DISPENSER FOR INTERFOLDED NAPKINS

Abstract

A dispenser for interfolded napkins includes a container having a supporting surface for supporting a stack of interfolded napkins. The supporting surface extends in a horizontal plane, and is surrounded by side walls extending in a vertical direction perpendicular to the supporting surface. The side walls define a dispensing opening opposite the supporting surface. At least one tab is arranged in the container for retaining the stack of napkins during withdrawal of a napkin from the stack. The tab is pivotably arranged in relation to the container between a holding position, in which the tab extends horizontally over at least a portion of the dispensing opening, and a refill position, in which the tab is directed away from the dispensing opening. The tab pivots about a living hinge. One or more stop surfaces limit an extent to which the tab is able to turn about the living hinge toward the dispensing mouth.

Claims

1. A dispenser, comprising: a housing defining at least partly an interior volume for holding a stack of sheet products; a dispensing mouth through which sheet products are able to be dispensed from the dispenser; and one or more stack holdback members, wherein the stack holdback members each include a stack engaging part and a hinge, wherein the stack engaging part of each of the holdback members is able to turn about the hinge from a stack engaging orientation to a stack loading orientation, wherein when the stack engaging parts of the holdback members are in the stack engaging orientation, the stack engaging parts of the holdback members are arranged for engaging the front of the stack to space the front of the stack rearwardly from the dispensing mouth, and when the stack engaging parts of the holdback members are in the stack loading orientation, the stack engaging parts are arranged for providing clearance as compared to when the stack engaging parts are in the stack engaging orientation, the clearance allowing a stack to pass into the interior volume defined by the housing for loading the dispenser; wherein the hinge of each of the holdback members is a flexible hinge.

2. A dispenser comprising: a housing defining at least partly an interior volume for holding a stack of sheet products; a dispensing mouth through which sheet products are able to be dispensed from the dispenser; one or more stack holdback members, wherein the stack hold back members each include a stack engaging part and a hinge, wherein the stack engaging part of each of the holdback members is able to turn about the hinge in a first direction from a stack engaging orientation to a stack loading orientation, wherein when the stack engaging parts of the holdback members are in the stack engaging orientation, the stack engaging parts of the holdback members are arranged for engaging a front of the stack to space the front of the stack rearwardly from the dispensing mouth and wherein when the stack engaging parts of the holdback members are in the stack loading orientation, the stack engaging parts of the holdback members are arranged for providing clearance, as compared to when the stack engaging parts of the holdback members are in the stack engaging orientation, to allow a stack to pass into the interior volume defined by the housing for loading the dispenser; and one or more stop surfaces for limiting turning of each stack engaging part of the holdback members about the hinge in a second direction opposed to the first direction to a limit orientation, wherein when the stack engaging parts of the stack holdback members are in the limit orientation, the stack engaging parts are arranged to engage the front of the stack to hold the front of the stack spaced rearwardly from the dispensing mouth.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the stack engaging part of each of the holdback members is able to turn about the hinge in a first direction from the stack engaging orientation to the stack loading orientation, and wherein the dispenser comprises one or more stop surfaces for limiting turning of each stack engaging part of the holdback members about the hinge in a second direction opposed to the first direction to a limit orientation, wherein when the stack engaging parts of the stack holdback members are in the limit orientation, the stack engaging parts are arranged to engage the front of the stack to hold the front of the stack spaced rearwardly from the dispensing mouth.

4. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the hinge of each of the holdback members is a flexible hinge.

5. The dispenser of claim 1 or 4, wherein the flexible hinge of each of the holdback members is a living hinge.

6. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the hinges each connect a housing part and a stack engaging part of the holdback members, wherein the stack engaging part is able to turn relative to the housing part about the hinge, and the hinge comprises one or more gaps located along the hinge line at which the stack engaging part and the housing part are unconnected.

7. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the holdback members each include a bridge portion for spacing the hinge interiorly from a sidewall of the housing defining the at least part of the interior volume in a direction normal to the sidewall.

8. The dispenser of claim 2 or 3 or any one of claims 4 to 7 as dependent thereon, wherein the holdback members each include one or more abutment surfaces and are configured so that as the stack engaging part turns about the hinge in the second direction, the abutment surfaces are caused to contact the stop surfaces to prevent further rotation of the stack engaging part in the second direction.

9. The dispenser of claim 2, 3 or 8 or any one of claims 4 to 7 as dependent on claim 2 or 3, wherein the one or more stop surfaces are formed by one or more overhangs for contacting the stack engaging part of each of the holdback members.

10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the overhangs each define a curved surface or angled surface to smoothen an interface with the stack during loading.

11. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the stack engaging part of each of the holdback members includes a flat surface for interfacing with the top of the stack in the stack engaging orientation, wherein the flat surface extends perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to a sidewall of the housing at least partly defining the interior volume when the stack engaging part is in the stack engaging orientation.

12. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the stack engaging part of each of the holdback members is arranged to engage in a margin area of the front of the stack in the stack engaging orientation.

13. The dispenser of any preceding claim, comprising a removable or openable cover defining the dispensing mouth, wherein the cover is able to be removed or opened in order to reveal an entrance to the interior volume defined at least partly by the housing to provide access to the interior volume for loading, and the holdback members are able to engage the stack and hold the stack within the interior volume when the cover is removed and when the holdback members are in the stack engaging orientation, and wherein when the cover is replaced, the entrance is partly covered so that sheet products are able to be removed from the stack through the dispensing mouth.

14. The dispenser of any preceding claim, comprising a platform arranged in the housing that is moveable in a forward and rearward direction, wherein the platform is arranged to provide a stack support surface upon which a rear of the stack is supported, and biasing means is arranged to act on the platform to bias it toward the dispensing mouth.

15. The dispenser of any preceding claim, the housing comprising a rear wall and a front wall and one or more sidewalls extending normally relative to the front and rear walls, wherein an interior surface of each of the walls together defines the interior volume.

16. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the stack engaging parts of the one or more holdback members are located at a front end of the housing, adjacent the dispensing mouth.

17. The dispenser of any preceding claim, comprising at least two holdback members, wherein the housing defines a generally rectangular or square cross-section at a front end of the housing adjacent the dispensing mouth, wherein the cross-section is taken perpendicular to an axis passing centrally from a rear of the dispenser, through a centre of the interior volume and centrally through the dispensing mouth, and the holdback members are located on opposed sides of the rectangular or square cross-section and centrally located along the respective opposed side.

18. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein a rear facing surface of each stack engaging part of the one or more holdback members for engaging a front of the stack are located in the stack engaging orientation at least 0.5 cm from the dispensing mouth, preferably at least 1 cm, so as to space the front of the stack by at least 0.5 cm, preferably at least 1 cm, from the dispensing mouth.

19. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the housing includes a front wall, a rear wall and one or more sidewalls extending normally between the front and rear walls to define the interior volume, wherein the dispensing mouth is included in the front wall of the dispenser housing and the one or more holdback members serve to hold a front of the stack back from an interior surface of the front wall having the dispensing mouth extending through it.

20. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the hinge of each holdback member has a groove or kinked area extending along a hinge axis of the hinge about which the stack engaging part turns.

21. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the stack engaging part of each of the one or more holdback member extends freely, in a cantilevered manner, from a sidewall of the housing.

22. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein each stack engaging part of the one or more holdback members extends only part way along a sidewall of the housing from which it projects and extends only part way across the interior volume toward an opposed sidewall of the housing toward which it projects.

23. The dispenser of claim 2 or 3 or any one of claims 4 to 22 as dependent on claim 2 or 3, wherein the one or more stop surfaces project from a sidewall of the housing.

24. The dispenser of claim 23, wherein the stack engaging part of each of the one or more holdback members project from a sidewall of the housing, wherein the projection of the stop surfaces is less than the projection of the stack engaging part, preferably a relative projection of less than 50%.

25. The dispenser of claim 2 or 3 or any one of claims 4 to 24 as dependent on claim 2 or 3, wherein there are at least two separated stop surfaces associated with each holdback member, arranged at opposed ends of the hinge relative to a hinge axis of the hinge.

26. The dispenser of claim 2 or 3 or any one of claims 4 to 25 as dependent on claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the one or more stop surfaces are positioned in front of the stack engaging part of the one or more holdback members and in overlapping relation when viewed from the dispensing mouth.

27. The dispenser of claim 2 or 3 or any one of claims 4 to 26 as dependent on claim 2 or 3, wherein the one or more stop surfaces are positioned to limit turning of the stack engaging parts about the hinge to a position extending more perpendicularly than parallel relative to one or more sidewalls of the housing from which the stack engaging parts project.

28. The dispenser of claim 2 or 3 or any one of claims 4 to 27 as dependent on claim 2 or 3, wherein the one or more stop surfaces are fixed and an associated stack engaging part moves relative thereto when turning about the hinge to bring the stop surfaces into action to limit further movement of the associated stack engaging part about the hinge.

29. A method comprising refilling the dispenser of any preceding claim with a new stack of napkins, comprising turning the stack engaging part of each of the one or more holdback members about the hinge from the stack engaging orientation to the stack loading orientation to provide clearance, passing the stack through the holdback members into the interior volume from outside of the dispenser as allowed by the clearance provided, allowing or causing the stack engaging part of each holdback member to return to the stack engaging orientation so that the stack is retained in a position spaced from the dispensing mouth in use by the stack engaging parts of the holdback members.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0150] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0151] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing interfolded napkins;

[0152] FIG. 1A is an exploded view of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0153] FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of an inner container which may be used with the embodiment of a dispenser of FIG. 1;

[0154] FIGS. 3a and 3b respectively show side and perspective views of a holdback member for use in the dispenser of FIGS. 1, 1a, 2, 4, 4a, 4b and 5, and other sheet product dispensers. FIGS. 3a and 3b show a stack engaging part that is turnable about a living hinge between a stack engaging orientation as shown in the figures in which the profile of the holdback member extending normally to a sidewall of the housing of the dispenser is relatively great and a stack loading orientation as shown in FIG. 7 in which that profile is relatively small. FIGS. 3a and 3b also show a configuration of one or more stop member surfaces each provided as part of an overhang member disposed so that the stop surfaces engage the stack engaging portion to limit turning of the stack engaging portion about the living hinge in a direction toward a dispensing month of the dispenser.

[0155] FIG. 3c shows a top view of the holdback member of FIGS. 3a and 3c. The top view shows a gap or open area extending along a hinge axis to increase flexibility of the hinge.

[0156] FIG. 4 illustrates the outer sleeve of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1,

[0157] FIG. 5 illustrates the dispenser of FIG. 1 when in a ready-to-use position including a stack of napkins.

[0158] FIG. 6 shows the holdback members when engaging a stack so as to hold the stack at a spacing away from the dispensing mouth.

[0159] FIG. 7 shows the holdback members of the dispenser of FIG. 6 each with the stack engaging part collapsed into a loading configuration to allow for passage of a stack of napkins.

[0160] FIG. 8 shows an alternative holdback member, particularly emphasising an alternative solution for the one or more stop surfaces in which the stop surfaces are provided as part of a fixed portion of the holdback member relative to a sidewall of the housing and abutment surfaces are connected to the stack engaging part so as to turn therewith about a hinge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

[0161] In the following, different embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by reference to the attached Figures. Identical or similar features will be denoted by the same reference numerals and repeated description thereof will be avoided.

[0162] FIGS. 3a and 3b show an embodiment of a container including holdback means in accordance with the present application.

[0163] FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 show embodiments of a dispenser in which an inner container including holdback members in accordance with the present application may be used. The holdback members are shown generically in FIG. 2, with a detailed implementation thereof being shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, 6 and 7. An alternative implementation of stop surfaces of the holdback members is shown in FIG. 8 that is applicable to the holdback members of the preceding embodiments. Further, the holdback members disclosed herein can be applied to dispensers other than that shown in the figures.

[0164] The dispenser 1 includes an outer sleeve 3 and an inner container 2. The inner container 2 can be inserted into the outer sleeve 3, as it is shown in the schematic perspective diagram of FIG. 1. The inner container 2 of the dispenser 1 includes a dispensing opening 7 for dispensing e.g. interfolded napkins which are contained inside the inner container 2. The outer sleeve 3 includes a dispensing mouth 9 which is aligned with the dispensing opening 7 of the inner container 2 when the inner container 2 is inserted into the outer sleeve 3. This enables a reliable dispensing process of the interfolded napkins from the inner container 2.

[0165] The outer sleeve 3 forms an open end 10 through which the inner container is insertable into the outer sleeve 3 along an insertion direction D, extending in parallel with the dispensing mouth 9. The dispensing opening 7 of the inner container 2 is substantially larger than the dispensing mouth 9 of the outer sleeve 3 such that the dispensing opening 7 of the inner container 2 will not influence the dispensing characteristics of the dispensing mouth 9 of the outer sleeve 3, but simply enables dispensing of the napkins through the aligned dispensing opening 7 and dispensing mouth 9 when the inner container 2 is received in the outer sleeve 3.

[0166] The dispensing mouth 9 of the outer sleeve 3 is open towards the open end 10 of the outer sleeve 3. Accordingly, the inner container 2 may be inserted into the outer sleeve 3, while a leading end of a stack of napkins contained in the inner container 2 is allowed to protrude vertically from the dispensing opening 7 of the inner container 2. In this case, the protruding leading end of the stack may be introduced into the dispensing mouth 9 via the open end thereof as the inner container 2 is introduced into the outer sleeve 2 via the open end 10 thereof. Hence, set-up of the dispenser 1 in a ready-to use configuration with a leading end of the stack being present in the dispensing mouth is facilitated.

[0167] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer sleeve 3 forms two opposing open ends 10, and the dispensing mouth 9 is open towards both open ends 10 of the sleeve. Accordingly, the inner container 2 may be introduced into the outer sleeve 3 along any one of two opposing insertion directions D.

[0168] However, it will be understood that other embodiments, displaying only one open end 10 of the outer sleeve 3 and one corresponding opening of the dispensing mouth 9, may also be envisaged.

[0169] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the inner container 2. As can be seen, the inner container 2 has a bottom wall 5, and side walls 6 which extend in the vertical direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 5. The side walls 6 define the dispensing opening 7, which is located opposite the bottom wall 5. A supporting surface 8 for supporting a stack of interfolded napkins extends in the horizontal plane inside the inner container 2. Typically, the stack of napkins to be dispensed is held in the volume defined by the side walls 6 and the supporting surface 8.

[0170] The supporting surface 8 is biased towards the dispensing opening 7 by means of a spring 14, for example a conical spring as seen in FIG. 1A. The spring 14 is arranged between the bottom wall 5 and the lower surface of the supporting surface 8, such that largest end surface of the conical spring 14 faces towards the bottom wall 5 of the inner container 2, and its smallest end surface faces towards the supporting surface 8. The supporting surface 8 is vertically movable inside the inner container 2 by means of said biasing spring 14. The supporting surface 8 moves between a lower position adjacent the bottom wall 5, and an upper position adjacent the dispensing opening 7.

[0171] The bottom wall of the inner container is advantageously provided with a track 17 into which one end of the spring 14, for example the large end surface of the conical spring, will fit. In a similar manner, the underside of the supporting surface 8 may be provided with a corresponding track 17 arranged to fit the opposite end of the spring 14, i.e. the smaller end surface of the conical spring. Fitting the spring end surfaces into tracks 17 will prevent said spring end surfaces from slipping on the biasing surfaces and thereby stabilize the biased movement of the supporting surface 8 between the lower and upper positions.

[0172] The upper position for the supporting surface 8 is determined by one or more holdback members 11 including tabs or stack engaging parts 100 extending in the horizontal direction from the side walls 6 of the inner container 2. In FIG. 2, it is seen how two tabs or stack engaging parts 100 of the holdback members 11 extend from the upper edges of opposing side walls 6 and abut the upper side of the uppermost panel of a stack of napkins. The tabs or stack engaging parts 100 of the holdback members 11 restrict the upward movement of the supporting surface 8, and ensure that the uppermost napkin is kept in position when it is withdrawn from the dispenser 1. The tabs 11 will also prevent that multiple napkins are unintentionally withdrawn at the same time. As napkins are dispensed, the height of the stack contained in the dispenser 1 will diminish, allowing the supporting surface 8 to move vertically upwards. When all napkins have been withdrawn from the dispenser 1, the tabs or stack engaging parts 100 of the holdback members 11 will abut the supporting surface 8.

[0173] FIGS. 3a and 3b show an embodiment of the holdback members 11 pivotably arranged in relation to the inner container 2. In this embodiment, the tabs 100 of the holdback members 11 are movable from a holding position or stack engaging orientation in which the tabs 100 extend at least horizontally over a portion of the dispensing opening 7, and a refill position or stack loading orientation, in which the tabs 100 are directed away from the dispensing opening 7. This arrangement with pivotable tabs 100 will facilitate the loading of a stack of napkins into the inner container 2. FIG. 7 shows an embodiment wherein the pivotable tabs 100 are in a refill position or loading orientation.

[0174] In FIGS. 3a and 6 it is seen how the tabs 100 of the holdback members 11 as a whole form an angle of about 50° to 130° with the vertical plane including the side wall 6 to which the tabs is attached. Accordingly, the tabs 100 of the holdback members 11 extend in a horizontal direction over the dispensing opening 7 so as to retain a stack of napkins held inside the inner container 2. The downward angle of the tabs 100 is a little greater than a particular configuration that is closer to perpendicular.

[0175] The angle is in the stack engaging or holding orientation, which is, for example, closer to perpendicular relative to the vertical plane of the sidewall 6, e.g. 60° to 120°, 70° to 110°, or 80° to 100°.

[0176] In FIG. 7, it is seen how the tabs 100 of the holdback members 11 are directed away from the dispensing opening 7, when the inner container 2 is in a refill position. In this orientation, the tabs define an angle of 0° (parallel) to 40° relative to the vertical plane of the sidewalls 6. The angle in the loading configuration is preferably closer to parallel to the vertical plane of the sidewall 6, e.g. 0° to 30°, 0° to 20°, 0° to 10°. The entire dispensing opening 7, as outlined by the side walls 6, is readily available for easy refill of napkins.

[0177] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a more detailed version of each holdback member 11 as compared to that shown in FIG. 2. In FIGS. 3a and 3b, it is shown that each holdback member 11 includes a stack engaging part 100 that is arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to the vertically plane of a sidewall 6 in a stack engaging or holding position, which is the orientation shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. The holdback members 11 each include a hinge 101, which is a living hinge in a particular embodiment. The stack engaging part 100 is arranged to pivot about the hinge 101 relative to the sidewall 6 from the stack engaging orientation shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b to a stack loading orientation or refill position as shown in FIG. 7.

[0178] The stack engaging part 100 is provided in the form of a tab, defining a flat form having opposed major surfaces that are parallel to one another and having a far smaller thickness direction. The stack engaging part 100 is longer in a direction along the sidewall 6 and is shorter in a direction projecting normally from the sidewall 6. The stack engaging part 100 extends along the sidewall 6 by less than half of the overall length dimension of the sidewall 6 defining part of the stack holding interior volume of the dispenser 1. In the direction projecting normally from the sidewall 6, the stack engaging part extends by distance of less than a third, or by less than a quarter of the full distance across the stack extending normally from the sidewall 6.

[0179] The living hinge 101 can be seen in FIGS. 3a, 3b, 6 and 7 as defining a relatively thinned portion in the thickness direction as compared to the stack engaging part 100 in order to provide a hinge line about which the stack engaging part 100 rotates. FIG. 3c shows one or more gaps 130 in a central location including a part disposed between the overhang members 102. In the specific embodiment, a gap 130 is disposed entirely within the space along the hinge 101 between the overhang members 102. This gap along the hinge 101 serves to increase flexibility to ease turning of the stack engaging part about the hinge, without requiring the hinge 101 to be overly thinned so as to compromise its fatigue performance. In alternative implementations, the one or more gaps may be located elsewhere along the hinge line extending along the hinge 101, such as beneath one or both of the overhang members 102.

[0180] The holdback members 11 each include one or more overhang members 102 providing one or more stop surfaces 103 as shown in FIG. 3a. The stack engaging part 100 is able to turn about the hinge 101 in a direction away from the dispensing mouth 9 toward the stack loading configuration shown in FIG. 7 from the stack engaging configuration, but also allows turning of the stack engaging part 100 in the opposite direction. The one or more stop surfaces 103 prevent the stack engaging part 100 from extending beyond a limit orientation in the turning direction toward the dispensing mouth 9 so that even when the stack is being urged toward the dispensing mouth 9 by a biasing means, such as the spring 14, the stack engaging part 100 remains in a stack engaging orientation or holding position maintaining the top of the stack at a location spaced from the dispensing mouth 9.

[0181] The one or more overhang members 102 include curved surfaces facing the dispensing mouth 9. This curvature provides a graduated interface with a stack during looking to reduce adverse effects of rubbing. This effect could be achieved with suitably angled surfaces.

[0182] The one or more stop surfaces 103 are arranged in the embodiment of FIGS. 3a and 3b so as to engage a side of the stack engaging part 100 facing the dispensing mouth 9. The one or more stop surfaces 103 are provided on a side of overhang member 102 facing away from the dispensing mouth 9. The stack engaging part 100 is configured for turning about the hinge 101 whilst the stop surfaces 103 will remain fixed relative to the sidewall 6 in order to enable that the stop surfaces 103 stop turning of the stack engaging part 100 in the direction toward the dispensing mouth 9.

[0183] In an alternative embodiment of one or more stop surfaces 110, the stop surfaces 110 do not engage a dispensing mouth side of the stack engaging part 100, but are instead more remotely located. Specifically, one or more abutment surfaces 111 are each arranged on a free end of a bracket shaped arm 112. The bracket shaped aim 112, and thus the abutment surfaces 111, are configured for turning about a hinge (not shown in FIG. 8) to move the abutment surfaces 111 into engagement with the stop surfaces 110 to define a limit of turning of the stack engaging part 100 about the hinge toward the dispensing mouth 9.

[0184] In the embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, each of the one or more holdback members 11 includes a housing part 104 that is to be fixed to the sidewall 6 of the dispenser 1. In a removable implementation, although non-removable versions may be provided, the fixing includes one or more snap fit members 105 that are able to snap fit into respective opening in the sidewall 6 as shown in FIG. 2. The one or more snap fit members 105 are each disposed at the end of a resilient arm as can best be seen in FIG. 8 in order to provide for snap fit functionality. The holdback members 11 may also each include an open ended slot 106, provided in the embodiment of FIGS. 3a and 3b but best seen in FIG. 8 that engages a rail on the inside of the sidewalls 6 for alignment purposes. The sidewalls 6 also include brackets 19 as shown in FIG. 2, which in combination with the slot 106 and associated rail of the sidewall 6, allow the holdback member 11 to be slidingly received adjacent to the sidewall 6. A pair of brackets 19 are shown in FIG. 2 for each holdback member 11, serving to constrain the holdback member 11 in a direction along the sidewall 6 and normal to the sidewall 6, while snap fit engagement of the snap fit members 105 with the openings in the sidewalls 6 serve to constrain the holdback member 11 along the vertical direction.

[0185] The housing part 104 also includes a plurality of ribs 107, particularly a pair of opposed outer ribs 107 and a pair of central ribs 107. The ribs 107 aid in strengthening the housing part 104 and may also define a stop position for abutting a side of the stack engaging part 100 opposed to the dispensing mouth 9 to define a limit position in the direction of turning of the stack engaging part 100 about the hinge 101 away from the dispensing mouth 9. In this way, the stack engaging part 100 may be disposed substantially parallel to the sidewall 6 as defined by the one or more ribs 107 in the limit position of the stack loading orientation. It may be that the stack engaging part 100 does not need to reach the stop position in order to provide sufficient clearance for the stack to be loaded, as should be clear from FIG. 7.

[0186] The housing part 104 and its various components are shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b as removable components. It is possible, however, to integrate the housing part 104 with the sidewall 6, in which the stack engaging part 101 extends from the sidewall 6, the stop surfaces 102 are provided as part of the sidewall 6, and the snap fit members 105 are not necessary.

[0187] Referring to FIG. 3a, the holdback members 11 may each include a bridge portion 108 that extends in a direction normal to the sidewall 6 so that the hinge 101, about which the stack engaging part 100 pivots, is offset from an inside surface of the sidewall 6 in the direction normal to the vertical plane defined by the sidewall 6. In this way, clearance is provided for rotation of the stack engaging part 100 about the hinge 101 toward the stack loading configuration.

[0188] The housing part 104 may thus include the bridge portion 108 and a side portion 109 that are arranged fixedly perpendicular to one another. The hinge 101 connects the bridge portion, and thus the housing part, to the stack engaging part 100 to allow relative turning, pivoting or rotation therebetween.

[0189] The stack engaging part 100-can be a moulded part that is integrally injection molded with the hinge 101. In particular, flow of injection molded material during manufacturing will extend across a thinned portion of the mold defining the hinge 101 so that the polymer chains of the injection molded material, on aggregate, are oriented transverse to a hinge axis of the hinge 101. This provides for flexibility of the living hinge, as well as fatigue resistance. Further, the stack engaging part 100 and the hinge 101 may be integrally molded with the stop surfaces 103, possibly provided as part of the overhanging members 102. Yet further, the housing part 104 (including the sidewall portion 109 and the bridge portion 109) may be integrally injection molded with the stack engaging part 100 and the hinge 101. Thus, the whole piece shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b and FIG. 8 may be integrally injection molded and be removably attachable to a sidewall 6 of the dispenser 1, or it may be integrally formed with the sidewall 6 in an arrangement not shown in the figures.

[0190] It will be understood that numerous alternative embodiments are available, for example as it comes to the size and shape of the pivotable stack engaging parts or tabs. Further, the holdback members 11 can be used in conjunction with all manner of dispensers for sheet products, future or known in the art. For example, holdback members according to the present disclosure may replace the holdback means of the aforementioned WO 2014/037041 A1.

[0191] FIG. 4 shows the outer sleeve 3 in a schematic perspective drawing. As will be appreciated, the outer sleeve 3 is, in the form shown in the Figures, can be made from an extruded metallic material, in particular an extruded aluminum or stainless steel material. In a different embodiment, the outer sleeve 3 may be made from an extruded plastic material. In particular, the inner shape of the outer sleeve 3 corresponds to the outer shape of the inner container 2, as becomes immediately apparent from the Figures, in particular FIG. 1.

[0192] In another advantageous embodiment, the outer sleeve 3 is made from a band-shaped material which is bent in the form shown in the Figures. The band-shaped material which may be used to manufacture the outer sleeve 3 can be provided in the form of a metal band, in particular an aluminum and/or stainless steel band, or in the form of a band made from a rigid plastic material.

[0193] Advantageously, the band-shaped material has a width that is substantially equal to the length of the inner container 2 in the direction D.

[0194] The outer sleeve 3 includes a dispensing mouth 9, i.e. an opening through which items are dispensed. As seen in FIG. 5, the dispensing mouth 9 is positioned over the items inside the inner container 2, so as to be aligned with a leading end of the stack of napkins protruding from said dispensing opening 7, when the inner container 2 is located inside the outer sleeve 3.

[0195] The biased vertical movement of the supporting surface 8 supporting the stack of napkins towards the dispensing opening 7, automatically positions the protruding leading end from the stack inside the dispensing mouth 9 with a constant length of the leading end extending through the dispensing mouth 9.

[0196] To further facilitate the presentation of the leading end present in the dispensing opening 7 inside the dispensing mouth 9, the dispensing mouth 9 includes vertically upwardly protruding edges 12. The vertically upwardly protruding edges 12 enable the napkin to assume an up-right position as seen in FIG. 5.

[0197] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the dispensing mouth 9 is advantageously provided with a portion having a greater width extending in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction D, than the other portions of the dispensing mouth 9. Such a wider portion arranged in the dispensing mouth 9 may facilitate gripping of the napkin, or facilitate the gripping of a leading end of the uppermost napkin when the leading end is lying flatly down on the stack located inside the inner container 2.

[0198] The side walls 6 of the inner container 2 need not necessarily be closed, but may be provided with openings or slots. In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the upper regions of the side walls 6 of the inner container 2 are provided with an access opening 13 arranged adjacent to the inner periphery of the outer sleeve 3. The access openings 13 may serve as gripping sections to remove the inner container 2 from the outer sleeve 3. The provision of access openings 13 on both sides of the inner container 2 has the advantage that it does not matter in which orientation the inner container 2 is inserted into the outer sleeve 3, but the user can grip and withdraw the inner container 2 from the outer sleeve 3 in both possible directions.

[0199] Furthermore, the location of an access opening 13 adjacent the dispensing mouth 9 may also facilitate the gripping of a leading end of a new stack of napkins, and the introduction of said leading end through the dispensing mouth 9.

[0200] A further reason for providing slots or openings in the side walls 6 could be to observe the filling level of napkins inside the inner container 2 (not shown).

[0201] A releasable locking means for releasably locking the inner container 2 to the outer sleeve 3 is arranged at the bottom of the dispenser 1. FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate one type of locking means that may advantageously be used in the dispenser of the present application. The releasable locking means is centrally arranged along the length between the bottom wall 5 of the inner container 2 and the bottom wall of the outer sleeve 3. A resilient tongue 15 is arranged in the bottom wall 5 of the inner container 2. Said resilient tongue 15 snap-fits into an opening 16 arranged through the corresponding bottom wall of the outer sleeve 3.

[0202] When the inner container 2 is locked to the outer sleeve 3, the resilient tongue 15 is accessible from the bottom side of the dispenser 1, enabling release of the tongue 15 from the opening 16 by manually pressing the tongue 15 out of the opening 16 from the bottom side of the dispenser 1.

[0203] In the embodiments shown, the outer sleeve 3 can be made from a metal material, for example from aluminum or stainless steel, which is extruded and cut into the respective form. However, other materials can also be used which are rigid enough to perform the function of receiving the inner container 2, in particular metal band materials, extruded plastic materials, wooden materials and laminates thereof.

[0204] The inner container 2 can be made from a wooden material, a plastic material or laminates thereof. As to the plastic material, a transparent or see-through plastic material might be of particular benefit in some applications. Naturally, the inner container 2 can be made from the same material as the outer sleeve 3, depending on specific design considerations.

[0205] The bottom surface of the outer sleeve 3 is furnished with one or more supporting means 20, such as e.g. rubber feet, or feet lined with an upholstered material to prevent scratching of any surface onto which the dispenser is placed.

[0206] In the following, the process of filling the dispenser 1 with napkins will be described. In particular, napkins are provided in the form of a stack, which contains separate napkins that are interfolded such that, when removing the top napkin, the subsequent napkin will automatically present its leading end. The napkins used with the dispenser 1 may have any suitable size which fits into the interior volume defined by the inner container 2.

[0207] The stack of interfolded napkins 5 is inserted into the inner container 2, while pushing the supportive surface 8 towards its lowest position adjacent the bottom wall 5. The stack of napkins is placed onto the supportive surface or platform 8, such that the tabs 100 extending from the upper edges of opposing side walls 6 abut the upper side of the uppermost panel of a stack of napkins.

[0208] According to embodiments, the tabs 100 are pivotable about the hinge 101, such that the introduction of napkins past the tabs 100 and into the inner container 2 might be facilitated. The tabs 100 restrict the upward movement of the supporting surface 8, and ensure that the uppermost napkin is kept in position when it is withdrawn from the dispenser 1. The tabs 100 will also prevent that multiple napkins are unintentionally withdrawn at the same time.

[0209] From the Figures it is seen that the top panel of the stack will always be located at the position of the tabs 100, such that the vertical distance between the top panel of the stack and the dispensing mouth 9 will always be constant. This means that a specific length of the leading end of the uppermost sheet will extend from the top panel and out via the dispensing mouth 9 to be presented to a user. By selection of the vertical distance between the tabs 100 and the dispensing mouth 9, a suitable length for upright presentation of the end of the sheet may be achieved.

[0210] In more detail, the loading of the stack of napkins is facilitated in that the inner container 2 is provided with pivotable tabs 100. When a stack of napkins is loaded into a container 2 provided with pivotable tabs 100, said pivotable tabs 100 are placed in a refill position or loading orientation, wherein the tabs 100 are directed away from the dispensing opening 7 (see FIG. 3b). Thereafter, the supportive surface 8 is pushed towards its lowest position adjacent the bottom wall 5, while the stack of napkins is placed on top of the supportive surface 8. The stack is manually held back while the pivotable tabs 100 are repositioned or they resiliently spring into the holding position, in which the tabs 100 abut the upper side of the uppermost panel of a stack of napkins (see FIG. 3a). The tabs 100 are limited to a stack holding orientation by the one or more stop surfaces 103, 110 to retain the top of the stack spaced from the dispensing mouth 9 in the vertical direction.

[0211] As napkins are dispensed, the height of the stack contained in the dispenser 1 will diminish, allowing the supporting surface 8 to move vertically upwards. When all napkins have been withdrawn from the dispenser 1, the tabs 100 will abut the supporting surface 8.

[0212] After the stack of napkins has been loaded into the inner container 2, the inner container 2 is inserted into the outer sleeve 3 along the insertion direction D extending in parallel with the dispensing mouth 9, such that when inserted in the outer sleeve 3, the dispensing opening 7 of the container 2 is aligned with the dispensing mouth 9 of the outer sleeve 3.

[0213] As described in the above, the inner container 2 may be inserted into the outer sleeve 3, while a leading end of a stack of napkins contained in the inner container 2 is allowed to protrude vertically from the dispensing opening 7 of the inner container 2. Hence, the protruding leading end of the stack is introduced into the dispensing mouth 9 via the open end thereof as the inner container 2 is introduced into the outer sleeve 2 via the open end 10 thereof, enabling easy set-up of the dispenser.

[0214] The insertion of the inner container 2 into the outer sleeve 3 is facilitated by means of the access openings 13 provided on the side walls 6 of the inner container 2, in that said access openings 13 enable the user to grip the inner container 2 using the access openings 13 and insert said container into the outer sleeve 3 from any direction.

[0215] Moreover, the access openings 13 are useful in that they may facilitate gripping of the leading end of a new stack of napkins, contained in the inner container 2, before introduction of the inner container 2 into the outer sleeve 3.

[0216] Also, once the inner container 2 is inserted into the outer sleeve 3, the access openings 13 enable the user to grip a leading end of a new stack of napkins and introduce said leading end through the dispensing mouth 9. Such introduction is facilitated by means of the access openings 13 on the side walls 6, through which the user may insert two or more fingers to position the leading end of the stack of napkins into the dispensing mouth 9. Manipulation of the leading end of the stack via the access openings 13 may hence provide an alternative way of setting the dispenser in a ready-to use condition. In particular, this way may be preferred in cases when the stack contained in the dispenser is interrupted, such that a new napkin does not automatically follow a withdrawn napkin.

[0217] In the illustrated embodiment, the access openings 13 include cut-outs in the side walls of the inner container.

[0218] The dispenser further includes a releasable locking means for releasably locking the inner container 2 inside the outer sleeve 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the releasable locking means are centrally arranged between the bottom wall 5 of the inner container 2. The bottom wall of the outer sleeve 3 will automatically enter into a locking position when the inner container 2 is inserted into the outer sleeve 3. The resilient tongue 15 arranged in the bottom wall 5 of the inner container 2 will snap-fit into the opening 16 arranged through the corresponding bottom wall of the outer sleeve 3.

[0219] Removal of the inner container 2 from the outer sleeve 3 is enabled by manually pressing the tongue 15 out of the opening 16 from the bottom side of the dispenser 1, and simultaneously gripping the inner container 2, for example by means of the access openings 13 provided on either side wall 6 of the container 2, and pulling the inner container 2 out of the outer sleeve 3 along the insertion direction D.

[0220] The manner of loading a stack of napkins or other sheet products, for example interfolded, into a dispenser 1 will be described in yet further detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0221] FIG. 7 shows a housing in the form of an inner container 2 according to the dispenser 1 of the preceding figures. It is envisaged, however, that other dispenser configurations could be provided including an alternative form of housing 2 having one or more sidewalls 6 defining an interior volume for receiving and containing a stack of sheet products.

[0222] In FIG. 7, there is shown a stack 120 partially inserted into the housing 2. During insertion, a rear of the stack 120 is brought into engagement with each stack engaging part 100 of one or more holdback members 11 when the stack engaging part 100 are in the stack engaging orientation. Passage of the stack 120 in an insertion direction toward the bottom of the interior volume defined by the housing 2 causes the stack engaging parts 100 to turn or rotate about the hinge 101 into a stack loading orientation. In the stack loading orientation, the stack engaging parts 100 are disposed more parallel in order to provide clearance for passage of the stack 120 during loading. In FIG. 7, the stack engaging parts 100 are not exactly parallel, but are significantly more parallel to the sidewall 6 than a perpendicular orientation thereof. The stack engaging parts 100 may be able to turn about the hinges 101 from the position shown in FIG. 7 to a completely parallel orientation as allowed by the limit of a downward orientation of the stack engaging parts 100 defined by stop surfaces of the ribs 107, or other stop surfaces that define a maximum extent of turning about the hinge 101 in the direction away from the dispensing mouth 9.

[0223] The stack 120 will be accommodated in the interior volume defined by the housing 2 such that the top of the stack 120 will clear the stack engaging parts 100 to allow the stack engaging parts 100 to be pivoted about the hinges 101 to return to a stack engaging orientation as shown in FIG. 6. Movement of the stack engaging parts 100 about the hinge 101 from the loading orientation shown in FIG. 7 to the stack engaging orientation shown in FIG. 6 may be performed manually, but can be performed by action of the resilient nature of the material forming the holdback members 11 or by other automatic spring means. Referring to FIG. 6, the stack engaging orientation holds the stack 120 at a vertical space from the dispensing mouth 9 so that the top of the stack 120 is not disposed directly against an inside surface of a dispensing face defining the dispensing mouth 9 and so that a foremost sheet product in the stack 120 has some vertical space in which to extend before passing through the dispensing mouth 9. This provides for improved dispensing movement, avoidance of bunching of napkins and increased reliability of single sheet product dispensing. In FIG. 6, the stack engaging part 100 of each holdback member 11 is not exactly perpendicularly oriented relative to the sidewalls 6 of the housing 2, but still defines an orientation that is more perpendicular than it is parallel and obstructs the top of the stack 120 from passage toward the dispensing mouth 9 in order to be assured of the spacing therefrom.

[0224] The stack 120 can be biased toward the dispensing mouth 9, and this may be implemented by way of a platform 8 that is spring biased toward the dispensing mouth 9 as described above. Thus, during loading of the stack 120, the platform 8 must be moved away from the dispensing mouth 9 in a direction away from the dispensing mouth 9 toward a bottom of the housing 2 against the bias of the spring. During dispensing use, the platform 8 and the stack 120 is biased toward the dispensing mouth 9 by action of the spring, but the space between an inside most part of the dispensing mouth 9 and the top of the stack 120 is maintained by the level of the stack engaging parts 100 of the holdback members 11 when they are disposed in the stack engaging orientation. Further, the one or more stop surfaces 103, 110 allow the stack engaging parts 100 to rotate in a direction toward the dispensing mouth 9 until one or more abutment surfaces are brought into contact with the one or more stop surfaces 103, 110 at which point a limit or maximum amount of turning about the hinge 101 in a direction toward the dispensing mouth 9 is reached. In this limit orientation, the stack engaging parts 100 remain substantially perpendicularly extending relative to the respective sidewalls 6 so as to engage a top of the stack 120 and maintain a vertical spacing of the top of the stack 120 from the dispensing mouth 9. The one or more stop surfaces 103 allow the hinge 101 to be made particularly flexible, without compromising the ability of the stack engaging parts 100 to maintain the top of the stack 120 spaced from the dispensing mouth 9 even under the bias of the spring 14 urging the stack 120 toward the dispensing mouth 9.

[0225] The above specific embodiment has been described with respect to one type of dispenser, namely a tabletop dispenser. However, the holdback members 11 described herein including the stop surfaces 11, 111 and/or the flexible hinge 101 could be implanted in numerous other dispenser configurations. For example, referring to the in-counter dispenser of FIGS. 1 and 2 of WO2014037041, the tabs 15, 16 shown in these prior art figures could be replaced with members having flexible hinges as described herein and/or having stop surfaces as described herein. It is also envisaged that holdback members and stop surfaces as described herein could be implemented with countertop dispensers, for example as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of WO2013064165. The holdback members described herein would also have utility in other types of tabletop dispenser, such as that disclosed in FIGS. 6 and 7 of WO2013064165. The present inventors also anticipate advantageous use of the holdback members and optionally also the stop surfaces described herein in a stand or gravity feed type dispenser, such as disclosed in WO/2005/034702. Thus, the turning direction may be vertically upwards or downwards depending upon the dispenser design as the stack engaging part moves from the engaging orientation to the stack loading orientation. Accordingly, the holdback members and optionally also the stop surfaces described herein are useful in association with many types of dispenser, particularly in-counter, on-counter, tabletop, etc.

[0226] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. It is intended that the detailed description be regarded as illustrative and that the appended claims including all the equivalents are intended to define the scope of the disclosure. In particular, the disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments being dispensers of the table-top type, but may equally well be utilized in other types of dispensers such as in-counter dispensers.