Article dispensing – Concurrent separation and distortion of flexible article – Deformation by non-coextensive outlet opening
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-08
2001-08-28
Bollinger, David H. (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
Concurrent separation and distortion of flexible article
Deformation by non-coextensive outlet opening
C221S185000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279775
ABSTRACT:
FIELD
The present invention relates to tissue dispensers and more particularly to tissue dispensers which are designed to fit within vehicle cup holders.
BACKGROUND
Disposable moist towelettes or tissues are very popular in today's society. Their use ranges from patient care in hospitals to personal hygiene. One use in particular, the baby wipe, has become increasingly popular. As the name connotes, baby wipes are often used to clean babies after changing diapers, although baby wipes have may other applications. As anyone who has changed a diaper knows, the need for baby wipes can arise during a trip to the grocery store or during a vacation across the country. Therefore, it is essential to have a dispenser or container that is easy to transport and easy to locate. However, baby wipes are commonly packaged in large, bulky containers which make the containers difficult to transport, particularly on trips or vacations. The large round containers can be particularly difficult to store in a vehicle because there is not a convenient place to store the container. Often, attempts to store the containers under the seat are unsuccessful since any stop or curve may cause the container to roll from underneath the seat to another location. Once the container moves to another location, it may become difficult to locate or may become damaged and fail to properly dispense tissues.
SUMMARY
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of existing tissue dispensers by providing a tissue dispenser that is designed to be placed in most vehicle cup holders. By placing the tissue dispenser of the present invention in a cup holder, the tissue dispenser is easily located and readily accessible. Moreover, such a convenient location prevents damage to the present tissue dispenser.
One embodiment of the present tissue dispenser includes a container portion for holding tissues or other articles. The container portion includes a lower portion which may fit within an adjustable or non-adjustable vehicle cup holder, a transition portion positioned above the lower portion, and an upper portion positioned above the transition portion. Because non-adjustable cup holders are typically more prevalent in vehicles, it is preferred that the present tissue dispenser have a size which can be placed in non-adjustable cup holders. Therefore, the lower portion preferably has a diameter that is equal to or less than about two and six-tenths inches (2.6″) which is the size for most non-adjustable vehicle cup holders provided by automobile manufacturers.
The transition portion extends outwardly from the lower portion and typically has a flare-like shape. Preferably, the transition portion expands the diameter of the present tissue dispenser to around three inches (3″). The transition portion also may create a ledge or shelf which rests on the edge of the vehicle cup holder when the tissue dispenser of the present invention is placed in the cup holder.
The upper portion extends upward from the transition portion and is preferably larger in height and diameter than the lower portion in order to increase the containment volume for the present tissue dispenser. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sidewall of the upper portion is tilted outwardly so that the upper portion gradually increases in diameter as it increases in height. The lower portion, transition portion and upper portion of the container portion define an interior space for receiving and containing tissues or other articles to be dispensed by the present tissue dispenser. The top of the upper portion defines an opening for inserting tissues or other articles to be dispensed by the present tissue dispenser.
The opening of the container portion also receives a dispensing cap for dispensing tissues. The dispensing cap may be removably attached to the container portion so that the dispensing cap may be removed occasionally in order to refill the container portion with tissues. Preferably, the dispensing cap may be secured to the container portion by a threaded connection, a snap connection, an adhesive connection, or any other connection that removably secures the dispensing cap to the container portion. However, for a disposable-type tissue dispenser, the dispensing cap may be integral with or permanently attach to the container portion.
The dispensing cap may be secured to the container portion in a manner that provides a seal for the present tissue dispenser so that evaporation is minimized to prevent the enclosed tissues from drying. The present tissue dispenser preferably contains tissues having an antimicrobial agent. The seal further prevents contaminants from entering the tissue dispenser thereby preserving the antimicrobial effect of the tissues. Such a seal is created by a first ridge located around the circumference of the opening at the top of the container portion and a second ridge which is located on the interior portion of the dispensing cap. The first and second ridges are substantially the same in diameter in order to create a compression fit between the two ridges. Therefore, when the dispensing cap is placed over the opening, the second ridge compresses the first ridge until the second ridge slips over the first ridge. Once the dispensing cap is secured in place, the second ridge rests below the first ridge and presses against the circumference of the opening on the container portion. Likewise, the first ridge presses against the interior surface of the dispensing cap. The cooperation among the first ridge and the circumference of the opening and the second ridge and the interior surface of the dispensing cap provides a seal for the present tissue dispenser. The compression fit also helps to prevent inadvertent removal of the dispensing cap.
The dispensing cap also may include an aperture through which the tissues or other articles may be dispensed. The aperture may be a hole or similar opening for dispensing solid articles such as tissues. The aperture may also define a nozzle or spout or similar structure for dispensing liquids or gels. Preferably, tissues which are connected along perforations are contained in the container portion. The aperture preferably includes tabs or other protrusions which slip between the perforations of the tissues in order to separate the tissues along the perforations as they are being dispensed. The dispensing cap may also include a closable lid to cover the aperture and further seal the tissue dispenser to prevent evaporation through the aperture.
The container portion may have other configurations. For example, in an alternate embodiment, the container portion may gradually increase in diameter from the base of the container portion to the top of the container portion so that the container portion is substantially conical in shape. In another alternate embodiment, the container portion is substantially cylindrical in shape so that the diameter is substantially consistent along the entire height of the container portion. Currently, it is believed that there is no existing tissue dispenser which has a diameter less than around three and one-eight inches (3.125″) which makes existing tissue dispensers unsuitable for non-adjustable vehicle cup holders. An important feature of the present invention is that the cylindrically-shaped container portion has a size that can be accommodated by a large variety of non-adjustable vehicle cup holders. Therefore, it is critical that the present cylindrically-shaped tissue dispenser have a diameter of around three inches (3″) or less in order to fit within a non-adjustable vehicle cup holder. Preferably, the present tissue dispenser has a diameter of about two and six-tenths inches (2.6″).
Preferred materials of construction for the tissue dispenser
1
are plastics such as polypropylene or high density polyethylene (HDPE). However, other materials may be used such as paper or composite materials. Further, the present tissue dispenser may have cross-sectional configurations other than circular. For example, square, triangular, ellipti
King Arnold M.
Parkes Timothy H.
Bollinger David H.
Moore Kent R.
Remington Industries, Inc.
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