JP2015511839A - Automatic napkin dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application provides a napkin dispenser for dispensing a plurality of folded napkins from sheet material to an end user. The napkin dispenser includes a loading station for loading sheet material, a folding station for folding the napkin from the sheet material, and a providing station for providing one or more of the folded napkins to the end user. obtain.

Description

  This application, and the resulting patent, generally relates to a napkin dispenser, and in particular, collapses one or more napkins, or groups of napkins, from a continuous roll of sheet material in a controlled and effective manner. It relates to an automatic napkin dispenser for dispensing.

  A dispenser, such as a napkin dispenser, is generally configured to allow an end user to retrieve a product, such as a napkin, for personal use. Conventional dispensers properly dispense the product inside, but such dispensers have no control mechanism, allowing the end user to take any number of napkins. Furthermore, such conventional dispensers tend to allow the napkin to become soiled due to contact with the surrounding environment during storage and / or dispensing. As such, excessive distribution of napkins, prematurely soiled napkins, and other types of wasteful consumption can lead to unnecessary business costs.

  Known dispensers typically provide a bundle of folded napkins therein. Facilities such as quick service restaurants need to maintain a prepared supply of such napkins and constantly refill dispensers to ensure customer satisfaction. However, such pre-folded napkins can generally be more expensive than, for example, a continuous roll of napkin material or other types of sheet material. More napkins can be made from such a continuous sheet of material. In addition, pre-folded napkins require time and expense to continuously refill the dispenser.

  Accordingly, there is a need for an improved napkin dispenser and method for dispensing napkins and the like. Such an improved dispenser and method provides a controlled automatic of napkins and similar types of paper products in an economical, efficient and clean manner to limit or eliminate unnecessary consumption and costs. Distribution can be realized.

  Thus, the present application and the resulting patent may provide a napkin dispenser for dispensing a plurality of folded napkins from a continuous roll of sheet material to an end user. The napkin dispenser may include a loading station for loading sheet material, a folding station for folding the napkin from the sheet material, and a providing station for providing one or more of the folded napkins to the end user. .

  The present application, and resulting patents, may further provide a buckling and folding assembly for folding a sheet of material. The buckling folding assembly may include a first pinch roller pair, a second pinch roller pair downstream of the first pinch roller pair, and a buckling tray adjacent to the second pinch roller pair. The tail of the material sheet fills the bucket chamber and the crease in the material sheet is forced through the second pair of pinch rollers.

  The present application and the resulting patent may further provide a slot folding assembly for folding a sheet of material. The slot folding assembly includes a vertical plate having a slot, a pusher plate disposed adjacent to the slot through which the material sheet extends, and for pushing the pusher plate and the material sheet into the slot to crease the material sheet. Plate drive motors.

  The present application, and the resulting patent, may further provide an inverted folding assembly for folding a sheet of material. The reverse folding assembly can include a multi-roller mechanism and a reverse drive mechanism. The reversal drive mechanism may include a first drive roller, a second drive roller, and a directional roller so that the directional roller rotates in a first direction to advance the material sheet and folds the material sheet. Rotate in the second direction to attach.

  The present application, and the resulting patent, may further provide a push-fold assembly for folding a sheet of material. The indentation folding assembly includes a knife assembly for separating a sheet of material, a pusher bar disposed adjacent to the knife assembly, a slot, the material sheet being forced through the slot, and a crease And a slot disposed adjacent to the pusher bar.

  These and other features and improvements of this application and the resulting patent will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the several drawings and appended claims. It will be.

1 is a schematic view of a napkin dispenser that can be described herein. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example napkin dispenser that may be described herein with a partially transparent outer shell. FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the napkin dispenser of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of a napkin dispenser that may be described herein having a partially transparent shell. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of a napkin dispenser that may be described herein having a partially transparent shell. FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the napkin dispenser of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth alternative embodiment of a napkin dispenser that may be described herein having a partially transparent outer shell. FIG. 8 is a partial side view of the napkin dispenser of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth alternative embodiment of a napkin dispenser that may be described herein having a partially transparent shell. FIG. 10 is a partial side view of the napkin dispenser of FIG. 9. 7 is a perspective view of a sixth alternative embodiment of a napkin dispenser that may be described herein having a partially transparent shell. FIG. FIG. 12 is a partial side view of the napkin dispenser of FIG. 11. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a seventh alternative embodiment of a napkin dispenser that may be described herein having a partially transparent outer shell. FIG. 14 is a partial side view of the napkin dispenser of FIG. 13. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of napkin dispensers that may be described herein in several different configurations. FIG.

  Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a napkin dispenser 100 as may be described herein. ing. As described in detail below, the napkin dispenser 100 can take a number of different sizes, shapes and configurations, and can use a number of different types of components. Further, the components described in the following examples may be compatible such that the napkin dispenser 100 is not limited to any given component or structure of any one example. Rather, any of the components described herein can be used together in any combination or orientation.

  Generally described, the napkin dispenser 100 may use one or more continuous rolls 110 of sheet material 120. Any number of rolls 110 can be used in the napkin dispenser 100. The sheet material 120 may comprise any type of natural and / or artificial cloth or paper sheets, including woven and non-woven articles. The sheet material 120 may or may not include perforations at a given interval. The leading edge of the sheet material 120 of each roll 110 can be considered a tail 125. The napkin dispenser 100 separates and folds the sheet material 120 to create a plurality of napkins 130 having folds 135. The crease 135 can be a tight crease with pleats, rather it can be a “U” or “C” shaped structure. In addition, a number of folds 135 can be provided, i.e., "Z" shaped folds or dinner napkin creases.

  Thus, the napkin dispenser 100 includes a plurality of stations to make the napkin 130 from the sheet material 120 of the roll 110. These stations may include a loading station 140. The loading station 140 receives a roll 110 of sheet material 120. The loading station 140 can include a loading mechanism 145 and a feeding mechanism 150. The napkin dispenser 100 may also include a folding station 160. The folding station 160 can perform multiple functions. Thus, the folding station 160 can include a folding mechanism 170 and a cutting mechanism 180. The folding mechanism 170 may perform napkin separation with or without the cutting mechanism 180 as the speed mechanism 185, as described in detail below.

  Napkin dispenser 100 may also include a providing station 190. The providing station 190 provides the napkin 130 to the end user. Napkin dispenser 100 may also include a user interface 200. The user interface 200 may allow the end user to select the number of napkins 130, etc., as well as allow the end user to start dispensing. These stations and other components of the napkin dispenser 100 may be wholly or partially enclosed within the outer shell 210. The outer shell 210 can be made from any type of substantially rigid material. Outer shell 210 may have one or more loading doors 220. The napkin dispenser 100 may be in communication with a cash register 225 or other type of instruction or input device. Also, other components and other mechanisms may be used here in a number of different structures.

  FIGS. 2 and 3 show a first example of a napkin dispenser 100 as may be described herein as a single roll, buckling fold, horizontal dispenser 230. The dispenser 230 can include a single roll 110. A single roll 110 may have a plurality of perforations 235 with substantially uniform spacing. The loading mechanism 145 of the loading station 140 may include a slot mechanism 245 having a pair of spindle plugs 240 in the roll 110 and a pair of slots 250 formed in the outer shell 210. The slot 250 is configured to receive the spindle plug 240. The loading door 220 can also have a pusher finger 260 sized to receive the sheet material 120 as described below.

  The folding station 160 can include a folding mechanism 170 in the form of a buckling folding mechanism 270. The buckling and folding mechanism 270 can include a first pair of pinch rolls 280 and a second pair of pinch rolls 290. The buckling folding mechanism 270 can also include a buckling tray 300 and a distribution shelf 310. A pair of first pinch rolls 280 can be positioned with respect to roll 110 and loading door 220. The second pair of pinch rolls 290 can be disposed downstream with respect to the buckling tray 300 and the distribution shelf 310. The pair of second pinch rolls 290 may be collinear with the set of first pinch rolls 280 when the tail 125 is lowered. The buckling tray 300 can be sized to accommodate the desired length of the napkin 130. The pinch rolls 280, 290 may be spring biased and may be motor driven. Each pair of pinch rolls 280, 290 may be driven at a different speed. A stripper finger between the pinch rollers can also be used here.

  The providing station 190 can include a providing tray 330. The providing tray 330 may be half covered. The delivery tray 330 may include an offset angle 340 to overlap the napkin 130. The buckling tray angle 340 may be about 140 degrees or the like. Other angles may be used here. The delivery tray 330 may also have a number of retracting shelves, as will be described in detail below. User interface 220 may include a plurality of push buttons 350. The push button 350 may be any kind of mechanical or electrical selector or the like. Push button 350 may indicate the number of napkins 130 to be dispensed. Although pushbuttons 350 for two, four, and six napkins 130 are shown, any number of napkins 130 may be used here with any number or orientation of pushbuttons 350.

  In use, the roll 110 can be dropped into the outer shell 210 via the loading door 220 along the slot 250 of the slot mechanism 245. The tail 125 of the roll 110 can be disposed on the first pair of pinch rollers 280. The pushing finger 260 of the loading door 220 can push the tail 125 between the pair of first pinch rollers 280 to load the tail 125 when the loading door 220 is closed. The buckling folding mechanism 270 attaches the fold 135 by pushing the tail 125 into the buckling tray 300. Once the tail 125 hits the end of the buckling tray 300, the second pair of pinch rollers 290 pulls the crease 135 between them. The perforations 235 may be separated based on the speed difference between the pair of first and second pinch rollers 280, 290 acting as a speed mechanism 185. The speed difference may be about 2-1, such as separating the perforations 235 between the pinch rollers 280, 290. Once the perforations 235 are separated, the napkin 130 can fall along the distribution shelf 310 onto the delivery tray 330. Specifically, the number of napkins 130 indicated by the push button 350 can fall on the providing tray 330. The napkin 130 can be removed as a group by the end user. The providing tray 330 can then be reloaded as described above. Other components and other structures can be used here.

  FIG. 4 shows another example of a single roll, buckling fold, vertical dispenser 360. The dispenser 360 can be generally the same as the dispenser 230 described above, except for the user interface 200. Instead of pushbutton 350, user interface 200 may include one or more sensors 370. Each sensor 370 may be any type of motion sensor that does not require physical contact, such as photoelectric or infrared. The sensor 370 can be placed anywhere on the outer shell 210. Accordingly, the dispenser 360 can be activated by the end user shaking hands around. The dispenser 360 can be configured to dispense a predetermined number of napkins 130, or can dispense only one napkin 130 for each end user hand shake around the sensor 370. The dispenser 360 may dispense the napkin 130 to the delivery tray 330 or directly to the end user's hand. The providing tray 330 can then be reloaded as described above. Other components and other structures may be used here.

  FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third example of a napkin dispenser 100 as may be described herein as a multiple roll, slot fold, vertical dispenser 380. The dispenser 380 can include more than one roll 110. In this case, the first roll 390 and the second roll 400 can be used, but any number can be used here. The loading mechanism 145 of the loading station 140 may include a door loading mechanism 405 having a plurality of loading doors 220. Each roll 390, 400 may have its own loading door 220, the first roll 390 has a first loading door 410, and the second roll 400 has a second loading door 420. Each door 410, 420 can be held in an open state via a door column 430. The door column 430 may include a column rod that operates with a pen click-like mechanism or the like. The loading doors 410 and 420 can be held in a closed state via a magnet or the like. The feed mechanism 150 can include a roller mechanism 435, where each door 410, 420 has a pair of spring-biased pinch rollers. Specifically, a pair of first pinch rollers 440 can be disposed with respect to the first door 410 and a pair of second pinch rollers 450 can be disposed with respect to the second door 420. One of the rollers 440, 450 can be placed on each of the doors 410, 420 with one placed inside. Other locations may be used here. The pinch rollers 440 and 450 may be motor-driven, that is, drive rollers. A sensor may be used to measure when one of the rolls 390, 400 is exhausted, thereby activating the pair of pinch rollers 440, 450 of the other roller.

  The folding station 160 of the dispenser 380 may include the folding mechanism 170 as the slot folding mechanism 460. The slot folding mechanism 460 can include a vertical plate 470 having a narrow slot 480. A horizontal pusher plate 490 may be disposed on the opposite side of the slot 480 and may include a plate drive motor 500 for generally horizontal movement. The upper edge of slot 480 can generate as little friction as possible, and the lower edge can generate frictional forces around it. As such, sharp, slightly offset corners can be used. The leading edge of the pusher plate 490 may also have a sharp corner to generate a frictional force. A plurality of pusher plates 490 may be used here. The slot folding mechanism 460 may have an assembly drive mechanism 510 to move the slot folding mechanism 460 up and down vertically or in any direction. Any type of drive mechanism may be used here.

  The providing station 190 may take the form of a plurality of slot providing trays 530. Multiple slot providing trays 530 may have a plurality of slots 540 therein. The first group 550 of slots 540 can accommodate two napkins 130, the second group 560 of slots 540 can accommodate four napkins 130, and the third group 570 of slots 540 can accommodate six napkins 130. Can be accommodated. A group of slots can accommodate any number of napkins 130. Any number of groups may be used here. Any type of user interface 200 may be used here.

  In use, the first roll 390 can be loaded via the first door 410 and the second roll 400 can be loaded via the second door 420 of the door loading mechanism 405. The tail 125 of each roll 390, 400 can be arranged for each pair of pinch rollers 440, 450 of the roller mechanism 435 and can be fed into the pinch rollers 440, 450. As each pair of pinch rollers 440, 450 pulls the sheet material 120 downward, the pusher plate 490 of the slot folding mechanism 460 pushes the sheet material 120 into the slot 480 to make a crease 135. While the force of the pusher plate 490 can also separate the perforations 235, the leading edge of the next napkin 130 is held through a pair of pinch rollers 440, 450. The pusher plate 490 can then be pulled to leave the napkin 130 in one of the slots 540. The slot folding mechanism 460 can be moved vertically via the assembly drive mechanism 510 so that the napkin 130 is placed in the respective slot 540 of the group 550, 560, 570 by the pusher plate 490. Can do. An appropriate group of napkins 130 can be retrieved by the end user. The providing tray 530 can then be reloaded as described above. Other components and other structures may be used here.

  FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a fourth example of a napkin dispenser 100 that may be described herein as a multi-roll, inverted folding, vertical dispenser 580. The dispenser 580 can use a plurality of rolls 110. In this example, first roll 590 and second roll 600 are used, but any number of rolls 110 may be used here. The loading mechanism 145 of the loading station 140 may include a side door loading mechanism 405 having one or more side loading doors 610. The rolls 590, 600 may be spindle biased via the side loading door 610. The first roll 590 may be unwound along the back surface 620 of the outer shell part 210, and the second roll 600 may be unwound along the front surface 630 of the outer shell part 210. A sheet guide 640 can be used between the rolls 590,600.

  The feed mechanism 150 may take the form of a multi-roller mechanism 650. The multi-roller mechanism 650 can be disposed under the rolls 590 and 600. The multi-roller mechanism 650 can include an upper supply roller 660 and a pair of lower directional rollers, a first directional roller 670 and a second directional roller 680. Some or all of the rollers 660, 670, 680 may be motor driven. The upper supply roller 660 can cooperate with the first directional roller 670 to pull the sheet material 120 from the first roller 590, while the upper supply roller 660 can cooperate with the second directional roller 680 to move the sheet material 120 to the first direction. 2 rolls can be pulled from 600. By arranging the pushing finger 690 adjacent to the side loading door 610, the tail 125 of each roll 590, 600 can be pushed into the multi-roller mechanism 650. Other arrangements may be used here.

  The folding station 160 of the dispenser 580 can include a folding mechanism 170 in the form of a reverse folding mechanism 700. The reverse folding mechanism 700 can include a reverse drive mechanism 710 disposed downstream of the multi-roller mechanism 650. The reverse drive mechanism 710 can include a pair of drive rollers, that is, a first drive roller 720 and a second drive roller 730, and a directional roller 740. Some or all of the rollers 720, 730, 740 may be motor driven. The reverse folding mechanism 700 can also include a pair of rollers 750 disposed downstream of the reverse folding mechanism 700. Roller 750 may be spring biased and motor driven.

  Delivery station 190 may include a delivery tray 760. The providing tray 760 may be partially covered. The providing tray 760 can be disposed at either or both ends 620, 630 of the outer shell portion 210. The user interface 200 may take the form of an adjustable knob 770 or other type of selector to indicate the number of napkins 130 to be dispensed.

  In use, the rolls 590, 600 can be loaded through the side loading door 610 of the side door loading mechanism. The tail 125 of the first roll 590 can extend along the back surface 620 toward the multi-roller mechanism 650, while the tail 125 of the second roll 600 can extend along the front surface 630 toward the multi-roller mechanism 650. . The pushing finger 690 supplies the tail 125 to the multi-roller mechanism 650 when the side door 610 is closed. When the first roll 590 is dispensed, the upper supply guide roller 660 of the multi-roller mechanism 650 can rotate counterclockwise while the first directional roller 670 rotates clockwise. When the second roll 600 is dispensed, the upper supply guide roller 660 can rotate in the clockwise direction, while the second directional roller 680 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. (These directions of rotation are examples and simply refer to relative as opposed to absolute directions. Any direction of rotation may be used herein in any order or orientation.)

  In either direction, the tail 125 is supplied from the multi-roller mechanism 650 to the reverse drive mechanism 710 of the reverse folding mechanism 700. The first drive roller 720 can rotate in the clockwise direction, while the second drive roller 730 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, thereby pulling the tail 125 downward. Directional roller 740 may rotate counterclockwise to advance sheet material 120 to a desired length. Thereafter, the directional roller 740 can reverse the direction so that a fold 135 is formed and captured by the downstream roller 750. The speed difference between the multi-roller mechanism 650 and the reverse drive mechanism 710 acting as a speed mechanism 185 to separate the perforations 235. Thereafter, the directional roller 740 may reverse direction again to continue pulling the sheet material 120 downward. The napkin 130 folded here falls onto the providing tray 760. The appropriate group of napkins 130 can then be removed by the end user. The serving tray 760 can then be refilled as described above.

  However, alternatives may use a cutting mechanism 180 or the like downstream of the reverse folding mechanism 700 to separate the napkin 130, as described in detail below. The dispenser 580 may also use a buckling fold mechanism 270 or the like here instead of the reverse fold mechanism 700. Other components and other structures may be used here.

  FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fifth example of a napkin dispenser 100 as may be described herein as a single roll, push-fold, vertical dispenser 780. The dispenser 780 may use a single roll 110, but additional rolls may be used. The dispenser 780 may include a loading station 140 in the form of a tail finding mechanism 790. The tail discovery mechanism 790 can include a cradle 800. The cradle 800 may be spring biased by a plurality of springs 810 or other types of tensioning devices. The tail finding mechanism 790 can include a pair of drive rollers 820. The pair of drive rollers 820 may be disposed around the bottom of the cradle 800. The roll 110 can be placed using the cradle 800 through the loading door 220. The roller 820 can rotate back and forth until the tail 125 is captured therein.

  The loading station 140 may also include a cutting mechanism 180 as the knife assembly 830. Knife assembly 830 may include a knife roller 840 having a knife blade 850 and an anvil roller 860. The knife assembly 830 can be used with a non-perforated roll 870 of sheet material 120. Knife assembly 830 may cut napkin 130 from non-perforated roll 830 by contact between knife roller 840 and anvil roller 860. The knife blade 850 can be slightly angled. Additional rollers may be used to maintain tension. The knife assembly 830 can also be used with a roll having perforations 235.

  The loading station 140 may also have a folding mechanism 170 in the form of a push-in folding assembly 880. As the napkin 130 is advanced from the knife assembly 830, the napkin 130 may be pushed into the slot 890 by the push bar 900 of the push folding assembly 880. The pusher bar 900 can be sized to accommodate the slot 890. Thereafter, the napkin 130 can be pulled into the slot 890 via a pair of pinch rollers 910. The pinch roller 910 may be spring biased and motor driven. When the napkin 130 extends through the slot 890, a fold 135 can be formed.

  Napkin dispenser 780 may also include a providing station 190 in the form of a hidden tray assembly 920. The hidden tray assembly 920 may include a flat tray 925 that deviates from the end user's standard appearance. The flat tray 925 may be motor driven or gear driven. A push paddle 930 can be placed under and connected to the flat tray 925. By depressing the push paddle 930, the flat tray 925 can be retracted to drop the plurality of napkins 130. A sensor or the like may be used here to initiate dispensing. The napkin dispenser 780 may also use a user interface 200 in the form of a knob 940 or other type of mechanical or electrical selector. Any suitable trigger mechanism may be used here.

  In use, the single roll 110 can be dropped into the cradle 800 of the tail finding mechanism 790. The roller 820 can rotate back and forth until the tail 125 is captured therein. Thereafter, the sheet material 120 can be pushed into the cutting mechanism 180. Knife assembly 830 cuts sheet material 120 from non-perforated roll 830 by contact between knife roller 840 and anvil roller 860. As the sheet material 120 advances from the knife assembly 830, the sheet material 120 may be pushed into the slot 890 by the push bar 900 of the push fold assembly 880 to create the fold 135 and napkin 130. Thereafter, the napkin 130 may fall into the flat tray 925 of the hidden tray assembly 920. By depressing the push paddle 930, the flat tray 925 can be retracted to drop one or more napkins 130 onto the push paddle 930 or into the end user's hand. One or more trays can also be used. Other structures and other components may be used here.

  FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a sixth example of a napkin dispenser 100 as may be described herein as a multi-roll, inverted folding, horizontal dispenser 950. The dispenser 950 can have a plurality of rolls 110 therein. In this example, a first roll 960 and a second roll 970 can be used, but any number of rolls may be used. The assembly 950 may use a loading station 140 in the form of a door loading mechanism 405, which includes two doors 410, 420 and a pair of drive rollers of a roller mechanism 435 as shown in FIG. 440, 450. Similarly, the dispenser 950 includes a folding station 160 having a folding mechanism 170 such as the reverse folding mechanism 700 of FIG. 7 having a reverse drive mechanism 710 having first and second drive rollers 720, 730 and directional rollers 740. Can be used.

  The dispenser 950 may have a cutting mechanism 180 in the form of a wheel cutter 980 when a non-perforated roll 870 is used. The wheel cutter 980 may have a cutting wheel 990 that is moved by a pulley 1000 or the like. The pulley 1000 can pull the wheel cutter 980 over the sheet material 120 to separate the napkin. If a perforation roll 110 is used, the difference in speed caused by a plurality of pinch rollers or the like can be used to separate perforations 235 as described above.

  The dispenser 950 may have a dispensing station 190 in the form of a dispensing bucket 1010 having a plurality of trays 1020 therein. The tray 1020 may be divided by a number of shelves 1030. In this example, a first shelf 1040 and a second shelf 1050 are shown. Any number of shelves may be used here. Each of the shelves 1040, 1050 may have a shelf motor 1060 disposed with respect thereto. A shelf motor 1060 may retract one or both of the shelves 1040, 1050. The shelf 1030 may form a first tray 1070, a second tray 1080, and a third tray 1090. Any number of trays 1020 may be used here. Any type of user interface 200 may be used here.

  In use, the rolls 960, 970 can be loaded into the doors 410, 420 of the door loading assembly 405 and supplied via the pinch rollers 440, 450 of the roller mechanism 435. Thereafter, the fold 135 may be formed via the reverse folding mechanism 700 or similar device. Once the appropriate length of sheet material 120 is advanced, the wheel cutter 980 may cut the sheet material 120 via a cutting wheel 990 that advances along the pulley 1000. Alternatively, if perforated paper is used, the speed of each pinch roller can be used to separate perforations 235. Thereafter, each napkin 130 can fall into the providing bucket 1010. The third tray 1090 can hold, for example, six napkins 130, the second tray 1080 can hold four napkins 130, and the first tray 1070 can hold two napkins 130. The appropriate number of napkins 130 can then be removed from the appropriate tray 1020 by the end user. The first and second shelves 1040, 1050 can be retracted by a shelf motor 1060 to reload the serving bucket 1010. Thereafter, the six napkins 130 may fall on the third tray 1090. Thereafter, the second shelf 1050 can be closed so that the four napkins 130 can fall onto the second tray 1080. Thereafter, the first shelf 1040 may be closed so that the two napkins 130 can fall on the first tray 1070. Other shelf opening and loading techniques may be used here. Other components and other structures may be used here.

  FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a seventh example of a napkin dispenser 100 as may be described herein as a multiple roll, buckling fold, vertical dispenser 1100. The dispenser 1100 can use a plurality of rolls 110. In this example, a first roll 1110 and a second roll 1120 may be used, but any number of rolls 110 may be used here. In this example, the assembly 1100 moves the loading station 140 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 7 having a side door loading mechanism 605 having a side loading door 610 and a guide 640 disposed between the rolls 1110, 1120. Can have. The loading station 140 may also use a feed mechanism 150 in the form of a multi-roller mechanism 650. Further, the dispenser 1100 may use a folding station 160 having a folding mechanism 170 similar to the buckling folding mechanism 270 having the pinch rollers 280, 290 and buckling tray 300 described above.

  The dispenser 1100 may have a providing station 190 in the form of a multi-slot mobility providing tray 1130. The multi-slot mobility providing tray 1130 may have a vertical drive mechanism 1140 disposed adjacent to the buckling and folding mechanism 270. The multi-slot mobility providing tray 1130 may have a plurality of slots 1150 therein. The slots 1150 are organized into groups, so that the first group 1160 can have two slots 1150, the second group 1170 can have four slots 1150, and the third group 1180 has six slots A slot 1150 may be included. Any number of slots and groups may be used here. The vertical drive mechanism 1140 drives the multi-slot mobility providing tray 1130 up and down so that the buckling and folding mechanism 270 can supply an appropriate number of napkins 130 to each group 1160, 1170, 1180. . The napkin 130 can be removed as a group by the end user. The serving tray 1130 can then be reloaded as suggested above. Other components and other structures may be used here.

  As can be appreciated, various types of loading stations 140, various types of folding stations 150, various types of providing stations 190, and various types of user interfaces 200 can be combined with a number of napkin dispensers 100. Applicable in different combinations and orientations. Although a vertical orientation 1190 and a horizontal orientation 1100 are shown above, FIG. 15 shows a side-by-side orientation 1210, a mounting on counter 1220, a mounting under counter 1230, a mounting on rear wall 1240, and a mounting on side wall 1250. It also shows. Other types of mounting may be used here. In addition to the use of various types of user interface 200 as described above, the dispenser may also communicate directly with cash register 225 or other types of command devices. Any type of input device may be used here. The cash register 225 or other device may indicate the number of napkins 130 to be distributed based on instruction content or other parameters. Other structures and other components may be used here.

  Of course, the foregoing description is solely related to the specific embodiments of the present application and the resulting patent. Numerous changes and modifications may now be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (51)

A napkin dispenser for dispensing a plurality of folded napkins from a sheet material to an end user,
A loading station for loading a continuous roll of sheet material;
A folding station for folding a napkin from the sheet material;
A napkin dispenser including a delivery station for providing one or more of the folded napkins to an end user.   The napkin dispenser of claim 1, wherein the loading station includes a loading mechanism.   The napkin dispenser of claim 2, wherein the loading mechanism includes a slot mechanism.   The napkin dispenser of claim 2, wherein the loading mechanism includes a door loading mechanism.   The napkin dispenser of claim 2, wherein the loading mechanism comprises a side door loading mechanism.   The napkin dispenser of claim 2, wherein the loading mechanism includes a tail finding mechanism.   The napkin dispenser of claim 1, wherein the loading station includes a feed mechanism.   The napkin dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the feeding mechanism includes a roller mechanism.   The napkin dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the feed mechanism includes a multi-roller mechanism.   The napkin dispenser of claim 1, wherein the folding station includes a folding mechanism.   The napkin dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the folding mechanism includes a buckling folding mechanism.   The napkin dispenser of claim 10, wherein the folding mechanism comprises a slot folding mechanism.   The napkin dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the folding mechanism includes a reverse folding mechanism.   The napkin dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the folding mechanism includes a push-down folding mechanism.   The napkin dispenser of claim 1, wherein the folding station includes a cutting mechanism.   The napkin dispenser of claim 15, wherein the cutting mechanism includes a knife assembly. The napkin dispenser of claim 15, wherein the cutting mechanism includes a wheel cutter.   The napkin dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispensing station includes a dispensing tray.   The napkin dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispensing station includes a hidden tray assembly.   The napkin dispenser of claim 1, wherein the providing station includes a multi-slot mobility providing tray.   The napkin dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a user interface.   The napkin dispenser of claim 21, wherein the user interface includes one or more pushbuttons.   23. A napkin dispenser according to claim 22, wherein the user interface includes one or more sensors.   The napkin dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a cash register in communication with the napkin dispenser.   The napkin dispenser of claim 1, wherein the folding station includes a speed mechanism for separating the sheet material from a continuous roll of sheet material.   26. A napkin dispenser according to claim 25, wherein the speed mechanism includes a plurality of pinch rollers.   The napkin dispenser according to claim 25, wherein the speed mechanism includes a multi-roller mechanism and a reverse drive mechanism. A buckling and folding assembly for folding a material sheet,
A first pair of pinch rollers,
A second pinch roller pair downstream of the first pinch roller pair, and a tail of the material sheet fills the bucket chamber, and a fold in the material sheet is forced through the second pinch roller pair A buckling folding assembly including a buckling tray adjacent to the second pair of pinch rollers.   29. The buckling fold set of claim 28, wherein the sheet of material includes a plurality of perforations, the first pinch roller pair includes a first speed, and the second pinch roller pair includes a second speed. Solid.   30. The first speed is higher than the second speed, so that the plurality of perforations separate between a first pinch roller pair and a second pinch roller pair as a speed mechanism. A buckling and folding assembly according to claim 1.   29. The buckling and folding assembly of claim 28, further comprising a distribution shelf downstream of the second pinch roller pair.   30. The buckling fold assembly of claim 28, further comprising a cutting mechanism.   The buckling fold assembly of claim 32, wherein the cutting assembly comprises a knife assembly.   The buckling and folding assembly according to claim 32, wherein the cutting assembly includes a wheel cutter. A slot folding assembly for folding a sheet of material, comprising:
A plate with slots,
A pusher plate disposed adjacent to the slot through which the material sheet extends; and a plate drive mechanism for pushing the pusher plate and the material sheet into the slot to crease the material sheet. A slot folding assembly.   36. The slot folding assembly of claim 35, further comprising an assembly drive mechanism in which the pusher plate and the plate drive motor are disposed.   36. The slot folding assembly of claim 35, wherein the sheet of material includes a plurality of perforations, and wherein the plurality of perforations are separated by extending the pusher plate into the material sheet.   36. The slot folding assembly of claim 35, further comprising a cutting mechanism.   40. The slot folding assembly of claim 38, wherein the cutting assembly comprises a knife assembly.   40. The slot folding assembly of claim 38, wherein the cutting assembly includes a wheel cutter. An inverted folding assembly for folding a sheet of material,
A multi-roller mechanism, and a reverse drive mechanism, wherein the reverse drive mechanism includes a first drive roller, a second drive roller, and a directional roller, so that the directional roller moves forward to advance the material sheet. An inverted folding assembly that rotates in one direction and rotates in a second direction to crease the sheet of material.   42. The reverse folding assembly of claim 41, wherein the sheet of material includes a plurality of perforations, the reverse drive mechanism includes a first speed, and the multi-roller mechanism includes a second speed.   43. The reverse fold according to claim 42, wherein the first speed is different from the second speed, so that the plurality of perforations separate between the reverse drive mechanism as a speed mechanism and the pinch roller pair. Assembly.   42. The inverted folding assembly of claim 41 further comprising a cutting mechanism.   45. The inverted folding assembly of claim 44, wherein the cutting assembly comprises a knife assembly.   45. The inverted folding assembly of claim 44, wherein the cutting assembly includes a wheel cutter. A push-fold assembly for folding a material sheet,
A push bar positioned adjacent to the knife assembly;
A slot disposed adjacent to the push bar;
A pair of rollers downstream of the slot, wherein the material sheet includes a pair of rollers that are forced through the slot by the push bar and the pair of rollers and are creased. Assembly.   48. The indentation folding assembly of claim 47, further comprising a knife assembly for separating the sheet of material.   48. The indentation folding assembly of claim 47, further comprising a tail finding mechanism upstream of the knife assembly.   48. The indentation folding assembly of claim 47, wherein the knife assembly includes a knife roller and an anvil roller.   48. The indentation folding assembly of claim 47, further comprising a hidden tray assembly downstream of the indentation bar.

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