Sustainable Dispenser for Sheet Materials

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to dispensing containers for storing and dispensing folded sheet material. The dispensing container of the present disclosure can be constructed so as to be free of any polymer films and without the use of a tearaway surfboard. The dispensing container includes a unique dispensing opening that is integral with the top panel of the container. The dispensing opening includes two biasing flaps that are configured to hold a sheet material in an upright position for pop-up dispensing without the sheet material falling back into the container.

1 . A container for holding and dispensing a plurality of individual sheets comprising:
 a single piece blank comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, two opposing side panels, and two opposing end panels, the top panel defining a dispensing surface for dispensing sheets therethrough, the dispensing surface defining a dispensing axis that extends along a direction of the dispensing surface, wherein the top panel is formed from a first top panel section and a second top panel section, the dispensing surface further comprising:   (a) a dispensing pathway extending along the dispensing axis in an initially closed position;   (b) a first crease line and a second crease line that both extend along the dispensing axis and are spaced from each other, the dispensing pathway being located between the first crease line and the second crease line, each of the first crease line and the second crease line including a first end and a second and opposite end;   (c) a first perforated side line that extends from the first end of the first crease line to the first end of the second crease line;   (d) a second perforated side line that extends from the second end of the first crease line to the second end of the second crease line and wherein the dispensing pathway is located between the first perforated side line and the second perforated side line; and   wherein opening the first perforated side line and the second perforated side line produces a dispensing opening on the top panel that is surrounded by first and second biasing flaps, the first and second biasing flaps being biased towards the dispensing opening for contacting sheets dispensed therethrough, wherein, when in the closed position, the first and second biasing flaps overlap.   
     
     
         2 . A container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the biasing flaps apply sufficient pressure to a sheet emerging from the dispensing opening for holding the sheet in a partially extended position while preventing the sheet from falling back into the container. 
     
     
         3 . A container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein there is no polymer film located below the dispensing opening and attached to the container. 
     
     
         4 . A container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the container is made from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         5 . A container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the container further includes a perforated dispensing line extending along the dispensing axis and positioned between the first crease line and the second crease line and wherein opening the perforated dispensing line in conjunction with the first perforated side line and the second perforated side line produces the dispensing opening and creates the first and second biasing flaps. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first perforated side line and the second perforated side line extend across both of the first and second top panel sections. 
     
     
         9 . A container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the container further includes an attachment mechanism for closing the first and second biasing flaps together after the container has been opened. 
     
     
         10 . A container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a paperboard. 
     
     
         11 . A container as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the paperboard comprises a coated paper having a basis weight of from about 40 gsm to about 80 gsm. 
     
     
         12 . A container as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the dispensing opening is created by opening the perforated dispensing line, the first perforated side line, and the second perforated side line and without having to remove a portion of the top panel from the container. 
     
     
         13 . A container as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the perforated dispensing line comprises perforated portions and non-perforated portions, the perforated portions having a length from about 8 mm to about 20 mm and the non-perforated portions having a length from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. 
     
     
         14 . A container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second perforated side lines comprise perforated portions and non-perforated portions, the perforated portions having a length from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, the non-perforated portions having a length from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. 
     
     
         15 . A container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second perforated side lines are perpendicular to the dispensing axis. 
     
     
         16 . A container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second crease lines have been formed by scoring the top panel. 
     
     
         17 . A container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second perforated side lines and the first and second crease lines form a rectangular-like shape. 
     
     
         18 . A container as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the perforated dispensing line is linear or curved. 
     
     
         19 . A product for dispensing a plurality of individual sheets one at a time comprising:
 a stack of individual sheets; and   a container defining a hollow enclosure, the stack of individual sheets being positioned within the hollow enclosure, the container including a dispensing surface defining a dispensing opening, the dispensing opening being bordered by a first biasing flap on one side of the dispensing opening and a second biasing flap located on the opposite side of the dispensing opening, the first and second biasing flaps being biased towards the dispensing opening for contacting one of the sheets emerging from the dispensing opening with sufficient force to hold the sheet in an extended position without the sheet falling back into the hollow enclosure of the container,   wherein the dispensing surface is formed from a first top panel section and a second top panel section, wherein the first biasing flap overlaps with the second biasing flap when in a closed position.   
     
     
         20 . A product as defined in  claim 19 , wherein there is no polymer film located below the dispensing opening and attached to the container. 
     
     
         21 . A product as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the container is only formed from a single piece blank comprising a paperboard. 
     
     
         22 . A product as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the paperboard comprises a coated paper having a basis weight of from about 40 gsm to about 80 gsm. 
     
     
         23 . A product as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the dispensing opening is accessed on the container without removing a portion of the dispensing surface from the container. 
     
     
         24 . A product as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the container includes a dispensing axis that extends along a length of the dispensing surface and wherein a dispensing slit extends along the dispensing axis between the first and second biasing flaps. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled)