U.S. patent application number 13/288697 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for towel roll product with perforated wrap.
This patent application is currently assigned to SELLARS ABSORBENT MATERIALS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is John C. Sellars. Invention is credited to John C. Sellars.
Application Number | 20130112803 13/288697 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47143647 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130112803 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sellars; John C. |
May 9, 2013 |
TOWEL ROLL PRODUCT WITH PERFORATED WRAP
Abstract
A towel roll product having an absorbent towel roll engaged on
its outer surfaces by a flexible, protective wrapping. The upper
portion of the wrapping at the towel roll top surface has a
tear-away perforated portion that provides a tamperproof closure
for the product presale, while allowing the product to be in a
substantially ready-to-use state following its purchase. In
addition, the perforated portion dictates the size of the opening
to be created in the wrapping so as to limit potential of
compromising the intended functioning of the towel roll
product.
Inventors: |
Sellars; John C.;
(US) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sellars; John C. |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SELLARS ABSORBENT MATERIALS,
INC.
Milwaukee
WI
|
Family ID: |
47143647 |
Appl. No.: |
13/288697 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/593 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0805
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/593 |
International
Class: |
B65H 16/02 20060101
B65H016/02 |
Claims
1. A generally cylindrical towel roll product comprising an
absorbent towel roll having an upright axis, a circumferential
outer surface and top and bottom surfaces, and a flexible, water
resistant, protective wrapper engaging each of the surfaces of the
towel roll and having sufficient strength to restrain significant
diametric expansion of the towel roll and to increase axial
stiffness of the product, top and bottom portions of the wrapper
encasing the top and bottom surfaces of the roll, respectively, the
wrapper top portion having a tear-away perforated portion, the
perforated portion comprising a first layer of a double layer of
initial protection for the towel roll at the top surface prior to
access to the towel roll being enabled.
2. The towel roll product of claim 1 wherein the perforated portion
when torn away provides an opening sized to permit single toweling
sheets of the towel roll to be centerpulled there through.
3. The towel roll product of claim 2 wherein the perforated portion
when torn away provides axial access to the product.
4. The towel roll product of claim 2 further comprising a rigid
disk positioned between the upper surface of the towel roll and the
wrapper top portion, the disk having a portion aligned with the
perforated portion in the wrapper top portion, the disk portion
comprising a second layer of the double layer.
5. The towel roll product of claim 4 wherein the disk is
substantially coextensive with the top surface of the towel
roll.
6. The towel roll product of claim 5 wherein the disk has a
diameter that is substantially similar to a diameter of outer
periphery of the towel roll, wherein shape of the towel roll
product is preserved over a use life of the towel roll.
7. The towel roll product of claim 5 wherein the disk portion is
removable, and when removed following removal of the perforated
portion, forms an aperture enabling axial access to the towel
roll.
8. The towel roll product of claim 7 wherein the disk portion
comprises a tear-away perforated portion.
9. The towel roll product of claim 7 wherein the disk includes
confronting lobes positioned to encounter toweling of the towel
roll as the toweling is withdrawn axially from the towel roll.
10. The towel roll product of claim 7 wherein the size of the
opening is larger than the aperture.
11. The towel roll product of claim 1 wherein the perforated
portion is configured to be torn away from the wrapper without
having adverse effect to the sufficient strength of the
wrapper.
12. A generally cylindrical towel roll product comprising an
absorbent towel roll having an upright axis, a circumferential
outer surface and top and bottom surfaces, and a flexible, water
resistant, protective wrapper engaging each of the surfaces of the
towel roll and having sufficient strength to restrain significant
diametric expansion of the towel roll and to increase axial
stiffness of the product, top and bottom portions of the wrapper
encasing the top and bottom surfaces of the roll, respectively, the
wrapper top portion having a perforated portion, the perforated
portion configured to be torn away from the wrapper without having
adverse effect to the sufficient strength of the wrapper.
13. The towel roll product of claim 12 wherein the perforated
portion when torn away provides an opening sized to permit single
toweling sheets of the towel roll to be centerpulled there
through.
14. The towel roll product of claim 13 wherein the perforated
portion when torn away provides axial access to the product.
15. The towel roll product of claim 13 further comprising a rigid
disk positioned between the upper surface of the towel roll and the
wrapper top portion, the disk having a portion aligned with the
perforated portion in the wrapper top portion.
16. The towel roll product of claim 15 wherein the perforated
portion and the disk portion comprise a first layer and a second
layer of a double layer of initial protection for the towel roll at
the top surface prior to access to the towel roll being
enabled.
17. The towel roll product of claim 15 wherein the disk is
substantially coextensive with the top surface of the towel
roll.
18. The towel roll product of claim 15 wherein the disk portion is
removable, and when removed following removal of the perforated
portion, forms an aperture enabling axial access to the towel
roll.
19. The towel roll product of claim 18 wherein the disk portion
comprises a tear-away perforated portion.
20. A generally cylindrical towel roll product comprising an
absorbent towel roll having an upright axis, a circumferential
outer surface and top and bottom surfaces, and a flexible, water
resistant, protective wrapper engaging each of the surfaces of the
towel roll and having sufficient strength to restrain significant
diametric expansion of the towel roll and to increase axial
stiffness of the product, top and bottom portions of the wrapper
encasing the top and bottom surfaces of the roll, respectively, the
wrapper top portion having a tear-away perforated portion that when
torn away provides an opening sized to permit toweling to be
centerpulled there through.
21. The towel roll product of claim 20 wherein the perforated
portion when torn away provides axial access to the product.
22. The towel roll product of claim 21 further comprising a rigid
disk positioned between the upper surface of the towel roll and the
wrapper top portion, the disk having a portion aligned with the
perforated portion in the wrapper top portion.
23. The towel roll product of claim 22 wherein the perforated
portion and the disk portion comprise a first layer and a second
layer of a double layer of initial protection for the towel roll at
the top surface prior to access to the towel roll being
enabled.
24. The towel roll product of claim 22 wherein the disk is
substantially coextensive with the top surface of the towel
roll.
25. The towel roll product of claim 22 wherein the disk portion is
removable, and when removed following removal of the perforated
portion, forms an aperture enabling axial access to the towel
roll.
26. The towel roll product of claim 25 wherein the disk portion
comprises a tear-away perforated portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to towel roll products, and
more particularly, to towel roll products with wrapping provided
thereabout in retaining the towel rolls during their use.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Disposable absorbent towels have many uses. Disposable
towels are particularly popular with do-it-yourself homeowners and
trades people who find towels valuable for cleaning tools, work
areas and their hands. Disposable towels are also used frequently
in factories, on farms and in the boating industry (both commercial
and recreational). These are just a few of the wide variety of
people and multitude of uses of disposable towels. Frequently,
disposable towels are used by people who are on the go, whether it
be trades people moving from job to job, maintenance people moving
from machine to machine within a factory, or farmers dealing with
issues wherever they come up. Thus, disposable towels are widely
considered as valuable items of one's normal equipment for
performing jobs.
[0003] For convenience, absorbent towels commonly are provided as
successive sheets on a continuous web wound in roll form with
individual sheets separable from the roll by means of perforation
lines established at pre-determined distances. The towels are
commonly drawn from the interior of the roll, and the perforations
allow a user to tear off a portion of the absorbent towel roll. In
some cases, the towel rolls are configured for being housed in
dispensers, such as cardboard boxes, that allow the user to access
the towels, usually through a small opening provided in the top of
the box. In use, these dispensers enable individual towels to be
pulled there from as needed, while providing a form of protective
structure for the roll of towels. To that end, it is not uncommon
for such dispensers to be hardily used, whether carried in the back
of trucks to job sites along with other tools, or on maintenance
carts in factories.
[0004] One problem in using separate dispensers for rolls of
disposable towels is the cost they add to the end-result product.
In particular, not only does the customer need to purchase the
container, but these dispensers often are formed of a rigid
material (such as plastic) in order to further protect the
dispenser as well as the towel roll, thereby adding to their cost.
Additionally, the towel roll manufacturer needs to appropriately
package refills of the towel rolls so they can be sufficiently
protected prior to their use within the dispensers, the cost of
which is further filtered down to the customer.
[0005] In light of the above, efforts continue to be advanced to
produce lower-cost alternatives to the above-described dispensers.
One design in particular has involved using wrapping to support and
protect outer surfaces of the towel roll, and further including a
member wrapped adjacent to an end of the roll so as to enable
individual towels to be centerpulled there through and to provide
stability to the towel roll over its use. These designs have been
well received commercially, yet have some drawbacks.
[0006] For instance, in certain variations of this design, an
opening has been made in the wrapping of the towel roll product so
as to permit individual towels to be pulled there through. This
allows the product to be in a ready-to-use state following
purchase. Such design has generally dictated using a cover to
overlay the opening in the wrapping to environmentally protect the
towel roll product prior to its sale. Unfortunately, such cover is
generally removable and replaceable as needed, which allows such
cover to be tampered with presale. To that end, if the cover is
tampered with, the towel roll product can in turn be damaged from
entry of dust and/or bugs therein while kept on retail shelving.
Alternatively, the product can be manufactured so that the wrapping
is continuously applied around the towel roll. As such, following
purchase of the product, the consumer is called upon to create the
opening in the wrapping to enable individual towels to be pulled
there through. However, in dictating that the customers carry out
this process, the opening created can be unintentionally oversized.
As a result, there is the potential to compromise not only the
intended support and/or protective functions of the wrapping, but
also the intended support and/or disbursement functions of the
member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] As described herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "top",
"bottom", "upright" and other descriptors of direction and position
have been used for convenience in describing a towel roll product
in which the axis of the roll is upright or vertical and individual
towel sheets are drawn upwardly from the center of the roll, with
such action being referenced as a "centerpull".
[0008] Embodiments of the invention involve a generally cylindrical
towel roll product. The product comprises an absorbent towel roll
having an upright axis, a circumferential outer surface and top and
bottom surfaces. The product also comprises a flexible, water
resistant, protective wrapper engaging each of the surfaces of the
towel roll and having sufficient strength to restrain significant
diametric expansion of the towel roll and to increase axial
stiffness of the product, top and bottom portions of the wrapper
encasing the top and bottom surfaces of the roll, respectively. The
wrapper top portion has a tear-away perforated portion comprising a
first layer of a double layer of initial protection for the towel
roll at the top surface prior to access to the towel roll being
enabled.
[0009] Additionally, embodiments of the invention involve a
generally cylindrical towel roll product. The product comprises an
absorbent towel roll having an upright axis, a circumferential
outer surface and top and bottom surfaces. The product also
comprises a flexible, water resistant, protective wrapper engaging
each of the surfaces of the towel roll and having sufficient
strength to restrain significant diametric expansion of the towel
roll and to increase axial stiffness of the product, top and bottom
portions of the wrapper encasing the top and bottom surfaces of the
roll, respectively. The wrapper top portion has a perforated
portion configured to be torn away from the wrapper without having
adverse effect to the sufficient strength of the wrapper.
[0010] Further, embodiments of the invention involve a generally
cylindrical towel roll product. The product comprises an absorbent
towel roll having an upright axis, a circumferential outer surface
and top and bottom surfaces. The product also comprises a flexible,
water resistant, protective wrapper engaging each of the surfaces
of the towel roll and having sufficient strength to restrain
significant diametric expansion of the towel roll and to increase
axial stiffness of the product, top and bottom portions of the
wrapper encasing the top and bottom surfaces of the roll,
respectively. The wrapper top portion has a tear-away perforated
portion that when torn away provides an opening sized to permit
toweling to pass there through.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view, partially broken away,
of a towel roll product in accordance with certain embodiments of
the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded side view of a portion of the
towel roll product of FIG. 1, with a larger portion broken
away;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of the towel roll product of FIG. 1,
showing opening created through which individual towels of a towel
roll of the product may be drawn; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the towel roll product of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The following detailed description should be read with
reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different
drawings are numbered identically. The drawings depict selected
embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the
invention. It will be understood that embodiments shown in the
drawings and described below are merely for illustrative purposes,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined
in the claims.
[0016] As summarized above, the towel roll product as embodied
herein is formed of an absorbent towel roll having flexible,
protective wrapping engaging each of the towel roll's outer
surfaces, including a top surface of the towel roll that is engaged
by an upper portion of the wrapping. The upper portion of the
wrapping at the towel roll top surface, as detailed below, has a
tear-away perforated portion that not only provides a tamperproof
closure for the product presale, but also allows the towel roll
product to be in a substantially ready-to-use state following its
purchase. In addition, the perforated portion dictates the size of
the opening to be created in the wrapping so as to avoid
compromising the intended functioning of the wrapping with respect
to the towel roll product. In some cases, as further described
herein, prior to access to the towel roll being enabled, the towel
roll product provides a double layer of protection. Providing such
double layer of protection allows the towel roll product to remain
shielded so long as one of the layers remains intact.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a towel roll
product in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention,
while FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show partial exploded, top, and bottom
views, respectively, of the product. Referring first to FIG. 1, a
generally cylindrical towel roll product 10 is shown. A roll of
absorbent toweling 12 is formed about an axis A, and is encased in
an outer wrapper 14. With reference to FIG. 2, a disk 16 of rigid
material is shown above the upper surface 12.1 of the towel roll
12. The disk 16 is brought in tight contact against such upper
surface 12.1 of the towel roll 12 when the wrapper 14 is applied to
the roll 12 and disk 16 during manufacture of the product 10, as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and further described below.
[0018] Attention is made to U.S. Pat. No. 7,533,846, the teachings
of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the '846 patent,
certain embodiments are provided with respect to a towel roll
product, wherein that product has certain similarities with the
product 10 embodied herein. To that end, the embodiments of the
toweling of the towel roll 12 and the processes of their
construction as described in the '846 patent are likewise
applicable to the toweling and towel roll 12 referenced herein.
Additionally, the wrapping or wrapper 14 and the disk 16 referenced
herein can be formed, and configured together with the towel roll
12 (in constructing the towel roll product 10), in similar fashion
as embodied in the '846 patent. However, as will be appreciated
from the description that follows, the designs of these wrapper 14
and disk 16 elements are advanced so as to enhance conventional
wrapped towel roll products commercialized to date.
[0019] As shown, the wrapper 14 has portions 14.1, 14.2, and 14.3,
respectively, for engaging corresponding surfaces 12.1, 12.2, and
12.3 of the towel roll 12, so as to tightly encase the roll 12. To
that end, the portions 14.1, 14.2 of the wrapper 14 are illustrated
to overlay the towel roll top and bottom surfaces 12.1, 12.2,
respectively, while wrapper side portion 14.3 overlays the towel
roll side surface 12.3 about its entire circumference. As alluded
to above, the disk 16 is positioned on the top surface 12.1 of the
towel roll 12 before being encased by the wrapper 14. In certain
embodiments, the wrapper portions 14.1, 14.2 involve end portions
of the wrapper 14; however, it should be appreciated that one or
more of these portions 14.1 and 14.2 could just as well involve
mid-portions of the wrapper 14 with corresponding ends thereof
overlaying the towel roll side surface 12.3. In certain
embodiments, the wrapper 14 is formed of a material that can be
heat shrunk or stretched, which can also be desirably heat-sealed.
To that end, heat-sealed seams 14.4 are exemplarily shown as
extending substantially about the body of the illustrated towel
roll 12.
[0020] As described in the '846 patent, the wrapper 14 can engage
the circumferential surface 12.3 of the towel roll 12 snuggly
enough to restrain the roll 12 from significantly expanding in
diameter when subjected to an axial load. However, it is preferred
that the wrapper 14 tightly engage the circumferential surface 12.3
of the towel roll 12, that is, that it actually squeeze the
circumferential surface of the roll 12. As such, the wrapper 14
about the circumference of the roll 12 strongly restrains the roll
12 from significantly expanding in diameter when it is subjected to
axial compressive loading, e.g., of twice the weight of the towel
roll product 10, such as is often the case when a vertical stack is
made of the towel roll products. In this manner, the wrapper 14,
e.g., via its circumferential portion 14.3, tends to support and
stabilize the roll 12.
[0021] Conversely, the disk 16 is meant to have sufficient rigidity
so as to spread downwardly against the upper surface 12.1 of the
towel roll 12, and withstand bending or tearing during use or
storage of the product 10. In particular, the disk 16 is configured
so as to maintain its shape under radial, inwardly-directed forces
tending to collapse the cylindrical shape of the product 10 when
much of its toweling has been removed. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the
disk 16 substantially covers the top surface 12.1 of the towel roll
12 before its use. While the disk 16 is shown as notably smaller in
diameter DD than the corresponding diameter RD of the top surface
12.1 of the towel roll 12, this is done for clear view of the
reader as to the differing elements. However, in application, the
disk diameter DD is sized so as to be substantially similar to the
roll diameter RD. To that end, in certain embodiments, the disk 16
is substantially coextensive with the top surface 12.1 of the roll
12. Consequently, the wrapper 14 provides a pressure on the edge of
the disk 16 that is similar to the pressure felt by the side
surface 12.3 of the towel roll 12. As a result, while less axial
stiffness is provided as toweling is removed from the roll 12, the
disk 16 is held in place by the axial pressure of the wrapping 14
such that the axial strength and cylindrical shape of the towel
roll product 12 is sufficiently preserved, and continue to have
this effect even when the roll 12 is left with but a few coils of
toweling.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, once the towel roll product 10
is constructed, its top surface 10.1, sequentially moving from
outer surface to inner surface, includes the wrapper portion (e.g.,
top) 14.1, the disk 16, and the top surface 12.1 of the towel roll
12. As shown, the wrapper portion 14.1 has a perforated portion
14.5 centrally defined therein. The wrapper perforated portion
14.5, as illustrated, is positioned so as to provide axial access
to the towel roll product 10. The perforations 14.6 of the portion
14.5, while providing gaseous communication between the roll 12 and
the outside environment, sufficiently limit exposure of the towel
roll 12 to environmental contaminants. At the same time, in certain
embodiments, the perforations 14.6 allow the portion 14.5 to be
freely torn away from the wrapper 14 when necessary. Further, the
wrapper portion 14.1 is sized such that it can be removed from the
wrapper 14 without having adverse effect to the sufficient strength
of the wrapper 14 in its intended use in the towel roll product
10.
[0023] Looking to the disk 16, as shown, a central portion 16.1 can
also be defined therein and positioned so as to align with the
perforated portion 14.5 of the wrapper 14. In certain, embodiments,
the portion 16.1 is defined to be removable from the disk 16. The
removable portion 16.1, in certain embodiments as shown, is
attached to the disk 16 via perforations 16.2. Similar to the
perforations 14.6 of the wrapper portion 14.1, the perforations
16.2 of the disk portion 16.1 sufficiently limit exposure of the
towel roll 12 to environmental contaminants, while allowing the
portion 16.1 to be freely torn away from the disc 16 when
necessary.
[0024] As described above, both portions 14.5 and 16.1 (of the
wrapper 14 and the disk 16, respectively) are centrally positioned
in their respective surfaces on the top surface 12.1 of the towel
roll 12. Consequently, the portions 14.5, 16.1 are positioned so as
to be axially aligned with the product axis A, along which
individual towels are centerpulled from the towel roll 12.
Accordingly, following purchase of the towel roll product 10, the
customer can store the product until needed, at which time the
portions 14.5 and 16.1 can be sequentially removed to permit access
to, and withdraw, toweling of the towel roll 12. With further
reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, in certain embodiments, the disc
portion 16.1 defines one or more confronting lobes 16.3, which
(when the portion 16.1 is removed from the disk 16) provides
corresponding channels for the individual towels to catch and break
apart from each other during a centerpull. In certain embodiments,
the size of the overall opening defined by the wrapper portion 14.5
is larger in size than the overall aperture defined by the disk
portion 16.1. As such, the toweling is free to contact with one of
the lobes 16.3 of the disk aperture without any imposing contact
with the wrapper opening. In certain embodiments, the disk 16 can
also be configured with openings 16.4 extending along a portion of
the disk's radial extent to enable a user to see how much toweling
remains on the towel roll 12.
[0025] Given the above, the design of the towel roll product 10 is
enhanced over other conventional designs. By providing the
perforated portion 14.5 on its wrapping 14 so as to align with the
centerpull axis A of the towel roll 12, the product 10 is provided
with a tamperproof closure. Consequently, assurance can be made
that the product 10 has not been environmental contaminated prior
to its sale, while at the same time, being in a substantially
ready-to-use state following its purchase (via removal of both the
wrapper portion 14.5). Further, the perforated portion 14.5
dictates the size of the opening to be created in the wrapping 14
so as avoid compromising the intended functioning of the wrapping
with respect to the towel roll product 10.
[0026] When the above design (with wrapper perforated portion 14.5)
is combined with a similar removable portion with the disk 16 there
under, a double layer of presale protection can be provided for the
towel roll product 10. Consequently, so long as one or these
portions (or protective layers) 14.5 or 16.1 remains intact, the
consumer can be rest assured that the product 10 has not been
environmentally contaminated (via exposure starting at its top
surface 10.1) prior to its sale.
[0027] It will be appreciated the embodiments of the present
invention can take many forms. The true essence and spirit of these
embodiments of the invention are defined in the appended claims,
and it is not intended the embodiment of the invention presented
herein should limit the scope thereof
* * * * *