U.S. patent application number 09/727807 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-18 for packaged absorbent paper product, container, and dispensing method.
Invention is credited to Holt, Mary Rece, House, Richard Frederick, Sauer, Barbara O., Schmidt, Paul Roy, Velazquez, Herb F..
Application Number | 20020092789 09/727807 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24924147 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020092789 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sauer, Barbara O. ; et
al. |
July 18, 2002 |
Packaged absorbent paper product, container, and dispensing
method
Abstract
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.
Inventors: |
Sauer, Barbara O.; (Fremont,
WI) ; Holt, Mary Rece; (Fremont, NJ) ; House,
Richard Frederick; (Geneva, IL) ; Schmidt, Paul
Roy; (Neenah, WI) ; Velazquez, Herb F.;
(US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gregory E. Croft
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.
401 North Lake Street
Neenah
WI
54956
US
|
Family ID: |
24924147 |
Appl. No.: |
09/727807 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/494 ;
206/806 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 206/806 20130101;
B65D 83/0888 20130101; B65D 83/0805 20130101; B65D 5/4208
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/494 ;
206/806 |
International
Class: |
B65D 073/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A packaged product comprising: a substantially enclosed
container containing an absorbent paper material; said container
comprising a first end, a second end, and a sidewall forming an
interior surface defining the container, a first opening into the
container adapted to dispensing the absorbent paper material, and a
hanger member having a first and a second hanger end, said first
hanger end integral with the container; and the absorbent paper
material substantially in contact with the interior surface.
2. The packaged product of claim 1 wherein the absorbent paper
material is not contained within a carton placed into the
container.
3. The packaged product of claim 1 wherein the container is
disposable upon depletion of the absorbent paper material.
4. The packaged product of claim 1 wherein the container fully
encloses the absorbent paper material except for the opening.
5. The packaged product of claim 1 wherein the sidewall comprises
four panels and the container is generally rectangular.
6. The packaged product of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of
the absorbent paper material exposed by the first opening is
covered by at least one cover.
7. The packaged product of claim 1 wherein the second hanger end is
connected to the container by an attachment member.
8. The packaged product of claim 1 wherein the container further
comprises a partition attached to the interior surface defining a
first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment
containing the absorbent paper material and having the first
opening, and the second compartment having a second opening and
adapted for use as a waste receptacle.
9. The packaged product of claim 1 wherein the hanger member is
integral with the container on both ends.
10. The packaged product of claim 6 wherein the cover comprises a
poly film window with a slit.
11. The packaged product of claim 6 wherein the cover comprises a
removable cover attached to the container by lines of
perforation.
12. The packaged product of claim 7 wherein the second hanger end
can be attached to the container by an attachment member in at
least two positions.
13. The packaged product of claim 7 wherein the hanger member has a
first and a second opposing side, and the second hanger end is
attached to the container by a first attachment member such that
the first opposing side is substantially adjacent the
container.
14. The packaged product of claim 7 wherein the hanger member has a
first and a second opposing side, and the second hanger end is
attached to the container by a second attachment member such that a
portion of the first opposing side is adjacent the container and a
portion of the first opposing side is adjacent a support
member.
15. The packaged product of claim 13 wherein the hanger member
covers at least a portion of the first opening.
16. The packaged product of claim 13 wherein the first attachment
member comprises a plurality of lines of perforation and a
removable strip.
17. The packaged product of claim 14 wherein the second attachment
member comprises an adhesive.
18. A method of dispensing an absorbent paper material in a
container comprising the acts of: releasing a second hanger end of
a hanger member attached to the container by a first attachment
member, the hanger member having a first hanger end integral with
the container; wrapping the second hanger end of the hanger member
around a support member; reattaching the second hanger end of the
hanger member to the container with a second attachment member; and
withdrawing the absorbent paper material through an opening in the
container.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the act of releasing the hanger
member attached to the container by the first attachment member
comprises removing a strip defined by a plurality of lines of
perforation.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the act of reattaching the
hanger member to the container by the second attachment member
comprises an adhesive.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a product comprising an
absorbent paper material in a container, and the container for the
absorbent paper material. In households today there is an
ever-increasing demand for novel ways to dispense absorbent paper
materials such as facial tissue, bathroom tissue, paper towels,
napkins, and the like. In particular, with the increase in the
number of items stored on counters and shelves and the resulting
decrease in available counter space, there is a need to provide
dispensing methods or products of absorbent paper materials, which
reduce or eliminate the amount of counter space required. Thus,
dispensers or products that have a reduced footprint while still
dispensing standard size absorbent paper materials, or hanging
dispensers or products, which eliminate the need for any counter
space usage, are consumer preferred.
[0002] In addition, absorbent paper materials are frequently used
in areas with exposure to liquids and moisture such as kitchens and
bathrooms. Conventional cartons of absorbent paper materials, when
placed on counters, can be damaged by associated liquid spills. By
providing a dispenser that hangs or a dispenser that protects the
absorbent paper material from moisture, the product's usefulness to
consumers is enhanced.
[0003] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a packaged
absorbent paper product that reduces the need to place the
dispenser on a counter, or that protects the absorbent paper
material inside the dispenser from liquids.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention is directed to a product comprising an
absorbent paper material in a container that satisfies one or more
of these needs, and a method of dispensing the absorbent paper
material. The invention provides a significant advantage in that
the absorbent paper material is protected from moisture damage by
liquids on surfaces and counters by hanging from a support member.
Another advantage is that the product eliminates counter space
requirements by hanging while still providing acceptable dispensing
performance. An additional advantage is that the container can be
used as a dispenser when hanging or when the container is placed on
a counter, thus providing two separate dispensing modes.
[0005] Hence in one aspect, the invention resides in a combination
of a container and an absorbent paper material comprising: a
substantially enclosed container having an interior volume, an
interior surface, and a first opening; an absorbent paper material
in the container; and a hanger member having a first hanger end
integral with the container, and a second hanger end releasably
attached to the container.
[0006] In another aspect, the invention resides in a method of
dispensing an absorbent paper material comprising: releasing a
second hanger end of a hanger member attached to a container by a
first attachment member; wrapping the second hanger end of the
hanger member around a support member; reattaching the second end
of the hanger member to the container with a second attachment
member; and withdrawing the absorbent paper material through an
opening in the container.
DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS
[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with regard to the
following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings
where:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0009] FIG. 1A is an elevation view of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment prior to
hanging the container.
[0011] FIG. 2A is an elevation view of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of
the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is another alternative embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a product comprising a container 10 and
an absorbent paper material 12 is shown. The container 10, as
herein described, is designed to provide the advantage of two
dispensing modes. The container 10 may be any size or shape useful
for containing the absorbent paper material 12. In a specific
embodiment, the container 10 is disposable upon depletion of the
absorbent paper material 12, and constructed from board, carton
stock, heavy paper, and the like. The absorbent paper material 12
is substantially in contact with an interior surface 14 of the
container 10, and not housed within a second container or carton.
However, it is possible to design the container 10 to be
refillable, and constructed from a sturdier substrate such as
plastic, metal, or the like. A refillable container, or a
dispenser, could be used with an absorbent paper material purchased
in another pre-packaged container, such as a facial tissue carton,
that is placed into the dispenser. It is also possible to refill
the container 10 with absorbent paper materials 12 purchased in
bulk, and not housed in individual containers.
[0015] In a specific embodiment, the container 10 has a first end
16, a second end 18, and a sidewall comprised of four panels 22,
24, 26, and 28 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. IA. The container 10 is
generally rectangular. Generally rectangular means that at least
one side of the container 10 is rectangular, although not all sides
of the container 10 necessarily meet at right angles. Thus, a three
dimensional parallelogram is generally rectangular. However, it is
possible to construct the container 10 in a spherical shape, a
cylindrical shape, or any other three-dimensional volume by use of
a differently shaped sidewall and/or end panel. For instance, a
cylindrical container would have one sidewall and two circular
ends, while a spherical container would only have one continuous
sidewall.
[0016] A first opening 30 is provided into the interior of the
container 10. In a specific embodiment, the first opening 30 is
located partially panel 22 of the container's sidewall and
partially in the second end 18. Construction of the first opening
30 partially in the sidewall and partially in the second end 18 has
the advantage of convenient dispensing independent of the
container's orientation. Thus, acceptable dispensing performance is
achieved when the container 10 is placed on a surface, or when the
container 10 is hung from a support member 32. However, any size,
style, or location of opening configured to dispense an absorbent
paper material 12 through the sidewall from the interior of the
container 10 is possible. The type of absorbent paper material 12
being dispensed will dictate the style of opening. Alternative
first openings may be located entirely in the container's ends or
in any of the container's panels forming the sidewall.
[0017] All or a portion of the absorbent paper material 12 exposed
by the first opening 30 may be covered by at least one cover 34 as
is conventionally practiced with facial tissue cartons. For
instance, a removable cover created by lines of perforation in the
container 10 may occupy all or a portion of the first opening 30
(not shown). The removable cover is stripped from the container 10
prior to dispensing the absorbent paper material 12. Alternatively,
the absorbent paper material 12 may be covered by a poly film wrap
that is removed (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, a poly film
window with a slit 35 is present as the cover 34 covering the
absorbent paper material 12, and a removable cover (not shown) is
supplied to protect the absorbent paper material prior to
dispensing. However, if desired a poly film window in combination
with the poly film wrap could be utilized instead. Alternatively,
as later herein described, the hanger member 36 can be initially
attached to the container 10 to cover the first opening 30.
[0018] As shown in elevation in FIG. 1A, the container 10 has a
hanger member 36 that has a first hanger end 38 integral with the
container 10, and a second hanger end 40. Integral means the first
hanger end 38 is a continuous portion of the container 10. The
second hanger end 40 is not integral as shown in FIG. 1A, but is
attached to the container 10 by a first attachment member 42. It is
also possible to construct the hanger member 36 such that both the
first hanger end 38 and the second hanger end 40 are integral to
the container 10. The hanger member 36 also has a first opposing
surface 44 and a second opposing surface 46.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, the hanger member 36 is illustrated
in a position when the product is purchased by a consumer. The
hanger member 36 is attached to the container 10 such that the
first opposing surface 44 is substantially in contact with the
container 10. If desired, the container 10 can be used in a
non-hanging mode by leaving the hanger member 36 attached to the
container 10 as shown in FIG. 2A. With the first opposing surface
44 substantially adjacent the container 10, no loop is present to
hang the dispenser from the support member 32. The hanger member 36
is attached to the container 10, as received by the consumer, by a
second attachment member 48 prior to hanging the container.
Alternatively, the first attachment member 42 can be used to secure
the hanging member 36 in its two alternate positions.
[0020] If desired, the container 10 may be hung from the support
member 32 by releasing the second hanger end 40 from the container
10, wrapping the hanger member 36 around the support member 32, and
then reattaching the second hanger end 40 to the container 10. In
the hanging mode, at least a portion of the first opposing surface
44 is adjacent the container 10, while another portion of the first
opposing surface 44 is adjacent the support member 32. This creates
a loop between the first end 16 and the first opposing surface 44,
which allows the container 10 to hang from the support member
32.
[0021] In a specific embodiment, the first attachment member 42 is
an adhesive, and the second attachment member 48 is a plurality of
perforated lines 50 defining a strip 52. To hang the container, a
consumer grasps a tab 54 and removes the strip 52 attaching the
second hanger end 40 to the container 10. The first attachment
member 42 is made inoperative in this position by placing an
appropriate release means between the first attachment member 42
and the container 10. Such a release means may be a release strip
placed over the adhesive secured to the first opposing surface 44,
or a release strip on panel 26 preventing the adhesive from
attaching the second hanger end 40 to the container. After removing
the strip 52, the consumer wraps the hanger member 36 around the
support member 32, and then reattaches the hanger member 36 to the
container 10 with the adhesive.
[0022] Another possibility, instead of including a release means,
is a latex co-adhesive or rubber cement for the first attachment
member 42. Latex co-adhesive is applied to the first opposing
surface 44 of hanger member 36 near the second hanger end 40.
Offset relative to the first application of the adhesive,
additional latex co-adhesive is applied to the panel 26 near the
first end 16 of the container 10. Because the two adhesive
locations are offset, the hanger member 36 can be removed from the
panel 26. The two adhesive strips act as the first and second
attachment members. After wrapping the hanger member 36 around the
support member 32, the two adhesive locations are aligned and
pressed together. This reactivates the adhesive providing a secure
bond for the second hanger end 40 to the container 10.
[0023] As previously mentioned, two separate or different types of
attachment members are not required. For instance, an adhesive
first attachment member 42 could be used in both of the hanger
member's positions instead of the plurality of perforated lines 50
and the strip 52 combined with an adhesive. Alternate types of
attachment members may be utilized. For instance examples of
alternative attachment members, by way of illustration and without
limitation, include adhesives, hook and loop materials, tabs and
slots, lines of perforation with or without a strip, clips, glue,
hooks, and tape.
[0024] The container 10 preferably contains an interfolded stack of
paper towels as the absorbent paper material, although other
products may be packaged in the container. A product comprising
container 10 and a stack of interfolded paper towels has the
advantage of two dispensing modes--resting on a surface or hanging
from a support member. While being utilized in the hanging mode,
the container has the advantage of eliminating any counter surface
requirements, and protecting absorbent paper material 12 from
damage due to liquids that may be present on the surface.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in
an elevation view hanging from a towel bar. In this embodiment the
container 10 has been altered to have a parallelogram profile as
shown. The three dimensional parallelogram shown is generally
rectangular since panels 16, 18, 22, and 26 are rectangular. The
parallelogram profile has the advantage of feeding the absorbent
paper material 12 towards the first opening 30 as the material is
depleted. The helps eliminate the need to reach into the container
when there is a missed interfold or dispensing problem. Because the
remaining interfolded absorbent paper materials are near the first
opening 30, it is easy to restart the dispensing process. In
addition, the trapezoidal profile is aesthetically pleasing. The
interfolded absorbent paper material 12 is shown after dispensing
several sheets of the material.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the
invention is shown. The container 10 has a first compartment 58,
and a second compartment 60 separated by an internal partition 62
attached to an interior surface 14 of the container 10. An
absorbent paper material 12 is located in the first compartment 58.
The container 10 may be any shape or size useful for containing an
absorbent paper material, and need not be the generally rectangular
shape shown.
[0027] A first opening 30 into the interior of the first
compartment 58 is provided, and adapted to dispense the absorbent
paper material 12. The first opening 30 may be any shape or size
useful for dispensing the absorbent paper material 12, and may be
located anywhere in the first compartment 58. If desired, at least
a portion of the absorbent paper material 12 may be covered by a
cover 34 having a slit 35 as previously discussed.
[0028] A second opening 64 into the interior of the second
compartment 60 is provided. The second compartment 60 is adapted to
serving as a waste receptacle for soiled absorbent paper materials.
The second opening 64 may be any convenient shape or size, and may
be located anywhere in the second compartment 60. As previously
discussed, the hanger member 36 is integral with container 10 on at
least one end, and can be affixed to the container 10 in at least
two distinct positions. The hanger member 36 is adapted to being
removed from the container 10, wrapped around a support member 32,
and then reattached to container 10 by an attachment member 42 or
attachment members.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows the first compartment 58 nearer the support
member 32. It is possible to construct the container 10 such that
the second compartment 60 is nearer the support member 32. It is
also possible to construct the container 10 such that first hanger
end 38 of the hanger member 36 is located on a different side of
the container 10, such as the corner or edge connecting panels 24
and 26 (not shown). This would change the orientation of the
container 10 when hung from the support member 32. In addition,
locating the integral first hanger end 38 of hanger member 36 on
such an edge would change the direction the consumer would need to
wrap the hanger member 36 around the support member 32. This would
result in second hanger end 40 being visible on the front of the
container 10 on panel 22. Such an orientation has the advantage of
utilizing the hanger member 36 as a cover 34 for the absorbent
paper material 12 if desired. The hanger member 36 could cover all
or a portion of the first opening 30 prior to releasing the hanger
member 36 from the container 10 and dispensing the absorbent paper
material 12. Another advantage is the ease of attaching second
hanger end 40 to the container 10 when the attachment point is on
the front of the container 10.
[0030] The container 10 preferably contains an interfolded stack of
paper towels, although other products may be packaged in the
container. A product comprising container 10 and interfolded paper
towels has the advantage of two dispensing modes. While being
utilized in the hanging mode, the container 10 has the advantage of
eliminating any counter space requirements, and protecting the
absorbent paper material 12 from damage due to liquids on the
counter surface. While being utilized on a counter surface, the
space provided by the second compartment 60, and any soiled
absorbent paper material in the second compartment 60, protects the
unused absorbent paper material 12 from any liquids on the counter
surface.
[0031] Accordingly, while the invention has been described herein
in detail in relation to specific embodiments, it is to be
understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary
of the invention, and is made merely for purposes of providing a
full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing
disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the invention,
or otherwise to exclude any other embodiments, adaptations,
variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements; the
invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *