WO2023019280A1

WO2023019280A1 - Dispenser for dispensing sheet-type material and container for sheet-type material

Info

Publication number: WO2023019280A1
Application number: PCT/AT2022/060260
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans Georg Hagleitner
Original assignee: Hans Georg Hagleitner
Priority date: 2021-08-19
Filing date: 2022-07-20
Publication date: 2023-02-23
Also published as: AT525285B1; AT525285A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser (33) for dispensing sheet-type material (4), in particular wet wipes, comprising a receiving space for an exchangeable container (1) which contains the sheet-type material (4) within a wall (7) formed by at least partially flexible material, in particular a plastic film, and which has a dimensionally stable body (5) in which a removal opening (8) for the sheet-type material (4) is formed, wherein the receiving space of the dispenser has a slide-fit seat (12) into which the dimensionally stable body (5) of the container (1), provided with protrusions (11) and/or grooves (11a), can be slid in a sliding direction (S).

Description

Dispenser for dispensing sheet material and container for sheet material

The invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing sheet material, in particular wet wipes, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a container for sheet material according to the preamble of claim 7. The invention also relates to a method for inserting and/or removing an exchangeable container in and/or from a dispenser.

Wet wipes are usually offered in so-called flow packs. Such flow packs have, among other things, packaging made of a thin, flexible plastic film in which the wet wipes are housed. There is a removal opening on the top that can be closed tightly to prevent the wet wipes it contains from drying out.

Very simple dispensers into which such flow packs can be inserted are also known. These dispensers usually have a spring-loaded plunger that presses on the packaging from below and thus pushes the wet wipes contained therein in the direction of the removal opening.

With such known simple dispensers, there is the problem of correctly positioning the relatively unstable, soft flow pack, which can lead to problems with the replenishment on the one hand and to sealing problems on the other hand.

The object of the invention is to create an improved dispenser for dispensing sheet material, in particular wet wipes, and a container suitable for this purpose, in which the container can be positioned easily and precisely in the dispenser is . In addition, it should be possible to avoid tightness problems as far as possible.

According to the invention, this is achieved by a dispenser having the features of claim 1 and by a container having the features of claim 7 .

The basic idea of the invention is to use the dimensionally stable body that is already present in the so-called flow packs as a connecting element to the dispenser and to create a simple yet secure connection between the container and dispenser when refilling by means of a simple sliding fit.

When the supply of wet wipes in the container is exhausted, the empty container need only be pulled out of the sliding seat and a new container with filled wet wipes or other sheet material inserted.

Such a sliding fit also makes it easy to create a seal with the dispenser if this is desired. In this case, the closure, which prevents the wet wipes used from drying out, can also be configured as a dispenser cover on the dispenser with a good seal, instead of or in addition to a container cover.

If it is arranged outside of the dispenser, the exchangeable container can have a container lid with which the removal opening of the dimensionally stable body can be closed and opened, preferably with the container lid being removable from the dimensionally stable body, particularly preferably tearable, and the container being Removing the container lid can be inserted into the sliding seat of the dispenser. It is advantageous that a closure mechanism specially adapted to the dispenser, for example the dispenser cover, can be used to open and close the container opening. For example, a locking mechanism can be used which is more stable than the container lid and/or an automatic locking mechanism can be implemented.

The interchangeable container can be used outside of the dispenser with the container lid and installed in the dispenser in combination with a locking mechanism, for example with a dispenser lid. The locking mechanism can thus be adapted to the respective situation. For example, a simple container lid can be used outside of the dispenser and a more robust or automatic locking mechanism can be used inside the dispenser.

In other words, the container itself can have a container lid for closing, which prevents drying out when stored outside of the dispenser. Before inserting it into the dispenser, the container lid can be removed, for example by loosening a predetermined breaking point. Then the flow pack (the container) is pushed into the dispenser in the sliding seat and a dispenser lid provided on the dispenser can now assume the function of the tight closure.

A method for inserting and/or removing an exchangeable container in and/or from a dispenser has the following method steps:

Removing the container lid from the container, particularly when the container is placed outside the dispenser, sliding the container into the dispenser's receptacle, preferably into the dispenser's sliding seat. In principle, it is also possible to design the sliding seat in such a way that it only performs the correct positioning and the sealing function is still performed by a container lid that is not attached to the dispenser but directly to the container and in particular to the dimensionally stable body of the same.

The sliding fit and its corresponding formation of projections or grooves on the container according to the invention also allows coding functions to be fulfilled, for example by the projections on the container being specially designed.

An example would be characterized in that the dimensionally stable body has a bevel running obliquely to the longitudinal edge at least at one end of a longitudinal edge serving as a projection. There are preferably two such symmetrically diametrically opposite bevels so that the container can be used in both longitudinal directions or rotated by 180°.

If the sliding seat now also has a stop surface corresponding to the bevel, a container can only be used if its bevel matches the stop surface of the container. Another container with a differently designed projection cannot then be inserted into the dispenser, or at least not in such a way that the necessary sealing function is provided. In this way it can be achieved that only correct refills are used in the dispenser.

For example, there may be dispensers for wet wipes that have such a bevel and other dispensers that contain wipes soaked in disinfectant, for example, that do not have such a bevel. This means that the container is always correctly assigned to the dispenser via the shape of the projections and the stops of the sliding seat. Another possibility of coding in the above-mentioned sense, i.e. in the correct assignment of container to dispenser, can be achieved in that the dimensionally stable body - preferably on at least one transverse edge running transversely to the sliding direction - has at least one coding projection and/or has at least one coding clearance which is open towards the front in the sliding direction.

The coding projections or coding clearances are then a kind of key which may or may not fit into corresponding recesses or projections at the end of the dispenser's sliding seat. The container can only be inserted correctly if the coding projections or the coding gaps match the dispenser.

Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the following description of the figures.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view

From example of a container according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a schematic section according to the line

A - A, according to FIG. 2 ,

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention in a simplified representation with an inserted container,

Fig. 4, 5, 6 show exemplary embodiments in a schematic sectional view in the area of the sliding seat between the container (dimensionally stable body of the same) and the sliding seat of the dispenser,

Fig. 7a, 7b, 7c show schematic top views of exemplary embodiments of the dimensionally stable body of a container according to the invention, Fig. 8 and 9 show further coded exemplary embodiments in a plan view of the dimensionally stable body,

Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of one side of the

Sliding seat for a dispenser according to the invention.

Fig. 11a, 11b, 11c show, in a schematic side view, an exemplary embodiment of the container according to the invention, a possible design for a container lid that can be closed and torn off.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a container 1 which is designed as a so-called flow pack.

Such a flow pack essentially consists of a plastic film which is connected along a longitudinal connecting line 2 to form a tube, preferably welded or glued. This can be done via a fold-like connection, not shown in detail.

Transversely to the longitudinal connecting line 2, the opposite hose sections are also connected to one another, namely along a transverse connecting line 3, in order to obtain a closed, flexible plastic container overall, which can be filled with wet wipes 4 or another sheet-like material, for example is shown in Figure 2 .

In order to be able to remove the wet wipes 4 , the container 1 has a dimensionally stable body 5 which is connected to the wall 7 of the container via adhesive points 6 running in a ring shape.

The actual removal opening 8 for the sheet-like material 4, for example wet wipes, is located in the center of the dimensionally stable body 5. The dimensionally stable body 5, which can be made of plastic, for example, has a circumferential groove 9 on its upper side which, together with the likewise circumferential edge 10, can serve as a detachable receptacle for a cover (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2).

According to the invention, a projection 11 is now formed on the dimensionally stable body 5 of the container 1 and can be pushed into a sliding seat 12 of the dispenser 33 . In the present exemplary embodiment, there are two projections 11 that run in a sliding direction S. These projections are in the form of protruding edges on the dimensionally stable body 5 , specifically on the side radially outside of the adhesive points 6 .

As FIG. 3 shows, these projections 11 of the dimensionally stable body 5 can now be inserted into a sliding seat 12 of the dispenser 33 by pushing in in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of the page in FIG. The sliding seat

12 is replaced by two opposite, parallel grooves

13 formed, which are dimensioned so that they play the projections 11 as free as possible, but can accommodate easily inserted. In the area of this sliding seat 12, seals can also be provided, as will be described later in more detail with reference to FIG.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the dispenser 33 has an essentially closed housing 14 which has a filling opening, not shown here, for the container 1 . When the container 1 is pushed in, a plunger 15 then presses on the container 1 under the action of the springs 16 and thus pushes the wet wipes 4 located therein in the direction of the removal opening 8 . If the container 1 is empty, ie there are no more wet wipes 4 in it, you can easily remove the container 1 while pushing back the plunger 15 against the springs 16 from the

Remove dispenser 33 and insert a new, filled container 1 .

As shown in FIG. 3, the dispenser can be set up horizontally, for example, by means of holding means 17 . However, it can also be provided that these holding means 17 are fastening eyelets or the like, in order to fasten the dispenser, for example, to a wall in the vertical position. Then the wet wipes are not removed upwards, but away from the wall to the side.

The sliding seat 12 in combination with the projections 11 allows easy refilling of the container 1 in the dispenser 33 , exact positioning in the container 1 and dispenser 33 being automatically provided. Sealing functions can also be carried out easily, for example by the sliding seat 12 being formed in a sealing manner on the projections themselves through appropriate choice of material and a tight fit.

There is also the possibility, as shown in FIG. 10, of attaching a separate seal 18 in the area of the sliding seat 12, namely at the base of the groove, in order to achieve a sealing function. Other options for attaching the separate seal 18 in the area of the sliding seat are also entirely conceivable and possible. Finally, a possibility can be created to keep the container 1 tight in the dispenser 33 .

In order to make it easier to slide the container 1 into the sliding seat 12, an insertion bevel 19 can be provided (see FIG. 10). An end stop 26 can be provided at the end in order to define the exact insertion position of the container 1 in the dispenser 33 (FIG. 10). There are various possibilities for the formation of the sliding seat itself. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, parallel projections 11 have been formed on the container 1 itself, which have engaged in grooves 13 of the sliding seat 12 of the dispenser 33 . This situation is shown again schematically in FIG.

Another exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. Here too there are projections 11 which engage in a groove 13 of the sliding seat 12 . However, here the projections 11 lie laterally at some distance from the wall 7 on the dimensionally stable body 5, while in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4 the projection 11 lies closer to the wall.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is a “kinematic reversal”. Here, grooves 11a are formed on the dimensionally stable body 5, while the sliding seat itself is formed by projections 13a, which engage in the grooves 11a.

FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c show, in a plan view, exemplary embodiments of dimensionally stable bodies 5 which can be pushed in the sliding direction S into a sliding seat of a dispenser.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7a, which essentially corresponds to the solution according to FIGS. 3 and 4, the top view is essentially rectangular. The longitudinal edges form the projections 11 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7b, pairs of projections 11 are provided, which protrude laterally beyond the normal longitudinal edge. Important for the function of a sliding seat is the fact that the widths D on the sliding direction offset points A and B, which are drawn by transverse double arrows, in both pairs of projections 11 are the same.

Also in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 7a, this width, which is identified by a double arrow, is the same at two different points A and B, which are offset in the sliding direction S. In the example in FIG. 7a, a constant width D is generally provided.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7c, the projections are rounded, otherwise essentially the same considerations apply as for FIG. 7b.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a bevel 20 is also shown in a plan view of a dimensionally stable body of an exemplary embodiment of the container according to the invention. Specifically, there are two diametrically opposite bevels 20 .

These bevels 20 interact with oblique end stops (not shown) in the area of the sliding seat of the dispenser and have the effect that the container belonging to the dimensionally stable body 5 can only be fully and correctly inserted into the sliding seat of the dispenser if a bevel 20 is actually present . If this bevel 20 were not present, for example as shown in FIG. 7a, the container cannot be pushed in completely and therefore not tightly due to the inclined stop in the dispenser. This can prevent the wrong containers from being used.

For the same purpose, ie for the key-like coding of the container relative to the dispenser, it can also be provided that the dimensionally stable body - preferably at least one across the The transverse edge 21 extending in the sliding direction has at least one coding projection 22 projecting forward in the sliding direction and/or at least one coding clearance open to the front in the sliding direction (FIG. 9).

As shown in FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c, a container cover 23 can be provided with which the removal opening 8 of the container can be closed tightly. FIGS. 11a to 11c only show schematic representations. Sealing elements are well known to those skilled in the art, either through separate seals or through a precisely fitting closure, for example with circumferential projections and grooves, similar to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The container lid 23 closed in FIG. 11a prevents the wet wipes contained therein from evaporating during storage outside of the dispenser.

Shortly before use, the container lid 23 can, for example, be swung open about a film hinge 24 in the direction of arrow 25 in order to achieve an open position according to FIG. 11b.

In principle, the container lid 23 can also be used again in the dispenser itself for (re)closing the container 1 . Then the combination of the projections 11 of the container with the sliding seat 12 of the dispenser has mainly the function of positioning the container 1 in the dispenser 33 exactly.

However, the sealing function of the sliding seat can also be used in order to achieve a tight seal by means of the dispenser cover 23a mounted on the dispenser side, as is shown schematically in FIG. 3, for example.

It can be provided, as shown in FIG. 11c, that the container lid 23 can be torn off, namely along a Predetermined breaking point, for example in the area of the film hinge 24 . The container lid 23 is then simply removed and thrown away and the dispenser lid 23a of the dispenser takes over the sealing function after the container 1 has been pushed into the sliding seat of the dispenser in order to prevent the wet wipes from drying out.

The dispenser cover 23a can be mounted on the dispenser in a wide variety of ways. FIG. 3 shows only schematically the dispenser cover 23a as such. For example, it is possible to mount the closure cover 23a in an articulated or pivotable manner on the dispenser 33 or its housing 14 .

Circumferential projections 25 on the closure cover 23a of the dispenser 33 can, for example, tightly fit into the circumferential groove 9 of the container, but other seals relative to the housing 14 of the dispenser are also entirely possible.

It is sufficient to seal the dispenser cover 23a only from the dispenser 33 or its housing 14, especially if the sliding seat 12 itself is designed to be tight. Then the container 1 is sealed tightly against the housing 14 and the housing 14 in turn is tightly sealed against the dispenser cover 23a, which means that no moisture can escape from the interior of the container 1 overall.

Reference character list :

1 container

2 longitudinal connecting line

3 cross connecting line

4 wet wipes, sheet material

5 rigid body

6 splice

7 wall

8 removal opening

8a dispenser removal opening

9 circumferential groove

10 peripheral edge

11 projections

11a grooves

12 sliding seat

13 slots

13a projections

14 housing

15 stamps

16 feathers

17 holding means

18 seal

19 Introductory oblique

20 bevel

21 transverse edge

22 coding advance

23 container lid

23a dispenser de disgust

24 film hinge, predetermined breaking point

25 protrusions, arrows

26 end stop

33 donors A, B different places

S shift direction

D width

Claims

patent claims

1. Dispenser (33) for dispensing sheet-shaped material (4), in particular wet wipes, with a receptacle for an exchangeable container (1) which, within a wall (7) made from at least partially flexible material, in particular from a plastic film, the sheet-shaped material (4) and which has a dimensionally stable body (5) in which a removal opening (8) for the sheet material (4) is formed, characterized in that the receptacle of the dispenser has a sliding seat (12) into which the dimensionally stable body (5) of the container (1), which is provided with projections (11) and/or grooves (11a), can be inserted in a sliding direction (S).

2. Dispenser (33) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding seat (12) of the dispenser (33) has at least one groove (13) running in the sliding direction (S), into which at least one projection (11) of the container (1st ) is slidably guided, wherein the sliding seat (12) of the dispenser (33) preferably has two opposite parallel grooves (13).

3. Dispenser (33) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one groove (13) - seen in the sliding direction - at the beginning has an insertion bevel (19) and / or - also seen in the sliding direction - at the end an end stop (26). (Figure 10) .

4. dispenser (33) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the region of the sliding seat (12) at least one seal (18) is provided to the inserted container (1) around the removal opening (8) around opposite Seal dispenser (33). Dispenser (33) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dispenser has a dispenser removal opening (8a) which, when the container (1) is pushed into the sliding seat (12), is aligned with the removal opening (8) of the container. Dispenser (33) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the dispenser removal opening (8a) can be closed tightly by a dispenser cover (23a) which is preferably movably mounted on the dispenser. Container (1) for sheet material, in particular for a dispenser (33) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, with a wall (7) which consists at least partially of flexible material, in particular of a plastic film, and with a - preferably of Plastic existing - dimensionally stable body (5), which is connected to the wall (7) and has a removal opening (8) for the sheet-like material (4), which is located within the wall (7), characterized in that the dimensionally stable body (5) has at least one projection (11) and/or a groove (11a), with which the dimensionally stable body (5) can be pushed into a sliding seat (12) of a dispenser (33). Container (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the dimensionally stable body (5) has two opposite, parallel projections (11) and/or grooves (11a) on the side, which preferably extend over the entire length of the dimensionally stable body (5). extend (Fig. 7a). 17 container (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the dimensionally stable body has at least two pairs of opposing projections (11), wherein the pairs in a sliding direction (S) are arranged offset (Fig. 7b and 7c). . Container (1) according to Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the width (D) of the dimensionally stable body (5), measured transversely to a sliding direction (S), in the region of its projections (11) at two points ( A, B) is the same (Fig. 7a, 7b, 7c). . Container (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the dimensionally stable body (5) has a bevel (20) running obliquely to the longitudinal edge at at least one end of a longitudinal edge serving as a projection (11). . Container (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that two diametrically opposite bevels (20) are provided (Fig. 8). . Container (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the dimensionally stable body (5) - preferably on at least one transverse edge running transversely to the sliding direction - has at least one coding projection (22) and/or has at least one coding clearance open to the front in the sliding direction (S) (FIG. 9). . Container (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 13, characterized in that a container lid (23) is provided, with which the removal opening (8) of the dimensionally stable body (5) can be closed and opened. 18

15. Container (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the container lid (23) via a predetermined breaking point (24) with the dimensionally stable body (5) - preferably pivotally - is connected and after loosening the predetermined breaking point (24) from the container ( 1) is removable.

16. Container (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the container lid (23) is designed as a separate component from the dimensionally stable body (5), which can be tightly connected to the dimensionally stable body (5) to close the removal opening (8) and which can be removed from the container (1) to open the removal opening (8).

17. Container (1) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the removal opening (8) can be closed again with the container lid (23).

18. Container (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 17, characterized in that the container is designed as a flow pack in which a plastic film is connected, preferably welded or is glued, and in which opposite hose sections are connected to each other, preferably welded or glued, to each other along a transverse connection line (3) running transversely to the longitudinal connection line (2), forming a substantially closed container (1). 19 . Container (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 18, characterized in that the plastic film of the wall (7) has one or more of the following plastics:

PET, especially for the outer film of a two-layer film

PE, especially for the inner film of a two-layer film. . Container (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 19, characterized in that the thickness of the plastic film of the wall (7) is between 40 μm and 300 μm, preferably between 80 μm and 120 μm. . Container (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 20, characterized in that the container (1) is filled with sheet material (4), preferably wet wipes. . Dispenser (33) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 with a container (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 21 inserted therein. Dispenser (33), in particular according to the preceding claim, with an exchangeable container (1) which contains the sheet-like material (4) within a wall (7) made of at least partially flexible material, in particular a plastic film, and which has a dimensionally stable body (5) in which a removal opening (8) for the sheet material (4) is formed, the dispenser (33) having a receptacle for the exchangeable container (1), characterized in that the exchangeable container (1), when it is arranged outside of the dispenser (33), has a container lid (23) with which the removal opening (8) of the dimensionally stable body (5) can be closed and opened, preferably wherein the 20

The container lid (23) can be removed from the dimensionally stable body (5), particularly preferably torn off, and the container (1) can be pushed into the sliding seat (12) of the dispenser (33) after the container lid (23) has been removed.

Use of a container (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 21 for a dispenser (33) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 or 22 or 23. . Method for inserting and/or removing an exchangeable container (1), in particular according to one of Claims 7 to 21, in and/or from a dispenser (33), in particular according to one of Claims 1 to 6 or 22 or 23, for donation of sheet material (4), in particular wet wipes, the exchangeable container (1) containing the sheet material (4) within a wall (7) made of at least partially flexible material, in particular of a plastic film, and having a dimensionally stable body (5 ) has, in which a removal opening (8) for the sheet material (4) is formed, wherein the dispenser

(33) has a receptacle for the exchangeable container (1), a container lid (23) being provided with which the removal opening (8) of the dimensionally stable body (5) can be closed and opened, with the following method steps:

Removing the container lid (23) from the container (1), in particular when the container (1) is arranged outside of the dispenser (33),

Pushing the container (1) without the container lid (23) into the receptacle of the dispenser (33), preferably into the sliding seat (12) of the dispenser (33). . Method according to the preceding claim, with the additional method steps: 21

Removing the container (1) from the dispenser (33), preferably the sliding seat (12) of the dispenser (33), resealing the removal opening (8) with the container lid (23). . Method according to one of claims 25 or 26, wherein the dispenser (33) has a dispenser removal opening (8a) which, when the container (1) is pushed in, preferably into the sliding seat (12), is aligned with the removal opening (8) of the container and wherein the dispenser removal opening (8a) can be tightly closed by a dispenser cover (23a), preferably movably mounted on the dispenser (33), with the following method steps:

opening of the dispenser cover (23a), - removal of sheet-like material (4),

Closing the dispenser cover (23a) .