Abstract:
A package containing sheets and having an orifice for dispensing the sheets from the package. The sheets may be joined together to allow pop-up dispensing. The sheets have first and second faces facing first and second directions, respectively. The package has two orifices in communication with each other. The sheet may be grasped through the first orifice and communicated to the second orifice for subsequent pop-up dispensing. The sheet inverts about an axis during such communication so that the first side of the sheet may face towards the second direction, and vice versa. If the sheets are wetted this arrangement also allows the wetting liquid to be distributed onto an adjacent sheet during dispensing without an additional step.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/580,618, filed Oct. 13, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to dispensing of discrete sheets and more particularly to dispensing of discrete sheets from a container having an orifice. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Dispensing of sheets from a container has long been done in the art. Reach-in dispensing allows multiple sheets to be dispensed at once, but can be inconvenient. 
         [0004]    Pop-up dispensing is more convenient, but often dictates that a more vertically oriented package be used. If the sheets are wet, the package must have a lid, to prevent undue evaporation. A seal is formed between the lid and the body of the package. 
         [0005]    If the seal does not have approximately equi-axed stresses, the seal may not fit tightly and evaporation may again result. This problem has been approached by using packages having a round seal and often a round cross section. However, this approach is not entirely successful. The consumer may desire a cross section having a different shape or footprint, more readily allowing indicia to be placed on a side wall of the package. Furthermore, the dispensing orifice, and hence seal may not be round in such a package. 
         [0006]    If a package with a non-circular cross section is selected, dispensing discrete sheets may present particular challenges. If the sheets are disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the orifice, an unduly large footprint may be required. If the sheets are packaged too tightly, tearing of the first few sheets to be dispensed may occur. The sheet may not easily unfold upon dispensing, particular if the sheet has cohesive forces due to wetting. 
         [0007]    The need for improved dispensing and for improved dispensing packages continues. This need occurs with wet and dry sheets, which are both disposable and reusable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an exemplary package according to the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view, shown partially in cutaway, of the package of  FIG. 1A  and having sheets therein for dispensing. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1C  is a top plan view of the package of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a vertical sectional view taken a long line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1B . 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3A-3E  are schematic side views of exemplary, representative interleaved patterns. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4A-4E  are schematic side views of exemplary, representative non-interleaved patterns. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a frontal view of the package of  FIG. 1B  stack of sheets showing the inversion of the leading edge upon dispensing, the stack being in an exemplary package shown in cutaway. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    In one embodiment the invention comprises a package in combination with at least one sheet therein and being dispensible the package. The package comprises a body for containing at least one sheet therein and an orifice for dispensing the sheet there through to remove it from the package. The orifice comprises a first aperture and a second aperture in unobstructed communication therewith. The second aperture has a major dimension and a minor dimension orthogonal thereto, with the major dimension being greater than the minor dimension. At least one sheet is disposed in the package. The sheet has a generally planar configuration. The plane of said sheet may be substantially aligned with the major dimension. The sheet has a first side and a second side opposed thereto, with the first side and said second side being oriented in a first direction and a second direction, respectively. The sheet can be partially dispensed through said first aperture and communicated to said second aperture, whereby at least a portion of said first side of said sheet inverts to face towards said second direction upon communication of said sheet into said second aperture. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment the invention comprises a method of dispensing a sheet, disposed in a planar configuration, from a package in pop-up fashion. The method comprises the steps of reaching into a package and withdrawing a portion of a sheet from a starting position through a first aperture in the package, then moving the withdrawn portion of said sheet in an arcute path to a second aperture, whereby a portion of said sheet inverts about a first axis to face in the opposite direction from the starting position. 
         [0017]    All patents and patent applications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1C , the package  10  according to the present invention may comprise a body  11  for receiving articles therein. The articles are received in the body  11  of the package  10 . The package  10  may have defined walls, may be generally parallelepipedly shaped, and may have a dispensing orifice  18  therein. A lid  22  may be provided to cover the orifice  18  and close the package  10 . 
         [0019]    If one or more articles are placed in the package, the articles may be dry, moist, wet or a combination thereof. The articles to be placed in the package  10  may comprise sheets  14 , or may be other contents as desired. 
         [0020]    Examining the package  10  in more detail, it may have defined walls  30 . The walls  30  may define a top, a bottom, front and back sides, and left and right sides, and may define any suitable size and shape. The walls  30  of the body  11  and lid  22  may be generally coextensive when the lid  22  is in the closed position. Alternatively, the lid  22  may have a very different shape than the body  11 . 
         [0021]    The walls  30  of the package  10  need not be freestanding and rigid as depicted, but instead may be flaccid or resiliently deformable. This arrangement may provide a package  10  with an amorphous shape. Material such as polyethylene film may be suitable if flaccid walls are selected for the package  10 . If so, a suitable package  10  may be made in accordance with the teachings of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,897 issued Jan. 10, 1995 to Muckenfuhs et al. The package  10  may also be lightweight. By “lightweight” it is meant the package  10  is conveniently portable and does not have dead weight specifically added thereto. Alternatively, the walls may be rigid. Suitable materials for rigid walls include HDPE and PP. 
         [0022]    The orifice  18  may intercept both the top wall  30  and one of the other walls  30  of the package  10 , so that the sheets  14  may be dispensed in either a pop-up manner or a reach-in manner. A suitable package  10  and orifice  18  may be made in accordance with the teachings of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,623,074 issued Nov. 18, 1986 to Dearwester; 5,516,001 issued May 14, 1996 to Muchenfuhs et al or U.S. application Ser. No. 11/377,788 filed Mar. 16, 2006 in the names of Wong et al. as P&amp;G Case number 10337#. 
         [0023]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1A-1C , the orifice  18  may comprise any variety of shapes, and intercept one or more walls of the package  10 . The orifice  18  may comprise a first aperture  19 A and a second aperture  19 B in communication therewith. By “in communication” it is meant that a sheet  14 , or portion thereof, may be moved from the first aperture  19 A to the second aperture  19 B, and optionally, from the second aperture  19 B to the first aperture  19 A by the user. Such movement may occur from outside the package  10 , by simply grasping the sheet  14 , or a portion thereof and transferring such portion between the first aperture  19 A and the second aperture  19 B. 
         [0024]    The communication between the first aperture  19 A and the second aperture  19 B may be unobstructed. By “unobstructed” it is meant that the path between the first aperture  19 A and the second aperture  19 B may be free of any pinch points, undue obstructions or other artifacts which would block movement of the sheet  14 . 
         [0025]    The first aperture  19 A and/or the second aperture  19 B may have a major dimension, defining the longest dimension of that first aperture  19 A or second aperture  19 B in any particular direction. Likewise the first aperture  19 A and/or the second aperture  19 B may have a minor dimension orthogonal the major dimension. The major dimension may be greater than the minor dimension for either or both of the first aperture  19 A or second aperture  19 B, as taken in any particular direction. 
         [0026]    The first aperture  19 A and the second aperture  19 B may be of equal or unequal size/shape, be disposed on the same or different walls of the package  10 , have the same or different orientations of the major and/or minor axes, as desired and suitable for a particular execution. 
         [0027]    The first aperture  19 A and/or the second aperture  19 B may be sized to allow the user to reach into the package  10  and withdraw a portion of the sheet  14  therethrough, as occurs with reach-in dispensing. Additionally, the first aperture  19 A and/or the second aperture  19 B may be sized to allow the user to withdraw the sheet  14  therethrough and have a succeeding sheet  14  follow from the package  10  as occurs with pop-up dispensing. In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first aperture  19 A is larger than the second aperture  19 B and sized to allow for reach-in dispensing, while the second aperture  19 B is sized to allow for pop-up dispensing. 
         [0028]    If desired, either aperture  19 A,  19 B, particularly the second aperture  19 B may be provided with a geometry to impart friction to a sheet  14  to be dispensed there through. For example, overlapping plies, interference members, tabs, and, as illustrated, corrugations, or similar features which provide for holding a sheet  14  to be dispensed from the package  10  partially inside and partially outside the package  10  may be utilized. This arrangement allows for the user to easily grasp that potion of the sheet  14 , to continue pop-up dispensing from that aperture  19 A,  19 B. 
         [0029]    As noted above, the first aperture  19 A and the second aperture  19 B may be interconnected by a path which allows for communication of a sheet  14  there between. The path may substantially reverse its direction between the first aperture  19 A and the second aperture  19 B. By “reverse” it is meant that the user may pull the sheet  14  in somewhat opposed directions, or at least vector components thereof, during communication of the sheet  14  from the first aperture  19 A to the second aperture  19 B. 
         [0030]    The path may lie generally transverse to the primary dispensing direction. If desired, the path between the first aperture  19 A and the second aperture  19 B may subtend two directions which are about 135 to 225 degrees apart. In a degenerate case, the path may reverse so that the communication occurs in two opposed directions, and the path subtend 180 degrees. 
         [0031]    If desired, the path between the first aperture  19 A and the second aperture  19 B may be arcuate. This allows for relatively smooth and uninterrupted communication of the sheet  14  between the first aperture  19 A and the second aperture  19 B. 
         [0032]    If desired, the orifice  18  may be asymmetric, as illustrated. In such an embodiment the first aperture  19 A may have a first aperture  19 A major dimension and the second aperture  19 B may have a second aperture  19 B major dimension. The first aperture  19 A major dimension and the second aperture  19 B major dimension may subtend an angle, if they lie in the same plane, or may project a dihedral angle if they lie in different planes. 
         [0033]    The angle there between may be less than 90 degrees, less than 45 degrees or less than 20 degrees. In the degernate case discussed above, where the path reverses to subtend 180 degrees, the first aperture  19 A major dimension and second aperture  19 B major dimension may be thought to subtend an angle of zero degrees. Such an angle of less than 90 degrees allows for inversion of the sheet  14  about an axis, such as the first axis, not parallel to the path between the first aperture  19 A and the second aperture  19 B. 
         [0034]    The walls of the package  10  may be discrete and defined from one another, and have a major depth M. The major depth is parallel to and may be measured coincident a major axis, which is generally the longest dimension intercepted by the package  10 . The major depth M of the package  10  may be vertical if the orifice  18  is on the upper surface of the package  10  when the package  10  is placed on a horizontal surface or reference plane such as a table or countertop. Such a package  10  may have a primary dispensing direction generally parallel to the major axis. 
         [0035]    The orifice  18  need not be juxtaposed with a particular edge of the package  10 . The orifice  18  may be juxtaposed with the shorter edge of the package  10 , a corner thereof, or in any other suitable configuration, including the front, back, or side walls  30 . 
         [0036]    The orifice  18  may be covered by a lid  22 . The lid  22  may be juxtaposed with the orifice  18 , in a closed position and removed from the proximity of the orifice  18  and an open position. The lid  22  may be hingedly attached to the package  10 , particularly the body  11 . If so, one or more hinges  24  may join the body  11  and lid  22  so that one that may move relative to the other by articulation. Alternatively, the lid  22  may be totally removable from the body  11 , and not attached by hinges  24  or other means. 
         [0037]    The package  10  may have a circular or noncircular cross section. Exemplary non-circular cross sections include squares, ovals, rectangles and other cross sections having an aspect ratio not equal to unity. A noncircular cross-section provides the benefit that a flat surface may be presented to someone looking at the package  10 . This arrangement provides the benefit that a label, advertising, instructions, graphics or other indicia may be placed on the flat surface and provide a billboard effect to the viewer. Furthermore, if the package  10  having a noncircular cross section is dropped on its side, such a package  10  will not roll. 
         [0038]    If a generally parallelepipedally shaped package  10  is selected, the hinges  24  may be generally horizontally disposed when the package sits on in a counter or table. If the orifice  18  is at the top of the package  10 , the axis of the hinge  24  may be generally perpendicular to the primary dispensing direction. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the hinge  24  may be disposed on one of the long sides or one of the short sides of a package  10  having a generally rectangular cross section. While a package  10  having two hinges  24  equally spaced from the sides is shown, the invention is not so limited. A package  10  having a single hinge  24 , two hinges  24  or three or more hinges  24  may be utilized. The hinges  24  may be collinear and of equal or unequal length, spacing, etc. 
         [0040]    The hinge  24  may be a living hinge  24 . A living hinge  24  may be made of a single piece of material, integrally joined to both the body  11  and lid  22 . The living hinge  24  may have a region of reduced thickness, about which the articulation occurs and they thereby defines the axis of the hinge  24 . Alternatively, the hinge  24  may be a hook-and-eye configuration, a piano hinge  24 , a butt hinge  24  or any other configuration, which allows articulation between the body  11  and lid  22 . 
         [0041]    Alternatively, the lid  22  may be completely detachable from the body  11 . In such an embodiment the lid  22  may be removably joined to the body  11 . In such an embodiment, the lid  22  may be joined to the body  11  upon closure by the interference fit around the periphery. 
         [0042]    The lid  22  and body  11  may be joined at an interference that when the lid is in the closed position. An interference fit occurs when the material of either the lid  22  or body  11  slightly displaces the material of the other upon closure of the lid  22 . Such displacement may be elastic, due to the resilient material properties of the lid  22  and/or body  11 . The body  11  may have a periphery  23 , about which the lid  22  fits upon closure. Alternatively, the lid  22  may fit inside the periphery  23  of the body  11  upon closure. 
         [0043]    The interference fit provides a seal between the body  11  and lid  22 . By seal it is meant that a barrier to evaporation or the transfer of gas into or out of the package  10  is present. The seal may also prevent intrusion of contamination into the package  10 , providing for sanitary and hygienic storage of the contents. The seal may also prevent intrusion of oxygen, air, etc. into the package  10 . 
         [0044]    The interference fit may be quantified by the amount of deformation or overlap which occurs between the body  11  and lid  22  upon closure. In the embodiment shown, the interference is measured radially, generally perpendicular to the periphery  23  at any point. The radial measurement is taken generally perpendicular to the major axis of the package  10 . 
         [0045]    While the interference provides a friction fit between the body  11  and a lid  22 , the package  10  may further comprise a closure. The closure may be any device, which impedes orifice of the body  11  when in the closed position. Suitable closures include snaps, various seals, hook and loop fasteners, latches, etc. 
         [0046]    The package  10  may be disposable or refillable. By “disposable” is meant the package  10  is intended to be discarded after the contents supplied therewith are depleted. Such a package  10  is not intended to be restocked with articles. Likewise, each sheet  14  or other article placed in the package  10  may be discarded after a single use, and not laundered or otherwise restored. By “refillable” it is meant the package  10  is or may be restocked with articles after the supply is depleted. Such sheets  14 , or other articles, may be disposable or reusable. 
         [0047]    If desired, wet or moist sheets  14  may be packaged in a flow wrap, as is known in the art. A flow wrap is a polymeric film or other type of impervious wrapper which can be used to cover sheets  14  or articles, as desired. The flow wrap may be used to prevent evaporation of moisture of the articles contained therein, may be used to keep the articles hygienic and sanitary until ready for use. 
         [0048]    Flow wrap may generally conform to the shape of the articles contained therein. If the articles comprise a clip or magazine of sheets  14 , the flow wrap may comprise a generally parallelepiped geometry. The flow wrap may have an orifice, allowing the user to access the contents therein or dispense the contents there through. The orifice may be disposed on any side or position of the flow wrap, including without limitation the short sides, long sides, intermediate sides, etc. 
         [0049]    The package  10  may contain articles, such as discrete sheets  14  to be dispensed. Suitable sheets  14  may be made according to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,609 issued Mar. 4, 1980 to Trokhan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,859 issued Jan. 20, 1987 to Trokhan, or U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,118 issued Jul. 26, 1994 to Muckenfuhs. The sheets  14  may comprise natural fibers, manmade fibers, cellulosic materials, recycled materials, biodegradable materials, films, synthetic nonwovens, or combinations thereof. The sheets  14  may be wet, moist or dry. One skilled in the art will recognize that the package  10  may be water impervious if the sheets  14  are wet. Wetting enables the sheets  14  to be used for wiping the skin as, for example, upon removal of a soiled diaper or to remove soiling from a hard surface such as a countertop. Of course, it will be apparent at various additives such as perfumes, antibacterial agents, cleansers, etc. may be utilized with a lead a sheet  14 . 
         [0050]    A sheet  14  may be considered to have been “dispensed through” the orifice  18  when it passes at least partially from inside the package  10  to outside the package  10 , either due to the consumer reaching in and grasping the sheet  14 , or the sheet  14  popping up through the orifice  18 , by trailing the sheet  14  previously withdrawn by the user. A sheet  14  may be considered to be “withdrawn” after it has passed completely from inside the orifice  18  to outside the orifice  18 , and no portion or edge of the sheet  14  remains within the package  10 . 
         [0051]    The orifice  18  may be of a first size relative to the sheets  14 . This first size may be designed to constrict the sheets  14  as they are pulled through the orifice  18  by the user. Sheets  14  are considered to be “constricted” when they must touch the walls  30  intercepted by the orifice  18  upon withdrawal by the user. 
         [0052]    The sheets may be sequentially dispensed through the orifice  18  by popup dispensing. In such sequential dispensing, each sheet  14  may be releasably attached to two adjacent sheets  14  by any releasable attachment which allows easy separation to occur as the sheet  14  is being dispensed or after the sheet  14  is withdrawn through the orifice  18 . The releasable attachment should allow one sheet  14  to be readily separated from an adjacent or subsequent sheet  14 , without undue stresses being applied, tearing of either sheet  14 , or damage to the orifice  18  or other portions of the package  10 . 
         [0053]    Each sheet  14  may be releasably attached to an adjacent sheet  14  at a lap seal or a fin seal. The separation forces typically applied during dispensing to a lap seal, may be in shear. The separation forces typically applied during dispensing to a fin may be in peel. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the seal joining adjacent sheets  14  must be strong enough to pull the succeeding sheet  14  through the orifice  18 , yet allow the sheets  14  to be easily separable at the point of use. In either arrangement, the lap or fin seal may comprise both bonded areas and free areas. Having both bonded areas and free areas in the seal may be important for controlling the separation forces and how the leading edge  15  of the sheet  14  is exposed before separation from the succeeding sheet  14 . 
         [0054]    While rectangular sheets  14  are common in the art, one of skill will recognize that the invention is not so limited. The sheets  14  may be of any size, shape and thickness which are suitable for the intended use and can be conveniently dispensed as described herein. 
         [0055]    The releasable attachment may comprise adhesively joining one sheet  14  to adjacent sheets  14  with skin friendly adhesive, lotion compatible adhesive, or FDA approved adhesive, as desired. A suitable adhesive may be supplied by Findley Adhesives Inc. of Wauwatosa, Wis. as Item No. H9087-05 or by H.B. Fuller of St. Paul, Minn. as Product Code HZ-1620-B-ZP. 
         [0056]    Other releasable attachments may be utilized. For example, fusion bonded releasable attachments, such as ultrasonic welding or heat sealing of adjacent sheets,  14  may be employed, as is well known in the art. Additionally, mechanical entanglement releasable attachments, such as needle punching, steam sealing, embossing, or crimping may be utilized as well. Autogeneous bonding releasable attachments, such as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,984 issued Aug. 8, 1989 to Ball et al. may be utilized. 
         [0057]    It will further be apparent that wetted sheets  14  may be releasably attached to one another through cohesion at the overlap between adjacent sheets  14 . The cohesion may not require an affirmative manufacturing step and may be used to augment other releasable attachments. 
         [0058]    Alternatively, a sheet  14  may be releasably attached to an adjacent sheet  14  by a plurality of frangible lands. As used herein a “land” refers to a small connection separated by large cuts and joining adjacent sheets  14 . Lands may be considered to be “frangible” if, upon separation of one sheet  14  from an adjacent sheet  14  in tension, the lands  18  break prior to significant ripping or tearing of either sheet  14 . This arrangement allows perforated sheets  14  to be utilized. Of course, multiple releasable attachments may be used in any combination. 
         [0059]    If the package  10  contains sheets  14  to be dispensed, the major depth M of the package  10  may be considered relative to the breaking strength of a releasable attachment between adjacent sheets  14 . The releasable attachment may be overcome by the weight of the sheet  14  between a free-hanging releasable attachment means and the magazine of sheets  14  there below. As the package  10  becomes taller in the vertical direction, and the weight of a free hanging sheet  14  increases, the orifice  18  must become more restrictive to prevent the sheet  14  to be dispensed from falling back into the package  10 . Furthermore, as the sheets  14  become thicker, the area of the orifice  18  should increase to allow the sheets  14  to be dispensed there through. 
         [0060]    Each sheet  14  may have a leading edge  15  and a trailing edge  16 . The leading edge  15  is that edge of the sheet, which is generally first drawn through the orifice  18  during dispensing. The trailing edge  16  is generally the last portion of the sheet  15  withdrawn through the orifice  18  during dispensing. 
         [0061]    The trailing edge  16  of one sheet  14  may be releasably attached to the leading edge  15  of a subsequent sheet  14 . This arrangement allows the trailing edge  16  of the first sheet  14  to be dispensed to pull the leading edge  16  of the subsequent sheet  14  through the orifice  18 . The releasable attachment of successive trailing edges  16  and leading edges  15  provides for sequential dispensing of the respective sheets  14 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3E , the sheets  14  may be disposed in a package  10  in an interleaved pattern. A pattern is considered to be “interleaved” when part of a sheet  14  is behind the succeeding sheet  14  to be dispensed while the sheets  14  are disposed in that pattern prior to dispensing through orifice  18 . Thus, in an interleaved pattern of sheets  14  according to the present invention, pop-up dispensing may be assisted by frictional engagement between adjacent sheets  14 . The interleaved pattern may be assisted in maintaining popup dispensing through the addition of a releasable attachment, as discussed above. Such a releasable attachment may be disposed at the position marked with the “X.” 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4E , the sheets  14  may be disposed in a package  10  in a non-interleaved pattern. A pattern is considered to be “non-interleaved” when no part of a sheet  14  is behind the succeeding sheet  14  to be dispensed while the sheets  14  are disposed in the pattern prior to dispensing through orifice  18 . Thus, in a non-interleaved pattern of sheets  14  according to the present invention, pop-up dispensing does not have to rely upon frictional engagement between adjacent sheets  14 . Again, a releasable attachment may be utilized, as discussed above. 
         [0064]    In either an interleaved pattern or a non-interleaved pattern, the sheets  14  may be generally disposed in a stack. Thus, interleaved and non-interleaved patterns are collectively referred to as stacked patterns, as both such patterns yield a stack of the sheets  14 . 
         [0065]    One of skill will recognize that a single interleaved or non-interleaved arrangement may be used in a particular stack or clip of sheets  14 . Alternatively a given stack of sheets  14  may have plural interleaved patterns, non-interleaved patterns, or combinations thereof. This arrangement can be used to accommodate different empty volumes of the body  11  as more sheets  14  are dispensed or to accommodate the first sheet  14 , as desired. 
         [0066]    The stack may be generally flat, and parallelepipedally shaped. Each sheet  14  in the stack may be folded into a configuration having a footprint which is smaller than the unfolded dimensions of the sheet  14 . For example, if the sheet  14  is rectangularly shaped, the footprint of the stack may likewise be rectangularly shaped. However, either or both dimensions of the stack may be smaller than the corresponding dimension of the unfolded sheet  14 . This arrangement provides a stack with a relatively smaller footprint, and which can fit in to the body  11  of the package  10 . 
         [0067]    Each sheet  14  in the stack may define a plane due to the folding pattern. That plane may be generally parallel to the major axis of the package  10 , and to the dispensing direction. This geometry provides the benefit that a package  10  of noncircular cross-section, and having the orifice  18  on a small side of that package may be provided with a relatively smaller footprint. Such a geometry may also yield a package  10  having a relatively larger side facing the user and providing the aforementioned billboard effect. 
         [0068]    The sheets  14  need not be disposed in a flat plane as shown. If desired, the sheets  14  may be disposed in a curvilinear plane. For example, the sheets  14  may assume a curve having an S-shape or a shape with a bend at the bottom of the body  11  of the package  10 . Such a geometry may improve the ability of the sheets  14  to stand in the vertical plane, if a vertical footprint is desired for the package  10 . Such a geometry may also assist in maintaining alignment of the plane of the sheets parallel to the major axis of the package  10  and hence parallel to the primary direction of dispensing of the sheets  14  through the orifice  18 . 
         [0069]    Alternatively, the sheets  14  may be disposed in a package  10  in a spiral wound pattern. A pattern is considered to be spiral wound when the sheets  14  are disposed in a volute pattern prior to dispensing through orifice  18 . In such a configuration the sheets  14  may be rolled into a core, providing a spool of sheets  14  to be dispensed, or may be roll A spiral wound pattern is common with packages  10  having a circular cross-section. 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the sheets  14  are generally planar, having a first face and a second face opposed thereto. The first face and second face are oriented in opposing first and second directions, respectively. Upon communication of a portion of the sheet  14  from the first aperture  19 A to the second aperture  19 B, the sheet inverts so that at least a portion of the first face and second face are oriented generally towards the second direction and the first direction, respectively. In a degenerate case the inversion may be 180 degrees, so that the first face and second face are oriented identically in the first direction and second direction, respectively. Furthermore, the inversion may even be greater than 180 degrees. 
         [0071]    Thus the sheet  14  may be inverted about an axis, with the axis lying within the plane of the sheet. The axis may be coincident or generally parallel the primary dispensing direction. Such an axis may be thought of as the first axis about which the sheet  14  inverts during dispensing, or even prior to being dispensed from the orifice  18 . 
         [0072]    Of course, one of skill will recognize that the sheet  14  may not entirely invert about the first axis during communication from the first aperture  19 A to the second aperture  19 B. A portion of the sheet  14  may be in contact with the succeeding sheet  14 . The portion of the first face and second face of the sheet  14  remaining in contact with the succeeding sheet will not yet be inverted, although may invert about the first axis during dispensing. 
         [0073]    If desired the leading edge  15  of the sheet  14  may be disposed away from orifice  18 . This geometry provides a sheet  14 , with the trailing edge  16  of that sheet  14  closer to the orifice  18  than the leading edge  15  of that sheet  14  prior to dispensing. In such an embodiment, the sheet  14  may also invert about a second axis during dispensing. The second axis may be generally skewed relative to the first axis and also generally transverse to the primary dispensing direction. In a degenerate case, the first axis and second axis may be mutually orthogonal. 
         [0074]    Such inversion, about either axis, allows the sheet  14  to begin unfolding prior to dispensing through the orifice  18 . The inversion about the second axis allows for the leading edge  15  of the sheet  14  being dispensed to travel back across that sheet  14  as the leading edge  15  is pulled from a position remote from the dispensing orifice  18  towards the orifice  18 . 
         [0075]    This process allows the sheet  14  to unfold across the vertical axis, or such other axis as may be aligned with the primary dispensing direction as well as unfold about a direction orthogonal thereto, so that the sheet  14  may invert in two generally orthogonal planes. This arrangement provides the benefit that the sheet  14  may be less prone to tearing upon dispensing and that it may more easily unfold for use after dispensing. 
         [0076]    If such an arrangement is elected, the body  11  of the package  10  may be provided with sufficient space to allow the sheet  14  to begin inversion and unfolding as dispensing occurs. This may be particularly desirable if one is concerned with tearing of the first sheet  14  to be dispensed. 
         [0077]    While a package  10  having a lid  22  disposed above the body  11  is illustrated, the invention is not so limited. The lid  22  may be placed proximal to the dispensing orifice  18 . The dispensing orifice  18  need not be juxtaposed with the top of the package  10  as illustrated. The dispensing orifice  18  may be placed central to the package  10 , or juxtaposed with the bottom of the package  10  as desired. 
         [0078]    Likewise, a package  10  having an orifice with two apertures  19 A,  19 B is illustrated. However, the invention is not so limited. The first aperture  19 A may be connected to a second aperture  19 B, which, in turn, may be connected to a third aperture (not shown), a fourth aperture (not shown), etc. This arrangement allows the user to select the amount of inversion desired, prior to dispensing of the sheet  14 . The user may simply move the sheet  14  from the first aperture  19 A to the second aperture  19 B, to the third aperture, etc. as desired. 
         [0079]    Furthermore, the first aperture  19 A may be connected to two or more second apertures  19 B. This arrangement allows the user to select the angle of the inversion. For example, it may be desired to invert in a first direction for a first use of the sheet  14 , a second direction for a second use of the sheet  14 , etc. Of course, either or both second apertures  19 B may be interconnected to a third aperture, a fourth, aperture (either directly or through the third aperture), etc. 
         [0080]    The sheets  14  may be inserted into the package  10  in a dry condition. If desired a wetting solution may later be added to the package, and allowed to equilibrate or generally diffuse through the sheets  14 . This arrangement provides the benefit that the sheets  14  can be manufactured and packaged in a dry condition, but presented to the consumer in a wet condition. If the solution migrates to the bottom of a generally vertical package and dispensing may occur prior to full equilibration of the solution. If so, during the inverted dispensing described herein, some transfer of that solution to the top portions of the sheets  14  can be expected to occur. Such transfer may yield a more uniform distribution of the solution to the sheets  14 . 
         [0081]    The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”. 
         [0082]    All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern. 
         [0083]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.