Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
  • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
  • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
  • A47K10/42—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked
  • A47K10/421—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked dispensing from the top of the dispenser
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
  • A47K10/16—Paper towels; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
  • A47K10/18—Holders; Receptacles
  • A47K10/185—Holders for boxes of tissue
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/52—Details
  • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D75/5827—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/52—Details
  • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D75/5827—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion
  • B65D75/585—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion the tear-lines being broken by deformation or bending

Definitions

• the tissue in a boutique package is usually deployed in a folded or interfolded clip of folded tissues, wherein each of the longitudinal outer edges of each tissue is first folded inwardly so that they meet medially along the longitudinal center line of the sheet.
• a clip of roughly 100 of these tissues is formed by stacking one above the other, and the stacked clip is folded longitudinally with a central portion of the folded tissue clip protruding through an oval opening in the top of the boutique package, inasmuch as facial tissue by its very nature should be soft, the tensile strength of the tissue must be limited. Therefore, if the packaging is not well suited to the particular tissue format, it can be difficult to easily remove sheets from the boutique package without tearing the sheet or lifting the package from its desired location. To this end, boutique carton designs have been used in which the interior of the boutique carton is partially lined with polyethylene to reduce the friction between the tissue sheet and the interior of the carton.
• Provision of the polyethylene interlining adds to the cost of the carton thereby aggravating an already wasteful format. See for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,672,475, to Ho et al, and U.S. Patent No. 4,411,374, to Hotchkiss.
• boutique cartons are placed within reusable 5-sided plastic or metallic over-shells without any bottom to better suit the customer's aesthetic preferences.
• long boxes of tissue may also be placed within plastic over-shells sized to accommodate the more conventional rectangular prism carton packaging often used for facial tissue.
• the footprint of the boutique carton is relatively small, it can be particularly advantageous for use in bathrooms where the space is limited, either in a free standing box or more commonly in a five sided plastic over-shell without a bottom; but the bottom of the typical conventional plastic over-shell is thus vulnerable to water thereby counteracting suitability.
• the bottom of the typical conventional plastic over-shell is thus vulnerable to water thereby counteracting suitability.
• guests are often very cavalier about splashing water on the counter leading to the need to replace a box of tissue merely because the bottom was spoiled by water even though a substantial amount of tissue remained un-used therein. Given the operating margins of motels and hotels, it can be appreciated that premature replacement of tissue can impose undue costs on the operator.
• This boxless design also alleviates issues experienced with nearly empty boxes of conventional boxed tissues in that when a conventional box of tissues becomes depleted, it becomes more and more likely that the user will have difficulty removing tissue from the box, particularly when the tissue becomes sufficiently depleted that the tissue clip can fall back into the box.
• the tendency for tissues to fall back into the box is largely alleviated.
• both the presently used boutique boxes and long boxes present a storage and transport issue to the workers who prepare rooms for each guest as each box takes up a great deal of space on the cart used for transporting room preparation and cleaning supplies to and from the rooms as both the new boxes have to be transported to each room and the depleted and/or spoiled boxes have to be carried away. Further, if new boxes are cosmetically damaged prior to reaching the room, in many establishments, the damaged boxes are not considered suitable for use and thus are wasted.
• Figure 1 is a schematic isometric perspective of the capaciously sized loose fitting, bend-to-open flat poly-pack tissue cassette with a transversely extending medial line of weakness in which the excess of material around the tissue clip is somewhat exaggerated.
• Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the capaciously sized loose fitting, bend-to-open flat poly-pack tissue cassette with a transversely extending medial line of weakness.
• Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2 of the capaciously sized loose fitting, bend-to-open flat poly-pack tissue cassette with a transversely extending medial line of weakness.
• Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 2 of the capaciously sized loose fitting, bend-to-open flat poly-pack tissue cassette.
• Figure 5 is another view of a capaciously sized loose fitting bend to open flat poly-pack tissue cassette.
• Figures 6 and 7 are schematic line drawings illustrating opening of a bend to open poly-pack tissue cassette of the present invention.
• Figure 8 is a schematic isometric perspective of a plastic over-shell suitable for use with the capaciously sized loose fitting, bend-to-open, or flex-to-open, flat poly-pack tissue cassette with a transversely extending medial line of weakness
• Figure 9 is a schematic of a polyethylene sheet suitable for forming the capaciously sized loose fitting, bend-to-open, or fiex-to-open fiat poly-pack tissue cassette with a transversely extending medial line of weakness.
• Figure 10 illustrates the dimensions of a prefolded sheet of tissue before it is stacked together with other sheets to form the tissue clip.
• Figures 11, 12 and 13 illustrate a long box over-shell also suitable for use with a bend to open poly-pack tissue cassette of the present invention.
• Figure 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 in Figure 11,
• Figure 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 in Figure 12,
• Figure 16 is schematic isometric perspective illustrating a long box over-shell suitable for use with the poly-pack tissue cassette of the present invention.
• Figure 17 illustrates where the transverse perimeter is measured on a clip of tissue.
• Figure 18 illustrates a combo pack of the present invention comprising one plastic over-shell and a plurality of poly-pack tissue cassettes of the present invention.
• Figure 19 illustrates a schematic of another polymeric sheet suitable for forming a capaciously sized loose fitting, flex-to-open flat poly-pack tissue cassette.
• Figure 20 illustrates largely nonverbal, use instructions printed on a polymeric sheet suitable for forming a capaciously sized loose fitting, flex to open flat poly-pack tissue cassette.
• poly-pack tissue cassette 20 formed from polymeric sheet 21 having thickness of about 1 -2 mils having a length of about 12.25 inches and a width of about 6 inches encompasses interfolded tissue clip 22 having a length of about 8.25 inches and a width of about 4 inches.
• each clip 22 will hold from about 75 to about 150, preferably from about 80- 140, more preferably from about 85-135, still more preferably from around 90- 130 and most preferably around 100, single or multi-ply tissues, preferably 2-ply tissues having a basis weight of around 25-40 gsm (15-20 lb/3000 sq. ft. ream ), or about 23-41 gsm (14-25 lb/3000 sq. ft.
• ream preferably 24-36 gsm (15-22 lb/3000 sq. ft. ream ), more preferably about 26-34 gsm (16-21 lb/3000 sq. ft, ream ) and most preferably about 29-33 gsm (18-20 lbs/3000 sq. ft. ream).
• clip 22 of 2-ply tissue will have a caliper of from about 40 to about 75 mils per 8 sheets, preferably from about 45 to 70 mils per 8 sheets, more preferably from about 50 to about 65 mils per 8 sheets and even more preferably from about
• each clip 22 of tissue will contain between about 90 and 100 single ply or 2-ply sheets having a basis weight of from about 17 to 21 lbs/3000 sq. ft. ream with a caliper of 50 to 70 mils/8 sheets and a height of from about 1.2" to about 1 ,5"-l .6".
• Transversely extending medial line of weakness 24 is formed by line 26 of perforations 28 extending across the poly surrounding tissue clip 22.
• poly-pack tissue cassette 20 is capaciously sized and loose fitting relative to tissue clip 22 therewithin.
• the ratio of the transverse perimeter of the clip to the interior transverse perimeter of the poly is preferably between about 0.70 to about 0.95, more preferably between about 0.75 and 0.92, still more preferably between about 0.80 and 0.90.
• the ratio of the transverse perimeter of clip 22 to the interior transverse perimeter of poly-pack tissue cassette 20 may be between about 0.55 to about 0.85, between about 0.60 and 0.82, between about 0.65 and 0.8 and or about 0.70, the transverse perimeter being taken around the width of clip 22 as illustrated in Figure 17.
• the ratio of the longitudinal perimeter of tissue clip 22 to the interior longitudinal perimeter of the poly pack be in the range of from about 0.8 to about 0.96, more preferably from about 0.88 to about 0.96, still more preferably from about 0.92 to about 0.95. Most preferably, the ratio will lie between 0.90 and 0.95.
• the ratio of the transverse perimeter of the clip to the interior transverse perimeter of the poly is preferably between about 0.70 to about 0.95, more preferably between about 0.75 and 0.92, still more preferably between about 0.80 and 0.90, and most preferably between about 0.82 and 0.89.
• the present invention is also suitable for use with napkin stock having a basis weight of 16 to 25 pounds per 3000 sq. ft. ream, a caliper of between 50 and 130 mils/8 sheets; towel having a basis weight of 20 to 40 pounds per 3000 sq. ft. ream, a caliper of 50 to 70 mils per 8 sheets; and, wipes having a basis weight of 15 to 30 pounds per 3000 sq. ft. ream and a caliper of between 30 and 70 mils per 8 sheets.
• the ratio of the transverse perimeter of the clip of paper product to the transverse interior perimeter of the polymeric overwrap be in the range of about 0.772 to about 0.92.
• each perforation 28 has a length of 2.75 mm while the length of land 30 between perforations 28 is 0.915 mm and the total length of line of weakness 24 is about 5 inches, although, in many cases, the length of the line of weakness will be as much as 7 inches or more.
• line of weakness 24 is formed of perforations 28 extending through the depth of polymeric sheet 21 overwrapping tissue cassette 20. The perforations may also be formed sufficiently deeply to allow the release of entrained air in a cassette prior to dispensing without rupturing the cassette.
• This "flattening" may allow more cassettes to fit in a carton. This flattening can also be achieved by placing pin holes in the poly sheet itself. In many cases, only one or two perforations need extend entirely through the film with the other perforations being closer to score lines.
• poly- should be understood to include polyethylene in all of its variants that are suitable for packaging wrap, polypropylene, polyolefins suitable for packaging wrap as well as other suitably flexible, water impermeable polymeric material commonly used as overwraps.
• polypropylene polypropylene
• polyolefins suitable for packaging wrap
• other suitably flexible, water impermeable polymeric material commonly used as overwraps.
• FIG 4 the schematic sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 2 of the capaciously sized loose fitting, bend-to-open / flex-2-open flat poly-pack tissue cassette 20 further illustrates the generous amount of polymeric wrap used to envelop interfolded tissue clip 22.
• overlap fin seam 34 depends therefrom.
• Transversely extending lip 36 is visible as well.
• Figure 5 illustrates the capaciously sized loose fitting, bend-to-open flat poly-pack tissue cassette 20 with transversely extending medial line of weakness 24 formed in polymeric sheet 21 encompassing tissue clip 22. Transversely extending lip 36 is visible as well.
• Figures 6 and 7 illustrate opening of poly-pack tissue cassette 20 of the present invention with Figure 6 representing the poly-pack tissue cassette 20 just prior to rupture along line of weakness 24 and Figure 7 just after.
• Figure 8 illustrates schematic isometric perspective of a plastic over-shell 38 having an oval opening 40 in top surface 42 thereof, plastic over-shell 38 being suitable for use with capaciously sized loose fitting, bend-to-open flat poly-pack tissue cassette 20 (not shown) with a transversely extending medial line of weakness 24.
• Figure 9 is a schematic of polymeric sheet 21 illustrating dimensions thereof suitable for forming capaciously sized loose fitting, bend-to-open flat poly-pack tissue cassette with a transversely extending medial line of weakness 24 illustrating dimensions suitable for use with a 96 sheet clip of 2-ply tissue sheets, 8,85" in length by 7.65" in width having longitudinal folds therein resulting in a folded width of 4 inches, each 2-ply tissue sheet having a basis weight of approximately 20 lbs/3000 sq. ft. ream when each sheet is folded into the configuration illustrated in Figure 10.
• Figure 10 illustrates the approximate dimensions of each sheet of tissue when prefolded prior to being incorporated into clip 22 (illustrated in Figure 1).
• Figures 14 and 15 (with reference to Figure 2), the disposition of poly-pack tissue cassette 20 within long box over-shell 39 is illustrated, while Figure 16 is an isometric perspective of long box over-shell 39 with oval dispensing opening 41 and Figure 17 illustrates where the transverse perimeter of tissue clip 22 is measured.
• Figure 18 illustrates a starter pack of several poly-pack tissue cassettes 20 and a plastic over-shell 38 inside a poly overwrap 45 to acquaint consumers with this packaging format
• Figure 19 illustrates the dimensions of a polymeric overwrap sized to accommodate a 96 sheet clip of 2-ply tissue where each sheet is 8.4 in. x 8 in (213 mm X 203 mm), while Figure 20 illustrates a combination of verbal and non-verbal instructions suitable for printing on an overwrap used in the practice of the present invention.
• the internal width of the completed tissue pack exceed the width of the tissue clip 22 by at least about 1.75 inches, more preferably by at least about 2 inches, more preferably by at least about 2.25 inches, still more preferably by at least about 2.5 inches and most preferably by at least about 2.75 inches.
• the interior length of the overwrap exceed the length of tissue clip 22 by at least about 0.75 inches, more preferably by at least about 1.0 inches, more preferably by at least about 1.25 inches and most preferably by at least about 1.35 inches.
• the ratio of the interior periphery of the polymeric sheet 21 to the transverse periphery of tissue clip 22 will be in the ranges prescribed above.
• use and opening instructions be printed directly onto the poly film for each cassette in a graphic form not requiring ability to read so that these instructions can be easily understood by all workers no matter what their background.
• Figure 20 illustrates a suitable combination of verbal instructions 66 and nonverbal pictorial instructions 68.
• the last 15-20 sheets in the cassette vary from the color of the upper sheets in clip 22 or include a colored stripe and/or logo, so that workers can quickly determine whether the inner pack should be replaced.
• Tendency for tissue to fall back into the dispenser can be largely alleviated by provision of a lip at each end of the cassette of at least about 0.5 inches in length by heat sealing two layers of film together.
• the lip is at least about 0.7 inches in length, more preferably at least about 0.75 inches in length, still more preferably at least about 0.85 inches in length and most preferably at least about 1.0 inches in length.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

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Citations (5)

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• 2016
  • 2016-02-11 US US15/041,319 patent/US20160235260A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2016-02-12 JP JP2017542870A patent/JP2018505104A/ja active Pending
  • 2016-02-12 WO PCT/US2016/017765 patent/WO2016133819A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2016-02-12 CA CA2976222A patent/CA2976222A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2016-02-12 EP EP16752849.6A patent/EP3259206A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2016-02-12 MX MX2017010573A patent/MX2017010573A/es unknown
  • 2016-02-15 TW TW105104279A patent/TW201637954A/zh unknown
• 2018
  • 2018-04-04 HK HK18104478.3A patent/HK1245207A1/zh unknown

Patent Citations (5)

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