Portable holder for tissues

A portable holder for tissues to carry full size tissues right from a tissue box. The holder is to be die cut from flexible transparent material such as vinyl. The holder has having two like pockets on interior surface so aligned as to create a channel for the insertion of an insert cut to fit the rectangular main body of holder for tissues. Transparency of holder allows the insert to be seen through holder thereby becoming the decor of holder. With the insert in place, tissues are placed over the insert, the holder is folded and the fastener is secured.

BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to tissue holders, specifically to an improved 
portable holder for full size tissues with an innovative means for 
decoration or advertising. 
BACKGROUND-RELATED INVENTION 
A prior U.S. Design Patent U.S. Pat. No. DES 261,826 (Webb) was issued on 
Nov. 17, 1981 (Webb was my previous name before marriage.) In March, 1995 
I redesigned the tissue holder and on Mar. 20, 1995 I filed a Disclosure 
Document #372913. 
BACKGROUND 
Presently the popular way to carry tissues is to buy "tissue packs", a 
package of small folded tissues enclosed in a plastic packet, and carry 
them in pocket or purse for future use. The disadvantage of these tissue 
packs is the small size of the tissues, the small number of tissues and 
the fact that the packaging quickly deteriorates exposing the tissues 
which become soiled before use. Also these packs are not refillable and 
you must constantly purchase new ones. Another way that tissues are 
carried is loose and unprotected, right from the tissue box. Most people 
who carry tissues take a handful from the box and put them in their pocket 
or purse where they are quickly soiled and disheveled before they are 
used. Many people find it helpful and convenient to have tissues on hand 
to be used in various situations. People with children find them useful 
for wiping faces and hands or runny noses, people with colds or allergies, 
travelers and many others carry tissues regularly. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention, a portable holder for tissues, is made from soft transparent 
vinyl and designed to hold full size tissues right from the tissue box and 
to be carried in pocket, purse, briefcase etc. Once tissues are placed in 
the holder, the holder is folded to a compact size, one third the size of 
a regular tissue. Most people who carry tissues take them from a tissue 
box and place them in pocket or purse unprotected. Being unprotected, the 
tissues become unsightly before they are used. The portable holder for 
tissues solves this problem by furnishing a compact , attractive, 
refillable vehicle for holding the tissues that keeps them clean until 
used. The previous tissue holder, Design Patent No. U.S. Pat. No. 261,826 
also afforded these same benefits but the new embodiment has a much 
broader scope. Not only does the tissue holder provide the aforementioned 
benefits but it also allows for an insert to be displayed across the 
rectangular main body of the tissue holder. This insert can be an 
advertisement, art work, a craft, photos etc. The new feature consists of 
two like pockets positioned on the interior of the tissue holder one on 
each end of the rectangular main body of the holder. The pockets function 
is for the insertion of a rectangular insert cut exactly to size to fit 
the full length and width of the main body of the tissue holder. The 
insert could be decorative paper, fabric, advertising copy, photos etc. 
Once the insert is in place, the insert can be seen through the 
transparent vinyl thereby becoming the decor of the tissue holder. This 
functional improvement and the ease with which the tissue holder can be 
changed will allow the holder to be used in an unlimited number of ways 
such as: advertising specialties, crafts, souvenirs, promotions and many 
others. This is a great advantage cost wise. Instead of having to imprint 
the vinyl, which is an expensive process, an insert can be inexpensively 
printed or decorated and easily inserted into the tissue holder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Description of Invention 
An overall view of the exterior of the portable holder for tissues is 
illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows an end view and FIG. 3 shows a side 
view. The portable holder for tissues is die cut in one piece from 
transparent soft vinyl. FIG. 4 shows a view of the inside of the holder 
for tissues showing areas 10 where vinyl is in two layers forming pockets 
with openings facing toward the center of holder for tissues. Also shown 
in FIG. 4 are double slits 20 used in the closure of the holder for 
tissues. In the illustration FIG. 5, an insert is seen in place with the 
ends tucked into pockets 10. In FIG. 6 tissues have been placed over the 
insert. In FIG. 7 an end flap 12 and notched side slaps 14 have been 
folded flat against the tissues and the holder for tissues is pictured in 
a partially folded condition. In illustration FIG. 8 the tissue holder has 
been completely folded with flap 16 having an arrow shaped closure 18, 
folded down and arrow shaped closure 18 in place and pushed through double 
slits 20. The design of the insert may be seen through the transparent 
vinyl. 
OPERATION OF INVENTION 
To utilize the portable holder for tissues, the holder is laid flat as in 
FIG. 4 with the inside facing up. A cut-to-fit insert is placed over the 
rectangular body of the holder for tissues, and the ends are tucked 
smoothly into the two like pockets 10. The the tissues are then placed 
over the insert. The end flap 12 is then folded flush against the tissues 
then notched side flaps 14 are also folded flush against tissues. The 
holder for tissues is then folded in thirds starting from the lower end 
12. Once folded, flap with the arrow-shaped closure 18 is guided through 
double slits 20 to secure the holder in its folded condition. 
SCOPE 
You can see that the portable holder for tissues provides a unique and 
attractive carrier for tissues with the added benefit of easy 
personalization. While my above description contains many specificities, 
these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the 
invention, but rather as an exemplification of one prefered embodiment 
thereof. Other variations are possible. For example: a different type 
closure, use for something other then tissues i.e. panty liners, travelers 
checks, currency. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by 
the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the example 
given.