IL304897A - A Refillable Dispenser for Use with a Stack of Sheet Material - Google Patents

Description

A REFILLABLE DISPENSER FOR USE WITH A STACK OF SHEET MATERIAL TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of refillable sheet material dispensers and particularly, refillable dispensers for dispensing toilet paper, bath tissues, paper towels, or any other type of sanitary paper BACKGROUND The use of dispensers and dispensing devices for dispensing sheet materials, especially natural fabric and man-made fabric, is generally known. Examples of such sheet materials, e.g., dry sheets and moist sheets, can be found in bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, medical clinics, in cosmetic applications and the like. The sheet materials to be dispensed are typically provided in non-compressed packs, and conventional dispensers are typically dimensioned correspondingly to the respective stack to be used therein. The packs are typically provided wrapped, and needs to be unwrapped before being provided to the dispenser.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION According to a first aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a refillable dispenser for use with a stack of sheet material, the stack being switchable at least from a compressed state at which the stack is held compressed to a first volume by a compression arrangement, to an expanded state at which the stack has a second volume greater than the first volume; said dispenser comprising:a housing defining a first space having a volume corresponding to the first volume for accommodating the stack at the compressed state and a second space including the first space and an expansion space, the second space having a volume corresponding to the second volume for accommodating the stack at the expanded state, anda releasing mechanism configured to engage with the compression arrangement to induce switching of the stack from the compressed state to the expanded state at the second space. 0284348036-01 As per a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a refillable dispenser for use with a stack of sheet material, the stack being switchable at least from a compressed state at which the stack is held compressed to a first volume by a compression arrangement, to an expanded state at which the stack has a second volume greater than the first volume. The dispenser comprises:a housing configured to accommodate the stack at least at the expanded state, the housing having a stack inlet configured to facilitate introduction of the stack thereinto; anda guiding arrangement configured to guide the stack from the stack inlet into the housingThe dispenser according to the second aspect can further comprise a releasing mechanism configured to engage with the compression arrangement to induce switching of the stack from the compressed state to the expanded state at the second space.The releasing mechanism can be mounted to said housing such that during the guiding of the stack from the stack inlet into the housing the compression arrangement is brought to engagement with the releasing mechanism to induce switching of the stack from the compressed state to the expanded state.The examples detailed below can be associated with any one of the aspects presented above, independently, or in combination thereof.The housing can be defined by side walls, a back wall, a top wall, a base wall and a front wall defining together a housing space therebetween to accommodate the stack in both the compressed state and the expanded state. The housing space can include the first space and the second space. The second space includes the first space and an additional expansion space, which can be adjacent the first space, configured to accommodate the additional volume which is added to the stack when said stack switches from its compressed state to its uncompressed state within the housing. As such, the second space of the housing has a volume that corresponds to the volume of the stack when the stack is in the expanded state.The term " wall" as recited throughout the specification and claims denotes to means of restricting and defining a volume, which are not necessarily a continuously spread matrix. The wall can partially extend between two adjacent walls, to an extent enabling it to prevent the stack from falling out therefrom, e.g., a wall containing holes, 0284348036-01 a half carved wall, lines or poles extending diagonally with respect to one another to form an X shape, etc.The stack can be formed of a single folded sheet material, or of individual sheet materials disposed one above the other, and optionally interfolded one into the other to facilitate consecutive dispensing of the sheets from the stack, where after dispensing a single sheet, the consecutive sheet pops-out from the stack automatically to ease pulling thereof. The stack can be compressed after manufacturing to smaller dimensions, to facilitate cheaper and more environmental shipping thereof. The stack can be held compressed by the compression arrangement, which can be later on removed to enable dispensing of sheet material from the stack. In the compressed state, the stack has a first volume. In the expanded state, the stack has a second volume greater than the first volume. In absent of external disturbances, the stack can switch from the compressed state to the expanded state upon release of the compression arrangement. It is important to note that, at the compressed state of the stack, dispensing of sheet material from the stack is much more difficult than in the expanded state thereof, and can compromises the structure and intended use of the sheets, due to friction forces operating between the sheets or between one fold of the sheet to an adjacent other, and due to internal forces applied by the elastic nature of the sheets structure. Releasing the stack from the compression arrangement before inserting the stack to the dispenser can result in expansion of the stack in the hands of the user, which can induce scattering of the sheet material in the hand, optionally rendering the stack unsuitable for being received in the respective dispenser. Further, such scattering can cause discomfort for a user, an alteration of the folded stacked array so it will compromise smooth and reliable dispense of the sheet material, lack of hygiene as the sheet might fall and come in contact with non-sanitary surfaces such as bathroom floor, and waste of product. Therefore, it can be desirable to release the stack to its uncompressed state within the dispenser, and allow the stack to be expanded there to ease dispensing of sheet material therefrom.The releasing mechanism, incorporated in the dispenser, is configured to engage with any suitable portion of the compression arrangement to induce releasing thereof, and thereby switching of the stack from its compressed state to the expanded state, within the restraining volume of the housing, within the dispenser, to prevent scattering of the stack outside the housing. 0284348036-01 The compression arrangement may comprise two or more portions configured to be separated at least at one side thereof to facilitate release of the compression arrangement from the stack. The engagement of the releasing mechanism with the compression arrangement can cause tearing or ripping or dismembering of the compression arrangement.The compression arrangement may comprise a bridging area connected to each of the two or more portions in the compressed state of the stack and holding the two or more portions together prior to the separation thereof.The bridging area may have a structure corresponding to a structure of the releasing mechanism.Alternatively, the compression arrangement may be configured to release from the stack as a whole.The refillable dispenser comprises an outlet configured to facilitate dispensing of the sheet material out from the housing therethrough.The outlet can be provided at a suitable location for easing a user desiring to utilize the sheet material. The outlet can be disposed adjacent the expansion space of the housing, , so that the folded sheets are easily dispensable when the stack is in the expanded state.Particularly, the outlet can be formed in an upper portion of the dispenser, so that the sheets are being pulled from the top of the stack, thereby reducing friction of one sheet in another, or one fold of the sheet in an adjacent fold, during pulling. When the stack is oriented in an upright orientation, where the expansion space is disposed above the first space, adjacent the outlet, the weight of the stack is applied downwards on the last portion of the sheet to be dispensed, and not on the uppermost portion of the stack, i.e., on the first sheet to be dispensed, which can apply equal force to the weight, compromising its structural integrity.The refillable dispenser further comprises a stack inlet formed in the housing configured to facilitate introduction of the stack to the housing space.The stack inlet can be formed in one or more of the walls of the housing, and can have a portion positioned adjacent the bottom wall of the housing, opposite the outlet, to utilize the housing space to maximum and to provide even force distribution while the user inserts the stack into the dispenser. The dimensions of the stack inlet can be sufficient to allow the stack to pass therethrough, at least in its compressed state, for its introduction into the housing. 0284348036-01 Alternatively, one or more walls of the housing can be at least partially detachable so as to create or expose the stack inlet in the housing for introduction of stack into the housing.The refillable dispenser may further comprise a guiding arrangement configured to guide the stack as the later travels from the inlet into the housing space. The guiding arrangement can comprise at least a track fixed to the housing, extending from an area of the inlet to an area of the first space. With this arrangement, the guiding arrangement can comprise a movable carrier configured to carry the stack along the track into the housing. The movable carrier can be received in the first space along with the stack in its compressed state, and have an open upper portion for allowing the stack to expand thereon into the expansion space. The carrier can be engageable with the track so as to travel therealong and move the stack to the first space in the housing.For the stack to change states from the compressed state to the expanded state, the releasing mechanism can be mountable with respect to the housing such that it can engage the compression arrangement when the entire stack is received within the first space, or as soon as at least a portion of the stack is received within the first space. In that way, the releasing of the compression arrangement occurs not before the housing walls prevent the stack from being expanded outside the housing. According to a particular example, movement of the stack from the stack inlet to the second space, under guidance of the guiding arrangement, induces engagement of the releasing mechanism with the compression arrangement, which in turn induces switching of the stack from the compressed state to the expanded state at the second space. The releasing arrangement can be disposed, for instance, along the track, or thereabove, in an area with which the compression arrangement engages during traveling of the stack through the inlet. Such relationship between the guiding arrangment and the releasing mechanism can facilitate insertion of the stack into the housing, and releasing of the compression arrangment to induce expansion of the stack within the housing, in a single stroke or in a small number of actions, which can be beneficial for all users to ease the use in the dispenser, yet particularly to users with disabilities that are unable to use both hands.The track can be a single track or two or more tracks, which can be formed aligned with one another on opposite walls of the housing to assist in stabilizing the carrier. The carrier can be engageable with the tracks by means of locomotive configurations such as wheels, grooves, suspension rails, magnetic rails, and the like. 0284348036-01 The guiding arrangement, and particularly the one or more tracks, can be arranged in a manner dictating a non-linear movement of the carrier, i.e., with the stack, into the housing, and particularly a zig zag movement in which the carrier, in its movement into the housing, is firstly brought towards one of the walls defining the inlet, and after brought away from that wall. Such arrangement can be beneficial when the releasing mechanism is disposed on that wall. The guiding arrangement may be configured to move the stack towards the releasing mechanism and away from the releasing mechanism while guiding the stack into the housing. When that wall is an upper wall of the housing, and the releasing mechanism is incorporated therein, the zig zag movement can facilitate controlled expansion of the stack towards that upper wall upon releasing of the releasing mechanism.The guiding arrangement may comprise a plurality of protrusions on the carrier and a plurality of corresponding grooves in the inner surfaces of the side walls of the housing. The protrusions can be of different shapes and dimensions, and correspondingly, the grooves can be of different shape and dimensions. The protrusions are configured to be engaged with the grooves and travel therewithin. The non-linear path is created by the geometry and dimensions of the protrusions and the corresponding grooves.The guiding mechanism may be a characteristic of the stack inlet that facilitates guiding of the stack into the housing. For instance, a shape of the stack inlet may correspond to the shape of the stack in the compressed state. The inlet may comprise a releasing mechanism near an inner periphery thereof, to engage with the compression arrangement when the stack is being introduced inside the housing through the inlet. The releasing mechanism restricts the movement of the compression arrangement, thereby results in change of the state of the stack to the expanded state in the second space inside the housing.As per another embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure, a refillable dispenser comprises a housing, a releasing arrangement, and one or more compressing elements at the stack inlet. The compressing elements provides additional compression pressure to the already compressed stack while introducing the stack to the second space inside the housing, creating a space between the stack and the compression arrangement. The compressing elements may be a wheel, a polished protrusion, and the like. 0284348036-01 The releasing mechanism, while introducing the stack from the stack inlet, can engage the compression arrangement via the created space such that the releasing mechanism forms grips over the compression arrangement and restricts the movement of the compression arrangement while the stack moves to the second space, thereby facilitating release of the compression arrangement from the stack and inducing switching of the stack to its expanded state.The releasing mechanism may take the form of a sharp wedge or teeth to remove the compression arrangement by tearing or ripping.The releasing mechanism may take the form of a hook, a grasping arm, or clasps to remove the compression arrangement as a whole.Additionally, there may be different configuration for the releasing mechanism in the refillable dispenser of the present disclosure. As per one embodiment of a third aspect of the present disclosure, the front wall of the refillable dispenser comprises the releasing mechanism. The front wall can be configured to displace with respect to the housing to cover and uncover the stack inlet for introduction of the stack in the space defined by the housing. The releasing mechanism can be mounted to the front wall, such that during covering of the inlet by the front wall, the releasing mechanism engages the compression arrangement. The front wall can further comprise protrusions at a bottom portion thereof, the protrusions being configured to engage with corresponding grooves formed in the housing to facilitate displacement of the front wall.The releasing mechanism can be provided at an inner surface of the front wall such that a downwards displacement of the front wall causes engagement of the releasing mechanism to a suitable portion of the compression arrangement of the stack. This action can release the compression arrangement, thereby inducing switching of the state of the stack from the compressed state to the expanded state, when the housing is closed, i.e., when the inlet is covered by the front wall.The releasing mechanism may further include a pressure protrusion configured to engage with the compression arrangement so as to alter the elasticity thereof, thereby increasing the ease of engagement of the portion of the compression arrangement with the releasing mechanism.The releasing mechanism may further be configured to engage with the compression arrangement at the bridging area of the compression arrangement. 0284348036-01 As per another embodiment of the third aspect of the present disclosure, a refillable dispenser comprises a housing configured to accommodate a stack in the compressed state and the expanded state. The compression arrangement of the stack can comprise a relieve mechanism that may be partially attached to the uppermost sheet material of the stack.The stack can be placed in the housing such that the relieve mechanism is accessible by a user and the user can apply a pulling force to the relieve mechanism in order to release the compression arrangement, thereby inducing switching of the stack from the compressed state to the expanded state. The releasing mechanism can be a pulling tab, a perforated ripping slit and/or a compressing sleeve with at least partially glued ends provided at a suitable portion of the stack. In such case, the housing can include a slit or an opening via which a user can reach the releasing mechanism and induce expansion of the stack within the housing.A refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure can comprise a panel attached to the outer surface of the front wall. The panel may be generally parallel to the outer surface of the front wall and integrally attached to the front wall so as to be displaced along with the front wall. The panel can be attached to the outer surface in such a manner to provide a gap therebetween. The gap is arranged to allow sheet materials dispensed from the stack to pass therethrough and allow a user to access the sheet material by applying a downward force thereon.A refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure can further comprise a mounting arrangement configured to facilitate mounting of the dispenser to an external element. The mounting arrangement can include mounting brackets, screw arrangement, Velcro mechanism, and hanging supports, i.e., cylindrical hanging supports suitable for hanging on a conventional toilet roll holder. Alternatively, the dispenser can be mountable on a flat surface, such as a tabletop, or to be coupled with a designated bracket.A refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure can further comprise a peek-hole that allows a user to examine the contents inside the dispenser and evaluate how much sheet material is left therein.A refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure can further comprise a stopping element rotatable about a hinge to prevent sheet material dropping back into the space of the housing while the sheet material is being dispensed out of the housing. The 0284348036-01 stopping element may be a telescopic arm, an arm having a substantially heavy weight, or an arm made of elastic material.In a refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure, a platform for introducing the stack is integrated with a guiding arrangement.A refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure can further include a port in the housing to remove the compression arrangement after the latter has been released from the stack, optionally due to engagement with the releasing mechanism.A refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure can further include one or more provisions to increase hygienic conditions for a user utilizing the dispenser.According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pack of sheet material for use with a refillable dispenser. The pack comprises:at least one stack of sheet material in the form of a Zig-Zag folded strip being switchable at least from a compressed state at which said stack has a first volume to an expanded state at which said stack has a second volume greater than said first volume; anda compression arrangement configured to hold said stack at said compressed state, and be released to facilitate expansion of said stack to said expanded state.According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a kit comprising a refillable dispenser and at least one stack at its compressed state, the stack being held in the compressed state by a compression arrangement.The kit can be usable in places where dispensing of sheet material is required for hygienic purposes, such as, in bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, medical clinics, in cosmetic applications, and logistical sites and the like.The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the existing dispensing devices by eliminating the need of handling unwrapped sheets outside the dispenser and facilitating the expansion of the stack of sheet material in a designated space inside the dispenser. In addition, by using the compressed stack of sheet material with a dispenser according to the present invention, major environmental benefit such as reduced transportation emission is gained as compressed sheet material articles are used for hygiene and sanitary purposes which require less volume for transportation. Especially in a changing reality in which more sanitary paper is used at home by consumers, and ongoing COVID quarantines which increase the volume of last mile shipping. 0284348036-01 A releasing mechanism enables more reliable and precise engagement for releasing the compression arrangement, which enables less material to be used to manufacture the compression arrangement, as undesired motions done by a user are mitigated by the incorporated mechanisms presently disclosed.The present inventions enhances the handling of a relatively light and thin material such as a sanitary paper that demands more controlled motions and hand maneuverability from a user, as former inventions demanded from a more challenged parts of the population, such as elderly, people with disabilities and small children.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a refillable dispenser for use with a stack of sheet material in accordance with one embodiment of a first aspect of the subject matter of the present application.Fig. 1B is a side view of the dispenser as that in FIG. 1A, with the stack in a compressed state and the side walls of the dispenser being shown as transparent for the purpose of illustration.Fig. 1C is a side view of the dispenser as that in FIG. 1A, with the stack in an expanded state and the side walls of the dispenser being shown as transparent for the purpose of illustration.Fig. 2A is a side view of a stack of sheet material in a compressed state.Fig. 2B is a perspective view of a stack of sheet material in a compressed state.Fig. 2C is a side view of the stack of sheet material of Fig. 2A, in an expanded state.Fig. 2D is a perspective view of a stack of sheet material of Fig. 2B, in an expanded state.Fig. 2E is a perspective view of a stack of sheet material showing a bridging area.Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a refillable dispenser for use with a stack of sheet material in accordance with one embodiment of a second aspect of the subject matter of the present application. 0284348036-01 Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a refillable dispenser for use with a stack of sheet material in accordance with another embodiment of a second aspect of the subject matter of the present application.Figs. 5A-5C illustrate various views of the dispenser of Fig. 4, with the front wall being shown as separated for the purpose of illustration.Figs. 6A-6F illustrate various stages of introducing a stack of sheet material in the dispenser of Fig. 4.Fig. 7A illustrate a mechanism to prevent sheet material from dropping into the housing, in accordance with one example of the subject matter of the present application, the mechanism being shown separated from the dispenser for the purpose of illustration.Figs 7B-7D illustrate various states of the mechanism of Fig. 7A attached to the dispenser.Fig. 8A illustrates a close-up view of a mounting arrangement for the dispenser, in accordance with one example of the subject matter of the present application.Fig. 8B illustrates the dispenser mounted to an external member.Figs 9A-9B illustrate perspective views of a refillable dispenser for use with a stack of sheet material in accordance with another embodiment of a second aspect of the subject matter of the present application.Fig. 10A illustrates a perspective view of a refillable dispenser for use with a stack of sheet material in accordance with one embodiment of a third aspect of the subject matter of the present application.Fig. 10B illustrates a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 10A, with the front wall displaced with respect to the housing of the dispenser.Fig. 11A illustrates a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 10A, with the front wall being shown as separated for the purpose of illustration.Fig. 11B illustrates a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 10B, with the front wall displaced with respect to the housing of the dispenser by means of a displacing mechanism.Fig. 11C illustrates a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 10A, with a sheet material being dispensed from the dispenser.Figs. 12A-12B illustrate the dispensers of Figs. 11A-11B, in accordance with another embodiment of the third aspect of the subject matter of the present application. 0284348036-01 Fig. 13A illustrates a perspective view of a refillable dispenser for use with a stack of sheet material in accordance with another embodiment of a third aspect of the subject matter of the present application.Fig. 13B illustrates a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 13A, with the front wall being shown as separated for the purpose of illustration.

Claims (18)

- 34 - CLAIMS

1. A refillable dispenser for use with a stack of sheet material, said stackbeing switchable at least from a compressed state at which said stack is held compressed to a first volume by a compression arrangement, to an expanded state at which said stack has a second volume greater than said first volume; said dispenser comprising:a housing defining a first space having a volume corresponding to said first volume for accommodating said stack at said compressed state and a second space including said first space and an expansion space, said second space having a volume corresponding to said second volume for accommodating said stack at said expanded state; anda releasing mechanism configured to engage with said compression arrangement to induce switching of said stack from said compressed state to said expanded state at said second space.

2. The dispenser according to Claim 1, further comprising an outletdisposed adjacent said expansion space configured to facilitate dispensing of the sheet material out from the housing therethrough.

3. The dispenser according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprisinga stack inlet formed in said housing configured to facilitate introduction of said stack to said second space.

4. The dispenser according to Claim 3, wherein said housing furthercomprises a guiding arrangement configured to guide said stack as the latter travels from said inlet into said first space.

5. The dispenser according to Claim 4 when depending on Claim 3,wherein said guiding arrangement comprises a track fixed to said housing, extending from an area of said inlet to an area of said first space. 0284348036-01 - 35 -

6. The dispenser according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein saidguiding arrangement further comprises a movable carrier configured to carry said stack along the track into the housing;

7. The dispenser according to Claim 6 when depending on Claim 5,wherein said movable carrier is engageable with said track so as to travel therealong.

8. The dispenser according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein saidreleasing mechanism is configured to be positioned with respect to the housing such that movement of the stack from said stack inlet to said second space, under guidance of the guiding arrangement, induces engagement of said releasing mechanism with said compression arrangement, which in turn induces switching of said stack from said compressed state to said expanded state at said second space.

9. The dispenser according to Claim 8 when depending on any oneof claims 5 to 7, wherein said releasing mechanism is disposed along said track.

10. A kit comprising the dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, and said stack at its compressed state.

11. The kit according to Claim 10, wherein said compression arrangement comprises two or more portions configured to be separated, at least at one side thereof, to facilitate releasing of said compression arrangement from said stack.

12. The kit according to Claim 11, wherein said compression arrangement further comprises a bridging area connected to each of said two or more portions so as to hold them together prior to said separation thereof.

13. The kit according to Claim 12, wherein said bridging area has a structure corresponding to a structure of said releasing mechanism. 0284348036-01 - 36 -

14. A pack of sheet material for use with a dispenser according to Claim 2, said pack comprising:at least one stack of sheet material switchable at least from a compressed state at which said stack has a first volume to an expanded state at which said stack has a second volume greater than said first volume; anda compression arrangement configured to hold said stack at said compressed state, and be released to facilitate expansion of said stack to said expanded state, wherein at said expanded state, said stack reaches said outlet.

15. A refillable dispenser for use with a stack of sheet material, said stack being switchable at least from a compressed state at which said stack is held compressed to a first volume by a compression arrangement, to an expanded state at which said stack has a second volume greater than said first volume; said dispenser comprising:a housing configured to accommodate said stack at least at said expanded state, said housing having a stack inlet configured to facilitate introduction of said stack thereinto; anda guiding arrangement configured to guide said stack from said stack inlet into said housing.

16. The dispenser according to Claim 15, further comprising a releasing mechanism configured to engage with said compression arrangement to induce switching of said stack from said compressed state to said expanded state at said housing, said releasing mechanism being mounted to said housing such that during said guiding of said stack from said stack inlet into said housing, said compression arrangement is brought to engagement with said releasing mechanism to induce switching of said stack from said compressed state to said expanded state.

17. The dispenser according to Claim 15 or Claim 16, wherein said guiding arrangement is configured to guide said stack from said stack inlet into said housing in a non-linear path. 0284348036-01 - 37 -

18. The dispenser according to Claim 17, wherein said non-linear path is defined such that during said guiding, at a first stage a first wall of said stack is brought towards said releasing mechanism, and in a second stage, an opposite wall of said stack is brought away from said releasing mechanism. 0284348036-01