U.S. patent application number 11/607323 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-13 for container or dispenser with a decorative sleeve.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.. Invention is credited to Andrew Peter Bakken, Timothy Patrick Clare, Cynthia Watts Henderson, Allen Jerry Marquardt, Duane Lyle McDonald, Raymond Paul Pitsch, Shiva Nicole Scotti, Thomas Gerard Shannon.
Application Number | 20070284266 11/607323 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38566824 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070284266 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McDonald; Duane Lyle ; et
al. |
December 13, 2007 |
Container or dispenser with a decorative sleeve
Abstract
The present invention provides an article of manufacture
comprising a container or dispenser having a top, at least one
sidewall, a bottom and an interior volume. The at least one
sidewall joins the top to the bottom, and the top, the sidewall and
bottom define the interior volume capable of holding at least one
product. The sidewall has an exterior surface which is covered by
an outer sheet component sleeve. At least a major portion of the
exterior surface of the sidewall is covered by the outer sheet
component sleeve. The outer sheet component sleeve has at least one
graphic, image or decorative design located thereon and the outer
sheet component has at least one shrinkable polymeric film layer.
Also, located within the interior volume is product contained or
dispensed from the container or dispenser.
Inventors: |
McDonald; Duane Lyle;
(Neenah, WI) ; Pitsch; Raymond Paul; (Appleton,
WI) ; Scotti; Shiva Nicole; (Pataskala, OH) ;
Henderson; Cynthia Watts; (Neenah, WI) ; Marquardt;
Allen Jerry; (Appleton, WI) ; Bakken; Andrew
Peter; (Appleton, WI) ; Shannon; Thomas Gerard;
(Neenah, WI) ; Clare; Timothy Patrick;
(Kemersville, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.;Catherine E. Wolf
401 NORTH LAKE STREET
NEENAH
WI
54956
US
|
Assignee: |
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38566824 |
Appl. No.: |
11/607323 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60813477 |
Jun 13, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/233 ;
206/216; 220/62.14; 220/669 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2203/02 20130101;
B65D 83/0805 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/233 ;
206/216; 220/62.14; 220/669 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/00 20060101
B65D083/00; B65D 3/22 20060101 B65D003/22; B65D 77/00 20060101
B65D077/00; B65D 8/00 20060101 B65D008/00 |
Claims
1. An article of manufacture comprising a container comprising a
top, at least one sidewall, a bottom and an interior volume, the at
least one sidewall joins the top to the bottom, and the top, the at
least one sidewall and bottom define the interior volume capable of
holding at least one product; wherein the at least one sidewall has
an exterior surface; at least one product contained within the
interior volume; and an outer sheet component sleeve covering at
least a major portion of the exterior surface of the at least one
sidewall, said outer sheet component sleeve comprising at least one
graphic, image or decorative design located thereon and the outer
sheet component comprises at least one shrinkable polymeric
film.
2. The article according to claim 1, wherein the top surface of the
container comprises an opening, the opening providing a user access
to the at least one product contained within the interior volume of
the container.
3. The article according to claim 2, wherein the at least one
product comprises a facial tissue.
4. The article according to claim 1, wherein the container
comprises a single sidewall, the single side wall having a
curvilinear shape, wherein the container is substantially free of
any corners along the circumference of the single side wall.
5. The article according to claim 4, wherein the curvilinear shape
of the side wall comprises a generally oval shape.
6. The article according to claim 5, wherein container has a side
seam, the side seam being located on a portion of the oval shape
with the smallest radius of curvature.
7. The article according to claim 1, wherein the outer sheet
component sleeve comprises at least two layers.
8. The article according to claim 7, wherein the outer sheet
component sleeve comprises two layers, said two layers comprising a
first layer and a second layer, said first layer comprising the
graphic, image or decorative design applied thereto and the second
layer comprises the shrinkable polymeric film.
9. The article according to claim 8, wherein first layer is
adjacent the exterior surface of the container and the second layer
is adjacent the first layer.
10. The article according to claim 9, wherein the first layer
comprises a paper based material.
11. The article according to claim 7, wherein each outer sheet
component comprises a graphic, image or decorative design different
from the graphics, images or decorative designs of the other outer
sheet component sleeves.
12. The article according to claim 1, wherein the shrinkable
polymeric film comprises the graphic, image or decorative design
printed thereon.
13. The article according to claim 12, wherein the shrinkable
polymeric film comprises an interior surface and an exterior
surface, wherein the interior surface of the shrinkable polymeric
film is adjacent the exterior surface of the sidewall, and the
interior surface of the shrinkable polymeric film comprises the
graphic, image or decorative design applied thereto.
14. The container according to claim 1, wherein the shrinkable film
is a heat-shrinkable film.
15. A facial tissue dispenser comprising, a dispenser comprising a
top, at least one sidewall, a bottom and an interior volume, the at
least one sidewall joins the top to the bottom, and the top, the at
least one sidewall and bottom define the interior volume capable of
holding at least one product; wherein the at least one side wall
has an exterior surface; an outer sheet component sleeve covering
at least a major portion of the exterior surface of the at least
one sidewall, said outer sheet component sleeve comprising at least
one graphic, image or decorative design located thereon and the
outer sheet component comprises at least one shrinkable polymeric
film; and a plurality of facial tissues disposed within the
interior volume.
16. The facial tissue dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the
top surface of the dispenser comprises an opening, the opening
providing a user access to the at least one product contained
within the interior volume of the dispenser.
17. The facial tissue dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the
dispenser comprises a single sidewall, the single sidewall having a
curvilinear shape, wherein the dispenser is substantially free of
any corners along the circumference of the single sidewall.
18. The facial tissue dispenser according to claim 17, wherein the
curvilinear shape of the side wall comprises a generally oval
shape.
19. The facial tissue dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the
outer sheet component sleeve comprises at least two layers.
20. The facial tissue dispenser according to claim 19, wherein the
outer sheet component sleeve comprises two layers, said two layers
comprising a first layer and a second layer, said first layer
comprising the graphic, image or decorative design applied thereto
and the second layer comprises the shrinkable polymeric film.
21. The facial tissue dispenser according to claim 20, wherein
first layer is adjacent the exterior surface of the dispenser and
the second layer is adjacent the first layer.
22. The facial tissue dispenser according to claim 21, wherein the
first layer comprises a paper based material.
23. The facial tissue dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the
shrinkable polymeric film comprises the graphic, image or
decorative design applied thereto.
24. The facial tissue dispenser according to claim 23, wherein the
shrinkable polymeric film comprises an interior surface and an
exterior surface, wherein the interior surface is adjacent the
exterior surface of the sidewall, and the interior surface of the
film comprises the graphic, image or decorative design applied
thereto.
25. The facial tissue dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the
shrinkable film is a heat-shrinkable film.
26. A case of articles comprising a plurality of containers
according to claim 1, wherein each container is similar to the
other containers without the outer sheet component sleeve and each
container has an outer sheet component sleeve on the exterior
surface of the side wall, wherein the graphics, images or
decorative design on at least one of the outer sheet component
sleeve is different from the graphics, images or decorative design
on at least one other outer sheet component sleeve present in the
case of articles.
27. The case of article according to claim 26, wherein the
graphics, images or decorative design on at least two of the outer
sheet component sleeves are different from the graphics, images or
decorative design on at least one other outer sheet component
sleeve present in the case of articles.
28. A case of facial tissue dispensers comprising a plurality of
facial tissue dispensers according to claim 15, wherein each facial
tissue dispenser is similar to the other containers without the
outer sheet component sleeve and each container has an outer sheet
component sleeve on the exterior surface of the side wall, wherein
the graphics, images or decorative design on at least one of the
outer sheet component sleeve is different from the graphics, images
or decorative design on at least one other outer sheet component
sleeve present in the case of facial tissue dispensers.
29. The case of facial tissue dispensers according to claim 28,
wherein the graphics, images or decorative design on at least two
of the outer sheet component sleeves are different from the
graphics, images or decorative design on at least one other outer
sheet component sleeve present in the case of facial tissues
dispensers.
30. The article of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a
dispenser.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC
.sctn. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/813,477,
which was filed Jun. 13, 2006, entitled "Container or Dispenser
With A Decorative Outer Sleeve".
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a container or dispenser
having a sleeve containing a graphic, an image and/or a decorative
design.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The outer surfaces of containers or dispensers of products,
in particular consumer products, are often provided with graphics,
decorative designs informative information or a combination
thereof. One example of such containers and dispensers are those
containers which are used for dispensing facial tissue. Facial
tissue dispensers are often preprinted with graphics, decorative
designs and/or informative information for consumers, users and
non-users to view. Since these dispensers are generally placed
throughout the home, consumers often desire that the dispensers
have an aesthetically pleasing design which will blend in with the
decor of the consumer's home or place of use. Facial tissue
containers or dispensers are generally in the form of a carton,
which is typically made from paperboard. These cartons are
generally flat upon arrival to the manufacturer or packager of the
tissue, formed into a container or dispenser by the tissue
manufacturer or packager, and loaded with the facial tissue and
sealed by the facial tissue manufacturer or packager. Typically,
the cartons arrive at the site of manufacture of the facial tissue
or the site of packaging of the facial tissue with the graphics,
decorative designs and/or information being already preprinted on
the paperboard cartons. While these cartons are very functional in
dispensing facial tissue, these cartons are often aesthetically
limited and may be aesthetically unappealing to some consumers. As
a result, it is often necessary for the manufacturer or packager of
these dispensing cartons to produce several different graphic
designs to ensure acceptance by a wide variety of consumers. Even
with the several different designs being available, consumers as
well as retailers are provided with a limited number of
designs.
[0004] Another method of providing containers or dispensers of
consumer products with graphics or informative information is to
provide and apply a label to the outer surface of the container or
dispenser. Currently, labels which are paper-based or polymeric
film-based are being used. While labels may provide the
manufacturer or packager of consumer products with an easy way to
provide information on a container or dispenser of consumer
products, often labels are found to be unattractive by consumers
since, in most cases, the label only covers a portion of the outer
surface of the container or dispenser or only provide information.
As a result, labels are often found to be unattractive to
consumers, unless the labels are applied to a container or
dispenser with additional graphics or decorative designs being
applied to the container or dispenser.
[0005] In addition, during particular holidays and seasons of a
given calendar year, it may be advantageous for the manufacturer or
packager of consumer products to provide products which are
seasonal or are related to the particular holiday time of the year.
For example, during the spring, it may be desirable to provide to
consumers spring related graphics or decorative designs on the
containers or dispensers of consumer products, such as flowers.
Likewise, during the Christmas season, providing Christmas
ornaments or other Christmas related scenes may be advantageous to
the manufacturer or packager of the consumer products.
[0006] In the prior methods of producing containers or dispensers
for consumer products, there is not a way provided which will allow
the manufacturer or packager of the consumer products to change the
graphics or decorative designs on short notice to meet demands for
particular graphics or decorative designs. In the prior methods,
the manufacturer typically orders or produces the cartons or
dispensers with the graphics or designs prior to loading the
consumer product into the container or dispenser. There is a need
in the art to provide a container or dispenser of consumer
products, which allows the manufacturer or packager a convenient
and fast way to provide a wide variety of graphics to retailers and
consumers, to meet demands of the consumers. In addition, there is
a need in the art to allow a retailer or a consumer to select
graphics or decorative designs on containers of consumer products,
such as facial tissue, that will meet the desires or needs of the
consumer and/or retailer. Further, there is a need in the art to
reduce the number of containers in the normal supply chain which
have "out-of-date" graphics or designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Generally stated, the present invention provides an article
of manufacture comprising a container or dispenser having a top, at
least one sidewall, a bottom and an interior volume. The at least
one sidewall joins the top to the bottom, and the top, the sidewall
and bottom define the interior volume capable of holding at least
one product. The sidewall has an exterior surface which is covered
by an outer sheet component sleeve. At least a major portion of the
exterior surface of the sidewall is covered by the outer sheet
component sleeve. The outer sheet component sleeve has at least one
graphic, image or decorative design located thereon and the outer
sheet component has at least one shrinkable polymeric film layer.
Also, located within the interior volume is the product contained
or dispensed from the container or dispenser.
[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer sheet
component of the container or dispenser has at least two separate
layers. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the
outer component has two layers, and these two layers are a first
layer and a second layer. The first layer has the graphic, image or
decorative design applied thereto and the second layer comprises
the shrinkable polymeric film. The first layer may be a polymeric
film-based material or paper-based material. In addition the first
layer is adjacent the exterior surface of the container or
dispenser and the second layer is adjacent the first layer. The
second layer serves to protect the first layer and the graphic,
image or decorative design imparted to the first layer.
[0009] In a different embodiment of the present invention, the
shrinkable film has the graphic, image or decorative design applied
thereto. In one aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the
shrinkable film is printed on an interior side of the film where
the interior side of the film is the side of the shrinkable film
which is adjacent the container or dispenser sidewall.
[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the present
invention relates to a facial tissue dispenser. The facial tissue
dispenser has a top, at least one sidewall, a bottom and an
interior volume. The sidewall joins the top to the bottom. The top,
the sidewall and bottom define the interior volume capable of
holding a plurality of facial tissues. The sidewall has an exterior
surface which is covered by an outer sheet component sleeve. At
least a major portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall is
covered by the outer sheet component sleeve. The outer sheet
component sleeve has at least one graphic, image or decorative
design located thereon and the outer sheet component has at least
one shrinkable polymeric film layer.
[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer sheet
component of the facial tissue dispenser has at least two separate
layers. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the
outer component has two layers, and these two layers are a first
layer and a second layer. The first layer has the graphic, image or
decorative design applied thereto and the second layer comprises
the shrinkable polymeric film. The first layer may be a polymeric
film-based material or paper-based material. In addition the first
layer is adjacent the exterior surface of the container or
dispenser and the second layer is adjacent the first layer. The
second layer serves to protect the first layer and the graphic,
image or decorative design imparted to the first layer.
[0012] In a further embodiment of the present invention as it
relates to the facial tissue dispenser, the shrinkable film has the
graphic, image or decorative design applied thereto. In one aspect
of this embodiment of the invention, the shrinkable film is printed
on an interior side of the film where the interior side of the film
is the side of the shrinkable film which is adjacent the sidewall
of the facial tissue dispenser.
[0013] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the
container or dispenser of the present invention may be prepared
from paperboard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a cut-away top perspective view of a container
of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the container or dispenser
component of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show sectional views of the construction
of the bottom and side wall connection of a container or dispenser
component of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the construction of the top
and sidewall of a container or dispenser component of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 shows graphics, images or decorative designs
imprinted on the interior surface of the shrinkable film.
[0019] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention
where a first layer contains the graphics, images or decorative
designs.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a method of placing the shrinkable film around
the container or dispenser.
DEFINITIONS
[0021] It should be noted that, when employed in the present
disclosure, the terms "comprises", "comprising" and other
derivatives from the root term "comprise" are intended to be
open-ended terms that specify the presence of any stated features,
elements, integers, steps, or components, and are not intended to
preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
elements, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.
[0022] As used herein, the terminology such as "vertical",
"horizontal", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end" and "sides"
are referenced according to the views presented. It should be
understood, however, that the terms are used only for purposes of
description, and are not intended to be used as limitations.
Accordingly, orientation of an object or a combination of objects
may change without departing from the scope of the invention. As a
point of reference for the claims and in the present specification,
the term "top" refers to a panel or side of the package with an
opening device or opening.
[0023] As used herein, the term "blank" in the context of blank
containers or blank dispensers is intended to mean a container or
dispenser with a portion of at least one surface is not provided
with a graphic, image or decorative design, so that a graphic,
image or decorative design may be applied to the container or
dispenser. A blank may be completely devoid of graphics or have
only a portion of the container or dispenser devoid of graphic,
images or decorative design. As used herein, the term "blank" means
a container or dispenser which does not have the outer sheet
component applied thereto.
[0024] As used herein, the term "opening" refers to a portion of
the top surface which allows a user to access the product housed
within the interior volume of the container or dispenser of the
present invention.
[0025] As used herein, the term "consumer products" is intended to
mean products which include durable and non-durable goods which are
purchased by or for a user of the products. Consumer products are
intended to include, by way of example only, health and hygiene
items, including absorbent personal care articles, facial and bath
tissue, and dry and wet wipes and the like. The product may be
cellulosic based products, meaning that the products contain
cellulose fibers.
[0026] As used herein, the phrase "absorbent personal care
articles" refers to devices which absorb and contain liquids which
may be placed against or near the skin to absorb and contain the
various liquids discharged from the body. Examples of personal care
products include, for example, diapers, training pants, absorbent
underpants, adult incontinence products, sanitary wipes and
feminine hygiene products such as sanitary napkins and tampons.
[0027] The term "disposable" is used herein to describe products
that are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or
reused as an absorbent article after a single use.
[0028] As used herein, the term "external side surface" refers to
an outer side surface of the container or dispenser which typically
faces away from the products which are contained within the
container or dispenser. The surface may be a sidewall, a top or
bottom of the container or dispenser. Depending on the shape of the
container or dispenser, the number of surfaces may be different for
each shape. For example, a generally cylindrical or oval carton
would have three external surfaces, a continuous side surface, the
top surface and the bottom surface. A cubical box would have six
external side surfaces, including the top surface, the bottom
surface and four sidewall surfaces.
[0029] As used herein, the term "container" is intended to mean an
article which is capable of holding a product. Also as used herein,
the term "dispenser" is intended to mean a container which will
also dispense the product from the container.
[0030] As used herein, the phrase "graphic, image or decorative
design" is intended to cover a wide variety of items which may be
placed on the article of manufacture. The term "graphic" is
intended to mean features which are generally repeated in a pattern
or other features such as a monogram. For example, a repeated
pattern of an object is intended to be a graphic. The term "image"
generally means a picture, such as a photograph or a painting, but
could include other picture-like items such as a silhouette or
other similar feature. The term "decorative design" is intended to
mean a design which is neither a graphic nor an image per se;
however, a decorative design could be the combination of a graphic
or pattern.
[0031] As used herein, the term "polymer" or "polymeric" generally
includes but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as
for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers,
terpolymers, etc. and blends and modifications thereof.
Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term
"polymer" shall include all possible geometrical configurations of
the material. These configurations include, but are not limited to
isotactic, syndiotactic and random symmetries.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] In the following detailed description of the present
invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration,
specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced.
These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable
those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
mechanical, procedural, and other changes may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The
following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a
limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined
only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of
equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
[0033] The container or dispenser component of the present
invention may be formed in many different shapes and sizes without
departing from the scope of the present invention. In the described
embodiment of the present invention, the container or dispenser has
a generally circular or oval shape. Other shapes may be used for
the container of the present invention without departing from the
scope of the present invention, including, for example, a cubical
container or dispenser, a parallelepiped container or dispenser or
other shape which is capable of holding and dispensing products
from the container or dispenser component.
[0034] To obtain a better understanding of the present invention,
attention is directed to FIG. 1. Shown in FIG. 1 is a container or
dispenser 10 of the present invention. The container or dispenser
10 has a top 12, a bottom 14, and at least one sidewall 16. The
sidewall 16 serves to join or connect the top 12 to the bottom 14.
The sidewall 16 may be directly or indirectly joined to the top
wall and the sidewall 16 may be directly or indirectly joined to
the bottom. By "directly joined" it is intended that the top 12 and
sidewall 16 or the bottom 14 and sidewall 16 are in direct contact
with one another. By "indirectly joined" it is intended that
another member or structure is used to join the top 12 to the
sidewall 16, or the bottom 14 to the sidewall 16. In addition, the
top 12, the bottom 14 and the sidewall 16 forming the container or
dispenser 10 also define an interior volume 11 of the container.
Located within the interior volume 11 is a product 22, which is
shown as a facial tissue product in FIG. 1. As is shown in FIG. 1,
the product 22 may be placed in the interior volume 11 of the
dispenser or container 10 such that the product 22 may be dispensed
via pop-up dispensing.
[0035] The dispenser 10 can further include an opening 42. The
opening is normally located in the top 12, but the opening can be
optionally located in the sidewall 16 or the bottom 14. The opening
42 allows access to the product 22 stored within the container or
dispenser 10. The opening may be a reach-in opening or a dispensing
opening. A reach-in opening requires the user to reach into the
opening of the container or dispenser to access the product
therein. A dispensing opening, which is shown in FIG. 1, allows the
product 22 inside the container or dispenser 10 to be removed from
the container or dispenser without the user reaching into the
interior volume of the container or dispenser 10. Typically,
dispensing openings require the user to reach into the interior
volume of the container or dispenser to feed the first product from
the dispenser or container 10. Alternatively, a tab or link (not
shown) to the first product in the container or dispenser may be
fed through the opening so that the consumer or user can feed the
first product without the need to reach into the interior volume 11
to access the first product. Once the first product 22 is fed
through the dispensing opening, the next product in a stack of
products 23 to be dispensed is positioned within the opening, as
shown in FIG. 1. This may be accomplished by techniques known to
those skilled in the art, such as interleaving the individual
products using known folding techniques, such as V-folding,
Z-folding and the like. For a description of these folding
techniques, attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 3,369,700 issued
to Nelson, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0036] The dispensing opening 42 can optionally include a
dispensing window 44. The dispensing window 44 can be prepared from
a suitable material such as a film, nonwoven, or paper material
that can retain a partially dispensed product 22, such as a facial
tissue, within the opening 42 for pop-up dispensing. The dispensing
window can have a dispensing orifice 45 that can be a slit; a
curvilinear line; a geometric shape such as an oval, a circle, or a
triangle; or an X-shaped, a plus sign shaped or an H-shaped
orifice. Alternatively, the dispensing window 44 can be eliminated
and fingers or tabs projecting into the dispensing opening 42 can
be used to retain a partially dispensed sheet 22.
[0037] The dispensing opening 42 can be any size or shape such as
square, circular, or oval. The opening 42 generally will be larger
in size for a reach-in container and smaller in size for a pop-up
dispenser. The container or dispenser 10 can further include an
optional removable surfboard or cover 46, shown in FIG. 2 that can
be attached to the dispenser 10 by a perforated or weakened line
47. The removable cover 46 can be used to prevent foreign materials
from entering the filled dispenser and provides protection for the
more fragile dispensing window 44 during loading and shipping.
[0038] The dispenser can be made from suitable materials that
include, without limitation, cardboard; carton stock; paper board;
thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene,
polystyrene, ABS plastic; metal, wood, and glass, amongst other
suitable alternatives. In the case of tissues, generally the
container or dispenser is prepared with a carton stock, paper board
or a thermoplastic material due to cost and aesthetic value which
may be provided by these materials.
[0039] In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the container or
dispenser 10 has a generally oval shape and includes a formed oval
sidewall 16 and bottom 14 which may be made from carton stock or
paperboard. The bottom 14 can be either essentially even with the
lower end of the sidewall 16', as is shown in FIG. 3A or recessed
from the lower end of the side wall 16', as is shown in FIG. 3B.
The upper end of the sidewall 16'' may be folded over on the inside
of the container or dispenser 10 to form an edge or lip 17, as is
shown in FIG. 4. The container or dispenser 10 includes a snap-in
top 12 having an outer ring 48 formed from a plastic material that
is molded around a paperboard center portion 54 containing the
dispensing opening 42, optional dispensing window 44, and optional
removable cover 46. A flange on the outer ring 48 engages with the
edge or lip on the interior of the sidewall 16 to secure the top 12
in place, as is shown in FIG. 4. If desired, the outer ring 48 can
include a stacking lip 56 for use with a recessed bottom 14 to nest
or interlock vertically stacked dispensers. Similar tops are
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/021,317, filed on
Dec. 22, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0040] Alternative methods of constructing the container or
dispenser 10 may also be used. For example, a carton blank can be
utilized. The carton blank can comprise a plurality of panels that
are folded, assembled, and glued to form a dispenser. Injection
molding or thermoforming can be used to form the dispenser. Other
techniques known to those of skill in the art can be utilized to
make the container or dispenser 10.
[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, the container or dispenser 10 has an overall height Hd, and
overall length, Ld, measured along a longitudinal axis 18, and an
overall width, Wd, measured along a transverse axis 19. The
dispenser is oblong with the dimension for Ld greater than the
dimension for Wd. In the one embodiment, the top and bottom (12,
14) comprise an oval shape and the dispenser has an overall length,
Ld, of about 6 inches and an overall width, Wd, of about 4 inches.
This results in an oval container or dispenser 10 that is visually
striking and an alternately shaped dispenser compared to the
cubical or rectangular (parallelepiped) boxes being currently
offered for sale.
[0042] In the present invention, the container or dispenser 10 is
provided with an outer sheet component 80, which serves to provide
a graphics, images or decorative visual effects 90 to the at least
one side wall 16. This outer sheet component 80 covers a majority
of the exterior surface of the at least one side wall 16. By a
majority of the exterior surface, it is intended that at least 50%
of the exterior surface area of the exterior surface of the at
least one side wall 16 is covered by the outer sheet component.
Ideally, the outer sheet component 80 covers at least 75% of the
exterior surface area of the sidewall 16 and desirably at least 95%
of the exterior surface area of the sidewall 16. In one particular
embodiment of the present invention, the outer sheet component 80
covers 100% of the exterior surface of the sidewall 16. The outer
sheet component may also extend beyond the side wall 16 to
partially or fully cover the top 12 and/or bottom 16.
[0043] In the present invention, the outer sheet component 80 may
have a single layer or may be multilayered. In either case, at
least one layer of the outer sheet component should contain a
polymeric film layer and that polymeric film layer should be
shrinkable upon the application of heat or energy, such as
microwave energy, to the film. Shrinkable films are known to those
skilled in the art and can be prepared from a wide variety of
polymer resins. Suitable resins which can be used to prepare the
shrinkable film layer of the outer sheet component include, but are
not limited to, for example, polyolefin resins, polyamide resins,
cyclic olefin resins, polyvinyl chloride resins, thermoplastic
polyester resins and polystyrene resins. Of these polymeric
materials, films prepared from thermoplastic polyester resins and
polyvinylchloride resins are generally desired since these resins
tend to provide the best desired properties including, for example,
transparency, printability, degree of firmness, gloss, and ease of
processing. In the present invention, heat-shrinkable films are
desirable from the standpoint of ease of use.
[0044] Heat-shrinkable films can be prepared by methods known to
those skilled in the art and are commercially available. For
example, a heat-shrinkable film is typically prepared by
heat-stretching in the machine direction a polymeric film prepared
from the polymer resins disclosed above. Heat-stretching is
stretching of the polymeric film while applying heat to the film.
The polymeric film is annealed and cooled in the stretched state
and wound onto a roll. When heat or energy is applied to the film,
the film will shrink in the direction it was stretched to return
towards, but not to its unstretched condition. The heat shrinkage
techniques, including temperature and other conditions used in the
present invention may be techniques known to those skilled in the
art and may be adjusted by suitably selecting the resin
ingredients, film thickness, extrusion temperature, draw ratio,
take-off temperature, preliminary heating conditions, stretch
ratio, stretch rate, stretch temperature, annealing conditions and
cooling conditions for film production. Optionally, the film may be
stretched in the cross-machine direction as well. In the present
invention, heat-shrinkable polymeric films are particularly useable
in the present invention due to their ease of use.
[0045] In the present invention, the outer sheet component 80 may
be a single layer shrinkable film prepared for one or more of the
polymer resins described above. Optionally, the outer sheet
component 80 may be a multilayer component, provided that one of
the layers has a shrinkable film. The additional layers of the
sheet component may be other polymeric films, which are also
shrinkable. Since the shrinking characteristics of the films may be
different, having more than one shrinkable layer may result in
differential shrinking of the layers, resulting in an aesthetically
undesirable container or dispenser. Therefore, care must be used if
more than one shrinkable layer is used in the outer sheet component
80. As a result, it is generally desirable that only a single
shrinkable film layer is used in the outer sleeve component of the
present invention.
[0046] The graphics, images or decorative designs 90 or
aesthetically pleasing designs appearing on the container or
dispenser 10 of the present invention may be imparted in a number
of ways. In one method, the shrinkable film making up the outer
sheet component has a graphic, image or decorative design imprinted
on one of the surfaces of the shrinkable film of the outer
component 80. In this regard, attention is directed to FIG. 5. The
shrinkable film 81 has an interior surface 82 and an exterior
surface 83, wherein the exterior surface forms the outer surface of
the article of the present invention and the interior surface of
the shrinkable film faces the exterior surface of the sidewall 16
of the dispenser or container 10. Generally, the shrinkable films
are transparent or translucent and do not have any color other than
being clear. Alternatively, the shrinkable film may be colored. The
graphic, image or decorative design may be coated or imparted to
the shrinkable film using methods known to those skilled in the
art, including, for example, inkjet printing, gravure printing or
flexographic printing. The printing may be completed in a single
layer or by printing a series of layers. In addition, a solid color
may be applied to the film to provide a base color for the printed
graphic, image or decorative design. The graphic, image or
decorative design 90 may be imparted on the exterior surface 83 of
the shrinkable film or may be imparted on interior surface 82 of
the shrinkable film. From a standpoint of durability, it is
desirable that the interior 82 surface of the shrinkable film 81 be
imparted with the graphic, image or decorative design, as is shown
in FIG. 5. When the graphic, image or decorative design 90 is on
the interior surface 82 of the shrinkable film 81, the shrinkable
film 81 will serve to protect the graphic, image or decorative
design 90 from damage due to use of the container or dispenser,
being contacted with other objects or moving the container or
dispenser from one location to another location.
[0047] Any type of ink may be used to imprint the shrinkable film,
provided that the ink is not susceptible to degradation when heat
or energy is applied to the ink. Both metallic and non-metallic
inks may be used in the present invention to imprint the film with
a graphic, image or decorative design. In addition to conventional
inks, inks with special properties, such as, glow in the dark
properties, may also be used. Generally, the entire surface of the
shrinkable film may be printed; however, it is possible to print
only a portion of the film. For example, 50% of the film surface
may be printed. Typically, at least 80% or 90% of shrinkable film
surface will be printed. Alternatively, a smaller portion of the
film may be printed, if desired. For example, a substantially
smaller portion of the shrinkable film may be printed, if desired,
such as if the desired printing is a monogram or the like.
[0048] In addition to placing graphics, images or a decorative
design on the container or dispenser, other features may be
provided on the container or dispenser. For example, the outside of
the surface of the outer sheet component may be imparted with other
features, such as a scent, odor control, a texture, an RFID tag or
the like. Optionally, the inside surface of the outer sheet
component could also be provided with these features
[0049] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown
in FIG. 6, the shrinkable film 81 is not imprinted with a graphic,
image or decorative design. Instead, the graphic, image or
decorative design layer containing a graphic, image or decorative
design 90 is printed onto a first layer 84 which is placed on the
outer surface of the side wall 16 of the container or dispenser 10.
This first layer 84 may be prepared from a polymeric film material,
a paper based material or another similar layer which may be
applied to the at least one side wall 16. This first layer 84 may
be adhesively mounted to the exterior surface of the side wall 16
or just wrapped around the exterior surface of the side wall and
held into place by the shrinkable film 81. In this case, the
shrinkable film 81 may be free of graphic, image or decorative
designs, or may contain an additional or complementary decorative
design. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the
first layer is a printed paper layer and the second layer is the
shrinkable polymeric film applied over the first layer.
[0050] To apply the shrinkable film 81 to the container or
dispenser 10 of the present invention, the shrinkable film 81 is
wrapped around the container or dispenser, such that the first end
85 of the film contacts and overlaps the second end 86 of the film,
as is shown in FIG. 7. This results in a shrinkable film with a
continuous exterior surface 83. In the area of overlap 87, a means
for holding the two ends of the film together is used. The area of
overlap 87 could be placed anywhere along the side wall; however,
for aesthetic reasons, is it is generally best to place the area of
overlap 87, near an edge, if present, or in the case of an oval
container or dispenser, in the region of the side wall with the
smallest radius of curvature. This will generally prevent the
overlap 87 from being visible in the area of the container which is
most often viewed by a user, detracting from the aesthetic value of
the container or dispenser. Alternatively, in the case of an oval
container, as is shown in FIG. 7, the overlap area may be placed on
the sidewall in an area which has the largest radius of curvature,
which may result in a container with a front and a back, with the
front being more aesthetically pleasing to a viewer than the
back.
[0051] The exterior surface 83 of the second end 86 which will be
overlapped with the first end 85 may be imparted with an adhesive,
a double-stick tape or other means that will effectively hold the
interior surface 82, first end 85 and the second end 86 of the
shrinkable film 81 together. Alternatively, the interior surface 82
of the first end 85 which will overlap the second end 86 may be
imparted with means to hold the two ends together. Generally, if an
adhesive is used, the adhesive should be selected from those
adhesives that are not adversely affected by the application of
heat or energy to the adhesive. Solvent based adhesive may serve
well in this application such that the adhesive welds the two ends
85, 86 of the shrinkable films together. Alternatively, the
shrinkable film may be formed into a tube-like structure, having a
continuous exterior surface, prior to placing the shrinkable film
around the container or dispenser 10. In either case, the
shrinkable film once brought together should be slightly larger
than the circumference of the outer surface of the at least one
side wall 16 of the container or dispenser. Generally, the
shrinkable film should be 2-10% larger than the circumference of
the exterior surface of the at least one side wall 16. If the
circumference is any larger than about 10% of the circumference of
the container or dispenser 10, then the shrinkable film may not
shrink evenly, causing the container to have an unappealing
surface.
[0052] Once the shrinkable film 81 is placed around the exterior
surface of the sidewall, then energy is applied to the film to make
the shrinkable film shrink and conform to the container or
dispenser. For example, if the shrinkable film is a heat-shrinkable
film, the heat-shrinkable film 81 is placed around the exterior
surface of the sidewall; the film is heated with a suitable heating
means, for example, hot air, to shrink the film around the
container or dispenser. If the film can be shrunk by other means,
the other means, such as microwave energy may also be used. The
temperature to which the heat-shrinkable film is heated is
dependent on several factors, including the type of polymer used to
prepare the heat-shrinkable film or the inks used to prepare the
graphic, image or decorative designs on the heat-shrinkable film or
otherwise present on the container or dispenser.
[0053] In addition to covering the exterior surface of the sidewall
16 of the container or dispenser 10 of the present invention, the
shrinkable film may extend beyond the sidewall 16 and partially
cover the bottom 14 or top 12. In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A,
3B and 4, the outer sheet component 80 is a shrinkable film which
may extend to the top 12 and the bottom 14 of the container or
dispenser of the present invention. By having the shrinkable film
extend to the top 12 and bottom 14, the dispenser or container has
an overall finished appearance as compared to containers where the
shrinkable film only covers a portion of the exterior surface. In
the case where the bottom is recessed, as is shown in FIG. 3B, the
shrinkable film may extend beyond the lower edge 16' of the
sidewall. This will result in the bottom edge of the film not
contacting the bottom of the container or dispenser, as shown in
FIG. 3B.
[0054] The visual effects achieved by the present invention can be
further enhanced by providing the exterior surface of the side wall
16 or the first layer 84 with a base color which will be visible
through the imprinted graphic, image or decorative design present
on the shrinkable film. In addition, the visual effect can further
be enhanced by providing the exterior surface of the sidewall 16
with a material which will produce a three-dimensional effect or
produces an actual three dimensional feel. Examples of such
materials include metallized films which can be placed between the
exterior of the sidewall and the shrinkable film. The metallized
films are capable of producing holographic and three dimensional
effects. In addition, Fresnel lenses may also be used to enhance
the three-dimensional effect of the graphics, images or decorative
design imprinted on the shrinkable film. Such metallized films are
known in the art. One company having the ability to produce films
containing holographic and/or Fresnel lenses is Cobum Graphic
Films, Inc., having an office at 1650 Corporate Road West,
Lakewood, N.J. 08701. A tissue carton utilizing these films
entitled Decorative Film, Carton, And Method Of Making, U.S. Ser.
No. 10/374,185 filed with the United States Patent Office on Feb.
25, 2003, published as U.S. 2004/0166258 A1 on Aug. 25, 2004. This
Patent Application Publication is herein incorporated by reference
in a manner consistent herewith.
[0055] In the present invention, the graphics, images or decorative
designs include a wide a variety of items. For example, objects
that are considered decorative in design include flowers,
landscapes, cityscapes, pictures of buildings, pictures of people,
abstract designs, patterned designs, or other similar graphics or
designs. The particular designs provided on the articles of
manufacture of the present invention are not critical to the
present invention. Generally, however, it is desirable that the
graphics, images or decorative designs are not offensive to large
groups of people.
[0056] In the present invention, the outer sheet component could be
made in-line with the packaging of the products into the container
or dispenser or the outer sheet component could be prepared
off-line.
[0057] The container or dispenser 10 can also include an optional
removable film overwrap (not shown) to further cover the dispensing
opening 42 or outer portion of the dispenser. The film overwrap can
be used to display printed information, such as a prominent
trademark, size of the sheets, the number of sheets, information on
how to open the container or dispenser, or patent information,
which can later be removed by the consumer so as to not detract
from the graphic, image or decorative design of the container or
dispenser imparted by the outer sheet component discussed below.
This overwrap is in addition to the outer sheet component 80.
[0058] By providing the container or dispenser of the present
invention with a graphic, image or design as described above, many
benefits are derived. For example, a manufacturer or packager can
easily provide particular designs that are popular with a quicker
turn around time. Previously, the manufacturer or packager would
need to order or produce more containers containing a popular
pattern if the supplies of the container became in short supply or,
in the alternative store more containers or dispensers with the
desired graphics, images or decorative designs. This could result
in a delay in producing containers or dispensers with the desired
or in-demand graphics, images or decorative design, which in turn
would result in a shortage of the desired products with the desired
graphics, images or decorative designs. In the present invention,
generic or plain containers or dispensers could be produced or
ordered which could be modified with the outer component sleeve
using the present invention, thereby providing the graphics, images
or decorative designs needed.
[0059] Other advantages include providing a way for a retailer to
order container or dispenser designs it believes would be popular
or testing designs in a few select stores prior to placing a large
order for a given design. As such, the retailer and manufacturer
can easily identify designs which might not be well received by
consumers, while identifying others which might be popular. In
addition, the present invention provides an easy and economical way
to produce short runs of a given design or short runs of seasonal
graphics without the need of ordering large quantities of
containers or dispensers.
[0060] One major advantage provided by the present invention is
that a manufacturer or packager could use the present invention to
provide a plurality of different graphics, images or decorative
designs on essentially identical dispensers or containers. As such,
a plurality of "blank" dispensers or containers could be imparted
with a variety of graphics, images or decorative designs. Each of
the blanks could be the same or may be different. Generally, all of
the blanks will be essentially the same with some minor variations
therein. As such, a case containing a plurality of the dispensers
or containers of the present invention could be provided, from the
plurality of blanks, but the dispensers or containers would have a
plurality of different graphic, image or decorative designs within
a given case. Stated another way, the graphics, images or
decorative design on at least one of the outer sheet component
sleeves is different from the graphics, images or decorative design
on at least one other outer sheet component sleeve present in the
case of articles. Ideally, there could be two, three, four or more
different graphic, image or decorative designs in a given case. In
one aspect, each dispenser or container in the case could have a
different graphic, image or decorative design, but each blank
carton could be the same. This would provide a manufacturer or
packager of these dispensers or containers with a way to
efficiently provide retailers a variety of designs in a given case
of dispensers or containers. As a result, consumers would be
provided with a variety of designs to select from at the retail
store.
[0061] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it
is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as
illustrative rather than limiting and that it is the appended
claims, including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to
define the scope of the invention.
* * * * *