US20150313425A1 - Dispenser and method of replenishing a dispenser - Google Patents
Dispenser and method of replenishing a dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150313425A1 US20150313425A1 US14/648,952 US201214648952A US2015313425A1 US 20150313425 A1 US20150313425 A1 US 20150313425A1 US 201214648952 A US201214648952 A US 201214648952A US 2015313425 A1 US2015313425 A1 US 2015313425A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- web material
- folded web
- package
- stack
- displaceable portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K10/42—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked
- A47K10/426—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked dispensing from the front or sides of the dispenser
- A47K10/427—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked dispensing from the front or sides of the dispenser with means for urging the whole stack towards the dispensing opening, e.g. a spring
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
- A47K10/36—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K10/42—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked
- A47K10/44—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked with mechanical dispensing means for prehension of the next sheet to be dispensed
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K2010/3233—Details of the housing, e.g. hinges, connection to the wall
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
- A47K10/36—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
- A47K2010/3681—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices characterised by the way a new paper roll is loaded in the dispenser
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K10/42—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked
- A47K2010/428—Details of the folds or interfolds of the sheets
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a dispenser and a method of replenishing a dispenser with web material.
- a sheet material for e.g. wiping purposes may be provided in the form of a stack.
- Different kinds of dispensers for holding such a stack of sheet material, and for dispensing separate sheets of sheet material from such a stack are known.
- the first kind of dispenser is easily replenished with sheet material by placing fresh sheet material on top of sheet material remaining in the dispenser.
- This kind of dispenser has the drawback that the weight of large stacks of sheet material tends to make the dispensing of sheet material from the bottom end difficult.
- the stack may be arranged in a horizontal direction. The stack may be biased towards a dispensing opening and napkins may be dispensed from a top of the stack from the dispensing opening. Replenishing the latter type of dispensers may pose its own particular problems.
- U.S. Pat. No. 2,809,082 with reference to its FIG. 6 , discloses a dispenser wherein paper is fed from a top of a stack. The stack is replenished from its bottom. How replenishing is to be performed in practice is not discussed.
- WO2007/000153 discloses a double dispenser for dispensing of disposable paper.
- Each dispenser unit comprises: a stack magazine for accommodating a folded paper web; an advancing unit for conveying the paper web out of the stack magazine for further use; a detaching device for detaching the disposable paper towels from the paper web, and; a dispensing unit for dispensing the detached disposable paper towels from the dispenser.
- Paper web is replenished by placing new paper web beneath remaining web paper in the dispenser and gluing the new paper to the remaining web paper. Apparently, the remaining web paper has to be lifted and supported manually while the new paper web is placed in the stack magazine.
- US 2011/0101020 discloses a dispenser comprising a housing with a back plate and a cover. A base of the cover is articulated on a connecting pin. A support-container holds a stack of pre-cut material which is in use and can hold a spare stack. A base of the support-container is articulated around the same axis of rotation and the cover internally has a horizontal plate which supports the stack in use after swiveling the cover and support-container to load the spare stack.
- the support-container fits inside and is dismountably attached to the housing after swiveling into the internal space of the housing, which causes downward displacement of the stack in use, allowing the spare stack to be inserted into the internal space. That is, the support-container is turned upside down to access a bottom of the stack in use for replenishing the dispenser with the spare stack. The stack in use and the spare stack are joined to each other after positioning the spare stack on the other stack.
- An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dispenser which is arranged for replenishing with a package of folded web material from a bottom end of a stack of folded web material present in the dispenser.
- a dispenser for dispensing a sheet of web material from a stack of folded web material comprises: a housing arranged to be positioned along a vertical direction, a dispensing arrangement including a dispensing opening for the web material in the housing, and a web material storage section inside the housing arranged to hold and support the stack of folded web material.
- the web material storage section comprises, seen along the vertical direction, an upper end portion and opposite thereto a lower end portion.
- the web material is arranged to be lead to the dispensing arrangement from the upper end portion and the stack of folded web material is arranged to be supported at the lower end portion.
- the web material storage section comprises a displaceable portion.
- the displaceable portion comprises the lower end portion, wherein the lower end portion, seen along the vertical direction, is arranged substantially underneath the upper end portion when the displaceable portion is arranged in a dispensing position.
- the displaceable portion is displaceable from the dispensing position to a tilted loading position, in which tilted loading position the lower end portion is positioned beside and below the upper end portion, seen along the vertical direction.
- the displaceable portion is displaceable to the tilted loading position, replenishing the dispenser with a package of folded web material is easily performed by a user. Firstly, the package of folded web material is supported by the displaceable portion in the tilted loading position and secondly, the user has better access to the displaceable portion for replenishing when the displaceable portion is placed in a loading position than when the displaceable portion is in the dispensing position. As a result, the above mentioned object is achieved.
- the dispenser may be a standalone unit or may be mounted to a structure such as a wall, a piece of furniture, or a door.
- the dispenser may be arranged for manual dispensing of web material through the dispensing opening by a user pulling on a tail of the web material.
- the dispenser may alternatively be arranged for automatic dispensing of web material through the dispensing opening.
- the automatic dispensing may comprise electrically powered feeding of web material or a mechanical feeding of web material. In both cases a user may actuate the feeding.
- the web material may be provided as a continuous web material which is folded to form a stack of folded web material.
- a package of folded web material for replenishing a stack of folded web material in a dispenser may comprises a continuous web material.
- the term “replenishing” not only relates to the replenishing of a dispenser which is partially filled with a stack of folded web material, but is understood to also encompass loading of an empty dispenser. From a tail of web material from the stack of folded web material sheets of web material are separated during dispensing. Dispensed sheets of web material from the dispenser may be used as towels, napkins, for general wiping, etc.
- the folded web material may be Z-folded in an accordion-like manner to form the stack of folded web material.
- the web material may comprise one or more web layers. In the case of more than one web layer, the layers are interfolded in the stack.
- One or more sheets of web material may be separated from the web material in the dispenser during dispensing from the dispenser.
- the web material may be provided with lines of weakness, perforations.
- the web material may be non-perforated, in which case the dispenser may be provided with a cutting arrangement or tearing arrangement for separating a sheet from the tail of web material.
- One or more packages of folded web material are arranged to be placed in the web material storage section of the dispenser to form a stack of folded web material.
- the tail of the web material is arranged to extend from the upper end portion of the web material storage section to the dispensing opening of the dispenser.
- the tail of the web material may change direction one or more times inside the dispenser between the upper end portion of the web material storage section and the dispensing opening.
- the dispensing opening may be arranged above the lower end portion, seen along the vertical direction. In this manner at least part of a stack of folded web material arranged in the dispenser is arranged below the dispensing opening. A general extension of dispenser is thus established.
- the dispenser is arranged for dispensing from a top of the stack of folded web material.
- the displaceable portion may be upwardly pivotable in relation to the vertical direction.
- the displaceable portion in the tilted loading position may be pivoted to an angle of between 30-100 degrees, preferably approximately 90 degrees, from a downward direction along the vertical direction.
- the displaceable portion may be readily accessible to a user standing in front of the dispenser for replenishing the dispenser with one or more packages of folded web material.
- a lower portion of the stack of folded web material in the dispenser may be securely supported in the displaceable portion in the tilted loading position during replenishing of the dispenser.
- a package of folded web material placed is supported securely in the displaceable portion in the tilted loading position when placed in the displaceable portion for replenishing the stack of folded web material in the dispenser.
- the web material storage section may comprise a fixed portion above the displaceable portion, seen along the vertical direction.
- the displaceable portion may comprise a transitional portion forming a gradual transition from the displaceable portion to the fixed portion when the displaceable portion is positioned in the tilted loading position.
- the transitional portion may comprise a substantially smooth surface adapted to abut against the stack of folded web material.
- the stack of folded web material may slide along the substantially smooth surface when the stack is pushed upwardly in the web material storage section from the lower end portion. Access for replenishing from a bottom end of the stack may thus be provided without risk of the stack being stuck in the transitional portion during replenishing of the stack of folded web material.
- a flexible plate may comprise the smooth surface.
- the flexible plate may be supported by at least one element extending in a direction across the vertical direction. In this manner supporting of the stack of folded web material may also be provided in the transitional portion.
- the displaceable portion may be biased towards the tilted loading position. In this manner a user need not lift the displaceable portion to displace the same from the dispensing position to the tilted loading position.
- the dispenser may comprise a locking arrangement arranged to hold the displaceable portion in the dispensing position. In this manner accidental displacement of the displaceable portion from the dispensing position to the tilted loading position may be avoided.
- the locking arrangement may be arranged to be released to permit pivoting of the displaceable portion to the tilted loading position.
- the displaceable portion on its inside may be provided with a holding arrangement for holding a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with a package of folded web material and/or for holding a panel of the package of folded web material against the package of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with the package of folded web material.
- a holding arrangement for holding a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with a package of folded web material and/or for holding a panel of the package of folded web material against the package of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with the package of folded web material.
- the displaceable portion may comprise a supporting arrangement for at least temporarily supporting at least a portion of the stack of folded web material.
- the supporting arrangement may support the stack of folded web material at a distance from the lower end portion. In this manner the stack of folded web material may be moved to a position, in which it is supported by the supporting arrangement when a package of folded web material is placed in the displaceable portion. Thus, an empty space may be provided for the package of folded web material without risking that the stack of folded web material slides downwardly and blocks the empty space.
- the supporting arrangement may support the stack of folded web material at the lower end portion. In this manner the supporting arrangement may support the stack of folded web material when the displaceable portion is in the dispensing position.
- the supporting arrangement may have a function similar to that of the holding arrangement namely, holding a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with a package of folded web material.
- the supporting arrangement may be arranged to move between a support position and a release position. In the support position the supporting arrangement may extend into the displaceable portion for supporting at least a portion of the stack of folded web material and in the release position the supporting arrangement may be retracted out of the displaceable portion for releasing the stack of folded web material. In this manner the stack of folded web material may be released from the supporting arrangement, e.g. when the displaceable portion is moved from the tilted loading position to the dispensing position.
- the displaceable portion may comprise a loading opening for a package of folded web material in a region of the lower end portion. In this manner a package of folded web material may be placed below a stack of folded web material already present in the displaceable portion.
- the lower end portion may be provided with a recess for removing a packaging strip of a package of folded web material.
- a user may readily grasp and remove a packaging strip from a package of folded web material after the package has been place in the displaceable portion.
- a method of replenishing a dispenser according to any one of the aspects and embodiments disclosed herein with a package of folded web material comprises:
- the package of folded web material being supported in the vertical direction by the support surface encompasses the package being at least partially supported by the support surface as well as the package being entirely supported by the support surface. In both cases replenishing of the dispenser is facilitated.
- the method may comprise:
- the method may comprise:
- the package of folded web material may comprise a packaging strip extending around the folded web material of the package of folded web material.
- the method may comprise:
- the method may comprise:
- the method may comprise:
- FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser for dispensing at least one sheet of web material according to embodiments
- FIG. 2 illustrates the dispenser of FIG. 1 with a door in an open position
- FIGS. 3 a and 3 b illustrate the dispenser of FIGS. 1 and 2 with a displaceable portion in a tilted loading position
- FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a displaceable portion of the dispenser illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 b
- FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a web material storage section of a dispenser according to embodiments
- FIG. 6 illustrates a dispenser for dispensing at least one sheet of web material according to embodiments
- FIG. 7 a illustrates schematically a cross section through a stack of folded web material according to embodiments
- FIG. 7 b illustrates a package of folded web material according to embodiments
- FIGS. 8 a - 8 e illustrate a method of replenishing a dispenser with a package of folded web material
- FIG. 8 a ′ illustrates an alternative lower end portion of a dispenser according to embodiments and the replenishing of the dispenser with a package of folded web material
- FIG. 9 illustrates a method of replenishing a dispenser according to embodiments disclosed herein with a package of folded web material.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser 2 for dispensing at least one sheet of web material according to embodiments.
- the dispenser 2 comprises a housing 4 .
- the housing 4 is arranged to be positioned along a vertical direction 12 .
- the housing 4 has natural top and bottom ends when the dispenser 2 is installed at a site for dispensing sheets of web material therefrom.
- the housing 4 comprises a door 6 .
- a dispensing opening 8 is provided for dispensing the sheet of web material.
- the door 6 is arranged to be opened and thus, to provide access to an interior of the dispenser 2 , e.g. for the purpose of replenishing the dispenser 2 with packages of folded web material.
- the door 6 may be locked in a closed position by means of a locking arrangement 10 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates the dispenser 2 of FIG. 1 with the door 6 in an open position.
- the dispenser 2 is arranged for dispensing web material from a stack of folded web material which may be Z-folded in an accordion-like manner. The stack has been omitted in FIG. 2 for clarity reasons.
- the dispenser 2 comprises a dispensing arrangement 14 including the dispensing opening 8 .
- a web material storage section 16 is provided inside the housing 4 .
- the web material storage section 16 is arranged to hold and support the stack of folded web material.
- the web material storage section 16 comprises, seen along the vertical direction 12 , an upper end portion 18 and an opposite lower end portion 20 .
- the web material is arranged to be lead to the dispensing arrangement 14 from the upper end portion 18 and the stack of folded web material is arranged to be supported at the lower end portion 20 .
- the web material storage section 16 comprises at least one bottom element 22 .
- the web material storage section 16 comprises side elements 24 on four sides thereof. Accordingly, the stack of web material is arranged to be substantially enclosed in the web material storage section 16 .
- Some of the side elements 24 may be flexible.
- Some side elements 24 may be provided with openings for providing access to the interior of the web material storage section 16 .
- the web material storage section 16 comprises a displaceable portion 26 .
- the displaceable portion 26 is displaceable from a dispensing position to a tilted loading position. In FIG. 2 the displaceable portion 26 is illustrated in the dispensing position and in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b the displaceable portion 26 is illustrated in the tilted loading position.
- the displaceable portion 26 comprises the lower end portion 20 of the web material storage section 16 . When the displaceable portion 26 is arranged in the dispensing position, the lower end portion 20 , seen along the vertical direction 12 , is arranged substantially underneath the upper end portion 18 .
- the door 6 may be closed and users may dispense sheets of web material from the dispensing opening 8 .
- the dispensing opening 8 is arranged above the lower end portion 20 , seen along the vertical direction 12 . Accordingly, at least part of a stack of web material arranged in the web material storage section 16 is arranged below the dispensing opening 8 .
- the dispenser 2 is arranged for dispensing from a top of the stack of folded web material.
- a tail of the web material extends from the top of the stack of folded web material supported in the web material storage section 16 to the dispensing opening 8 in the closed door 6 .
- the top of the stack of folded web material may be in a region of the upper end portion 18 of the material storage section 16 . Accordingly, the tail of web material extends from the upper end portion 18 to the dispensing opening 8 .
- the top of the stack of folded web material is in a region of the lower end portion 20 of the material storage section 16 . In this case the tail of web material extends through the web material storage section 16 , from its lower end portion 20 to its upper end portion 18 and therefrom to the dispensing opening 8 .
- the dispenser 2 comprises a guiding arrangement 27 arranged above the upper end portion 18 of the web material storage section 16 and a separation unit 28 .
- the tail of web material extends upwardly from the stack of folded web material in the web material storage section 16 , through the guiding arrangement 27 and via the separation unit 28 to the dispensing opening 8 .
- the guiding arrangement 27 comprises a nip arranged to frictionally engage with the tail of web material sufficient for preventing the tail of the web material from sliding downwards towards the stack of folded web material in the web material storage section 16 .
- the dispensing arrangement 14 comprises the separation unit 28 .
- the separation unit 28 is adapted for separating a sheet of web material from a perforated web material.
- the separation unit 28 comprises a first roller 30 and a second roller 32 .
- a passage is formed between the first and second rollers 30 , 32 .
- the first and second rollers 30 , 32 are provided with protrusion elements being spaced along the first and second rollers 30 , 32 . Outer portions of the protrusion elements of the respective rollers 30 , 32 overlap with each other.
- an undulated passage is formed between the rollers 30 , 32 and the undulated passage forms a friction nip, in which the first and second rollers 30 , 32 engage frictionally with the web material passing there through.
- a sheet of web material may be separated from the tail of web material in the separation unit 28 along a perforation of the web material as a user pulls on the web material through the dispensing opening to dispense a sheet of web material.
- FIGS. 3 a and 3 b illustrate the dispenser 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the displaceable portion 26 in the tilted loading position.
- the dispenser 2 is illustrated in a perspective view with the door 6 in the open position.
- FIG. 3 b illustrates a cross section along the vertical direction 12 through the middle of the dispenser 2 (the door has been omitted).
- the stack of folded web material has been omitted in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b for clarity reasons.
- a rear side 50 of the dispenser 2 is arranged opposite to the door 6 , seen along a horizontal direction 48 perpendicular to the vertical direction 12 , when the door 6 is closed.
- the displaceable portion 26 In the tilted loading position of the displaceable portion 26 , the lower end portion 20 of the web material storage section 16 is positioned beside and below the upper end portion 18 of the web material storage section 16 , seen along the vertical direction 12 . Put differently, in the tilted loading position the lower end 20 is positioned farther away from the rear side 50 than in the dispensing position, seen along the horizontal direction 48 .
- the displaceable portion 26 is upwardly pivotable in relation to the vertical direction 12 .
- the displaceable portion 26 may be pivotable to an angle ⁇ of between 30-100 degrees from a downward direction along the vertical direction 12 . In this manner the displaceable portion 26 is readily accessible to a user standing in front of the dispenser for replenishing the dispenser 2 with one or more packages of web material.
- the displaceable portion 26 is pivotable to an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the downward direction.
- the lower end portion 20 is easily reachable for replenishing the dispenser 2 with folded web material from a bottom end of a stack of folded web material present in the web material storage section 16 .
- the web material storage section 16 comprises a fixed portion 34 above the displaceable portion 26 , seen along the vertical direction 12 .
- the displaceable portion 26 comprises a transitional portion 36 forming a transition from the displaceable portion 26 to the fixed portion 34 .
- the transitional portion 36 forms a gradual transition from the displaceable portion 26 to the fixed portion 34 .
- one side element comprising a flexible plate 37 comprises a substantially smooth surface 38 adapted to abut against the stack of folded web material.
- the flexible plate 37 is arranged towards the rear side 50 of the dispenser 2 and thus, the stack of folded web material may slide along the substantially smooth surface 38 when the stack is pushed upwardly in the web material storage section 16 as the stack is replenished from its bottom end.
- the flexible plate 37 is supported by at least one element 40 extending in a direction across the vertical direction 12 .
- a number of side elements 24 ′ are pivotably linked to each other to permit upward pivoting of the displaceable portion 26 . Accordingly, a pivot axis 39 of the displaceable portion 26 , seen as a whole, is arranged at a distance from the displaceable portion 26 .
- the displaceable portion 26 is biased towards the tilted loading position.
- the dispenser 2 comprises two gas springs 42 arranged to bias the displaceable portion 26 towards the tilted loading position.
- Each gas spring 42 is pivotably attached to the housing 4 at a bottom end portion of the housing 4 and to the displaceable portion 26 at a distance above the bottom end of the housing 4 , approximately at a middle portion of the displaceable portion 26 .
- a housing pivot point 44 of each gas spring 42 is arranged at the bottom end portion of the housing 4 and fixed in relation to the housing 4 .
- a displaceable portion pivot point 46 of each gas spring 42 is arranged at the middle portion of the displaceable portion 26 and is movable together with the displaceable portion 26 in relation to the housing 4 .
- the displaceable portion pivot point 46 When the displaceable portion 26 is positioned in the dispensing position (illustrated in FIG. 2 ), the displaceable portion pivot point 46 is arranged closer to the rear side 50 of the dispenser 2 than the housing pivot point 44 , seen along the horizontal direction 48 . Moreover, the gas springs 42 are compressed when the displaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position. Thus, when the displaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position, due to the arrangement of the housing pivot point 44 and the displaceable portion pivot point 46 in the horizontal direction 48 , and the inherent property of the compressed gas springs 42 to extend, the displaceable portion 26 is held in the dispensing position. Thus, the gas springs 42 and the particular arrangement of their housing pivot points 44 and their displaceable portion pivot points 46 form a locking arrangement of the displaceable portion 26 .
- the locking arrangement is arranged to be released to permit pivoting of the displaceable portion 26 from the dispensing position to the tilted loading position.
- the displaceable portion is provided with a lever mechanism 52 .
- the lever mechanism 52 comprises a handle 54 , and two lever arms 56 arranged to pivot about a lever pivot axis 58 .
- Each lever arm 56 comprises an outer end portion 60 .
- the outer end portion 60 is arranged opposite to the handle 54 .
- a user may operate the lever mechanism 52 to release the locking arrangement.
- the user pulls the handle 54 downwardly.
- the outer end portion 60 is thus, brought to abut against the housing 4 and pushes the displaceable portion 26 outwardly from the rear side 50 of the dispenser 2 .
- the locking arrangement is released by compressing the gas springs 42 slightly while the dispensing portion pivot point 46 of each gas spring 42 passes the housing pivot point 44 , seen along the horizontal direction 48 .
- the gas springs 42 expand and pivot the displaceable portion 26 into the tilted loading position, illustrated in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b .
- the user may replenish the dispenser 2 with packages of folded web material via a loading opening 62 arranged in a region of the lower end portion 20 .
- At least one of the side elements 24 of the displaceable portion 26 is provided with a support surface 61 .
- the support surface 61 is tilted together with the displaceable portion 26 in the tilted loading position.
- a package of folded web material placed in the displaceable portion 26 is supported by the support surface 61 in the vertical direction 12 when the displaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position.
- the lower end portion 20 is provided with a recess 64 for removing a packaging strip of a package of folded web material.
- the user may pivot the displaceable portion 26 back into the dispensing position by pushing against the displaceable portion 26 at the lower end portion 20 .
- the gas springs 42 are thus compressed and the displaceable portion 26 is again held in the dispensing position by positioning the dispensing portion pivot point 46 closer to the rear side 50 than the housing pivot point 44 , seen along the horizontal direction 48 .
- FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the displaceable portion 26 of the dispenser 2 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 b .
- the displaceable portion 26 on its inside is provided with a holding arrangement 66 .
- the holding arrangement 66 is arranged for holding a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser 2 with a package of folded web material and/or for holding a panel of the package of folded web material against the package of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with the package of folded web material.
- the holding arrangement 66 comprises a number of protrusion elements 68 .
- the holding arrangement 66 comprises non-visible protrusion elements arranged opposite to the protrusion elements 68 visible in FIG. 4 .
- Each protrusion element 68 is resiliently suspended in the displaceable portion 26 .
- the stack of web material or a package of folded web material is able to push the protrusion elements 68 aside.
- the protrusion elements 68 below the stack will protrude into the displaceable portion, a panel of web material at a lower end of the stack of folded web material will be prevented from losing contact with the remainder of the stack of folded web material.
- the protrusion elements 68 above a package of folded web material, which is being pushed along the holding arrangement will protrude into the displaceable portion.
- a panel of web material at an upper end of the package of folded web material will be prevented by the holding arrangement 66 from losing contact with the remainder of the package of folded web material.
- the displaceable portion 26 comprises a supporting arrangement 70 for at least temporarily supporting at least a portion of the stack of folded web material at a distance from the lower end portion 20 .
- the stack of folded web material may be moved to a position, in which it is supported by the supporting arrangement while a package of folded web material is placed in the displaceable portion 26 for replenishing the dispenser 2 .
- the supporting arrangement 70 may hold a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with a package of folded web material. The panel held against the stack thus, forms a portion of the stack supported by the supporting arrangement 70 .
- the supporting arrangement 70 comprises two projection members 72 , one on each side of the displaceable portion 26 .
- the supporting arrangement 70 is arranged to move between a support position and a release position.
- the support position of the supporting arrangement 70 is illustrated in FIG. 4 .
- the two projection members 72 of the supporting arrangement 70 extend into the displaceable portion 26 in the support position for supporting the stack of folded web material.
- the two projection members 72 of the supporting arrangement 70 are retracted out of the displaceable portion 26 for releasing the stack of folded web material.
- the displaceable portion 26 comprises an inner portion 74 and an outer portion 76 .
- the inner portion 74 and the outer portion 76 are moveable in relation to each other.
- Each of the two projection members 72 is pivotably connected to the outer portion 76 and extends through a slot 78 in the inner portion 74 .
- the projection member 72 is biased towards the support position.
- the projection member 72 moves along the slot 78 .
- the projection member 72 will abut against the inner portion 74 and pivot out of the slot 78 , i.e. from the support position to the release position.
- the inner and outer portions 74 , 76 are arranged to move in relation to each other as the displaceable portion 26 is moved between the dispensing position and the tilted loading position and vice versa.
- the supporting arrangement 70 is arranged in the support position at least when the displaceable portion 26 is arranged in the tilted loading position, and in the release position when the displaceable portion 26 is arranged in the dispensing position.
- the supporting arrangement 70 may be manually movable from the support position to the release position. In such embodiments a user may move the supporting arrangement 70 to the release position prior to moving the displaceable portion 26 from the tilted loading position to the dispensing position. In a further alternative embodiment the supporting arrangement 70 may be moved from the supporting position to the release position by the full weight of the stack of folded web material. In such embodiments the supporting arrangement 70 may support the weight of a portion of the stack of folded web material and/or the entire stack of folded web material when the displaceable portion 26 is arranged in the tilted loading position. When the displaceable portion 26 is moved to the dispensing position, the full weight of the stack pushes the displaceable portion to the release position. Also the holding arrangement 66 may be arranged to be retracted from the displaceable portion 26 when the displaceable portion 26 is arranged in the dispensing position.
- the projection members 72 may be biased to the release position and a mechanical arrangement may bring the projection members 72 into the support position when the displaceable portion 26 is brought into the tilted loading position.
- the projection members 72 of the supporting arrangement 70 are positioned in the slots 78 close to the holding arrangement 66 when the displaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a web material storage section 16 of a dispenser according to embodiments.
- the web material storage section 16 according to the embodiments of FIG. 5 may for instance be used in a dispenser 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 b , replacing the web material storage section 16 illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 b .
- the web material storage section 16 comprises a displaceable portion 26 .
- the displaceable portion 26 in the latter embodiments is provided with a loading opening 62 arranged in the displaceable portion 26 such that a package of folded web material is inserted in a direction along a longitudinal extension of the displaceable portion 26 when the displaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position, and in that the stack of folded web material in the dispenser is supported by the supporting arrangement 70 when the displaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position.
- the direction along the longitudinal direction of the displaceable portion 26 is substantially along a horizontal direction 48 perpendicular to the vertical direction 12 .
- the displaceable portion 26 is provided with a holding arrangement 66 .
- the holding arrangement 66 is arranged for holding a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser 2 with a package of folded web material and/or for holding a panel of the package of folded web material against the package of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with the package of folded web material.
- the holding arrangement 66 comprises a number of protrusion elements 68 in the form of resilient bristles.
- the holding arrangement 66 is pivotably suspended in the displaceable portion 26 .
- the holding arrangement 66 may be pivoted such that the protrusion elements 68 extend into an inside of the displaceable portion 26 when the displaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position and such that the protrusion elements 68 are arranged retracted from the inside of the displaceable portion 26 when the displaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position.
- FIG. 5 for illustration purposes three sections of the holding arrangement 66 are illustrated with the protrusion elements 68 extending into the inside of the displaceable portion 26 and one section of the holding arrangement 66 is illustrated with the protrusion elements 68 retracted from the inside of the displaceable portion 26
- the protrusion elements 68 extend into the inside of the displaceable portion the stack of web material or a package of folded web material is able to push the protrusion elements 68 aside.
- the protrusion elements 68 below the stack will protrude into the displaceable portion, a panel of web material at a lower end of the stack of folded web material will be prevented from losing contact with the remainder of the stack of folded web material.
- the protrusion elements 68 above a package of folded web material, which is being pushed along the holding arrangement will protrude into the displaceable portion.
- a panel of web material at an upper end of the package of folded web material will be prevented, by the holding arrangement 66 , from losing contact with the remainder of the package of folded web material.
- the displaceable portion 26 comprises a supporting arrangement 70 for supporting the stack of folded web material at a lower end portion 20 of the web material storage section 16 .
- the supporting arrangement 70 comprises two projection members 72 , one on each side of the displaceable portion 26 .
- the stack of folded web material in the web material storage section 16 is supported by the two projection members 72 at least when the displaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position.
- the two projection members 72 may also support the stack of folded web material when the displaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position. Accordingly, also in these embodiments the supporting arrangement 70 may hold a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with a package of folded web material.
- the supporting arrangement 70 is arranged to move between a support position and a release position.
- the support position of the supporting arrangement 70 is illustrated in FIG. 5 .
- the two projection members 72 of the supporting arrangement 70 extend into the displaceable portion 26 in the support position for supporting the stack of folded web material.
- the two projection members 72 of the supporting arrangement 70 are retracted out of the displaceable portion 26 .
- Each of the two projection members 72 is pivotably connected to the displaceable portion 26 and may extend through a slot 78 into the displaceable portion 26 .
- the projection members 72 are biased towards the support position.
- the projection members 72 of the supporting arrangement 70 are moved to the release position by a package of folded web material being inserted through the loading opening 62 into the displaceable portion 26 for replenishing the relevant dispenser. Once the package of folded web material has been moved past the projection members 72 , they return to the support position.
- the web material storage section 16 comprises side elements 24 on four sides thereof for supporting the stack of folded web material. Accordingly, the stack of web material is arranged to be substantially enclosed in the web material storage section 16 . Some of the side elements 24 may be flexible. Some side elements 24 may be provided with openings, or some side elements 24 ′ may only extend partially along one side of the web material storage section 26 , for providing access to the interior of the web material storage section 16 . At least one of the side elements 24 of the displaceable portion 26 is provided with a support surface 61 . The support surface 61 is tilted together with the displaceable portion 26 in the tilted loading position. Thus, a package of folded web material inserted into the displaceable portion 26 is supported by the support surface 61 in the vertical direction 12 when the displaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position.
- the loading opening 62 is arranged in the displaceable portion 26 such that a package 96 of folded web material is inserted in a direction along a longitudinal extension of the displaceable portion 26 .
- the package 96 is inserted in the displaceable portion 26 to abut against the support surface 61 .
- the projection members 72 are moved to the release position by the package of folded web material and once the package has been pushed into the displaceable portion 26 beyond the supporting arrangement 70 , the projection members 72 return to the support position to prevent the stack from sliding out through the loading opening 62 .
- the supporting arrangement 70 is to be moved into the release position by the package of folded web material being inserted through the loading opening 62 into the displaceable portion.
- the supporting arrangement ( 70 ) in the support position is arranged to support the stack ( 82 ) of folded web material when the displaceable portion ( 26 ) is in the dispensing position. Between two side elements 24 ′ of the displaceable portion 26 at the lower end portion 20 there is provided a recess 64 for grasping and/or removing the packaging strip from the package of folded web material which has been inserted into the displaceable portion 26 .
- FIG. 6 illustrates a dispenser 2 for dispensing at least one sheet of web material according to embodiments.
- the dispenser 2 comprises a housing 4 .
- the housing 4 is arranged to be positioned along a vertical direction 12 .
- the housing 4 comprises a door 6 .
- a dispensing opening 8 is provided in the housing 4 for dispensing the at least one sheet of web material.
- the dispenser 2 is arranged for dispensing web material from a stack of folded web material. The stack has been omitted in FIG. 6 for clarity reasons.
- the door 6 is arranged to be opened inter alia for replenishing the dispenser 2 with packages of folded web material.
- the dispenser 2 comprises a dispensing arrangement 14 comprising the dispensing opening 8 and a serrated edge 80 for tearing off the at least one sheet from a tail of web material.
- the tail of web material extends from the stack of folded web material to the dispensing opening 8 .
- a web material storage section 16 is provided inside the housing 4 .
- the web material storage section 16 comprises, seen along the vertical direction 12 , an upper end portion 18 and an opposite lower end portion 20 .
- the web material is arranged to be lead to the dispensing arrangement 14 from the upper end portion 18 and the stack of folded web material is arranged to be supported at the lower end portion 20 .
- the web material storage section 16 comprises a bottom element 22 .
- Side elements 24 are provided to support the stack of folded web material along the vertical direction 12 .
- the web material storage section 16 comprises a displaceable portion 26 .
- the displaceable portion 26 is displaceable from a dispensing position to a tilted loading position.
- FIG. 6 the displaceable portion 26 is illustrated in the tilted loading position.
- the displaceable portion 26 comprises the lower end portion 20 of the web material storage section 16 .
- the displaceable portion 26 is arranged in the dispensing position, the lower end portion 20 , seen along the vertical direction 12 , is arranged substantially underneath the upper end portion 18 .
- the dispensing opening 8 is arranged above the lower end portion 20 , seen along the vertical direction 12 .
- the lower end portion 20 of the web material storage section 16 is positioned beside and below the upper end portion 18 of the web material storage section 16 , seen along the vertical direction 12 .
- the dispenser 2 may comprise a guiding arrangement arranged above the upper end portion 18 .
- the guiding arrangement may be a guiding arrangement of the kind discussed in connection with FIG. 2 .
- the displaceable portion 26 is upwardly pivotable in relation to the vertical direction 12 .
- the displaceable portion 26 may be pivotable to an angle ⁇ of between 30-75 degrees from a downward direction along the vertical direction 12 .
- the displaceable portion is readily accessible to a user standing in front of the dispenser for replenishing the dispenser 2 with one or more packages of web material.
- At least one of the side elements 24 of the displaceable portion 26 is provided with a support surface 61 .
- the support surface 61 is tilted together with the displaceable portion in the tilted loading position.
- a package of folded web material placed in the displaceable portion 26 is supported by the support surface 61 in the vertical direction 12 when the displaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position.
- the stack of folded web material in the dispenser 2 is at least partially supported by the support surface 61 in the vertical direction 12 .
- a user about to replenish the dispenser 2 with a package of folded web material may slide the stack of folded web material in the dispenser 2 upwardly along the support surface 61 and place the package of folded web material against the support surface 61 below the stack of folded web material.
- the web material storage section 16 comprises a fixed portion 34 above the displaceable portion 26 , seen along the vertical direction 12 .
- a pivot axis 39 of the displaceable portion 26 is arranged at a lower end of the fixed portion 34 .
- FIG. 7 a illustrates schematically a cross section through a stack 82 of folded web material according to embodiments.
- the stack 82 is adapted for being positioned in a web material storage section of a dispenser 2 disclosed herein.
- a tail 84 of web material from the stack 82 is arranged to extend from the stack to a dispensing arrangement 14 of a relevant dispenser 2 .
- the web material in the stack 82 of folded web material is a continuous web material which is Z-folded in an accordion-like manner.
- the web material comprise a first web layer 86 divided into sheet products defined between longitudinally separated lines of weakness 88 extending across the first web layer 86 .
- the web material further comprise at least one second web layer 90 divided into sheet products defined between longitudinally separated lines of weakness 92 extending across the second web layer 90 .
- the first and second web layers 86 , 90 are interfolded so that the lines of weakness 88 of the first web layer 86 are offset from the lines of weakness 92 of the second web layer 90 in a longitudinal direction of the first web layer 86 .
- Each folded section of first and second web layers 86 , 90 forms a panel 93 .
- the stack 82 is provided with an adhesion arrangement 94 for interconnecting the folded web material of the stack 82 with that of a package of folded web material replenishing the stack 82 and the relevant dispenser 2 .
- the stack 82 of folded web material may only comprise the first web layer 86 , which may be divided into sheet products defined between longitudinally separated lines of weakness extending across the first web layer 82 .
- Further alternative stacks of folded web material may comprise one or more web layers which are not provided with lines of weaknesses, i.e. non-perforated web material.
- the dispenser 2 may suitably be provided with a dispensing arrangement 14 , which is provided with a cutting or tearing arrangement.
- FIG. 7 b illustrates a package 96 of folded web material according to embodiments
- the package 96 of folded web material may also be referred to as a first package 96 of folded web material, or as a second package 96 of folded web material, or simply as a package 96 .
- the package 96 is arranged to be placed in a dispenser 2 as disclosed herein.
- the package 96 is held together by a packaging strip 98 .
- the packaging strip 98 may be removed by pulling on a release tab 99 of the packaging strip 98 .
- the folded web material of the package 96 may be a folded web material as discussed in connection with the stack 82 illustrated in FIG. 7 a .
- the package 96 comprises two creased sides, i.e.
- the package 96 is provided with an adhesion arrangement 94 ′.
- the package 96 of folded web material may be attached to the bottom end of a stack 82 of folded web material in a dispenser 2 as disclosed herein.
- the adhesion arrangement 94 ′ may be connected to a corresponding adhesion arrangement 94 at a bottom end of the stack 82 , see FIG. 7 a.
- the adhesion arrangement 94 , 94 ′ illustrated in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b may e.g. comprise strips or patches of a mechanical fastening arrangement such as a hook and loop fastening arrangement or dabs or patches of glue.
- the adhesion arrangements 94 , 94 ′ may be covered by a protective strip. In such case the protective strip is removed before a package 96 of folded web material is attached to a bottom end of a stack 82 of folded web material.
- the packaging strip 98 of these embodiments only extends around a middle portion of the package 96 of folded web material.
- the packaging strip 98 extending around the package 96 of folded web material, may cover the entire width of the package 96 of folded web material as.
- FIGS. 8 a - 8 e illustrate a method of replenishing a dispenser 2 with a package 96 of folded web material.
- the dispenser 2 may be a dispenser 2 as described in connection with FIGS. 1-4 . Only the displaceable portion 26 of the dispenser 2 in the tilted loading position has been shown for clarity reasons.
- FIG. 8 a illustrates a package 96 of folded web material held together by a packaging strip 98 ready to be place in the displaceable portion 26 via the loading opening 62 to abut against the support surface 61 .
- the loading opening 62 is arranged in the displaceable portion 26 such that the package 96 of folded web material is inserted in a direction transverse to a longitudinal extension of the displaceable portion 26 .
- FIG. 8 b illustrates the package 96 of folded web material placed in the displaceable portion 26 abutting with a creased side of the package 96 against the support surface 61 .
- the package 96 is thus supported by the support surface 61 in the vertical direction 12 by the support surface 61 .
- FIG. 8 c - 8 d illustrate the packaging strip 98 being removed from the package 96 .
- the packaging strip 98 is removed by pulling on the release tab 99 .
- the packaging strip 98 is removed via the recess 64 in the lower end portion 20 .
- FIG. 8 e illustrates the package 96 being pushed upwardly in the displaceable portion 26 . During pushing, the package 96 slides along the support surface 61 .
- the projection members 72 of the supporting arrangement 70 may prevent the package 96 , now part of a stack of folded web material in the dispenser 2 , from sliding back towards the loading opening 62 .
- the projection members 72 of the supporting arrangement 70 hold a panel of web material at a lower end of the package 96 /stack against the remainder of the package 96 /stack.
- a further package of folded web material may be placed in the dispenser 2 via the loading opening 62 .
- Panel end surfaces 102 , 104 of the package 96 and the further package are provided with an adhesion arrangement 94 for attaching the web material of the two packages to each other.
- an adhesion arrangement 94 for attaching the web material of the two packages to each other.
- FIG. 8 a ′ illustrates an alternative lower end portion 20 of a dispenser 2 according to embodiments and the replenishing of the dispenser 2 with a package 96 of folded web material.
- the lower end portion 20 comprises two bottom elements 22 .
- the bottom elements 22 are foldable into the displaceable portion 26 .
- a loading opening 62 for the package 96 is thus formed.
- the loading opening 62 is arranged in the displaceable portion 26 such that a package 96 of folded web material is inserted in a direction along a longitudinal extension of the displaceable portion 26 . Via the loading opening 62 the package 96 is placed in the displaceable portion 26 to abut against the support surface 61 .
- a supporting arrangement (not shown) is provided for holding a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser 2 with at least one package 96 of folded web material. Also the supporting arrangement may at least temporarily support the stack of folded web material at a distance from the lower end portion 20 .
- the bottom elements 22 return to their initial position. In the initial position, and when the displaceable portion is arranged in the dispensing position, the bottom elements 22 are arranged to support the stack of folded web material inside the dispenser 2 and thus, prevent the stack from sliding out through the loading opening 62 .
- a side element 24 of the displaceable portion 26 at the lower end portion 20 is provided with the recess 64 for grasping and/or removing the packaging strip 98 from the package 96 .
- the packaging strip 98 may alternatively be removed at the bottom elements 22 , i.e. substantially in the direction along the longitudinal extension of the displaceable portion 26 .
- the packaging strip 98 may be held together e.g. by a glue or by welding. By pulling on the release tab 99 of the packaging strip 98 the seal provided by the glue may be broken, or the packaging strip 98 may rupture, e.g. along a perforation provided therein.
- a force required to pull the packaging strip 96 from the dispenser 2 in the direction along the longitudinal extension of the displaceable portion 26 , e.g. via the recess 64 , may be between 6-15 N.
- FIG. 9 illustrates a method of replenishing a dispenser 2 according to embodiments disclosed herein with a package 96 of folded web material.
- the displaceable portion 26 comprises a support surface 61 extending substantially along the vertical direction 12 when the displaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position.
- the method comprises:
- the method may comprise:
- the method may comprise:
- the package 96 of folded web material may comprise a packaging strip 98 extending around the folded web material of the package 96 of folded web material.
- the method may comprise:
- the method may comprise:
- the method may comprise:
- the method may comprise:
- the first package 96 of folded web material may be provided with a corresponding adhesion arrangement 94 ′ to engage with the adhesion arrangement 94 ′ of the second package 96 of folded web material.
- the first package 96 of folded web material does not require any specific adhesion arrangement.
- the adhesion arrangement 94 ′ of the second package 96 of folded web material comprises dabs or patches of glue, such dabs or patches of glue may engage directly with the web material of an outer panel of the first package 96 of web material.
- the interconnecting 126 of the first and second packages 96 of folded web material via the adhesion arrangement 94 ′ is performed while the first and second packages 96 of folded web material are resting on their creased sides on the support surface 61 .
- the second package 96 of folded web material comprises a packaging strip 98 extending around the folded web material of the second package 96 of folded web material.
- the method may comprise:
- the removing 128 may be done before or after the interconnecting 126 , depending on the width of the packaging strip and the arrangement of the adhesion arrangement 94 ′
- the method may comprise:
- the method may comprise:
- Example embodiments described above may be combined as understood by a person skilled in the art.
- Other arrangements for biasing the displaceable portion 26 towards the tilted loading position than the gas springs 42 may be provided, e.g. a torsional spring or a helical spring.
- the locking arrangement may comprise other arrangements than parts of adapted to bias the displaceable portion 26 towards the tilted loading position, e.g. a displaceable hook may engage with the displaceable portion 26 . Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
- Package Closures (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
Abstract
A dispenser for dispensing a sheet of web material from a stack of folded web material comprises: a housing arranged to be positioned along a vertical direction, a dispensing arrangement including a dispensing opening for the web material in the housing, and a web material storage section inside the housing arranged to hold and support the stack of folded web material. The web material storage section comprises, seen along the vertical direction, an upper end portion and opposite thereto a lower end portion. The web material storage section comprises a displaceable portion. The displaceable portion comprises the lower end portion. The lower end portion, seen along the vertical direction, is arranged substantially underneath the upper end portion when the displaceable portion is arranged in a dispensing position. In a tilted loading position the lower end portion is positioned beside and below the upper end portion, seen along the vertical direction.
Description
- The present disclosure relates to a dispenser and a method of replenishing a dispenser with web material.
- A sheet material for e.g. wiping purposes may be provided in the form of a stack. Different kinds of dispensers for holding such a stack of sheet material, and for dispensing separate sheets of sheet material from such a stack, are known. Generally, there may be distinguished between two kinds of dispensers for stacks of sheet material; a first kind of dispenser from which sheet material is dispensed from a bottom end of the stack, and second kind of dispenser from which sheet material is dispensed from a top end of the stack. The first kind of dispenser is easily replenished with sheet material by placing fresh sheet material on top of sheet material remaining in the dispenser. This kind of dispenser has the drawback that the weight of large stacks of sheet material tends to make the dispensing of sheet material from the bottom end difficult. In the second kind of dispenser, irrespective of the weight of the stack, sheet material is easily dispensed from the top end. On the other hand, replenishing a dispenser of the second kind may pose a problem because the stack often has to be replenished from the bottom end. It may be mentioned that in some types of dispensers, e.g. dispensers for napkins, the stack may be arranged in a horizontal direction. The stack may be biased towards a dispensing opening and napkins may be dispensed from a top of the stack from the dispensing opening. Replenishing the latter type of dispensers may pose its own particular problems.
- U.S. Pat. No. 2,809,082, with reference to its
FIG. 6 , discloses a dispenser wherein paper is fed from a top of a stack. The stack is replenished from its bottom. How replenishing is to be performed in practice is not discussed. - WO2007/000153 discloses a double dispenser for dispensing of disposable paper. Each dispenser unit comprises: a stack magazine for accommodating a folded paper web; an advancing unit for conveying the paper web out of the stack magazine for further use; a detaching device for detaching the disposable paper towels from the paper web, and; a dispensing unit for dispensing the detached disposable paper towels from the dispenser. Paper web is replenished by placing new paper web beneath remaining web paper in the dispenser and gluing the new paper to the remaining web paper. Apparently, the remaining web paper has to be lifted and supported manually while the new paper web is placed in the stack magazine.
- US 2011/0101020 discloses a dispenser comprising a housing with a back plate and a cover. A base of the cover is articulated on a connecting pin. A support-container holds a stack of pre-cut material which is in use and can hold a spare stack. A base of the support-container is articulated around the same axis of rotation and the cover internally has a horizontal plate which supports the stack in use after swiveling the cover and support-container to load the spare stack. The support-container fits inside and is dismountably attached to the housing after swiveling into the internal space of the housing, which causes downward displacement of the stack in use, allowing the spare stack to be inserted into the internal space. That is, the support-container is turned upside down to access a bottom of the stack in use for replenishing the dispenser with the spare stack. The stack in use and the spare stack are joined to each other after positioning the spare stack on the other stack.
- There exists a need for an alternative arrangement for replenishing a dispenser with a package of folded web material from a bottom end of a stack of folded web material present in the dispenser.
- An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dispenser which is arranged for replenishing with a package of folded web material from a bottom end of a stack of folded web material present in the dispenser.
- According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the object is achieved by a dispenser for dispensing a sheet of web material from a stack of folded web material. The dispenser comprises: a housing arranged to be positioned along a vertical direction, a dispensing arrangement including a dispensing opening for the web material in the housing, and a web material storage section inside the housing arranged to hold and support the stack of folded web material. The web material storage section comprises, seen along the vertical direction, an upper end portion and opposite thereto a lower end portion. The web material is arranged to be lead to the dispensing arrangement from the upper end portion and the stack of folded web material is arranged to be supported at the lower end portion. The web material storage section comprises a displaceable portion. The displaceable portion comprises the lower end portion, wherein the lower end portion, seen along the vertical direction, is arranged substantially underneath the upper end portion when the displaceable portion is arranged in a dispensing position. The displaceable portion is displaceable from the dispensing position to a tilted loading position, in which tilted loading position the lower end portion is positioned beside and below the upper end portion, seen along the vertical direction.
- Since the displaceable portion is displaceable to the tilted loading position, replenishing the dispenser with a package of folded web material is easily performed by a user. Firstly, the package of folded web material is supported by the displaceable portion in the tilted loading position and secondly, the user has better access to the displaceable portion for replenishing when the displaceable portion is placed in a loading position than when the displaceable portion is in the dispensing position. As a result, the above mentioned object is achieved.
- The dispenser may be a standalone unit or may be mounted to a structure such as a wall, a piece of furniture, or a door. The dispenser may be arranged for manual dispensing of web material through the dispensing opening by a user pulling on a tail of the web material. The dispenser may alternatively be arranged for automatic dispensing of web material through the dispensing opening. The automatic dispensing may comprise electrically powered feeding of web material or a mechanical feeding of web material. In both cases a user may actuate the feeding.
- The web material may be provided as a continuous web material which is folded to form a stack of folded web material. Similarly, a package of folded web material for replenishing a stack of folded web material in a dispenser may comprises a continuous web material. Herein, the term “replenishing” not only relates to the replenishing of a dispenser which is partially filled with a stack of folded web material, but is understood to also encompass loading of an empty dispenser. From a tail of web material from the stack of folded web material sheets of web material are separated during dispensing. Dispensed sheets of web material from the dispenser may be used as towels, napkins, for general wiping, etc. The folded web material may be Z-folded in an accordion-like manner to form the stack of folded web material. The web material may comprise one or more web layers. In the case of more than one web layer, the layers are interfolded in the stack. One or more sheets of web material may be separated from the web material in the dispenser during dispensing from the dispenser. For this purpose the web material may be provided with lines of weakness, perforations. Alternatively, the web material may be non-perforated, in which case the dispenser may be provided with a cutting arrangement or tearing arrangement for separating a sheet from the tail of web material. One or more packages of folded web material are arranged to be placed in the web material storage section of the dispenser to form a stack of folded web material. The tail of the web material is arranged to extend from the upper end portion of the web material storage section to the dispensing opening of the dispenser. The tail of the web material may change direction one or more times inside the dispenser between the upper end portion of the web material storage section and the dispensing opening.
- According to embodiments, at least in the dispensing position, the dispensing opening may be arranged above the lower end portion, seen along the vertical direction. In this manner at least part of a stack of folded web material arranged in the dispenser is arranged below the dispensing opening. A general extension of dispenser is thus established.
- According to embodiments, the dispenser is arranged for dispensing from a top of the stack of folded web material.
- According to embodiments, the displaceable portion may be upwardly pivotable in relation to the vertical direction.
- According to embodiments, the displaceable portion in the tilted loading position may be pivoted to an angle of between 30-100 degrees, preferably approximately 90 degrees, from a downward direction along the vertical direction. In this manner the displaceable portion may be readily accessible to a user standing in front of the dispenser for replenishing the dispenser with one or more packages of folded web material. Also, a lower portion of the stack of folded web material in the dispenser may be securely supported in the displaceable portion in the tilted loading position during replenishing of the dispenser. Similarly, a package of folded web material placed is supported securely in the displaceable portion in the tilted loading position when placed in the displaceable portion for replenishing the stack of folded web material in the dispenser.
- According to embodiments, the web material storage section may comprise a fixed portion above the displaceable portion, seen along the vertical direction. The displaceable portion may comprise a transitional portion forming a gradual transition from the displaceable portion to the fixed portion when the displaceable portion is positioned in the tilted loading position.
- According to embodiments, the transitional portion may comprise a substantially smooth surface adapted to abut against the stack of folded web material. In this manner the stack of folded web material may slide along the substantially smooth surface when the stack is pushed upwardly in the web material storage section from the lower end portion. Access for replenishing from a bottom end of the stack may thus be provided without risk of the stack being stuck in the transitional portion during replenishing of the stack of folded web material.
- According to embodiments, a flexible plate may comprise the smooth surface. The flexible plate may be supported by at least one element extending in a direction across the vertical direction. In this manner supporting of the stack of folded web material may also be provided in the transitional portion.
- According to embodiments, the displaceable portion may be biased towards the tilted loading position. In this manner a user need not lift the displaceable portion to displace the same from the dispensing position to the tilted loading position.
- According to embodiments, the dispenser may comprise a locking arrangement arranged to hold the displaceable portion in the dispensing position. In this manner accidental displacement of the displaceable portion from the dispensing position to the tilted loading position may be avoided.
- According to embodiments, the locking arrangement may be arranged to be released to permit pivoting of the displaceable portion to the tilted loading position.
- According to embodiments, the displaceable portion on its inside may be provided with a holding arrangement for holding a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with a package of folded web material and/or for holding a panel of the package of folded web material against the package of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with the package of folded web material. In this manner a correct abutment between a panel at a lower end portion of the stack of folded web material in the displaceable portion and a panel of a package of folded web material being placed in the displaceable portion may be provided.
- According to embodiments, the displaceable portion may comprise a supporting arrangement for at least temporarily supporting at least a portion of the stack of folded web material. The supporting arrangement may support the stack of folded web material at a distance from the lower end portion. In this manner the stack of folded web material may be moved to a position, in which it is supported by the supporting arrangement when a package of folded web material is placed in the displaceable portion. Thus, an empty space may be provided for the package of folded web material without risking that the stack of folded web material slides downwardly and blocks the empty space. The supporting arrangement may support the stack of folded web material at the lower end portion. In this manner the supporting arrangement may support the stack of folded web material when the displaceable portion is in the dispensing position. In addition or alternatively, the supporting arrangement may have a function similar to that of the holding arrangement namely, holding a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with a package of folded web material.
- According to embodiments, the supporting arrangement may be arranged to move between a support position and a release position. In the support position the supporting arrangement may extend into the displaceable portion for supporting at least a portion of the stack of folded web material and in the release position the supporting arrangement may be retracted out of the displaceable portion for releasing the stack of folded web material. In this manner the stack of folded web material may be released from the supporting arrangement, e.g. when the displaceable portion is moved from the tilted loading position to the dispensing position.
- According to embodiments, the displaceable portion may comprise a loading opening for a package of folded web material in a region of the lower end portion. In this manner a package of folded web material may be placed below a stack of folded web material already present in the displaceable portion.
- According to embodiments, the lower end portion may be provided with a recess for removing a packaging strip of a package of folded web material. In this manner a user may readily grasp and remove a packaging strip from a package of folded web material after the package has been place in the displaceable portion.
- According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of replenishing a dispenser according to any one of the aspects and embodiments disclosed herein with a package of folded web material. The displaceable portion comprises a support surface extending substantially along the vertical direction when the displaceable portion is in the dispensing position. The method comprises:
-
- displacing the displaceable portion together with the support surface from the dispensing position to the tilted loading position, and
- placing a creased side of the package of folded web material to abut against the support surface such that the package of folded web material is supported in the vertical direction by the support surface.
- The package of folded web material being supported in the vertical direction by the support surface encompasses the package being at least partially supported by the support surface as well as the package being entirely supported by the support surface. In both cases replenishing of the dispenser is facilitated.
- According to embodiments, the method may comprise:
-
- displacing the displaceable portion from the tilted loading position to the dispensing position.
- According to embodiments, the method may comprise:
-
- inserting the package of folded web material through a loading opening. The loading opening may be provided in a region of the lower end portion of the web material storage section.
- According to embodiments, the package of folded web material may comprise a packaging strip extending around the folded web material of the package of folded web material. The method may comprise:
-
- removing the packaging strip from the package of folded web material after the package of folded web material has been placed to abut against the support surface.
- According to embodiments, the method may comprise:
-
- pushing the package of folded web material from the loading opening along the dispensing portion after the removing the packaging strip from the package of folded web material.
- According to embodiments, the method may comprise:
-
- supporting at least a portion of the package of folded web material by means of the supporting arrangement.
- Further features of, and advantages with, the present disclosure will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the present disclosure may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as defined by the appended claims.
- The various aspects of the present disclosure, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser for dispensing at least one sheet of web material according to embodiments, -
FIG. 2 illustrates the dispenser ofFIG. 1 with a door in an open position, -
FIGS. 3 a and 3 b illustrate the dispenser ofFIGS. 1 and 2 with a displaceable portion in a tilted loading position, -
FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a displaceable portion of the dispenser illustrated inFIGS. 1-3 b, -
FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a web material storage section of a dispenser according to embodiments, -
FIG. 6 illustrates a dispenser for dispensing at least one sheet of web material according to embodiments, -
FIG. 7 a illustrates schematically a cross section through a stack of folded web material according to embodiments, -
FIG. 7 b illustrates a package of folded web material according to embodiments, -
FIGS. 8 a-8 e illustrate a method of replenishing a dispenser with a package of folded web material, -
FIG. 8 a′ illustrates an alternative lower end portion of a dispenser according to embodiments and the replenishing of the dispenser with a package of folded web material, and -
FIG. 9 illustrates a method of replenishing a dispenser according to embodiments disclosed herein with a package of folded web material. - The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. However, the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Disclosed features of example embodiments may be combined as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates adispenser 2 for dispensing at least one sheet of web material according to embodiments. Thedispenser 2 comprises ahousing 4. Thehousing 4 is arranged to be positioned along avertical direction 12. Thus, thehousing 4 has natural top and bottom ends when thedispenser 2 is installed at a site for dispensing sheets of web material therefrom. Thehousing 4 comprises adoor 6. In thedoor 6, a dispensingopening 8 is provided for dispensing the sheet of web material. Thedoor 6 is arranged to be opened and thus, to provide access to an interior of thedispenser 2, e.g. for the purpose of replenishing thedispenser 2 with packages of folded web material. Thedoor 6 may be locked in a closed position by means of a lockingarrangement 10. -
FIG. 2 illustrates thedispenser 2 ofFIG. 1 with thedoor 6 in an open position. Thedispenser 2 is arranged for dispensing web material from a stack of folded web material which may be Z-folded in an accordion-like manner. The stack has been omitted inFIG. 2 for clarity reasons. Thedispenser 2 comprises a dispensingarrangement 14 including thedispensing opening 8. A webmaterial storage section 16 is provided inside thehousing 4. The webmaterial storage section 16 is arranged to hold and support the stack of folded web material. - The web
material storage section 16 comprises, seen along thevertical direction 12, anupper end portion 18 and an oppositelower end portion 20. The web material is arranged to be lead to the dispensingarrangement 14 from theupper end portion 18 and the stack of folded web material is arranged to be supported at thelower end portion 20. For supporting the stack at thelower end portion 20, the webmaterial storage section 16 comprises at least onebottom element 22. For supporting the stack along thevertical direction 12, the webmaterial storage section 16 comprisesside elements 24 on four sides thereof. Accordingly, the stack of web material is arranged to be substantially enclosed in the webmaterial storage section 16. Some of theside elements 24 may be flexible. Someside elements 24 may be provided with openings for providing access to the interior of the webmaterial storage section 16. - The web
material storage section 16 comprises adisplaceable portion 26. Thedisplaceable portion 26 is displaceable from a dispensing position to a tilted loading position. InFIG. 2 thedisplaceable portion 26 is illustrated in the dispensing position and inFIGS. 3 a and 3 b thedisplaceable portion 26 is illustrated in the tilted loading position. Thedisplaceable portion 26 comprises thelower end portion 20 of the webmaterial storage section 16. When thedisplaceable portion 26 is arranged in the dispensing position, thelower end portion 20, seen along thevertical direction 12, is arranged substantially underneath theupper end portion 18. Accordingly, when thedisplaceable portion 26 is arranged in the dispensing position, thedoor 6 may be closed and users may dispense sheets of web material from the dispensingopening 8. At least in the dispensing position, the dispensingopening 8 is arranged above thelower end portion 20, seen along thevertical direction 12. Accordingly, at least part of a stack of web material arranged in the webmaterial storage section 16 is arranged below the dispensingopening 8. - The
dispenser 2 is arranged for dispensing from a top of the stack of folded web material. In use, a tail of the web material extends from the top of the stack of folded web material supported in the webmaterial storage section 16 to thedispensing opening 8 in theclosed door 6. When thedispenser 2 has been newly replenished with folded web material, the top of the stack of folded web material may be in a region of theupper end portion 18 of thematerial storage section 16. Accordingly, the tail of web material extends from theupper end portion 18 to thedispensing opening 8. On the other hand, when most of the web material in thedispenser 2 has been dispensed, the top of the stack of folded web material is in a region of thelower end portion 20 of thematerial storage section 16. In this case the tail of web material extends through the webmaterial storage section 16, from itslower end portion 20 to itsupper end portion 18 and therefrom to thedispensing opening 8. - In order to guide the tail of web material from the web
material storage section 16 towards the dispensingopening 8, thedispenser 2 comprises a guidingarrangement 27 arranged above theupper end portion 18 of the webmaterial storage section 16 and aseparation unit 28. Thus, the tail of web material extends upwardly from the stack of folded web material in the webmaterial storage section 16, through the guidingarrangement 27 and via theseparation unit 28 to thedispensing opening 8. The guidingarrangement 27 comprises a nip arranged to frictionally engage with the tail of web material sufficient for preventing the tail of the web material from sliding downwards towards the stack of folded web material in the webmaterial storage section 16. - In these embodiments, the dispensing
arrangement 14 comprises theseparation unit 28. Theseparation unit 28 is adapted for separating a sheet of web material from a perforated web material. Thus, theseparation unit 28 comprises afirst roller 30 and asecond roller 32. A passage is formed between the first andsecond rollers second rollers second rollers respective rollers rollers second rollers separation unit 28 along a perforation of the web material as a user pulls on the web material through the dispensing opening to dispense a sheet of web material. -
FIGS. 3 a and 3 b illustrate thedispenser 2 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 with thedisplaceable portion 26 in the tilted loading position. InFIG. 3 a thedispenser 2 is illustrated in a perspective view with thedoor 6 in the open position.FIG. 3 b illustrates a cross section along thevertical direction 12 through the middle of the dispenser 2 (the door has been omitted). The stack of folded web material has been omitted inFIGS. 3 a and 3 b for clarity reasons. Arear side 50 of thedispenser 2 is arranged opposite to thedoor 6, seen along ahorizontal direction 48 perpendicular to thevertical direction 12, when thedoor 6 is closed. - In the tilted loading position of the
displaceable portion 26, thelower end portion 20 of the webmaterial storage section 16 is positioned beside and below theupper end portion 18 of the webmaterial storage section 16, seen along thevertical direction 12. Put differently, in the tilted loading position thelower end 20 is positioned farther away from therear side 50 than in the dispensing position, seen along thehorizontal direction 48. Thedisplaceable portion 26 is upwardly pivotable in relation to thevertical direction 12. According to some embodiments, thedisplaceable portion 26 may be pivotable to an angle α of between 30-100 degrees from a downward direction along thevertical direction 12. In this manner thedisplaceable portion 26 is readily accessible to a user standing in front of the dispenser for replenishing thedispenser 2 with one or more packages of web material. In these embodiments thedisplaceable portion 26 is pivotable to an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the downward direction. When thedisplaceable portion 26 is arranged in the tilted loading position, thelower end portion 20 is easily reachable for replenishing thedispenser 2 with folded web material from a bottom end of a stack of folded web material present in the webmaterial storage section 16. - The web
material storage section 16 comprises a fixedportion 34 above thedisplaceable portion 26, seen along thevertical direction 12. Thedisplaceable portion 26 comprises atransitional portion 36 forming a transition from thedisplaceable portion 26 to the fixedportion 34. When thedisplaceable portion 26 is positioned in the tilted loading position, thetransitional portion 36 forms a gradual transition from thedisplaceable portion 26 to the fixedportion 34. - Also in the tilted loading position the
side elements 24 on the four sides of the webmaterial storage section 16 support the stack of folded web material. In thetransitional portion 36, one side element comprising aflexible plate 37 comprises a substantiallysmooth surface 38 adapted to abut against the stack of folded web material. Theflexible plate 37 is arranged towards therear side 50 of thedispenser 2 and thus, the stack of folded web material may slide along the substantiallysmooth surface 38 when the stack is pushed upwardly in the webmaterial storage section 16 as the stack is replenished from its bottom end. Theflexible plate 37 is supported by at least one element 40 extending in a direction across thevertical direction 12. In thetransitional portion 36, a number ofside elements 24′, arranged substantially perpendicularly to theflexible plate 37, are pivotably linked to each other to permit upward pivoting of thedisplaceable portion 26. Accordingly, apivot axis 39 of thedisplaceable portion 26, seen as a whole, is arranged at a distance from thedisplaceable portion 26. - The
displaceable portion 26 is biased towards the tilted loading position. In these embodiments thedispenser 2 comprises twogas springs 42 arranged to bias thedisplaceable portion 26 towards the tilted loading position. Eachgas spring 42 is pivotably attached to thehousing 4 at a bottom end portion of thehousing 4 and to thedisplaceable portion 26 at a distance above the bottom end of thehousing 4, approximately at a middle portion of thedisplaceable portion 26. Ahousing pivot point 44 of eachgas spring 42 is arranged at the bottom end portion of thehousing 4 and fixed in relation to thehousing 4. A displaceableportion pivot point 46 of eachgas spring 42 is arranged at the middle portion of thedisplaceable portion 26 and is movable together with thedisplaceable portion 26 in relation to thehousing 4. - When the
displaceable portion 26 is positioned in the dispensing position (illustrated inFIG. 2 ), the displaceableportion pivot point 46 is arranged closer to therear side 50 of thedispenser 2 than thehousing pivot point 44, seen along thehorizontal direction 48. Moreover, the gas springs 42 are compressed when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position. Thus, when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position, due to the arrangement of thehousing pivot point 44 and the displaceableportion pivot point 46 in thehorizontal direction 48, and the inherent property of the compressed gas springs 42 to extend, thedisplaceable portion 26 is held in the dispensing position. Thus, the gas springs 42 and the particular arrangement of their housing pivot points 44 and their displaceable portion pivot points 46 form a locking arrangement of thedisplaceable portion 26. - The locking arrangement is arranged to be released to permit pivoting of the
displaceable portion 26 from the dispensing position to the tilted loading position. For this purpose the displaceable portion is provided with alever mechanism 52. Thelever mechanism 52 comprises ahandle 54, and twolever arms 56 arranged to pivot about alever pivot axis 58. Eachlever arm 56 comprises anouter end portion 60. Theouter end portion 60 is arranged opposite to thehandle 54. When thedisplaceable portion 26 is positioned in the dispensing position (seeFIG. 2 ), thehandle 54 is arranged in an upwardly direction and the outer end portion 60 (not visible) points in a downwardly direction. - A user may operate the
lever mechanism 52 to release the locking arrangement. In order to do so the user pulls thehandle 54 downwardly. Theouter end portion 60 is thus, brought to abut against thehousing 4 and pushes thedisplaceable portion 26 outwardly from therear side 50 of thedispenser 2. In doing so the locking arrangement is released by compressing the gas springs 42 slightly while the dispensingportion pivot point 46 of eachgas spring 42 passes thehousing pivot point 44, seen along thehorizontal direction 48. As soon as thehousing pivot point 44 is positioned closer to therear side 50 than the dispensingportion pivot point 46, the gas springs 42 expand and pivot thedisplaceable portion 26 into the tilted loading position, illustrated inFIGS. 3 a and 3 b. When in the tilted loading position, the user may replenish thedispenser 2 with packages of folded web material via aloading opening 62 arranged in a region of thelower end portion 20. At least one of theside elements 24 of thedisplaceable portion 26 is provided with asupport surface 61. Thesupport surface 61 is tilted together with thedisplaceable portion 26 in the tilted loading position. Thus, a package of folded web material placed in thedisplaceable portion 26 is supported by thesupport surface 61 in thevertical direction 12 when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position. Thelower end portion 20 is provided with arecess 64 for removing a packaging strip of a package of folded web material. Finally, the user may pivot thedisplaceable portion 26 back into the dispensing position by pushing against thedisplaceable portion 26 at thelower end portion 20. The gas springs 42 are thus compressed and thedisplaceable portion 26 is again held in the dispensing position by positioning the dispensingportion pivot point 46 closer to therear side 50 than thehousing pivot point 44, seen along thehorizontal direction 48. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of thedisplaceable portion 26 of thedispenser 2 illustrated inFIGS. 1-3 b. Thedisplaceable portion 26 on its inside is provided with a holdingarrangement 66. The holdingarrangement 66 is arranged for holding a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of thedispenser 2 with a package of folded web material and/or for holding a panel of the package of folded web material against the package of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with the package of folded web material. The holdingarrangement 66 comprises a number ofprotrusion elements 68. The holdingarrangement 66 comprises non-visible protrusion elements arranged opposite to theprotrusion elements 68 visible inFIG. 4 . Eachprotrusion element 68 is resiliently suspended in thedisplaceable portion 26. Thus, the stack of web material or a package of folded web material is able to push theprotrusion elements 68 aside. However, since theprotrusion elements 68 below the stack will protrude into the displaceable portion, a panel of web material at a lower end of the stack of folded web material will be prevented from losing contact with the remainder of the stack of folded web material. Similarly, theprotrusion elements 68 above a package of folded web material, which is being pushed along the holding arrangement, will protrude into the displaceable portion. Thus, a panel of web material at an upper end of the package of folded web material will be prevented by the holdingarrangement 66 from losing contact with the remainder of the package of folded web material. - The
displaceable portion 26 comprises a supportingarrangement 70 for at least temporarily supporting at least a portion of the stack of folded web material at a distance from thelower end portion 20. The stack of folded web material may be moved to a position, in which it is supported by the supporting arrangement while a package of folded web material is placed in thedisplaceable portion 26 for replenishing thedispenser 2. In addition or alternatively, the supportingarrangement 70 may hold a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with a package of folded web material. The panel held against the stack thus, forms a portion of the stack supported by the supportingarrangement 70. The supportingarrangement 70 comprises twoprojection members 72, one on each side of thedisplaceable portion 26. The supportingarrangement 70 is arranged to move between a support position and a release position. The support position of the supportingarrangement 70 is illustrated inFIG. 4 . The twoprojection members 72 of the supportingarrangement 70 extend into thedisplaceable portion 26 in the support position for supporting the stack of folded web material. In the release position the twoprojection members 72 of the supportingarrangement 70 are retracted out of thedisplaceable portion 26 for releasing the stack of folded web material. - The
displaceable portion 26 comprises aninner portion 74 and anouter portion 76. Theinner portion 74 and theouter portion 76 are moveable in relation to each other. Each of the twoprojection members 72 is pivotably connected to theouter portion 76 and extends through aslot 78 in theinner portion 74. Theprojection member 72 is biased towards the support position. As theinner portion 74 and theouter portion 76 are moved in relation to each other, theprojection member 72 moves along theslot 78. At a lower end of theslot 78, theprojection member 72 will abut against theinner portion 74 and pivot out of theslot 78, i.e. from the support position to the release position. The inner andouter portions displaceable portion 26 is moved between the dispensing position and the tilted loading position and vice versa. Thus, the supportingarrangement 70 is arranged in the support position at least when thedisplaceable portion 26 is arranged in the tilted loading position, and in the release position when thedisplaceable portion 26 is arranged in the dispensing position. - Alternatively, the supporting
arrangement 70 may be manually movable from the support position to the release position. In such embodiments a user may move the supportingarrangement 70 to the release position prior to moving thedisplaceable portion 26 from the tilted loading position to the dispensing position. In a further alternative embodiment the supportingarrangement 70 may be moved from the supporting position to the release position by the full weight of the stack of folded web material. In such embodiments the supportingarrangement 70 may support the weight of a portion of the stack of folded web material and/or the entire stack of folded web material when thedisplaceable portion 26 is arranged in the tilted loading position. When thedisplaceable portion 26 is moved to the dispensing position, the full weight of the stack pushes the displaceable portion to the release position. Also the holdingarrangement 66 may be arranged to be retracted from thedisplaceable portion 26 when thedisplaceable portion 26 is arranged in the dispensing position. - In alternative embodiments, the
projection members 72 may be biased to the release position and a mechanical arrangement may bring theprojection members 72 into the support position when thedisplaceable portion 26 is brought into the tilted loading position. - As can be seen in
FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, theprojection members 72 of the supportingarrangement 70 are positioned in theslots 78 close to the holdingarrangement 66 when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a webmaterial storage section 16 of a dispenser according to embodiments. The webmaterial storage section 16 according to the embodiments ofFIG. 5 may for instance be used in adispenser 2 as illustrated inFIGS. 1-3 b, replacing the webmaterial storage section 16 illustrated inFIGS. 2-3 b. The webmaterial storage section 16 comprises adisplaceable portion 26. The main difference between the embodiments ofFIGS. 2-3 b and the embodiments ofFIG. 5 lies in that thedisplaceable portion 26 in the latter embodiments is provided with aloading opening 62 arranged in thedisplaceable portion 26 such that a package of folded web material is inserted in a direction along a longitudinal extension of thedisplaceable portion 26 when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position, and in that the stack of folded web material in the dispenser is supported by the supportingarrangement 70 when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position. - In embodiments where the
displaceable portion 26, in the tilted loading position, is pivoted to an angle α of approximately 90 degrees from a downward direction along thevertical direction 12, the direction along the longitudinal direction of thedisplaceable portion 26 is substantially along ahorizontal direction 48 perpendicular to thevertical direction 12. - The
displaceable portion 26 is provided with a holdingarrangement 66. The holdingarrangement 66 is arranged for holding a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of thedispenser 2 with a package of folded web material and/or for holding a panel of the package of folded web material against the package of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with the package of folded web material. The holdingarrangement 66 comprises a number ofprotrusion elements 68 in the form of resilient bristles. The holdingarrangement 66 is pivotably suspended in thedisplaceable portion 26. Thus, the holdingarrangement 66 may be pivoted such that theprotrusion elements 68 extend into an inside of thedisplaceable portion 26 when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position and such that theprotrusion elements 68 are arranged retracted from the inside of thedisplaceable portion 26 when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position. InFIG. 5 , for illustration purposes three sections of the holdingarrangement 66 are illustrated with theprotrusion elements 68 extending into the inside of thedisplaceable portion 26 and one section of the holdingarrangement 66 is illustrated with theprotrusion elements 68 retracted from the inside of thedisplaceable portion 26 - Again, when the
protrusion elements 68 extend into the inside of the displaceable portion the stack of web material or a package of folded web material is able to push theprotrusion elements 68 aside. However, since theprotrusion elements 68 below the stack will protrude into the displaceable portion, a panel of web material at a lower end of the stack of folded web material will be prevented from losing contact with the remainder of the stack of folded web material. Similarly, theprotrusion elements 68 above a package of folded web material, which is being pushed along the holding arrangement, will protrude into the displaceable portion. Thus, a panel of web material at an upper end of the package of folded web material will be prevented, by the holdingarrangement 66, from losing contact with the remainder of the package of folded web material. - The
displaceable portion 26 comprises a supportingarrangement 70 for supporting the stack of folded web material at alower end portion 20 of the webmaterial storage section 16. The supportingarrangement 70 comprises twoprojection members 72, one on each side of thedisplaceable portion 26. The stack of folded web material in the webmaterial storage section 16 is supported by the twoprojection members 72 at least when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position. The twoprojection members 72 may also support the stack of folded web material when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position. Accordingly, also in these embodiments the supportingarrangement 70 may hold a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with a package of folded web material. - The supporting
arrangement 70 is arranged to move between a support position and a release position. The support position of the supportingarrangement 70 is illustrated inFIG. 5 . The twoprojection members 72 of the supportingarrangement 70 extend into thedisplaceable portion 26 in the support position for supporting the stack of folded web material. In the release position, the twoprojection members 72 of the supportingarrangement 70 are retracted out of thedisplaceable portion 26. Each of the twoprojection members 72 is pivotably connected to thedisplaceable portion 26 and may extend through aslot 78 into thedisplaceable portion 26. Theprojection members 72 are biased towards the support position. In these embodiments, theprojection members 72 of the supportingarrangement 70 are moved to the release position by a package of folded web material being inserted through theloading opening 62 into thedisplaceable portion 26 for replenishing the relevant dispenser. Once the package of folded web material has been moved past theprojection members 72, they return to the support position. - The web
material storage section 16 comprisesside elements 24 on four sides thereof for supporting the stack of folded web material. Accordingly, the stack of web material is arranged to be substantially enclosed in the webmaterial storage section 16. Some of theside elements 24 may be flexible. Someside elements 24 may be provided with openings, or someside elements 24′ may only extend partially along one side of the webmaterial storage section 26, for providing access to the interior of the webmaterial storage section 16. At least one of theside elements 24 of thedisplaceable portion 26 is provided with asupport surface 61. Thesupport surface 61 is tilted together with thedisplaceable portion 26 in the tilted loading position. Thus, a package of folded web material inserted into thedisplaceable portion 26 is supported by thesupport surface 61 in thevertical direction 12 when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position. - As mentioned above, the
loading opening 62 is arranged in thedisplaceable portion 26 such that apackage 96 of folded web material is inserted in a direction along a longitudinal extension of thedisplaceable portion 26. Via theloading opening 62, thepackage 96 is inserted in thedisplaceable portion 26 to abut against thesupport surface 61. Theprojection members 72 are moved to the release position by the package of folded web material and once the package has been pushed into thedisplaceable portion 26 beyond the supportingarrangement 70, theprojection members 72 return to the support position to prevent the stack from sliding out through theloading opening 62. Put differently, the supportingarrangement 70 is to be moved into the release position by the package of folded web material being inserted through theloading opening 62 into the displaceable portion. The supporting arrangement (70) in the support position is arranged to support the stack (82) of folded web material when the displaceable portion (26) is in the dispensing position. Between twoside elements 24′ of thedisplaceable portion 26 at thelower end portion 20 there is provided arecess 64 for grasping and/or removing the packaging strip from the package of folded web material which has been inserted into thedisplaceable portion 26. -
FIG. 6 illustrates adispenser 2 for dispensing at least one sheet of web material according to embodiments. Thedispenser 2 comprises ahousing 4. Thehousing 4 is arranged to be positioned along avertical direction 12. Thehousing 4 comprises adoor 6. A dispensingopening 8 is provided in thehousing 4 for dispensing the at least one sheet of web material. Thedispenser 2 is arranged for dispensing web material from a stack of folded web material. The stack has been omitted inFIG. 6 for clarity reasons. Thedoor 6 is arranged to be opened inter alia for replenishing thedispenser 2 with packages of folded web material. Thedispenser 2 comprises a dispensingarrangement 14 comprising the dispensingopening 8 and aserrated edge 80 for tearing off the at least one sheet from a tail of web material. The tail of web material extends from the stack of folded web material to thedispensing opening 8. A webmaterial storage section 16 is provided inside thehousing 4. The webmaterial storage section 16 is arranged to hold and support the stack of folded web material. - Again, the web
material storage section 16 comprises, seen along thevertical direction 12, anupper end portion 18 and an oppositelower end portion 20. The web material is arranged to be lead to the dispensingarrangement 14 from theupper end portion 18 and the stack of folded web material is arranged to be supported at thelower end portion 20. For supporting the stack at thelower end portion 20, the webmaterial storage section 16 comprises abottom element 22.Side elements 24 are provided to support the stack of folded web material along thevertical direction 12. - The web
material storage section 16 comprises adisplaceable portion 26. Thedisplaceable portion 26 is displaceable from a dispensing position to a tilted loading position. InFIG. 6 thedisplaceable portion 26 is illustrated in the tilted loading position. Thedisplaceable portion 26 comprises thelower end portion 20 of the webmaterial storage section 16. When thedisplaceable portion 26 is arranged in the dispensing position, thelower end portion 20, seen along thevertical direction 12, is arranged substantially underneath theupper end portion 18. In the dispensing position, the dispensingopening 8 is arranged above thelower end portion 20, seen along thevertical direction 12. In the tilted loading position of thedisplaceable portion 26, thelower end portion 20 of the webmaterial storage section 16 is positioned beside and below theupper end portion 18 of the webmaterial storage section 16, seen along thevertical direction 12. - In order to guide the tail of web material from the web
material storage section 16 towards the dispensingopening 8, thedispenser 2 may comprise a guiding arrangement arranged above theupper end portion 18. The guiding arrangement may be a guiding arrangement of the kind discussed in connection withFIG. 2 . - The
displaceable portion 26 is upwardly pivotable in relation to thevertical direction 12. According to some embodiments, thedisplaceable portion 26 may be pivotable to an angle α of between 30-75 degrees from a downward direction along thevertical direction 12. In this manner the displaceable portion is readily accessible to a user standing in front of the dispenser for replenishing thedispenser 2 with one or more packages of web material. At least one of theside elements 24 of thedisplaceable portion 26 is provided with asupport surface 61. Thesupport surface 61 is tilted together with the displaceable portion in the tilted loading position. Thus, a package of folded web material placed in thedisplaceable portion 26 is supported by thesupport surface 61 in thevertical direction 12 when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position. - Also the stack of folded web material in the
dispenser 2 is at least partially supported by thesupport surface 61 in thevertical direction 12. Thus, a user about to replenish thedispenser 2 with a package of folded web material may slide the stack of folded web material in thedispenser 2 upwardly along thesupport surface 61 and place the package of folded web material against thesupport surface 61 below the stack of folded web material. - The web
material storage section 16 comprises a fixedportion 34 above thedisplaceable portion 26, seen along thevertical direction 12. Apivot axis 39 of thedisplaceable portion 26, is arranged at a lower end of the fixedportion 34. -
FIG. 7 a illustrates schematically a cross section through astack 82 of folded web material according to embodiments. Thestack 82 is adapted for being positioned in a web material storage section of adispenser 2 disclosed herein. Atail 84 of web material from thestack 82 is arranged to extend from the stack to a dispensingarrangement 14 of arelevant dispenser 2. The web material in thestack 82 of folded web material is a continuous web material which is Z-folded in an accordion-like manner. The web material comprise afirst web layer 86 divided into sheet products defined between longitudinally separated lines ofweakness 88 extending across thefirst web layer 86. The web material further comprise at least onesecond web layer 90 divided into sheet products defined between longitudinally separated lines ofweakness 92 extending across thesecond web layer 90. The first and second web layers 86, 90 are interfolded so that the lines ofweakness 88 of thefirst web layer 86 are offset from the lines ofweakness 92 of thesecond web layer 90 in a longitudinal direction of thefirst web layer 86. Each folded section of first and second web layers 86, 90 forms a panel 93. At one end or at both ends of thestack 82, thestack 82 is provided with anadhesion arrangement 94 for interconnecting the folded web material of thestack 82 with that of a package of folded web material replenishing thestack 82 and therelevant dispenser 2. - Alternatively, the
stack 82 of folded web material may only comprise thefirst web layer 86, which may be divided into sheet products defined between longitudinally separated lines of weakness extending across thefirst web layer 82. Further alternative stacks of folded web material may comprise one or more web layers which are not provided with lines of weaknesses, i.e. non-perforated web material. For such web material thedispenser 2 may suitably be provided with a dispensingarrangement 14, which is provided with a cutting or tearing arrangement. -
FIG. 7 b illustrates apackage 96 of folded web material according to embodiments, thepackage 96 of folded web material may also be referred to as afirst package 96 of folded web material, or as asecond package 96 of folded web material, or simply as apackage 96. Thepackage 96 is arranged to be placed in adispenser 2 as disclosed herein. Thepackage 96 is held together by apackaging strip 98. Thepackaging strip 98 may be removed by pulling on arelease tab 99 of thepackaging strip 98. The folded web material of thepackage 96 may be a folded web material as discussed in connection with thestack 82 illustrated inFIG. 7 a. Thepackage 96 comprises two creased sides, i.e. sides of thepackage 96 comprising folded edges of the web material, these are the creasedside 100 and the opposite non-visible side of thepackage 96. On one or both panel end surfaces 102, 104 ofpackage 96 thepackage 96 is provided with anadhesion arrangement 94′. By means of theadhesion arrangement 94′, thepackage 96 of folded web material may be attached to the bottom end of astack 82 of folded web material in adispenser 2 as disclosed herein. For instance, theadhesion arrangement 94′ may be connected to acorresponding adhesion arrangement 94 at a bottom end of thestack 82, seeFIG. 7 a. - The
adhesion arrangement FIGS. 7 a and 7 b may e.g. comprise strips or patches of a mechanical fastening arrangement such as a hook and loop fastening arrangement or dabs or patches of glue. Theadhesion arrangements package 96 of folded web material is attached to a bottom end of astack 82 of folded web material. Thepackaging strip 98 of these embodiments only extends around a middle portion of thepackage 96 of folded web material. In alternative embodiments, thepackaging strip 98, extending around thepackage 96 of folded web material, may cover the entire width of thepackage 96 of folded web material as. -
FIGS. 8 a-8 e illustrate a method of replenishing adispenser 2 with apackage 96 of folded web material. Thedispenser 2 may be adispenser 2 as described in connection withFIGS. 1-4 . Only thedisplaceable portion 26 of thedispenser 2 in the tilted loading position has been shown for clarity reasons. Apackage 96 of folded web material, which has been placed in thedispenser 2 to replenish the same, forms part of a stack of folded web material inside thedispenser 2. -
FIG. 8 a illustrates apackage 96 of folded web material held together by apackaging strip 98 ready to be place in thedisplaceable portion 26 via theloading opening 62 to abut against thesupport surface 61. Theloading opening 62 is arranged in thedisplaceable portion 26 such that thepackage 96 of folded web material is inserted in a direction transverse to a longitudinal extension of thedisplaceable portion 26.FIG. 8 b illustrates thepackage 96 of folded web material placed in thedisplaceable portion 26 abutting with a creased side of thepackage 96 against thesupport surface 61. Thepackage 96 is thus supported by thesupport surface 61 in thevertical direction 12 by thesupport surface 61.FIGS. 8 c-8 d illustrate thepackaging strip 98 being removed from thepackage 96. Thepackaging strip 98 is removed by pulling on therelease tab 99. Thepackaging strip 98 is removed via therecess 64 in thelower end portion 20.FIG. 8 e illustrates thepackage 96 being pushed upwardly in thedisplaceable portion 26. During pushing, thepackage 96 slides along thesupport surface 61. Theprojection members 72 of the supportingarrangement 70 may prevent thepackage 96, now part of a stack of folded web material in thedispenser 2, from sliding back towards theloading opening 62. Theprojection members 72 of the supportingarrangement 70 hold a panel of web material at a lower end of thepackage 96/stack against the remainder of thepackage 96/stack. A further package of folded web material may be placed in thedispenser 2 via theloading opening 62. - Panel end surfaces 102, 104 of the
package 96 and the further package are provided with anadhesion arrangement 94 for attaching the web material of the two packages to each other. Thus, a continuous web material may be provided between the two packages, and thus also in in the stack in thedispenser 2. -
FIG. 8 a′ illustrates an alternativelower end portion 20 of adispenser 2 according to embodiments and the replenishing of thedispenser 2 with apackage 96 of folded web material. Thelower end portion 20 comprises twobottom elements 22. Thebottom elements 22 are foldable into thedisplaceable portion 26. Aloading opening 62 for thepackage 96 is thus formed. Theloading opening 62 is arranged in thedisplaceable portion 26 such that apackage 96 of folded web material is inserted in a direction along a longitudinal extension of thedisplaceable portion 26. Via theloading opening 62 thepackage 96 is placed in thedisplaceable portion 26 to abut against thesupport surface 61. Again, a supporting arrangement (not shown) is provided for holding a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of thedispenser 2 with at least onepackage 96 of folded web material. Also the supporting arrangement may at least temporarily support the stack of folded web material at a distance from thelower end portion 20. - Once the
package 96 has been pushed into thedisplaceable portion 26 beyond the foldedbottom elements 22, thebottom elements 22 return to their initial position. In the initial position, and when the displaceable portion is arranged in the dispensing position, thebottom elements 22 are arranged to support the stack of folded web material inside thedispenser 2 and thus, prevent the stack from sliding out through theloading opening 62. Aside element 24 of thedisplaceable portion 26 at thelower end portion 20 is provided with therecess 64 for grasping and/or removing thepackaging strip 98 from thepackage 96. Thepackaging strip 98 may alternatively be removed at thebottom elements 22, i.e. substantially in the direction along the longitudinal extension of thedisplaceable portion 26. - The
packaging strip 98 may be held together e.g. by a glue or by welding. By pulling on therelease tab 99 of thepackaging strip 98 the seal provided by the glue may be broken, or thepackaging strip 98 may rupture, e.g. along a perforation provided therein. A force required to pull thepackaging strip 96 from thedispenser 2 in the direction along the longitudinal extension of thedisplaceable portion 26, e.g. via therecess 64, may be between 6-15 N. -
FIG. 9 illustrates a method of replenishing adispenser 2 according to embodiments disclosed herein with apackage 96 of folded web material. Thedisplaceable portion 26 comprises asupport surface 61 extending substantially along thevertical direction 12 when thedisplaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position. The method comprises: -
- displacing 110 the
displaceable portion 26 together with thesupport surface 61 from the dispensing position to the tilted loading position, and - placing 112 a creased side of the
package 96 of folded web material to abut against thesupport surface 61 such that thepackage 96 of folded web material is supported in thevertical direction 12 by thesupport surface 61.
- displacing 110 the
- The method may comprise:
-
- displacing 114 the
displaceable portion 26 from the tilted loading position to the dispensing position. In this manner the replenisheddispenser 2 may be arranged for dispensing of web material from the webmaterial storage section 16.
- displacing 114 the
- The method may comprise:
-
- inserting 116 the package of folded web material through a
loading opening 62. Theloading opening 62 may be provided in a region of thelower end portion 20 of the webmaterial storage section 16.
- inserting 116 the package of folded web material through a
- The
package 96 of folded web material may comprise apackaging strip 98 extending around the folded web material of thepackage 96 of folded web material. The method may comprise: -
- removing 118 the
packaging strip 98 from thepackage 96 of folded web material after thepackage 96 of folded web material has been placed to abut against thesupport surface 61.
- removing 118 the
- The method may comprise:
-
- pushing 120 the
package 96 of folded web material from theloading opening 62 along thedisplaceable portion 26 after the removing thepackaging strip 98 from thepackage 96 of folded web material. Thepackage 96 may slide along thesupport surface 61 as it is being pushed along thedisplaceable portion 26.
- pushing 120 the
- The method may comprise:
-
- supporting 122 at least a portion of the
package 96 of folded web material by means of the supportingarrangement 70.
- supporting 122 at least a portion of the
- The method may comprise:
-
- placing 124 a creased side of a
second package 96 of folded web material to abut against thesupport surface 61 such that thesecond package 96 of folded web material is supported in thevertical direction 12 by thesupport surface 61, wherein thesecond package 96 of folded web material is provided with anadhesion arrangement 94′ for attaching the second package (96) of folded web material to thefirst package 96 of folded web material, and - interconnecting 126 the
second package 96 of folded web material and with thefirst package 96 of folded web material via theadhesion arrangement 94′.
- placing 124 a creased side of a
- The
first package 96 of folded web material may be provided with acorresponding adhesion arrangement 94′ to engage with theadhesion arrangement 94′ of thesecond package 96 of folded web material. However, according to some embodiments thefirst package 96 of folded web material does not require any specific adhesion arrangement. For instance, if theadhesion arrangement 94′ of thesecond package 96 of folded web material comprises dabs or patches of glue, such dabs or patches of glue may engage directly with the web material of an outer panel of thefirst package 96 of web material. - The interconnecting 126 of the first and
second packages 96 of folded web material via theadhesion arrangement 94′ is performed while the first andsecond packages 96 of folded web material are resting on their creased sides on thesupport surface 61. - The
second package 96 of folded web material comprises apackaging strip 98 extending around the folded web material of thesecond package 96 of folded web material. The method may comprise: -
- removing 128 the
packaging strip 98 from thesecond package 96 of folded web material after thesecond package 96 of folded web material has been placed to abut against thesupport surface 61.
- removing 128 the
- The removing 128 may be done before or after the
interconnecting 126, depending on the width of the packaging strip and the arrangement of theadhesion arrangement 94′ - The method may comprise:
-
- pushing 130 the
second package 96 of folded web material along thedisplaceable portion 26 after the removing 128 thepackaging strip 98 from thesecond package 96 of folded web material.
- pushing 130 the
- The method may comprise:
-
- supporting 132 at least a portion of the
second package 96 of folded web material by means of the supportingarrangement 70.
- supporting 132 at least a portion of the
- Example embodiments described above may be combined as understood by a person skilled in the art. Other arrangements for biasing the
displaceable portion 26 towards the tilted loading position than the gas springs 42 may be provided, e.g. a torsional spring or a helical spring. The locking arrangement may comprise other arrangements than parts of adapted to bias thedisplaceable portion 26 towards the tilted loading position, e.g. a displaceable hook may engage with thedisplaceable portion 26. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments. - As used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one or more stated features, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof.
Claims (31)
1. A dispenser for dispensing a sheet of web material from a stack of folded web material, the dispenser comprising:
a housing arranged to be positioned along a vertical direction,
a dispensing arrangement including a dispensing opening for the web material in the housing, and
a web material storage section inside the housing arranged to hold and support the stack of folded web material, the web material storage section comprising, as seen along the vertical direction, an upper end portion and opposite thereto a lower end portion, wherein the web material is arranged to be lead to the dispensing arrangement from the upper end portion and the stack of folded web material is arranged to be supported at the lower end portion, and wherein the web material storage section comprises a displaceable portion, the displaceable portion comprising the lower end portion, wherein the lower end portion, as seen along the vertical direction, is arranged substantially underneath the upper end portion when the displaceable portion is arranged in a dispensing position, wherein
the displaceable portion is displaceable from the dispensing position to a tilted loading position, in which tilted loading position the lower end portion is positioned beside and below the upper end portion, as seen along the vertical direction.
2. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein at least in the dispensing position, the dispensing opening is arranged above the lower end portion, as seen along the vertical direction.
3. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the dispenser is arranged for dispensing from a top of the stack of folded web material.
4. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the displaceable portion is upwardly pivotable in relation to the vertical direction.
5. (canceled)
6. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the web material storage section comprises a fixed portion above the displaceable portion, as seen along the vertical direction, and wherein the displaceable portion comprises a transitional portion forming a gradual transition from the displaceable portion to the fixed portion when the displaceable portion is positioned in the tilted loading position.
7. The dispenser according to claim 6 , wherein the transitional portion comprises a substantially smooth surface adapted to abut against the stack of folded web material.
8. The dispenser according to claim 7 , wherein a flexible plate comprises the smooth surface, and wherein the flexible plate is supported by at least one element extending in a direction across the vertical direction.
9. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the displaceable portion is biased towards the tilted loading position.
10. The dispenser according to claim 1 , comprising a locking arrangement arranged to hold the displaceable portion in the dispensing position.
11. (canceled)
12. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein an inside of the displaceable portion is provided with a holding arrangement for holding a panel of the stack of folded web material against the stack of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with a package of folded web material and/or for holding a panel of the package of folded web material against the package of folded web material during replenishing of the dispenser with the package of folded web material.
13. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the displaceable portion comprises a supporting arrangement for at least temporarily supporting at least a portion of the stack of folded web material.
14. The dispenser according to claim 13 , wherein the supporting arrangement is arranged to move between a support position and a release position, and wherein in the support position the supporting arrangement extends into the displaceable portion for supporting the stack of folded web material and in the release position the supporting arrangement is retracted out of the displaceable portion for releasing the stack of folded web material.
15. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the displaceable portion comprises a loading opening for a package of folded web material in a region of the lower end portion.
16. The dispenser according to claim 15 , wherein the loading opening is arranged in the displaceable portion such that the package of folded web material is inserted in a direction transverse to a longitudinal extension of the displaceable portion.
17. The dispenser according to claim 15 , wherein the loading opening is arranged in the displaceable portion such that the package of folded web material is inserted in a direction along a longitudinal extension of the displaceable portion.
18. The dispenser according to claim 15 , wherein the supporting arrangement is to be moved into the release position by the package of folded web material being inserted through the loading opening into the displaceable portion.
19. The dispenser according to claim 18 , wherein the supporting arrangement in the support position is arranged to support the stack of folded web material when the displaceable portion is in the dispensing position.
20. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the lower end portion is provided with a recess for removing a packaging strip of a package of folded web material.
21. A method of replenishing a dispenser according to claim 1 , the displaceable portion comprising a support surface extending substantially along the vertical direction when the displaceable portion is in the dispensing position, wherein the method comprises:
displacing the displaceable portion together with the support surface from the dispensing position to the tilted loading position, and
placing a creased side of a first package of folded web material to abut against the support surface such that the package of folded web material is supported in the vertical direction by the support surface.
22. The method of replenishing a dispenser according to claim 21 , further comprising:
displacing the displaceable portion from the tilted loading position to the dispensing position.
23. The method of replenishing a dispenser according to claim 21 , wherein the displaceable portion comprises a loading opening for a package of folded web material in a region of the lower end portion, and the method further comprises:
inserting the first package of folded web material through the loading opening.
24. The method of replenishing a dispenser according to 21, wherein the first package of folded web material comprises a packaging strip extending around the folded web material of the first package of folded web material, and wherein the method further comprises:
removing the packaging strip from the first package of folded web material after the first package of folded web material has been placed to abut against the support surface.
25. The method of replenishing a dispenser according to claim 24 , further comprising:
pushing the first package of folded web material from the loading opening along the displaceable portion after removing the packaging strip from the first package of folded web material.
26. The method of replenishing a dispenser according to claim 25 , wherein the displaceable portion comprises a supporting arrangement for at least temporarily supporting at least a portion of the stack of folded web material, and the method further comprises:
supporting at least a portion of the first package of folded web material by means of the supporting arrangement.
27. The method of replenishing a dispenser according to claim 21 , wherein the method further comprises:
placing a creased side of a second package of folded web material to abut against the support surface such that the second package of folded web material is supported in the vertical direction by the support surface, wherein the second package of folded web material is provided with an adhesion arrangement for attaching the second package of folded web material to the first package of folded web material, and
interconnecting the second package of folded web material and with the first package of folded web material via the adhesion arrangement.
28. The method of replenishing a dispenser according to claim 27 , wherein the interconnecting of the first package of folded web material and the second package of folded web material via the adhesion arrangement is performed while the first package of folded web material and the second package of folded web material are resting on the support surface.
29. The method of replenishing a dispenser according to claim 27 , wherein the second package of folded web material comprises a packaging strip extending around the folded web material of the second package of folded web material, and wherein the method further comprises:
removing the packaging strip from the second package of folded web material after the second package of folded web material has been placed to abut against the support surface.
30. (canceled)
31. The method of replenishing a dispenser according to claim 27 , wherein the displaceable portion comprises a supporting arrangement for at least temporarily supporting at least a portion of the stack of folded web material, and the method further comprises:
supporting at least a portion of the second package of folded web material by means of the supporting arrangement.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/SE2012/051440 WO2014098671A1 (en) | 2012-12-19 | 2012-12-19 | Dispenser and method of replenishing a dispenser |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20150313425A1 true US20150313425A1 (en) | 2015-11-05 |
Family
ID=50978821
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/648,952 Abandoned US20150313425A1 (en) | 2012-12-19 | 2012-12-19 | Dispenser and method of replenishing a dispenser |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20150313425A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2934260A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN104853661A (en) |
RU (1) | RU2015121231A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014098671A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20190008336A1 (en) * | 2017-07-10 | 2019-01-10 | Kingsway Enterprises (Uk) Limited | Hand towel dispenser |
US10188244B2 (en) | 2014-06-19 | 2019-01-29 | Essity Hygiene And Health Ab | Dispenser and method of replenishing a dispenser |
US11911253B1 (en) * | 2023-10-26 | 2024-02-27 | The Tranzonic Companies | Bulk loading feminine hygiene product dispenser |
US11963642B2 (en) * | 2019-03-11 | 2024-04-23 | Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag | Dispenser insert for dispensing sheet products |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITUB20169840A1 (en) * | 2016-01-04 | 2017-07-04 | Breton Spa | DOUGH DISTRIBUTOR |
WO2020182283A1 (en) * | 2019-03-11 | 2020-09-17 | Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag | Dispenser for dispensing sheet products |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1681840A (en) * | 1926-05-11 | 1928-08-21 | Alvin E Carlson | Towel dispensing and storage cabinet |
US2809082A (en) * | 1953-01-08 | 1957-10-08 | West Disinfecting Co | Sheet dispensing unit |
EP0106742B1 (en) * | 1982-10-13 | 1986-07-09 | BAREGE, Jacqueline | Device for dispensing and severing a continuous web |
US5642836A (en) * | 1995-09-05 | 1997-07-01 | Merriweather, Jr.; Frank | Single piece towel dispenser |
US6779683B2 (en) * | 2002-04-30 | 2004-08-24 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Dispenser for dispensing sheet material |
US8328046B2 (en) * | 2003-09-12 | 2012-12-11 | Sca Tissue North America Llc | Dispenser for folded absorbent sheet products |
CA2586613C (en) * | 2004-12-29 | 2011-11-08 | Sca Hygiene Products Ab | A hands-free paper towel dispenser and dispensing system |
DE102005030758B4 (en) * | 2005-06-29 | 2008-12-11 | Kistner, Verena | Double dispenser for disposable paper |
US8162412B2 (en) * | 2005-09-20 | 2012-04-24 | Sca Hygiene Products Ab | Dispenser |
AU2005336531B2 (en) * | 2005-09-20 | 2012-01-12 | Sca Hygiene Products A.B. | Dispenser |
NL1034377C2 (en) * | 2007-09-12 | 2009-03-16 | Vendor Bv | Towel dispenser and cassette for a towel dispenser. |
FR2932671B1 (en) * | 2008-06-24 | 2012-05-04 | Maurice Granger | APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING WIPING MATERIALS PREDECOUPE WITH LOADING BLOCK MATERIAL. |
-
2012
- 2012-12-19 US US14/648,952 patent/US20150313425A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2012-12-19 RU RU2015121231A patent/RU2015121231A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2012-12-19 WO PCT/SE2012/051440 patent/WO2014098671A1/en active Application Filing
- 2012-12-19 CN CN201280077582.2A patent/CN104853661A/en active Pending
- 2012-12-19 EP EP12890178.2A patent/EP2934260A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10188244B2 (en) | 2014-06-19 | 2019-01-29 | Essity Hygiene And Health Ab | Dispenser and method of replenishing a dispenser |
US20190008336A1 (en) * | 2017-07-10 | 2019-01-10 | Kingsway Enterprises (Uk) Limited | Hand towel dispenser |
US10376110B2 (en) * | 2017-07-10 | 2019-08-13 | Kingsway Enterprises (Uk) Limited | Hand towel dispenser |
US11963642B2 (en) * | 2019-03-11 | 2024-04-23 | Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag | Dispenser insert for dispensing sheet products |
US11911253B1 (en) * | 2023-10-26 | 2024-02-27 | The Tranzonic Companies | Bulk loading feminine hygiene product dispenser |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2934260A1 (en) | 2015-10-28 |
WO2014098671A1 (en) | 2014-06-26 |
CN104853661A (en) | 2015-08-19 |
RU2015121231A (en) | 2017-01-26 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20150313425A1 (en) | Dispenser and method of replenishing a dispenser | |
US11812899B2 (en) | Dispenser and stack of sheet products | |
US20210085133A1 (en) | Separation unit and a dispenser comprising a separation unit | |
US7093737B2 (en) | Container and cartridge for dispensing paper products | |
US7028860B2 (en) | Inter-folded sheet dispenser with replaceable cartridge | |
US20110101020A1 (en) | Dispensing apparatus for pre-cut wiping materials with loading of pack of material | |
EP0814695B1 (en) | Loading device for a wiping material dispensing apparatus | |
US3647114A (en) | Tissue dispenser having resiliently biased follower | |
US7124911B2 (en) | Container and cartridge for dispensing paper products | |
CA2959211C (en) | Dispenser for interfolded napkins | |
US20060273101A1 (en) | Container and cartridge for dispensing paper products | |
US20110297694A1 (en) | Cloth Dispenser | |
US20070051770A1 (en) | Storage and dispensing device for materials on rolls | |
WO2014098670A1 (en) | Dispenser | |
JP2010083525A5 (en) | ||
JP2010083525A (en) | Sheet material for assembling sanitary thin paper dispenser, and sanitary thin paper dispenser | |
US10188244B2 (en) | Dispenser and method of replenishing a dispenser | |
US20200122915A1 (en) | Bags dispenser and bags therefor | |
US20180319531A1 (en) | Packaging | |
JPH11227732A (en) | Double-fold sticking-device for sticking label | |
GB2454903A (en) | A sheets dispenser | |
JP2012121631A (en) | Sheet material for assembling sanitary thin paper dispenser, and sanitary thin paper dispenser |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB, SWEDEN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:THOREN, LARS;MOLLER, PER;LARSSON, BJORN;SIGNING DATES FROM 20150507 TO 20150513;REEL/FRAME:035763/0075 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |