Patent Application
20240092558
The present invention relates to the field of refillable sheet material dispensers and particularly, refillable dispensers for dispensing toilet paper, bath tissues, paper towels, or any other type of sanitary paper
The use of dispensers and dispensing devices for dispensing sheet materials, especially natural fabric and man-made fabric, is generally known. Examples of such sheet materials, e.g., dry sheets and moist sheets, can be found in bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, medical clinics, in cosmetic applications and the like. The sheet materials to be dispensed are typically provided in non-compressed packs, and conventional dispensers are typically dimensioned correspondingly to the respective stack to be used therein. The packs are typically provided wrapped, and needs to be unwrapped before being provided to the dispenser.
According to a first aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a refillable dispenser for use with a stack of sheet material, the stack being switchable at least from a compressed state at which the stack is held compressed to a first volume by a compression arrangement, to an expanded state at which the stack has a second volume greater than the first volume; said dispenser comprising:
As per a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a refillable dispenser for use with a stack of sheet material, the stack being switchable at least from a compressed state at which the stack is held compressed to a first volume by a compression arrangement, to an expanded state at which the stack has a second volume greater than the first volume. The dispenser comprises:
The dispenser according to the second aspect can further comprise a releasing mechanism configured to engage with the compression arrangement to induce switching of the stack from the compressed state to the expanded state at the second space.
The releasing mechanism can be mounted to said housing such that during the guiding of the stack from the stack inlet into the housing the compression arrangement is brought to engagement with the releasing mechanism to induce switching of the stack from the compressed state to the expanded state.
The examples detailed below can be associated with any one of the aspects presented above, independently, or in combination thereof.
The housing can be defined by side walls, a back wall, a top wall, a base wall and a front wall defining together a housing space therebetween to accommodate the stack in both the compressed state and the expanded state. The housing space can include the first space and the second space. The second space includes the first space and an additional expansion space, which can be adjacent the first space, configured to accommodate the additional volume which is added to the stack when said stack switches from its compressed state to its uncompressed state within the housing. As such, the second space of the housing has a volume that corresponds to the volume of the stack when the stack is in the expanded state.
The term “wall” as recited throughout the specification and claims denotes to means of restricting and defining a volume, which are not necessarily a continuously spread matrix. The wall can partially extend between two adjacent walls, to an extent enabling it to prevent the stack from falling out therefrom, e.g., a wall containing holes, a half carved wall, lines or poles extending diagonally with respect to one another to form an X shape, etc.
The stack can be formed of a single folded sheet material, or of individual sheet materials disposed one above the other, and optionally interfolded one into the other to facilitate consecutive dispensing of the sheets from the stack, where after dispensing a single sheet, the consecutive sheet pops-out from the stack automatically to ease pulling thereof. The stack can be compressed after manufacturing to smaller dimensions, to facilitate cheaper and more environmental shipping thereof. The stack can be held compressed by the compression arrangement, which can be later on removed to enable dispensing of sheet material from the stack. In the compressed state, the stack has a first volume. In the expanded state, the stack has a second volume greater than the first volume. In absent of external disturbances, the stack can switch from the compressed state to the expanded state upon release of the compression arrangement. It is important to note that, at the compressed state of the stack, dispensing of sheet material from the stack is much more difficult than in the expanded state thereof, and can compromises the structure and intended use of the sheets, due to friction forces operating between the sheets or between one fold of the sheet to an adjacent other, and due to internal forces applied by the elastic nature of the sheets structure. Releasing the stack from the compression arrangement before inserting the stack to the dispenser can result in expansion of the stack in the hands of the user, which can induce scattering of the sheet material in the hand, optionally rendering the stack unsuitable for being received in the respective dispenser. Further, such scattering can cause discomfort for a user, an alteration of the folded stacked array so it will compromise smooth and reliable dispense of the sheet material, lack of hygiene as the sheet might fall and come in contact with non-sanitary surfaces such as bathroom floor, and waste of product. Therefore, it can be desirable to release the stack to its uncompressed state within the dispenser, and allow the stack to be expanded there to ease dispensing of sheet material therefrom.
The releasing mechanism, incorporated in the dispenser, is configured to engage with any suitable portion of the compression arrangement to induce releasing thereof, and thereby switching of the stack from its compressed state to the expanded state, within the restraining volume of the housing, within the dispenser, to prevent scattering of the stack outside the housing.
The compression arrangement may comprise two or more portions configured to be separated at least at one side thereof to facilitate release of the compression arrangement from the stack. The engagement of the releasing mechanism with the compression arrangement can cause tearing or ripping or dismembering of the compression arrangement.
The compression arrangement may comprise a bridging area connected to each of the two or more portions in the compressed state of the stack and holding the two or more portions together prior to the separation thereof.
The bridging area may have a structure corresponding to a structure of the releasing mechanism.
Alternatively, the compression arrangement may be configured to release from the stack as a whole.
The refillable dispenser comprises an outlet configured to facilitate dispensing of the sheet material out from the housing therethrough.
The outlet can be provided at a suitable location for easing a user desiring to utilize the sheet material. The outlet can be disposed adjacent the expansion space of the housing, so that the folded sheets are easily dispensable when the stack is in the expanded state.
Particularly, the outlet can be formed in an upper portion of the dispenser, so that the sheets are being pulled from the top of the stack, thereby reducing friction of one sheet in another, or one fold of the sheet in an adjacent fold, during pulling. When the stack is oriented in an upright orientation, where the expansion space is disposed above the first space, adjacent the outlet, the weight of the stack is applied downwards on the last portion of the sheet to be dispensed, and not on the uppermost portion of the stack, i.e., on the first sheet to be dispensed, which can apply equal force to the weight, compromising its structural integrity.
The refillable dispenser further comprises a stack inlet formed in the housing configured to facilitate introduction of the stack to the housing space.
The stack inlet can be formed in one or more of the walls of the housing, and can have a portion positioned adjacent the bottom wall of the housing, opposite the outlet, to utilize the housing space to maximum and to provide even force distribution while the user inserts the stack into the dispenser. The dimensions of the stack inlet can be sufficient to allow the stack to pass therethrough, at least in its compressed state, for its introduction into the housing.
Alternatively, one or more walls of the housing can be at least partially detachable so as to create or expose the stack inlet in the housing for introduction of stack into the housing.
The refillable dispenser may further comprise a guiding arrangement configured to guide the stack as the later travels from the inlet into the housing space. The guiding arrangement can comprise at least a track fixed to the housing, extending from an area of the inlet to an area of the first space. With this arrangement, the guiding arrangement can comprise a movable carrier configured to carry the stack along the track into the housing. The movable carrier can be received in the first space along with the stack in its compressed state, and have an open upper portion for allowing the stack to expand thereon into the expansion space. The carrier can be engageable with the track so as to travel therealong and move the stack to the first space in the housing.
For the stack to change states from the compressed state to the expanded state, the releasing mechanism can be mountable with respect to the housing such that it can engage the compression arrangement when the entire stack is received within the first space, or as soon as at least a portion of the stack is received within the first space. In that way, the releasing of the compression arrangement occurs not before the housing walls prevent the stack from being expanded outside the housing. According to a particular example, movement of the stack from the stack inlet to the second space, under guidance of the guiding arrangement, induces engagement of the releasing mechanism with the compression arrangement, which in turn induces switching of the stack from the compressed state to the expanded state at the second space. The releasing arrangement can be disposed, for instance, along the track, or thereabove, in an area with which the compression arrangement engages during traveling of the stack through the inlet. Such relationship between the guiding arrangement and the releasing mechanism can facilitate insertion of the stack into the housing, and releasing of the compression arrangement to induce expansion of the stack within the housing, in a single stroke or in a small number of actions, which can be beneficial for all users to ease the use in the dispenser, yet particularly to users with disabilities that are unable to use both hands.
The track can be a single track or two or more tracks, which can be formed aligned with one another on opposite walls of the housing to assist in stabilizing the carrier. The carrier can be engageable with the tracks by means of locomotive configurations such as wheels, grooves, suspension rails, magnetic rails, and the like.
The guiding arrangement, and particularly the one or more tracks, can be arranged in a manner dictating a non-linear movement of the carrier, i.e., with the stack, into the housing, and particularly a zig zag movement in which the carrier, in its movement into the housing, is firstly brought towards one of the walls defining the inlet, and after brought away from that wall. Such arrangement can be beneficial when the releasing mechanism is disposed on that wall. The guiding arrangement may be configured to move the stack towards the releasing mechanism and away from the releasing mechanism while guiding the stack into the housing. When that wall is an upper wall of the housing, and the releasing mechanism is incorporated therein, the zig zag movement can facilitate controlled expansion of the stack towards that upper wall upon releasing of the releasing mechanism.
The guiding arrangement may comprise a plurality of protrusions on the carrier and a plurality of corresponding grooves in the inner surfaces of the side walls of the housing. The protrusions can be of different shapes and dimensions, and correspondingly, the grooves can be of different shape and dimensions. The protrusions are configured to be engaged with the grooves and travel therewithin. The non-linear path is created by the geometry and dimensions of the protrusions and the corresponding grooves.
The guiding mechanism may be a characteristic of the stack inlet that facilitates guiding of the stack into the housing. For instance, a shape of the stack inlet may correspond to the shape of the stack in the compressed state. The inlet may comprise a releasing mechanism near an inner periphery thereof, to engage with the compression arrangement when the stack is being introduced inside the housing through the inlet. The releasing mechanism restricts the movement of the compression arrangement, thereby results in change of the state of the stack to the expanded state in the second space inside the housing.
As per another embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure, a refillable dispenser comprises a housing, a releasing arrangement, and one or more compressing elements at the stack inlet. The compressing elements provides additional compression pressure to the already compressed stack while introducing the stack to the second space inside the housing, creating a space between the stack and the compression arrangement. The compressing elements may be a wheel, a polished protrusion, and the like.
The releasing mechanism, while introducing the stack from the stack inlet, can engage the compression arrangement via the created space such that the releasing mechanism forms grips over the compression arrangement and restricts the movement of the compression arrangement while the stack moves to the second space, thereby facilitating release of the compression arrangement from the stack and inducing switching of the stack to its expanded state.
The releasing mechanism may take the form of a sharp wedge or teeth to remove the compression arrangement by tearing or ripping.
The releasing mechanism may take the form of a hook, a grasping arm, or clasps to remove the compression arrangement as a whole.
Additionally, there may be different configuration for the releasing mechanism in the refillable dispenser of the present disclosure. As per one embodiment of a third aspect of the present disclosure, the front wall of the refillable dispenser comprises the releasing mechanism. The front wall can be configured to displace with respect to the housing to cover and uncover the stack inlet for introduction of the stack in the space defined by the housing. The releasing mechanism can be mounted to the front wall, such that during covering of the inlet by the front wall, the releasing mechanism engages the compression arrangement. The front wall can further comprise protrusions at a bottom portion thereof, the protrusions being configured to engage with corresponding grooves formed in the housing to facilitate displacement of the front wall.
The releasing mechanism can be provided at an inner surface of the front wall such that a downwards displacement of the front wall causes engagement of the releasing mechanism to a suitable portion of the compression arrangement of the stack. This action can release the compression arrangement, thereby inducing switching of the state of the stack from the compressed state to the expanded state, when the housing is closed, i.e., when the inlet is covered by the front wall.
The releasing mechanism may further include a pressure protrusion configured to engage with the compression arrangement so as to alter the elasticity thereof, thereby increasing the ease of engagement of the portion of the compression arrangement with the releasing mechanism.
The releasing mechanism may further be configured to engage with the compression arrangement at the bridging area of the compression arrangement.
As per another embodiment of the third aspect of the present disclosure, a refillable dispenser comprises a housing configured to accommodate a stack in the compressed state and the expanded state. The compression arrangement of the stack can comprise a relieve mechanism that may be partially attached to the uppermost sheet material of the stack.
The stack can be placed in the housing such that the relieve mechanism is accessible by a user and the user can apply a pulling force to the relieve mechanism in order to release the compression arrangement, thereby inducing switching of the stack from the compressed state to the expanded state. The releasing mechanism can be a pulling tab, a perforated ripping slit and/or a compressing sleeve with at least partially glued ends provided at a suitable portion of the stack. In such case, the housing can include a slit or an opening via which a user can reach the releasing mechanism and induce expansion of the stack within the housing.
A refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure can comprise a panel attached to the outer surface of the front wall. The panel may be generally parallel to the outer surface of the front wall and integrally attached to the front wall so as to be displaced along with the front wall. The panel can be attached to the outer surface in such a manner to provide a gap therebetween. The gap is arranged to allow sheet materials dispensed from the stack to pass therethrough and allow a user to access the sheet material by applying a downward force thereon.
A refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure can further comprise a mounting arrangement configured to facilitate mounting of the dispenser to an external element. The mounting arrangement can include mounting brackets, screw arrangement, Velcro mechanism, and hanging supports, i.e., cylindrical hanging supports suitable for hanging on a conventional toilet roll holder. Alternatively, the dispenser can be mountable on a flat surface, such as a tabletop, or to be coupled with a designated bracket.
A refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure can further comprise a peek-hole that allows a user to examine the contents inside the dispenser and evaluate how much sheet material is left therein.
A refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure can further comprise a stopping element rotatable about a hinge to prevent sheet material dropping back into the space of the housing while the sheet material is being dispensed out of the housing. The stopping element may be a telescopic arm, an arm having a substantially heavy weight, or an arm made of elastic material.
In a refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure, a platform for introducing the stack is integrated with a guiding arrangement.
A refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure can further include a port in the housing to remove the compression arrangement after the latter has been released from the stack, optionally due to engagement with the releasing mechanism.
A refillable dispenser according to the present disclosure can further include one or more provisions to increase hygienic conditions for a user utilizing the dispenser.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pack of sheet material for use with a refillable dispenser. The pack comprises:
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a kit comprising a refillable dispenser and at least one stack at its compressed state, the stack being held in the compressed state by a compression arrangement.
The kit can be usable in places where dispensing of sheet material is required for hygienic purposes, such as, in bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, medical clinics, in cosmetic applications, and logistical sites and the like.
The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the existing dispensing devices by eliminating the need of handling unwrapped sheets outside the dispenser and facilitating the expansion of the stack of sheet material in a designated space inside the dispenser. In addition, by using the compressed stack of sheet material with a dispenser according to the present invention, major environmental benefit such as reduced transportation emission is gained as compressed sheet material articles are used for hygiene and sanitary purposes which require less volume for transportation. Especially in a changing reality in which more sanitary paper is used at home by consumers, and ongoing COVID quarantines which increase the volume of last mile shipping.
A releasing mechanism enables more reliable and precise engagement for releasing the compression arrangement, which enables less material to be used to manufacture the compression arrangement, as undesired motions done by a user are mitigated by the incorporated mechanisms presently disclosed.
The present inventions enhances the handling of a relatively light and thin material such as a sanitary paper that demands more controlled motions and hand maneuverability from a user, as former inventions demanded from a more challenged parts of the population, such as elderly, people with disabilities and small children.
In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The housing 110 defines a space S therewithin to accommodate the stack 10, in a compressed state of the stack 10 as well as in an expanded state of the stack 10. An example of a stack of sheet material for use with the dispenser 100, and the compressed and the expanded states of the stack, is described below with reference to
In the expanded state of the stack 10, the stack 10 has a height H2, a width W2, and a length L2, which define a second volume V2 greater than the first volume V1 of the stack 10 in the compressed state. The second volume V2 may be greater than the first volume V1 because one or more of the dimensions of the stack in the expanded state are greater than those in the compressed state. In an example, the height H2 of the stack 10 in the expanded state is greater than the height H1 of the stack 10 in the compressed state, while the length L1, L2 and the width W1, W2 remain constant, so that the stack is expanding between the upper and lower walls of the housing, and optionally is being prevented from further expanding by the fixed distance between the upper and lower walls. As seen in
The compression arrangement 20 comprises two or more portions 22, 24, that are configured to be separated at least at one side thereof to facilitate release of the compression arrangement 20 from the stack 10. In an example, prior to the separation of the two or more portions 22, 24, i.e., when the stack 10 is held compressed to the first volume V1 by the compression arrangement 20, the two or more portions 22, 24 are connected directly with each other and are separated to facilitate release of the compression arrangement 20 from the stack 10. The compression arrangement 20 can optionally include a ripping area 28 at which the compression arrangement engages with a releasing mechanism to cause separation of the two or more portions 22, 24, thereby facilitating release of the compression arrangement 20 from the stack 10. The ripping area 28 can be provided at any suitable portion of the compression arrangement 20 that allows easy engagement with a releasing mechanism.
In another example, the two or more end portions 22, 24 are connected to a bridging area.
Whilst the example illustrated in
The folded sheet material 15 of the stack 10 comprise a single sheet folded in a zig-zag fold. In some examples, the folded strip can be constituted by single sheets of material folded one into the other in a pop-out arrangement. The folded sheets of material can be arranged to form the stack 10 in such a manner that one of the multiple sheets being dispensed from the dispenser 100 by a user makes the next sheet of the multiple sheets available to the user for dispensing. In an example, the stack 10 of sheet material can be one stack of a plurality of stacks to be used with the dispenser 100. In another example, the stack 10 of sheet material can form a part of a pack of sheet material for use with the dispenser 100. The pack can further comprise additional stacks of sheet material, each comprising sheet material in the form of a folded strip and each being held to a compressed state by a respective compression arrangement. Each of the stacks of the pack are configured to switch from the compressed state to an expanded state upon release of the respective compression arrangement therefrom, rendering the stack to switch from the compressed state to the expanded state.
Referring again to
The dispenser 100 comprises a releasing mechanism 150 configured to engage with the stack 10, particularly with the compression arrangement 20 of the stack 10. The engagement of the releasing mechanism 150 induces the switching of the stack 10 from its compressed state to the expanded state at the second space S2. As best seen in
The engagement of the releasing mechanism 150 with the compression arrangement 20 causes a tearing or ripping of the compression arrangement 20, thereby releasing the compression arrangement 20 from the stack 10. The ripping of the compression arrangement 20 is such that two or more portions of the compression arrangement 20 are separated at least at one side thereof, facilitating the release of the compression arrangement 20 from the stack 10.
When the stack 10 has switched to the expanded state, the folded sheet material forming the stack 10 reaches the top wall of the dispenser and is rendered available to a user for dispensing from the dispenser 100. The dispenser 100 comprises an outlet 120 configured to facilitate dispensing of the sheet material therethrough out from the housing 110 of the dispenser 100. The outlet 120 can be provided at a suitable location for ease of a user desiring to utilize the sheet material. The outlet 120 is disposed adjacent the expansion space SE of the housing 110 so that the folded sheets are easily dispensable when the stack 10 is in the expanded state thereof. The outlet 120 can be disposed, for instance, at a top wall and/or a front wall of the dispenser 100.
The dispenser 100 further comprises a stack inlet 130 configured to facilitate introduction of the stack 10 to space inside the housing 110, for instance, to the first space S1 and/or the second space S2. The stack inlet 130 is formed in the housing 110 of the dispenser 100. In some examples, the stack inlet 130 can be formed in one or more of the walls of the housing, the dimensions of the stack inlet 130 being sufficient to allow the stack 10 to pass therethrough for its introduction into the housing 110. In some examples, one or more walls of the housing 110 can be at least partially detached so as to create or expose the stack inlet 130 in the housing 110 for introduction of stack 10 into the housing 110. The stack 10 can be directly introduced into the first or second space of the housing 110 by a user through the stack inlet 130. Alternatively, a guiding arrangement (not shown) can be provided to the housing 110 so as to facilitate introduction of the stack 10 into the housing 110.
The dispenser 100 further comprises a mounting arrangement 140 configured to facilitate mounting of the dispenser 100 at a location where dispensing of the folded sheets from the stack 10 is desired. According to non-limiting examples, the mounting arrangement 140 can include mounting brackets, screw arrangement, Velcro mechanism, and hanging supports.
The carrier 214 is configured to hold the stack 10 and travel along the rails 212 so as to carry the stack 10 from the outside of the housing 110 into the housing 110. That is, the guiding arrangement 210 is configured to guide the stack as the stack 10 travels at least from the inlet of the housing 100 into the second space S2 of the housing 110. The carrier 214 is provided with a tray 216 to hold the stack 10 being placed thereon while moving over the rails 212.
In the embodiment of
The releasing mechanism 150 is disposed along the track 212 so that the movement of the stack 10 under guidance of the guiding arrangement 210, i.e., movement of the carrier 214 along the track 212, induces the engagement of the releasing mechanism 150 with the compression arrangement 20 of the stack 10. Such engagement results in ripping or tearing of the compression arrangement 20 thereby inducing switching of the stack 10 to the expanded state thereof. The releasing mechanism can be any sharp cutting means, such as sharp wedge or teeth and the like. It is appreciated that the releasing mechanism 150 can engage with any suitable portion of the compressing arrangement 20. The portion of the compression arrangement 20 that will engage with the releasing mechanism 150 is dependent on the guiding arrangement 210 that guides the stack 10 into the housing 110. Whilst in the present embodiment the releasing mechanism 150 is illustrated as being disposed at an inner surface of the side wall of the housing 110, it is appreciated that the releasing mechanism can be disposed at any other location along the track 212 so as to induce engagement thereof with the compression arrangement 20 of the stack 10.
The dispenser 300 comprises a housing 310 configured to accommodate the stack 10 in the compressed state and the expanded state of the stack 10. The housing comprises side walls 311, 312, a back wall 313, a top wall 316, and a base wall 317 (not visible in
The housing 310 comprises a peek-hole 324 that allows a user to examine the contents inside the housing 310. In some examples, the peek-hole 324 allows a user to examine a remaining volume of the stack 10 inside the housing 310 and/or a remaining amount of the folded sheet material constituting the stack 10 inside the housing 310. The housing 310 further comprises a mounting arrangement 314 (visible in
Attention is now directed to
The engagement of the releasing mechanism 350 with the compression arrangement releases the compression arrangement 20 from the stack 10 and induces switching of the stack 10 from the compressed state to the expanded state. As the compression arrangement 20 engages with the releasing mechanism 350 while the stack 10 is traveling into the housing 310 from the stack inlet 320, the switching of the stack 10 to the expanded state is induced at least partially inside the housing 310 to hold the uncompressed stack from scattering during insertion thereof into the housing. In particular, the compression arrangement can be released once a portion of the stack has been inserted into the pace S beyond an imaginary plane defined by the inlet, and particularly, beyond an imaginary plane defined by the edge of the upper wall disposed most proximal to the inlet. Such arrangement facilitates support for the stack in its expansion direction, i.e. upwards toward the upper wall.
The dispenser 310 includes a guiding arrangement 330 configured to guide the stack 10 from the stack inlet 320 into the housing 110. The guiding arrangement 330 is configured such that during traveling of the stack 10 from the stack inlet 320 into the housing 310, the compression arrangement 20 is brought into engagement with the releasing mechanism 350, thereby inducing the switching of the stack 10 from the compressed state to the expanded state.
The front wall 318 of the housing 310 includes an inner surface 318A facing the stack inlet 320, and an opposite outer surface 318B facing away from the stack inlet 320 of the housing 310. The guiding arrangement 330 includes a carrier 332 coupled to the inner surface 318A of the front wall 318, the carrier 332 being configured to hold the stack 10 thereon and move into the housing 310. The carrier 332 includes a base portion 324 that facilitate the carrier 332 to carry the stack 10 thereon. The carrier further includes surrounding portions 325, 326, and 327, that facilitates the carrier 332, in combination with the inner surface 318A of the front wall 318, to securely carry the stack 10 thereon.
The guiding arrangement further includes a pair of protrusions 340, 342 formed on the carrier 332 and engageable with corresponding grooves 344, 346 formed in the housing 310. The grooves 344, 346 are formed at inner surfaces 311A, 312A of the side walls 311, 312 and engage with the protrusions 340, 342 in a manner that allows the front wall 318 to cover and uncover the stack inlet 320 as desired. In some examples, the protrusions 340, 342 stay engaged with the corresponding grooves 344, 346 while the stack inlet 320 remains at least partially uncovered.
The protrusions 340, 342 and the grooves 344, 346 are configured such that the carrier 332 is guided into the housing 310 in a non-linear path. The movement along the non-linear path is achieved due to the geometry of the grooves 344, 346 and the protrusions 340, 342, whereby when a force is applied to the front wall 318 in order to move the stack 10 placed on the carrier 332 into the housing 310, the stack 10 is guided from the stack inlet 320 into the housing 310 in the non-linear path determined by the grooves 344, 346 and the protrusions 340, 342. During the movement of the stack 10 into the housing 110 from the stack inlet 320 along the non-linear path, the guiding arrangement 330 brings the stack 10 close to the releasing mechanism 350. As the movement continues, the releasing mechanism 350 engages with the compression arrangement 20 to induce switching of the stack 10. Thereafter, as the movement continues further along the linear path, the guiding arrangement 330 brings the stack 10 away from the releasing mechanism 350. The non-linear path is created by the geometry and dimensions of the protrusions 340, 342 and the corresponding grooves 344, 346. The dimension of the protrusion 340 is pre-determined to as to engage and move within the corresponding groove 344. Similarly, the dimension of the protrusion 342 is pre-determined to as to engage and move with the corresponding groove 346.
As seen in
The various stages from introducing the stack 10 into the housing 310 to dispensing of the sheet material will now be described with reference to
In
In
The dispenser 300 may include a mechanism to eliminate the possibility of one sheet material dropping back into the space S of the housing 310 while the sheet material is being dispensed out of the housing 310 via the outlet 322.
The telescopic arm 363 is switchable between a resting state in which the inner rod 364 is contained within the sleeve 365 and a deployed state in which the inner rod 364 is at least partially out of the sleeve 365 and in contact with an uppermost sheet material 15 of the stack 10. The uppermost sheet material may be, for instance, the sheet material of the stack 10 being dispensed out of the housing 310. The inner rod 364 is configured to be in contact, at a proximal end 364A thereof, with the uppermost sheet material of the stack 10 disposed within the housing 310.
The rotation of the telescopic arm 363 about the axis X is dependent on the dispensing of the sheet material out of the housing 310, i.e., by a reducing height of the stack 10 as the sheet material thereof is being dispensed through the outlet 322. When the stack 10 is at the maximum height, i.e., when sheet material is not yet dispensed, the telescopic arm 362 is at the resting state. The telescopic arm 362 is positioned at the inner surfaces of the side walls of the housing such that, in the resting state thereof, the telescopic arm 362 rests over at least a part of uppermost sheet material of the stack 10 inside the housing 310 when the stack 10 switches to its expanded state. In one example, the telescopic arm 362 in the resting state is generally parallel to the top and bottom walls of the housing. The telescopic arm 362 acts as a spring allowing a user to apply a pulling force on the uppermost sheet to dispense the uppermost sheet.
As the sheet material is being dispensed out through the outlet 322, the amount of the sheet material remaining inside the housing 310 reduces, thereby reducing the height of the stack 10 of the sheet material, and thus, an uppermost sheet material of the stack 10. The reduction in height creates a space between the telescopic arm 362 and an uppermost sheet material, allowing the telescopic arm 362 to rotate about the axis X due to gravitational force and switch to the deployed state. In the deployed state, an angle is created between the telescopic arm 362 and the top wall 316 of the housing 310. The created angle is greater than 0 degrees. It is understood that a maximum angle between the arm 362 and the top wall 316 is achieved when all the sheets of the stack has been utilized. In the deployed state, the inner rod 364 slides out of the sleeve 365, also under gravitational force, and the proximal end 364A of the rod 363 comes in contact with the uppermost sheet material of the stack 10.
The proximal end 364A in contact with the uppermost sheet material creates a light, reasonable pressure at the point of contact. The uppermost sheet being dispensed out of the outlet 322 is also in contact with the inner surface 318A of the front wall 318 adjacent the outlet 322. The uppermost sheet is dispensed by a user applying a pulling force thereto and the inner surface 318A applies a counter force on the uppermost sheet. Thus, a point of contact of the uppermost sheet with the inner surface 318A provides a resistance to the action of pulling out the sheet because of the amount of pressure of the inner rod 363 applied to the uppermost sheet. The resistance provided during the pulling action prevents failure in executing the dispensing action of the sheet by misuse or non-complete action of dispensing the sheet by a user.
In an example, a stopping element having a substantially heavy weight may be used which provides more resistance at the time of pulling of the sheet which results in placement of the sheet between the stopping element and a point of contact of the inner surface 318A, thereby preventing falling of the sheet outside and keeping the sheet inside the housing.
In another example, the rotatable telescopic arm may be replaced by a rotatable arm formed of an elastic material. The elasticity of the material forming the rotatable arm assists in preventing the uppermost sheet material from falling back into the housing by rotating and expanding as the height of the stack is decreasing due to the sheet materials being dispensed out of the housing. The rotatable arm can be made of, for instance, a plastic material.
The dispenser comprises a releasing mechanism 430 configured to engage with the compression arrangement 20 of the stack 10 as the stack 10 is being inserted into the housing 410. It is appreciated that the insertion of the stack 10 can be carried out manually by a user and/or a guiding arrangement can facilitate the insertion of the stack 10 into the housing 410. The releasing mechanism 430 is configured to engaged with the compression arrangement 20 such that the releasing mechanism 430 forms a grip over the compression arrangement 20 and restricts movement of the compression arrangement 20 farther while the stack 10 is being inserted into the housing 410. That is, upon engagement of the releasing mechanism 430 with the compression arrangement 20, the releasing mechanism 430 holds the compression arrangement 20 and prevents movement of the compression arrangement 20 into the housing 410 along with the stack 10, thereby facilitating release of the compression arrangement 20 from the stack 10 as a whole and inducing switching of the stack 10 to its expanded state.
The releasing mechanism 430 may take the form of a hook, a grasping arm, or clasps without departing from the scope of the invention. Whilst in the illustrated embodiment the releasing mechanism 430 is shown as being provided at an inner surface of the side wall, it is appreciated that an inner surface of the top and/or bottom wall of the housing along the direction of travel of the stack 10 into the housing can also be provided with a releasing mechanism in addition to or in place of the releasing mechanism 430. The dispenser 400 comprises a removing port 450 provided at a bottom wall 413 of the housing 410 that allows a user to remove the compression arrangement 20, that has been released from the stack 10, out from the space S of the housing 410.
The dispenser 400 further comprises a top compressing element 440 and a bottom compressing element 442 at the stack inlet 422. The compressing elements 440, 442 are configured to apply a pressure on the stack 10 while the stack 10 is being inserted into the housing 410, so as to further compress the stack 10 that is already in the compressed state thereof due to the compression arrangement 20. In one example, the compressing elements 440, 442 are configured to apply a pressure at a portion of the stack 10 that is to be inserted lastly into the housing 410, i.e., a portion of the stack 10 other than the portion which has already entered the housing 410. As the stack 10 in its compressed state is being inserted from the stack inlet 422 into the housing 410, the compressing elements 440, 442 apply a compression pressure on the stack 10, causing the stack 10 to be compressed further. As a result, a space is created between the sheet material of the stack 10 and the compression arrangement 20 holding the sheet material of the stack 10. The releasing mechanism 430 engages with the compression arrangement 20 via the created space and forms a firm grip therewith, thereby restricting any further movement of the compression arrangement 20 into the housing 410. The compression arrangement 20 is thus held in place and released from the stack 10 that travels further into the housing 410. The release of the compression arrangement 20 from the stack 10 induces the switching of the stack 10 from the compression state to the expanded state while being inserted into the housing 410.
In some example, prior to initiating insertion of the stack 10 into the housing 410, the stack 10 is oriented such that an imaginary plane passing through each portion the compression arrangement 20 is generally parallel to the stack inlet 422, enabling easy engagement of the releasing mechanism 430 with the compression arrangement 20. In some examples, the compressing elements 440, 442 may be a wheel or a polished protrusion and the like. Whilst the illustrated embodiment shows a top compressing element 440 and a bottom compressing element 442, it is appreciated that a single compressing element can be provide at the inlet without departing from the scope of the invention.
According to another embodiment, the guiding mechanisms described above can include a platform attached to the housing of the dispenser via a hinge (not shown), allowing a hinge-based insertion guiding of a stack of sheet material placed thereon into the housing of the dispenser. Such a platform can be utilized, for instance, in cases where the stack inlet is provided at the base of the housing. The hinge-based insertion with the platform will allow introduction of the stack into the housing through the stack inlet at the base of the housing.
According to another embodiment, the dispenser can include a platform for introducing a stack of sheet material placed thereon into the housing, the platform being integrated with a releasing mechanism. The platform can comprise a face of the housing and attached to the housing via a hinge. After the stack has been introduced into the housing under guidance of the platform, the releasing mechanism integrated with the platform is brought into engagement with the stack, thereby inducing switching of the stack to the expanded state thereof.
According to another embodiment, the guiding mechanism can be a characteristic of the stack inlet that assists a user in guiding a compressed stack into the housing of the dispenser. A shape of the stack inlet may correspond to the shape of the stack in the compressed state to allow insertion of the stack into the housing through the stack inlet. The stack inlet may be provided with the releasing mechanism, for instance at an inner periphery thereof, to restrict the movement of the compression arrangement of the stack. When the stack is being introduced inside the housing through the stack inlet, the compression arrangement engages with the releasing mechanism that restricts the movement of the compression arrangement further into the housing, thereby releasing the compression arrangement from the stack and inducing the change of state of the stack from the compressed state to the expanded state in the housing.
According to another embodiment, a wall of the dispenser can be integrated with a releasing mechanism, the wall being at least partially displaceable to allow introduction of a stack into the dispenser. The dispenser can additionally be configured to dispense sheet material from a top portion thereof while allowing a user to access the sheet material by applying a downward force thereon.
The dispenser 600 includes a housing 610 configured to accommodate the stack 10 in a compressed state and an expanded state of the stack 10. The housing 610 is defined by side walls 611, 612, a back wall 613, a front wall 614, a top wall 615 and a base wall 616 (not visible in
The front wall 614 of the housing 610 includes an inner surface 614A facing the stack inlet 620, and an opposite outer surface 614B facing away from the stack inlet 620 of the housing 610. The dispenser 600 comprises a panel 622 attached to the outer surface 614B of the front wall 614. The panel 622 may be generally parallel to the outer surface 614B of the front wall 614 and the panel 622 may be integrally attached to the front wall 614 so as to be displaced along with the front wall 614. The panel 622 is attached to the outer surface 614B in such a manner to provide a gap 625 therebetween. The gap 625 is arranged to allow sheet materials dispensed from the stack 10 to pass therethrough.
The dispenser 600 comprises an outlet 630 formed at a top portion of the housing 610, the outlet 630 being configured to facilitate sheet material to be dispensed out of the housing 610. The outlet 630 can be formed, for instance, in the top wall 615 of the housing 610. A portion of the front wall 614 adjacent the outlet 630 can be shaped so as to form a smooth surface, assisting the sheet material being dispensed through the outlet 630 to pass into the gap 625. The gap 625 acts as a guiding space to make the dispensed sheet available to a user from a bottom end of the gap 625, as best seen in
Attention is now directed to
The releasing mechanism 660 is provided at the inner surface 614A of the front wall 614. The releasing mechanism 660 is configured to engage with the compression arrangement 20 so as to release the compression arrangement 20 from the stack 10. The releasing mechanism 660 can engage with any suitable portion of the compressing arrangement 20 based on the manner in which the stack 10 is inserted into the housing 610. The engagement of the releasing mechanism 660 with the compression arrangement 20 induces switching of the stack 10 from the compressed state to the expanded state thereof. The front wall 614 is displaceable with respect to the housing 610, by means of the displacing arrangement 650. In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall 614 is slidable with respect to the housing 610. The displacement of the front wall 614 facilitates the engagement of the releasing mechanism 660 with the compression arrangement 20.
The displacement of the front wall 614 further facilitates covering and uncovering of the stack inlet 620. The displacing arrangement 650 comprises protrusions 652, 654 formed on the inner surface 614A of the front wall 614. The protrusions 652, 654 can be formed, for instance, at a bottom portion of the inner surface 614A. The protrusions 652, 654 are engageable with corresponding grooves 656, 658 formed in the housing 610. The grooves 656, 658 are formed at inner surfaces 611A, 612A of the side walls 611, 612 and engage with the protrusions 652, 654 in a manner that allows the front wall 614 to move with respect to the housing 610, thereby covering and uncovering the stack inlet 620 as desired. As shown in
The protrusions 652, 654 and the grooves 656, 658 are configured such that a downward displacement of the front wall 614 by the displacing arrangement 650 brings the releasing mechanism 660 close to the compression arrangement 20 of the stack 10, so as to allow easy engagement of the releasing mechanism 660 with the compression arrangement 20. As the downward displacement of the front wall continues, the releasing mechanism 660 induces switching of the stack 10 from the compressed state to the expanded state. The releasing mechanism 660 can include a pressure protrusion 670 configured to engage with the compression arrangement 20 so as to alter the elasticity of the compression arrangement 20. The pressure protrusion 670 may be formed of a smooth surface such that upon a downward displacement of the front wall 614, the pressure protrusion 670 applies a pressure on the compression arrangement 20. The engagement of the pressure protrusion 670 with the compression arrangement 20 alters the elasticity of the compression arrangement 20 such that a portion of the compression arrangement 20 corresponding to pressure protrusion 670 is lifted, thereby increasing the ease of engagement of a portion of the compression arrangement 20 with the releasing mechanism 660. Whilst the releasing mechanism 660 in
In some examples, the protrusions 652, 654 and the grooves 656, 658 stay engaged while the stack inlet 620 is uncovered and the stack 10 is introduced into the housing 610. The protrusions 652, 654 can be in engagement with respective top ends of the grooves 656, 658 while the stack 10 is introduced into the housing 610. In other examples, the protrusions 652, 654 can be disengaged from the grooves 656, 658 to completely detach the front wall 614 from the housing 610 and uncover the stack inlet 620.
As shown in
In an embodiment, the compression arrangement may be provided with a bridging area at which the compression arrangement engages with a releasing mechanism.
The releasing mechanism 660 is configured to engage with the compression arrangement 20 at the bridging area 26 so as to release the compression arrangement 20 from the stack 10. The engagement of the releasing mechanism 660 with the bridging area 26 induces switching of the stack 10 from the compressed state to the expanded state thereof. The front wall 614 is slidable with respect to the housing 610 and the displacement of the front wall 614 facilitates the engagement of the releasing mechanism 660 with the bridging area 26 of the compression arrangement 20.
The displacing arrangement 650 is configured such that a downward displacement of the front wall 614 by the displacing arrangement 650 brings the releasing mechanism 660 close to the bridging area 26, so as to allow easy engagement of the releasing mechanism 660 with the bridging area 26. As the downward displacement of the front wall 614 continues, the releasing mechanism 660 induces switching of the stack 10 from the compressed state to the expanded state. The pressure protrusion 670 of the releasing mechanism 660 is configured to engage with the compression arrangement 20 so as to alter the elasticity of the compression arrangement 20. The pressure protrusion 670 causes a portion of the compression arrangement 20 corresponding to the pressure protrusion 670 is lifted so that the ease of engagement of the bridging area 26 with the releasing mechanism 660 is increased.
According to an embodiment, the dispenser may further include additional space to store extra stacks of sheet materials for refilling the dispenser. Multiple compressed stacks can thus be inserted into the dispenser as replacement stacks while one operational stack is being utilized to provide sheet material for dispensing. The additional space may be configured in such a way that a replacement stack of sheet material can be provided in the space of the housing after a major amount of sheet material from the operational stack has been dispensed or when the space inside the housing is empty after an operational stack has been fully dispensed. The introduction of the replacement stack into the housing may be manual or automatic. For automatic replacement, the refillable dispenser may comprise a replacement mechanism to trigger the replacement automatically. The replacement mechanism may be triggered by considering any one of free space inside the housing, weight of a current stack of sheet material, time of a day and the like.
According to another embodiment, the stack may include a mechanism to release the compression arrangement from the stack. The mechanism can be arranged to be activated by a user with assistance from the dispenser. The user can interact with the mechanism to initiate the releasing of the compression arrangement from the stack. The user can interact with the mechanism when the stack is already disposed inside the dispenser or when the stack is being introduced into the dispenser.
In the illustrated embodiment, the stack 10 is held in the compressed state with help of the compression arrangement 20 comprising a releasing mechanism 30. The releasing mechanism 30 may take the form of a pulling tab. The releasing mechanism 30 may be at least partially attached to an uppermost sheet material of the stack 10, directly or indirectly, such that a pulling force applied to the releasing mechanism 30 facilitates switching of the stack 10 to the expanded state thereof, thereby allowing a user to dispense the sheet material from the dispenser 700. The stack 10 is disposed inside the housing 710 such that the releasing mechanism 30 is accessible by a user through the outlet 730 and the user can apply a pulling force to the releasing mechanism 30 so as to release the compression arrangement 20 from the stack 10. In one example, as a user pulls the releasing mechanism 30 through the outlet 730, the stack 10 is switched to the expanded state and the sheet material of the stack, for instance, the uppermost sheet material, is simultaneously pulled through the outlet, thus initiating the dispensing of the sheet material from the dispenser 700.
When a pulling force is applied to the releasing mechanism 30, the movement of the stack 10 in the direction of the pulling force is restrained within the space S by the housing 710, for instance, by the side walls 711, 712, the front wall 714 and the top wall 715. The restrained movement of the stack 10 within the space S allows easy release of the releasing mechanism 30, thereby activating the release of the compression arrangement 20 from the stack 10 and resulting in change of the state of the stack 10 from the compressed state to the expanded state.
Whilst in the present embodiment the releasing mechanism 30 is illustrated as a pulling tab, other non-limiting examples of such a releasing mechanism includes a perforated ripping slit and/or a compressing sleeve with at least partially glued ends provided at a suitable portion of the stack 10.
According to another embodiment, the refillable dispenser described in the present disclosure may additionally include one or more provisions to increase hygienic conditions for a user utilizing the dispenser.
The dispenser described in the present disclosure along with at least one stack may form part of a kit usable in places where dispensing of sheet material is required for hygienic purposes, such as, in a bathroom, kitchen, medical clinics, logistical site and the like. The stack forming the kit may be in the compressed state thereof. The at least one stack may switch to its expanded state after engagement with a releasing mechanism of the dispenser.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the refillable dispenser of the present disclosure can comprise a port in the housing to remove the compression arrangement that has been released from the stack after engagement with the releasing mechanism. One example of a port to remove a released compression arrangement is the removing port 450 provided to the dispenser 400, as illustrated in
It should be noted that the uses for the refillable dispenser of the present disclosure is not specific to particular area and the dispenser can be used in bathrooms, kitchens of a residence and different settings such as medical clinic, logistical site and the like, where it is important to maintain hygiene.
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IL2022/050142 | 2/2/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63144569 | Feb 2021 | US |
