Dispenser

Abstract

There is provided a dispenser for removably securing to a mount. The dispenser comprises a frame, a shell surrounding the frame and attachment means for removably securing the dispenser to the mount. The shell and the frame comprise flexible material, and the shell comprises an opening for dispensing items.

Claims

1. A dispensing system, comprising: a mount; at least one magnetic element embedded within a body of the mount; and dispenser, said dispenser comprising: a frame comprising a flexible material; a cuboid shell surrounding the frame, the shell formed of a flexible material; an opening on an underside of the shell for dispensing items; and at least one magnetic counterpart within the shell; wherein the mount is configured to attach to a surface, and an exposed surface of the mount is substantially planar to avoid ligature points; and the dispenser is magnetically secured to the mount.

2. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein: the shell comprises at least two layers; and the frame is disposed within the at least two layers of the shell.

3. The dispensing system of claim 2, wherein: the magnetic counterpart is disposed within the at least two layers of the shell.

4. The dispensing system of claim 2, wherein: the at least two layers of the shell are stitched and welded.

5. The dispensing system of claim 2, wherein: the magnetic attachment force of the dispenser and the mount is configured to be weaker than 500 Newtons, to allow the dispenser to be easily removed from the mount.

6. The dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the shell is vinyl.

7. The dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the dispenser is configured to weigh less than 5 kg.

8. The dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the dispensed items include PPE items such as one or more of tissues, hand towels, aprons, masks, and gloves.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawing, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a dispensing system, comprising a dispenser and mount.

(3) It should be noted that the Figure is diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts of the Figure have been shown exaggerated or reduced in size, for the sake of clarity and convenience in the drawings. The same reference signs are generally used to refer to corresponding or similar feature in modified and different embodiments.

(4) FIG. 2a illustrates a front view of the dispensing system;

(5) FIG. 2b illustrates a sectional view along line A-A indicated in FIG. 2a;

(6) FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate rear perspective views of the dispensing system, showing the underside of the system; and

(7) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the dispensing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows a schematic of a dispensing system 100. The dispensing system 100 comprises a mount 110 and a dispenser 150. The dispenser 150 is configured to removably attach to the mount 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the mount 110 is a backing plate with a planar exposed surface 112 and bevelled edges 114. These features prevent the mount being used as a ligature point.

(9) In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser 150 is a cuboid shell 160 with an opening 170 for dispensing items. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 170 is on the underside of the shell 160. The shell 160 surrounds a flexible frame 155. The shell 160 and frame 155 are both formed of a flexible material, reducing the weapons risk associated with the dispenser 150. The mount 110 is secured firmly to a surface, such that it could not be removed and used as a weapon.

(10) When a sufficient force is applied the dispenser 150 breaks away from the mount 110. This prevents the dispensing system 100 being used as a ligature point. In embodiments, the dispenser 150 is removably secured to the mount magnetically, with the mount 110 comprising one or more magnetic elements 115 embedded. One or more counterparts are placed within the shell 160 of the dispenser 110. This reduces ease of access to the counterparts 165 and magnetic elements 115 by an end user.

(11) FIG. 2a illustrates a front view of the dispensing system 100 of FIG. 1, including a sectional line A-A. FIG. 2b illustrates a sectional view of the dispensing system 100 along line A-A indicated in FIG. 2a. FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate rear perspective views of the dispensing system 100, showing the underside and back of the system 100. FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the dispensing system 100, with layers partially transparent so as to show the shell 160 and frame 155 of the dispenser 150.

(12) From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art of safety door systems, and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features already described herein.

(13) Although the appended claims are directed to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

(14) Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

(15) For the sake of completeness it is also stated that the term comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, the term a or an does not exclude a plurality, and reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.