WO2023001359A1

WO2023001359A1 - Dispenser for dispensing sheet material

Info

Publication number: WO2023001359A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/070128
Authority: WO
Inventors: Catherine Mary HILDERSLEY; Evan Alton HUTKER; John P. Devlin
Original assignee: Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2021-07-19
Filing date: 2021-07-19
Publication date: 2023-01-26
Also published as: AU2021457163A1; CN117651514A; CO2024001060A2

Abstract

A dispenser (1) for dispensing sheet material (2), comprising a body (3) having four side walls (4), a base (5), an opening (6) in a top of the body (3), a lid (7) for covering the opening (6) in use and enabling access to the opening (6) for refilling, wherein the lid (7) has a dispensing opening (8) therein to enable sheet material (2) to be dispensed therefrom, wherein at least one of the side walls (4) is a double-walled side wall comprising an inner wall (9) and an outer wall (10), a space (11) being defined between the inner wall (9) and the outer wall (10), and wherein at least part of the inner wall (9) is pivotable around a pivot axis (12) to the inside of the body (3).

Description

DISPENSER FOR DISPENSING SHEET MATERIAL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to a dispenser for dispensing sheet material. The dispenser may be for dispensing sanitary paper sheet material products such as hand towels, napkins, facial tissues, toilet paper, or other wiping products in sheet form. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a tabletop dispenser usually disposed on a table or a countertop.

BACKGROUND

Napkins in the form of sheets of material (e.g. tissue paper (ISO 12 625-1) or non-woven (ISO 9092)) intended for wiping and for hygienic purposes are common commercial items, for example, in restaurants or cafeterias, that may be provided in the form of stacks of napkins disposed in a dispenser having a dispensing opening from which individual napkins can be readily removed when needed. The dispenser for napkins should be easy to handle, should protect the napkins until use, and should be easy to move to a location where the napkins are needed, such as a table, a counter, or the like.

A commonly used option is to arrange the napkins in an interfolded stack which is placed standing on a spring biased platen in a container having a dispensing opening at the top of the container. The napkins are then successively removed from the top of the stack through the dispensing opening. The platen and thereby the stack are urged towards the dispensing opening to feed the individual napkins to the dispensing opening until all of the napkins have been removed from the dispenser .

In this context, interfolded napkins may also be used. Interfolded napkins are sheets of materials arranged in a stack of superposed sheets, which are each folded at least once. The sheets are interlinked in such a way that the separate folded sheets of material form a chain of sheets in which each sheet has a leading panel and a trailing panel, the trailing panel being at least partly overlapped with the leading panel of the subsequent sheet in the stack. In this manner, the individual sheets are held loosely together by means of frictional forces arising between the overlapping parts. The sheets may be dispensed from a dispenser by pulling at the leading panel of the first sheet (leading sheet) in the stack. In this manner, the first sheet is extracted at the same time as a predetermined part of the leading panel of a subsequent sheet is fed into a dispensing position in the dispenser.

Some dispensers have a lid or cover with a dispensing opening that restricts the width of the dispensed napkin in order to keep the leading panel of the next napkin to be dispensed from falling back into the dispenser. After all the napkins contained in the dispenser have been removed, the dispenser has to be refilled. For this purpose, the lid or cover is usually pivotably hinged to the body of the dispenser. Thus, the lid or cover may be opened giving access to the interior of the body for inserting a new stack of napkins. Examples of such dispensers may be found in WO 2014/037041 Al, WO 2006/132618 Al or WO 2017/180070 Al.

Such known tabletop dispensers may also be provided with transparent side walls thereof, which enable to use the dispensers for the arrangement of an advertisement, a menu, or the like.

In this context, the side walls of such known tabletop dispenser may be double walled having an inner wall and a transparent outer wall.

To arrange a new and/or different advertisement, menu, or the like at such a transparent outer wall, said commonly known dispensers have a transparent outer wall, that can be opened to the outside. Yet, this negatively influences the use of the dispenser because dust can gather inside the space defined between the two walls entering via a gap between the transparent outer wall and a housing body of the dispenser. Thus, the dust may be visible through the transparent side wall, which is detrimental to the appearance of the dispenser and included advertisement, menu, or the like.

Further, by having an outer wall that can be open to the outside to include advertisements, menus, or the like may result in an unauthorized removal of the advertisement, the menu, or the like by patrons of the restaurant or cafeteria, for example.

That is, previously known dispensers do not only act as a "dirt trap", but are also difficult to clean due to the gaps that open the space for ads, menus, or the like toward the outside .

Alternative previously known dispensers that are configured to illustrate an advertisement, a menu, or the like, are provided with a through-hole on an inner wall of a double-walled side wall, through which a user can put his finger in order to push the outer wall of the double-walled side wall to the outside and to thereby enable to open a space defined between the outer wall and the inner wall that may be used as a storing place for the advertisement, menu, or the like. By doing so, a new or different advertisement, menu, or the like can be inserted into the space and can be closed thereafter by pushing back the outer wall.

Yet, recesses to the outside remain and thereby provoke that such a dispenser may act as a dirt trap with regard to dust and/or dirt entering the dispenser from the outside, too. Additionally, the pushing of the outer wall via a finger of a user may pollute the transparent outer wall for displaying the advertisement, menu, or the like and may, therefore, provide a negatively affected appearance of such a dispenser and the

B corresponding advertisement, menu, or the like illustrated on its side wall.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a dispenser for dispensing sheet material, that addresses the above-mentioned problems. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for dispensing sheet material that is easy to clean. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for dispensing sheet material that avoids that dirt can enter the dispenser from the outside to enable a highly qualitative appearance for advertisements, menus, or the like that are displayed at at least one side wall of such a dispenser.

The above-described problems are solved by the dispenser according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are set out in the depending claims.

According to an aspect, a dispenser for dispensing sheet material may comprise a body having four side walls configured to accommodate a stack of the sheet material, a base, e.g. for resting on a support surface, an opening in a top of the body, and a lid for covering the opening in use and enabling access to the opening for refilling. The lid may be detachable for giving access to the opening. Alternatively, the lid may be movably attached to at least one of the side walls. The lid may be sized to cover the opening.

Dispensers having such a shape are commonly known as "tabletop dispensers". In this context, the lid has a dispensing opening therein to enable sheet material to be dispense therefrom. That is, such a tabletop dispenser enables that sheet material can be dispensed from the dispensing opening in an upper part, i.e. the lid thereof. In this context and throughout this disclosure, the body, the base, and the lid may be understood as external, usually hard (rigid) protective and/or enclosing case or cover of the dispenser. In the same manner the base may be understood as the bottom and/or supporting part of such an outer shell of the dispenser achieved by the four side walls.

The dispensing opening in the outer shell, i.e., in the lid, is to be understood as the opening through which a sheet material may be withdrawn from the dispenser by a user. The base may have a supporting surface, or a pedestal configured to place the base, and thus enables the dispenser to be securely placed on a horizontal surface such as a table or counter. In such an arrangement, the dispensing opening in the lid may open to the top of the dispenser and the dispenser rests on the support surface via the base thereof. Accordingly, the sheet material may be dispensed along a vertical direction when the dispenser rests on a support surface via the base.

Yet, it may also be possible to arrange the described countertop dispenser in an upright/flipped position, that is, in a position, in which the base extends in a vertical direction and the dispenser rests on one of the four side walls. Accordingly, also the lid, which opposes the base of the dispenser, may extend along the vertical direction, such that sheet material may be dispensed along a horizontal direction via the lid.

Thus, the base and/or at least one of the side walls may comprise an anti-slip protection to ensure a fixed position of the dispenser when resting on the base or on one of the side walls.

At least one of the side walls is a double-walled side wall comprising an inner wall and an outer wall. Thereby, a space is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall. In the dispenser according to an aspect, at least part of the inner wall is pivotable around a pivot axis to the inside of the body.

According to such an arrangement, it is possible to achieve a dispenser having a closed outer shell, such that no dust, dirt or any other pollutant can insert the dispenser through one of the side walls, in particular one of the outer walls of the side walls, and an improved appearance can be achieved and maintained over a long period of use.

Additionally, a placard displaying commercials, advertisements, menus, or the like can be easily inserted into to the space or removed therefrom. Accordingly, the usability of the dispenser can be improved.

Since such a dispenser is not open to the outside, inadvertent or unauthorized removal of the placard can also be avoided.

Further, having an inner wall that opens inwardly instead of having a dispenser, in which at least part of a side wall opens outwardly, facilitates cleaning thereof. This applies for both of the inner wall and the outer wall of the dispenser, because the rigid outer wall is fixed to the base.

Accordingly, the key idea of such a dispenser is to facilitate the usability, to improve the cleanability and to optimize the appearance for a long period of use.

In this context, the feature that "at least part of the inner wall is pivotable around a pivot axis to the inside of the body" is to be understood in such a manner that the inner wall is hinged to the body, such that the inner wall can be tilted away from the outer wall via hinges provided on the body. Accordingly, the inner wall in such a dispenser is to be understood as a "pivotable inner wall". The outer wall forming part of the outer shell of the dispenser can, consequently, remain fixed in position and does not require any recesses, opening mechanisms, or the like.

Further, it should be highlighted that when a user wishes to change or insert a placard containing an advertisement, a menu, or the like into such a dispenser, the above-mentioned lid must be open, such that the inside of the body can be accessed .

The pivot axis may extend perpendicular to the base. In another embodiment, however, the pivot axis may extend along a dimension that is parallel to the base.

Put differently, the pivot axis extends, for example, in a horizontal direction, when the dispenser is based on a support surface, e.g. a table surface. Accordingly, the inner wall is pivotable around the horizontal axis and thereby hinges the inner wall along such a pivot axis. Accordingly, the inner wall can be tilted away from the outer wall to the interior of the dispenser and also the surface of the outer wall facing the inside of the dispenser can be easily accessed and, e.g., cleaned easily.

Having such an arrangement is not obviously derivable by the person skilled in the art, as a pivotally movable inner wall, at first sight, provokes a more complex system and requires that a platen on which the sheet products are to be placed must be pushed downwards before the space between the inner wall and the outer wall can be accessed.

The pivot axis may be arranged at a lower end of the double- walled side wall adjacent the base.

Accordingly, having a pivot axis arranged at the lower end of the inner wall allows to tilt the whole inner wall away from the outer wall and to thereby more easily insert new or different placards containing advertisements, menus, or the like. In an alternative embodiment, however, the pivot axis may be arranged between the lower end and the upper end of the double-walled side wall.

That is, the inner wall and the outer wall may run in parallel along a vertical direction for a certain percentage of the height of the side wall, and may comprise a pivot axis that is arranged between the lower end and the upper end of the double-walled side wall. For example, the pivot axis may be arranged in the middle between the lower end and the upper end of the height of the double-walled side wall. That is, only half of the inner wall may be pivotable to the inside of the dispenser body, whereas the other half remains in parallel to the outer wall.

Accordingly, the pivot axis can be arranged at a higher position than the previously described embodiment comprising a pivot axis that is arranged at a lower end of the double- walled side wall adjacent the base, and may thereby facilitate the manufacturing, in particular because the pivot axis and the corresponding hinges are not arranged at one of the corner parts. The term "corner parts" is to be understood as a contact region of the base for resting on the support surface and at least one of the side walls of the body. That is, one of the edges of the box-like shape of the dispenser

The outer wall may be at least partially transparent.

Accordingly, the outer wall enables the display of advertisements, menus, or the like to the outside and, therefore, permits the dispenser to be used as a way of displaying an advertisement inside restaurants, in particular fast-food restaurants, or the like.

In another embodiment, the outer wall may be completely transparent . Accordingly, the full size of the side wall can be used for displaying advertisements, menus, or any other information on the dispenser.

In another embodiment, at least two of the side walls may be double-walled side walls and both inner walls of the respective side walls may be inwardly pivotable around respective pivot axes toward the inside of the body.

Put differently, both of said double-walled side walls comprise tiltable inner walls, that can be hinged towards the inside of the body.

Accordingly, at least two of the side walls can be used for displaying advertisements, menus, or any other information on the dispenser.

Two opposing side walls may be double-walled side walls.

Due to such a configuration, it is possible, that, when an advertisement, menu, or the like is arranged inside the space, i.e., inside the space between the inner wall and the outer wall, and such a dispenser is placed on table, e.g., in a restaurant, guests, sitting on opposite sides of the table, can easily and readily take notice of the advertisement, menu, or the like. Also mixed configurations of having a menu arranged in one of said side walls and having an advertisement in the other one is possible.

In another embodiment, the body may have a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view with two long side walls and two short side walls respectively opposing each other, wherein the at least one double-walled side wall may be arranged on one of the long side walls.

Such an arrangement permits the placard containing an advertisement, menu or the like to be displayed on the larger surface of the side walls of the dispenser body having a box like shape when seen in a plan view. The inner wall may be fixed to the outer wall via at least one releasable latch.

Accordingly, the position of the inner wall relative to the outer wall may be fixed when there is no need to exchange or insert a placard containing an advertisement, menu, or the like into the dispenser. The at least one latch prevents accidental tilting of the inner wall toward the inside of the dispenser. Accordingly, an accidental interaction of the pivotable inner wall together with, e.g., a stack of dispensing sheet material that may be arranged inside the dispenser can be avoided. Thus, a smooth and trouble-free use of the dispenser can be ensured, which additionally allows to display an advertisement, menu, or the like in a clean manner.

The inner wall may comprise at least one recess arranged at the upper end thereof.

Accordingly, it is possible to more easily grab a placard containing an advertisement, menu, or the like, that is arranged inside the space between the inner wall and the outer wall.

Further, the tilting of the inner wall can be more easily performed as it is easy for a user to grab the inner wall and to move it to the inside of the dispenser via a tilting around the pivot axis.

Further, the lid may be movably attached to at least one of the side walls of the body via a hinge.

Accordingly, the lid may be permanently attached to the body of the dispenser and may be tilted from an open refilling position to a closed use position. Such an arrangement ensures an easy and reliable closing and opening of the lid with respect to the body of the dispenser. Alternatively, the lid may be configured to be reversibly removable and attachable to the body. In other words, the lid may be temporarily removable from the body of the dispenser and be re-attached thereto. This may allow for easier refilling of the dispenser, as the lid can temporarily be put aside.

In another embodiment, the dispenser may further comprise a platform for supporting a plurality of sheet materials from below, wherein the platform may be movable from a lowermost position when the dispenser is filled with sheet material to an uppermost position adjacent the lid when a dispenser is more nearly empty of sheet material, and the dispenser may further comprise a biasing mechanism for urging the platform towards the lid, as well as a releasable locking mechanism for holding the platform in a locking position at the lowermost position .

According to such a configuration it is possible to hold the platform downwards when inserting the stack of sheet material into the dispenser and to release it once the inserting is finished. Further, in the present context, it is possible to maintain the platform that is urged towards the lid in a lowermost position when inserting or exchanging the placard containing an advertisement, menu, or the like in the dispenser .

That is, one could first lock the platform in a lowermost position, and then easily access the space between the outer wall and the inner wall by pivoting the inner wall toward the inside of the dispenser. Subsequently, one can introduce or exchange the placard containing an advertisement, menu, or the like arranged between the outer wall and the inner wall, and finally release the platform in order to allow the biasing mechanism to push the platform with a stack of sheet material arranged thereon towards the lid. Further aspects of the present disclosures may be found in the following description of a particular embodiment making reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an isometric view of an empty dispenser according to an embodiment.

Figure 2 illustrates the dispenser in an open state, i.e. in a state in which the lid is open such that sheet material can be inserted into the body of the dispenser.

Figure 3 illustrates the dispenser according to an embodiment in a state, in which it is filled with sheet material.

Figure 4 is an isometric view into the inside of the dispenser according to an embodiment.

Figure 5 illustrates how an advertisement, menu, or the like can be inserted into a double-walled side wall of the dispenser according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to describe the disclosure using illustrative examples. Further modifications of certain individual features described in this context can be combined with other features of the described embodiments to form further embodiments of the disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for similar elements.

Figure 1 illustrates a dispenser 1 according to an embodiment in a state in which it is empty, i.e. in a state in which no sheet material 2, e.g., napkins, are inserted into the dispenser 1 to be dispense therefrom. The empty dispenser 1 is illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a body 3 and a lid 7. The body 3 of the dispenser 1 comprises four side walls 4. In addition, the dispenser 1 comprises a base 5 for resting on a support surface. The support surface can, for example, be a tabletop, a counter, or the like. Further, the dispenser 1 of the exemplary embodiment comprises an opening 6, which is arranged in a top of the body 3, such that the body 3 having four side walls 4, the base 5, and the opening 6 form a box like shape, which is open in a top region thereof.

The dispenser as discussed herein may, as an example, have the following dimensions: the dispenser may have a height of 170 mm and a width of 200 mm and a depth of 141 mm. The height may include feet on which the dispenser may rest. It is to be understood that the dispenser may also have slightly smaller or larger dimensions than the above dimensions due to measurement tolerances.

The sheet material as discussed herein may be napkins. An individual sheet material may be an individual napkin. The individual napkin may, as an example, have the following nominal dimensions: when being folded in a stack of sheet material (stack of napkins), the individual napkin may have, in the folded state, a width of 165 mm and a length of 108 mm, or, alternatively, a width of 161 mm and a length of 105 mm. When being unfolded, in case of 1/2 fold, the individual napkin may have a width of 165 mm and a length of 216 mm, or, alternatively, a width of 161 mm and a length of 210 mm. Further, in case of 1/4 fold, the individual napkin may have a width of 330 mm and a length of 216 mm. The above width dimensions of the individual napkin may vary between 3 to 5 mm. The above length dimensions of the individual napkin may have a smaller variation than the variation of the width dimension.

The above-mentioned lid 7 is sized to cover the opening 6, such that a closed outer appearance of the dispenser 1 can be achieved. Nonetheless, the lid 7 has a dispensing opening 8 therein to enable that sheet material 2 can be dispensed therefrom. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, said dispensing opening 8 is illustrated in a centred top section of the lid 7. Nevertheless, any other configuration and arrangement of the dispensing opening 8 is also applicable.

The lid 7 of the illustrated embodiment is movably attached to at least one of the side walls 4. In the present case, this enables, that the lid 7 can be moved from a closed use position into an open refilling position, wherein said refilling position is illustrated in Figure 2 and will be explained in more detail below.

In the embodiment, the body 3 comprising four side walls 4 has a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view with two long side walls 4 and two short side walls 4 respectively opposing each other. Here, the lid 7 is pivotally movable about one of the short side walls 4 via a hinge, in particular about an upper end of one of the short side walls 4 of the body 3 of the dispenser 1. Yet, other configurations are also contemplated. That is, the lid 7 can also be pivotally movable around the upper end of one of the long side walls 4 of the body 3 having a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view.

To support the opening of the lid 7 from the closed use position into the open refilling position, said lid 7 can be supported by a spring (not illustrated), which urges the lid 7 from the closed use position into an open refilling position. Vice versa, the lid 7 may be held in a closed use position by a snap connection, or the like that prevents the lid 7 from freely moving from the closed use position into the open refilling position.

In an alternative (non-illustrated) embodiment, the lid 7 may be configured to be reversibly removable and attachable to the body 3 of the dispenser 1. In such a configuration, the lid 7 can be put aside for (re-)filling the dispenser 1 (open refilling position) and put back onto the body 3 in order to arrive at the closed use position thereof. To further emphasizes the understanding of how the dispenser 1 is loaded with a stack of sheet material 2, reference is now made to Figure 2, which illustrates the above-described dispenser 1 in an open state. "Open" in this regard means that the lid 7 is moved from the closed use position into the open refilling position such that sheet material 2, e.g., sheet products in the form of napkins, can be inserted into the inside of the body of the dispenser 1.

As a first step to load a stack of sheet material 2, which is now described in the example of napkins 2, into the dispenser 1, the above-described lid 7 is moved from the above-mentioned closed use position into the open refilling position.

Then, the stack of napkins 2 is placed with a bottom face of the stack of napkins 2 on a support surface of a support plate (not illustrated) of the dispenser 1 via the opening 6 of the dispenser 1, wherein said support plate is reciprocally movable within the body 3 of the dispenser 1.

Subsequently, a force is exerted on a top face of the stack of sheet products opposite to the bottom face to thereby push the support plate into the body 3 of the dispenser 1.

Before or after exerting the force on the top face of the stack of the sheet products 2 and before or after placing the stack of napkins 2 with the bottom face of the stack of napkins 2 on the support surface, it may be particularly useful to at least partially fold the leading napkin at at least one of its edges. As a result, a so-called starter fold is formed. Such a folding of the leading napkin is illustrated in Figure 2.

The starter fold enables to easily grasp the leading napkin when the dispenser is freshly refilled.

On top of that, the napkins are usually distributed in bundles (stacks of sheet products) comprising a predetermined number of sheet products (e.g. napkins). In many cases more than one bundle (stack of sheet products) is inserted into the dispenser during refilling. Whereas the sheet products are usually interfolded within one bundle (stack of sheet products), the trailing sheet product of a first bundle (first stack of sheet products) and the leading sheet product of a second bundle (second stack of sheet products) are not interfolded. As a result, once the trailing sheet product of the first bundle is dispensed during use, the leading sheet product of the second bundle is not automatically withdrawn through the dispensing opening in part for being easily graspable. As a result, it is beneficial to also fold the leading sheet of any bundle (stack of sheet products) inserted into the dispenser in the same manner as described above forming a starter fold.

Even though there is no interfolding at a "stack-break" (also called bundle break), i.e. the transition from one stack of sheet products to another one, a consistent and reliable use of the dispenser can be ensured by at least partially folding the leading napkin 2 of each bundle at at least one of its edges (see Figure 2), and the user is never confronted with any napkin that is hard to grasp.

Afterwards, the lid 7 of the exemplary embodiment is pivoted from the open refilling position into the closed use position again, such that the lid 7 is closed.

Finally, a portion of a leading sheet material, i.e. a (partially folded) leading napkin 2 is extracted from the top face of the stack of napkins 2 through the dispensing opening 8 of the lid 7 to thereby dispose that leading napkin. Nonetheless, the extraction of a leading napkin 2 may be carried out with the lid 8 in the closed use position or, alternatively, in an open position.

Accordingly, the stack of napkins 2 can be successfully loaded into the dispenser 1, and the dispenser 1 is thereby filled with napkins 2. Figure 3 illustrates the dispenser 1 according to an embodiment, which is loaded with a stack of napkins 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the lid 7 may be at least partially transparent to enable a user to easily gain information on whether napkins 2 are still inside the dispenser 1 or whether the stack of napkins 2 has been emptied therefrom and the dispenser 1 needs to be refilled.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the arrangement inside the dispenser 1 according to the embodiment will now be explained in more detail.

Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view into the inside of the dispenser 1. As mentioned earlier, said dispenser 1 comprises four side walls 4 that are connected to a base 5 and thereby form a box-like shape. In the illustration of Figure 4, the lid 7 is in an open refilling state to facilitate the explanation of the internal structure of the dispenser 1.

Further, it is at hand that the dispenser 1 illustrated in

Figure 4 is empty, i.e. that no napkins are arranged therein, and the dispenser is not loaded.

As can be taken from Figures 4 and 5, the dispenser 1 according to the embodiment comprises two double-walled side walls 4 comprising an inner wall 9 and an outer wall 10. Accordingly, a space 11 is defined between the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10, respectively.

Nonetheless, it is also possible to provide a dispenser 1 having, e.g., only one double-walled side wall 4 or more than the above-described two double-walled side walls 4.

Subsequently, an example will be described in which two of the opposing side walls 4 are double-walled side walls 4 and wherein said double-walled side walls 4 are arranged on the respective long side walls 4 of the body 3 having a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view. As used herein, the term "double-walled" and derivatives thereof are not intended to limit the number of layers or "walls" making up a particular side wall. For example, a "double-walled" side wall may refer to a side wall that has three or more walls, but in any case the term "double-walled" refers to a wall that has at least two walls/layers e.g., an inner wall and an outer wall.

In this regard, it should be once again be mentioned, that alternative embodiments having two opposing double-walled side walls 4, e.g., on the short side of the body 3 of the dispenser 1 are contemplated in a similar manner. Similarly, it is also possible to have only one single double-walled side wall 4 on a short side of the body 3 of the dispenser 1.

As illustrated in Figure 4 and highlighted by the arrows provided therein, the inner wall 9 of the double-walled side wall 4 is pivotable around a pivot axis 12 toward the inside of the body 3. In the example illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, this applies for both of the opposing double-walled side walls 4.

Having an inner wall 9 that is pivotable about the pivot axis 12 toward the inside of the body 3 is realized via hinges that are provided at a lower end of the double-walled side wall 4 adjacent the base 5. For example, the hinges can be provided at the bottom of the double-walled side wall 4, at a position where the side wall 4 contacts the base 5 in order to form the shape-like body 3 of the dispenser 1. Accordingly, and as illustrated by the arrows of Figure 4, the inner wall 9 can be tilted about the pivot axis 12 to open the space 11 being defined between the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10. By doing so, the inner surface of the outer wall 10 that faces the inside of the body 3 can be easily cleaned. The same applies for the surface of the inner wall 9 that faces the outer wall 10.

Accordingly, the space 11 that is defined between the surface of the inner wall 9 that faces the outer wall 10, and the surface of the outer wall 10 that faces inwardly, i.e., towards the inner wall 9 can be opened in order to allow a user to place a placard or sheet therein.

Such a placard or sheet can be a commercial, an advertisement, a menu of a restaurant, or any other information that may be useful for a user, e.g. a guest in a restaurant. That placard or sheet may be in printed form or even include some kind of digital display. Yet, said list of functionalities of such a placard or sheet is not limited to the given examples.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot axis 12 is arranged at the lower end of the double-walled side wall 4. Yet, in another, not illustrated embodiment, it is also possible that said pivot axis 12 is arranged between the lower end and the upper end of the double-walled side wall 4. That is, a higher pivot axis 12 is provided such that the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10 run in parallel to each other below the pivot axis 12 along a vertical direction, and only the part of the inner wall 9 that is arranged about said pivot axis 12 is pivotable, i.e. can be hinged around pivot axis 12.

To facilitate the opening of the space 11, that is, the pivoting of the inner wall 9 away from the outer wall 10, in order to increase the space 11, a recess 14 can be provided. In the embodiment illustrated, e.g., in Figures 4 and 5, said recess 14 is provided on an upper end of the inner wall 9, in particular at a centrally located position of the upper end of the inner wall 9. Yet, any other arrangement of said recess 14 is also contemplated. For example, it may also be possible to have a recess 14 on one of the upper corners of the inner wall 9.

To hold the inner wall 9 at a constant distance relative to the outer wall 10 in a use state, that means, in a state in which the inner wall 9 is not tilted toward the inside and the napkin dispenser 1 is in use (as illustrated in Figure 3), the inner wall 9 can be temporarily fixed to the outer wall 10 via at least one releasable latch 13. As can be taken from Figures 4 and 5, said latches may, for example, be arranged on the upper end of the outer wall 10 of the double-walled side wall 4 of the body 3. Yet, said latch 13 may also be provided, for example, on any other one of the side walls 4, that are not double walled. That means, latches 13 in such an arrangement can also hold the inner wall 9 from the sides to thereby ensure that a constant distance between the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10 can be achieved. Yet, Figures 4 and 5 illustrate an example of the latch 13 at a top region of the double-walled side wall 4, in particular on an upper end of the outer wall 10 thereof.

Due to such a configuration, a closed outer surface of the dispenser 1 can be achieved.

The outer wall 10 can be transparent, such that the whole surface of the double-walled side wall 4 of the dispenser 1 can be used for displaying advertisements, menus, or the like. Yet, it may also be possible to have only a partially transparent outer wall 10, i.e., one in which less than the entirety of the surface of that outer wall 28 is transparent.

In other words, the transparent outer wall 10 may be considered as "window" that can be used to display an advertisement, a menu, or the like. Due to the described configuration, the dispenser 1 is closed to the outside and the window, as provided by the outer wall 10, can be accessed from the inside of the dispenser 1, such that no dust and/or dirt from the outside can enter via potential openings, recesses, or the like that may be provided to access said inside of the "window".

In the illustrated embodiment, different placards or sheets can be inserted into the two shown double-walled side walls 4 of the body 3 of the dispenser 1.

To facilitate the understanding on how such a placard or sheet in the example form of an advertisement or a menu of a restaurant can be inserted into the space 11 defined between the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10, reference is now, once again, made the Figures 4 and 5.

In a first step, the lid 7 of the empty dispenser 1 (see

Figure 1), is moved from the closed use position to the open refilling position.

Subsequently, the latch 13 is released from the inner wall 9, such that the inner wall 9 can be pivoted inwardly and away from the outer wall 10 (see the arrows in Figure 4).

In a next step, a sheet can be inserted into the space 11 between the outer wall 10 and the inner wall 9. This is possible, because the space 11 was increased by said tilt movement of the inner wall 9 to the inside of the body 3 of the dispenser 1.

The insertion of the advertisement and/or menu (as an example of the placard or sheet) is illustrated by the arrow in Figure

5.

Once said sheet is moved completely into the space 11 the system can be closed again, such that the dispenser 1 can be used.

To do so, the inner wall 9 is tilted back towards the outer wall 10. Once the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10 are both oriented so as to be parallel with each other, a final position is reached, and the inserted sheet is arranged inside the space 11 defined by the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10. That is, the sheet is sealed in a space that is defined by the outer wall 10 and the inner wall 9. Then, to lock said closed position of the double-wall side wall 4, the latch 13 is used to fix the inner wall 9 to the outer wall 10 again.

Finally, the dispenser 1 can then be filled with a stack of napkins 1 or can be closed without any napkins 1. To close said dispenser 1 again, the lid 7 is, in a final step, moved from the open refilling position into the closed used position.

Hence, a dispenser 1 can be achieved that displays an advertisement, a menu, or the like without permitting dust or other contaminants to enter through any recesses or the like into the dispenser from the outside. In addition, this prevents inadvertent or unauthorized removal of the placard or sheet containing the advertisement, menu, or the like.

List of reference numerals

1 dispenser

2 sheet material

3 body

4 side wall

5 base

6 opening

7 lid

8 dispensing opening

9 inner wall

10 outer wall

11 space

12 pivot axis

13 releasable latches

14 recess

Claims

1. A dispenser (1) for dispensing sheet material (2), comprising: a body (3) having four side walls (4), a base (5), an opening (6) in a top of the body (3), a lid (7) for covering the opening (6) in use and enabling access to the opening (6) for refilling , wherein the lid (7) has a dispensing opening (8) therein to enable sheet material (2) to be dispensed therefrom, wherein at least one of the side walls (4) is a double- walled side wall comprising an inner wall (9) and an outer wall (10), a space (11) being defined between the inner wall (9) and the outer wall (10), and wherein at least part of the inner wall (9) is pivotable around a pivot axis (12) to the inside of the body (3).

2. The dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pivot axis (12) extends in parallel to the base (5).

3. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot axis (12) is arranged at a lower end of the double walled side wall (4) adjacent the base (5).

4. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer wall (10) is at least partially transparent.

5. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the side walls (4) are double-walled side walls, and wherein both inner walls (9) of the respective side walls (4) are pivotable around respective pivot axes (12) to the inside of the body (3).

6. The dispenser (1) according to claim 5, wherein two opposing side walls (4) are double-walled side walls.

7. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body (3) has a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view with two long side walls (4) and two short side walls (4) respectively opposing each other, wherein the at least one double-walled side wall is arranged on one of the long side walls (4).

8. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner wall (9) is fixed to the outer wall (10) via releasable latches (13).

9. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner wall (9) comprises at least one recess (14) arranged at the upper end thereof.

10. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (7) is moveably attached to at least one of the side walls (4) of the body (3) via a hinge.

11. The dispenser (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lid (7) is configured to be reversibly removable and attachable to the body (3).