Methods of packaging folded clips

Abstract

The invention includes a method of packaging paper products (such as facial tissue) in a dispenser. A clip of paper product is folded. The folded clip has a central region and a pair of opposing peripheral regions separated from one another by the central region. The peripheral regions of the folded clip are pressed toward one another to compress the peripheral regions. After the peripheral regions are compressed, the folded clip is transferred into the dispenser.

1 - 32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . A method of packaging a folded clip, comprising pressing opposing regions of the folded clip toward one another prior to inserting the clip into a package.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the folded clip comprises a stacked plurality of facial tissue.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the package comprises a boutique-type box.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the folded clip is folded approximately in half.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the pressing comprises subjecting the opposing regions to at least about 1 psig of pressure.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the pressing occurs for a time of less than 5 seconds.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 33  further comprising providing the folded clip about a ski prior to the inserting the clip into the package.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the clip is initially folded about the ski and the clip is slid off the ski prior to the pressing.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the clip is initially folded about the ski and the clip is slid off the ski after the inserting.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the pressing comprises subjecting the opposing regions to at least about 5 psig of pressure.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the ski comprises an edge and a width of the edge is less than about one-half inch.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43  wherein the pressing occurs for a time of less than 10 seconds.  
   
   
       45 . A method of packaging a folded clip, comprising: 
 supporting the folded clip with a ski, wherein the ski comprises a notch extending laterally into an edge of the ski; and    inserting the folded clip into a package.    
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the clip is aligned laterally over the notch during the inserting.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the notch extends longitudinally along the edge of the ski.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the notch extends at least ¼ inch into the edge.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the edge further comprises a ramped portion extending at an angle relative to another portion of the edge.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the clip is aligned laterally over the ramped portion during the inserting.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the folded clip comprises facial tissue.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the package comprises a boutique-type box.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the edge comprises a width and the notch is approximately centered along the edge relative to the width.  
   
   
       54 . A method of packaging a folded clip of a plurality of articles, comprising pressing opposing regions of the folded clip toward one another prior to inserting the clip into a package, the package being configured to dispense the articles substantially singly.