MXPA01001076A - Folded sheet dispenser adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

An adapter (10) for dispensing a plurality of vertically stacked, interfolded sheets is disclosed herein, the adapter (10) being configured to fit within a standard vertically-stacked dual roll dispenser. The adapter (10) includes a housing (12) having an interior adapted to receive a plurality of vertically stacked, interfolded sheets. The housing (12) may include a frontwall (14), a back wall (16) spaced apart from the front wall (14), and two spaced-apart side walls (18). An opening (28) having a width dimension is formed in the front wall (14), the opening (28) adapted to dispense vertically stacked interfolded sheets from the interior of the housing (10). The side edges of the sheets are urged inwardly by the width dimension of the opening (28) as the sheets pass through the opening (28).

Description

ADAPTER OF FOLDED BLADE DISPENSER The application claims priority of the United States of America provisional patent application number 60 / 096,557, filed on August 14, 1998, and of the design patent application of the United States of America number 29 / 092,259 filed on August 14, 1998.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally directed to bent sheet adapters for roll spouts, and more particularly to bent sheet assortment sheet adapters for vertically normal stacked dual roll spouts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A wide variety of dispensers are available to supply materials such as tissue, paper towels and the like. Most dispensers are configured to supply such materials either from a roll or from a pillow of interfolded sheets. Fountains for multiple rolls of paper material such as tissue rolls for bathroom are also well known in the art. With typical conventional dispensers of this type, two rolls of tissue are ^^ g ^ * S ^^ ^ --- ^^ --------- ^ --------- ^^^^^^^^^^ a ^ «^^^ ^^^ oriented vertically within the spout so that the top roll falls or otherwise moves into the assortment position when the bottom roll is depleted. In selected applications, the use of interfolded and stacked sheets offers several advantages to users over materials in roll form.

Unfortunately, dispensers configured to supply roll materials are typically not capable of supplying interfolded and stacked sheets. Therefore, when a user wishes to change from supplying rolled materials to supplying interfolded and stacked materials, a new dispenser must be purchased and installed. To avoid the additional cost and labor incurred in installing a new spout, an adapter is required which allows a user to easily and inexpensively adapt a roll spout to supply interfolded and stacked sheets.

In selected circumstances, it may be desirable to alternate between dispensing rolled materials and dispensing interfolded and stacked sheets. In such circumstances, an adapter must be capable of being installed in the roll dispenser without damaging the mechanisms within the dispenser which allows the rolled materials to be stocked. Therefore, it would be desirable for an adapter to be easily removed and installed inside the rolled material dispenser.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an adapter for supplying a plurality of interfolded and vertically stacked sheets. The adapter is configured to fit inside a dispenser which supplies rolled materials. In the selected incorporations, the adapter is configured to be placed inside a dispenser which delivers two rolls of material vertically stacked. The adapter includes a box having an interior that is adapted to receive a plurality of interfolded and vertically stacked sheets. Each sheet includes a leading edge and a tail edge separated by the spaced side edges. The box can include a back wall. In some embodiments, a protrusion is placed on the lower wall, the protrusion extending upwardly inside the box. The box may also include a front wall, a rear wall spaced apart from the front wall, and two spaced side walls, each side wall extending between the bottom wall and the front wall.

An opening is formed in the box and, in the selected embodiments, is placed on the front wall. The opening is characterized by a width dimension and a height dimension. In some embodiments, the width dimension is greater than the height dimension. The The opening can be shaped in a varied manner and adapted to supply interfolded and vertically stacked sheets from the inside of the box. The side edges of the sheets can be pushed inward by the width dimension of the opening as the sheets pass through the opening.

In some embodiments, a door can be attached to the box, the door is adapted to allow easy access to the interior of the box. The door can be fastened in a pivot or otherwise attached to the can.

In certain embodiments, the front wall further includes an upper part and a lower part joined along a front edge. In such embodiments, the opening may be placed on the lower part of the front wall. A first interior angle formed by the lower part and the upper part of the front wall may, in some particular embodiments, be less than 180 degrees.

Similarly, the rear wall may also include an upper part and a lower part joined together. a back edge. A second interior angle formed by the lower part and the upper part of the rear wall can be less than 180 degrees.

A clamping mechanism can be provided, ^^ - ^ - --- ^ ^ - ^ - ^ - ^ - ^ K, --.'- w ^ C - said clamping mechanism being adapted to join the box to a roll dispenser dual stacked vertically. In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism may include an adhesive and may be placed on the back wall of the box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of an adapter according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an adapter according to the present invention placed inside a spout which supplies two rolls of vertically stacked material.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view L of the embodiment of the adapter shown in Figure 2, taken along line 3-3.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional and partial side view of another embodiment of the adapter. the present invention.

Figure 5 is a rear view of the embodiment of the adapter shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a top view of the embodiment of the adapter shown in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a front view of yet another embodiment of the adapter according to the present invention.

Figures 8A-8E illustrate various aperture shapes suitable for use with the adapter of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a schematic cross section illustrating a dispenser sequence for a plurality of interfolded and vertically stacked sheets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown there a paper towel or tissue adapter 10. The adapter 10 includes a box 12 sized to receive a dispensable material such as, for example, a plurality of paper towels or folded tissues. Although the box 12 may be configured in a varied manner, the box 12, as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, includes a lower wall 13, a front wall 14, a rear wall 16 and two side walls spaced apart and 18, the front wall 14 and the rear wall 16 being separated by the side walls 18.

As shown in the incorporation based on. the Figure 1, the front wall 14 includes an upper part 22 and a lower part 24 which are joined along a front edge 26. An opening 28 is disposed on the front wall 14. The opening 28 can be formed in a variety of forms. In selected embodiments, the opening 28 is placed on the lower part 24 of the front wall 14. The sheets such as, for example, tissues, paper towels or other materials that are placed inside the interior 30 of the box 12 are assorted through the openings 28.

The adapter 10 is configured to be placed inside a dispenser which dispenses the rolled materials such as, for example, the tissues or the paper towels. In the selected embodiments and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the adapter 10 can be placed inside a spout 32. The spout 32 can include a front 33, a back 31 and a removable cover 34. As shown in FIG. Figure 3, the back 31 of the dispenser 32 can be mounted to a support member such as the wall 35. The spout 32 can also be mounted or supported by a wide variety of structures such as a shelf, a counter or the like.

Figure 3 shows a cross section of the embodiment shown in Figure 2, taken along line 3-3. As shown there, the adapter 10 is at least partially supported by the spout 32. The adapter 10 is placed inside the spout 32 so that the front wall 14 of the adapter 10 faces the same direction as the front 33 of the spout 32. Therefore, an individual facing the front 33 of the spout 32 is also facing the front wall 14 of the adapter 10.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the adapter 10 may also include a door 36 attached to the case 12. The door 36 is attached to the case 12 in a manner which allows easy access to the interior 30 of the case 12 Therefore, a user can open the door 36 to fill the interior 30 of the box 12 with the materials such as paper towels or stacked and stacked tissues. After filling the interior 30 of the box 12, the user can close the door 36 of the box 12.

The door 36 can be configured in various ways and be attached to the box 12 so that the door can be opened by sliding, pivoting, detaching or the like. A variety of fastening mechanisms can be used, including, for example, a living hinge, sliding members such as guide rails entrecerrabl.es, mechanical fasteners such as screws or rivets, or hinges. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, a pair of hinges 38 is used to secure the door 36 to the box 12. In particular embodiments, the hinges 38 may be , -faaL & a-áfaff-- "-, -.-.? -?.? - -a ** -, - placed on the lower edge 37 of the door 36. The lower edge 37 of the door 36 can be placed near the upper part 22 of the front wall 14 as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The lower edge 37 of the wall 36 can also be placed near the lower part 24 of the front wall 14, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. In alternate embodiments, the door 36 can be pivotally connected at its upper edge to the box 12.

Therefore, when the adapter 10 has been placed inside the spout 32, the interior 30 of the box 12 can be easily refilled with the materials by pivoting the cover 34 of the spout 32 outwards or by removing the cover 34 of the spout 32. and opening the door 36 of the box 12. In such embodiments, tissue sheets or other material can be placed inside the interior 30 of the box 12 without removing the adapter 10 from the spout 32.

In the particular embodiments and as best shown in Figure 4, the upper part 22 and the lower part 24 of the front wall 14 form a first interior angle a- with the interior 30 of the box 12. In selected incorporations, the first inner angle a- is less than 180 degrees. The lower and upper parts 22 and 24 can be planar or arched. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first interior angle o- is formed between the perte _ ^ ----- ai ^ _-- s- _-: ~ -i »ii? iSfafeA .'-» - * - J .. «. - - -----. - - -three lower 24 of the front wall 14 and of the door 36.

In some embodiments and as shown in Figure 4, the rear wall 16 of the box 12 may also include an upper part 40 and a lower part 42 which intersect along a rear edge 44. The upper part 40 and lower part 42 form a second interior angle ß within the interior 30 of the box 12. In selected incorporations, the second interior angle β is less than 180 degrees. The lower and upper parts 40 and 42 can be planar or arched.

The interior angles io and ß formed in the front and rear walls, 14 and 16, respectively, help to place the sheets inside the interior 30 of the box 12 so that these can easily be removed through the aperture 28. In some embodiments, the lower wall 13 can also be set at a varied angle with respect to the front and rear walls. As shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a protrusion 20 is provided which extends upwardly from the lower wall 13 into the interior 30 of the box 12. The protrusion 20 may be formed to assist in moving the materials that they will be supplied inside the position so that they can be easily removed from the box 12. ___ S --- = ----- £ ~ * *? M ?? > xaÍÍSt? ¡í¡- "-tac. - • '«_aí -. , »----. > . - ,. . The adapter 10 may be secured within the dispenser 32 in a variety of ways, including attaching the adapter 10 to the dispenser adhesively or using mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, and the like. For example, at least one section of a double-sided adhesive tape can be secured to the outer surface of the box 12. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, a pair of two-sided adhesive tape strips 46 are secured to the back wall 16 of the box 12. If desired, the adapter 10 can be removably secured to the spout 32 to allow easy removal and replacement of the adapter 10 without altering the original function of the spout 32, thereby allowing a Unique supplier can be easily converted to supply material from any roll or sheets.

The adapter 10, as described herein, can be constructed from a variety of materials, such as metal, plastics or other materials. The construction of the adapter 10 will depend on which materials are used. For example, a variety of plastics can be used to mold a one piece unit box 12.

Figures 7 and 8A-8E illustrate the alternate configurations of the opening 28. In each of Figures 7 and 8A-8E, the opening 28 has a length dimension A, illustrated by the cut line A, and a width dimension B, illustrated by a cut line B. In some embodiments, the length dimension A extends horizontally when the adapter-10 is mounted within a spout 32. In other embodiments, the width dimension B may extend horizontally when the adapter is mounted within the spout 32. The opening 28 may also be otherwise oriented with respect to the spout to assist in the removal of the stacked and folded materials from the interior 30 of the box 12.

In some cases, for example in Figures 8C and 8D, the cut line Bl and B2 illustrate the separated width dimensions of varying size within each of the respective shapes. However, in these cases, the dimension of length A remains larger than the largest of any dimension of width Bl or B2.

The shape of the opening 28 illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 5 can be characterized as "rod-shaped". The "rod-shaped" opening can be described as an elongated opening having rounded ends, the width of the opening increasing around the midpoint of the length of the opening. Specifically, the width increases to a particular width and remains constant until the width again decreases to the previous width of the opening.

The opening 28 shown in Figure 7 is a elongated opening having rounded ends, an essentially straight lower edge, and an upper edge which arches upwards about half way along the length: -thud of the opening.

Referring now to Figure 8A, the shape of the opening 28 described therein can be characterized as "star-shaped" in the sense that the opening 28 looks very similar to an elongated four-pointed star. As shown in Figure 8B, the opening 28 can be characterized as "clover-shaped". The "clover-shaped" opening is similar to the "rod-shaped" opening except that the increase in width near the midpoint of the opening length is almost in the form of a half-circle formed along the length of the opening. the lower and upper boi'des of the opening, the half circle being centered near the midpoint of the length dimension.

The opening 28 illustrated in Figure 8C can be characterized as "gymnastic shape", since the opening is an elongated opening having rounded and enlarged ends. The opening 28 illustrated in Figure 8D can be characterized as "keyhole shaped" and is similar to the "gymnastic shape" opening except that the diameter of the opening 28 is enlarged at only one end. The opening 28 illustrated in Figure 8E can be characterized as "oval".

Referring to Figure 9, there is shown there a column 50 that includes a plurality of vertically folded stacked sheets 48. Although many different arrays of interfolded sheets can be used in the present invention, Figure 9 illustrates a particular interleaving arrangement. Within the column 50, each sheet 48 is generally folded in half on itself so that the bent halves capture the tail edge 52 of the sheet 48 directly below it and the leading edge 54 of the sheet directly above it. . The column 50 is supported within the adapter 10. Each leaf 48 also includes spaced apart lateral edges which are pushed inwardly by the opening as the sheets 48 pass through the opening in the lower part of the front wall.

Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to achieve an understanding of the foregoing that alterations, variations, and equivalents of these additions can be readily conceived.

Claims (17)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An adapter for supplying a plurality of interfolded and vertically stacked sheets, the adapter comprises: a box comprising an interior adapted to receive a plurality of interfolded and vertically stacked sheets, each sheet includes a leading edge and a tail edge separated by the spaced apart side edges; Y an opening having a width dimension, the opening formed in the wall of the box, the opening is adapted to supply vertically interfolded sheets stacked from the inside of the box, the side edges of the sheets being pushed inward by the dimension of width of the opening when the sheets pass through said opening; whereby the adapter is configured to fit within a spout which is adapted to remove the rolled material.

2. The adapter as claimed in clause 1 further characterized in that it includes a door attached to the box.

3. The adapter as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the box also includes a lower wall that includes a protrusion that extends up and inside the interior of the box.

4. The adapter as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the opening further comprises a length dimension and a width dimension, the length dimension being greater than the width dimension.

5. The adapter as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the box is formed of plastic.

6. The adapter as claimed in clause 1 further characterized in that it includes a joining mechanism adapted to attach the box to a vertically stacked dual roll dispenser.

7. The adapter as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that the joining mechanism includes an adhesive.

8. An adapter for supplying a plurality of interfolded and vertically stacked sheets, the adapter comprises: ,% -I missed a box that includes: an interior adapted to receive a plurality of interfolded and vertically stacked sheets, each sheet includes a leading edge and a tail edge separated by the spaced apart side edges, a bottom wall including a protrusion extending upwardly from the interior of the box; a front wall, a rear wall spaced from the front.al wall, Y two side walls spaced apart, each side wall extending between the rear wall and the front wall; an opening having a width dimension formed in the front wall, the opening is adapted to supply vertically interfolded sheets stacked from the inside of the box, the side edges of the sheets being pushed inward by the width dimension of the aperture. ura as the sheets pass through the opening; and a door attached to the box; whereby the adapter is configured to fit within a spout which is adapted to supply two vertically stacked rolls of material.

9. The adapter as claimed in clause 8 characterized in that the front wall further includes an upper part and a lower part which are joined along a front edge.

10. The adapter as claimed in clause 9 characterized in that a first interior angle is being formed by the lower part and the upper part d 'the front wall, the first interior angle being less than 180 degrees.

11. The adapter as claimed in clause 8 characterized in that the rear wall further comprises an upper part and a lower part which are joined at the trailing edge.

12. The adapter as claimed in clause 11 characterized in that a second interior angle is formed by the lower part and the upper part of the rear wall, the second lower angle being less than 180 degrees,

13. The adapter as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that the opening is placed on the lower part of the front wall of the box.

14. The adapter as claimed in clause 8 characterized in that it also comprises a length dimension and a width dimension, the length dimension being greater than the width dimension.

15. The adapter as claimed in clause 8 characterized in that the door is pivoted to the box.

16. The adapter as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that it also includes a joining mechanism adapted to hold the box to a vertically stacked dual roll dispenser.

17. The adapter as claimed in clause 16 characterized in that the attachment mechanism includes an adhesive. S-r £ fe - tfe > . -t ..; ^ - MMS - ^ - fe-j - ^ .. ^ R E S U M E N An adapter for supplying a plurality of interfolded and vertically stacked sheets is described herein, the adapter being configured to fit within a vertically stacked and standard dual roll dispenser. The adapter includes a box having an interior adapted to receive a plurality of interfolded and vertically stacked sheets. The box may include a front wall, a rear wall spaced from the front wall, and two side walls spaced apart. An opening having a width dimension is formed in the front wall, the opening is adapted to supply the interfolded sheets and stacked vertically from the inside of the box. The side edges of the sheets are pressed inwardly by the width dimension of the opening as the sheets pass through the opening. »^ Sa-aaü &amp-a8ft