TABLETOP FOLDED SHEET DISPENSER

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for loading a stack of sheet material into a dispenser, the method including moving a lid of the dispenser from a closed use position into an open refilling position, the dispenser including a body having side walls, a base, an opening, the lid covering the opening, wherein the lid has a dispensing opening to enable sheet material to be dispensed therefrom, a platform for supporting a plurality of sheet material from below, wherein the platform is movable from a lowermost position to an uppermost position adjacent the lid, a biasing means for urging the platform towards the lid, a releasable locking mechanism for holding the platform in a locking position in the lowermost position, the releasable locking mechanism including a first pair of first arms movably attached to one of the side walls.

Claims

1. A method for loading a stack of sheet material into a dispenser for dispensing said sheet material, the method comprising: moving a lid of the dispenser from a closed use position into an open refilling position; the dispenser comprising: a body having four side walls, a base, an opening in a top of the body, the lid being for covering the opening in use and enabling access to the opening for refilling, wherein the lid has a dispensing opening therein to enable sheet material to be dispensed therefrom, a platform for supporting a plurality of sheet material from below, wherein the platform is movable from a lowermost position when the dispenser is filled with sheet material to an uppermost position adjacent the lid when the dispenser is more nearly empty of sheet material, a biasing means for urging the platform towards the lid, a releasable locking mechanism for holding the platform in a locking position in the lowermost position, the releasable locking mechanism comprising: a first pair of first arms movably attached to one of the side walls and extending in a direction from the top towards the base of the body, wherein each of the first pair of the first arms has a top end and a base end, a second pair of second arms movably attached to the base and extending in a direction from the side wall to which the first pair of the first arms is attached towards a center of the base, wherein each of the second pair of the second arms has a side wall end and a locking end, the side wall end being configured to cooperate with the respective base end of the respective first arm such that a movement of the first arm causes a movement of the second arm, the locking end being configured to releasably interlock with a respective locking portion of a pair of locking portions arranged at the platform to thereby hold the platform in the locking position, wherein the lid has a pair of engaging portions at its lower surface, wherein each of the pair of the engaging portions is configured to engage with the respective top end of the respective first arm upon closing the lid to thereby release the platform from the locking position; placing the stack of sheet material via the opening with a trailing face of the stack of sheet material on a supporting surface of the platform; exerting a force on a leading face of the stack of sheet material opposite to the trailing face to thereby push the platform into the body, in the locking position; pivoting the lid from the open refilling position into the closed use position to thereby release the platform from the locking position; and extracting a portion of a leading sheet material from the leading face of the stack of sheet material through the dispensing opening of the lid, to thereby dispense the leading sheet material.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pair of the locking portions is arranged at a lower side of the platform.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means is a spring attached between a central region of the base and a central region of the platform and wherein the pair of the locking portions of the platform is located closer to the central region of the platform than to an edge portion of the platform.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pair of the engaging portions protrudes from the lower surface of the lid, optionally, wherein each of the pair of the engaging portions has a length of 1/20 to ?, preferably 1/15 to ?, more preferably 1/12 to ?, most preferably 1/10 of the length of the first arm.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the body has a box shape with two long side walls and two short side walls respectively opposing each other, wherein the lid is attached to one of the short side walls and the first pair of the first arms is provided on the other one of the short side walls.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the first pair of the first arms is rotatably attached to the side wall about a respective first axis of rotation and each of the second pair of the second arms is rotatably attached to the base about a respective second axis of rotation.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the first pair of the first arms and the second pair of the second arms is rotatably attached with a spring-loaded mechanism, wherein the spring-loaded mechanism is configured such that the at least one of the first pair of the first arms and the second pair of the second arms rotates about the first or second axis of rotation, respectively, against a biasing force of the spring-loaded mechanism upon bringing the platform in the locking position and/or upon closing the lid.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein each of the pair of the engaging portions has a slanted surface matching with a corresponding slanted surface provided on the top end of the respective first arm

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser has a spring-loaded latch for releasably locking the lid to the body.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the locking portions of the platform are symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal axis or a transversal axis of the platform, wherein the first pair of the first arms is symmetrically arranged with respect to a central axis of the one of the side walls, the central axis of the one of the side walls extending in a direction from the top to the base and dividing the one of the side walls into two halves, wherein the second pair of the second arms is symmetrically arranged with respect to a central axis of the base, the central axis of the base extending in a direction from the side wall at which the first pair of the first arms is arranged towards the opposite side wall and dividing the base into two halves.

11. A method for loading a stack of sheet material into a dispenser for dispensing said sheet material, the method comprising: moving a lid of the dispenser from a closed use position into an open refilling position; the dispenser comprising: a body having four side walls, a base, an opening in a top of the body, a lid for covering the opening in use and enabling access to the opening for refilling, wherein the lid has a dispensing opening therein to enable sheet material to be dispensed therefrom, a platform for supporting a plurality of sheet material from below, wherein the platform is movable from a lowermost position when the dispenser is filled with sheet material to an uppermost position adjacent the lid when the dispenser is more nearly empty of sheet material, a biasing means for urging the platform towards the lid, wherein at least one of the side walls is a double-walled side wall comprising an inner wall and an outer wall, a space being defined between the inner wall and the outer wall, and wherein at least part of the inner wall is pivotable around a pivot axis to the inside of the body, wherein the inner wall is fixed to the outer wall via releasable latches; placing the stack of sheet material via the opening with a trailing face of the stack of sheet material on a supporting surface of the platform; exerting a force on a leading face of the stack of sheet material opposite to the trailing face to thereby push the platform into the body; pivoting the lid from the open refilling position into the closed use position; and extracting a portion of a leading sheet material from the leading face of the stack of sheet material through the dispensing opening of the lid, to thereby dispense the leading sheet material.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the pivot axis extends in parallel to the base.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the pivot axis is arranged at a lower end of the double walled side wall adjacent the base.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the outer wall is at least partially transparent.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least two of the side walls are double-walled side walls, and wherein both inner walls of the respective side walls are pivotable around respective pivot axes to the inside of the body.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein two opposing side walls are double-walled side walls.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the body has a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view with two long side walls and two short side walls respectively opposing each other, wherein the at least one double-walled side wall is arranged on one of the long side walls.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein the inner wall comprises at least one recess arranged at the upper end thereof.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lid is moveably attached to at least one of the side walls of the body via a hinge.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lid is configured to be reversibly removable and attachable to the body.

21. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: pivoting the inner wall around the pivot axis to the inside of the body; inserting a sheet into the space being defined between the inner wall and the outer wall; and pivoting the inner wall around the pivot axis to the outer wall of the body.

22-41. (canceled)

42. The method according to claim 11, wherein the lid is moveably attached to at least one of the side walls of the body via a hinge.

43. The method according to claim 11, wherein the lid is configured to be reversibly removable and attachable to the body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0200] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tabletop dispenser.

[0201] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tabletop dispenser of FIG. 1 with an open lid, wherein a platform is omitted.

[0202] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tabletop dispenser of FIG. 1 wherein a base, a side wall, a biasing means, and a lid are omitted.

[0203] FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view along the line A-A in FIG. 1, wherein a lid, a platform, and a biasing means are omitted.

[0204] FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line B-B in FIG. 1, wherein a lid and a biasing means are omitted.

[0205] FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the line C-C in FIG. 1, wherein a platform and a biasing means are omitted.

[0206] FIG. 7 illustrates the dispenser in an open state, i.e. in a state in which the lid is open such that sheet material can be inserted into the body of the dispenser.

[0207] FIG. 8 illustrates the dispenser in a state, in which it is filled with sheet material.

[0208] FIG. 9 is an isometric view into the inside of the dispenser.

[0209] FIG. 10 illustrates how an advertisement, menu, or the like can be inserted into a double-walled side wall of the dispenser according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT

[0210] Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to describe the disclosure using illustrative examples. Further modifications of certain individual features described in this context can be combined with other features of the described embodiments to form further embodiments of the disclosure.

[0211] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for similar elements.

[0212] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tabletop dispenser. The tabletop dispenser of the exemplary embodiment includes a body 1 having four side walls 2, 3, 4, and 5 (the side wall 4 is the side wall opposite to the side wall 2, and the sidewall 5 is a side wall opposite to the side wall 3). The tabletop dispenser further has a base 6 and a lid 8. The tabletop dispenser of this embodiment has a box shape with the two short side walls 2, 3 and the two long side walls 3, 5. In this embodiment, the lid 8 is movably attached to the short side wall 4. The lid 8 is provided with a dispensing opening 9 having a slot shape, wherein the two sections to the side are slot shaped and the central portion of the opening has an oval shape. Moreover, the tabletop dispenser includes a spring-loaded latch 21.

[0213] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tabletop dispenser of FIG. 1 with an open lid 8, wherein a platform 10 is omitted. The lid 8 is movably attached to the short side wall 4 by means of hinges, such that the lid 8 can be opened across the short side wall 4. When the lid 8 is completely opened, the opening 7 in a top of the body is easily accessible. In this embodiment, a coil spring is provided as a biasing means 11. The coil spring shown in FIG. 2 is in a relaxed state. Furthermore, the lid 8 has a pair of engaging portions 19 provided at its lower surface. Each of the engaging portions 19 has a slanted surface 20.

[0214] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tabletop dispenser of FIG. 1 wherein the base 6, the side wall 3, the lid 8, and the biasing means 11 are omitted. A first pair of first arms 12 is attached to the side wall 2 (the side wall 2 is opposite to the side wall 4). In this embodiment, the first pair of the first arms 12 is rotatably attached to the side wall 2 by means of a pair of pins 22. Moreover, as can be seen, the first arms 12 are mirror symmetric with respect to a central axis C of the side wall 2, wherein the central axis C extends in a direction from the base 6 of the body 1 towards the top of the body 1 and divides the side wall 2 into two halves (shown in more detail in FIG. 5). Likewise, the second pair of the second arms 15 is attached to the base 6 (the base 6 is not shown in FIG. 3). The second pair of second arms 15 is rotatably attached to the base 6 by means of pins 23. Moreover, as can be seen, the second arms 15 are mirror symmetric with respect to a central axis D of the base 6, wherein the central axis D extends in a direction from the side wall 2 towards the side wall 4 and divides the base 6 into two halves (shown in more detail in FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the second arms 15 are also mirror symmetric with respect to a longitudinal axis of the platform 10.

[0215] Each of the first arms 12 has a top end 13 and a base end 14. The top end 13 is provided with a slanted surface matching with the slanted surface 20 of the engaging portion 19. The base end 14 is configured to cooperate with the side wall end 16 of the second arm 15. Each of the second arms 15 has the side wall end 16 configured to cooperate with the base and 14 of the first arm 12 and has a locking end 17 configured to releasably interlock with a locking portion 18 arranged at the platform 10, thereby holding the platform 10 in the locking position, as seen in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the locking portion 18 has a snap hook design. Further, in this embodiment, each of the second pair of the second arms 15 includes a spring-loaded mechanism.

[0216] Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 3, hooks 24 are provided on the lower side of the platform 10 for attachment of the biasing means 11 which, in the present embodiment, is a coil spring, as described above. In this case, the central region of the platform 10 corresponds to the region where the upper end of the coil spring is attached to the platform 10. Since the locking portions 18 are located closer to the central region of the platform 10 than to an edge portion of the platform 10 and are symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis of the platform 10, the platform 10 can be held in the locking position in a horizontal orientation, thereby achieving the above-described advantages. Specifically, upon releasing the locking mechanism, the platform 10 and the stack of sheet material placed thereon is urged towards the dispensing opening 9 in an upright orientation which enables easy grasping of individual sheet material.

[0217] FIGS. 3 and 4 also illustrate the releasable locking mechanism according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 3, the platform 10 is in the locking position in the lowermost position. In order to release the locking mechanism, the lid 8 is brought into the closed position, whereby the slanted surface 20 of the engaging portion 19 is brought into contact with the slanted surface provided at the top end 13 of the first arm 12. As a result, each of the first arms 12 rotates about a first axis of rotation A (shown in FIG. 4) passing through the pins 22. In this embodiment, specifically, as seen in a direction towards the first arms 12, the left first arm 12 rotates counterclockwise, whereas the right first arm 12 rotates clockwise. At the same time, since the base end 14 of the first arm 12 is configured to cooperate with the side wall end 16 of the second arm 15, each of the second arms 15 is also subjected to a rotational movement about a second axis of rotation B (shown in FIG. 4) passing through the pins 23. In this embodiment, specifically, as seen from below, the left second arm 15 cooperating with the left first arm 12 rotates counterclockwise, whereas the right second arm 15 cooperating with the right first arm 12 rotates clockwise. With this movement, the locking end 17 of each of the second arms 15 disengages from each of the locking portions 18, thereby releasing the locking mechanism.

[0218] FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view along the line A-A in FIG. 1, wherein the lid 8, the platform 10, and the biasing means 11 are omitted. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the first arm 12 is rotatably attached at the sidewall 2 about the first axis of rotation A. The second arm 15 is rotatably attached at the base 6 about the second axis of rotation B. In this embodiment, the first axis of rotation A is perpendicular to the second axis of rotation B. Moreover, the base 6 has a circular wall portion 25 which is provided for holding the biasing means 11 in form of a coil spring in place. Thus, considering the above explanations with respect to the central region, this portion of the base 6 may be considered as central region of the base 6.

[0219] FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line B-B in FIG. 1, wherein the lid 8 and the biasing means 11 are omitted. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the locking portion 18 is arranged at a lower side of the platform 10. Furthermore, each of the second pair of the second arms 15 is disposed below the platform 10, thereby not interfering with the stack of sheet material.

[0220] FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the line C-C in FIG. 1, wherein the platform 10 and the biasing means 11 are omitted. FIG. 6 illustrates the mirror symmetric configuration of the second pair of the second arms 15 with respect to the central axis D of the base 6. Due to the second arms 15 being arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis D, the platform 10 of the dispenser can be particularly reliably held in the locking position in a horizontal orientation, thereby enabling a more reliable urging of the platform 10 and the stack of sheet material towards the dispensing opening 9 in an upright orientation and, thus, easy withdrawal of individual sheet material.

[0221] FIG. 7 illustrates the dispenser in an open state, i.e. in a state in which the lid 8 is open such that sheet material 26 can be inserted into the body 1 of the dispenser. Specifically, the lid 8 can be moved from a closed use position into an open refilling position, wherein said refilling position is illustrated in FIG. 7 and will be explained in more detail below.

[0222] The body 1 including four side walls 2, 3, 4, and 5 has a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view with two long side walls 3, 5 and two short side walls 2, 4 respectively opposing each other. The lid 8 is pivotally movable about one of the short side walls 4 via a hinge, in particular about an upper end of one of the short side walls 4 of the body 1 of the dispenser. Yet, other configurations are also contemplated. That is, the lid 8 can also be pivotally movable around the upper end of one of the long side walls 3, 5 of the body 1 having a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view.

[0223] To support the opening of the lid 8 from the closed use position into the open refilling position, said lid 8 can be supported by a spring (not illustrated), which urges the lid 8 from the closed use position into an open refilling position. Vice versa, the lid 8 may be held in a closed use position by a latch 21, or the like that prevents the lid 8 from freely moving from the closed use position into the open refilling position.

[0224] In FIG. 7, the above-described dispenser is in an open state. Open in this regard means that the lid 8 is moved from the closed use position into the open refilling position such that sheet material 26, e.g., sheet products in the form of napkins, can be inserted into the inside of the body 1 of the dispenser.

[0225] In an alternative (non-illustrated) embodiment, the lid 8 may be configured to be reversibly removable and attachable to the body 1 of the dispenser. In such a configuration, the lid 8 can be put aside for (re-) filling the dispenser (open refilling position) and put back onto the body 1 in order to arrive at the closed use position thereof.

[0226] As a first step to load a stack of sheet material 26, which is now described in the example of napkins 26, into the dispenser, the above-described lid 8 is moved from the above-mentioned closed use position into the open refilling position.

[0227] Then, the stack of napkins 26 is placed with a bottom face (trailing face) of the stack of napkins 26 on the platform 10 (not illustrated) of the dispenser via the opening 7 of the dispenser, wherein said platform 10 is reciprocally movable within the body 1 of the dispenser, as described above.

[0228] Subsequently, a force is exerted on a top face (leading face) of the stack of sheet material opposite to the bottom face (trailing face) to thereby push the platform 10 downward into the body 1 of the dispenser.

[0229] Before or after exerting the force on the top face of the stack of the sheet material 26 and before or after placing the stack of napkins 26 with the bottom face of the stack of napkins 26 on the support surface, it may be particularly useful to at least partially fold the leading napkin at least one of its edges. As a result, a so-called starter fold is formed. Such a folding of the leading napkin is illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0230] The starter fold enables to easily grasp the leading napkin when the dispenser is freshly refilled.

[0231] On top of that, the napkins are usually distributed in bundles (stacks of sheet material) including a predetermined number of sheet material (e.g. napkins). In many cases more than one bundle (stack of sheet material) is inserted into the dispenser during refilling. Whereas the sheet material is usually interfolded within one bundle (stack of sheet material), the trailing sheet material of a first bundle (first stack of sheet material) and the leading sheet material of a second bundle (second stack of sheet material) are not interfolded. As a result, once the trailing sheet material of the first bundle is dispensed during use, the leading sheet material of the second bundle is not automatically withdrawn through the dispensing opening in part for being easily graspable. As a result, it is beneficial to also fold the leading sheet of any bundle (stack of sheet material) inserted into the dispenser in the same manner as described above forming a starter fold.

[0232] Even though there is no interfolding at a stack-break (also called bundle break), i.e. the transition from one stack of sheet material to another one, a consistent and reliable use of the dispenser can be ensured by at least partially folding the leading napkin 26 of each bundle at least one of its edges (see FIG. 7), and the user is never confronted with any napkin that is hard to grasp.

[0233] Afterwards, the lid 8 of the exemplary embodiment is pivoted from the open refilling position into the closed use position again, such that the lid 8 is closed.

[0234] Finally, a portion of a leading sheet material 26, i.e. a (partially folded) leading napkin 26 is extracted from the top face of the stack of napkins 26 through the dispensing opening 9 of the lid 8 to thereby dispose that leading napkin. Nevertheless, the extraction of a leading napkin 2 may be carried out with the lid 8 in the closed use position or, alternatively, in an open position.

[0235] Accordingly, the stack of napkins 26 can be successfully and easily loaded into the dispenser, and the dispenser is thereby filled with napkins 26.

[0236] FIG. 8 illustrates the dispenser, which is loaded with a stack of napkins 26. The lid 8 may be at least partially transparent to enable a user to easily gain information on whether napkins 26 are still inside the dispenser or whether the stack of napkins 26 has been emptied therefrom and the dispenser needs to be refilled.

[0237] With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the arrangement inside the dispenser will now be explained in more detail.

[0238] FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view into the inside of the dispenser. As mentioned earlier, said dispenser includes four side walls 2, 3, 4, 5 that are connected to a base 6 and thereby form a box-like shape. In the illustration of FIG. 9, the lid 8 is in an open refilling state to facilitate the explanation of the internal structure of the dispenser. Further, it is at hand that the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 9 is empty, i.e. that no napkins are arranged therein, and the dispenser is not loaded.

[0239] As can be taken from FIGS. 9 and 10, the dispenser according to the embodiment includes two double-walled side walls 3, 5 including an inner wall 27 and an outer wall 28. Accordingly, a space 29 is defined between the inner wall 27 and the outer wall 28, respectively.

[0240] Nonetheless, it is also possible to provide a dispenser having, e.g., only one double-walled side wall 2, 3, 4, 5 or more than the above-described two double-walled side walls 2, 3, 4, 5.

[0241] Subsequently, an example will be described in which two of the opposing side walls 3, 5 are double-walled side walls and wherein said double-walled side walls 3, 5 are arranged on the respective long side walls 3, 5 of the body 1 having a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view.

[0242] As used herein, the term double-walled and derivatives thereof are not intended to limit the number of layers or walls making up a particular side wall. For example, a double-walled side wall may refer to a side wall that has three or more walls, but in any case the term double-walled refers to a wall that has at least two walls/layers e.g., an inner wall and an outer wall.

[0243] In this regard, it should be once again mentioned, that alternative embodiments having two opposing double-walled side walls, e.g., on the short side walls 2, 4 of the body 1 of the dispenser, are contemplated in a similar manner. Similarly, it is also possible to have only one single double-walled side wall on a short side of the body 1 of the dispenser.

[0244] As illustrated in FIG. 9 and highlighted by the arrows provided therein, the inner wall 27 of the double-walled side wall 3 is pivotable around a pivot axis 30 toward the inside of the body 1. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, this applies to both of the opposing double-walled side walls 3, 5.

[0245] Having an inner wall 27 that is pivotable about the pivot axis 30 toward the inside of the body 1 is realized via hinges that are provided at a lower end of the double-walled side wall 3 adjacent the base 6. For example, the hinges can be provided at the bottom of the double-walled side wall 3, at a position where the side wall 3 contacts the base 6 in order to form the box shape-like body 1 of the dispenser. Accordingly, and as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 9, the inner wall 27 can be tilted about the pivot axis 30 to open the space 29 being defined between the inner wall 27 and the outer wall 28. By doing so, the inner surface of the outer wall 28 that faces the inside of the body 1 can be easily cleaned. The same applies to the surface of the inner wall 27 that faces the outer wall 28.

[0246] Accordingly, the space 29 that is defined between the surface of the inner wall 27 that faces the outer wall 28, and the surface of the outer wall 28 that faces inwardly, i.e., towards the inner wall 27 can be opened in order to allow a user to place a placard or sheet therein.

[0247] Such a placard or sheet can be a commercial, an advertisement, a menu of a restaurant, or any other information that may be useful for a user, e.g. a guest, in a restaurant. That placard or sheet may be in printed form or even include some kind of digital display. Yet, said list of functionalities of such a placard or sheet is not limited to the given examples.

[0248] In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot axis 30 is arranged at the lower end of the double-walled side wall 3. Yet, in another, not illustrated embodiment, it is also possible that said pivot axis 30 is arranged between the lower end and the upper end of the double-walled side wall 3. That is, a higher pivot axis 30 may be provided such that the inner wall 27 and the outer wall 28 run in parallel to each other below the pivot axis 30 along a vertical direction, and only the part of the inner wall 27 that is arranged about said pivot axis 30 is pivotable, i.e. can be hinged around the pivot axis 30.

[0249] To facilitate opening of the space 29, that is, the pivoting of the inner wall 27 away from the outer wall 28, in order to increase the space 29, a recess 32 can be provided. In the embodiment illustrated, e.g., in FIGS. 9 and 10, said recess 32 is provided on an upper end of the inner wall 27, in particular at a centrally located position of the upper end of the inner wall 27. Yet, any other arrangement of said recess 32 is also contemplated. For example, it may also be possible to have a recess 32 on one of the upper corners of the inner wall 27.

[0250] To hold the inner wall 27 at a constant distance relative to the outer wall 28 in a use state, that means, in a state in which the inner wall 27 is not tilted toward the inside and the napkin dispenser is in use (as illustrated in FIG. 8), the inner wall 27 can be temporarily fixed to the outer wall 28 via releasable latches 31.

[0251] As can be taken from FIGS. 9 and 10, said latches may, for example, be arranged on the upper end of the outer wall 28 of the double-walled side wall 3 of the body 1. Yet, said latch 31 may also be provided, for example, on any other one of the side walls 2, 3, 4, 5, that are not double walled. That means, latches 31 in such an arrangement can also hold the inner wall 27 from the sides to thereby ensure that a constant distance between the inner wall 27 and the outer wall 28 can be achieved. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an example of the latch 31 at a top region of the double-walled side wall 3, in particular on an upper end of the outer wall 28 thereof, thereby making the configuration of the dispenser more compact.

[0252] Due to such a configuration, a closed outer surface of the dispenser can be achieved, thereby avoiding gaps on the outer surface of the dispenser in which dust or dirt can accumulate over time. This leads to a more hygienic environment and facilitates cleaning of the dispenser.

[0253] The outer wall 28 can be transparent, such that the whole surface of the double-walled side wall 3 of the dispenser can be used for displaying advertisements, menus, or the like. However, it may also be possible to have only a partially transparent outer wall 28, i.e., one in which less than the entirety of the surface of that outer wall 28 is transparent.

[0254] In other words, the transparent outer wall 28 may be considered as a window that can be used to display an advertisement, a menu, or the like. Due to the described configuration, the dispenser is closed to the outside and the window, as provided by the outer wall 28, can be accessed from the inside of the dispenser, such that no dust and/or dirt from the outside can enter via potential openings, recesses, or the like that may be provided to access said inside of the window.

[0255] Different placards or sheets can be inserted into the two shown double-walled side walls 3, 5 of the body 1 of the dispenser.

[0256] To facilitate the understanding on how such a placard or sheet in the example form of an advertisement or a menu of a restaurant can be inserted into the space 29 defined between the inner wall 27 and the outer wall 28, reference is made the FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0257] In a first step, the lid 8 of the empty dispenser, is moved from the closed use position to the open refilling position.

[0258] Subsequently, the latch 31 is released from the inner wall 27, such that the inner wall 27 can be pivoted inwardly and away from the outer wall 28 (see the arrows in FIG. 9).

[0259] In a next step, a sheet can be inserted into the space 29 between the outer wall 28 and the inner wall 27. This is easily possible, because the space 29 was increased by said tilt movement of the inner wall 27 to the inside of the body 1 of the dispenser.

[0260] The insertion of the advertisement and/or menu (as an example of the placard or sheet) is illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 10.

[0261] Once said sheet is moved completely into the space 29, the system can be closed again, such that the dispenser can be used.

[0262] To do so, the inner wall 27 is tilted back towards the outer wall 28. Once the inner wall 27 and the outer wall 28 are both oriented so as to be parallel with each other, a final position is reached, and the inserted sheet is arranged inside the space 29 defined by the inner wall 27 and the outer wall 28. The sheet may be sealed in a space that is defined by the outer wall 28 and the inner wall 27. Then, to lock said closed position of the double-wall side wall 3, the latch 31 is used to fix the inner wall 27 to the outer wall 28 again.

[0263] Finally, the dispenser can then be filled with a stack of napkins 26 or can be closed without any napkins 26. To close said dispenser again, the lid 8 is, in a final step, moved from the open refilling position into the closed use position.

[0264] Hence, a dispenser can be achieved that displays an advertisement, a menu, or the like without permitting dust or other contaminants to enter through any recesses, gaps, or the like into the dispenser from the outside. In addition, this prevents inadvertent or unauthorized removal of the placard or sheet containing the advertisement, menu, or the like.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0265] 1 Body [0266] 2 Side wall [0267] 3 Side wall [0268] 4 Side wall [0269] Side wall [0270] 6 Base [0271] 7 Opening [0272] 8 Lid [0273] 9 Dispensing opening [0274] Platform [0275] 11 Biasing means [0276] 12 First arm [0277] 13 Top end [0278] 14 Base end [0279] Second arm [0280] 16 Side wall end [0281] 17 Locking end [0282] 18 Locking portion [0283] 19 Engaging portion [0284] Slanted surface (of the engaging portion) [0285] 21 Latch [0286] 22 Pin [0287] 23 Pin [0288] 24 Hook [0289] Circular wall portion (of the base) [0290] 26 Sheet material [0291] 27 Inner wall [0292] 28 Outer wall [0293] 29 Space [0294] Pivot axis [0295] 31 Releasable latches [0296] 32 Recess [0297] A Axis of rotation of the first arm [0298] B Axis of rotation of the second arm [0299] C Central axis of the side wall [0300] D Central axis of the base [0301] L1 Length of the engaging portion [0302] L2 Length of the first arm