U.S. patent application number 09/799410 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-05 for tissue-dispensing device in combination with a discarding receptacle.
Invention is credited to Subramanian, Giridhar, Subramanian, Narayanan.
Application Number | 20020121451 09/799410 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25175841 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020121451 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Subramanian, Narayanan ; et
al. |
September 5, 2002 |
Tissue-dispensing device in combination with a discarding
receptacle
Abstract
A tissue-dispensing device in combination with a discarding
receptacle comprising a first housing unit having an aperture
formed therein for dispensing unused facial tissue hingably
connected to a second housing unit designed for receiving used
tissues through an aperture formed therein.
Inventors: |
Subramanian, Narayanan;
(Marietta, GA) ; Subramanian, Giridhar; (Marietta,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Joel D. Myers, Esq.
Myers & Associates
Intellectual Property Law, P.C.
1827 Powers Ferry Road Building 3, Suite 200
Atlanta
GA
30339
US
|
Family ID: |
25175841 |
Appl. No.: |
09/799410 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/494 ; 221/45;
221/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0888
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/494 ; 221/97;
221/45 |
International
Class: |
B65D 073/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tissue-dispensing device in combination with a discarding
receptacle, comprising: a first housing unit; a second housing
unit; and means for attaching said first housing unit to said
second housing unit, wherein said first housing unit dispenses the
tissue and said second housing unit holds discarded tissue.
2. The combination device of claim 1, wherein said attaching means
is a hinging means.
3. The combination device of claim 2, wherein said hinging means is
a flexible strip of material having an adhesive side, wherein said
adhesive side is at least partially in contact with said first
housing unit and said second housing unit.
4. The combination device of claim 2, wherein said hinging means is
at least a two-member hinge.
5. The combination device of claim 1, wherein said first housing
unit has a slot formed therein for dispensing unused tissue.
6. The combination device of claim 1, wherein said second housing
unit has an aperture formed therein for receiving discarded used
tissues.
7. The combination device of claim 1, wherein said first housing
unit and said second housing unit are approximately rectangular in
shape.
8. The combination device of claim 1, wherein said first housing
unit and said second housing unit are approximately cylindrical in
shape.
9. The combination device of claim 1, wherein said first housing
unit and said second housing unit are approximately diamond
shaped.
10. A tissue-dispensing device in combination with a discarding
receptacle, comprising: a first housing unit having an aperture
formed therein; a second housing unit having an aperture formed
therein; and means for hinging said first housing unit to said
second housing unit, wherein said first housing unit dispenses the
tissue and said second housing unit holds discarded tissue.
11. The combination device of claim 10, wherein said hinging means
is a flexible strip of material having an adhesive side, wherein
said adhesive side is at least partially in contact with said first
housing unit and said second housing unit.
12. The combination device of claim 10, wherein said hinging means
is at least a two-member hinge.
13. The combination device of claim 11, wherein said first housing
unit having a top portion and a bottom portion, said second housing
unit having a top portion and a bottom portion, and wherein said
adhesive side of said hinge portion adheres to said top portion of
said first housing unit and said top portion of said second housing
unit such that said first housing unit and said second housing unit
are juxtaposed.
14. The combination device of claim 10, wherein said aperture of
said second housing unit is removably covered by said first housing
unit, and wherein said aperture of said second housing unit can be
exposed by rotating said first housing unit or said second housing
unit about said hinging means.
15. A tissue-dispensing device in combination with a discarding
receptacle, comprising: a first housing unit having an aperture
formed therein; a second housing unit having an aperture formed
therein; and at least one flexible strip of material for hinging
said first housing unit with said second housing unit, said at
least one flexible strip of material having an adhesive side, said
adhesive side being at least partially in contact with said first
housing unit and said second housing unit, wherein said first
housing unit dispenses the tissue and said second housing unit
holds discarded tissue.
16. The combination device of claim 15, wherein said aperture of
said second housing unit is removably covered by said first housing
unit, and wherein said aperture of said second housing unit can be
exposed by rotating said first housing unit or said second housing
unit about said at least one flexible strip of material.
17. The combination device of claim 15, further comprising a flap
for covering said aperture of said second housing unit.
18. The combination device of claim 17, wherein said flap comprises
a means for removably sealing.
19. The combination device of claim 18, wherein said removable
sealing means is hook-and-loop fastener.
20. The combination device of claim 18, wherein said removable
sealing means is a tongue-and-groove fastener.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This present invention relates generally to tissue
dispensers and more specifically, to a tissue-dispensing device in
combination with a discarding receptacle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] When in a sickened condition and the body in a weakened
state, many of us are seemingly immobilized, making even the most
effortless task of discarding used tissues in the proper receptacle
far too strenuous. If bedridden by the common cold, most of us will
resort to tossing used facial tissue down by our bedside or
throwing them on a nearby nightstand. As convenient as these
options may be, they are disadvantageous, promoting the spread of
germs and exposing family and friends to these infectious
agents.
[0003] Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a
facial tissue dispensing device in combination with a discarding
receptacle, wherein quick and safe disposal of used facial tissue
is provided, thus reducing the spread of germs and the number of
inconvenient trips made to a distant trash receptacle.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present
invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the
recognized need for such a device, by providing a tissue dispensing
device in combination with a discarding receptacle, wherein
convenient and safe disposal of used facial tissue or the like is
provided, thus reducing both the spread of germs and ultimately the
number of trips made to a trash receptacle.
[0005] According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the
present invention in its preferred form is a facial tissue
dispensing device with a discarding receptacle having a first
housing unit and a second housing unit hingably connected
thereto.
[0006] More specifically, the present invention is a facial tissue
dispensing device with a discarding receptacle having a first
housing unit for holding and dispensing unused facial tissue and a
second housing unit for temporarily holding used facial tissue. The
top portion of the first housing unit has a slot for dispensing
unused facial tissue, and the top portion of the second housing
unit has an aperture for receiving used facial tissue. First
housing unit is situated on top of second housing unit and is
hingably connected thereto so that when first housing unit and
second housing unit are rotated about the axis of the hinge, second
housing unit is inverted and used facial tissue gravitationally
exits the aperture on the top portion of the second housing
unit.
[0007] In another embodiment of the invention, first housing unit
has a slot for dispensing the facial tissue and the second housing
unit has a slot for receiving facial tissue as well as an aperture
in which the used facial tissue exits upon disposal. First housing
unit and second housing unit are hingably connected so that when
first housing unit and second housing unit are rotated about the
axis of the hinge, used facial tissue exits the aperture of the
second housing unit.
[0008] In another embodiment of the invention, first housing unit
and second housing unit are travel size, suitable for holding
limited amounts of used and unused facial tissues. First housing
unit has a slot for dispensing unused facial tissue and second
housing unit has an aperture for receiving used facial tissue.
Second housing unit has a flap to cover the aperture so that the
used facial tissue is not exposed. First housing unit and second
housing unit are connected back-to-back so that the slot on first
housing unit and the aperture on second housing unit face outward
or in the opposite directions.
[0009] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to provide quick and convenient disposal of used facial
tissue.
[0010] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to guard against germ transmission by safely housing used
facial tissue.
[0011] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to reduce the number of inconvenient trips made to a trash
receptacle to dispose of used facial tissue.
[0012] A feature and advantage of the invention is its hinged
connection, allowing the used tissues to be quickly accessed and
discarded.
[0013] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from
the following descriptions and claims when read in light of the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention will be better understood by reading
the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alternate Embodiments
with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like
reference numerals denote similar structure and refer like elements
throughout, and in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a facial tissue
dispensing device in combination with a discarding receptacle
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
showing a first housing unit situated on top of and hingably
connected to a second housing unit.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the second housing unit
of FIG. 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
showing a hinging member.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a facial
tissue-dispensing device in combination with a discarding
receptacle according to an alternate embodiment of the present
invention showing a first housing unit and a second housing
unit.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a facial
tissue-dispensing device in combination with a discarding
receptacle according to an alternate embodiment of the present
invention showing the first housing unit for dispensing tissue
rotated about the axis of the hinge, thus exposing the aperture of
the connected second housing unit.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the second housing unit
of FIG. 4 according to an alternate embodiment of the present
invention showing a hinging member.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a facial
tissue-dispensing device in combination with a discarding
receptacle according to an alternate embodiment of the present
invention showing a first housing unit, a second housing unit and a
flap to cover an aperture on the second housing unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the
present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, specific
terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention,
however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology
so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element
includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner
to accomplish similar functions.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, the present invention in its
preferred embodiment is an apparatus 10, wherein apparatus 10 is a
facial tissue-dispensing device in combination with a discarding
receptacle. Apparatus 10 generally comprises a first housing unit
20 having a top portion 30, a bottom portion 40, a first side
portion 50, a second side portion 60, a third side portion 70 and a
fourth side portion 80; a second housing unit 90 having a top
portion 100, a bottom portion 110, a first side portion 120, a
second side portion 130, a third side portion 140 and a fourth side
portion 150; and a hinge portion 160.
[0023] Specifically, top portion 30 and bottom portion 40 of first
housing unit 20, and top portion 100 and bottom portion 110 of
second housing unit 90 are preferably rectangular in shape. Side
portions 50, 60, 70 and 80 join with top portion 30 and bottom
portion 40 to form first housing unit 20. Side portions 120, 130,
140 and 150 join with top portion 100 and bottom portion 110 to
form second housing unit 90.
[0024] Edge 52 of first housing unit 20 is hingably connected to
edge 122 via hinge portion 160 so that first housing unit 20 sits
directly on top of second housing unit 90 allowing bottom portion
40 of first housing unit 20 to abut top portion 100 of second
housing unit 90 and allowing first housing portion 20 and second
housing portion 90 to be folded or rotated about hinge axis 162. In
an alternate embodiment, edge 62, 72 or 82 of first housing unit 20
could be hingably connected to edge 132, 142 or 152, respectively,
of second housing unit 90. Hinge portion 160 is a flexible strip of
material such as, for exemplary purposes only, tape or any other
suitable flexible material known in the art. Hinge portion 160
preferably has an adhesive side for attaching to first housing unit
20 and second housing unit 90.
[0025] Top portion 30 of first housing unit 20 has a slot 32 for
dispensing unused facial tissue. Top portion 100 of second housing
unit 90 has an aperture 102 for receiving used facial tissue.
Aperture 102 also allows, upon tilting or inverting second housing
unit 90, for the used facial tissue to exit second housing unit
90.
[0026] In use, apparatus 10 allows first housing unit 20 to
dispense facial tissue through slot 32. Once the facial tissue is
used, first housing unit 20 is folded or rotated upward about hinge
axis 162 and the used tissue placed through aperture 102 of second
housing unit 90. Once second housing unit 90 is full of used facial
tissue, apparatus 10 may be taken to a trash receptacle and second
housing unit 90 folded or rotated about hinge axis 162, allowing
used tissue to fall through or exit aperture 102. Once emptied,
second housing unit 90 can be returned to its position so that top
portion 100 of second housing unit 90 once again abuts bottom
portion 40 of first housing unit 20 forming apparatus 10 as shown
in FIG. 1.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, in an alternate embodiment,
apparatus 10 has a first housing unit 20 having a top portion 30, a
bottom portion 40, a first side portion 50, a second side portion
60, a third side portion 70 and a fourth side portion 80; a second
housing unit 190 having a top portion 1100, a bottom portion 1110,
a first side portion 1120, a second side portion 1130 and a third
side portion 1140; and a hinge portion 160.
[0028] Top portion 30, bottom portion 40, top portion 1100 and
bottom portion 1110 are preferably rectangular in shape. Side
portions 50, 60, 70 and 80 join with top portion 30 and bottom
portion 40 to form first housing unit 20. Side portions 1120, 1130
and 1140 join with top portion 1100 and bottom portion 1110 to form
second housing unit 190.
[0029] Edge 74 of first housing unit 20 is hingably connected to
edge 1104 of top portion 1100 of second housing unit 190 via hinge
portion 160 so that first housing unit 20 is adjacent to second
housing unit 190 allowing first housing portion 20 and second
housing portion 190 to be folded or rotated about hinge axis 162.
Hinge portion 160 is a flexible strip of material such as, for
exemplary purposes only, tape or any other suitable flexible
material known in the art. Hinge portion 160 preferably has an
adhesive side for attaching to first housing unit 20 and second
housing unit 190.
[0030] Top portion 30 of first housing unit 20 has a slot 32 for
dispensing unused facial tissue. Top portion 1100 of second housing
unit 190 has a slot 1106 for receiving used facial tissue. Second
housing unit 190 has an aperture 192 that abuts side portion 70 of
first housing unit 20. Aperture 192 allows for the exit of used
tissues when second housing unit 190 is folded or rotated about
hinge axis 162, allowing the used tissues to simply fall out of or
through aperture 192.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 6, in another alternate embodiment,
first housing unit 220 and second housing unit 290 could be travel
size, preferably of the size and shape of small plastic sandwich
bags. First housing unit 220 and second housing unit 290 would be
connected back-to-back so that a slot 222 on first housing unit 220
and an aperture 292 on second housing unit 290 would face outwardly
or in opposite directions. First housing unit 220 would still
dispense unused facial tissue through its respective slot 222, and
the aperture 292 on second housing unit 290 would receive used
facial tissue. Second housing unit 290 would also have a flap 294
to cover the aperture 292 on second housing unit 290 to avoid
exposure of the used facial tissue. It should be noted that other
sealable means are contemplated such as, for exemplary purposes
only, a tongue and groove resealable bag. When all unused facial
tissue has been dispensed from first housing unit 220, apparatus 10
may be discarded as a whole. Replacement packs of unused tissues,
however, can also be placed back into first housing unit 220 and
likewise, second housing unit 290 can be emptied, yielding a
renewed apparatus 10.
[0032] In yet another alternate embodiment, slot 32, aperture 102
and slot 1106 could be any desired shape such as, for exemplary
purposes only, oval, square or circular.
[0033] In still another alternate embodiment, apparatus 10 can be
any desired shape such as, for exemplary purposes only, a square or
diamond.
[0034] Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the
within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other
alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention
is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but
is limited only by the following claims.
* * * * *