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[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to product packaging, and more particularly is an integrated dispenser and disposal receptacle for sheet products.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Prior art for a pop-up tissue dispenser as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,913 by McFarland does not include an integrated means to dispose of the used product. If a suitable waste container is not available, such as when the user is in an automobile, the user of the tissue has no convenient place for disposal. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,310 by Kruczko describes a receiving device that is separate from the dispenser and therefore increases the total volume to be used. Neither of these patents offers a means to dispose waste/used product within the original dispensing container.
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient method of disposal of used product within the original package.
[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to reduce the likelihood of litter.
[0007] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an entire package that can be recycled easily, as the used product is returned to the original container.
[0008] The present invention is an integrated dispensing and disposal receptacle that provides a method of disposing of used product, chiefly sheet material, and most often tissues. The integrated dispensing and disposal receptacle comprises a carton having a top wall, a bottom wall, and four side walls. The four side walls join the top wall to the bottom wall. The container has a first opening formed in the top wall through which the tissues are withdrawn. At least one of the side walls or the bottom walls includes an opening for waste tissue to be inserted into the container.
[0009] Inside the container, a moveable barrier is positioned to segregate new product from used product. The barrier moves within the container from one end to the other as the tissues are removed for use and inserted into the disposal receptacle after use. The barrier is moved by the force behind the inserted waste material.
[0010] The receptacle opening includes a self-closing feature such as a folding flap or slotted plastic film through which the waste tissue is inserted. The self-closing feature prevents the waste tissue from falling back out of the container.
[0011] An advantage of the present invention is that there is no additional volume of a dispensing container so that shipping & transportation costs are minimized.
[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is that it can be used with dry tissues, wet wipe tissues, or other personal effects or products such as hygienic rubber gloves.
[0013] A still further advantage of the present invention is that device can be easily added to existing product packaging using current product packaging methods.
[0014] Still another advantage of the present invention is that disposal in the container of the used tissues forces unused tissues toward the top of the container, thereby making it easier for the consumer to remove new tissues.
[0015] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the description of the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention as described herein and as illustrated in the drawings.
[0016]
[0017]
[0018] The present invention is an integrated dispensing and disposal receptacle
[0019] The integrated dispensing and disposal receptacle
[0020] The integrated dispensing and disposal receptacle
[0021] Inside the box portion
[0022] The second opening
[0023] In use, the integrated dispensing and disposal receptacle
[0024] This integrated dispensing and disposal receptacle
[0025] The above disclosure is not intended as limiting. Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the restrictions of the appended claims.