Bulk package for individual dispensing of substantially wet sheets from stacks

Claim 2

A bulk package for individually dispensing substantially wet sheets from a stack of such sheets, which comprises a. a stack of the wet sheets; b. means for temporarily interconnecting the successive sheets within said stack producing a sheet-to-sheet force resisting separation of successive sheets and effecting removal of successive sheets outwardly from the package upon withdrawal of each preceding sheet therefrom; and c. a container receiving the stack of wet sheets and having i a cover having means for forming a substantially moistureproof seal between the container and the atmosphere; and ii a barrier overlying the stack of wet sheets and having a sheet restricting opening therein through which the wet sheets may be individually and successively removed when the cover is opened and including frictionally engaging means proximate said opening for contacting the adjacent surfaces of the successive sheets withdrawn from the stack such that when the sheet adjacent the barrier is pulled outwardly of the package the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet are drawn by and in contact with the sheet adjacent the barrier through the opening into contact with said frictionally engaging means which means produce a frictional force on the next succeeding sheet sufficient to overcome said sheet-to-sheet force resisting separation of the two sheets yet not so large that the force required to remove the sheet adjacent the barrier will tear either of such sheets, and said frictionally engaging means effecting separation of the sheets with the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet extending outwardly of the opening positioned for subsequent manual grasping and removal from the package.

Claim 3

The bulk package of claim 1, wherein the barrier opening is juxtaposed with the face of the uppermost sheet in the stack.

Claim 4

A bulk package for individually dispensing substantially wet sheets from a stack of such sheets, which comprises a. a stack of a plurality of individual wet sheets, the successive sheets of which are interfolded with one another to define a temporary inter-engaging means producing a sheet-to-sheet force resisting separation of successive sheets and effecting removal of successive sheets outwardly from the package upon withdrawal of each preceding sheet therefrom; and b. a container receiving the stack of wet sheets and having i a cover having means for forming a substantially moisture-proof seal between the container and the atmosphere; and ii a barrier overlying the stack of wet sheets and having a sheet restricting opening therein through which the wet sheets may be individually and successively removed when the cover is opened and including frictionally engaging means proximate said opening for contacting the adjacent surfaces of the successive sheets withdrawn from the stack such that when the sheet adjacent the barrier is pulled outwardly of the package the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet are drawn by and in contact with the sheet adjacent the barrier through the Opening into contact with said frictionally engaging means which means produce a frictional force on the next succeeding sheet sufficient to overcome said sheet-to-sheet force resisting separation of the two sheets yet not so large that the force required to remove the sheet adjacent the barrier will tear either of such sheets, and said frictionally engaging means effecting separation of the sheets with the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet extending outwardly of the opening positioned for subsequent manual grasping and removal from the package.

Claim 5

A bulk package for individually dispensing substantially wet sheets from a stack of such sheets, which comprises a. a stack of a plurality of individual wet sheets, the successive sheets of which are interfolded with one another to define a temporary inter-engaging means producing a sheet-to-sheet force resisting separation of successive sheets and effecting removal of successive sheets outwardly from the package upon withdrawal of each preceding sheet therefrom; and b. a container receiving the stack of wet sheets and having i a cover having means for forming a substantially moisture-proof seal between the container and the atmosphere; and ii a barrier overlying the stack of wet sheets and having a sheet restricting opening therein through which the wet sheets may be individually and successively removed when the cover is opened and including frictionally engaging means proximate said opening for contacting the adjacent surfaces of the successive sheets withdrawn from the stack such that when the sheet adjacent the barrier is pulled outwardly of the package the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet are drawn by and in contact with the sheet adjacent the barrier through the Opening into contact with said frictionally engaging means which means produce a frictional force on the next succeeding sheet sufficient to overcome said sheet-to-sheet force resisting separation of the two sheets yet not so large that the force required to remove the sheet adjacent the barrier will tear either of such sheets, and said frictionally engaging means effecting separation of the sheets with the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet extending outwardly of the opening positioned for subsequent manual grasping and removal from the package.

Claim 6

A bulk package for individually dispensing substantially wet sheets from a stack of such sheets, which comprises a. a stack of wet sheets, the successive sheets being connected to one another by a line of weakness to define a temporary interconnecting means producing a sheet-to-sheet force resisting separation of successive sheets and effecting removal of successive sheets outwardly from the package upon withdrawal of each preceding sheet therefrom; and b. 2 container receiving the stack of wet sheets and having i a cover having means for forming a substantially moisture-proof seal between the container and the admosphere; and ii a barrier overlying the stack of wet sheets and having a sheet restricting opening therein through which the wet sheets may be individually and successively removed when the cover is opened and including frictionally engaging means proximate said opening for contacting the adjacent surfaces of the successive sheets withdrawn from the stack such that when the sheet adjacent the barrier is pulled outwardly of the package the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet are drawn by and in contact with the sheet adjacent the barrier through the opening into contact with said frictionally engaging means which means produce a frictional force on the next succeeding sheet sufficient to overcome said sheet-to-sheet force resisting separation of the two sheets yet not so large that the force required to remove the sheet adjacent the barrier will tear either of such sheets, and said frictionally engaging means effecting separation of the sheets with the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet extending outwardly of the opening positioned for subsequent manual grasping and removal from the package.

Claim 7

A bulk package for individually dispensing substantially wet sheets from a stack of such sheets, which comprises a. a stack of wet sheets, the successive sheets being connected to one another by a line of weakness to define a temporary interconnecting means producing a sheet-to-sheet force resisting separation of successive sheets and effecting removal of successive sheets outwardly from the package upon withdrawal of each preceding sheet therefrom; and b. 2 container receiving the stack of wet sheets and having i a cover having means for forming a substantially moisture-proof seal between the container and the admosphere; and ii a barrier overlying the stack of wet sheets and having a sheet restricting opening therein through which the wet sheets may be individually and successively removed when the cover is opened and including frictionally engaging means proximate said opening for contacting the adjacent surfaces of the successive sheets withdrawn from the stack such that when the sheet adjacent the barrier is pulled outwardly of the package the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet are drawn by and in contact with the sheet adjacent the barrier through the opening into contact with said frictionally engaging means which means produce a frictional force on the next succeeding sheet sufficient to overcome said sheet-to-sheet force resisting separation of the two sheets yet not so large that the force required to remove the sheet adjacent the barrier will tear either of such sheets, and said frictionally engaging means effecting separation of the sheets with the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet extending outwardly of the opening positioned for subsequent manual grasping and removal from the package.

Claim 8

The bulk package of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a substantially rigid member having an opening which is restricted with respect to the dimension of the sheets presented thereto as the sheets are successively withdrawn therethrough.

Claim 9

The bulk package of claim 1, wherein the wet sheets in the stack have an average moisture content of at least 80 percent of their total weight.

Claim 10

A bulk package for individually dispensing substantially wet sheets, which have an average moisture content of from 100 percent to 400 percent by weight thereof, from a stack of such sheets, which comprises: a. a stack of individual inter-folded wet sheets; and b. a substantially moisture resistant and impermeable container receiving the stack of wet sheets and having i a cover having means for forming a moisture-proof seal between the container and the atmosphere, and ii a substantially rigid barrier member overlying the stack of wet sheets and having an opening which is restricted with respect to the dimension of the sheets presented thereto as the sheets are successively withdrawn therethrough, the opening being disposed in overlying relation with respect to the faces of the respective superposed wet sheets in the stack, and including frictionally engaging means proximate said opening for contacting the adjacent surfaces of the successive sheets withdrawn from the stack such that when the sheet adjacent the barrier is pulled outwardly of the package the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet are drawn by and in contact with the sheet adjacent the barrier through the opening into contact with said frictionally engaging means which means proDuce a frictional force on the next succeeding sheet sufficient to overcome the force resisting separation of the two sheets yet not so large that the force required to remove the sheet adjacent the barrier will tear either of such sheets, and said frictionally engaging means effecting separation of the said sheets with the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet extending outwardly of the opening positioned for subsequent manual grasping and removal from the package.

Claim 11

A bulk package for individually dispensing substantially wet sheets, which have an average moisture content of from 100 percent to 400 percent by weight thereof, from a stack of such sheets, which comprises: a. a stack of individual inter-folded wet sheets; and b. a substantially moisture resistant and impermeable container receiving the stack of wet sheets and having i a cover having means for forming a moisture-proof seal between the container and the atmosphere, and ii a substantially rigid barrier member overlying the stack of wet sheets and having an opening which is restricted with respect to the dimension of the sheets presented thereto as the sheets are successively withdrawn therethrough, the opening being disposed in overlying relation with respect to the faces of the respective superposed wet sheets in the stack, and including frictionally engaging means proximate said opening for contacting the adjacent surfaces of the successive sheets withdrawn from the stack such that when the sheet adjacent the barrier is pulled outwardly of the package the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet are drawn by and in contact with the sheet adjacent the barrier through the opening into contact with said frictionally engaging means which means proDuce a frictional force on the next succeeding sheet sufficient to overcome the force resisting separation of the two sheets yet not so large that the force required to remove the sheet adjacent the barrier will tear either of such sheets, and said frictionally engaging means effecting separation of the said sheets with the leading surfaces of the next succeeding sheet extending outwardly of the opening positioned for subsequent manual grasping and removal from the package.

Claim 12

The bulk package of claim 7, wherein the wet sheets are constituted of an absorbent cellulosic material and said sheets are wetted with an aqueous medium.

Claim 13

The bulk package of claim 7, wherein said container is formed of a plastic.