DISPENSLNG CONTAINER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally in the field of containers and more specifically it is concerned with a container for dispensing tissues of different types.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Containers for dispensing tissues are widely used and are available at a large variety. Such containers are typically adapted for dispensing a dry or a wet/damp tissue through a dispensing opening of the container.
Tissues of the type typically dispensed from such containers are used for cosmetics, personal care, household use (cleaning, disinfecting etc.) and for a a variety of other applications.
A dispensing opening as used in the specification and as known in the art, is any type of opening through which a tissue towel may be extracted. However, it is advantageous to provide such containers with a dispenser suitable for dispensing a single tissue at a time. Even more so, where wet flush damp tissues are concerned, it is often desired to incorporate a dispenser suitable for extracting excessive moisture from the dispensed tissue.
Dispensing containers and different openings and dispensers associated with such containers are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patents Nos. 3,967,756, 5,501,323, 5,582,294, 5,704,471 and EuiOpean Publications 331027, 744357 and 760343.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing container for dispensing at least a wet tissue and at least a dry tissue for complemental use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing container comprising at least two compartments, at least one of which being liquid-impermeable for holding a plurality of tissues soalced in first
5 liquefying agent, and a second compartment for holding a plurality of dry wiping tissues; each compartment being formed with a dispensing opening.
By an embodiment of the invention one or more of the dispensing openings is fitted with a dispenser for dispensing a single tissue at a time.
In accordance with a specific embodiment, at least the liquid- impermeable l o compartment is formed with a dispenser fitted with squeezing members adapted for extracting excessive moisture from the soaked tissues as they are pulled out of the compartment.
Preferably, at least the liquid-impermeable compartment is formed with a sealable dispenser. 15 By one specific design, the at least two compartments are integrally formed with one another. By a modification, the at least two compartments are attached to one another at mating surface portions thereof. Such attachment may be by heat-welding, adherance, various fixing means such as hook and pile fastener, NELCRO™etc. 0 By still a modification, the container is made of an essentially rigid material and wherein the at least two compartments are constituted by a partition wall within the container.
Alternatively, the at least two compartments may be replaceably received within respective receptacle portions of the container. 5 By a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit comprising a container formed with at least two compartments separated from another where each compartment is formed with a dispensing opening; one of said at least two compartments being liquid-permeable and holds a plurality of tissue soaked in a first liquifying agent, a second of said at least two compartments holds so a plurality of dry wiping tissue.
In accordance with one embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the dispensing opening of the compartments is fitted with a dispenser adapted for dispensing a single tissue at a time. By a modification thereof, the dispenser of at least the liquid-impermeable compartment comprises squeezing members for extracting excessive moisture from the tissues as they are pulled out from the compartment.
By one particular example, the first treating agent is a surface-treating agent used for treating surfaces of various objects and where typically, after applying the first agent by the wet tissues, it is required to wipe the surface with a dry tissue.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For better understanding the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, some embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a representation of a container in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein each of two compartments are shown in an open, dispensing position;
Fig. 2 is another embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention, the container is fitted with closable dispensing openings shown in their closed state; and ■ Fig. 3 is an embodiment illustrating a dispensing container made of a flexible material with the dispensing openings in their open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The container 10 seen in Fig. 1 is a rigid structure made, for example, of a plastic material and comprises a first compartment 12 and a second compartment 14 fixedly attached above said first compartment 12 at their mating surfaces. The compartments 12 and 14 may be integrally formed or may be separately formed and then attached to one another by known means such as, for example, by heat-welding, by adhering, by fixing means etc. The arrangement may
also be such that any compartment may be replaced by a new one once its contents have finished.
The first compartment 12 comprises a plurality of wet tissues 20 and a dispensing opening 24. Similarly, the second compartment 14 comprises a plurality of tissues 26 being dry tissues, and being dispensable through a dispensing opening generally designated 28. In this embodiment, both compartments are liquid impermeable. However, the requirement is that at least the first compartment 12 be liquid impermeable.
Each of the dispensers 24 and 28 is of the type adapted for dispensing a single tissue at the time, as known per se and are each provided with a closable cover 30 and 32 respectively.
At least opening 24 of first container 12 is fitted with moisture extracting lips 36 facing one another with a narrow gap therebetween, for extracting residual moisture from an extracted tissue 20. One particular use of a container in accordance with the present invention, is for example a surface treating kit, wherein the first compartment 12 comprises a plurality of tissues 20 soaked in a surface treating agent e.g. cleaning agent, polishing agent, disinfecting agent, window cleaning agent, leather, wood or plastic treating agent, etc. In many such applications, after applying the active agent by means of the wet tissue 20 it is required to wipe the treated surface by a dry tissue 26 which in accordance with the present invention is readily available.
One typical example of such a kit is a silicone surface treating agent useful for treating various surfaces, e.g. dashboards in vehicles, glass shields, working surfaces etc., whereby a short while after applying the silicone material, the surface should be wiped by a dry cloth. Treating agents of the above type may be dust repelling agents, shining agents etc.
Another typical example is a personal care kit e.g. for use with infants, wherein the treating agent is a cleaning and skin treating agent used for cleaning the infant's secretions and the dry towel is used thereafter.
In the embodiment of Fig. 2 there is seen a dispensing container generally designated 40 comprising a first compartment 42 and a second compartment 44, both being sealably closed by suitable covers 48 and 50, respectively.
The embodiment of Fig. 2 is in particular useful for attaching over a dashboard of a vehicle, etc., whereby the tissues (not shown in this embodiment) may be readily consumed.
By an embodiment of the invention, the dispensing openings may be sufficiently wide or may be openable for introducing fresh tissues.
Turning now to the embodiments seen in Fig. 3, there is a container generally designated 60 comprising a first compartment 62 and a second compartment 64, both made of a laminated film, and being heat welded to one another along at least some corresponding mating portions, so as to construct a uniform structure.
At least the first compartment 62 is formed with a dispenser 66 having a closure member 68 and adapted for dispensing a single wet tissue 70 at a time. The second compartment 64 is adapted for dispensing a dry tissue 72 as explained hereinabove.
By the same embodiment of the invention which has been exemplified, it will be understood that it is not intended thereby to limit the disclosure of the invention, but rather it is intended to cover all modifications and arrangements falling within the scope and spirit of the present invention, mutatis mutandis.