U.S. patent application number 13/516989 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-08 for dispenser for dispensing paper, nonwovens and/or wipes.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCA Hygiene Products AB. Invention is credited to Anna Brolin.
Application Number | 20120279984 13/516989 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42674919 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120279984 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brolin; Anna |
November 8, 2012 |
DISPENSER FOR DISPENSING PAPER, NONWOVENS AND/OR WIPES
Abstract
A dispenser for dispensing paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes, the
dispenser includes a housing which defines a receiving volume and
which has an access opening through which the receiving volume is
accessible, an insert which is arranged to be inserted into the
receiving volume of the housing through the access opening of the
housing, the insert being provided with a receiving portion for
receiving the paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes to be dispensed, and
the insert being provided with a closing portion which is adapted
to close the access opening of the housing when the insert is fully
inserted into the housing. A dispensing opening is provided in the
closing portion of the insert, wherein a cover is attached to the
insert for closing the dispensing opening.
Inventors: |
Brolin; Anna; (Skovde,
SE) |
Assignee: |
SCA Hygiene Products AB
Goteborg
SE
|
Family ID: |
42674919 |
Appl. No.: |
13/516989 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
December 18, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2009/067533 |
371 Date: |
July 19, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/197 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/426
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/197 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/42 20060101
A47K010/42; B65D 83/08 20060101 B65D083/08 |
Claims
1. Dispenser (1) for dispensing paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes, the
dispenser including: a housing (2) which defines a receiving volume
(20) and which has an access opening (22) through which the
receiving volume is accessible; an insert (3) which is arranged to
be inserted into the receiving volume of the housing through the
access opening of the housing, the insert being provided with a
receiving portion (30) for receiving the paper, nonwovens, and/or
wipes to be dispensed, and the insert being provided with a closing
portion (32) which is adapted to close the access opening of the
housing when the insert is fully inserted into the housing;
characterized by a dispensing opening (34) provided in the closing
portion of the insert, wherein a cover (4) is attached to the
insert for closing the dispensing opening.
2. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the housing and the
cover are made from a substantially resilient material, in
particular a rubber material or silicone, and the insert is made
from a substantially rigid material, in particular from
polyethylene, metal or wood.
3. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a biasing means
(42) is present to bias the cover towards closing the dispensing
opening.
4. Dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the biasing means is
provided by the elastic material of the cover.
5. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the receiving portion (30) of the insert (3) extends fully into the
receiving volume of the housing when being fully inserted.
6. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the insert includes a locking portion (50) which is intended to
interact with a complementary portion of the housing to lock the
insert in the closed position when being fully inserted.
7. Dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the locking means is
provided in the form of a convex portion (50) which is intended to
fit into a complementary concave portion in the housing.
8. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the insert includes a friction generating portion (39) which is
intended to generate friction between the sidewalls of the housing
when the insert is fully inserted into the housing.
9. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the closing portion has a front portion (32') and a top portion
(32'') to snugly fit into the housing at the access opening
(22).
10. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the access opening (22) extends in a front face and a top wall (24)
of the housing.
11. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the dispensing opening extends in a front face (32') and a top wall
(32'') of the closing portion.
12. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the cover can be snugly placed into a recess (36) which extends
around the dispensing opening.
13. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the cover can be held in its closed position by means of a closing
tongue (62) which can be inserted into a closing opening (60).
14. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the cover can be locked to the insert by means of a connection
between a locking opening (64) in the insert into which a locking
protrusion (66) of the cover can be inserted.
15. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the receiving portion of the insert is provided with two guide
rails (300) which extend along the insertion direction, the guide
rails (300) being chamfered in their lower portion (310).
16. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
fastening means such as Velcro fasteners, hooks, lashes are
provided on the housing in order to enable hanging of the
dispenser.
17. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the cover is made from a material which has a higher friction than
the material from which the insert is made.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application pertains to a dispenser for
dispensing paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes and, in particular, to a
mobile dispenser which can be carried along or which can be used in
a car, a boat, a plane etc. for dispensing paper, nonwovens,
handkerchiefs, wet wipes and dry wipes.
TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
[0002] In the field of dispensers for dispensing tissue paper,
nonwovens, and/or wipes, which can be used particularly as mobile
dispensers, for example to be carried along by the users in their
handbags or backpacks, to be used in a car or on a boat, several
different dispensers are known. A typical mobile dispenser is, for
example, a dispenser on the basis of a cardboard box from which dry
wipes can be withdrawn. The disadvantage with a dispenser on the
basis of a cardboard box is that the respective dispensing opening
remains open after it has been opened for the first time.
Accordingly, when carrying an open cardboard box along in a bag, in
a backpack, in a car or in a boat, it is almost inevitable that
dust and debris enters into the cardboard box, such that the
respective wipes are soiled and degrade. Furthermore, cardboard
boxes as such are not suitable for the use with wet wipes.
[0003] Containers for dispensing wipes, in particular wet wipes,
are disclosed in US 2007/0257052 A1 and US 2003/0015543 A1. The
lids of the respective containers are relatively difficult to open
and to close, in particular when opening and closing is to be done
single-handed, for example while driving. US 2008/0142535 A1
discloses a personal care product dispenser which has to be opened
by pulling apart two housing halves in order to access a dispensing
opening. This dispenser is also difficult to access
single-handed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a dispenser for dispensing tissue paper, nonwovens, and/or
wipes, which provides an alternative to known dispensers and which
enables improved dispensing properties when being used
one-handed.
[0005] According to the solution of claim 1, the dispenser includes
a housing which defines a receiving volume and which has an access
opening through which the receiving volume is accessible, an insert
which is arranged to be inserted into the receiving volume of the
housing through the access opening of the housing, the insert being
provided with a receiving portion for receiving the paper,
nonwovens, and/or wipes to be dispensed, and the insert being
provided with a closing portion which is adapted to close the
access opening of the housing when the insert is fully inserted
into the housing. A dispensing opening is provided in the closing
portion of the insert, wherein a cover is attached to the insert
for closing the dispensing opening.
[0006] The dispenser according to the present disclosure has the
advantage that, by means of the insert, the paper, nonwovens,
and/or wipes which is to be dispensed and which preferably is
provided in the form of a stack, a roll and/or in a bag or package,
can be securely and tidily inserted into the container, such that
it is dust-proof and substantially sealed off with respect to the
environment. Furthermore, by means of the provision of the actual
dispensing opening in the closing portion of the insert, it becomes
possible to easily access the dispensing opening from the outside
of the dispenser. This is even more so the case because the cover
directly covers this dispensing opening which is situated at the
outer portion of the dispenser.
[0007] Preferably, the housing and the cover are made from a
substantially resilient material, in particular a rubber material
or silicone, and the insert is made from a substantially rigid
material, in particular from polyethylene, metal or wood. By means
of this specific material choice it becomes possible to provide a
dispenser which has a substantially sealed off receiving volume
such that wet wipes can be received and dispensed. Furthermore, by
means of the resilient material for the housing, it becomes
possible to easily hold the dispenser in a car by simply pushing it
between the car seats or into a side pocket of a door without the
need for applying additional holding means to the car.
[0008] Preferably, at least the material of the cover has a higher
friction than the material of the insert, and in particular a
higher friction with respect to a finger of a user.
[0009] In another preferred embodiment, a biasing means is present
to bias the cover towards closing the dispensing opening.
Preferably, the biasing means is provided by the elastic material
of the cover. By means of the biasing means it can be made sure
that the cover is always in its closed condition when it is not
deliberately opened by a user. Accordingly, wet wipes do not loose
their moisture content and the paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes to be
dispensed will not be soiled.
[0010] Preferably, the receiving portion of the insert extends
fully into the receiving volume of the housing when being fully
inserted such that the receiving portion provides some structural
integrity to the dispenser.
[0011] In order to maintain the insert in the fully inserted
position, the insert preferably includes a locking portion which is
intended to interact with a complementary portion of the housing to
lock the insert in the closed position when being fully inserted.
Preferably, the locking means is provided in the form of a convex
portion which is intended to fit into a complementary concave
portion in the housing.
[0012] To further increase the locking of the insert and, at the
same time, enhance the optical appearance of the dispenser, the
insert includes a friction generating portion which is intended to
generate friction between the sidewalls of the housing when the
insert is fully inserted into the housing.
[0013] For fully closing the access opening of the housing, the
closing portion of the insert has a front portion and a top portion
to snugly fit into the housing at the access opening.
[0014] Furthermore, in order to enable easy access to the receiving
volume in the housing, the access opening extends in a front wall
and a top wall of the housing. Accordingly, to enable easy
dispensing of the paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes from the receiving
volume of the housing, the dispensing opening extends in a front
face and a top wall of the closing portion of the insert.
[0015] As the dispenser is intended to be used in a car the cover
may be snugly placed into a recess which extends around the
dispensing opening in order to provide smooth outer contours of the
dispenser such that sharp edges are not present which could be a
source for injuries.
[0016] In order to further improve the closing of the cover, the
cover can be held in its closed position by means of a closing
tongue which can be inserted into a closing opening and can be
preferably locked to the insert by means of a connection between a
locking opening in the insert into which a locking protrusion of
the cover can be inserted.
[0017] To avoid the "drawer effect" when trying to push the insert
into the receiving volume of the housing, the receiving portion of
the insert is provided with two guide rails which extend along the
insertion direction and the guide rails are chamfered in their
lower portion.
[0018] Should it be desired to fasten the dispenser to a wall of a
car or the like, wherein fastening means such as Velcro fasteners,
hooks, lashes are preferably provided on the housing in order to
enable hanging of the dispenser.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0019] The present disclosure will be described in more detail
below, with reference to the Figures, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser in a fully
closed state;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with
the insert almost inserted into the housing;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective view of the housing
without the insert;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the housing without the
insert;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing with the insert
fully inserted into the housing but the cover fully removed;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective view of the insert
alone;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the insert alone;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a detailed, perspective view of the connection
between the insert and the cover;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a schematic, perspective view of a detail of the
cover and the insert; and
[0029] FIG. 10 is a schematic, perspective view of the closing
process of the cover and the insert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] In the following, an embodiment of the dispenser 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
in order to avoid redundancies.
[0031] In FIG. 1, the dispenser 1 includes a housing 2, an insert 3
and a cover 4. The housing 1 defines, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and
3, a receiving volume 20 into which the insert 3 can be fully
inserted. The housing 2 furthermore includes an access opening 22
through which the receiving volume 20 of the housing 2 can be
accessed and through which the insert 3 can be inserted into the
receiving volume 20. In the embodiment shown in the present
disclosure, the access opening 2 extends in two walls of the
housing 2, namely a front face 23 as well as a top wall 24 of the
housing 2.
[0032] In the following, because the dispenser 1 includes the three
different elements of the housing 2, the insert 3 and the cover 4,
reference will be made to FIGS. 1 to 6 in order to describe the
respective elements of the dispenser in an exemplary manner.
[0033] In the preferred embodiment, the housing 2 is made from a
resilient or flexible material, such as silicone, rubber,
thermoplastics, etc.
[0034] Preferably, the housing 2 and the cover 4 are made from the
same elastic material. The insert 3, however, is made from a
relatively rigid material, such as a plastics material, wood or
metal. Preferably the resilient material has a higher friction than
the relatively rigid material in order to easily enable a user to
haptically find the cover and open it with one hand at whatever
portion of the cover due to the friction generated between the
cover and the user's hand.
[0035] The insert 3 includes a receiving portion 30 which is
intended to receive the paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes in the form
of a stack or package from which the individual wipes are to be
dispensed, such that the respective stack, pack and/or package can
be received on the receiving portion 30 securely. The receiving
portion 30 of the insert 3 has the further advantage that, when
using a highly resilient material for the housing 2, it can be made
sure that the paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes can be inserted
securely and tidily into the inside of the housing 2 through the
access opening 22. Furthermore, when the housing 2 is highly
resilient, the rigid receiving portion 30 of the insert 3 makes
sure that the bag, package and/or stack put onto the receiving
portion 30 is not buckled, kinked or in any other form degraded
while using the dispenser. The receiving portion 30, furthermore,
provides the housing 2 with additional structural integrity, in
particular in a case in which the housing 2 is made from a very
elastic material.
[0036] The resilience or elasticity of the cover 4 is used in order
to bias the cover 4 into its closed position. In other words, as
soon as the cover 4 is opened by a user in order to withdraw tissue
paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes contained in the receiving volume 20
of the housing 2, the cover 4 will have a tendency to reclose the
dispensing opening such that it becomes easily possible to dispense
the tissue paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes through the dispensing
opening single-handed, for example while driving a car.
[0037] In FIG. 4, a schematic side view of the housing 2 is shown,
from which it becomes apparent that some of the walls of the
housing, and in particular the top wall 24, are provided in a
slightly curved manner in order to improve the handling of the
dispenser. It has to be noted, however, that the bottom wall 26 of
the housing 2 is provided in a flat shape such that the housing 2
can be easily placed on a flat surface.
[0038] The insert 3, which is shown, for example, in FIG. 6, can be
inserted into the receiving volume 20 of the housing 2 through the
access opening 22, as is shown in FIG. 2. The insert 3 includes a
receiving portion 30 which is intended to receive the paper,
nonwovens, and/or wipes which is to be dispensed. The insert 3
includes a closing portion 32 which is intended to substantially
fit between the boundaries provided by the housing 2 at its access
opening 22, such that the closing portion 32 of the insert 3 can be
snugly fit into the access opening 22 of the housing 2.
Accordingly, the closing portion 32 includes, in the present
embodiment, a front wall 32' and a top wall 32'', the front wall
32' being intended to close the access opening 22 in the front face
23 of the housing 2, and the top wall 32'' being intended to close
the access opening 22 at the top wall 24 of the housing 2.
[0039] In order to enable dispensing paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes
from the dispenser 1, a dispensing opening 34 is provided in the
closing portion 32 of the insert 3. In the present embodiment, the
dispensing opening 34 extends likewise in the front wall 32'' and
the top wall 32'' of the closing portion 32 of the insert 3,
substantially resembling the shape of the access opening, even
though at a smaller extension.
[0040] The dispensing opening 34 is intended to dispense the paper,
nonwovens, and/or wipes received by the receiving portion 30 of the
insert 3 and which is inserted into the receiving volume 20 of the
housing 2 by means of the insert 3. The paper, nonwovens, and/or
wipes that is received by the receiving portion 30 can then be
dispensed through the dispensing opening 34.
[0041] A cover 4 is provided to close the dispensing opening 34
while no paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes is to be dispensed. Due to
the specific shape of the dispensing opening 34 of the insert 3 in
the present embodiment, cover 4 is likewise shaped to have a front
wall part 4' as well as a top wall part 4'' in order to fully close
the dispensing opening 34 of the insert 3 of the dispenser 1.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows the housing 2 with the insert 3 fully inserted
through the access opening 22 of the housing 2 into its receiving
volume 20. The dispensing opening 34 is clearly visible as well as
a recessed part 36 surrounding the dispensing opening 34 in order
to provide a seat for the cover 4 shown in FIG. 2.
[0043] As can be seen in FIG. 1 or 2, the cover 4 as well as the
insert 3 snugly fit with one another such that no steps, edges or
discontinuities are formed when the dispenser 1 is in its fully
closed state, as shown in FIG. 1. In other words, the outer
surfaces of the housing 2 extend smoothly into the outer surfaces
of the insert 3 and the outer surfaces of the cover 4, giving the
dispenser 1 a smooth outer appearance.
[0044] As can be seen in FIG. 5 in combination with FIG. 8, in the
front wall 32' of the closing portion 32 of the insert 3 openings
38 are provided for receiving a conical portion 42 of the cover 4.
Preferably, the conical portion 42 is integral with the cover 4 in
order to reduce the number of parts. By means of the provision of
the conical portions 42, the cover 4 can be easily clicked into its
final position by inserting the conical portions 42 of the cover 4
into the openings 38 provided in the recessed portion 36 of the
insert 3.
[0045] Preferably, the cover 4 is made from a resilient material
such that, once the cover 4 has been opened, it is biased towards
its closing position again. This elastic biasing means serves to
close the cover 4 automatically and without any further action of
the user. However, in an alternative embodiment, a biasing means
acting on the cover may be provided by a different mechanism such
as a spring biasing means.
[0046] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the insert 3 in different views. It
becomes apparent that the insert 3 includes, at its bottom portion,
guide rails 300 which are intended to guide the insert 3 smoothly
inside the receiving volume 20 of the housing 2.
[0047] At the bottom portion 310 of the guide rails 300, the guide
rails are slightly chamfered in order to avoid the so-called
"drawer effect", namely that the insert 3 cannot be inserted
smoothly into the receiving volume 20 of the housing 2 because the
insert 3 jams with respect to the housing 2. In particular, it was
intended to reduce or avoid this "drawer effect", namely the effect
that is typically experienced when trying to push a drawer into a
cupboard which tilts or twists such that the drawer blocks. It has
been found by the inventors that this specific shape of the outer
walls of the guide rails 300 significantly reduces this drawer
effect over an embodiment in which just straight walls are
used.
[0048] At the front wall 32' of the closing portion 32, this
chamfered portion 310 is, however, not provided. To the contrary, a
friction generating portion 39 is present, which is intended to
generate a friction between the inner portions of the side walls of
the housing 2 when the insert 3 is fully inserted into the
receiving volume 20 of the housing 2.
[0049] In order to lock the insert 3 securely into the fully
inserted position, a tongue 5 is provided extending into the
insertion direction from the upper wall 32'' of the closing portion
32. The tongue 5 is intended to fit under the top wall 24 of the
housing 2 in the fully inserted state of the insert 3. On the
tongue 5, a locking portion 50 in the form of a convex portion 50
is provided. The convex portion 50 is intended to smoothly lock
into a complementary convex portion provided on the inside of the
top wall 24 of the housing 2.
[0050] The material of the housing 2 preferably is a resilient
material, such as a rubber material or a silicon material.
Accordingly, if the convex portion 50 is slid into the receiving
volume 20 of the housing 2 together with the insert 3, the upper
wall 24 of the housing 2 slightly bends upwardly until the convex
portion 50 is slid into the complementary concave portion on the
inside of the top wall 24 of the housing 2. The resilience of the
housing material then ensures that the insert 3 is securely
fastened in its fully inserted position.
[0051] In order to be in a position to remove the insert 3 again
from the receiving volume, a finger recess 28 is provided in the
top wall 24 of the housing 2 such that an edge is generated between
the housing 2 and the insert 3 at which a user can easily push the
insert 3 out of its locking engagement with the housing.
[0052] The closing process of the cover 4 onto the insert 3 will be
explained in the following by reference to FIGS. 5, 9 and 10. In
particular, a locking mechanism 6 is provided at the connection
between the top wall 4'' of the cover 4 and the top wall 32'' of
the insert 3. The locking mechanism 6 includes a closing opening 60
provided in the top wall 32'' of the insert 3, wherein into the
closing opening 60 a respective closing tongue 62 of the top wall
4'' of the cover 4 can be inserted. The closing tongue 62 serves
not only to lock the cover 4 in the closed position, but serves
also to guide the cover 4 into the actual locking position.
[0053] A locking opening 64 is likewise provided in the top wall
32'' of the insert 3 below the locking opening 60. The locking
opening 64 is intended to receive a complementary locking
protrusion 66 provided in the top wall 4'' of the cover 4. The
locking protrusion 66 is preferably shaped such that a friction fit
or a form fit can be achieved in the locking opening 64. For
example, the locking protrusion 66 may have a dove tail shape which
fits into the likewise dove tail-shaped locking opening 64. Because
the cover 4 is made from a resilient material, the locking
protrusion 66 then clicks into position in the locking opening
64.
[0054] FIG. 9 shows the process of closing the dispensing opening
by the cover 4, wherein the closing tongue 62 approaches the
closing opening 60 of the locking mechanism 6. In FIG. 10, the
closing tongue 62 is already inserted into the closing opening 60,
but locking opening 64 is not yet filled with locking protrusion
66.
[0055] In order to avoid any inadvertent opening of the cover 4 and
also to guide a user haptically to the right portion to open the
cover 4, a bump 68 is provided at the top wall 32'' of the insert
3.
[0056] As can be seen, again, in FIG. 1, the cover 4, the insert 3
and the housing 2 define, in their inside, a volume which is
hermetically closed off with respect to the outside. Because the
materials used for the housing 2 and the cover 4 are resilient
materials which are carefully selected to interact with the
material of the insert 3, a relatively tight sealing between the
housing 2 and the insert 3, and the cover 4 and the insert 3 can be
achieved. Accordingly, the dispenser 1 as disclosed is not only
suitable for dispensing dry wipes, which remain dry and tidy inside
the dispenser, but is also suitable for dispensing wet wipes, which
retain their moisture inside the dispenser 1.
[0057] By means of the resilient material for the housing 2 of the
dispenser 1, it also becomes possible to squeeze the dispenser
slightly, such that it can easily slide into a side pocket of a
car, between the front seats or in any other position inside a car,
such that the dispenser 1 can be securely seated in the car,
without the need of gluing fastening means into the car, drilling
holes into the car or providing any other fastening mechanisms into
the car. In other words, the dispenser according to the present
disclosure can be securely fastened inside a typical car without
the need to change or alter anything of the interior of the
car.
[0058] As can be imagined from the disclosure of FIG. 1, it is very
easy to withdraw a wipe from the dispenser 1. In particular, due to
the higher friction of the material from which the cover 4 is made,
a user may open the cover 4 by only using this friction to grip the
cover 4. In other words, the user does not need to find a specific
handling position for the cover but rather may use the entire top
surface of the cover to open it. Furthermore, a user may open the
cover 4 by means of one of her/his fingers, holds the cover in its
opened state by means of this finger, and grasps a paper or wipe by
means of other fingers of the same hand, and pulls the wipe out.
After subsequently releasing the cover 4, the cover closes the
dispensing opening automatically due to its bias. Accordingly, a
one-handed dispensing action can be easily achieved.
[0059] Besides the possibility of arranging the dispenser 1 in a
car or any other vehicle by simply squeezing it between two
component parts of the respective vehicle, for example sliding it
between the front seats or into a side pocket in a door, it is also
contemplated to provide the dispenser 1 with some fastening means,
such as a hanger or Velcro fasteners in order to be in a position
to securely fasten the dispenser onto a fixed part. Preferably, the
Velcro fastener or the hanger is situated on the bottom wall of the
dispenser.
* * * * *