WO2005107548A1

WO2005107548A1 - Apparatus for serially dispensing folded sheet products and a method for manufacturing said apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2005107548A1
Application number: PCT/SE2004/000701
Authority: WO
Inventors: Björn Larsson; Kent Zeiron
Original assignee: Sca Hygiene Products Ab
Priority date: 2004-05-07
Filing date: 2004-05-07
Publication date: 2005-11-17

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing folded sheet products from a stack of said folded sheet products, said apparatus comprising, an open-ended body, a front panel and a rear panel, where at least said front panel is provided with a dispensing opening. The said open-ended body, having a closed cross-sectional profile, comprises an extruded section with and two end surfaces, and further comprises means arranged to guide at least one transverse panel located between the front panel and the rear panel. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a dispenser.

Description

APPARATUS FOR SERIALLY DISPENSING FOLDED SHEET PRODUCTS AND A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAID APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to apparatus for serially dispensing folded sheet products, such as paper napkins, from a stack of such products. In addition, the invention relates to a simplified method of manufacturing such an apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Presently public places, such as restaurants, make available to the consumers dispensers of tissue paper items such as table napkins, towels or sanitary paper.

In general, a napkin dispenser comprises an open-ended case having a substantially parallelepiped shape and including a front panel fitted with a transverse slot through which the napkins are extracted. The napkins are assembled as a pack inside the dispenser either in a mere juxtaposed manner, or independently of each other, or interleafed with each other. Such dispensers can be set down flat or vertically against a wall.

Common standard dispensers of this type are usually assembled from multiple sections. A body may comprise up to four separate parts, which are assembled by rivets, welds or other means, depending on the material used. In addition, the body may include an end wall and guiding means for a push plate for napkins or the like. These components must also be attached to selected parts of the inner walls of said body. As a rule, the cost of the dispenser and the assembly thereof is directly related to the number of component parts. Further, the dispenser size is usually limited to a selection of predetermined sizes offered by the manufacturer. The supplier of such dispensers always attempts providing his clients with designs suitable for their purposes, however he also must take into account the consequent large number of designs entailing management costs and the costs of manufacture. Moreover, these dispensers require a bulky storage space.

Hence, there exists a need for a dispenser comprising a minimal number of parts and for which the dimensions may be freely selected by a customer without entailing excessive costs is desirable.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The above problems are solved by providing a dispenser having an open- ended body with a closed cross-sectional profile, according to claim 1 , and a method of manufacturing said dispenser, according to claim 11.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, a dispenser for dispensing folded sheet products from a stack of said folded sheet products comprises an open-ended body, a front panel and a rear panel, where at least said front panel is provided with a dispensing opening The open-ended body may have a closed cross-sectional profile comprising one or more extruded sections with two end surfaces. The body may further comprise means arranged to guide at least one transverse panel located between the front panel and the rear panel.

The dispenser may be given a desired capacity for folded sheet products by selecting a suitable length for the open-ended body. The length can be selected without affecting the positioning or fixation of the front and rear panels. In addition, by extruding the open-ended body the dispenser may be given any desired cross-section.

According to a preferred embodiment, the dispenser may comprise an open- ended body having a closed cross-sectional profile in the form of a single extruded section. The profile preferably has a substantially rectangular or square cross-section, adapted to fit a predetermined size of folded sheet product.

According to an alternative embodiment, the dispenser may comprise an open-ended body having a closed cross-sectional profile in the form of two extruded sections. The extruded sections may be attached by simultaneously extruded, mating snap connections. The connections may be located along opposing side walls, or along opposing or diagonal corners of the body.

The closed profile making up to open ended body may comprise at least two first longitudinal extruded ribs arranged on opposing walls to guide said support member. In addition, the transverse panel is arranged slidable along the support member, which support member is joined to the front panel.

When located in their operative positions in the open-ended body, the assembled support member, front panel and transverse panel is mounted selectively movable relative to said body, between a first, dispensing position and a second, filling position. A biasing means may be arranged to spring load said transverse panel in the direction of the front panel, thereby exerting a feeding force on the stack of folded sheet products. As successive folded products are removed, the transverse panel will be pushed by the biasing means along said support member towards the front panel. The biasing means acting on the transverse panel may also provide a sufficient spring loading of the assembly comprising the front panel and the support member in the direction of the front panel, in order to facilitate opening of the dispenser for re-filling. By releasing a locking means for retaining the front panel and the support member in the dispenser body the said assembly is pushed a short distance out of the dispenser. The spring-tension and effective length of the biasing means is determined by the length of the support member. The sliding movement of the transverse panel may be guided by said longitudinal ribs in the open-ended body, or additionally by guiding means provided in the support member. This is to ensure that the stack of folded products is fed forwards and held against the rear surface of the front panel and its dispensing opening. In its first, dispensing position the inner, rear end of the support member is located near the internal wall of the rear panel. In its second, filling position the rear end of the support member is located near the front end surface of the open-ended body, whereby a stop means is provided to prevent the support member from being pulled out of the open-ended body. In the latter position, the front surface of the transverse panel is arranged to extend a short distance out of the open-ended body. During filling of the dispenser, the transverse panel is held in this position against said stop means by the biasing means. In order to accommodate various lengths of the open-ended body, the support member may also be extruded and cut to a desired length.

The transverse panel may either be guided by said at least two first longitudinal ribs, or by said two first ribs and at least two further, second longitudinal ribs. The biasing means may be arranged between the first and second longitudinal ribs and is attached between the transverse panel and the front end of the open-ended body.

According to one embodiment, the first and second longitudinal ribs may be substantially L-shaped and arranged facing each other. However, the ribs may also be arranged facing the same way or away from each other, and be provided with other cross-sectional shapes, such as a T-shape, depending on the shape of corresponding surfaces on the transverse panel and/or the support member.

According to a further embodiment, the longitudinal ribs may be machined in order to end a predetermined distance from said end surfaces of the open- ended body, whereby the front and rear panels may extend substantially the corresponding distance into the open-ended body. This involves cutting or machining a predetermined section of the outer ends of any extruded ribs so that they become flush with the peripheral wall of the open-ended body adjacent one or both end surfaces of the open-ended body. Alternatively the longitudinal ribs may extend over the full length of said open-ended body, whereby the front and rear panels may be arranged to extend past and/or between the ribs. This embodiment may contribute to reducing the cost of manufacture of the dispenser, as virtually no machining of the open-ended body will be required before assembly. Depending on the choice of material to be extruded, the open-ended body can simply be cut to length, deburred and optionally be surface treated before assembly

The front panel and the support member may be retained in the open-ended body by means of a suitable releasable locking means. The front panel may be provided with a section arranged to be pushed into the dispenser, to cooperate with internal surfaces of the edge of the open-ended body, or be arranged flush against the end surface of said body. The rear panel may be attached by means of an adhesive, or by using a force fit relative to the open- ended body. It is also possible to provide the rear panel with surfaces cooperating with the longitudinal ribs and/or the internal surface of the edge of the open-ended body, in order to attach the rear panel to the said body.

Apart from being used as a guide for different component parts in the dispenser, the extruded ribs also offer the advantage of increasing the structural rigidity of the walls. As a result, the walls of the body can be made thinner and material savings are obtained.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the open- ended body of the dispenser is provided with a front panel and a rear panel, where both said panels are provided with a dispensing opening. In this embodiment, a first and a second transverse panel may be located between the front panel and the rear panel. Further, a biasing means may be located between said transverse panels, which biasing means spring loads the first and second transverse panels in the direction of the front and rear panels, respectively. In this case the transverse panel is guided by the side walls of the open-ended body. The guiding function may be aided by positioning the said biasing means at or near the centre of the respective transverse panel. The biasing means may comprise a bent spring, having a general V-shape, or a helical spring.

Common for all the above embodiments is that the at least one transverse panel is a push plate for supporting said stack of folded sheet products.

Although the open-ended body is preferably formed of an extruded metal, such as aluminium, it may also be formed of an extruded plastic material.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a dispenser. The method involves the steps of:

^■ producing an open-ended section comprising a closed cross-sectional profile by means of an extrusion process,

^■ cutting to size a predetermined length of the extruded profile,

^■ assembling a front panel, having a dispensing face, a support member, for receiving folded sheet products, and a transverse panel,

^■ inserting said assembled support member and panels into one end of the open-ended body, and

^■ affixing a rear panel to an opposite end of the open-ended body.

In its basic form, a dispenser of this type comprises three parts, that is, an open-ended body, a front section and a rear section. According to said first preferred embodiment, the front section is provided with a dispensing opening and means for holding and feeding a stack of folded paper products. This embodiment is best suited for relatively long dispensers having a square or rectangular cross-section. For example, this type of dispenser may have a length to width ratio in excess of 2:1. According to said second preferred embodiment, both the front and rear sections are provided with dispensing openings. This embodiment is best suited for relatively short dispensers having a square or rectangular cross-section. For example, this type of dispenser may have a length to width ratio less than 2:1. Note that the above figures are given by way of example only and do not in any way limit the scope of the invention. As the body is made from extruded sections, the customer can order a size of dispenser specifically adapted to his needs. When ordering a non-standard size, the only additional costs involved will be the material cost for an increase in the length of the body and the support member respectively. Minor adaptations may be required for the spring acting on the transverse panel, depending on the change in length of the support member relative to a standard length.

According to the invention as described in the above embodiments and the following examples, the dispenser is preferably, but not necessarily, designed for dispensing folded sheet products from a stack of individual folded webs. The term "folded sheet products" is defined as including either of individually stacked webs, overfolded webs or interfolded webs, or similarly arranged sheet products. The webs or sheets may or may not be joined by manually separable perforations or by a number of local attachment zones or connecting points. The stack of individual folded webs may be a stack of fibrous webs. Desirably, the stack of folded products is a stack of absorbent sheets or webs such as, for example, absorbent non-woven products. More desirably, the stack of folded webs is a stack of absorbent fibrous or paper sheets or webs such as, for example, napkins, towels, tissues or the like. Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the following text, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. These drawings are used for illustration only and do not in any way limit the scope of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a central body of a dispenser according to the first embodiment; Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the front section of the embodiment of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a first alternative central body of a dispenser according to the first embodiment; Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the front section of a dispenser provided with the body shown in the embodiment of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a dispenser including a central section shown in Figure 2; Figure 7 shows a rear view of the dispenser in Figure 6, with the rear panel removed. Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention;

Figure 9 shows a cross-section of the dispenser in Figure 8.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention, which dispenser 1 comprises an extruded central body 2, a front panel 3 and a rear panel 4 at opposite ends of said body. The front panel 3 is provided with a dispensing opening 5 for folded paper products such as a paper napkin 6.

Figure 2 shows a rectangular central body 2 of a dispenser according to the first embodiment. Both sides of a pair of opposing internal side walls of said central body 2 are provided with a pair of extruded longitudinal upper and lower ribs 7, 8 along said side walls. The ribs 7, 8 are substantially L-shaped and are placed facing each other to form a partially enclosed section. In this case, the ribs 7, 8 extend along the entire length of the central body 2 between the respective end surfaces 9, 10 of said central body 2. As will be described in further detail below, the longitudinal ribs 7, 8 are also used for guiding a support member attached to the front panel 3, which support member is used for supporting a stack of folded products 6.

In the following text, any features that are identical, albeit mirrored, on opposed sides of the dispenser will be given the same reference numerals. It should also be noted that the thickness of the walls shown in this and any subsequent figures has been exaggerated for reasons of clarity.

The embodiment of Figure 2 may also be provided with a number of stiffening ribs (not shown) for increasing the structural rigidity. Depending on the wall thickness, choice of material and cross-sectional shape of the extruded central body, these stiffening ribs may be increased in number, or dispensed with. Alternatively, gradual variations of the wall thickness may be used instead of said stiffening ribs. The cross-section of the central, open- ended body can be given any desired shape by making modifications to the die used for extruding the body.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section for the first embodiment of the dispenser. The cross-section is taken in a horizontal plane through the dispenser shown in Figure 1 , between the longitudinal ribs shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows the front panel 3 located flush against the front end surface 9 of the central body 2, which front panel is attached to a supporting member or drawer 11 for receiving a stack of folded sheet products (not shown for clarity). The drawer 11 is releasably attached to the central body 2 by a locking means (see Fig.6). The rear panel 4 is provided with a number of tabs 12 (only two shown) extending into the central body 2 to cooperate with the internal walls of said body. The tabs 12 serve to locate the rear panel 4 relative to the central body 2, and to provide additional contact surfaces for an adhesive used for attaching the rear panel onto said body. A transverse panel 13 is located at right angles to the side walls of the central body, which transverse panel 13 is a push plate arranged to act on a stack of folded sheet products in the direction of the front panel 3. For this purpose, the transverse panel 13 is slidable relative to the drawer 11 and is further provided with a first and a second guiding means 14, 15. The first guiding means 14, provided on both sides of the transverse panel, is a lower contact surface in the shape of a horizontal edge extending in a direction parallel to a corresponding upper contact surface on a vertical side wall or the drawer 13 (see Fig.6). The second guiding means 15 is a generally T-shaped guide extending horizontally from both sides of the transverse panel 13. The stem of the T-shaped guide extends horizontally towards the space between the facing edges of the L-shaped ribs, whereby the opposite longitudinal edges of the crossbar of the guide is provided with slots into which the respective facing edges of the L-shaped ribs are inserted. As the transverse panel 13 slides relative to the drawer 11 , the cooperating surfaces of the ribs 7, 8 and the second guide 15 ensures that the panel is maintained at right angles to the central body 2.

The transverse panel 13 is further provided with a biasing means in the form of a pair of coiled, flat springs 16. The coiled section of each spring 16 is attached to the rear side of the transverse panel 13, facing away from the front panel 3. The outer end 17 of the spring 16 is passed through an opening in the stem of the second guide means 15, into the space between the longitudinal ribs 7, 8 and towards the front end 9 of the central body 2. Adjacent the front end, the outer end 17 of the spring 16 is attached to the side wall of the central body 2 by means of a stop member 18. The stop member can be a pin, as shown, or a flat member mounted in the space between the longitudinal ribs (shown in Fig.2). This arrangement causes the transverse panel to be spring loaded in the direction of the front panel. As the dispenser is emptied, a front surface 19 of the transverse panel 13 will eventually come into contact with the front panel 3. When a locking means (see Fig.6) is actuated to release the drawer, the spring force acting on the transverse panel 13 will cause the front panel 3 and the drawer 11 to be pushed a predetermined distance out of the central body 2. The outward movement of the transverse panel 13 is arrested when the second guiding means 15 comes into contact with the stop means 18. The function of the stop member 18 will be described in further detail in connection with Figure 6.

Figure 4 shows a first alternative central body of a dispenser according to the first embodiment, which central body 2 is provided with a pair of extruded longitudinal upper and lower ribs 7, 8 along said side walls, as shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment a predetermined section 14 of the outer ends of all extruded ribs 7, 8 adjacent the front end surface 9 has been machined so that they have become substantially flush with the inner peripheral wall of the central body 2. As can be seen in Figure 5, showing a cross-section of a front section of a dispenser having the central body of the embodiment of Figure 4, the longitudinal ribs 7, 8 have been removed a predetermined distance x from the front end surface 9. The component parts of the dispenser have been described in connection with Figure 3, using the same reference numerals. However, an inner section 20 around the circumference of the front panel 3 has a cross-section substantially equal to the corresponding cross-section of the end adjacent the edge of the central body. In this way the inner section 20 of the front panel 3 is used to locate and guide said panel 3 into the central body 2 using said machined section.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a dispenser including the central section of Figure 2. The central body 2 is provided with two extruded longitudinal upper and lower ribs 7, 8 along said side walls. The front panel 3 and the drawer 11 are releasable from the central body 2 upon actuation of a locking means 21 , for the purpose of refilling the dispenser. In the figure, the front panel 3 is shown in a partially pulled out position. The front panel 3 is attached to drawer 11 that is slidable relatively to the central body 2 along the first and second longitudinal ribs 7, 8. The undersides of the lower, second ribs 8 cooperate with corresponding upper edges 22 of a pair of side walls 23 of the drawer 11. The locking means 21 is mounted on each outer side 23 of the drawer 11 and comprises an outwardly angled, resilient tongue 24, having an actuating button 25 mounted on its free, forward facing end. The front edge of the actuating button 25 is arranged to cooperate with a corresponding opening or hole 26 in the side wall of the central body 2. The drawer 11 is released by pressing both actuating buttons 25 inwards, against the spring force of the resilient tongue 24 out of contact with the edges of the hole 26, whereby the front panel 3 and drawer 11 is pushed a short distance out of the dispenser. To close the dispenser after re-filling, a force is applied to the front panel 3, whereby the rear edge of the actuating button 25 will come into contact with the inner side wall of the central body 2. The actuating button 25 and the resilient tongue 24 will then be kept depressed by said inner wall, until the actuating button 25 reaches the hole 26 and returns to its locking position under the action of the resilient tongue 24. A stack of folded paper products 6 placed on the drawer 11 is indicated with dash-dotted lines, for reasons of clarity. At the opposite end relative to the front panel 3, the drawer 11 is provided with a transverse panel or push-plate 13. The transverse panel 13 is slidable relative to the drawer 11 and is spring loaded in the direction of the front panel 3. The rear panel 4 is fixedly attached to the central body 2 using the locating tabs 12 and a suitable adhesive. When the dispenser has been filled and the assembly comprising the front panel 3, drawer 11 and transverse panel 13 has been locked in place in the central body 2, spring loaded the transverse panel 13 will cause the stack of folded products 6 to be fed forwards in the direction of the dispensing opening 5.

Figure 7 shows a rear view of the dispenser, with the rear panel removed. The transverse panel 13 is located at right angles to the side walls of the central body 2, without contacting the side walls at any point. As described above, the transverse panel 13 is slidable relative to the drawer 11 and is provided with a first and a second guiding means 14, 15. The first guiding means 14, in the form of a horizontal edge extending in a direction parallel to an upwardly facing, oblique contact surface 27 along the inner side of the vertical side wall 23 or the drawer 13. The generally T-shaped, second guiding means 15 is attached to and extends horizontally from both side edges of the transverse panel 13. The stem of the T-shaped guide extends horizontally towards the space between the facing edges of the L-shaped ribs 7, 8, whereby the opposite longitudinal edges of the crossbar of the T-shaped guide is provided with slots into which the respective facing edges of the L- shaped ribs are inserted. As the transverse panel 13 slides relative to the drawer 11 , the cooperating surfaces of the ribs 7, 8 and the second guide 15 ensures that the panel 13 is maintained at right angles to the central body 2. The outer side of the vertical side wall 23 or the drawer 13 is provided with an upper edge 22 cooperating with the undersides of the lower, second ribs 8. Said upper edge 22 further comprises a narrow rib extending towards and into sliding contact with the adjacent side wall of the body 2. In this way, the upper edge 22 is used to guide the drawer in the body 2 of the dispenser, while providing a relatively small contact surface between the sides of the drawer and the side walls. The coiled section of the coiled, flat springs is attached to the rear side of the transverse panel 13, facing away from the front panel 3. The outer end of the spring 16 is passed through an opening or slot in the stem of the T-shaped second guide means 15, into the space between the longitudinal ribs 7, 8 and extends towards the front end of the central body 2.

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention. The dispenser comprises an open- ended body 2' that is provided with a front panel and a rear panel 3', 3", where both said panels are provided with a dispensing opening 5', 5". A cross-section of the dispenser is shown in Figure 9. In this embodiment, a first and a second transverse panel 13', 13" are located between the front panel and the rear panel 3', 3". Further, a biasing means 30 is located between said transverse panels, which biasing means spring loads the first and second transverse panels in the direction of the front and rear panels, respectively. In this case the transverse panel is guided by the upper, lower and side walls of the extruded open-ended body. None of the said walls are provided with longitudinal ribs, as described in the above embodiments. The guiding function is assisted by positioning the said biasing means at or near the centre of the respective transverse panel. The biasing means shown in Figure 9 is a helical spring, but it may alternatively comprise a bent spring, having a general V-shape. However, as in the above embodiments the transverse panels act as push plates for supporting said stack of folded sheet products (not shown). According to a preferred embodiment, the front panel and rear panels 3', 3" are fixedly attached to the open-ended body 2'. The dispenser is re-filled by pushing a stack of folded sheet products into the dispenser through one of the dispensing openings 5', 5".

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be varied freely within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing folded sheet products from a stack of said folded sheet products, said apparatus comprising, an open-ended body, a front panel and a rear panel, where at least said front panel is provided with a dispensing opening characterized in that said open-ended body, having a closed cross-sectional profile, comprises an extruded section with and two end surfaces, and further comprises means arranged to guide at least one transverse panel located between the front panel and the rear panel.

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the open- ended body has a closed cross-sectional profile, comprising a single extruded section.

3. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the open- ended body has a closed cross-sectional profile, comprising a two extruded sections.

4. Dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that the extruded sections are attached by extruded snap connections.

5. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the profile comprises at least two first longitudinal extruded ribs arranged on opposing walls to guide said support member.

6. Dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the transverse panel is arranged slidable along the support member, which is joined to the front panel.

7. Dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that the support member, front panel and transverse panel are mounted selectively movable relative to said body, between a first, dispensing position and a second, filling position.

8. Dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the transverse panel is guided by said at least two first longitudinal ribs.

9. Dispenser according to claim 8, characterized in that the transverse panel is guided by at least two further, second longitudinal ribs.

10. Dispenser according to claim 9, characterized in that the first and second longitudinal ribs are substantially L-shaped and arranged facing each other.

11. Dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that a biasing means is arranged between the first and second longitudinal ribs, which biasing means is arranged to spring load said transverse panel in the direction of the front panel.

12. Dispenser according to any one of the above claims 1-11, characterized in that said longitudinal ribs end a predetermined distance from said end surfaces of the open-ended body, whereby the front and rear panels extend substantially the corresponding distance into the open-ended body.

13. Dispenser according to any one of the above claims 1-11, characterized in that said longitudinal ribs extend over the full length of said open-ended body.

14. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the open- ended body is provided with a front panel and a rear panel, where both panels are provided with a dispensing opening.

15. Dispenser according to claim 14, characterized in that a first and a second transverse panel is located between the front panel and the rear panel.

16. Dispenser according to claim 15, characterized in that a biasing means is located between said transverse panels, which biasing means spring loads the first and second transverse panels in the direction of the front and rear panels, respectively.

17. Dispenser according to any one of the above claims 1-16, characterized in that the at least one transverse panel is a push plate for supporting said stack of folded sheet products.

18. Dispenser according to any one of the above claims 1-17, characterized in that the open-ended body is formed of extruded metal.

19. Dispenser according to claim 18, characterized in that the open-ended body is formed of extruded aluminium.

20. Dispenser according to any one of the above claims 1-17, characterized in that the open-ended body is formed of extruded plastic material.

21. A method for manufacturing a dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in the steps of:

^■ producing an open-ended section comprising a closed cross-sectional profile by means of an extrusion process, ^■ cutting to size a predetermined length of the extruded profile,

^■ inserting said assembled support member and panels into one end of the open-ended body, and ^■ affixing a rear panel to an opposite end of the open-ended body.