Circular Perforated Paper Towels

Abstract

This present patent application discloses a generally circular or oval shaped paper towel having a plurality of generally circular or oval shaped perforations thereon. The paper towels are capable of being placed on a plate for warming food in a microwave to prevent food splashes from contaminating an interior of the microwave. More specifically, the improved paper towels of the present invention comprise a series of perforations which allows a user to simply tear the circular or oval shaped paper towel in a circular configuration of varying diameters or an oval configuration of varying dimensions, thereby allowing users to customize the size of the circle or oval created from the perforation to accommodate different sizes of plates, dishes, saucers and the like. The paper towels may also be manufactured in a rollable or stackable web as desired.

Claims

1. A circular paper towel comprising: an outer portion; a center portion; and a first set of perforations located between the outer portion and the center portion, wherein the outer portion is separable from the circular paper towel along the first set of perforations.

2. The circular paper towel of claim 1, wherein the first set of perforations is round in configuration.

3. The circular paper towel of claim 1, wherein the first set of perforations is oval in configuration.

4. The circular paper towel of claim 1 further comprising an intermediate portion positioned between the outer portion and the center portion, and a second set of perforations located between the intermediate portion and the center portion.

5. The circular paper towel of claim 4, wherein the second set of perforations is round or oval in configuration.

6. The circular paper towel of claim 4, wherein the intermediate portion is separable from the center portion along the second set of perforations.

7. A web of circular paper towels comprising: a plurality of circular paper towels, each circular paper towel comprising: an outer portion; a center portion; and a first set of perforations located between the outer portion and the center portion; and a plurality of connecting perforations connecting each of the plurality of circular paper towels; and a circular paper towel web base.

8. The web of circular paper towels of claim 7, wherein the outer portion is separable from the circular paper towel along the first set of perforations.

9. The web of circular paper towels of claim 7, wherein the first set of perforations is circular or oval in configuration.

10. The web of circular paper towels of claim 7, wherein each circular paper towel is separable from the web of circular paper towels along the plurality of connecting perforations.

11. The web of circular paper towels of claim 7, wherein each circular paper towel further comprises an intermediate portion positioned between the outer portion and the center portion, and a second set of perforations located between the intermediate portion and the center portion.

12. The web of circular paper towels of claim 11, wherein each intermediate portion is separable from the center portion along the second set of perforations.

13. The web of circular paper towels of claim 11, wherein the second set of perforations is circular or oval in configuration

14. The web of circular paper towels of claim 7, wherein the plurality of circular paper towels are wrapped around the web base.

15. A stack of circular paper towels comprising: a plurality of circular paper towels, each circular paper towel comprising: an outer portion; a center portion; and a first set of perforations located between the outer portion and the center portion; and a plurality of connecting perforations connecting each of the plurality of circular paper towels; and wherein the plurality of circular paper towels are accordion folded.

16. The stack of circular paper towels of claim 15, wherein the outer portion is separable from the circular paper towel along the first set of perforations.

17. The stack of circular paper towels of claim 15, wherein the first set of perforations are circular or oval in configuration.

18. The stack of circular paper towels of claim 15, wherein each circular paper towel is separable from the stack of circular paper towels along the plurality of connecting perforations.

19. The stack of circular paper towels of claim 15, wherein each circular paper towel further comprises an intermediate portion positioned between the outer portion and the center portion, and a second set of perforations located between the intermediate portion and the center portion.

20. The stack of circular paper towels of claim 15, wherein each intermediate portion is separable from the center portion along the second set of perforations.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one possible embodiment of a generally circular paper towel of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the generally circular paper towel positioned underneath a food item on a generally circular plate and in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the generally circular paper towel positioned underneath the food item on the generally circular plate inside a microwave in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a web of interconnected and easily separable, generally circular paper towels in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the web of generally circular paper towels of the present invention being dispensed in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a stack of generally circular paper towels of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

[0028] As noted above, there exists in the art a long felt need for an improved paper towel that improves the means of accommodating different sizes of plates, dishes, saucers, and the like. There also exists in the art a long felt need to have a paper towel product manufactured and delivered in a form that facilitates easier one-handed dispensing/perforation. Further, there exists in the art a long felt need for paper towel products that are environmentally friendly, and that facilitate uniform tearing of individual paper towels. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved paper towel that reduces both production costs and the amount of waste generated, and that improves overall manufacturing efficiencies.

[0029] The innovative product of the present invention features a paper towel product that is comprised of a series of perforations which allow a user to simply tear away the paper towel in a circular or oval configuration of a desired size, both easily and efficiently. This type of varying size paper towel facilitates users to customize the size of the circle or oval created from the perforation to accommodate different sizes of plates, dishes, saucers, and the like, and offers a more convenient paper towel for individuals to use when microwaving foods or beverages.

[0030] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is an improved rounded paper towel capable of being placed on different sized dinnerware for, by way of example and not limitation, warming food, straining juices, absorbing extra water or oil from certain foods, etc. The present invention reduces the need of folding or cutting the paper towel to accommodate, for example, a relatively small, generally circular plate, which is oftentimes frustrating for a user. More specifically, the improved circular paper towels of the present invention comprise a series of perforations which allow the user to regularly tear away the paper towel in a circular configuration to become suitable for the desired application, and therefore minimizing paper wastage.

[0031] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a generally circular paper towel 100. The generally circular paper towel 100 comprises a first set of perforations 120, an outer portion 140, and a center portion 160. The first set of perforations 120 may be generally circular or oval in shape, though it is contemplated that other geometric or non-geometric shapes could also be used to suit user need and/or preference. It is also contemplated that the first set of perforations 120 may include both generally circular and oval shaped perforations to increase the options of the user. The first set of perforations 120 are located and positioned between the outer portion 140 and the center portion 160. More specifically, the outer portion 160 is separable from the circular paper towel 100 along the first set of perforations 120. Once the outer portion 160 is torn away, the circular paper towel 100 is smaller in diameter to accommodate, for example, a smaller sized plate, dish, saucer, etc. in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0032] The circular paper towel 100 may further comprise an intermediate portion 150. The intermediate portion 150 is located and positioned between the outer portion 140 and the center portion 160. The circular paper towel 100 may further comprise a second set of perforations 130. The second set of perforations 130 may be round and/or oval in configuration (or any other suitable shape) with a smaller diameter than the first set of perforations 120. The second set of perforations 130 are located between the intermediate portion 150 and the center portion 160, and, the first set of perforations 120 are located between the intermediate portion 150 and the outer portion 140. The intermediate portion 150 is separable from the circular paper towel 100 along the second set of perforations 130. Once the intermediate portion 150 is torn away, the circular paper towel 100 is even smaller in diameter to accommodate, by way of example, a smaller diameter or sized plate in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The circular, oval or other shape of both the first and second sets of perforations 120 and 130 allows a user to easily tear the paper towel 100 in a similar configuration of smaller dimension(s).

[0033] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the individual circular paper towel 100 may comprise a single layer of material, or it may be comprised of two or more layers or ply's of the same or different materials. For example, the circular paper towel 100 may have a laminated construction, with a lower layer of absorbent material, such as paper or the like, and an upper layer of impervious material, such as Glassine paper or the like. The circular paper towel 100 may also be impregnated, for example, with a scent and possibly with an antibacterial agent to protect the food items from germs and microbes such as bacteria and viruses.

[0034] The first and second sets of perforations 120 and 130 the circular paper towel 100 as described can be produced using any art recognized in perforation systems. Perforation systems typically include one or more blades comprising a number of teeth. The teeth form the surface of the cutting blade that is used to cut the paper product and form the cut portion of the first and second sets of perforations 120 and 130. The open areas between the teeth on the blade move over the circular paper towel 100 surface, without causing damage to the surface, and thereby creates the bond portion of the first and second sets of perforations 120 and 130. The perforation rolls for producing the first and second sets of perforations 120 and 130 in any direction may have a series of perforating blades that begin at a first end of a perforating roll and following the diameter of the roll one full rotation ending as they reach the other end of the perforating roll in a generally helical fashion.

[0035] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the generally circular paper towel 100 used underneath a food item and inside a microwave in accordance with the disclosed architecture. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a burger may be positioned on a generally circular paper towel 100 covering a plate 10. Accordingly, as shown, one advantage of the circular paper towel 100 of the present invention is that it has no corners to, for example, catch on the inside of the microwave oven. The generally circular shape of the paper towel 100 of the present invention would provide an easy fit for microwave interiors, as a rotating base of the microwave oven is also circular. In this manner, the circular paper towel 100 of the present invention proves to be more efficient than a square or rectangular paper towel, and reduces overall waste. The circular paper towel 100 of the present invention also reduces food splatter and provides for more thorough heating.

[0036] In one embodiment, the paper towel 100 is generally circular in shape and measures between approximately six and fourteen inches in diameter, although larger or smaller diameters may also be used to suit user need and/or preference. The paper towel 100 of the present invention may also be manufactured in a plain white color, or in a variety of different colors, patterns, or decorative prints. The decorative prints could be available in various themes, such as kitchen, beverages, water, animated themes, flowers, geometrical shapes such as lines, crosses, rectangles, triangles or sinusoidal lines, sports, logos, designs or a combination of any of these patterns.

[0037] The generally circular paper towel 100 may be manufactured from ground-up plant material, mainly cellulose fibers, or any material known to one of skill in the art for the manufacturing of paper towels. The cellulose fibers are larger molecules that are comprised consist of many small molecules linked together. The circular paper towels 100 are particularly good at absorbing substances, such as water, etc., because of the sugar molecules within the fibers. Rolled paper towels 100 may have two layers of absorbent paper, and may be additionally manufactured as a stronger weave such that the paper towel does not disintegrate easily when it becomes wet and may be FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, chemical-free and environmentally-friendly.

[0038] FIGS. 4 and 5 depict a further embodiment of the present invention which comprises a roll or web of interconnected but easily separable circular or oval shaped paper towels 200. More specifically, the roll of circular paper towels 200 comprises a plurality of circular paper towels 210, a plurality of connecting perforations 218, and a circular roll base 270. The plurality of connecting perforations 218 connect the plurality of circular towels 210 end to end, and during manufacture the plurality of circular towels 210 are rolled up and wrapped around the circular towel roll base 270. To dispense the paper towels 210 from the web 200, a leading circular towel 212 of the plurality of circular paper towels 210 is pulled from the circular towel roll base 270 by a terminal end 214. Then, the leading circular towel 212 may be separated from a following circular paper towel 216 by tearing the adjoining connecting perforation 218 that forms a joint between two adjacent circular paper towels 210.

[0039] More specifically, the roll of circular paper towels 200 is comprised of a series of interconnected circular paper towels 210 wrapped around a longitudinal centerline 280 of the circular roll base 270 or a dispenser, and a single paper towel can be collected from a terminal end. The connecting perforations 218 help a user tear off one circular paper towel 210 at a time easily, and using only a single hand. The circular roll base 270 is generally a paper tube, also known as a cardboard tube, and is a cylinder-shaped component typically comprised of cardboard or other suitable materials.

[0040] The circular roll base 270 may also be installed in a dispenser 20, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 5, for ease of dispensing. As each leading circular paper towel 212 is pulled from the dispenser 20, the leading circular paper towel 212 pulls out the following circular paper towel 216 before the connecting perforation 218 present on the joint of the individual paper towels breaks or tears. Various dispensers suitable for storing the roll of circular paper towels 200 may be used to dispense the plurality of circular paper towels 210. A round hollow cylindrical body with an internal diameter roughly equal to the overall diameter of each circular paper towel 210 may typically be used as a dispenser.

[0041] Each of the plurality of circular paper towels 210 further comprise an outer portion 240 and a center portion 260, and a first set of perforations 220. The first set of perforations 220 are preferably circular or oval in configuration, though it is contemplated that other geometric or non-geometric shapes could also be used to suit user need and/or preference. The first set of perforations 220 are located and positioned between the outer portion 240 and the center portion 260. The outer portion 260 is separable from each circular paper towel 210 along the first set of perforations 220. Once the outer portion 260 is torn away, the circular paper towel 210 is smaller in diameter to accommodate, for example, a smaller dimensioned plate, saucer, dish or the like.

[0042] Each circular paper towel 210 may further comprise an intermediate portion 250, and a second set of perforations 230. The intermediate portion 250 is located and positioned between the outer portion 240 and the center portion 260. The second set of perforations 230 are preferably circular and/or oval in configuration (or any other desired geometric or nongeometric shape that suits user need or preference) with a smaller diameter or dimensions than the first set of perforations 220. The second set of perforations 230 are located between the intermediate portion 250 and the center portion 260, and the first set of perforations 220 are located between the intermediate portion 250 and the outer portion 240. The intermediate portion 250 is separable from each circular paper towel 210 along the second set of perforations 230. Once the intermediate portion 250 is torn away, the circular paper towel 210 is even smaller in diameter to accommodate a smaller plate, dish, saucer or the like.

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention in the form of a stack of circular or oval shaped paper towels 300. The stack of circular paper towels 300 comprises a plurality of circular paper towels 310, and a plurality of connecting perforations 318. The plurality of circular paper towels 310 are accordion folded, and the plurality of connecting perforations 318 connect the plurality of circular towels 310 end to end, as is described above. To dispense, a leading circular towel 312 of the plurality of circular paper towels 310 is pulled from the stack of circular paper towels 300 by a terminal end 314. Then, the leading circular towel 312 is separated from a following circular paper towel 316 by tearing the adjoining connecting perforation 318 which forms a separable joint between two adjacent circular paper towels 310.

[0044] Each of the plurality of circular paper towels 310 also comprises an outer portion 340 and a center portion 360, and a first set of perforations 320. The first set of perforations 320 are round or oval in configuration, though it is contemplated that other geometric or nongeometric shapes could also be used to suit user need and/or preference. The first set of perforations 320 are located and positioned between the outer portion 340 and the center portion 360, and the outer portion 360 is separable from each circular paper towel 310 along the first set of perforations 320. Once the outer portion 360 is torn away, the circular paper towel 310 is smaller in diameter to accommodate a smaller plate, dish, saucer, etc.

[0045] Each circular paper towel 310 may further comprise an intermediate portion 350 and a second set of perforations 330. The intermediate portion 350 is located and positioned between the outer portion 340 and the center portion 360. The second set of perforations 330 are preferably round or oval in configuration (though other shapes are also contemplated) with a smaller diameter than the first set of perforations 320. The second set of perforations 330 are located between the intermediate portion 350 and the center portion 360, and the first set of perforations 320 are located between the intermediate portion 350 and the outer portion 340. The intermediate portion 350 is separable from each circular paper towel 310 along the second set of perforations 330. Once the intermediate portion 350 is torn away, the circular paper towel 310 is even smaller in diameter to accommodate a smaller plate, dish, saucer, etc.

[0046] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein paper towel, improved paper towel, circular paper towel, round paper towel, paper sheet, and paper are interchangeable and refer to the circular paper towel 100 of the present invention. As used herein perforation refers to the combination cuts and holes in a specified area. As used herein perforations and perforation line are used interchangeably to describe a series of perforations that extends between any two points on the product, for example, a line of perforations 218 and 318 that extends between two edges of the product, or a set of perforations 120 and 130 that extend as a circular configuration inside the circular paper towel 100.

[0047] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the circular paper towel 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the circular paper towel 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes of the circular paper towel 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the circular paper towel 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the circular paper towel 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference. Indeed, it is contemplated that the present invention could be in an embodiment in which a web is created of alternating and interconnected circular and oval shaped paper towels. For example, the sequence of the web may alternate between a circular shaped paper towel, an oval shaped paper towel, a second circular shaped paper towel, a second oval shaped paper towel, and so on and so forth. It is further contemplated that a single paper towel may have both circular and oval shaped perforations thereon, and of varying dimensions, thereby allowing the user to choose which configuration and size to choose for a particular application. The possibilities are endless.

[0048] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.