposite edges of the respective expansion wall.

The folded portion can be disposed adjacent to the top wall.

The hanging arrangement can be configured for hanging the dispensing package on a hanger, and the hanging portion can be the portion of the hanging arrangement engaging the hanger.

The dispensing package can be intended for use nearby a toilet, and the hanging arrangement can be adapted for hanging on a toilet paper hanger, a towel hanger, a hook, a pin, a doorknob, a magnet, a Velcro surface, or any other known hanger.

According to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter, the hanging arrangement is in the form of a tubular loop.

The hanging arrangement can be connected at a rear portion of the dispensing package.

The term rear portion as used herein in the specification and claims denotes a portion of the dispensing package extending adjacent the rear edge of the top wall. Said rear portion can be configured at the top wall or at a rear wall or at a top rear edge of the package.

The hanging arrangement can be connected to the dispensing package such that when suspended therefrom, the base wall is oriented at an angle with respect to the horizon.

The angle can be in the range of 10 degrees to 90 degrees, and optionally in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

The orientation of the base wall when the dispensing package is suspended, can be such that a rear portion thereof is disposed higher than a front portion thereof.

The orientation of the base wall can induce corresponding orientation of the sheet material disposed within the storing space.

Such orientation can induce leaning of the sheet material on the front wall of the dispensing package.

The sheet material can be in the form of a Z folded strip positioned within the storing space such that a limb thereof is adjacent the base wall, and optionally, a hinge axes side thereof is adjacent the front wall. The sheet material can be arranged in the storing space such that an uppermost edge thereof is positioned most proximal to the dispensing location, when the at least one expansion wall is at the expanded state, i.e., when the top wall is at a second position.

The dispensing package can further comprise a dispensing port positioned at the dispensing location, configured to facilitate dispensing of sheet material therethrough from the storing space, optionally by pulling of the sheet material.

It should be appreciated that when an uppermost edge of the sheet material protrude through the dispensing port, the orientation of the dispensing package as described hereinabove can induce tendency of the protruded sheet material portion to fall out of the storing space through the dispensing port, due to gravity, thereby reducing the chances of that pulled out portion from falling back into the storing space.

At the expanded state of the at least one expansion wall, i.e, at the second position of the top wall, the storing space in which the sheet material is stored in is bigger, inducing less friction between the sheet material and the dispensing pacakge, as well as between the sheet material and itself, and thereby inducing looser sheet material within the expandable container with relatively low resistance to pulling of the sheet material. Further, the enhanced storing space also facilitate greater ability for the sheet material to swirl within the dispensing package.

Overall, the dispensing package has two operational modes—a packaged mode for use when the dispensing package is stored or transported, i.e., when it is desired to merely store the sheet material within the storing space, and an operational mode for use when the dispensing package is ready for use, i.e. when it is desired to dispense the sheet material from the storing space through the dispensing port.

At the packaged mode, the at least one expansion wall is at its compacted state, the hanging arrangement is lying flat on the top wall, held in that position by the tape, and the dispensing port is blocked by the element. At such packaged mode the shape of the dispensing package is of a cuboid. The cuboid shape utilizes to maximum the space in a cuboid shipping container, and thereby cheapens transportation costs for the dispensing package.

At the operational mode, the at least one expansion wall is at its expanded state, the hanging arrangement is released from the front wall, and the dispensing port is open. In that mode the shape of the dispensing package is of a trapezoid. The trapezoid shape, as well as the cuboid shape, prevent the dispensing package from rolling, e.g., when it falls from the hanger.

Such reduction of friction forces and the provided ability to swirl, reduces the possibility that a user will tear the sheet material by accident in an attempt to pull it from the dispensing port, particularly when the sheet material is in the form of continuous, optionally perforated, strip.

The dispensing port can be attached with a detachable element configured to at least partially block the dispensing port, e.g. when the dispensing package is stored or transported, so as to prevent sheet material from accidentally falling therethrough.

The dispensing port can have dimensions corresponding to those of a cross section of the sheet material.

The dispensing port can have at least one dimension which is smaller than that of the sheet material, facilitating friction therebetween and helping prevent a pulled out portion of sheet material from falling back to the storing space.

According to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter, this dimension is a length of the dispensing port, i.e. a length of the sheet material cross section.

According to a more particular example, the dispensing port, i.e., the dispensing location, is positioned on an front edge of the top wall, such that the a portion of sheet material being pulled therethrough does not bear the sheet material own self weight, thereby reducing the chances of potential tearing of the sheet material in times of pulling.

The hanging portion can be designed to counter pulling forces emerging due to friction induced by pulling of sheet material through the dispensing port.

According to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter, the hanging portion is elongated and having a contact surface configured to engage a hanger such as a toilet paper holder, along its length. The elongation of the hanging portion can facilitate large contact surface with the hanger, which induces large distribution of forces along the hanging portion. Such distribution can be beneficial for example when at least one of the hanging portion, the hanging element, and the expandable container is thin and/or made of a tearable material.

The sheet material can be oriented within the expandable container such that a stacking plane of the sheet material is parallel to the base wall.

The term stacking plane as disclosed herein in the specification and claims denotes a plane between two strips of sheet material when the sheet material is stacked, or as a plane between two folds of sheet material when the sheet material is interfolded or in the form of a folded continuous long strip, e.g., when the sheet material is Z folded, or as a plane disposed tangent to an uppermost portion of the sheet material when the sheet material is rolled up.

The dispensing package can be at least partially sealed, so as to preserve hygiene of the sheet material.

The dispensing package can include a checkup slit, configured to provide a user with visibility into the storing space, and enable checkup of the amount of sheet material left therewithin. The checkup slit can further facilitate entering of air therethrough into the storing space, when the at least one expansion wall expand from the compacted state to the expanded state. Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the dispensing package can include another air inlet configured for the same.

According to an example, the checkup slit is positioned laterally to the base wall, optionally on an expansion wall of the expandable container.

The checkup slit can be in the form of a transparent portion of the expandable container.

The dispensing package can be compartmented, at least one of these compartments can optionally house different kinds of materials other than sheet material.

The entire dispensing package can be made of water perishable material such as paper, perishable nylon, etc., optionally green and recyclable such as bamboo paper, rice paper, etc., So that it can be flushed down the toilet in the end of use.

The dispensing package can include designated perforations which perish in water faster than the rest of the dispensing pack, so as to facilitate rapid dismembering of the dispensing package when flushed.

The dispensing package can be refillable with bulks of sheet material, optionally compressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a dispensing package, according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, illustrated at a packaged mode thereof;

FIG. 1B is a side, partial cutaway view of the dispensing package of FIG. 1A, with a side wall thereof partially removed;

FIG. 1C is a top-front perspective view of the dispensing package of FIG. 1A, with a hanging arrangement illustrated at a deployed state;

FIG. 2A is a side view of the dispensing package of FIG. 1C, illustrated at an operational mode;

FIG. 2B is a front-top perspective view of the dispensing package of FIG. 2A, with a dispensing port illustrated in an open state, where a removable member thereof is removed;

FIG. 2C is a front view of the dispensing package of FIG. 2A, illustrated with an upper portion of a front wall thereof removed;

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of the dispensing package of FIG. 2A, illustrated in operation, suspended from a hanger;

FIG. 3B is a side perspective view of the dispensing package of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a cross sectional view of FIG. 3B along line A-A;

FIG. 4A is a side perspective view of a dispensing package according to another example of the presently disclosed subject matter, illustrated at a packaged mode; and

FIG. 4B is a side perspective view of the dispensing package of FIG. 4A, illustrated at an operational mode, suspended from a hanger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the present disclosure, illustrating a hangable and expandable cuboid-shaped dispensing package 1 for storing and dispensing sheet material, e.g., a perforated long strip of toilet paper 80 arranged in a Zig-Zag fold therewithin, according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter.

The dispensing package 1 is formed out of a single sheet of cardboard and comprises four circumference walls, a base wall 11, and a top wall 13 defining a storing space 17 therebetween for the sheet material 80.

The dispensing package 1 further comprises a dispensing port 19 disposed at a dispensing location adjacent a front edge 13a of the top wall 13, configured to provide access to the storing space 17, for pulling out the sheet material 80 therethrough. In FIG. 1C, the dispensing port 19 is seen sealed by a detachable member 19a preventing sheet material from passing therethrough. The detachable member 19a herein is formed as a shaped pattern of perforations in the sheeted cardboard. In FIGS. 2 and 3, this detachable member 19a is seen removed, rendering the dispensing port 19 open for passing of sheet material 80 therethrough, optionally by pulling.

It should be appreciated that the beside the dispensing port 19, the storing space 17 is sealed, preserving hygiene of the sheet material 80 disposed thereiwthin.

The four circumference walls consist of: a front circumference wall 15c, an opposite rear circumference wall 15d, and two side walls 15a and 15b extending therebetween.

The font circumference wall 15c is a two-part wall having disconnected upper and lower portions 15c′,15c″, each of which is connected to the top wall and the base wall 13,11, respectively, and is displaceable, together with the respective wall, with respect to the other.

The two side circumference walls 15a and 15b are expansion walls 15a and 15b, each of which being configured to expand between a compacted state, seen in FIGS. 1A to 1C, and an expanded state, seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The expansion of the expansion walls 15a and 15b is facilitated herein by a folding portion 25a and 25b thereof, folded in a Z fold in the compacted state thereof, and unfolded in the expanded state thereof. The Z fold is best seen in FIG. 2C.

Each of the expansion walls 15a, 15b, has an upper edge 15a′,15b′, connected to the top wall 13, and a lower edge 15a″,15b″, connected to the base wall 11. Expansion of the expansion walls 15a,15b moves the upper edges 15a′15b′ away from the lower edges 15a″,15b″, and thereby elevates the top wall 13, together with the upper portion 15c′, with respect to the base wall 11 and the lower portion 15c″.

When the expansion walls 15a and 15 reach maximum expansion, a user can tuck the upper portion 15c′ of the front wall 15c behind the lower portion 15c″ thereof, as seen in FIG. 2B, to induce friction therebetween which maintains the expansion walls 15a and 15b at the expanded state.

The elevation of the top wall 13 with respect to the base wall 11, is performed herein in an angle due to the structure of the folding portions 25a, 25b, which is narrower at an area thereof closer to a rear edge 13d than a front edge 13c of the top wall 13.

As seen in FIG. 2C, the Z fold of the folding portions 25a, 25b, is configured inwardly, into the storing space 17, so as to minimize the dimensions of the dispensing package 1. Further, the positioning of the folding portions 25a and 25b is such that at the compacted state of the expansion walls 15a and 15b, when sheet material is disposed within the storing space 17, the Z fold is disposed above an uppermost portion of the sheet material, such that folding/unfolding the folding portions 25a and 25b is not interrupted by the sheet material.

It should be appreciated that expansion of the expansion walls 15a,15b, i.e., elevation of the top wall 13 with respect to the base wall 11, increases the volume of the storing space 17, rendering the storing space 17 bigger at the expanded state of the expansion walls 15a and 15b than at the compacted state thereof, as the top wall 13 is positioned further from the base wall 11.

With such arrangement, sheet material which can compress and expand, e.g., the stack of Zig-Zag folded toilet paper 80, can be inserted compressed into the storing space 17 when the expansion walls 15a and 15b are at the compacted state, and expand therein when the expansion walls 15a and 15b shift from the compacted state to the expanded state.

It should be appreciated that compressed sheet material can also be inserted to storing spaces of conventional dispensing packages, however, the compression induces friction forces which make it difficult for a user to pull the sheet material out therefrom without tearing it. Expanding the storing space 17 when the compressed sheet material is disposed therewithin, e.g., when the dispensing package 1 is in use, reduces friction, and provides the ability for the sheet material 80 to swirl within the storing space 17.

This allows filling the dispensing package 1 with an “extra” amount of sheet material, for storing and transportation thereof, without loosing the ability to pull it therefrom later on, e.g., when the dispensing package 1 is ready for use.

The dispesing package 1 further comprises a hanging arrangement 12 in the form of a tubular loop, adapted for hanging on a toilet paper hanger, e.g, hanger 30, as seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

The hanging arrangement 12 comprises a hanging portion 12a which is seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B engaging the hanger 30. The hanging portion 12a herein is elongated to counter pulling forces emerging due to friction induced by pulling of the sheet material 80 through the dispensing port 19.

The elongation induces large contact surface of the hanging portion 12a with the hanger 30, which induces large distribution of forces along the hanging portion 12a.

The hanging arrangement 12 is connected to the rear circumference wall 15d of the dispensing package 1, causing the dispensing package 1 to be positioned in a 45 degrees angle with respect to the horizon, when hanged therefrom, as seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter the hanging arrangement 12 can be provided separately from the rest of the dispensing package 1, and be connected to the rear circumference wall, or any other area at a rear portion of the dispensing package 1, a priory, optionally by a duct tape.

When the hanger 30 is positioned proximal to a wall, e.g., wall 90, the hanging position of the dispensing package 1 can be such that a portion thereof engages the wall 90, as seen in FIG. 3B, increasing the stability of the dispensing package 1.

It should be appreciated that the sheet material 80 is Zig-Zag folded within the storing space 17 such, that a limb 81 thereof is adjacent the base wall 11, and a hinge axes side thereof 82 is adjacent the front wall 15c. The sheet material 80 is further arranged such that an uppermost edge 83 thereof is positioned most proximal to the dispensing port 19, and is seen protruding therefrom in FIG. 3C.

It should be appreciated that the positioning of the dispensing port 19, i.e., the dispensing location, on an upper edge of the front wall 15c, most proximal to the uppermost edge 83 of the sheet material, causes the sheet material 80 being pulled to not bear the sheet material 80 own self weight, thereby reducing the chances of potential tearing of the sheet material in times of pulling.

It should further be appreciated that the orientation of the dispensing package 1, determines the orientation of the sheet material 80 therewithin, such that when an uppermost edge 83 of the sheet material 80 protrude through the dispensing port 19 and the dispensing package 1 is angled, as seen in FIG. 3C, the protruding portion of the sheet material tends to fall out through the dispensing port due to gravity, thereby reducing the chances of that protruded portion from falling back into the storing space 17.

The dimensions of the dispensing port 19 correspond to those of a cross section of the sheet material 80, however a length L of the dispensing port 19 is shorter than that cross section to induce friction between the protruding portion and the dispensing port 19, thereby maintaining the protruding portion in place, preventing it from falling into/out from the dispensing port 19.

In FIGS. 3A to 3C, the hanging arrangement 12 is seen hanging from the hanger 30, while in FIGS. 1A to 1C it is seen lying flat on the top wall 13, taped to the front circumference wall 15c by a piece of tape 71 to maintain this position.

The dispensing package 1 is seen in the figures hereinabove in two operational modes—a packaged mode for use when the dispensing package 1 is stored or transported, i.e., when it is desired to merely store the sheet material 80 within the storing space 17, seen in FIG. 1A and 1B, and an operational mode for use when the dispensing package 1 is ready for use, i.e. when it is desired to dispense the sheet material 80 from the storing space 17 through the dispensing port 19.

At the packaged mode, the two expansion walls 15a and 15b are at their compacted state, the hanging arrangement 12 is lying flat on the top wall 13, held in that position by the tape 71, and the dispensing port 19 is blocked by the element 19a. At such packaged mode the shape of the dispensing package 1 is of a cuboid. The cuboid shape utilizes to maximum the space in a cuboid shipping container, and thereby cheapens transportation costs for the dispensing package.

At the operational mode, the two expansion walls 15a and 15b are at their expanded state, the hanging arrangement 12 is released from the front wall 13c, and the dispensing port 19 is open. In that mode the shape of the dispensing package 1 is of a trapezoid. The trapezoid shape, as well as the cuboid shape, prevent the dispensing package 1 from rolling, e.g., when it falls from the hanger.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 4A and 4B of the present disclosure, illustrating a dispensing package 100, having identical features to those of the dispensing package 1, however having four expansion walls 119, displaceable between a compacted state, seen in FIG. 4A, and an expanded state, seen in FIG. 4B, each being connected to a base wall 111 and a top wall 113 respectively. Such arrangement causes the top wall 113 to be elevated parallel to the base wall 111, instead of at an angle as in the dispensing package 1.

The dispensing package 100 further comprises a storing space 117 defined between the top and base walls 111,113, which include a checkup slit 117a, configured to provide a user with visibility into the storing space 117 for performing checkup of the amount of sheet material 180 left therewithin. The checkup slit can further facilitate entering of air therethrough into the storing space 117, when the expansion walls 119 expand from the compacted state to the expanded state.

The dispensing package 100 is formed of paper instead of cardboard, which are a water perishable material, so that the entire dispensing package 100 can be flushed down the toilet in the end of use.

Claims

1-48. (canceled)

49. A hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package, comprising:

a base wall;

a top wall having a rear edge and a front edge;

at least one side expansion wall extending between said base wall and said top wall, the at least one side expansion wall expandable between a compacted state and an expanded state;

a hanging arrangement for hanging of the hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package, said hanging arrangement having a hanging portion which at a hanging position is disposed closer to said rear edge than said front edge; and

a dispensing location configured to facilitate dispensing of sheet material therethrough, said dispensing location being disposed at a top portion of the dispensing package.

50. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 49, wherein said at least one expansion wall comprises a folded portion configured to unfold so as to facilitate said expansion of the at least one expansion wall from the compacted state to the expanded state.

51. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 50, wherein said folded portion is adjacent to the top wall.

52. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 50, wherein said folded portion is narrower at an area thereof disposed proximal to the rear edge of the top wall, than at an area thereof disposed proximal to the front edge of the top wall.

53. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 49, wherein said at least one expansion wall include two expansion walls.

54. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 49, wherein said prism is a cuboid.

55. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 49, wherein said hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package is made of sheet material.

56. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 49, wherein said hanging arrangement is in the form of a tubular loop.

57. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 49, wherein the hanging arrangement is connected at a rear portion of the dispensing package.

58. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 49, wherein said at least one expansion wall is configured to be positioned upright when the dispensing package is suspended from said hanging arrangement.

59. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 49, wherein the hanging arrangement is connected to the dispensing package such that when suspended therefrom, the base wall is oriented at an angle with respect to the horizon.

60. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 58, wherein the angle is in a range of 10 degrees to 90 degrees.

61. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 58, wherein at said orientation the sheet material on the front wall of the dispensing package.

62. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 49, wherein the sheet material is in the form of a Zig-Zag folded strip positioned within a storing space such that a limb thereof is adjacent to the base wall, and a hinge axes side thereof is adjacent to a front wall of the hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package.

63. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 49, wherein the dispensing location is positioned on the front edge of the top wall.

64. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 49, wherein the positioning of the sheet material within a storing space is such that an uppermost edge thereof is positioned most proximal to the dispensing location.

65. The hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package according to claim 49, further comprising a dispensing port at said dispensing location configured to facilitate dispensing of sheet material therethrough.

66. A kit for assembling a hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package; the kit comprising:

an expandable container including: a base wall; a top wall having a rear edge and a front edge; at least one side expansion wall extending between said base wall and said top wall which are expandable between a compacted state and an expanded state; and a dispensing location facilitating dispensing of sheet material therethrough, said dispensing location being disposed at a top portion of the dispensing package; and

a hanging arrangement for hanging of the dispensing package, the hanging arrangement having a hanging portion which at a hanging position is disposed closer to said rear edge than said front edge.

67. A hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package, comprising:

a base wall;

a top wall having a rear edge and a front edge, displaceable with respect to said base wall at least from a first position to a second position;

a storing space defined between said base wall and said top wall, containing at least one strip of sheet material which is compacted at the first position of the top wall and expanded at the second position of the top wall;

a hanging arrangement for hanging of the dispensing package, said hanging arrangement having a hanging portion which at a hanging position is disposed closer to said rear edge than said front edge; and

a dispensing location configured to provide access to said storing space disposed at a top portion of the dispensing package at the second position of the top wall.

68. A kit for assembling a hangable and expandable prism-shaped dispensing package, the kit comprising:

an expandable container comprising: a base wall; a top wall having a rear edge and a front edge which is displaceable with respect to said base wall at least from a first position to a second position; a storing space defined between said base wall and said top wall, containing a strip of sheet material which is compacted at the first position of the top wall and expanded at the second position of the top wall; and a dispensing location configured to provide access to said storing space disposed at a top portion of the dispensing package at the second position of the top wall; and

a hanging arrangement for hanging of the dispensing package, said hanging arrangement having a hanging portion which at a hanging position is disposed closer to said rear edge than said front edge.