Dispenser for Sheet Materials with Pullout Feature

Abstract

A dispenser for sheet materials is disclosed that has a unique opening feature. The dispenser includes a housing that encloses a tray for containing one or more sheet materials. The dispenser further includes a tab member that is attached to an internal conveyor system. When the conveyor system is pulled out, the tray member exits the housing for enabling a user to have access to the sheet materials for dispensing.

Claims

1. A dispenser for sheet materials comprising: a housing defining an interior enclosure, the housing comprising a top, a bottom, and a pair of opposing sides, the housing further including a first open end opposite a second open end; a stationary member having a fixed position within the interior enclosure of the housing; a tray member positioned on one side of the stationary member within the interior enclosure of the housing, the tray member being laterally movable between a closed position within the housing and a dispensing position, the tray member containing at least one sheet material, wherein the tray member is configured to dispense the at least one sheet material comprising a stack of tissue products; a tab member positioned on a side of the stationary member opposite the tray member, the tab member being laterally movable; and a conveyor in operative association with the stationary member, the tray member and the tab member being attached to the conveyor such that, when the tab member is laterally moved, the tray member moves from the closed position to the dispensing position for dispensing sheet materials from the tray member.

2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the conveyor comprises a film.

3. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the conveyor forms an endless loop around the stationary member.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the stack of sheet materials are not interfolded.

7. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein, when the tab member is pulled out from the first open end of the housing, the tray member moves out of the second open end of the housing.

8. A dispenser as defined in claim 7, wherein, when the tab member is pushed into the first open end of the housing, the tray member moves into the second open end of the housing into the closed position.

9. A dispenser as defined in claim 6, wherein the tray member can hold from about 5 to about 50 individual sheet materials in a stack.

10. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the tray member has a first end and a second end, and wherein the tray member is attached to the conveyor at the first end, and wherein the tab member has a first end and a second end, and wherein the tab member is attached to the conveyor at the second end.

11. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein, when the tray member is in the closed position, the tab member is also positioned within the housing.

12. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the tray member is adjacent to a top surface of the stationary member and wherein the tab member is adjacent to a bottom surface of the stationary member.

13. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the tray member is adjacent to a bottom surface of the stationary member and the tab member is adjacent to a top surface of the stationary member.

14. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing and the tray member are formed from a paperboard.

15. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the interior enclosure of the housing has a length and the stationary member extends over at least about 75% of the length of the interior enclosure.

16. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the tray member has a length and wherein the tray member is attached to the conveyor such that when the tray member is in the dispensing position, from about 60% to about 98% of the length of the tray member extends out from the interior enclosure of the housing, the conveyor preventing any further lateral movement.

17. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the stationary member has a plate-like shape.

18. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the tab member has a plate-like shape.

19. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing has a width and the tab member has a width and wherein the width of the tab member is about the same width as the housing.

20. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing has a width and the tab member has a width and wherein the width of the tab member is less than about 50% of the width of the housing.

21. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the dispenser further comprises at least one track member attached to the bottom of the housing and positioned over the tab member.

22. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the dispenser further comprises an anti-friction agent applied to a surface of the conveyor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dispenser made in accordance with the present disclosure shown in a closed position;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1 shown in an open position;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the dispenser illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a dispenser made in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 4;

[0019] FIG. 6 is still another cross-sectional view of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 4; and

[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of a dispenser made in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0021] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DEFINITIONS

[0022] As used herein the term paper or paperboard generally refers to a fibrous structure in sheet format. Paper useful in the present invention may be manufactured from a variety of paper-making fibers, such as, for example, natural fibers or synthetic fibers, or any other suitable fibers, and any combination thereof. Papermaking fibers useful in the present invention include cellulosic fibers commonly known as wood pulp fibers. Applicable wood pulps include chemical pulps, such as Kraft, sulfite, and sulfate pulps, as well as mechanical pulps including, for example, groundwood, thermomechanical pulp and chemically modified thermomechanical pulp.

[0023] As used herein the term tissue generally refers to any individual sheet product, such as facial tissue, dry or moistened wipes, for example household or industrial wipes, soap or fabric softening sheets, or the like. Normally, the basis weight of sheet products to be dispensed by the cartons of the present invention is less than about 80 grams per square meter (gsm), in some embodiments less than about 60 gsm, and in some embodiments, between about 10 to about 60 gsm. Sheet materials described herein can include tissues.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] In general, the present disclosure is directed to a dispenser for sheet materials, such as facial tissues, other wipers, and the like. In accordance with the present disclosure, the dispenser includes a unique dispensing system that not only protects the sheet materials when not being dispensed, but also provides consumers with a unique experience in accessing the sheet materials. In particular, the dispenser includes a housing that, in the closed position, contains a tray member that holds sheet materials, such as facial tissues, and a tab member. A conveyor system is contained within the housing and is configured such that pulling on the tab member automatically causes the tray member to move out from the housing and present the sheet materials for dispensing. In one embodiment, pushing the tab member back into the housing also causes the tray member to move back into the housing for protecting the sheet materials that have not been dispensed. In this manner, the tray member acts like a drawer that automatically opens when the tab member is pulled.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of a dispenser 10 made in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. The dispenser 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 defines an interior enclosure that is surrounded by a top 14 and a bottom 16. The housing includes a first side 18 opposite a second side 20. The housing 12 further includes, in this embodiment, a first open end 22 opposite a second open end 24.

[0027] As shown more particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispenser 10 further includes a tab member 26 and a tray member 28. The tray member 28 is for holding a stack of sheet materials 30, such as facial tissues. The tab member 26 and the tray member 28 are both laterally movable within the housing 12. In addition, the tab member 26 is interconnected with the tray member 28. For instance, pulling the tray member 26 out of the first end 22 of the housing 12 automatically causes the tray member 28 to move out of the housing 12 through the second open end 24. In this manner, the tab member 26 can be pulled for exposing sheet materials contained within the tray member 28 for dispensing. After a sheet material has been dispensed, the tab member 26 and the tray member 28 can be laterally moved back into the housing 12 for protecting the stack of sheet materials 30 until further sheet materials are needed or desired.

[0028] The housing 12, tab member 26, and tray member 28 can all be constructed from any suitable rigid material. For example, the above components can be made from any suitable paper or paperboard, such as cardboard, card stock, or the like. For example, in one embodiment, the housing 12, the tab member 26, and the tray member 28 can be formed from a fiber sheet containing pulp fibers. The pulp fibers can comprise softwood fibers, hardwood fibers, bast fibers, recycled fibers, or any other suitable cellulosic fibers, and mixtures thereof. The paper or paperboard can be coated on one side with a polymer and/or clay material in order to provide moisture resistance. The paper or paperboard can have a basis weight of greater than about 40 gsm, such as greater than about 100 gsm, such as greater than about 250 gsm, such as greater than about 300 gsm, such as greater than about 350 gsm, such as greater than about 400 gsm. The basis weight of the paperboard is generally less than about 500 gsm, such as less than about 400 gsm.

[0029] Alternatively, the housing 12, tab member 26, and/or tray member 28 can be made from a polymer material. The polymer material can comprise a polypropylene, a polyethylene, a polystyrene, a polycarbonate, or any other suitable plastic. In one embodiment, certain of the components of the dispenser 10 can be made from a paperboard while other components can be made from a polymer material.

[0030] Not shown in the figures, the material used to produce the dispenser 10 can also be designed to receive printed matter, such as text, trademarks, designs, instructions, and the like. For example, when a paperboard is used, the paperboard can be coated with a polymer coating containing filler particles, such as clay particles, that is receptive to any suitable printed matter and can be fed through any suitable printing technique, including flexographic printing, inkjet printing, and the like. Similarly, if the dispenser 10 is made from polymer materials, the polymer materials can also be receptive to printed matter using any of the printing techniques described above.

[0031] In one embodiment, the dispenser 10 is made entirely from materials capable of being recycled. For instance, the paperboard, including the coated paperboard, can enter the paper recycle stream. When polymer materials are used, the polymer materials may be selected such that they can also enter the plastics recycling stream.

[0032] As described above, the tray member 28 is designed to hold a stack of sheet materials 30. In one embodiment, the sheet materials are facial tissues, particularly folded facial tissues. It should be understood, however, that any suitable tissue product can also be contained within the tray member 28. Other products that can be dispensed from the dispenser 10 include all other different types of dry or moistened wipes, including household and industrial wipes, soap or fabric softening sheets, napkins, paper towels, or the like. In one embodiment, the sheet material dispensed from the dispenser 10 are individual sheet materials that have a bulk of greater than about 3 cc/g to about 20 cc/g and have a basis weight of from about 10 gsm to about 120 gsm, such as from about 20 gsm to about 60 gsm.

[0033] In one embodiment, the individual sheet materials contained in the tray member 28 are not interfolded. Alternatively, the sheet materials may be interfolded. In still another embodiment, the sheet materials can be connected via a perforation line.

[0034] The tray member 28 can have a depth sufficient to hold a desired amount of sheet materials. In general, the tray member can hold anywhere from about 1 sheet to 200 sheets in a stack. In general, the tray member 28 can designed to hold a stack of sheet materials 30 that contains greater than about 5 sheets, such as greater than about 10 sheets, such as greater than about 15 sheets, such as greater than about 20 sheets, such as greater than about 25 sheets, such as greater than about 30 sheets, and generally less than about 100 sheets, such as less than about 50 sheets, such as less than about 40 sheets, such as less than about 25 sheets.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, one embodiment of a conveyor system that may be contained within the housing 12 for interconnecting the tab member 26 with the tray member 28 is shown. As shown in the figures, the housing 12 can contain a stationary member 32. The stationary member 32 as shown in the figures has a plate-like shape. In other embodiments, however, the stationary member 32 can have greater thickness or an oval-like shape. The stationary member 32 is fixed in position within the housing 12. For example, in one embodiment, the stationary member 32 can be integral with or can be attached at one end to the first side 18 and at a second end to the second side 20.

[0036] In accordance with the present disclosure, the dispenser 10 further includes a conveyor 34. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, in one embodiment, the conveyor 34 can form an endless loop around the stationary member 32. The conveyor 34 can be movable and can rotate around the stationary member 32. The tab member 26 and the tray member 28 are both attached to the conveyor 34. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the tray member 28 can include a first end 36 and a second end 38. The first end 36 can be attached to the conveyor 34 using any suitable attachment technique. For instance, the tray member 28 can be attached to the conveyor 34 using an adhesive, through thermal bonding, through ultrasonic bonding, or the like. Similarly, the tab member 26 includes a first end 40 and a second end 42. The second end 42 of the tab member 26 can be attached to the conveyor 34 using any suitable attachment means as described above.

[0037] The conveyor 34 can be made from any suitable material capable of rotating around the stationary member 32. In one embodiment, the conveyor 34 can be made from a plastic film, such as a polymer film. The polymer film can be made from a polypropylene polymer, a polyethylene polymer, a polyester polymer, or the like. In general, most plastic films have sufficient lubricity to rotate around the stationary member 32 without becoming damaged. In one embodiment, however, an anti-friction agent can be applied to the surface of the conveyor that is in contact with the stationary member 32. The anti-friction agent can be, for instance, a silicone or any other suitable material. The thickness of the conveyor can depend upon the type of material used. When using a polymer film, for instance, the thickness can generally be greater than about 0.02 mm, such as greater than about 0.03 mm, such as greater than about 0.04 mm, such as greater than about 0.05 mm, and generally less than about 0.1 mm, such as less than about 0.08 mm.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, once the tab member 26 is pulled out of the housing 12 through the first open end 22, the tray member 28 automatically moves from a closed position as shown in FIG. 4 to a dispensing position as shown in FIG. 6. Similarly, pushing or inserting the tab member 26 back into the housing 12 causes the tray member 28 to also move back into the housing 12.

[0039] Of particular advantage, the conveyor system illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 can be designed to control the amount that the tray member 28 emerges from the housing 12. For example, in one embodiment, the tray member 28 is prevented from completely being moved outside of the housing 12 which may cause weaknesses in the design. Instead, the tray member 28 can be attached to the conveyor 34 and the conveyor 34 can be positioned within the housing 12 such that in the dispensing position as shown in FIG. 6, from about 60% to about 98% of the length of the tray member extends from the second open end 24 of the housing 12. For example, when in the dispensing position, the configuration of the conveyor system within the housing 12 can permit the tray member to extend from the second end of the housing by no more than about 95% of the length of the tray member, such as by no more than about 90% of the length of the tray member, such as by no more than about 85% of the length of the tray member, such as by no more than about 80% of the length of the tray member. In one embodiment, when in the dispensing position, the tray member 28 extends from the housing in an amount of from about 75% to about 85% of the length of the tray member.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the conveyor 34 forms an endless loop around the stationary member 32. In other embodiments, however, the conveyor 34 can be attached at one end to the tray member 28 and attached at an opposite end to the tab member 26 without forming an endless loop. In this embodiment, pulling the tab member 26 from the housing will cause the tray member to extend from the housing. In order to place the tray member back into the housing, a user would need to push on the tray member which would then automatically retract the tab member 26.

[0041] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the tray member 28 is positioned adjacent the top 14 of the housing 12 and is positioned over a top surface of the stationary member 32, while the tab member 26 is positioned adjacent a bottom surface of the stationary member 32. In an alternative embodiment, however, the tab member can be placed adjacent the top surface of the stationary member 32 while the tray member 28 can be placed adjacent the bottom surface of the stationary member 32.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the housing 12 can have a length and a width. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the stationary member 32 extends along the length of the housing 12. In general, the stationary member 32 extends at least about 50% of the length of the housing, such as at least about 60% of the length of the housing, such as at least about 70% of the length of the housing. The stationary member 32 generally has a length that is less than the length of the housing. The stationary member 32, for instance, can have a length that is less than about 95% of the length of the housing, such as less than about 90% of the length of the housing, such as less than about 85% of the length of the housing, such as less than about 75% of the length of the housing.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 7, one embodiment of the dispenser 10 is shown illustrating the interrelationships between the housing 12, the tab member 26, the tray member 28, the stationary member 32, and the conveyor 34. As shown, in this embodiment, the tab member 26 has a width that is about the same width as the housing 12. The stationary member 32 also has a width that is generally the same width as the housing 12. In one embodiment, the conveyor 34 can have a width that is less than the width of the housing 12. For instance, the width of the conveyor 34 can be less than about 95% of the width of the housing 12, such as less than about 80% of the width of the housing 12, such as less than about 70% of the width of the housing 12. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the width of the conveyor 34 is generally greater than about 50% of the width of the housing 12, such as greater than about 60% of the width of the housing 12. In alternative embodiments, however, the conveyor 34 can be relatively narrow in the shape of a ribbon or band. For instance, in other embodiments, the conveyor 34 can have a width that is less than about 40% of the width of the housing 12, such as less than about 30% of the width of the housing 12, such as less than about 20% of the width of the housing 12, such as less than about 10% of the width of the housing 12.

[0044] Similarly, in other embodiments, the tab member 26 can also have a relatively narrow width. For instance, the width of the tab member 26 can also be less than about 80% of the width of the housing 12, such as less than about 60% of the width of the housing 12, such as less than about 40% of the width of the housing 12, such as less than about 20% of the width of the housing 12. In general, the tab member will have a width that is greater than about 10% of the width of the housing 12. When narrower than the width of the housing 12, the dispenser 10 may include a track system that maintains the tab member 26 in alignment during lateral movement.

[0045] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the dispenser 10 can include track members 50 and 52. Track members 50 and 52 can be attached to the bottom 16 of the housing 12 and can provide a track through which the tab member 26 slides. As shown in FIG. 7, the track members 50 and 52 can be in the form of flaps that are positioned over the tab member 26.

[0046] These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims.