Convenience rolls

Abstract

A convenience roll in the form of an elongate web ( 10 ) of material comprises a multiplicity of individual portions ( 11 ) integrally connected together in series. Each individual portion ( 11 ) is shaped so as to have an area that is less than the product of its overall width across the web multiplied by its length along the web. Neighbouring individual portions are connected together by a frangible zone ( 12 ) of material whose width across the web is small relative to the overall width of the web so as to act as a controlled breaking point for when an individual portion is to be separated from its neighbour on dispensing.

1 . A convenience roll in the form of an elongate web of material comprising a multiplicity of individual portions integrally connected together in series, with the elongate web having an overall width, with each of the multiplicity of individual portions having a length along the elongate web, wherein each individual portion is shaped so as to have an area that is less than a product of the overall width across the elongate web multiplied by the length along the elongate web, and wherein neighbouring individual portions are connected together by a frangible zone of material whose width across the elongate web is small relative to the overall width of the elongate web whereby to act as a controlled breaking point for when one of the multiplicity individual portions portion is to be separated from neighbouring individual portions on dispensing.  
   
   
       2 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said frangible zone has a width across the elongate web of less than half the overall width of the elongate web.  
   
   
       3 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said frangible zone is in the form of a single strip of material in a middle section of the web.  
   
   
       4 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the elongate web is folded into the form of a stack of individual portions for dispensing.  
   
   
       5 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the elongate web is folded at the frangible zones between neighbouring individual portions.  
   
   
       6 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 4  wherein each individual portion is folded.  
   
   
       7 . A convenience roll as claimed in any preceding  claim 4  wherein the individual portions each have a generally circular shape.  
   
   
       8 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the individual portions are folded about a diameter of the generally circular shape to produce a stack with a generally semi-circular shaped section.  
   
   
       9 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the individual portions are folded about a plurality of radially extending fold lines to produce a stack with a quadrant-shaped section.  
   
   
       10 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the individual portions are folded about a plurality of radially extending fold lines in a fan-like pattern.  
   
   
       11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A dispenser containing a convenience roll as claimed in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       13 . A dispenser containing a convenience roll as claimed in  claim 8 , and having two or more separate compartments each for holding a stack.  
   
   
       14 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 13  wherein one of the two or more separate compartments holds a dry stack and another of the two or more separate compartments holds a moist or wet stack.  
   
   
       15 . A convenience roll comprising an elongate web of material defining a plurality of individual portions integrally connected together in series, wherein each individual portion has a width across the elongate web and a length along the elongate web and is shaped so as to have an area that is less than said width multiplied by said length, and wherein said individual portions are connected by respective frangible zones having a width across the elongate web that is small relative to said width of the elongate web so as to act as controlled breaking points between the respective individual portions.  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said frangible zone is in the form of a single strip of material in a middle section of the web.  
   
   
       18 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the individual portions each have a generally circular shape.  
   
   
       19 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the individual portions are folded about a diameter of the generally circular shape to produce a stack with a generally semi-circular shaped section.  
   
   
       20 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the individual portions are folded about a plurality of radially extending fold lines to produce a stack with a quadrant-shaped section.  
   
   
       21 . A convenience roll as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the individual portions are folded about a plurality of radially extending fold lines in a fan-like pattern.  
   
   
       22 . A dispenser containing a convenience roll as claimed in  claim 19  and having two or more separate compartments each for holding the stack.