Container for paper sheets

Abstract: A container (1) including a top (5) opening and adaped to contain absorbent paper sheets (7) for household or workshops. The opening is arranged longitudinally from one side to the other of the container and is constituted by an almost rectangular central portion, with curved longer sides and rounded corners. The central (9) portion is connected to rectangular lateral portions (11) having a narrower cross-section than the central portion. End portions (13) are connected to the lateral portions and have a substantially trapezoidal shape in which the longer parallel side is directed toward the edge of the container. The container also includes an intermediate supporting panel that is spaced from the resting base so as to prevent the sheets from getting wet if the container is placed on a wet surface.

Description: The present invention relates to a container for paper sheets. Containers for paper sheets such as handkerchiefs, tissues, and the like, are known and are generally made of cardboard, with an upper opening to allow to pull out a single tissue at a time. The arrangement of the tissues inside the container and the shape of the opening allow the tissue that follows the one pulled out to arrange itself so that at least one portion lies outside the opening. The openings of containers for tissues, or for other paper sheets, that are currently commercially available are arranged longitudinally on the top face of the container and generally have a rectangular shape with a constant cross-section or an oval shape. A container with an opening according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in US-A-2 849 152. The opening of conventional containers is not suitable for other kinds of sheet, particularly kitchen paper of the type generally marketed in rolls. Kitchen rolls are in fact made of absorbent paper having a different consistency than tissues. It is also important that the sheet of absorbent paper is presented flat instead of folded up as occurs for tissues. The aim of the present invention is to provide a container adapted to contain sheets of kitchen, or absorbent paper, for household use or for use in workshops, laboratories, and the like. A further aim of the invention is to provide a container wherein the single sheets of paper are presented flat for use. Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a container that is constructively simple and economical. This aim, this object, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a container as claimed in the appended claims. Further characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container according to the invention, in which the opening is still closed by the closing strip; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the container; Figure 3 is another perspective view of the container, shown in its operating position, with a sheet ready to be pulled out. With reference to figures 1-3 in particular, the container, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, includes a box-like body 3 having a top opening 5 and is suitable to contain paper sheets 7, such as kitchen or absorbent paper. The opening 5 runs longitudinally from one side to the other of the box-like body and comprises a quasi rectangular central portion 9 having curved longer sides 21 and rounded corners 23. The central portion 9 is connected to rectangular lateral portions 11 having a narrower section than the central portion. End portions 13 are connected to the lateral portions 11 and have a substantially trapezoidal shape, in which the longer parallel side extends along the edge of the container. Each one of the end portions 13 is prolonged by a vertical portion 15 that runs partially along the vertical wall 17 of the container. The container is advantageously closed by a strip 19 which is shaped complementarily to the opening 5 and is connected to the container, in a per se known manner, by tearaway portions. Figure 1 shows the container with the closing strip applied, and the reference numerals related to the opening 5 designate the corresponding portions of the closing strip 19. Use of the container is very simple. Once the closing strip 19 has been torn off, the first sheet is pulled out, and the next sheet 7 arranges itself flat, as shown in Figure 3. In this manner it is very easy to grip the sheet in any point and it is possible to pull it out by pulling from any direction by virtue of the configuration of the opening 5. The wider central portion, shaped in the described manner, ensures that the next sheet is pulled out and positioned properly. Experimental tests have shown that the presence of the trapezoidal portions 13 at the ends of the opening allows both to easily pull out the sheet regardless of the pulling direction, and to precisely position the next sheet in cooperation with the central portion. An advantage of the invention resides in the fact that the end portions of the opening have a wider section at their extremities remote from the central portion than the mean section of the end portions. The main purpose of the wider central portion in fact is to make it easier to grip the sheet when the sheet is gripped centrally. It has been seen how the invention achieves the intended aims by providing a container for effectively supplying sheets of absorbent paper for household and workshop use in particular. The container according to the invention may have numerous modifications and variations, as long as they are within the scope of the claims. The materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the specific needs and the state of the art. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: Container for paper sheets comprising an opening (5, 107) extending longitudinally from one side to the other in a transversally median position of a top wall and having end portions (13) and a central portion (9), said end portions having a section substantially wider at their extremities remote from the central portion than the mean section of said end portions, characterized in that said central portion (9) has a quasi rectangular section with curved longer sides (21) and rounded corners (23), and in that rectangular lateral portions (11), having a narrower section than said central portion, are provided between said central portion (9) and said end portions (13). Container according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said end portions (13) has a substantially trapezoidal section the longer parallel side of which extending along the edge of said container. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said end portions (13) of said opening is prolonged by a vertical portion (15) that runs partially along the vertical wall (17) of said container.

Inventors: TRONCHETTI RENZO, TRONCHETTI SAURO, TRONCHETTI, RENZO, TRONCHETTI, SAURO
Applicants: IND CARTARIE TRONCHETTI SPA, INDUSTRIE CARTARIE TRONCHETTI SPA
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B65D83
IPC codes: B65D83