Patent Application
20110297694
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a dispenser for inter-folded cloth sheets. More particularly, the invention is directed to a dispensing system including a floating top and a refill housing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Individual sheets are frequently dispensed from a stack of interfolded or C-folded sheets. A stack of sheets is generally dispensed from an enclosed dispenser provided with an elongate opening along a surface. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,594 shows an oblong dispenser including a flat stack of sheets formed into an arch-shaped folded stack. One section of the topmost sheet extends out of the opening to be grasped and dispensed by a user. Pulling the topmost sheet out of the box causes one section of the next paper towel to protrude from the opening. This method of “pop-up” sheet dispensing is convenient for many applications, since the next sheet is readily presented for quick access.
However, as the stack becomes smaller, a larger and larger gap is formed between the opening and the top of the stack, and the pop-up sheet dispensing feature can become unreliable. Frequently, a plastic element in fitted to the opening in an attempt to prevent the adjacent sheets from becoming disconnected from the topmost sheet. Unfortunately, disconnection still occurs frequently, and the user must reach through the opening to pull the next sheet from the box. Various attempts have been made to overcome this problem.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,860 shows a dispenser for inter-folded sheets that includes a cartridge with a stack of inter-folded food service sheets secured to a generally planar rectangular core. U.S. Pat. No. 3,145,840 shows a boxlike dispenser that has an upper section and a lower section that are severable. However, these dispensers are generally disposed after one use creating large amounts of waste, and there is either still a gap between the topmost sheet and the opening or it is easy to pull the top of the dispenser off when removing a sheet.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a re-usable dispenser that solves the problem of sheets falling to the bottom of the dispenser and remains in one piece when a sheet is removed.
The foregoing needs can be met with a dispenser according to the invention. In one example embodiment the dispenser includes a bottom housing. The bottom housing includes a base trim and a bottom sidewall extending away from the base trim. The bottom sidewall has a bottom sidewall height. The dispenser also includes a top housing. The top housing includes a top panel and a top sidewall extending from the top panel. The top side wall has a top sidewall height, and the top panel has a dispensing opening. The dispenser also includes a refill housing. The refill housing includes a refill base, a refill support extending away from the refill base, a refill sidewall extending away from the refill base, and a plurality of refill cloths. The refill cloths are formed into a generally U-shaped stack by folding a flat stack about a transverse fold axis. The U-shaped stack rests on the refill support, and the refill housing is nested within the bottom housing. The top panel of the top housing rests on a top of the U-shaped stack. The top housing is partially nested within the bottom housing such that the top housing moves relative to the bottom housing as the refill cloths are depleted.
In one form, the dispenser also includes a means for maintaining a connection between the bottom housing and the top housing. The means for maintaining a connection between the bottom housing and the top housing is a guide slot and a guide pin that travels in the guide slot. Either the guide track or the guide pin is located on an outer surface of the top sidewall, and the other of the guide track and the guide pin is located on the inner surface of the bottom sidewall.
In a second form, the dispenser may also include a groove and a tab. Either the groove or the tab is located on an outer surface of the top sidewall, and the other of the groove and the tab is located on the inner surface of the bottom sidewall. The grove and the tab extend in the direction of a longitudinal axis which extends along the bottom sidewall away from the base trim. The tab can slidably engage the groove as the top housing moves relative to the bottom housing.
In a third form, the dispenser can include a top trim and a flip top. The flip top includes a lid connected to a flange by a hinge. The flange is affixed to the top trim, and the flip top is dimensioned to seal an opening in the top trim.
In a fourth form, the top housing of the dispenser is transparent.
In a fifth form, the top sidewall height and the bottom sidewall height of the dispenser are such that the top housing rests on the base trim when the refill cloths are depleted.
In a sixth form, the dispenser is substantially rectangular.
In a seventh form, the dispenser is oblong.
In an eighth form, the refill support of the dispenser has a refill support height that is substantially equal to the bottom sidewall height.
In a ninth form, the bottom housing of the dispenser has an opening surrounded by the base trim and the refill housing is installed through the opening.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a dispenser including a bottom housing. The bottom housing includes a base trim and a bottom sidewall, which extends away from the base trim, The bottom sidewall has a bottom sidewall height. The dispenser also includes a top housing. The top housing has a top panel and a top sidewall, which extends away from the top panel and has a top sidewall height. The top panel has a dispensing opening. The dispenser also includes a refill housing. The refill housing includes a refill base, a refill support which extends away from the refill base, a refill sidewall which extends away from the refill base, and a plurality of refill cloths. The refill cloths are formed into a generally U-shaped stack by folding a flat stack about a transverse fold axis. The U-shaped stack rests on the refill support. The refill housing is nested within the bottom housing. The top panel of the top housing rests on a top of the U-shaped stack and the bottom housing is partially nested within the top housing such that the top housing moves relative to the bottom housing as the refill cloths are depleted.
In a second form, the dispenser may also include a groove and a tab. Either the groove or the tab is located on an inner surface of the top sidewall, and the other of the groove and the tab is located on the outer surface of the bottom sidewall. The grove and the tab extend in the direction of a longitudinal axis which extends along the bottom sidewall away from the base trim. The tab can slidably engage the groove as the top housing moves relative to the bottom housing.
In a third form, the dispenser can include a top trim and a flip top. The flip top includes a lid connected to a flange by a hinge. The flange is affixed to the top trim, and the flip top is dimensioned to seal an opening in the top trim.
In a fourth form, the top housing of the dispenser is transparent.
In a fifth form, the top sidewall height and the bottom sidewall height of the dispenser are such that the top housing rests on the base trim when the refill cloths are depleted.
In a sixth form, dispenser is substantially rectangular.
In a seventh form, the dispenser is oblong.
In an eighth form, the refill support of the dispenser has a refill support height that is substantially equal to the bottom sidewall height.
In a ninth form, the bottom housing of the dispenser has an opening surrounded by the base trim and the refill housing is installed through the opening.
In a third aspect, the invention provides a refill housing for installation in a holder of a dispenser. The refill housing includes a refill base, a refill support extending from the refill base, a refill sidewall extending from the refill base, and a plurality of refill cloths. The refill cloths are formed into a generally U-shaped stack by folding a flat stack about a transverse fold axis. The U-shaped stack rests on the refill support.
In a second form, the refill base of the refill housing includes a pair of spaced apart raised surfaces. Each raised surface supports an end of the U-shaped stack.
In a third form, the raised surfaces of the refill base are at least partially angled with respect to the refill base.
In a fourth form, the top of the U-shaped stack of refill cloths extends above a top edge of the refill sidewall.
In fifth form, the refill support has a refill support height and the refill sidewall has a refill sidewall height. The refill support height is substantially equal to the refill sidewall height.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the detailed description which follows. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Like reference numerals will be used to refer to like parts from Figure to Figure in the following description of the drawings.
The invention is described in detail below with reference to several embodiments. Such exemplification is for purposes of explanation and discussion only and is not intended to limit in any way the scope of the invention.
Looking at
As indicated in
As illustrated in more detail in
The top housing 60 is better illustrated in
In a preferred embodiment, the top panel 62 also includes a tab 68 for slidably engaging groove 26 on the bottom sidewall 22 as shown in greater detail in
Turning to
The refill housing 80 also includes a plurality of refill cloths 88. Preferably, the refill housing 80 includes 10-50 refill cloths 88; more preferably the refill housing 80 includes 20-40 refill cloths 88; and most preferably the refill housing 80 includes 30 refill cloths 88. The refill cloths 88 may be arranged such that the individual cloths are V-folded, W-folded, or Z-folded.
In order to create a V-folded stack, the individual sheets are folded into two panels and interlocked such that a portion of the leading panel of the next sheet in a flat stack is positioned between the two panels of the preceding sheet. This configuration enables pop-up because withdrawing one sheet from the dispenser pulls at least a portion of the next sheet out of the dispenser.
In order to create a Z-folded stack, individual sheets are folded into three panels and interlocked such that a portion of a leading panel of the next sheet in a flat stack is positioned between a center panel and a trailing panel of the preceding sheet. The configuration causes the withdrawal of one sheet from a dispenser to pull at least a portion of the next sheet out of the dispenser for easier access to the next sheet. In order to provide for more controlled dispensing of a cloth, such as the predictable consistent delivery of a horseshoe-shaped cloth from the first to the last cloth, certain Z-folded stacks are beneficial. For example, it is preferred that the leading panel of the folded stack have a width that is 1% to 95% of the width of the center panel of the folded stack, and that the trailing panel of the folded stack have a width that is 1% to 100% of the width of the center panel of the folded stack. Preferably, the leading panel of the folded stack has a width that is 10% to 60% of the width of the center panel of the folded stack; and more preferably, the leading panel of the folded stack has a width that is 20% to 40% of the width of the center panel of the folded stack. In one non-limiting form, the leading panel of the folded stack has a width that is 30% of the width of the center panel of the folded stack.
W-folded stacks are created by folding individual sheets into four panels and positioning the leading panel and a first center panel of a subsequent sheet between a second center panel and a trailing panel of the preceding sheet. This interlocked position can provide more reliable pop-up dispensing because more surface area of the sheets is in contact to prevent fallback into the dispenser when the dispenser is nearly empty.
Turning now to
The dispenser 10 is constructed by inserting the refill housing 80 into an opening in the bottom of the bottom housing 20, so that the refill housing 80 is nested within the bottom housing 20. The top housing 60 is placed on top of the refill housing 80 such that the underside (not shown) of the top panel 62 rests on the topmost refill cloth. The flip top lid 40 is then placed on the top edge of the bottom sidewall 22 such that it covers the top housing 60.
Turning now to
The bottom housing 120 includes a base trim 124 and a bottom sidewall 122. In a preferred embodiment, both the base trim 124 and the bottom sidewall 122 are substantially rectangular in shape, however, it is contemplated that the base trim 124 and the bottom sidewall 122 could be other shapes such as oblong. The base trim 124 is designed to fit snugly around the bottom edge of the bottom sidewall 122. The bottom sidewall 122 may include a groove 126 extending downward from the top edge of the bottom sidewall 122 for aiding positioning of the other sections of the dispenser. The groove 126 may be located on the surface of the bottom sidewall 122 or the groove 126 may be an opening in the bottom sidewall 122 as shown in
The top housing 160 includes a top panel 162 and a top sidewall 164. In a preferred embodiment, the top panel 162 and the top sidewall 164 are substantially rectangular in shape, however, it is contemplated that the top panel 162 and the top sidewall 164 could be other shapes such as oblong. The top panel 162 and the top sidewall 164 are preferably substantially the same shape as the base trim 124 and the bottom sidewall 122. In a preferred embodiment, the top sidewall 164 is dimensioned such that it can fit inside of the bottom sidewall 122, however, the top sidewall 164 may also be dimensioned such that the bottom sidewall 122 fits inside the top sidewall 164. The top panel 162 includes an opening 166. In a preferred embodiment, the top panel 162 also includes a tab 168 for slidably engaging groove 126 on the bottom sidewall 122.
The refill housing of the embodiment of
The dispenser 110 is constructed by inserting the refill housing into an opening in the bottom of the bottom housing 120, so that the refill housing is nested within the bottom housing 120. The top housing 160 is placed on top of the refill housing as in the embodiment of
Turning now to
The bottom housing 220 includes a base trim 224 and a bottom sidewall 222. In a preferred embodiment, both the base trim 224 and the bottom sidewall 222 are substantially rectangular in shape, however, the base trim 224 and the bottom sidewall 222 could be other shapes such as oblong. The base trim 224 is designed to fit snugly around the bottom edge of the bottom sidewall 222. The bottom sidewall 222 may include a guide slot 228 extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis along the bottom sidewall 222 away from the base trim 224 for aiding positioning of the other sections of the dispenser. The guide slot 228 may be located on the surface of the bottom sidewall 222 or the guide slot 228 may be an opening in the bottom sidewall 222 as shown in
The top housing 260 includes a top panel 262, a top sidewall 264, and a top trim 242. In a preferred embodiment, the top panel 262 and the top sidewall 264 are substantially rectangular in shape, however, the top panel 262 and the top sidewall 264 could be other shapes such as oblong. The top panel 262 and the top sidewall 264 are preferably substantially the same shape as the base trim 224 and the bottom sidewall 222. In a preferred embodiment, the top sidewall 264 is dimensioned such that it can fit inside of the bottom sidewall 222, however, the top sidewall 264 may also be dimensioned such that the bottom sidewall 222 fits inside the top sidewall 264. The top panel 262 includes an opening 266. In a preferred embodiment, the top panel 262 also includes a guide pin 270 for slidably engaging guide slot 228 on the bottom sidewall 222. The guide pin 270 may be movable inward for releasing the top housing 260 from the bottom housing 220. In one non-limiting example form, the top housing 260 weighs 5 to 5000 grams.
The guide pin 270 could be located on either the bottom sidewall 222 or the top sidewall 264. The guide slot 228 is then located on the other of the bottom sidewall 222 or the top sidewall 264. If the top sidewall 264 is dimensioned such that it can fit inside of the bottom sidewall 222, the guide pin 270 is located on either the inner surface of the bottom sidewall 222 or the outer surface of the top sidewall 264. If the top sidewall 264 is dimensioned such that the bottom sidewall 222 can fit inside of the top sidewall 264, the guide slot 228 is located on either the outer surface of the bottom sidewall 222 or the inner surface of the top sidewall 264.
As shown in
The dispenser 210 is constructed by inserting the refill housing 280 into an opening in the bottom of the bottom housing 220, so that the refill housing 280 is nested within the bottom housing 220. The top housing 260 is connected to the bottom housing 220 by means of securing the guide pin 270 in the guide slot 228 of the bottom sidewall 222. The top housing is positioned on top of the refill housing 280 such that the underside (not shown) of the top panel 262 rests on the topmost refill cloth 288. Preferably, the underside of the top panel 262 is smooth, and may be flat or curved.
Looking at
It is also preferred that the topmost refill cloth 288 and the underside of the top panel 262 have a contact area of 1% to 90% of the area of the underside of the top panel 262.
More preferably, the topmost refill cloth 288 and the underside of the top panel 262 have a contact area of 1% to 70% of the area of the underside of the top panel 262; more preferably, the topmost refill cloth 288 and the underside of the top panel 262 have a contact area of 5% to 50% of the area of the underside of the top panel 262; and even more preferably, the topmost refill cloth 288 and the underside of the top panel 262 have a contact area of 5% to 25% of the area of the underside of the top panel 262. These contact areas provide for more controlled dispensing of a cloth, such as the predictable consistent delivery of a horseshoe-shaped cloth from the first to the last cloth.
Still referring to
Turning now to
Referring now to
Still referring to
Having described the construction of example embodiments of dispensers 10, 110, 210 for dispensing refill cloths 88, 188, 288, the operation of the dispensers 10, 110, 210 can now be described. A significant problem with many conventional dispensers is that the sheets fall into the dispenser causing the user to have to reach into the dispenser to get a new sheet. Additionally, most conventional dispensers are designed for only one use, which creates a large amount of waste. The dispensers 10, 110, 210 of the present invention solve both of these problems.
With regards to the first embodiment described above, the dispenser 10 is ready for use after it has been assembled. A user can withdraw a refill cloth 88 by pressing the button 54 to open the flip top 44. When the button 54 is pressed, the latch 52 releases the catch 50 and the flip top 44 opens. The tab 68 on the top sidewall 64 is slidably engaged with the groove 26 on the bottom sidewall 22 such that the top housing 60 slides down into the bottom housing 20 until it rests on the top sheet of the refill cloths 88. When a user removes a refill cloth 88 from the dispenser 19, the top housing 60 slides down into the bottom housing 20. As the refill cloths 88 are depleted, the top housing 60 continues to slide down further into the bottom housing 20 until the bottom edge of the top housing 60 meets the refill base 82 or the underside of the top panel 62 meets the refill support 86. This effectively solves the problem of fall back into the dispenser because the top refill cloth 88 always touches the opening 66 in the top panel 62. This provides easy access to the refill cloths 88.
When the refill cloths 88 are depleted, the refill housing 80 is removed from the opening in the bottom of the bottom housing 20. A new refill housing 80 can then be inserted into the bottom of the bottom housing 20 for continued use with less waste than disposing of the entire dispenser 10.
With respect to the second embodiment described above, the dispenser 110 operates in the same manner, except it does not include a flip top 44. The tab 168 on the top sidewall 164 is slidably engaged with the groove 126 on the bottom sidewall 122 such that the top housing 160 slides down into the bottom housing 120 until it rests on the top sheet of the refill cloths 188. As the refill cloths 188 are depleted, the top housing 160 continues to slide down further into the bottom housing 120 until the bottom edge of the top housing 160 meets the refill base or the underside of the top panel 162 meets the refill support.
In a different embodiment, the top housing 60 is dimensioned such that the bottom sidewall 22 fits inside the top sidewall 64. In this embodiment, the tab 68 on the top sidewall 64 is slidably engaged with the groove 26 on the bottom sidewall 22 such that the top housing 60 slides down around the bottom housing 20 until it rests on the top sheet of the refill cloths 88. As the refill cloths 88 are depleted, the top housing 60 continues to slide down further around the bottom housing 20 until the bottom edge of the top housing 60 meets the base trim 24 or the underside of the top panel meets the refill support 86 or the top edge of the bottom sidewall 22. When the dispenser 10 is dimensioned such that the bottom edge of the top housing 60 meets the base trim 24, the base trim 24 provides a lip around the bottom of the dispenser 10 that facilitates the lifting of the top housing 60 when the refill housing 80 is replaced. The base trim 24 allows a user to firmly grasp the bottom housing 20 while lifting the top housing 60 rather than struggling to separate the bottom housing 20 from the top housing 60.
In the third embodiment described above, the dispenser 210 includes a guide slot 228 located in the bottom sidewall 222 and a guide pin 270 located on the outer surface of the top sidewall 264. The dispenser 210 is constructed such that the guide pin 270 fits in the guide slot 228 to control the position of the top housing 260 with respect to the bottom housing 220. The guide pin 270 on the top sidewall 264 is slidably engaged with the guide slot 228 on the bottom sidewall 222 such that the top housing 260 slides down into the bottom housing 220 until it rests on the top sheet of the refill cloths 288. As the refill cloths 288 are depleted, the top housing 260 continues to slide down further into the bottom housing 220 until the bottom edge of the top housing 260 meets the refill base 282, the underside of the top panel 262 meets the refill support 286, the guide pin 270 reaches the bottom of the guide slot 228, or the top trim 242 meets the top edge of the bottom sidewall 222. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the guide slot 228 is such that it does not inhibit movement of the guide pin 270 before the bottom edge of the top housing 260 meets the refill base 282 or the underside of the top panel 262 meets the refill support 286. The inclusion of a guide pin 270 and a guide slot 228 in this embodiment of the dispenser 210 also prevents removal of the top housing 260 from the bottom housing 220 as the guide pin 270 will stop at the top edge 299 of the guide slot 228.
Any of the dispensers 10, 110, 210 can be manufactured to provide for controlled dispensing forces. For example, refill cloth 288 dispensing forces of 10% to 90% of the weight of the fully loaded dispensers 10, 110, 210 are preferred, with 20% to 80% being more preferred, and with 30% to 60% being more preferred.
Thus, the invention provides dispensers that allow for one handed, consistent and uniform delivery from the first to the last refill cloth.
Certain embodiments of the invention has been described in considerable detail. Many modifications and variations to the described embodiments are possible.
Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the embodiments described.
