U.S. patent application number 11/805032 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-04 for tissue roll and dispenser.
Invention is credited to Cecilia H. Nguyen.
Application Number | 20100276529 11/805032 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43029674 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100276529 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nguyen; Cecilia H. |
November 4, 2010 |
Tissue roll and dispenser
Abstract
A novel tissue package and tissue dispenser is disclosed, where
the tissue package is a tissue roll of height and width, where the
tissue roll is taller than it is wide, and a tissue dispenser
comprised of a dispenser housing with a central core and an
exterior, where the central core is compatibly sized to receive the
tissue roll and where the exterior is comprised of a decorative
format. The tissue roll and the tissue dispenser of the present
invention allow for variations in the distance between a first
tissue and the top of the tissue roll while maintaining an integral
connection between the first tissue and the tissue roll for
providing the sequential propagation of successive tissues from the
dispenser housing.
Inventors: |
Nguyen; Cecilia H.; (Santa
Ana, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NT Patent Law
6039 E. Grant Rd.
Tucson
AZ
85712
US
|
Family ID: |
43029674 |
Appl. No.: |
11/805032 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/160.4 ;
242/588.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/3818
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/160.4 ;
242/588.3 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/22 20060101
A47K010/22; B65H 18/28 20060101 B65H018/28; B65D 85/671 20060101
B65D085/671; B65D 85/672 20060101 B65D085/672; A47K 10/16 20060101
A47K010/16; A47K 10/38 20060101 A47K010/38 |
Claims
1. A tissue roll and dispenser for dispensing tissues in sequential
fashion, the tissue roll and dispenser comprising: A tissue roll of
a height and width, where the tissue roll has more height than
width, and where the tissue roll includes a first tissue and a
plurality of successive tissues; and, A dispenser housing with
comprising a central core portion, a base, a tissue portal and an
exterior portion, where the central core portion receives said
tissue roll and where said first tissue extends through said tissue
portal and as the first tissue is removed for use each successive
tissue is advanced through said tissue portal and where said
dispenser housing exterior compensates for the center of gravity of
said tissue roll in a manner to cause the combined center of
gravity of the dispenser housing and the tissue roll to be lower
than the center of gravity of the tissue roll alone.
2. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 1, where the
central core portion includes a core top, a core bottom, core
sidewalls, where the tissue portal meets the core top.
3. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 1, where the
dispenser housing compensates for the center of gravity of the
tissue roll by the width of the dispenser housing base.
4. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 1, where the
dispenser housing compensates for the center of gravity of the
tissue roll through the use of a lighter construction, the
combination of the dispenser housing and the tissue roll
collectively having a lower center of gravity than the tissue roll
alone.
5. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 1, where the
dispenser housing exterior is fashioned to reflect a decorative
format.
6. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 5, where said
decorative format of the dispenser housing exterior can be adjusted
over a range with respect to the distance between the top of said
tissue roll and the tissue portal.
7. A tissue roll and dispenser for dispensing tissues in sequential
fashion, the tissue roll and dispenser comprising: A tissue roll of
a height and width, where the tissue roll has more height than
width, and where the tissue roll includes a first tissue and a
plurality of successive tissues; and, A dispenser housing with
comprising a central core portion, a base, a tissue portal and an
exterior portion, where the central core portion receives said
tissue roll and where the central core portion includes a core top,
a core bottom, core sidewalls, where the tissue portal meets the
core top and where said first tissue extends through said tissue
portal and as the first tissue is removed for use each successive
tissue is advanced through said tissue portal and where said
dispenser housing exterior is fashioned to reflect a decorative
format where said decorative format of the dispenser housing
exterior can be adjusted over a range with respect to the distance
between the top of said tissue roll and the tissue portal.
8. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 7, where said
dispenser housing exterior compensates for the center of gravity of
said tissue roll in a manner to cause the combined center of
gravity of the dispenser housing and the tissue roll to be lower
than the center of gravity of the tissue roll alone.
9. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 8, where the
dispenser housing compensates for the center of gravity of the
tissue roll by the width of the dispenser housing base.
10. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 8, where the
dispenser housing compensates for the center of gravity of the
tissue roll through the use of a lighter construction, the
combination of the dispenser housing and the tissue roll
collectively having a lower center of gravity than the tissue roll
alone.
11. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 7, the distance
between the top of said tissue roll and the tissue portal
comprising a range extending from a nominal distance to twelve
inches.
12. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 7, where the
height of the tissue roll is approximately eight and one-half
inches and the width is approximately four inches.
13. A tissue roll and dispenser for dispensing tissues in
sequential fashion, the tissue roll and dispenser comprising: A
tissue roll of a height and width, where the tissue roll has more
height than width, and where the tissue roll includes a first
tissue and a plurality of successive tissues; and, A dispenser
housing with comprising a central core portion, a base, a tissue
portal and an exterior portion, where the central core portion
receives said tissue roll and where the central core portion
includes a core top, a core bottom, core sidewalls, where the
tissue portal meets the core top and where said first tissue
extends through said tissue portal and as the first tissue is
removed for use each successive tissue is advanced through said
tissue portal and where said dispenser housing exterior is
fashioned to reflect a decorative format where said decorative
format of the dispenser housing exterior can be adjusted over a
range with respect to the distance between the top of said tissue
roll and the tissue portal, and further where said dispenser
housing exterior compensates for the center of gravity of said
tissue roll in a manner to cause the combined center of gravity of
the dispenser housing and the tissue roll to be lower than the
center of gravity of the tissue roll alone.
14. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 13, where the
dispenser housing compensates for the center of gravity of the
tissue roll by the width of the dispenser housing base.
15. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 13, where the
dispenser housing compensates for the center of gravity of the
tissue roll through the use of a lighter construction, the
combination of the dispenser housing and the tissue roll
collectively having a lower center of gravity than the tissue roll
alone.
16. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 13, the distance
between the top of said tissue roll and the tissue portal
comprising a range extending from a nominal distance to twelve
inches.
17. The tissue roll and dispenser of claim Number 13, where the
height of the tissue roll is approximately eight and one-half
inches and the width is approximately four inches.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to tissue rolls and tissue
dispensers. More particularly, the present invention relates to
tissue rolls that fit a number of tissue dispensers with decorative
housings.
[0004] Tissues have typically been supplied in packages reflecting
a cubic shape. The tissues are individually stacked and are folded
in such a way as to be interconnected thus when the first tissue is
pulled through a dispenser, the next tissue is raised to a position
where it may be grasped by the next user. This method does not
always work as planned and sometimes the next consecutive tissue
does not advance. This may mean that the user will have to reach
into the tissue box or dissemble a tissue dispenser in order to
gain access to the second tissue. The usage of tissues packaged in
this manner has drawbacks even though it has been a commercially
popular way to offer the product.
[0005] Tissue rolls have been known in the prior art and attempts
have been made to promote the usage of tissue rolls in way that
mimic the dispensers used for the regular cubic forms of tissue
packages. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,864,495 (Ritchie)
teaches a tissue roll that can be inserted into a rectangular
housing that resembles a conventional type of tissue dispenser.
Similarly in U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,129 (Sedgwick) teaches the use of
a tissue roll in providing a moist towellette. The container in
this instance is provided as a cylindrical housing that fits the
tissue roll closely. The container is utilitarian in that it
provides the most economical means for containing the tissue roll.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,281 (Annand) a folded tissue stack for use
as facial tissues is disclosed that is used in combination with a
dispenser to provide a means for dispensing the individual tissues
more reliably. None of these prior art dispensers teaches a
decorative housing that utilizes a tissue roll.
[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. D385,734 (Mervar, et al) a substantially
cylindrical housing is shown for retaining a tissue roll. Again,
the housing is utilitarian and does not provide a decorative
function. Another utilitarian solution for retaining a tissue roll
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,921 (Johnson) where a
center-pull moistened tissue roll is housed in a cylindrical
container that has a cap that retards the loss of moisture. Yet
another center-pull dispenser is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,137
(Schutz, et al) where the tissues are dispensed through a nozzle
type exit. None of these prior art devices disclose a housing that
compatibly serves to retain a tissue roll of a standard
dimension.
[0007] A very different tissue roll and dispenser is shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,346,064 (Rizzuto) where a large roll is installed in a
cabinet for dispensing through the top. The roll is oversized and
meant for providing a long term supply of tissues. A more
conventional towel dispenser is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,608
(Yamazaki) where the roll of paper towels is dispensed through a
roller mechanism.
[0008] Notwithstanding the use of the tissue roll in the prior art
there has not been an effective system for providing a tissue roll
for use in a set of standardized housing that provide a decorative
function. In addition, there has been no showing of a decorative
housing that utilizes the benefit of the tissue roll for dispensing
tissues in conjunction with a decorative theme. These and other
features and benefits of the present invention will be discussed in
more detail below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A novel tissue dispenser for use in conjunction with a
standardized tissue roll is disclosed where the tissue roll fits
within a dispenser and where the dispenser includes a housing that
has an exterior portion and a core portion. The core portion is
sized for the compatible installation of the tissue roll into the
housing. The housing also includes a tissue portal through which
the lead tissue of the tissue roll is allowed to exit.
[0010] The exterior of the housing is fabricated in a decorative
manner and may co-extensively surround the core portion without
infringing upon the compatible installation of the tissue roll
therein. The decorative theme of the dispenser housing can be
offered in a plurality of styles that may make use of the ability
of the tissue roll to supply consecutive tissues at a distance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a tissue roll for use in
combination with the tissue dispenser of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the tissue roll of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a package of tissue
rolls used in combination with the dispenser of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a tissue dispenser of the
present invention with a tissue roll installed therein, where the
tissue dispenser resembles a candle.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a tissue dispenser of the
present invention with a tissue roll installed therein, where the
tissue dispenser resembles a sea shell.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a tissue dispenser of the
present invention with a tissue roll installed therein, where the
tissue dispenser resembles a basketball.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] A novel tissue roll and dispenser in accordance with the
present invention is disclosed in the drawings and in this
specification. Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tissue roll 10 is
disclosed with the tissue roll base 12, the tissue roll body 14,
the tissue roll top 16, and with a tissue 18 shown exiting the top
16. The tissue roll 10 further includes the perforated seam(s) 20
and the center 22. In FIG. 3 a package 24 of tissue rolls 10 is
shown in a configuration that would be suited for sale in the
retail marketplace.
[0018] In the interest of clarity, a discussion is first provided
regarding the attributes and characteristics of a tissue roll of
the present invention. In particular, the optimal size for a tissue
roll of the present invention would be sufficient to supply enough
tissues to avoid replenishment on a frequent basis. In addition,
the size is relevant to the presentation of the tissues as they
exit the tissue roll so that the exiting tissue is compatible with
the tissue dispenser (discussed below). One advantage, however, of
the tissue roll is that unlike the conventional folded tissues the
individual tissues are linked together and are separated by tearing
one tissue from the other at the seams. The seams are typically
perforated to allow for easier separation. Folded tissues, as noted
in the prior art discussion, do not reliably index tissues
consecutively as they are pulled from a dispenser. In the present
invention, the tissue roll functions differently by providing
integral attachment, one tissue to the next so as to avoid this
problem. Thus when used in a tissue dispenser, the distance between
the point at which tissues may be removed from the dispenser to the
point where the tissues are being ejected from a roll (or when
compared to the prior art, a set of folded tissue) can be greater
allowing for more variation (and functionality) as to how many
tissues may be deployed and the types of structures that may be
used to contain the tissue roll. As will be seen, this leads to
unexpected flexibility in the design of a tissue dispenser that
would not be possible until now.
[0019] The dimensions for a preferred tissue roll of the present
invention would approximately comprise eight and one-half inches
(81/2'') in height and four inches (4') in diameter. As may be
appreciated, the tissue roll is taller than it is wide which places
the center of gravity at a higher point than a shorter tissue roll
when the tissue roll is seated on its base. It is desired to have
the tissue roll taller than it is wide notwithstanding the problem
associated with stability since the tissue roll will hold more
tissues. When used in conjunction with the tissue dispenser of the
present invention the higher center of gravity is minimized as a
factor in the instability of the tissue roll and renders it less
likely to be tipped over. In addition, the tissue roll would not be
limited to a single color but could be produced in any color that a
manufacturer could feasibly consider.
[0020] Now that the particulars of the tissue roll have been
disclosed, the tissue dispenser of the present invention is shown
in FIG. 4 as the dispenser housing 30, which includes a central
core 32. The central core 32 has a core bottom 34, a core top 36
and core sidewalls 38. The dispenser housing 30 includes the
dispenser housing base 40, the dispenser housing exterior 42 and
the tissue portal 44. In essence the same structure is shown for
the embodiments displayed in FIGS. 5 and 6 as well. The tissue roll
10 is shown in the installed condition in the dispenser housing 30
with the tissue 18 extending through the tissue portal 44.
[0021] It can now be appreciated that the tissue dispenser of the
present invention represents a novel manner for adding a decorative
treatment to a tissue roll. As is noted above and in the drawings,
the tissue roll is installed within the tissue dispenser in the
area described as the central core. This installation can occur
merely by placing the dispenser housing over the tissue roll (the
central core being open through the core bottom) and covering the
tissue roll with the dispenser housing as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and
6. A first tissue is threaded through the core top where it meets
the tissue portal and is allowed to extend therefrom, again, as
shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, and being integrally connected to the
next tissue, and so on, such that the user is able to pick each
tissue as needed and advance successive tissues through the tissue
portal in a sequential fashion.
[0022] The dispenser housing has as its primary function the
enclosing of the tissue roll, not unlike other tissue dispensers.
In the present case, however, the dispenser housing provides an
exterior format that is decorative in appearance. This exterior
treatment differs from the prior art though in that it can take
advantage of the manner in which the tissues are advanced through
the dispenser housing and this feature can be used to coordinate
with the decorative formats of the exterior. For instance, in FIGS.
4, 5 and 6 the tissue extending from the tissue portal does not
rely on the typical folded tissue method for propagation of the
presentation of tissues. This means the distance between the
dispenser housing top and the tissue roll can vary in distance to a
much greater degree than previously allowed while allowing for the
sequential propagation of the tissue from the tissue roll. In fact,
the distance between the dispenser housing top and the tissue roll
can easily fall within a range of distances between a nominal
distance and a distance that can exceed twelve inches or more since
each individual tissue is integrally connected at the perforated
seam. The actual distance that is selected for a particular
application is dependent upon the tissue design, the type and
degree of perforations, and the physical characteristics of the
tissue itself. One skilled in the art may make selections regarding
the distance that can be obtained. Once in use, the tissues are
separated, the first tissue from the next successive tissue, by
tearing along the perforated seam. By comparison, the folded
tissues known in the prior art are limited in the distance that can
be obtained between the top of the folded stack and the tissue
portal of the tissue dispenser in which they are installed. This
owing to the fact that the folds that are slightly less than half
the width of the folded tissue have to remain in contact in order
to propagate the advancement of the successive tissues. Where the
distance between the top of the stack of folded tissues and the
tissue portal of the dispenser in which they are installed exceeds
the fold size, the individual tissues may separate within the
dispenser thus leaving the user without a tissue to access. This
long standing problem in the prior art results in practical
limitations in the parameters for constructing a tissue dispenser
for folded tissues. Thus in the present embodiment, the exterior
treatments for the dispenser housing are not so limited and can
take different forms allowing for more flexibility in the
expression that a person may desire for a tissue dispenser.
[0023] The dispenser housing and tissue roll of the present
invention also combine in a way to provide more utility than has
previously been known. For instance, as shown in FIG. 6, the base
of the dispenser housing can be increased in width (or diameter) to
provide additional stability and thereby overcome the tendency of
the tissue roll to tip when jostled or bumped. The construction of
the dispenser housing may include an exterior formed from a number
of materials such as plastic, ceramic, wood or metal. The shape and
material selection can be made to provide a wider base (such as
shown in FIG. 6) or a different center of gravity where a the
dispenser housing is made lighter than the tissue roll such as
where a plastic is utilized (such as shown in FIG. 4). The
dispenser housing, being lighter than the tissue roll, is also
typically wider and where the height of the housing is calculated
to keep the overall center of gravity in mind, the combination of
the tissue roll and the dispenser housing will have a lower center
of gravity in a collective sense. In either case the combination of
the tissue roll and the tissue dispenser will provide additional
stability above that of the tissue roll alone. As mentioned above,
this allows the use of a tissue roll that can supply a larger
volume of tissues and yet fit within an envelope that is
cosmetically pleasing and not unduly large or bulky. This would not
be the case with respect to the prior art tissues and dispensers
which are limited by their geometry and/or their manner of
packaging.
[0024] As indicated in the drawings, the dispenser housing exterior
may be modified to fit any number of decorative formats. The
benefits of the present invention can be applied to such formats,
keeping the foregoing attributes in mind, by one skilled in the art
of designing tissue dispensers. It is presumed that the tissue roll
of the present invention would be manufactured for the purposes
stated herein although it is understood that tissue rolls of
different- dimensions could be used in conjunction with teachings
for the tissue dispensers herein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the preferred embodiments.
* * * * *