DISPENSER FOR DISPENSING SHEET MATERIAL

Abstract

A dispenser (1) for dispensing sheet material (2), comprising a body (3) having four side walls (4), a base (5), an opening (6) in a top of the body (3), a lid (7) for covering the opening (6) in use and enabling access to the opening (6) for refilling, wherein the lid (7) has a dispensing opening (8) therein to enable sheet material (2) to be dispensed therefrom, wherein at least one of the side walls (4) is a double-walled side wall comprising an inner wall (9) and an outer wall (10), a space (11) being defined between the inner wall (9) and the outer wall (10), and wherein at least part of the inner wall (9) is pivotable around a pivot axis (12) to the inside of the body (3).

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A dispenser for dispensing sheet material, 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, 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, and the inner wall is hinged to the body in such a manner that the inner wall can be tilted away from the outer wall via hinges provided on the body.

13. The dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the pivot axis extends in parallel to the base.

14. The dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the pivot axis is arranged at a lower end of the double walled side wall adjacent the base.

15. The dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the outer wall is at least partially transparent.

16. The dispenser according to claim 12, 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.

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

18. The dispenser according to claim 12, 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.

19. The dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the inner wall is fixed to the outer wall via releasable latches.

20. The dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the inner wall comprises at least one recess arranged at the upper end thereof.

21. The dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the lid is moveably attached to at least one of the side walls of the body via a hinge.

22. The dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the lid is configured to be reversibly removable and attachable to the body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an empty dispenser according to an embodiment.

[0066] FIG. 2 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.

[0067] FIG. 3 illustrates the dispenser according to an embodiment in a state, in which it is filled with sheet material.

[0068] FIG. 4 is an isometric view into the inside of the dispenser according to an embodiment.

[0069] FIG. 5 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

[0070] 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.

[0071] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for similar elements.

[0072] FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser 1 according to an embodiment in a state in which it is empty, i.e. in a state in which no sheet material 2, e.g., napkins, are inserted into the dispenser 1 to be dispense therefrom. The empty dispenser 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a body 3 and a lid 7. The body 3 of the dispenser 1 includes four side walls 4. In addition, the dispenser 1 includes a base 5 for resting on a support surface. The support surface can, for example, be a tabletop, a counter, or the like. Further, the dispenser 1 of the exemplary embodiment includes an opening 6, which is arranged in a top of the body 3, such that the body 3 having four side walls 4, the base 5, and the opening 6 form a box-like shape, which is open in a top region thereof.

[0073] The dispenser as discussed herein may, as an example, have the following dimensions: the dispenser may have a height of 170 mm and a width of 200 mm and a depth of 141 mm. The height may include feet on which the dispenser may rest. It is to be understood that the dispenser may also have slightly smaller or larger dimensions than the above dimensions due to measurement tolerances.

[0074] The sheet material as discussed herein may be napkins. An individual sheet material may be an individual napkin. The individual napkin may, as an example, have the following nominal dimensions: when being folded in a stack of sheet material (stack of napkins), the individual napkin may have, in the folded state, a width of 165 mm and a length of 108 mm, or, alternatively, a width of 161 mm and a length of 105 mm. When being unfolded, in case of ? fold, the individual napkin may have a width of 165 mm and a length of 216 mm, or, alternatively, a width of 161 mm and a length of 210 mm. Further, in case of ? fold, the individual napkin may have a width of 330 mm and a length of 216 mm. The above width dimensions of the individual napkin may vary between 3 to 5 mm. The above length dimensions of the individual napkin may have a smaller variation than the variation of the width dimension.

[0075] The above-mentioned lid 7 is sized to cover the opening 6, such that a closed outer appearance of the dispenser 1 can be achieved. Nonetheless, the lid 7 has a dispensing opening 8 therein to enable that sheet material 2 can be dispensed therefrom. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, said dispensing opening 8 is illustrated in a centred top section of the lid 7. Nevertheless, any other configuration and arrangement of the dispensing opening 8 is also applicable.

[0076] The lid 7 of the illustrated embodiment is movably attached to at least one of the side walls 4. In the present case, this enables, that the lid 7 can be moved from a closed use position into an open refilling position, wherein said refilling position is illustrated in FIG. 2 and will be explained in more detail below.

[0077] In the embodiment, the body 3 including four side walls 4 has a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view with two long side walls 4 and two short side walls 4 respectively opposing each other. Here, the lid 7 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 3 of the dispenser 1. Yet, other configurations are also contemplated. That is, the lid 7 can also be pivotally movable around the upper end of one of the long side walls 4 of the body 3 having a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view.

[0078] To support the opening of the lid 7 from the closed use position into the open refilling position, said lid 7 can be supported by a spring (not illustrated), which urges the lid 7 from the closed use position into an open refilling position. Vice versa, the lid 7 may be held in a closed use position by a snap connection, or the like that prevents the lid 7 from freely moving from the closed use position into the open refilling position.

[0079] In an alternative (non-illustrated) embodiment, the lid 7 may be configured to be reversibly removable and attachable to the body 3 of the dispenser 1. In such a configuration, the lid 7 can be put aside for (re-) filling the dispenser 1 (open refilling position) and put back onto the body 3 in order to arrive at the closed use position thereof.

[0080] To further emphasizes the understanding of how the dispenser 1 is loaded with a stack of sheet material 2, reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates the above-described dispenser 1 in an open state. Open in this regard means that the lid 7 is moved from the closed use position into the open refilling position such that sheet material 2, e.g., sheet products in the form of napkins, can be inserted into the inside of the body of the dispenser 1.

[0081] As a first step to load a stack of sheet material 2, which is now described in the example of napkins 2, into the dispenser 1, the above-described lid 7 is moved from the above-mentioned closed use position into the open refilling position.

[0082] Then, the stack of napkins 2 is placed with a bottom face of the stack of napkins 2 on a support surface of a support plate (not illustrated) of the dispenser 1 via the opening 6 of the dispenser 1, wherein said support plate is reciprocally movable within the body 3 of the dispenser 1.

[0083] Subsequently, a force is exerted on a top face of the stack of sheet products opposite to the bottom face to thereby push the support plate into the body 3 of the dispenser 1.

[0084] Before or after exerting the force on the top face of the stack of the sheet products 2 and before or after placing the stack of napkins 2 with the bottom face of the stack of napkins 2 on the support surface, it may be particularly useful to at least partially fold the leading napkin at 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. 2.

[0085] The starter fold enables to easily grasp the leading napkin when the dispenser is freshly refilled.

[0086] On top of that, the napkins are usually distributed in bundles (stacks of sheet products) including a predetermined number of sheet products (e.g. napkins). In many cases more than one bundle (stack of sheet products) is inserted into the dispenser during refilling. Whereas the sheet products are usually interfolded within one bundle (stack of sheet products), the trailing sheet product of a first bundle (first stack of sheet products) and the leading sheet product of a second bundle (second stack of sheet products) are not interfolded. As a result, once the trailing sheet product of the first bundle is dispensed during use, the leading sheet product 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 products) inserted into the dispenser in the same manner as described above forming a starter fold.

[0087] Even though there is no interfolding at a stack-break (also called bundle break), i.e. the transition from one stack of sheet products to another one, a consistent and reliable use of the dispenser can be ensured by at least partially folding the leading napkin 2 of each bundle at at least one of its edges (see FIG. 2), and the user is never confronted with any napkin that is hard to grasp.

[0088] Afterwards, the lid 7 of the exemplary embodiment is pivoted from the open refilling position into the closed use position again, such that the lid 7 is closed.

[0089] Finally, a portion of a leading sheet material, i.e. a (partially folded) leading napkin 2 is extracted from the top face of the stack of napkins 2 through the dispensing opening 8 of the lid 7 to thereby dispose that leading napkin. Nonetheless, 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.

[0090] Accordingly, the stack of napkins 2 can be successfully loaded into the dispenser 1, and the dispenser 1 is thereby filled with napkins 2.

[0091] FIG. 3 illustrates the dispenser 1 according to an embodiment, which is loaded with a stack of napkins 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the lid 7 may be at least partially transparent to enable a user to easily gain information on whether napkins 2 are still inside the dispenser 1 or whether the stack of napkins 2 has been emptied therefrom and the dispenser 1 needs to be refilled.

[0092] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the arrangement inside the dispenser 1 according to the embodiment will now be explained in more detail.

[0093] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view into the inside of the dispenser 1. As mentioned earlier, said dispenser 1 includes four side walls 4 that are connected to a base 5 and thereby form a box-like shape. In the illustration of FIG. 4, the lid 7 is in an open refilling state to facilitate the explanation of the internal structure of the dispenser 1. Further, it is at hand that the dispenser 1 illustrated in FIG. 4 is empty, i.e. that no napkins are arranged therein, and the dispenser is not loaded.

[0094] As can be taken from FIGS. 4 and 5, the dispenser 1 according to the embodiment includes two double-walled side walls 4 including an inner wall 9 and an outer wall 10. Accordingly, a space 11 is defined between the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10, respectively.

[0095] Nonetheless, it is also possible to provide a dispenser 1 having, e.g., only one double-walled side wall 4 or more than the above-described two double-walled side walls 4.

[0096] Subsequently, an example will be described in which two of the opposing side walls 4 are double-walled side walls 4 and wherein said double-walled side walls 4 are arranged on the respective long side walls 4 of the body 3 having a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view.

[0097] 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.

[0098] In this regard, it should be once again be mentioned, that alternative embodiments having two opposing double-walled side walls 4, e.g., on the short side of the body 3 of the dispenser 1 are contemplated in a similar manner. Similarly, it is also possible to have only one single double-walled side wall 4 on a short side of the body 3 of the dispenser 1.

[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 4 and highlighted by the arrows provided therein, the inner wall 9 of the double-walled side wall 4 is pivotable around a pivot axis 12 toward the inside of the body 3. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, this applies for both of the opposing double-walled side walls 4.

[0100] Having an inner wall 9 that is pivotable about the pivot axis 12 toward the inside of the body 3 is realized via hinges that are provided at a lower end of the double-walled side wall 4 adjacent the base 5. For example, the hinges can be provided at the bottom of the double-walled side wall 4, at a position where the side wall 4 contacts the base 5 in order to form the shape-like body 3 of the dispenser 1. Accordingly, and as illustrated by the arrows of FIG. 4, the inner wall 9 can be tilted about the pivot axis 12 to open the space 11 being defined between the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10. By doing so, the inner surface of the outer wall 10 that faces the inside of the body 3 can be easily cleaned. The same applies for the surface of the inner wall 9 that faces the outer wall 10.

[0101] Accordingly, the space 11 that is defined between the surface of the inner wall 9 that faces the outer wall 10, and the surface of the outer wall 10 that faces inwardly, i.e., towards the inner wall 9 can be opened in order to allow a user to place a placard or sheet therein.

[0102] 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.

[0103] In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot axis 12 is arranged at the lower end of the double-walled side wall 4. Yet, in another, not illustrated embodiment, it is also possible that said pivot axis 12 is arranged between the lower end and the upper end of the double-walled side wall 4. That is, a higher pivot axis 12 is provided such that the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10 run in parallel to each other below the pivot axis 12 along a vertical direction, and only the part of the inner wall 9 that is arranged about said pivot axis 12 is pivotable, i.e. can be hinged around pivot axis 12.

[0104] To facilitate the opening of the space 11, that is, the pivoting of the inner wall 9 away from the outer wall 10, in order to increase the space 11, a recess 14 can be provided. In the embodiment illustrated, e.g., in FIGS. 4 and 5, said recess 14 is provided on an upper end of the inner wall 9, in particular at a centrally located position of the upper end of the inner wall 9. Yet, any other arrangement of said recess 14 is also contemplated. For example, it may also be possible to have a recess 14 on one of the upper corners of the inner wall 9.

[0105] To hold the inner wall 9 at a constant distance relative to the outer wall 10 in a use state, that means, in a state in which the inner wall 9 is not tilted toward the inside and the napkin dispenser 1 is in use (as illustrated in FIG. 3), the inner wall 9 can be temporarily fixed to the outer wall 10 via at least one releasable latch 13.

[0106] As can be taken from FIGS. 4 and 5, said latches may, for example, be arranged on the upper end of the outer wall 10 of the double-walled side wall 4 of the body 3. Yet, said latch 13 may also be provided, for example, on any other one of the side walls 4, that are not double walled. That means, latches 13 in such an arrangement can also hold the inner wall 9 from the sides to thereby ensure that a constant distance between the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10 can be achieved. Yet, FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an example of the latch 13 at a top region of the double-walled side wall 4, in particular on an upper end of the outer wall 10 thereof.

[0107] Due to such a configuration, a closed outer surface of the dispenser 1 can be achieved.

[0108] The outer wall 10 can be transparent, such that the whole surface of the double-walled side wall 4 of the dispenser 1 can be used for displaying advertisements, menus, or the like. Yet, it may also be possible to have only a partially transparent outer wall 10, i.e., one in which less than the entirety of the surface of that outer wall 28 is transparent.

[0109] In other words, the transparent outer wall 10 may be considered as window that can be used to display an advertisement, a menu, or the like. Due to the described configuration, the dispenser 1 is closed to the outside and the window, as provided by the outer wall 10, can be accessed from the inside of the dispenser 1, 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.

[0110] In the illustrated embodiment, different placards or sheets can be inserted into the two shown double-walled side walls 4 of the body 3 of the dispenser 1.

[0111] 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 11 defined between the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10, reference is now, once again, made the FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0112] In a first step, the lid 7 of the empty dispenser 1 (see FIG. 1), is moved from the closed use position to the open refilling position.

[0113] Subsequently, the latch 13 is released from the inner wall 9, such that the inner wall 9 can be pivoted inwardly and away from the outer wall 10 (see the arrows in FIG. 4).

[0114] In a next step, a sheet can be inserted into the space 11 between the outer wall 10 and the inner wall 9. This is possible, because the space 11 was increased by said tilt movement of the inner wall 9 to the inside of the body 3 of the dispenser 1.

[0115] The insertion of the advertisement and/or menu (as an example of the placard or sheet) is illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 5.

[0116] Once said sheet is moved completely into the space 11 the system can be closed again, such that the dispenser 1 can be used.

[0117] To do so, the inner wall 9 is tilted back towards the outer wall 10. Once the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10 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 11 defined by the inner wall 9 and the outer wall 10. That is, the sheet is sealed in a space that is defined by the outer wall 10 and the inner wall 9. Then, to lock said closed position of the double-wall side wall 4, the latch 13 is used to fix the inner wall 9 to the outer wall 10 again.

[0118] Finally, the dispenser 1 can then be filled with a stack of napkins 1 or can be closed without any napkins 1. To close said dispenser 1 again, the lid 7 is, in a final step, moved from the open refilling position into the closed used position.

[0119] Hence, a dispenser 1 can be achieved that displays an advertisement, a menu, or the like without permitting dust or other contaminants to enter through any recesses 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 NUMERALS

[0120] 1 dispenser [0121] 2 sheet material [0122] 3 body [0123] 4 side wall [0124] 5 base [0125] 6 opening [0126] 7 lid [0127] 8 dispensing opening [0128] 9 inner wall [0129] 10 outer wall [0130] 11 space [0131] 12 pivot axis [0132] 13 releasable latches [0133] 14 recess