Dispensing Apparatus

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus for holding and dispensing sheets containing a benefit composition. The dispensing apparatus includes a housing having a longitudinal axis, a base component having a dispensing slot, and a lid component coupled to the base component to define a storage cavity. A stack of sheets is positioned in the storage cavity and oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A dispensing member is configured to dispense a lowermost sheet from the stack. The lid component is alterable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position by applying a downward axial force onto the lid component relative to the base component during which the lid component engages the dispensing member and the dispensing member engages the lowermost sheet from the stack of sheets to dispense the lowermost sheet through the dispensing slot.

Description

BACKGROUND

There is an increased desire to be able to carry hand soap or hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Furthermore, many people and companies are concerned about climate change and looking to find ways to minimize plastic use or make such plastic easier to reuse. For purposes of hand washing, soap sheets have been around for some time. Such soap sheets include a thin film or other carrier substrate made from a water soluble material with a soap substance or emulsion embedded therein or coated thereon. During use, the film turns to soap and the entire product dissolves in the water, leaving no waste. However, dispensers for such soap sheets that are currently available in the market require the user to grip the sheets one by one, which can result in contamination of additional sheets that are not intended to be used at that time. Thus, a need exists for an adequate soap sheet dispenser that can dispense the soap sheets one at a time.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a dispensing apparatus for holding and dispensing soap sheets. A dispensing apparatus for holding and dispensing sheets containing a benefit composition. The dispensing apparatus includes a housing having a longitudinal axis, a base component having a dispensing slot, and a lid component coupled to the base component to define a storage cavity. A stack of sheets is positioned in the storage cavity and oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A dispensing member is configured to dispense a lowermost sheet from the stack. The lid component is alterable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position by applying a downward axial force onto the lid component relative to the base component during which the lid component engages the dispensing member and the dispensing member engages the lowermost sheet from the stack of sheets to dispense the lowermost sheet through the dispensing slot.

In one aspect, the invention may be a dispensing apparatus comprising: a housing assembly comprising: a longitudinal axis: a base component comprising a dispensing slot; and a lid component coupled to the base component to define a storage cavity, the lid component comprising an engagement edge; a stack of sheets containing a benefit composition positioned in the storage cavity, each of the sheets in the stack being oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing assembly; and a dispensing member; wherein the lid component is alterable from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position by applying a downward axial force onto the lid component relative to the base component during which the engagement edge of the lid component contacts the dispensing member and moves the dispensing member from a first position to a second position, the dispensing member engaging a lowermost sheet from the stack of sheets to dispense the lowermost sheet through the dispensing slot as the dispensing member moves from the first position to the second position.

In another aspect, the invention may be a dispensing apparatus comprising: a housing assembly comprising: a base component comprising a dispensing slot; and a lid component coupled to the base component to define a storage cavity, the lid component comprising an engagement feature; a stack of sheets containing a benefit composition positioned in the storage cavity; and a dispensing member; wherein the lid component is alterable from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position during which the engagement feature of the lid component engages the dispensing member and causes the dispensing member to dispense a lowermost sheet of the stack of sheets through the dispensing slot.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a dispensing apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a dispensing state;

FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a dispensing apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 9 in a dispensing state;

FIG. 11 is an exploded front perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing apparatus in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dispensing apparatus 100 will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dispensing apparatus 100 comprises a housing assembly 110 that extends from a bottom end 111 to a top end 112 along a longitudinal axis A-A. The housing assembly 110 comprises a base component 120 and a lid component 150. The lid component 150 is coupled to the base component 120. The lid component 150 may be slidably or otherwise movably coupled to the base component 120. In some embodiments, the lid component 150 may be detachably coupled to the base component 120 to gain access to an interior of the housing assembly 110 for purposes of replacing its contents after depletion thereof.

The base component 120 comprises a dispensing slot 121 that is elongated in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A of the housing 100. The dispensing slot 121 is configured to enable a sheet 50 that is stored in the housing 100 to be dispensed therethrough for use by a user. The lid component 150 may be movable relative to the base component 120 between a non-dispensing position shown in FIG. 1 and a dispensing position shown in FIG. 2. The lid component 150 may be altered from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position by applying a downward axial force onto the lid component 150 relative to the base component 120. Thus, with the base component 120 resting atop of a support surface such as a desk, a countertop, a floor, or the like, a user can apply a downward force onto the lid component 150 to alter the lid component 150 into the dispensing position. Altering the lid component 150 from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position causes the dispensing apparatus 100 to dispense one of the sheets 50 through the dispensing slot 121.

FIG. 2 illustrates the lid component 150 having been altered into the dispensing position and also illustrates one of the sheets 50 being dispensed through the dispensing slot 121. The lid component 150 may be biased into its non-dispensing position, such that upon a user releasing the downward axial force on the lid component 150 relative to the base component 120, the lid component 150 is automatically transitioned back from the dispensing position to the non-dispensing position. The details of how the dispensing and biasing is achieved will be described in greater detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the dispensing apparatus 100 and its components will be described in greater detail. The lid component 150 may comprise a top wall 151, a front wall 152 extending from the top wall 151 to a front distal edge 153, a rear wall 154 extending from the top wall 151 to a rear distal edge 155, a first side wall 156 that extends from the top wall 151 to a first side distal edge 157, and a second side wall 158 that extends from the top wall 151 to a second side distal edge 159. The front wall 152, the rear wall 154, the first side wall 156, and the second side wall 158 are all connected together and collectively form an interior cavity with the top wall 151.

The first and second side distal edges 157, 159 are angled relative to the longitudinal axis A-A. That is, the first and second side distal edges 157, 159 are angled downwardly moving from the front wall 152 to the rear wall 154, such that the rear wall 154 has a greater length than the front wall 152. The first and second side distal edges 157, 159 may form an engagement feature of the lid component 150 that engages an engagement member 200 and causes the engagement member 200 to move during actuation of the dispensing apparatus 100, as described in greater detail below. In other embodiments, the lid component 150 may include other features, such as protrusions, tabs, arms, or the like that form the engagement feature which contacts/engages the engagement member 200 to move the engagement member 200 as the lid component 150 is altered from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position. In the exemplified embodiment, the angled nature of the first and second side distal edges 157, 159 enables the lid component 150 to engage the dispensing member 200 and cause the dispensing member 200 to move and dispense one of the sheets 50.

The base component 120 comprises an inner surface 122 that defines a cavity 123. The base component 120 and the lid component 150 may together define a storage cavity 145. A stack 60 of the sheets 50 may be positioned in the storage cavity 145 (see FIG. 6). The sheets 50 may comprise a dissolvable substrate containing a benefit composition, which may be soap sheets in some embodiments. The sheets may be formed from a material that dissolves when wetted for use. The sheets may be one-time use in that they dissolve entirely in a single use. The sheets may contain a benefit composition, which may be any composition designed to benefit a user during use. For example, the benefit composition may be soap, cleaning solution, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, dish soap, hand soap, laundry detergent, or the like. The sheets may comprise a paper substrate that dissolves in water, or a substrate formed of any other material that readily dissolves in water such that the entirety of the sheets including the substrate and the benefit composition contained thereon dissolves during use thereof. The sheets 50 may be formed entirely from the benefit composition in some embodiments, meaning there may be no substrate on which the benefit composition is provide. Rather, the benefit composition may itself form a body having a shape and a thickness which forms a sheet that can be stacked with other sheets to form the stack 60 shown and described herein. Moreover while sheets such as soap sheets may be held and dispensed by the dispensing apparatus 100 in certain embodiment, it should be appreciated that various different types of sheet-like articles may be dispensed in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the sheets 50 may comprise a film formed from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) which contains the benefit composition. Such a film may be fast dissolving and may generate abundant, creamy foam which may be desirable when the benefit composition is soap such as a hand soap. In one embodiment, the sheets may comprise a PVA film, surfactants which may expand the polymer chain by forming micelle, and emollient binders and fragrances.

In the exemplified embodiment, each of the sheets 50 has a rectangular shape. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the sheets may take on other shapes including square, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or the like. In some embodiments, it may be preferable that the sheets 50 have a linear edge that at least forms a rear edge of the sheet 50 to facilitate engagement between the engagement member 200 and the sheet 50 during dispensing as described herein. As used herein, the terms engage and engagement refer to a situation where one part or feature contacts another part or feature. Such contact may be direct or indirect unless the same is specified. Indirect engagement may occur when a first part contacts an intermediary part, which in turn engages a second part. In such situations the first part may engage the second part, albeit indirectly.

The cavity 123 of the base component 120 may have an open top end that is closed by the lid component 150 when the lid component 150 is coupled to the base component 120. The interior of the lid component 150 in combination with the cavity 123 of the base component 120 forms the storage cavity 145. As mentioned previously, the lid component 150 may be configured to be detachable from the base component 120 so that the soap sheets 50 can be replenished once they are depleted. That is, a user may be able to detach the lid component 150 from the base component 120 to expose the storage cavity 145 so that additional sheets 50 may be placed therein for later dispensing and use. The dispensing slot 121 forms a passageway between the storage cavity 145 and the ambient environment exterior to the storage cavity 145.

The base component 120 comprises a floor portion 124. When the stack 60 of the soap sheets 50 is positioned within the storage cavity 123, a lowermost sheet 51 of the stack 60 is positioned in direct contact with the floor portion 124. The base component 120 comprises a front surface 125, a rear surface 126, a first side surface 127, and a second side surface 128. The floor portion 124 is oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis A-A of the housing assembly 100. More specifically, the floor portion 124 is angled downwardly moving from the rear surface 126 towards the front surface 125. The dispensing slot 121 is formed into the front surface 125 of the base component 120.

When the lid component 150 is coupled to the base component 120, the front surfaces 125, 153 face the same direction and the rear surfaces 126, 155 face the same direction. Thus because the first and second distal edges 157, 159 are angled downwardly in a direction from the front surface 152 to the rear surface 154 and the floor portion 124 of the base component 120 is angled downwardly in a direction from the rear surface 126 to the front surface 125, the first and second distal edges 157, 159 are angled downwardly in the opposite direction of the floor portion 124. This allows the first and second distal edges 157, 159 to form the engagement feature which drives the engagement member 200 downwardly along the floor portion 124 during a dispensing operation.

The floor portion 124 is positioned within the cavity 123 in an elevated manner such that the floor portion 124 is not positioned at the very bottom of the cavity 123. Thus, the floor portion 124 divides the cavity 123 into an upper cavity portion 129 and a lower cavity portion 130. The upper cavity portion 129 is located between the floor portion 124 and the top end of the base component 120 and the lower cavity portion 130 is located between the floor portion 124 and a bottom end of the base component 120. The floor portion 124 comprises at least one aperture 131 extending therethrough such that the aperture 131 forms a passageway through the floor portion 124 from the upper cavity portion 129 to the lower cavity portion 130. In the exemplified embodiment, there are a plurality of the apertures 131, although there may just be one of the apertures 131 in some embodiments. The apertures 131 are elongated in a direction moving from the rear surface 126 of the base component 120 towards the front surface 125 of the base component.

The base member 120 may comprise vertically oriented slots 140 within which the side walls 156, 158 of the lid component 150 nest. Moreover the floor portion 124 may comprise first and second edge portions that are spaced apart from the inner surface 122 of the base component 120 by a gap 141. As the lid component 150 is altered from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position, the side walls 156, 158 of the lid component 150 may extend into and through the gap 141.

As mentioned above, the dispensing apparatus 100 also comprises a dispensing member 200. The dispensing member 200 is engaged by the lid component 120 during a dispensing operation, and the dispensing member 200 in turn engages the lowermost sheet 51 in the stack 60 to drive it through the dispensing slot 121. In the exemplified embodiment, the dispensing member 200 is elongated in a direction extending between the first and second sides 127, 128 of the base component 120 when positioned thereon. The dispensing member 200 comprises a main body portion 201 and an engagement portion 202. The main body portion 201 comprises a top surface 203, and a bottom surface 204 opposite the top surface 203. The main body portion 201 comprises a first lateral side 205 and a second lateral side 206, and the main body portion 201 is elongated between the first and second lateral sides 205. Furthermore, the main body portion 201 comprises a first sloped portion 207 that extends between the top and bottom surfaces 203, 204 adjacent the first lateral side 205 and a second sloped portion 208 that extends between the top and bottom surfaces 203, 204 adjacent to the second lateral side 206. When the dispensing apparatus 100 is assembled, the first side distal edge 157 of the lid component 150 engages the first sloped portion 207 and the second side distal edge 159 of the lid component 150 engages the second sloped portion 208, which enables the lid component 150 to force the dispensing member 200 to move as the lid component 150 is altered from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position. This will be described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5-8.

In the exemplified embodiment, the engagement portion 202 comprises a plurality of tabs 223 that protrude from the upper surface 203 of the main body portion 201. When the dispensing member 200 is positioned in the storage cavity 123 of the base component 120, the main body portion 201 is located within the lower cavity portion 130 and the engagement portion 202 (i.e., the tabs 223) extends through the apertures 131 in the floor portion 124 and into the upper cavity portion 129. In the exemplified embodiment, there are three of the tabs 223, and hence also three of the apertures 131, although more or less tabs 223 and apertures 131 could be used in other embodiments. While the tabs 223 extend into the upper cavity portion 129 of the storage cavity 123, the tabs 223 only extend a very slight distance into the upper cavity portion 129 which is equal to or less than a thickness of the lowermost sheet 51 of the stack 60. As a result, when the dispensing member 200 is made to move within the storage cavity 123 as the lid component 150 is altered from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position, the tabs 223 of the engagement portion 202 will only engage the lowermost sheet 51 and cause it to be dispensed through the dispensing slot 121.

The dispensing apparatus 100 may further comprises a support member 300 that is positioned within the lower cavity portion 130 of the storage cavity 123. The support member 300 has a sloped upper surface 301 which is sloped downwardly in the same direction as the floor portion 124. However, when the dispensing apparatus 100 is assembled, the sloped upper surface 301 of the support member 300 is spaced apart from the floor portion 124 by a gap. The dispensing member 200 may be positioned atop of the sloped upper surface 301 of the support member 300 in the gap between the sloped upper surface 301 of the support member 300 and the floor portion 124.

The support member 300 may further comprises a pocket 302 within which a spring member 350 is located. The pocket 302 may have a clip member 303 for holding the spring member 350 therein. In the exemplified embodiment, the spring member 350 is a spiral spring. Moreover, when assembled the spring member 350 is operably coupled to the dispensing member 200 to bias the dispensing member 200 and the lid component 150 into their respective non-dispensing positions.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the dispensing apparatus 100 with the lid component 150 in the non-dispensing position. As best seen in FIG. 5, the first side distal edge 157 of the first side wall 156 of the lid component 150 is in contact/engagement with the first sloped portion 207 of the dispensing member 200. Moreover, as best seen in FIG. 6, the dispensing member 200 is located in the gap between the sloped top surface 301 of the support member 300 and the floor portion 124, with the engagement feature 202 (i.e., the tabs 223) of the dispensing member 200 extending through the aperture 131 in the floor. The storage cavity 145 has a rear portion 135 that is located between rear edges 52 of the soap sheets 50 and the lid component 150. In the non-dispensing position, the engagement feature 202 (i.e., the tabs 223) of the dispensing member 200 is located in the rear portion 135 of the storage cavity 123. Moreover, in the non-dispensing position the dispensing member 200 does not contact any of the sheets 50. In other embodiments, the dispensing member 200 may contact the lowermost sheet 51 even when in the non-dispensing position.

In the exemplified embodiment, the spring member 350 is coupled to the dispensing member 200 via a fastener 360 (e.g., a screw). However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments, and the fastener 360 may be omitted and other features may be used to couple the spring member 350 to the dispensing member 200 (such as the dispensing member 200 including a post that extends through an aperture in the spring member 300 instead of the fastener 260).

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the dispensing apparatus 100 is illustrated with the lid component 150 in the dispensing position. To alter the lid component 150 from the non-dispensing position (FIGS. 5 and 6) to the dispensing position (FIGS. 7 and 8), a downward axial force F is applied onto the lid component 150 relative to the base component 120 in a direction of the longitudinal axis A-A. This forces the lid component 150 to move downwardly relative to the base component 120. As the lid component moves downwardly 150, the contact between the first distal side edge 157 of the first side wall 156 and the first sloped portion 207 of the dispensing member 200 (and the second distal side edge 159 of the second side wall 158 and the second sloped portion 208 of the dispensing member 200, although not visible in the provided view) forces the dispensing member 200 to move from a first position where the dispensing member 200 is located along or adjacent to a rear of the storage cavity 123 to a second position where the dispensing member 200 is located along or adjacent to a front of the storage cavity 123. The dispensing member 200 slides along the distal edges 157, 159 from a position adjacent to the rear wall 154 (i.e., the first position) to a position adjacent to the front wall 152 (i.e., the second position) of the first and second sidewalls 156, 158 during the dispensing procedure. Thus, the first and second distal side edges 157, 159 operate to drive the dispensing member 200 towards the dispensing slot 121. A comparison of FIG. 5 with FIG. 7 illustrates how the lid component 150 causes the dispensing member 200 to move from the first position (FIG. 5) to the second position (FIG. 7) as the lid component 150 is moved downwardly from the non-dispensing position (FIG. 5) to the dispensing position (FIG. 7).

As the dispensing member 200 is moved from the first position (FIGS. 5 and 6) to the second position (FIGS. 7 and 8), the engagement portion 202 (i.e., the tabs 223) of the dispensing member 200 engages the rear edge 52 of the lowermost sheet 51 and forces it out through the dispensing slot 121. As noted above, the tabs 223 only extend above the floor 124 by a distance equal to or less than the thickness of the lowermost sheet 51, which ensures that the tabs 223 only engage the lowermost sheet 51 and no additional soap sheets in the stack 60. Thus, the altering of the lid component 200 from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position forces the dispensing member 200 to engage the lowermost sheet 51 and force it out through the dispensing slot 121.

While the engagement portion 202 of the dispensing member 200 engages the rear edge 52 of the lowermost sheet 50 in the exemplified embodiment, this is not required in all embodiments. In one alternative embodiment, the engagement portion 202 of the dispensing member 200 may engage a lower surface of the lowermost sheet 51 to force the lowermost sheet 51 to be dispensed through the dispensing slot 121. For example, the engagement portion 202 of the dispensing member 200 may be tacky to ensure that as the dispensing member 200 moves from the first position to the second position, it pushes the lowermost sheet 51 through the dispensing slot 121. In other embodiments, the dispensing member 200 may somehow clamp onto the lowermost sheet 51 to force it out through the dispensing slot 121 when the lid component 150 is altered from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position. Other methods of engagement between the dispensing member 200 and the lowermost sheet 51 may be utilized in still other embodiments.

In the exemplified embodiment, the sheets 50 of the stack 60 are arranged in the storage cavity 145 at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis A-A. Specifically, the sheets 50 have a lower surface 53 and an upper surface 54. The upper and lower surfaces 53, 54 may each be planar, although this is not required in all embodiments. Furthermore, the upper and lower surfaces 53, 54 may be oriented oblique relative to the longitudinal axis A-A when the stack 60 is positioned in the storage cavity 145. An obtuse angle 01 may be formed between the longitudinal axis A-A and any of the sheets 50 moving in a direction from the longitudinal axis A-A towards a front of the housing where the dispensing slot 121 is located. In the exemplified embodiment, this is achieved because the floor portion 124 is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis A-A. That is, because the sheets 50 rest atop of the floor portion 124 of the base component 120 and the sheets 50 are flat sheets, the sheets 50 are oriented at the same oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis A-A as the floor portion 124. Thus, during the dispensing, the dispensing member 200 and the lowermost sheet 51 move in a downward angled direction relative to the longitudinal axis A-A. That is, during the dispensing the dispensing member 200 and the lowermost sheet 51 move along a dispensing path DP-DP that is oblique to the longitudinal axis A-A.

Once the lid component 150 is in the dispensing position, the lowermost sheet 51 is at least partially protruding through the dispensing slot 121. However, the lowermost sheet 51 may still remain attached to the housing assembly 110. At this point, a user can grip the lowermost sheet 51 and remove it fully from the housing assembly 110 for use. Next, the user may release the lid component 150 and stop applying the downward force thereon. Due to the coupling between the spring member 350 and the dispensing member 200, upon release of the lid component 150 the spring member 350 will pull the dispensing member 200 back into its original starting position prior to the dispensing action (i.e., from the second position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 back to the first position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). Furthermore, due to the engagement between the dispensing member 200 and the lid component 150, as the dispensing member 200 moves back into its biased first position, the dispensing member 200 forces the lid component 150 to move axially upward from the dispensing position to the non-dispensing position. In the exemplified embodiment, the spring member 350 is a spiral spring that coils back around itself when the force F is released from the lid component 150 to return all components back to their initial positions.

Moreover, due to gravity, as the lowermost sheet 51 is dispensed and then removed by the user, the stack 60 which remains moves downwardly within the storage cavity 123 so that a new one of the soap sheets 50 becomes the lowermost sheet 51. In particular, the soap sheet 50 that was originally the second to lowermost soap sheet becomes the lowermost sheet 51 and will be dispensed through the dispensing slot 121 the next time the lid component 150 is actuated into the dispensing position.

Referring to FIGS. 9-12, a dispensing apparatus 1100 is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The dispensing apparatus 1100 is very similar to the dispensing apparatus 100 described above, and thus some details of the dispensing apparatus 1100 will be omitted, it being understood that the description of the dispensing apparatus 100 is applicable. Furthermore, some features of the dispensing apparatus 1100 will be described using a similar numbering scheme to the dispensing apparatus 100, except the dispensing apparatus 1100 will use numerals in the 1000s (thus, the numbers will include an additional prefix “1” as compared to the numbering of the dispensing apparatus 100). As a general matter, the description of the dispensing apparatus 100 is applicable to the dispensing apparatus 1100 unless said description conflicts with a description made below with reference to the dispensing apparatus 1100.

The dispensing apparatus 1100 generally comprises a housing assembly 1110 that extends from a bottom surface 1111 to a top surface 1112 along a longitudinal axis B-B. The housing assembly 1110 generally comprises a base component 1120, a lid component 1150, and a cartridge 1180. The base component 1120 and the lid component 1150 are coupled together to define a storage cavity 1145. The lid component 1150 may be detachable from the base component 1120 to replenish the dispensable sheets stored therein as described above. The cartridge 1180 is positioned within the storage cavity 1145 and defines a storage compartment 1183. A stack of sheets 60 (the same numbering is used for the stack of sheets 60 and the individual sheets 50 thereof as with the prior embodiment because they are the same and the description above is entirely applicable) is positioned within the storage cavity 1145. More specifically, the stack of sheets 60 is positioned within the storage compartment 1183 of the cartridge 1180. Each of the sheets 50 contains a benefit composition, as discussed further above. In particular, each of the sheets 50 may comprise a dissolvable substrate and the benefit composition, which may be any of the compositions described above with reference to the earlier described embodiment.

While the exemplified embodiment depicts a cartridge 1180 as a separate component from the base component 1120, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. The features of the cartridge 1180 may be built into the base component 1120 in some embodiments (similar to how the base component 120 of the dispensing apparatus 100 is designed). In some embodiments the cartridge 1180 is similar to the base component 120 of the previous embodiment and the base component 1120 is similar to the support member 300 of the previous embodiment in terms of its function, general structure, and position in the assembly of the housing assembly 110, 1100.

The dispensing apparatus 1100 further comprises a dispensing member 1200. The dispensing member 1200 may be positioned within the storage cavity 1145 and may be configured to push or otherwise force a lowermost sheet 51 of the stack of sheets 60 out of the storage cavity 1145 for dispensing similar to the manner that the dispensing member 200 operates and functions as described above.

The base component 1120 may comprise an outer surface 1121 and an inner surface 1122. The inner surface 1122 of the base component 1120 may define a cavity 1123 having a floor 1124. The cavity 1123 may form a lower part of the storage cavity 1145, with an upper part of the storage cavity 1145 being formed by an interior of the lid component 1150. The floor 1124 may be oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis B-B. The base component 1120 may comprise a dispensing slot 1125 that extends from the outer surface 1121 to the inner surface 1122. Thus, the dispensing slot 1125 may extend from the cavity 1123 to the ambient environment external to the cavity 1123. The dispensing slot 1125 may be elongated in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis B-B of the housing assembly 1110.

As best shown in FIG. 12, the dispensing slot 1125 may be oriented perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis B-B of the housing assembly 1110 moving in a direction from the outer surface 1121 to the inner surface 1122. That is, the dispensing slot 1125 may extend from an opening in the outer surface 1121 to an opening in the inner surface 1122, with the openings in the outer and inner surfaces 1121, 1122 being aligned along an axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis B-B. Thus, despite the fact that the sheets 50 may be oriented obliquely (relative to the longitudinal axis B-B) within the storage cavity 1145, the dispensing slot 1125 may not be oblique but may instead be perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis B-B).

The base component 1120 may comprise an annular protuberance 1126 which surrounds the dispensing slot 1125. The annular protuberance 1126 may form a lip which extends fully around the dispensing slot 1125 as shown. In other embodiments the annular protuberance 1126 may extend along the top of the dispensing slot 1125 only but not also along the bottom of the dispensing slot 1125. One purpose of the dispensing slot 1125 may be to prevent liquid or other debris from passing into the cavity 1123 from the ambient environment. If liquid were to enter into the cavity 1123, such liquid could contact the sheets 50 and cause them to dissolve or at least partially dissolve prematurely. Thus, the annular protuberance 1126 may prevent any liquid or other debris from passing into the cavity 1123.

The lid component 1150 comprises an outer surface 1151 and an inner surface 1152 that defines a cavity 1153. The lid component 1150 comprises a top wall 1154 and a sidewall 1155 that extends from the top wall 1154 to a distal edge. The sidewall 1155 may comprise a first side wall 1156 that terminates at a distal edge 1157 and a second sidewall 1158 that terminates at a distal edge (not visible in the provided views). The distal edges 1157 of the first and second sidewalls 1156, 1158 may be sloped or angled. The distal edges 1157 of the first and second sidewalls 1156, 1158 may form engagement edges of the lid component 1150 that are configured to contact the dispensing member 1200 to cause the dispensing member 1200 to move for purposes of dispensing the lowermost sheet 51 from the stack 60 as described herein.

The lid component 1150 is coupled to the base component 1120 so that the cavity 1153 of the lid component 1150 and the cavity 1123 of the base component 1120 collectively form the storage cavity 1145. The lid component 1150 may be coupled to the base component 1120 (directly, or indirectly via coupling to the cartridge 1180) so that the lid component 150 is movable relative to the base component 1120 (and relative to the cartridge 1180) between a non-dispensing position (FIG. 9) and a dispensing position (FIG. 10). Altering the lid component 1150 from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position comprises applying an downward axial force onto the lid component 1150 relative to the base component 1120. This downward axial force on the lid component 1150 relative to the base component 1120 causes the lid component 1150 to move axially downward relative to the base component 1120. As the lid component 1150 is altered from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position, a lowermost sheet 51 (same numbering used as in the prior embodiment) of a stack 60 of the sheets 50 is dispensed through the dispensing slot 1125.

The base component 1120 may comprise a first window 1129 and the lid component 1150 may comprise a second window 1159. The first and second windows 1129, 1159 may be aligned when the housing assembly 1110 is assembled to form a singular continuous window in the housing assembly 1110. In some embodiments, the cartridge 1180 may be transparent/clear. Thus, the first and second windows 1129, 1159 provide a user with the ability to see into the interior of the housing assembly 1110 so that the user can see how many of the sheets 50 remain. This enables a user to determine when it is time to replenish the stack of sheets 60 in the storage cavity 1145.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, the cartridge 1180 comprises an outer surface 1181 and an inner surface 1182. The inner surface 1182 of the cartridge 1180 defines the storage compartment 1183. The storage compartment 1183 has a floor 1184. In the assembled housing assembly 1110, the cartridge 1180 is located within the storage cavity 1145 that is defined by the base component 1120 and the lid component 1150. Furthermore, the stack of sheets 60 is located within the cavity 1183 of the cartridge 1180. Thus, the lowermost sheet 51 rests atop of the floor 1184 of the cavity 1183 of the cartridge 1180. The floor 1184 of the cartridge 1180 is elevated relative to or spaced apart from the floor 1124 of the base component 1120 such that a gap 1130 exists between the floor 1184 of the cartridge 1180 and the floor 1124 of the base component 1120. The dispensing member 1200 is located within the gap 1130, as shown in FIG. 12 and described further below.

As best seen in FIG. 12 and similar to the discussion above, there is at least one elongated opening 1185 formed through the floor 1184 of the cartridge 1180. This allows the dispensing member 1200 to extend through the elongated opening 1185 to contact the lowermost sheet 51 and force the lowermost sheet 51 through the dispensing slot 1125 during a dispensing operation. The cartridge 1180 may comprise a cartridge slot 1186 through which the lowermost sheet 51 is dispensed from the storage compartment 1183 of the cartridge 1180 before being dispensed through the dispensing slot 1125 of the base component 1120. The cartridge slot 1186 may be oriented oblique to the longitudinal axis B-B whereas the dispensing slot 1125 is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B-B, as discussed above.

Still referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the dispensing member 1200 is similar to the dispensing member 200 of the previously described embodiment. The dispensing member 1200 comprises a main body portion 1201 and an engagement portion 1202. The main body portion 1201 may comprise a top surface 1203 and a bottom surface 1204 that extends between first and second lateral sides 1205, 1206. The engagement portion 1202 may comprise a first sloped surface 1207 located adjacent to the first lateral side 1205 and a second sloped surface 1208 located adjacent to the second lateral side 1206. The first and second sloped surfaces 1207, 1208 may be sloped downwardly moving from a front, leading side 1209 of the main body portion 1201 to a rear side 1210 of the main body portion 1201.

The dispensing member 1200 also comprises at least one tab 1211 protruding from the top surface 1203 of the main body portion 1201. In the exemplified embodiment, there are three of the tabs 1211 positioned in a spaced apart manner. Each of the tabs 1211 protrudes from the top surface 1203 of the main body portion 1201 from a location that is adjacent to (or at) the rear side 1210 of the main body portion 1201. Furthermore, each of the tabs 1211 extends from the top surface 1203 of the main body portion 1201 at an angle. More specifically, each of the tabs 1211 is angled in a direction towards the front side 1209 of the main body portion 1201. Distal portions of the tabs are configured to engage a rear edge of the lowermost sheet 51 from the stack of sheets 60 to force the lowermost sheet 51 to be dispensed through the dispensing slot 1125 during a dispensing operation as described herein.

The dispensing member 1200 is located within the gap 1130 between the floor 1184 of the cartridge 1180 and the floor 1124 of the base member 1120. Each of the tabs 1211 of the dispensing member 1200 protrudes at least slightly through one of the elongated openings 1185 in the floor 1184 of the cartridge 1180. This allows the distal portion of the tabs 1211 to contact the rear edge of the lowermost sheet 51 when the dispensing member 1200 moves from a first position (FIG. 12) to a second position (FIG. 13), described further below.

A spring 1350 is located within the cavity 1123 of the base component 1120. The spring 1350 may be secured to the base component 1120. Furthermore, an end of the spring 1350 is coupled to the dispensing member 1200. Thus, as the dispensing member 1200 moves from the first position (FIG. 12) to the second position (FIG. 13), the spring 1350 may uncoil. Upon user release of the lid component 1150, the spring 1350 may bias the dispensing member 1200 back to the first position. This function of the spring 1350 is the same as that described above with reference to the spring 1350 and thus the description above is applicable.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, operation of the dispensing apparatus 1100 to dispense the lowermost sheet 51 from the stack of sheets 60 will be described. To cause a dispensing of the lowermost sheet 51, a user simply needs to apply a downward axial force onto the lid component 1150 to allow the lid component 1150 to move or slide downwardly relative to the base component 1120 (compare FIG. 12 with FIG. 13). As the lid component 1150 moves downwardly relative to the base component 1120, the distal edges 1157 of the first and second sidewalls 1156, 1158 contact the first and second sloped surfaces 1207, 1208 of the dispensing member 1200. This engagement is the same as that which was described with reference to the dispensing apparatus 100 with particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 7 and while not illustrated again herein, it should be understood that the description above is applicable.

The dispensing member 1200 functions as a sort of slider mechanism during a dispensing operation. As the lid component 1150 continues to be moved downwardly, the contact between the distal edges 1157 and the sloped surfaces 1207, 1208 causes the dispensing member 1200 to move from the first position shown in FIG. 12 to the second position shown in FIG. 13. The dispensing member 1200 may be located within the gap 1130 between the floor 1184 of the cartridge 1180 and the floor 1124 of the base component 1120. As noted above, the tabs 1211 protrude through the elongated openings 1185 in the floor 1184 of the cartridge 1180. Thus, as the dispensing member 1200 moves or slides from the first position to the second position, a distal portion of the tabs 1211 contacts the rear edge 52 of the lowermost sheet 51 and forces the lowermost sheet 51 to move towards and then through the dispensing slot 1125. Upon the user releasing the lid component 1150, the spring 1350 will bias the dispensing member 1200 back from the second position (FIG. 13) to the first position (FIG. 12), which will in turn cause the lid component 1150 to move axially upward back to its original, non-dispensing position or state.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, the dispensing apparatus 1100 described above is illustrated with some modifications and additions. Thus, the features and components of the dispensing apparatus 1100 that are the same as those previously described will be similarly numbered, with the modifications and additions being described. The dispensing apparatus 1100 generally comprises the base component 1120, the lid component 1150, and the cartridge 1180 which collectively form the housing assembly 1110. The dispensing apparatus 1100 further comprises the dispensing member 1200, the spring 1350, and the stack of sheets 60.

In this embodiment, the dispensing apparatus 1100 further comprises a follower member 1500. The follower member 1500 rests atop of an uppermost sheet 55 of the stack of sheets 60. As the lowermost sheets 51 are dispensed through the dispensing slot 1125, the height of the stack 60 is reduced. However, the follower member 1500 remains located on top of the uppermost sheet 55. As such, as the lowermost sheets 51 are dispensed one by one through the dispensing slot 1125, the follower member 1500 moves downwardly within the storage cavity 1145 so as to remain atop of the uppermost sheet 55. The follower member 1500 may stay in physical surface contact with the uppermost sheet 55 in some embodiments, although this is not required in all embodiments and a small gap may be maintained between the follower member 1500 and the uppermost sheet 55 in some embodiments. The purpose of the follower member 1500 is to prevent the sheets 50 of the stack 60 from becoming disorderly. For example, if a user flips the housing assembly 1100 upside-down and all around, the sheets 50 of the stack 60 may be able to separate from the stack and rotate or fold or otherwise become unruly within the storage cavity 1145. This type of movement of the sheets 50 may make it so that the dispensing action is unable to cause a dispensing of the lowermost sheet 51. For example, if the lowermost sheet 51 has rotated or folded, the dispensing member 1200 may not be able to adequately contact the lowermost sheet 51 to force it through the dispensing slot 1125. Thus, by keeping the follower member 1500 on top of the stack 60, the follower member 1500 helps to prevent the sheets 50 in the stack 60 from becoming in disarray. The follower member 1500 may have sufficient weight to ensure it is held on the stack 60 as shown in FIG. 15.

The follower member 1500 may comprise a lower surface 1501 which is in contact (or facing) the uppermost sheet 55 of the stack 60 and an upper surface 1502 opposite the lower surface 1501. The follower member 1500 may comprise a gripping protuberance 1503 protruding from the top surface 1502 to allow a user to grip the follower member 1500 to pull it upwardly away from the stack 60 if needed to replenish the stack 60 or for other reasons. In the exemplified embodiment, the follower member 1500 comprises a second mating feature 1510 that enables the follower member 1500 to mate or be joined to the housing assembly 1110. In the exemplified embodiment, the second mating feature 1510 comprises a pair of holes 1504 that extend from the lower surface 1501 to the upper surface 1502. The holes 1504 may be located adjacent to a rear edge 1505 of the follower member 1500. The lower surface 1501 of the follower member 1500 may be flat and planar to allow the follower member 1500 to abut against the upper surface of the uppermost sheet 55. The follower member 1500 may be oriented in the storage cavity 1145 at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis B-B, with the follower member 1500 and the sheets 50 being oriented at the same angle.

The housing assembly 1110 comprises a first mating feature 1190 that is configured to mate (i.e., fit or join) with the second mating feature 1510 of the follower member 1500. Thus, the term mate or mating refers to structures or features which interact or engage with one another to mechanically couple or connect two parts together, even if the coupling is non-fixed, loose, or allows for relative movement of the parts when connected. For example, a post and a hole can be two features which mate with the post extending into/through the hole, a wall and a notch can be two features which mate with the wall nesting within the notch. Various other possibilities exist to facilitate the mating of parts or components. In the exemplified embodiment, the cartridge 1180 comprises the first mating feature 1190. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the lid and/or base components 1120, 1150 may comprise the first mating feature 1190 in other embodiments.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first mating feature 1190 comprises a pair of posts 1191 located adjacent to a rear side of the cartridge 1180. Each of the posts 1191 is sized and configured to fit within one of the holes 1504 of the follower member 1500. The engagement or mating between the posts 1191 and the holes 1504 ensures that the follower member 1500 is able to move axially downwardly within the storage cavity 1145 as the sheets 50 are dispensed therefrom, while preventing movement of the follower member 1500 is a non-axial direction.

In the exemplified embodiment, each of the posts 1191 comprises a plurality of ratchet teeth 1192. In the exemplified embodiment, the posts 1191 are cylindrical and the ratchet teeth 1192 are formed by conical-shaped protrusions positioned along the posts 1191. Of course, other shapes and configurations for the ratchet teeth 1192 may be used in other embodiments. The purpose of the ratchet teeth 1192 is to allow the follower member 1500 to easily move or slide downwardly along the posts 1191 as the sheets 50 are dispensed from the stack 60 while substantially preventing the follower member 150 from moving axially upwardly along the posts 1191. In particular, due to the ratchet teeth 1192, even if the dispensing apparatus 1100 were flipped upside down, the follower member 1500 will not move axially along the posts 1191. This ensures that the follower member 1500 is able to stay in contact or spacing relation to the top of the stack 50 regardless of the orientation at which the dispensing apparatus 1100 is held to maintain the organized arrangement of the stack 60 within the storage cavity 1145 as described herein. Of course, the ratchet teeth 1192 may be omitted in other embodiments.

While in the exemplified embodiment the first mating feature 1190 comprises the posts 1191 and the second mating feature 1510 comprises the holes 1504, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the opposite could exist. That is, the cartridge 1180 (or the base component 1120 or some other component of the housing assembly 1100) may comprise a solid wall with a hole therein and the follower member 1500 may comprise posts that nest within the hole. The posts may or may not include ratchet teeth. This opposite arrangement may function in the same manner as the one exemplified herein.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, yet another embodiment of the dispensing apparatus 1000 will be described. Once again, the dispensing apparatus 1000 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is generally the same as the one described previously with minor differences/additions and thus only the differences will be described. The dispensing apparatus 1100 comprises the base component 1120, the lid component 1150, and the cartridge 1180 (which form the housing assembly 1100), the dispensing member 1200, the spring 1350, and the stack 60 of sheets 50.

The dispensing apparatus 1000 of FIGS. 16 and 17 comprises a follower member 1600. The follower member 1600 comprises a lower surface 1601 which lies on top of the uppermost sheet 55 of the stack 60 and an upper surface 1602 opposite the lower surface 1601. As noted previously, the follower member 1600 could be slightly spaced from the uppermost sheet 55 of the stack 60 in other embodiments. In this embodiment, the follower member 1600 is coupled to an underside of the lid component 1150 via a biasing member 1620. In the exemplified embodiment, the biasing member 1620 is a compression spring. The biasing member 1620 may be coupled to the underside of the lid component 1150 and also to the upper surface 1602 of the follower member 1600. The biasing member 1620 may bias the follower member 1600 in a downward axial direction into contact with the uppermost sheet 55 of the stack 60. Thus, as the sheets 50 are dispensed from the stack 60 and the height of the stack 60 decreases, the biasing member 1620 pushes the follower member 1600 downwardly to maintain the contact between the follower member 1600 and the uppermost sheet 55 of the stack 60.

In this embodiment, the follower member 1600 comprises a second mating feature 1610. More specifically, the second mating feature 1610 comprises a pair of notches 1611 formed into an edge of the follower member 1600. Similarly, the housing assembly 1100 comprises a first mating feature 1193 that is configured to mate/join with the second mating feature 1610 to prevent significant movement of the follower member 1600 in any non-axial direction. In the exemplified embodiment, the first mating feature 1193 comprises a pair of walls 1194 on the cartridge 1180. The walls 1194 of the first mating feature 1193 nest within the notches 1611 of the second mating feature 1610 to maintain the follower member 1600 in a proper orientation/position atop of the stack 60. Of course, the second mating feature 1610 could comprise a wall and the first mating feature 1193 could comprise a notch in other embodiments to achieve the same purpose.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, yet another embodiment of the dispensing apparatus 1000 will be described. Once again, the dispensing apparatus 1000 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is generally the same as the one described previously with minor differences/additions and thus only the differences will be described. The dispensing apparatus 1100 comprises the base component 1120, the lid component 1150, and the cartridge 1180 (which form the housing assembly 1100), the dispensing member 1200, the spring 1350, and the stack 60 of sheets 50.

In this embodiment, there is a follower member 1700 comprising an upper surface 1701 and a lower surface 1702. The follower member 1700 may be positioned so that the lower surface 1702 is in surface contact with the uppermost sheet 55 of the stack 60 of sheets 50. This helps to keep the stack 60 in its stacked arrangement and prevents the sheets 50 in the stack 60 from becoming disorganized, bent, folded, or the like. As noted throughout this document, the lower surface 1702 of the follower member 1700 may be maintained slightly spaced apart from the uppermost sheet 55 in other embodiments. The lower surface 1702 of the follower member 1700 may be flat/planar and the follower member 1700 may be positioned at the same oblique orientation as the sheets 50 of the stack 60.

The follower member 1700 may comprise a second mating feature 1710. In the exemplified embodiment, the second mating feature 1710 comprises a pair of notches 1711 formed into an outer edge of the follower member 1700. Furthermore, the housing assembly 1100 may comprise a first mating feature 1195. In the exemplified embodiment, the first mating feature 1195 comprises a pair of walls 1196 formed integrally with the cartridge 1180. In other embodiments the pair of walls 1196 of the first mating feature 1195 may be formed integrally with the base component 120 rather than the cartridge 1180. The follower member 1700 may be positioned so that each of the walls 1196 nests within one of the notches 1711. Thus, as the follower member 1700 moves axially downward within the storage cavity 1145, the follower member 1700 may slide along the walls 1196 with the walls 1196 remaining located within the notches 1711 to maintain the orientation of the follower member 1700 and prevent substantial movement of the follower member 1700 in a non-axial direction.

The walls 1196 may comprise ratchet teeth 1197 as best shown in FIG. 19. The ratchet teeth 1197 may be oriented so as to enable ready downward axial movement of the follower member 1700 along the walls 1196 while substantially preventing upward axial movement of the follower member 1700 along the walls 1196. Of course, a user may be able to physically life the follower member 1700 upwardly along the walls 1196, but simply holding the dispenser apparatus 1000 upside-down should not result in the follower member 1700 moving along the walls 1196 due to the ratchet teeth 1197 thereon. The ratchet teeth 1197 may be omitted in some alternative embodiments.

In still other embodiments, there may be a follower member like the follower members 1500, 1600, 17000, that rests atop of the stack 60 without requiring any specific engagement, mating, or the like between the follower member and the housing assembly 1100. Rather, the follower member may simply be sized to fit within the storage cavity 1145 and to move downwardly as the sheets 50 are dispensed. In some embodiments, outer edges of the follower member may be positioned very close (i.e., 1 mm or less) from the inner surfaces which bound the cavity within which the stack 60 of the sheets 50 is positioned. In such an embodiment, the follower member will not be able to readily flip or otherwise be positioned in an undesirable orientation within the storage cavity 1145.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dispensing apparatus comprising: a housing assembly comprising: a longitudinal axis:a base component comprising a dispensing slot; anda lid component coupled to the base component to define a storage cavity;a stack of sheets comprising a benefit composition positioned in the storage cavity, each of the sheets in the stack being oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing assembly; anda dispensing member;wherein the lid component is alterable from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position by applying a downward axial force onto the lid component relative to the base component during which the lid component moves the dispensing member from a first position to a second position, the dispensing member forcing a lowermost sheet of the stack of sheets through the dispensing slot as the dispensing member moves from the first position to the second position.

2. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a spring member operably coupled to the dispensing member, and wherein upon releasing the lid component after the lid component has been altered into the dispensing position the spring member biases the dispensing member from the second position back to the first position during which the lid component is altered from the dispensing position back to the non-dispensing position.

3. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the dispensing member moves between the first and second positions along a dispensing path that is oblique relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing assembly.

4. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the sheets in the stack of sheets comprises a rear edge which is located furthest from the dispensing slot, and wherein the dispensing member directly engages the rear edge of the lowermost sheet to force the lowermost sheet through the dispensing slot as the dispensing member moves from the first position to the second position

5. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the dispensing member comprises a main body portion having a top surface and at least one tab protruding from the top surface, the at least one tab directly engaging the rear edge of the lowermost sheet as the dispensing member moves from the first position to the second position.

6. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lid component comprises a lower edge that is oblique relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the dispensing member comprises a main body portion having a sloped engagement surface, and wherein altering the lid component from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position causes the lower edge of the lid component to contact the sloped engagement surface of the dispensing member to move the dispensing member from the first position to the second position.

7. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing assembly further comprises a cartridge located within the storage cavity, the cartridge defining a storage compartment within which the stack of sheets is positioned, the cartridge comprising a floor portion that is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing assembly, and wherein the lowermost sheet of the stack of sheets rests atop of the floor portion of the cartridge.

8. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge slot through which the lowermost sheet is dispensed from the cartridge prior to being dispensed through the dispensing slot of the base component as the lid component is altered from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position, wherein the cartridge slot is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis and the dispensing slot of the base component is oriented at a perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

9. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a follower member that rests atop of an uppermost sheet of the stack of sheets, wherein the follower member moves downwardly within the storage cavity to maintain contact with the uppermost sheet as the sheets are dispensed through the dispensing slot.

10. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the housing assembly comprises a first mating feature and the follower member comprises a second mating feature that mates with the first mating feature as the follower member moves downwardly within the storage cavity to substantially prevent movement of the follower member in a non-axial direction, wherein the first mating feature of the cartridge is a post or a wall comprising ratchet teeth that allow the follower member to move downwardly within the storage cavity as the sheets are dispensed while substantially preventing the follower member from moving upwardly within the storage cavity.

11. (canceled)

12. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lid component comprises a first side wall that terminates in a first distal edge and a second side wall that terminates in a second distal edge, the first and second distal edges angled downwardly relative to the longitudinal axis in an opposite direction relative to the stack of sheets so that the first and second distal edges of the lid component drive the dispensing member from the first position to the second position as the lid component is altered from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position.

13. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base component comprises a front surface along which the dispensing slot is located and an annular protuberance protruding from the front surface, the annular protuberance surrounding the dispensing slot to prevent liquid and debris from passing into the dispensing slot from an exterior of the housing assembly.

14. A dispensing apparatus comprising: a housing assembly comprising: a base component comprising a dispensing slot; anda lid component coupled to the base component to define a storage cavity, the lid component comprising an engagement feature;a stack of sheets comprising a benefit composition positioned in the storage cavity; anda dispensing member;wherein the lid component is alterable from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position during which the engagement feature of the lid component engages the dispensing member and causes the dispensing member to dispense a lowermost sheet of the stack of sheets through the dispensing slot.

15. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a follower member resting atop of an uppermost sheet of the stack of sheets, wherein the follower member moves downwardly within the storage cavity and remains in contact with the uppermost sheet as the sheets are dispensed through the dispensing slot.

16. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the housing assembly comprises a longitudinal axis, and further comprising a cartridge located within the storage cavity, the cartridge defining a storage compartment within which the stack of sheets is positioned, the cartridge comprising a first mating feature and the follower member comprising a second mating feature that mates with the first mating feature as the follower member moves downwardly within the storage cavity to substantially prevent movement of the follower member in a non-axial direction.

17. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the first mating feature comprises a post or a wall and the second mating feature comprises a hole or a notch, wherein the post or the wall of the cartridge comprises ratchet teeth that allow the follower member to move downwardly within the storage cavity as the sheets are dispensed while substantially preventing the follower member from moving upwardly within the storage cavity.

18. (canceled)

19. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a cartridge located within the storage cavity, the cartridge defining a storage compartment having a floor, wherein the stack of sheets are located within the storage compartment of the cartridge so that the lowermost sheet of the stack of sheets rests atop of the floor of the storage compartment of the cartridge, and wherein the dispensing member comprises a main body portion that is located between a floor of the base component and the floor of the cartridge and at least one tab protruding from the main body portion and extending through the floor of the cartridge so that the at least one tab engages the lowermost sheet during the dispensing of the lowermost sheet through the dispensing slot.

20. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the housing assembly comprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein each of the sheets of the stack of sheets is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing assembly.

21. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the lid is altered from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position by movement in a downward axial direction, and wherein altering the lid from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position causes the dispensing member to move within the storage cavity from a first position wherein the dispensing member is adjacent to a rear wall of the housing assembly to a second position wherein the dispensing member is adjacent to a front wall of the housing assembly.

22. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising a spring member positioned in the storage cavity and operably coupled to the dispensing member, and wherein upon releasing the lid component after the lid component has been altered into the dispensing position, the spring member biases the dispensing member from the second position back to the first position during which the lid component is altered from the dispensing position back to the non-dispensing position.