GB2270901A

GB2270901A - Dispenser for paper tissues

Info

Publication number: GB2270901A
Application number: GB9319737A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Growcott
Original assignee: FORT STERLING Ltd
Current assignee: FORT STERLING Ltd
Priority date: 1992-09-26
Filing date: 1993-09-24
Publication date: 1994-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-24
Also published as: GB2270901B; GB9319737D0; GB9220356D0

Abstract

A dispenser for toilet tissues comprising a housing (10) containing a continuous length of toilet tissue (21) perforated at intervals and folded concertina fashion. A loop (14) is pivoted on the top of the housing by which it can be suspended from the spindle of a toilet roll holder. The loop can be folded flush with the surface of the housing. An aperture (22) is provided in the housing for withdrawing toilet tissue therefrom. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPENSER This invention relates to dispensers for paper tissues and particularly, but not exclusively, dispensers for toilet tissues and toilet paper.

Nowadays almost all toilet paper is in the form of a length of paper, perforated at intervals, wound onto a cardboard core. In use the cylindrical roll is fitted onto the spindle of a toilet roll holder so that the roll can be rotated about its axis to unwind the paper from the core and permit lengths of paper to be detached from the roll. The conventional roll of toilet paper does have disadvantages however. Because of its cylindrical shape there is a considerable volume of "lost space" when the rolls are packed together for storage, transport and the like. With increasing costs of both storage and transport it has now become financially important to seek ways of using the aforesaid "lost space.

One way of dealing with this problem that has recently been proposed is to deform the cylindrical toilet rolls so that the circular cross-section thereof is altered to a shape approaching a rectangle and if necessary maintaining the rolls in their deformed condition by a wrap around film. While this proposal does indeed recover a large part of the lost space it can create another problem. The paper rolls are normally wound on a cardboard core. When the rolls are -deformed the core may be folded in such a way that it cannot be properly restored to its original shape. As a result when the roll is in use it does not rotate smoothly on the spindle of a toilet roll holder.While this does not actually affect the performance of the product itself the uneven running of the roll on the spindle is very apparent to the user who is likely to interpret that feature as an indication of poor quality.

From a marketing point of view to give such an impression to a customer is highly undesirable.

The present invention has been made with these problems in mind.

According to the invention there is provided a dispenser for toilet tissues, comprising a housing having a cross-section permitting side-by-side packing thereof with substantially no lost space, means for withdrawing tissue from the interior of the housing and means for suspending the housing from the spindle of a toilet roll holder.

The dispenser of the invention is intended to be filled with paper tissue in the form of a continuous length, preferably perforated at intervals, and folded concertina fashion. Preferably the stack of folded paper tissue has a cross-section corresponding to the internal cross-section of the dispenser of the invention. If desired the paper tissue in the housing may be in the form a roll, preferably without a central core.

The dispenser of the invention can be designed to serve as a permanent fitting intended to be refilled when the tissues therein have been used or it can be intended only to be used for so long as the supply of tissues therein lasts, whereafter it can be replaced with a fresh dispenser loaded with tissues.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the means for suspending the dispenser from the spindle of a toilet roll holder is movable between a storage position where it is substantially flush with the external surface of the dispenser and a user position where it projects from the dispenser and permits engagement of it with the spindle of a toilet roll holder.

If desired the stack of folded paper in the dispenser can be compressed so that an increased length of paper is stored in the dispenser. In that embodiment it is preferred to provide for the pressure applied to the stored paper to be relaxed prior to use of the product so as to aid removal of the paper from the dispenser. A convenient way of providing for relaxation of the pressure is to provide for expansion of the dispenser housing to increase the enclosed volume thereof.

The dispenser of the invention may include one or more additional housings, preferably integral with the first housing for dispensing a different toilet item such as wet wipes.

The dispenser of the invention may be constructed in any convenient way, for example it can be formed from a blank of foldable material such as cardboard or it can be moulded from plastics material. The exterior of the dispenser can be decorated to enhance its appearance.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig.1 is a perspective view of a dispenser in the storage condition; Fig.2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig.1 in the use condition; Fig.3 illustrates a refill for the dispenser of Fig.1; Figs.4A-C illustrate three further embodiments of the dispenser; Figs.5A-C illustrate a dispenser with a modified means for suspension; Figs.6A and 6B illustrate an expandible dispenser; and Fig.7 shows another embodiment of the dispenser.

In the different embodiments similar parts are given the same reference numerals.

Referring to Figs.1 and 2 a dispenser for paper tissues comprises a hollow housing 10 having four rectangular side walls 12 enclosing a rectangular cross-section and having a top 14 and bottom 16. The top of the housing is of longer dimension in one direction than the corresponding dimension of the housing. As illustrated in Fig.1 the top 14 is flush with the housing surface. The surplus length of the top 14 is located in the housing. A tab 18 is provided on the top 14 by which the full length of the top 14 can be withdrawn into the position shown in Fig.2 where the top 14 now forms a loop. The integrity of the housing is maintained by an inner top surface 15 located under the top. The dispenser can now be mounted for use by suspending the aforesaid loop from the spindle 20 of a conventional toilet roll holder.

Within the dispenser there is located a continuous length of paper tissue, folded concertina fashion in the form of a stack of a shape corresponding to the internal shape of the dispenser. An aperture 22 near the bottom of the front wall of the housing enables paper 21 to be withdrawn from the dispenser. In the embodiment illustrated the aperture 22 is formed by removing a part 24 of front wall 12 which has a weakened periphery 26.

The bottom 16 of the housing can be opened, as illustrated in Fig.2 in order to re-fill the dispenser with a fresh supply of folded paper as shown in Fig.3.

As shown in Fig. 4A the aperture 22 for withdrawing paper from the dispenser can be located in a different part of the front wall. The shape of the aperture 22 can be varied as shown in Fig.4B. In the embodiment of Fig.4C the aperture 22 is provided in the bottom 16.

In the embodiment of Figs.5A-C the extra length of the top 14 is folded, rather in the manner of a milk carton, so that in the storage position the top is flat as illustrated in Fig.5A. For use the top is unfolded (see Fig,SB to create a loop for receiving the spindle 20 of a toilet roll holder. Fig.5C illustrates the dispenser in place on a conventional toilet roll holder 30.

To increase the amount of paper that can be stored in the dispenser, the paper stack can be compressed.

However, it is difficult to withdraw paper under pressure from the dispenser. The embodiment of Fig.6A comprises a two part housing in which the lower part 32 is telescopically received in the upper part 34. A stack of paper in the housing can be compressed by moving the two parts of the housing towards each other in the direction of arrows 36. The parts can be held together by means such as a removable strip 33. In use the strip 33 is removed and the parts 32 and 34 moved apart to the position shown in Fig.6B.

The dispenser of the invention can include more than one housing. In the embodiment of Fig.7 a second housing 40 is located below and integral with housing 10. The second housing 40 includes a drawer 42 which can contain another form of toilet requisite such as sachets of wet wipes 44.

The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments and many variations and modifications can be made.

Claims

1. A dispenser for toilet tissues comprising a housing having a cross-section permitting packing thereof with no lost space, means for withdrawing tissue from the interior of the housing and means for suspending the housing from the spindle of a toilet roll holder.

2. A dispenser for toilet tissue as claimed in Claim 1 and containing a continuous length of toilet tissue.

3. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the toilet tissue is perforated at intervals.

4. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the toilet tissue is folded concertina fashion.

5. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the cross-section of the folded toilet tissue corresponds to the internal cross-section of the dispenser.

6. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the toilet tissue in the housing is compressed.

7. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 6, wherein means are provided for relaxing the pressure applied to the toilet tissue.

8. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the housing is expansible so that the volume enclosed by the housing can be increased thereby reducing the pressure applied to the toilet tissue.

9. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for suspending the dispenser from the spindle of a toilet roll holder is movable between a storage position where it is substantially flush with the external surface of the dispenser and a use position where it projects from the dispenser.

10. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an additional housing is provided for dispensing a different toilet item.

11. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the additional housing is integral with the housing.

12. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing is formed from a blank of foldable material or from moulded plastics material.

13. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for withdrawing tissue from the housing comprises an aperture in the housing.

14. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the aperture is provided in the side wall of the housing.

15. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the aperture is provided in the bottom of the housing.

16. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the aperture is formed by removing a part of the wall of the housing having a weakened periphery.

17. A dispenser for toilet tissues substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.