MX2008002714A

MX2008002714A - Dispensing and disposal container.

Info

Publication number: MX2008002714A
Application number: MX2008002714A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Joseph Mitchell; Debra N Welchel
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Co
Priority date: 2005-08-26
Filing date: 2006-06-22
Publication date: 2008-03-18
Also published as: AU2006282047A1; CA2619270A1; WO2007024328A1; US20070045333A1

Abstract

A disposable, non-refillable container (10) for holding, dispensing and disposing of articles (12) is disclosed. The container (10) has an interior space (29) that includes dispensing space (22), from which articles (12) may be dispensed, and a waste receptacle space (24), into which articles (19) may be disposed. The container(10) is non-permanently affixed to a surface with a mount. A method for using such a container is also disclosed.

Description

CONTAINER FOR ASSORTMENT AND DISPOSAL Background Several types of dispensers and supply containers have been developed to provide easy availability of items to users. Such dispensers are common for supplying paper products such as facial tissues, napkins, paper towels and the like. Such dispensers are often supplied in public places such as restaurants or restrooms where consumers remove a desired amount of paper products for personal use from the dispenser.

One drawback of such dispensers is that they require maintenance and replenishment on a regular basis. The attendant usually must open the dispenser and replenish the dispenser and perform any maintenance routine that is required. The dispenser itself must be cleaned and the waste receptacles must be emptied by the assistant. When emptying the waste receptacles, the attendant is exposed to often unpleasant and contaminated waste products.

Another issue with dispensers of all types is that they are usually found in fixed locations. For example, the towels dispensers in a public toilet are usually fixed to the wall. A person who is looking to provide such paper products usually has to install a dispenser, but then he finds the fixed location of that dispenser. It is difficult for those who want to provide products in a temporary location, or who frequently wish to change the location of the dispenser, doing so with traditionally mounted dispensers. Additionally, where there is a fixed spout there is often a fixed waste receptacle. Such a fixed waste receptacle presents the same type of concerns of fixed locations as the fixed jet.

A particular problem based on the fixed location of dispensers and waste receptacles concerns the use of paper towels or tissues to open a bathroom door. Doors and door handles are of particular concern because they are often used by many different people and can intentionally become a point of exchange and deposit of germs, bacteria and viruses. Many people have commonly used a paper towel to open the door when they leave the bathroom for these same reasons.

Such facilities often do not have a spout or waste receptacle in close proximity to such doors. Generally a person may either have to remember to bring a towel with them to the door or they may fail to remember to bring a towel and they may open the door with their bare hands. The person who uses a towel to open the door will then often find that there is no waste receptacle in proximity to the door they have just opened and they will have to carry the towel with them until they find a place where the towel can be properly discarded. Often, instead of discarding such used towels to open the door, people will leave the paper towel on the floor behind the door, in the corner near the door, or they will have failed the receptacle since they have thrown the towel towards the receptacle through the closing door. Such trash on the floor is not sanitary, it is unpleasant, and unsafe.

Additionally, in general there are no such towel / tissue dispensers to handle the door in a sanitary manner in proximity to the other doors within a facility (for example, entrance and exit doors, interior hall doors, office doors, and the like).

Synthesis of the Invention -.

In light of the problems and issues described above, it is desired to have a supply container that is disposable and not replenished and that can be located at any location that the one providing such a container and / or the user of such container finds it appropriate.

The present invention is directed to a container that will not be replenished and will be disposable for the supply and discarded of the articles. The content includes a plurality of panels that cooperate to enclose an interior space. The interior space has a supply space which may contain a stack of folded items and a waste receptacle space. The container has a supply opening and at least one panel through which the articles can be supplied from the supply space and a waste receptacle opening in at least one panel through which the articles can be discarded at the waste receptacle space. ' Finally, the container has a mounting which does not permanently fix the container to a support surface.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the volume of the waste receptacle space is greater than the volume of the receptacle supply space. In more particular additions, the volume of the space of the Waste receptacle is around 1.5 up to about 3 times larger than the volume of the supply space.

In some embodiments, the container has a division within the interior space that separates the supply space from the space of the waste receptacle. Such division can be an interior panel. In some embodiments, the interior panel is fixed to an interior surface of at least one panel of the container. Alternatively, the division can move freely within the interior space of the container. In other additions, the division is a flexible material. Such flexible material may be a flexible package enclosing the stack of articles and having a package opening that is proximate and cooperating with the supply opening for dispensing the articles.

In some embodiments, the waste receptacle opening can be formed from a movable waste channel within at least a portion of a container panel. In a further embodiment the waste channel can have a closing tab which can join the container when the waste channel and the container are in a closed configuration.

In several embodiments, the waste receptacle opening can be formed by the removal of the removable part defined by a line of weakness in at least one panel. In the same way, in several embodiments, the supply opening can be formed by the removal of the removable part defined by a line of weakness in at least one panel.

In some embodiments, the opening of the waste receptacle may include a portion of two adjacent panels. In the same way, in some embodiments, the supply opening may include a part of two adjoining panels.

In one embodiment, the container has an outer cover and an inner cover, wherein the outer and inner covers are telescopically engaged in such a manner that the inner cover can slide into the outer cover. In a further embodiment, the outer cover contains the supply space. The container may also have a stop which prevents the inner cover from being removed from the outer cover when the inner cover is telescopically extended from the outer cover.

In some embodiments, the panels, which enclose waste receptacle space, may have a moisture-resistant or moisture-proof treatment. In other embodiments, the container may have some indication of instructions that provides instructions on the proper use of the container.

The present invention is also directed to a system for containing, supplying and discarding articles. The system is made up of a stack of items; a container having a plurality of panels which cooperate to wax an interior space in which the stack of articles is maintained, and a supply opening through which the articles are supplied from the interior space and a receptacle opening for waste in which the used articles can be discarded; a division in the interior space which separates the pile of articles without supplying the used and discarded articles; and a mount which does not permanently fix the container to a support surface.

In additional additions, the system may include instruction indicators that indicate how to supply and discard the items. In other embodiments, the system may include instruction indicators that indicate how to discard the container.

The invention is also directed to a method for providing a container that is not replenished, which is Disposable for the supply and discarded of articles. The method includes the steps of providing a container that is not replenished, that is disposable; fixing the container to a support surface; stock items; removing the container from the support surface after the articles have been supplied from the container; and the discarded container. The container of the method has a plurality of panels cooperating to enclose an interior space, wherein the interior space has a supply space containing a stack of articles and a receptacle space for waste; a supply opening in at least one panel through which the articles can be supplied from the supply space; or an opening of the waste receptacle in at least one panel through which the articles can be discarded in the space of the waste receptacle; and a mount which does not permanently fix the container to a support surface. - In some embodiments, the container may additionally have a waste channel made of a portion of at least one panel and pivotally associated with said panel and the method may have additional steps for pulling the waste channel in the open configuration before to supply the items, and return the waste channel to the closed configuration after the items have been supplied.

In other embodiments, the container may additionally have an outer cover and an inner cover, such that the inner cover may slide within the outer cover and the method may have additional steps to extend the inner cover of the outer cover telescopically. before supplying the items, and telescopically compact the inner cover of the outer cover after supplying the items.

The invention is also directed to a method for providing a system for containing, supplying and discarding articles to a consumer. The method has the steps of providing a container that is not replenished, that is disposable and that has a plurality of panels cooperating to enclose an interior space, wherein the interior space has a supply space containing a stack of articles and a waste receptacle space; a supply opening in at least one panel through which they can be supplied from the supply space; an opening of the waste receptacle in at least one panel through which the articles can be discarded; and a mount which does not permanently fix the container to a support surface; and provide instructions regarding the operation of the container.

In some embodiments, the container may have a waste channel made from a portion of the at least one panel, wherein the method further includes the step of providing instructions regarding the pulling of the waste channel to an open configuration before supplying the waste. items and return the waste channel to a closed configuration after the items have been delivered and before discarding the container.

In other embodiments, the container may have an outer cover and an inner cover, telescopically attached in such a manner that the inner cover may slide within the outer cover, wherein the method further comprises the step of providing instructions with respect to extending telescopically the inner cover of the outer cover before supplying the articles and telescopically compacting the inner cover on the outer cover after delivery of the articles.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the container of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 1.

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the container of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the container of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the container of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 6.

Figure 8A is a rear view of an embodiment of the container of the present invention with the mounting means.

Figure 8B is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 8A attached to a substantially vertical support surface.

Figure 9A is a rear view of another embodiment of the container of the present invention without mounting means.

Figure 9B is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 9A attached to a substantially vertical support surface.

Figure 10A is a rear view of another embodiment of the container of the present invention with mounting means.

Figure 10B is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 10A attached to a substantially vertical support surface.

Detailed description The present invention relates to a container that is not replenished, that is disposable and capable of both the supply and discarding of articles. The articles supplied by the container of the invention are any articles capable of being supplied. Such items may include, but are not limited to, facial tissue, toilet tissue, napkins, cleansers, towels, and Similar. Such articles can simply be stacked in a stack, individually folded and stacked one on top of the other, or they can be bent in such a way that the folds of each individual folded item partially overlap on two folds of the folded article that is adjacent to the stack.

The container of the present invention is intended to be a dispenser of articles that will not be replenished and that will be disposable. The articles are loaded into the container during manufacture and delivered to the consumer as a simple delivery system. As used herein, "disposable" refers to the characteristic of the container that is depleted (eg, not reused) once the articles contained therein are supplied from the container and subsequently disposed therein. Similarly, as used here, "not restocked" refers to the characteristic of the container that is not designed to receive additional items after the original items have been supplied. Additionally, as used herein, "consumer" generally refers to those persons responsible for providing such items and containers to the end users; This may include the administration of facilities, the custody team, or the like. Finally, as it is used here, "end user" or "user" generally refers to those persons who are self-supply articles from the container of the present invention.

The consumer can use the dispenser on any desired support surface and discard the entire container when the items have been supplied; Consumers only need to replace the fully supplied container with a new container instead of filling the empty container. This reduces the amount of attention and costly maintenance the consumer has to give the recipient and prevents problems with overfilling the container. The inclusion of a waste receptacle in the container ensures that a receptacle is available for any item supplied from the container and can eliminate the need for a separate waste receptacle. This type of container may also reduce the amount of cleaning that is required by the custody team, so it additionally reduces costs. Additionally, the custodial team that discards an exhausted container and replaces it with a new container does not have to handle a separate waste receptacle; The custodial team can avoid contact with dirty items by not having to empty a traditionally installed waste receptacle.

The disposable nature of the container also decreases the need for, and the costs associated with, regular cleaning and / or sanitation of the container, as is necessary for installed pumps. Such a disposable container can also eliminate the issue of failure or malfunction of the dispenser, along with removing the need for regular repair and maintenance, as is generally required for traditionally installed dispensers.

The disposable container of the present invention is intended to be used where the consumer wishes to supply the articles of the container; the user is not limited to supply locations where traditional dispensers have been installed (for example, on or on a wall in a public bathroom). As such, the container of the present invention can be used to supply articles in beech that such articles have not been able to be conveniently supplied. The container of the present invention allows the user to easily place such containers in locations that may be temporary (for example, only for a limited or short time) or may be seasonal. For example, such a container may be located on or near any door frequently used during the cold or influenza season (eg, generally November through March); such a container can supply tissue for use while handling such a door and therefore helps reduce the person-to-person transmission of viruses and germs.

The container may be made of any material that may contain and supply the articles of the present invention. Preferably, the container can be made of a heavy paper, cardboard or plastic, but can be made of any other suitable material within the scope of the invention.

The containers of the present invention are made of a plurality of panels cooperating to enclose an interior space in which the articles are contained, which articles are supplied, and in which the used articles can be awakened. An embodiment of the container of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The container 10 is illustrated as being generally formed in polygonal fashion and having six distinct panels, however, it is contemplated that the containers of the present invention may be more complex in shape and design, or may have a higher number of panels than illustrated. Regardless of the number of panels comprising the container, the panels work together towards the common result of enclosing, or enclosing, an interior space 29 of which the articles may be supplied and in which the articles may be discarded.

The container 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a front panel 15, an upper panel 16, a lower panel 14 opposite the upper panel 16, side panels 17, and a rear panel 18 opposite the front panel 15. It should be understood that the terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", and "side" are used only to describe the relative positions of each panel. All panels 14, 16, 15, 17 and 18 cooperate to provide the generally polygonal shaped container 10 with an interior space 29 configured to maintain a stack of articles and contain the discarded articles 19. Additionally, each panel has a surface outside which faces outwardly and is exposed to the external environment in which the container 10 is placed. The combs also have an interior surface which faces and confines the interior space 29 of the container 10.

The interior space 29 of the container 10 is divided, in part, into a supply space 22 and a waste receptacle space 24. The supply space 22 of the container 10 is the part of the interior space 29 in which the items not supplied they are contained and from which the articles are supplied. As shown in Fig. 2, an article stack 13 is held in the supply space 22. The articles 12 are then supplied to the supply space 22 through a supply opening 21.

The supply opening 21 is an opening in at least one of the panels of the container 10 and provides the user accesses the articles 12 stored within the supply space 22. The supply opening 21 is shown in figures 1 and 2 as presented in the lower panel 14 of the container and is illustrated as substantially regular in shape. Alternatively, the supply opening 21 may be present in other panels of the container 10 depending on the placement of the supply space 22 within the interior space 29 of the container 10 and the preference over the overall design of the container 10. For example, the space of supply 22 may be in the lower portions of the interior space 29 as shown in figures 1 and 2, but the supply opening 21 may be present in the front panel 15, may be in one of the side panels 17, or multiple openings of supply 21 may be present, in each of the side panels 17 and / or the front panel 15. - The supply opening 21 may be present only in one panel, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or may extend through two or more adjacent panels. For example, the supply opening 21 may comprise front panel portions 15 and the lower panel 14 by extending through the formed corner where the lower edge of the front panel 15 meets the front edge of the lower panel 14. Alternatively, the opening Supply 21 can be extended through more than two panels. For example, the supply opening 21 may contain parts of two side panels 17 facing each other, the front panel 15 and the lower panel 14 by extending through the entire formed edge where the lower edge of the front panel 15 meets the front edge of the lower panel 14 and the formed corners where the side panel 17 meets both the front panel 15 and lower panel 14.

The shape of the supply opening 21 can be of any shape and size to regularly supply the articles 12 of the container. Although the supply opening 21 as shown in Figure 1 to be generally rectangular in shape, it can be of any closed loop shape that allows for the regular supply of the articles 12. Additionally, as shown in Figure 6, the supply opening 21 can be formed by removing a removable portion 64 from a panel defined by a line of weakness 65, or it can be present in container 10 as supplied to the consumer. Line of weakness 65 may be perforations, incisions or other similar method to provide weakness in the panel material. Generally speaking, the removable part 64 can be either removed or simply not formed in the panels of the container by making the container 10. If the removed part 64 should be removed (or simply not formed) as part of the manufacturing process, the container 10 can be shipped to the wrapped consumer, for example in a bag of polyethylene, to prevent contamination and / or to preserve the sterility of the articles in the container 10.

Additionally, the supply opening 21 can inscribe a finger slot 25, as shown in Figure 1, or it can include a thumb slot 31 (see Figure 3) to provide the user with an access access facility to the user. the article stack 13 within the supply space 22. Such a finger slot 25 or thumb slot 31 may be within the same panel as most of the supply opening 21 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) or may being a part of a panel adjacent to the panel which contains the majority of the supply opening 21 (see Figure 5).

Waste receptacle space 24 of container 10 is the part of the interior space 29 in which the supplied, used items can be discarded and collected. As shown in Figure 2, the used, discarded articles 19, or any other waste or detritus, is deposited and maintained in the waste receptacle space 24 and is disposed along with the container 10 after which all articles 12 have been supplied from the supply space 22.

The waste receptacle opening 23 is an opening in at least one of the panels of the container 10 and provides the user with access to the waste receptacle space 24 for depositing a used item or other waste that it wishes to discard. The opening of the waste receptacle 23 is shown in Figures 1 and 2 as present in a portion of both the front panel 15 and the top panel 16 of the container and is illustrated as substantially rectangular in shape. Alternatively, the opening of the waste receptacle 23 may be present in other panels of the container 10 depending on the placement of the waste receptacle space 24 within the interior space 29 of the container 10 and preference over the entire design of the container 10.

The opening of the waste receptacle 23 may be present only in one panel or may extend through two or more adjacent panels, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Instead of extending through the two adjacent panels, as shown in FIGS. shown in Figures 1 and 2, the opening of the waste receptacle 23 can be an opening in the front panel 15 that allows access to the waste receptacle space 24. Alternatively, the opening of the waste receptacle 23 can be extended through more. of two panels. For example, the opening of the waste receptacle 23 may contain part of two opposite side panels 17 facing each other, the front panel 15 and top panel 16 may extend through the entire formed edge where the upper edge of the front panel 15 i find the front edge of the top panel 16 and the corners formed by where the side panel 17 encounters both the front panel 15 and the top panel 16.

Although the opening of the waste receptacle 23 is shown in Figure 1 to be generally rectangular in shape, it can be of any shape (regular or irregular, symmetric or asymmetric) and the size that allows for regular discarding of used articles. Generally, the opening of the waste receptacle 23 may need to be larger than the supply opening 21 to accommodate the size of the used items 19 and allow the user to discard the used items 19, with minimal contact with the container 10.

Additionally, as shown in Figure 6, the opening of the waste receptacle 23 can be formed by removing a removable portion 66 from a panel defined by a line of weakness 67, or this can be present in the container 10 as it is. delivered to the user. Line of weakness 67 may be perforations, incisions or other similar method to provide weakness in the panel material. Generally speaking, the removable part 66 can be either removed or simply not formed in the panels of the container during the manufacture of the container 10.

As some of the articles 19 used, highlighted or other waste may be moist, have an odor, and / or may be harboring transmissible germs, bacteria and / or viruses, it may be desired to provide the interior surfaces of the waste receptacle space 24 with additional functionality The interior surfaces of the space of the waste receptacle 24 can be coated with a moisture impervious or moisture resistant treatment. This treatment may include the use of a moisture impermeable film liner, a plastic bag, a wax coating, or the like. The space of the waste receptacle 24 may include agents that mask the odor or that neutralize the odor. Finally, the waste receptacle space 24 may include treatments that neutralize or destroy germs, viruses and / or bacteria to which the space is exposed and with which it comes into contact.

The supply space 22 and the space of the waste receptacle 24 are separated from one another by a division 27. The division 27 adjusts the spaces apart to keep them substantially different from one another. The partition 27 can be an internal panel that is fixed to the interior space of one or more panels of the container 10. For example, the partition 27 can be made of the same material as the panels of the container 10 and attached to the interior surfaces of the panels of the container 10 to form a inner wall that separates the supply space 22 from the space of the waste receptacle 24.

Alternatively, the partition 27 can be an internal panel that is slightly smaller in area than the inner perimeter of the container 10 such that the partition 27 can be movable within the interior space 29. Such an interior panel can be made of the same material as the panels of the container 10 or it can be made of a different material that can substantially separate the articles without supplying 13 of the used items 19. If used in the embodiment of Figure 2, such division 27 may therefore be able to descend while the article stack 13 is exhausted and the space of waste receptacle 27 is filled; while the articles 12 are exhausted the supply space 22 may decrease while the space of the waste receptacle 24 may increase.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the division is a flexible partition 47. Such a flexible partition 47 can be made of a flexible film, bag, or any other flexible material that is fixed to one or more inner surfaces of the container 10 to separate. the supply space 22 of the space of the waste receptacle 24: The flexible partition 47 can isolate a stack of articles without supplying water, germs, debris and other such things that may be contained within the articles. supplied 19 occupying the space of the waste receptacle 24. The flexible partition 47 may be movable in that it may collapse with the assortment of the articles 12. Again, while the articles 12 are depleted the supply space 22 may decrease while that the space of the waste receptacle 24 may be increased.

In a similar embodiment, the flexible division may be the flexible package 77 enclosing a stack of items 13 (see figure 7). Such a flexible package 77 is often used to completely enclose a stack of folded items such as tissue, paper towels or cleaning cloths. The opening of such flexible package 77 may be placed proximate to, and aligned with, the supply opening 21 such that the flexible package 77 and the supply opening 21 cooperate so that the articles 12 within the supply space 22 of the interior of the flexible package 77 can be accessed and removed through the supply opening 21. The flexible package 77 can further cooperate with the supply opening 21 by attaching the interior spaces of the container 10 around the periphery of the supply opening 21.

The embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 all illustrate containers 10 with configurations where the supply space 22 is below the space of the waste receptacle 24 and the corresponding opening of the container.

Waste receptacle 23 is above the supply opening 21. This is the preferred configuration for those containers 10 using a flexible or movable part. In such additions, the division may then descend, under gravity and the weight of the articles used 19 with each article 12 that is supplied. However, it is also contemplated that the container 10 can be configured such that the opening of the waste receptacle and the space 21 and 23 are located below the supply opening and the space 22 and 24, as shown in Figure 5. It is also contemplated that the container 10 can be configured to have multiple waste receptacle spaces 24 and multiple supply spaces 22 arranged to the preference and needs of consumers and users.

The articles 12 that are supplied by the container 10 of the present invention are generally efficiently sized when part of a stack of such articles 13. In a folded or flat configuration when delivered, the articles 12 take up a minimum amount of space. However, after such items are supplied and used, they take more slowly when they are supplied. Typically, after an article 12 such as a paper towel is used, the user will be able to wrinkle the used item 19 in a way that will not fit into a space as efficiently as when the same item 12 was a part of its original stack of articles 13. Therefore, the space necessary for disposal of used items 19, may be greater than the space that was required to supply such items 12. In the embodiments of the present invention, it is desired that the space of the waste receptacle 24 be larger than. the supply space 22, before supplying any items 12.

The interior space 29 of the container 10 may have an interior volume that is defined by the plurality of panels that make the container 10. As described, the interior space 29 has a supply space 22 and a space of the waste receptacle 24 that are separated by a division 27, 47, and 77. The supply space 22 may have a volume of supply that is defined as the volume of the part of the interior space 29 in which the pile of undelivered articles 13 are maintained and supplied with the same. The space of the waste receptacle 24 may have a waste receptacle volume that is defined as the volume of the part of the interior space 29 in which the used items 19 may be discarded. The relative volumes of both the supply volume and the volume of the waste receptacle are defined by the plurality of panels that make the container and division 27, 47, and 77 that separate the supply space 22 and the space of the waste receptacle. 24 To accommodate the increased volume that an article 19 used has compared with the same item before being supplied. It is desired that the volume of the waste receptacle be greater than the volume of supply. The volume of the waste receptacle can be made up to five times higher than the volume of supply, before any of the items are supplied from the container. The volume of the waste receptacle is required to be 1.5 to 3 times larger than the volume of supply, before any of the items is supplied from the container.

To provide a container 10, such as in Figure 1, with a volume of waste receptacle greater than the delivery volume, the container 10 must be constructed with more empty space than the space taken up by the stack of articles. 13. While a larger waste receptacle space accommodates larger volume of waste that can be contained.

It also results in a container < 10 that has to be shipped and stored that has a part of its volume composed mostly of air. Therefore, a balance is needed to fulfill in providing a container 10 efficient and effective volumes of the waste receptacle and the supply space.

An embodiment of working on making a balance for efficient use of the container space incorporates a waste channel 33, as shown in Figure 3. The waste channel 33 is integrated as part of the container 10 that is "movable" in its position , or location, is capable of being changed in a manner that increases the volume of waste receptacle. As shown in Figure 3, the waste channel 33 can incorporate a portion of the front panel 15 that can be pulled out of the plane of the front panel 15 to form an opening of the waste receptacle 23 with access to the space of the waste receptacle 24 The waste channel 33 illustrated in Figure 3 is shown inclined from the front panel plane 15, but the waste channel 33 can alternatively be more similar to a drawer that is pulled out of the plane of the front panel 15 or other configurations in the which are part of the container can be moved in such a manner as to increase the volume of the waste receptacle.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the waste channel 33 is an integral part of the front panel 15. The waste channel 33 is pivotally associated with the container 10 along a pivot doubles 39 such that the channel 33 can to be pivoted out of the container 10 in an open configuration, relative to the container 10, returned to its original closed configuration, relative to the container 10. The "closed configuration" of the container 10 is the relative arrangement of the waste channel 33 and the container 10 where the waste channel 33 is in such a position to substantially prevent access to the space of the waste receptacle 24. The waste channel 33 in a substantially closed configuration may close access to the opening of the waste receptacle 23. The front face of the waste channel 33 may substantially be in the same plane as the front panel 15 when in the closed configuration.

The channel 33 of Figure 3 is shown as part of the panel 15 and has side panels of the channel 35. The side panels of the channel 35 assist in ensuring that the used items 19 are contained within the space of the waste receptacle 24 of the container 10. The side panels of the channel 35 can be formed from parts of the side panels 17 which are inseparable from the rest of the side panel 17 or these can be separate parts of material that have been attached to the front face of the channel 33. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5, the side panels of the channel 35 may be an accordion-folded panel 55 which is compressed when the channel 33 is in a closed configuration and extends when the channel 33 is in an open configuration, rather than a panel that slides out of the container 10, as in figure 3. i Additionally, the side panels of the channel 35 can include channel stops 45 which prevent the channel 33 from being pulled out of the container 10 by extending the pivot extension of the channel by resting against the inner surface of the front panel 15 when the channel 33 is pivotally pulled in a open configuration.

The container 10 is ready to receive the used articles 19, by pulling the waste channel 33 in the open configuration. By pulling out the upper edge 34 of the channel 33, the channel 33 can pivot along the pivot bend 39 to extend the channel out of the container body 10. In the open configuration the waste channel 33 is in a substantially cantilevered position wherein the channel 33 is supported in the pivotal fold 39 while the upper edge 34 of the channel is extended out of the container body 10. With the channel 33 in the open configuration the opening of the waste receptacle 23 is open and the space of the waste receptacle 24 becomes accessible.

Alternatively to the waste channel 33 is an integral part of the container, the waste channel 33 may be a separate member that is hingedly joined along where the pivot bend 39 is present in Figure 3. Such channel 33 may cooperate in the same way as previously described.

The addition of a channel 33 to the container 10 effectively increases the space of the waste receptacle 24. When in an open configuration, the space of the waste receptacle 24 is increased by the additional volume supplied by the open channel 33. This allows for the container 10 to be supplied to the consumer in a closed configuration with a volume of the waste receptacle that is the same or possibly smaller than the volume of supply. When the consumer places the container in its desired location and pulls open the waste channel 33 in an open configuration, before supplying the articles, an adequate volume of the waste receptacle can be achieved.

An additional benefit that can be realized with the use of a waste channel 33 is the ability to compress the waste materials into the waste receptacle space 24 before discarding the container 10. As previously described, a plurality of used items 19 may take a greater amount of volume than the same items 12 had when they were stacked together before being supplied. However, such used articles 19 can be compressed together into a smaller volume by closing the waste channel 33 in a closed configuration and thereby reducing the volume of the waste receptacle.

By closing the waste channel 33 it also encloses the used items 19, leaving them away from the consumer or the type of custody that is discarding the used container 10. The container 10 used can assist in maintaining a used configuration by including a closure tab 37 in the waste channel 33 to join a closure slot 38 in the container 10 to maintain the waste channel 33 in a closed configuration. The locking tab 37 may instead be located in the body of the container with the closing slot 38 in the waste channel 33. Other similar methods may be used to join the waste channel 33 to the container 10 to maintain the container in a closed configuration 10. One skilled in the art will be able to understand how the adhesive, the tape, the buttons, the snap buttons, the hook and curl, and other means for closing can be used to close the container 10.

Another embodiment that faces the efficient use of the interior space 39 before supplying the articles as shown in figures 6 and 7. In this embodiment the container 10 is made of a hollow outer cover 63 and a hollow inner cover 61 that is of telescopic manner attached to the outer cover 63. As used herein, the term "telescopically attached" refers to the fact that the inner and outer covers 61 and 63 slide past one another. to the other similar to a folding telescope. With such a design the container 10 can be shipped to the consumer in a compact telescopic configuration with the inner cover 61 completely inside the outer cover 63. When the consumer is ready to assemble the container 10 where desired to supply the articles 12, the inner cover 61 is pulled out of the outer cover 63 in an extended telescoping fashion. In the compact telescopic configuration the space of the waste receptacle 24 can be the same or smaller than the supply space 22, but then the space of the waste receptacle 24 is increased by an appropriate volume by pulling the inner cover 61 in an extended telescopic configuration.

To keep the inner cover 61 completely removed from the outer cover 63, a pair of inner cover stops 71 and outer cover stops 73 may be located proximate the end ends of the inner and outer covers 61 and 63. Such stops 71 and 73 can be designed to work together to prevent covers 61 and 63 from being completely pulled apart from one another. One with skill in the art will be able to observe that there are other possible designs that can be used in one or both of the covers to prevent the decks from being pulled in part.

Additionally, as with the incorporations of the container 10 with a waste channel 33, the inner and outer covers 61 and 63 telescopically attached also allow for the compaction of the used articles 19 within the space of the waste receptacle 24.1 of this all the articles 12 have been supplied, the outer cover 63 can be pressed down into the inner cover 61, thereby compressing the waste materials into the container 10. Again this allows for a small container 10 to be discarded. '•.

Other containers 10 with different configurations of relative positions of waste receptacle space 24 and supply space 22 are contemplated within the scope of this invention and are a matter of design preference. Additionally, containers 10 have both inner and outer covers 61 and 63 telescopically attached and a waste channel 33 is also contemplated as being within the scope of this invention.

The container 10 is additionally designed to be permanently attached to a support surface. As used herein, the term "not permanently" refers to the feature that the container can be quickly attached to a substantially vertical support surface, easily disengaged, and quickly reattached thereto. surface or to a different surface, repeatedly, during the use of simple, limited use of the container 10.

The non-permanent nature of the union of the present container 10 is in contrast to the permanent or semi-permanent nature of traditionally installed jets. Traditional suppliers are often bolted, or otherwise secured, to the wall in such a way that the relocation of such a supplier takes time, modification of the wall to which one wishes to attach the dispenser, repair of the wall from which a dispenser It has been removed. Such a traditional dispenser intends to remain where it is installed for a long period of time (eg, until the dispenser is no longer functional or otherwise needs to be replaced with another traditional dispenser). It is intended that such a permanent or semi-permanent installation a traditional spout can not be removed from the wall without significant effort. The intention of the non-permanent nature of the union of the container 10 of the invention is that the container 10 is easily and quickly attached and removed from the support surfaces with minimal, if any, damage or alteration to that surface.

The support surface can be any surface that when a container 10 is attached to it can allow the articles to be supplied near the site that the user wishes to use the article. Such surface of Support in most cases may be a door or a wall adjacent to a door. However, other non-limiting examples of such a support surface may be a pole, a pole, a spout fixed to a wall or embedded in a wall, or the like.

The manner in which the container 10 is fixed to the vertical support surface must be non-permanent in nature. However, the joining means must also be sufficiently strong and configured in such a way that the container 10 is secured to the surface while the articles are supplied from the container 10.

In the embodiment of Figures 8A and 8B, the container 10 is not permanently fixed to a surface 135 by multiple tie strips 130 on the rear panel 18 of the container 10. The tie strip 130 can be any type of material that can be fixed the container 10 to the surface 135, but may allow the container 10 to be removed from the surface 135, repositioned, and reattached to the surface 135.

For example, the tie strip 130 can be a pressure sensitive adhesive or any other type of adhesive, as is known, that can work for such purposes. Such adhesive strip can be protected by a strip of peeling covering the adhesive until the user wishes fixing the container 10 to a surface 135. Such an adhesive can be directly applied to the rear panel 18 of the container 10 or it can be in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape. In another example, the tie strip can be a hook and loop material that is attached to the corresponding loop / hook material on the surface 135 of the container 10 to be fixed.

The connecting strips 130 are illustrated in Figures 8A and 8B as two strips located on the rear panel 18; one near the lower panel 14 and another near the upper panel 16. The connecting strips 130 can be of any shape, any dimension and in any position, and relative to each other and to the rear panel 18, which can securely fix the container 10 to the surface 135 during delivery. For example, the tie strips may be larger, smaller, vertically aligned, or otherwise configured on the rear panel 18. Instead of two tie strips 130 there may be more than two strips or there may be only one stripe Union.

Figures 9A and 9B illustrate a rear tab 141 for securing the container 10 to a surface 135. As shown, a portion of the rear panel 18 is adapted to be released from the rear panel 18 along a line of weakness 143 in the back panel 18. Such line of weakness 143 may be perforations, incisions or other similar method to provide weakness in the material. The rear tongue 141 can then be folded out of the back panel plane 18 and used to fix the container to the surface 135. In the embodiment shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the rear tab 141 has - multiple receiving apertures 145 which can be holes present in the rear tab 141 or can be perforations in the rear tab 141 where the rear tab material can be removed. Such a receiving opening 145 can be attached to a mounting bracket 147 that is present on the surface 135. Instead of using receiving openings 145, the rear tab 141? You can use a binding strip. Such a tie strip may be located inside the container 10 until the rear tab 141 is bent out of the plane of the back panel 18, to secure the container 10 to the surface 135. Alternatively, a combination of the rear tabs may be used. 141, connecting strips 130, receiving openings 145, and mounting brackets 145.

The rear tabs 141 in Figures 9A and 9B are shown as being parts of the rear panel 18 that are bent out of the plane of the back panel 18 and support the container 10 from above. Alternatively, the rear tabs 141 can be formed from one or more portions of side panels 17 that are bent back out of the plane of the side panel 17 and fix the container 10 to the surface 135. The rear tabs 141 can also be formed from a combination of two or more parts of the rear panels 18 and the side panels 17.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B, the container 10 is fixed to the surface 135 by a mounting connector 157 that connects to a receiver 155 on the rear panel 18 of the container 10. The receiver 155 may be holes in the container. the back panel 18, holes that can be made in the back panel 18 by removing portions of the back panel 18 defined by perforations (as shown in Figure 10A), or other means that will be able to work in conjunction with the mounting connector 157 for fixing the container 10 to the surface 135. For example, the rear panel 18 may include a receiver 155 that can be attached to the mounting connector 157 that is recessed on the surface 135? In another example, receiver 155 may be a magnetic material that may be fixed to a surface 135 made of metal or a magnetic mounting manifold 157.

Finally, the mounting manifold 157 may be a bracket attached to the surface 135 designed such that the entire container 10 slides into or is otherwise fully supported by the bracket.

As an additional feature, the container may also include instruction indicators to instruct how the container should be used. The term "instruction indication", as used herein, means any word (s), number (s), symbol (s), photo (s), and / or combination (s) thereof, and so on, which indicate the manner in which the container 10 should be properly used. Such instruction indicators may be located in locations at suitable locations in the container 10 or may be included together with the container 10. Non-limiting examples of such instruction indicators may include symbols printed on the front panel 15 of the container 10 or may be photographs and words printed on a card that is packaged and stored with the container 10.

The instruction indicators may be used to instruct a consumer or custodial equipment the proper way to secure the container 10 to a support surface, to configure the container 10 prior to delivery / to configure the container 10 for discarding, for I discarded the container 10, and / or to replace a used container 10 with a new container 10.

Alternatively, or additionally, the instruction indicators may include instructions to the users regarding the manner of supplying articles 12 of the container 10 and discarding the used articles 19 back into the container 10.

Instruction indicators can also be included to encourage the use of the dispenser. For example, in the case of a container 10 used to supply tissue for use in opening the handles of a door, instruction indicators may include instructions on the proper use of the container and the tissues together with information with respect to preventing transmission by contact of germs and viruses. These examples are not intended to be limiting, other types of instructions on the use of the container 10 may be indicated by the instruction indicators.

Example In an example embodiment, the container can supply bent tissues for use in opening the doors. The container may be of particular use in areas where it is not desirable to manipulate a door handle, a door knob or plate to push the door with bare hands. The container 10 can be located in the door or in a wall next to the door. In any case the container 10 can be close to the part of the door that needs to be handled. The person who wishes to pass through the door without manipulating the door with a bare hand can remove a tissue from the container 10 and use the tissue as a barrier between the door and his hand while manipulating the open door. Once the door has been opened the user can discard the tissue through the opening of the waste receptacle 23 of the container 10.

Such a container for handling a door may be as shown in Figure 1. The container 10, as shown, may have a rear panel 18 that is approximately 5.5 inches (140 millimeters) wide and approximately 15 inches (381 millimeters) ) High. A front panel 15 can be approximately 5.5 inches (140 millimeters) wide and approximately 13.5 inches (343 millimeters) high. The container 10 can be approximately 5.5 inches (140 millimeters) deep. The tissues enclosed in such a container 10 can be 4.5 inches (114 millimeters) by 4.5 inches (114 millimeters) and stacked in a stack approximately 4 inches (102 millimeters) high. The remainder of the interior of the container space 10 may comprise the space of the waste receptacle 24 of the container 10.

The supply opening 21 can be located and centered on the lower panel 14, as shown in Figure 1, and be approximately 3.5 inches (89 millimeters) by approximately 1 inch (25 millimeters) in size. The opening of the waste receptacle 23 may include a portion of both the top panel 16 and the front panel 15. Such a waste receptacle opening 23 it can occupy approximately 3 inches (76 millimeters) by 3 inches (76 millimeters) of space in the top panel 16 and approximately 4 inches (102 millimeters) by 3 inches (76 millimeters) of space in the front panel 15.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A non-refillable and disposable container for dispensing and disposing of articles comprising: a plurality of panels cooperating to enclose an interior space wherein the interior space has a dispensing space which may contain a stack of articles and a waste receptacle space; a dispensing opening in at least one panel through which articles can be supplied from the assortment space; a waste receptacle opening in at least one panel through which the articles can be disposed of within the waste receptacle space; Y a mount which not permanently fixes the container to a supporting surface.

2. A system for containing, dispensing and disposing of items that includes: * a stack of items; a container having a plurality of panels which cooperate to enclose an interior space in which the stack of articles is held, and wherein the container has a dispensing opening through which the articles are supplied from the interior space and a waste receptacle opening into which used articles can be discarded in the interior space of the container; a division in the interior space which separates the pile not stocked with articles from the used articles discarded; Y a mount which not permanently fixes the container to a supporting surface.

3. A method for providing a non-refillable and disposable container for dispensing and disposing of articles, comprising the steps of: a) providing a non-refillable and disposable container having a plurality of panels cooperating to enclose an interior space, wherein the interior space has an assortment space containing a stack of articles and a waste receptacle space; An opening assortment in at least one panel through which the articles can be supplied from the dispensing space; a waste receptacle opening in at least through which the articles can be disposed of in the waste receptacle space; and a mount which not permanently fixes the container to a support surface; b) fixing the container to a support surface; c) stock items; d) removing the container from the support surface after the articles have been dispensed from the container; Y e) discard the container. ?

4. The container or method as claimed in any one of clauses 1 or 3, characterized in that the assortment space of the container has an assortment volume, and the waste receptacle space has a volume of waste receptacle, and in where the waste receptacle volume is greater than the assortment volume.

5. The container or method as claimed in clause 4, characterized in that the waste receptacle volume is from about 1.5 to about 3 times greater than the assortment volume.

6. The container or method as claimed in any one of clauses 1 or 3, characterized in that the container further comprises a division within the interior space that separates the assortment space from the waste receptacle space.

7. The container, system or method as claimed in clauses 2 or 6, characterized in that the division is fixed to an interior surface of at least one container panel.

8. The container, system or method as claimed in clauses 2 or 6, characterized in that the division can move freely within the interior space of the container.

9. The container, system or method as claimed in clauses 2 or 6, characterized in that the division is a flexible material.

10. The container, system or method as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that the division is a flexible package enclosing the stack of articles and has a package opening that is close and operating with the dispensing opening for dispensing the articles.

11. The container, system or method as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses, characterized in that the waste receptacle opening comprises a waste conduit movable within at least a part of a panel and associated in a pivot with said panel; wherein the waste duct has a closed configuration in relation to the container wherein said part is in the same plane as said panel and has an open configuration in relation to the container in which the part extends in a pivotal manner outside the plane of said panel to an essentially cantilevered position; and wherein the open configuration of the waste duct forms the waste receptacle opening.

12. The container, system or method as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the waste duct further comprises a closing tab which can engage the container when the waste duct and the container are in a closed configuration. -!

13. The method as claimed in clauses 11 or 12, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of pulling the waste chute to the open configuration before the assortment of the articles, and returning the waste chute to the closed configuration after which The items have been stocked.

14. The container, system or method as claimed in one of clauses 1 to 10, characterized in that the container further comprises an outer cover and an inner cover, wherein the outer and inner covers are telescopically engaged so that the inner cover It can slide inside the outer cover.

15. The container, system or method as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the inner cover contains the spout space.

16. The container, system or method as claimed in clauses 14 or 15, characterized in that it comprises a stop which prevents the inner cover from being removed from the outer cover when the inner cover is telescopically extended from the outer cover.

17. The method as claimed in one of clauses 14 to 16, characterized in that it also comprises the steps of telescopically extending the inner cover from an external cover before an assortment of articles, and to compact telescopically an internal cover in an external cover after an assortment of articles.

18. The container, system or method as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses, characterized in that it also comprises instructions marks indicated on how to supply and dispose of the articles.

19. The container, system or method as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses, characterized in that it also comprises instruction marks indicating how to discard the container.

20. The container, system or method as claimed in any one of the preceding clauses, characterized in that the plurality of panels enclosing the waste receptacle space have a moisture resistant or moisture impervious treatment. SUMMARY A non-refillable and disposable container for containing, dispensing and disposing of articles is described. The container is an interior space that includes an assortment space from which articles can be stocked and a waste receptacle space, within which articles can be discarded. The container is fixed not permanently to a surface with a mount. A method for using such a container is also described.