WO2005085093A1

WO2005085093A1 - Sheet material dispensing device

Info

Publication number: WO2005085093A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/000285
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Ee Kuang Tan
Original assignee: David Ee Kuang Tan
Priority date: 2004-03-02
Filing date: 2005-03-02
Publication date: 2005-09-15

Abstract

A dispensing device (10) to facilitate ready removal of interfolded sheet material from a dispenser (48), including a base portion (12) with a moveable support member (14), the moveable support member (14) in operative communication with a lifting means (18), arranged to support a stack of interfolded sheet material, the lifting means (18) progressively urging the support member (14) and interfolded sheet material towards an aperture (50) in the upper surface of the dispenser as discrete sheets are successively removed.

Description

TITLE "DISPENSING DEVICE" FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispensing device, in particular, a dispensing device for dispensing sheets of interfolded sheet material from an interfolded sheet material dispenser. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Paper commodity goods, such as disposable tissues, are generally provided and sold in quantities that require a dispensing means so that a particular number of individual sheets of paper tissue may be removed as required without substantially disturbing or damaging the remainder of the sheets. One such known dispensing means is the common tissue box, where individual tissue sheets may be removed from a stack of such sheets, resting on an internal base of the box, through an aperture in a top surface of the box. A web member having a longitudinal slit typically traverses the aperture. The web member, which is generally made from a thin plastic material, serves to retain a portion of the tissue sheet adjacent the aperture upon removal of successive sheets.

Typically, the tissue sheets are interfolded so that the removal of one tissue sheet causes the next sheet to protrude through the aperture whereupon it may be removed as necessary with convenience. However, as the number of sheets within the box becomes depleted, there exists an increasing tendency for the protruding sheet to drop back into the box. Furthermore, the web member may in time become deformed and hence less effective in retaining the protruding sheet adjacent the aperture. This problem is intensified as the box becomes more depleted of paper sheets, or as the distance between the uppermost sheet and the aperture increases. As this distance increases, the base of the box no longer supports a large part of the weight of the protruding sheet, whereupon the protruding sheet will often drop back into the box. When this occurs, it is necessary for a person wishing to retrieve a sheet from the box, to place their hand into the aperture and remove the next sheet. Such an action may lead to the removal of a greater number of sheets than intended, particularly when the individual who wishes to remove the sheets is doing so with haste. This in turn may lead to excessive removal of tissue sheets, many of which may never be used and are subsequently simply disposed of. Further, the physical act of inserting a hand into the aperture for removal of sheets from the box may have the effect of transferring bacteria, virus particles and other infectious agents to the box and sides of the aperture. Such agents may be transmitted to subsequent persons who place their hand through the aperture to remove further sheets. The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part the aforementioned disadvantages of previous sheet dispensing means. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing device to facilitate ready removal of interfolded sheet material from an interfolded sheet material dispenser, comprising a base portion with a moveable support member, the moveable support member in operative communication with a lifting means, wherein the moveable support member is arranged, in use, to support a stack of interfolded sheet material within an interior of an interfolded sheet material dispenser, and the lifting means progressively urges the support member and the interfolded sheet material supported thereupon towards an aperture in an upper surface of the dispenser as discrete sheets are successively removed from the dispenser. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a dispensing device in accordance with the present invention in an extended position; and

Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of the dispensing device of Figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to the Figures, there is shown a dispensing device 10 for use with an interfolded sheet material dispenser 48, comprising a base portion 12 with a support member 14. The base portion 12 is provided as a substantially flat quadrangular member, with a recess 16 disposed in a generally central portion of an upper surface 17 of the base portion 12. The recess 16 should be of size and dimensions that are comparable to that of the support member 14. In this way, the support member 14 is disposed flush with the upper surface 17 of the base portion 12 when the support member 14 is in a resting position. The configuration of the support member 14 may be of any suitable shape or size, provided it is capable of supporting a stack of interfolded sheet members held within the dispenser 48. Typically, the dispensing device 10 is disposed adjacent a lower surface of an interfolded sheet dispenser 48, such as a tissue box. An opening (not shown), comparable in size and dimensions to the support member 14, may be made in the lower surface of the dispenser 48, to allow the support member 14 to be disposed within an interior of the dispenser 48, such that the support member 14 underlies and supports a stack of sheet material held therein. The opening in the lower surface of the dispenser 48 is preferably provided by punching out a portion of the lower surface by means of perforations or the like.

To accommodate dispensers 48 which do not provide perforations for forming the opening in the lower surface thereof, the base portion 12 of the dispensing device 10 is provided with a plurality of apertures 47. The apertures 47 are arranged in the base portion 12 in a configuration that is comparable to the shape and size of the opening through which the support member 14 enters into the dispenser 48. The provision of the arrangement of apertures 47 permits an outline of an aperture to be made in the lower surface of the dispenser 48. For example, a pen or other marking means can be inserted into each aperture 47 to create a dotted outline of an opening in the lower surface of the dispenser 48. Using this dotted outline, a portion of the lower surface of the dispenser 48 may be cut out to create the opening. Alternatively, the support member 14 may itself be formed from a portion of the lower surface of the dispenser 48. The portion may be provided as a section of the lower surface that can be punched out from the lower surface of the dispenser 48 by means of perforations or the like.

In an alternative arrangement of the present invention, the base portion 12 may be comprised of the lower surface of the dispenser 48, with the support member 14 provided as an integral feature of the dispenser 48.

The base portion 12 may be further provided with a plurality of upright retaining members 44, arranged around the perimeter of the base portion 12, such that the dispenser 48 may be placed upon the base portion 12 and held thereon by the upright retaining members 44. In one embodiment, the upright retaining members 44 are removable, to allow the dispensing device 10 to be placed internally within the dispenser 48 if so desired, as previously described. Preferably, removable upright retaining members 44 are provided with a clip member (not shown) to facilitate the fastening and removal of the upright retaining members 44 to and from the base portion 12. However, it should be understood that the upright retaining members 44 may be attached by any suitable means. Further, the upright retaining members 44 may be fixed onto the base portion 12. A side of each retaining member 44 is provided as an inclined surface 41, wherein each upright retaining member 44 has an upper inwardly tapered portion 51 and a lower widened portion 54. The upright retaining members 44 may thus be interchangeable in direction, wherein the inclined surface 41 is arranged to face generally inwardly towards the upper surface 17 of the base portion 12 such that the dispensing device 10 is able to accommodate a dispenser 48 having a base with a smaller surface area than that of the base portion 12.

Preferably, each retaining member 44 has a hooked portion 43, arranged to face inwardly towards side walls of the dispenser 48 and generally downwardly towards the upper surface of the base portion 12. The hooked portions 43 assist in retaining the dispenser 48 in position upon the base portion 12 and within a perimeter defined by each of the retaining members 44. The provision of hooked portions 43 particularly assists retention of the dispenser 48 in those instances where the dispensing device 10 and dispenser 48 are disposed in an orientation other than horizontal. For example, where the dispensing means 10 with dispenser 48 retained therein is disposed on a vertical surface or disposed such that an aperture 50 in an upper surface 49 of the dispenser 48 faces generally downwardly. An attachment means (not shown) is preferably provided on a lower surface 15 of the base portion 12 to enable the dispensing device 10 to be positioned upon a surface in any orientation. For example, it may be desired to attach the dispensing device onto a surface that is not horizontal, such as a wall or an interior wall surface of a car. The base portion 12 is further provided with at least one indent (not shown) upon the top surface adjacent an outer edge 42, to facilitate ease of removal of a dispenser 48 from the dispensing device lO.The support member 14 is in operative communication with a lifting means 18, which serves to progressively urge the support member 14 upwardly within the dispenser 48, towards the aperture 50 in the upper surface 49 of the dispenser 48.

In the embodiment shown in each of the Figures, the lifting means 18 includes two pairs of pivotally connected cross members 21 in operative communication with the support member 14. Referring to Figure 1, each pair of pivotally connected cross members 21 comprises a first and a second cross member 23, 25 pivotally connected adjacent respective midpoints thereof. The first cross member 23 of each pair of pivotally connected cross members 21 is arranged such that a lower end thereof is slidably secured to the upper surface 17 of the base portion 12. Preferably, the lower end of the first cross member 23 is arranged to slidably engage with a first channel 28, as shown in Figure 1. An upper end of each first cross member 23 is pivotally connected to a lower surface 13 of the support member 14. Preferably, the upper ends of each first cross member 23 are pivotally attached adjacent respective corners of the support member 14. The second cross member 25 of each pair of pivotally connected cross members 21 is arranged such that the lower end thereof is pivotally attached to the upper surface 17 of the base portion 12. Preferably, the lower end of each second cross member 25 is attached to the upper surface 17 of the base portion 12 at a position adjacent respective co ers of the recess 16. An upper end of each second cross member 25 is slidably secured to the lower surface 13 of the support member 14, as shown in Figure 2. Preferably, the upper end of each second cross member 25 slidably engages with a second channel 28. The slidable and pivotal engagement of the respective ends of the first and second cross members 21, 23 also serves to stabilise the support member 14 as it is progressively urged upwards.

The slidably connected lower ends of each first cross member 23 are in operative communication with a spring means. Preferably, the spring means includes a pair of coil springs 35 arranged upon an upper surface of the recess 16. The pair of coil springs 35 are disposed such that they are spaced apart from and in parallel with each other upon the surface of the recess 16.

A first end of each coil spring 35 is attached to a crossbar (not shown), traversing the lower ends of the first cross members 23. A second end of each coil spring 35 is secured to a fixed upwardly projecting protrusion 39, as shown in Figure 1. Each coil spring 35 is arranged such that when the support member 14 is in the resting position, substantially within the recess 16, the coil springs 35 are expanded and tensioned. As sheets are progressively removed from the dispenser 48, tension is released from each coil spring 35 and each coil spring 35 reverts towards a retracted, non-tensioned position. The release of tension in each coil spring 35 acts to pull the crossbar generally towards the pivotally connected lower ends of the second cross members 25. In this manner, the lower ends of each first cross member 23 are caused to slide generally towards the pivotally connected lower ends of corresponding second cross members 25. This movement causes each of the first and second cross members 23, 25 to be pivoted about their respective midpoints, thereby facilitating progressive upward movement of the support member 14.

A stopper 37 limits upward movement of the support member 14. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the stopper 37 is comprised of a raised portion arranged upon the upper surface 17 of the base portion 12 and preferably between the two coil springs 35. As the support member 14 is urged upwardly towards a predetermined upper limit, the crossbar is caused to abut the stopper 37, thereby preventing further upward movement of the support member 14. The upward movement of the support member 14 is limited in such a manner to prevent excessive upward force being placed on those sheets remaining between the upper surface of the support member 14 and upper surface 49 of the dispenser 48. In this way, sheets are prevented from becoming wedged therebetween and possibly torn when attempting to remove the sheets. A spring member 24 facilitates initial upward movement of the support member 14. The spring member 24 is preferably a coiled spring member 24, as shown in Figure 1. The spring member 24 is disposed generally centrally within the recess 16. The spring member 24 exerts a predetermined upward force upon the support member 14, which is less than the downward force exerted by the weight of the sheets when the dispenser 48 is full. Upon removal of the sheets from the dispenser, the downward force becomes less than the upward force of the spring member 24 and the support member 14 is able to be urged progressively upward by the lifting means 18. The lifting means 18 may alternatively be comprised substantially from the coiled spring member 24 alone. In such an embodiment, the coiled spring member 24 is disposed generally centrally within the recess 16. A lower end of the spring member 24 is attached to the base portion 12 and an upper end is attached to the lower surface of the support member 14.

In the embodiment where the lifting means 18 is comprised of the coiled spring member 24, it is preferable that the upward movement of the support member 14 is steadied by a stabilising means (not shown). Typically, the stabilising means includes a pair of opposing bracing members, each attached to and depending downwardly from opposing ends of the support member 14. Each bracing member is typically arranged to bend inwardly and towards the opposing bracing member upon the support member 14 being moved towards the resting position. As the support member 14 is progressively urged upward in use, each bracing member is gradually straightened.

It is further envisaged that the lifting means 18 may be completely removable from the base portion 12. In this manner, the lifting means 18, optionally with support member 14 attached thereto, can be supplied as a separate accompaniment to the base portion 12. This may have particular significance in those instances where only the base portion 12 with retaining members 44 and optionally surface attachment means is required. For example, where it is only desired to position a dispenser 48 upon a particular surface without necessarily having the need to progressively urge sheets towards the aperture 50. The support member 14 is also in operative communication with a restraining means 26. In the preferred embodiment, shown in each of the Figures, the restraining means 26 includes a locking portion 52 disposed adjacent the fixed second ends of the pair of coil springs 35, within the recess 16. The locking portion 52 is arranged to interlock with a lock-engaging portion (not shown), disposed on the lower surface 13 of the support member 14 upon contiguous placement of the support member 14 within the recess 16 of the base portion 12 when in the resting position.

The locking portion 52 includes a retractable member 58 which is preferably spring loaded to resiliently urge the retractable member 58 into engagement with the lock- engaging portion 54 when the support member 14 is in the resting position. A notch 53 is provided on a lower surface of the retractable member 58 which is accessible from the lower surface of the base portion 12, as shown in Figure 2. The notch 53 may be engaged in use, with a finger or the like to slide the retractable member 58 out of engagement with the lock-engaging portion. This disengagement releases the support member 14 from the resting position and permits upward movement thereof upon successive removal of sheets of material from the dispenser 48. In an alternative embodiment, the restraining means 26 is in the form of a flexible cord (not shown). The flexible cord is attached at a first end to the support member 14, with a second end arranged to extend through an aperture in the base portion 12. Preferably, the aperture is provided in the recess 16 of the base portion 12.

In this embodiment, the restraining means 26 further includes a stopping portion on the second end of the flexible cord and a channel present on an outer edge 42 of the base portion 12. The flexible cord is of a similar dimension to the channel and is arranged to be engaged with the channel by a friction fit, with the stopping portion preventing slippage of the flexible cord within the channel. The flexible cord may then be tensioned appropriately within the channel to retain the support member 14 in the resting position.

The dimension of the flexible cord, as defined by the stopping portion at the second end of the flexible cord and the first end of the flexible cord, attached to the support member 14, is comparable to the height of the dispenser 48. In this arrangement, the restraining means may prevent the support member 14 from being urged from the interior of the dispenser 48 through the aperture 50, as the stopping portion prevents the second end of the flexible cord from passing through the aperture in the recess 16 of the base portion 12.

In use, an interfolded sheet material dispenser 48, such as a tissue box, with a stack of interfolded sheet material therein, is placed upon the top surface 17 of the base portion 12 of the dispensing device 10. An opening (not shown) disposed in the lower surface of the dispenser 48 is placed in alignment with the support member 14, such that the support member 14 is inserted into the dispenser 48 through the opening. The upright support members 44 hold the dispenser 48 in place upon the base portion 12 and maintain the alignment of the opening with the support member 14. In those instances where the dispenser 48 does not have an opening in the lower surface thereof, the apertures 47 in the base portion 12 are used to mark a dotted outline in the lower surface of the dispenser. The appropriate opening is then cut out of the lower surface by any suitable means.

Alternatively, the sheet dispenser 10 may be provided within the box interior, with the base portion 12 disposed contiguously above the lower surface of the tissue box 48, with a stack of sheets disposed contiguously above the top surface 17 of the base portion 12 and hence the support member 14.

Disengagement of the restraining means 26 by inserting a finger into the notch 53 to slidably disengage the lock-engaging portion 54 from the locking portion 52 permits the lifting means 18 to operate. Upon removal of consecutive sheets from the dispenser 48, the lifting means 18 acts to raise the support member 14 towards the aperture 50 in the top surface of the dispenser 48. As the remaining sheets are progressively removed, the support member 14 is raised ever closer to the aperture 50, maintaining the top sheet adjacent the aperture 50. Once the dispenser 48 has been completely depleted of interfolded sheets, the support member 14 is pressed down into the recess 16 to engage the locking portion 52 with the lock engaging portion 54. Having thus maintained the support member 14 in the resting position within the recess 16 of the base portion 12, the dispenser 48 may be removed from the dispensing device 10. Placement of a finger under the dispenser 48 at the indent and prying of the dispenser 48 from the base portion 12 of the dispensing device 10 facilitates removal of the dispenser 48. A further dispenser 48 may then be secured onto the base portion 12 as required.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dispensing device to facilitate ready removal of interfolded sheet material from an interfolded sheet material dispenser, characterised by a base portion with a moveable support member, the moveable support member in operative communication with a lifting means, wherein the moveable support member is arranged, in use, to support a stack of interfolded sheet material within an interior of an interfolded sheet material dispenser, and the lifting means progressively urges the support member and the interfolded sheet material supported thereupon towards an aperture in an upper surface of the dispenser as discrete sheets are successively removed from the dispenser.

2. A dispensing device according to claim 1, characterised in that the lifting means operates to move the support member between a resting position in which the support member is disposed coplanar with the base portion, to an extended position in which the support member is disposed between the base portion and upper surface of the dispenser.

3. A dispensing device according to claim 2, characterised in that a spring means is in operative communication with the support member such that the spring means is tensioned when the support member is in the resting position and the tension of the spring means counteracts the weight of the interfolded sheet material and support member such that when sheet material is removed, tension is released from the spring means and the support member is raised.

4. A dispensing device according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterised in that the lifting means includes two pairs of pivotally connected cross members, each pair of cross members including a first cross member and a second cross member, pivotally connected adjacent respective midpoints thereof, wherein the cross members are arranged to expand to move the support member from the resting position to the extended position.

5. A dispensing device according to claim 4, characterised in that a lower end of the first cross member is slidably attached to the base portion and an upper end thereof is pivotally attached to the support member and a lower end of the second cross member is pivotally attached to the base portion and an upper end thereof is slidably attached to the support member such that the cross members are able to expand and contract, thereby moving the support member between the resting and extended position.

6. A dispensing device according to claim 5, characterised in that the spring means includes a pair of springs arranged upon the base portion and attached at first ends thereof to a crossbar traversing lower ends of the first cross members and fixedly attached to the base portion at second ends thereof.

7. A dispensing device according to claim 6, characterised in that upward movement of the support member is limited by the crossbar abutting a stopper when the cross members are in the extended position.

8. A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support member is in operative communication with a restraining means for maintaining the support member in a resting position.

9. A dispensing device according to claim 8, characterised in that the restraining means includes a locking portion disposed on the base portion, the locking portion arranged to engage with a lock engaging portion disposed on the support member.

10. A dispensing device according to claim 8, characterised in that the restraining means includes a flexible cord, the flexible cord being arranged to engage with the base portion to restrain upward movement of the support member.

11. A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base portion has a recess in the upper surface thereof such that the support member is disposed flush with the upper surface of the base portion when the support member is in a resting position.

12. A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base portion has a plurality of apertures, the apertures being arranged in a configuration comparable to that of the support member to enable an outline of an opening to be marked upon a lower surface of the dispenser.

13. A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that that the base portion has a plurality of retaining members arranged around a perimeter of the base portion to hold the dispenser thereon.

14. A dispensing device according to claim 13, characterised in that the retaining members each have a hooked portion, the hooked portion being arranged to face inwardly towards side walls of the dispenser.

15. A dispensing device according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that each of the retaining members are removable from the base portion.

16. A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base portion has an attachment means on a lower surface thereof to enable the dispensing device to be secured to a surface.

17. A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base portion is comprised of a lower surface of the dispenser.

18. A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lifting means and support member are detachable from the base portion.