Waste Compartment Securable to a Tissue Container

Abstract

The present invention is a compartment securable to an existing tissue container that enables a number of used tissues to be stored therein. The compartment includes a base attachable around an aperture formed in the tissue container and a container member secured to the base and extending inwardly into the tissue container. The container member includes a sleeve and a flexible liner that is treated or covered with an antimicrobial composition. When a cover for the compartment is opened, a used tissue can be inserted through the sleeve into the flexible liner to be held by the liner within the tissue container. As used tissues are positioned within the compartment, the liner operates to push the unused tissues within the container towards a dispensing opening for the tissue container.

1 . A secondary compartment adapted for use with a tissue container to hold used tissues therein, the secondary compartment comprising:
 a) a base member adapted to be secured within an opening in the tissue container and including a container member extending inwardly into the tissue container; and   b) a cover member connected to the base member and operable to selectively open and close the compartment for positioning utilize tissues therein.   
   
   
       2 . The secondary compartment of  claim 1  wherein the container member is formed as a flexible liner. 
   
   
       3 . The secondary compartment of  claim 2  wherein the container member includes a sleeve connected to the base member and wherein the flexible liner is connected to the sleeve opposite the base member. 
   
   
       4 . The secondary compartment of  claim 3  wherein the flexible liner is positionable within the sleeve. 
   
   
       5 . The secondary compartment of  claim 1  wherein the container member is formed with an antimicrobial coating. 
   
   
       6 . The secondary compartment of  claim 1  wherein the cover member is connected to the base member by a hinge. 
   
   
       7 . The secondary compartment of  claim 6  wherein the cover member is integrally connected to the base member. 
   
   
       8 . The secondary compartment of  claim 1  wherein the cover member includes a number of tabs engageable with the container member. 
   
   
       9 . The secondary compartment of  claim 8  wherein the container member includes a number of recesses engageable with the tabs on the cover member. 
   
   
       10 . The secondary compartment of  claim 1  wherein the base member includes antimicrobial material formed integrally therein. 
   
   
       11 . A tissue container comprising:
 a) a first compartment including a top wall having a dispensing opening, a bottom wall, a number of side walls interconnecting the top wall and the bottom wall, and an aperture disposed in one of the top wall, bottom wall, or side walls;   b) a second compartment having a base member secured within the aperture, a container member secured to the base member and disposed within the first compartment, and a closure secured to the base member and operable to selectively open and close the second compartment.   
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the container member includes a sleeve connected to and extending inwardly into the first compartment from the base member. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 12  wherein the container member includes a flexible liner secured to the sleeve opposite the base member. 
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the closure is secured to the base member by a hinge. 
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the closure is releasably secured to the base member opposite the hinge. 
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the closure is integrally formed with the base member. 
   
   
       17 . A method for storing used tissues within a tissue container, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a tissue container having a first compartment including a top wall having a dispensing opening, a bottom wall, and a number of side walls interconnecting the top wall and the bottom wall;   b) forming an aperture in one of the top wall, bottom wall, or side walls of the first compartment;   c) securing a second compartment within the aperture, the second compartment including a base member secured within the aperture, a container member secured to the base member and disposed within the first compartment, and a closure secured to the base member and operable to selectively open and close the second compartment; and   d) opening the second compartment to position a used tissue therein.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the container member includes a sleeve secured to the base member and a flexible liner secured to the sleeve opposite the base member, and further comprising the step of inserting the used tissue through the sleeve into the flexible liner after opening the second compartment.