Many people have experienced the frustration of reaching for a tissue, only to find the box empty at the worst possible moment—during an illness, allergy attack, or emotional moment. This common inconvenience could be addressed through a simple visual warning system built into the tissues themselves.

The Warning System Concept

One approach would be to manufacture tissue boxes where the last 5-10 tissues gradually change color, signaling that the box is running low. For example:

• The final 2 tissues could be bright red
• The preceding 3 might be orange
• The 5 before that could be yellow

This color progression would act like a fuel gauge, giving users advance notice to replace the box before it's completely empty. Unlike electronic solutions that require batteries or connectivity, this system would work immediately upon opening the box with no additional setup.

Implementation Advantages

For manufacturers, this could create product differentiation with minimal production changes - just adding colored dyes at specific points in the manufacturing process. Consumers might appreciate the convenience enough to pay slightly more, while businesses like offices and healthcare facilities could reduce complaints about empty boxes.

An initial version could test different color combinations and warning thresholds with focus groups before full production. The most intuitive system could then be rolled out as a premium product line, with potential for industry-wide adoption if successful.