MXPA98001144A - Improved paper towels distribution mechanism for publi baths - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved paper towel dispenser that prevents potential vandals from pulling several paper towels out of the dispenser at once by including an outer box that defines an interior space, and a stacking mechanism assembling inside the outer box to hold a stack of paper towels. paper towels inside the interior space. A dispenser throat is defined in the outer box near one end of the stacking mechanism, and includes a slot portion that is of a length that is sufficient to allow a paper towel to be pulled through a user, but a relatively wide Narrow that will prevent more than a few towels from being pulled through the throat at one time. The dispensing throat further includes a finger slot portion to assist a user in grasping and pulling a paper towel through the dispensing slot in spite of the relatively narrow width of the slot distributed

Description

MECHANISM IMPROPER PAPER TOWEL PAPER FOR PUBLIC BATHROOMS.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates broadly to the field of dispensers for distributing personal care products, such as paper towels, toilet tissue and hand soap, in a public restroom. More specifically, this invention relates to a paper towel dispensing mechanism that is specifically designed to prevent potential vandals from seizing several towels at a time.

Description of Prior Art Vandalism in public restrooms is a problem that becomes increasingly more serious for the owners of the places, for the consumers and for the maintenance personnel in the United States of America and in the world. Very often, distributors of tissue paper towels for the toilet and hand soap such as those manufactured and sold by the assignee of this invention, Scott Paper Company, are the subject of such activity. Such distributors of paper towels, in particular, in some places are beaten regularly, burned, stained with graffiti, and pulled or pulled out of the wall, leaving them inoperable for other people. In addition, vandals will grab several paper towels from the dispenser, spreading them in the bathroom or even more clogging them in toilets or sink fixtures.

Unfortunately, damaged or inoperative dealers are expensive to replace, and ironically their replacement presents attractive new targets to vandals once they have been installed. Additionally, institutions that suffer from more vandalism are frequently institutions without funds and that are in a poor position to buy accessories and distributors for bathrooms on a frequent basis.

There is a prolonged and unmet need for a restroom dealer to resist the damage and avoid vandalism and carelessness of maintenance personnel.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a distributor for the public bathroom that will prevent large quantities of paper towels from being pulled at the same time. A distributor according to the invention will also avoid waste during normal use.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objective and other objects of the invention, an improved vandal resistant paper towel dispenser for public bathrooms includes, according to a first aspect of the invention, an outer box defining an interior space; a stacking mechanism mounted inside the outer box to hold a stack of paper towels within the interior space; and a dispensing throat defined in the outer box near one end of the stacking mechanism, the dispensing throat comprises a slot portion having a length that is sufficient to allow a paper towel to be pulled through it by a user. , but a relatively narrow width that will prevent more than a few towels being pulled through the throat at the same time, the throat distributor also comprises a finger slot portion to assist a user in grasping and pulling a paper towel to through the distributor slot despite the relatively narrow width of the distributor slot.

According to the second aspect of the invention, an improved dispenser throat configuration for paper towels includes a surface; and a distributor throat defined on the surface, the distributor throat comprises a slot portion having a length that is sufficient to allow a paper towel to be pulled through it by a user, but has a relatively narrow width that will prevent that more than a few towels are pulled through the throat at the same time, the dispensing throat further comprises a parallel slot portion to assist a user in grasping and pulling a paper towel through the dispensing slot despite the width relatively narrow distribution slot.

These and several other advantages and characteristics of the novelty characterizing the invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims herein and form a part thereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and the objects obtained by its use, reference is made to the drawings which form an additional part thereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which it is illustrated and a preferred embodiment of the invention is described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of an improved towel dispenser that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the dispenser of Figure 1 in an open position; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a view shown in the part of Figure 4 in greater detail; Y Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing a distributor throat for the dispenser shown in Figures 1-5 in its preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Referring now to the drawings, wherein the like reference numbers designate a corresponding structure through the views, and referring in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, an improved dispenser 10 for paper towels that is constructed according to an embodiment The preferred embodiment of the invention is designed to prevent potential vandals from pulling several paper towels out of the dispenser 10 at the same time, and also to minimize waste during ordinary use. As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, the distributor 10 includes an outer box 12 defining an interior space, and a pair of vertically oriented distribution and stacking mechanisms 14 that are provided within the interior space as best seen in the figure 2 As can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the distributor 10 includes the first and second distributor grooves 16 and 18 which are defined on a lower surface 20 at the lower end 22 of the outer box 12. First the distributor throat 16 is designed and an attempt is made to distribute paper towels that are maintained in the leftmost stacking and distribution mechanism 14 as seen in Figure 2 while the second distributor throat 18 is designed and intended to distribute the paper towels of the mechanism. of distribution and stacking further to the right 14. The distribution mechanism and the details of the distribution grooves 16 and 18 will be discussed in more detail below.

The outer case 12 further includes a rear mounting surface 24 having a number of mounting holes 26 defined therein for mounting the dispenser 10 to a vertical surface, such as a wall of a public bathroom. The outer layer 12 further includes a door 28 for obtaining access to the stacking and dispensing mechanism 14 during maintenance and other services. The door 28 is mounted by a movement of pivots on a hinge mechanism 34, and can be fixed in the closed position shown in figure 1 by means of the closing mechanism 36, the details of which are not essential for the understanding of the invention.

Turning briefly to Figure 4, it will be seen that the stacking and dispensing mechanism 14 includes an overfill prevention guard 38 in an upper part of the outer case 12. The overfill prevention guard 38 is intended to prevent the personnel from overfilling. Keep the paper towels within the stacking and dispensing mechanism 14 so tightly that the normal operation of the dispenser 10 is prevented. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the stacking and dispensing mechanism 14 each includes an area of stacked 32 near the respective distributor throat 16 and 18 to space and decelerate the towels as they approach the distributor throat 16 and 18. As can also be seen in figure 2, each staging area 32 includes a pair of rib members 30 that are inwardly so as to be parallel to the path of travel of the towels as they approach the respective dispensing throat 16 and 18. Preferably, each rib member 30 has a number of ratchet-type dyes 40 defined thereon to temporarily counteract the movement of the towels as they approach the distributor throat 16 and 18. This allows the paper towels to feed them into the respective distributor throat 16 and 18 in relatively evenly regardless of the weight of the paper towels that are stacked in the dispensing and stacking mechanism 14. In other words, the operation of the dispenser 10 becomes relatively independent that the dispenser is also not at a particular time.

Now looking at Figure 6, it will be seen that a distributor throat 42, which may be either the first distributor throat 16 or the second distributor throat 18, preferably has a special configuration to prevent large amounts of paper towels from being pulled out. of the distributor at one time. Specifically, each dispenser throat 42 includes a slot portion 44 having a length that is sufficient to allow a paper towel to be pulled through it by a user, but a relatively narrow width that will prevent more than a few towels of paper are pulled through the throat at the same time. The dispenser throat 42 further includes a parallel slot portion 46 to assist a user in grasping and pulling a paper towel through the dispensing slot despite the relatively narrow width of the dispensing slot. Preferably, the slot portion 44 of the distributor throat 42 has a point of minimum width V lm a that is less than about 2.0 inches, with a more preferred width that is less than about 1.0 inches, with a more preferred width of about 0.5 inches. The finger groove portion 46 preferably has a width W ^^ that is greater than the width of a human finger, and is preferably within the range of about 0.625 inches to about 1.0 inches. More preferably, W ^^ is within the range of about 0.656 inches to about 0.81 inches, with the most preferred value of about 0.710 inches. The parallel groove portion 46 preferably has a length, defined as the longitudinal distance from the end of the groove to the wall of the groove portion 44, which is within the range of about 1.0 inches to about 4.0 inches. More preferably, the Luration is within the range of about 2.0 inches to about 3.0 inches, with a more preferred value of about 2.55 inches.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the parallel groove 46 is preferably oriented towards the rear of the outer box 12 so that it will be partially hidden behind the tail of a paper towel extending downwards during the operation. This is important for aesthetic reasons and to avoid vandalism.

In operation, the maintenance personnel will fill the stacking and dispensing mechanism 14, avoiding overfilling, by overfill prevention guard 38. During use, a consumer will grasp a paper towel by grasping the tail extending downward of the towel, and pinching the body of the towel by placing a finger in the parallel slot portion 46 of one or more of the distributor grooves 42. If the user pulls very aggressively, such as in an effort to pull a large number of towels outside the dispenser 10, he or she will not be able to succeed because a large number of towels will not be able to pass through the slot portion 14 of the distributor throat 42. Therefore, the waste in which it was damaged, It is materially reduced.

It should be understood, however, that while numerous features or advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with the details of the structure and function of the invention, the description is illustrative only and the details changes can be made , especially in matters of form, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the invention in the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims (20)

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

1. An improved paper towel dispenser that prevents potential vandals from pulling several paper towels out of the dispenser at the same time, including: an outer box that defines an interior space; stacking means mounted inside said outer box to contain a stack of paper towels within the interior space; Y a dispensing throat defined in said outer box near one end of the stacking means, said dispensing throat comprises a slot portion having a length that is sufficient to allow a paper towel to be pulled through it by a user , but a relatively narrow width that will prevent more than a few towels being pulled through said throat at the same time, said dispensing throat further comprises a finger slot portion to assist a user in grasping and pulling a paper towel to through the distributor slot despite the relatively narrow width of said distributor slot.

2. A dispenser as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said slot portion of the distributor throat has a minimum point width that is less than 2.0 inches.

3. A dispenser as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said slot portion of the distributor throat has a point of minimum width that is less than about 1.0 inches.

. A dispenser as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said finger groove portion of the distributor throat has a width that is greater than the width of a human finger.

5. A dispenser as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said finger groove portion of the distributor throat has a width that is within the range of about 0.625 inches to about 1.0 inches.

6. A dispenser as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that the finger groove portion of said distributor throat has a width that is within the range of 0.656 inches to about 0.81 inches.

7. A dispenser as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said finger groove portion of said distributor throat has a length that is within the range of about 1.0 inches to about 4.0 inches.

8. A dispenser as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that said finger groove portion of said dispenser throat has a length that is within the range of about 2.0 inches to about 3.0 inches.

9. A dispenser as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said dispenser throat is positioned at a lower end of said outer box, and said finger slot part of said dispenser throat is oriented towards the rear of said outer box, so it will be hidden from view by a tail that extends down the paper towel during use for aesthetic and preventive purposes.

10. A dispenser as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said stacking means comprises a stacking area close to the distributor throat to space and decelerate the towels when approaching the distributor throat.

11. A dispenser as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that said stacking area comprises at least one rib member that is oriented, to be parallel to the path of travel of the towels as they approach the dispensing throat, and a number of ratchet type teeth defined on said rib to temporarily counteract the movement of the towels as they approach the dispensing throat.

12. A distributor as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that said staging area comprises two of the rib members.

13. A throat distribution configuration for paper towels comprising: a surface, and a distributor throat defined in said surface, said distributor throat comprises a slot portion having a length that is sufficient to allow a paper towel to be pulled through it by a user, but a relatively narrow width that will prevent more of a few towels being pulled through the throat at the same time, said dispensing throat further comprises a parallel slot portion to assist a user of the area to pull a paper towel through the dispensing slot despite the relatively narrow width of said distributor slot.

14. A distributor throat as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said slot part of said distributor throat has a point of minimum width that is less than about 2.0 inches.

15. A distributor throat as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that said slot portion of said distributor throat has a point of minimum width that is less than about 1.0 inch.

16. A distributor throat as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said finger groove portion of said distributor throat has a width that is greater than the width of a human finger.

17. A distributor throat as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said finger groove portion of said distributor throat has a width that is within the range of about 0.625 to about 1.0 inches.

18. A distributor throat as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said finger groove portion of said distributor throat has a width that is within the range of 0.656 inches to about 0.81 inches.

19. A distributor throat as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said finger groove portion of said distributor throat has a width that is within a range of about 1.0 inches to about 4.0 inches.

20. A distributor throat as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that said finger groove portion of said distributor throat has a length that is within the range of about 2.0 inches to about 3.0 inches. SUMMARY An improved paper towel dispenser that prevents potential vandals from pulling several paper towels out of the dispenser at once by including an outer box that defines an interior space, and a stacking mechanism assembling inside the outer box to hold a stack of paper towels. paper towels inside the interior space. A dispenser throat is defined in the outer box near one end of the stacking mechanism, and includes a slot portion that is of a length that is sufficient to allow a paper towel to be pulled through a user, but a width Relatively narrow that will prevent more than a few towels being pulled through the throat at one time. The dispensing throat further includes a finger slot portion to assist a user in grasping and pulling a paper towel through the dispensing slot despite the relatively narrow width of the dispensing slot.