US20120273513A1

US20120273513A1 - Dispensers for sanitary tissue products

Info

Publication number: US20120273513A1
Application number: US13/455,510
Authority: US
Inventors: Jerry Ray Stephens; Emma Lynn Sartini; Nicholas August Vitucci; Kyoko Mignot
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 2011-04-28
Filing date: 2012-04-25
Publication date: 2012-11-01
Also published as: US8813998B2; US20120273514A1

Abstract

A dispenser for sanitary tissue products is provided. The dispenser comprises a cavity defined therein. The cavity is configured to receive one or more sanitary tissue products. The dispenser comprises a portion defining an opening therein and an arm extending from the dispenser. The one or more sanitary tissue products are configured to be dispensed through the opening. The arm comprises a first portion extending from a first portion of the dispenser and a second portion configured to removably attach to a second portion of the dispenser.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/517,963 filed on Apr. 28, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to dispensers and, more particularly, relates to dispensers for sanitary tissue products.

BACKGROUND

Sanitary tissue products in the form of paper towels, shop towels, toilet tissue, facial tissue, wet or dry wipes, and table napkins, for example, find great utility among users who value affordability, ease of use, and disposability. Sanitary tissue products are used in virtually every household, including in kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, and garages, for example. Sanitary tissue products, such as rolls of paper towels or hand towels, for example, are often dispensed from sanitary tissue product holders, from which they can be unrolled one or more sheets at a time. These sanitary tissue product holders can have two projections, wherein each end of a core of a roll of a sanitary tissue product can engage a projection to rotatably retain the sanitary tissue product thereto. To tear off a sheet, a user would generally inhibit the roll from rotating with one hand and tear the sheet off of the roll at a perforation with the other hand (i.e., two hand dispensing). Such sanitary tissue product holders are generally not located in bathrooms for aesthetic or other reasons. Sanitary tissue products, such as paper towels or hand towels, however, have great utility in bathrooms for many purposes, such as hand drying, makeup removal, and/or cleaning, for example. In view of the utility that sanitary tissue products can provide in a bathroom setting or in other settings, dispensers should be provided that are more aesthetically pleasing and more functional than current sanitary tissue product holders. Furthermore, dispensers that can provide one hand dispensing are desirable.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a dispenser for sanitary tissue products. The dispenser comprises a cavity defined therein. The cavity is configured to receive one or more sanitary tissue products. The dispenser comprises a portion defining an opening therein and an arm extending from the dispenser. The one or more sanitary tissue products are configured to be dispensed through the opening. The arm comprises a first portion extending from a first portion of the dispenser and a second portion configured to removably attach to a second portion of the dispenser.
In another one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a dispenser for sanitary tissue products. The dispenser comprises a cavity defined therein. The cavity is configured to receive one or more sanitary tissue products. The dispenser comprises a portion defining an opening therein. The one or more sanitary tissue products are configured to be dispensed through the opening. The dispenser comprises a side wall defining a first slot and a second slot therein. The dispenser further comprises a first arm and a second arm, each comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the first arm extends from a first portion of the side wall and the second portion of the first arm comprises a first tab. The first tab is configured to removably engage perimeter walls of the first slot such that the second portion of the first arm is removably engaged with the side wall. The first portion of the second arm extends from a second portion of the side wall and the second portion comprises a second tab. The second tab is configured to removably engage perimeter walls of the second slot such that the second portion of the second arm is removably engaged with the side wall.
In still one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a dispensing kit for sanitary tissue products. The dispensing kit comprises a dispenser defining a cavity therein. The cavity is configured to receive one or more sanitary tissue products. The dispenser comprises a portion defining an opening therein. The one or more sanitary tissue products are configured to be dispensed through the opening. The dispenser comprises a side wall defining a slot therein. The dispensing kit comprises an attachment member comprising a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the attachment member is configured to engage a first portion of perimeter walls of the slot and the second end portion of the attachment member is configured to engage a second portion of the perimeter walls of the slot to retain the attachment member to the side wall. The attachment member comprises a body configured to engage a towel bar or a towel ring to engage the dispenser with the towel bar or the towel ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a dispenser for one or more sanitary tissue products in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with arms in a first position in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with arms in a second position in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 4 is another front perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 engaged with a towel bar in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 5 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the dispenser of FIG. 5 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 engaged with a towel ring in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a dispenser for one or more sanitary tissue products in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a base portion of the dispenser of FIG. 9 with sanitary tissue products positioned therein in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the base portion of FIG. 10 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an attachment member for a dispenser in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a dispenser configured to be engaged with the attachment member of FIG. 12 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 13 with the attachment member of FIG. 12 engaged therewith in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 13 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the dispenser of FIG. 15 engaged with a towel bar in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 15 engaged with a towel ring in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an attachment member for a dispenser engaged with a towel ring in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a side view of a hanger engaged with a dispenser, a towel bar or towel ring, and a portion of a wall or other surface in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment; and

FIG. 20 is a front view of the hanger of FIG. 19 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the dispensers for sanitary tissue products disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the dispensers for sanitary tissue products specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting example embodiments and that the scope of the various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.
“Fiber” as used herein means an elongate physical structure having an apparent length greatly exceeding its apparent diameter, i.e., a length to diameter ratio of at least about 10. Fibers having a non-circular cross-section and/or tubular shape are common. The “diameter” in this case may be considered to be the diameter of a circle having a cross-sectional area equal to the cross-sectional area of the fiber. More specifically, as used herein, “fiber” refers to fibrous structure-making fibers. The present disclosure contemplates the use of a variety of fibrous structure-making fibers, such as, for example, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, other suitable fibers, or any combination thereof.
“Fibrous structure” as used herein means a structure that comprises one or more fibers. Nonlimiting examples of processes for making fibrous structures include known wet-laid papermaking processes and air-laid papermaking processes. Such processes typically include steps of preparing a fiber composition in the form of a suspension in a medium, either wet, more specifically aqueous medium, or dry, more specifically gaseous, i.e., with air as the medium. The aqueous medium used for wet-laid processes is oftentimes referred to as a fiber slurry. The fibrous suspension is then used to deposit a plurality of fibers onto a forming wire or belt such that an embryonic fibrous structure is formed, after which drying and/or bonding the fibers together results in a fibrous structure. Further processing the fibrous structure may be carried out such that a finished fibrous structure is formed. For example, in typical papermaking processes, the finished fibrous structure is the fibrous structure that is wound on the reel at the end of papermaking, and may subsequently be converted into a finished product, e.g., a sanitary tissue product.
“Sanitary tissue product” as used herein means one or more finished fibrous structures, converted or not, that is useful as a wiping implement for post-urinary and post-bowel movement cleaning (e.g., toilet tissue and wet or dry wipes), for otorhinolaryngological discharges (e.g., facial tissue and wet or dry wipes), and multi-functional absorbent and cleaning uses (e.g., paper towels, shop towels, and hand towels). The sanitary tissue products can be embossed or not embossed, creped or uncreped, and can be single-ply or multi-ply.
The various dispensers of the present disclosure can be configured to dispense sanitary tissue products, such as paper towels, shop towels, or hand towels. The sanitary tissue products can have a multitude of functions, such as cleaning or wiping body surfaces, cleaning generally, medical usage, receiving bodily discharges, hand drying, face drying, and/or makeup removal, for example. Such sanitary tissue products can be provided within cavities of the dispensers and/or within refills that are configured to be positioned within the cavities. The sanitary tissue products can be provided in stacks, sheets, folded sheets, interfolded sheets, C-folded sheets, Z-folded sheets, semi-folded sheets, rolls, or in any other suitable configuration for a particular use. The dispensers can be configured to dispense one or more sanitary tissue products at a time. In one embodiment, the dispensers can be configured for one hand dispensing of one or more sanitary tissue products or can be configured for two hand dispensing of one or more sanitary tissue products.
In various embodiments, portions of the dispensers that abut, are positioned against, and/or rest on a surface, such as a countertop or the top of a toilet, for example, can comprise suction cups, hook and/or loop fasteners, hook and hook fasteners, magnets, other suitable fasteners, adhesives, and/or high coefficient of friction materials (e.g., rubber), for example. Such features can at least inhibit the dispensers from moving or sliding during dispensing of one or more sanitary tissue products. In one embodiment, a complimentary fastener, such as an opposite pole magnet to a magnet on the dispenser can be attached to the surface on which the dispenser will be positioned, for example. In still other embodiments, the dispensers can be weighted or can have sufficient weight to prevent, or at least inhibit, movement or sliding during dispensing. In one embodiment, the dispensers can comprise one or more arms extending therefrom or one or more hangers attachable to the dispensers. The arms or hangers can be used to hang or engage the dispensers from or with towel bars, towel racks, towel rings, shower curtain rods, toilet tissue holders, doors, and/or other surfaces or members. The arms can be attached to or extend from (i.e., be formed with) a portion of the dispensers on one end portion or a first portion and can be removably attached to another portion of the dispensers on the other end portion or a second portion. In other embodiments, both end portions of the arms can be removably attached to portions of the dispensers. Such removable attachment can be through the use of hook and loop fasteners, hook and hook fasteners, releasable adhesives, tabs on the arms engaging slots in the dispensers, and/or any other suitable methods of removable attachment. In one embodiment, the dispensers can have portions that define one or more apertures therethrough. Fasteners, such as nails or screws, can be positioned at least partially through the apertures to retain the dispensers to various surfaces, such as walls, for example.
In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1-4, a dispenser 10 can comprise a plurality of side walls 12, a top end 14, and a bottom end 16. The side walls 12, the top end 14, and the bottom end 16 can define a cavity 17 within the dispenser 10. The cavity 17 can be configured to receive one or more sanitary tissue products 18. The one or more sanitary tissue products 18 can be positioned within, or at least partially within, the cavity 17. A portion of the side walls 12, the top end 14, and/or the bottom end 16 can open such that the sanitary tissue products 18 can be refilled into the cavity 17. The top end 14 and/or the side walls 12 can define an opening 20 therein. In other embodiments, any suitable portion of the dispenser 10 can define the opening 20 therein. One or more of the sanitary tissue products 18 can be dispensed through the opening 20. An opening 21 (shown in dash) can be defined in one of the side walls 12 either in addition to or in place of the opening 20. The sanitary tissue products 18 can be dispensed through the opening 20 or the opening 21. In one embodiment, the shape of the opening 20 and the configuration of the sanitary tissue products 18 (e.g., the fold configuration and size relative to the opening 20) can cause a portion of a sanitary tissue product 18 extending through the opening 20 to have a flame-like or decorative shape, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. In one embodiment, the one or more sanitary tissue products 18 within the cavity 17 of the dispenser 10 can be positioned as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, for example. By using such vertical positioning of the sanitary tissue products 18, the sanitary tissue products 18 can easily be dispensed even when only a few of or one of the sanitary tissue products 18 remains within the cavity 17. The dispenser 10 can be refillable with additional sanitary tissue products 18 or refills of sanitary tissue products.
In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, one or more arms 22 or first and second arms 22 can extend from the dispenser 10, such as from one of the side walls 12 or the bottom end 16, for example. The arms 22 can each comprise a first portion 21 and a second portion 23. The arms 22 can be attached to or extend from a first portion of the dispenser 10 and can be configured to removably attach to a second portion of the dispenser 10 or vice versa. In other embodiments, the arms 22 can be removably attached to the first and second portions of the dispenser 10. The arms 22 can each have a tab 24 on the second portion 23 or first portion 21 thereof. The tabs 24 can each comprise a first recess 29 defined therein, a second recess 31 defined therein, and a projection 33. Each tab 24 can be configured to removably or otherwise engage perimeter walls of a slot 25, such as a first slot 25 or a second slot 25 defined in the second portion of the side wall 12 of the dispenser 10 to create the removable attachment. Each tab 24 can also be configured to removably or otherwise engage perimeter walls of another slot 27, such as a third slot 27 or a fourth slot 27, for example, defined in the side walls 12 or other portions of the dispenser 10 when not removably engaged with the first and second slots 25. In various embodiments, the dispenser 10 or side walls 12 thereof can have a plurality of slots defined therein. Each tab 24 can be configured to engage any of the plurality of slots to make the arms 22 adjustable for particular uses. In one embodiment, both ends of the arms 22 can have tabs configured to engage slots in the dispenser. In various embodiments, only one arm 22 may be provided on a dispenser or more than two arms may be provided. In one embodiment, although not illustrated, the arm can form a single portion extending from or being attached to a first portion of the dispenser 10 and then can branch out into two separate arms that can each attach to a slot, such as slots 25, in a side wall of the dispenser 10.
In one embodiment, referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the one or more side walls 12 of the dispenser 10 can comprise an aperture 26 defined therein. The aperture 26 can be configured to receive a towel hook or other hook (not illustrated) to hang the dispenser 10 from the towel hook or other hook. In another embodiment, a hook attached to or formed with a base can be provided with the dispenser 10. A portion of the hook can be positioned within the aperture 26 and the base can be attached to a wall or other surface. In one embodiment, the base can be adhered to the wall or attached to the wall by other suitable methods known to those of skill in the art.
In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 5-7, the dispenser 10 is illustrated engaged with or hung from a towel bar using the arms 22. In various embodiments, referring to FIG. 8, the dispenser 10 is illustrated engaged with or hung from a towel ring. In any event, the arms 22 can surround a portion of the towel bar or the towel ring to retain the dispenser 10 to the towel bar or the towel ring. Although two arms are illustrated on the dispenser 10 of FIGS. 5-8, a single arm or more than two arms can instead be provided.
In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, any of the dispensers of the present disclosure can have a portion of the dispenser 10 indicated by arrow “A”. The portion can be used to engage a wall or other surface when the dispenser 10 is hung from or engaged with a towel bar, towel ring, to or other member to maintain the dispenser 10 in a vertical, generally vertical, somewhat vertical, or generally horizontal orientation and/or to provide support to the dispenser 10 during dispensing of the sanitary tissue products 18 therefrom.
In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 9-15, a dispenser 110 is illustrated. The dispenser 110 can comprise a top portion 112 defining an opening 114 therein and a base portion 116. The top portion 112 can be removable from the base portion 116 or the base portion 116 can be removable from the top portion 112. In one embodiment, the top portion 112 and the base portion 116 can be snap-fit, press-fit, or otherwise engaged with each other. In another embodiment, the top portion 112 can be pivotably engaged with the base portion 116. In any event, the top portion 112 and the base portion 116, when engaged with each other, can form a cavity within the dispenser 110. The cavity can be configured to receive one or more sanitary tissue products in the orientation illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, for example, or in other orientations. In one embodiment, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or any other suitable number of sanitary tissue products 118 can be provided in the dispenser 110 in any suitable orientation, size, or configuration (e.g., C-folded). In various embodiments, the base portion 116 can be weighted, can comprise a weight, or can have other attachment members (e.g., suction cups) thereon to maintain the base portion 116 or portions of the dispenser 110 against a surface on which the base portion 116 rests.
In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 10, 12, 13, and 14, an attachment member 118 can be configured to engage a slot 120 in the base portion 116 of the dispenser 10. The base portion 116 of the dispenser 110 can form a portion of the side wall 115 when engaged with the top portion 112 and the slot 120 can be formed in the side wall 115 of the base portion 120. End portions 122 or first and second end portions 122 of the attachment member 118 can engage portions or perimeter walls of the slot 120. The body 123 or other portions of the attachment member 118 can be used to engage a towel bar, a towel ring, a shower curtain rod, a toilet tissue holder, a door, or other suitable member to hang the dispenser 110 therefrom. In various embodiments, FIG. 16 illustrates the dispenser 110 hanging from a towel bar using the attachment member 118 and the slot 120 in the dispenser 110. FIG. 17 illustrates the dispenser 110 hanging from a towel ring using the attachment member 118 and the slot 120 in the dispenser 110. The attachment member 118 is illustrated engaged with a towel ring in FIG. 18, without the dispenser 110 being illustrated. The dispenser 110 and the attachment member 118 can be packaged together and sold or provided as a dispensing kit. The dispenser 110, in various embodiments, can also have the arms, tabs, and slots as discussed above with respect to the dispenser 10.
In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the attachment member 118 may not be provided and a hanger 124 can be provided with the dispensers of the present disclosure in a kit or sold separately. The hanger 124 can be rigid or semi-rigid. The hanger 124 can comprise a hook portion 126, a body 128, and a base 130. The hook portion 126 can be configured to engage or be hung from a towel bar 138, as illustrated in FIG. 19. The hook portion 126 can also be engaged with or hung from a towel ring, a shower curtain rod, door, the top of a toilet tank, and/or another member. In one embodiment, the base 130 can be configured to be positioned against a wall “W”. The base 130 can provide structural support to the hanger 124 owing to its positioning against the wall W. The base 130 can also prevent, or at least inhibit, the hanger 124 from rotating during dispensing of a sanitary tissue product 132 from a dispenser 110′ that is engaged with the hanger 124. In various embodiments, the body 128 can comprise a tab 134 extending therefrom. The tab 134 can be configured to engage a recess, aperture, or slot in a portion or side wall of the dispenser 110′ to retain the dispenser 110′ to the hanger 124 and/or to the body 128. In such a fashion, the dispenser 110′ can be maintained in a generally vertical or somewhat vertical position. FIG. 20 illustrates a front view of the hanger 124 comprising the tab 134. In other various embodiments, a tab can be positioned on a dispenser and a recess, aperture, or slot can be formed in a body of a hanger, such that the dispenser can be engaged with the body in a similar fashion.
In one embodiment, the cavities of the various dispensers can be configured to receive any number of unpackaged sanitary tissue products or one or more packages of sanitary tissue products. In various embodiments, the sanitary tissue products can be stacked, folded, rolled, or otherwise suitably manufactured and/or arranged such that they can be easily dispensed from the dispensers through one or more openings. In certain embodiments, the sanitary tissue products can be suitably manufactured and/or arranged such that one individual sanitary tissue product can be dispensed at a time. In the event that the sanitary tissue products are packaged, they can be packaged using a film wrapper, a polymeric film wrapper, paper, a wrapper comprising cellulosic and/or nonwoven fibers, a container, or any other suitable sanitary tissue product covering and/or containing material. Referring to FIG. 1, a wrapper having sanitary tissue products 18 positioned therein (i.e., a refill) may have an opening defined therein or creatable therein. The opening may be at least partially aligned with the opening 20 when the refill is positioned within the cavity 17. The sanitary tissue products 18 may be dispensed through the opening in the wrapper and the opening 20. The opening in the wrapper and the opening 20 may create frictional forces on the sanitary tissue products 18 to aid in dispensing one sanitary tissue product 18 at a time. The frictional forces on the sanitary tissue products 18 may also enable one sanitary tissue product to remain in a partially dispensed position (i.e., a position in which a sanitary tissue product 18 extends partially through the opening 20).
In one embodiment, refills of sanitary tissue products can be used with the dispensers of the present disclosure. The refills can comprise a plurality of sanitary tissue products configured to be dispensed using the dispensers. In various embodiments, the shape and size of the refills can be dependent on the shape and size of a particular cavity of a dispenser and/or the shape of a dispenser. In one embodiment, the refills can have a similar size and shape as the cavities into which they are to be positioned or a different size and shape (e.g., a smaller size).
In one embodiment, the dispensers of the present disclosure can be reusable or disposable. Disposable dispensers can be comprised of cellulosic fibers, such as paper stock, cardboard, paperboard, other fibers, and/or other suitable or biodegradable materials. In general, disposable dispensers can be purchased with a plurality of sanitary tissue products positioned in a receiving cavity thereof and such dispensers may or may not be refillable. Reusable dispensers can be comprised of plastic, metal, wood, anti-microbial materials, anti-bacterial materials, anti-microbial materials, and/or any other suitable materials. In general, reusable dispensers can be purchased with or without sanitary tissue products positioned in a receiving cavity thereof or with or without a refill of sanitary tissue products positioned therein. These reusable dispenses can be multi-use dispensers. When the supply of sanitary tissue products within a reusable dispenser is exhausted, a consumer can insert additional sanitary tissue products or a refill of additional sanitary tissue products into the cavity of the reusable dispenser. The refills can be purchased at the same store or location as the reusable dispenser was purchased. The refills can comprise films, polymeric films, and/or materials comprising cellulosic fibers and/or nonwoven fibers surrounding a plurality of sanitary tissue products. In one embodiment, a kit comprising a dispenser, one or more refills, and attachment member can be provided.
In one embodiment, the refills and/or the dispensers can comprise a perfume therein or thereon. In other embodiments, the sanitary tissue products within the refills can comprise the perfume. In still other embodiments, the film or other material forming the outer covering of the refills can comprise the perfume. Once inserted into a cavity of the dispenser, the perfume can diffuse through an aperture, a slot, or an opening in the dispenser into an environment surrounding the dispenser to provide a pleasant scent to the environment. In various embodiments, the dispensers of the present disclosure can have slots, apertures, or recesses therein configured to receive scent packets, such that a scent can be diffused into an environment surrounding the dispensers. In other embodiments, the scent packets may be attachable to the dispensers.
The various dispensers of the present disclosure can comprise transparent or see through “windows” that enable a consumer to view into the cavity of a dispenser and/or into a refill to determine how many sanitary tissue products remain or to determine the status of the sanitary tissue products. In one embodiment, at least a portion of a film surrounding a refill can be transparent or see through to allow a user to view the sanitary tissue products within the refill. The dispensers and/or the refills can comprise indicia, such as branding information, thereon or formed in outer surfaces thereof. In one embodiment, portions of the dispensers can comprise one or more light sources that can act as night lights, for example. In various embodiments, the one or more light sources, such as light emitting diodes or light bulbs, for example, can be operably linked to switches or motion detectors to activate the light sources. The lights sources can be powered by any suitable sources, such as a battery, for example. In one embodiment, the dispensers can comprise one or more sealing members configured to seal the cavities of the dispensers to inhibit air from entering and exiting the cavity. Such seals can be useful when sanitary tissues, such as wet wipes, are positioned within the cavities to inhibit the wet wipes from drying out. In other embodiments, the seals can be useful in inhibiting contamination, such as dirt, from entering the cavities. In one embodiment, the seals can be positioned intermediate the lid and the base. In various embodiments, a flexible membrane can extend into the openings of the dispensers. The flexible membrane can have one or more openings therein for dispensing sanitary tissue products, such as wet wipes, therethrough. The flexible membrane can help maintain sanitary tissue products, such as wet wipes, within a cavity of a dispenser in a wet or sanitary condition.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any embodiment disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such embodiment. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A dispenser for sanitary tissue products, the dispenser comprising:

a cavity defined therein, wherein the cavity is configured to receive one or more sanitary tissue products;

a portion defining an opening therein, wherein the one or more sanitary tissue products are configured to be dispensed through the opening; and

an arm extending from the dispenser, the arm comprising:

a first portion extending from a first portion of the dispenser; and

a second portion configured to removably attach to a second portion of the dispenser.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, comprising a second arm extending from the dispenser, the second arm comprising:

a first portion attached to a third portion of the dispenser; and

a second portion configured to removably attach to a fourth portion of the dispenser.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the arm is configured to engage the dispenser with a towel bar or a towel rack when the second portion of the arm is removably attached to the second portion of the dispenser.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the opening is shaped such that a portion of the sanitary tissue product forms a flame-like shape when the portion of the sanitary tissue product extends through the opening.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the arm comprises a tab on the second portion thereof.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein the dispenser comprises a side wall, and wherein a slot is defined in the side wall.

7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the tab is configured to removably attach to perimeter walls of the slot to retain the second portion of the arm to the side wall.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser defines an aperture therein, and wherein the aperture is configured to receive a portion of hook to hang the dispenser from the hook.

9. The dispenser of claim 1, comprising sanitary tissue products positioned within the cavity.

10. A dispenser for sanitary tissue products, the dispenser comprising:

a portion defining an opening therein, wherein the one or more sanitary tissue products are configured to be dispensed through the opening;

a side wall defining a first slot and a second slot therein;

a first arm comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends from a first portion of the side wall, wherein the second portion comprises a first tab, and wherein the first tab is configured to removably engage perimeter walls of the first slot such that the second portion of the first arm is removably engaged with the side wall; and

a second arm comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends from a second portion of the side wall, wherein the second portion comprises a second tab, and wherein the second tab is configured to removably engage perimeter walls of the second slot such that the second portion of the second arm is removably engaged with the side wall.

11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the side wall defines a third slot and a fourth slot, wherein the first tab is configured to removably engage the third slot, and wherein the second tab is configured to removably engage the fourth slot.

12. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the opening is shaped such that a portion of the sanitary tissue product forms a flame-like shape when the portion of the sanitary tissue product extends through the opening.

13. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein a second opening is defined in the dispenser, and wherein the sanitary tissue products are configured to be dispensed through the second opening.

14. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the first tab comprises a first recess defined therein, a second recess defined therein, and a projection.

15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the second tab comprises a first recess defined therein, a second recess defined therein, and a projection.

16. The dispenser of claim 10, comprising paper towels or hand towels within the cavity.

17. A dispensing kit for sanitary tissue products, the dispensing kit comprising:

a dispenser defining a cavity therein, wherein the cavity is configured to receive one or more sanitary tissue products, the dispenser comprising:

a side wall defining a slot therein; and

an attachment member comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the attachment member is configured to engage a first portion of perimeter walls of the slot and the second end portion of the attachment member is configured to engage a second portion of the perimeter walls of the slot to retain the attachment member to the side wall, and wherein the attachment member comprises a body configured to engage a towel bar or a towel ring to engage the dispenser with the towel bar or the towel ring.

18. The dispensing kit of claim 17, wherein the portion is a top portion, wherein the dispenser comprises a base portion comprising a portion of the side wall and defining the slot therein, and wherein the base portion of the dispenser is configured to be engaged with the top portion of the dispenser.

19. The dispensing kit of claim 17, wherein the dispenser comprises an arm comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends from a first portion of the side wall, and wherein the second portion comprises a tab configured to removably attach the second portion of the arm with a slot defined in the dispenser.

20. The dispensing kit of claim 19, wherein the tab comprises a first recess defined therein, a second recess defined therein, and a projection.