This invention relates generally to an apparatus for use in dispensing napkins or similar products. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing napkins that can be readily configured to accommodate a variety of napkin sizes, types, and styles.
Dispensers for napkins are often provided at quick service food locations. These dispensers may be positioned on a condiment serving bar, attached to a wall, or maintained on a stand. These dispensers allow food service patrons easy hygienic access to napkins.
One disadvantage of many conventional paper napkin dispensers is that they permit removal of large clumps of napkins at one time. Most paper napkins removed in this manner are wasted. Many end up scattered about an eating area, tossed as litter, or even stuffed in plumbing fixtures. When clumps of napkins are taken, dispensers quickly run out and must be refilled inconveniencing both patrons and operators of quick service food locations. This waste is expensive, time consuming, and harmful to the environment.
Another disadvantage of many conventional paper napkin dispensers is that they frequently fail to present a napkin to patrons. Napkin dispensers are easily overfilled by restaurant workers in an effort to limit the need for frequent refilling. Overfilling a napkin dispenser results in tightly packed napkins that are difficult to remove. Often this results in torn napkins that can jam the dispenser. Patrons seeking napkins are forced to stick their fingers into the dispenser and forcefully pull napkins from the dispenser. Patrons, frustrated by the dispenser, may forcefully remove a large section of napkins from the dispenser to avoid getting small, torn bits of napkins.
In an attempt to solve these and other problems associated with conventional napkin dispensers, the paper industry has introduced a napkin style call interfold. An example of this type of napkin is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,346 to Skerrett et al. These napkins are interfolded so that the act of removing one napkin from the dispenser draws out and presents the next napkin in the stack. A similar style of interfolding is frequently used in washroom towels and tissues, but is rather new to napkins. While this type of napkin has the potential to significantly reduce napkin waste and usage, it has not been widely adopted by the food service industry. Part of the reluctance by many in the food service industry to use interfold napkins results from the fact that virtually all conventional napkin dispensers cannot easily or efficiently dispense interfolded napkins. As a result, operators of food service establishments wishing to experiment with or use interfolded napkins must purchase new dispensers dedicated to the dispensing of interfold napkins. If the operator is not satisfied with the result, he or she has spent money for something that has no other use.
One attempt to solve this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,129 to Moody et al. This patent discloses a retro kit that comprises a baffle plate that is attached to the faceplate of a conventional napkin dispenser. The baffle plate is purported to alter the conventional faceplate opening so that it can dispense interfolded napkins. The baffle plate, however, must be correctly attached to the conventional faceplate. Further, the baffle plate must be adhered to the conventional faceplate so that the baffle plate does not loosen during operation. Such a strongly adhered baffle plate is difficult to remove from the conventional faceplate without harming the faceplate or the baffle plate. Also, removing the baffle plate from the faceplate may leave a sticky residue on the faceplate, thereby interfering with its operation. As such, dispensers fitted with this retrofit kit are not easily changeable between conventional napkins and interfolded napkins
The current dispensers suffer from certain drawbacks and limitations. Accordingly, a need exists for a dispenser that is easy to use, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, relatively compact, and solves other problems associated with the existing techniques. Of course, the present invention may be used in a multitude of situations where similar performance capabilities are required.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a napkin dispenser able to dispense different sizes and types of napkins is provided. Different sizes and types of napkins generally require different means and structure to properly dispense the napkins. Therefore, this embodiment of the present invention provides for a napkin dispenser with a faceplate that can be removed and attached without the use of any tools.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a napkin dispenser is provided with a track system positioned therein. The track system supports and directs a napkin biasing means to urge napkins towards the front of the dispenser and against the dispenser's faceplate. In one embodiment, the track system has one rail and the biasing means comprises at least one pressure plate. In another embodiment, a pressure focus device may be positioned on the pressure plate to more directly apply force to the napkins at a desired location.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a curved dispenser is provided such that the faceplate is angled away from the surface upon which the dispenser is positioned. In addition, to the housing of the dispenser being curved, this embodiment may include a similarly curved track system. In accordance with this embodiment, the dispenser is curved between about 10° to about 40°, most preferably between about 15° to about 30°, and most preferably about 20°.
One possible application of the present invention is in connection with napkin dispensers, many other applications are possible and references to use in connection with napkins should not be deemed to limit the uses of the present invention. While certain embodiments are discussed herein, they should not be interpreted as being the only embodiments of the present invention and other embodiments may be created without departing from the present invention. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.
Illustrative embodiments of a dispenser (identified generally as 30) in accordance with the present invention are shown in
The present invention provides a napkin dispenser 30 able to dispense different sizes and types of napkins. Generally, a single dispenser cannot dispense different sizes and types of napkins without substantial modifications. Such modification generally involves the use of tools, complicated procedures, and expensive addition components. The present invention provides for a dispenser 30 with a faceplate 36 that can be interchanged without the use of any tools. Specifically, the dispenser 30 has a housing 32 and a faceplate 36 that is removably attachable to the housing 32. For example, faceplate 36 can be interchanged with other faceplates (not shown) to accommodate different interfolded napkin sizes or to accommodate conventional non-interfolded napkins (including, specifically standard or full-fold napkins).
Referring generally to
The dispenser 30 has a housing 32. The housing 32 may be formed of any suitable material but is preferably of plastic or metal. Attached to the front of the housing 32 is a face plate 36. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Preferably, as shown in
As with the housing 32, the bottom portion 31 can take a variety of shapes. For example, in one embodiment, the bottom portion 31 is curved. Preferably, the bottom portion 31 is curved between about 10° to about 40°. Preferably, the bottom portion 31 is curved at about 20°.
In embodiments shown in
In one embodiment, shown in
The pressure plate 54 is preferably positioned with respect to the rail 52 so that the pressure plate 54 applies a generally constant force to the napkins. In one embodiment shown in
In embodiments shown in
Preferably, as shown in
Preferably, as shown in
As discussed above the dispenser 30 has a faceplate 36 that is removably attachable to the housing 32 of the dispenser 30 without the use of any tools. The faceplate 36 of the dispenser 30 may be changed so that the dispenser 30 can properly dispense multiple types and sizes of napkins including both interfolded and non-interfolded napkins. Specifically, the faceplate 36 has an opening 73 through which napkins are available to be taken from the dispenser 30. A first faceplate is designed to dispense non-interfolded napkins with the faceplate preferably having an opening positioned near the top portion of the faceplate 36. A second faceplate as shown in
As noted above and shown in
Preferably the faceplate 36 is shaped to facilitate optimal dispensing of napkins. In one embodiment, shown in
As shown in
The faceplate 36 is preferably angled to create a plurality of dispensing channels 84. Most preferably, the face plate has four dispensing channel 84 each connecting a pinch point 82 to the opening 73. The purpose of the dispensing channels 84 is to facilitate the travel of the corners of a napkin from the pinch points 82 to the opening 73 through the dispensing channels 84 when a user pulls on a presented napkin. The dispensing channels 84 relieve the pressure exerted on a napkin by the pinch points 82 when that napkin is pulled. The dispensing channels 84 also improve the dispensing of napkins by making up for imperfections in the alignment and fold of napkins in the dispenser 30.
As shown in
The dispenser 30 of the present invention may be utilized in a variety of manners with a variety of different types of napkins. For example, the dispenser 30 can be positioned at a variety of angles. The dispenser 30, with a track system 50, may be positioned relatively horizontal on a surface such as a countertop or at any appropriate dispensing position. Regardless of the position, the track system 50 provides the force necessary to urge the napkins towards the faceplate 36 so that they can be properly fed and presented for withdrawal by a user. The dispenser 30, without a track system, may be positioned relatively vertically on a surface such as a wall or on a mount as shown in
As shown in
Once the top portion 34 is closed, the napkins are urged towards the faceplate 36 either by the track system 50 or gravity. As a napkin proceeds through the housing 32 toward the faceplate, it contacts ramp 74 when it first “enters” the faceplate 36. The ramp 74 lifts the napkin, as it moves toward the front, inside face of the faceplate 36, to the desired height and centers the napkin vertically in the middle of the faceplate 36. Each napkin also contacts indentations 76 as it enters the faceplate 36. These indentations pucker the napkin so that they have a slightly convex shape towards the opening 73 in the faceplate. Pinch points 82 engage each napkin within the area defined by the faceplate 36 to hold the sides of the napkins relatively straight both horizontally and vertically. The pinch points 82 are preferably coordinated with dispensing channels 84 that angularly connect the pinch points 82 to the opening 73 in the faceplate 36. The dispensing channels 84 relieve the pressure exerted on a napkin by the pinch points 82 as that napkin is pulled from the dispenser 30 through the opening 73. This pressure relief guides and facilitates smooth withdrawal of a napkin, proper presentment of the succeeding napkin and the ability to overcome imperfections in the alignment and fold of napkins in the dispenser 30.
In operation, a user removes napkins from the dispenser 30 by pulling on a napkin whose front unfolded edge is presented through the opening 73. The corners of the pulled napkin travel from the pinch points 82 through the dispensing channels 84 and out of the opening 73. In the case of interfold napkins, removing one napkin advances and presents the next napkin for removal from the dispenser 30. With full-fold napkins, the front flap of the front-most napkin in the stack is spaced apart from the body of the rest of the napkin thereby facilitating easy dispensing.
The next napkin is maintained in position by the pinch points 82 until pulled on by a user. For interfolded napkins, the opening 73 may be designed to prevent users from removing more than a predetermined amount of napkins. Specifically, the opening 73 may have two open areas 75 connected by a narrow aperture 77. Users can only access napkins though either or both open areas 75. As a result a user cannot stick his fingers into the dispenser and remove multiple napkins.
As discussed, the faceplate 36 and/or the track system 50 may be removed or attached to the dispenser 30 without the use of any tools. A tool-less removable faceplate 36 allows the dispenser 30 to easily accommodate different napkins. As shown in
A tool-less removable track system 50 allows the dispenser 30 to be positioned at a variety of angles. The track system 50 may be positioned in the dispenser 30 when the dispenser 30 is positioned relatively horizontal and the track system may be removed with the dispenser 30 is positioned relatively vertical. In one embodiment shown in
The dispenser 30 of the present invention may have other applications aside from use in connection with napkins. Further, the invention may be implemented in a variety of configurations, using certain features or aspects of the several embodiments described herein and others known in the art. Thus, although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific features and embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part application and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/186,425 filed Jul. 15, 2003 Des. 493,312 and claims priority to a United States Provisional Patent Application filed May 21, 2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20050150898 A1 | Jul 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 29186425 | Jul 2003 | US |
Child | 10891429 | US |