Abstract:
A new and novel tissue container having at least two separate and distinct compartments, one for dispensing clean tissues and one for receiving and retaining used tissues in protected compartment designed to secure and/or disinfect germs resident in such used tissues.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application relates to and takes priority from co-pending U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/714,475 filed on Mar. 5, 2007 and entitled “TISSUE CONTAINER WITH WASTE TISSUE DISPOSAL COMPARTMENT”, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. The Field of the Present Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a health maintenance accessory and more particularly to a tissue container have a waste tissue disposal compartment that includes antibacterial coatings and germ prevention solutions. 
         [0004]    2. General Background 
         [0005]    Tissue is one of the most widely used household items in any home, school or business environment. Tissues are normally contained in a tissue box that is made of cardboard paper such that tissues can be easily dispensed from a top opening in the box. The top opening is formed in the top panel of a paper box in an elongated, rectangular shape and is normally sealed with a plastic film having a slot opening therein for tissue to pass through. After a tissue has been used, the user must find an appropriate waste basket for disposing the waste tissue. This is frequently a problem for children who may not have the patience of locating a waste basket, or even for adults who cannot find a nearby waste basket for the disposal. Waste tissues frequently carry germs or bacteria that may be detrimental to other people&#39;s health and therefore presenting a great health hazard if the waste tissue is just being left on a table or a dresser. 
         [0006]    In addition, in the healthcare market, a continuing problem is the disposal of used tissues by immobile patients. Patients without an ability to dispose of used tissues in a waste receptacle located in a facility room typically leave such used tissues on countertops around their bed. This poses a significant risk of germ transfer for patients, visitors and facility personnel who must then attend to the disposal of the used tissues. 
         [0007]    Additionally, not all locations are suitable for waste receptacles such as cars and public transportation. In these environments users are typically left with no disposal option for used tissues save for retaining the used tissues in a pocket or the user&#39;s hand until they can find a waste disposal basket. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    I have discovered a new and novel tissue box having two separate and distinct compartments, one for dispensing clean tissues and one for receiving and retaining used tissues in protected compartment designed to secure and/or disinfect germs resident in such used tissues. 
         [0009]    In a first embodiment the present invention includes a tissue container equipped with a waste tissue disposal compartment is provided, constructed by a container body of generally rectangular shape that has an first compartment and a second compartment divided by a moveable partition having an apex portion; a first slot opening in a top panel of the container body providing fluid communication with an first cavity in the first compartment; a multiplicity of clean tissues in the upper cavity accessible through the first slot opening; a second slot opening in a side panel of the container body providing fluid communication with a second cavity in the second compartment; and a plastic bag in a the lower cavity adapted for receiving waste tissue through the second slot opening. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the plastic bag is coated or impregnated with anti-viral, anti-germ and/or bacteria neutralizing solutions which can contain various percentages of citric acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, bleach and other similar substances. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments the interior walls of the waste compartment are either coated or impregnated with such anti-germ and bacteria neutralizing solutions. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the clean compartment and the waste compartment are fluidly sealed from each other by the plastic bag being completely sealed around the opening to the waste compartment. 
         [0013]    In other embodiments, a partition is positioned between the clean compartment and the waste compartment. The partition can also be coated or impregnated with anti-germ and bacteria neutralizing solutions as well as every other surface of the container, both inside and out on a selective basis. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments the partition can be free floating, that is, the partition can be placed between a set of clean tissues in the clean compartment and the waste compartment. In configurations with a plastic bag located in the waste compartment, a partition can be also be used to provide stability to the container overall, but also to support a stack of clean tissues in a fixed position in the clean tissue compartment. As the clean tissues are used, the waste tissue compartment becomes increasingly larger and the clean tissue compartment becomes increasingly smaller as the partition slides or flexes into the clean tissue compartment. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments the partition can be affixed to the interior of the container on only one side, two sides, or even at specific locations to allow rotation and axial movement of the partition as needed. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments the movable partition includes two walls joined by an apex portion structured and arranged to support clean tissue in the clean tissue compartment and designed to expand the interior space of the waste tissue compartment by moving the clean tissues in a direction toward the opening in the clean tissue compartment with the force of the waste tissues being inserted into the waste tissue compartment and applying force from the underside of the apex portion of the partition. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments the clean tissues are arranged in fashion to be advantageously ejected from the slot in clean tissue compartment by the force from under the apex portion of the partition created by the insertion of waste tissues into the waste tissue compartment. The movable partition including an apex portion can be structured and arranged to apply a force to the clean tissues in order to expel said clean tissue from first slot opening as waste tissues are inserted into the second compartment. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments the exterior surfaces of the partition in contact with the interior of the tissue box are fluidly sealed so that fluid transfer from the waste tissue compartment to the clean tissue compartment is prevented. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments the movable partition is frictionally engaged with interior surfaces of the container to form a fluid seal there between. There can also be a seal or flange affixed to the edges of exterior surfaces of the portion to ensure a fluid and/or gas tight seal between the first compartment and the second compartment, especially as the second expands as waste tissue are inserted therein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, in a non-limiting fashion, the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention, and in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures, wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the tissue container according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention tissue container with the panels for the top opening and the side opening removed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating how a user may place waste tissues into the waste tissue receptacle according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the tissue container according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the tissue container according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIGS. 6A and 6   b  are partial cross-sectional views of the tissue container configuration showing the interior of the container and the movement of an alternate partition according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is an exploding view of the container according to  FIGS. 6A and 6B  and its interior partition; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the container as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the Figures in which an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The subject matter of this disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
         [0030]    The present invention discloses a tissue compartment that is equipped with a waste tissue disposal compartment which can be readily used to dispose waste tissues. The present invention tissue container is a modified method of packing facial tissue so that the box includes a built-in disposable compartment for used or waste tissues. The present invention tissue container provides easy access to a garbage receptacle for used tissues. 
         [0031]    The present invention tissue container consists of a cardboard box with a centralized partition used to separate new, unused tissues from used, disposable tissues. The waste tissue receptacle features a plastic bag, which may optionally be impregnated with an antibacterial solution, for sanitary disposal of waste tissues. The box and plastic features a perforated opening for easy disposal when needed. The present invention tissue container provides a user with a sanitary method of disposing used, waste tissues. The rectangular box can be produced in a wide range of sizes, styles, shapes, and colors to coordinate with any decor. 
         [0032]    The present invention tissue container fulfills the need for a clean and sanitary means of using and discarding facial tissues. The appealing features of the present invention tissue container are its improved sanitary conditions, as well as its multi-functional design, convenience, ease of use, decorative appeal, effectiveness, practicality, novel and eye-catching design, durability, and time savings. Instead of throwing a waste tissue into a waste basket, the user can simply insert it into the provided waste tissue bag and the waste tissue compartment. The present invention tissue container improves the sanitary conditions in any home, office, nursing home, hospital, etc and could promote a germ-free environment. 
         [0033]    The packaging modification can be particularly beneficial in households with sick family members. Other family members could rest easy knowing that used tissues are safely discarded into the provided waste tissue compartment. The present invention waste tissue container is novel and eye-catching in appearance, and is appealing to individuals who take pride in the appearance of their homes. It can be produced in a variety of attractive colors and designs to appeal to a wide range of individuals and to coordinate with any decor. It is easy to use, convenient, functional, practical, sanitary, and handy. 
         [0034]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , wherein a present invention tissue container  10  is shown in a perspective view. The tissue container  10  is constructed of a container body  20  that has a generally rectangular shape with an upper compartment  30  and a lower compartment  40  divided by a moveable partition  42  therein between. This is better shown in a cross-sectional view in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0035]    A first slot opening  22  is provided in a top panel  20  of the container body  20  providing fluid communication with an upper cavity  32  in the upper compartment  30 . A multiplicity of clean tissues  34  are held in the upper cavity  32  accessible through the first slot opening  22 . A second slot opening  44  is provided in a side panel  24  of the container body  20  providing fluid communication with a lower cavity  46  in the lower compartment  40 . A plastic bag  50  is provided in the lower cavity  46  adapted for receiving waste tissues through the second slot opening  44 . 
         [0036]    It should be noted as shown in  FIG. 1 , the top slot opening  22  is sealed by a tab  28  which has perforated edges for easy removal from the top panel  24 . Similarly, the second slot opening  44  is formed by removing a tab  48  from the side panel  26 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the present invention tissue container  10  with the tabs  28 ,  48  removed showing a plastic sealing film  38 ,  58  which has a center slit opening  36  and  56 , respectively in the top panel  24  and in the side panel  26 . 
         [0038]    The use of the present invention tissue container  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 3  wherein waste tissue  54  is inserted into the waste tissue compartment  40  into the waste tissue bag  50 , while clean tissue  34  is dispended through the top opening  22 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of the present invention tissue container  10  illustrating the various components. It should be noted that the partition  42  is movable, i.e. can be moved upwardly as the clean tissue  34  are being exhausted and the waste tissue bag  50  is being filled up and expanded, the partition  42  would be pushed up to allow the expansion of the waste tissue bag  50 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative tissue container  10  having partition  42  connected to container  10  at only one point  55  and being not connected at point  56 . This configuration will allow for additional free movement of partition  42  up as the waste tissue bag  50  is filled with waste tissues. Partition  42  can move, slide or flex toward the first compartment allowing expansion of the second compartment as waste tissues are inserted therein. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  shows an partial cut away view of an alternate design of the tissue container  110  tissues  134  are in a half folded configuration be pushed up by partition  142 . Partition  142  as shown having apex  145  and side walls  143  surrounding waste tissue compartment  140 . As shown in  FIG. 6B  as waster tissues are inserted through slot  144  into waste tissue compartment  144 , apex  145  applies pressure in a direction towards the clean tissue compartment  130 . As apex  145  rises clean tissues  134  are ejected out of slot opening  122 . The edges of exterior surfaces of partition  145  are structured and arranged to frictionally engage interior surfaces on walls  122 . This engagement can be gas sealed such that fluids, germs and bacteria are prevented from migrating from waste tissue compartment  140  into clean tissue compartment  130 . Optionally a waste tissue bag (not shown) can be used in this configuration. In addition, sealing gaskets or rubberized flanges can be applied to the edges of partition  145  exterior surfaces to ensure a proper gas and fluid seal with the interior of walls  122 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  shows and exploded view of the alternate embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B .  FIG. 8  shows a side view of the alternate embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         [0043]    In addition, in all configurations all surfaces can be coated, impregnated or sprayed with anti-bacterial and/or germ killing solutions to aid in the spread germs and bacteria from the waste tissue compartment into the clean compartment as well as to the user and additional users. 
         [0044]    Optionally an anti-skid surface (not shown) can be attached to lower panel  170  of container  110 . The anti-skid surface can be affixed to the bottom of container  10  or  110  to prevent the container from sliding across a counter top or other support surface when users are limited to using one hand to remove clean tissues and place waste tissues into the waste tissue compartment. Anti-skid surface can be implemented with each and every configuration of the tissue container  10  or  110  discussed above or hereafter designed. 
         [0045]    It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that described herein is a novel tissue container with a sanitary waste tissue disposal compartment. While the invention has been described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it is not limited to these embodiments. The invention may be modified or varied in many ways and such modifications and variations as would be obvious to one of skill in the art are within the scope and spirit of the invention and are included within the scope of the following claims.