U.S. patent application number 13/886233 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-07 for tissue holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is Regina Layne Christian. Invention is credited to Regina Layne Christian.
Application Number | 20130292431 13/886233 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49511779 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130292431 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Christian; Regina Layne |
November 7, 2013 |
TISSUE HOLDER
Abstract
A tissue holder is designed to provide tissues for users at the
point of use, especially for those people who are mobile. The
tissue holder may be used in multiple different ways. First, the
tissue holder may adhere to a dashboard in a motor vehicle, close
to the driver. This provides convenient access to the tissues with
no or minimal distraction for the driver. Second, the tissue holder
may snap with a ring, such as a metal ring, having a clasp or other
attachment mechanism, onto items such as articles of clothing, book
bags, purses, zippers, diaper bags, lanyards, belt loops and the
like. Third, the tissue holder may attach around a user's wrist
with an elastic band, hook and loop straps, or the like. Fourth,
the tissue holder may be adhered to the inside of a purse or
bag.
Inventors: |
Christian; Regina Layne;
(Kendallville, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Christian; Regina Layne |
Kendallville |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49511779 |
Appl. No.: |
13/886233 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61641856 |
May 2, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/164 ;
206/233 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/185 20130101;
A47K 10/426 20130101; B60R 7/084 20130101; B65D 25/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/164 ;
206/233 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. A tissue holder comprising: an opening adapted to permit a
tissue container or stack of pre-folded tissues to be inserted
inside the tissue holder; a tissue stabilizing flap adapted to
extend from a top side of the tissue holder to a front side of the
tissue holder; and a two-step attachment means for removably
attaching the tissue holder to a surface, the two-step attachment
means including a mechanism to permit reattachment of the tissue
holder to the surface.
2. The tissue holder of claim 1, further comprising an attachment
clip disposed on an attachment strip attached to the tissue
holder.
3. The tissue holder of claim 1, further comprising a key ring
attachment disposed on a key ring attachment strip attached to the
tissue holder.
4. The tissue holder of claim 1, further comprising a lip balm
holder disposed on a side of the tissue holder.
5. The tissue holder of claim 1, further comprising a wrist band
disposed on a back side of the tissue holder.
6. The tissue holder of claim 1, wherein the opening is a V-shaped
opening.
7. The tissue holder of claim 1, wherein the opening is a U-shaped
opening.
8. The tissue holder of claim 1, wherein the opening is a
square-shaped opening.
9. The tissue holder of claim 1, further comprising a tissue
closure flap operable to cover the opening.
10. The tissue holder of claim 1, wherein the tissue stabilizing
flap is disposed on each side of the opening.
11. A tissue holder comprising: an opening adapted to permit a
tissue container or stack of pre-folded tissues to be inserted
inside the tissue holder; a tissue closure flap operable to cover
the opening; a tissue stabilizing flap adapted to extend from a top
side of the tissue holder to a front side of the tissue holder; a
two-step attachment means for removably attaching the tissue holder
to a surface, the two-step attachment means including a mechanism
to permit reattachment of the tissue holder to the surface; an
attachment clip disposed on an attachment strip attached to the
tissue holder; a key ring attachment disposed on a key ring
attachment strip attached to the tissue holder; a lip balm holder
disposed on a side of the tissue holder; and a wrist band disposed
on a back side of the tissue holder.
12. The tissue holder of claim 11, wherein the opening is one of a
V-shaped opening, a U-shaped opening and a square-shaped opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application No. 61/641,856, filed May 2, 2012, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to tissue holders and, more
particularly, to a tissue holder for holding facial tissues
conveniently, at the point of use, for people who are mobile.
[0003] Currently, there are no items available to hold facial
tissues, at the point of use, in, for example, cars, on a user's
wrist, or on apparel. For example, a tissue holder on a car visor
or mounted on the back of a seat behind a headrest can take up to
four seconds to obtain. This is difficult, time consuming and can
be a dangerous distraction to the driver. Moreover, these tissue
holders do not have the adaptability of being removed and utilized
by a person on the go--such as attached to a purse, lanyard, belt
loop or the like.
[0004] In U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,656, a tissue box is disclosed having
an opening on a side thereof, to permit installation of a
commercial tissue box or stack of folded tissues. However, the box
described in U.S. '656 is a box made of a sturdy material and does
not address the issue of attaching a soft, plush faux fur or
cotton, cotton blend, polyester, light weight rayon, or the like,
to any hard surface.
[0005] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved tissue
holder for holding facial tissues at the point of use for people
who are mobile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a tissue holder
comprises an opening adapted to permit a tissue container or stack
of pre-folded tissues to be inserted inside the tissue holder; a
tissue stabilizing flap adapted to extend from a top side of the
tissue holder to a front side of the tissue holder; and a two-step
attachment means for removably attaching the tissue holder to a
surface, the two-step attachment means including a mechanism to
permit reattachment of the tissue holder to the surface.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a tissue holder
comprises an opening adapted to permit a tissue container or stack
of pre-folded tissues to be inserted inside the tissue holder; a
tissue stabilizing flap adapted to extend from a top side of the
tissue holder to a front side of the tissue holder; a two-step
attachment means for removably attaching the tissue holder to a
surface, the two-step attachment means including a mechanism to
permit reattachment of the tissue holder to the surface; an
attachment clip disposed on an attachment strip attached to the
tissue holder; a key ring attachment disposed on a key ring
attachment strip attached to the tissue holder; a lip balm holder
disposed on a side of the tissue holder; and a wrist band disposed
on a back side of the tissue holder.
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view of a tissue holder, with its flap
open, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front view of the tissue holder of FIG. 1 with
its flap closed;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a back view of the tissue holder of FIG. 1 with
its flap closed;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an interior, unassembled view of a carrier bag
accessory that the tissue holder of FIG. 1 can be attached via hook
and loop fasteners, snaps, magnets, or the like;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exterior, assembled view of the carrier bag of
FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tissue holder according to
an alternate embodiment of the present invention, with its flap
open; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is a back view of the tissue holder of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0017] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
tissue holder designed to provide tissues for users at the point of
use, especially for those people who are mobile. The tissue holder
of the present invention may be used in multiple different ways.
First, the tissue holder may adhere to a dashboard in a motor
vehicle, close to the driver. This provides convenient access to
the tissues with no or minimal distraction for the driver. Second,
the tissue holder of the present invention may snap with a ring,
such as a metal ring, having a clasp or other attachment mechanism,
onto items such as articles of clothing, book bags, purses,
zippers, diaper bags, lanyards, belt loops and the like. Third, the
tissue holder of the present invention may attach around a user's
wrist with an elastic band, hook and loop straps, or the like.
Fourth, the tissue holder may be adhered to the inside of a purse
or bag.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a front view of a tissue
holder with a tissue covering flap 4 opened is shown according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Inner dimensions
of the tissue holder are designed to be substantially similar to
outside dimensions of a commercially available tissue container so
that the tissue container or stack of folded tissues can be
inserted into the holder. In some embodiments of the present
invention, the tissue holder is a substantially slab-shaped device
with a front face 9, a bottom face 10 (see FIG. 3), an optional
tissue covering flap 4, and a flap 8 at the top edge of the
face.
[0019] The tissue covering flap 4 may be designed for the purpose
of covering the tissue opening (such as optional V opening 5,
optional U opening 6 or optional square opening 7) to maintain
cleanliness of the existing tissue and lightly held shut with an
attachment mechanism 3, such as a hook and loop fastener (such as
Velcro.RTM.), snaps, buttons, a magnet and metal piece, or the
like, to provide ease of access. The flap 8 may be a closing flap
that can attach shut with a fastener 1, 2, for example, hook and
loop fasteners, snaps, buttons and the like. The flap 8 can be
designed in various shapes, as shown in FIG. 1, for example.
[0020] The top face 9 can include an open slot or aperture 5, 6 or
7 which can be centered at the top edge of face 9. In some
embodiments, the open slot 6 has a U-shape with rounded corners. In
other embodiments, the open slot 5 has a pointed V-shape. In other
embodiments, the open slot 7 has sharp corners. Other opening
shapes are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
The length and width of the open slot or aperture 5, 6 or 7 can be
chosen such that the tissues can be retrieved sequentially through
the open slot 5, 6 or 7 without any difficulty.
[0021] The open, unattached edge 17 can be designed such that a
tissue container or stack of folded tissues can be inserted into
the holder after the tissue container has already been opened.
[0022] An attachment loop 14 can be provided as a secure attachment
for a closing clip 15. The closing clip 15 may be various types of
clips, including but not limited to speed clips, screw clips, clasp
clips, keychain clips, or the like.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the tissue holder of FIG. 1
with the flaps 4, 8 in a closed position.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a back view of the tissue holder of FIG. 1 with
the flaps 4, 8 in a closed position. The back face 10 can include a
two-step attachment means (such as Velcro.RTM.) sewn and/or
attached directly to the tissue holder back including both faces of
hook and loop tape and an adhesive 18 located directly on top of
the Velcro back to be used for attaching the tissue holder to a
number of surfaces. The adhesive 18 on top of the attachment means
can be designed for attaching the tissue holder to a surface
including, but not limited to, an automobile dashboard, an interior
building wall, metal, plastic, glass, and the like.
[0025] The two-step attachment means has several advantages. For
example, since the adhesive 18 may be designed as a non-permanent
adhesive, there is no threat of damage to automobile dashboards (or
other attachment points), or of leaving an unattractive appearance.
Users can simply remove the adhesive if they choose. However, this
does not limit the use of a permanent adhesive. Also, the
Velcro.RTM. attachment to the adhesive allows users the flexibility
to remove the tissue holder from its fixed location and carry it
with them, attach it to a bag, purse, coat zipper, belt loop,
lanyard via clip 15, or to their wrist via the optional wrist band
16. The tissue holder can then be returned to the fixed location of
the Velcro.RTM. without destroying the adhesive 18.
[0026] In some embodiments, the tissue holder can include a
permanent attachment feature molded into the back side thereof.
This permanent attachment feature can be adapted, for example, for
placement on a car dashboard onto a holder integrated into the
dashboard. Of course, other attachment locations, in addition to a
car dashboard, are contemplated within the scope of the present
invention.
[0027] The tissue holder of FIGS. 1 through 3 may be modified to
include a removable or permanent attachment 19 with an opening on
at least one of the ends 20, 21 for the purpose of, for example,
housing a tube of lip balm.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the interior of a purse or
bag has an interior lining surface 22 having attached to it an
array of attachment means 23 with any option in the positioning,
length and distance between attachment means 23. Mating
Velcro.RTM., snaps, buttons or button holes, magnetic pieces or
metal may be utilized in order to attach the above described tissue
holder and many other holders that may house cell phones, keys,
makeup pouches, supplies, cash, credit cards, sunglasses, reading
glasses, manicure kits, cigarettes, wallets, hair care items, and a
limitless array of items. FIG. 4 shows an unassembled purse in
order to illustrate the interior features, while FIG. 5 shows an
assembled purse with exterior edges 28, an exterior surface 27, and
an opening 26 to access an interior thereof.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a tissue holder can have a
top side 30 to form a generally rectangular cube structure for
holding tissues 25.
[0030] In some embodiments of the present invention, the tissue
holder can be attached to a wheel chair, bicycle, motorcycle,
all-terrain vehicle, or the like, then removed by detaching one
side of the Velcro.RTM., leaving the adhesive and other side of
Velcro.RTM.. An optional adjustable wrist band 16 can be used with
pocket sized tissue holders, for example. An optional wrist band
design may include elastic
[0031] Velcro.RTM. with loop to receive one end, making the size
adjustable. An optional key ring 13 and accompanying attachment
strip 12 can also be used to secure the tissue holder. The location
of attachment strip 12 is not limited to present location in
illustrated drawing. Moreover, an attachment clip 15 with
accompanying attachment strip 14 can be used to secure the tissue
holder. The location of attachment strip 14 is not limited to
present location in illustrated drawing.
[0032] The tissue holder of the present invention may be made from
various materials, such as plastic, leather, plush fabric, faux
fur, cotton, cotton blend, polyester, light weight rayon, quilted
woven fabric, and the like and may or may not have an additional
liner fabric used in the interior. The tissue holder of the present
invention is not limited to any particular shape and size, as the
drawings merely depict an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. Tissue containers for other practical shapes and sizes
are included in the spirit of the present invention and should be
appreciated by those skilled in the art.
[0033] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *