BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION It is known for persons to apply to their skin preparations which act as sunscreens, that is, which provide protection from the burning effects of the sun and/or as suntanning promoters, that is which accelerate the effect of sun in darkening the skin. Various types of containers are used for such preparations.

It is known that applying such preparations evenly to the skin is important in ensuring

that they work effectively. However, many of the containers in which such preparations are sold, either do not or may not assist in providing an even spread on the skin. Rubbing by hand a liquid, gel or cream, dispensed from a container onto a user's hand or directly onto the skin, or spraying a liquid onto the skin are examples where ideal results may sometimes not be obtained.

The present invention follows the surprising finding that applying such preparations by wiping a sheet of tissue impregnated therewith across the skin may be an at least useful alternative, particularly when each sheet of tissue is impregnated with the preparation, contained and dispensed in such fashion that each sheet of tissue has an at least approximately controlled quantity of the preparation therein when dispensed for use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided, in combination:- an elongate tissue, a preparation in liquid form, and a dispensing container comprising a lid, wherein: the preparation is impregnated in the tissue; the tissue is of substantially constant width along its length, wound in the form of a roll and located in the container with a first end of the tissue protruding from the centre of the roll adjacent to the lid; the tissue comprises a plurality of weakened areas spaced at least approximately at equal intervals along its length; the lid comprises an opening through which opening a user may feed the first end of the tissue and which is adapted to thereafter resist pulling of the tissue through the opening

by a user to such a degree that the preparation impregnated in the tissue is substantially retained in the tissue as the tissue is pulled through the opening and to such a degree that the tissue when thus pulled separates at a weakened area and a part of the tissue of length equal to one of the said intervals is thereby dispensed to the user; and wherein the preparation is adapted to be applied to a user's skin as at least one of a sunscreen and a sun tanning agent.

PREFERRED ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION It is preferred that the combination further comprise a second lid adapted to cover the opening and to cover a part of the tissue protruding through the opening.

It is particularly preferred that the second lid is sealingly engageable with the lid and attached thereto by a hinge.

To prevent deterioration of the preparation before use, it is preferred that there be provided in addition a detachable and at least substantially gas-tight shrink-wrap film covering the container.

To avoid chemical interaction between the preparation and bonding materials in the tissue, it is preferred that the tissue is a thermally bonded paper tissue.

Preferably the weight of the tissue is in the range of 20 to 30 grams per square metre.

It is particularly preferred that the weight of the tissue is in the range of 20 to 25 grams per square metre.

In one embodiment of the invention the preparation is a tanning agent.

It is then preferred that the quantity of the preparation is such, the total area of the tissue is such and the number of weakened areas is such that the quantity of the preparation impregnated in each successively detached length of the tissue is in the range of 3 to 5

millilitres.

It is particularly preferred in this case that the quantity of the preparation impregnated in each successively detached length of the tissue is approximately 4 millilitres.

In another embodiment of the invention, the preparation is a sunscreen.

It is then preferred that the quantity of the preparation is such, the total area of the tissue is such and the number of weakened areas is such that the quantity of the preparation impregnated in each successively detached length of the tissue is in the range of 1 to 3 millilitres.

It is particularly preferred in this case that the quantity of the preparation impregnated in each successively detached length of the tissue is approximately 2 millilitres.

Certain aspect of the invention will now be described in more detail by way of a non- limiting example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows in perspective view, a container, containing a tissue impregnated with a preparation, Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the container, Figure 3 shows a roll of tissue outside the container and partially unrolled.

INTEGER LIST 1. Container 2. Lid 3. Second lid 4. Hinge

5. Tissue 6. Roll 7. Opening 8. First end of tissue 9. Preparation 10. Weakened areas 11. Perforations DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH RESPECT TO THE DRAWINGS As shown in the figures, a container 1 is fitted with a detachable lid 2.

The lid 2 comprises a second lid 3, moulded in one piece with lid 2 and attached to it in such a manner that there is effectively formed a hinge 4.

A second lid 3 is adapted to sealingly engage with lid 2 to at least limit evaporation of contents of container 1.

In Figure 1, a tissue 5 is shown protruding through an opening 7 in the lid 2, as would be the case in normal use of the container 1 and the preparation. A preparation 9, being either a sunscreen or a tanning agent, or both, is in liquid form and impregnated substantially uniformly in the tissue 5.

In Figure 2, the tissue 5 is shown in a position wherein a first end 8 of the tissue 5 is adjacent to an opening 7 in the lid 2. The remainder of the tissue 5 is wound into the form of a roll 6.

First end 8 of the tissue 5 is pulled clear of roll 6 so that when a user detaches the lid 2 to push first end 8 of tissue 5 through opening 7 of the lid 2 in readiness for dispensing and use of the preparation and tissue 5, it is comparatively unlikely that the user will accidentally push a double thickness of tissue 5 through the opening.

This in turn increases the likelihood that only one sheet of tissue will be dispensed at a

time and that therefore there will be less temptation for the user to apply too much of the preparation.

The dimensions of the opening 7 are made of such a size that the resistance offered to the pulling out of tissue 5 is in such a range that individual sheets will be torn off the tissue 5 when or shortly after a weakened area 10 passes through the opening 7 and of such a size that impregnated preparation 9 is not squeezed out of tissue 5 as it passes through the opening 7. The size may easily be determined by trial with the intended tissue.

It has been found advantageous to use a thermally bonded tissue 5 as opposed to a chemically bonded tissue, to obviate difficulties with possible interaction between chemicals present in the tissue and the preparation 9.

Tissue 5, as shown in Figure 3, comprises weakened areas 10 in the form of rows of perforations 11. These rows of perforations are equispaced along the length of the tissue, so that each individual sheet detached from the tissue 5 as it is pulled through the opening 7 is of equal length.

The thickness of the tissue 5 is, in this example, 23 grams per square metre and the concentration of the preparation 9 in tissue 5 is, when preparation 9 is a sunscreen, 2 millilitres per sheet detached from tissue 5, that is between successive rows of perforations 11.

When preparation 9 is a tanning agent, a corresponding figure of 4 millilitres per sheet detached has been used.

Finally it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention.