FACIAL TISSUE PACKAGE

EMBALLAGE DE MOUCHOIRS DE PAPIER

English Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure
A package is disclosed which contains a plurality of
individual facial tissue clips. The individual clips can be used as
refills for facial tissue dispensers, thereby reducing the amount of
packaging materials and waste normally associated with the sale and
use of conventional individually boxed clips of facial tissues.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A package containing two or more separable clips of facial
tissues for use in a dispensing container.
2. The package of Claim 1 wherein each of the clips of facial
tissues are wrapped in a wrapper.
3. The package of Claim 3 wherein the wrapper is a plastic film.
4. The package of Claim 4 wherein the wrapper is biodegradable.
5. The package of Claim 1 wherein the number of clips of facial
tissue is six or more.
6. The package of Claim 1 wherein the number of clips of facial
tissue is ten or more.
7. The package of Claim 1 wherein the package is a plastic bag.
8. The package of Claim 7 wherein the plastic is biodegradable.

Description

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PATENT
FACIAL TISSUE PACKAGE
Backqround of the Invention
Facial tissues are currently manufactured and sold in
individual dispensing cartons or packages containing a clip or stack
of the tissues. The shape, size and decorative appearance of the
dispensing cartons varies, but in all instances the dispensing
package or carton is an integral part of the purchased product.
However, because of environmental concerns for reducing the amount of
materials which must be landfilled or incinerated, there is a desire
to reduce the amount of materials used for packaging products.
SummarY of the Invention
In general, the invention re~ides in a package containing two
or more separable clips of facial tissues for use in a facial tissue
dispensing container. The clips of facial t;ssues can be suitably
separated by individually wrapping each clip in a wrapper such as
plastic or paper. Preferably the wrapper and/or the package in which
the clips are contained are made from a degradable, biodegradable,
compostable or recyclable material. A consumer can purchase the
package of this invention, which provides a supply of facial tissues,
and use the individual tissue clips as refills for a refillable
permanent tissue dispensing container. Utilizing the packages of
this invention can result in a substantial savings in materials costs
and a substantial reduction in waste production.
Brief DPscription of the Drawinq
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred package of this
invention containing multiple clips of facial tissue.
Figure 2 is a top view of the package of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a wrapped facial tissue clip
contained in the package of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the facial tissue clip of
Figure 3, illustrating removal of the tissue clip from the wrapper.
Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a preferred process for
producing the packages of this invention.

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Detailed Description of the Drawinq
Referring to the Drawing, the invention will be described in
greater detail. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closed plastic
package of this invention containing ten individual clips of facial
tissues which have been wrapped in a plastic film wrapper. The
package 1 can be any suitable container, preferably a biodegradable
plastic bag, which can hold and dispense two or more clips of facial
tissue. (For purposes herein, degradable materials are those that
undergo a significant change in chemical structure under specific
environmental conditions resulting in a loss of some properties.
Biodegradable materials are those which degrade as a result of the
action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi
and algae.) The package illustrated in Figure 1 is a plastic bag
formed from a single sheet of plastic whose edges are sealed together
along a seam 2. The top of the bag is provided with a plastic draw
string 3 which serves to facilitate closure of the top of the bag by
gathering the top edge of the bag together. The draw string also
serves as a carrying handle for the bag and can be made of any
material of suitable strength.
Figure 2 is a top view of the package of Figure 1 in an opened
position. Shown are ten separable clips of facial tissue 4 standing
on end within the package. It will be appreciated that the number of
clips within the package can be any number which is convenient for
the consumer. As previously stated, the number of clips can be two
or more, preferably six or more, and most preferably ten or more.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an individual separable clip
of facial tissue which is wrapped in a plastic sleeve 5. The plastic
sleeve maintains the individuality and separability of the clip.
Within the clip are a multiplicity of individual facial tissues 6.
Also shown is a seam 7 where the plastic sleeve is sealed during
manufacturing.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the separable clip of Figure
3, illustrating removal of the clip from the wrapper. In use, the
clip of facial tissues would be removed from the wrapper and inserted
into a facial tissue dispenser.

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Figure 5 is a schematic flow diagram of a preferred method of
manufactur;ng the package of this invention. The first step is to
fold individual tissue sheets into a continuous stack or log as is
produced on a multifolding machine. Such machines are well known in
the tissue converting art. In essence, the multifolder continuously
interfolds a multiplicity of continuous sheets, unwound from multiple
wound rolls of tissue basesheet, to Form a continuous log of
interfolded tissue having the height of the ultimate clip of tissues.
As the continuous log moves along a conveyor, the clip wrapper is
placed around the log and sealed to form a continuous sleeve. As the
log is sawed into individual clips, the sleeve is simultaneously cut
as part of the clip. The resulting wrapped clip is then stacked into
a bundle of appropriate size for packaging into the package of this
invention. As illustrated, a preferred package utilizes a plastic
bag to hold ten clips of tissues. Apparatus for bagging the clips of
tissues can be any conventional equipment well known in the packaging
art.
It will be appreciated that the foregoing description, given
for purposes of illustration, is not to be construed as limiting the
scope of the invention as defined by the following claims, which are
intended to encompass all equivalents thereto.

Representative Drawing