TISSUE DISPENSER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE DISPENSER

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention pertains to a dispenser for dispensing tissue paper, preferably facial tissues, handkerchiefs, napkins, kitchen paper, tissue paper towels etc., wherein the dispenser housing is being made from a flat material, preferably a cardboard material. The invention, furthermore, pertains to a method for manufacturing a dispenser from a flat material.

Technological Background

[0002] In the field of dispensers made from flat materials, preferably cardboard materials, dispensers for dispensing facial tissues to clean e.g. the nose, face and hands are known. These dispensers are typically made in the form of a simple box with a dispensing opening in one of its walls, wherein the cardboard box itself defines a volume in which the tissue papers are contained. Typically, the cardboard boxes are also used to distribute the tissue paper. In use, the tissue papers are dispensed through the dispensing opening.

[0003] These typical cardboard boxes can be easily held by an adult person, as the hand span of an adult permits to hold the respective boxes.

[0004] In order to make these boxes attractive, in particular to children, special prints can be provided on the outside.

[0005] WO 2006/013590 Al discloses a cardboard box. preferably a shoebox, which can be easily transformed into a holder for playing and/or ornamental purposes by the insertion of appendixes into slits in the box after it has ceased to serve as a shoe box. It is to be noted, however, that the box disclosed in this prior art document is not a dispenser for tissue paper but is used for playing or ornamental and decorative purposes only.

[0006] US 2,772,827 pertains to a food package in which several panels are interfolded in order to provide a suitable packaging of a single serving of a frozen comestible. This prior art document is likewise not directed to a dispenser for dispensing multiple tissue paper. To the contrary, in order to dispense the contents of this package, the package has to be destroyed completely.

[0007] US 2006/0231441 discloses a carton for holding and dispensing food or beverage containers such as bottles. A support panel is provided on the interior surface of the top of the carton for supporting the narrow bottle tops and keeping them in position within the carton.

[0008] US4919302 discloses a tissue box according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] Applicant has become aware of the fact that the dispensers for tissue paper known in the prior art do not enable small children, in particular small children in the age between 1 and 10 years, to securely hold the dispensers in order to be in a position to remove facial tissues from the dispenser on their own. In other words, it is not possible for small children to securely hold the dispensers known in the prior art. This can result in frustration of the small children, leading to a situation in which using tissue papers for cleaning their nose, hands or face rather annoys them. This is even more so the case as the dispenser always slips away when a small child attempts to grab the dispenser.

Summary of the Invention

[0010] Accordingly, in the field of dispensers for dispensing tissue paper, it is desirable to provide a dispenser which can be more easily used by small children.

[0011] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser for dispensing tissue paper which can be used more easily by small children.

[0012] This objective is solved by a dispenser with the features of claim 1 and a method for manufacturing according to claim 17.

[0013] By the provision of a handling section which can be folded out from one of the walls of the dispenser housing, it becomes possible for small children to securely grip and hold the dispenser. Accordingly, the dispenser can be used more easily by small children and enables them to dispense tissue paper contained in the volume defined by the dispenser housing securely.

[0014] By means of the at least one handling section which can be folded out from the dispenser, it becomes also possible to provide a unique and attractive outer appearance of the dispenser as such which attracts the use of the dispenser and, thus, of the tissue paper contained within the volume of the dispenser housing. By means of this attractiveness it might become easier for caretakers to convince young children to actually use tissue paper in order to clean their nose, face or hands, when necessary.

[0015] The unique design of the dispenser according to claim 1 also might help to overcome the inhibitions that small children might have against tissue paper boxes, or rather the use of tissue paper implied by the presence of these boxes, as they might be encouraged to play with the box, e.g. by turning the box by means of the at least one handling section into animals, vehicles, symbols or some rather fantastic forms.

[0016] The provision of at least two layers of the flat material at the location where the at least one handling section is present and, at the same time, the provision of the at least one handling section only in the outer layers of the flat material, such that at least the inner layer of the flat material remains intact and seals off the volume defined by the dispenser housing at the location where the at least one handling section is present such that the dispenser can be used as a fully operational dispenser when the at least one handling section is folded out, leads to a situation in which the dispenser even with at least one folded out handling section remains fully closed at the location where the at least one handling section is situated.

[0017] In particular, the intact wall at the at least one handling section is important when young children play with the box or grip the box in order to dispense a tissue towel, in particular for cleaning their hands, as the hands may already be soiled. Because at least the innermost layer of the flat material remains intact, any contact with the contents of the dispenser housing, in particular with the tissue papers received within the volume of the dispenser housing, can be avoided. This further improves the handling of the dispenser, in particular by small children, as the small children can grip the dispenser at almost any position, in particular at the folded out handling section, without soiling or contaminating the tissue paper inside the dispenser housing.

[0018] The dispenser can also be easily held and used by small children because they can easily grip the at least one handling section. In this respect it has to be considered that the hand span of a small child is far too small to design a dispenser with suitable outer dimensions, as it would not hold a sufficient number of tissue paper products. Accordingly, the solution provided by the at least one handling section is a unique solution for enabling small children to grip a dispenser safely.

[0019] In order to further improve the visual and haptic attractiveness of the dispenser, the at least one handling section may be ornamentally shaped, in particular to resemble parts of animals, flowers, vehicles, symbols or any other suitable designs. This might attract small children even more to using the dispenser.

[0020] It is further preferred that the at least one handling section includes a holder portion for holding material, such as pens, telephones, notes, toys or similar materials. The holder portion may be formed in the form of a hole through which the materials can be inserted or in the form of a pocket into which the materials can be inserted.

[0021] In order to further improve the handling characteristics of the dispenser, at least two handling sections may be present in different walls, for example in opposite walls, of the dispenser. By means of two handling sections it is even more facilitated for a young child to grip and hold the dispenser for dispensing tissue paper.

[0022] The dispenser may be defined by at least n main walls, having full panels, and at least one composite wall, having at least two flaps, wherein the flat material comprises at least n+1 full panels, and at least two full panels overlap at the location where the at least one handling section is present. N is a natural number, without the 0, i.e. (1, 2, 3, ...) (positive integers).

[0023] The term "full panel" is intended to mean a panel which has the same size as the respective main wall of the dispenser. In other words, the full panel defines a full wall of the respective dispenser.

[0024] The term "composite wall" is intended to mean a wall which is composed of at least two flaps, which may either overlap or abut upon one another. In other words, the respective flaps are smaller than the full composite wall of the dispenser.

[0025] The term "flap" is intended to define a piece of flat material which is smaller than a full panel or may even have the same size.

[0026] By means of the provision of a dispenser having at least n main walls with full panels and having n+1 full panels in the flat material such that at least two full panels overlap at the position where the at least one handling section is present, it can be ensured that the at least one handling section can be shaped in the outer layers of the flat material in any form covering the full panel.

[0027] In particular, when providing a dispenser in this form, the at least one handling section may extend substantially across the entire outer panel, wherein it is still ensured that the innermost layer of the flat material remains intact and the volume defined within the dispenser housing is fully closed and protects the contents received within the volume defined by the dispenser housing at the location where the at least one handling section is present when the at least one handling section is fully folded out.

[0028] In a situation in which the dispenser comprises at least one composite wall having at least two flaps, at least two flaps may overlap at the location where the at least one handling section is present, such that it is possible to keep the volume defined by the dispenser housing completely closed even if the at least one handling section is fully folded out.

[0029] It is to be understood that the at least two layers of the flat material at the location where

[0030] It is to be understood that the at least two layers of the flat material at the location where the at least one handling section is situated can be provided by means of any overlap between two full panels, two flaps, a flap and a full panel, or any other suitable combinations wherein for the function of the dispenser it is irrelevant which of the elements forms the innermost layer and which forms the outer layers. Of course, more than two elements can overlap in order to form the at least two layers at the location where the at least one handling section is present, in particular two flaps and a full panel, or any other suitable combinations of elements.

[0031] In order to be in a position to dispense tissue paper from the dispenser housing, a dispensing opening is defined in the flat material in a form according to which all layers of the flat material can be removed at the location where the dispensing opening is situated. In other words, the dispenser can be fully opened at the dispensing opening such that access to the volume defined inside the dispenser housing can be gained.

[0032] In order to achieve improved handling characteristics, the dispensing opening may be situated in a wall different from the wall in which the at least one handling section is situated. By means of this geometry it is possible for a young child to hold the dispenser in an upright position and, at the same time, withdraw paper from the inside of the dispenser through the dispensing opening. From an ergonomic point of view, it is preferable to provide the at least one handling section in a wall that is substantially perpendicular to the wall in which the dispensing opening is situated.

[0033] The at least one handling section is integral with at least one of the outer layers of the flat material in order to provide a reliable connection between the dispenser and the at least one handling section.

[0034] The at least one handling section is provided in the outer layers of the flat material by means of a weakening line, in particular a punched line of weakness or a perforation, which enables the outer layers to be folded out from a wall of the dispenser. If the line of weakness is provided in more than one outer layers, the resulting handling sections can be folded out into the same direction or could also be folded out into different directions, leading to a situation in which at least two different handling sections are located substantially at the same location in a wall of the dispenser.

[0035] The at least one handling section may be part of a panel or flap of the flat material of the dispenser housing in order to provide an integral connection between the at least one handling section and the remaining dispenser housing.

[0036] At the overlap of the two layers of the flat material, in particular the overlap of at least two full panels or at least two flaps, the different layers may be glued or adhered to one another, except at the location where the at least one handling section is present. However, when the at least one handling section is provided by more than one layer of the flat material, these layers may also be glued or adhered to one another.

[0037] In order to further improve the handling of the dispenser, a gripping section may be present at the at least one handling section. The gripping section is intended to enable easy gripping of the at least one handling section in order to fold out the at least one handling section from the respective wall of the dispenser. A gripping section may be provided in the form of a cut-out in the outer layers of the flat material, in the form of a specifically shaped outer contour of the at least one handling section or by means of an external gripping means.

[0038] In order to further vary the optical appearance of the dispenser, the shape of the at least one handling section can be chosen such that a pop-up effect is achieved when folding out the at least one handling section. In other words, the at least one handling section automatically pops up from the respective wall of the dispenser housing by means of a specifically shaped layout.

[0039] In another optically appealing form, a text may be situated behind the flat material of the at least one handling section when the at least one handling section is not yet folded out, such that when folding out the at least one handling section, the text may be viewed by a user.

[0040] In the dispenser housing, a stack or roll of tissue paper is situated in the volume defined by the dispenser housing in order to be dispensed from this volume. It is preferred to dispense facial tissue paper, handkerchiefs, napkins, kitchen paper or tissue paper towels, in dry or wet form, from the dispenser but any other dispensable tissue paper product can likewise be dispensed. In case a wet tissue paper product is to be dispensed, the respective stack or roll of papers is preferably enclosed in a plastic envelope in order to maintain the moisture of the paper and to avoid contact with the cardboard material of the dispenser housing.

[0041] According to another solution to the above objective, a method for manufacturing a tissue paper dispenser as described above and according to claim 17 is disclosed.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0042] The embodiments will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to the Figures, in which:

Figure 1

is a schematic perspective view of a dispenser, the dispenser having handling sections in the form of the ears and the tail of an animal, in particular of a lion;

Figure 2

is a schematic view of the layout of the flat material used for providing the dispenser according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 3

is another dispenser in a schematic perspective view with a handling section in the form of the legs of a centipede, wherein more than one dispenser may be coupled to form an animal;

Figure 4

is the schematic view of the layout of the flat material forming a single dispenser according to Figure 3;

Figure 5

is a schematic perspective view of a dispenser having handling sections in the form of the petals of a flower, extending over more than one wall of the dispenser;

Figure 6

is a schematic layout of the flat material forming the dispenser according to Figure 5; Figure 7 are schematic perspective views of two different dispensers in which hidden text comes to view when the respective handling section is folded out;

Figure 8

shows in a perspective schematic view a dispenser having a handling section including a holder portion for pens or toys;

Figure 9

is a dispenser in a schematic perspective view having a handling section which can be used to hang the dispenser; and

Figure 10

is another schematic view of a dispenser having a specifically formed dispensing opening comprising handling sections in the form of the petals of a flower.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0043] In the following, different embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by reference to the attached Figures. Identical or similar features will be denoted by the same reference numerals and repeated description thereof may be omitted, in order to reduce redundancies.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a dispenser 1 for dispensing tissue paper from an inner volume defined by the dispenser housing 10. Dispensing the tissue paper may take place through a dispensing opening 2 in the top wall of the dispenser housing 10.

[0045] The dispenser housing 10 is made from a flat material, in this case from a flat cardboard material.

[0046] Generally speaking, the dispenser housing is provided in the form of a cardboard box which may have several different outer walls, in particular two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall and a rear wall. The dispenser housing 10 is, in the Figures shown and described herein, given in a cube-form, or a bar-form, but might have any other suitable forms of a parallelepiped or even spherical or pyramidal shapes.

[0047] Inside the dispenser housing 10 tissue paper is contained which can be distributed by means of the dispenser housing and can be dispensed directly from the dispenser housing 10.

[0048] In order to improve the handling of the dispenser 1 for small children, the dispenser 1 has -handling sections 30, 32 and 34, which can be folded out from a wall of the dispenser housing. The two handling sections 30, 32, which resemble the ears of a lion, are provided on opposite sides of the dispenser housing 10 and are situated substantially plane symmetrical with respect to a plane extending through the "nose" of the lion.

[0049] The third handling section 34, which resembles the tail of the lion, is situated in a wall of the dispenser housing 10 which is perpendicular to the walls of the dispenser housing 10 in which the first and second handling sections 30, 32 are provided.

[0050] The dispenser housing 10 has four walls 12, 14, 16, 18 which are made from full panels. The term "full panel" means that the flat material extends over the whole extension of the respective walls without being interrupted.

[0051] Two walls 20, 22 of the dispenser housing 10 are provided as composite walls, meaning that at least two flaps which are not full panel size are present in the respective walls, or, in other words, the material of the respective walls 20, 22 is interrupted at least once.

[0052] When considering the layout of the dispenser shown in Figure 2 it becomes apparent that at the locations where the at least one handling section 30, 32, 34 are present, at least two layers of flat material is situated. In particular, at the location where the at least one handling section 34, namely the tail of the lion, is present, an additional panel 19 is present, which will be situated below panel 16. Both panels 19 and 16 are full panels. It becomes immediately apparent that, even though the finally manufactured dispenser I shown in Figure 1 has four main walls 12, 14, 16, 18 which are made by full panels, the actual layout 100 has actually five full panels, namely full panels 19, 14, 12, 18, 16, as shown in Figure 2.

[0053] By means of the overlap of panels 19 and 16 at the location where the at least one handling section 34 is present, wherein full panel 16, which carries the at least one handling section 34, is the outer layer and full panel 19 is the inner layer, it is possible that when folding out the at least one handling section 34 the innermost layer, namely panel 19, remains intact, such that the volume defined inside the finally manufactured dispenser housing 10 in Figure 1 remains closed.

[0054] The at least one handling section 34 is defined in the panel 16 by means of a weakening line 4, which is provided either by punching or by the provision of a perforation in the flat material.

[0055] As to the composite walls 20 and 22, the layout 100 in Figure 2 shows several flaps 200, 202, 204, 206, 220, 222, 224 and 226, which provide, in combination, the respective composite walls 20 and 22 in the finally manufactured dispenser I according to Figure 1. As flaps 200, 202, 204, 206 and flaps 220, 222, 224 and 226 are substantially symmetrical with respect to a central line of the layout 100, we will discuss only one composite wall, namely composite wall 20, in the following. The features for composite wall 22 are substantially identical.

[0056] In flap 200 of the composite wall 20, the at least one handling section 30 is present and is defined by means of a weakening line 4. Flap 200 partly overlaps with flap 204. Flaps 202 and 206 are aligned substantially perpendicular to the direction of flaps 200 and 204 in the final dispenser housing 10.

[0057] The flap 200, which carries the at least one handling section 30, is situated on the outermost layer of composite wall 20.

[0058] Flap 202 is situated in the final dispenser housing 10 behind the location where the at least one handling section 30 is provided, such that at least at the at least one handling section 30 two layers of material are provided by flap 200 and flap 202.

[0059] The term "behind" is to be understood relative to the appearance of the dispenser from the outside. Accordingly, "behind" simply means that the respective section is present in a layer of material that is situated more to the inside of the container and which is covered by another layer of material which is situated more to the outside.

[0060] However, only the outermost layer, namely flap 200 with the at least one handling section 30, is defined such that the at least one handling section 30 can be folded out. Because flap 202 is present behind the at least one handling section 30, the volume of the dispenser housing 10 remains closed even if the at least one handling section 30 is folded out.

[0061] In order to provide easy folding-out of the respective handling sections 30, 32, 34, it is clear that an adhesive between the outer layer carrying the respective handling section and the respective inner layer of the flat material should not be present. However, it is desired that all other overlapping sections are fully, or at least partly, adhered to one another in order to increase the mechanical stability of the dispenser. This can be achieved, for example, by printing an adhesive along the outer contours of the respective handling sections or even by line application of the adhesive between the respective layers.

[0062] As can be seen from the layout 100 shown in Figure 2, the flat material has five full panels 19, 14, 12, 18, 16, whereas the dispenser 1 according to Figure 1 has only four main walls 12, 14, 16, 18. Accordingly, even though the dispenser 1 has n main walls, the flat material comprises at least n+1 full panels in order to provide for a second layer of material at the location where a handling section is present.

[0063] It should be noted that full panels and flaps can also be combined in an overlapping manner such as to provide the two layers which are necessary at the location where the at least one handling section is present. In such a case of an overlap of a full panel and a flap, either the full panel or the flap can be situated on the outside to carry the at least one handling section.

[0064] In order to be in a position to properly dispense tissue paper from the dispenser 1, wherein the tissue paper is received in a volume defined by the dispenser housing 10, a dispensing opening 2 is present in one of the walls of the dispenser housing 10. In the dispenser shown in Figures 1 and 2, the dispensing opening is present in main wall 14, but could, of course, also be present in any other wall, flap or panel according to the needs of the respective design.

[0065] In order to achieve proper dispensing, the dispensing opening 2 is provided in such a way that full access to the volume defined by the dispenser housing 10 can be gained. In other words, the flat material, which is situated at the location where the dispensing opening 2 is present, can be fully removed such as to gain full access to the interior of the dispenser housing 10.

[0066] The at least one handling section 30, 32, 34 is defined in the respective panels by means of weakening lines 4. In other words, the at least one handling section are provided integrally with the flat material of the dispenser housing 10 and, in particular, not as separate parts. In order to achieve a proper and reliable connection between the at least one handling section 30, 32, 34 and the remaining dispenser housing 10, the weakening lines 4 are provided as open figures only, the line of weakness 4 having two ends 40, 42 which are spaced apart from one another. Between the two ends 40, 42 of the weakening line 4, intact material 44 is provided which serves as a folding line. In other words, the at least one handling section cannot be removed fully from the respective panel or flap of the dispenser housing 10 but at least the intact material 44 situated between the two ends 40, 42 of the line of weakness 4 connects the at least one handling section securely to the remaining dispenser.

[0067] In order to support a user while folding out the at least one handling section 30, 32, 34 and, subsequently, to brake the flat material at the weakening line 4, gripping sections 5 are preferably present at the at least one handling section.

[0068] In the case of the two handling sections 30, 32 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the respective gripping sections 5 are provided in the form of a rather D-shaped punch-out in the respective outer layer flaps 200, 220, which also carry the at least one handling section 30, 32. The gripping section 5 and, thus, the punch-out is not, however, present in the underlying layers, in this case in flaps 202 or 222, such that the volume of the dispenser housing still remains fully closed at the location where the at least one handling section 30, 32 and the gripping sections 5 are provided.

[0069] In the case of the at least one handling section 34, which substantially extends across the whole width of full panel 16, the gripping section 5 is provided in the form of an overhanging/projecting portion of the at least one handling section 34 itself, which does not have any material provided around it.

[0070] A further gripping section 5 is also present at the dispensing opening 2 in order to help the user opening the dispensing opening 2.

[0071] Figures 3 and 4 pertain to another embodiment of a dispenser, wherein in this embodiment only two handling sections are provided, and an overlapping full panel as in the previous embodiment is not provided. In other words, the at least one handling section is provided at a location where at least two flaps overlap.

[0072] According to the layout shown in Figure 4, it becomes apparent that in place of the full panel 19 in the previous embodiments, a rather small gluing flap 240 is provided, which enables the full panels 12, 14, 16, 18 to be securely connected with one another.

[0073] The at least one handling section 30, 32 are provided in a manner such that the underlying panels 200, 204 provide for a full closure of the volume at the location where the at least one handling section are provided, even if the at least one handling section 30 and 32 are folded out. The gripping section 5 is provided in a form such that it can be easily gripped from the outside, i.e. by means of a protruding form of the respective handling sections.

[0074] The dispensers 1 shown in Figures 3 and 4 can be coupled to one another, e.g. by means of a string, e.g. taped or glued to the bottom of the dispenser housing, in order to connect several dispensers 1 to resemble for example a centipede or a train when connected.

[0075] Naturally, this option of connecting several dispensers with one another in order to provide an appealing design for small children is also possible for all other embodiments shown herein.

[0076] Figures 5 and 6 pertain to yet another embodiment of a dispenser 1 in which, according to Figure 5, the layout of the flat material is divided into two different portions, indicated by reference numerals 102 and 104.

[0077] Two handling sections 300 and 302 are present in this embodiment, substantially in the form of a flower, which can be folded out from the sidewalls of the dispenser 1.

[0078] As will be appreciated from Figure 6, six full panels are provided, namely panels 120, 140, 160 and 180, which are visible from the outside, and panels 190 and 195, which are provided as a second layer below the panels 120, 160 when the dispenser housing 10 is fully manufactured.

[0079] It becomes immediately apparent that, even though the dispenser housing 10 in its finally manufactured state comprises only four main walls having full panels, namely panels 120, 140, 160 and 180, the layout shown in Figure 6 has six full panels, namely additionally panels 190 and 195. Accordingly, even though the dispenser has n main walls, the layout of the flat material comprises n+2 full panels.

[0080] In this embodiment the flaps 200, 202, 204, 206 and 220, 222, 224 and 226 are used to provide composite walls 20, 22.

[0081] The section of a printed region 6 is such that a print is present in the at least one handling section 300, 302 as well as in a section of the panel 140, which is, however, not folded out. Nevertheless, in the folded-out state of the at least one handling section 300, 302, the print 6 provided on the folded out portions and on the panel combines to provide a full image, in this case the image of a flower.

[0082] By means of the layout shown in Figure 6, it becomes immediately apparent that at the locations-where the at-least one handling section 300, 302 are present, a second layer of material by means of panels 190, 195 is present, such that even if the at least one handling section 300, 302 are fully folded out, the volume defined by the dispenser housing is still intact and fully closed at the location of these sections.

[0083] Figure 7 shows two embodiments of a dispenser 1 with a handling section 30 which can be folded out. Print 60 is provided on the respective lower layers such that when folding out the at least one handling section 30 from the respective wall of the dispenser 1, the text that was hidden by the at least one handling section 30 can be viewed.

[0084] In the embodiment of Figure 8, a dispenser is shown, in which the at least one handling section 30 comprises holder portions 7 which are intended to receive, for example, pens, mobile phones, other office material or toys. This embodiment is particularly suitable for providing additional functionalities of the dispenser, in particular when it is to be used in an office environment.

[0085] In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the at least one handling section 30, 32 can be used as a means for hanging the dispenser in a desired location.

[0086] The embodiment of Figure 10 pertains to a dispenser 1 in which the at least one handling section 30 is provided around the dispensing opening, such that the at least one handling section 30 can be folded up around the dispensing opening, here substantially in the form of the petals of a flower. This embodiment is particularly useful when small children want to grip the dispenser 1 and, at the same time, withdraw tissue paper, as it intuitively leads the small children towards the dispensing opening.

[0087] The embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 10 can be combined in one way or another, such that it is not intended to limit the scope of protection to the specific layouts and designs shown in these Figures.

[0088] In order to manufacture a dispenser in the form as shown in one of the Figures 1 to 10, it is necessary to provide a flat material and to provide the flat material with a weakening line in order to define a handling section. Sufficient flat material has to be provided for, such that when folding the dispenser housing from the flat material, at least two layers of flat material are present at the location where the at least one handling section is present, such that, when folding out the at least one handling section, the remaining dispenser housing remains fully closed.

Claims

1. A tissue paper dispenser (1) for dispensing tissue paper from a volume defined within a dispenser housing (10), the dispenser housing (10) being made from a flat material, preferably a cardboard material, the dispenser (1) having at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) which can be folded out from a wall (16, 20, 22) of the dispenser, housing (10), the dispenser housing (10) having at least two overlapping layers of the flat material at the location where the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is situated, wherein the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is present in the outer layers of the flat material only such that at least the innermost layer of the flat material remains intact and seals off the volume defined by the dispenser housing (10) at the location where the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is present such that the dispenser (1) can be used as a fully operational dispenser when the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is folded out, and
wherein the dispenser (1) includes a stack or roll of tissue paper in the volume defined by the dispenser housing, in particular facial tissues, handkerchiefs, napkins, kitchen paper or tissue paper towels in dry or wet form; and
wherein a dispensing opening (2) is defined in the flat material, such that the tissue paper situated in the volume defined by the dispenser housing (10) can be removed at the dispensing opening, ,
characterized in that at their overlap
said at least two layers of the flat material are attached to one another, except at the location where the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is present, and
the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is defined in the outer layer of the flat material by means of a weakening line (1) having two ends (40, 42) spaced apart from each other, wherein between the two ends (40, 42) intact material (44) is provided which serves as a folding line and which integrally connects the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) (30, 32, 34) to the outer layer of the flat material.

2. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is ornamentally shaped, in particular to resemble parts of animals, flowers, vehicles, symbols or any other suitable designs.

3. Dispenser (30, 32, 34) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) includes a holder portion (7) for holding material, such as pens, telephones, notes, toys or similar materials.

4. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two handling sections (30, 32, 34) are present in different, preferably opposite, walls of the dispenser housing (10).

5. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser (1) is defined by at least n main walls (12, 14, 16, 18) having full panels and at least one composite wall (20, 22) having at least two flaps (200, 202, 204, 206, 220, 222, 224, 226), wherein the flat material comprises at least n+1 full panels (12, 14, 16, 18, 19) and at least two full panels (16, 19) overlap at the location where the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is situated.

6. Dispenser (1) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) extends substantially across the entire outer full panel.

7. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser (1) comprises at least one composite wall (20, 22) having at least two flaps (200, 202, 204, 206, 220, 222, 224, 226), wherein at least two flaps overlap at the location where the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is situated.

8. Dispenser (1) according to claim 7, wherein at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) and the dispensing opening are situated in different walls of the dispenser.

9. Dispenser according to claim 7, wherein at least one handling section and the dispensing opening (2) are situated in the same wall of the dispenser (1).

10. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weakening line (4) is defined by punching or perforating a part of a panel or a flap.

11. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, at the overlap, the at least two layers are attached to one another by means of an adhesive, except at the location where the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is present.

12. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein print (6) is provided on the dispenser housing (10), in particular at the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) or behind the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) on the layer of the flat material which remains intact.

13. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) comprises a gripping section (5) to enable a user to easily fold out the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34).

14. Dispenser (1) according to claim 13, wherein the gripping section (5) is provided in the form of a protrusion of the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) or by means of a cut-out and/or punch-out in the layer in which the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is provided, in order to enable a user to grip the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34).

15. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is provided such that it pops out from the wall of the dispenser (1) when a user grips it.

16. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two handling sections (30, 32, 34) are present which have outer shapes which are different from one another.

17. Method for manufacturing a tissue paper dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, including the steps of:

- providing the flat material;

- providing the flat material with the weakening line (4) to define the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) ;

- providing the dispensing opening (2) in the flat material, such that tissue paper can be removed at the dispensing opening;

- shaping the flat material such that when forming the dispenser housing (10), at least two layers of flat material are present at the location where the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is present, such that when folding out the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) from the dispenser housing (10), the dispenser housing (10) remains fully closed and seals off the volume defined by the dispenser housing (10) at the location where the at least one handling section is present such that the dispenser can be used as a fully operational dispenser,
wherein said at least two overlapping layers of the flat material are attached to one another at their overlap, except at the location where the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) is present, and
wherein the weakening line (4) has two ends (40, 42) spaced apart from each other, wherein between the two ends (40, 42) intact material (44) is provided which serves as a folding line and which integrally connects the at least one handling section (30, 32, 34) to the outer layer of the flat material.

Ansprüche

1. Tissuepapierspender (1) zum Abgeben von Tissuepapier von einem in einem Spendergehäuse (10) definierten Volumen, wobei das Spendergehäuse (10) aus einem flachen Material hergestellt ist, vorzugsweise einem Pappmaterial, der Spender (1) mindestens einen Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) aufweist, der von einer Wand (16, 20, 22) des Spendergehäuses (10) herausgefaltet werden kann, das Spendergehäuse (10) mindestens zwei sich überlappende Lagen des flachen Materials bei der Stelle aufweist, wo der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) angeordnet ist, wobei der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) bei den äußeren Lagen des flachen Materials nur so vorhanden ist, dass zumindest die innerste Lage des flachen Materials intakt bleibt und das durch das Spendergehäuse (10) definierte Volumen an der Stelle abdichtet, wo der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) vorhanden ist, sodass der Spender (1) als ein vollständig betriebsfähiger Spender verwendet werden kann, wenn der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) herausgefaltet ist, und
wobei der Spender (1) einen Stapel oder eine Rolle Tissuepapier in dem durch das Spendergehäuse definierten Volumen aufweist, insbesondere Gesichtstücher, Taschentücher, Servietten, Küchenpapier oder Tissuepapierhandtücher in trockener oder feuchter Form; und
wobei eine Spenderöffnung (2) in dem flachen Material definiert ist, sodass das in dem durch das Spendergehäuse (10) definierte Volumen angeordnete Tissuepapier bei der Spenderöffnung entfernt werden kann,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass bei ihrer Überlappung
die mindestens zwei Lagen des flachen Materials aneinander angebracht sind, mit Ausnahme der Stelle, wo der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) vorgesehen ist, und
der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) in der äußeren Lage des flachen Materials mittels einer Schwächungslinie (4) definiert ist, die zwei voneinander beabstandete Enden (40, 42) aufweist, wobei zwischen den zwei Enden (40, 42) intaktes Material (44) bereitgestellt ist, das als Falzlinie dient und den mindestens einen Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) integral mit der äußeren Lage des flachen Materials verbindet.

2. Spender (1) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) dekorativ geformt ist, insbesondere um Teilen von Tieren, Blumen, Fahrzeugen, Symbolen oder beliebigen anderen geeigneten Designs zu ähneln.

3. Spender (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei dem der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) einen Halteabschnitt (7) zum Halten von Material, wie zum Beispiel Stifte, Telefone, Notizen, Spielzeuge oder ähnliche Materialien aufweist.

4. Spender (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei dem die mindestens zwei Handhabungsabschnitte (30, 32, 34) in unterschiedlichen bevorzugt gegenüberliegenden Wänden des Spendergehäuses (10) vorgesehen sind.

5. Spender (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Spender (1) durch mindestens n Hauptwände (12, 14, 16, 18) definiert ist, die vollständige Panels aufweisen, und mindestens einer Verbundwand (20, 22), die mindestens zwei Klappen (200, 202, 204, 206, 220, 222, 224, 226) aufweist, wobei das flache Material mindestens n+1 vollständige Panels (12, 14, 16, 18, 19) aufweist und sich mindestens zwei vollständige Panels (16, 19) bei der Stelle überlappen, wo der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) angeordnet ist.

6. Spender (1) nach Anspruch 5, bei dem sich der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) im Wesentlichen über das gesamte äußere vollständige Panel erstreckt.

7. Spender (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Spender (1) mindestens eine Verbundwand (20, 22) mit mindestens zwei Klappen (200, 202, 204, 206, 220, 222, 224, 226) aufweist, wobei sich mindestens zwei Klappen an der Stelle überlappen, wo der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) angeordnet ist.

8. Spender (1) nach Anspruch 7, bei dem mindestens ein Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) und die Spenderöffnung in unterschiedlichen Wänden des Spenders angeordnet sind.

9. Spender nach Anspruch 7, bei dem mindestens ein Handhabungsabschnitt und die Spenderöffnung (2) in der gleichen Wand des Spenders (1) angeordnet sind.

10. Spender (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei dem die Schwächungslinie (4) durch Stanzen oder Perforieren eines Teils eines Panels oder einer Klappe definiert ist.

11. Spender (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei dem die mindestens zwei Lagen bei der Überlappung aneinander mittels eines Haftmittels angebracht sind, mit Ausnahme der Stelle, wo der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) vorgesehen ist.

12. Spender (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei dem ein Druck (6) auf dem Spendergehäuse (10) bereitgestellt ist, insbesondere bei dem mindestens einen Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) oder hinter dem mindestens einen Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) an der Lage des flachen Materials, die intakt bleibt.

13. Spender (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei dem der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) einen Greifabschnitt (5) aufweist, um es einem Benutzer zu ermöglichen, den mindestens einen Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) auf einfache Weise nach außen zu falten.

14. Spender (1) nach Anspruch 13, bei dem der Greifabschnitt (5) in Form eines Vorsprungs des mindestens einen Handhabungsabschnitts (30, 32, 34) oder mittels eines Ausschnitts und/oder einer Ausstanzung in der Lage bereitgestellt ist, in welcher der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) bereitgestellt ist, um es einem Benutzer zu ermöglichen, den mindestens einen Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) zu greifen.

15. Spender (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei dem der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) so bereitgestellt ist, dass er von der Wand des Spenders (1) heraustritt, wenn ihn ein Benutzer greift.

16. Spender (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei dem mindestens zwei Handhabungsabschnitte (30, 32, 34) vorhanden sind, die äußere Formen aufweisen, die sich voneinander unterscheiden.

17. Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Tissuepapierspenders (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, einschließlich der Schritte:

- Bereitstellen des flachen Materials;

- Bereitstellen des flachen Materials mit der Schwächungslinie (4), um den mindestens einen Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) zu definieren;

- Bereitstellen der Spenderöffnung (2) in dem flachen Material, sodass Tissuepapier bei der Spenderöffnung entfernt werden kann;

- Formen des flachen Materials, sodass beim Formen des Spendergehäuses (10) mindestens zwei Lagen flachen Materials bei der Stelle vorhanden sind, wo der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) vorgesehen ist, sodass beim Herausfalten des mindestens einen Handhabungsabschnitts (30, 32, 34) von dem Spendergehäuse (10) das Spendergehäuse (10) vollständig geschlossen bleibt und das durch das Spendergehäuse (10) definierte Volumen bei der Stelle abdichtet, wo der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt vorliegt, sodass der Spender als ein vollständig betriebsfähiger Spender verwendet werden kann,
wobei die mindestens zwei sich überlappenden Lagen des flachen Materials bei ihrer Überlappung aneinander befestigt sind, mit Ausnahme der Stelle, wo der mindestens eine Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) vorliegt, und
wobei die Schwächungslinie (4) zwei Enden (40, 42) aufweist, die voneinander beabstandet sind, wobei zwischen den zwei Enden (40, 42) intaktes Material (44) bereitgestellt ist, das als eine Falzlinie dient und welches den mindestens einen Handhabungsabschnitt (30, 32, 34) integral mit der äußeren Lage des flachen Materials verbindet.

Revendications

1. Distributeur de papier absorbant (1) pour délivrer du papier absorbant depuis un volume défini à l'intérieur d'un boîtier de distributeur (10), le boîtier de distributeur (10) étant fait d'un matériau plat, de préférence un matériau de type carton, le distributeur (1) ayant au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) qui peut être dépliée depuis une paroi (16, 20, 22) du boîtier de distributeur (10), le boîtier de distributeur (10) comportant au moins deux couches en chevauchement du matériau plat à l'endroit où se situe ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34), dans lequel ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) est présente dans les couches extérieures du matériau plat de telle manière qu'au moins la couche la plus intérieure du matériau plat reste intacte et clôt le volume défini par le boîtier de distributeur (10) à l'endroit où ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) est présente, de sorte que le distributeur (1) peut être utilisé en tant que distributeur pleinement fonctionnel quand ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) est dépliée vers l'extérieur, et
dans lequel le distributeur (1) comprend un empilement ou un rouleau de papier absorbant dans le volume défini par le boîtier de distributeur, en particulier des mouchoirs en papier, des mouchoirs, des serviettes, du papier essuie-tout ou des serviettes en papier absorbant sous forme sèche ou humide ; et
dans lequel une ouverture de distribution (2) est définie dans le matériau plat, de manière telle que le papier absorbant situé dans le volume défini par le boîtier de distributeur (10) peut être retiré au niveau de l'ouverture de distribution,
caractérisé en ce que, au niveau de leur chevauchement, lesdites au moins deux couches du matériau plat sont fixées l'une à l'autre, sauf à l'endroit où ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) est présente, et
ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) est définie dans la couche extérieure du matériau plat au moyen d'une ligne d'affaiblissement (4) ayant deux extrémités (40, 42) espacées l'une de l'autre, dans lequel entre les deux extrémités (40, 42), on laisse du matériau intact (44) qui sert de ligne de pliage et qui connecte de façon intégrale ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) à la couche extérieure du matériau plat.

2. Distributeur (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel on donne à ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) une forme décorative, en particulier pour qu'elle ressemble à des parties d'animaux, de fleurs, de véhicules, de symboles ou de tout autre dessin approprié.

3. Distributeur (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) comprend une partie de support (7) pour retenir des matériaux, comme des stylos, des téléphones, des notes, des jouets ou des matériaux similaires.

4. Distributeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel au moins deux sections de manipulation (30, 32, 34) sont présentes dans des parois différentes, de préférence opposées, du boîtier de distributeur (10).

5. Distributeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le distributeur (1) est défini par au moins n parois principales (12, 14, 16, 18) ayant des panneaux pleins et au moins une paroi composite (20, 22) comportant au moins deux rabats (200, 202, 204, 206, 220, 222, 224, 226), dans lequel le matériau plat comprend au moins n+1 panneaux pleins (12, 14, 16, 18, 19) et au moins deux panneaux pleins (16, 19) se chevauchent à l'endroit où se situe ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34).

6. Distributeur (1) selon la revendication 5, dans lequel ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) s'étend substantiellement en travers du panneau plein extérieur entier.

7. Distributeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le distributeur (1) comprend au moins une paroi composite (20, 22) comportant au moins deux rabats (200, 202, 204, 206, 220, 222, 224, 226), dans lequel au moins deux rabats se chevauchent à l'endroit où se situe ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34).

8. Distributeur (1) selon la revendication 7, dans lequel au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) et l'ouverture de distribution sont situées dans des parois différentes du distributeur.

9. Distributeur (1) selon la revendication 7, dans lequel au moins une section de manipulation et l'ouverture de distribution (2) sont situées dans la même paroi du distributeur (1).

10. Distributeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la ligne d'affaiblissement (4) est définie en poinçonnant ou en perforant une partie d'un panneau ou d'un rabat.

11. Distributeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel, au niveau du chevauchement, lesdites au moins deux couches sont fixées l'une à l'autre au moyen d'un adhésif, sauf à l'endroit où ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) est présente.

12. Distributeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel une impression (6) est fournie sur le boîtier de distributeur (10), en particulier au niveau de ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) ou derrière ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) sur la couche du matériau plat qui reste intacte.

13. Distributeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) comprend une section de préhension (5) pour permettre à un utilisateur de déplier aisément vers l'extérieur ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34).

14. Distributeur (1) selon la revendication 13, dans lequel la section de préhension (5) est fournie sous la forme d'une protubérance de ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) ou au moyen d'une découpe et/ou d'une découpe à l'emporte-pièce dans la couche dans laquelle ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) est fournie, afin de permettre à un utilisateur de saisir ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34).

15. Distributeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) est prévue pour se déployer hors de la paroi du distributeur (1) quand un utilisateur la saisit.

16. Distributeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel au moins deux sections de manipulation (30, 32, 34) sont présentes, qui ont des formes extérieures différentes l'une de l'autre.

17. Procédé de fabrication d'un distributeur de papier absorbant (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant les étapes suivantes :

- fournir le matériau plat ;

- fournir le matériau plat avec la ligne d'affaiblissement (4) pour définir ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) ;

- fournir l'ouverture de distribution (2) dans le matériau plat, afin que le papier absorbant puisse être retiré au niveau de l'ouverture de distribution ;

- mettre en forme le matériau plat de telle façon que lors de la mise en forme du boîtier de distributeur (10), au moins deux couches de matériau plat sont présentes à l'endroit où ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) est présente, de sorte que lorsque l'on déplie ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) vers l'extérieur du boîtier de distributeur (10), le boîtier de distributeur (10) reste entièrement fermé et clôt le volume défini par le boîtier de distributeur (10) à l'endroit où ladite au moins une section de manipulation est présente, de sorte que le distributeur peut être utilisé en tant que distributeur pleinement fonctionnel,
dans lequel lesdites au moins deux couches de matériau plat en chevauchement sont fixées l'une à l'autre au niveau de leur chevauchement, sauf à l'endroit où ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) est présente, et
dans lequel la ligne d'affaiblissement (4) a deux extrémités (40, 42) espacées l'une de l'autre, dans lequel entre les deux extrémités (40, 42), on laisse du matériau intact (44) qui sert de ligne de pliage et qui connecte de façon intégrale ladite au moins une section de manipulation (30, 32, 34) à la couche extérieure du matériau plat.

Drawing