US3843034A

US3843034A - Device for severing a preferably moistened tissue web

Info

Publication number: US3843034A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Lewandowsky
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-01-31
Filing date: 1973-01-31
Publication date: 1974-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-22
Also published as: GB1406124A; JPS4887949A

Abstract

A device for dispensing moistened tissue web including a container having a dispersing slot and a clamping or cutting mechanism spaced outwardly from said slot for assisting in severing the web into individual sheets after the web has been withdrawn through the slot. The clamping mechanism includes a blade member and a back-up or contact member movable with respect to one another to clamp the web therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the back-up member is constructed of elastic material permitting the protrusion of the blade into the back-up member to assure extension of the blade edge through the tissue web. Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes a notch formed in the back-up or contact member to permit the blade member to extend into the slot through the tissue web in such manner as to apply large clamping forces on the tissue to facilitate tearing off of the tissue. The blade member and the contact member are mounted at one of the container for the tissue web and a pivotally mounted lid member on the container. The lid member extends over that portion of the container between the slot and the clamping mechanism so as to prevent dehydration of that portion of the tissue extending between the slot and the clamping mechanism. The entire dispensing structure may advantageously be constructed of synthetic resinous material, or alternatively, the blade member may be of metallic profile construction embedded in the synthetic resinous material of either the lid member or the container. The blade member may advantageously be serrated to form perforations in the tissue.

Description

United States Patent [191 Lewanelowslry [451 Oct. 22, 1974 DEVICE FOR SEVERING A PREFERABLY MOISTENED TISSUE WEB [75] Inventor: Klaus Lewandowsky, Bietigheim,

Germany [73] Assignee: Dr. Kurt Walker, Stuttgart, Germany [22] Filed: Jan. 311, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 328,265

[30] lForeign Application Priority Data Jan. 31, 1972 Germany 220919] Feb. 26, 1972 Germany 2204402 [52] US. Cl 225/43, 225/96, 225/106 [51] Int. Cl B26f 3/02 [58] Field of Search 225/106, 94, 96, 6, 20, 225/43, 73, 89; 83/658, 660

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,238,157 4/1941 Corbin 225/96 X 2,250,774 7/l94l Piller 225/43 X 2,351,78l 6/1944 Punte 225/43 3,147,658 9/1964 Boyd 83/660 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 13,986 11/1956 Germany 225/89 Primary Examiner-Francis S. l-Iusar Assistant Examiner-Leon Gilden Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Craig & Antonelli 5 7] ABSTRACT A device for dispensing moistened tissue web including a container having a dispersing slot and a clamping or cutting mechanism spaced outwardly from said slot for assisting in severing the web :into individual sheets after the web has been withdrawn through the slot. The clamping mechanism includes a blade member and a back-up or contact member movable with respect to one another to clamp the web therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the back-up member is constructed of elastic material permitting the protrusion of the blade into the back-up member to assure extension of the blade edge through the tissue web. Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes a notch formed in the back-up or contact member to permit the blade member to extend into the slot through the tissue web in such manner as to apply large clamping forces on the tissue to facilitate tearing off of the tissue. The blade member and the contact member are mounted at one of the container for the tissue web and a pivotally mounted lid member on the container. The lidmember extends over that portion of the container between the slot and the clamping mechanism so as to prevent dehydration of that portion of the tissue extending between the slot and the clamping mechanism. The entire dispensing structure may advantageously be constructed of synthetic resinous material, or alternatively, the blade member may be of metallic profile construction embedded in the synthetic resinous material of either the lid member or the container. The blade member may advantageously be serrated to form perforations in the tissue.

29 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Pmmu mmw 1843334 sum 10$ 2 DEVICE FOR SEVIERING A PREFERABLY MGISTENED TISSUE WEB BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device for tearing off a perferably moistened tissue or nonwoven web dispensable by pulling out of a storage and dispensing container, which device comprises a clamping mechanism disposed at a spacing with respect to a discharge slot in the container.

A storage and dispensing container has been contemplated wherein a tissue web, which is moistened or can be moistened in the container, is disposed in roll form or in a stacked pack. This tissue web is saturated with pharmaceutical or cosmetic liquids and serves for anal hygiene. It is necessary to employ such a tissue web or fabric web, since only such a material has the strength required for the desired purpose, when in the moistened or wet condition. Such a tissue web, in contrast to a normal paper web, causes difficulties when severing the web to obtain individual sheets. It is impossible, or possible only with considerable effort, to provide a perforation similar to the conventional rolls of toilet paper. Moreover, difficulties are encountered in tearing the connecting strips remaining between the perforations, so that no defined tearing points or tearing edges result. In order to counteract this difficulty, a cutter having a scissor-like effect has been contemplated, but this cutter requires considerable expenditure in its manufacture.

This invention is based on the problem of providing a flawlessly operating severing or cutting device with structurally simple means. The present invention contemplates a clamping mechanism formed from a blade and a contact, abutment, or support member, which member at least partially consists of an elastic or rubber-elastic material. By actuating the clamping device in this arrangement, the tissue web is cut to such an extent that it is readily possible to tear off simultaneously the externally disposed portion of the web. Furthermore, the blade can enter into the resilient or elastic contact member, so that it is effective at practically all points of the tissue web.

In an especially advantageous embodiment of this invention, the provision is made to fashion the blade to be serrated or wavy or the like. In such an arrangement, part of the tissue web is already completely severed when the clamping device is pressed closed, so that a kind of perforation is produced. In this case, it is merely necessary to separate the remaining residues of the material, which can simply be done with the aid of the other parts of the blade and by exerting a slight tearing effect, thus providing a flawless cut or tearing edge.

In a structurally advantageous embodiment of this invention, a lid hingedly connected to the container serves as part of the clamping or pinching device. This lid can be pressed against a projection of the container extending at right angles to the tissue web to be withdrawn. In order to prevent the blade from causing injuries, it is advantageous, in this embodiment, to provide the lid with an extension projecting toward the outside beyond the blade. Thereby, the blade is covered, so that it cannot be the cause of injuries.

In order to create a compact and aesthetically pleasing device which can be disposed in any toilet or in any bathroom without interfering, a further development of this invention provides that the lid surrounds the container in the manner of a shell and! is pivotally mounted with lateral panels covering the end faces of the container, at least approximately in parallel to the container wall covered thereby. This results in the advantage, on the one hand, that the blade of the cutter does not move away from the container in any operating condition, so that the danger of injuries due to the cutter is avoided. On the other hand, there is the advantage that the appearance of the convenient and compact device is extensively determined by the configuration and color of the lid, which latter is freely selectable and thus can-be adapted to any bathroom decor. Moreover, the lid which also covers the end face, has the effect that the air circulation in the zone of the dispensing slot is prevented or at least inhibited, so that the portion of the tissue web present in this zone is at least inhibited from drying out.

In a structurally advantageous embodiment of this invention, the provision is made that an end face or end wall of the container is fashioned as a seal which can be opened, and the closed position of which seal is secured by the lid. Thereby, an unintended opening or leaving open of the container is avoided, which could lead to a drying out of the tissue web disposed in the container. In this connection, it is especially advantageous to provide the end walls of the container and the panels of the lid with a recess or with a bearing pin which can engage the recess. This embodiment provides the advantage that, for closing the container and for the mounting of the lid, no screw connections or additional elements are required, which could make the manipulation difficult or cumbersome.

A further advantageous arrangement of the present invention includes a notch formed in the contact member to facilitate penetration of the blade through the tissue web clamped by the contact member and blade. This arrangement may utilize either hard material or resilient material to further enhance the penetration of the blade through the web against the backup forces furnished by the contact member.

Additional features and advantages of the invention can be derived from the following description of two embodiments illustrated in the drawings, in connection with the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through a complete device in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line Il-Il of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In FIGS. land 2, part of a storage and dispensing container 1 is illustrated in each instance; this container forms, with the remaining portion, not illustrated, a container which is preferably airtight except for a dispensing slot 2. In this container, a tissue or nonwoven web 3, indicated in dot-dash lines, is disposed as a roll or as a stacked pack. This tissue web 3, serving for anal hygiene, is moistened with pharmaceutical, medical, or cosmetic liquids when withdrawn from the container 1 via the dispensing slot 2-. This tissue web can be introduced into the'container as a moist roll or the like, or it can be moistened in a bath or the like with the appropriate liquid within the container, prior to withdrawal. The dispensing slot 2 and the tissue web 3 are adapted to each other in such a manner that the tissue web 3 completely occupies the dispensing slot 2 and seals the container with respect to the outside, so that the liquid contained therein cannot evaporate or dry out.

For use, the tissue web 3 must be subdivided into individual sheets outside of the container 1. This is accomplished by means of a cutting device arranged at the container 1. For this purpose, a clamping or pinching device is provided consisting of a blade 4 and a contact member 5. This clamping device, permitting a severing of the tissue web 3, is arranged at a spacing with respect to the dispensing slot 2, so that even after a sheet has been cut off, part of the tissue web 3 still projects from the container 1, so that it can be pulled out further.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the blade 4 is formed by an edge of a lid 6 extending from above over the container 1 in the zone of the dispensing slot 2. The lid 6, in a manner not shown in detail in this FIG. 1 but later described with respect to FIGS. 4 to 6, is mounted to the container 1 to be pivotable about an axis parallel to the dispensing slot 2. In this embodiment, a cutting direction is obtained which extends obliquely upwardly.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment, the contact or back-up member is formed as a profile member 8 of rubber or a rubbery material disposed in a groove of an extension 7 of the container 1. This extension 7 and member 8 extend at right angles to the path of travel of web 3.

In the arrangement of FIG. 2, the blade 4 is formed integrally with the container 1. This blade is provided at the upwardly pointing edge, extending at right angles to the tissue web 3, of an extension 9 projecting from a wall of the container. In a similar manner, the container of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is provided with a lid 6 which, however, in this arrangement forms a contact member for the blade 4 and has a groove for a profile member 8 of rubber or a similar material. The lid 6 furthermore has an extension 11, engaging, in front of the blade 4, a recess of the extension 9 of the container 1 and pressing the tissue web 3 into this recess. In this manner, without enlaring the distance between the clamping device and the dispensing slot 2, a longer portion of the tissue web 3 extending out of the container 1 is obtained. In this embodiment, a cutting direction is provided which points obliquely downwardly.

In both embodiments, the lid 6 covering the container l entirely or partially at the top must be pressed downwardly onto the corresponding extension 7 or 9. During this step, the blade 4 penetrates into the elastic profile member 8 of the contact element 5. This pressure on the lid can, in most cases, be provided readily by hand. However, in-certain cases, it is advantageous to provide, for the lid 6, in a manner not illustrated in detail, a pressure spring pressing the lid against the corresponding extension 7 or 9.

By pressing the blade 4 against the contact member 5 and/or vice versa, the tissue web 3 is severed at least partially, so that the outwardly projecting portion can be withdrawn horizontally or in the upward direction or in the downward direction. Since the portion of the tissue web 3 disposed in front of the clamping device is clamped tightly against the profile member 8 by the blade 4, a straight tearing or cutting edge must positively result.

In order to facilitate the remainder of the severing operation, it can be advantageous in certain cases to provide the contact member 5 with a notch adapted to the blade 4. Such a notch 12 is disposed in the profile member 8 in the embodiment according to FIG. 2. The inner flank of the notch 12 extends approximately in parallel to the corresponding flank of the blade 4, while a larger angular distance is provided between the outer flank of the notch 12 and the corresponding flank of the blade 4, so that the tissue web 3 is advantageously clamped most tightly in the zone of the cutting edge to optimize severing the tissue. In this construction, the contact member 5 can be made of a harder or even entirely hard material since the notch 12 advantageously enhances the severing action of the blade and contact member.

In both illustrated embodiments, the blades 4 are formed integrally with the supporting component, the lid 6 or the container 1, each of which blades, lid and container is made of a synthetic resin, particularly by injection molding. These embodiments exhibit advantages from the viewpoints of manufacturing technology and price. However, in certain circumstances, it is advantageous to provide metallic profile elements as the blades 4, which can be separately machined. Such metallic profiles can, for example, be injection-molded into the corresponding components, the lid 6 or the container 1.

In order to provide that'the tissue web 3 is cut at individual points over its entire thickness by being pressed against the lid 6, it is advantageous to fashion the blades 4, according to the illustration of FIG. 3, to be serrated or wavy or jagged or the like. In this case, the tissue web 3 will with certainty be completely cut through in the region of the individual teeth 13 by the pressure of the lid 6. Accordingly, only the connecting strands present between the cut-through zones need be torn or cut, for example, by increasing the pressure. This results in a kind of perforation in the tissue web 3 during the cutting step, so that the tearing force expended at the outer end by pulling at a lateral edge of the tissue web 3 can be transmitted, point-wise, to the individual zones of material which still remain. By this construction of the blade 4, the latter need not be excessively sharpened or ground, so that this makes it possible in particular, to usefully employ blades of a synthetic resin.

The container 1, manufactured of a synthetic resin, as shown in FIGS. 4-6 has the shape of a unilaterally closed cylinder of an irregular cross section. One end wall 23 is formed integrally with the container 1, while the other end wall 24 is fashioned as a removable pluglike seal or closure which is placed over the open end of the container 1. Both

end walls

23 and 24 ar provided with two vertically extending crosspieces or stems forming a type of guiding slot for an axle, not shown, on which the tissue web 3 is rolled. The axle of the tissue web can freely move in these guides in the vertical direction. By the irregular cross section of the container l, the plug-like end wall 26 can be attached to the container 1 only in a certain position, so that the crosspieces 25 are thus perforce aligned exactly with respect to each other.

The upper half of the container 1 has a cylindrical cross section. A vertically disposed rear wall 26 adjoins this upper half at the rear; this rear wall is provided with supporting ribs 27 extending in the longitudinal direction. By means of these holding ribs 27, the rear wall 26 of the container 1 can be slid, from the side, into a holder 25, which latter can be mounted to a wall. The bottom 29, extending slightly inclined toward the center of the container 1 from the rear wall 26 and the front wall 31, has ridges 36 extending continuously over the length of the container 1 at both of its ends; these ridges can be used as feet for the container ll. From the front ridge 30, the front wall 31 of the container it rises obliquely toward the front; this front wall is provided with an edge 32 projecting beyond half the height and thus over the cylindrical zone.

A cutting device is provided in the zone of the front wall 31 and also in the zone of the dispensing slot 2, consisting of the container 1 and a lid 6. The lid 6 covers the cylindrical topside of the container 1 over its entire length. This lid is formed integrally with panels 34 extending covering the end walls or faces 23 and 24 of the container l. The panels 34 are provided with pivot pins 35 engaging in recesses 36 of the outer sides of the

end walls

23 and 24. The lid 6 is manufactured from an elastic synthetic resin, so that the panels 36 can be bent to such an extent that the pivot pins 35 register with the recesses 36. This locking action is facilitated by the provision of slot-like guide means 37 in the end walls, extending from the topside of the container 1 to the re cesses 36. The transition 38 to the recesses 36 is beveled. The lid 6 has an approximately trapezoidal cross section. The axis of ritation formed by the pivot pins 35 is congruent with the cylinder axis pertaining to the semicylindrical upper half of the container 1. Therefore, the lid 6 can be pivoted about the topside of the container ll, without changing its distance from the container 1.

The front edge of the lid 6 is fashioned as a serrated blade 4 associated with a contact member 6. This contact member 8 is disposed, following the semicylindrical portion of the container 1, at right angles to the dispensing slot 2 in a recess. This contact member 5 consists of a rubber-elastic material, especially of foam rubber and is covered by the forwardly projecting front wall 31 and/or the edge 32 thereof. The lid 6 has an outwardly oriented extension 41 in front of the blade 4, so that the blade 4 is mounted in a protected manner. This extension 4] passes over, with a slant, to the blade 4; this slant corresponds approximately to the slant between the edge 32 and the contact member 3.

For the introduction of a rolled-up tissue web into the container 1, the lid 6 is removed and the container is opened by detaching the end wall 24. Before insertion,

a small portion of the tissue web is unrolled, so that it 6 is inserted in the container to such an extent that its axle engages the guide of the end wall 23, formed by the two crosspieces 25. Thereafter, the plug-lil e end wall 24 is mounted, the guide means of this wall, formed by the stems 25, receiving the axle of the tissue web. Then, the lid 6 is pressed on from above, until its pivot pins 35 have engaged the recesses 36. Now, the tissue web can be withdrawn with its outwardly projecting portion. When a sheet of a certain size is to be torn off, it is only necessary to press on the lid 6, so that its blade 4 severs or perforates the tissue web at least partially in the zone of the contact member 8. By a relatively slight pulling action, the sheet can then be easily separated. in order to make it possible to continue such dispensing of sheets from the tissue web, the lid 6 is pivoted backwardly to such an extent that the portion of the tissue web present between the dispensing slot 2 and the contact member 8 can be seized by hand. A severing of a further sheet is then possible in the manner described above. The lid 6 and the container l are preferably manufactured from a synthetic resin, especially as injection-molded components, wherein at least the container ll consists of a material chemically resistant to the liquids with which the tissue web is saturated.

While I have shown and described only several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the various individual features of the two illustrated embodiments may be combined with individual features of the other of the embodiment without departing from the nature of the present invention.

I claim:

ll. Dispensing arrangement for preferably moistened tissue web comprising:

container means for housing a supply of tissue web,

a dispensing slot in said container means for accomodated withdrawal of said web out of said container means,

and a clamping mechanism spaced from said slot and including means for severing the web into individ ual sheets after the web has been withdrawn through said slot,

said clamping mechanism including a blade member disposed at one side of said web and a contact member disposed at the other side of said web,

said contact member including means for enhancing the severance of the tissue web by said blade member,

said means for enhancing the severance of the tissue web including relatively resilient material portions in said contact member, said resilient portions accommodating inward engagement of said blade member to assure penetration of said blade member through said web.

2. An arrangement according to claim ll, wherein said blade member includes a serrated cutting edge, tips of said cutting edge being engageable through said web into said resilient portions to assure at least the serration of said web.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a lid member which surrounds said container at least in the area of said slot, wherein said lid member is hingedly attached to the container means, and wherein one of said blade and contact member is fixedly connected to said lid member.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the other of said blade and contact member is fixedly connected to an extension of said container means.

5. Dispensing arrangement for preferably moistened tissue web comprising:

container means for housing a supply of tissue web,

and a lid member which surrounds said container means at least in the area of said slot, said lid member being hingedly attached to the container means,

one of said blade and contact member being fixedly connected to said lid member, the other of said blade and contact member being fixedly connected to an extension of said container means,

said means for enhancing the severance of the tissue web including relatively resilient portions in said contact member, said resilient portions accommodating inward engagement of said blade member to assure penetration of said blade member through said web.

6. An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said blade member includes a serrated cutting edge, tips of said cutting edge being engageable through said web into said resilient portions to assure at least the serration of said web.

7. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said blade member is fixedly connected to said lid member, and wherein said lid member has an extension projecting outwardly beyond the blade member to prevent inadvertent contact with said blade member from outside of said container means.

8. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein an outwardly projecting extension is provided on the one of said lid member and container means containing the blade member, said extension serving to prevent inadvertent contact with said blade member from outside said container means.

9. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said resilient portions includes a rubber-elastic profile member inserted in a groove.

10. Dispensing arrangement for preferably moistened tissue web comprising:

container means for housing a supply of tissue web,

a dispensing slot in said container means for accommodated withdrawal of said web out of said container means,

and a clamping mechanism spaced from said slot and including means for severing the web into individual sheets after the web has been withdrawn through said slot, said clamping mechanism including a blade member disposed at one side of said web and a contact member disposed at the other side of said web,

said means for enhancing the severance of the tissue web including a notch formed in said contact member for accommodating said blade member.

11. An arrangement according to claim 10, wherein said notch includes a first side wall extending in the direction of movement of a cutting edge of said blade member and a second side wall extending transverse to the direction of movement of said cutting edge.

12. An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said means for enhancing the severance of the tissue web further includes relatively resilient material portions in said contact member, said resilient portions accommodating inward engagement of said blade member to assure penetration of said blade member through said web.

13. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said blade member is a metallic profile element, and wherein said lid member and housing means are made of synthetic resinous material.

14. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said blade member is formed integrally with one of said container means and lid member, said one of said container means and lid member consisting of synthetic resinous material.

15. An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said blade member is formed integrally with one of said container means and lid member.

16. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the lid member surrounds the container means in the manner of a pivotally mounted shell with lateral panels of said lid member covering lateral end walls of the container means, said panels being substantially parallel to said respective lateral end faces.

17. An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the lid member surrounds the container means in the manner of a pivotally mounted shell with lateral panels of said lid member covering lateral end walls of the container means, said penals being substantially parallel to said respective lateral end faces.

18. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein one of said lateral end walls is fashioned as an openable closure seal for said container means, said lid member including means for securing said closure seal in the closed position.

19. An arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said lid member consists of an elastic material and is attached to the container means by interengageable connecting means.

20. An arrangement according to claim 19, wherein said lateral panels and lateral end walls are provided with respective recess means and pivot pins engageable in said recess means for accomodating relative pivotal movement of said lid member with respect to said container means.

21. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said lateral panels and lateral end walls are provided with respective recess means and pivot pins engageable 23. An arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said lateral end walls include inwardly facing guide rails for receiving an axle of a rolled up tissue web supply.

24. An arrangement according to claim 20, wherein said lateral end walls include inwardly facing guide rails for receiving an axle of a rolled up tissue web supply.

25. An arrangement according to claim 20, wherein said container means has an asymmetrical cross section as seen in the direction of the pivot axes for said pivot pins.

26. An arrangement according to claim 24, wherein said container means has an asymmetrical cross section as seen in the direction of the pivot axes for said pivot pins.

27. An arrangement according to claim 25, wherein that part of the container means covered by the lid member is part cylindrical in cross section with a cylinder axis extending coaxially with respect to the pivot axis for said pivot pins.

28. An arrangement according to claim 26, wherein that part of the container means covered by the lid member is part cylindrical in cross section with a cylinder axis extending coaxially with respect to the pivot axis for said pivot pins.

29. An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said lid member and said container means include corresponding extension and recess means for lengthening the web travel path between said slot and the point of engagement of said blade member with said web without enlarging the distance between said slot and said point of engagement.

Claims

1. Dispensing arrangement for preferably moistened tissue web comprising: container means for housing a supply of tissue web, a dispensing slot in said container means for accomodated withdrawal of said web out of said container means, and a clamping mechanism spaced from said slot and including means for severing the web into individual sheets after the web has been withdrawn through said slot, said clamping mechanism including a blade member disposed at one side of said web and a contact member disposed at the other side of said web, said contact member including means for enhancing the severance of the tissue web by said blade member, said means for enhancing the severance of the tissue web including relatively resilient material portions in said contact member, said resilient portions accommodating inward engagement of said blade member to assure penetration of said blade member through said web.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said blade member includes a serrated cutting edge, tips of said cutting edge being engageable through said web into said resilient portions to assure at least the serration of said web.

5. Dispensing arrangement for preferably moistened tissue web comprising: container means for housing a supply of tissue web, a dispenser slot in said container means for accomodated withdrawal of said web out of said container means, a clamping mechanism spaced from said slot and including means for severing the web into individual sheets after the web has been withdrawn through said slot, said clamping mechanism including a blade member disposed at one side of said web and a contact member disposed at the other side of said web, said contact member including means for enhancing the severance of the tissue by said blade member, and a lid member which surrounds said container means at least in the area of said slot, said lid member being hingedly attached to the container means, one of said blade and contact member being fixedly connected to said lid member, the other of said blade and contact member being fixedly connected to an extension of said container means, said means for enhancing the severance of the tissue web including relatively resilient porTions in said contact member, said resilient portions accommodating inward engagement of said blade member to assure penetration of said blade member through said web.

10. Dispensing arrangement for preferably moistened tissue web comprising: container means for housing a supply of tissue web, a dispensing slot in said container means for accommodated withdrawal of said web out of said container means, and a clamping mechanism spaced from said slot and including means for severing the web into individual sheets after the web has been withdrawn through said slot, said clamping mechanism including a blade member disposed at one side of said web and a contact member disposed at the other side of said web, said contact member including means for enhancing the severance of the tissue web by said blade member, said means for enhancing the severance of the tissue web including a notch formed in said contact member for accommodating said blade member.

21. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said lateral panels and lateral end walls are provided with respective recess means and pivot pins engageable in said recess means for accommodating relative pivotal movement of said lid member with respect to said container means.

22. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said lateral end walls include inwardly facing guide rails for receiving an axle of a rolled up tissue web supply.

23. An arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said lateral end walls include inwardly facing guide rails for receiving an axle of a rolled up tissue web supply.