U.S. patent application number 10/301249 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-27 for non-planar dispenser for articles.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nice-Pak Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Julius, Robert P..
Application Number | 20040099681 10/301249 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32324506 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040099681 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Julius, Robert P. |
May 27, 2004 |
Non-planar dispenser for articles
Abstract
A dispenser for dispensing individual interleaved and/or
releasably attached articles such as sheets impregnated with
moisture or a composition or substance useful for treating,
cleaning and/or disinfecting various surfaces, including the human
skin. The dispenser includes a dispensing element including at
least one larger aperture and a smaller aperture in a non-planar
relationship to one another. A closure or lid can usefully be
incorporated as part of the dispenser. The articles may easily be
reached from above the top surface of the dispenser through the
larger aperture, and fed through from underneath the top surface
and through the opening of the small aperture. Thereafter, the
articles may be dispensed through the small aperture, e.g., in a
pop-up mode. The arrangement of the elements is conducive to
one-handed dispensing of articles from the dispenser.
Inventors: |
Julius, Robert P.;
(Greenwich, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,
KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Assignee: |
Nice-Pak Products, Inc.
Orangeburg
NY
|
Family ID: |
32324506 |
Appl. No.: |
10/301249 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0805 20130101;
A47K 10/421 20130101; B65H 2402/443 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/063 |
International
Class: |
B65H 001/00 |
Claims
1. A dispenser for dispensing individual articles from a plurality
of said articles, said dispenser comprising a housing including
depending side walls for retaining said plurality of said articles
and a top wall including a non-planar outer surface having a first
aperture including at least a pair of juxtaposed adjacent side
walls sufficiently close to one another to grasp and retain said
individual articles at least partially removed from said housing,
and at least one second aperture, said at least one second aperture
being sufficiently large to permit at least one of said articles to
be grasped by one or more fingers of the human hand from above said
at least one second aperture in order to thrust said at least one
individual article up and at least partially through said first
aperture, whereby said article extends above said top wall and is
retained by said first aperture for removal from said
dispenser.
2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said non-planar outer surface
includes a recessed portion, said first aperture and said at least
one second aperture being disposed in said recessed portion.
3. The dispenser of claim 2 including a closable cover sized so as
to closably seal said recessed portion upon closure thereof.
4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said at least one second
aperture comprises at least two of said second apertures.
5. The dispenser of claim 3 including a living hinge connecting
said closable cover to said housing.
6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said top wall is separate from
and affixable to said depending sidewalls of said housing.
7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein said closable cover is affixed
to said top wall.
8. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said housing has sufficient
rigidity to retain its shape subsequent to its manufacture.
9. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein said housing comprises
semi-rigid thermoplastic material.
10. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein said thermoplastic material is
selected from the group consisting of polyolefins and
polyamides.
11. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a bottom
wall.
12. The dispenser of claim 11 wherein at least one of said top wall
and said bottom wall is removable from said housing for filling
said housing with said plurality of articles.
13. The dispenser of claim 1 further including a closable cover for
sealably closing said first aperture and said at least one second
aperture.
14. The dispenser of claim 13 comprising two of said second
apertures wherein each of said second apertures is separated from
one another and from said first aperture.
15. The dispenser of claim 13 wherein said at least one second
aperture comprises at least four of said second apertures disposed
around the perimeter of said non-planar surface.
16. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said articles comprise
moisture impregnated articles.
17. The dispenser of claim 16 wherein said moisture impregnated
articles are impregnated with at least one substance selected from
the group consisting of water, surface cleaner, cleaning
composition capable of attracting particulate matter, a medicament,
skin cleanser, skin moisturizer, skin lotion and antiseptic.
18. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said articles are interleaved
and/or releasably attached.
19. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said juxtaposed adjacent side
walls of said first aperture are so constructed as to cause said
individual article to be separated from said plurality of articles
upon said individual article being withdrawn from said
dispenser.
20. A dispensing element for dispensing individual articles from a
plurality of said articles, said dispensing element comprising a
non-planar surface having a first aperture including at least a
pair of juxtaposed adjacent side walls sufficiently close to one
another to grasp and retain said individual articles at least
partially above said opening, and at least one second aperture,
said at least one second aperture being sufficiently large to
permit at least one of said articles to be grasped by one or more
fingers of the human hand from above said at least one second
aperture in order to thrust said at least one said individual
articles up and at least partially through said first aperture from
beneath said first aperture, whereby said article extends above
said surface.
21. The dispensing element of claim 20 adapted for use with a
dispenser capable of holding a plurality of interleaved and/or
releasably attached articles.
22. The dispensing element of claim 21 further including a closable
cover for sealably closing said first aperture and said at least
one second aperture.
23. The dispensing element of claim 22 wherein said at least one
second aperture comprises at least four of said second apertures
disposed around the perimeter of said non-planar surface.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a dispenser for articles. More
particularly, the present invention relates to sequential
dispensers, in which the articles are provided as individual
interleaved or separably connected sheets and can pop-up above the
top of the dispenser when the preceding article is removed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Dispensers for articles such as tissues are well known in
the art. Such articles may be supplied dry, with lotion, or
moistened and are typically generally rectangular in shape and
supplied as e.g., interleaved, discrete sheets or separably
connected. Dispensers for such articles typically are in box form,
e.g., in the shape of a parallelepiped. The dispenser has an
opening, typically at the top, through which individual articles or
sheets are removed by the user. The desire for increased
convenience led to sequential or "pop-up" dispensers. In a pop-up
dispenser, a tissue usually extends through an opening to an
elevation above that of the dispenser. The user grasps the exposed
portion of the tissue, without the necessity of inserting fingers
through the opening. In pop-up dispensing, each tissue has a
leading portion that is first to pass through the opening, and a
trailing portion that later passes through the opening. In an
interleaved arrangement, the trailing portion of a first tissue to
be dispensed overlaps the leading portion of the next tissue to be
dispensed. As the first tissue is withdrawn by the user, the
leading portion of the next tissue is pulled through the opening,
for later dispensing. The tissues are folded against one another in
a variety of configurations so that the friction of the trailing
portion of the withdrawn sheet against the succeeding sheet pulls
the leading portion of the succeeding sheet through the opening.
However, devices for interfolding are both complex and expensive.
Purchasing such devices represents a significant capital outlay
that is ultimately passed on to the consumer of the interfolded
tissues.
[0003] One problem frequently encountered in pop-up dispensing
packages of the prior art is the transition from the reach-in
dispensing mode in which the product is shipped to the pop-up
dispensing mode preferred by the consumer, as well as recovery from
the dispenser of tissues that have fallen back in order to
reinitiate the pop-up sequence. The opening through which the
tissue is dispensed must be large enough to allow the consumer to
reach his or her fingers therethrough to grasp the tissue and begin
the pop-up dispensing process. However, the opening must be small
enough to constrict the tissues dispensed therethrough, so that a
tissue may be separated from succeeding tissues. Fallback is
exacerbated with relatively tall dispensing packages that are often
preferred by the consumer for economic reasons. The usable height
of the dispensing package is often limited to the length of the
overlap of the interfolded tissues. This limitation occurs due to
the leading and trailing portions of adjacent tissues unfolding
inside a package taller than the overlap, resulting in the second
tissue falling back into the package. Furthermore, fallback can
occur as a consequence of the tissue or article being impregnated
with another substance, such as moisture, lotion, cleansing
composition, etc. When the article is impregnated it is heavier and
its surface friction may be reduced, therefore making it more
susceptible to falling back. Various attempts to solve the problem
of fallback when trying to dispense interfolded tissues are
referred to in U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,001, but such solutions are said
to have resulted in additional expense due to the use of additional
elements or materials.
[0004] Similar problems of fallback occur even if tissues are not
interfolded, but rather are connected at perforations. As fewer
tissues remain in the bottom of a tissue package, particularly a
taller package, a greater portion of the tissue hangs from the
opening where they are dispensed to the top of the remaining
articles at the bottom of the package. When this occurs, the weight
of the free portion of the tissue increases, making it more likely
that the frictional engagement with the opening is insufficient to
prevent the tissue from falling back into the dispensing package.
When fallback occurs, the user not only must reach through the
aperture in the opening to retrieve the tissue and start the pop-up
dispensing process all over again, but the tissue is well below the
open, having fallen to nearly the bottom of a tall dispensing
package.
[0005] Nakamura et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,575 discloses variously
configured apertures or a combination of large and small apertures
joined by a slit-like portion. In each instance the user inserts
fingertips into the openings to grasp a tissue and pull it through
the opening, and, where a slit is present, deflecting the slit-like
portion. However the shape of the various apertures is round,
thereby reducing the chance of success in preventing fallback.
Furthermore, in various embodiments the user is required to deflect
the material at the opening in order to reach into the container to
grasp a tissue and again to deflect it when pulling the tissue out.
Where the dispenser is constructed of a rigid, albeit flexible,
material, this process can be uncomfortable.
[0006] Beard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,907 uses a relatively small,
opening of fixed, preferably rounded, shape, but also acknowledges
that re-starting a sheet inadvertently broken off below the
dispensing surface requires the user to open the dispenser.
[0007] Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 2,640,587 discloses a tissue dispenser
in which the cover includes an hourglass-shaped opening that is
sufficiently wide to permit insertion of fingers to grip tissues
and withdraw them through the opening. Thus, at each side of the
neck portion 14, the openings flare out to enlarged portions 16 and
18 for such purposes. The large opening makes such a dispenser
susceptible to fallback.
[0008] Margulies, U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,291 discloses an opening that
includes a closure that can be moved between a first position
covering a smaller aperture in the dispensing surface or a second
position that fully exposes the dispensing surface. The dispensing
surface includes a larger aperture, 18, connected by a slit, 20, to
a smaller aperture, 22. The larger aperture is said to permit a
consumer to grasp a first towel of a web of towels and to pull the
first towel toward and into the slit and smaller aperture. The side
edges of the slit are said to apply sufficient tension on the towel
being pulled through the slit to cause separation of the towel from
a succeeding towel at the perforations whereby the succeeding towel
is partially extended through the slit.
[0009] Dearwester, U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,074, discloses a dual
dispensing carton, which includes an upper slot and an extending
side slot, so that a bundle of tissues can be removed in a single
instance.
[0010] Hunt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,200, discloses a container for
plastic bags which, as shown in FIG. 1 thereof, includes an upper
opening 17 through which the bags are passed, and a finger slot 18
in the front wall 11 to provide access to maneuver the bags for
removal from the confined storage space. However, the invention
relies on both the limited elastic memory of the plastic from which
the bags are made and compressing or wadding into a bulbous shape
of each individual bag by the consumer before placing each bag in
the container for later removal from any opening in the container,
including the finger slot. Pop-up operation of the container to
dispense the plastic bags is not contemplated.
[0011] Muckenfuhs et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,001, discusses the
background of pop-up dispensers, the need to prevent the next
tissue from falling back into the box and having both large and
small apertures spaced apart, but connected to one another. As can
be seen in FIG. 1 of the patent, the claimed dispensing opening has
a first, larger sized aperture, 20 designed for "reach-in" and a
second, smaller aperture 22 designed to constrict the tissues as
they are pulled through the smaller opening, 22 by the user. This
is said to mean that the tissues touch the walls of the opening
upon withdrawal. The two apertures 20 and 22 are required to be
connected by an "isthmic" connection 24 (essentially a slit). The
disclosure contemplates wet tissues, in which case the package is
said to be water impervious. Referring to FIGS. 3-5, a tissue
grasped through the large aperture 20, is funneled through the
taper 26, towards the apex 28, through the isthmus 24 towards 30 or
36 and, e.g., into one of the smaller openings 222. Thus, the lobes
34 and the narrower second aperture are intended to prevent the
tissues from falling back into the package; the larger aperture 20
is intended to allow the user to grasp the tissue closest to the
opening. This is also said to permit one to grasp the tissue if it
has fallen back through the opening and to rethread it through the
small aperture. However, as noted, the patent requires not only a
connection between the larger and smaller apertures, but also a
specific isthmus or slit-like shape for the connection. The
introduction of the slit-like connection also requires that the
lobes 34 adjoining the isthmus have a low modulus or high
flexibility in order to allow for the passage of the tissue through
the isthmus. Consequently, the low modulus or high flexibility
reduces the ability of the lobes to hold, retain and/or separate an
article, particularly a moisture impregnated article, and to
prevent it from falling back into the dispenser. Furthermore, the
structural arrangement of the isthmus and openings suggests that it
would not be simple or inexpensive to fabricate the necessary
equipment, such as a mold, to form the dispensing opening.
[0012] Annand, U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,281, discloses a dispenser which
includes a control plate 20 that sits on top of the stack of sheets
to be dispensed, and provides for removal through the side wall of
the container.
[0013] Hill, U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,017 discloses a dispensing face
for a dispensing unit where the face has not less than two orifices
and the orifices are coplanar and independent of one another.
[0014] Julius, WO 02/42188 discloses a dispenser face including
larger apertures allowing for convenient reach-in from above so
that an article can be fed from underneath and partially through a
small aperture. Thereafter, the article, and those releasably
attached thereafter, is available for pop-up dispensing. Various
structural features of the smaller aperture are illustrated such
that the article to be dispensed can be held in place. Similarly,
dispensing faces having two or more larger apertures are also
illustrated. The full disclosure of this reference is incorporated
herein to the extent permitted.
[0015] There is a continuing need in the art for a dispensing
element and a dispenser employing such an element that is
functional, simple, inexpensive to fabricate and that provides the
convenience of pop-up dispensing. There is a also a need in the art
for a dispenser to allow for pop-up dispensing of articles such as
impregnated tissues or cloths, particularly when supplied in
relatively tall dispensers, but that prevents the articles from
falling back through the dispensing element or, in the event such
fallback occurs, conveniently to retrieve the article.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] A dispenser for dispensing individual articles from a
plurality of said articles, said dispenser comprising a housing
including depending side walls for retaining said plurality of said
articles and a top wall including a non-planar outer surface having
a first aperture including at least a pair of juxtaposed adjacent
side walls sufficiently close to one another to grasp and retain
said individual articles at least partially removed from said
housing, and at least one second aperture, said at least one second
aperture being sufficiently large to permit at least one of said
articles to be grasped by one or more fingers of the human hand
from above said at least one second aperture in order to thrust
said at least one individual article up and at least partially
through said first aperture, whereby said article extends above
said top wall and is retained by said first aperture for removal
from said dispenser and optionally including a closable cover for
sealably closing said first aperture and said at least one second
aperture. Articles usefully employed with such a dispenser include
natural and/or synthetic cloth or paper sheets, preferably
impregnated with moisture, one or more cleaners or skin treatment
compositions.
[0017] The invention further comprises a dispensing element as
described above for use with a plurality of such articles that are
interleaved or releasably attached.
[0018] The nonplanar structure of the invention allows a user
comfortably to reach into a dispenser through the at least one
larger opening to grasp one of the articles and pass it up and at
least partially through the smaller aperture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the dispensing
element according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
smaller aperture in the dispensing element according to the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of
the smaller aperture in the dispensing element according to the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a further alternative embodiment of
the smaller aperture in the dispensing element according to the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a plan view and FIG. 5(A) is a side view of an
alternative embodiment incorporating an undulating non-planar
surface of the dispensing element according to the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a plan view and FIG. 6(A) is a side view of an
alternative embodiment incorporating an undulating non-planar
surface of the dispensing element incorporating several larger
apertures according to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of the dispensing
element incorporating multiple large openings.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
dispensing element incorporating multiple large openings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The dispenser of the instant invention can be used with dry
or impregnated articles, but is particularly useful for dispensing
moisture-impregnated articles. For purposes of the present
invention "moisture-impregnated articles" is defined to include
articles impregnated with at least one substance selected from the
group consisting of water, a surface cleaner, a cleaning
composition capable of attracting particulate matter, a medicament,
skin cleanser, skin moisturizer, skin lotion and antiseptic.
[0029] The "articles" usefully employed with a dispenser of the
present invention include natural and/or synthetic cloth or paper
sheets. Such articles include paper products such as tissues and
woven and nonwoven products, the latter based on natural or
synthetic fibers and mixtures thereof. The dispenser can contain
articles such that the dispenser is either disposable or
refillable. By "disposable" is meant a dispensing package
containing a supply of articles intended to be discarded after the
plurality of articles supplied therewith is depleted, i.e., the
dispensing package is not intended to be restocked with such
articles. Likewise, each article is discarded after use, and is not
laundered, or otherwise restored. By "refillable" it is meant that
the dispensing package is or may be restocked with articles after
the supply is depleted.
[0030] For purposes of the present invention, non-planar means that
at least one of the larger openings or apertures and one of the
smaller openings or apertures in the dispensing face is located in
a plane that is not the same. Such non-planar configurations
include, e.g., those in which at least one of the smaller or larger
apertures is raised above the other as well as those in which a
plane incorporating the larger and smaller apertures has an
undulating or wave-like configuration. In the circumstance where an
undulating plane is employed, at least one of the larger or smaller
apertures will more closely approach the surface of the article to
be dispensed, thereby facilitating either grasping of an article or
thrusting such article through the smaller aperture from below and
into the pop-up position. For purposes of the present invention, an
undulating plane need not be generated as a consequence of a
gradual or wave-like curvature, but also includes a plane formed by
a step change, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 4. Each of these
alternative embodiments are further described hereinbelow.
[0031] Each article, i.e., an individual article, is releasably
attached to each previous and subsequent article (except,
respectively, for the first and last) by any releasable attachment
means which allows easy separation to occur as the article is being
dispensed or after the article is withdrawn through the dispensing
element. The releasable attachment means may comprise adhesively
joining the article to the adjacent articles with an adhesive that
is suitable for use with the impregnant present on or in the
article as well as with skin (where the impregnated article is
intended to be used in contact with skin). "Releasably attached"
means each article is easily separated from adjacent article, and
may include releasable attachment means such as friction, cohesion,
or other forces that releasably attach adjacent articles. Where
articles are preferably interleaved, releasable attachment results
from friction or cohesion between adjacent articles. In a preferred
embodiment, each article is releasably attached to an adjacent
article by a plurality of frangible lands. As used herein a "land"
refers to a small connection separated by cuts and joining adjacent
articles. Lands are considered to be "frangible" if, upon
separation of one article from an adjacent article in tension, the
lands break prior to significant ripping or tearing of either
article. The articles may be connected by a plurality of lands. The
number and size of the lands and cuts will vary depending on the
type and composition of the article, e.g., whether an article is
comprised of paper, cloth, non-woven synthetic fibers, etc. and
whether it is dry or impregnated. Limited experimentation by one
skilled in the art will readily determine the appropriate
configuration to assure separation of the articles without undue
tearing as well as assuring that the article is dispensed through
the dispenser opening to assure availability of the succeeding
article in the pop-up mode.
[0032] An article is considered to have been "dispensed through"
the dispensing element when it passes at least partially from
inside the dispenser to outside the dispenser, either due to the
consumer reaching in, grasping the article and forcing it through
the smaller dispenser opening from underneath the dispensing
element, or the article popping up through the dispensing element
by trailing the article previously withdrawn by the user. An
article is considered to be "withdrawn" after it has passed
completely from inside the dispensing element to outside the
dispensing element, and no portion or edge of the article remains
within the dispensing element.
[0033] "Fallback" is described hereinabove. In summary, it is
understood to mean that an article that has dispensed through the
smaller aperture of the dispensing element, rather than being
retained in the pop-up mode above the surface of the dispensing
element and available to be grasped and withdrawn by the user,
falls back into the dispenser and beneath the surface. The user is
then required to reach into the dispenser to grasp the article in
order to "re-thread" it through the smaller aperture of the
dispensing element (as noted above, such a process may require the
user to at least partially disassemble the dispenser in order to
gain access to the article). Fallback can occur as a consequence of
the weight, thickness and/or frictional characteristics of the
article in combination with the structure of the smaller aperture
of the dispensing element and the surface characteristics of the
material from which the walls of that opening are made, e.g., their
frictional properties. Even an article that is dry can be subject
to fallback if the aperture is improperly sized or shaped to grab
and hold the article, particularly when the article is heavy, and
given the size, shape and frictional properties of the
aperture.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 7, the dispenser 71 according to the
present invention comprises front, back and side walls 72 and 73, a
top wall 74, also referred to as dispensing element 74, which
includes the smaller aperture 79 through which an article is
dispensed (i.e., a dispensing opening). The dispenser 71 is
generally box shaped in the form of a parallelepiped, although it
will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the dispenser
can be cylindrical with appropriate adjustment to the shape of the
dispensing element 74. Furthermore, the dispenser can be made to
include a bottom wall 711, or the bottom can be left open to
facilitate refilling of a refillable dispenser. The dispensing
element 74 is generally non-planar with at least one dispensing
aperture 79 therein. Alternatively, the dispensing element 74 can
take on the features as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, herein. In each
instance the dispensing element can be made to be removable from
the walls of the dispenser as indicated by the overlapping or
fitted connection therewith at 710. Where the dispenser is
constructed to include a bottom wall 711, the dispensing element 74
is removable where the dispenser is intended to be refillable. A
plurality of articles are disposed in the dispenser.
[0035] The dispenser 71 and/or dispensing element 74 can be
constructed so as to be closable using a hinged lid or closure such
as 75. A closure is particularly useful where the articles are
impregnated with a substance that is susceptible to evaporation if
the dispenser is left open, especially when at least one article is
exposed in the pop-up position. It is also preferred where it is
particularly necessary to avoid contamination of the impregnated
articles, such as in a medical application or contact with
sensitive skin is anticipated. The closure can be formed so as to
cover only the area encompassed by the apertures or it can be
formed so as to close the entire top of the dispensing element 74,
or a major portion thereof. Where less than the entire top of the
dispensing element is closable, it is convenient, but not required,
to recess the closure 75 within a recess 77. In that circumstance
as well as generally, it is useful to include a closure release 712
to facilitate opening and closing the closure. Where the closure
overlaps the dispensing element at 713, it is convenient to have
the area recessed as it is for 77 so that the closure 712 is
recessed within the area 713 and the top surface of the closure 715
is contiguous with the top surface of 74. Where the closure joins
the dispensing element at 76, it is particularly useful to form the
joint so as to construct a "living hinge", e.g., using a polyolefin
such as polypropylene, and further to include an opening therein,
as shown at 714, in order to reduce the stress on the hinge 76.
Alternatively, a conventional hinge well known to those skilled in
the art can be constructed using multiple elements and
incorporating a lid or closure 75 as a separate element and
dispensing element 74. Preferably, such a conventional hinge can be
constructed from such elements fabricated from polymeric materials
in suitable shapes that can snap together in the area shown at 76
in FIG. 7 in order to form the hinge.
[0036] Incorporation of a closure or lid in combination with the
larger second aperture 78 in the dispensing element or the
dispenser is particularly useful for protecting an article,
particularly a moisture-impregnated article, that has been
dispensed through the first aperture 79, resulting in a large
portion of the article extending above the top surface of 74 while
the article remains in the pop-up mode. In such circumstances, the
user can return the lead end of the extended portion of the article
into the larger aperture 78 from above the top surface 74 so that
it is partially secured and close the lid in order to prevent the
article from drying out or becoming contaminated. Similarly, an
article that has been inadvertently withdrawn from the dispenser
can be placed in the larger aperture 78 and the lid closed in order
to prevent the article from drying out or becoming contaminated.
Upon re-opening the lid, either the inadvertently withdrawn article
or the leading end of the dispensed-through article is easily
retrieved from the larger aperture without having experienced
fallback and/or the need to rethread the article through the
smaller aperture in order to initiate the pop-up mode.
[0037] Examining the general configuration of the first aperture
79, it may have any suitable shape, and is smaller in area than the
larger second aperture 78. It is essential that the first aperture
79 be smaller in area than the second aperture 78, so that articles
that are dispensed from the dispenser 71, after the first article
has been withdrawn, do not fall back into the dispenser. The second
aperture 78 serves to allow the user to grasp the article closest
to the dispensing element 74.
[0038] The height of the dispenser can be an issue if it exceeds
the overlap of interleaved articles (as described above), or if
articles are joined by releasable attachment means and the breaking
strength of the releasable attachment means is overcome by the
weight of the article between the releasable attachment means and
the magazine or plurality of articles therebelow. As the dispenser
is made taller in the vertical direction, and the weight of the
free hanging article increases, the aperture 79 of the dispensing
element 74 is preferably more restrictive in order to grasp and
hold the article so as to prevent the article to be dispensed from
falling back into the dispenser. Furthermore, as the articles
become thicker, the configuration of the aperture 79 can be
adjusted in order to permit the articles to be dispensed according
to the present invention. The first aperture is of a size designed
to constrict the articles as they are pulled through aperture 79 by
the user. Articles are considered to be "constricted" when they
must touch one or more walls of aperture 79 upon withdrawal by the
user.
[0039] There is present in the dispensing element at least one
second aperture 78 that is distinct from the first aperture 79 and
is not considered to be in the same plane, i.e., it is non-planar
for the purposes of the present invention, even where the larger
and smaller apertures are present on an undulating surface. For
purposes of the present invention, "distinct" means that apertures
78 and 79 are not wholly present on a single, substantially rigid
imaginary plane that passes through one of the apertures. The
second aperture is of a size suitable so that a user can reach into
the dispenser to grasp an article and push it through the aperture
79 from beneath the surface of the dispensing element in order to
initiate the pop-up mode of dispensing an article from a plurality
of articles present in the dispenser when the dispenser is first
supplied or re-supplied with articles, or to re-initiate the pop-up
mode if an article has fallen back into the dispenser.
[0040] It is to be understood that the articles may either be
wetted, impregnated or dry. One skilled in the art will recognize
that the dispenser 71 will be impervious to water, moisture or
another substance if the articles are wetted or impregnated with
such substance. For example, the dispenser and/or dispensing
element can be formed of a semi-rigid thermoplastic material
selected from the group consisting of polyolefins and polyamides;
preferably the dispenser and dispensing element are formed of the
same material. The dispenser and dispensing element are
particularly useful with articles that are impregnated with at
least one substance selected from the group consisting of water,
surface cleaner, cleaning composition capable of attracting
particulate matter, a medicament, skin cleanser, skin moisturizer,
skin lotion and antiseptic.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, the dispensing element 11 comprises
first and second apertures 12 and 14, that are non-planar. The
second aperture 12 is larger in area than the first aperture 14. A
suitable second aperture 12 may be generally oval shaped or
generally rectangularly shaped with, e.g., rounded corners. Where,
the larger and smaller apertures are set within a recessed area
within dispensing face 11, the shape of the larger aperture will
generally follow the shape of the recess, e.g., oval, circular or
rectangular. Aperture 12 conveniently has dimensions of about 6
centimeters by about 2.5 centimeters. However, the dimensions and
specific shape of aperture 12 can be varied, e.g., for aesthetic
reasons, provided that the dimensions and shape are sufficient to
permit the fingers of a user to reach within the dispenser, grasp
an article and initiate or re-initiate the pop-up function as
described above.
[0042] Referring again to FIG. 1, the first aperture 14 includes a
pair of juxtaposed adjacent sidewalls 17, sufficiently close to one
another to grasp and retain individual articles that are at least
partially removed or dispensed from the dispenser, i.e., in a
pop-up position. The opening at 17 can be sufficiently narrow so as
to form a slit joining larger areas 18. A "slit" refers to a
severing between two otherwise contiguous pieces of material,
wherein the opposite sides of the slit are generally in touching
contact, the slit preferably not having been formed by removal of
material but rather by cutting into the surface of the material.
Alternatively, and preferably, the opening may comprise a narrow
passageway wherein opposite sides are in close proximity but do not
touch. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the
specific shape of aperture 14, including closely juxtaposed
sidewalls 17, areas 18 and narrow protuberances or extensions 19
are not significant, provided that aperture 14 is capable of
grasping and retaining an article in a dispensed or pop-up
position. For example, the narrow protuberances 19 also can be
viewed as alternative or assisting structures by which an article
is held in a pop-up position as a consequence of being "trapped" by
a narrow passageway communicating from beneath the dispensing face
11 to above the dispensing face; this can also be accomplished with
the use of a slit. In the present illustrations, the protuberances
are shown with rounded sidewall configurations, but they can, of
course have sharp, angular shapes which are included within the
scope of the invention. An alternative embodiment for aperture 14
is illustrated in FIG. 4 of WO 02/42188, incorporated by reference
and, including narrow passageways 41, small opening 42 and
protuberances 43; others shapes can be found illustrated in, e.g.,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,328,907, 4,289,262 and 4,848,575, relevant parts
thereof, including the figures, incorporated herein to the extent
permitted. Alternative embodiments for smaller apertures 14, 24,
34, 43, 53 and 63 are shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) of WO 02/42188,
incorporated herein to the extent permitted. In these embodiments
the narrow passageways identified as 51 and 52 therein include
ridges or teeth, 54, designed to engage the article and hold it in
the pop up position so as to prevent or reduce the chance of it
falling back into the dispenser, as well as to grasp the article so
as to facilitate separation of one article from the following
article. In each instance, it is the objective that the size and
shape characteristics of the smaller aperture are sufficient to
grasp and hold the article in a more restrictive portion or
passageway thereof, so as to prevent or significantly inhibit the
article from falling back into the dispenser holding the plurality
of articles, as well as to provide that the articles can be
individually withdrawn from the dispenser. In other words,
interleaved articles or adhered articles will be separated from one
another by overcoming frictional or adhesive forces and releasably
attached articles joined e.g., by frangible lands, will have the
lands broken so as to allow individual articles to be
withdrawn.
[0043] Smaller aperture 14 is shown in FIG. 1 as terminating with
the perimeter of the opening forming larger opening 12. However,
the surface on which smaller aperture 14 is present is configured
so as to extend above the surface of the larger opening and
dispensing face 11. Consequently, a user can insert his or her
fingers into the larger opening, grasp at least one article and
push it through the smaller opening above the plane of the larger
opening. The additional space between, and separation of, the
planes of the larger and smaller openings created by the
configuration of the present invention, facilitates manipulation of
the article to effect pop-up dispensing. As illustrated, the
structure or surface in which smaller aperture 14 is incorporated
begins at 15 and ends at 16 in the plane of the larger aperture,
but extends above it in a curved or peaked fashion, although the
choice of shape can be at the discretion of one skilled in the art
consistent with the principles of the present invention.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, an alternative construction for smaller
aperture 23 is illustrated. In this figure, while the structure or
surface in which smaller aperture 23 begins at 25 and ends at 26 in
the plane of larger aperture 22, it does so at a distance somewhat
removed from the edge or perimeter of aperture 22 and in the top
surface of dispensing face 21. The specific location of the
starting and ending points 25 and 26 are not critical and can occur
anywhere between the edges of larger aperture 22 and the sidewall
of dispensing face 21. It will be apparent to one skilled in the
art that the height of the peak can be adjusted by extending or
reducing the distance between the starting and ending points 25 and
26.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 3 there is illustrated another embodiment
for the surface 33 incorporating the smaller aperture 34. In this
embodiment surface 33 begins at 37, illustrated as beginning at the
edge of larger aperture 32, but, as noted above, it can be located
at any point within the top surface of dispensing face 31 between
the edge at 37 and the sidewall of 31. At the furthest end of
surface 33 there is illustrated a tab 35 designed to fit within
slot 36 cut in the top surface of dispensing face 31. When the tab
is placed within the slot, as indicated by the dashed line 38, a
surface is formed that extends above the larger aperture 32 in a
manner analogous to that in FIGS. 1 and 2. To do so, surface 33 is
constructed so that it is longer in the axial direction, from 35 to
37, than the distance from 37 to 36. Furthermore, in a further
alternative embodiment, surface 33 can be formed totally
independently of dispensing face 31 and including tabs at each of
its ends designed to fit within matching slots within dispensing
face 31. As before, the axial length of surface 33 would be
selected so as to exceed the distance between the dispensing face
slots so as to form a surface that is raised above dispensing face
31, the extent of such elevation determined by the different
between the length of surface 33 and the distance between the
slots. Such a distance can be varied in each of the embodiments
disclosed so as to accommodate the physical characteristics of
various articles to be dispensed, e.g., thin tissues or thicker
non-woven cloths. Furthermore, the amount of rise or separation can
be selected, after some limited experimentation, to facilitate the
comfort and convenience of the average user's fingers.
[0046] With regard to the embodiments illustrated in each of FIGS.
1, 2, and 3, the location of the narrow surface incorporating the
smaller aperture can be adjusted to be along the largest axis of
the larger aperture or at a position traversing a shorter distance
across the larger aperture. In so traversing a shorter distance, a
larger exposure of the larger aperture can be obtained, thereby
facilitating entry of the user's fingers into the dispenser.
Consequently, the present invention allows for design variations
based on convenience, comfort and consideration of the physical
attributes of the article to be dispensed.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that in another
embodiment of the present invention the larger and smaller
apertures 42 and 43 are independent of one another. In this figure,
the smaller aperture 43 is located on a raised surface 44 and,
therefore, the two apertures are non-planar. Conversely, the larger
aperture can be located on an elevated surface and the smaller
opening can be in the plane of the dispenser, or one or the other
of the apertures, but not both, can be located in a recess relative
to the other.
[0048] Referring to still further alternative embodiments, in FIGS.
5, 5A, 6 and 6A the larger and smaller apertures are non-planar
since they are present on different elevations of an undulating
surface; FIGS. 5A and 6A are side elevations of the corresponding
plan view in FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 5, the larger aperture 52 is
located on a raised area and the smaller aperture 53 is located on
a lowered area. In FIG. 6, the locations of each of the apertures
is reversed. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, the dispensing face 551
and 661 covers the body of the dispenser, 555 and 665, the latter
holding a plurality of articles to be dispensed. As a result of the
placement of the larger and smaller apertures, more or less space
is provided between the entry of the user's fingers and the article
to be dispensed or between the article to be dispensed and the
smaller, dispensing aperture. These alternative arrangements also
provide for design flexibility. Furthermore, the magnitude of the
undulation or wave in the dispensing face also can be used to
increase or decrease the spacing between the bottom of the
dispensing face and the top of the articles to be dispensed,
thereby providing additional design flexibility. Finally, multiple
larger apertures can be accommodated by, e.g., utilizing an
undulating surface suitable for placement of such openings, e.g.,
multiple undulations such as three instead of the two illustrated
in the figures, with an appropriate adjustment of the size of the
large apertures. In this manner, one can utilize two larger
apertures separate from and proximate the smaller aperture, wherein
each of the larger apertures is present on a portion of the
undulating surface different from that of the smaller aperture.
[0049] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
dispensing element incorporating multiple large openings, 8.
Smaller opening 9 is present on a surface 10 that is raised above
the plane comprising larger openings, 8.
[0050] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a further alternative embodiment of
the dispensing element similarly incorporating multiple larger
openings, 8, that are present on either elevated or lowered areas
of the dispensing element surface, 7, relative to the smaller
opening, 9. Consequently, the dispensing element surface has the
characteristic of a wave-like or undulating surface.
[0051] Again referring to FIG. 7, in use, articles may be first
dispensed, or may be re-dispensed if fall-back has occurred, from
the dispenser 71 according to the following procedure. The user
inserts his or her fingers through the second aperture 78, and
partially dispenses at least a first article by grasping it, e.g.,
with the thumb and forefinger and, from beneath the surface of the
dispensing element 74, pushing the article up and at least
partially through smaller opening 79. The first article can
thereafter be withdrawn from the dispenser 71 through the smaller
first aperture 79. The first article is separated from the adjacent
or succeeding article, e.g., by breaking frangible lands between
successive articles, overcoming frictional or adhesive forces (if
the articles are adhesively joined), or exceeding the tensile
strength of any other releasable attachment means that may be
employed. The present invention is particularly suited to the
withdrawal of individual articles from a dispenser using one hand,
even in those circumstances where an article has fallen back into
the dispenser (as described above). This can be particularly
important where the articles being dispensed are intended for the
care of an infant, requiring the user to maintain the security of
the infant with one hand while withdrawing an article, especially
an article impregnated with a composition used to clean or treat
the skin of the infant.
[0052] Although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments or variations within the scope
of the claims, it is to be understood that these embodiments are
merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the
present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous
modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that
other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *