GB2454903A

GB2454903A - A sheets dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2454903A
Application number: GB0722925A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeremy Mark Rossall
Original assignee: Brightwell Dispensers Ltd
Current assignee: Brightwell Dispensers Ltd
Priority date: 2007-11-22
Filing date: 2007-11-22
Publication date: 2009-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-22
Also published as: GB2454903B; GB0722925D0

Abstract

A sheets dispenser comprising a container adapted to carry a plurality of rolls of material to be dispensed and comprising a storage area, a use area below the storage area and a support member, in which the support member comprises a support surface adapted to support a roll of material in the storage area, in which the support member is displaceable such that a roll of material in the storage area drops into the use area, in which the support member is spring loaded against said displacement, and in which the spring loading is provided by a leaf spring member to which the support member is attached.

Description

Sheets Dispenser This invention relates to a sheets dispenser for use particularly, but not exclusively, to dispense toilet paper.

Toilet paper dispensers are well known, and one particular type comprises a container adapted to carry a stack of two or more toilet rolls, which can be used one after another. These containers comprise a use area where a roll is located while it is used and a storage area above the use area where the next roll or rolls are kept. In order to stop the roll or rolls in the storage are contacting the roll in the use area and preventing it from freely rotating in use, some mechanism is provided which prevents the roll or rolls in the storage area from entering the use area until the previous roll has been used up.

In each case the mechanism must be urged into a position in which the roll or rolls in the storage area are prevented from entering the use area, so this arrangement is maintained in a neutral state. As such, some kind of trigger means is provided, the activation of which displaces the mechanism and allows the passage of the next roll into the use area.

Various different arrangements have been suggested, however they all employ an excess of parts, or do not operate smoothly.

US 3865295 in the name of OKAMURA shows a toilet paper dispenser like that described above in which a rockable member is employed to control the deployment of the toilet rolls. The rockable member has an upper end which holds the rolls in the storage area, but it can only be displaced a short distance, and in particular not far enough to allow a roll to move past it. As such, the toilet rolls are arranged about a core which extends from either side of the roll, and the upper end of the rockable member only acts against the parts of the core which are exposed on either side of the roll. This arrangement is flawed because toilet rolls are not provided in this configuration.

UK 2108927 in the name of BOWATER -SCOTT CORPORATION UMITED shows a dispenser in which a spring loaded flap is used to hold the rolls in the storage area.

Operation of a trigger displaces the flap against a vertically mounted coil Spring, and allows the next roll to fall into the use position. This device employs an excess of moving parts, and is relatively complex and expensive to manufacture.

US 4697754 in the name of DUFF shows a dispenser with a simple pivotal member which holds the rolls apart, and which can be displaced by operation of a sliding trigger. This arrangement Is advantageously simple, but the pivotal member is urged into the neutral state by the weight of the roll above it, and in order to allow that roll to pass the pivotal member has to push the roll upwards slightly before it can move out of the way. This mechanism does not work smoothly, and can cause damage to the roll in the storage area before it falls into the use area. (US 4389026 in the name of WILLA shows a similar construction).

The present Invention is intended to overcome some of the above described problems.

Therefore, according to the present invention a sheets dispenser comprises a container adapted to carry a plurality of rolls of material to be dispensed and comprising a storage area, a use area below the storage area and a support member, in which the support member comprises a support surface adapted to support a roll of material in the storage area, in which the support member is displaceable such that a roll of material in the storage area drops into the use area, in which the support member is spring loaded against said displacement, and in which the spring loading is provided by a leaf spring member to which the support member Is attached.

This construction is advantageous because the support member Is spring loaded and it is not necessary to rely on the weight of the roll or rolls in the storage area to hold the support surface in place, like in DUFF and WILLA described above. As such, displacement of the support member can involve a simple lateral movement, like in OKAMUR or BOWATER -SCOTT CORPORATION LIMITED described above.

However, unlike in BOWATER-SCOTr CORPORATION LIMITED a simple leaf spring member is used to provide the spring loading, which Is a simple, cheap and expedient arrangement.

In a preferred construction the leaf spring member can be integrally formed as a part of the container. This is advantageous because it prevents the need for any extra separate components.

The leaf spring member can be a component which is formed as a part of the container, but which has no other function therewith. However, in a preferred construction the leaf spring member can comprise a flexible wall of the container, and in particular the bottom wall thereof. This wall can have a free front edge, and the support member can be attached to said bottom wall at or adjacent to said free front edge.

The support member can be pivotally mounted on a first axis, and rotation of the support member on said first axis can displace the support member and place the bottom wall under compression. As such, the bottom wall acts like a laterally mounted leaf spring.

Rotation of the support member on said first axis can move the support surface from a first position in which it is disposed between the storage area and the use area, to a second position in which it Is disposed against a front wall of the container. The support surface can be pivotally mounted on a second axis and can rotate thereon when it comes into contact with said front wall. This construction Is advantageous because the support surface can be a platform with a certain depth which can provide adequate support to the roll or rolls in the storage area, but which can rotate out of the way when the next roll is required.

The front wall of the container can comprise a free bottom edge, such that an opening is provided between said free bottom edge and said free front edge of the bottom wall, to allow sheets of material to be dispensed from a roll of material in the use area. The opening can be adapted to allow the passage of cores of the rolls of material, once the rolls of material are spent. As such, once a roll of material has been used, the core can simply be removed through the opening.

The support member can comprise a trigger portion, the activation of which rotates the support member on the first axis as described above. Preferably the trigger portion can be manually accessible through the opening. This construction is advantageous because the trigger portion can be an integral part of the support member disposed inside the container, and no exterior moving parts are required to rotate the support member.

In a preferred construction the support member can comprise a base portion adapted to support a roll of material in the use area, and which can be pivotally mounted for rotation between opposite side walls of the container. The trigger portion can comprise a slot formed in the base portion. Therefore, once the core of a spent roll of material is removed through the opening, the user places their fingers through the opening and grips the slot in order to directly rotate the support member.

A pair of arms can extend normally from opposite sides of the base portion, and the support surface can be pivotally mounted for rotation between upper ends of the pair of arms. As Such, the support member extends around a roll of material In the use area.

In order to provide for the attachment of the support member to the bottom wall, the base portion can comprise an abutment on an underside thereof, the free front edge of the bottom wall can comprise a catch member, and the abutment can be connected to the catch member.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the container can comprise a back portion and a cover portion pivotally mounted thereto. The back portion can be adapted to be fitted to a surface, for example a wall, and the cover portion can be displaceable about Its pivotal mounting to allow rolls of material to be placed inside the container.

The cover portion can be pivotally mounted on a third axis adjacent to a bottom side of the back portion, such that the cover portion rotates downwards and away from the back portion when It Is displaced. The cover portion can be adapted to only rotate through substantially 90 degrees In use. The first part of a releasable connection means can be provided at a top of the back portion, and the second part of said releasable connection means can be provided at a top of the cover portion, such that the cover portion is releasabty connectable to the back portion to close the container.

The back portion can comprise said bottom wall, said front wall and said side waits, and the cover portion can be pivotaily mounted to said side walls. Each side wall can be provided with an aperture, and the cover portion can be provided with a pair of inwardly facing bosses which pass through said apertures. The base portion can rest on portions of said bosses proud of said apertures when it is not displaced.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, In which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a sheets dispenser according to the present invention in a first position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the back portion component of the sheets dispenser shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the support member component of the sheets dispenser shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the sheets dispenser as shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sheets dispenser as shown in Figure 1 with the cover portion component not shown, and in the first position; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the sheets dispenser shown in Figure 1 in the first position; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the sheets dispenser shown in Figure 1 in a second position; and, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the sheets dispenser as shown in Figure 1 in the first position.

As shown In Figure 1, a sheets dispenser I comprises a container 2 adapted to carry a plurality of rolls of material to be dispensed, in the form of first and second rolls of toilet paper 3 and 4. The container 2 comprises a storage area 5, a use area 6 below the storage area 5, and a support member 7 comprising a support surface S adapted to support a the second roll of toilet paper 4 in the storage area 5. As described further below, the support member 7 Is displaceable such that the second roll of toilet paper 4 in the storage area 5 drops into the use area 6. The support member 7 is spring loaded against said displacement, and the spring loading is provided by a leaf spring member, in the form of flexible bottom wall 9, to which the support member 7 is attached. As such the leaf spring member is an integral part of the container 1, which also has another function, being enclosing the underside of the contaIner 1.

The sheets dispenser 1 only comprises four components, each of which Is constructed from a moulded plastics material. The components are a back portion (which is shown in isolation in Figure 2), the support member 7 (which is shown in isolation in Figure 3), a support surface member 11, and a cover portion 12 (which is most clearly shown in Figure 4).

Referring to FIgure 2, the back portion 10 comprises a back wall 13, the bottom wall 9, side walls 14 and 15, and front wall 16. The bottom wall 9 has a free front edge 17, and the front wall 13 has a free bottom edge 18, and as such an opening 19 is formed between these walls, to allow sheets of material from the rolls of toilet paper 3 and 4 to be dispensed. The bottom edge 18 of the front wall 16 has a concave section 20, which allows the cores 21 and 22 of the rolls of toilet paper 3 and 4 to be removed through the opening 19. me front edge 17 of the bottom wall 9 is provided with a catch member 23, adapted to engage with the support member 7, as described below.

Referring to Figure 3, the support member 7 comprises a base portion 24 adapted to support the rolls of toilet paper 3 and 4 in the use area 6, a pair of arms and 26 which extend normally from opposite sides of the base portion 24, and a support bar 27 between upper ends of the arms 25 and 26. The base portion 24 comprises a trigger slot 28, which is adapted to be gripped manually in order to articulate the support member 7 in use.

The support member 7 is fitted to the back portion 10 in a snap-fit arrangement. The side walls 14 and 15 are provided with bosses 29, and the base portion 24 is provided with sockets 30 on either side adapted to receive said bosses 29. As such, when the support member 7 is fitted to the back portion 10, as shown In all the other Figures, the support member 7 is pivotatly mounted for rotation on a first axis A-A (shown in Figure 5).

Referring back to Figure 1, the underside of the base portion 24 is provided with an abutment 31, and when the support member 7 Is mounted in the back portion 10 as described above, the abutment 31 is engaged with the catch member 23. As such, rotation of the support member 7 on the first axis A-A places the bottom wall 9 under compression, and the bottom wall 9 acts as a laterally mounted leaf spring which loads the support member 7 against rotation.

The support surface member 11 Is pivotally mounted on the support bar 27 such that It can rotate on axis B-B (shown in Figure 5). The support bar 27 is provided with three stopper bodies 32 which prevent the support surface member 11 from rotating In an anti-clockwise direction from the position shown in Figure 1.

The cover portion 12 is fitted to the back portion 10 in a snap-fit arrangement.

The side walls 14 and 15 are provided with pair of apertures 33, and the cover portion 12 is provided with a pair of bosses 34 (visible In Figure 1) adapted to fit into the apertures 33. As such, when the cover portion 12 is fitted to the back portion 10, it is pivotally mounted for rotation on axis C-C (shown In Figure 4).

When the back portion 10 is mounted to a wall the cover portion 12 can only rotate through substantially 90 degrees from the position shown in Figure 1, because the bottom edge 35 of its front wail 36, comes into contact with the wall. The apertures 33 and the bosses 34 are also adapted to lock together such that the cover portion 12 cannot be removed from the back portion 10 at any point in this 90 degrees of rotation.

In particular, the apertures 33 are provided with a pair of opposed circumferential profiles 37 (one of which is visible in Figure 5), which define between them a pair of opposed circumferential openings 38. The bosses 34 are provided with a pair of circumferential extensions 39, which are adapted to pass axially through the openings 38 when the cover portion 12 is arranged at a predetermined point of rotation in relation to the back portion 10, and to ride behind the profiles 37 at all points of the 90 degrees of rotation possible when the back portion 10 is mounted to a wall, as described above. The predetermined point of rotation of the cover portion 12 which allows the extensions 39 to pass Into and out of the openings 38, Is 135 degrees of rotation from the position shown in Figure 1. Therefore, when the back portion 10 is mounted to a wall for use the cover portion 12 cannot be inadvertently removed therefrom. If the cover portion 12 must be removed, then the back portion 10 must be removed from the wall first, to allow the cover portion 12 to rotate far enough for the bosses 34 to be flexed out of the apertures 33.

The back wall 13 of the back portion 10 is provided with a pair of resilient latches 40, and the cover portion 12 is provided with a co-operating pair of slots 41 (visIble In Figure 4). When the cover portion 12 is rotated towards the back portion the latches 40 enter the slots 41, and the cover portion 12 is held in place, as shown In Figure 1. In order to release the cover portion 12 a special tool (not shown) is required, which comprises a pair of prongs adapted to enter the slots 41 from above and push the latches 40 out of the slots 41.

Portions of the bosses 34 protrude through the apertures 33 by about 5mm, and the base portion 24 of the support member 7 rests on these portions when it is not displaced, as shown in FIgure 1.

The back portion 10 Is provided with a number of apertures 42 which allow it to be mounted to a wall with screws or the like. The back portion 10 is also provide with a lip portion 43, which Is adapted to prevent rearward movement of the roll of toilet paper 3 or 4 in the use area 6. The back wall 13 of the back portion 10 only extends down to the lip portion 43, such that an opening 44 is provided behind the side walls 14 and 15, the front wall 16 and the bottom wall 9. This structure allows the bottom waIl 9 to flex more easily, and in particular it allows the side wails 14 and to flex slightly to accommodate the flexure of the bottom waIl 9.

The cover portion 12 Is provided with a profile 45 adapted to co-operate with the support surface member 11, as described below.

Prior to use the components are fitted together as described above, and In particular the cover portion 12 is fitted to the back portion 10 by arranging it at the predetermined point of rotation thereto. The back portion 10 is then fitted to a wall at a suitable location, by passing screws or the like through the apertures 42, which is done while the cover portIon 12 Is in an open position.

Once In position the sheets dispenser 11$ ready for use, and the first and second rolls of toilet paper 3 and 4 are placed in the use and storage areas 6 and 5, as shown in Figure 5. The support member 7 is pulled forwards to allow the first roll of toilet paper 3 to drop into the use area 6, before the support member 7 is placed back In Its neutral first position and the second roll of toilet paper 4 is placed on the support surface 8. me spring loading of the support member 7 against rotation prevents the weight of the second roll of toilet paper 4 from displacing it. The cover portion 12 is then rotated towards the back portion 10, until it is locked in position by the latches 40, as shown in Figure 1.

The first roll of toilet paper 3 is then used, by pulling sheets therefrom through the opening 19. When the first roll of toilet paper 3 has been used up, and only its core 21 remaIns, as shown in Figure 6, the core 21 can be removed by manually rotating it until it can freely pass through the opening 19 through the concave section in the front wall 16. (A corresponding concave section is provided in the front wall 36 of the cover portion 12.) Once the core 21 has been removed, the user reaches inside the dIspenser 1 and manually grasps the trigger slot 28 with their fingers. They then pull the support member 7 forward, displacing it into its second position by rotating it on axis A-A, as shown in Figure 7. As this is done the bottom wall 9 Is flexed by virtue of the connection between the abutment 31 and the catch member 23. This is done until the support surface member 11 comes into contact with the profile 45 on the front wall 36 of the cover portion 12. The profile 45 is shaped and positioned Such that when the support surface member 11 is forced against it, it is rotated on axis B-B, which allows the second roll of toilet paper 4 to drop from the storage area 5 into the use area 6. It is only by virtue of this rotation of the support surface member 11 that sufficient space is created to allow the second roll of toilet paper 4 to pass.

When the second roll of toilet paper 4 is released from the storage area 5 the user releases the trigger slot 28, and the support member 7 is forced back into its first non displaced position, as shown in Figure 8, by the spring loading of the bottom waIl 9. When this occurs the support surface member 11 rotates back to its original position by virtue of its own weight. The second roll of toilet paper 4 is then used, by pulling sheets therefrom through the opening 19.

Once the second roll of toilet paper 4 has vacated the storage area 5, the cover portion 12 can be moved to an open position, and a replacement roll of toilet paper can be placed In the storage area 5. This is possible because the support member 7 Is spring loaded and naturally assumes its first position, in which the support surface member 11 is In position to support a replacement roll of toilet paper in the storage area 5.

If the second roll of toilet paper 4 has been used up as well at this point, then two replacement rolls of toilet paper can be placed in the dispenser 1 as described above. Once the dIspenser 1 has been replenished the cover portion 12 is rotated back into the position shown in Figure 1 and It automatically locks in position by virtue of the latches 40.

The embodiment described above can be altered without departing from the scope of Claim 1. in particular, in one set of alternative embodiments (not shown), dispensers are provided which operate in the same way as dispenser 1 described above, except they are shaped to carry two or three or more rolls of toilet paper in a stack in the storage area. When one roll of toilet paper in the storage area drops into the use area, the support member rotates back into position due to its spring loading, and hold the next roll of toilet paper in the storage area.

In one other alternative embodiment (not shown) a dispenser is provided which operates in the same way as dispenser 1 described above, except that the spring loading is provided by a leaf spring member which is Integrally formed with the back portion 10, but which is not the bottom wall thereof.

in another alternative embodiment (not shown) a dispenser is provided which operates in the same way as dispenser I described above, except that the spring loading is provided by a separate leaf spring member component, which is mounted inside the container, and to which the support member is attached.

Therefore, the present invention provides a sheets dispenser which can carry a plurality of rolls of toilet paper, and which can efficiently separate those being stored from that being used by virtue of a support member which is spring loaded by an integral part of the container.

Claims

Claims 1. A sheets dispenser comprising a container adapted to carry a plurality of rolls of material to be dispensed and comprising a storage area, a use area below the storage area and a support member, in which the support member comprises a support surface adapted to support a roll of material in the storage area, in which the support member is displaceable such that a roll of material in the storage area drops into the use area, in which the support member is spring loaded against said displacement, and in which the spring loading is provided by a leaf spring member to which the support member is attached.
2. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 in which the leaf spring member is integrally formed as a part of the container.
3. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 2 In which the leaf spring member comprises a flexible wall of the container.
4. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 3 In which the flexible wall comprises a bottom wall of the container, in which saId bottom wall has a free front edge, in which the support member is attached to said bottom wall at or adjacent to said free front edge.
5. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 4 in which the support member is pivotally mounted on a first axis, in which rotation of the support member on said first axis displaces the support member and places the bottom wall under compression.
6. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 5 in which rotation of the support member on said first axis moves the support surface from a first position in which it is disposed between the storage area and the use area, to a second position in which it is disposed against a front wall of the container, and In which the support surface is pivotally mounted on a second axis and rotates thereon when it comes into contact with said front wall.
7. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 6 in which the front wall of the container comprises a free bottom edge, such that an opening is provided between said free bottom edge and said free front edge of the bottom wall, in which sheets of material removed from a roll of material in the use area are dispensed through said opening.
8. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 7 in which the opening is adapted to allow the passage of cores of the rolls of material once the rolls of material are spent.
9. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 8 in which the support member comprises a trigger portion activation of which rotates the support member on the first axis, and in which the trigger portion is manually accessible through the opening.
10. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 9 in which the support member comprise a base portion adapted to support a roll of material In the use area, in which the base portion is pivotally mounted for rotation between opposite side walls of the container, and in which the trigger portion comprises a slot formed in the base portion.
11. A sheets dIspenser as claimed in Claim 10 in which the support member comprises a pair of arms extending normally from opposite sIdes of the base portion, and in which the support surface is pivotally mounted for rotation between upper ends of the pair of arms.
12. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 11 in which the base portion comprises an abutment on an underside thereof, in which the free front edge of the bottom wall comprises a catch member, and in which the abutment Is connected to the catch member.
13. A sheets dispenser as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the container comprises a back portion and a cover portion pivotally mounted thereto, in which the back portion is adapted to be fitted to a surface, and in which the cover portion is displaceable about its pivotal mounting to allow rolls of material to be placed inside the container.
14. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 13 in which the cover portion is pivotally mounted on a third axis adjacent to a bottom side of the back portion, such that the cover portion rotates downwards and away from the back portion when it is displaced.
15. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 14 when dependent on any of Claims 9 to 11 in which the back portion comprises said bottom wall, said front wall and said side walls, and In which the cover portion is pivotally mounted to said side walls.
16. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 15 in which each of the pair of side walls is provided with an aperture, in which the cover portion is provided with a pair of inwardly facing bosses which pass through said apertures, and in which the base portion rests on portions of said bosses proud of said apertures when it is not displaced.
17. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 16 in which the first part of a releasable connection means is provided at a top of the back portion, and the second part of said releasable connection means Is provided at a top of the cover portion, such that the cover portion Is releasably connectable to the back portion to close the container.
18. A sheets dispenser substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

18. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 17 in which the cover portion Is adapted to rotate through substantially 90 degrees only in use.

19. A sheets dispenser substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A sheets dispenser comprising a container adapted to carry a plurality of rolls of material to be dispensed and comprising a storage area, a use area below the storage area and a support member, in which the support member comprises a support surface adapted to support a roll of material in the storage area, in which the support member is displaceable such that a roll of material in the storage area drops into the use area, in which the support member is spring loaded against said displacement, in which the spring loading is provided by a leaf spring member to which the support member is attached, and in which the leaf spring member is integrally formed as a part of the container.

2. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 in which the leaf spring member corn prises a flexible wall of the container.

3. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 2 in which the flexible wall comprises a bottom wall of the container, in which said bottom wall has a free front edge, in which the support member is attached to said bottom wall at or adjacent to said free front edge.

4. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 3 in which the support member is pivotally mounted on a first axis, in which rotation of the support member on said first axis displaces the support member and places the bottom wall under compression.

5. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 4 in which rotation of the support member on said first axis moves the support surface from a first position in which it is disposed between the storage area and the use area, to a second position in which it is disposed against a front wall of the container, and in which the support surface is pivotally mounted on a second axis and rotates thereon when it comes into contact with said front wall.

6. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 5 in which the front wall of the container comprises a free bottom edge, such that an opening is provided between said free bottom edge and said free front edge of the bottom wall, in which sheets of material removed from a roll of material in the use area are dispensed through said opening.

7. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 6 in which the opening is adapted to allow the passage of cores of the rolls of material once the rolls of material are spent.

8. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 7 in which the support member comprises a trigger portion activation of which rotates the support member on the first axis, and in which the trigger portion is manually accessible through the opening.

9. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 8 in which the support member comprise a base portion adapted to support a roll of material in the use area, in which the base portion is pivotally mounted for rotation between opposite side walls of the container, and in which the trigger portion comprises a slot formed in the base portion.

10. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 9 in which the support member comprises a pair of arms extending normally from opposite sides of the base portion, and in which the support surface is pivotally mounted for rotation between upper ends of the pair of arms.

11. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 10 in which the base portion comprises an abutment on an underside thereof, in which the free front edge of the bottom wall comprises a catch member, and in which the abutment is connected to the catch member. * ** * * S S.. * * *S* *

12. A sheets dispenser as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the container comprises a back portion and a cover portion pivotauy mounted thereto, in which the back portion is adapted to be fitted to a surface, and in which the cover portion is displaceable about its pivotal mounting to allow rolls of material to be placed inside the container.

13. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 12 in which the cover portion is pivotally mounted on a third axis adjacent to a bottom side of the back portion, such that the cover portion rotates downwards and away from the back portion when it is displaced.

14. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 13 when dependent on any of Claims 9 to 11 in which the back portion comprises said bottom wall, said front wall and said side walls, and in which the cover portion is pivotally mounted to said side walls.

15. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 14 in which each of the pair of side walls is provided with an aperture, in which the cover portion is provided with a pair of inwardly facing bosses which pass through said apertures, and in which the base portion rests on portions of said bosses proud of said apertures when it is not displaced.

16. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 15 in which the first part of a releasable connection means is provided at a top of the back portion, and the second part of said releasable connection means is provided at a top of the cover portion, such that the cover portion is releasably connectable to the back portion to close the container. * I ***

17. A sheets dispenser as claimed in Claim 16 in which the cover portion is adapted to rotate through substantially 90 degrees only in use.