Sheets having inverting dispensing pattern, dispenser therefor and method of dispensing

Abstract

A package containing sheets and having an opening for dispensing the sheets from the package. The sheets may be alternatingly joined together at successive leading and trailing edges to allow pop-up dispensing. The leading edge of any sheets after the first sheet may be disposed away from the dispensing opening. This arrangement causes the sheet to invert during dispensing, allowing it to begin unfolding before dispensing is completed. If the sheets are wetted this arrangement also allows the wetting liquid to be distributed onto an adjacent sheet during dispensing without an additional step.

1 . A package comprising: 
 a container, said container having a body for holding a plurality of sheets therein and an opening for removing sheets therethrough, said body having a major axis defining a first end and a second end of said body remote therefrom, said opening being juxtaposed with said first end of said body; and    a plurality of sheets, said sheets being sequentially removable from said container through said opening, each said sheet having a leading and a trailing edge remote therefrom, said sheets being disposed in a pattern whereby the trailing edge of a first sheet to be dispensed is joined to the leading edge of a consecutive sheet to be subsequently dispensed, said leading edge being disposed further from said opening than said trailing edge prior to dispensing of that sheet.    
   
   
       2 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein said container is generally parallelepipedally shaped.  
   
   
       3 . A package according to  claim 2  wherein said package has a top and a bottom, said opening being juxtaposed with said top of said package.  
   
   
       4 . A package according to  claim 3  wherein said sheets are folded in an overlapping configuration with the trailing edge of said first sheet overlapping the leading edge of said second sheet.  
   
   
       5 . A package according to  claim 4  wherein said sheets are folded in a Z pattern.  
   
   
       6 . A package according to  claim 4  wherein said first sheet and said second sheet are joined at an overlap by a releasable attachment.  
   
   
       7 . A package according to  claim 6  wherein said releasable attachment comprises adhesive.  
   
   
       8 . A package according to  claim 7  wherein said adhesive comprises a discrete quantity of adhesive, said discrete quantity not extending throughout the width of said sheet.  
   
   
       9 . A package according to  claim 8  wherein said discrete quantity of adhesive is disposed within about 35 mm of said trailing edge of said sheet.  
   
   
       10 . A package according to  claim 7  wherein said sheets are wetted.  
   
   
       11 . A package according to  claim 10  further comprising a lid openable and closable relative to said opening, said lid covering said opening when closed.  
   
   
       12 . A package according to  claim 2  wherein said stack of wipes has a footprint within said container, said footprint being generally rectangular.  
   
   
       13 . A package according to  claim 12  wherein said plurality wipes forms a plane, said plane being curvilinear.  
   
   
       14 . A package according to  claim 13  wherein said plane is generally parallel to said major axis of said body of said container.  
   
   
       15 . A package comprising: 
 a container, said container having a body for holding a plurality of sheets therein and an opening for removing sheets from said container, said body having a major axis defining a first end and a second end of said body remote therefrom, said opening being juxtaposed with said first end of said body; and    a plurality of sheets folded in a predetermined pattern to have a leading edge and a trailing edge, said leading edge being substantially dispensed through said opening before said trailing edge, said sheets being releasably joined together at a first location defined by a common position of a trailing edge of a first sheet and a leading edge of a subsequent sheet, said first location of a sheet being remote from said opening relative to a respective trailing edge of that sheet prior to said to dispensing of the leading edge of said that sheet therethrough.    
   
   
       16 . A package according to  claim 15  wherein said first location is juxtaposed with said second end of said package.  
   
   
       17 . A method of removing a sheet from a container, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a package, said package comprising a container having a plurality of sheets therein and an opening for dispensing said sheets therethrough, said sheets being joined together at alternating leading edges and trailing edges, whereby the leading edge of one said sheet can pull a successive sheet by a respective trailing edge, whereby said leading edge of said sheet is disposed in said container remote from said opening;    pulling a leading edge of a first sheet through said opening to at least partially remove said sheet from said container, whereby the trailing edge of said sheet and a leading edge of a successive sheet removably joined thereto, can follow;    having said sheet reverse its disposition in said container whereby said leading edge disposed in said container remote from said opening approaches said opening and exits said container therethrough.    
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein said dispensing opening is juxtaposed with the top of said container and further comprising the steps of: 
 disposing a liquid in said container; and    distributing said liquid from one sheet being dispensed to a successive, adjacent sheet by pulling the leading edge of said sheet being dispensed past said successive sheet while in contact therewith during dispensing.