Patent Grant
7004313
Facial tissues, napkins, paper towels, bathroom tissues, wipes and other tissue products enjoy widespread use. Individual hand-sized sheets are often available throughout the home as well as available in the workplace, restaurants, public facilities and so forth. Thus, there exists a wide array of dispensers designed to dispense such products. Due to the widespread use of tissue products throughout the home, numerous dispensers are available that are portable and also disposable. By way of example, tissue products are commonly available in “pop-up” boxes. In this regard, withdrawal of a first sheet through a dispenser opening pulls the enveloped portion of a second sheet through the dispenser opening such that it extends out of the dispenser opening and is exposed. Having a portion of the subsequent sheet extending out of the dispenser opening greatly facilitates removal of the same from the dispenser by the user. Examples of such pop-up dispensers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,913 to McFarland; U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,320 to North et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 3,369,699 to Enloe et al. These dispensers come in a variety of configurations and are available in numerous aesthetically pleasing designs and prints. These and other portable dispensers are commonly placed about the home, work place as well as other locations and are a well accepted accoutrement to most any living or working room.
Thus, in addition to dispensing tissue products, it would be desirable for the dispensers to also function to control unpleasant odors and/or to provide pleasing fragrances. In addition, certain aromas have been specifically employed in folk remedies as well as what is commonly referred to as “aromatherapy.” In this regard, certain aromas are believed to help individuals obtain or reach certain moods or feelings, such as sleepiness, relaxation and so forth. Many essential oils have been employed in this respect. Thus, dispensing systems that allow for the controlled release of one or more such fragrances in conjunction with tissue products are likewise desirable.
Accordingly, disposable tissue dispensers are provided comprising (i) a plurality of walls defining a containment area and having a dispensing opening therein; (ii) a stack of tissue products within the containment area; (iii) an odor control agent; and (iv) a means for containing and releasing the odor control agent. The means for containing and releasing the odor control agent is located upon the outside of one or more of the dispenser walls. In addition, the disposable dispenser can include one or a plurality of means for containing and releasing the odor control agent. In one embodiment, the one or more means for containing and releasing the odor control agent is positioned upon a single side wall of the dispenser. In a further embodiment, when employing a plurality of means of containing and releasing the odor control agents, the means can be adapted to be activated independently of one another. The location of the dispensing opening can vary and, as an example, can be at least partially located within the top wall of the dispenser. The composition of the odor control agent can vary as desired and, desirably, is selected from the group consisting of fragrant materials and odor absorbing materials.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a disposable dispenser is provided comprising a plurality of side walls and top and bottom walls that define an inner containment area and at least one dispensing opening. A stack of tissue products is located within this inner containment area. The dispenser further includes a binder, positioned over one or more walls, with a carrier at least partially located therein. Various carriers can be utilized such as, for example, microcapsules and microsponges. The carriers in turn contain an odor control agent. A pull-strip overlies the binder wherein removal of the pull-strip releases the odor control agent to the surrounding environment. In one embodiment, the binder is positioned over a first sidewall. In a further embodiment, the dispenser includes multiple discrete sections of binder and corresponding carriers and odor control agents. Still further, the multiple discrete sections of binder can each have a corresponding pull-strip that can be independently removed there from. In one embodiment, the binder can have an appearance substantially similar to the appearance of the underlying sidewall. In an alternate embodiment, the binder can be substantially transparent. In still a further embodiment, the pull-strip can have an appearance substantially similar to the appearance of the underlying sidewall. While the composition of the odor control agents can vary as desired, in certain embodiments, the odor control agents can comprise a volatile fragrant material.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a disposable dispenser is provided comprising a plurality of walls defining an inner containment area and having at least one dispensing opening therein. A stack of tissue products is positioned within this inner containment area. Attached to one or more walls of the dispenser is a patch having a sealed cavity that contains one or more odor control agents. In one embodiment, the patch can include a first barrier layer attached to a second barrier layer wherein at least a portion of the second barrier layer is detachable from the first barrier layer in order to expose the cavity and odor control agents therein. In one embodiment, the first and/or second barrier layers comprise a flexible film. Further, in certain embodiments, a portion of the second barrier layer is unattached to the first barrier layer such as, for example, along an edge or corner thereof. The first barrier layer can be attached to the dispenser by one or more attachment mechanisms such as, for example, an adhesive. Further, in certain embodiments, the odor control agent can be further contained by a carrier such as, for example, polymeric matrices, microcapsules, microsponges and so forth. Still further, the dispenser can include more than one patch.
In still a further aspect of the invention, an odor control system is provided comprising a package having front and back panels connected to one another by a plurality of side panels. The package contains a plurality of dispensers containing tissue products and a release sheet having a plurality of removably-affixed patches thereon. The release sheet is positioned between the package and dispensers. The patches can contain one or more odor control agents. Further, the patches have an adhesion layer that is attached to a low adhesion surface of the release-sheet. Thus, the adhesion layer on the patch remains substantially intact when it is removed from the release sheet and allows the patch to be attached to another surface. In one embodiment, the planar surface of the release sheet having the patches thereon is positioned facing the dispensers and away from the package. In a further embodiment, the patches can include a sealed cavity formed by at least one barrier layer wherein the odor control agent is contained within this cavity. In further embodiments, the odor control agent is maintained within a carrier such as, for example, polymeric matrices, microcapsules, microsponges and so forth. Still further, the ratio of patches to dispensers can vary as desired and, as an example, can vary between 1:10 and 5:1.
As used herein, the term “comprising” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional unrecited elements, compositional components, or method steps. Accordingly, the term “comprising” encompasses the more restrictive terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.”
As used herein the term “odor control agents” refers to fragrant materials, odor absorbing and/or odor masking materials.
As used herein the term “carrier” refers to any suitable composition or mechanism capable of maintaining and/or containing the odor control agents and further capable of subsequently releasing the odor control agents.
As used herein, the term “stack” is used broadly to include any collection of tissue products wherein there is a plurality of surface-to-surface interfaces. This not only includes a vertically stacked collection of individual sheets, but also includes a horizontally stacked collection of individual sheets as well as a rolled or folded collection of continuous sheet material.
Disposable tissue product dispensers come in a wide array of configurations and styles. By way of example only, various tissue product dispensers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,202,889; 5,740,913; 5,415,320; 4,469,243; 3,369,699; 3,083,866; 3,036,729 and so forth. The dispenser can be made of any one or more inexpensive materials such as plastic, paperboard, cardboard, metal foil and so forth. As described in the aforesaid patents and as is known in the art, the dispensers and tissue products can be adapted to provide “pop-up” or “pop-out” functionality. In this regard, the tissue product can be inter-folded and/or perforated as desired to improve and enhance dispensing. Exemplary methods for inter-folding tissue products include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,401,928; 3,679,094; 3,817,514; 3,841,620; 4,131,271; 4,502,675; 5,868,276; 6,045,002; 6,168,848; and 6,286,713. The nature and/or composition of the tissue sheets dispensed can vary widely. By way of example only, tissue products can include one or more of the following materials: wood pulp, pulp fluff, natural cellulose, synthetic cellulose, polymeric fibers or filaments and so forth. Further, the tissue products can comprise entirely or partly of recycled materials. Exemplary tissue products include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,301,746; 3,322,617; 3,650,882; 4,100,324; 4,737,393; 5,048,589; 5,284,703; 5,399,412; 5,494,554; 5,607,551; 5,672,248; 5,772,845; 5,776,306; 6,077,590; 6,273,996; and 6,096,152.
In reference to
In an alternate embodiment, a dispensing system can be provided having a plurality of release mechanisms and associated odor control agents. As a specific example and in reference to
Numerous different release mechanisms for holding and subsequently releasing the odor control agent are believed suitable for use in the present invention. As an example, various types of microcapsules are available that are adapted to release fragrances or other materials. In one aspect, microcapsules encapsulate the odor control agent and upon shearing or rupturing the microcapsule, one or more openings are created in the surface of the microcapsule through which the odor control agent will escape. Generally speaking, one or more substrate sheets are provided and have microencapsulated odor control agent disposed within a binder layer there between. The binder bonds the microcapsules to the substrate sheet and binds together the interior faces of the opposed substrate sheets. Thus, when a user separates the sheets apart, some or all of the microcapsules rupture, thereby exposing and/or releasing the odor control agent contained therein. As an example and in reference to
The pull-strip and/or backing member can comprise any one of various materials including, but not limited to, polyolefin films, metal foils, metalized films or fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, cellulosic materials, and so froth. In addition, the pull-strip can optionally include printing that matches or compliments the colors and/or designs upon the walls of the dispenser housing. As a further option, the pull-strip and/or backing material can include one or more insignias, brand names, etc. In addition, the binder material and odor control agent can likewise be colored or patterned as desired to match or compliment artwork or design upon the outside of the walls forming the dispenser housing. In still a further embodiment, the microcapsules can be retained by a substantially transparent binder and/or backing member.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a dispenser is provided including a container or patch that retains the odor control agents. The patch is desirably located upon one or more walls that will remain at least substantially exposed while the dispenser is in use. As an example and in reference to
An exemplary patch desirably comprises a sealed pouch or cavity, formed from one or more barrier layers. In one embodiment and in reference to
The barrier layers 52, 54 can be heat-sealed together around the periphery of the patch 50 in order to hermetically seal the odor control agent 56 within the cavity 55. Desirably, a heat-sealing die uses heat and pressure to fuse the top and bottom barrier layers 52, 54 via an adhesion layer 53 applied to the top barrier layer 52. By way of example only, the adhesion layer 53 can comprise a low melt temperature polymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In order to aid removal of the top barrier layer 52 from the bottom barrier layer 54, a peripheral portion of the patch 50 remains unsealed such as, for example, an unsealed corner or edge 58. An alternative embodiment is to utilize a pressure sensitive adhesive or other adhesive as the adhesion layer 53 to seal the top and bottom barrier layers 52 and 54, thereby eliminating the necessity of heat sealing.
The barrier layers of the patch desirably comprise a thin mono-layer or multi-layer material suitable for preventing migration or seepage of odor control agents, for preventing oxygen from moving inside the pouch, and for hermetically sealing to itself or another layer or material. By way of example only, one suitable barrier material is a polyethylene/nylon/polyethylene laminate. The polyethylene and nylon laminate substantially reduces or eliminates seepage of the odor control agents from the cavity as well as the diffusion of oxygen to the inside of the pouch. In this regard, oxygen can degrade the integrity of the adhesive and odor control agent, respectively. As further examples, the barrier layer or layers can comprise a polyvinylidene dichloride (PVDC) type material, nylon, polyethylene, resin coated papers and laminates thereof. An exemplary PVDC material suitable for use within the barrier layer is commercially available under the trade name SARAN from the Dow Chemical Company. Desirably, at least one of the barrier layers is coated with an adhesive material in order to provide a seal between the layers as well as provide for a top layer that is readily removable from the lower layer. An exemplary embodiment of the top barrier member is a laminate comprising paper, polyethylene, metal foil and polyethylene, coated with EVA. Additional details regarding the construction of exemplary patches and methods of making the same are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,391,420 and 4,880,690, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, one or more rate limiting membranes can be positioned over the cavity and/or between the barrier layers in order to control the rate at which the odor control agents are released from the patch. By way of example only, an exemplary rate limiting membrane is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,704.
When it is intended to allow placement of the patch upon the dispenser by the consumer, it will often be desirable to provide a plurality of patches 50 on larger sheets of a release sheet 62 such as depicted in FIG. 6. In reference again to
Desirably, a carrier is utilized in conjunction with the odor control agent in order to stabilize the same and help prevent premature or unwanted leakage of the same from the cavity. The carrier can comprise one or more materials adapted to hold the odor control agents and then release the same upon exposure to air. Microcapsules and microsponges, such as described above, are exemplary carriers. As still further examples, the odor control agent can be maintained within a polymeric matrix such as a foam or foam-like material. Exemplary foams include, but are not limited to, urethane foams, styrene foams, polyolefin foams, polyvinylchloride foams, silicone foams and so forth. In still a further embodiment, the polymeric matrix can in effect be polymerized about or with the fragrant material in order to form a solid polymeric matrix doped with the fragrant material.
In one embodiment, a polymeric precursor can be mixed with the odor control agent and then cured to form a solid polymeric material about the odor control agent. In one embodiment, the top surface of the bottom barrier layer can be coated to a thickness of between about 0.005 cm and about 0.5 cm with a polymeric precursor doped with the odor control agent using an applicator such as a gravure roll, screen coater, and so forth. The odor control agent may simply be dispersed in the polymeric precursor by mechanical application such as, for example, stirring. After application to the bottom barrier layer 54, the doped polymeric precursor is cured into solid polymeric sections. Curing methods and times will vary with the selected polymer pre-cursors and/or initiators. By way of non-limiting example, exemplary polymers to which fragrant materials can be added include the ultra-violet light curable polyurethanes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,880,690 and 4,483,759; the entire contents of the aforesaid references are incorporated herein by reference. As a specific example, doped polymeric matrices can be formed from a composition including about 10 to 50 weight percent fragrance oil, about 50 to 90 weight percent polyurethane oligomer, and about 1 to 10 weight percent photo-initiator. The amounts may be varied as desired to maximize the aroma and cure speed flexibility of the doped polymer, the flexibility of the pouch and so forth.
In a further embodiment, the carrier can comprise one or more modified cellulosics such as ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and so forth. As a specific example, a polymer gel mixture suitable for use in the present invention can comprise about 10 to 40 percent by weight fragrance oil, about 30 to 70 percent by weight alcohol (e.g. ethyl alcohol), about 0.1 to 10 percent by weight modified cellulosic, 0 to about 0.1 percent by weight antioxidant, and the balance water. While various carrier materials are described herein, it is noted that still other matrices, gels and sponge-like materials can be used as a carrier in combination with the sealed patch.
The odor control agents can comprise any of a variety of materials including viscous and non-viscous liquids such as solutions, emulsions, dispersions, gels and so forth. Further, the odor control agents can also include solids having a distinct smell and that readily volatilize upon exposure to air such as, for example, certain organic solids. In one aspect of present invention, the odor control agents can comprise one or more fragrant materials or materials that provide chemically active vapors. The odor control agents selected should be chosen to be compatible with the barrier materials, binders, and/or any components that they may contact. In one embodiment, the odor control agents can comprise and/or include volatile, fragrant compounds including, but not limited to, perfumes, essences, fragrance oils, and so forth. As is known in the art, many essential oils and other natural plant derivatives contain large percentages of highly volatile scents. In this regard, numerous essential oils, essences, and scented concentrates are commonly available from companies in the fragrance and food businesses. Exemplary oils and extracts include, but are not limited to, those derived from the following plants: almond, amyris, anise, armoise, bergamot, cabreuva, calendula, canaga, cedar, chamomile, coconut, eucalyptus, fennel, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, orange, palm, peppermint, quassia, rosemary, thyme, and so forth.
In a further aspect, the odor control agents can comprise and/or include odor-absorbing materials. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to, cyclodextrins, zeolites, activated carbon and water-soluble antibacterial compounds, such as cetyl pyridinium chloride, zinc chloride, copper salts, copper ions, chlorhexidine, quaternary ammonium compounds, chelating agents, parabens, chitin, and so forth. Numerous varieties of intermediate zeolites suitable for use herein are commercially available under the trade names ADVERA and VALFOR from PQ Corporation of Valley Forge, Pa., USA.
It is noted that a significant number of suitable odor control agents are available and capable of use in the present invention. The selection of the particular agent or agents will vary in accord with the specific dispenser, the desired result (odor masking, odor absorbing, aromatherapy, etc.), user preferences, cost and so forth. Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited by the specific selection of the odor control agents contained therein.
A system for providing dispensers and associated attachable delivery devices, for example patches, is also provided. In reference to
While various patents and other reference materials have been incorporated herein by reference, to the extent there is any inconsistency between incorporated material and that of the written specification, the written specification shall control. In addition, while the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments and/or examples thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alterations, modifications and other changes may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the claims cover or encompass all such modifications, alterations and/or changes.
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| 20040124101 A1 | Jul 2004 | US |
