U.S. patent application number 14/595765 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-16 for folded sheet product cartridges and dispensing systems, assemblies, and methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP. Invention is credited to Brian Scott Borke, Latasha Poindexter, Paul James Ruthven, Kang-Chang Yeh.
Application Number | 20150196175 14/595765 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53520273 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150196175 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruthven; Paul James ; et
al. |
July 16, 2015 |
Folded Sheet Product Cartridges and Dispensing Systems, Assemblies,
and Methods
Abstract
Folded sheet product cartridges and dispensing assemblies,
systems, and methods of dispense therefor are provided. A
dispensing assembly includes a housing for vertically stacked
cartridges. The housing defines a load opening in a side panel or
top end and a dispensing slot in a side panel or bottom end. A
sheet product cartridge includes a plurality of folded sheet
products for dispense through a dispensing opening.
Inventors: |
Ruthven; Paul James;
(Neenah, WI) ; Borke; Brian Scott; (Appleton,
WI) ; Yeh; Kang-Chang; (Neenah, WI) ;
Poindexter; Latasha; (Buford, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53520273 |
Appl. No.: |
14/595765 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61926767 |
Jan 13, 2014 |
|
|
|
62008897 |
Jun 6, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/426 20130101;
A47K 10/3618 20130101; A47K 2010/3266 20130101; B65D 83/0805
20130101; A47K 10/421 20130101; A47K 2010/3233 20130101; A47K
2010/3681 20130101; A47K 10/36 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/42 20060101
A47K010/42 |
Claims
1. A sheet product dispensing assembly, comprising: a housing
configured to house one or more vertically stacked cartridges
therein, each cartridge containing a plurality of individual sheet
products for dispense through a dispensing opening of the
cartridge, wherein the housing defines a load opening in a side
panel or top end of the housing, the load opening being configured
to receive the one or more cartridges therethrough, wherein the
housing defines a dispensing slot in a side panel or bottom end of
the housing, the dispensing slot being configured to at least
partially align with the dispensing opening of a bottommost
cartridge of the one or more vertically stacked cartridges, such
that the individual sheet products are accessible therethrough, and
wherein the load opening comprises a notched portion corresponding
to a complementary projection of each cartridge, such that
cartridges comprising the complementary projection are loadable
into the housing via the load opening.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the complementary edge
comprises a beveled edge.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to
house three vertically stacked cartridges.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the dispensing slot is sized
such that a detachable panel of the cartridge is removable
therethrough.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises
an exit opening configured such that an exhausted cartridge may be
slideably removed from the housing therethrough.
6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the exit opening is adjacent
the bottommost cartridge in a side panel of the housing other than
the panel in which the dispensing slot is disposed.
7. A sheet product dispensing assembly, comprising: a base panel
configured to support one or more cartridges stacked thereon, each
cartridge housing a plurality of individual sheet products for
dispense through a dispensing opening of the cartridge; and a
cartridge mounting panel extending from the base panel and
comprising one or more notched rails configured to mount the one or
more cartridges via one or more complementary projections on each
cartridge.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the cartridge mounting panel
extends substantially perpendicularly from the base panel.
9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the one or more complementary
projections comprise one or more tabs extending from a wall of the
cartridge.
10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the assembly is sized to mount
three cartridges.
11. The assembly of claim 7, wherein: the cartridge mounting panel
comprises two parallel notched rails that are substantially
perpendicular to the base panel, and the complementary projections
comprise two tabs extending from a second wall of the cartridge
opposite a first wall in which the dispensing opening is
disposed.
12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein a first of the two parallel
notched rails is disposed on the cartridge mounting panel such that
a gap between the base panel and the first parallel notched rail
has a height equal to or greater than a height of the cartridge,
such that an exhausted cartridge may be slideably dismounted from
the assembly through the gap.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein a second of the two parallel
notched rails is disposed on the cartridge mounting panel such that
a gap between the base panel and the second parallel notched rail
has a height less than the height of the cartridge.
14. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising a dispensing panel
extending substantially perpendicularly from an edge of the base
panel opposite the cartridge mounting panel, the dispensing panel
comprising a lip configured to laterally retain the cartridge
adjacent the base panel.
15. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising a dispensing panel
extending substantially perpendicularly from an edge of the base
panel opposite the cartridge mounting panel, the dispensing panel
comprising a dispensing slot configured to at least partially align
with the dispensing opening of the cartridge adjacent the base
panel, such that the individual sheet products are accessible
therethrough.
16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the dispensing panel has a
height substantially similar to a height of the one or more
cartridges the assembly is sized to accommodate.
17. A sheet product dispensing assembly, comprising: a housing
configured to house one or more vertically stacked cartridges
therein, each cartridge containing a plurality of individual sheet
products for dispense through a dispensing opening of the
cartridge, wherein the housing defines a load opening in a side
panel or top end of the housing, the load opening being configured
to receive the one or more cartridges therethrough, wherein the
housing defines a dispensing slot in a side panel or bottom end of
the housing, the dispensing slot being configured to at least
partially align with the dispensing opening of a bottommost
cartridge of the one or more vertically stacked cartridges, such
that the individual sheet products are accessible therethrough, and
wherein the cartridge comprises two non-rectangular side panels and
the housing comprises two complementary non-rectangular side
panels.
18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the cartridge comprises two
parallelogram-shaped side panels and the housing comprises two
complementary parallelogram-shaped side panels.
19. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the side panel of the housing
in which the dispensing slot is located is angled with respect to a
base panel of the housing, such that the individual sheet products
are dispensable therethrough via an outward or downward pull.
20. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the dispensing opening of the
cartridge is defined by one or more flaps extending from edges of
the cartridge defining a dispensing panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/926,767, filed on Jan. 13, 2014, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/008,897, filed on Jun. 6, 2014, both
of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to sheet product
dispensing, and more particularly to folded sheet product
cartridges and dispensers, systems, methods, and assemblies for use
therewith.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Sheet product dispensers, such as facial tissue, paper
towel, or wipe dispensers, are used in a range of locations having
varying amounts of user traffic and distinct dispenser performance
needs. For example, in the patient rooms of hospitals or other
medical facilities, user traffic at the dispenser may be low, but
performance requirements on the dispenser are great due to the
increased need for hygienic operation, as well as the dispenser
efficiency demands of medical personnel who wash their hands
frequently, among other reasons.
[0004] For example, dispensers may be used in the patient rooms of
medical facilities, where certain dispenser performance features
are desirable. Typically, sheet product dispensers in patient rooms
are wall-mounted stainless steel manual dispensers into which
folded sheet towels are loaded and dispensed via a wide opening in
the bottom. These dispensers experience many performance issues,
including maintenance and dispensing issues. For example, to load
these dispensers, facility environmental services (EVS) personnel,
such as janitorial personnel, must unlock the dispenser, estimate
the number of sheet towels needed, select a number of sheet towels
from a larger stack or from multiple sleeves of towels, load the
towels into the dispenser, remove any overflow, and close and lock
the dispenser. Thus, it would be desirable to provide dispensers
that are more efficient for maintenance staff, such as for
reloading the dispenser.
[0005] Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide dispensers in
which contamination is prevented or minimized. In the traditional
sheet product dispensers mentioned above, the sheet products may be
exposed to unsanitary conditions prior to being loaded into a
dispenser (e.g., after being unloaded from a case, during transit
through the facility, or while being loaded in the form of a stack
of loose towels). Moreover, when users reach into these dispensers
to obtain one or more towels, adjacent towels that are left for the
next user often become wet, and it may be difficult to pull out
only the desired number of towels, resulting in overflow towels
that must be handled by the user or tabbing, in which only a
portion of the towel pulled by the user is dispensed. For example,
additional towels may fall to a counter or other surface, where
germs are present, and then be picked up to be disposed by the user
after hand washing has occurred. In hospitals, hygienic practices
are critical for preventing hospital acquired infections. Thus, it
would be desirable to provide dispensers that minimize the contact
of the sheet products with other things prior to dispense, prevent
contamination, and encourage hygienic practices.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for improved sheet product
dispensers and cartridges that reduce or prevent contamination of
the folded sheet products and/or provide improved sheet product
loading and dispensing.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect, a sheet product dispensing system is
provided, including a housing having one or more vertically stacked
cartridges therein, with each cartridge containing a plurality of
individual sheet products for dispense through a dispensing opening
of the cartridge. The housing defines a load opening in a side
panel or top end of the housing, with the load opening being
configured to receive the one or more cartridges therethrough. The
housing also defines a dispensing slot in a side panel or bottom
end of the housing, with the dispensing slot being configured to at
least partially align with the dispensing opening of a bottommost
cartridge of the one or more vertically stacked cartridges, such
that the individual sheet products are accessible therethrough. The
cartridges are each formed of a flexible panel material, such that
an exhausted cartridge may be removed via the dispensing slot.
[0008] In another aspect, a sheet product cartridge is provided,
including a plurality of individual folded sheet products for
dispense through a dispensing opening of the cartridge and a
plurality of flexible material panels containing the folded sheet
products. The folded sheet products are interleaved for sequential
dispense. One of the panels includes a detachable area that is
configured to be detached to form the dispensing opening, the
detachable area having a weakened perimeter and an integral pull
tab disposed within the weakened perimeter. The pull tab includes a
weakened neck portion associated with a partially detached stub
portion, such that the detached stub portion is graspable by a user
to detach the weakened neck portion and successively detach the
weakened perimeter to detach the detachable area and form the
dispensing opening.
[0009] In yet another aspect, a sheet product dispensing assembly
is provided, including a housing configured to house one or more
vertically stacked cartridges therein, with each cartridge
containing a plurality of individual sheet products for dispense
through a dispensing opening of the cartridge. The housing defines
a load opening in a side panel or top end of the housing, with the
load opening being configured to receive the one or more cartridges
therethrough. The housing also defines a dispensing slot in a side
panel or bottom end of the housing, with the dispensing slot being
configured to at least partially align with the dispensing opening
of a bottommost cartridge of the one or more vertically stacked
cartridges, such that the individual sheet products are accessible
therethrough. The load opening includes a notched portion
corresponding to a complementary projection of each cartridge, such
that cartridges comprising the complementary projection are
loadable into the housing via the load opening.
[0010] In still yet another aspect, a sheet product dispensing
assembly is provided, including a base panel configured to support
one or more cartridges stacked thereon and a cartridge mounting
panel extending from the base panel and comprising one or more
notched rails configured to mount the one or more cartridges via
one or more complementary projections on each cartridge. Each
cartridge houses a plurality of individual sheet products for
dispense through a dispensing opening of the cartridge.
[0011] In another aspect, a sheet product dispensing assembly
including a housing configured to house one or more vertically
stacked cartridges therein, with each cartridge containing a
plurality of individual sheet products for dispense through a
dispensing opening of the cartridge. The housing defines a load
opening in a side panel or top end of the housing, with the load
opening being configured to receive the one or more cartridges
therethrough. The housing also defines a dispensing slot in a side
panel or bottom end of the housing, with the dispensing slot being
configured to at least partially align with the dispensing opening
of a bottommost cartridge of the one or more vertically stacked
cartridges, such that the individual sheet products are accessible
therethrough. The cartridge includes two non-rectangular side
panels and the housing comprises two complementary non-rectangular
side panels.
[0012] These and other aspects and improvements of the present
disclosure will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
upon review of the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the
accompanying drawings illustrating examples of the disclosure, in
which use of the same reference numerals indicates similar or
identical items. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may
include elements, components, and/or configurations other than
those illustrated in the drawings, and some of the elements,
components, and/or configurations illustrated in the drawings may
not be present in certain embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a material panel
of a sheet product cartridge having a detachable area for forming a
dispensing opening.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product cartridge having a material panel with a detachable area
for forming a dispensing opening.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product dispensing assembly.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product dispensing assembly.
[0018] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product dispensing assembly.
[0019] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the sheet product
dispensing assembly of FIG. 5A loaded with two sheet product
cartridges.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product dispensing assembly.
[0021] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of one embodiments of a sheet
product dispensing assembly.
[0022] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the sheet product
dispensing assembly of FIG. 7A loaded with one sheet product
cartridge.
[0023] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the sheet product
dispensing assembly of FIG. 7A loaded with two sheet product
cartridges.
[0024] FIG. 7D is a perspective view of the sheet product
dispensing assembly of FIG. 7A loaded with two sheet product
cartridges, one of which is being removed from the assembly.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a plan view of one embodiment of a sheet product
cartridge for use with a sheet product dispensing assembly.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product dispensing assembly loaded with two sheet product
cartridges.
[0027] FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional plan view of one embodiment of
a sheet product dispensing assembly and a corresponding sheet
product cartridge therefore.
[0028] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the sheet product assembly
of FIG. 10A loaded with three sheet product cartridges.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product dispensing assembly.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product cartridge.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product dispensing assembly.
[0032] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product cartridge.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional plan view of one embodiment of
a plurality of interleaved folded sheet products.
[0034] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product cartridge.
[0035] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product cartridge.
[0036] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet
product dispensing assembly loaded with three cartridges.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Sheet product cartridges and dispensing assemblies systems,
and methods therefor, have been developed to meet one or more of
the above-noted needs. For example, the sheet product dispensing
assemblies and cartridges described herein may be used in settings
where certain performance functionalities, such as hygienic
operation and improved loading, are desirable. In particular, these
assemblies and cartridges may be used in settings where it is
beneficial for the sheet products to remain unexposed to unsanitary
conditions in the local environment, such as through handling and
loading by EVS personnel and/or contamination of undispensed sheet
products by exposure to water or infectious materials.
[0038] Embodiments of these cartridges and dispensing assemblies
will be described below in more detail. While features of the
cartridges and assemblies are described with reference to specific
embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
the disclosure is not limited to such embodiments, but rather that
cartridges and dispensing assemblies may incorporate any number of
combinations, variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent
arrangements not described herein.
Sheet Product Cartridges
[0039] Generally, the sheet product cartridges disclosed herein are
designed to contain a plurality of individual folded sheet
products. As used herein, the term "sheet product" refers to any
natural and/or synthetic cloth or paper sheets. Sheet products may
include both woven and nonwoven articles. Examples of sheet
products include, but are not limited to, wipes, napkins, tissues,
towels, and other types of fibrous or film products. A plurality of
folded sheet products may be releasably attached to one another and
housed within the cartridge. Suitable releasable attachment means
include, but are not limited to, friction, cohesion, or other
forces that releasably attach adjacent articles. Perforations
between the individual sheet products may provide such releasable
detachment. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 15, the sheet products
1510, 1520, 1530, 1540, 1550, 1560 may be interfolded, or
interleaved, such that releasable attachment may result from
friction or cohesion between adjacent sheets. In one embodiment,
the folded sheet products are interleaved for sequential dispense.
The interleaving configuration shown in FIG. 15 is merely exemplary
and other interleaving or interfolding configurations may also be
used.
[0040] As used herein, the term "cartridge" refers to a housing or
carton for containing a plurality of folded sheet products and for
providing for dispense of the sheet products therefrom. Cartridges
described herein may be formed of a plurality of material panels
that are formed or associated so as to at least partially surround
and contain a stack of folded sheet products.
[0041] In one embodiment, at least two of the material panels are
formed from a unitary material sheet that is folded to form
distinct panels about the surfaces of the stack of sheet products.
In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, each of the plurality
of material panels 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, 860 is formed from a
unitary material sheet that is foldable to form the cartridge 800.
In other embodiments, the plurality of material panels includes at
least two distinct material panels that are associated or connected
to form the cartridge.
[0042] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, the
plurality of material panels form a parallelepiped structure. In
one embodiment, each material panel is rectangular. In one
embodiment, two of the material panels are non-rectangular. In one
embodiment, the two non-rectangular material panels are
parallelogram-shaped.
[0043] In certain embodiments, as discussed in more detail below,
the cartridge includes one or more projections or keyed edge
portions, in addition to or formed by the material panels. In one
embodiment, the cartridges include a beveled edge. In one
embodiment, one or more tabs extend from one of the material panels
of the cartridge.
[0044] For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the cartridge 1700 may
completely surround the sheet products, or, as shown in FIG. 12,
the cartridge 1200 may expose the sheet products 1202 at one or
more surfaces. Embodiments in which the cartridge completely
surrounds the sheet products may be particularly useful for
applications in which contamination of the sheet products is
undesirable, such as in hospital room settings. Embodiment in which
the cartridge partially surrounds the sheet products on specific
surfaces, such as those that may be exposed in a certain dispenser,
may also be useful for applications in which contamination of the
sheet products is undesirable.
[0045] The material panels forming the cartridge may be
substantially rigid or substantially flexible in nature, depending
on the particular application and dispensing assembly design. For
example, a cartridge formed from material panels that are
substantially rigid will generally maintain its shape when empty of
sheet products, whereas a cartridge formed from material panels
that are substantially flexible will not generally maintain its
shape when empty of sheet products. For example, the materials
panels forming the cartridge may be formed of cardboard,
paperboard, polymer materials, and other suitable materials. In one
embodiment, the material panels are flexible and formed from a
polymer film, such as low density polyethylene. For example,
certain polymer materials may provide superior moisture protection
versus paper based materials, which may be desirable for cartridges
used at sites close to sinks or where EVS personnel use wet wipes
or other cleaning supplies to clean room surfaces. In certain
embodiments, the cartridges are formed of a flexible panel material
so that an exhausted, or empty, cartridge may be removed in the
same manner in which the sheet products were dispensed. In certain
embodiments, the cartridges are formed of a combination of
substantially flexible and substantially rigid panels, such as a
combination of polymer film and paperboard panels, to achieve the
desired cartridge characteristics.
[0046] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the cartridge
800 includes a dispensing opening 802 disposed on one or more of
the material panels and through which the sheet products may be
dispensed from the cartridge. The dispensing opening may be formed
in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the application and
dispensing assembly in which it will be used. For example, the
dispensing opening may be substantially rectangular (with or
without rounded edges) (see FIGS. 1, 2, 8, 14, 16), elliptical (see
FIGS. 3, 4, 7), circular, or other suitable shapes. In one
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the dispensing opening 1704 is
formed of two elongated parallel sides connected at semi-circular
ends.
[0047] The dispensing opening may be sized to include any portion
of the material panel(s) in which it is disposed. That is, in
certain embodiments, the dispensing opening includes a portion of
the material panel(s) in which it is disposed. In other
embodiments, the dispensing opening is disposed to occupy the space
of the entire material panel from which it is formed.
[0048] One or more panels of the cartridge may include a detachable
area that is configured to be detached from the panel(s) to form
the dispensing opening. That is, one or more of the material panels
of the cartridge may be configured to be removed, in whole or in
part, to create the dispensing opening through which the sheet
product is dispensed. Thus, as shown in FIG. 18, one or more
cartridges 1700 may be loaded into a dispensing assembly with the
material panels 1710 intact (i.e., with the dispensing opening 1704
not yet formed by detaching the detachable area 1706), such that
the cartridges 1700 remain sealed until dispense of the sheet
products is desired, at which point EVS personnel or another user
can detach the detachable area to form the dispensing opening.
[0049] Advantageously, the dispensing opening may be large relative
to the material panel in which it is formed, such that the
cartridge may function in dispensers having a variety of designs,
including those with dispensing slots (with which the dispensing
opening of the cartridge must at least partially align) of various
sizes and locations. Thus, as discussed in more detail below, the
cartridges of the present disclosure may be used in a broad range
of commercially available dispensers.
[0050] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, a material panel
110 of the cartridge includes a detachable area 111 having a
weakened perimeter 112 and an integral pull tab 113 disposed within
the weakened perimeter 112. Thus, the weakened perimeter forms a
boundary about the pull tab. As used herein, the term "weakened"
refers to the material having a line or zone of frangibility, such
as with perforations, score lines, or any other suitable weakening
mechanism. As used herein, the term "integral pull tab" refers to
the pull tab being formed from the material of the material panel
in which the weakened perimeter is formed. That is, the detachable
area, including the weakened perimeter and pull tab, is formed from
a unitary portion of the material panel(s) in which it is
disposed.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the pull tab 113
includes a weakened neck portion 115 associated with a partially
detached stub portion 116. As used herein, the term "partially
detached" refers to the stub portion having at least a portion of
its edge fully separated, such as fully cut or punched, from the
surrounding portions of the material panel. Thus, the detached stub
portion is graspable by a user to detach the weakened neck portion
(represented by arrow A) and successively detach the weakened
perimeter from the material panel (represented by arrow B) to form
the dispensing opening. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the user
may begin the pull at the stub portion, causing the weakened neck
portion to detach (arrow A), and successively causing the weakened
perimeter to detach (arrow B).
[0052] This pull tab/weakened perimeter design advantageously
allows a user to remove the detachable area in a sequential tear,
or "zipper," action, rather than simultaneously removing the pull
tab and detachable area in a single tear action. In particular,
when the detachable area is present on a downward-facing panel of
the cartridge, a user can gain access to the sheet product by
pulling the pull tab down, and then continuing the downward pulling
motion, while avoiding contact with the sheet product. Thus, the
present cartridge and detachable area design enables a user to
fully disengage the detachable opening and therefore gain access to
the sheet products in a single pull in a direction perpendicular to
the material panel in which the pull tab is disposed. That is, in
certain embodiments, the detachable area is configured to be
detached by the application of a substantially constant pull force
in a direction substantially perpendicular to the material panel in
which the pull tab is disposed. This force may be relatively lower
than the pull force required to remove other detachable areas of
traditional sheet product containers, such as slits or tabs, which
typically involve simultaneous removal, or "popping," of the entire
detachable area.
[0053] The dispensing opening will generally have the shape of the
weakened perimeter. Thus, the perimeter may be substantially
rectangular (with or without rounded edges), elliptical, circular,
or other suitable shapes. In one embodiment, the perimeter is
formed of two elongated parallel sides connected at semi-circular
ends. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the perimeter is
formed of two elongated sides and two ends having a length that is
shorter than a length of the elongated sides.
[0054] The weakened neck portion of the pull tab may have a variety
of shapes and sizes, depending on the size of the detachable area
to be removed, as well as the design of the dispenser in which the
cartridge is used. In some embodiments, the weakened neck is
perforated. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the weakened
neck 115 includes two substantially parallel weakened strips 114.
In some embodiments, the weakened neck 115 further includes one or
more pairs of weakened portions 118, 120 extending from an end of
the weakened strips 114 toward the weakened perimeter 112. In one
embodiment, the pairs of weakened portions 118, 120 extend away
from each other, which may reduce tearing. In some embodiments, the
weakened strips 114 are substantially parallel to two elongated
sides of the weakened perimeter 112. In certain embodiments, the
weakened strips 114 are offset relative to the two elongated sides
and are centered relative to two ends of the weakened perimeter
that are shorter in length than the elongated sides. In one
embodiment, the strips 114 are disposed in a first half of the
detachable area 111. In some embodiments, the weakened neck is
disposed in a first half of the detachable area.
[0055] In certain embodiments, the pull tab is centered in at least
one direction on the detachable area. In certain embodiments, the
pull tab has a longitudinal axis that is centered between two
elongated sides of the weakened perimeter.
[0056] The detached stub portion may have a variety of shapes and
sizes, depending on the size of the detachable area to be removed,
as well as the design of the dispenser in which the cartridge is
used. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the detached stub
portion 116 includes a semicircular cut portion of the material
panel forming the detachable area 111.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, the detachable
area 111 is a portion of the material panel 110 in which it is
disposed. That is, when the detachable area 111 is removed, a
portion of the material panel 110 remains to restrict dispense of
the sheet products and thereby minimize multiple dispenses. In
other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the detachable area 211
includes substantially all of the material panel 210 in which it is
disposed. That is, when the detachable area 211 is removed, the
dispensing opening is at least an entire surface of the cartridge
200. In some embodiments, the detachable area may be disposed in
multiple material panels.
[0058] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 14, the dispensing
opening of the cartridge 1400 may be defined in the material panel
1404 by one or more flaps or tabs 1403 formed in the material panel
1404. Advantageously, such breakaway flaps provide a less rigid
dispensing opening by eliminating the tight corners of other
dispensing openings, so that the incidence of tabbing (i.e., when a
user pulls the exposed tail of the towel and a small piece of the
towel is torn off, with the majority of the towel left in the
dispenser) is reduced.
[0059] In certain embodiments, the stub portion is generally
centered in the material panel that will be positioned adjacent the
dispensing slot of the particular dispenser to be loaded with
cartridges, so that the cartridge can be opened after being loaded
into a variety of dispenser designs (i.e., any dispenser that has a
centralized dispensing slot for the sheet product on a wall that
aligns with the dispensing opening of the particular cartridge).
For example, as shown in FIG. 18, such cartridges 1700 may be
loaded into a traditional manual sheet dispenser having a
bottom-facing dispensing slot, which is configured to receive a
stack of loose sheet product, and the detachable area 1706 may be
removed to form the dispensing opening 1704 in the cartridge.
[0060] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, an
individual sheet product 1510 adjacent the detachable area prior to
detachment of the detachable area to form the dispensing opening
1504 includes a reinforced leading end 1511 having a folded portion
of the sheet product. Thus, the leading sheet product 1510
contained within the cartridge 1600 may include a reinforced
leading edge 1511, such as a tuck or fold of the edge of the sheet
product, to effectively double the thickness/strength of the
leading edge. This gives the user easier access to initiating
dispense of the sheet products and also makes the leading sheet
product less prone to tabbing. Moreover, the reinforced leading end
may be folded so that the leading sheet product edge is located at
the center of the surface of the cartridge, such that the leading
edge is exposed and accessible when the detachable area is removed.
Such reinforced leadings ends may include those disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,207,361, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2005/0062209, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,748, which are incorporated
by reference herein.
[0061] The cartridges described herein may be configured to contain
any number of individual sheet products therein. In certain
embodiments, the cartridges contain 200 individual sheet products
or fewer. In one embodiment, the cartridge contains 150 individual
sheet products.
[0062] These relatively low sheet product counts enable multiple
cartridges to be loaded into a single dispenser, while keeping all
but the cartridge in use sealed. Instead of stuffing the dispenser
with loose sheet product and removing any overflow, EVS personnel
can simply load the maximum number of cartridges that can be
contained by the dispenser, with the detachable areas oriented
toward the dispensing slot of the dispenser. Thus, discrete
cartridge packages take the guesswork out of loading the dispenser,
because dispensing assemblies can only hold a set number of
cartridges, so to refill the dispenser, EVS must wait until there
is a large enough headspace in the dispenser to insert an entire
cartridge. This reduces stress on EVS, by removing ambiguity in
refilling operations, and, because the dispenser is not
over-filled, dispensing defects (e.g., tabbing, multiple sheet
dispensing) are reduced.
[0063] A user removes the detachable area of the initial cartridge
and is able to dispense sheet product without contaminating all of
the sheet products in the dispenser and without experiencing the
tabbing issues associated with overloaded dispensers. When a
cartridge is exhausted of sheet product, the cartridge housing is
removed via a cartridge removal slot or through the dispensing slot
of the dispenser. A subsequent cartridge may then be opened for
dispense.
Dispensing Assemblies, Systems, and Methods
[0064] Various embodiments of dispensing assemblies, or dispensers,
systems including a dispensing assembly and one or more cartridges,
and methods of dispense are described below. These dispensing
assemblies, systems, and methods may be used in combination with
sheet product cartridges having any combination of the features
disclosed above, or with any other suitable cartridges. For
example, the assemblies may be sized to mount one, two, three,
four, or more cartridges.
[0065] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, a sheet product
dispensing assembly 400 includes a housing 402 configured to house
one or more vertically stacked cartridges 410 therein. In some
embodiments, the housing includes four side walls (i.e., front,
back, left, and right side panels), a top wall (end), and a bottom
wall (end), such that the cartridges are substantially enclosed by
the housing. In certain embodiments, the dispensing assembly
includes a mounting mechanism, such as bracket(s), for attachment
to a wall or other structure.
[0066] The housing 402 defines a load opening 404 in a side panel
(not shown) or top end of the housing 402, to receive the
cartridges 410 therethrough. The load opening may occupy an entire
side panel or wall of the housing, or some portion thereof. The
housing 402 also defines a dispensing slot 406 in a side panel 408
or bottom end (not shown) of the housing 402. Thus, in some
embodiments, the housing form a chute between the load opening and
the dispensing slot, along which the cartridge(s) travel.
[0067] The dispensing slot 406 is configured to at least partially
align with the dispensing opening of a bottommost cartridge of the
vertical stack, such that the individual sheet products are
accessible therethrough. The dispensing slot may have a variety of
shapes and sizes, including, but not limited to, substantially
rectangular (with or without rounded edges), elliptical, circular,
or a channel having two elongated parallel sides connected at
ends.
[0068] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the cartridges
are each formed of a flexible panel material, such that an
exhausted cartridge may be removed via the dispensing slot 406. In
some embodiments, the dispensing slot is sized such that a
detachable panel of the cartridge is removable therethrough. Thus,
as shown in FIG. 18, a user may access the pull tab of a detachable
area 1706, or panel, of the cartridge 1700, and detach the area
through the dispensing slot 1708. In certain embodiments, the
housing comprises rectangular side panels that are complementary to
rectangular side panels of a cartridge to be loaded in the housing.
In certain embodiments, the housing is configured to house three
vertically stacked cartridges.
[0069] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a sheet product
dispensing assembly 300, in which the housing 302 further includes
an exit opening 309 configured such that an exhausted cartridge may
be slideably removed from the housing therethrough. The cartridge
may also be removed using a pull tab on one side of the cartridge
to pull it out of the exit opening of the dispenser, such that the
next cartridge falls into the active position. Such an exit opening
may be beneficial for us with cartridges having a rigid panel
material or for applications in which it would be desirable to
remove cartridges that are not completely empty, such as in
hospital rooms between patients.
[0070] FIG. 6 illustrates a sheet product dispensing assembly 600
in which one or more material panels 610 of the housing 602 are
open. Such a dispensing assembly would allow EVS personnel to
easily observe when additional cartridges are needed, without
opening the dispenser. For example, the housing 602 includes three
side wall panels and a load opening in the top end. The dispensing
slot occupies a substantial portion of the front panel of the
housing and provides for removal of exhausted cartridges from the
assembly.
[0071] As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the housing 502 of the dispensing
assembly 500 may include a hinged load opening 510 in one of the
panels or top of the housing. For example, the housing may include
a flip door through which cartridges may be loaded or unloaded. The
assembly may be sized to house one, two, three, or more cartridges.
Once expended, a cartridge may be pushed through the door opening
510, for example via a hole on the opposite side of the housing.
Alternatively, a user may open the door 510 and pull out the
expended cartridge. In certain embodiments, the housing 502
includes top and bottom panels, a dispensing slot in the front side
panel, and a load opening (hinged door) in another side panel.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 18, in another embodiment, the assembly is
front loaded via a hinged load opening 1720 in the housing 1712.
That is, a flip door or other loading feature may be provided at
the front panel of the assembly. The housing includes four side
panel, with the front side panel being hinged at the interface with
the bottom end panel, as well as a top end panel and bottom end
panel, in which the dispensing slot it provided. Advantageously,
front loading the dispenser does not add to the footprint of the
dispenser. In certain embodiments, top and side load dispensers may
require additional space around the dispenser for loading
operations to occur. At certain sites this may be undesirable, and
a front loading assembly may be beneficial.
[0073] In certain embodiments, the dispenser assembly is designed
to receive only cartridges having a particular shape or profile.
Such assemblies may be desirable in sites where cartridges having
particular features (e.g., water resistance) are desirable, so that
EVS personnel is able to load only those cartridges into the
assembly.
[0074] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a sheet
product dispensing assembly 1100 includes a housing 1102 configured
to house one or more vertically stacked cartridges therein. The
housing 1102 defines a load opening 1104 in a side panel or top end
(not shown) of the housing 1102, to receive the cartridges
therethrough. The housing 1102 also defines a dispensing slot (not
visible in this view) in a side panel or bottom end of the housing
1102. Thus, the housing includes top and bottom end panels, and
four side panels, one having a load opening therein, and one having
a dispensing slot therein.
[0075] The dispensing slot is configured to at least partially
align with the dispensing opening of a bottommost cartridge of the
vertical stack, such that the individual sheet products are
accessible therethrough. In certain embodiments, the load opening
1104 includes a notched portion 1105 corresponding to a
complementary projection 1203 of each cartridge 1200, such that
cartridges 1200 comprising the complementary projection 1203 are
loadable into the housing 1102 via the load opening 1104.
[0076] In one embodiment, the complementary projection includes a
beveled surface. In one embodiment, the housing is configured to
house three vertically stacked cartridges. In one embodiment, the
dispensing slot is sized such that a detachable panel of the
cartridge is removable therethrough. In one embodiment, the housing
further includes an exit opening configured such that an exhausted
cartridge may be slideably removed from the housing therethrough.
In one embodiment, the exit opening is adjacent the bottommost
cartridge of the one or more vertically stacked cartridges in a
side panel of the housing other than the panel in which the
dispensing slot is disposed.
[0077] In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the
cartridge 1400 is uniquely shaped to be received by a
complementarily shaped housing 1302 of the dispensing assembly
1300. The sheet product dispensing assembly includes a housing 1302
defining a load opening 1307 and a dispensing slot 1304. The
housing 1302 includes four side panels, a bottom end panel having
the dispensing slot therein, and a top end in which the load
opening is formed.
[0078] In particular, the end panels of the housing and cartridge
may have a parallelogram shape. Advantageously, having the overall
cartridge shape be unique simplifies manufacture, because
notched/beveled cartridge edges are not necessary to achieve keyed
loading and dispensing. Moreover, when used in the vertical
orientation shown in FIG. 13, the angled face of the housing 1302
in which the dispensing slot 1304 is located allows for either an
outward or downward pull force to dispense a sheet product. This
provides increased flexibility in location/placement of the
dispenser within a room. For example, the option of an outward pull
might allow the dispenser to be located under a cabinet (e.g., over
a countertop) where there is insufficient space for a downward
pull. Moreover, the assembly may advantageously be intuitive and
simple, such that EVS personnel are not necessary for reloading.
Additionally, this assembly design may allow the dispenser to have
a narrower depth relative to the width of the sheet product, as the
sheet product is angled within the dispenser and does not lay
flat.
[0079] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7D, a sheet
product dispensing assembly 700 includes a base panel 702
configured to support one or more cartridges 710 stacked thereon
and a cartridge mounting panel 704 extending from the base panel
702. The cartridge mounting panel 704 includes one or more notched
rails 705, 706 configured to mount the one or more cartridges 710
via one or more complementary projections 712 thereon.
[0080] In certain embodiments, the cartridge mounting panel extends
substantially perpendicularly from the base panel. In one
embodiment, the assembly is sized to mount three cartridges.
[0081] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the one or more
complementary projections 812 are tabs extending from a wall 830 of
the cartridge 800. Thus, the projections may be integral with one
or more of the material panels forming the cartridge.
[0082] In one embodiment, the assembly includes channels on the
outer edges that retain the tabs on the outer back edges of the
cartridges. At the lowest cartridge position, the rails may be held
in place by spring-loaded hinges that can resist the pull force
needed to remove sheet products from the cartridge, but that yield
when the EVS personnel pull the cartridge outward, allowing the
next full cartridge to drop into position for dispense.
[0083] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the
cartridge mounting panel 904 includes two parallel notched rails
905, 906 that are substantially perpendicular to the base panel 902
and the complementary projections 812 are two tabs extending from a
second wall or panel 830 of the cartridge 800 opposite a first wall
or panel 810 in which the dispensing opening 802 is disposed. In
some embodiments, a first of the two parallel notched rails 905 is
disposed on the cartridge mounting panel 904 such that a gap 907
between the base panel 902 and the first parallel notched rail 905
has a height equal to or greater than a height of the cartridge
900, such that an exhausted cartridge may be slideably dismounted
from the assembly 900 through the gap 907 (also shown in FIGS.
7A-7D). As discussed in further detail below, a dispensing
panel/lip 909 may be used in combination with such rails, to
maintain the bottommost cartridge on the base panel.
[0084] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, a second of
the two parallel notched rails 706 is disposed on the cartridge
mounting panel 704 such that a gap between the base panel 702 and
the second parallel notched rail 706 has a height less than the
height of the cartridge 710. As discussed in further detail below,
a dispensing panel 709 may be used in combination with such rails,
to maintain the bottommost cartridge on the base panel.
[0085] In some embodiments, the assembly may include a dispensing
slot in the base panel 702, such that cartridges having a
downward-facing dispensing opening may be utilized.
[0086] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7D, the assembly 700
further includes a dispensing panel 709 extending substantially
perpendicularly from an edge of the base panel 702 opposite the
cartridge mounting panel 704, the dispensing panel 709 including a
dispensing slot 711 configured to at least partially align with the
dispensing opening 713 of the cartridge 710 adjacent the base panel
702, such that the individual sheet products 715 are accessible
therethrough.
[0087] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the assembly 900
also includes a dispensing panel 909 extending substantially
perpendicularly from an edge of the base panel 902 opposite the
cartridge mounting panel 904, the dispensing panel 909 having a lip
configured to laterally retain the cartridge 910 adjacent the base
panel 902.
[0088] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7C, the dispensing panel
709 has a height substantially similar to, or slightly larger than,
a height of the one or more cartridges 710 the assembly 700 is
sized to accommodate. This may protect the cartridges from
incidental contamination and damage (e.g. cleaning solution, users'
hands).
[0089] A cartridge 1010 and corresponding dispenser assembly 1000
having a single rail 1002 and notch configuration are shown in
FIGS. 10A-10B. The cartridges 1010 include a projection 1011
corresponding to a notch 1003 in the rail 1002 of the assembly.
[0090] Such "keyed" dispenser assemblies , for example as shown in
FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, advantageously provide a
propriety towel dispenser system, so that cartridges uniquely
suited to the dispenser must be used with the dispenser. These
dispensing assemblies provide a towel/dispenser system that is
convenient to load, inexpensive, and proprietary.
[0091] Thus, the sheet product dispensing assemblies and cartridges
of the present disclosure provide improved loading and dispense for
folded sheet products, as compared to traditional folded sheet
product dispensers. These assemblies and cartridges also
beneficially provide for reduced contact and contamination of sheet
products prior to dispense.
[0092] In certain embodiments, sheet product dispensing systems are
provided, which include any embodiment of a sheet product
dispensing assembly described herein as well as one or more
cartridges for use therewith. For example, in one embodiment, as
shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a sheet product dispensing system
includes a housing 1712 having one or more vertically stacked
cartridges 1700 therein, each cartridge containing a plurality of
individual sheet products for dispense through a dispensing opening
of the cartridge. The housing 1712 defines a load opening 1720 in a
side panel or top end (not shown) of the housing to receive the one
or more cartridges therethrough. The housing also defines a
dispensing slot 1708 in a side panel (not shown) or bottom end of
the housing, to at least partially align with the dispensing
opening 1704 of a bottommost cartridge 1700, such that the
individual sheet products are accessible therethrough. In one
embodiment, the cartridges 1700 are each formed of a flexible panel
material, such that an exhausted cartridge may be removed via the
dispensing slot 1708.
[0093] Methods for dispensing sheet products from a dispensing
assembly are also provided, including (i) providing any embodiment
of a dispensing assembly described herein, (ii) loading the
dispensing assembly with one or more sheet product cartridges via
the load opening in the housing of the dispensing assembly, and
(iii) dispensing individual sheet products from a bottommost
cartridge via a dispensing slot of the dispensing assembly that is
at least partially aligned with a dispensing opening of the
cartridge. In some embodiments, methods further include detaching a
detachable area of the cartridge to form the dispensing opening of
the cartridge via the dispending slot of the dispensing
assembly.
[0094] Embodiments of the present disclosure further include any
one or more of the following paragraphs:
[0095] 1. A sheet product dispensing system, comprising: [0096] a
housing having one or more vertically stacked cartridges therein,
each cartridge containing a plurality of individual sheet products
for dispense through a dispensing opening of the cartridge, [0097]
wherein the housing defines a load opening in a side panel or top
end of the housing, the load opening being configured to receive
the one or more cartridges therethrough, [0098] wherein the housing
defines a dispensing slot in a side panel or bottom end of the
housing, the dispensing slot being configured to at least partially
align with the dispensing opening of a bottommost cartridge of the
one or more vertically stacked cartridges, such that the individual
sheet products are accessible therethrough, and [0099] wherein the
cartridges are each formed of a flexible panel material, such that
an exhausted cartridge may be removed via the dispensing slot.
[0100] 2. The system of paragraph 1, wherein the dispensing slot is
sized such that a detachable panel of the cartridge is removable
therethrough.
[0101] 3. The system of paragraph 1, wherein the cartridge
comprises rectangular side panels and the housing comprises
complementary rectangular side panels.
[0102] 4. The system of paragraph 1, wherein the housing is
configured to house three vertically stacked cartridges.
[0103] 5. The system of paragraph 1, wherein the flexible panel
material comprises a polymer film.
[0104] 6. A sheet product cartridge, comprising: [0105] a plurality
of individual folded sheet products for dispense through a
dispensing opening of the cartridge, the folded sheet products
being interleaved for sequential dispense; and [0106] a plurality
of flexible material panels containing the folded sheet products,
[0107] wherein one of the panels comprises a detachable area that
is configured to be detached to form the dispensing opening, the
detachable area comprising a weakened perimeter and an integral
pull tab disposed within the weakened perimeter, [0108] wherein the
pull tab comprises a weakened neck portion associated with a
partially detached stub portion, such that the detached stub
portion is graspable by a user to detach the weakened neck portion
and successively detach the weakened perimeter to detach the
detachable area and form the dispensing opening.
[0109] 7. The cartridge of paragraph 6, wherein the flexible panel
material comprises a polymer film.
[0110] 8. The cartridge of paragraph 7, wherein the polymer film
comprises low density polyethylene.
[0111] 9. The cartridge of paragraph 6, wherein the weakened
perimeter and the weakened neck portion comprise perforations.
[0112] 10. The cartridge of paragraph 6, wherein the plurality of
flexible material panels form a parallelepiped.
[0113] 11. The cartridge of paragraph 7, wherein each flexible
material panel is a rectangle.
[0114] 12. The cartridge of paragraph 6, wherein the weakened
perimeter is substantially rectangular.
[0115] 13. The cartridge of paragraph 12, wherein the weakened
perimeter comprises two elongated sides and two ends having a
length that is shorter than a length of the elongated sides.
[0116] 14. The cartridge of paragraph 6, wherein the weakened neck
comprises two substantially parallel weakened strips.
[0117] 15. The cartridge of paragraph 14, wherein the strips are
substantially parallel to two elongated sides of the weakened
perimeter.
[0118] 16. The cartridge of paragraph 15, wherein the strips are
offset relative to the two elongated sides and are centered
relative to two ends of the weakened perimeter having a length that
is shorter than a length of the elongated sides.
[0119] 17. The cartridge of paragraph 16, wherein the strips are
disposed in a first half of the detachable area.
[0120] 18. The cartridge of paragraph 6, wherein the detached stub
portion comprises a semicircular cut portion of the material panel
forming the detachable area.
[0121] 19. The cartridge of paragraph 6, wherein the detachable
area comprises a portion of the material panel in which it is
disposed.
[0122] 20. The cartridge of paragraph 6, wherein the detachable
area comprises substantially all of the material panel in which it
is disposed.
[0123] 21. The cartridge of paragraph 6, wherein the detachable
area is configured to be detached by application of a substantially
constant pull force to the stub portion of the pull tab, the pull
force being applied in a direction substantially perpendicular to
the material panel in which the pull tab is disposed.
[0124] 22. The cartridge of paragraph 6, wherein an individual
sheet product adjacent the detachable area prior to detachment of
the detachable area comprises a reinforced leading end comprising a
folded portion of the sheet product.
[0125] 23. A sheet product dispensing assembly, comprising:
[0126] a housing configured to house one or more vertically stacked
cartridges therein, each cartridge containing a plurality of
individual sheet products for dispense through a dispensing opening
of the cartridge, [0127] wherein the housing defines a load opening
in a side panel or top end of the housing, the load opening being
configured to receive the one or more cartridges therethrough,
[0128] wherein the housing defines a dispensing slot in a side
panel or bottom end of the housing, the dispensing slot being
configured to at least partially align with the dispensing opening
of a bottommost cartridge of the one or more vertically stacked
cartridges, such that the individual sheet products are accessible
therethrough, and [0129] wherein the load opening comprises a
notched portion corresponding to a complementary projection of each
cartridge, such that cartridges comprising the complementary
projection are loadable into the housing via the load opening.
[0130] 24. The assembly of paragraph 23, wherein the complementary
edge comprises a beveled edge.
[0131] 25. The assembly of paragraph 23, wherein the housing is
configured to house three vertically stacked cartridges.
[0132] 26. The assembly of paragraph 23, wherein the dispensing
slot is sized such that a detachable panel of the cartridge is
removable therethrough.
[0133] 27. The assembly of paragraph 23, wherein the housing
further comprises an exit opening configured such that an exhausted
cartridge may be slideably removed from the housing
therethrough.
[0134] 28. The assembly of paragraph 27, wherein the exit opening
is adjacent the bottommost cartridge in a side panel of the housing
other than the panel in which the dispensing slot is disposed.
[0135] 29. A sheet product dispensing assembly, comprising: [0136]
a base panel configured to support one or more cartridges stacked
thereon, each cartridge housing a plurality of individual sheet
products for dispense through a dispensing opening of the
cartridge; and [0137] a cartridge mounting panel extending from the
base panel and comprising one or more notched rails configured to
mount the one or more cartridges via one or more complementary
projections on each cartridge.
[0138] 30. The assembly of paragraph 29, wherein the cartridge
mounting panel extends substantially perpendicularly from the base
panel.
[0139] 31. The assembly of paragraph 29, wherein the one or more
complementary projections comprise one or more tabs extending from
a wall of the cartridge.
[0140] 32. The assembly of paragraph 29, wherein the assembly is
sized to mount three cartridges.
[0141] 33. The assembly of paragraph 29, wherein: [0142] the
cartridge mounting panel comprises two parallel notched rails that
are substantially perpendicular to the base panel, and [0143] the
complementary projections comprise two tabs extending from a second
wall of the cartridge opposite a first wall in which the dispensing
opening is disposed.
[0144] 34. The assembly of paragraph 33, wherein a first of the two
parallel notched rails is disposed on the cartridge mounting panel
such that a gap between the base panel and the first parallel
notched rail has a height equal to or greater than a height of the
cartridge, such that an exhausted cartridge may be slideably
dismounted from the assembly through the gap.
[0145] 35. The assembly of paragraph 34, wherein a second of the
two parallel notched rails is disposed on the cartridge mounting
panel such that a gap between the base panel and the second
parallel notched rail has a height less than the height of the
cartridge.
[0146] 36. The assembly of paragraph 29, further comprising a
dispensing panel extending substantially perpendicularly from an
edge of the base panel opposite the cartridge mounting panel, the
dispensing panel comprising a lip configured to laterally retain
the cartridge adjacent the base panel.
[0147] 37. The assembly of paragraph 29, further comprising a
dispensing panel extending substantially perpendicularly from an
edge of the base panel opposite the cartridge mounting panel, the
dispensing panel comprising a dispensing slot configured to at
least partially align with the dispensing opening of the cartridge
adjacent the base panel, such that the individual sheet products
are accessible therethrough.
[0148] 38. The assembly of paragraph 37, wherein the dispensing
panel has a height substantially similar to a height of the one or
more cartridges the assembly is sized to accommodate.
[0149] 39. A sheet product dispensing assembly, comprising: [0150]
a housing configured to house one or more vertically stacked
cartridges therein, each cartridge containing a plurality of
individual sheet products for dispense through a dispensing opening
of the cartridge, [0151] wherein the housing defines a load opening
in a side panel or top end of the housing, the load opening being
configured to receive the one or more cartridges therethrough,
[0152] wherein the housing defines a dispensing slot in a side
panel or bottom end of the housing, the dispensing slot being
configured to at least partially align with the dispensing opening
of a bottommost cartridge of the one or more vertically stacked
cartridges, such that the individual sheet products are accessible
therethrough, and [0153] wherein the cartridge comprises two
non-rectangular side panels and the housing comprises two
complementary non-rectangular side panels.
[0154] 40. The assembly of paragraph 39, wherein the cartridge
comprises two parallelogram-shaped side panels and the housing
comprises two complementary parallelogram-shaped side panels.
[0155] 41. The assembly of paragraph 39, wherein the side panel of
the housing in which the dispensing slot is located is angled with
respect to a base panel of the housing, such that the individual
sheet products are dispensable therethrough via an outward or
downward pull.
[0156] 42. The assembly of paragraph 39, wherein the dispensing
opening of the cartridge is defined by one or more flaps extending
from edges of the cartridge defining a dispensing panel.
[0157] Although certain embodiments of the disclosure are described
herein and shown in the accompanying drawings, one of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that numerous modifications and
alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure.
Moreover, although certain embodiments of the disclosure are
described herein with respect to specific sheet product dispenser
configurations, it will be appreciated that numerous other sheet
product dispenser configurations are within the scope of the
disclosure. Conditional language used herein, such as "can,"
"could," "might," or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise,
or otherwise understood within the context as used, generally is
intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other
embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, or
functional capabilities. Thus, such conditional language generally
is not intended to imply that certain features, elements, or
functional capabilities are in any way required for all
embodiments.
* * * * *