US20100264249A1

US20100264249A1 - Soap tape dispenser

Info

Publication number: US20100264249A1
Application number: US12/762,550
Authority: US
Inventors: Craig R. Sawicki
Original assignee: Kranson Industries Inc
Current assignee: TricorBraun Holdings Inc
Priority date: 2009-04-20
Filing date: 2010-04-19
Publication date: 2010-10-21

Abstract

An improved soap film dispensing system includes a dispenser having a dispenser body and a top cover pivotally connected with the dispenser body and at least a first roll suitable for insertion into said dispenser and carrying a length of water soluble soap film having a series of tabbed sections to enhance dispensing of the appropriate amount of soap film to the user.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims the priority of co-pending provisional application Ser. No. 61/170,986, filed Apr. 20, 2009.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of molded packaging and, more particularly, to an improved dispenser for water soluble soap film.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Water soluble films used as a carrier for personal care products such as soap or shampoo have been produced in the form of individual sheets, for example as generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,800,295 and 7,387,787. While these products provide a beneficial basic means for convenient storage and transportation of such personal care products, significant room for improvement remains.
For example, the production of these films in individual sheets requires an inefficient and more costly production process. Further, utilizing individual sheets limits the manner in which the film may be dispensed. While individual sheets may be suitable for sales of product to individual consumers, they are less practical for commercial or institutional use.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an enhanced means of producing and dispensing water soluble films for personal care products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention generally pertains to an improved system for dispensing a water soluble soap film material.
Another aspect of the invention pertains to means for dispensing an appropriate amount of water soluble soap film material to a user.
Yet another aspect of the invention pertains to an improved system for dispensing a water soluble soap film material that minimizes premature activation and dissolution of the soap tape material due to excess moisture within the dispenser.
In accordance with the above aspects of the invention, there is provided an improved soap film dispensing system that includes a dispenser having a dispenser body and a top cover connected with the dispenser body and at least a first roll suitable for insertion into said dispenser and carrying a length of water soluble soap film. The length of soap film is preferably pre-perforated to enhance dispensing of the appropriate amount of soap film to the user. A desiccant material may be incorporated into the dispenser, either molded into the structure of the dispenser or in the form of a separate desiccant body, to prevent premature activation and dissolution of the soap film material due to excess moisture within the dispenser.
These aspects are merely illustrative of the innumerable aspects associated with the present invention and should not be deemed as limiting in any manner. These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the referenced drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings, which illustrate the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and wherein similar reference characters indicate the same parts throughout the views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 from another perspective.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with the top cover removed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with the dispenser body removed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top cover for a dispenser according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the top cover of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the top cover of FIG. 6 from a different perspective.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the dispenser body for a dispenser according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser body of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser body of FIG. 9 from a different perspective.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a tape roll a dispenser according to another embodiment

FIG. 13 is a front view of the tape roll of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a soap tape material having tabbed sections according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. For example, the invention is not limited in scope to the particular type of industry application depicted in the figures. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.
FIGS. 1-13 illustrate an embodiment of a soap tap dispenser system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser system 100 includes a dispenser body 110 and top cover 200 that enclose two tape rolls 300. Each of these pieces and their constituent components can be manufactured using any suitable production method and raw materials. However, in the preferred embodiment, the closure is a molded from a material such as high density polyethylene, polyethylene, or polypropylene.
The system utilizes a water soluble, solid soap “tape” material formed into a roll. An example of a basic water soluble film material suitable for use in producing such a roll is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,800,295, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. For example, as described therein, a base composition may be utilized that includes from about 0.75% to about 5% by weight of a water soluble polymer, from about 6.5% to about 23% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol, and from about 0.75% to about 12% be weight of a humectant, with the preferred humectant being propylene glycol. The remainder of the base composition is water. Up to about 2% by weight of magnesium aluminum silicate may also be added to the base composition to enhance its slip characteristics. However, magnesium aluminum silicate results in a more viscous base composition, which, in turn, affects the thickness of the resulting soluble sheet product.
The preferred water soluble polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and the most preferred PVP is 2-pyrrolidone, 1-ethenyl-homopolymer having an average molecular weight of about 60,000 Daltons. Such PVP is available as PVP K-30 from International Speciality Products, in Wayne, N.J. Although it has been discovered that PVP is the water soluble polymer which works best in the base composition of the present invention, other water soluble polymers may be used in place of or in combination with PVP. These water soluble polymers include polyquaternium 10, magnesium aluminum silicate, VP/VA copolymer, ethyl ester of PVM/MA copolymer, and sodium magnesium silicate. A suitable polyquaternium 10 is available as Celquat CS 230M from National Starch in Bridgewater, N.J. A suitable VP/VA copolymer is available as PVA 735 from International Specialty Products in Wayne, N.J. A suitable ethyl ester of PVM/MA is available as Omnirez 2000 from International Specialty Products in Wayne, N.J. An acceptable sodium magnesium silicate is available as Veegum K from R. T. Vanderbilt in Norwalk, Conn. The level of water soluble polymer or combination of water soluble polymers used in the base composition should range from about 0.75% to about 5% by weight.
The polyvinyl alcohol functions as a film former, and it is used in conjunction with the water soluble polymer. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the polyvinyl alcohol used has a hydrolysis of between about 87% and 90%. A suitable polyvinyl alcohol having the preferred hydrolysis range is available as AirVol polyvinyl alcohol supplied by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. in Allentown, Pa. Either AirVol 540, having a hydrolysis of between about 87% and 89%, or AirVol 523S, having a hydrolysis of between about 87% and 90% is preferred. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, AirVol 523 S is used because it best enhances the solubility of the soluble sheet product. It has been found that a polyvinyl alcohol having a hydrolysis below 87% results in a sheet which is less soluble. Above 90%, the sheet again loses some solubility.
The preferred humectant is propylene glycol, which serves to aid the sheet product to absorb water. In addition to propylene glycol, other humectants which can be used as the humectant in the base composition of the present invention include: (1) glycerin; (2) dipropylene glycol; (3) glyceryl polymethracrylate; and (4) glyceryl polymethracrylate in combination with propylene glycol. The level of humectant used in the base composition is normally from about 0.75% to about 12% by weight. However, additional humectant can be added depending upon the end use and desired characteristics of the soluble sheet. However, the amount of humectant added should not adversely effect the formation of the soluble sheet product.
In the preferred embodiment of the base composition, from about 1.5% to about 2.5% by weight of PVP, from about 13.5% to about 14.5% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol, and from about 2.5% to about 3.5% of propylene glycol are used. In the most preferred embodiment, about 1.75% of a PVP having an average molecular weight of about 60,000 Daltons, about 13.91% of polyvinyl alcohol having a hydrolysis between about 89% and 90%, and about 2.94% of propylene glycol are used. The balance of the base composition is water.
In preparing the base composition of this invention, the water soluble polymer and water are placed into a heatable container. With constant agitation, polyvinyl alcohol is then slowly added to the water and water soluble polymer mixture. When the polyvinyl alcohol has become saturated (starts to swell), heat is applied until the mixture reaches about 180° F. The mixture is agitated throughout the heating process. Once the mixture has reached 180° F., heating is discontinued. At this point, the humectant is added. Preferably, agitation is continued until the mixture has cooled to about 120° F., although additives and water may be added to the base composition while it is still hot. The base composition can be stored in a tightly covered container. If it is to be stored for a long period of time prior to its use for formation of the sheet product, a preservative such as DMDM hydantion may be added. A suitable DMDM hydantion is available as Mackstat DM from McIntyre in University Park, Ill.
Various ingredients may be combined with the base composition depending upon the intended use of the final product. The base composition is compatible with a rather wide variety of surfactants, emollients, humectants, beads, exfoliating agents, colorants and fragrance additives. Once the desired ingredients have been combined with such the base composition, the resulting liquid product composition is then dried to form the water soluble sheet product. When the base composition is combined with such other ingredients, the level of PVP, polyvinyl alcohol, and propylene glycol in the liquid product composition should be as follows: about 0.15% to about 0.35% by weight of PVP; about 1.3% to about 2.78% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol; and about 0.15% to about 0.59% by weight of propylene glycol. In general, a liquid product composition useful for skin conditioning can include up to about 50% by weight of skin feel ingredients, about 15% to about 90% by weight of the base composition, with the balance of the liquid product composition being water. Although up to about 50% by weight of the liquid product composition may be skin feel ingredients, depending upon the chosen skin feel ingredient, less than 50% by weight of the liquid product composition should be used if formation of the soluble sheet product is adversely effected.
In general, when surfactant is added to the base composition, a composition useful for personal cleansing should include about 15% to about 90% by weight of the base composition, and to up to about 65% by weight of surfactant. As is discussed in more detail below, water soluble soaps, anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and surfactant blends may all be added to the base composition. The combined weight of surfactant should not exceed about 65% by weight of the liquid product composition; however, the amount of surfactant which can be added without adversely effecting the formation of the soluble sheet product depends upon the chosen surfactant.
When the base composition is blended with selected ingredients, it is preferred that the combination of the base composition and such ingredients include about 20% by weight of base composition. However, the amount of base composition used will vary depending upon the desired viscosity of the liquid product composition and the corresponding desired thickness of the soluble sheet product. In general, the more viscous the liquid product composition is, the thicker the soluble sheet product formed from the liquid product composition will be. The amount of surfactant added will vary depending upon the particular surfactant chosen and the effect desired by the user. The addition of water is not required for blending the base composition with a surfactant, but the change in the viscosity of the base composition and surfactant mixture caused by the addition of water will assist in the dispersal of additive components. Dilution with water will also reduce product cost and produce thinner sheets.
Anionic surfactants are the preferred surfactants for use with the base composition of the present invention. Anionic surfactants which are compatible with the base composition include ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and TEA-cocoyl glutamate. A suitable ammonium laureth sulfate is available as Standapol A from Cognis in Ambler, Pa. Sodium laureth sulfate is also available from Cognis as Standapol ES-2. A suitable TEA-cocoyl glutamate is available as Amisoft CT-125 from Ajinomoto USA, Inc. in Teaneck, N.J. When used as the surfactant in the making of the flexible sheet product of the present invention, anionic surfactants produce a quick and long lasting lather. Up to about 47% by weight of anionic surfactant can be added to the base composition of the present invention. Antibacterial agents such as triclosan, benzethonium chloride, chlorohexidine gluconate (CHG) and triclocarban may also be incorporated into the liquid product composition. Surfactants may be used which are typically used in a variety of personal care cleansing products. However, surfactants which are usually employed in household cleaning products such as laundry detergents may also be used in the soluble sheet product.
Volatile ingredients such as ethanol, petroleum ether, or isopentane can be incorporated into the liquid product composition to help enhance the drying of the soluble film product. These volatile materials serve to expand the liquid product, and, at room temperature, cause a skin to form over the inflated surface of the product. In the dried soluble film product, the skin remains semi-inflated, creating air pockets, or cells, in the soluble film product. Air pockets may also be created in the soluble film product by aerosolizing the liquid product composition. Alternatively, air pockets may be created in the soluble film product by incorporating surfactant and certain oils into the liquid product composition. For example, an addition of about 11% of sunflower oil to the base composition and about 10-12% ammonium laureth sulfate results in a soluble film product with air pockets or cells.
Once the desired ingredients have been incorporated into the base composition, the liquid product composition is preferably is spread onto a relatively flat surface to dry at room temperature. Alternatively, the liquid may be more rapidly dried by subjecting it to a heat, such as an oven. It has been found that drying the liquid product composition in about a 140° F. oven works well. However, higher temperature can be used for faster drying. Enhanced drying can also be accomplished through a heated spray system, vacuum, or other known drying methods.
While soap films have been previously used, the preferred embodiment of the disclosed system 100 utilizes a novel form of soap “tape” 350 that is perforated 352 at regular intervals along the length of the roll of material. Perforation of the material at these regular intervals enhances a user's ability to quickly and accurately obtain the proper amount of soap.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, the soap tape 360 is provided in “tabbed” sections 362. Each tabbed section 362 is separated by a perforation 364 in the form of a rounded V-shape with lateral extensions at the top thereof that extend to the sides of the soap tape 360. The form of these perforations provides a V-shaped tab at the free end of each tabbed section 362 that eases grasping of the tabbed section 362. The repeating nature of the perforations 364 result in each tabbed section 362 having such a tab. As with the standard perforation version of the soap tape 350. The tabbed section version 362 pre-divides the soap tape into sections of appropriate size for a single use.
The soap tape 350 is carried on tape rolls 300, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 12 and 13. Each dispenser system 100 can carry two such rolls 300. In the disclosed embodiment, each tape roll includes a central tube 302 around which the soap tape 350 is wrapped. End walls 304 at each end of the central tube 302 prevent the soap tape 350 from slipping off of the central tube 302 and keeps the tape 350 properly positioned for dispensing. The outside surface of each end wall 304 is provided with an end opening 306. These end openings 306 cooperate with the portions of the dispenser to help secure the tape roll 300 within the dispenser, as will be described in more detail below.
The dispenser body 110, illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 9-11, includes side walls 112, front wall 118, and rear wall 120. The bottom of the dispenser body 110 includes a floor 114 and a bottom skirt 116 extending below the floor. The bottom skirt 116 is essentially formed by extensions of the side walls 112 and front 118 and rear 120 walls. The bottom skirt 116 provides an aesthetically pleasing lower portion to the dispenser body 110. The dispenser body 110 is provided with an open top 122.
At the top of the rear wall 120 of the dispenser body 110 there are two female hinge portions 130 separated by an open space. Each of the hinge portions 130 contains a recess in its inner surface that faces the recess of the other female hinge portion.
Each side wall 112 of the dispenser body also includes small locking recess 132 along the top edge thereof, generally adjacent the front wall 118. Extending below and slightly outside of (i.e., closer to the inside of the side wall 112) each locking recess 132 is a locking tab 134. Each locking tab includes an extension 140 extending downwardly from the locking recess 132 and a locking tab lip 142 that extends slightly inwardly toward the middle of the dispensing body 110. These structures cooperate with mating structures on the top cover 200 as will be explained in more detail below.
Each side wall 112 of the dispenser body 110 is provided with a roll axle 126 that cooperate with one another to support one of the tape rolls 300 within the dispenser system 100. These roll axles 126 are in the form of a spherical indentation in the side walls 112. These spherical indentations extend inwardly into the interior of the dispenser body 110 in order to engage the end openings 306 of the tape roll 300. The tape roll 300 is also supported by a series of roll supporting extensions 124 that cooperate with the roll axles 126 to maintain the tape roll within its intended position in the dispenser body 110.
Each side wall 112 may also be provided with a viewing port 128 to enable a user to see the end wall of the tape roll 300 as it turns during dispenser. While primarily aesthetic in nature, the viewing port can serve a purpose of allowing a user to monitor the amount of soap tape remaining on the tape roll 300.
It should be noted that the dispenser body may be formed from two pieces, right half 136 and left half 138, to ease the molding process. In those embodiments utilizing a two piece dispenser body 110, each half 136, 138 of the dispenser body 110 will include one side wall 112 and half of each of the front wall 118, rear wall 120, floor 114, and bottom skirt 116.
The top cover 200, shown most clearly in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-8, is composed of two side walls 202 connected by a curved top 204. At the rear end of the curved top 204 is a male hinge that cooperates with the female hinge portions 130 to pivotally join the top cover 200 and dispenser body 110. At the opposite, front, end of the curved top 206 are a set of downwardly extending cutting teeth 212. These teeth 212 assist in the dispensing of discrete pieces of the soap tape 350. A bottom surface 208 lays between the two side walls 302 adjacent the cutting teeth 212. However, the bottom surface 208 does not extend all the way to the front wall 118 of the dispenser body 110 but rather leaves an open dispensing outlet 210 through which the soap tape 350 is drawn from the dispenser.
Similarly to the dispenser body 110, each side wall 202 of the top cover 200 is provided with a roll axle 216 that cooperate with one another to support one of the tape rolls 300 within the top cover 200. These roll axles 216 are in the form of a spherical indentation in the side walls 202. These spherical indentations extend inwardly into the interior of the top cover 200 in order to engage the end openings 306 of the tape roll 300. The tape roll 300 is also supported by a series of roll supporting extensions 214 that cooperate with the roll axles 216 to maintain the tape roll within its intended position in the top cover 200.
Along the bottom edge of each side wall 202 of the top cover 200 is a locking tab 218. The locking tabs 218 preferably extend downwardly to the inside of the side walls 202. Each locking tab is provided with a tapered lip 220. The locking tabs 218 are advantageously arranged to cooperate with the locking recess 132 and locking tab 134 of the dispenser body 110 to secure the top cover 200 in a closed position relative to the dispenser body 110. In particular, the locking tabs 218 of the top cover 200 are inserted into and through the locking recesses 132 of the dispenser body 110 when the top cover 200 is rotated into a closed position. As the locking tabs 218 of the top cover 200 are moved downward, they engage the respective locking tabs 134 of the dispenser body 110 until the tapered lips 220 of the top cover locking tabs 218 engage and are forced past the locking tab lips 142 of the dispenser body 110 by a slight temporary inward deflection of the top cover locking tabs 218. The engagement of the top cover locking tabs 218 and the dispenser body locking tabs 134 prevent the top cover 200 from being readily lifted upward away from the closed position. However, the top cover 200 may be released for movement into its open position by pressing on each side wall 202 of the top cover adjacent the top cover locking tabs 218. This action again temporarily deforms the side wall 202 in order to deflect the top cover locking tabs 218 slightly inwardly relative to the locking tabs 134 of the dispenser body 110. This action provides sufficient clearance between the tapered lips 220 of the top cover locking tabs 218 and the locking tab lips 142 of the dispenser body 110 to allow the top cover locking tabs 218 to pass by without interference.
In the preferred embodiment of the system 100, a desiccant 400 is utilized to control the presence of moisture within the system 100. The use of a desiccant 400 helps prevent the water soluble soap tape from prematurely dissolving prior to dispensing and intended use as a result of excess moisture building up within the dispenser. In one embodiment of the system 100, the desiccant is a separate body that is placed inside of the dispenser. In another embodiment, the desiccant is incorporated into the structure of the dispenser, namely the dispenser body 110, top cover 200, and/or tape rolls 300, itself. Incorporation of a desiccant material in a molded plastic container is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,909, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Examples of suitable separate desiccant bodies are generally known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
In operation, one or two tape rolls 300 are inserted into the dispenser to prepare it for use. To do so, the top cover 200 is released from its closed position relative to the dispenser body 110 in the manner described herein. A first tape roll 300 that has been loaded with soap tape 350 is inserted into the dispenser body 110 through the open top 122 such that the end openings 306 of the tape roll 300 are positioned between the roll axles 126 of the dispenser body 110 to secure it in position. A second tape roll 300 is then inserted into the top cover 200 through its open bottom in a similar manner such that the end openings 306 of the second tape roll are positioned between the roll axles 216 of the top cover. At that point, the user guides the free end of the soap tape 350 from the roll 300 and to the dispensing outlet 210 so that a portion of the soap tape 350 extends therethrough. Finally, the top cover 200 is pivoted from the open position to the closed position and locked in place by engaging the top cover locking tabs 218 and dispenser body locking tabs 134.
The user can then grasp the free end of the soap tape 350 extending from the dispensing outlet 210, pulling gently to remove additional soap tape from the tape roll 300 and draw it toward the user. In doing so, the user will generally be pulling the soap tape 350 forward toward the user and along the bottom surface 208 and against the cutting teeth 212. As the soap tape 350 is pulled forward a perforation 352 in the soap tape 350 will encounter the cutting teeth 212, thereby facilitating a clean separation of the desired piece of soap tape from the remainder of the roll. As will be readily seen, once a user has dispensed the entirety of the soap tape 350 from the tape roll 300 in the top cover 200, the empty tape roll may be removed and replaced with the tape roll stored in the dispenser body 110.
While the embodiment described herein makes reference to “soap” tape, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the system 100 of the present invention is suitable for use with water soluble bases carrying a variety of substances, such as shampoo, conditioner, shave cream, skin lotion, laundry soap, or other cosmetic, personal care, or cleaning items.
The preferred embodiment of the invention has been described above to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in the best mode known to the inventors. However, as various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiment, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An improved soap film dispensing system, comprising:

a dispenser comprising:

a dispenser body;

a top cover removably connected with said dispenser body; and

at least a first roll suitable for insertion into said dispenser and carrying a length of water soluble soap film thereon, said soap film comprising a plurality of tabbed sections.

2. The improved soap film dispensing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of tabbed sections are separated by a perforation having a rounded V-shape.

3. The improved soap film dispensing system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a desiccant disposed within said dispenser.

4. The improved soap film dispensing system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said desiccant is incorporated into at least one of said dispenser body and top cover.

5. The improved soap film dispensing system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said desiccant is in the form of a separate desiccant body removably placed within said dispenser.

6. An improved soap film dispensing system, comprising:

a dispenser comprising:

a dispenser body;

a top cover removably connected with said dispenser body; and

a roll suitable for insertion into said dispenser and carrying a length of water soluble soap film thereon, said soap tape film being perforated at regular intervals along a length thereof.

7. The improved soap film dispensing system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said soap film comprises a plurality of tabbed sections.

8. The improved soap film dispensing system as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said plurality of tabbed sections are separated by a perforation having a rounded V-shape.

9. The improved soap film dispensing system as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a desiccant disposed within said dispenser.

10. The improved soap film dispensing system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said desiccant is incorporated into at least one of said dispenser body and top cover.

11. The improved soap film dispensing system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said desiccant is in the form of a separate desiccant body removably placed within said dispenser.

12. An improved soap film dispensing system, comprising:

a dispenser comprising:

a dispenser body;

a top cover removably connected with said dispenser body;

a roll suitable for insertion into said dispenser and carrying a length of water soluble soap film thereon, said length of soap film comprising a plurality of tabbed sections; and

a desiccant disposed within said dispenser.

13. The improved soap film dispensing system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said desiccant is incorporated into at least one of said dispenser body and top cover.

14. The improved soap film dispensing system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said desiccant is in the form of a separate desiccant body removably placed within said dispenser.

15. An improved method of dispensing a soap film, comprising the steps of:

providing a length of water soluble soap film comprising a series of tabbed sections;

inserting said length of water soluble soap film into a dispenser body and closing said dispenser body with a top cover; and

separating one of said tabbed sections of said water soluble soap film at a time from said length of water soluble soap film.