Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to containers having a reduced environmental impact and/or footprint. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers suitable for dispensing stacked and interleaved facial tissue products contained therein where the removable portion of the container providing access to the product has a use that reduces the environmental impact and/or footprint normally associated with disposal of the removable portion. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Containers and dispensers for sheet materials, such as facial tissue, are often provided with the sheet materials contained within the container or dispenser in an interfolded or interleaved manner with adjacent sheets. Typically, the withdrawal of one sheet partially exposes the subsequent sheet in the dispensing opening of the container. Partially exposing the next sheet enables a person needing a facial tissue to easily grab the exposed end to quickly dispense the sheet. Frequently, this type of dispensing is referred to as pop-up dispensing. To prevent debris from entering the container, to reduce multiple sheets from dispensing, or to assist with retaining the partially exposed sheet within the dispensing opening, a dispensing window constructed from a clear film or plastic material is provided. A slit or other restricted opening is present in the dispensing window to retain the partially exposed sheet within the opening. 
         [0003]    In any regard, the container or dispenser opening is usually provided with a cover present within the material forming the carton which, when removed, provides the user with access to the dispensing window and the product container therein. Other typical containers that dispense (e.g., the ubiquitous dispensing soda twelve-pack container or beer “suitcase” container) comprise a six-sided container having a removable section in one portion of the outer wall that enables access to the product or individual containers disposed within. 
         [0004]    In use, these containers require the disposal of the removable portion into a trash receptacle. These removable portions are them eventually dumped into a landfill. Thus, it would be clearly advantageous to find a use for this material that either prevents or at a minimum reduces the amount of material sent to a landfill. This results in a facial tissue container (or other container) that is more eco-friendly and still provides the dispensing that one has come to expect from containers and dispensers having products disposed therein, such as those used for sheet materials such as facial tissues. It would be even more advantageous if the removable portion is provided with a use that assists the reduction of these dreaded landfill materials. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a multi-walled container. The container has a top, bottom, and a side wall, and a removable portion defined by a perforated tear outline disposed in at least one of the top, bottom, and side wall. The container provides containment of a product within an inner portion thereof. The removable portion has indicia imprinted thereupon, the indicia being disposed upon the removable portion disposed within said inner portion to face the product. The removable portion and the indicia reduce the environmental impact of disposal of the removable portion when the removable portion is removed from the multi-walled container. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a multi-walled container. The container has a top, bottom, and a side wall, and a removable portion defined by a perforated tear outline disposed in at least one of the top, bottom, and side wall. The container provides containment of a stack of interfolded sheets within an inner portion thereof. The removable portion has indicia imprinted thereupon, the indicia being disposed upon the removable portion to face the product. Removal of the removable portion facilitates dispensing of each sheet of the stack of interfolded sheets through the opening formed therefrom. The removable portion and the indicia reduce the environmental impact of disposal of the removable portion when the removable portion is removed from the multi-walled container. 
         [0007]    Still another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a multi-walled container having a reduced environmental impact. The container has a top, bottom, and a side wall, and a removable portion defined by a perforated tear outline in at least one of the top, bottom, and side wall. The container provides containment of a product within an inner portion thereof. The removable portion has a secondary device attached thereupon. The secondary device is attached to the removable portion so the secondary device is disposed within said inner portion of the container to face the product. Removal of the removable portion from the multi-walled container having the secondary device attached thereto from the multi-walled container reduces the environmental impact of disposal of the removable portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary container of the present disclosure showing the environmentally friendly removable portion disposed therein; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary container of the present disclosure showing the environmentally friendly removable portion contained entirely within one side of the container; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of yet another exemplary container of the present disclosure showing an alternative removable portion disposed entirely within one side thereof; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of still another exemplary container of the present disclosure showing yet another environmentally friendly removable disclosure disposed over two sides thereof; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of still yet another exemplary embodiment of the container of the present disclosure for the containment of cylindrical bodies therein showing yet another exemplary embodiment of the environmentally friendly removable portion disposed thereon; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 6-9  are exemplary embodiments showing indicia provided upon the environmentally friendly removable portion of any of the respective containers of  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of an exemplary package flat suitable for use to produce a container having the environmentally friendly removable portion of a container thereof; and, 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of yet another alternative embodiment of a package flat suitable for use in producing the environmentally friendly package container of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    In general, the present disclosure is directed to a container for products that may also include general pop-up dispensing. Such pop-up dispensing is suitable for products such as a stack of interfolded disposable sheets such as facial tissues and wipes. As one of skill in the art will readily appreciate, such pop-up dispensing may also include containers suitable for use for containing multiple items such as hardware, soft drinks, and other products that can be generally dispensed on a one-at-a-time basis. Such alternative structures may include the infamous Coca-Cola twelve-pack dispensing package, beer ‘suitcases’, containers for holding hardware, as well as other items. In any regard, the materials suitable for disposition within the container in the form of disposable sheets can be, for instance, facial tissues, paper toweling, bath tissues, industrial wipes, laboratory wipes, wet wipes, and the like. 
         [0017]    A dispensing container in line with the present disclosure preferably includes a removable portion within a panel forming the container that, once removed, uncovers the dispensing opening for withdrawing the sheets, or other contained product for that matter, from the container. If the product contained within the disclosed container is a facial tissue or wipe, the products preferably dispense in a pop-up fashion. Particularly suitable dispensing openings include slits or similarly shaped narrow openings with or without a penetrable plastic film that may otherwise cover the larger opening created by the absence of the removable panel. 
         [0018]    In some circumstances, the removable panel portion may either be adhesively attached or provided as a region of the package panel(s) that is provided with perforations, serrations, or the like that enable removal of the removable panel. One of skill in the art should readily recognize that removal of the panel forms the opening in the container that enables the product disposed within the container to be removable therefrom. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of exemplary illustration of a dispensing container  10  (or container  10 ) suitable for containing products therein. By way of example, a clip or stack of interfolded disposable sheets may be disposed within the container  10 . Such a clip of interfolded disposable sheets may be C-folded, V-folded, Z-folded, tab bonded, or configured with respect to one another by any means commonly known in the art. In formation, a stack of product, such as facial tissues, may be inserted into the dispensing container  10 . 
         [0020]    The dispensing container  10  typically is provided with a pair of sides or walls  16  that are contiguous with another pair of sides or walls  18 . A bottom wall  14  is present and is in contact with the walls  16  and  18 . The product contained within the dispensing container  10 , such as interfolded sheets, may generally rest upon the bottom wall  14  internal to dispensing container  10  in this embodiment. Also contiguous with the walls  16  and  18  is a dispensing wall or top wall  20 . The top wall  20  includes a removable panel  22 . The removable panel  22  may be any shape and may be flanked by a pair of finger openings  26  that enable the user to easily grab and remove the removable panel  22  by tearing along exemplary lateral perforations  24 . The dispensing container  10  may be provided with as few as three side walls, bottom wall  14 , and top wall  20 . It should be understood by one of skill in the art that in any regard, the number of side walls forming dispensing container  10  should not be construed as limiting since the dispensing container  10  may have any number of sides to form any polygon, or may have one continuous side wall forming a circle or ellipse. Furthermore, the sidewalls, bottom wall  14 , and top wall  20  may have any geometry desired to form the final form desired for dispensing container  10 . However, for simplicity and illustrative purposes only, the present disclosure, although not limiting, will reference a conventional parallelepiped container having four side walls  16 ,  18 , a bottom wall  14 , and a top wall  20 . 
         [0021]    In general, the dispensing container  10  can be made from various materials. For instance, the container  10  can be made from paperboard or cardboard. Alternatively, the container  10  can be made from plastic films, such as thermoplastic films, metal film, metal sheeting, combinations thereof, and the like. Materials used to form the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  of the container  10  can be rigid or flexible. One of skill in the art will recognize that virtually any material can be used to form dispensing container  10 . 
         [0022]    Removable panel  22 , when removed from the dispensing container  10  by pulling, may expose in one non-limiting embodiment, a dispensing slit (not shown) within a plastic film (not shown) that covers the opening created by removal of the removable panel  22 . As previously mentioned, the dispensing slit (not shown) may facilitate pop-up dispensing of the sheets or other dispensing of the product contained within dispensing container  10  one at a time. Alternatively, removable panel  22 , when removed from the dispensing container  10  by pulling, may expose in another non-limiting embodiment, a complete opening that facilitates the ‘reach-in’ dispensing of the product contained within dispensing container  10 . In other words, there is no intermediary barrier disposed between removable panel  22  and the product disposed within dispensing container  10  after removal of the removable panel  22 . 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the removable panel  22  may be provided to as to be completely contained within one of the side panels  16 ,  18 , bottom panel  14 , or top panel  20 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the removable panel  22  can be provided to overlap with any combination of sides  16   a,    18   a,  bottom panel  14 A, or top panel  20 A. 
         [0024]    The removable panel  22  may be provided to have any form of geometry desired and/or necessary to complete the task at hand. This can include polygons, parallelograms, ellipses, circles, and other curvilinear shapes. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , removable panel  22  may be provided in the form of a parallelogram. As shown in  FIG. 3 , removable panel  22 B may be provided in the form of an ellipse. Again, the ellipse forming removable panel  22 B may be completely contained within a single panel (for example, side panels  16 B,  18 B, bottom panel  14 B, or top panel  20 B). Alternatively, an elliptically-shaped removable panel  22 C, as shown in  FIG. 4 , may be provided over any combination of walls, including sides  16 C,  18 C, bottom panel  14 C, or top panel  22 C. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a dispensing container  10 D suitable for use in containing a plurality of beverage containers, such as cylindrical soda or beer cans, may be provided with a removable panel  22 D that may be removed in a direction W, as shown, to provide access to the bottom most package disposed within dispensing container  10 D so that the packages disposed within dispensing container  10 D can be dispensed from the resulting opening formed by removal of the removable panel  22 D on a one-at-a-time basis. One of skill in the art will understand that such dispensing systems are common in the soft drink and the related beverage industries. 
         [0026]    Surprisingly, it was found that a majority of the material forming the removable panel  22  from exemplary dispensing container  10 , such as those described herein, generally find their way into a trash container or other refuse holder for eventual landfill disposal. Consistent with the goals of providing a more ecologically friendly use for this otherwise wasted portion of the dispensing container  10 , it was found that providing indicia  30 E-H upon removable panel  22 , such as shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , can result in the beneficial recycling of this one-time disposable portion of the dispensing container  10  for a more practical and environmentally friendly use. By way of example, it was found that a key benefit to consumers can be provided by adding messaging or other special offers as indicia  30 E-H disposed upon the removable portion  22  of the container. It is preferred that the indicia  30 E-H provided upon the removable portion  22  of the dispensing container  10  be provided internal to the container so that the reward realized by the consumer for purchasing a product so contained as described herein can be realized after purchase. However, one of skill in the art will recognize that indicia  30 E-H could be provided upon either surface the removable portion  22  (i.e., internal to the dispensing container  10  or external to the dispensing container  10 ) of the dispensing container  10  so that the reward realized by the consumer for purchasing a product so contained as described herein can be realized before, during, or even after purchase. 
         [0027]    For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , removable portion  22 E can be provided with indicia  30 E that provides for messaging such as a couponing message for future product purchase discounting. By way of example, if the product contained within the respective dispensing container  10  of the present disclosure is a facial tissue, the coupon message can be directly related to a repeat purchase of the same product at a discounted price point. One of skill in the art will recognize these indicia  30 E as a coupon. Alternatively, such indicia  30 E can be provided to reduce the overall purchase cost of any other product so desired. Such other product may be related or un-related to the product disposed within the dispensing container  10  or can be related to a product also sold by the manufacturer of the product disposed within dispensing container  10 . In some circumstances, it may be beneficial to provide indicia  30 E as a cost reduction message for a product related or unrelated to those sold by the manufacturer of the product disposed within the dispensing container  10  (e.g., an affiliated business, a business partner, a sponsored event, or other sponsored initiative). The ecological benefits of such a system can be realized in several manners. First, the removable portion  22 E is sent back to the manufacturer for redemption thus reducing the amount of material a consumer would ostensibly throw into a waste receptacle for land-fill or incineration. Second, the removable portion  22 E when received by the manufacturer can be re-inserted into the product manufacturing process to produce new product. This re-insertion is known to those of skill in the art as the broke stream. It is believed that over one million pounds of paperboard can be removed annually from the landfill process in this manner based upon industry sales numbers. 
         [0028]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the indicia  30 F disposed upon removable portion  22 F can be provided in the form of advertising, such as print copy. Such indicia  30 F could include messaging about the brand of product purchased and disposed within the dispensing container  10 , messaging about future product offerings, and messaging about seasonal or limited edition offerings and/or reminders to purchase additional product. Alternatively, such indicia  30 F can include messaging about internal or external brands or products, such as products offered by affiliated business brands, partner brands, or sponsored special events or initiatives. Further yet, the indicia  30 F can provide messaging about other corporate branding or messaging about other corporate scale initiatives. 
         [0029]    Still further, as shown in  FIG. 8 , indicia  30 G of removable portion  22 G, can provide exemplary tips or quotes thereupon. Such tips or quotes or other messaging can provide suggested functional uses for the product disposed within the dispensing container  10  and/or suggested usage regimens for the product disposed within the dispensing container  10 . Alternatively, the messaging can provide tips or quotes not related to the use of the product disposed within the dispensing container  10 . Further, the indicia  30 G may provide for a stationary type execution to provide the consumer with a to-do list, grocery list, or other beneficial writing surface. It is also envisioned that indicia  30 G disposed upon removable portion  22 G can include puzzle pieces or individual parts of collections. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , indicia  30 H disposed upon removable portion  22 H could also comprise regulatory or other information normally associated with the external portion of dispensing container  10 . For example, information typically printed on the outside of a dispensing container  10 , such as regulatory information or product family information, can be printed or attached as indicia  30 H. Further, a competitive or other claim for the product disposed within dispensing container  10 , a related product or external partnered product can be printed or attached to the removable portion  22 H of dispensing container  10 . Further yet, program information, program guidelines, entry cards, points or codes and/or prizes from a sweepstakes contest, loyalty program or the like can be disposed as indicia  30 H upon removable portion  22 H of dispensing container  10 . Further, one of skill in the art will appreciate that mobile codes, such as a QRC code or any current or future mobile code technology, can be printed or attached as indicia  30 H upon removable portion  22 H of dispensing container  10 . 
         [0031]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , it is also envisioned that special surface treatments can be applied to removable portion  22  such that the special surface treatments are disposed internal to the dispensing container  10  prior to removal of the removable portion  22  of dispensing container  10 . For example, reflective films or other reflective materials can be disposed upon (e.g., attached to) removable portion  22  of dispensing container  10  that would allow the consumer to use the removable portion  22  as a mirror. Further, such surface treatment can include textured films or materials, such as embossed product, glossy products, textured varnishes, glitters, metallics, or other textured films or materials, and combinations thereof. The removable portion  22  can also be provided with materials that would allow the end user or consumer to use the removable portion  22  as an exemplary chalkboard or dry erase surface. Further surface treatments for removable portion  22  can include another printing or attachment of lenticular lens images and/or products that include films or materials that produce a scent experience for the user, such as the ubiquitous scratch-and-sniff and rub-off scents. 
         [0032]    As may also be required, a product such as adhesive, magnets, hook-and-loop materials, and other materials can be provided upon the internal surface of removable portion  22  of dispensing container  10  that would facilitate attachment of the dispensing container  10  to external surfaces, such as walls, countertops, doors, and the like. 
         [0033]    Additionally, products may be attached to the removable portion  22  of dispensing container  10 . Such attachments may include clips or pins that may facilitate the consumer attachment of the removable portion  22  to a secondary surface. Further, exemplary sample products of current or future interest to a consumer can be attached to the surface of removable portion  22  of dispensing container  10 . Alternatively, technology products, such as CDs, flash drives, memory cards, or other future technology offerings can be attached to removable portion  22  of dispensing container  10 . It is also envisioned that chips or other devices that emit a tone, such as mobile sound technology, can be attached to removable portion  22  of dispensing container  10 . In yet another envisioned embodiment, a material that would facilitate the removable portion  22  of dispensing container  10  to be utilized as a bag or pouch can be provided thereto. In yet another alternative embodiment, a material or structure that could ostensibly serve as a stand can facilitate the removable portion  22  of dispensing container  10  to be displayed in an upright position. In any regard, one of skill in the art will understand that the removable portion  22  of dispensing container  10  can be provided with a plurality of uses and is clearly not limited to indicia  30 E-H and/or other product offerings. 
         [0034]      FIG. 10  provides an exemplary and non-limiting die cut printed cardboard blank  40  of a facial tissue box for illustrative purposes suitable for producing the dispensing container  10 A shown in  FIG. 2 . The blank has five rectangular panels  31 ,  32 ,  36 ,  38 ,  39  which each of the panels  31 ,  36 ,  38 ,  39  having flaps at opposing ends  34 ,  34 ′;  44 ,  44 ′;  42 ,  42 ′; and  33 ,  33 ′, respectively. Panel  32  can be designated as the outer front panel of top surface  20 A of dispensing container  10 A shown in  FIG. 2 . Panel  31  is provided with removable portion  22 A outlined by score lines  24 A. The panels  31 ,  38 ,  39 ,  36 ,  32  inclusive, are divided by four score lines  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 . One of skill in the art will understand that an exemplary blank  40  is typically first printed, then stripped and cut. At the time the blank  40  is cut, the crease lines and tear lines are made simultaneously. 
         [0035]    The blank  40  is shown in the drawing with the “unfinished” side up, the opposite side being of a “finished” surface and imprinted with any desirable lettering and/or pictures either black and white, colored, or both. The unfinished side of the blank  40  having removable portion  22 A can be imprinted with indicia  30  or provided with attached products as described supra. 
         [0036]    The container  10   a  of  FIG. 2  is formed by blank  40  by first applying glue by any means known to those of skill in the art simultaneously to the inside surfaces of flaps  34 ,  34 ′ and  33 ,  33 ′ and the marginal edges of panel  31 . The width of the marginal glue portions on panel  31  may be varied in width and location to correspond to the width and location of the eventual removable portion  22 A disposed either entirely on panel  31  or over a plurality of panels, such as panels  31  and  38  as shown. To allow easy removal of the removable portion  22 A, the gluing portion should terminate sufficiently close to and be spaced a suitable distance to any portion of tear line  24 A. 
         [0037]    The side panel  36  and panel  38  are then folded inwardly at crease line  50  so that panel  36  falls flat upon panel  38  and panel  36  falls flat upon panel  39 . Panel  32  is then folded inwardly so that the interface of panel  32  falls upon the outer face of panel  32 . The glue portion on the inside marginal edges of panel  32  adheres to the outer face of panel  32 . By slight pressure upon the opposite edges  46 ′ and  50 ′ of the folded blank  40 , the blank  40  is set up in its third dimension and a stack of folded tissue can be properly inserted internally therefor. The flaps  42 ,  42 ′,  44 , and  44 ′ are then folded inwardly and then flaps  33 ,  33 ′ are folded inwardly upon the outer surfaces of flaps  42 ,  42 ′ and  44 ,  44 ′. Outer flaps  34 ,  34 ′ are then folded inwardly upon the outer face of flaps  33 ,  33 ′, thus completing the container. Any glued portions mentioned heretofore can suitably hold the resulting container together. 
         [0038]    While a facial tissue box has been shown for illustrative purposes only, the same principles may be applied to any shape or size of container used for any desirable purpose. The container need not necessarily be a completely glued container, as described herein, but may be applied to an ordinary box with a removable cover. It should also be noted that blank  40 A shown in  FIG. 11  can be assembled as described supra to provide completed container  10 B shown in  FIG. 3 . Carton blank  40 A may be provided with removable portion  22 B formed by tear lines  24 B that reside solely within panel  31 . In any regard, the removable portion should be suitably placed within any carton blank that provides a resulting container suitable for use as described herein and providing the benefits articulated herewith. 
         [0039]    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.” 
         [0040]    Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
         [0041]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be understood 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.

Technology Category: 7