PACKAGE DISPENSER FOR WIPES, PACKAGE BLANK AND A METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PACKAGE DISPENSER

Abstract

A package dispenser includes a bottom wall, a top wall, first and second side walls that are opposite each other, that extend in a height direction of the package dispenser, and that are parallel to a length direction of the package dispenser, and first and second end walls that are opposite each other, that extend in the height direction of the package dispenser, and that are parallel to a width direction of the package dispenser. The bottom wall, the top wall, the first and second side walls, and the first and second end walls together delimit a storage space containing at least one stack of wipes. The top wall includes a handle. A first set of intermittent cuts is formed in at least the top wall. The first set of intermittent cuts delimits a first removable panel configured to be removed to form a first dispensing opening.

Claims

1. A package dispenser comprising: a bottom wall; a top wall; first and second side walls that are opposite each other, that extend in a height direction (H) of the package dispenser, and that are parallel to a length direction (L) of the package dispenser; and first and second end walls that are opposite each other, that extend in the height direction (H) of the package dispenser, and that are parallel to a width direction (W) of the package dispenser, wherein the bottom wall, the top wall, the first and second side walls, and the first and second end walls together delimit a storage space containing at least one stack of wipes, wherein the top wall comprises a handle, wherein a first set of intermittent cuts is formed in at least the top wall, the first set of intermittent cuts delimiting a first removable panel configured to be removed to form a first dispensing opening, wherein a second set of intermittent cuts is formed in at least the first side wall, the second set of intermittent cuts delimiting a second removable panel configured to be removed to form a second dispensing opening separate from the first dispensing opening, wherein a third set of intermittent cuts is formed in at least the first side wall, the third set of intermittent cuts delimiting a third removable panel configured to be removed to form a third dispensing opening separate from the first dispensing opening, and wherein the second removable panel is removable to form the second dispensing opening without removing the third removable panel, and wherein the third dispensing opening is continuous with the second dispensing opening such that, when both the second and third removable panels are removed, a combined dispensing opening including the second dispensing opening and the third dispensing opening.

2. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the second removable panel is larger than the third removable panel.

3. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a first portion of the second removable panel is formed on the upper wall and a second portion of the second removable panel is formed on the first side wall.

4. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein an entire periphery of the second removable panel is curved.

5. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a lower edge of the third removable panel is straight.

6. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein an upper edge of the third removable panel is curved.

7. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the second removable panel comprises a grip portion.

8. The package dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the grip portion is configured to be pushed in or folded out to form a grip opening.

9. The package dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the grip portion is formed on a lower edge of the second removable panel.

10. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the third removable panel comprises a grip portion.

11. The package dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the grip portion is configured to be pushed in or folded out to form a grip opening.

12. The package dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the grip portion is formed on a lower edge of the third removable panel.

13. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the second removable panel is larger than the third removable panel in the width direction (W) of the package dispenser.

14. The package dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the first removable panel and the first portion of the second removable panel are positioned on opposite sides of the handle in the width direction (W) of the package dispenser.

15. The package dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the first portion of the second removable panel is spaced apart from the handle.

16. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the third removable panel extends from a lower edge of the second removable panel.

17. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the third removable panel is spaced from a lower edge of the first side wall.

18. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the third removable panel is spaced from an upper edge of the first side wall.

19. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the second removable panel is spaced from the first end wall and the second end wall.

20. The package dispenser according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one stack of wipes has a bottom surface formed from a bottom wipe, a top surface formed from a top wipe, two side surfaces and two end surfaces, wherein the side surfaces and the end surfaces extend between the bottom surface and the top surface, wherein each of the at least one stack of wipes is placed in the storage space and rest with the bottom surface on the bottom wall of the package dispenser, and with the top surface of the stack facing the top wall of the package dispenser, wherein each of the at least one stack of wipes in the package dispenser is a stack of interfolded wipes, wherein each of the at least one stack of wipes is arranged to be dispensed from the top surface of the stack, the interfolded wipes in the stack being dispensed through the first dispensing opening, the second dispensing opening, or the combined dispensing opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] The package dispenser, the package blank and the method as disclosed herein will be further explained hereinafter with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0079] FIG. 1 shows a package dispenser as disclosed herein before a first opening;

[0080] FIG. 2 shows two stacks of interfolded wipes suitable for placing in the package dispenser in FIG. 1;

[0081] FIG. 3 shows the package dispenser in FIG. 1 after opening;

[0082] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-section through one stack of interfolded wipes as shown in FIG. 2; and

[0083] FIG. 5 shows a package blank for producing a package dispenser as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] Different aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the drawings. The package dispenser as disclosed herein can be realized in many different forms within the scope of the appended claims and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forth herein.

[0085] FIG. 1 shows a package dispenser 10 for containing and dispensing two stacks 20 of wipes 21. As set out herein, the number of stacks in the package dispenser may be one, two, or even a higher number such as three, four, for example.

[0086] The package dispenser 10 as shown in FIG. 1 has a bottom wall 11, a top wall 12, two opposing side walls 13, 14 extending in a height direction H of the package dispenser 10 and parallel to a length direction L of the package dispenser 10, and two opposing end walls 15, 16 extending in the height direction H of the package dispenser 10 and parallel to a width direction W of the package dispenser 10. The bottom wall 11, the top wall 12, the side walls 13, 14 and the end walls 15, 16 jointly delimit a storage space 30 which contains the two stacks 20 of interfolded wipes 21. The package dispenser 10 may be made from any suitable material having an appropriate combination of shape stability and flexibility. Particularly suitable materials may be cardboard materials, such as corrugated fibreboard. Such materials are made from readily available renewable raw materials, are relatively low-cost, and are well suited for post-use treatment in existing waste recovery systems.

[0087] A handle 40 is shown to be arranged on the top wall 12. In the package dispenser 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the top wall 12 is formed by an inner top wall portion 12 and an outer top wall portion 12, the outer top wall portion 12 overlying and being supported by the inner top wall portion 12. The handle 40 is a two-part handle, with a first handle part 40 being formed from the inner top wall portion 12 and a second handle part 40 being formed from the outer top wall portion 12. The first handle part 40 has been formed from the material in the inner top wall portion 12 by partial separation of a handle portion of the inner top wall portion 12 along separation lines provided in the inner top wall portion material. The separation lines may be provided as weakenings of the top panel material e.g., by means of scoring, perforating, cutting, etc. After separation of the handle portion of the inner top wall portion 12, the first handle part 40 can be folded up into the configuration shown in FIG. 1. For the second handle part 40 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, no separation step is needed, as the second handle part is formed by a handle-shaped portion of an edge of the outer top wall portion 12 which can simply be folded up into the configuration shown in FIG. 1 to create the two part handle 40.

[0088] The top wall 12 and the side walls 13,14 further comprise provisions 50, 50 for creating a dispensing opening 60, 60 on each side of the handle 40. The provisions 50, 50 are constituted by intermittent cuts and perforations made in the material in the top wall and in the side walls 13,14 along a contour of each of the dispensing openings 60, 60. In the package dispenser 10 in FIG. 1, the provisions 50 which are arranged in the outer top wall portion 12 and in the side wall 13 which is visible in FIG. 1 are made up of two major parts. An upper part 51 of the provisions 50 has a generally oval or circular outline which wraps over an upper edge 71 of the side wall 13 and a lower part 52 of the provisions 50 has a generally rectangular outline. Each of the upper and lower parts 51, 52 of the provisions 50 comprises a grip portion 53, 54 that can be used to create a first small grip opening at an edge of the corresponding upper or lower part 51, 52 of the provisions 50 by pushing in or folding out the grip portion 53, 54. Thereafter, the grip opening can be used to facilitate removal of the full upper or lower part 51, 52 of the provisions 50 for creating a dispensing opening. Generally, when first opening the package dispenser 10, only the upper part 51 of the provisions 50 for creating a dispensing opening are employed, such that the dispensing opening 60 initially has the shape and size of the material which is removed inside the upper part 51 of the provisions 50. The material inside the lower part 52 of the provisions 50 may then remain as a support and protection for the lower part of the stack 20 of interfolded wipes 21. As wipes 21 are successively removed from the package dispenser 10 through the dispensing opening 60, the height of the stack 20 of interfolded wipes 21 will gradually decrease until it reaches down to where the lower part 52 of the provisions 50 are located. In order to facilitate dispensing of the remaining wipes 21, the lower part 52 of the provisions 50 may then be employed to increase the size of the dispensing opening 60 by extending it further down along the side wall 13.

[0089] It is to be understood that a two-part construction of the provisions for creating a dispensing opening is not a requirement of the package dispenser as disclosed herein. Other constructions, such as a single part construction or a construction allowing more than two parts to be separately removed are also contemplated herein. Multi-part constructions of the provisions for creating a dispensing opening may be used to create dispensing openings which may be varied with regard to size as well as shape.

[0090] It is also to be understood that the shape of the dispensing opening 60, 60 may differ from the shapes shown in the Figures. Notably, in the package dispenser 10 which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the parts of the dispensing openings 60, 60 which are arranged in the top wall 12 have different outlines. In the dispensing opening 60 which is most clearly visible in FIG. 3 i.e., the dispensing opening which is arranged in the outer top wall portion 12 and in the side wall 13 which is facing the viewer of FIG. 3, the dispensing opening 60 has an arch-shaped outline in the outer top wall portion 12. In the dispensing opening 60 which is arranged in the inner top wall portion 12 and in the side wall 14 which is facing away from the viewer of FIG. 3, the dispensing opening 60 has a generally rectangular outline in the inner top wall portion 12.

[0091] When two or more dispensing openings are arranged in a package dispenser as disclosed herein, the dispensing openings may have the same or different sizes as well as the same or different outlines. A package dispenser containing two or more stacks of interfolded wipes may have the same type and size of wipes in all stacks. Alternatively one or more stack of wipes in the package dispenser may be constituted by wipes having a different constitution and/or a size different from another stack of wipes in the package dispenser. In such case, the size and outline of the dispensing openings may be adapted to differences in the wipes. By way of example, a more flexible wipe may be better dispensed from a smaller dispensing opening relative to a stiffer wipe. The size and shape of the dispensing openings may also be used to signal differences in the properties of the wipes to be dispensed through the openings.

[0092] FIG. 2 shows two stacks 20 of interfolded wipes 21, which stacks 20 may fit in the package dispenser 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0093] Each stack 20 has a rectangular shape with a bottom surface 22 formed from a bottom wipe 21, a top surface 23 formed from a top wipe 21, two side surfaces 24 and two end surfaces 25, the side surfaces 24 and the end surfaces 25 extending between the bottom surface 22 and the top surface 23. The stacks 20 of wipes 21 are placed in the storage space 30 of the package dispenser 10 with the bottom surface 22 of the stack 20 resting on the bottom wall 11 of the package dispenser 10, and with the top surface 23 of the stack 20 facing the top wall 12 of the package dispenser 10.

[0094] Each stack 20 of wipes 21 is a stack 20 of interfolded wipes 21, the wipes 21 being arranged to be dispensed from the top surface 23 of the stack 20 through a dispensing opening 60, 60 in the package dispenser 10.

[0095] FIG. 4 shows schematically a cross section through a stack 20 of interfolded wipes 21a, 21b as shown in FIG. 2. The interfolding arrangement in FIG. 4 is an example of how the interfolded wipes 21a, 21b may be arranged to allow the interfolded wipes 21a, 21b to be dispensed from the top 70 of the stack 20 to the bottom 80 of the stack 20. Each wipe 21a, 21b is folded multiple times along longitudinally extending fold lines in order to decrease the extension of the wipes 21a, 21b. The folds 27 will be arranged at the longitudinally extending side surfaces 24 of the stack 20 as shown in FIG. 2. A top panel 26a, 26b of each wipe 21a, 21b and a bottom panel 28a, 28b of each wipe 12a, 2b has a smaller extension in the width direction W of the stack 20 than the intervening panels 29 which extend over the full width of the stack 20 between the folds. As is seen in FIG. 4, the top panel 26a on the top wipe 21 forms a flap which may serve as gripping member when removing the top wipe 21 from the stack 20. The wipes 21a, 21b are arranged with the top fold 27 and the bottom fold 27 located on opposite sides of the stack 20 and such that the fold direction alternates between each wipe 21a, 21b. Except for the top wipe 21 and the bottom wipe 21, the wipes 21a, 21b are arranged with the top fold 27 of a following wipe 21 inserted into the bottom fold 27 of a preceding wipe to create links 90 between the individual wipes 21a, 21b of the chain of wipes 21a, 21b in the stack 20. As for the bottom and top folds 27, 27, the position of the links 90 shifts between each wipe 21a, 21b such that it alternates between the side surfaces 24 of the stack 20.

[0096] It is to be understood that other interfolding configurations than the interfacing configuration shown in FIG. 4 is conceivable for the stacks as disclosed herein. The number of folds in the wipes may be varied depending on the size of wipes and/or on the size and shape of the package dispenser. In a package dispenser containing more than one stack of interfolded wipes, the wipes in the different stacks may be arranged with different interfolding configurations in the different stacks, e.g. if the size of the wipes differs between the stacks. As used herein, the size of a wipe is considered to be the unfolded, planar area of the wipe. The wipes may also differ in thickness and/or basis weight, such that even if they have the same size and are folded in the same manner, a thicker (or heavier) wipe may occupy a greater proportion of the height of the stack than a thinner (or lighter) wipe. For these and other reasons, the number of wipes may be different between different stacks in the same package dispenser.

[0097] When placed in the package dispenser 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the stacks 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be arranged with one stack beneath each of the dispensing openings 60, 60 i.e., with one stack on each side of the handle 40 in the package dispenser 10. The interfolded wipes 21 can then be dispensed through the corresponding dispensing opening 60, 60 in the package dispenser 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3 which shows wipes 21 partially withdrawn from both dispensing openings 60, 60.

[0098] With reference now to FIG. 5, there is shown a package blank 100 which may be used for making a package dispenser as disclosed herein, such as a package dispenser as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0099] The package blank 100 comprises a bottom panel 101, which is composed of a bottom wall portion 111 and a first and a second bottom panel end wall portion 101a, 101b. The bottom wall portion 111 has a first and a second side edge 122, 123. The side edges extend in a length direction L which corresponds to the length direction of a package dispenser assembled from the package blank 100. The bottom wall portion 111 further has a first and a second end edge, 124, 125 extending in a width direction W, which corresponds to the width direction of a package dispenser assembled from the package blank 100. The bottom wall portion 111 of the package blank 100 has a length l.sub.b in the length direction L and a width w.sub.b in the width direction W. The first bottom panel end wall portion 101a extends in the length direction L from the first end edge of the bottom wall portion 111 and a second bottom panel end wall portion 101b extends from the second end edge 125 of the bottom wall portion 111.

[0100] The package blank 100 comprises an inner top panel 102 comprising an inner top wall portion 112. The inner top wall portion 112 has a first end edge 128, and a second end edge 129, the end edges extending in the width direction W. A first side edge 126 and a second side edge 127 of the inner top wall portion 112 extend generally in the length direction L between the first end edge 128, and the second end edge 129. As is seen in FIG. 5, the first side edge 126 extends along a straight line, perpendicular to the end edges 128, 129 of the inner top wall portion 112 while the second side edge 127 is a shaped edge having portions extending also in the width direction W. A handle panel 140a extends in the width direction W from a central portion of the second side edge 127. The inner top wall portion 112 has a length l.sub.ti which is equal to the length l.sub.b of the bottom wall portion 111 of the bottom panel 101 and a width w.sub.ti which is slightly less than the width of the bottom wall portion 111 of the bottom panel 101. The top panel further comprises a first top panel end wall portion 102a which extends in the length direction L from the first end edge 128 of the inner top wall portion 112 and a second top panel end wall portion 102b which extends in the length direction L from the second end edge 129 of the inner top wall portion 112.

[0101] The package blank 100 comprises an outer top panel 104, the outer top panel 104 having a first end edge 133 and a second end edge 134 extending in the width direction W and a first side edge 131 and a second side edge 132 extending generally in the length direction between the first and second end edges 134 of the outer top panel 104. The length lt.sub.o of the outer top panel 104 is shown to be somewhat less than the length l.sub.b of the bottom wall portion 111 of the bottom panel 101 and the length l.sub.ti of the inner top wall portion 112 of the inner top panel 102. As is seen in FIG. 5, the first side edge 131 of the outer top panel 104 extends along a straight line, perpendicular to the end edges 133, 134 of the outer top panel 104, while the second side edge 132 is a free edge having a shaped contour. A handle portion 140b is arranged in the outer top panel 104 and comprises provisions 141, 142 for partly separating the material within the handle portion 140b from the remaining material in the outer top panel. The provisions 141, 142 shown in FIG. 5 are pre-arranged frangible separation lines. The handle portion 140b of the outer top panel 104 and the handle panel 140a which is arranged at the second side edge 127 of the inner top panel 102 together form a handle on a package dispenser assembled from the package blank 100.

[0102] The package blank 100 further comprises a first side panel 105, the first side panel 105 comprising a first side wall portion 113a, the first side wall portion 113a of the first side panel 105 having a first side edge 123 which is identical with the second side edge 123 of the bottom wall portion 111 of the bottom panel 101 and a second side edge 126 which is identical with the first side edge 126 of the inner top wall portion 112 of the top panel 102. The first and the second side edges 123, 126 of the first side wall portion 113a extend in the length direction L. First and second end edges 135, 136 of the first side wall portion 113a extend between the first and the second side edges 123, 126 of the first side wall portion 113a. In a package dispenser assembled from the package blank 100, the first and second end edges 135, 136 of the first side wall portion 113a will be arranged in the height direction of the package dispenser. A first side panel end wall portion 105a extends in the length direction L from the first end edge 135 of the first side wall portion 113a of the first side panel 105 and a second side panel end wall portion 105b extends from the second end edge 136 of the first side wall portion 113a of the first side panel 105.

[0103] The package blank 100 also comprises a second side panel 106, the second side panel comprising a second side wall portion 113b, the second side wall portion 113b of the second side panel 106 having a first side edge 122 which is identical with the first side edge 122 of the bottom wall portion 111 of the bottom panel 101 and a second side edge 131, which is identical with the first side edge 131 of the outer top panel 104. The first and the second side edges 122, 131 of the second side wall portion 113b extend in the length direction L. First and second end edges 137, 138 of the second side wall portion 113b extend between the first and the second side edges 122, 131 of the second side wall portion 113b. In a package dispenser assembled from the package blank 100, the first and second end edges 137, 138 of the second side wall portion 113b will be arranged in the height direction of the package dispenser.

[0104] A first side panel end wall portion 106a of the second side panel extends in the length direction L from the first end edge 137 of the second side wall portion 113b of the second side panel 106 and a second side panel end wall portion 106b extends from the second end edge 138 of the second side wall portion 113b of the second side panel 106.

[0105] First provisions 180a for creating at a first dispensing opening are arranged as a line of weakness (i.e., a frangible line) extending in the inner top wall portion 112 and in the first side wall portion 113a of the first side panel 105.

[0106] Second provisions 180b for creating a second dispensing opening are arranged as a weakened line (i.e., a frangible line) extending in the outer top wall portion 112 and in the second side wall portion 113b of the second side panel 106.

[0107] One or more andin some embodimentsall dividing lines between the different panels and panel portions, of the package blank 100 may be formed as fold lines which are arranged to facilitate folding of the package blank 100 to assume a package dispenser configuration and to promote correct folding of the package blank 100 along the dividing lines. Such fold lines may be created by partial scoring through the thickness of the packaging material, by local compression of the package material, for example.

[0108] The package blank 100 as shown in FIG. 5 can be formed into a package dispenser 10 containing two stacks of interfolded wipes, as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

[0109] The method may comprise: [0110] providing a package blank 100; [0111] providing at least one stack 20 of interfolded wipes 21, the stack 20 having a bottom surface 22 being formed from a bottom wipe 21, a top surface 23 being formed from a top wipe 21, two side surfaces 24 and two end surfaces 25, the side surfaces 24 and the end surfaces 25 extending between the bottom surface 22 and the top surface 23; [0112] placing the two stacks 20 of interfolded wipes 21 with each of the stacks of wipes 21 resting with the bottom surface 22 on the bottom wall portion 111 of the bottom panel 101 of the package blank 100; [0113] raising the first side panel 105 and the second side panel 106 in the height direction H by folding the package blank 100 along the first and second side edges 122, 123 of the bottom wall portion 111 of the bottom panel 101; [0114] folding in the first and second side panel end wall portions 105a, 105b; 106a, 106b of the first and second side panels 105, 106 in the width direction W by folding the package blank 100 along the first and second end edges 125, 136; 137, 138 of the side wall portion 113a, 113b of each of the first and second side panels 105, 106; [0115] raising the first bottom panel end wall portion 101a and the second bottom panel end wall portion 101b in the height direction H by folding the package blank 100 along the first and second end edges 124, 125 of the bottom wall portion 111 of the bottom panel 101; [0116] folding in the inner top panel 102 in the width direction by folding the package blank 100 along the second side edge 126 of the side wall portion 113a of the first side panel 105; [0117] folding in the outer top panel 104 in the width direction W, in over the inner top panel 102 by folding the package blank 100 along the second side edge 131 of the side wall portion 113b of the second side panel 106; and [0118] folding down the first end wall portion 102a and the second end wall portion 102b of the inner top panel 102 in the height direction H by folding the package blank 100 along the first and second end edges 128, 129 of the inner top wall portion 112.

[0119] Adhesive may be applied between overlapping portions of the package blank 100 during folding of the package blank 100. Alternatively, or additionally, adhesive tape, staples, etc. may be used to keep the package dispenser 10 in the folded configuration.

[0120] When the package blank 100 has been folded as set out above, the side walls 13 in the package dispenser 10 are formed from a side wall portion 113a, 113b of a respective side panel 105, 106. The end walls 15 are formed from overlapping panel end parts 105a, 105b, 106a, 106b, 102a, 102b, 101a, 101b of the two side panels 105, 106, the inner top panel 102 and the bottom panel 101. The bottom wall 11 is formed from the bottom wall part 111 of the bottom panel 101 and the top wall 12 is formed from the inner top wall portion 112 of the inner top panel 102 and of the outer top panel 104 which overlaps the inner top wall portion 112 of the inner top panel 102.

[0121] Package dispensers containing a different number of stacks from the two stacks shown in the Figures may be assembled in a corresponding manner from an appropriately sized and shaped package blank.