U.S. patent application number 13/264603 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-09 for dispenser for dispensing tissue paper and method for dispensing tissue paper.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB. Invention is credited to Bjorn Larsson, Cecilia Stoop.
Application Number | 20120032565 13/264603 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41396255 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120032565 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stoop; Cecilia ; et
al. |
February 9, 2012 |
DISPENSER FOR DISPENSING TISSUE PAPER AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING
TISSUE PAPER
Abstract
A dispenser for dispensing tissue paper. The dispenser includes
a housing defining a volume for receiving both a center-feed tissue
paper roll and a tissue paper stack, a first dispensing opening
situated in the housing for dispensing tissue paper from a
center-feed tissue paper roll, and a second dispensing opening
situated in the housing for dispensing tissue paper sheets from a
tissue paper stack.
Inventors: |
Stoop; Cecilia; (Molndal,
SE) ; Larsson; Bjorn; (Billdal, SE) |
Assignee: |
SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
Goteborg
SE
|
Family ID: |
41396255 |
Appl. No.: |
13/264603 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
April 17, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2009/054627 |
371 Date: |
October 17, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/34.4 ; 221/1;
221/45; 225/39; 312/34.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/3818 20130101;
A47K 10/424 20130101; Y10T 225/238 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/34.4 ;
312/34.8; 221/45; 221/1; 225/39 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/32 20060101
A47K010/32; A47K 10/42 20060101 A47K010/42; B65H 35/00 20060101
B65H035/00; A47K 10/38 20060101 A47K010/38 |
Claims
1. A dispenser for dispensing tissue paper comprising: a housing
defining a volume for receiving both a center-feed tissue paper
roll and a tissue paper stack; the housing defining a volume for
receiving either a center-feed tissue paper roll or a tissue paper
stack; a first dispensing opening situated in the housing for
dispensing tissue paper from a center-feed tissue paper roll; and a
second dispensing opening situated in the housing for dispensing
tissue paper sheets from a tissue paper stack.
2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first dispensing
opening is substantially circular, and the second dispensing
opening is substantially oblong.
3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the second
dispensing opening has a length and at least a width, and the first
dispensing opening has a maximum dimension which is substantially
shorter than the length of the second dispensing opening.
4. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first dispensing
opening is situated substantially in the center of a wall of the
housing and the second dispensing opening is situated substantially
at an edge of the wall of the housing.
5. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first dispensing
opening and the second dispensing opening are situated in the same
wall of the housing.
6. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first dispensing
opening and the second dispensing opening are situated in the same
plane.
7. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first dispensing
opening comprises at least one tearing element.
8. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the edges of the
second dispensing opening are substantially even or smooth in order
to maintain the integrity of the tissue paper sheets while
dispensing.
9. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the second
dispensing opening has a length which substantially corresponds to
a width of a tissue paper sheet, or a folded tissue paper sheet, of
the tissue paper stack.
10. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the second
dispensing opening is situated such that a sheet of tissue paper
can be dispensed from the tissue paper stack in a direction
extending in the plane of a paper sheet of the tissue paper
stack.
11. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first
dispensing opening and the second dispensing opening are connected
to one another.
12. The dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the connection is
accomplished by the provision of an insertion channel.
13. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first
dispensing opening is connected to an insertion channel which is
open towards the outside of the housing.
14. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the housing
comprises a cover which can be opened to access the volume defined
by the housing, the cover comprising a cover section bordering to a
wall which carries the first dispensing opening, and wherein an
insertion channel is defined in the wall, the insertion channel
extending to a border between the cover section and the wall.
15. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a
circular, semi-elliptical or an elliptical cross-section.
16. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the housing is
mountable to a wall via a docking system, by a positive fit, a hook
and loop fastener, an adhesive, an adhesive strip, or a magnet, or
a combination thereof.
17. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the
housing is dimensioned such as to receive a tissue paper stack in
an orientation such that the plane of the respective sheets of the
tissue paper stack points in the dispensing direction which a
center-feed tissue paper roll received in the housing would
have.
18. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the housing
comprises at least a substantially transparent or translucent
material and a substantially opaque material, wherein the
substantially transparent or translucent material provides a
filling-level indicating window.
19. A method for dispensing paper from a dispenser according to
claim 1, comprising the steps of: providing either a tissue paper
stack or a center-feed tissue paper roll in the housing and
dispensing tissue paper from: the center-feed tissue paper roll
through the first dispensing opening; or the tissue paper stack
through the second dispensing opening.
20. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the same wall of
the housing in which the first dispensing opening and the second
dispensing opening are situated is a bottom wall or a top wall of
the housing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a .sctn.371 National Stage Application
of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2009/054627 filed Apr.
17, 2009, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present application pertains to a dispenser for
dispensing tissue paper, in particular kitchen paper, tissue paper
towels, facial tissues, toilet paper, napkins, etc., which is
either distributed in the form of a center-feed tissue paper roll
or in the form of a tissue paper stack. The application,
furthermore, pertains to a method for dispensing the tissue paper
from a dispenser.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the field of dispensers for tissue paper in private homes
as well as in public spaces, in particular in public bathrooms,
different technologies have been employed up to date.
[0004] One dispenser technology which can be found frequently is
the provision of a dispenser for dispensing sheets from a tissue
paper stack. In this type of dispenser, the tissue paper sheets are
typically inserted into an inner volume defined by the housing of
the dispenser and the tissue paper sheets can be taken from the
dispenser through an opening that is situated in the bottom wall of
the dispenser. This opening is typically shaped in the form of a
relatively wide slot or a relatively flat ellipse, such that sheets
can be dispensed through this opening. In this type of dispenser,
substantially the entire length of the tissue paper sheets fits
through the opening, while the wall around the opening still
supports the tissue paper stack.
[0005] The stack of papers is typically provided in the form of a
C-folded, Z-folded or concertina-folded fashion, such that the
dispensing of one sheet automatically transports the subsequent
sheet into the dispensing position. The sheets of the tissue paper
stack to be dispensed through this opening are oriented such that
the wall of the dispensing housing, in which the dispensing opening
is provided, is substantially parallel to the plane of the folded
paper sheets. Accordingly, the sheets are dispensed in a fashion
substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by them.
[0006] A second technology that can be found frequently uses the
so-called center-feed tissue paper rolls. In a center-feed tissue
paper roll, the tissue paper is dispensed starting from the
innermost winding of the paper in the center of the roll and
progressing towards the outside. This concept is inherently
different from the concepts in which tissue paper is simply unwound
from a paper roll, starting from the outermost winding and
progressing towards the inside.
[0007] In order to enable proper dispensing functions of the
center-feed tissue paper roll, the center-feed tissue paper roll is
typically placed in an upright position, i.e. the axis of the
center-feed tissue paper roll is oriented vertically. A dispensing
opening of the respective dispenser is typically situated such that
the center of the center-feed tissue paper roll and the center of
the dispensing opening are aligned with one another. The dispensing
action then takes place by dispensing the tissue paper through the
dispensing opening from the inside of the center-feed tissue paper
roll towards the outside, substantially along the direction of the
axis of the center-feed tissue paper roll.
[0008] As the two dispenser types are technically and dimensionally
different, a user has to make a choice between either a dispenser
for dispensing sheets of a tissue paper stack or a dispenser for
dispensing tissue paper from a center-feed tissue paper roll.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,878 pertains to a universal towel
dispenser in which stacked paper can be dispensed through a lengthy
dispensing opening and rolled tissue paper can be dispensed by
unwinding the tissue paper roll likewise through a lengthy
slot.
SUMMARY
[0010] In the field of tissue paper dispensers, in particular for
dispensing tissue paper towels in private homes, it is desirable to
provide a dispenser which can be used flexibly and which allows the
user to flexibly choose between different distribution types of
tissue paper.
[0011] Accordingly, it is desired to provide a dispenser for
dispensing tissue paper which dispenser is flexible as to the
papers used.
[0012] According to a first aspect, the dispenser for dispensing
tissue paper has a housing which defines a volume for receiving
both a center-feed tissue paper roll and a tissue paper stack.
Situated in the housing is a first dispensing opening for
dispensing tissue paper from a center-feed tissue paper roll and a
second dispensing opening is situated in the housing for dispensing
tissue paper from a tissue paper stack.
[0013] By the provision of these two different dispensing openings,
namely the first dispensing opening, which is suitable for
dispensing tissue paper from a center-feed tissue paper rolls, and
the second dispensing opening, which is suitable for dispensing
tissue paper from a tissue paper stack, it becomes possible using
the same dispenser for dispensing at least two different types of
tissue paper distributions, namely either center-feed tissue paper
rolls or tissue paper stacks. Accordingly, it becomes possible for
the user to mount a dispenser in a suitable location, e.g. in the
bathroom or in the kitchen of a private home, and dispense tissue
paper towels in a flexible fashion.
[0014] In particular, the user obtains full flexibility as to his
choice of different tissue paper distributions. Furthermore, the
choice of tissue paper can be adjusted to the needs of the user.
The solution according to the present disclosure has the advantage
that only a single dispenser will be needed for dispensing
center-feed tissue paper rolls or tissue paper stacks.
[0015] It is to be understood that in use either a center-feed
tissue paper roll or a tissue paper stack are situated in the
volume of the dispenser but that the volume of the dispenser is
suitable to receive either of the two distribution types.
Accordingly, depending on the paper that is actually loaded into
the dispenser, either the first dispensing opening or the second
dispensing opening is used and the respective other dispensing
opening is unused for dispensing. In other words, only one of the
two dispensing openings is active at a time.
[0016] In certain embodiments, the first dispensing opening for
dispensing tissue paper from a center-feed tissue paper roll is
substantially circular, preferably, for example, oval. The second
dispensing opening for dispensing tissue paper from the tissue
paper stack is substantially oblong, preferably, for example,
rectangular.
[0017] The second dispensing opening for dispensing tissue paper
from the tissue paper stack may have a length and at least a width,
and the first dispensing opening for dispensing tissue paper from a
center-feed tissue paper roll has a maximum dimension which is
substantially shorter than the length of the second dispensing
opening.
[0018] In other words, the first dispensing opening is adapted to
dispense paper from a center-feed tissue paper roll, which implies
that the dispensing opening has a substantially circular shape,
preferably, for example, an oval or elliptical shape, or, at least,
has a geometry which resembles the geometry of the needs of a
center-feed tissue paper roll. The second dispensing opening for
dispensing tissue paper stack has an oblong shape, preferably, for
example, a rectangular shape, and has a length which is
substantially longer than the maximum dimension of the first
dispensing opening such as to fit the needs of dispensing tissue
paper from a tissue paper stack.
[0019] Put differently, the second dispensing opening has a rather
oblong shape, whereas the first dispensing opening has a rather
circular shape, such as to fit the respective dispensing needs on
the basis of the different tissue paper distributions, in
particular on the basis of the actual dispensing locations of the
different tissue paper distributions.
[0020] In order to adapt the technical properties of the dispenser
to the two different tissue paper distributions which are
dispensable from the dispenser, in particular to their respective
dispensing locations, the first dispensing opening, in a particular
embodiment is situated substantially in the center of a wall of the
housing of the dispenser and the second dispensing opening is
substantially situated at an edge or a corner of a wall of the
housing, preferably, for example, at a front edge, a back edge,
side edge or situated in an angle across a corner of the
housing.
[0021] The provision of the first dispensing opening substantially
in the center of a wall, preferably, for example, in the wall that
is used for receiving the dispensing openings, results in a proper
dispensing of the center-feed tissue paper roll, in particular when
it is placed substantially centered with respect to the first
dispensing opening into the housing. This is the case as the
center-feed tissue paper roll dispenses the paper from the center
of the upright-standing roll, substantially along the axis of the
center-feed roll.
[0022] The provision of the second dispensing opening substantially
at the edge of a wall of the housing enables dispensing of tissue
paper from a tissue paper stack through this second dispensing
opening. This is the case as the tissue paper stack dispenses the
tissue paper sheets from the top or bottom of the stack.
Accordingly, the tissue paper is dispensed from the tissue paper
stack starting from the top or the bottom of the tissue paper stack
such that at least the top or the bottom of the tissue paper stack
is typically situated at the edge of the wall.
[0023] The dispensing direction of the tissue paper sheets, in a
particular embodiment, is situated in the plane of the paper sheets
of the stack. In particular, this way of dispensing is inherently
different from the conventional way of dispensing tissue paper
sheets from a tissue paper stack in which the dispensing direction
is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the paper
sheets.
[0024] In certain embodiments, the first dispensing opening and the
second dispensing opening are situated in the same wall of the
housing, preferably, for example, in a bottom wall or a top wall of
the housing. By providing both dispensing openings in the same wall
of the housing it becomes possible dispensing the tissue paper
always substantially at the same location of the dispenser such
that the usability of the dispenser is increased. In addition to
that, the provision of the dispensing openings in the bottom of the
dispenser reduces the intake of unwanted matter into the dispensing
housing and reduces in particular dust intake or other
contaminations. When bearing in mind that typically one of the
dispensing openings is unused because tissue paper is dispensed
only either through the first dispensing opening or the second
dispensing opening depending on the paper loaded into the
dispenser, the location in the bottom wall is advantageous.
[0025] The first dispensing opening and the second dispensing
opening may be situated substantially in the same plane. In other
words, the first and second dispensing openings are situated in a
plane wall of the housing, preferably, for example, a plane bottom
wall or a top wall of the housing.
[0026] In a particular embodiment, the first dispensing opening
includes a tearing means, preferably, for example, teeth, a
serrated section, a section of reduced width, a knife section or an
elastic nozzle, in order to aid at tearing off the tissue paper
dispensed from the center-feed tissue paper roll. The tissue paper
distributed in a center-feed tissue paper roll is typically
continuous such that a tearing means aids the user in tearing off a
portion of the tissue paper.
[0027] The edges of the second dispensing opening are, in
particular embodiments, substantially even and/or smooth in order
to maintain the integrity of the tissue paper sheets and not to
destroy the tissue paper dispensed from the tissue paper stack.
[0028] In order to adjust the geometry of the respective dispensing
openings, the second dispensing opening has, in particular
embodiments, a length which corresponds substantially to a width of
a folded paper sheet of the tissue paper stack. In other words, the
dispensing operation through the second dispensing opening is
enabled such that the short dimension of the tissue paper sheet
fits through the dispensing opening, but the long dimension does
not.
[0029] In certain embodiments, the second dispensing opening is
situated such that a sheet of tissue paper can be dispensed from
the tissue paper stack in a direction extending in the plane of the
paper sheet, preferably, for example, in a direction extending
along the long side of the sheet.
[0030] The first dispensing opening and the second dispensing
opening may be connected to one another. The connection of the two
dispensing openings can be advantageous for inserting the tissue
paper of the center-feed tissue paper roll into the first
dispensing opening and, on the other hand, increases the
flexibility of the dispenser.
[0031] In certain embodiments, the housing of the dispenser
includes a cover which can be removed in order to access the volume
defined by the housing in order to place a center-feed tissue paper
roll or a tissue paper stack into the housing. The cover, in a
particular embodiment, includes a cover section which borders to a
wall carrying the first dispensing opening, and an insertion
channel is provided which is intended to enable the insertion of
tissue paper from the center-feed tissue paper roll into the first
dispensing opening, wherein, when the cover is removed, the
insertion channel is fully accessible.
[0032] In certain embodiments, the insertion channel is open to the
outside, in particular when the cover is opened. By means of the
insertion channel, an easy servicing of the dispenser can be
achieved, in particular while threading the tissue paper of the
center-feed tissue paper roll through the first dispensing opening.
Naturally, threading can be done by pushing the tissue paper from
above through the first dispensing opening. However, in this case
the center-feed tissue paper roll would have to be lifted in order
to provide the user with an access to the first dispensing opening
from the inside of the housing. The provision of the insertion
channel enables, however, an easy insertion by just sliding a
length of the tissue paper along the insertion channel directly
into the first dispensing opening.
[0033] In particular embodiments, the housing has a circular,
semi-elliptical or elliptical cross-section, but may, of course,
have other cross-sections which are suitable for receiving a
center-feed tissue paper roll as well as a tissue paper stack.
[0034] The housing is mountable to a wall via a docking system,
preferably, for example, by means of a positive fit, a hook and
loop fastener, an adhesive, an adhesive strip and/or a magnet.
Using a docking system has the advantage that the housing can be
removed for refilling or for placing it in a different position,
for example on a table or using the dispenser also in a mobile or
semi-mobile mode.
[0035] The volume of the housing can, in a particular embodiment,
be dimensioned such as to receive a tissue paper stack such that
the plane of the respective sheets is situated in a direction in
which the dispensing direction of tissue paper from a center-feed
tissue paper roll would be directed.
[0036] The housing of the dispenser may be manufactured using at
least two different materials, preferably, for example, a
substantially transparent or translucent material and a
substantially opaque material, wherein the substantially
transparent or translucent material may provide a filling-level
indicating window.
[0037] In a second aspect, a method for dispensing paper from a
dispenser is suggested, wherein either a tissue paper stack or a
center-feed tissue paper roll is provided, the tissue paper stack
or the center-feed tissue paper roll is situated in the dispenser
housing, and tissue paper is dispensed either from the center-feed
tissue paper roll through the first dispensing opening or from the
tissue paper stack through the second dispensing opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0038] Embodiments of the invention will be described in more
detail below, with reference to the Figures, in which:
[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a dispenser in a
first embodiment, including a first and a second dispensing
opening;
[0040] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a dispenser in a
second embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 3 is another schematic perspective view of the
dispenser of FIG. 2, shown while dispensing a tissue paper from a
tissue paper stack through the second dispensing opening;
[0042] FIG. 4 is yet another perspective view of the dispenser of
FIGS. 2 and 3 while dispensing tissue paper from a center-feed
tissue paper roll through the first dispensing opening;
[0043] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a dispenser having
a first and a second dispensing opening;
[0044] FIG. 6 is another schematic perspective view showing a
different dispenser having two dispensing openings;
[0045] FIG. 7 is another schematic perspective view of yet another
dispenser having two dispensing openings;
[0046] FIG. 8 is another schematic perspective view of yet another
dispenser having a first dispensing opening and a second dispensing
opening which are connected to one another;
[0047] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a dispenser
including a docking system;
[0048] FIG. 10 is a different dispenser in a schematic perspective
view, having a docking system;
[0049] FIG. 11 shows a dispenser in a schematic view with a
half-opened cover and including a tissue paper stack;
[0050] FIG. 12 shows a dispenser in a fully opened position
including a center-feed tissue paper roll;
[0051] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of yet another
dispenser housing having a substantially rectangular
cross-section;
[0052] FIG. 14 shows the dispenser of FIG. 13 in another
perspective;
[0053] FIG. 15 shows the dispenser of FIGS. 13 and 14 with the lid
opened;
[0054] FIG. 16 shows a detail of the first dispensing opening and
the second dispensing opening of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13
to 15;
[0055] FIG. 17 shows a detail of a dispensing opening including an
insertion channel; and
[0056] FIG. 18 is yet another detail of two dispensing openings and
an insertion channel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0057] 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 may be omitted.
[0058] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a dispenser 1
according to a first embodiment. The dispenser comprises a housing
2 which defines a volume for receiving either a center-feed tissue
paper roll or a tissue paper stack.
[0059] In the bottom wall 20 of the housing 2, a first dispensing
opening 3 is provided which is used for dispensing tissue paper
from a center-feed tissue paper roll in a case in which a
center-feed tissue paper roll is inserted into the volume of the
housing 2.
[0060] A second dispensing opening 4 is provided in the bottom wall
20 of the housing 2, which is used for dispensing tissue paper
sheets from a tissue paper stack in a case in which a tissue paper
stack is inserted into the volume of the housing 2.
[0061] As will be appreciated, the first dispensing opening 3 is
substantially situated in the center of the bottom wall 20 of the
housing 2, such that a center-feed tissue paper roll, if it is
placed into the volume of the housing 2, is enabled to dispense the
paper through the first dispensing opening 3. As is common
knowledge, a center-feed tissue paper roll dispenses the paper from
the inside to the outside, wherein the first winding that is
dispensed is the winding that is situated on the innermost section
of the center-feed tissue paper roll. A center-feed tissue paper
roll will typically be placed in a more or less upright position
into the dispenser 1 and will dispense the paper substantially
along the axis defined by the center-feed tissue paper roll.
[0062] Accordingly, the concept for dispensing of a center-feed
tissue paper roll is inherently different from that of dispensing
tissue paper from the outer windings towards the inner windings of
a conventional tissue paper roll. In particular, in conventional
tissue paper rolls, the dispensing direction is substantially
perpendicular to the axis of the roll, wherein in a center-feed
tissue paper roll the dispensing direction is substantially along
the axis of the center-feed tissue paper roll.
[0063] When placing a tissue paper stack into the volume defined by
the housing 2, the tissue papers can be dispensed through the
second dispensing opening, which is, as can be appreciated from
FIG. 1, situated substantially at the edge of the bottom wall 20 of
the housing 2. The second dispensing opening 4 has a length L that
substantially corresponds to the width of the tissue paper sheets,
in particular the folded tissue paper sheets, of the tissue paper
stack. The tissue paper sheet will be dispensed from the tissue
paper stack through the second dispensing opening 4 in a dispensing
direction that is situated in the plane defined by the tissue
papers in the stack. As the tissue paper sheets are usually
provided in a folded manner on the tissue paper stack, typically in
an interfolded manner such as C-folded, Z-folded or concertina
folded, the length L of the second dispensing opening 4 can, in
particular embodiments, corresponds to the width of the folded
tissue paper sheet.
[0064] The second dispensing opening 4 has a width W which is
substantially shorter than the length L of the second dispensing
opening 4. In other words, the dispensing opening 4 has a
substantially oblong shape or, at least, a substantially
rectangular, such that its length L is substantially longer than
its width W. The length L and the width W are measured at the
respective maximum dimensions.
[0065] The first dispensing opening 3 is dimensioned in a
substantially circular, oval or elliptical shape. The shape of the
first dispensing opening 3, shown in FIG. 1, has a maximum
dimension D which is substantially shorter than the length L of the
second dispensing opening 4.
[0066] However, in an embodiment which is not shown in the Figures,
the first dispensing opening may also have the shape of a cross, a
plus-sign, a star or any other suitable form which is suitable for
dispensing tissue paper from a center-feed tissue paper roll.
[0067] The reason why the second dispensing opening 4 is situated
substantially towards the edge, or, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
1, directly at the edge of the bottom wall 20 of the housing 2, is
that the tissue paper will be dispensed from the top (or the
bottom) of the tissue paper stack. This top or bottom of the tissue
paper stack will be situated at the side of the volume defined by
the housing 2 and, thus, at the edge of the wall 20 carrying the
second dispensing opening 4.
[0068] As will be appreciated from FIG. 1, the first dispensing
opening 3 and the second dispensing opening 4 are situated in the
same wall, namely the bottom wall 20, of the housing 2. As the
bottom wall 20 is a flat wall, the first dispensing opening 3 and
the second dispensing opening 4 are substantially situated in the
same plane.
[0069] In order to aid in tearing the tissue paper that is
dispensed from the center-feed tissue paper roll, the first
dispensing opening 3 is provided with a tearing means 30 in the
form of a toothed or serrated section. In other embodiments it is
also contemplated using as the tearing means a knife, a section of
reduced width or an elastic nozzle which exerts high friction
and/or jams the dispensed paper in order to aid at tearing the
desired length of paper off the continuous dispensed paper.
[0070] The cross-shaped, plus-sign-shaped or star-shaped openings
which are described above can also be used to aid in tearing off
the tissue paper. In particular, the fact that the width of the
opening decreases towards the pointed corners of these shapes, the
corners can be used to jam the paper and aid in tearing it off.
[0071] The tearing means can be integrally formed with the
dispenser housing but can also be provided in the form of a
separate insert, in particular when using a different material such
as an elastic nozzle or a knife edge.
[0072] The edges 40 of the second dispensing opening 4 are
substantially even and/or smooth in order to maintain the integrity
of the tissue paper sheets and in order not to damage the tissue
paper that is to be dispensed through this opening.
[0073] FIG. 2 shows a dispenser 1 in a substantially reverse
arrangement as that shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the second
dispensing opening is situated still at an edge of the bottom wall
20, but is, now, directed towards the front side, opposed to the
situation shown in FIG. 1, in which the dispensing opening was
situated to the rear side.
[0074] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the dispenser 1 in which a
tissue paper stack 5 is dispensed through the second dispensing
opening 4. The housing 2 of the dispenser 1 of FIG. 3 has
substantially a circular cross-section.
[0075] FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment of a dispenser 1, having
a housing 2 with a semi-elliptical cross-section. FIG. 4 shows an
embodiment in which a center-feed tissue paper roll dispenses
center-feed paper 6 through the first dispensing opening 3.
[0076] In FIGS. 5 to 8, different arrangements of the first
dispensing opening 3 and the second dispensing opening 4 in the
same schematic housing 2 of a dispenser 1 are shown.
[0077] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the first dispensing
opening 3 is provided in a substantially circular form and is
situated substantially in the center of the bottom wall 20 of the
housing 2. The second dispensing opening 4 is provided at the rear
side of the dispenser 1 and is situated at the edge of the bottom
wall 20. The second dispensing opening 4 has an oblong, or lengthy,
shape resembling a parallelogram. The second dispensing opening has
a relatively long length L and a relatively small width W.
Furthermore, the length L of the second dispensing opening 4 is
considerably longer than the maximum dimension D of the first
dispensing opening 3.
[0078] FIG. 6 shows a dispenser in another embodiment, having a
first dispensing opening 3 which includes a toothed section 30 and
a smooth section 32, wherein the first dispensing opening 3 has a
substantially elliptical shape. The second dispensing opening 4
resembles that shown in FIG. 5.
[0079] The length L of second dispensing opening 4 is considerably
longer than the maximum dimension D of the first dispensing opening
3.
[0080] FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of the first and second
dispensing openings in which the position of the second dispensing
opening 4 is placed on the front side of the dispenser 1, compared
to FIG. 6, in which the second dispensing opening 4 was situated at
the rear side.
[0081] In FIG. 7, it can also be seen that the second dispensing
opening 4 also includes an indentation 42, which extends into the
wall 22 of the dispenser housing 2 which is perpendicular to the
bottom wall 20. This indentation 42 enables easier gripping of
tissue paper sheets to be dispensed.
[0082] FIG. 8 shows yet another embodiment in which the first
dispensing opening 3 and the second dispensing opening 4 are
connected to one another. This embodiment might have advantages
when it comes to inserting the tissue paper to be dispensed from
the center of the center-feed tissue paper roll into the first
dispensing opening 3.
[0083] Typically, it can be difficult to push the paper from the
center-feed tissue paper roll through the first dispensing opening
3 from the inside of the housing, in particular as the center-feed
tissue paper roll is typically situated directly above the first
dispensing opening. Due to the toothed circumference of the first
dispensing opening 3 it is also not desired that a user reaches
through the first dispensing opening 3 in order to pull the initial
bit of the tissue paper out from the center of the center-feed
tissue paper roll. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a somewhat
more extended opening to insert the tissue paper into the first
dispensing opening 3. In this respect, a different approach will be
shown with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18 in the following.
[0084] FIG. 9 is an embodiment of a dispenser 1 showing a housing 2
which is mounted to a wall via a docking system 7. The docking
system 7 can be made such that the dispenser can simply be slid
into the docking system from above and can, in the same manner, be
removed from this docking system 7. Here, a positive fit,
preferably, for example, in the form of a dove-tail fit, can be
used. As an alternative, an adhesive, an adhesive strip, a hook and
loop fastener, or a magnet could be used to connect the housing to
the docking system.
[0085] A removable dispenser 1 is advantageous when it comes to
mobile and flexible use of the dispenser, in particular when a user
intends to take the dispenser to a different location, e.g. to a
table in the kitchen, where tissue paper might be needed.
[0086] In the embodiment shown, the housing 2 has a first section
26 which is made from a substantially transparent or translucent
material and a second section 28 which is made from a substantially
opaque material. A window 27 is present which enables determining
the filling status of the dispenser. Naturally, the housing could
also be made from a single material.
[0087] FIG. 10 shows a concept of a dispenser 1 which is similar to
that shown in FIG. 9, but the window 27 does not extend over the
complete length of the dispenser housing, but is somewhat
shorter.
[0088] FIG. 11 shows a dispenser 1 having a housing 2 with a cover
24, wherein the cover 24 is hinged to the housing in the upper
section of the housing 2. The cover 24 is shown in a half-opened
position in FIG. 11. In the volume which is defined by the housing
2 a tissue paper stack 50 is shown. The tissue paper stack has a
width WS and a length LS and the tissue papers are provided in an
interfolded form, e.g. in a Z-fold, a concertina-fold or even a
C-fold manner.
[0089] It becomes immediately apparent that, as the dispensing
openings are situated in the bottom wall 20, the tissue paper
sheets of the sheet stack 50 are dispensed in a direction which is
situated in the plane of the respective tissue paper sheets. The
tissue paper sheets are dispensed in a direction which extends
along the length LS of the paper stack but not, as in conventional
dispensers, perpendicular to the plane defined by the tissue
papers.
[0090] FIG. 12 shows the dispenser of FIG. 11 in another filling
state and with a fully opened cover 24. In this filling state a
center-feed tissue paper roll 60 inserted into the volume defined
by housing 2. The paper of the center-feed tissue paper roll 60
will be dispensed through the first dispensing opening 3.
[0091] When comparing FIGS. 11 and 12, it becomes apparent that the
dispensing direction of the center-feed tissue paper roll 60
corresponds to the dispensing direction of the stacked sheet papers
50 and the axis of the center-feed tissue paper roll 60 is
substantially situated in the plane defined by the tissue paper
sheets.
[0092] The dispenser housing can be provided with different
cross-sections, in particular rather circular, rather elliptical or
rather semi-elliptical cross-sections.
[0093] In FIGS. 13 and 14, yet another shape of a dispenser 1 is
shown. As will be appreciated, the housing has a substantially
rectangular shape or, rather, a hat-like cross-section.
[0094] Nevertheless, the structure as to the technical features,
namely the first dispensing opening 3, the second dispensing
opening 4, which are both situated in the bottom wall 20 of the
housing 2, are provided in a similar manner as in the embodiments
described before.
[0095] The first dispensing opening 3 is provided in a rather
circular manner and is situated more or less in the center of the
bottom wall 20 of the housing 2. The second dispensing opening 4 is
provided with a longitudinal shape and is situated more towards the
edge of the bottom wall 20.
[0096] Due to the rectangular shape of the housing 2, the volume
that is defined by the housing 2 is substantially rectangular. This
may lead to a situation in which the tissue paper stack fit
perfectly inside the volume, but the center-feed tissue paper roll
might be slightly deformed, resulting in a rather elliptical shape
of the center-feed tissue paper roll in the inserted state.
Nevertheless, the dispensing opening of the center-feed tissue
paper roll will be placed above the dispensing opening 3, such that
dispensing from the center-feed tissue paper roll becomes
possible.
[0097] FIG. 15 shows the dispenser of the embodiment of FIGS. 13
and 14 with an opened cover, exposing a tissue paper stack 50
situated inside the volume defined by the housing 2. In this
arrangement, and in order to aid while filling the dispenser, a
support 80 is provided, onto which the tissue paper stack 50 may
rest and which guides the tissue paper stack 50 into a position in
which the first (and any subsequent) tissue paper sheets can be
retrieved from the dispenser 1.
[0098] In an embodiment which is not shown in the Figures, it is
contemplated to include in the dispenser a biasing means which
biases the stack of paper towards the second dispensing opening 4
such that the first paper to be dispensed is always in perfect
alignment with the dispensing opening.
[0099] However, in typical C-fold, Z-fold or concertina-folded
papers it is not necessary to provide a biasing means as the
dispenser is self-dispensing in the sense that a user, when taking
a tissue paper from the dispenser, automatically pulls out a
section of the following paper due to the friction of the papers
with one another.
[0100] FIG. 16 shows, in detail, the bottom wall 20 of the
dispenser shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, with the first dispensing
opening 3 and the second dispensing opening 4. The first dispensing
opening 3 includes a toothed section 30 as well as a smooth section
32, wherein the smooth section 32 is intended, inter alia, to ease
the insertion of the first bit of tissue paper through the
dispensing opening 3.
[0101] The second dispensing opening 4 has an edge 40 forming a
smooth circumference and has a length L which substantially extends
beyond the maximum dimension D of the first dispensing opening
3.
[0102] In order to improve the situation with respect to insertion
of the center-feed tissue paper into the dispensing opening, FIG.
17 suggests adding to the first dispensing opening 3 an insertion
channel 9 which enables sliding an initial portion of the tissue
paper into the dispensing opening 3. To this end, the insertion
channel 9 extends between the first dispensing opening 3 and a
position 90 bordering to a lower part of a cover 240. In other
words, the lower wall 20 of the dispenser housing extends into a
lower part of the cover 240, wherein a split line 242 is present
where the cover 24 and the bottom wall 20 split when the cover 24
is opened. The insertion channel 9 extends up to the split line 242
such that, when the cover 24 is opened, an initial piece of tissue
paper from the center-feed tissue paper roll can be inserted into
the insertion channel 9 and slid towards the first dispensing
opening 3. This greatly improves the initial setup of the dispenser
with respect to the center-feed tissue paper roll insertion.
[0103] FIG. 18 shows yet another embodiment in the same manner as
that disclosed in FIG. 17, whereas the insertion channel 9 extends
between the first dispensing opening 3 and the position 90 at the
split line 242 between the bottom wall 20 and the bottom wall of
the cover 240. The insertion channel 9 crosses, however, also the
second dispensing opening 4.
* * * * *