EP1270446B1 - Container for a stack of inter-folded tissue sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for a collection of interfolded or mechanically connected tissue-sheets, said container having a generally planar bottom wall and a top wall (1) and a pair of side walls and a par of end walls (2, 3) connecting said bottom wall with said top wall (1) and an opening (4) provided in at least said top wall (1) for the removal of said tissue-sheets (T) from the container, said stack of interfolded tissue-sheets being placed in said container with at least a pair of edges of a lowermost tissue-sheet placed on said bottom wall and an uppermost tissue-sheet (T) placed near or in contact with the top wall and adjacent to the opening in the top wall. The opening (4) is provided with elongated projections (51, 52; 53, 54; 55, 56; 57, 58; 59, 60, 61, 62) extending from opposite sides of the opening (4), wherein each projection in an initial position extends across the opening (4) in the plane of said top wall (1) and is positioned adjoining at least one opposing projection, and in that the projections are arranged in co-operating pairs, wherein each projection has at least one inner section having a smaller width than an adjacent outer section. <IMAGE>

Description

TECHNICAL AREA:
• The invention pertains to a stack of interfolded tissue-sheets packed in acontainer according to the preamble ofclaim 1.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
• Soft tissue sheets such as facial tissue sheets are commonly offered as astack of tissue sheets packed in a dispensing box. The dispensing box hasan opening through which the user pulls the tissue sheets. In order tofacilitate the removal of the tissue sheets from the dispensing box, the tissuesheets are interfolded, which means that the tissue sheets are folded intoone-another, so that they form a chain of tissue sheets being interconnectedby folded portions. In this manner, when removing the top tissue sheet fromthe stack of tissue sheets and pulling the tissue sheet completely through thedispensing opening in the dispensing box, the pulled-out tissue sheet willautomatically bring a portion of the next tissue sheet in the stack out throughthe opening thereby making it readily available for gripping and removingfrom the dispensing box. The praxis of interfolding tissue sheets in thismanner is a convenient way of ascertaining that all of the tissue sheets canbe easily removed from the container. There are many types of interfolding,e.g. Z-folding, but neither the type of interfolding, nor the type of tissue isimportant to the invention.
• A dispenser of this type is known from US-A-6,053,357 (YOH), whichdiscloses a box with a dispensing opening having a curvilinear or "S"-shape.The opening facilitates the dispensing of interfolded tissues from a box byfixing the top sheet in a position extending out through the opening, where itis readily accessible to a user.Furthermore, the document JP 09323771 A disclosesa container according to the preamble ofclaim 1.
• However, a problem arises when it is desired to dispense a flat tissue sheetfrom the stack of tissue sheets. After opening the dispensing box, whichbasically means exposing the opening in the box, the user must try and get agrip on the first tissue sheet in order to remove it. In ordinary boxes of thistype, the uppermost tissue is usually wrinkled when it is presented to the userthrough the opening in the box. The reason for this is that the width of thetissue is broader than the opening in the box, in order to fix the tissue in aposition ready to use. To dispense a flat tissue sheet it is therefore necessaryto have a wider opening in the box. Although a wider opening in the boxsolves the problem with tissues being wrinkled as they are pulled out of thebox, it creates a further problem with tissues falling back into the box wherethey are inaccessible for the user.
• Hence, there exists a great need of improving the dispensing of flat tissuesheets from a stack of tissue sheets. The sheets should both be presented toa user, without falling back into the box, and be possible to withdraw withoutcausing the sheet to wrinkle. Hence, the box requires a dispensing meansthat enables a tissue to be gripped and held securely in a presentationposition, while allowing it to be pulled freely from the box by the user.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
• The present invention offers a simple and expedient means of solving theproblem of dispensing a flat tissue sheet from a stack of interfolded tissuesheets which are packed in a container having a dispensing opening. In apreferred embodiment, the opening is wider than the width of said tissuesheets. The invention will, however, also be applicable for openings of equalor narrower width than the width of the tissue sheets.
• In accordance with the invention the dispensing opening is provided withmeans for presenting a tissue blocked in a fixed position, with a flatconfiguration. This allows the user to pull the presented tissue out flat,whereby potential wrinkling is smoothened out by the presenting means. Thepresented tissue may be a single sheet, or may itself have additional folding.
• The means for presenting the tissue is in the form of a number ofelongated projections or fingers extending from opposite sides of thedispensing opening of the box. The dispensing opening is providedin at least the top wall of the box. In order to fix a tissue in position the fingers are overlapping by extending between each other in theplane of the top wall. When the box is to be opened the fingers are initiallyarranged in substantially the same plane, until the first tissue has beenextracted through the dispensing opening. The fingers may be attached tothe underside of the top wall of the box, on opposite sides of the opening. It isalso possible to attach the means including said fingers on the upper side ofthe top wall of the box, or to integrate it into the top wall itself, e.g. by makingthe fingers part of the top wall. When the first tissue is being pulled outthrough the opening, the fingers will be pulled upwards by the tissue on eitherside thereof. The pulled-out tissue will automatically bring a portion of thenext tissue out through the opening, where it will pass between the fingers.As the first tissue is removed, the subsequent tissue will be held in positionand prevented from falling back into the box by the gripping action of theopposing fingers. The fingers must be sufficiently flexible to allow a tissue tobe pulled out, while at the same time being sufficiently stiff to retain the tissueand prevent it from falling back. Accordingly, the thickness and stiffness of aplastic film, or other suitable material, used for the fingers must be selectedto match the stiffness and material properties of the tissue.
• It is possible to produce opposing sets of fingers from a continuous sheet ofmaterial by using an interlocking profile for the projections or fingersextending from opposite sides of the edge of an opening in said sheet This isachieved by allowing each projection to extend across said top wall, and inthe plane thereof, into a recess adjoining at least one opposing projection. Ifthe finger profile is substantially V- or U-shaped, a shaped zig-zag cut can bemade along the longitudinal axis of a prospective opening in the continuoussheet. Fingers of this type can be arranged staggered, having fingersarranged side-by-side and overlapping by extending across the dispensingopening of the box, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the opening.Alternatively the fingers can be angled relative to the longitudinal axis of theopening. The shape of the projections or fingers will be described in moredetail below.
• In the following text the term "overlap", in the context of pairs of interactingprojections, is used to denote that the tips of a pair of adjacent projections,which are not necessarily in contact, extend past each other, as seen in aplan view. This is the case when the fingers are in their initial positions,before the first tissue has been dispensed. Once a tissue has beenwithdrawn, the opposing fingers are placed on opposite sides of the subsequent tissue to present it to the user. The fingers are then bent orflexed away from the top wall, to assume a dispensing position in the form ofa mainly curved shape. An opposing pair of fingers, or the tips thereof, oneither side of a tissue will be in point or line contact with said tissue, thuscreating sufficient friction to prevent the tissue from falling back into the box.The shape of the fingers is important in order to retain a gripping position.Particularly, the tips of a pair of opposing fingers should be relatively large or"fat" to provide said point or line contact with a tissue.
• According to the invention, the container comprises all the technical features ofclaim 1.
• According to a first embodiment, at least one pair of opposing projections isprovided with at least one outer section with a surface area that is larger thanthe surface area of a corresponding length of an inner section. Said first andsecond sections may or may not partially overlap. In one particular version ofthis embodiment, the area of the outer section extending past a centrallongitudinal axis of the opening is larger than the surface area of the innersection from said axis to a base of the projection.
• According to a second embodiment, thewidths can be measuredat any point on the main axis of said projection. Also, said width of therespective inner and outer sections is the cross-sectional width in theperpendicular direction of either the main axis of said projection or the main,longitudinal axis of said opening.
• According to a third embodiment, the radius of a projection at the point ofcontact with an opposing projection, in the dispensing position, is greaterthan half the width of the projection at its narrowest section.
• According to a fourth embodiment, the opening in the top wall comprises ashaped slot provided with said projections. In addition, said slot can have atleast one cut-out section for allowing access to said uppermost tissue-sheet.Said cut-out section may be removed during the manufacture of the box, orduring opening of the box to allow access to the tissues.
• According to a fifth embodiment, the main, longitudinal axis of the openingcontaining said slot extends across the top wall along or parallel to alongitudinal axis of the top wall. The opening may thus be positioned alongthe centreline of the box, or on either side thereof.
• According to a sixth embodiment, the main axis of the opening containingsaid slot extends across the top wall at an angle relative to the longitudinalaxis of the top wall. The angle can be given any value on either side of saidlongitudinal axis up to and including an angle corresponding to the angle of adiagonal line between opposing corners of the top wall.
• According to a seventh embodiment, the main axis of the opening containingsaid slot extends across the top wall in a generally S-shaped curve extendingin the general direction of a line connecting the ends of the opening
• The shape of the edges of the opening can follow the shape or curvature ofthe main axis of the opening, but can also follow a curved or broken line inthe general direction of said axis. In general, the width of the opening isgreater or greatest near the middle of the top wall, while its narrowest sectionis at or near the end sections of the top wall. The end sections of the openingmay end in a straight line at the respective edges of the top wall. Howeverthey may also end with a rounded section, either near the edges of the topwall or extending a small distance down the respective end walls of the box.
• According to a further embodiment, said slot is an insert attached to the topwall, which insert covers the opening. The insert may be made from a plasticmaterial, such as polypropylene, in order to give both sufficient flexibility andstiffness. The flexibility and stiffness may also be varied by using plasticmaterials of different thickness.
• The opening can be used to control the flexibility and stiffness of the fingersarranging the edge of the opening at a predetermined distance from saidfingers. A wide opening positioned away from the base of the fingers will givehigh flexibility and low stiffness. On the other hand, an opening having anedge overlapping the recesses of opposing fingers will give low flexibility andhigh stiffness. In this way the fingers may be adapted for tissues of differentmaterials and materials of different thickness.
• According to a further embodiment, said slot is arranged in the top wall,which then makes up the opening. In this case the box itself is made from aplastic material, having projections or fingers cut or perforated in the top wall.The opening, which would normally control the movement of the fingers, canbe embossed directly on the top wall. It is also possible to provide each individual finger with a specific embossing or pattern, in order to give eachfinger a predetermined flexibility. The shape of the slot containing theprojections or fingers or the positioning and shape of the embossed openingcan be the same as described in connections with the embodiments above.
• In a further embodiment, any two consecutive pairs of opposing fingersshould co-operate independently. Hence, a cut line between adjacent fingersof two pairs of opposing fingers should only have one inflection point. In thevicinity of the inflection point, the cut line should be straight or have acomparatively large curvature. In this way it is ensured that each pair ofopposing fingers can move and flex together without interference fromadjacent pairs of fingers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• Particular embodiments of the invention are described below, with referenceto the drawings, wherein;

Figure 1A

shows a plan view of a top wall and two folded out end walls ofa box, which box is provided with a dispensing opening havinga first alternative shape;

Figure 1B

shows a plan view of a box as in Fig. 1, provided with anopening having a second alternative shape;

Figure 1C

shows a plan view of a box as in Fig. 1, provided with anopening having a third alternative shape;

Figure 1D

shows a plan view of a box as in Fig. 1, provided with anopening having a fourth alternative shape;

Figure 1E

shows a plan view of a box as in Fig. 1, provided with anopening having a fifth alternative shape;

Figure 1F

shows a plan view of a box as in Fig. 1, provided with anopening having a sixth alternative shape;

Figure 2A

shows a plan view of a top wall with an opening as shown inFig. 1D provided with fingers according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2B

shows an enlarged view of a pair of fingers in point contact;

Figure 2C

shows an enlarged view of a pair of fingers in line contact;

Figure 2D

shows an cross-section of a finger as disclosed in Figure 2C;

Figure 2E

shows a side view of a box, wherein one finger is in pointcontact and one finger is in line contact;

Figure 3

shows a plan view of a top wall with an opening as shown inFig. 1E provided with fingers according to a first embodiment;

Figure 4

shows a plan view of a top wall with an opening as shown inFig. 1F provided with fingers according to a first embodiment;

Figure 5

shows a plan view of a top wall with an opening as shown inFig. 1E, having a narrower width;

Figure 6

shows a plan view of a top wall with an opening as shown inFig. 1E provided with fingers according to an alternative firstembodiment;

Figure 7

shows a plan view of a top wall with an opening as shown inFig. 1A provided with fingers according to a further alternativefirst embodiment;

Figure 8

shows a plan view of a top wall with an opening as shown inFig. 1C provided with fingers according to a further alternativefirst embodiment

Figure 9

shows a plan view of a top wall with an opening as shown inFig. 1B provided with fingers according to a secondembodiment;

Figure 10

shows a plan view of a top wall with an opening as shown inFig. 1A provided with fingers according to a third embodiment;

Figure 11

shows a plan view of a top wall with an opening as shown inFig. 1A provided with fingers according to an alternative thirdembodiment.

• The above figures show schematic representations of various parts of alimited number of possible embodiments of a box according to the invention.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
• Figures 1A-F show a plan view of atop wall 1 of a box including a pair offolded outend walls 2, 3. The box also includes two side walls, whichtogether with the end walls connect the top wall with a bottom wall (notshown). The box encloses a stack of interfolded tissues to be dispensedthrough an opening. The following examples describe the opening arrangedin the top wall, but it can of course be arranged in any of the said walls.Obviously, the stack of folded tissues would need to be adapted accordingly.
• The figures illustrate a number of different configurations for adispensingopening 4 in thetop wall 1. In Figure 1A theedges 5, 6 of the opening are arranged symmetrically on either side of a central longitudinal axis A_X of thebox, thus coinciding with the main axis of theopening 4. Theopening 4 hasits minimum width W₁ in the top wall at afolding line 7, 8 between thetopwall 1 and eachrespective end wall 2, 3. The maximum width W₂ of theopening 4 is placed at a central transverse axis A_Y of the box. In this firstalternative shape, eachedge 5, 6 is made up ofstraight lines 9, 10, 11,12from apoint 13, 14, 15, 16 where the edge intersects saidfolding line 7, 8 toapoint 17, 18 where theedge 5, 6 intersects the transverse axis A_Y and theopening 4 reaches its maximum width W₂. In this particular embodiment, theopening 4 extends past thefolding line 7, 8 a short distance X into therespective end wall 2, 3. Theopening 4 is terminated by arounded edge 19,20, having a substantially semicircular shape. The invention is, however notlimited to this shape.
• The embodiment of Figure 1A shows an opening wherein the straight linescontinue a short distance into the end walls before being terminated. It is,however, also possible to place the rounded edge on or immediately after thefolding edge, or to terminate the opening along the folding line (see Fig. 1B).If a stack of tissues (not shown) does not take up the entire space betweenthe end walls, it is also possible to terminate the opening before it reachesthe folding lines.
• Figure 1B shows anopening 4 having a second alternative shape. In thiscase, each of theedges 5, 6 are in the shape of acurve 21, 22 having a fixedradius R1 placed symmetrically on both sides of the longitudinal axis A_X.Hence, thecurve 21 will intersect thepoints 13 and 14 on thefolding line 7,as well as thepoint 17 on the transverse axis A_Y. This embodiment alsoshows an opening having its ends terminated along thefolding lines 7, 8.However theopening 4 does not extend into theside walls 2, 3, but ends atthefolding lines 7, 8.
• Figure 1C shows anopening 4 having a third alternative shape. Here, theedges 5, 6 have a composite shape comprising straight lines and curvesplaced symmetrically on both sides of the longitudinal axis A_X. Starting fromany onepoint 13, 14, 15, 16 on thefolding line 7, 8, a firststraight line 23, 24,25, 26 making up theedge 5, 6 extends parallel to the axis A_X apredetermined distance L₁. At an intersection point P₁ the line will transforminto acurve 27, 28 having a fixed radius R₂, which curve will intersect thepoint 17, 18 on the transverse axis A_Y. Theedge 5, 6 can make either a smooth or a sharp transition at the intersection point P₁. This embodimentalso shows anopening 4 having both its ends terminated along thefoldinglines 7, 8.
• For all the above examples, it is also possible to displace the opening in thetop wall in the direction of the transverse axis A_Y, parallel to the longitudinalaxis A_X.
• Figure 1D shows anopening 4 having a fourth alternative shape. In thisexample the main axis A_M of theopening 4 is placed at an angle α relative tothe longitudinal axis A_X of the box. The main axis A_M has thereby beenrotated around the point P_XY of intersection between the longitudinal andtransverse axes A_X and A_Y. Thepoints 34, 35, 36, 37 where theedges 5, 6intersect thefolding lines 7, 8 have been placed symmetrically on either sideof a point P_M, where the main axis A_M intersects saidfolding line 7, 8. Whenstarting from thepoint 34, 36 on thefolding line 7, 8 furthest away from thelongitudinal axis A_X, theedge 5, 6 is initially in the shape of afirst curve 30,31 that is concave in relation to the main axis A_M. The radius R₃ of thiscurve30, 31 has its centre located outside theopening 4 and on the same side ofthe main axis A_M. Thecurve 30, 31 extends a predetermined distance L₂ to apoint P₂, P₃, a short distance past the transverse axis A_Y. At the point P₂, P₃the first,concave curve 30, 31 will transform into a second,convex curve 32,33 having a fixed radius R₄. The radius R₄ of thiscurve 32, 33 has its centrelocated outside theopening 4 and on the opposite side of the main axis A_Mas the curve. Thesecond curve 32, 33 extends from the transition point P₂,P₃ to thepoint 35, 37 on thefolding line 7 closest to the longitudinal axis A_X.The transition between thecurves 30, 32 and 31, 33 respectively at the pointP₂, P₃, can be either smooth or sharp. Thesecond edge 6 of the opening isinversely symmetrical to thefirst edge 5 relative to the main axis A_M. Hencethe centreline C_S of the opening will follow a substantially S-shaped curve.Depending on the choice of radii R₃, R₄ and the positioning of their centres inrelation to the transverse axis A_Y, the position of the maximum width W₂ neednot coincide with said axis A_Y. In the current example, the width W₂ issubstantially constant in the space between the transition points P₂, P₃. As inthe case of the embodiment shown in Figure 1A, theopening 4 extends pastthefolding line 7, 8 a short distance X into therespective end wall 2, 3. Theopening 4 is terminated by arounded edge 19, 20, having a substantiallysemicircular shape.
• Figure 1E shows anopening 4 having a fifth alternative shape, which issubstantially identical to the shape shown in Fig. 1D. The major difference isthat the main axis A_M of the opening has been rotated anti-clockwise tocoincide with the central axis A_X of the box. Hence, thepoints 34, 35, 36, 37on the folding line are positioned symmetrically on either side of both themain axis A_M and the longitudinal axis A_X.
• Figure 1 F shows anopening 4 having a sixth alternative shape. As shown inFigure 1D, the main axis A_M in this example has been rotated an angle αrelative to the longitudinal axis A_X, around the point of intersection betweenthe two main axes A_X and A_Y. Thepoints 44, 45, 46, 47 where theedges 5, 6intersect thefolding lines 7, 8 have been placed symmetrically on either sideof the point P_M, where the main axis A_M intersects saidfolding line 7, 8. Whenstarting from thepoint 44, 46 on thefolding line 7, 8 furthest away from thelongitudinal axis A_X, theedge 5, 6 is initially in the shape of astraight line 40,41 parallel with the longitudinal axis A_X. Theline 40, 41 extends apredetermined distance L₄ to a point P₄, P₅, a short distance past thetransverse axis A_Y. At the point P₄, P₅ thestraight line 40, 41 will transforminto aconvex curve 42, 43 having a fixed radius R₅. The radius R₅ of thiscurve 42, 43 has its centre located outside theopening 4 and on the oppositeside of the main axis A_M as the curve. Thiscurve 42, 43 extends from thetransition point P₄, P₅ to thepoint 45, 47 on thefolding line 7 closest to thelongitudinal axis A_X. The transition between thelines 40, 42 and thecurves41, 43 respectively at the point P₄, P₅, can be either smooth or sharp. Thesecond edge 6 of the opening is inversely symmetrical to thefirst edge 5relative to the main axis A_M. As can be seen from Figure 1F, the maximumwidth W₂ is substantially constant in the space between the transition pointsP₄, P₅. Also, as in the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 1A, theopening 4 extends past thefolding line 7, 8 a short distance X into therespective end wall 2, 3. Theopening 4 is terminated by arounded edge 19,20, having a substantially semicircular shape.
• As for the embodiments shown in Figures 1A-C, it is also possible to displacethe opening in the top wall in the direction of the transverse axis A_Y, parallelto the longitudinal axis A_X, for the above embodiments of Figures 1 D-F. Theangle α of the main axis A_M can be given any value between 0° and theangle of a diagonal line between two opposing corners of the top wall. Forpractical reasons, however, the maximum angle is reached when one or bothof theouter points 34, 36 or 44, 46, respectively, where theopening 4 intersects the folding line reaches the edge of the top wall. The generalshape of the opening in the top wall need not be limited to the examplesdescribed above.
• Figure 2A shows a plan view of atop wall 1 provided with anopening 4 asdefined in relation to Figure 1D. Attached to the underside of saidtop wall 1,is a sheet of plastic film provided with a cut line defining a number of fingersand cut-out sections. Thefingers 51, 52; 53, 54; 55, 56; 57, 58; 59, 60; 61, 62are arranged in co-operating pairs. In order to avoid interference from any ofthe neighbouring pairs of fingers, the cut line between each pair of fingershas only one inflection point. As can be seen from Figure 2A, the fingers arewider in the region of their tips. The main axes A₁, A₂ are indicated for thefingers 55 and 56, which make up a pair. The minimum width W_Min, at rightangles to the main axis of eachfinger 55, 56 occurs in an inner section.Similarly, the maximum width W_Max, at right angles to the main axis of eachfinger 55, 56 occurs in an outer section. The minimum width W_Min and themaximum width W_Max occur on opposite sides of the main axis A_M of theopening. An outer section with an increased width allows a larger radius R_Tfor the tip of each finger, which radius R_T is greater than half the minimumwidth W_Min. By enlarging the tip of each finger, a sufficient grip is ensuredbetween two co-operating fingers when placed in the dispensing position.
  In this embodiment, each finger extends from a base adjacent one edge ofthe opening, to a tip near, but not overlapping, an opposite edge of theopening. As described in connection with Figure 1D, the opening has itslargest width near the central transverse axis A_Y and its smallest width nearthe end walls of the box. Hence the length of each consecutive fingerdecreases from the central transverse axis A_Y in the direction of the ends ofthe opening. The example comprises three pairs of fingers, placed inverselysymmetrical on either side of said transverse axis A_Y. The main axes A₁-A₆ ofall the fingers are placed at substantially the same angle β in relation to themain axis A_M of the opening. The main axis A_M of theopening 4 is placed atan angle α relative to the central longitudinal axis A_X of the top wall. Hence,the main axes A₁, A₂ of the fingers are at an angle β-α relative to saidlongitudinal axis A_X. As described in relation to Figure 1D, the centreline C_Sof theopening 4 follows an S-shaped curve. Also, both a main axis A_F and acentreline C_F (not shown) of the cut line for the slot making up the fingers willhave a substantially identical main axis and centreline as theopening 4.
• The length, width and angle of each finger is chosen with respect to the typeand width of tissue to be dispensed, the material and thickness of the fingersand other relevant factors. The width of the opening may be used to influencethe behaviour of the fingers in the dispensing position, as described above.
• A central cut-outportion 63 is arranged between two inner pairs offingers 55,56; 57, 58 placed on either side of the transverse axis A_Y of thetop wall 1.Both theinnermost fingers 56, 57, adjacent the central cut-out, are arrangedin substantially opposite directions, with their parallel axes A₁ diverging fromthe point of intersection of said longitudinal and transverse axes A_X, A_Y. Twofurther, outer cut-outportions 64, 65 are arranged at either end of theopening 4. Each outer cut-out 64, 65 is placed between and extending into,theend wall 2, 3 of the box and an outer pair offingers 51, 52; 61, 62. Thecentral cut-out must be sufficiently wide to allow a user to properly grip andpull a tissue up through the opening. At the same time, the width W₃ must notbe too large, as this can cause a tissue held by the fingers to sag in itsmiddle section. The outer cut-outs 64, 65 allow the edges of the tissues topass through the opening without catching or snagging any part of theopening or the fingers. However, the width W₄ of the outer cut-outs 64, 65must not be too large, as this can cause the corners of a tissue held by thefingers to fold. The above widths W₃ and W₄ are both measured along themain axis A_M of the opening. The sizes of said widths are mainly decided bythe properties, such as stiffness and thickness, of the tissue to be dispensed.
• When the uppermost tissue is pulled through the central cut-out 63, thefingers will be lifted from a first, initial position, in which all fingers are in thesame plane as shown in Figure 2A, to a second, active dispensing position,in which they are bent upwards on either side of the tissue. Depending on theselected properties of the fingers, the pairs of opposing fingers will grip andhold the tissue in point or line contact therewith.
• Fingers with a relatively high stiffness, narrow width and/or short length, willtend to be in point contact with the tissue. Figure 2B shows an outer pair offingers 51, 52 in the dispensing position on either side of a tissue T. Eachfinger contacts the tissue at a point of contact P_C, which point preferably butnot necessarily coincides with the main axes A₅, A₆ of the respective finger.Figure 2C shows an inner pair offingers 55, 56 in the dispensing position.Being longer and wider, said inner pair of fingers may curve slightly aroundan axis parallel to the main axes A₁, A₂ of each finger. This is illustrated by the cross-section C-C, shown in Figure 2D. Due to this curvature, the fingerswill be in line contact with the tissue T along a short segment L_C of the edgeof each tip. Said segments will preferably but not necessarily overlap, so thatthe main axes A₅, A₆ at the tip of therespective finger 55, 56 coincides.
• Figures 2B-E are shown as an example only. Depending on the desiredproperties for finger to be used for a specific type of tissue, it is possible todesign the fingers so that all are in either point or line contact, or to use amixture of the two.
• Figure 3 shows a plan view of atop wall 1 provided with anopening 4 asdefined in relation to Figure 1E. The difference between this embodiment andthe embodiment of Figure 2A, is that the main axis A_M of the opening hasbeen pivoted to coincide with the central longitudinal axis A_X of the top wall.As an effect of this thefingers 51, 52; 53, 54; 55, 56; 57, 58; 59, 60; 61, 62are placed at an angle β relative to the central longitudinal axis A_X, giving thefingers a more upright position when gripping and holding a tissue.
• Figure 4 shows a plan view of atop wall 1 provided with anopening 4 asdefined in relation to Figure 1F. One of the main differences between thisembodiment and the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3, is that the fingers areplaced at different angles relative to the main axis A_M of theopening 4. Themain axis A_M of the opening is placed at a predetermined angle a relative tothe longitudinal axis A_X of thetop wall 1. However, the main axes A₁-A₆ ofeachconsecutive finger 51, 52; 53, 54; 55, 56; 57, 58; 59, 60; 61, 62 oneither side of the central transverse axis A_Y are placed at decreasing anglesrelative to the main axis A_M of theopening 4. Hence, theinner fingers 56, 57on either side of the cut-out 63 have an angle β₁ relative to the main axis A_M.Each adjacent and opposingfinger 55, 58 have an angle β₂, smaller than β₁.Similarly, theconsecutive fingers 54, 59; 53, 60; 52, 61 and 51, 62 have theangles β₃, β₄, β₅ and β₆ respectively, and the relation between the angles isβ₁ > β₂> β₃> β₄> β₅> β₆.
• Figure 5 shows a plan view of atop wall 1 provided with anopening 4 asdefined in relation to Figure 1E and fingers as defined in Figures 2 and 3.This embodiment has an opening with a main axis A_M placed at an angle a inrelation to the central longitudinal axis A_X of the top wall, similar to theembodiment of Figure 2A. Theopening 4 also has a reduced width W₁, W₂both at its ends and at at its centre near the central transverse axis A_Y.
• However, the main axis A_F of the slot making up the fingers coincides withsaid longitudinal axis A_X. This causes the tips of thefingers 51, 52; 53, 54;55, 56; 57, 58; 59, 60; 61, 62 to overlap theedges 5, 6 of theopening 4. Byadjusting the transverse width W₁, W₂ of the opening it is possible to adaptthe stiffness and/or flexibility of the fingers to different types of tissues.
• This embodiment illustrates how a variation of the size and shape of theopening can be used for adapting the properties of the fingers. This isachieved without having to replace or modify the insert containing the cut linefor the slot making up the fingers. The overlap will also help to keep thefingers in their initial positions before the first tissue is removed, especially ifthe top wall is not provided with some kind of protective material or cover.
• Figure 6 shows a plan view of the underside of atop wall 1 provided with anopening 4 as defined in relation to Figure 1E. Attached to the underside is aninsert 69, comprising a plastic film with a cut line making up the fingers. Thefingers have been generally defined in relation to Figures 2 and 3. However,the embodiment of Figure 6 is only provided with two pairs of opposed, co-operatingfingers 70, 71; 72, 73; 74, 75; 76, 77 on either side of the centraltransverse axis A_Y. An inner, first pair offingers 72, 73; 74, 75 are placed oneither side of a central cut-out 82. A second pair offingers 70, 71; 76, 77 areplaced adjacent and on either side of said first pair of fingers. An outer cut-out83, 84 is positioned one on either side of said second pair of fingers. Afurther, third pair offingers 78, 79; 80, 81 is placed between said outer cut-outs83, 84 and the end of theopening 4 adjacent theend walls 2, 3. Saidthird pair offingers 78, 79; 80, 81 have the same basic shape as the first andsecond pairs of fingers, which shapes have been described in connectionwith Figure 2A. However, the third pair of fingers are considerably shorterthan any of the other fingers shown in this embodiment, as they do notextend across the entire width of theopening 4. The purpose of theseouterfingers 78, 79; 80, 81 is to support the edges of a tissue held in thedispensing position. This embodiment is used for certain types of tissueswhere the edges are prone to sag or curl if not properly supported.Alternatively, it will also help to smoothen the edges of a tissue as it is pulledfrom the box.
• Figure 7 shows a plan view of atop wall 1 provided with anopening 4 asdefined in relation to Figure 1A. The fingers have been generally defined inrelation to Figures 2 and 3. However, the embodiment shown in Figure 7 is provided with fingers wherein the centreline C_F for the cut line of the slot is astraight line coinciding with both the main axis A_M of theopening 4 and thecentral longitudinal axis A_X of thetop wall 1. The shape of thefingers 90, 91;92, 93; 94, 95; 96, 97; 98, 99; 100, 101 has been defined in connection withFigure 2A. A central cut-outportion 102 is arranged between two inner pairsoffingers 94, 95; 96, 97 placed on either side of the central transverse axisA_Y Two further, outer cut-outportions 103, 104 are arranged at either end oftheopening 4. The main axes A₁-A₆ of the fingers are all placed atsubstantially the same angle a in relation to the longitudinal axis A_X.
• However, the fingers are arranged symmetrically around the centraltransverse axis A_Y only. As a consequence, the main axes of each of thecorresponding fingers on either side of the transverse axis A_Y will intersect onthat axis A_Y. Hence theinnermost fingers 94, 96 will diverge from each otheron either side of the transverse axis A_Y, but on the same side of thelongitudinal axis A_X. This arrangement allows a larger central cut-out 102,which makes the upper tissue more accessible to the user when the firsttissue is to be pulled out. In addition, the diverginginnermost fingers 94, 96will to a certain extent stretch and smoothen the central part of a tissue heldin the presentation position.
• Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the arrangement in Figure 7,using a top wall with an opening as described in connection with Figure 1C.As stated above, adjusting the transverse width W₁, W₂ of the openingmakes it possible to adapt the stiffness and/or flexibility of the fingers todifferent types of tissues.
• Figure 9 shows a plan view of atop wall 1 provided with anopening 4 asdefined in relation to Figure 1B. In this second embodiment of the fingers, theshape has been modified in order to allow the tips to be enlarged further. Theembodiment shown in Figure 9 is provided with fingers wherein the centrelineC_F for the cut line of the slot is a straight line coinciding with both the mainaxis A_M of theopening 4 and the central longitudinal axis A_X of thetop wall 1.Thefingers 110, 111; 112, 113; 114, 115; 116, 117; 118, 119; 120, 121 havetheir main axes A1-A12 placed at substantially the same angle α relative tothe longitudinal axis A_X. According to this embodiment, the minimum widthW_Min, at right angles to the main axis of each finger occurs in an innersection. Similarly, the maximum width W_Max, at right angles to the main axisof each finger occurs in an outer section. The minimum width W_Min and the maximum width W_Max occur on opposite sides of the main axis A_M of theopening. In this embodiment the maximum width W_Max is in excess of twicethe minimum width W_Min. The outer section having an increased width allowsa larger radius R_T for the tip of each finger, which radius R_T is greater thanthe minimum width W_Min.
• This has been achieved by curving the cut line outer section of each finger ofa co-operating pair towards the inner section of a corresponding opposingfinger. The cut line between each pair of fingers will only have one inflectionpoint, in order to avoid interference between adjacent fingers. In their plane,initial position the fingers of each pair of fingers will be curved into oneanother in an interlocking position. The surface area of an outer section of afinger is made larger than the surface area of an inner section. In this casethe inner and outer sections are arranged on either side of the centreline C_Ffor the cut line of the slot, coinciding with the central longitudinal axis A_X.Hence the area of the outer section is encompassed by the edge of an outerpart of a finger, including the tip, delimited by the centreline of the opening.The area of the inner section is encompassed by a pair of edges on eitherside of an inner part of a finger, delimited by the centreline of the opening onone side and a line drawn at a tangent to, and extrapolated past the tips of alladjacent fingers on the respective sides of the opening. The latter line is thebase of the finger.
• The maximum and minimum widths of each finger can be varied to achieve adesired tip radius. However, the widths must be in proportion to the extendedlength and required stiffness of a finger. The length of a finger is dependenton the transverse width of the opening in the region of the finger. In order tomaintain a certain stiffness and flexibility for a finger having a predeterminedlength, there will be a lower limit for the minimum width W_Min. This willdetermine an upper limit for the maximum width W_Max, which in turn decidesthe largest possible tip radius R_T.
• As for several of the above embodiments, a central cut-outportion 123 isarranged between two inner pairs offingers 114, 115; 116, 117 placed oneither side of the transverse axis A_Y of thetop wall 1. Both theinnermostfingers 115, 116, adjacent the central cut-out, are arranged in substantiallyopposite directions, with their parallel axes A₁ diverging from the point P₀ ofintersection of said longitudinal and transverse axes A_X, A_Y. Two further,outer cut-outportions 123, 124 are arranged at either end of theopening 4.
• Each outer cut-out 123, 124 is placed between and extending into, theendwall 2, 3 of the box and an outer pair offingers 110, 111; 120, 121.
• Figure 10 shows a plan view of atop wall 1 provided with anopening 4 asdefined in relation to Figure 1A. This figure shows a third embodiment of thefingers, which have been given a shape that allows a relatively large tipradius without enlarging the surface area of an outer section of the finger.Theopening 4 in this embodiment is provided with fingers having a centrelineC_F for the cut line of the slot is a straight line coinciding with both the mainaxis A_M of theopening 4 and the central longitudinal axis A_X of thetop wall 1.Thefingers 130, 131; 132, 133; 134, 135; 136, 137; 138, 139; 140, 141 havetheir main axes A₁-A₆ placed at substantially the same angle a relative to thelongitudinal axis A_X.
• In order to increase the width of an outer section of the fingers, each of thetips of a pair of adjacent, opposing fingers have been angled towards eachother. This has been achieved by curving or bending the cut line of the outersection of each tip of a co-operating pair of fingers towards the inner section,or base, of a corresponding opposing finger. Each such finger has a generalJ- or L-shape, depending on the curvature or the angle of the tip. Byextending the curved or bent section of the tip in the longitudinal direction oftheopening 4, it is possible to achieve a larger tip radius R_T. The cut linebetween each pair of fingers will only have one inflection point, in order toavoid interference between adjacent pairs of fingers. In their plane, initialposition the tips of each pair of fingers will be curved or bent into acorresponding recess in the other in an interlocking position.
• As the angled tip extends into the base or lower section of an adjacent finger,the width of the tip is limited by the required stiffness and flexibility of theadjacent finger at that point. In the example shown, the maximum width W_Maxof the outer section, or tip, of a particular finger is substantially equal to thecorresponding inner section at the base of said finger. The minimum widthW_Min will instead occur near the inner corner of the J- or L-shaped finger, inthe vicinity of the tip. Hence both the maximum and minimum widths occur onthe same side of the central longitudinal axis A_X.
• A central cut-outportion 143 is arranged between two inner pairs offingers134, 135; 136, 137 placed on either side of the transverse axis A_Y of thetopwall 1. Both theinnermost fingers 135, 136, adjacent the central cut-out, are arranged in substantially opposite directions, with their parallel axes A₁diverging from the point P₀ of intersection of said longitudinal and transverseaxes A_X, A_Y. Two further, outer cut-outportions 143, 144 are arranged ateither end of theopening 4. Each outer cut-out 143, 144 is placed betweenand extending into, theend wall 2, 3 of the box and an outer pair offingers130, 131; 130, 131.
• Although the example shows fingers having tips with a general J- or L-shape,alternative shapes, or combinations of shapes, are of course possible. Onesuch alternative tip could for instance have a T-shape. A cut line for the slotmaking up the fingers could also contain a number of pairs of fingers,wherein each pair could have differently shaped fingers
• Figure 11 shows a plan view of atop wall 1 provided with anopening 4 asdefined in relation to Figure 1A. The embodiment shown in Figure 11 isprovided with fingers wherein the centreline C_F for the cut line of the slot is astraight line coinciding with both the main axis A_M of theopening 4 and thecentral longitudinal axis A_X of thetop wall 1. The shape of thefingers 150,151; 152, 153; 154, 155; 156, 157; 158, 159; 160, 161 has been defined inconnection with Figure 10. A central cut-outportion 162 is arranged betweentwo inner pairs offingers 154, 155; 156, 157 placed on either side of thecentral transverse axis A_Y Two further, outer cut-outportions 163, 164 arearranged at either end of theopening 4. The main axes A₁-A₆ of the fingersare all placed at substantially the same angle a in relation to the longitudinalaxis A_X.
• However, the fingers are arranged symmetrically around the centraltransverse axis A_Y only. As a consequence, the main axes of each of thecorresponding fingers on either side of the transverse axis A_Y will intersect onthat axis A_Y. Hence theinnermost fingers 154, 156 will diverge from eachother on either side of the transverse axis A_Y, but on the same side of thelongitudinal axis A_X. This arrangement allows a larger central cut-out 162,which makes the upper tissue more accessible to the user when the firsttissue is to be pulled out. In addition, the diverginginnermost fingers 154,156 will to a certain extent stretch and smoothen the central part of a tissueheld in the presentation position.
• According to a further embodiment of the invention, the top wall includes theopening and the fingers in one piece. In this case the cut line of the slot making up the fingers is arranged directly in the top wall. In this case the boxitself, or at least the top wall, is made from a plastic material, havingprojections or fingers cut or perforated in the top wall. A line defining theopening, which would normally control the movement of the fingers, can beembossed directly on the top wall. It is also possible to provide eachindividual finger with a specific embossing or pattern, in order to give eachfinger a predetermined flexibility. The stiffness and flexibility of the fingerscan also be controlled by the thickness of the material in the top wall. Theshape of the slot containing the projections or fingers or the positioning andshape of the embossed opening varied in accordance with the aboveexamples.
• This embodiment, wherein a closed opening is cut directly in the top wall, canbe used for all examples described above, with the exception of that ofFigure 5, which discloses fingers that overlap the edge of the opening. In thisparticular case, the opening would need to comprise two separate sets offingers cut in a top wall made up of two halves on opposite sides of a blankfor a box. When folded into a box, the blank including the opposed halves ofthe top wall will be folded along folding lines substantially parallel to the finalopening. The two halves of the top wall will eventually be folded around untilthey reach a position where the cut fingers face each other in a commonplane. In this way the fingers can be made longer than what would bepossible using a single cut line between opposing fingers. The amount ofoverlap can be controlled by adjusting the length of the fingers. Similarly, theembossed line defining the opening can be made at any desired positionadjacent or overlapping the base of the fingers.

Claims (21)

1. A container for a collection of interfolded or mechanically connectedtissue-sheets, said container having a generally planar bottom wall and a topwall (1) and a pair of side walls and end walls (2, 3) connecting said bottomwall with said top wall (1) and an opening (4) provided in at least said top wall(1) for the removal of said tissue-sheets (T) from the container, said stack ofinterfolded tissue-sheets being placed in said container with at least a pair ofedges of a lowermost tissue-sheet placed on said bottom wall and anuppermost tissue-sheet (T) placed near or in contact with the top wall andadjacent to the opening in the top wall, wherein the opening (4) is providedwith projections (51, 52; 53, 54; 55, 56; 57, 58; 59, 60, 61, 62) extending fromopposite sides of the opening (4), each projection in an initial positionextending across the opening (4) in the plane of said top wall (1) and beingpositioned adjoining at least one opposing projection, and theprojections being arranged in co-operating pairs,characterized in that theprojections are elongated and wherein each projection hasat least one inner section having a smaller width than an adjacent outersection.
2. A container according to claim 1,characterized in that eachprojection has its minimum and maximum widths (W_Min, W_Max)respectively intheir respective inner and outer sections in a direction perpendicular to amain axis (A₁-A₆) of said projection.
3. A container according to claim 1,characterized in that eachprojection has its minimum and maximum widths (W_Min, W_Max) respectively intheir respective inner and outer sections in a direction perpendicular to acentral longitudinal axis (A_X) of said opening (4).
4. A container according to any of the claims 1-3,characterized inthat a projection has a radius (R_T) at its tip that is greater than half the width(W_Min) of the projection at its narrowest section.
5. A container according to any of the claims 1-4,characterized inthat the projections of at least one pair of opposing projections are providedwith at least one outer section with a surface area that is larger than thesurface area of an inner section, having a corresponding length along a mainaxis (A₁-A₆) of each respective projection.
6. A container according to claim 5,characterized in that the areaof the outer section extending past a central longitudinal axis (A_X) of theopening (4) is larger than the surface area of the inner section from said axisto a base of the projection.
7. A container according to any of the claims 1-6,characterized inthat the tips of each pair of co-operating projections are in line contact with atissue (T), when moved from the initial position to a dispensing position.
8. A container according to any of the claims 1-6,characterized inthat the tips of each pair of co-operating projections are in point contact witha tissue (T), when moved from the initial position to a dispensing position.
9. A container according to any of the claims 1-8,characterized inthe main axis of the opening (A_M) containing said projections extends acrossthe top wall parallel to a central longitudinal axis (A_X) of the top wall (1).
10. A container according to any of the claims 1-8,characterized inthe main axis of the opening (A_M) containing said projections extends acrossthe top wall at an angle (α) the central longitudinal axis (A_X) of the top wall(1).
11. A container according to claim 10,characterized in the angle(α) can be given any value on either side of said longitudinal axis up to andincluding an angle corresponding to the angle of a diagonal line betweenopposing corners of the top wall.
12. A container according to any of the claims 1-8,characterized ina centreline (C_S) of the opening (4) containing said projections extendsacross the top wall (1) in a generally S-shaped curve extending in thedirection of the main axis (A_M) of the opening (4).
13. A container according to any one of the above claims,characterized in that the projections extend across the opening (4)to overlap an edge (5, 6) of the opposing side of the opening (4), so that thetips of the projections extend past said edges (5, 6).
14. A container according to any one of the above claims,characterized in that the opening (4) is provided with a shaped cutline that forms said opposing projections.
15. A container according to claim 14,characterized in said cut lineis arranged in an insert or sheet (69) attached to the underside of the top wall(1), which contains the opening (4).
16. A container according to claim 14,characterized in that saidcut line is cut directly in the top wall (1).
17. A container according to claim 16,characterized in that a pairof edges (5, 6) corresponding to the shape of the opening (4) are embossedin the top wall (1) on either side of the cut line.
18. A container according to any one of claims 14-17,characterized in that said cut line has at least one removable cut-outsection giving access to said uppermost tissue-sheet (12).
19. A container according to claim 18,characterized in that a firstcut-out is arranged at the centre of the opening (4), having a pair ofprojections arranged on either side thereof.
20. A container according to claim 18 or 19,characterized in that apair of second cut-outs are arranged one at either end of the opening (4),between a pair of projections and an end wall (2, 3).
21. A container according to claim 18 or 19,characterized in that apair of second cut-outs are arranged one near either end of the opening (4),having a pair of projections arranged on either side thereof.

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