EP2895042B1

EP2895042B1 - Paper product dispenser and related methods

Info

Publication number: EP2895042B1
Application number: EP13756494.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Justin SIEBEL
Original assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
Current assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health AB
Priority date: 2012-09-14
Filing date: 2013-09-04
Publication date: 2017-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-04
Also published as: AU2013314508A1; RU2605174C2; CN104619226A; CO7230331A2; CA2884726A1; WO2014040889A3; WO2014040889A4; RU2015113527A; US20140076917A1; CA2884726C; AU2013314508B2; EP2895042A2; WO2014040889A2; MX2015003106A

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is generally related to dispensers and, more particularly, to dispensers of napkins and other paper products.

BACKGROUND

Retail operations and, more specifically, food establishments such as cafeterias, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants that sell food items, are known to furnish paper products with the food items being sold. These paper products, such as napkins or paper towels, are furnished so that the customers may be able to wipe their hands and faces during and/or after consumption of the food items being purchased by them.
Dispensers of paper products are known. Conventional dispensers typically have an interior for storage of the paper products, and a dispensing mouth through which the paper products can be retrieved from the interior. Dispensers of this type require a specific orientation so that the paper products can be retrieved by the users. This is especially the case for dispensers that are designed to have the dispensing mouth on a side, rather than at the top, of the dispenser. In order to increase the number of useful orientations of dispensers, dispensers are known in the market place that have more than one dispensing mouth. For example, dispensers are known having two such dispensing mouths. But conventional dispensers of this type are rather complex, and often have internal components that limit the paper product-holding capacity of the dispenser.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide dispensers and methods for dispensing paper products that address these and other shortcoming associated with conventional dispensers of the types described above. Document US 2 069 264 A , EP 2 202 086 A1 , US 6 257 443 B1 and US 2 881 948 A disclose napkin dispensers with opposing dispensing mouths, in which spring-biased platens or pusher arms push the paper napkins towards the mouths. However, no provision is made to maintain the orientation of the platens or arms, and their inward and outward travel is structurally limited to less than half the dispenser length. Document US 6 257 443 B1 discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1.

SUMMARY

According to the invention, as defined by claim 1, a dispenser of paper products is provided. The dispenser has a plurality of walls defining an interior of the dispenser, with the interior being configured to store the paper products. Two dispensing mouths are located at oppositely disposed ones of the walls, and are configured to provide access to the paper products in the interior. The dispenser also includes a biasing member and a pair of support elements in the interior. The support elements are configured to support the products there against, and the biasing member urges each support element toward one of the dispensing mouths, wherein each of said support elements is a platen. The dispenser has a geometric center defined by the distance between the dispensing mouths, and each of the support elements is configured to move outwardly toward one of the dispensing mouths and inwardly away from that one of the dispensing mouths. The dispenser further comprises one or more continuous tracks or guides which are continuously engaged by respective recesses on side edges of the platens. At least one of the support elements is free to travel inwardly to reach at least the geometric center.
In a specific embodiment, the at least one support element is free to travel inwardly beyond the geometric center. The biasing member may be a spring, and more specifically a coil spring in some embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, the biasing member may be coupled to each of the support elements. The plurality of walls may include a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of end walls extending between the top and bottom walls, with the dispensing mouths being located at the end walls. Additionally, at least a portion of the top wall may have a first position defining an opening for loading the paper products into the interior, and a second, closed position. That portion of the top wall may be hingedly coupled to the rest of the dispenser to permit pivotal movement of that portion between the first and second positions.
The plurality of walls may also include a pair of side walls that extend between the top and bottom walls and between the end walls. Each of the support elements may be free to travel inwardly to reach at least the geometric center. Additionally or alternatively, each of the support elements may be free to travel inwardly beyond the geometric center. In specific embodiments, the interior includes a first holding volume for storing the paper products, with the first holding volume being defined between one of the support elements and one of the dispensing mouths. In those specific embodiments, the interior also includes a second holding volume for storing the paper products, with the second holding volume being defined between the other of the support elements and the other of the dispensing mouths. The sum of the first and second holding volumes defines a total holding volume of the dispenser.
In those specific embodiments, at least one of the support elements is selectively movable within the dispenser such that at least one of the first or second holding volumes is about 50% or more of the total holding volume of the dispenser. Additionally, each of the support elements may be selectively movable within the dispenser such that each of the first and second holding volumes is variable in the range between about 0% and greater than about 50% of the total holding volume of the dispenser. In other specific embodiments, the biasing member is detached from each of the plurality of walls. In other embodiments, the biasing member is also detached from the support elements.
In another not claimed embodiment, a dispenser of paper products is provided. The dispenser includes a plurality of walls defining an interior of the dispenser, with the interior being configured to store the paper products. Two dispensing mouths are located at oppositely disposed ones of the walls, with the dispensing mouths being configured to provide access to the paper products in the interior. The interior includes a first holding volume for storing the paper products, with the first holding volume being defined between one of the support elements and one of the dispensing mouths. The interior also includes a second holding volume for storing the paper products, with the second holding volume being defined between the other of the support elements and the other of the dispensing mouths. The sum of the first and second holding volumes defines a total holding volume of the dispenser. In that embodiment, at least one of the support elements is selectively movable within the dispenser such that at least one of the first or second holding volumes is at least about 50% of the total holding volume of the dispenser.
The dispenser may additionally have a biasing member disposed between the support elements to urge each of the support elements toward a respective one of the dispensing mouths. In a specific embodiment, each of the support elements is selectively movable within the dispenser such that the first and second holding volumes are each variable in the range between about 0% and at least about 50% of the total holding volume of the dispenser. Additionally, each of the support elements may be selectively movable within the dispenser such that the first and second holding volumes are each variable in the range between about 0% and about 100% of the total holding volume of the dispenser.
In yet another not claimed embodiment, a napkin dispenser is provided. The dispenser has a top wall, a bottom wall disposed opposite the top wall, first and second end walls disposed opposite one another and extending between the top and bottom walls, and a pair of side walls disposed opposite one another and extending between the top and bottom walls. The walls define an interior of the dispenser for storing napkins. The dispenser has a first dispensing mouth at the first end wall for accessing the napkins, and a second dispensing mouth at the second end wall for accessing the napkins. First and second platens in the interior support the napkins, with the first platen being movable inwardly away from the first dispensing mouth. The second platen is movable inwardly away from the second dispensing mouth. A spring urges the first platen outwardly toward the first dispensing mouth and the second platen outwardly toward the second dispensing mouth.
In that embodiment, the dispenser has a geometric center defined by the distance between the first and second dispensing mouths, and each of the first and second platens is free to travel inwardly to reach at least the geometric center. Additionally, each of the first and second platens may be free to travel inwardly beyond the geometric center. Further, the top wall may be pivotally movable between an open position to receive napkins into the interior, and a closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objectives and features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser of paper products in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with a top wall thereof in the open position.
FIG. 1B is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1A, illustrating a dispenser in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing internal components thereof in positions different from those in that figure.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing internal components thereof in positions different from those in that figure.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating an arrangement of exemplary paper products in the interior of the dispenser.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 6, illustrating another arrangement of exemplary paper products in the interior of the dispenser.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, illustrating yet another arrangement of exemplary paper products in the interior of the dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
With reference to the figures, and more particularly to FIG. 1, an exemplary dispenser 10 of paper products, such as napkins N, has a plurality of walls defining an interior 12 (FIG. 1A) that is configured to store the napkins N. Dispenser 10 may also be used to dispense other types of discrete or continuous paper products or other flat substrates made of nonwoven or other materials. In that regard, the reference to napkins N in the present disclosure is not intended to be limiting, but is rather provided for illustration purposes. Dispenser 10 has a top wall 14, as well as a bottom wall 16 disposed opposite the top wall 14. Side walls 18, also disposed opposite one another, extend between the top and bottom walls 14, 16. Dispenser 10 extends longitudinally between two end walls 20, 22, disposed opposite one another. Each of the end walls 20, 22 extends between the top and bottom walls 14, 16, and transversely between the side walls 18. While the exemplary dispenser 10 is generally box-shaped i.e., so as to have a square or rectangular cross-section, that shape is not intended to be limiting, insofar as other shapes are also contemplated to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
Dispenser 10 also includes a pair dispensing mouths 20a, 22a, located respectively at the end walls 20 and 22, which provide access to the interior 12. Specifically, the dispensing mouths 20a, 22a permit retrieval of napkins N from the interior 12 of dispenser 10. In this regard, the napkins N may be arranged within the dispenser in any suitably chosen form, to facilitate their retrieval. A contemplated exemplary arrangement of the napkins is disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. Patent No. 7,611,765 , entitled STACK OF INTERFOLDED ABSORBENT SHEET PRODUCTS.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, and further referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the top wall 14 may be entirely or at least partially separable from the rest of the dispenser 10, to facilitate loading of napkins N into the interior 12. For example, FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment in which the top wall 14 is hingedly coupled, through one or more hinging elements 25, to the rest of dispenser 10, so as to permit pivotal movement of top wall 14 between a first, open position (FIG. 1A), and a second, closed position (FIG. 1). In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 1B, the top wall 14 is selectively completely separable from the rest of the dispenser 10, to thereby define an opening at the top of the dispenser 10. In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the entire top wall 14 pivots away or is otherwise separable from the rest of the dispenser 10. Yet variations are contemplated in which less than the entire top wall 14 can pivot away or be otherwise separated from the rest of the dispenser 10. The rectangle 27 (shown in phantom) in FIG. 1B illustrates one such variation, in which only a central portion of top wall 14 can pivot away or be otherwise separated from the rest of dispenser 10.
Referring again to FIG. 1, and further to FIGS. 2-4, the dispenser 10 includes a pair of support elements that provide support to the napkins N during dispensing. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the support elements are in the form first and second platens 30, 32, respectively adjacent the first and second dispensing mouths 20a, 22a at end walls 20 and 22. The platens 30, 32 are made of a suitably chosen material or combination of materials, such as wood, plastic or metal. Each platen 30, 32 has a respective supporting surface 30a, 32a (FIG. 2) used to support and, more specifically, to exert pressure against the napkins N, as more fully explained below. Variations are contemplated in which the support elements are not platens, but which instead are in the form of bars, coils, or any other regular or irregular, continuous or discontinuous structure, so long as they include support surfaces capable of supporting napkins N there against, without damaging them.
A biasing element, such as a spring or some other device, urges the platens 30, 32 toward the dispensing mouths 20a, 22a. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2-8, the biasing element is in the form of a coil spring 36, although this is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting, insofar as other types of springs or other types of biasing elements (e.g., structures made of a highly resilient material) may be used instead. In this regard, a contemplated variation (not shown) uses the ends of the coil spring 36 as support elements, rather than using separate structures such as the platens 30, 32. Such variation is considered to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary coil spring 36 may be coupled to both of the platens 30, 32, for example by clips, fasteners, or adhesive elements, or even simply by friction. Alternatively, the coil spring 36 may be coupled to only one of the platens 30, 32, or instead may be completely detached from both of the platens 30, 32.
With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the space between the dispensing mouth 20a and the first platen 30 defines a first holding volume V₁ for storing the napkins N. Similarly, the space between the dispensing mouth 22a and the second platen 32 defines a second holding volume V₂ for storing the napkins N. When the coil spring 36 is fully compressed (FIGS. 3 and 4), the sum of the first and second holding volumes defines a total napkin-holding volume V_T of the dispenser 10.
Napkins N in either or both of the holding volumes V₁, V₂ exert inwardly-directed pressure against one or both of the support surfaces 30a, 32a, to thereby compress the coil spring 36. Further, when the dispenser 10 is at least partially loaded with napkins (FIG. 2), the natural expansive force of the compressed coil spring 36 exerts an outwardly-directed pressure against the platens 30, 32. This outwardly-directed pressure, in turn, causes the platens 30, 32 to exert an outward pressure against the napkins N supported by the respective surfaces 30a, 32a, which are thereby urged toward the dispensing mouths 20a, 22a. This outward urging of the napkins N facilitates their retrieval through dispensing mouths 20a, 22a.
With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and further referring to FIG. 5, smooth inward and outward movement of the platens 30, 32 is facilitated by one or more continuous tracks or guides 39, which are continuously engaged by respective recesses 42 on the side edges of the platens 30, 32. The engagement of the recesses 42 by the guides 39 is also operative to maintain a constant orientation of the platens 30, 32 as the platens 30, 32 travel inwardly and outwardly in the dispenser 10. As used herein, the term "inward" and derivatives thereof refer to travel of each of the platens 30, 32 away from the respectively adjacent dispensing mouth 20a, 22a, and toward one another. Similarly, the term "outward" and derivatives thereof refer to travel of each of the platens 30, 32 toward the respectively adjacent dispensing mouth 20a, 22a and away from one another.
The distance between the dispensing mouths 20a, 22a (and in this embodiment also between the end walls 20, 22) defines a longitudinal dimension (i.e., length) L of the dispenser 10, the geometric center C of which (FIGS. 3 and 4) corresponds to half the distance L. Notably, in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4, each of the platens 30, 32 is free to travel inwardly at least to the geometric center C, and more specifically beyond the geometric center C. This unrestricted travel is facilitated by the continuous shape, in the length dimension, of the guides 39, and by the absence of any other structures in dispenser 10 restricting the inward travel of the platens 30, 32.
FIG. 4 illustrates the dispenser 10 in a condition in which the first platen 30 is pushed effectively against the first end wall 20, thereby defining a first holding volume V₁ that is about 0% of the total napkin-holding volume V_T. Similarly, in that figure, the second platen 32 is at the farthest possible position thereof away from the second dispensing mouth 22a. The corresponding second holding volume V₂ in the illustrated positions of the platens 30, 32 in FIG. 4 is about 100% of the total napkin-holding volume V_T. These positions of platens 30, 32 may correspond to a selective use of the dispenser 10 that allows retrieval of the napkins N from only the second dispensing mouth 22a. FIG. 4 also illustrates a position of coil spring 36 that is different from the position of coil spring 36 in FIG. 3. The freedom of travel of coil spring 36 along the length L of dispenser 10 is facilitated by the absence of any coupling of the coil spring 36 to the top, bottom, or side walls 14, 16, 18 of dispenser 10. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the coil spring 36 may instead travel longitudinally along additional tracks or guides (not shown), or even along guides 39, rather than being free of restrictions, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-5. While not shown, an opposite arrangement is also possible, in which the first platen 30 is at the farthest possible position thereof away from the first dispensing mouth 20a and in which the second platen 32 is effectively pushed against the second end wall 20.
With continued reference to FIGS. 3-5, and further referring to FIGS. 6-8, the versatility of dispenser 10 is such that each of the holding volumes V₁ and V₂ is selectively variable in the range between about 0% and about 100% of the total holding volume V_T of dispenser 10. In the exemplary dispenser 10 of those figures, each of the holding volumes V₁ and V₂ is variable to at least about 50% of the total napkin-holding volume V_T of dispenser 10. This range of variability is provided, in the illustrated embodiments, by the exemplary structure of the dispenser 10. More specifically, in those embodiments, each of the platens 30, 32 is selectively movable from a position immediately adjacent a respective end wall 20, 22, to a position in which only the other of the platens 30, 32 and the fully compressed coil spring 36 prevent that one platen 30, 32 from reaching the opposite end wall 20, 22.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two exemplary respective positions of the platens 30, 32, with napkins N being stored in both of the holding volumes V₁ and V₂. The stacks of napkins N in both of those holding volumes V₁ and V₂ in those figures are illustrated as being different from one another. In those exemplary positions, napkins N can be dispensed from both of the dispensing mouths 20a, 22a. FIG. 8 illustrates other exemplary positions of the platens 30, 32. In that figure, the first platen 30 is effectively in an abutting relationship with the end wall 20, with napkins N being stored only in the second holding volume V₂, for dispensing only through dispensing mouth 22a.
Both of the platens 30, 32 in the embodiments of FIGS. 2-8 are selectively movable inwardly so as to reach the geometric center C or beyond. But it is alternatively contemplated that only one of the platens 30, 32 may have such range of motion. In other words, embodiments are contemplated in which one of the platens 30, 32 can reach (traveling inwardly) the geometric center C or beyond, while the other of the platens 30, 32 is restricted to travel inwardly to a position that is short of the geometric center C. Accordingly, alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the maximum holding volume V₁ or V₂ may be less than about 50% of the total napkin-holding volume V_T of dispenser 10, while the other maximum holding volume V₁ or V₂ is about 50% or greater of the total napkin-holding volume V_T of dispenser 10. These alternative embodiments are considered to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
While FIGS. 1-8 generally describe a dispenser 10 in which the dispensing mouths 20a, 22a are located at the end walls 20, 22, alternative arrangements are contemplated. In this regard, the exemplary orientation of the dispensing mouths 20a, 22a in those figures is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. For example, embodiments (not shown) are contemplated in which the dispensing mouths are located respectively at the top and bottom walls, or even at the side walls, rather than at the end walls, and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Yet other embodiments are also contemplated in which a dispenser has a number of walls that is less or greater than the six walls of the exemplary dispenser 10.

Claims

A dispenser (10) of paper products, comprising:
a plurality of walls (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) defining an interior (12) of the dispenser (10), said interior (12) being configured to store the paper products;

a pair of dispensing mouths (20a, 22a) at oppositely disposed ones (20, 22) of said walls, said dispensing mouths (20a, 22a) being configured to provide access to the paper products in said interior (12);

a biasing member (36) and a pair of support elements in said interior (12), said support elements (30, 32) being configured to support the products there against, said biasing member (36) urging each of said support elements (30, 32) toward one of said dispensing mouths (20a, 22a);

wherein each of said support elements (30, 32) is a platen;
wherein:
the dispenser (10) has a geometric center (C) defined by the distance between said dispensing mouths (20a, 22a),

each of said support elements (30, 32) is configured to move outwardly toward one of said dispensing mouths (20a, 22a) and inwardly away from said one of said dispensing mouths (20a, 22a); the dispenser (10) being characterized in that it further comprises one or more continuous tracks or guides (39) which are continuously engaged by respective recesses (42) on side edges of the platens (30, 32); and wherein at least one of said support elements (30, 32) is free to travel inwardly to reach at least the geometric center (C).
The dispenser (10) of claim 1, wherein said at least one of said support elements (30, 32) is free to travel inwardly beyond the geometric center (C).
The dispenser (10) of claim 1, wherein said biasing member (36) is a spring.
The dispenser (10) of claim 1, wherein said biasing member (36) is coupled to each of said support elements (30, 32).
The dispenser (10) of claim 1, wherein said plurality of walls includes a top wall (14), a bottom wall (16), and a pair of end walls (20, 22) extending between said top (14) and bottom walls (16), said dispensing mouths (20a, 22a) being located at said end walls (20, 22).
The dispenser (10) of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of said top wall (14) has a first position defining an opening for loading the paper products into said interior (12), and a second, closed position.
The dispenser (10) of claim 6, wherein less than the entirety of said top wall (14) is hingedly coupled to the rest of the dispenser (10) to permit pivotal movement thereof between the first and second positions.
The dispenser (10) of claim 5, wherein said plurality of walls includes a pair of side walls (18) extending between said top (14) and bottom walls (16) and between said end walls (20, 22).
The dispenser (10) of claim 1, wherein each of said support elements (30, 32) is free to travel inwardly to reach at least the geometric center (C).
The dispenser (10) of claim 9, wherein each of said support elements (30, 32) is free to travel inwardly beyond the geometric center (C).
The dispenser (10) of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tracks in said interior (12) restricting movement of said biasing element therein.