MXPA97006571A - Method and product of absorbent paper dobladomejor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a folded and disposable unitary woven product comprising: a first central panel having a first fold line at a first end and a second fold line at a second end that is positioned from said first end, said first panel has a width that is defined as being a distance from said first fold line to said second fold line, said first panel has the first and second opposed surfaces, a second panel, said second panel has a first end that is joined to said first panel in said first fold line, and a second end having a third fold line defined there, said second panel has a width that is defined as being a distance from the first fold line to the third fold line, said second panel being bent for overlapping said first surface of the first panel, a third panel, said third panel having a first end that is joined with said first panel in said second fold line and a second end having a fourth fold line defined there, said third panel having a width that is defined as being a distance from said second fold line to said fourth fold line, said third panel is bent to overlap said second surface of the first panel; a fourth panel, said fourth panel is joined to said second panel in said third fold line, said fourth panel being folded with respect to said second panel in said third fold line in such a way that that the fourth panel is essentially positioned between the first panel and the second panel, and a fifth panel, said fifth panel is joined to said third panel in said fourth fold line, said fifth panel being folded with respect to said third panel in said fourth line of fold so that said fifth panel is essentially positioned between the third panel and said first panel, and the The combined blends of said second and third panels are not greater than the width of said first panel, so that the second and third panels do not overlap, and the folded fabric product is constructed as to optimize considerations of weight to space to maintain the edges. exposed out of sight, and to ensure a double layer resistance in the grip places you try to

Description

METHOD AND IMPROVED BREATHABLE ABSORBENT PAPER PRODUCT 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to bent woven products and to the processes for supplying such products. More specifically, this invention relates to an improved and amenable bent absorbent paper product, such as a paper towel for a public restroom that provides improved absorbency to weight and volume with respect to paper products bent at conventional, whose product is aesthetically pleasing and is virtually impossible to charge improperly in a supply supply by gravity. 2. Description of Previous Art Folded absorbent paper products, such as folded paper towels that are commonly provided in public restroom dispensers, have been and are in use in the world.

The most common type of known paper towel fold is the C-fold, which is shown in diagramatic cross-section in Figure 1. A towel folded at C 10 typically has a closed end 12 which is defined by a main panel 14 of the absorbent paper material and an open end 16 which is defined by the secondary and tertiary absorbent paper panels 18 and 20, respectively. The secondary and tertiary panels 20 are unitarily with the main panel 14, and are, respectively, connected to the main panel 14 in the fold lines that are at the opposite ends of the main panel 14, as seen in Figure 1. The end open 16 includes a crack or gap 22 that is between the secondary and tertiary panels 18 and 20. A fold in C is more commonly made of a two-layer material, such as the first stratum 24 and the second stratum 26 shown in the figure 1.

A common problem with C-fold paper towels can be seen with reference to Figures 2A and 2B. The fold towels C are designed to be stacked in a gravity supply jet 28 of the type having a bottom opening 30 so that the open end 16 faces downwards, as shown in Fig. 2A. In this position, a user can grasp any secondary or tertiary panel 18 and 20 to pull the towel 10 out of the spout 28. However, when piled up improperly, as shown in Figure 2B, with the closed end 12 oriented down, the assortment is difficult and often results in waste. Frequently, maintenance personnel will stack the C-fold paper towels inappropriately, as shown in Figure 2B, rather than as shown in Figure 2A.

Many gravity supply jets have off-center openings in the bottom. Most of the C-fold towels are symmetrical in the sense that the secondary panel 18 is of the same length as the tertiary panel 20. As a result of this, conventional C-fold towels may not be loaded in a manner that is optimal for a spout having a throat off center.

In addition, the C-fold type towels use the space inefficiently in the sense that the towel is twice as thick under the secondary and vertical panels as in the area under the open separation 22. This adversely affects the density with which the towels can be stored in a dispenser. In addition, the uneven density distribution across the width of the C-fold towel can result in a "seagull" effect, in which a stack of towels will bow in the center.

It is clear that there has long been an unmet need in this area of technology with respect to an improved absorbent paper product, such as a paper towel for a public restroom, which provides improved absorbency to weight and volume with respect to to conventional paper products, which is aesthetically pleasing, and which is virtually impossible to load poorly in a gravity-type dispenser.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved bent absorbent product such as a paper towel for a public restroom that provides improved absorbency to weight and volume with respect to conventional C-folded paper products, the product of which is aesthetically Pleasant and it is virtually impossible to charge improperly in a dispenser of gravity supply type.

In order to achieve the objects mentioned above and others of the invention, a dispensable and improved folded fabric product that is functionally and aesthetically superior to conventional folded fabric products includes, according to a first aspect of the invention, a first panel central having a first fold line at a first end and a second fold line at a second end which is opposite from the first end; a second panel, the second panel has a first end that is joined to the first panel on the first fold line, and a second end having a third fold line defined there; a third panel, the third panel having a first end that is joined to the first panel on the second fold line and a second end having a fourth fold line defined there; a fourth panel, the fourth panel being attached to the second panel in the third fold line, the fourth panel being folded with respect to the second panel in the third fold line so that the fourth panel is essentially placed between the first panel and the second panel. second panel; and a fifth panel, the fifth panel being attached to the third panel in the fourth fold line, the fifth panel being folded with respect to the third panel in the fourth fold line so that the fifth panel is essentially placed between the third panel and The first panel, so that the folded fabric product is constructed as to optimize the weight for space considerations, to keep the exposed edges out of sight, and to ensure a double layer resistance at the intended gripping locations.

An improved and improved bent absorbent paper product that is both functionally and aesthetically superior to a conventional absorbent bent paper product includes, according to a second aspect of the invention, a first central panel; a second unitary panel with the first panel and folded on a first side of the first panel; a third panel, unitary with the first panel, and folded on a second side of the first panel; a fourth panel, unitary with the second panel, and folded so as to be placed between the first and second panels; and a fifth panel, unitary with the third panel, and folded so as to be placed between the first and third panels, whereby the bent absorbent paper product is constructed as to optimize weight-to-space considerations, to keep the exposed edges out of sight, and to ensure a double strata resistance at the intended places of grip.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a method for dispensing a bent absorbent paper product includes the steps of: (a) loading an improved folded absorbent paper product into a dispenser, the improved absorbent paper product includes a first panel central; a second unitary panel with the first panel and folded on a first side of the first panel; a third panel, unitary with the first panel and folded on a second side of the first panel; a fourth panel, unitary with the second panel, and folded so as to be placed between the first and second panels; and a fifth panel, unitary with the third panel, and folded so as to be placed between the first and third panels; and (b) removing the paper product from an opening in the dispenser by grasping the paper product in the second and fourth panels.

These and several other advantages and features of the novelty characterizing the invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims herein and form a part thereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should now be made to the drawings which form an additional part thereof, and to accompany the descriptive matter, in which illustrates and describes a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagramatic cross-sectional display of a disposable paper towel of conventional C-bending type; Figures 2A and 2B are diagrammatic samples of the appropriate and unsuitable shapes respectively to load a conventional C-type disposable paper towel in a gravity supply jet; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional cross-sectional sample of an improved disposable folded woven product which is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional cross-sectional sample of an improved disposable folded woven product which is constructed according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the improved disposable woven product shown in Figure 3; Figure 6 is a sample of the improved disposable folded woven product shown in Figures 3 and 5, indicated in a folded and compressed state; Figures 7A-7D are samples of an improved disposable folded woven product according to the embodiment of Figures 3,5 and 6 shown and loaded in different possible orientations in a gravity supply type jet having a lower central opening; Y Figures 8A-8D are displays similar to those provided in Figures 7A-7D, but with a spout having a bottom offset aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Referring now to the drawings, wherein the like reference numbers designate a corresponding structure through the views, and referring in particular to Figure 3, an improved disposable folded woven product 32 that is functionally and aesthetically superior to woven products. conventional bends includes, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a first central panel 34 having a first fold line 36 at a first end 70 and a second fold line 36 at a first end 70 and a second fold line 38 at a second end 72 that is opposite the first end 70. The woven product 32, which is preferably shown as an absorbent paper product such as a paper towel, further includes a second panel 40 having a first end 42 that is joined with the first panel 34 in a first fold line 36 and a second end 44 having a third bend line 46 defined there . A third panel 48 having a first end 50 which is joined to a first panel 34 in a second fold line 38 further includes a second end 52 having a fourth fold line 54 defined therein. The disposable folded fabric product 32 also includes a fourth panel 56 which is attached to a second panel 40 in a third fold line 46. The fourth panel 56 is bent with respect to the second panel 40 in the third fold line 46 in a manner that the fourth panel 56 is essentially positioned between the first panel 34 and the second panel 40. Similarly, the improved fabric product 32 includes a fifth panel 58 which is attached to the third panel 48 on the fourth fold line 54, fifth panel 58 is bent with respect to third panel 48 in a fourth fold line 54 so that fifth panel 58 will be placed essentially between third panel 48 and first panel 34 when folded as shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6.

A first edge 62 of the folded woven product 32 is defined on one end of the fourth panel 56 that is positioned from the third fold line 46. Similarly, the folded woven product 32 includes a second edge 64 that is on the fifth panel 58 and is positioned opposite from line 54. Since the fourth and fifth panels 56 and 58 are bent so as to be between the second and third panels 40 and 48, respectively, the first panel 34, the first and second edges 62 and 64 will not be easily visible to an observer, as they are in the C-type paper towel. This creates an aesthetic effect that will improve the qualitative impression of the product for a consumer.

In all embodiments of the invention, the combined width of the second and third panels 40 and 48 is not greater than the width of the first panel 34, which will ensure that the woven product 32 is of a uniform thickness when it is folded flat. The width of the first panel is defined as being the distance from the first bending line 36 to the second bending line 38. The width of the second panel 40 is defined as being the distance from the first bending line 36 to the third bending line 36. fold 46, and the width of the third panel 38 is defined as being the distance from the second fold line .38 to the fourth fold line 54. A midpoint 60 of the distance on the first panel 34 between the first fold line 36 and the second fold line 38 is indicated in Figures 3 and 4. In the embodiment of Figures 3, 5 and 6, the second panel 40 has a width that is greater than the width of the third panel 48, which makes that the third fold line 46 is placed on an opposite side of the midpoint 60 of the first full line 36. This non-symmetric mode is the preferred embodiment of the invention, and is especially suitable for gravity delivery jets of the type that they have a decentered opening in the background. The second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 4, is identical to that shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6, with the exception that the second panel 40 has a width that is essentially equal to that of the third panel 48. This , as can be seen in Figure 4, causes the third and fourth bending lines 46 and 54 to be placed essentially at the midpoint 60 of the first panel 34 when bending flat.

Figures 7A-7D show a disposable and improved folded woven product according to the embodiments of Figures 3, 5 and 6 being stocked from a gravity supply type paper towel dispenser of the type having a centered access opening in your background. Figures 7A-7D show, respectively, the four possible orientations of the woven product 32 at the spout 32. The orientations shown in Figures 7C and 7D are slightly superior in operation, but the woven product 32 can be effectively supplied in any of four orientations. This fundamentally contrasts with the assortment problems affecting the C-folded type paper towel, as discussed above in relation to Figures 2A and 2B.

Figures 8A-8D show a woven product 32 being supplied from the gravity supply type paper towel dispenser of the type having an aperture slightly offset at the bottom. Again, Figures 8A-8D show, respectively, the four possible orientations of the woven product 32 in the dispenser. The orientation shown in Figure 8A has been found to achieve good operation. The orientation shown in Figure 8B will achieve poorer operation, but operation that will exceed that of the improper loading position of the C-fold paper towel shown in Figure 2B. The orientation shown in Figure 8C will achieve exceptional assortment operation. The orientation shown in Figure 8D will achieve excellent assortment operation.

It will be understood, however, that while numerous features and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description along with details of the structure and function of the invention, the description is illustrative only, and the changes will be made in detail, especially in matters of form, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the general and broad meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims (13)

R E I V I ND I CAC I ONE S

1. A disposable and improved folded knitted product that is functionally and aesthetically superior to the folded woven products, comprising a first central panel having a first fold line at a first end and a second fold line at a second end which is opposite said first extreme; a second panel, said second panel having a first end that is joined to the first panel in said first fold line, and a second end having a third fold line defined therein; a third panel, said third panel having a first end that is joined with said first panel in said second fold line and a second end having a fourth fold line defined therein; a fourth panel, said fourth panel is attached to said second panel in said third fold line, said fourth panel is folded with respect to the second panel in said third fold line so that the fourth panel is essentially placed between the first panel and said second panel; a fifth panel, said fifth panel is attached to said third panel in said fourth fold line, said fifth panel is folded with respect to said third panel in said fourth fold line so that the fifth panel is essentially placed between said third panel and said third panel, whereby the folded woven product is constructed, to optimize the weight-to-space considerations, to keep the exposed edges out of sight, and to ensure a double layer strength at the intended grip locations.

2. A woven product as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said woven product comprises a continuous fabric having a first edge and a second opposite edge, said first edge being on said fourth panel opposite said third fold line, said second edge being on said fifth panel opposite said fourth fold line.

3. The woven product as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said folded woven product is an absorbent paper product.

4. A knitted product as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said first panel has a width that is defined as being a distance from the first fold line to said second fold line, said second panel having a width that is defined as being a distance from said first fold line to said third fold line, and said third panel has a width that is defined as being a distance from said second fold line to said fourth fold line and the combined widths of said panels second and third are not greater than the width of said first panel, whereby the second and third panels will not overlap when said woven product is flattened to be stacked.

5. A woven product as claimed in clause 4 characterized in that the width of the second panel is greater than the width of the third panel, whereby the folded woven product is asymmetric.

6. A woven product as claimed in clause 4 characterized in that the width of the second panel is essentially the same as the width of the third panel, whereby the folded woven product is asymmetric.

7. A woven product as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said second panel has a width that is defined as being a distance from the first fold line to the third fold line and said fourth panel has a width that is defined as being a distance from the third fold line to the first edge of said fabric, and said width of said fourth panel is less than said width of said second panel.

8. A knitted product as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said third panel has a width that is defined as being a distance from the second fold line to said fourth fold line and said fifth panel has a width that is defined as being a distance from the fourth fold line to the second edge of the fabric, and said width of said fifth panel is less than the width of said third panel.

9. A disposable folded absorbent paper product that is functionally and aesthetically superior to conventional absorbent folded paper products, comprising: a first central panel; a second panel, unitary with said first panel and bent over a first side of said first panel; a third panel, unitary with said first panel, and folded on a second side of said first panel; a fourth panel, unitary with said second panel, and bent as to be placed between said first and second panels; and a fifth panel, unitary with said third panel and folded so as to be placed between said first and third panels, whereby the folded absorbent paper product is constructed as to optimize the weight-to-space considerations, to keep the exposed edges out of sight, and to ensure a double strata resistance at the intended grip sites.

10. A paper product as claimed in clause 9 characterized in that said second panel does not overlap said third panel when said paper product lies flat, whereby said paper product is maintained at a constant multiple thickness.

11. A paper product as claimed in clause 10 characterized in that said second panel has a width that is greater than a width of said third panel.

12. A method for dispensing a folded absorbent paper product comprising: (a) loading an improved folded absorbent paper product into a dispenser, the improved absorbent paper product includes a first central panel; a second unitary panel with said first panel and folded on a first side of said first panel; a third panel, unitary with said first panel, and folded on a second side of said first panel; a fourth panel, unitary with said second panel, and folded so as to be placed between said first and second panels, and a fifth panel, unitary with said third panel, and folded so as to be placed between said first and third panels; and (b) removing said paper product from an opening in the dispenser by grasping the paper product in the second and fourth panels.

13. A method as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that step (b) comprises removing said paper product from a bottom opening of a gravity supply type spout.