US1679904A - Dispenser for paper napkins and like articles - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 7, 1928.

J. O. HUNT ET AL DISPENSER FOR PAPER NAPKINS AND LIKE ARTICLES Filed June 24, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 m-ulunv. W nn ",1," 111111115 I! :57. ITQW H IHHHU rlllill 1L l Aug. 7, 1928.

J. O. HUNT ET AL DISPENSER FOR PAPER NAPKINS AND LIKE ARTICLES Filed June 24, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIHIMIIIIII III III 131' w w w 1,679,904 J O HUNT ET AL DISPENSER FOR PAPER NAPKINS AND LIKE ARTICLES Flled June 24, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS Jafirz flflzzrzfm a figprgeJYMr/a Aug. 7, 1928.

Aug. 7, 1928. 1,679,904 J. o. HUNT ET AL DISPENSER FOR PAPER NAPKINS AND LIKE ARTICLES Filed June 24, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS faiz 0. 11 a! and Aug. 7

Filed June 24, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet M a m 3 3 a u 5: 1 M a l.|. l| H. [I m" lNVENTORf) Ja/uz 0 and a Patented Aug. 7, 1928. r 1,679,904

UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

JoHN o. HUNT, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, AND GEORGE H. NORTH, or cEANs'roN, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNORS 'ro INDEPENDENT PAPER MILLS, me, or BROOKLYN,

NEW YOR ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

DISPENSER Eon PAPER NAPKINS ANnLIKE ARTICLES.

Application filed June 24, 1925. serial No. 39,215.

Our invention relates toan apparatus for Fig. is a sectional elevation on'line dispensing paper napkins and like articles, 5-5 Fig. 2. p and more particularly, to that typeof Such Flg. 6 is a partial section taken on line apparatus in which a pile f superimposed 6-6 Fig, 7 and 5 napkins folded in aparticular manner is Fig. 7 is an inverted plan of the base of 65 placed upon a platform, and the platform the apparatus.

automatically moved toward an orifice or The dispenser for paper napkins and the opening in the apparatus through which the like made in accordance with our invention napkins are obtainable one at a time. We 1s constructed to include a suitable casing 10 are aware that in apparatus of this type Which as illustrated may comprise a front movable platforms have heretofore been wall 10, and a back wall 11, and side Walls employed, and various types of motors used and 13, so connected as to be rectangular for operating the same. We are also aware 1n cross-section. This casing also includes that heretofore in this type of apparatus dea series of base plates 14,, 15, 16 and 17. At

" vices have been employed and made operaeachcorner oft e casing at the base thereof five through opening the cover of the casing there is a foot or supporting member 18, for maintaining the platform in any depreferably fitted with a cushion 19 of rubber sired position when the cover is open. or other similar material. As illustrated Our present invention relates more parthe base plates 14 and 17, inclusive, are con- 20 ticularly to the use and construction of a nected to the walls of the casing by suitable 7 motor carriage employed for the urposes brackets 20, and angle irons 21, although, indicated, and also to devices by w ieh the as Wi11 be understood, this construction is motor carriage is automatically released merely lllustrative and forms no part of our when the cover is closed, and locked and present invention.

' maintained in any osition when the cover The sing also includes a frame or cap is open, the object o the invention being the 22, ada-pted to fit over the upper end of the provision of a. motor and its housin which oaslng, and as shown may be made to inis so constructed as to effect a material savelude a moulding 23 for the purpose of ing in manufacture, and greater facility in ornamentation. Extending across the frame so assembling the parts of the motor, and at, or cap 22 in a substantially central aosition go the same time one in which the motor itself there is a cross-bar 24. The casing urtheris adjustable to vary the tension or power more includes a suitable cover 25', which is' derived f n the 5 1119 the motor andmohinged as lndicated It O1 otherwise C011- tor housing, and the platform comprising a 1 Cted t0 the casing. In carr ing out the 35 carriage with which the brake devices coll'lventlon We Prefer to PIO 8 th s Cover operate to hold the carriage in any given member 25 Wlth IOllGCl POItiOIlS 27 having position when the cover of the casing is open Concave 1111161 r es, and en openin 28 for the insertion of napkins or other articles, at one end whereby the P p nepliins, or otherwise, and to release the platform tofwds 9 other simllill ar icles are main- 40 making the motor operative when the cover tamed 111 Contact against his Concave Suris closed, all of which will be hereinafter face, and y bereedily removed one at a more particulraly described. time through the said opening. As illus- In th /drawin Fig, 1 i a l d trated, the dispenser includes two sets, of partial section illustrating a dispensing apapp tus for dispensing the paper napkins paratus made in accordance with our inven other articles and as will be understood:

tion. 1 irrespective of the number of sets of ap- Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation online 2 2, paratus employed there 1s a rolled portion Fig. 1. in the cover and an openlng therein for Fig. 8 is a section on line 33, .Fig. 2. each set of apparatus, in order that the ar- 50 Fig. 4 1s a section on line 4.-4, Fig. 1. holes dispensed from each set are independent of the articles dispensed from any other set of the apparatus, it being obvious that any number of sets of apparatus may be included in any given dispenser. Brace and spacer rods 29 and 30 are secured at their upper or outer ends in tapped openings provided for this purpose in the crossbar 24, and extend between the same and a cross-bar '31, the lower or inner ends of these brace and spacer rods passin through and being connected to the cross-bar 31 by nuts 32, 33 or otherwise. The cross-bar 31is secured in position by being connected to the angle irons 21 by means of bolts 34, 35 or otherwise.

One of the features of our present invention relates more particularly to the construction of the motor and platform. The motor is a spring motor, and the casing is constructed in two similar parts which are adapted to be assembled in reverse ositions and connected to form the platform for the su erimposed pile of paper napkins or other ike articles, and also to form a housing for the operative parts of the motor, which furthermore, are constructed to be adjustable to vary the tension exerted by the motor when in use. Each set of operating devices is similarly constructed, and for this reason but one of them will be specifically described. 4

The carriage for raising or advancing a superimposed pile of paper napkins or like articles includes a platform, a housing, and the motor mechanism mounted therein. The platform is a part of the housing, and the housing is made in two sections similar to each other in all respects, and the arts thereof adapted to be reversed and p aced together to contain the motor. The platform connected to one art of the housing is indicated at 36. This part of the housing also, includes a wall 37 which is angular, providing end walls, one of which terminates in an extension flange 38, which is offset from the center line of the housing, and the other terminatesin a flanged bracket 39. The platform portion of the other section of the motor housing is indicated at 40. This section of the housing includes a wall 41 which is also angular, providing end walls corresponding to the end walls of the wall 37, and one of which is rovided with an offset extension 42, whic corresponds to the offset extension 38, and the other with a flanged bracket 43, which corresponds to the flanged bracket 39. The platform 36 at one end thereof is provided with a boss 44. At the corres on'ding end of the platform 40 there is a boss 45. Similarly at the other side of the apparatus the end of the platform 40 is provided with a boss 47 corresponding with the boss 44 on the platform 36, and the platform 36 is provided with a boss 48, w ich corresponds to the boss 45 on the platform 40. In the front wall 10 extending substantially from the top to the bottom thereof there is an angle 46 secured to the inner face of the wall in any suitable manner, and similarly there is an angle 49 secured to the rear or back wall 11. Associated with the an le 46 there is a brake bar 50. This brake bar lies against the angle in a position substantially parallel with the front wall 10 and is provided with a plurality of slots 51, which are inclined from one ed e of the brake bar to the other. Extendin t rough each slot 51 there is a pin 52. lilxtending from the lower end of the brake bar there is a rod 53 forming a continuation thereof, and extending through the base plate 16. Surrounding the rod 53 there is a spring 54 extending between the base plate 16 and the lower-or inner end of the brake bar 50, the action of which tends to force the brake bar u wardly, and by moving against the pins 52 t e brake bar is shifted from right to left, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 6, to bring the adjacent edge of the brake bar into contact. with the boss 45. The frame or cap 22 is provided with an openin 55 through which the upper end of the bra e bar is adapted to extend when the cover is raised or removed, and the cover is provided with a boss 56 adapted when the cover is closed to enter the opening 55, and to engage the upper end of the brake bar 50, to force the same downwardly or inwardly against the action of the spring 54, thereby shifting the position of the brake bar from left to right and away from the boss 45, and releasing the carriage. It will be understood that a brake bar similar in all respects to the brake bar 50 is associated with the angle corresponding to the angle 49 in each unit of the apparatus, and that the parts associated therewith are similar to those associated with the brake bar 50 as hereinbefore described, and are actuated in like manner so that when the cover of the casing is raised or removed the brake bars are operative to engage the carriages frictionally, and to maintain the same in any given position, whereas, when the cover is closed the carriages are released and free to be moved by the motors.

The motor enclosed in the housin as hereinbefore described, is particularly illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. In the wall 37 of the housing there is a bearing 58, and in a similar position in the wall 41 there is a bearing 59. Mounted in these bearings is a shaft 60; on the shaft 60 adjacent the wall 37 is a collar 61, and connected to the collar 61 there is a coil spring 62. At. its inner end this spring is provided with an eye let into a recess in the collar and secured therein by a pin 63 or otherwise. At its outer end the spring is also provided with an eye 64 through which a bolt 65 passes. Thls bolt 65 is adapted to be seated in a recess provided for this pur ose in lugs 66 at the lower or inner ends oi the walls 37 and 41. In the inner face of the collar 61 there is a circularly arranged series of sockets 67.

On the shaft 60 adjacent the wall 41 there is a collar 68. Surrounding this collar 68 is a coiled spring 69. At its inner end this spring 69 is connected to the collar 68 in the same manner that the spring 62 is connected to the collar 61. At its outer end the spring 69 is provided with or terminates in an eye 70, through which the bolt 65 also passes. In the inner face of the collar 68 there is aseries of circularly arranged. sockets 7 1 corresponding in number with the sockets 67.

On the shaft 60 adjacent the collar 61 there is a chain collar 72 having associated therewith spaced disks 73, 74: acting as a guide for a chain 75 as the same is wound upon and unwound from the collar 72. One end of the chain 75 is secured to the collar 72, and this chain passes over a pulley 76 mounted on a shaft journaled in bearings carried by the offset extension 38 and the flanged bracket 43. At its opposite end the chain 75 is connected to a socket 77, and the socket 77 is connected to the frame or cap 22 by a screw 78. The chain 75 in passing through the housing is directed by a guide flange 79.

Also mounted on the shaft 60 is a chain collar 80. This is provided with disks 81 and 82 adapted to act as guides for a chain 83, one end of which is attached to the collar 80. The chain 83 is adapted to be wound and unwound on the collar between the disks 81 and 82, and passes therefrom over a pulley 84 mounted on a suitable shaft j ournaled in bearings provided for this purpose in the offset extension 42, and the flanged bracket 39. In passing through the casing this chain 83 is directed by a guide flange 85. The opposite end of the chain is secured to a socket 86, and is connected to the frame or cap 22 by a screw 87. We employ a spacer 88 surrounding portions of the collars 72 and 80, and extending between the disks 73 and 82 to maintain the parts of the motor in their relative positions on the shaft as hereinafter described.

The collar 72 and also the collar 80 are provided with transverse bores adapted to receive a pin 89, which extends through and sufficiently far beyond the outer surfaces of the collars to enter one of the sockets 67 in the collar 61, and one of the sockets 71 in the collar 68, whereby in assembling the parts of the motor thespringsmay be adjusted to obtain a balance, whereby each spring exerts a substantially'equal turning force or torque on the shaft 60. The shaft 60 is provided with a flange or collar 90 of appreciably greater diameter than the shaft, and adapted to fit within a recess provided therefor in the outer face of the collar 68, so as to; limit the position of this collar and the other parts of the motor relatively to this end of the shaft. The disks 81 and 82 are} secured to the collar 80 in any suitable manner, and the inner portion of the disk 81 abuts against the adjacent face of the collar 68. One side of the spacer 88 abuts against the adjacent inner portion of the disk 82, and the other face of the spacer 88 abuts against the adjacent inner portion of the disk 73. The inner face of the collar 61 abuts a ainst the inner portion of the disk 74 when t 1e parts of the motor are in their assembled positions. As illustrated, the collar 61 is adapted to be turned down on a screw threaded ortion of the shaft 60, and secured in position thereon by a cotter pin 91, or otherwise. From the construction shown, it will be seen that the outer ends of the springs are fixed to the connector member 65; the inner ends of the springs are fixed to the rotatable shaft 60, and exert a turnin force on said shaft which is transmitted through pin 91 and pin 89 to the collars 72 and 80, which thereby exert a tension on the flexible winding and tension members 75 and 83; these tension members, being attached to the top of the casing, serve to lift the motor and platform toward the top of the casing.

t will now be apparent that as the carriage, including the platform and the motor with its housing is moved inwardly or downwardly in the casing of the dispenser the springs of the motor are wound, thereby increasing the tension exerted by the same, and reducing the leverage of the chains so that as the napkins or other articles are dis pensed from the apparatus, and the carriage automatically raises, the tension exerted by the springs is decreased and the leverage of the chains increased, and as the pile o superimposed napkins becomes less and less as the carriage moves upwardly there is a substantially uniform and constant pressure exerted against the napkins to maintain them in position, irrespective of the number of napkins originally placed in or remaining in the superimposed Bile thereof.

The cover or the casing may e normally maintained in a closed position by any suitable means. As illustrated, clearly in Fig. 4 the cover may be provided with a hpok member 92 adapted to pass through an opening 93 in the frame or cap 22, and to be engaged by a latch 94: at the end of one arm of a lever pivotally mounted at 95. The other end 96 of the lever extends through an opening 97 provided therefor in the casing, and acts as a handle by means of which the lever may be swung on its pivotal point against the action of a sprin 98 to disengage the latch 94 and the hoo r 92, thereby unlocking the cover. It will also be apparent that by making the nose of the hook 92 bevelled the same will automatically operate the latch lever 94 in closing the cover and that when the cover reaches its closed position the latchlever will automatically en age the hook to lock the cover 1n place.

t will now furthermore be understood that when the cover is closed the bars 50 are depressed against the actions of the s pr1ngs 54, and are maintained in such positions as not to contact with the bosses 45 of the motor housings, but that when the cover is raised or open these bars 50 are released and are moved upwardly or outwardly and also by means of the pins 52 acting in the slots 51 are shifted laterally to engage the bosses 45 and thereby frictionally maintain the carria es in any desired position.

It will also be understood that irrespectiveof the number of dispensing units which may be employed in any apparatus the parts of the same are similarly constructed, and

- that any desired number of dispensing units may be em loyed in any dispenser without departing rom the nature and spirit of our invention.

The apparatus herein shown and described is particularly adapted for dispensing pa er napkins and other similar articles so fol ed that each napkin or other article in turn may be readily grasped and withdrawn from the dispenser. The particular fold of the paper napkin or other article may be made in any way to accomplish this purpose, preferably however, each napkin or other article is so folded as to comprise a plurality of substantially e ual sections, and an end section of reduce area which may be folded on itself, and the article then transversely folded to present a double edge, either one or both of which are equally available to be grasped by the user in withdrawing the article from the dispenser.

we claim as our invention:

1. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles,.a casing, a carriage comprising a platform, a motor housing integral therewith, and a spring winding motor within the housing, guides for direct-ing the movement of the carriage, and a flexible winding member between the motor and the casing for advancing the carriage and a superimposed pile of paper napkins or like articles placed on the platform for maintaining the outermost article in )osition to be readily grasped and removed t rough the discharge opening in the casing.

2. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a casing, a carriage comprising a multipart motor housing, a platform integral therewith, and a winding motor contained therein, guides for directin the movement of the carriage, and a exible winding member between the motor and the casing, whereby the carriage is automatically advanced by the motor to advance a pile of su erimposed paper napkins or like articles p aced on the platform, and to maintain the outermost article in position to be readily grasped and removed through the discharge opening in the casing.

3. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a casing having a discharge opening therein, a carriage comprising a two part motor housing and a platform integral therewith and a winding motor contained therein, the parts of the housing being duplicates, and adapted to be reversed in position and laced together to contain the motor, guid es for directing the movement of the carriage, and flexible winding members between the motor and the casing, whereby the carriage and a pile of superimposed paper napkins or like articles placed on the platform are advanced to maintain the outermost article in position to be grasped and withdrawn from the discharge opening in the casing.

4. A dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a casing having a discharge opening therein, a carriage comprising a two part motor casing, a platform integral therewith, and spring motors mounted in the housing, the parts of the housin being duplicates, and adapted to be assembled in reverse positions to enclose the s )rings forming the motors, guide members or directing the movement of the carriage, a flexible winding connection between one spring motor and a part of the casing, and a flexible winding connection between another spring motor and another part of the casing, whereby the carriage is automatically advanced, together with a pile of superimposed paper napkins and like articles placed on the platform to maintain the outermost article in position to be readily grasped and removed from the casing.

5. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a carriage comprising a two part motor housing, a platform integral therewith, and -spring motors enclose in the housing, the parts of the housing being duplicates and ada ted to be reversed in position and assemb ed to enclose the motors, a shaft mounted in the housing, and adapted to be turned by the said motors, a connecting device extending between the said motors for varying the power applied to the shaft by each motor to obtain a balance between the motors, whereby each motor supplies substantially the same power to the said shaft to turn the same and means actuated by said shaft, for moving said carriage.

6. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a carriage comprising two part motor housing, and a platform integral therewith, the parts of the housing being duplicates and adapted to be reversed in position and assembled to enclose the motors, a

panacea shaftjournaled in the housing, spring motors connected to the said shaft and adapted to turn the same, means for adjusting the tension on the said springs to obtain a balance to cause both of the said springs to exert substantially the same turning movement to the said shaft and means actuated by said shaft, for moving said carriage.

7. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a carriage comprising a two part housing, and a platform integral therewith, the parts of the housing being duplicates and adapted to be reversed and assembled to complete the housing and plat form, a shaft journaled in the said housing, collars mounted on the said shaft, and coiled springs each of which is secured at one end to one of the said collars, at the other end to the said housing, and means for adjnstably connecting the said collars to vary the ten sion on the said springs, whereby each spring is caused to impart substantially the same turning movement to the said shaft and tension means actuated by said shaft, for moving said carriage.

8. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a carriage comprising a two part housing and a platform integral therewith, parts of the housing being duplicates and adapted to be reversed in position and assembled tocomplete the housin and platform, a shaft journaled in the said housing, a collar secured to the said shaft, a collar mounted to turn on the said shaft, coiled springs each connected at one end to one of the said collars,-and at the other end to the said housing, a pin adapted to connect the said collars'in' any one of a plurality of positions to vary the tension exerted by the said springs to obtain a balance, whereby the power imparted by each of the springs to the said shaft is substantially equal and tension means actuated by said shaft, for moving said carriage.

9. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a carriage comprising a. two part housing, and a platform integral therewith, parts of the housing being duplicates and adapted to be reversed and assembled to complete the housing and platform, a shaft journaled in the said housing, spring motors within the housing each connected at one end to the said shaft, a connector member associated with the housing in a position opposite to the said platform, and to which the opposite ends of the said springs are secured, means for adjusting the tension on the said springs to obtain a substantial balance between the same, causing each spring to apply substantially the same turning movement to the said shaft and a flexible winding member actuated from said shaft, for moving said carriage.

10. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a carriage comprising a two part housing, a platform, the parts of the housing being duplicates and adapted to be reversed and assembled to complete the housing and platform, a shaft journaled in the said housing, a collar fixed on the shaft. a collar mounted to turn on the shaft, coiled springs each connect ed at one end to one of the said collars, a bolt normally lying in recesses in the housing opposite the platform section thereof, and to which the opposite ends of the said springs are connected, means for adjusting the tension on the said springs to obtain a balance between the same causing each spring to impart substantially the same turning movement to the said shaft and tension means actuated by said shaft, for moving said carriage.

11. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a carriage comprising a two part housing, a platform, the parts of the housing being duplicates and adapted to be reversed and assembled to complete the housing and platform, a shaft journaled in the said housing, a collar fixed on the shaft. a collar mounted to turn on the shaft, coiled springs each connected at one end to one of the said collars, a bolt normally lying in recesses in the housing opposite the platform section thereof. and to which the opposite ends of the said springs are connected, a pin extending between and adapted to enter any one of a series of sockets provided therefor in the said collars to vary the tensions of the said springs, causing each spring to impart substantially the. same turning movement to the said shaft and a flexible winding member actuated from said shaft, for moving said carriage.

12. In a. dispenser for paper napkins like articles, a casing, a cover for the cusing, the casing being provided with a discharge opening, a motor carriage within the casing, a platform movable with the motor carriage, devices for directing the movement of the motor carriage and the platform, means for connecting the motor carriage to the casing, whereby normally, the motor and motor carriage and a superimposed pile of paper napkins andlike articles placed on the platform are automatically advanced in the same direction to maintain the outermost article in position to be readily grasped and withdrawn, and means for frictionally engaging the motor carriage to maintain the same in any position when the cover of the casing is open, and when the napkins and like articles are being placed upon the said platform.

13. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a casing, a cover for the casing, the said cover having a discharge opening therein, a motor carriage. a platform movable with the motor carriage, devices for connecting the motor carriage to the casing, for normally advancing in the same and direction the motor and the motor carriage and a pile of superimposed paper napkins and like articles placed on the platform to maintain the outermost article in position to be readily grasped and withdrawn through the said discharge opening, guide rails in .the said casing, devices carried by the motor carriage for cooperating with the said guide rails to direct the travel of the said motor carriage, a clamp bar associated with one of the said guide rails, means carried by the cover for normally maintaining the said clamp bar in an inoperative position, and means operative when the cover is open for shifting the said clamp bars to engage the motor carriage and to maintain the same in any position of its travel.

14. In dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a casing, a cover for the easing, the said cover having a discharge opening therein, a motor carriage, a platform movable with the motor carriage, devices for connecting the motor carriage to the casing,

for normally advancing in the same direction the motor and the motor carriage and a pile of superimposed paper napkins and like articles placed on the platform to maintain the outermost article in position to be readily grasped and withdrawn through the said discharge opening, guide rails mounted in the said casing, bosses on the said motor carriage for spanning the said guide rails to direct the travel of the carriage, and means made operative when the cover is open for engaging the said bosses to maintain the carriage in any position of its travel.

15. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a casing, a cover for the casing, the said cover having a discharge opening therein, a motor carriage, a platform movable with the motor carriage, devices for connecting the motor carriage to the casing, for normally advancing in the same direction the motor and the motor carriage and a pile of superimposed paper napkins and like articles placed on the platform to maintain the outermost article in position to be readily grasped and withdrawn through the said discharge opening, guide rails mounted in the said casing, bosses on the said motor carriage for spanning the said guide rails to direct the travel of the carriage, a clamp bar associated with one of the said guide rails, means connected with the cover for normally maintaining the said clamp bar in an inoperative position when the cover is closed, and means operative when the cover is released for shifting the said clamp bar to engage the said bosses to frictionally maintain the motor carriage in any position of its travel.

16. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a casing, a cover for the easing, the said cover having a discharge opening therein, a motor carriage, a platform movable with the motor carriage, devices for connecting the motor carriage to the casing, for normally advancing in the same direction the motor and the motor carriage and a pile of superimposed paper napkins and like articles placed on the platform to maintain the outermost article in position to be readily grasped and withdrawn through the said discharge opening, guide rails mounted in the said casing, bosses on the said motor carriage for spanning the said guide rails to direct the travel of the carriage, a clamp bar associated with one of the said guide rails, pins secured in the said guide rail and extending through inclined slots in the said clamp bar, devices carried by the cover and adapted to maintain the said clamp bar in a depressed inoperative position when the cover is closed, and means operative when the cover is open for shifting the said clamp bar to cause the same through the lateral motion imparted thereto by the pins operating in the inclined slots to force the clamp bar against one of the said bosses to frictionally maintain the motor carriage in any position of its travel.

17 In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a casing, a cover for the easing, the said cover having a discharge opening therein, a motor carriage, a platform movable with the motor carriage, devices for connecting the motor carriage to the casing, for normally advancing the motor carriage and a pile of superimposed paper napkins and like articles placed on the platform to maintain the outermost article in position to be readily grasped and withdrawn through the said discharge opening, guide rails mounted in the said casing, bosses on the said motor carriage for spanning the said guide rails to direct the travel of the carriage, a clamp bar associated with one of the said guide rails, pins secured in the said guide rail and extending through inclined slots in the said clamp bar, devices carried by the cover and adapted to maintain the said clamp bar in a depressed inoperative position when the cover is closed, and a spring surrounding the inner end of said clamp bar for moving the same in the opposite direction when the cover is open, whereby through the said pins operating in the inclined slots the clamp bar is shifted laterally to engage one of the said bosses and thus maintain the motor carriage in any position of its travel.

18. In a dispenser for paper napkins and like articles, a movable motor carriage, a napkin carrying platform movable with the motor carriage, a plurality of motors in the motor carriage, a plurality of members actuated by the motors, respectively, for bodi- 1y moving-the motor carriage, and means for adjusting the motors to balance the same to cause the power applied to said members by each motor to be substantially the same.

19. In a dispenser for paper napkins and the like, a casing having a dispensing opening, a rotary spring motor mounted for movement toward said opening, a napkincarrying platform movable with the motor as it moves toward said opening, and means cooperating with the motor, whereby the motor bodily moves itself and. the said platform toward said dispensing opening and whereby the motor is rewonnd when it is moved away from said opening.

20. In a dispenser for paper napkins and the like, a. casing having a dispensing opening at the top thereof, a spring winding motor mounted for vertical movement in the casing, toward and away from said dispensing opening, a napkin-carrying platform movable with the motor, and means cooperating with the motor and easing whereby the motor lifts itself and the platform toward the dispensing opening and whereby the motor is rewound when it is moved down into the casing.

21. In a dispenser for paper napkins and the like, a casing, a cover therefor having a dispensing opening, a. motor mounted to move bodily toward and away from said dispensing opening, a napkin carrying platform movable with the motor, connections between the motor and easing whereby the motor moves itself and the plat-form toward said opening, and means, actuated upon the opening of the cover, for locking the motor against movement.

22.v In a dispenser for paper napkins and the like, a casing, a cover at the top of the casing having a dispensing opening, a rotary winding motor mounted to move bodily toward and away from said opening, a napkin-carrying platform movable with the motor, connections between the motor and easing whereby the motor lifts itself and the platform toward said opening, and means, controlled by the positioning of the cover, for locking and releasing the motor.

23. In a dispenser for paper napkins and the like, a main casing, a cover therefor, a

combined motor casing and napkin platform movable in the casing, a motor in the motor casing and movable with the casing, braking means for the said casing and platform, comprising relatively slidable friction members carried by the main casing and motor casing respectively, and means, controlled by the positioning of said cover, for moving the friction members into and out of engagement.

24:. In a dispenser for paper napkins and the like, a main casing, a cover therefor, a

napkin-carrying platform movable up and.

down in the casing, means for moving said platform, a brake bar carried by the casing and extending lengthwise thereof, a cooperating brake member carried by the movable platform, and means, controlled by the position of the cover, for moving the brake bar and brake member into and out of operative engagement.

25. In a dispenser for paper napkins and the like, a main casing, a cover at the top thereof having a dispensing opening, a motor casing and napkin platform movable together up and down in the casing, a motor in the casing serving to lift itself and the napkin platform toward said dispensing opening, a brake bar carried by the casing and extending lengthwise thereof, a cooper ating brake member carried by the platform, and means, controlled by the positioning of the cover, for moving the brake bar and brake member into and out of engagement.

26. In a dispenser for paper napkins and the like, a casing having a dispensing opening, a napkin-carrying platform, a spring motor mounted to move bodily with said platform, connect-ions from the motor to the casing, the motor having a coil spring and serving to move itself and the platform toward said dispensing opening, and means for varying the tension of the coil spring for varying the force exerted by the motor on the platform.

27. In a dispenser for paper napkins and thelike, a casing having a dispensing opening, a napkin-carrying platform, a spring motor mounted to move with the platform, toward and from the dispensing opening, the motor including a coil spring and serving to move itself and the platform toward the dispensing opening, and connections from the motor to the casing, the motor acting to exert a greater force on the platform the greater the distance it is from the dispensing opening.

Signed by us this 16 day of June 1925.

JOHN O. HUNT. GEORGE H. NORTH.

Images