Tissue container

Abstract

A tissue container may include a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and four side walls between the top and bottom walls; a first opening through which fresh tissue can be dispensed; a second opening through which used tissue can be inserted; and a repository disposed inside the housing and having an opening circumscribed by the second opening to allow used tissue to be inserted into the repository. The repository is operably connected to the bottom wall and is flexible between a first state at which the repository is folded and a second state at which the repository is expanded towards the top wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tissue container, comprising:
 a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and four side walls between the top and bottom walls;   a top opening in the top wall through which fresh tissue can be dispensed;   a bottom opening in the bottom wall;   a repository disposed inside the housing between the top wall and the bottom wall for receiving and containing the used tissue in a separate volume from the fresh tissue; and   wherein the repository has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is connected to the bottom wall and the second portion has an opening through which used tissue can be inserted, and the first portion is movable from a compressed position to an expanded position as used tissues are inserted into the repository.   
     
     
         2 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the repository is folded in the compressed position such that the first portion is adjacent the second portion. 
     
     
         3 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the repository is configured such that in the compressed position the first portion is retained in a flat configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the repository is configured such that in the compressed position the first portion is retained in a flat configuration by a removably attached adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the repository is configured such that in the compressed position the first portion is retained in a flat configuration by a removably attached adhesive, wherein the removably attached adhesive is comprised of tape, adhesive putty, adhesive gel, glue, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the repository is configured such that in the compressed position the first portion is retained in a flat configuration by a removably attached adhesive, wherein the removable adhesive releases the expandable first portion as the first portion progressively expands in volume as used tissue is inserted into the repository. 
     
     
         7 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the repository is a bag having the opening at one end. 
     
     
         8 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the repository is a bag that expands in volume as used tissue is inserted into the repository through the opening. 
     
     
         9 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the repository is connected to the bottom wall around a perimeter of the bottom opening. 
     
     
         10 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the repository is connected to the bottom wall around a perimeter of the bottom opening, wherein the repository is connected to the housing to create a moisture resistant seal between the repository and the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the repository is a tube or another suitable expandable receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the repository is made of thin flexible plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening in the second portion of the repository is a slit. 
     
     
         14 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , wherein the repository is configured such that the second portion opening is expandable to enable receipt of a used tissue therethrough into the repository and retractable to narrow the bottom opening to prevent the used tissue from exiting the repository. 
     
     
         15 . The tissue container according to  claim 1 , comprising a reclosable door attached to the bottom wall of the housing and configured for movement between a closed position in which the door covers the second portion opening and an open position in which the door exposes the second portion opening,
 wherein the reclosable door includes a flap portion and a hinge portion that hinges the flap portion to the bottom wall of the housing, wherein the flap portion has an edge that frictionally engages a portion of the housing to maintain the reclosable door in the closed position.   
     
     
         16 . A tissue container, comprising:
 a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and four side walls between the top and bottom walls;   a first opening through which fresh tissue can be dispensed;   a second opening through which used tissue can be inserted; and,   a repository disposed inside the housing and having an opening circumscribed by the second opening to allow used tissue to be inserted into the repository;   wherein the repository is operably connected to the bottom wall and is flexible between a first state at which the repository is folded and a second state at which the repository is expanded towards the top wall.   
     
     
         17 . The tissue container according to  claim 16 , wherein the opening is a slit openable to enable receipt of a used tissue therethrough into the repository and closable to narrow the slit to prevent the used tissue from exiting the repository. 
     
     
         18 . The tissue container according to  claim 16 , wherein a portion of the repository adjacent the opening is operably adhered to the bottom wall such that the opening is circumscribed by the second opening. 
     
     
         19 . The tissue container according to  claim 16 , wherein the bottom wall has a reclosable door configured for movement between a closed position in which the door covers the opening in the repository and an open position in which the door exposes the opening in the repository. 
     
     
         20 . The tissue container according to  claim 16 , wherein the bottom wall has a reclosable door configured for movement between a closed position in which the door covers the opening in the repository and an open position in which the door exposes the opening in the repository, wherein the reclosable door includes a flap portion and a hinge portion that hinges the flap portion to the bottom wall of the housing, wherein the flap portion has an edge that frictionally engages a portion of the housing to maintain the reclosable door in the closed position.