WO2014124294A2 - Distributeur de serviettes - Google Patents

Distributeur de serviettes Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2014124294A2
WO2014124294A2 PCT/US2014/015359 US2014015359W WO2014124294A2 WO 2014124294 A2 WO2014124294 A2 WO 2014124294A2 US 2014015359 W US2014015359 W US 2014015359W WO 2014124294 A2 WO2014124294 A2 WO 2014124294A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dispenser
napkins
pick
carriage
base
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2014/015359
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2014124294A3 (fr
Inventor
Michael Young
Brian Albrecht
Todd J. Muderlak
Kenneth J. Muderlak
Original Assignee
San Jamar, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by San Jamar, Inc. filed Critical San Jamar, Inc.
Publication of WO2014124294A2 publication Critical patent/WO2014124294A2/fr
Publication of WO2014124294A3 publication Critical patent/WO2014124294A3/fr

Links

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
    • A47K10/424—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked dispensing from the bottom part of the dispenser
    • A47K10/425—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked dispensing from the bottom part of the dispenser with means for urging the whole stack towards the dispensing opening, e.g. a weight plate
    • 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
    • A47K10/421—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked dispensing from the top of the dispenser
    • A47K10/422—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked dispensing from the top of the dispenser with means for urging the whole stack upwards towards the dispensing opening, e.g. a spring, a counterweight
    • 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
    • A47K10/42—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
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to napkin dispensers and more particularly, to a napkin
  • Napkin dispensers have been commonly used in restaurants and other locations for dispensing disposable paper napkins. While napkin dispensers may appear uncomplicated at first glance, a number of problems have been associated with, their use. In the past, napkin dispensers have been configured to attempt to dispense a single napkin with each dispensing event. Such configurations have several drawbacks.
  • 6,988.635 attempts to address this issue by providing a dispenser with a faceplate that allows for the removal of several napkins during a single dispensing event but does so in an uncontrolled manner.
  • customer service persons may remove, inadvertently or intentionally, more napkins than may be desired or necessary, respectively.
  • Such use tends to increase waste and cost associated with providing only a desired or necessary number of paper napkins to customers as determined by customer request and/or the type and/or quantity of food stuffs being provided.
  • Such interaction can also increase the refill schedule associated with use of such dispensers as most users remove more napkins than would otherwise be necessary thereby detracting from the efficient utilization of staff time.
  • Such systems can also result in employees providing more napkins to consumers than may be necessary in favor of providing expedient customer service such as in a drive- through product exchange environment,
  • the present invention provides a faceplate, distribution cover or carriage (hereinafter "cover" when referencing all three) for dispensing napkins that is adapted to fit on or otherwise cooperate with a napkin storage container.
  • the cover has an opening through which napkins may be withdrawn and defines a number of pick zones or grip sites that are each configured to allow different numbers of napkins to be manually removed from the dispenser during each discrete dispensing activity.
  • a carriage is maintained in engagement with an end of a stack of napkins to allow user interaction with any of the pick zones to retrieve different numbers of preselected numbers of napkins from the dispenser, it is appreciated that the carriage or the napkin stack can be biased, gravitational I y or otherwise, into engagement with the end of the napkin stack to adjust the tightness of the stack for best presentment aid sequential removal of the desired number of napkins from the dispenser. It is further appreciated that the disclosed paper napkin dispensers that can be conveniently configured to accommodate removal of different numbers of multiple napkins during each interaction with one of the respective pick zones or grip sites.
  • One aspect discloses a carriage of a napkin dispenser that includes a body constructed to overlay a cavity shaped to contain a plurality of napkins.
  • the body of the carriage defines a first pick zone that allows access to a first amount of the plurality of napkins and a second pick zone that allows access to a second amount of the plurality of napkins.
  • the carriage also defines a third pick zone that allows access to yet a third amount of the plurality of napkins for each manual dispensing event.
  • the carriage can be adjustable such that a size of the respective pick zones can be adjusted as a function of the degree of adjustment of the carriage.
  • the carriage can cooperate with an interchangeable base configured to support the plurality of napkins associated therewith.
  • the base can include a movable portion biased into engagement with the plurality of napkins but moveable to accommodate trans lation of a gripped number of napkins past the carriage.
  • the dispenser includes a container that defines a cavity shaped to receive a stack of paper napkins, A carriage or faceplate is connected to the cavity. A discharge opening in the faceplate defines a first pick zone, a second pick zone, and an optional third pick zone. Each pick zone is shaped to allow removal of a different number of paper napkins from the cavity as compared to the number of paper napkins accessible at the other pick zones.
  • Another aspect discloses a method of forming a paper napkin dispenser.
  • the method includes providing a cover that is constructed to be positioned adjacent a stack of napkins, At least two pick zones are formed in the carriage and allow manual removal of different numbers of napkins from the paper napkin dispenser as a function of interaction with a respective pick zone.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view a paper napkin dispenser having a faceplate according to a first embodiment in a closed configuration
  • Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 1 in an open
  • Fig. 3 is a partially exploded view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 1 exposing a base associated therewith;
  • FIG. 4a is an exploded view of the base shown in Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 4b i s an exploded view of another embodiment of a base for use in the present invention
  • Fig. 4b i s an exploded view of another embodiment of a base for use in the present invention
  • Fig. 4b i is an exploded view of another embodiment of a base for use in the present invention
  • Fig. 5 is rear perspective of the base associated with a cover of the dispenser shown in Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 6 is a partially exploded view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 1 showing an optional size reduction insert;
  • Fig, 7a is a detailed view of a dispensing opening of the dispenser shown in Fig. 1 with a stack of paper napkin products associated therewith;
  • Fig, 7b is a front elevation view of a faceplate useable wi th the dispenser shown in Fig. 1 according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of interchangeable bases useable with the dispenser shown in Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 9 is a cross-section view another biasing an-angeraent useable with the base shown in Fig. 4:
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another base useable with the dispenser shown in Fig, 1 ;
  • Figs. 1 1 and 12 are perspecti ve views of a paper napkin dispenser having a faceplate according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the dispenser shown in Figs. 1 1 and 12;
  • Fig. 14 is a front side elevation view of the dispenser shown in Figs, 1 1 and 12;
  • Fig. 15 is a right side elevation view of the dispenser shown in Figs. 1 1 and 12;
  • Fig. 16 is a perspective view another paper napkin dispenser having a faceplate according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 17 is a front elevation view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 16 with a stack of paper napkins associated with the faceplate;
  • Fig, 18 is a perspective view of the faceplate shown in Fig. 16;
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of another paper napkin dispenser having a faceplate according to another embodiment
  • Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a dispensing end of the dispenser shown in Fig. 19;
  • Fig, 21 is front elevation view of the dispenser shown in Fig, 1 associated with a support, or stand that alters the orientation of the dispenser with respect to the orientation shown in Fig. 19;
  • Fig. 24 is a front elevation view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 23;
  • Fig. 25 is a side elevation view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 23.
  • Figs, i -4a and 5-6 show a napkin dispenser 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Napkin dispenser 40 includes a napkin dispenser body 42 and a distribution cover, cover, carriage, body, or faceplate 44 that is associated therewith.
  • faceplate refers to structures that provide limited user interaction with the paper napkin products intended to be dispensed from a dispenser regardless of the degree of coverage or interference with the faceplate with the paper napkin products associated with the respective dispenser.
  • faceplate 44 provides coverage of generally one lateral side and partial coverage of two adjacent sides of the paper napkin stack disposed tfierebehind.
  • FIG. 12-15 Other embodiments of the invention, such as the embodiment shown in Figs. 12-15, include a faceplate that interacts generally with an end of a paper product stack. Still other embodiments of the invention, such as the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 16-18, include a faceplate that obscures a more limited portion of the paper product stack during use of the dispenser equipped with such a faceplate.
  • Such variations support the use of at least those terms recited above with respect to identifying the stRicture associated with provided limited accessibility of discrete numbers of the paper napkin products but it is appreciated that other terms associated with faceplate 44 may also be suitable.
  • Dispenser body 42 and faceplate 44 cooperate with one another to provide an interior storage area or cavity 46 for napkins 48 (Fig. 6) that are to be dispensed through faceplate 44 via a discharge opening 50.
  • the napkins 48 to be dispensed can rest on a floor associated bottom portion of 86 of body 42, support plate, or a floor defined by an optional base 52 associated with body 42 of dispenser 40.
  • Napkins 48 can be gravitational fed toward opening 50 or urged toward opening 50 via a spring associated with a bias plate or like structure, it is appreciated to utilization of such a biasing mechanism can depend largely on the intended orientation of the dispenser during use and with respect to the direction associated with gravitational feeding, f 00431 Referring to Figs.
  • Faceplate 44 cooperates with body 42 and/or optional base 52 to define a plurality of grab or pick sites 54, 56, 58 associated with extracting different quantities of napkins 48 from dispenser 40.
  • Base 52 includes a first support 60 and a second support 62 that generally separate respective finger holes 64, 66, 68 that are generally aligned with pick sites 54, 56, 58 of faceplate 44.
  • each finger hole 64, 66, 68 is approximately 1.2 inches wide and 1.85 inches deep although other dimensions are envisioned.
  • First pick site 54 and first finger hole 64 are shaped to define a pinch area dimension, as indicated by arrow 70, of approximately 1.9 inches
  • second pick site 56 and second finger hole 66 are oriented to define a pinch area dimension of approximately 2.15 inches
  • third pick site 58 and finger hole 68 are shaped to define a pinch area dimension of approximately 2,325 inches.
  • the pinch area dimensions recited above are exemplary and other dimensions are feasible given the adjustability of the height of the base 52.
  • Each pinch area dimension is associated with the introduction of the user's fingers for linger and thumb with dispenser 40 proximate discharge opening 50 to pinch an accessible quantity of the paper napkin product stack associated with the respective pick site 54, 56, 58 with which the user interacts during each dispensing event.
  • faceplate 44 can be provided in a two-part construction, constructed to slidably cooperate with body 42, and/or constructed to be connected to body 42 at more than one location so as to manipulate the pinch area dimension 70 associated with pick sites 54, 56, 58.
  • Body 42 and faceplate 44 cooperate in a pivotable manner and are shaped to define a seam 72 at the interface therebetween to improve the aesthetic appearance of dispenser 40 and to generally fully enclose the paper napkin product contained therein.
  • body 42 includes a bottom surface 74 having one or more legs or suction cups or the like, associated with supporting dispenser 40 in a generally vertical orientation relative to a support surface.
  • dispenser 40 can be hung from vertical surfaces such as a wall or a partition to provide the generally vertical orientation as well.
  • body 42 includes a rear wall 78 that can include one or more holes 80 formed therein. Holes 80 are shaped to accommodate hanging support of body 42 relati ve to a wall or other such generally vertical surface when such an orientation or positioning is desired.
  • Body 42 includes two sidewails 82, 84 that extend in generally forward direction relative to rear wall 78 and toward faceplate 44. Sidewails 82, 84 generally flank a portion of the opposite side edges of a paper napkin stack associated with dispenser 40.
  • Body 42 includes a bottom portion 86 that defines a floor surface 88 associated with cavity 46.
  • Bottom portion 86 includes a first opening 90 and a second opening 92 that are associated with each of the opposite lateral end portions 96, 98 of bottom portion 86, End portion 96, 98 are generally aligned with a respective sidewall 82, 84 of body 42.
  • Body 42 includes a cap or cover portion 100 that is formed at an opposite longitudinal end of body 42 relative to bottom portion 86.
  • a first catch 102 and the second catch 104 extend in a generally forward direction from sidewails 82, 84 proximate cover portion 100.
  • Each catch 102, 104 includes a projection 106 that snap fittingly cooperates with a respective cavity, pocket or opening 108 associated with faceplate 44.
  • Catches 102, 304 secure faceplate 44 in the closed orientation shown in Fig. 1 when projections 106 are engaged with the respective opening 108 but are accessible such that user depressing of catches 102, 104 allows rotation of faceplate 44 toward the open orientation as shown in Fig. 2 when dispenser 40 must be restocked or filled with paper napkin product.
  • faceplate 44 includes a lower end 1 0 and an upper end 112.
  • a first arm 1 14 in the second arm 1 16 are formed near lower end 1 10 of faceplate 44 proximate pick sites 54, 56, 58 and extend in a generally downward direction relative thereto.
  • Each arm 1 14, 1 16 of faceplate 44 optionally includes one or more channels 120, a pivot 122, and a guide 124.
  • Each pivot 122 of the respective arms 114, 1 16 is oriented and constructed to snap fittingly cooperate with a corresponding opening 90 associated with bottom portion 86 of body 42.
  • Each guide 124 of each respective arm 1 14, 1 16 is constructed and positioned to be associated with and snap-fittingly cooperate with a respective elongated opening 92 associated with bottom portion 86 of body 42.
  • the cooperation of pivots 122 and guides 124 with respective openings 90, 92 associated with bottom portion 86 of body 42 accommodates the pivotable or rotational relationship of faceplate 44 relative to body 42.
  • projections 106 associated with catches 102, 104 engage openings 108 of faceplate 44 so as maintain the closed orientation of dispenser 40.
  • optional base 52 includes rib structure 126 that extends in an outward direction relative to a respective end 128, 130 of base 52.
  • Rib structures 126 siidably cooperate with the channels 120 associated with arms 1 14, 1 16 of faceplate 44, Such a constructio secures base 52 relative to faceplate 44 such that base 52 rotates with faceplate 44 during movement of faceplate 44 relative to body 42. Where there are multiple channels 120, the base 52 can be mounted at a selected height relative to the bottom of the dispenser to adjust the height of the pinch area.
  • a bottom surface 132 of base 52 cooperates with top or floor surface 88 of bottom portion 86 of body 42 and a support or top surface 134 of base 52 is shaped to support a stack of a paper napkin product thereon such that dispenser 40 is usable with or without use of the optional base 52.
  • optional base 52 includes a first portion 136.
  • First portion 136 of base 52 generally defines a number of finger holes 64, 66, 68 and includes a first pocket 142 and a second pocket 144 that are formed generally between adjacent finger holes 64, 66, 68.
  • First and second portions 138, 140 each include a support face or surface 146 and a pair of arms 148, 150 that extend in a generally rearward direction therefrom.
  • Each arm 148, 1 50 includes a pivot 1 52, 154 that extends in a generally outward lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis associated with the respective arm 148, 150.
  • each of second and third portions 138, 140 of base 52 are movable relative to first portion 136 of base 52 such that the respective support surface 146 is movable relative to top surface 134 of first portion 136 of base 52.
  • the second and third portions 138 and 140 are biased upwardly through the use of resilient biasing members 359 each located in the pocket 1 1 of each of the second and third portions 1 38 and 140.
  • pivots 152, 154 is long enough to support a spring 158 associated therewith.
  • Spring 158 defines an opening 160 shaped to slidably cooperate with a respective pivot 152, 154.
  • Each spring 1 58 includes a first end 162 and a second end 164 that extend in outward directions from a barrel portion 166 of the respective spring 1 58.
  • end 162 of each spring 158 is shaped to engage a bottom surface 1 8 of arm 150 of the respective second and third base portions 138, 140.
  • Arms 148, 150 of second and third portions 138, 140 are deflectable in a generally inward lateral direction aligned with the axis of pivots 152, 154 such that arms 148, 150 can be slidably received in respective pockets 142, 144 associated with first portion 136 of base 52.
  • pivots 152, 154 snap- fittingly cooperate with an opening formed in a rib 170 associated with an under or non-exposed side of first portion 136 of base 52.
  • Each respective spring 1 58 slidably cooperates with a respective pivot 154 such that each respective rib 170 is generally flanked by a respective arm 150 on one lateral side and a respective spring 158 on an opposite lateral side.
  • First end 162 of each spring 158 traverses the width of the respective rib 170 so as to engage the underside 168 associated with the respective ann 150.
  • each spring 158 engages a rear surface 172 of first portion 136 of base 52 such that each support surface 146 associated with each of first and second portions 138, 140 of base 52 are biased in a generally upward direction, indicated by arrow 174 so as to be generally aligned with the top surface 34 of first portion 136 of base 52.
  • jOOSSj Second portion 138 and third portion 140 of base 52 are deflectable in a generally downward direction, indicated by arrow 176 relative to the first portion 136 of base 52 to accommodate translation of different numbers of napkins thereacross associated with user interaction with a respective pick site.
  • second and third portions 138, 140 of base 52 is directly related to the respective number of napkins "pinched" during any given dispensing event. Such a construction mitigates undesirable interaction of dispenser 40 with the paper napkin product being removed therefrom.
  • Fig. 9 shows an alternate construction associated with generating the movable but biased engagement between first portion 136 of base 52 and respective second and third portions 138, 140.
  • the biasing device associated with spring 158 is formed as a compression spring rather than a torsion spring as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
  • Each of first, second, and third portions 136, 138, 140 include one or more overlapping projections 175, 177 that can be translated past one another when the respective ann associated the respective projection is deflected in an inward or outward relative lateral direction.
  • projections 175, 177 interfere with one anotlier such that second portions 138, 140 of base 52 are slidably movable but remain mo ably secured to first portion 136 of base 52 to provide a similar variable compression during the dispensing events as alluded to above and as disclosed further below with respect to Fig. 6.
  • each pick site 54, 56, 58 is associated with extracting different amounts or quantities of multiple discrete paper napkin product 48. That is, use of pick site 54 is associated with dispensing a fewest but multiple number of paper napkin product 48, pick site 56 is associated with dispensing a greater and multiple number of paper napkin product 48 than associated with use of pick site 54» and pick site 58 is associated with dispensing the greatest multiple number of discrete paper napkin product 48 associated with each dispensing event. Said in another way, each pick site 54, 56, 58 allows dispensing of multiple different numbers of paper napkin products with each dispensing activity.
  • faceplate 44 can include a first portion 180 and the second portion 182 that are movably positioned relative to one another such that the orientation of second portion 182 can be adjusted relative to floor or surface 88 associated with body 42 and/or with respect to surface 134 of base 52 when base 52 is utilized.
  • Such a consideration allows the user to individualize the quantity of paper napkin product 48 that can be exposed at each pick site 54, 56, 58 associated with dispensing opening 50 and such that dispenser 40 can be individually configured to accommodate various different dispensing requirements.
  • each such configuration allows user manipulation or individualization of the range of the number of napkins that can be dispensed during each dispensing event associated with each of first, second, and third pick sites 54, 56, 58. Said in another way, such a configuration allows dispenser 40 to providing multiple different fewest number of napkins, multiple different intermediate number of napkins, and multiple different greatest number of napkins that ca be dispensed during any given dispensing event associated with use of dispenser 40.
  • a selectively removable insert 178 may be provided to alter the dimensions of the interior of the napkin cavity 46 to accommodate different sized napkins.
  • the insert rests along the inner wall 99 of cover portion 100.
  • the distal end 179 of the insert 178 preferably fits into a gap 181 formed between the top surface 134 of the base 52 and the inner wall 99 of cover portion 100. That, along with extensions 183 which cooperate with recievers 1 5, hold the insert in place in the napkin cavity 46.
  • the shape or contour associated with pick sites 54, 56, 58 can be provided in various shapes or contours.
  • Pick sites 54, 56. 58 can be provided in a generally smooth curvilinear shape or contour as shown in Fig 6 or a more linear but stepped shape or contour as shown in Fig. 7.
  • the alternatives shown in Figs. 6 and 7 are merely exemplary of two contours suitable for providing multiple pick sites 54, 56, 58 associated with dispensing different multiple numbers of napkins during each dispensing event and that other shapes and/or contours are possible.
  • various other modifications are envisioned and suitable for manipulating the dispensing activity associated with utilization of dispenser 40 to provide multiple different numbers of paper napkin products during single dispensing events.
  • paper napkin product 48 can be associated with floor surface 88 of bottom portion 86 of body 42 or top surface 134 of an optional base such as base 52.
  • Body 42 is constructed to cooperate with optional base 52 or other optional bases such as base 186 (Fig. 8) or base 188 (Fig. 10) in an interchangeable maimer. That is, one of bases 52, 186, 1 88 can be associated with bottom portion 86 of body 42 at any given time.
  • base 186 includes no movable parts but is nonetheless shaped to removably cooperate with body 42 proximate bottom portion 86 so as to be generally aligned with the discharge opening 50 of dispenser 40.
  • Base 186 includes a support surface 190 shaped to cooperate with a paper napkin stack and a number of finger holes 192, 194, 196 that accommodate introduction of the user's thumb or respective fingers thereat. Partitions 198, 200 are formed between adjacent finger holes 392, 1 4, 196 and included a chamfered face 202, 204 associated with accommodating translation of various numbers of napkins thereacross. Base 86 can be configured to cooperate with faceplate 44 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the base 52.
  • optional base 188 also includes a number of finger holes 206, 208, 210 that are each separated from one another by respective partition walls 2.12, 214.
  • a forward directed surface 216 of each partition wall 212, 214 is generally curvilinear rather than chamfered.
  • Finger holes 206. 208, 210 extend a substantial portion of the depth of base 1 88 and terminate at a generally curvilinear rear wall 21 8.
  • a top surface 220 of each partition wall 212, 214 includes a cut out 221 that is shaped to accommodate a rolling support 222 that interacts with a bottom napkin associated with the paper napkin product stack associated therewith.
  • Alternate ends 224, 226 of roller 222 rotationally cooperate with a respective seat 228 defined by a respective end wall 230, 232 of base 188.
  • Base 188 can be shaped to cooperate with body 42 and/or faceplate 44 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to base 52.
  • Bases 52, 186, 1 88 interchangeably cooperate with dispenser 40 to manipulate the dispensing activity associated therewith to satisfy the requirements of different users, different applications, of different paper napkin product stacks but in a manner that accommodates the dispensing of more than one amount of a plurality of paper napkin product during each dispensing event.
  • Dispenser 250 is also constructed to allow dispensing of multiple numbers or amounts of multiple paper napkin products during discrete dispensing events. Unlike dispenser 40 which is constructed to be substantially or fully exposed when in use, dispenser 250 is constructed such that a substantial portion of the dispenser is disposed beneath a support structure such as a countertop or the like.
  • Napkin dispenser 250 includes a napkin dispenser body 252 and a faceplate 254.
  • the dispenser body 252 provides an interior storage area 256 for napkins 258 that are to be dispensed through the carriage or faceplate 254 via a discharge opening 260.
  • the napkins 258 to be dispensed rest on a support plate 261 contained in the dispenser 250 and are urged upwardly toward discharge opening 260 by means of a spring.
  • the spring is usually a low compression spring that causes the support plate to function as a pusher plate to urge napkins 258 toward discharge opening 260.
  • the spring is held in place between the plate and a spring support plate at. the bottom of dispenser body 252 by tabs or other suitable attachment mechanisms.
  • the biasing means can be external to body 252, j 0065 J Understandably, mechanically biasing the plurality of napkins toward the discharge opening is but one means of facilitating sequential dispensing of discrete amounts or numbers of napkins from the plurality of napkins contained in such dispensers. That is, as explained above and further below, it is appreciated that the plurality of napkins can be gravity fed toward the discharge opening and/or the discharge opening can be movably associated with the body of the dispenser such that the discharge opening is maintained proximate an end of a stack of napkins. Advancing the napkins toward the discharge opening and/or maintaining the discharge opening relative to the stack of napkins in such manners is further disclosed below with respect to one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein.
  • dispenser 250 includes one or more movable or flexible tabs 268 that extend in an outward radial direction relative to an external surface 270 of body 252.
  • a gap 272 is formed between a bottom surface 274 of collar 262 and upper sui'face 276 of respective tabs 268 to facilitate securing dispenser 250 relative to a countertop or wall surface.
  • tabs 268 are movable so as to provide secure mounting of dispenser 250 relative to such support surfaces and support surfaces having different thicknesses.
  • faceplate 254 is shaped to define a first pick site, zone or grip site 282, a second pick site, zone or grip site 284, and a third pick site, zone or grip site 286.
  • Each pick zone 282, 284, 286 is shaped to allow a user to remove a discrete number of napkins 258 from dispenser 250 and wherein each discrete number of napkins is different than the discrete number of napkins associated with use of alternate pick zones.
  • first pick zone 282 is generally define by a longitudinal edge 288 that extends in a transverse direction relative to a lateral edge 290 of discharge opening 260 of faceplate 254.
  • a step 292 extends in a downward direction relative to the longitudinal axis, indicated by arrow 294, associated with the stack of napkins 258 from one end of pick zone 282.
  • Second pick zone 284 is defined by a longitudinal edge 296 that is generally parallel to edge 288 of first pick zone 282 and offset from edge 290 by the length of step 292.
  • Another step 298 is formed between second pick zone 284 and third pick zone 286 such that a longitudinal edge 299 of third pick zone 286 is offset in direction 294 from edges 288 and 290 associated with first and second pick zones 282, 284, respectively.
  • offsetting edges 290, 296, 299 of pick zones 282, 284, 286 in direction 294 allows a user to manually remove different amounts, numbers, or quantities of napkins 258 from dispenser 250 during each dispensing event.
  • the multiple napkin quantity also allows the manual dispensing activity, regardless of which pick zone is utilized, to occur without inadvertent contact with excess paper napkins thereby limiting the possibility of contaminating napkins that are not intended to be removed during any given dispensing event.
  • napkins are loaded into the dispenser 250 opposite their normal dispensing orientation, i.e., with the main napki fold facing forward.
  • Dispenser 300 includes a dispenser body 302 that is shaped to receive a stack of paper napkins 304, A cap 306 removably or pivotably cooperates with an open end 307 of body 302 to facilitate unobstructed loading of body 302 with napkins 304.
  • body 302 Extending along a longitudinal direction, body 302 includes a rear wall 308, a pair of sidewalls 310, 312, and front flange walls 314, 316, Each of sidewalls 310, 312 includes at least one channel or slot 318, 320 that is shaped to slidably cooperate with a pin or rod 324 that, is attached to carriage 301. Pin or rod 324 may be arranged to rotate or remain fixed to facilitate smoother dispensing of varying types of napkins.
  • Carriage 301 defines a radially interior surface 328 (Fig.
  • carriage 301 that generally corresponds to a shape of a footprint of body 302 so that carriage 301 slidably cooperates with an exterior surface 330 of dispenser body 302 as napkins 304 are removed therefrom so that carriage 301 is maintained at a location proximate a top of the napkin stack. Understandably, carriage 301 can be biased into engagement with the napkins stack via a spring or the like or by increasing the mass of the carriage to adjust the tightness of the nesting of the stack of napkins. The interaction of rod 324 with the top of the napkin stack maintains a desired position of the carriage 301 relative to the top or the dispensing end associated with the stack of napkins contained in body 302. (0070] Still referring to Figs.
  • carriage 301 includes a first pick zone 332, a second pick zone 334, and a third pick zone 336 that extend laterally over an opening 338 of dispenser 300 wherein the lateral direction crosses the longitudinal axis associated with the napkin stack.
  • Each of pick zones 332, 334, 336 allows the selective manual removal of different discrete numbers of napkins from dispenser 300 for each dispensing event.
  • carriage 301 preferably includes an optional fourth pick zone 340. an optional fifth zone 342, and an optional sixth pick zone 344.
  • Pick zones 340, 342, 344 are oriented on a side of carriage 301 that is generally opposite first through third pick zones 332, 334, 336 such that carriage 301 can reversibly engage body 302 to accommodate use of the first through third pick zones or the fourth through sixth pick zones.
  • body 302 could be constructed to allow dispensing of napkins from two of the opposite sides thereof such that the first, through sixth pick zones could be used concurrently.
  • rear wall 308 of body 302 may include an opening similar to opening 338 to allow concurrent utilization and/or removal of napkins 304 from dispenser 300 via user interaction with any of pick zones 332, 334, 336 and/or optional pick zones 340, 342, 344.
  • pick zones 332, 334, 336, 340, 342, 344 may have different shapes provided they also limit access to the napki stack to provide controlled dispensing.
  • carriage 301 may slidably cooperate with body 302 of dispenser 300 in different orientations to allow the alignment of one group of pick zones 332, 334, 336 or pick zones 340, 342, 344 with discharge opening 338 as based on. user preferences.
  • pick zones 332, 334, 336 and pick zones 340, 342, 344 may provide access and/or manual removal of different numbers of napkins 304 from dispenser 300. That is, it is appreciated that carriage 3 1 may be configured to provide for the removal of at least six common numbers of napkins as the situation of application may desire. It is further appreciated that the generally radial shape of pick zones 332, 334, 336, as compared to the more linear shaped pick zones 340, 342, 344, are contoured to cooperate with a thumb or finger of the user during manual extraction of the respective number of napkins and enhance the ability of the user to index tlieir hand relative to an intended pick zone without visual assessment of the location of their hand relative to dispenser.
  • carriage 301 includes a first tab 350 and a second tab 352 that are configured to cooperate with opposite ends 354, 356 of rod 324.
  • Cooperation of rod 324 with a top napkin 326 (Fig. 1 7) of napkins 304 generally defines the number of napkins that are exposed for gripping at each of pick zones 332, 334, 336, 340, 342, 344.
  • manipulating the orientation of rod 324 relative to carriage 301 can adjust or manipulate the number of napkins that are exposed and accessible at each pick zone 332, 334, 336, 340, 342, 344.
  • Such a construction would increase the variety of the number of napkins that can be retrieved via interaction with pick zones 332, 334, 336, 340, 342, 344.
  • dispenser 300 is shown as including only one rod 324, it is further appreciated that other numbers of rods, rods with other diameters, or that rod 324 be provided in a generally planar or wire form paddle shape, can be provided to manipulate the presentation of napkins 304 relative to the pick zones 332, 334, 336, 340, 342, 344.
  • Such configurations would allow end-users to quickly and conveniently configure dispenser 300 to present a desired number of napkins at each pick zone 332, 334, 336, 340, 342, 344 for removal from dispenser 300 during each manual dispensing event,
  • carnage 301 can be configured so that it is substantially closed at the top by a plate or the like, in this configuration, a slot is provided with one or more pick zones that form a shaped opening divided by the slot similar to that shown in Fig. 23-25 as described further below.
  • This configuration improves the sanitation of the napkins by further enclosing them and shielding them from the environment while still providing controlled multiple napkin dispensing.
  • Dispenser 300 may be placed directly on a counter, mounted to a wall or mated with a stand to provide a user with a variety of placement options to maximize the utility of the dispenser in the desired environment.
  • Figs, 1 9-22 show various views and various orientations of a paper napkin dispenser 400 according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • Dispenser 400 includes a body 402 defined by a base 404 and a lid 406 that is pivotabiy connected to base 404 to allow access to the cavity defined therebetween.
  • An interchangeable carriage or faceplate 408 cooperates with bod 402 to define a dispensing opening 410 shaped to facilitate manual removal of different numbers of napkins 412 from dispenser 400.
  • faceplate 408 is transparent and/or translucent to allow visual inspection of a quantity of napkins disposed there behind.
  • dispenser 400 may or may not include a biasing plate oriented to bias the napkin stack toward faceplate 408 during use of the dispenser.
  • dispenser 400 when used in generally horizontal orientation, dispenser 400 includes a biasing assembly to bias the napkins toward the cover and maintains a desired orientation of the napkin stack within the dispenser.
  • Faceplate 408 includes a first pick zone 420, a second pick zone 422, and a third pick zone 424 that are shaped to allow removal of a different number of napkins 412 from dispenser 400 during each napkin removal event.
  • Pick zones 420, 422, 424 are spaced longitudinally along discharge opening 410 to allow user interaction with any of pick zones 420, 422, 424 and the respecti ve number of napkins 412 accessible thereat.
  • Pick zones 420, 422, 424 extend different distances relative to the longitudinal axis associated with the stack of napkins 412 to allow manual extraction of different numbers of napkins as a function of the respective pick zone utilized.
  • pick zones 420, 422, 424 of dispenser 400 have a generally curvilinear shape intended to quickly facilitate cooperation and indexing of the user's finger relative to faceplate 408.
  • dispenser 400 is configured to be utilized in a generally horizontal orientation, as shown in Figs. 19-20, a more vertical orientation wherein dispenser 400 can be supported by an adjacent wall or other generally vertical structure in a manner similar to dispenser 40, or a self-supporting pitched orientation as shown in Figs. 21-22.
  • dispenser 400 is configured to cooperate with a shoe or stand 440 such that dispenser 400 can be provided in a pitched orientation relative to horizontal and vertical orientations, via interaction with a horizontal support surface - such as a countertop or the like.
  • stand 440 removably cooperates with base 404 of dispenser 400 thereby improving the functionality with which dispenser 400 can be utilized.
  • Figs. 23-25 show a paper napkin dispenser 500 according to yet another embodiment of the invention.
  • Dispenser 500 includes a body 502 that defines a longitudinal axis, indicated by line 504 associated with receiving a stack of paper napkins 506.
  • a cap or lid 508 removably or pivotably cooperates with body 502 to facilitate filling of dispenser 500.
  • a carriage, faceplate, or cover 510 cooperates with body 502 to define a first pick zone 512, a second pick zone 514, and a third pick zone 516.
  • Each pick zone 512, 514, 516 is associated with allowing a user to manually remove different numbers of napkins from a discharge opening 518 of dispenser 500.
  • pick zones 512, 514, 516 of dispenser 500 are fluidly isolated from one another and fluidly connected with a respective slot 520, 522, 524 associated with removing a discrete number of napkins 506 through cover 510.
  • cover 510 may slidably cooperate body 502 of dispenser 500 so as to maintain an orientation of cover 510 proximate a top of the napkins stack and/or disposed along the longitudinal length of the stack or even near the bottom of the respective stack or napkins such that the napkins 506 can be biased and/or gravitationally biased toward pick zones 512, 514, 516 so as to limit undesired or unintentional removal of excess numbers of napkins 506 from dispenser 500.
  • Each of napkin dispensers 40, 250, 300, 400, 500 allows the manual removal of different numbers of napkins from the respective dispensers during each dispensing action.
  • each dispenser 40, 250, 300, 400, 500 is configured to provide smooth and continuous translation of the dispensing opening relative to a desired location of the grip zones and the pertinent portion of the napkin stack so as to not interfere with subsequent interaction and/or use of the dispenser.
  • carnage, faceplate or cover associated with any of dispensers 40, 250, 300, 400, 500 could be configured to cooperate with other preexisting napkin dispensers so as to provide for the removal of multiple numbers of napkins during each dispensing event wherein the preexisting dispensers include carriage or cover assemblies that allow for only the sequential dispensing of single napkins so as to reduce the costs associated with any given vendor retrofitting their dispensing systems to allow manual extraction of more than one number of napkins or individually separated napkins during each dispensing event.
  • Each of dispensers 40, 250, 300, 400, 500 allows for better control of the number of the napkins dispensed during each dispensing activity thereby promoting efficient use of the paper napkins and doing so in a manner that is efficient and limits unwanted contamination between groups of napkins associated with each dispensing action. Allowing manual interaction with the respective dispensers also provides a multiple count per interaction napkin dispenser that is more economically feasible than other multiple count napkin dispensers and substantially reduces the complexity and integration of the dispenser into retail environments. The adjustability of the various dispensers also allows the end user to better control the number of paper napkins dispensed during each dispensing event and does so in a manner that encourages efficient vendor/customer interaction.
  • each embodiment shown provides for dispensing of differing amounts of stacked sheet materials
  • each embodiment could be configured with a single "pick zone” to dispense a particular amount (in volume or quantity) of multiple sheets, (The reference to "particular amount” is not intended to convey the notion that the exact same number of sheets will be dispensed with each "pick", but rather that approximately the same amount (in volume or quantity) wil l be "picked” with each use of a dispenser configured with a single pick zone.)

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un couvercle, un support ou un plateau pour un distributeur de serviettes. Le couvercle, le plateau ou le support définit une ou plusieurs zones de collecte qui facilitent l'extraction manuelle de différents nombres de multiples serviettes à partir du distributeur pendant chaque événement de distribution. De préférence, le couvercle, le support ou le plateau coopère avec un récipient configuré pour recevoir une pile de serviettes et est maintenu de façon adjacente à une extrémité ou un bord de la pile. De préférence, le couvercle, le plateau ou le support est configuré pour coopérer avec des récipients présentant diverses formes et/ou configuré pour une mise en œuvre du type comptoir, suspension ou guichet du récipient, pour permettre la modernisation de distributeurs de serviettes, à distribution de quantité unique, actuellement disponibles.
PCT/US2014/015359 2013-02-07 2014-02-07 Distributeur de serviettes WO2014124294A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201361762093P 2013-02-07 2013-02-07
US61/762,093 2013-02-07

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014124294A2 true WO2014124294A2 (fr) 2014-08-14
WO2014124294A3 WO2014124294A3 (fr) 2015-01-08

Family

ID=51258455

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2014/015359 WO2014124294A2 (fr) 2013-02-07 2014-02-07 Distributeur de serviettes

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20140217112A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2014124294A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD860672S1 (en) 2017-10-02 2019-09-24 Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc Tower napkin dispenser

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9237815B2 (en) 2006-11-07 2016-01-19 Dixie Consumer Products Llc Cutlery dispenser and method of dispensing cutlery
US9295344B2 (en) 2010-03-19 2016-03-29 Dixie Consumer Products Llc Cutlery utensil dispenser
WO2012078261A1 (fr) 2010-12-10 2012-06-14 Dixie Consumer Products Llc Entraînement à vis pour distribuer des couverts de table et procédés associés
MX368583B (es) 2013-07-25 2019-10-07 Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc Dispensador de cubiertos y metodos relacionados.
MX368586B (es) 2013-07-25 2019-10-08 Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc Dispensador de cubiertos y metodos relacionados.
WO2015021288A1 (fr) 2013-08-08 2015-02-12 Dixie Consumer Products Llc Distributeur de couverts à chargement frontal
EP3128874B1 (fr) 2014-04-11 2021-03-03 GPCP IP Holdings LLC Distributeur de couverts à mécanisme d'avance
CN110167409B (zh) * 2017-01-09 2021-12-28 易希提卫生与保健公司 用于片材产品的分配器和操作方法
US10675119B2 (en) 2017-09-18 2020-06-09 Certol International LLC Medical kit and dispenser for medical kits
US20190208966A1 (en) * 2018-01-05 2019-07-11 San Jamar, Inc. Collapsible dispenser system
DK3749158T3 (da) * 2018-03-19 2022-05-09 Essity Hygiene & Health Ab Dispenser til arkprodukter, især servietter
US11723741B1 (en) * 2019-10-18 2023-08-15 Mark Benedict Container for holding and dispensing medical gloves or other consumables
US11498747B2 (en) * 2020-01-08 2022-11-15 Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. Liner dispenser
US20210386253A1 (en) * 2020-06-10 2021-12-16 Dispensing Dynamics International, Inc. Wipes dispenser

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US849893A (en) * 1906-02-16 1907-04-09 Jenness B Frear Paper-rack.
US4491242A (en) * 1982-12-02 1985-01-01 Trinidad Maria A Napkin holder
JPH10157778A (ja) * 1996-11-30 1998-06-16 Goro Aoki ティッシュ収納ボックス
US6415949B1 (en) * 2000-05-24 2002-07-09 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Container and cartridge for dispensing controlled amounts of paper products
US6334544B1 (en) * 2000-06-15 2002-01-01 Fort James Corporation Upright napkin dispenser
US6571985B2 (en) * 2000-12-22 2003-06-03 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable wiper dispenser carton
US6662967B2 (en) * 2001-05-07 2003-12-16 Eric R. Roy Bandage dispenser
US6920999B2 (en) * 2002-10-30 2005-07-26 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Folded sheet dispenser having an overfill prevention mechanism
US6988635B2 (en) * 2003-09-12 2006-01-24 Sca Tissue North America Llc Absorbent sheet products dispenser having interchangeable face plates
US20060289554A1 (en) * 2005-06-24 2006-12-28 Joseph Mitchell Dispensing container
FR2907654B1 (fr) * 2006-10-31 2010-01-29 Georgia Pacific France Procede, dispositif de fabrication et rouleaux associes formes de feuilles a decoupes et predecoupes alternees
WO2009086120A1 (fr) * 2007-12-21 2009-07-09 Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Lp Produit, distributeur et procédé de distribution de produit

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD860672S1 (en) 2017-10-02 2019-09-24 Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc Tower napkin dispenser

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2014124294A3 (fr) 2015-01-08
US20140217112A1 (en) 2014-08-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2014124294A2 (fr) Distributeur de serviettes
US7669732B2 (en) Cup lid dispenser
US10820722B2 (en) No touch utensil dispenser
US8272533B1 (en) No touch utensil dispenser
EP1885227B1 (fr) Distributeur de feuilles pliees a poser sur une table
US4491242A (en) Napkin holder
EP1773699B1 (fr) Distributeur de serviettes
EP2915763A1 (fr) Récipient à distributeur de sacs
EP3689190A1 (fr) Distributeur de couverts
EP3185740B1 (fr) Distributeur pour serviettes entrepliées
US6457605B2 (en) Paper napkin dispenser
MX2007016122A (es) Recipiente surtidor de pilas multiples.
US11529003B2 (en) Cutlery dispensing system
US2704627A (en) Portable dispensing device
US6357624B1 (en) Lid dispenser
US5433256A (en) Pill guide and dispenser tray
US5836661A (en) Package dispenser
US11896469B2 (en) Dispenser of menstrual products and corresponding refills
EP3058852A1 (fr) Distributeur de manchon gobelet
US2044231A (en) Bag dispensing cabinet
US20230192389A1 (en) Dispenser assembly for disposable lids
US7055693B1 (en) Multi-purpose medicine organizer
JP4899126B2 (ja) リッドディスペンサー
US2343814A (en) Napkin dispenser
US20230084043A1 (en) Disposable Lid Dispenser Assembly

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 14749389

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2