US3777931A

US3777931A - Dispenser with spring-urged, automatic-stop pressure plate

Info

Publication number: US3777931A
Application number: US00125517A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Fleming
Original assignee: Fort Howard Paper Co
Current assignee: Georgia Pacific Consumer Products LP
Priority date: 1971-03-18
Filing date: 1971-03-18
Publication date: 1973-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-11

Abstract

A device for dispensing napkins or the like. The napkins are received in an elongated chamber, preferably upright, and are mounted on a movable pressure plate in the chamber. Means are provided for guiding movement of this plate in the chamber in forward and reverse directions, as up and down. Springs are provided to normally bias the plate in an upward direction. Elongated catch bars are provided in the chamber and have a plurality of catches thereon. The elongated catch bars are movable between a first position at which the catches are operative and a second position at which the catches are inoperative. Members are provided on the plate to engage at least one of the catches when the elongated bars are in the operative position to thereby prevent forward or upward movement of the plate. Means are provided on a dispenser cover for moving the elongated bar to the operative position when the cover is open and to the inoperative position when the cover is closed.

Description

United States Patent [191 Fleming 1 DISPENSER WITH SPRING-URGED,

AUTOMATIC-STOP PRESSURE PLATE [75] Inventor: Larry J. Fleming, West De Pere,

Wis.

[73] Assignee: Fort Howard Paper Company,

Green Bay, Wis.

[22] Filed: Mar. 18, 1971 [211 Appl. No.: 125,517

[52] US. Cl 221/57, 221/227, 312/61 [51] Int. Cl B65h 1/24 [58} Field of Search 221/57, 227; 312/61, 312/71 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,505,688 8/1924 Arelt 221/57 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerThomas E. Kocovsky Attorney-Molinare, Allegretti, Newitt & Witcoff Dec. 11, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A device for dispensing napkins or the like. The napkins are received in an elongated chamber, preferably upright, and are mounted on a movable pressure plate in the chamber. Means are provided for guiding movement of this plate in the chamber in forward and reverse directions, as up and down. Springs are provided to normally bias the plate in an upward direction. Elongated catch bars are provided in the chamber and have a plurality of catches thereon. The elongated catch bars are movable between a first position at which the catches are operative and a second position at which the catches are inoperative. Members are provided on the plate to engage at least one of the catches when the elongated bars are in the operative position to thereby prevent forward or upward movement of the plate. Means are provided on a dispenser cover for moving the elongated bar to the operative position when the cover is open and to the inoperative position when the cover is closed.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures i l 1 1 i i I I in'ai is z 1 i 1 i I i 1 26 EM =1." 38

I: {I 44/ l l 28: i i H l I 10 l l l I l I 1 I 1 1 1 L1 1 i P /T/ I f1 i l I46 48 F :1 I I 12 20 l 18 I I #1 PAIENTED I smxorz In Z/ZTLtOT. cf Fleming Zarr q y/WM W PAIENIEUIRI H915 53777. 931

sum 2 or 2 p I D//// DISPENSER WITH SPRING-URGED, AUTOMATIC-STOP PRESSURE PLATE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention and Description of the Prior Art Dispensers for paper napkins are well known and are in extensive use in restaurants, cafeterias, carry-out establishments, food service establishments, and the like. Although these napkin dispensers generally operate quite well, the known dispensers generally have a relatively small storage capacity. For example, in carry-out establishments, several of these dispensers must be lo cated at the counter where the food is dispensed and, due to the small capacity of these dispensers, they must be constantly refilled so that a sufficient quanity is available for the customers.

Similar problems are encountered wherever a large number of disposable napkins are used because of large customer turn-over. Also, in large fast food operations, counter space and table space are valuable and it is considered undesirable to locate a large number of napkin dispensers at the valuable useful space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide a dispenser for disposable napkins or like wherein the dispenser has a particularly large storage capacity.

It is also an important object of this invention to provide an improved napkin dispenser, having an exceptionally large storage capacity, which is readily filled.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved napkin dispenser of large storage capacity which is readily transportable or which can be placed in a recess as part of a food service counter.

It is is still a further object of this invention to provide a disposable paper napkin dispenser which dispenses napkins preferably from an elongated upright chamber, of any desired height for storing the desired number of anpkins.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a paper napkin dispenser having a pressure plate for normally biasing the napkins to the dispensing position through a face plate or cover wherein the upward biasing or movement of the napkins is stopped when the face plate is moved to the open position so that the dispenser can be readily filled without the napkins being forced from the open dispenser.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved napkin dispenser which is particularly characterized by its simplicity and economy of construction and effectiveness in use.

Further objects and purposes of this invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

All of the foregoing objects are accomplished by providing a napkin dispensing device wherein the device comprises an elongated chamber which is enclosed by walls, a plate mounted in the chamber for receiving the napkins, guides for the plate in the chamber for guiding movement of the plate in both forward and reverse directions, biasing means for normally biasing the plate in a forward direction, elongated bars mounted on the interior walls of the chamber with a plurality of catches thereon, the elongated bars being movable between a first position at which the catches are operative and a second position at which the catches are inoperative, means on the plate for engaging at least one of the catches on the elongated bars while in the operative position for stopping forward dispensing movement of the plate, and means for selectively moving the elongated upright catch bars between the operative and inoperative positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One particular embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through one embodiment of my improved napkin dispenser while the cover or face plate thereof is closed;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, except the cover of the dispenser is shown in the open position;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 showing the internal plan of my napkin dispenser;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, my napkin dispenser, generally 10, is shown in the preferred, upright position. Although the following description, for purposes of simplicity, describes only this preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the dispenser 10 may be mounted in other positions, such as horizontally, or angularly.

The dispenser 10 includes an upright elongated chamber 12 which is defined by a front wall 14, a rear wall 16, and a pair of opposed side walls 18 interconnecting the front wall 14 and rear wall 16. A bottom 20 interconnects the

walls

14, 16 and 18. The walls l4, l6, and 18 are all advantageously constructed of sheet steel, and formed into the desired shape.

A base 22, preferably weighted, is mounted on the bottom 20 of the chamber 12. The weighted base 22 provides for stability and yet the dispenser 10 is easily moved from one location to another, as desired. The dispenser 10 is preferably mounted in an upright or vertical position so that an exceptionally large amount of disposable paper napkins may be received within the chamber 12 without taking up excessive counter or table space. The height of the dispenser 10 depends primarily upon the number of napkins which are to be stored therein. The horizontal cross-sectional area of the chamber 12 is dependent upon the size of the napkins which are to be dispensed from and stored within the dispenser 10. The term napkin, as used herein, is meant to include any type of fibrous product, such as paper, which is normally and commonly used for general cleaning and is meant to include disposable paper toweling and industrial wipers.

A pressure plate member, generally 24, is mounted in the chamber 12 for movement in up and down directions in the elongated chamber 12. The pressure plate 24 includes an upper plate 26 which receives the napkins. The napkin receiving plate 26, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has a sinuous vertical, transverse crosssection and is formed from sheet steel or the like. The pressure plate member 24 includes a cross-support 28 to which the upper plate 26 is rigidly secured, as by means of rivets 30. As best shown in FIG. 3, the crosssupport 28 extends slightly beyond the lateral edges of the upper plate 26, but is substantially less in width than the upper plate 26. The lateral end portions of the cross-support 28 have upright guide members 32 mounted thereto. The guide members 32 comprise outwardly facing channel like members which extend parallel to the elongated and upright axis of the dispenser l0.

Upright guide bars 34 are rigidly secured to the central portion of the inner surfaces of the opposite side walls 18 of the chamber 12. The guide bars 34 extend for substantially the entire height of the side walls 18. The guide bars 34 are secured to the side walls 18 by rivets or other suitable securing members. The guide bars 34 define track members which slidably receive and engage the channel like guide members 32 of the pressure plate member 24 so as to slidably guide the pressure plate member 24 for reciprocal movement within the chamber 12.

To provide additional guidance for reciprocal movement of the pressure plate member 24 within the dispenser chamber 12, secondary elongated guides 36 are mounted forward of the guide bars 34, and as best shown in FIG. 3, engage the opposite forward corners of the cross support 28 of the pressure plate member 24 so as to prevent tipping thereof as napkins are loaded in the chamber 12 and as they are dispensed therefrom. The secondary guides 36 are rigidly mounted to the opposite inner faces of the side walls 18, as by means of rivets or the like.

Spring supports'38 are rigidly mounted to the front and rear edges of cross support 28 of the'pressure plate 24. Two of the spring supports 38 project forwardly of the cross support while one spring support 38, centrally mounted on the rear edge of the cross support 28, extends rearwardly therefrom. The spring supports 38 respectively receive, in coiled form, the coiled spring steel members 40. Each coil spring 40 is coiled, at one end, on a mounting member 42 of the support 38, and the opposite end thereof is rigidly secured, as by rivets, to the front wall 14 or to the rear wall 16 of the chamber 12. The coil springs 40, normally bias the pressure plate member 24 and any napkins carried thereon towards the open upper end of the chamber 12, that is, in an upward direction.

A pair of upright elongated and movable catch bars 44 are mounted on the interior faces of the opposite side walls 18 of the chamber 12. The catch bars 44 are each slidably mounted intermediate the guide bars 34 and the rear wall 16. The catch bars 16 each include angular slots 46 at the upper and lower ends thereof, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The slots 46 extend approximately at a 45angle upwardly and forwardly. The slots 46 engage rigid guide pins 48 which are each fixedly secured to the inner surfaces of the side walls 18 of the chamber 12. Interengagement between the slots 46 and the pins 48 permit slidable movement along the inner side wall faces of the catch bars 44 between a downward and rearward position, as shown in FIG. 1, and an upward and forward position, as best shown in FIG. 2. Each of the catch bars 44 includes a plurality of forwardly projecting equally spaced projections or catches 50 having a slanted upper edge and a horizontal lower ende. In the upward and forward positon of FIG. 2, the lower edge of the catch 50 of each of the catch bars 44 is constructed and arranged to engage one of the two pins 52 mounted on the opposite sides of the cross-support 28 of the pressure plate 24; One pin 52 is provided for each of the catch bars 44. Upon engagement of the pins 52 with opposite catches 50 on each catch bar 44, the normal upward biasing movement of the pressure plate 24 caused by the coiled springs 40 is prevented and the pressure plate 24 is thereby maintained in a fixed position, until the plate 24 is pushed downwardly and the pins 52 engage the slanted upper edges of the catches, pushing the bars.44 rearwardly. This upward and downward movement permits easy loading of the dispenser.

Each movable catch bar 44 is normally biased to the upward and forward position by a compression spring 54 mounted between the lower end of each of the catch bars 44 and the bottom 20 of the chamber 12. A rigid elongated guide member 56 is also provided for each of the catch bars 44. A guide plate 56 is rigidly mounted on the inner surface of each side wall 18 of the chamber 12. As best shown in FIG. 3, the guide member 56 projects forwardly and is spaced laterally outwardly of the respective side wall 18 so that each catch bar 44 is freely slidable but yet is guided between the guide plate 56 and the side wall 18.

Referring to FIG. 5, the upper faces of the guide plates 56 include gripping portions or friction tabs 58 which are adapted to engage napkins (not shown) from their rear portions prior to dispensing from the dispenser 10. The gripper portions 58 facilitate dispensing of napkins from the dispenser device 10 and aid in relieving the pressure of napkins (not shown) against the face plate or cover 60.

The face plate, generally 60, is provided for enclosing the open upper end of the dispenser chamber 12, and serves a dual function. First, the face plate 60 serves the function of closing the open top of the chamber 12, and of permitting dispensing of napkins one at a time through the slotted opening 62, provided therein. The second important function accomplished by the face plate 60 is that it operates the catch bar 44 for moving it between the operative and non-operative positions.

The face plate 60 includes side walls 64 which generally conform to the upper edges of the

walls

14, 16, and 18 of the dispenser 10. The longitudinal opening 62 is defined in the central. portion of the top 66 of the face plate 60. An L-shaped hinge member 68 is mounted to the interior surfaces of the opposite side walls 64 of the face plate or cover 60. Each hinge member 68 is pivotally connected to a fixed hinge element 70 which is mounted on the upper inner face of the rear wall 16 of the dispenser 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 60 is hingedly movable between the closed position of FIG. 1 and the open position of FIG; 2. The hinge elements 68 engage the upper ends of each of the catch bars 44 to move them downwardly against the bias of the springs 54. In this position, the catch bar 44 and catches 50 thereon are inoperative because they move out of the path of travel of the catch pins 52 on the cross support 28 of moving the pressure plate 24. When the cover 60 is opened, the hinge elements 68 move away from the upper ends of each of the catch bars 44 and the spring elements 54 raise each of the catch bars 44 upwardly and forwardly and into the operating position where the catch pins 52 on the pressure plate 24 engage the lower edges of the catches 50, thereby stopping the pressure plate in its upwardly biased movement.

Although it is believed that the manner of using the dispenser is apparent from the foregoing description, a brief description of the operation and use of the dispenser 10 will be provided for even a more full understanding of the applicants invention.

When it is desired to load the dispenser 10 with napkins, of the appropriate size, the cover 10 is pivoted to the open position as shown in H6. 2. The napkins are loaded in the chamber on the pressure plate 24. As napkins are loaded therein, the loading takes place against the bias of the coil springs 40 and the loader forces the pressure plate downwardly, the pins also moving the bars 44 rearwardly upon engagement with the slanted upper edges of the catches 50. During this downward movement, the most that the pressure plate 24 can move upwardly is the distance between adjacent catches 50 on the catch bars 44. Thus, the napkins loaded therein will not be undesirably moved out of the dispenser from the bias of the springs 40.

When the desired number of napkins have been loaded into the device, the cover 60 is closed and the L-shaped hinge elements 68 force the catch bars 44 downwardly and rearwardly to the inoperative position, thereby releasing the pressure plate 24 because the catch pins 52 thereon no longer engage the catches 50 on the catch bar 44. With the cover 60 in the closed position, the coil springs 40 constantly bias the pressure plate 24 and thereby move the napkins upwardly to the position for dispensing through the opening 62 in the dispenser cover 60. This biasing of the pressure plate 24 continues until all of the napkins have been dispensed or until it is desired that more napkins be loaded when the operator pivots the cover 60 back to the open position for reloading, which allows the catch pins 52 of the pressure plate 24 once again to engage the catches 50 of the catch bars 44 to stop the pressure plate from moving upwardly.

While in the foregoing there has been provided a detailed description of a particular embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that all equivalents obvious to those having skill in the art are to be included within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A device for dispensing napkins or the like, said device comprising, in combination, an elongated chamber enclosed by side walls and having an open end, a cover movably mounted on one of said walls and movable between an open position for exposing the interior of said chamber and a closed position for closing the open end of said chamber, said cover having an opening therein, a plate member transversly mounted in said chamber for receiving said napkins, means for movably guiding said plate member in said chamber in both forward and reverse directions, means for normally and constantly biasing said plate member in a forward direction toward said opening in said cover for the dispensing of said napkins through said opening in said cover only when said cover is in the closed position, and elongated member movably carried on at least one of said walls and having a plurality of catches thereon, said elongated member being mounted longitudinally of said chamber and being movable between a first position at which said catches are operative and a second position at which said catches are inoperative, means on said plate member for engaging said catches only when said elongated member is in the operative position for relieving the pressure created by said biasing means on said plate member and thereby substantially preventing significant forward movement of said plate only when said cover is in the open position. said engaged catch permitting reverse movement of said plate member in response to external force for permitting the loading of said chamber with said napkins, and cooperating means on said elongated member and on said cover for selectively moving said elongated member to the operative position only when said cover is in the open position and the inoperative position only when said cover is in the closed position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said chamber is in an upright position, and said forward and reverse directions are up and down.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said guiding means comprises a pair of opposed upright track members fixedly secured to opposite walls of said chamber, and means rigidly mounted on said receiving member for engaging said tracks for movably guiding said plate in said chamber.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprise spring members rigidly fixed at one of their ends to the walls of said chamber and at their opposite ends to said plate member for thereby normally biasing said plate in an upward direction.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said spring means comprise coiled spring steel members.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said elongated members comprise a pair of upright bars within said chamber on opposite walls thereof, said elongated bars having angular slots therein, means mounted on said walls for engaging said slots, said last mentioned means and said slots guiding movement of said bars between the operative and inoperative positions.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein spring means are provided for normally biasing said bars to the operative position.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said cover is hingedly mounted to one of said walls at the upper portion of said chamber, said cooperating means includes hinge members on said cover for engaging said elongated member.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said hinge member moves said elongated member to the operative position when said cover is in the open position, and moves said elongated member to the inoperative position when said cover is closed.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing napkins or the like, said device comprising, in combination, an elongated chamber enclosed by side walls and having an open end, a cover movably mounted on one of said walls and movable between an open position for exposing the interior of said chamber and a closed position for closing the open end of said chamber, said cover having an opening therein, a plate member transversly mounted in said chamber for receiving said napkins, means for movably guiding said plate member in said chamber in both forward and reverse directions, means for normally and constantly biasing said plate member in a forward direction toward said opening in said cover for the dispensing of said napkins through said opening in said cover only when said cover is in the closed position, and elongated member movably carried on at least one of said walls and having a plurality of catches thereon, said elongated member being mounted longitudinally of said chamber and being movable between a first position at which said catches are operative and a second position at which said catches are inoperative, means on said plate member for engaging said catches only when said elongated member is in the operative position for relieving the pressure created by said biasing means on said plate member and thereby substantially preventing significant forward movement of said plate only when said cover is in the open position, said engaged catch permitting reverse movement of said plate member in response to external force for permitting the loading of said chamber with said napkins, and cooperating means on said elongated member and on said cover for selectively moving said elongated member to the operative position only when said cover is in the open position and the inoperative position only when said cover is in the closed position.