US20140203133A1

US20140203133A1 - Dispenser with a lock

Info

Publication number: US20140203133A1
Application number: US14/239,377
Authority: US
Inventors: Mikael Andersson; Yassaman Mortazavi; Björn Larsson; Mats Lind; Marcus Kullman; Lars-Olov Ahlgren
Original assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
Current assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health AB
Priority date: 2011-08-31
Filing date: 2011-08-31
Publication date: 2014-07-24
Also published as: WO2013032379A1; RU2563168C1; EP2750568A4; EP2750568A1; CN104023607A

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing a washroom product, the dispenser including an outer casing hingeably or detachably attached to a back portion. The dispenser includes a compartment between the outer casing and the back portion for housing the washroom product to be dispensed. The dispenser further includes a dispensing opening and the dispenser includes inner locking means positioned inside the compartment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a dispenser for dispensing a washroom product where the dispenser comprises an outer casing hingeably or detachably attached to a back portion. The dispenser comprises a compartment between the outer casing and the back portion for housing the washroom product to be dispensed. The dispenser further comprises a dispensing opening.

BACKGROUND ART

Dispensers for dispensing washroom products such as continuous webs of tissue in the shape of for instance toilet paper or separate sheets such as hand towels are well known in the art. Other washroom products suitable for dispensing may be soap or similar. The washroom product is usually located inside a dispenser casing that may be opened by a janitor with a key. Problems with dispensers are that the washroom product may be desirable for thieves or that someone may want to vandalise the dispenser or the washroom using the contents of the dispenser. Dispensers known in the art usually comprise a lock that is easily visible or have no lock at all.
An additional aspect of having a visible lock or other parts of the dispenser that form notches or recesses is that bacteria or other unwanted microorganisms may form there. Frequent touching of the dispenser may cause dirt or other unwanted material to gather in the notches and recesses. This material may be suitable for bacteria to grow in resulting in a dispenser that is less hygienic than desired. Further a dispenser having a design with many edges and protrusions may be perceived as not being very hygienic or user friendly.
EP 0852473 discloses a dispenser where access to the interior of the dispenser is made more difficult. The dispenser comprises an access door which can be opened using a locking and release mechanism located on the outside of the dispenser. The locking and release mechanism is operated with a key. A decoy lock may be present in order to confuse potential persons intent on vandalising the dispenser. Although complicating vandalism the lock of EP 0852473 described above is easily visible.
There exists dispensers having opening mechanisms not obviously visible, for instance the dispenser may have a button or other means located on the outside of the dispenser that releases a lever inside the dispenser thereby enabling access to the contents. These dispensers require personnel to undergo training before they are able to refill the dispensers in a correct way.

SUMMARY

In order to reduce the risk of theft or vandalism and to obtain a more hygienic dispenser there is thus a need for a dispenser that meets the above mentioned problems.
The An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dispenser comprising a lock that is harder to reach and manipulate where the previously mentioned problems are avoided. A more hygienic dispenser is also provided with this disclosure. This object is achieved by the dispenser comprising an inner lock or locking means positioned inside the compartment.
The present disclosure relates to a dispenser for dispensing a washroom product. The dispenser comprises an outer casing hingeably or detachably attached to a back portion. The dispenser comprises a compartment between the outer casing and the back portion for housing the washroom product to be dispensed. The dispenser further comprises a dispensing opening, where the dispenser comprises inner lock positioned inside the compartment.
The outer casing and back portion may be made of a material that is resistant to force, such as for example ABS, PMMA, polypropylene, polycarbonate or stainless steel in order to have a dispenser that can withstand attempts to break the dispenser open to reach the compartment of the dispenser or to withstand vandalism of other kinds. The compartment comprises any and all space that lies between the outer casing and the back portion. This means that the inner lock may be placed inside the space where the washroom product is located and/or in any space between the outer casing and the back portion. The inner lock may be attached to either the outer casing and/or the back portion and still be positioned inside the compartment.
Having an inner lock that are is not immediately accessible makes it more difficult to remove washroom products from a dispenser thus reducing the costs of lost washroom products due to theft or vandalism. By having to first gain access to the lock the risk of someone trying to remove washroom products is reduced.
A further advantage is that having an inner lock reduces the risk of bacterial growth on the dispenser, for instance in or around the lock. The locking mechanism may form recesses allowing for instance moisture or organic material to build up in or around the locking mechanism in which bacteria may grow. Having an inner lock may also reduce the number of contacts with the lock as mainly service personnel will be accessing the lock. Having an inner lock protected by a covering reduces the risk of build-up of moisture or organic material from either the washroom environment or from users or other persons tampering with the lock. A dispenser having an inner lock may enable the dispenser to have a smooth continuous outer surface over most of the dispenser making the dispenser easier to clean. This design may further reduce number of places where bacteria or other microorganisms can grow. Having a dispenser with a smooth surface may also create a more pleasant and welcoming design of the dispenser thereby leading to an increased use of the dispenser compared to a dispenser that has more straight edges and corners.
The inner lock may be arranged to be attached to the back portion of the dispenser. The inner lock may be intended to secure the outer casing to the back portion or be intended to secure a washroom product to the dispenser.
The inner lock may be arranged to be accessible when the outer casing is at least partly opened.
The inner lock may be arranged to be accessible when the outer casing is completely opened.
In order to access the inner lock the outer casing may have to be at least partly opened. By partly opened means that the outer casing is not opened to its fullest extent for example by reaching mechanical stops that hinders the outer casing to be opened further. By removing the outer casing from a completely closed position to a partly opened position the inner lock may be revealed and then unlocked in order to fully open the dispenser. It is possible to arrange the outer casing so that it does not have to be completely open in order for the inner lock to be revealed. The dispenser may be opened outwards, downwards, upwards or sideways.
A user is guided in the opening of the dispenser by the design of the dispenser, symbols or from general knowledge of dispensers. There is thus no need for service personnel to undergo training on how to open the dispenser to access the contents inside before they start working with the dispenser.
The inner lock may be positioned in a fixed part that slides inside the outer casing during opening of the outer casing. The inner lock may be positioned in the outer casing or in the back portion of the dispenser locking the back portion to the outer casing.
The inner lock may be visible through a transparent window or similar. The transparent window may be made of plastic or another suitable transparent material. A symbol may indicate where the inner lock is situated which makes opening of the outer casing intuitive. Symbols may indicate that the outer casing needs to be pushed in order to access the lock or that a magnet or an object made of magnetic material may have to be used in order to access the inner lock or unlock the inner lock. Other symbols are of course conceivable. The inner lock may be completely hidden, thus no transparent window or similar or symbols are present. In this case the design of the dispenser may intuitively tell a user how to open the outer casing in order to access the inner lock. The opening of the dispenser may be done by for instance by gripping the outer casing of the dispenser. A user such as service personnel may be aided by the shape of the dispenser to understand how the dispenser is to be opened. The dispenser may for instance be curved where a user is intended to grip the outer casing in order to open the dispenser. In the cases where the inner lock are invisible the greater part of the dispenser is smooth. The curves intended for showing where a user may grip the outer casing in order to open the dispenser may be made to be smooth and mainly follow the contours of the dispenser in general. This leads to a dispenser virtually without any recesses where bacteria or microorganism may grow. This also leads to a dispenser that is easy to keep clean as it can be wiped without having to worry about reaching the bottom of recesses to keep them clean.
The inner lock may be arranged to prevent the opening of the dispenser. This means that it may not be possible to move the outer casing to a partly opened position from the back portion without unlocking the inner lock. Unlocking is for instance made by a key made of magnetic material.
The outer casing may be lockable to the back portion by an outer lock. It is possible for the outer lock to be situated on the outer casing but it may also be positioned on the back portion. Having an outer lock makes it even more difficult to reach the compartment of the dispenser where the washroom product is located.
The inner lock may be arranged to secure the washroom product to be dispensed to the dispenser thereby preventing the washroom product from being removed from the dispenser. This means that even if the dispenser itself is not locked the contents of the dispenser would still not be accessible to remove from the dispenser.
The inner lock may also be arranged so that only the washroom product is secured by the inner lock. This means that the outer casing may have an outer lock for gaining access to the compartment of the dispenser, thereby gaining access to the washroom product or that the outer casing is unlocked.
The washroom product may be a toilet paper roll positionable on a toilet paper holder arranged to be attached to the dispenser. In this case the dispenser may further comprise a dispensing opening and tear means for tearing the toilet paper.
The inner lock may comprise a locking cylinder, the locking cylinder being arranged inside the toilet paper holder.
The inner lock may comprise a removable disk lockable to one end of the toilet paper holder, the removable disk having a diameter larger than the diameter of a central core of a toilet paper roll.
The inner lock may comprise a flap which is moved to a position where the flap extends perpendicular to a central axis of the toilet paper holder when locked and which is moved to a position where the flap extends essentially in a direction along the central axis of the toilet paper holder when unlocked, the flap having a length greater than the diameter of a central core of a toilet paper roll.
The inner lock may comprise securing means located inside the toilet paper holder arranged to be movable by the locking cylinder, the securing means comprising an outer end being able to be moved laterally outwards from the central axis of the toilet paper holder to a locked position when locked, the outer end of the securing means being able to move laterally towards the central axis of the toilet paper holder to an unlocked position when unlocked, the outer end of the securing means having an radial extension from the toilet paper holder being larger than the diameter of a central core of a toilet paper roll when in a locked position.
The inner lock may comprise a first blade positioned in the toilet paper holder, the first blade extending radially into the central core of the toilet paper roll when the inner lock is locked, the first blade being retracted to a position inside the toilet paper holder when the inner lock is unlocked.
The inner lock may comprise an arm mounted to a pivotable locking cylinder, the pivotable locking cylinder being located beside the toilet paper holder, the arm being pivotable to a position covering the toilet paper holder when locked, the arm being pivotable to a position not covering the toilet paper holder when unlocked.
The washroom product may be soap or towels. The towels may be in the form of rolls or sheets. The towels may be paper towels made of tissue or the towels may be made of a nonwoven material. In these cases the dispenser is adapted for the specific washroom product according to the art.
A dispenser according to the disclosure may be equipped with more than one inner lock. One inner lock may be used to prevent opening of the dispenser. Another inner lock may be used to secure the washroom product to the dispenser in case the dispenser is opened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention in a closed state;

FIG. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention in an opened state;

FIG. 3 schematically shows an inner lock for a dispenser for toilet paper according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 schematically shows an inner lock for a dispenser for toilet paper according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 schematically shows an inner lock for a dispenser for toilet paper according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 schematically shows an inner lock for a dispenser for toilet paper according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 schematically shows an inner lock for a dispenser for toilet paper according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings, like features have the same reference numbers.
FIG. 1 schematically shows a dispenser 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The dispenser 1 comprises an outer casing 2 and a back portion 3. The dispenser 1 also comprises a compartment 4 located between the outer casing 2 and the back portion 3 for housing a washroom product. The dispenser 1 is in a closed state, i.e. the outer casing 2 completely covers the back portion 3. The outer casing 2 comprises a transparent part 5 located on top of the outer casing 2 covering an inner lock 6.
FIG. 2 schematically shows the dispenser 1 of FIG. 1 in an opened state. The opened state of the dispenser 1 in FIG. 2 may be partly or completely opened depending on the construction of the dispenser 1. The outer casing 2 may be opened by pulling the outer casing 2 outwards, downwards, sideways and/or upwards depending on the construction of the dispenser 1. In FIG. 2 the inner lock 6 is positioned in the back portion 3 of the dispenser 1. The inner lock 6 may also be positioned in the outer casing 2. When the inner lock 6 is located in the outer casing 2 the opening of the outer casing 2 reveals the inner lock. The inner lock 6 is in this case positioned in a fixed part (not shown) that slides inside the outer casing 2 during opening.
The design of the outer casing 2 may intuitively guide a user how to open the outer casing 2 for the cases when there are no visual indications on where the inner lock 6 are situated. The design may comprise indentations, ridges or similar to indicate where a user has to place their hands in order to open the outer casing 2. Maintenance personnel familiar with dispensers may be well aware of how a dispenser may be opened and may thus not need any indications on how to open the outer casing 2 in order to reach the inner locking means 6.
FIG. 3 schematically shows an inner lock 6 for a dispenser intended for toilet paper according to a second embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3 the inner lock 6 in the shape of a locking cylinder 7 is arranged in a toilet paper holder 8 arranged to be attached to the dispenser 1 of FIG. 1. The toilet paper holder 8 is attached to the dispenser 1 according to any known technique. The locking cylinder 7 is positioned inside the toilet paper holder 8 with a locking mechanism 9 positioned at a first end 10 of the toilet paper holder 8. In FIG. 3 the inner lock 6 comprises a removable disk 11 which is lockable to the first end 10 of the toilet paper holder 8 by means of the locking mechanism 9 in the locking cylinder 7. The locking mechanism 9 and the inner lock 6 may for instance be a lock as described in the patent application WO 2009/123509. Additional variants of the inner lock without a locking cylinder are also possible in all aspects described in the application, e.g. a lock comprising a locking bolt that is unlocked using a plastic key or a lock requiring a magnetic object for unlocking. The removable disk 11 has a diameter which is larger than the diameter of a central core of a toilet paper roll thereby hindering the removal of a toilet paper roll from the toilet paper holder 8. The diameter of the removable disk 11 may be adjusted such that that the removable disk 11 prevents the roll of toilet paper from being removed while the removable disk 11 at the same time fits inside the dispenser 1.
FIG. 4 schematically shows an inner lock 6 for a dispenser intended for toilet paper according to a third embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 4 the inner lock 6 is in the shape of a locking cylinder 7 arranged in a toilet paper holder 8 arranged to be attached to the dispenser 1 of FIG. 1. The toilet paper holder 8 is attached to the dispenser 1 according to any known technique. The toilet paper holder 8 comprises a locking cylinder 7 positioned inside the toilet paper holder 8 with a locking mechanism 9 positioned at a first end 10 of the toilet paper holder 8. The toilet paper holder 8 comprises a central axis 12 extending along the length of the toilet paper holder 8. The inner lock 6 comprises a flap 13 which may be moved to a securing position 14 shown in solid line where the flap 13 extends perpendicular to the central axis 12 of the toilet paper holder 8 when the locking mechanism 9 is locked. The flap 13 is moved in the direction of the arrow to an non securing position 15 shown in dashed line where the flap 13 extends essentially in a direction along the central axis 12 of the toilet paper holder 8 when the locking mechanism 9 is unlocked enabling the toilet paper roll to be removed. The flap 13 has a length greater than the diameter of a central core of a toilet paper roll thereby preventing the roll of toilet paper from being removed from the toilet paper holder 8 when the flap 13 is in the securing position 14. The length of the flap 13 may be adjusted so that the flap 13 prevents the roll of toilet paper from being removed while the flap 13 at the same time fits inside the dispenser 1.
FIG. 5 schematically shows an inner lock 6 for a dispenser intended for toilet paper according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 5 the inner lock 6 is in the shape of a locking cylinder 7 arranged in a toilet paper holder 8 arranged to be attached to the dispenser 1 of FIG. 1. The toilet paper holder 8 is attached to the dispenser 1 according to any known technique. The toilet paper holder 8 comprises a locking cylinder 7 positioned inside the toilet paper holder 8 with a locking mechanism 9 positioned at a first end 10 of the toilet paper holder 8. The toilet paper holder 8 comprises a central axis 12 extending along the length of the toilet paper holder 8. The inner lock 6 comprises securing means 16 located inside the toilet paper holder 8 arranged to be movable by the locking cylinder 7. The securing means 16 comprises an outer end 17 arranged to be able to move radially outwards from the central axis 12 of the toilet paper holder 8 to a locked position when locked. The outer end 17 of the securing means 16 is arranged to be able to move radially towards the central axis 12 of the toilet paper holder 8 to an unlocked position when unlocked. The outer end 17 of the securing means 16 has a radial extension from the toilet paper holder 8 being larger than the diameter of a central core of a toilet paper roll when in a locked position. The securing means 16 further comprise a securing arm 18 arranged to be attached to an inner wall 19 of the toilet paper holder 8. The securing means 16 may be biased to be in a locked position in case the locking mechanism 9 would fail by having the securing arm 18 made of a resilient material.
FIG. 6 schematically shows an inner lock 6 for a dispenser intended for toilet paper according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 6 the inner lock 6 is in the shape of a locking cylinder 7 arranged in a toilet paper holder 8 arranged to be attached to the dispenser 1 of FIG. 1. The toilet paper holder 8 is attached to the dispenser 1 according to any known technique. The toilet paper holder 8 comprises a locking cylinder 7 positioned inside the toilet paper holder 8 with a locking mechanism 9 positioned at a first end 10 of the toilet paper holder 8. The inner lock 6 comprise at least a first blade 20 positioned inside the toilet paper holder 8. In FIG. 6 four blades 20 are shown. The number of blades 20 may be different from four, for instance three or five blades are also possible. When the inner lock 6 is locked the first blade 20 extends radially outwards from the toilet paper holder 8 into the central core of the toilet paper roll. The toilet paper roll is secured by the first blade 20 extending into the central core of the toilet paper roll locking it in place. When the inner lock 6 is unlocked the first blade 20 retracts to a position inside the toilet paper holder 8. It is possible for the first blade 20 to retract fully or only partially when the locking mechanism 9 is unlocked as long as the first blade 20 does not extend into the central core of the toilet paper roll. The first blade 20 and/or any other blade present may be continuous or divided into separate parts along the length of the first blade 20 and/or any other blade present. The first blade 20 and/or any other blade present may be serrated or otherwise profiled for gripping the roll of toilet paper in a more efficient way. The first blade 20 may be manufactured from ABS, polyamide, polycarbonate, PMMA or another plastic material or steel to name a few examples.
FIG. 7 schematically shows an inner lock 6 for a dispenser intended for toilet paper according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 7 the inner lock 6 is arranged in the shape of a locking cylinder 7 positioned besides a toilet paper holder 8 arranged to be attached to the dispenser 1 of FIG. 1. The toilet paper holder 8 and the locking cylinder 7 is attached to the dispenser 1 according to any known technique. In FIG. 7 the locking cylinder 7 is pivotable around its own longitudinal axis. The inner lock 6 comprise an arm 21 attached to the pivotable locking cylinder 7 where the arm 21 is pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position as the locking cylinder 7 pivots. The arm 21 is pivotable to a locked position where the arm 21 covers the toilet paper holder 8 as is seen if FIG. 7. The arm 21 is pivotable to a position where the arm 21 does not cover the toilet paper holder 8 when unlocked. The locking cylinder 7 may be made pivotable in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The arm 21 and locking cylinder 7 may be made of a material that is resistant to force in order for the inner lock 6 to be resistant to vandalism or other kinds of tampering. Suitable materials are the same as mentioned earlier in the application.
Reference signs mentioned in the claims should not be seen as limiting the extent of the matter protected by the claims, and their sole function is to make claims easier to understand.
As will be realised, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects, all without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description thereto are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not restrictive. For instance adapting the inner lock described in conjunction with the dispenser in FIG. 1 to secure soap refills or paper towels lie well within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Dispenser (1) for dispensing a washroom product, the dispenser (1) comprising an outer casing (2) hingeably or detachably attached to a back portion (3), the dispenser (1) comprising a compartment (4) between the outer casing (2) and the back portion (3) for housing the washroom product to be dispensed, the dispenser (1) further comprising a dispensing opening, characterized in that the dispenser (1) comprises inner locking means (6) positioned inside the compartment (4).

2. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner locking means (6) is arranged to be attached to the back portion (3) of the dispenser (1).

3. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the inner locking means is arranged such that the number of recesses where build-up of bacteria or microorganisms can grow on the dispenser is reduced.

4. Dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the inner locking means (6) is arranged to be accessible when the outer casing (2) is at least partly opened.

5. Dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the inner locking means (6) is arranged to be accessible when the outer casing (2) is completely opened.

6. Dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the inner locking means (6) is arranged to prevent the opening of the dispenser (1).

7. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the inner locking means (6) are arranged to be opened by means of a magnetic material.

8. Dispenser (1) according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the outer casing (2) is lockable to the back portion (3) by an outer locking means.

9. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the inner locking means (6) is arranged to secure the washroom product to be dispensed to the dispenser (1) thereby preventing the washroom product from being removed from the dispenser (1).

10. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the washroom product is a toilet paper roll positionable on a toilet paper holder (8) arranged to be attached to the dispenser (1).

11. Dispenser (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the inner locking means (6) comprises a locking cylinder (7), the locking cylinder (7) being arranged inside the toilet paper holder (8).

12. Dispenser (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the inner locking means (6) comprises a removable disk (11) lockable to one end of the toilet paper holder (8), the removable disk (11) having a diameter larger than the diameter of a central core of a toilet paper roll.

13. Dispenser (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the inner locking means (6) comprises a flap (13) which is moved to a position where the flap (13) extends perpendicular to a central axis (12) of the toilet paper holder (8) when locked and which is moved to a position where the flap (13) extends essentially in a direction along the central axis (12) of the toilet paper holder (8) when unlocked, the flap (13) having a length greater than the diameter of a central core of a toilet paper roll.

14. Dispenser (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the inner locking means (6) comprises securing means (16) located inside the toilet paper holder arranged to be movable by the locking cylinder (7), the securing means (16) comprising an outer end (17) being able to be moved laterally outwards from a central axis (12) of the toilet paper holder (8) to a locked position when locked, the outer end (17) of the securing means (16) being able to move laterally towards the central axis (12) of the toilet paper holder (8) to an unlocked position when unlocked, the outer end (17) of the securing means (16) having a radial extension from the toilet paper holder (8) being larger than the diameter of a central core of a toilet paper roll when in a locked position.

15. Dispenser (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the inner locking means (6) comprise a first blade (20) positioned in the toilet paper holder (8), the first blade (20) extending radially into a central core of the toilet paper roll when the inner locking means (6) is locked, the first blade (20) being retracted to a position inside the toilet paper holder (8) when the inner locking means (6) is unlocked.

16. Dispenser (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the inner locking means (6) comprise an arm (21) mounted to a pivotable locking cylinder (7), the pivotable locking cylinder (7) being located beside the toilet paper holder, the arm (21) being pivotable to a position covering the toilet paper holder when locked, the arm (21) being pivotable to a position not covering the toilet paper holder when unlocked.

17. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the claims 1-9, characterized in that the washroom product is soap.

18. Dispenser (1) according to any one of the claims 1-9, characterized in that the washroom product is paper towels.