Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1
CONTAINER AND CARTRIDGE FOR
DISPENSING PAPER PRODUCTS
Backgrouad of th~ Inveatioa
This invention relates generally to the field
of dispensing devices and systems. More
particularly, this invention relates to the field of
devices and systems for dispensing paper products
such as napkins, towels, toilet tissue, etc.
Various types of dispensers for paper products
have been developed to provide ready availability of
the paper products to users. Such dispensers are
often provided in public places such as restaurants
or rest rooms where customers remove from the
dispenser a desired amount of paper products for
personal use. In some high traffic areas, such as
fast food restaurants, a large number of customers
may use a paper product dispenser such as a napkin
dispenser in a short period of time. Therefore,
dispensers have been developed that hold a large
number of paper products for use by a large number
of consumers.
Unfortunately, large dispensers are subject to
a number of drawbacks. First, it is difficult to
uniformly dispense individual paper products or a
controlled amount of paper products from a large
dispenser without dispensing more paper products
than necessary to a user. Thus, too many paper
products are removed by a user, and some of the
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paper products are wasted. If too many paper
products are removed from a dispenser, the benefits
provided by a larger dispenser are eliminated as the
dispenser is emptied more rapidly.
Second, many dispensers are difficult to load,
and that difficulty can increase with the size of
the dispenser. If paper products are not properly
.loaded into the dispenser, the paper products may
jam as they are removed thereby preventing further
removal of paper products by users. Also, a person
refilling a large dispenser is more likely, due to
the larger number of paper products involved, to
drop some.of the paper products onto a floor. Any
dropped paper products are then unsanitary and must
be discarded, thereby creating more waste and again
defeating the benefits of the larger dispenser.
A further drawback of many currently available
dispensers regardless of size is that it is
impossible to determine without opening the
dispenser how many paper products remain within the
dispenser. Thus, a person must either periodically
check the dispenser to determine how many paper
products remain or be vigilant to refill the
dispenser as soon as it is empty. Both alternatives
involve much personal attention and, especially
during peak usage, can lead to empty dispensers if
dispensers are not vigilantly monitored.
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Summarv of the Invention
It is a principle aspect of the present invention to
provide an improved container and cartridge for dispensing
paper products that can be readily adapted to various
applications.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide
a container and cartridge for dispensing paper products that
are simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and that are
reliable in use.
Still another aspect of the present invention is to
provide a container and cartridge for dispensing paper
products that provide metered delivery of individual paper
products or a controlled amount of paper products.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to
provide a container and cartridge for dispensing paper
products that reduce the incidence of waste of the paper
products, either due to dispensing too many paper products
to a user or due to dropping of the paper products during
refilling of the container.
Still another aspect of the present invention is to
provide a container and cartridge for dispensing paper
products that provide an indication of the remaining amount
of the paper products ready for dispensing to users.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to
provide a container and cartridge for dispensing paper
products that reduce the incidence of jamming of paper
products and the resultant inability to dispense further
paper products.
Still another aspect of the present invention is to
provide a container and cartridge for dispensing paper
products that supports the weight of paper products so that
individual paper products are readily removed.
According to an aspect of the present invention there
is provided a container for dispensing individual paper
products, the container comprising:
a housing including a plurality of exterior walls
defining an interior surface and an interior area within the
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interior surface for receiving a plurality of the paper
products, a dispensing throat extending through at least one
of the exterior walls for permitting removal of paper
products from the interior area, and at least one protrusion
extending from the interior surface into the interior area
of the housing; and
an insert for insertion into the interior area of the
housing for containing the plurality of paper products, the
insert including an outside wall for substantially enclosing
the paper products and a dispensing opening extending
through the outside wall, the paper products being disposed
within the insert for movement toward the dispensing opening
and the dispensing throat in a substantially vertical
dispensing direction, the paper products oriented within the
housing so as to extend substantially perpendicular to the
dispensing direction, the at least one protrusion extending
so as to support the paper products against the force of
gravity when the insert is placed in the interior area of
the housing, the paper products being dispensable from the
insert through the dispensing opening and the dispensing
throat.
According to an aspect of the present invention there
is provided a container for dispensing individual paper
products from an insert containing a plurality of the paper
products, the insert including an outside wall for
substantially enclosing the paper products and a dispensing
opening extending through the outside wall, the container
comprising:
a housing including a plurality of exterior walls
defining an interior surface and an interior area within the
interior surface for receiving the insert, a dispensing
throat extending through at least one of the exterior walls
for permitting removal of paper products from the interior
area, and at least one protrusion extending from the
interior surface into the interior area of the housing, the
paper products being disposed within the insert and the
housing for movement toward the dispensing opening and the
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dispensing throat in a substantially vertical dispensing
direction, the paper products oriented within the housing so
as to extend substantially perpendicular to the dispensing
direction, the at least one protrusion extending so as to
support the paper products against the force of gravity when
the insert is placed in the interior area of the housing,
the paper products being dispensable from the insert through
the dispensing opening and the dispensing throat.
According to an aspect of the present invention there
is provided a housing insert for dispensing individual paper
products, the insert for placement within a housing
including a plurality of exterior walls defining an interior
surface and an interior area within the interior surface, a
dispensing throat extending through at least one of the
exterior walls for permitting removal of paper products from
the interior area, and at least one protrusion extending
from the interior surface into the interior area of the
housing, the housing insert comprising:
an insert configured and sized for insertion into the
interior area of the housing for containing the plurality of
paper products, the insert including an outside wall for
substantially enclosing the paper products and a dispensing
opening extending through the outside wall, the paper
products being disposed within the insert for movement
toward the dispensing opening and the dispensing throat in a
substantially vertical dispensing direction, the paper
products oriented within the housing so as to extend
substantially perpendicular to the dispensing direction, the
at least one protrusion extending so as to support the paper
products against the force of gravity when the insert is
placed in the interior area of the housing, the paper
products being dispensable from the insert through the
dispensing opening and the dispensing throat.
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According to another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a container for dispensing individual
paper products, the container comprising:
a housing including a plurality of exterior walls
defining an interior surface and an interior area within the
interior surface for receiving a plurality of the paper
products, a first end wall intersecting the exterior walls
defining a dispensing throat for permitting removal of paper
products from the interior area, means for continuously
urging paper products within the interior area toward the
dispensing throat in a dispensing direction, at least one
protrusion extending from the interior surface into the
interior area of the housing; and
a cartridge for insertion into the interior area of
the housing for containing the plurality of paper products,
the cartridge including at least one removable portion,
removal of the removable portion creating an opening in the
cartridge, the opening in the cartridge being disposed
adjacent the protrusion so that the protrusion extends
through the opening to contact the plurality of paper
products to oppose the means for urging when the cartridge
is placed in the interior area of the housing.
According to another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a container for dispensing individual
paper products, the container comprising:
a housing including a plurality of exterior walls
defining an interior surface and an interior area within the
interior surface for receiving a plurality of the paper
products, a first of the exterior walls defining a
dispensing throat for permitting removal of paper products
from the interior area, means for continuously urging paper
products within the interior area toward the dispensing
throat in a dispensing direction, a second and third of the
exterior walls intersecting the first exterior wall on
opposite sides of the first exterior wall and forming a
portion of the interior surface, protrusions extending from
the portion of the interior surface on the second and third
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exterior walls into the interior area for contacting the
paper products to oppose the means for urging, the
protrusions on the second wall being staggered from the
protrusions on the third wall in the dispensing direction;
and
a cartridge for insertion into the interior area of
housing for containing the plurality of paper products, the
cartridge including removable portions, removal of the
removable portions creating openings in the cartridge, at
least one of the openings in the cartridge being disposed
adjacent at least one of the protrusions so that the
protrusion extends through the opening to contact the
plurality of paper products.
According to another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a container for dispensing individual
paper products, the container comprising:
a housing including a plurality of exterior walls
defining an interior surface and an interior area within the
interior surface for receiving a plurality of the paper
products, a first of the exterior walls defining a
dispensing throat for permitting removal of paper products
from the interior area, means for continuously urging paper
products within the interior area toward the dispensing
throat in a dispensing direction, a second and third of the
exterior walls intersecting the first exterior wall on
opposite sides of the first exterior wall and forming a
portion of the interior surface, protrusions extending from
the portion of the interior surface on the second and third
exterior walls into the interior area for contacting the
paper products to oppose the means for urging, the
protrusions on the second wall being staggered from the
protrusions on the third wall in the dispensing direction;
a cartridge for insertion into the interior area of
housing for containing the plurality of paper products, the
cartridge including removable portions, removal of the
removable portions creating openings in the cartridge; and
at least one rib member provided in the interior area
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of the housing proximate the dispensing throat, the rib
member including teeth extending from the rib member, at
least one of the openings in the cartridge being disposed
adjacent at least one of the rib members so that the teeth
extend through the at least one opening adjacent the at
least one of the rib members to contact the plurality of
paper products.
According to another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a container for dispensing individual
paper products, the container comprising:
a housing including a plurality of exterior walls
defining an interior surface and an interior area within the
interior surface for receiving a plurality of the paper
products, a first of the exterior walls defining a
dispensing throat for permitting removal of paper products
from the interior area, means for continuously urging paper
products within the interior area toward the dispensing
throat in a dispensing direction, at least one protrusion
extending from the interior surface into the interior area
of the housing; and
a cartridge for insertion into the interior area of
the housing for containing the plurality of paper products,
the cartridge including at least one opening disposed
adjacent the protrusion so that the protrusion extends
through the opening to contact the plurality of paper
products to oppose the means for urging when the cartridge
is placed in the interior area of the housing.
According to another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a cartridge for holding and dispensing a
plurality of paper products in a substantially vertically
downward dispensing direction, the cartridge being
insertable into an interior area of a container having a
housing defining a plurality of exterior walls and a
dispensing throat at a bottom end of the housing, the
interior area being disposed within an interior surface
defined by the plurality of exterior walls, at least one
protrusion extending from the interior surface into the
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interior area, the cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body including a plurality of cartridge
side walls and a bottom end defining a dispensing opening
configured to guide paper products substantially vertically
downwardly in the dispensing direction through the
dispensing throat; and
at least one removable portion defined in at least one
of the side walls of the cartridge body, removal of the
removable portion creating an opening through the at least
one of the cartridge side walls, the removable portion being
located on the cartridge body so that when the cartridge is
placed in the interior area of the housing the protrusion
extends through the opening to contact edges of the
plurality of paper products to oppose movement of the paper
products in the dispensing direction.
According to another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a cartridge for holding and dispensing a
plurality of paper products in a substantially vertically
downward dispensing direction, the cartridge being
insertable into an interior area of a container having a
housing defining a plurality of exterior walls and a
dispensing throat at a bottom end of the housing, the
interior area being disposed within an interior surface
defined by the plurality of exterior walls, at least one
protrusion extending from the interior surface into the
interior area, the cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body including a plurality of cartridge
side walls and a bottom end defining a dispensing opening
configured to guide paper products substantially vertically
downwardly in the dispensing direction through the
dispensing throat; and
at least one opening defined in at least one of the
side walls of the cartridge body and extending through the
at least one of the cartridge side walls, the opening being
located within the cartridge body so that when the cartridge
is placed in the interior area of the housing the protrusion
extends through the opening to contact edges of the
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plurality of paper products to oppose movement of the paper
products in the dispensing direction.
According to another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a housing insert for dispensing individual
paper products, the insert for placement within a housing
including a plurality of exterior walls defining an interior
surface and an interior area within the interior surface, a
dispensing throat extending through at least one of the
exterior walls for permitting removal of paper products from
the interior area, and at least one protrusion extending
from the interior surface into the interior area of the
housing, the housing insert comprising:
an insert configured and sized for insertion into the
interior area of the housing for containing the plurality of
paper products, the insert including an outside wall for
substantially enclosing the paper products and a dispensing
opening extending through the outside wall, the paper
products being disposed within the insert for movement
toward the dispensing opening and the dispensing throat in a
substantially vertical dispensing direction, the paper
products oriented within the housing so as to extend
substantially perpendicular to the dispensing direction, the
at least one protrusion extending so as to support the paper
products against the force of gravity when the insert is
placed in the interior area of the housing, the paper
products being dispensable from the insert through the
dispensing opening and the dispensing throat.
According to another aspect of the present invention a
container for dispensing individual paper products is
provided, the container including a housing including a
plurality of exterior walls defining an interior surface and
an interior area within the interior Surface for receiving a
plurality of the paper products. A first end wall defines a
dispensing throat for permitting removal of paper products
from the interior area. Alternatively and/or additionally,
the dispensing throat may be located in an exterior wall. A
mechanism urges paper products within the interior area
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toward the dispensing throat in a dispensing direction. A
first, second and third of the exterior walls intersect the
first end wall on opposite sides of the first exterior wall
and form a portion of the interior surface. Protrusions
extend from the portion of the interior surface on the
second and third exterior walls into the interior
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area for contacting the paper products to oppose the
means for urging. The protrusions on the second
wall are staggered from the protrusions on the third
wall in the dispensing direction.
5 The urging mechanism may include a spring-
loaded plate disposed in the interior area of the
housing for urging the paper products in the
dispensing direction, and the dispensing direction
may be substantially horizontal. Alternately, the
mechanism for urging may include an attachment
portion of the housing for attaching the housing to
a substantially nonhorizontal surface, the paper
products being urged in the dispensing direction by
gravity, and the dispensing direction may be
substantially vertical.
Preferably, the protrusions include curved
bumpers, and, more preferably, the curved bumpers
include a plurality of ridges extending across the
curved bumpers perpendicular to the dispensing
direction.
Preferably, the housing further includes a
staging area proximate the dispensing throat for
spacing and slowing the paper products, the staging
area including rib members extending parallel to the
dispensing direction for contacting and/or aligning
the paper products and opposing the mechanism for
urging. In embodiments of the invention such as, for
example, where the dispensing throat is located in
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an exterior wall, the staging area may be configured
with at least one rib member extending parallel to
the dispensing direction and a number of teeth
extending from the rib member for contacting the
paper products and opposing the mechanism for
urging.
A given one of the exterior walls may include a
door hingedly attached to the housing, the door
being openable for insertion of the plurality of
paper products into the interior area.
Optionally, a cartridge may be provided for
insertion into the interior area of housing for
containing the plurality of paper products, and the
cartridge preferably includes removable portions,
removal of the removable portions creating openings
in the cartridge. At least one of the openings in
the cartridge is preferably disposed adjacent at
least one of the protrusions so that the protrusion
extends through the opening to contact the plurality
of paper products. Rib members are preferably
provided in the interior area of the housing
proximate the dispensing throat and at least a
portion of the openings in the cartridge being
disposed adjacent rib members so that the rib
members extend through the openings to contact,
align and/or support the plurality of paper
products. In some embodiments of the invention such
as, for example, embodiments having the dispensing
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throat positioned on an exterior wall, at least one
rib member is provided in an interior area of the
housing proximate the dispensing throat, the rib
members including teeth extending from the rib
member, at least one of the openings in the
cartridge being disposed adjacent at least one of
the rib members so that the teeth extend through the
openings to contact the plurality of paper products.
In accordance with another aspect of the
invention, a container for dispensing individual
paper products is provided, the container including
a housing including a plurality of exterior walls
defining an interior surface and an interior area
within the interior surface for receiving a
plurality of the paper products. A first end wall
defines a dispensing throat for permitting removal
of paper products from the interior area.
Alternatively and/or additionally, the dispensing
throat may be located in an exterior wall. A
mechanism urges paper products within the interior
area toward the dispensing throat in a dispensing
direction. At least one protrusion extends from the
interior surface into the interior area of the
housing. A cartridge is provided for insertion into
the interior area of the housing for containing the
plurality of paper products, the cartridge including
at least one removable portion, removal of the
removable portion creating an opening in the
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cartridge. The opening in the cartridge is disposed
adjacent the protrusion so that the protrusion
extends through the~opening to contact the plurality
of paper products to oppose the means for urging
when the cartridge is placed in the interior area of
the housing.
Preferably, the cartridge includes a second
removable portion, removal of the second removable
portion creating a second opening in the cartridge,
and wherein the mechanism for urging includes a
spring-loaded plate disposed in the interior area of
the housing and extending through the second opening
for urging the paper products in the dispensing
direction, the dispensing direction being preferably
substantially horizontal. Alternately, the
mechanism for urging includes an attachment portion
of the housing for attaching the housing to a
substantially nonhorizontal surface, the paper
products being urged in the dispensing direction by
gravity, the dispensing direction preferably being
substantially vertical.
A first, second and third of the exterior walls
intersect the first end wall on opposite sides of
the first exterior wall, the at least one protrusion
including a plurality of protrusions extending from
the second and third exterior walls into the
interior area, the protrusions including curved
bumpers, the curved bumpers preferably including a
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plurality of ridges extending across the curved
bumpers perpendicular to the dispensing direction.
Preferably, a staging area is provided
proximate the dispensing throat for spacing and
slowing the paper products, the staging area
including rib members extending parallel to the
dispensing direction for contacting, aligning and/or
supporting the paper products and opposing the means
for urging. In some embodiments of the invention
l0 such as, for example, embodiments having the
dispensing throat positioned on an exterior wall, at
least one rib member is provided in an interior area
of the housing proximate the dispensing throat, the
rib members including teeth extending from the rib
member, at least one of the openings in the
cartridge being disposed adjacent at least one of
the rib members so that the teeth extend through the
openings to contact the plurality of paper products.
In accordance with another aspect of the
invention, a container for dispensing individual
paper products is provided, the container including
a housing including a plurality of exterior walls
defining an interior area for receiving a plurality
of the paper products. A first end wall defines a
dispensing throat for permitting removal of paper
products from the interior area. Alternatively
and/or additionally, the dispensing throat may be
located in an exterior wall. A mechanism urges paper
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products within the interior area toward the
dispensing throat in a dispensing direction. A
first, second and third of the exterior walls
intersect the first end wall on opposite sides of
5 the first exterior wall. A first group of
protrusions extends from the second and third
exterior walls into the interior area. A fourth of
the exterior walls may include a door hingedly
attached to the housing, the door being openable for
10 insertion of the plurality of paper products into
the interior area. A second group of protrusions
extends from the first wall and the fourth wall into
the interior area and are desirably in contact or
communication with the first end wall. The first
and second groups of protrusions contact the paper
products to align, support to paper products and/or
to oppose the mechanism for urging.
Desirably, the first group of protrusions
includes curved bumpers, which preferably include a
plurality of ridges extending across the curved
bumpers perpendicular to the dispensing direction.
Desirably, the second group of protrusions are rib
members disposed in a staging area proximate the
dispensing throat for spacing, aligning, supporting
and/or slowing the paper products. In embodiments of
the invention such as, for example, where the
dispensing throat is located in an exterior wall,
the staging area may be configured with at least one
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rib member extending parallel to the dispensing
direction and a number of teeth extending from the
rib member for contacting the paper products and
opposing the mechanism for urging.
In accordance with another aspect of the
invention, a cartridge for holding and dispensing a
plurality of paper products is provided. The
cartridge being insertable into an interior area of
a container having a housing, the interior area
being disposed within an interior surface defined by
a plurality of exterior walls, at least one
protrusion extending from the interior surface into
the interior area. In some embodiments, the
protrusions may be rib members in the interior of
the housing proximate the dispensing throat. The
cartridge includes a cartridge body having cartridge
walls and removable sections defined in the
cartridge body, removal of at least a portion of the
removable sections creating openings through at
least one of the cartridge walls, the removable
sections being located on the cartridge body so that
when the cartridge is placed in the interior area of
the housing the protrusions (some or all of which
may be in the form of rib members) extend through at
least a portion of the openings to contact the
plurality of paper products.
The cartridge walls may include two opposing
walls and at least two removable sections are
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provided, each removable section being disposed on
one of the cartridge opposing walls. Desirably, the
cartridge walls-include four cartridge side walls
and at least four removable sections are provided,
each removable section being disposed on one of the
cartridge side walls.
The cartridge may define at least one slot
through one of the cartridge walls, the slot being
visible from outside the housing when the cartridge
i0 is in the interior area of the housing, an amount of
paper products disposed within the cartridge being
determinable by visually inspecting the amount of
paper products through the slot.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the
invention, a container for dispensing individual
paper products from a cartridge holding a plurality
of paper products is provided, the container
including a housing having a plurality of exterior
walls defining an interior area for receiving a
plurality of the paper products. A first end wall
is located at an end of the container. A mechanism
urges paper products within the interior area toward
the first end wall in a dispensing direction. A
first, second and third of the exterior walls
intersect the first end wall on opposite sides of
the first exterior wall. The configuration of
exterior walls and the end wall define an open face
of the container. Cartridge retaining means in the
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form of one or more small blocks, chucks, stops,
wires, braces, brackets, pins, bars, clips or the
- like are desirably configured on the first end wall
or opposing exterior walls. A finger slot may be cut
into the first end wall.
In some embodiments, a first group of
protrusions may extend from the second and third
exterior walls into the interior area. It is
contemplated that a fourth exterior wall may include
on the container. The fourth exterior wall may be a
partial wall or a partial door hingedly attached to
the housing, the door being openable for insertion
of the plurality of paper products into the interior
area. If a fourth wall is used, it may terminate
away from and avoid intersecting the first end wall
so it in serves as a cartridge retaining means while
still defining an open face of the container.
Alternatively, the fourth wall may intersect or
contact the first end wall to define a dispensing
throat .
If the fourth wall is configured to intersect
or contact the first end wall to define a dispensing
throat, the dispensing throat thereby desirably
defines a horizontal dimension that is about the
same as or slightly greater than the width of the
paper products within the container (or cartridge)
and a vertical dimension that is large enough to
permit the passage of a limited number of paper
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products. For example, if the paper products are in
the form of folded paper napkins, the vertical
- dimension of the dispensing throat may be sized so
that a limited number of folded paper napkins may
extracted. This could be achieved by making the
vertical dimension some multiple of the thickness of
an individual folded paper napkin (e. g., greater
than about two and less than about ten thicknesses).
In some embodiments, a second group of
protrusions may extend from the first wall into the
interior area and may desirably be in contact or
communication with the first end wall. If utilized,
the first and second groups of protrusions contact
the paper products to align, support to paper
products and/or to oppose the mechanism for urging.
Desirably, the first group of protrusions
includes curved bumpers, which preferably include a
plurality of ridges extending across the curved
bumpers perpendicular to the dispensing direction.
Desirably, the second group of protrusions are rib
members disposed in a staging area proximate the
dispensing throat for spacing, aligning, supporting
and/or slowing the paper products.
A cartridge for holding and dispensing a
plurality of paper products may be inserted into the
interior area of the above-described container, the
interior area being disposed within an interior
surface defined by a plurality of exterior walls. In
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some embodiments, at least one protrusion extends
from the interior surface of the container into the
- interior area. The protrusion or protrusions may be
curved bumpers or may be rib members in the interior
5 of the housing proximate the first end wall.
Generally speaking, the cartridge includes a
cartridge body having cartridge walls and may
further include removable sections defined in the
cartridge body generally as described above for
10 other cartridge embodiments. Since some of the
container embodiments described above may have an
open face rather than a dispensing throat, the
cartridge wall positioned in the open face of the
container may include a slit, slot, orifice or
15 channel that may serve to control access to the
paper products held within. Desirably, the slot is
defined by the front wall and the bottom wall of the
cartridge. However, it is contemplated that other
locations may be used.
The slit is desirably sized so that its
horizontal dimension is about the same as or
slightly greater than the width of the paper
products within the cartridge and its vertical
dimension is large enough to permit the passage of a
limited number of paper products. For example, if
the paper products are in the form of folded paper
napkins, the vertical dimension of the slit may be
sized so that a limited number of folded paper
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16
napkins may extracted. This could be achieved by
making the vertical dimension some multiple of the
thickness of an individual folded paper napkin
(e. g., greater than about two and less than about
ten thicknesses).
The paper product may be accessed by a thumb
slot and/or a finger slot. Desirably, the thumb and
finger slots are located on the front and bottom
faces of the cartridge.
The cartridge may define at least one slot
through one of the cartridge walls, the slot being
visible from outside the housing when the cartridge
is in the interior area of the housing, an amount of
paper products disposed within the cartridge being
determinable by visually inspecting the amount of
paper products through the slot.
Additional objects and advantages of the
invention will be set forth in part in the following
description, or may be obvious from the description,
or may be learned through the practice of the
invention.
Bri~f D~acription of tho Drawings
The present invention will be more fully
understood from the following detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
(not to scale), wherein like reference numerals
refer to like parts, and in which:
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
17
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary
container for dispensing paper products.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the
container of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 i.n FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a view of a cross-section c>f an
exemplary curved bumper protrusion of the container
shown in IG. 2.
F
FIG. 4A is a partial sectional view c>f a
lower
portion of the container shown in FIG. 1 taken
along
a line per pendicular to line 2-2 in FIG. 1. showing
an exempla ry arrangement of rib members.
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of an
exemplary tall rib member taken along line 4B-4B
of
FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of an
exemplary short rib member taken along line 4C-4C
of
FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4D is a top view showing an exemplary
arrangemen t of rib members proximate a dispensing
throat .
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatical view of a preferred
mounting rrangement of the container shown in
a FIG.
2, mounted on a substantially vertical wall.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an exemplary
:!5 container according to another embodiment of the
invention.
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18
FIG. 7 is perspective view of an exemplary
housing of a container according to yet embodiment
- of the present invention.
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an exemplary
cartridge according to an embodiment of the present
invention shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 8B is a partial perspective view showing
another embodiment of the cartridge of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment
of the invention showing an exemplary cartridge
placed in an exemplary housing depicted in FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of
another exemplary container for dispensing paper
products.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a housing of
another exemplary container.
FIG. l2 is a sectional view of a rib member
with teeth proximate a dispensing throat.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another
exemplary cartridge.
FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view showing
another embodiment of the cartridge of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another
exemplary embodiment showing a cartridge placed in
the exemplary housing shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a housing of
an exemplary container for dispensing individual
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
19
paper products from a cartridge holding a plurality
of paper products.
FIG. 17 is another exemplary container for
dispensing individual paper products from a
cartridge holding a plurality of paper products.
FIG. 18 is another exemplary container for
dispensing paper products.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another
exemplary cartridge which is configured for use with
the exemplary containers of FIGS. 16 and 17.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another
exemplary embodiment showing an exemplary cartridge
as depicted in FIG. 19 inserted in placed in an
exemplary housing as shown in FIGS. 16 or 17.
FIG. 21 is yet another embodiment of an
exemplary housing.
FIG. 22 is an exemplary cartridge which is
intended to be inserted into the housing shown in
FIG. 21.
FIG. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of
an exemplary lower portion of an exemplary container
and cartridge assembly as shown in FIG. 20.
Detailed Descri --tion of the Preferred Embodiments
Reference will now be made in detail to the
p5 presently preferred embodiments of the invention,,
one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings (not to scale). Each example is provided
by way of explanation of the invention and not meant
CA 02310653 2000-OS-18
WO 99130601 PCT/US98/26702
as a limitation of the invention. For example,
features illustrated or described as part of one
- embodiment or figure can be used on another
embodiment or figure to yield yet another
5 embodiment. It is intended that the present
invention include such modifications and variations.
As broadly embodied in FIGS. 1-5, a first
embodiment of container 10 is disclosed for
dispensing paper products 12. Container 10 includes
10 a housing 14 in which paper products 12 are placed
and from which paper products 12 are dispensed.
Paper products 12 may be paper napkins, paper
towels, toilet tissue, or any other similar
material.
15 Housing 14 includes a number of exterior walls
16 for housing paper products 12. The housing 14
includes a first end wall 40 and a second end wall
42 opposite the first end wall 40. The first end
wall 40 includes a dispensing throat 32 through
20 which paper products 12 are individually removed by
a user, as will be described below. Alternatively
and/or additionally, the dispensing throat 32 may be
located in one or more of the exterior walls 16. The
exterior walls 16 include a first wall 18, a second
wall 20 and a third wall 22 that intersect the first
end wall 40, the second wall 20 and third wall 22
being on opposite sides of the first wall 18. A
fourth wall 24 extends between second wall 20 and
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21
third wall 22. The exterior walls 16 (i.e., first
wall 18, second wall 20, third wall 22 and fourth
- wall 24) together define an interior surface 30 of
housing 19, within which an interior area 28 is
located. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, exterior walls
16 and end walls 90 and 42 may each, if desired, be
made of two planar portions. Such construction
strengthens housing 14 and is useful in locations
where the housing might be vandalized. The outer
portions of walls 16 help withstand any blow or
impact to housing 14 to prevent its destruction or
removal of the housing from its mounting or paper
products from the housing.
As shown in FIG. 1, fourth wall 24 includes a
door 34 which may be hingedly attached to third wall
22 (or to the second wall 20). The door 34 may form
all of or only a portion of the fourth wall 24. Door
34 is openable for insertion of paper products 12
into interior area 28 of housing 14 when the supply
of paper products 12 runs low. Door 34 includes a
latching mechanism 36 including a number of
interfering notched tabs 38 on door 34 and second
wall 20 that hold door 34 closed. Tabs 38 on either
door 34 or second wall 20 are movable when desired
to reopen door 34 by turning a key lock (not shown).
The lock may be either located on door 34, in which
case the tabs 38 on door 34 are movable, or on the
main part of housing 14, in which case the tabs 38
CA 02310653 2000-OS-18
WO 99130601 PG"f/US98/26702
22
on second wall 20 are movable. Leaf springs 39 may
be provided to assist in reopening door 34 upon
unlocking. Any other type of latching mechanism for
reopenably securing door 34 may be used within the
scope of the invention.
It is contemplated that the fourth wall 24 may
be fixed and the paper products 12 may be inserted
into the interior area 28 of the housing 14 through
the second end wall 42. In such case, the second end
wall 42 may be fitted with latches, springs and the
like. It is also contemplated that the second end
wall may be removed entirely and that portion of the
housing be left open.
In accordance with the invention, a means is
provided for urging paper products 12 within
interior area 28 toward dispensing throat 32 in a
dispensing direction 44. Various alternatives are
possible within the scope of the invention to urge
paper products 12 toward dispensing throat 32 in
dispensing direction 44.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an
attachment portion 46 of housing 14 may be provided
for attaching housing 14 to a substantially
nonhorizontal surface such as vertical wall 48. As
shown in FIG. 2, attachment portion 46 may define
holes through first wall 18 of housing 14 for
receiving attachment members (not shown) such as
screws, bolts, nails, etc. for attaching housing 19
CA 02310653 2000-OS-18
WO 99130601 PCTIUS98/26702
23
to wall 48. Alternately, a mounting bracket could
be formed on an exterior surface of first wall 18
for contacting and being supported by another
bracket, screws, bolts, nails, etc. extending from
wall 48. Further, housing 14 could be secured to
wall 48 via a glue, epoxy, etc., or any other type
of adhesive. Also, it would be possible to locate
attachment portion 46 on any part of housing 14,
such as second wall 20, third wall 22, first end 40,
or second end 42, and to use combinations of
mounting devices on several of the above-identified
parts of housing 14. Further, housing 14 could
simply be positioned such that first end 40 is lower
than second end 42, and so that first end 40 and
possibly first wall 18 are supported in some way
without fixing housing 14 to any particular
structure.
Thus, the means for urging paper products 14
toward dispensing throat 32 in dispensing direction
44 may comprise any structure or orientation, or
both, of housing 14 and/or wall 48 that allows paper
products 12 to be dispensed from dispensing throat
32 and to be urged in dispensing direction 44 by
gravity. A second type of a mechanism for urging
paper products 12 toward dispensing throat 32 in
dispensing direction 44 will be discussed below in
relation to a second embodiment (110) of container
10.
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WO 99130601 PCT/US98/26702
24
In accordance with the invention, at least one
protrusion, referred to generally as 50, extends
from interior surface 30 on at least one of exterior
walls 16 into interior area 28 of housing 14.
Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, second wall 20 and
third wall 22 include protrusions 50 extending into
interior area 28. Protrusions 50 preferably
comprise curved bumpers 52, which may include a
plurality of ridges 54 extending across the curved
bumpers perpendicular to dispensing direction 44.
As shown best in FIG. 2, bumpers 52 extend into
interior area 28 to contact paper products 12 and
thereby oppose the means for urging paper products
12 in dispensing direction 44. By extending into
interior area 28 to contact paper products 12,
bumpers 52 impede the movement of paper products 12
toward dispensing throat 32, but do not prohibit
such movement. Ridges 54 allow numerous paper
products 12 to be contacted by an individual bumper
and allow for a smoother movement of paper products
through housing 14. In embodiments where the means
for urging paper products 12 in dispensing direction
44 includes mounting housing 14 so that gravity
causes such movement, protrusions 50 also support
paper products 12 against the force of gravity.
Protrusions 50 therefore reduce the gravitational
force of the bottom of the paper products 12 on
dispensing throat 32, thereby making it easier for a
CA 02310653 2000-OS-18
WO 99130601 PCTNS98126702
user to remove individual paper products from
dispensing throat 32.
FIG. 3 shows a~preferred profile of one of the
bumpers 52. As shown, the exterior curve of bumper
5 is defined by a radius r of from about 1.125 to
1.750 in. The bumper has a chordal length 1 of from
about 1.625 to 1.875 in. Two ridges 54 each have a
radius of from about 0.125 to 0.250 in., and their
centers are each spaced about 0.250 in. from the
10 center of bumper 52. While the disclosed bumper
shape is the currently preferred shape, other shapes
could be used if desired.
In accordance with the invention, protrusions
50 on second Wall 20 are desirably staggered from
15 protrusions 50 on third wall 22 relative to
dispensing direction 44. Such staggering provides a
smooth movement of paper products 12 along
dispensing direction 44 and out dispensing throat
32. Paper products 12, being supported alternately
20 on one side or the other by the staggered
protrusions 50, "walk" down housing 14 in dispensing
direction 94 and out dispensing throat 32.
Staggering protrusions 50 in dispensing direction 44
is important in embodiments where paper products 12
25 are moved in dispensing direction 44 due to the
mounting or orientation of housing 14 by gravity.
For example, if protrusions 50 were spaced opposite
from each other on second wall 20 and third wall 22,
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
26
paper products 12 might be entirely prevented from
moving in dispensing direction and thus sit on top
of a pair of protrusions 50. Also, paper products
12 might unevenly move in spurts past a pair of non-
staggered protrusions 50 which could lead to
misaligning of paper products and ultimately jamming
of paper products within housing 14. Thus,
staggering of protrusions 50 allows an orderly
walking of paper products 12 along housing 14 in
to dispensing direction 44 where first one side of the
paper products, and then the other, moves more
steadily toward dispensing throat 32..
Preferably, container 10 includes a second
group of protrusions 50 extending from first wall 18
l5 and fourth wall 24 into interior area 28 to contact
paper products 12. The second group of protrusions
50 is preferably disposed in a staging area 56 near
dispensing throat 32 for spacing, slowing, aligning
and supporting paper products 12 as they are. moved
20 in dispensing direction 44 through dispensing throat
32. Preferably, the second group of protrusions 50
includes several rib members 58 extending parallel
to dispensing direction 44 on both sides of the
dispensing throat 32 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D. Rib
25 members 58 may have different dimensions to properly
support and guide the paper products 12 into the
dispensing throat 32 as illustrated in FIG. 4A. In
particular, a tall rib member 59 which is adjacent
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
27
first wall 18 and first end wall 40 extends into the
interior area 28 by a greater amount than short rib
member 60. Tall rib member 59 is illustrated to show
an exemplary sloping configuration and an optional
radius of curvature. As can be seen in FIG. 4A, a
top surface 62 of the tall rib member 59 closest to
the dispensing throat 32 may be offset from the
first end wall 40. The short rib member 60 is
adjacent the fourth wall 24 and the first end wall
40. The short rib member 60 is illustrated. to show
an exemplary sloping configuration. As illustrated
in FIG. 4A, a top surface 64 of the short rib member
60 may be configured so there is no offset from the
first end wall 40.
Generally speaking, the tall rib member 59 may
have a height ranging from about 1 to about 2 inches
at the location where it intersects with the first
wall 18 and an offset or height ranging from about
0.1 to about 0.5 inch adjacent the dispensing
throat. As an example, the tall rib member 59 may
have a height of about 1.5 inch at the location
where it intersects with the first wall 18 and an
offset or height of about 0.25 inch adjacent the
dispensing throat.
The short rib member 60 may have a height
ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.5 inch at the
location where it intersects with the fourth wall 24
and an offset or height ranging from 0 to about 0.24
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
28
inch adjacent the dispensing throat. As an example,
the short rib member 60 may have a height ~of about
0.75 inch at the location where it intersects with
the fourth wall 28 and no offset or height adjacent
the dispensing throat. However, is should be
understood that the dimensions of these rib members
may be varied to accommodate a variety of factors
including, but not limited to, the size of the paper
product, basis weight of the paper product,
composition/texture of the paper product, fold
pattern of the paper product, height of th.e stack of
paper products, force supplied by the means to urge
the paper products to the dispensing throat, amount
and dimensions of protrusions located on the second
~5 and third walls of the container as well as amount
of other rib members positioned proximate the
dispensing throat.
FIG.4B is a sectional view taken along line 4B-
4B in FIG. 4A showing a portion of an exemplary tall
rib member 59. FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken
along line 4C-4C in FIG. 4A showing a portion of an
exemplary short rib member 60. The rib members may
have various widths or thicknesses and the' width of
a rib member may vary along any dimension or
dimensions. Desirably, the portion of the rib member
contacting the paper product will be relatively thin
and smooth to minimize friction.
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
29
FIG. 4D is a view from the interior of a
container for dispensing papers looking out through
the dispensing throat 32 and illustrating a top view
of exemplary rib members 58.
In embodiments of the invention such as, for
example, where the dispensing throat is located in
an exterior wall, the staging area may be
alternatively and/or additionally configured with at
least one of a different type of rib member
extending parallel to the dispensing direction and
having a number of teeth extending from the rib
member for contacting the paper products a.nd
opposing the mechanism for urging.
Housing 14 may be made of injection-molded
l5 plastic such as polyethylene or nylon. However,
other suitable materials, such as other p7.astics or
metals, may be provided for any or all of the parts
of housing 14. Curved bumpers 52 and rib members 58
are preferably formed integral with housing 14.
However, curved bumpers 52 and rib members 58 may be
formed separately from housing 14 and attached
later. Also, curved bumpers 52 and rib member 58
may be made of different material from housing 14 if
desired. For example, curved bumpers 52 .and/or rib
members 58 may be made of a more resilient material
than the materials described above, such as an
elastomer or rubber.
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
While curved bumpers 52 have been described as
disposed on second and third walls 20 and 22, which
are side walls in FIGS. 1 and 2 where housing 14 is
mounted to wall 48, curved bumpers 52 could be
5 disposed on any pair of opposite walls of .housing
14. Also, although rib member or members 58 have
been described as disposed on first and fourth wall
18 and 24, which are front and back walls in FIGS. 1
and 2, rib member or members 58 could be disposed on
10 any wall or pair of opposite walls of houe~ing.
Preferably, curved bumpers 52 are disposed on one
such pair of walls and rib member or members 58 are
disposed on one or both of a different pair of side
walls located 90° from those on which curved bumpers
15 52 are located.
Dispensing throat 32 may have many shapes
within the scope of the present invention, as long
as the throat provides easy access for a user and
metered delivery of individual paper products.
20 Preferably, paper products 12 are interfolded
or tab interfolded to provide metered feeding of
individual napkins one at a time. However, the
present invention does not require the use of
interfolded paper products.
25 Housing 14 may hold multiple clips of paper
products 14, as shown in FIG. 5., and may extend ,
from 30 to as much as 48 in. from end to end.
Preferably, first wall 18 is angled between 0-5°
CA 02310653 2000-OS-18
WO 99/30601 PCTNS98/26702
31
from the vertical to prevent paper products from
falling out of housing 14 during refilling.
A second embodiment of the present invention is
shown in FIG. 6, which discloses a container 110
similar to container 10 in most ways. Container 110
includes a housing 114 holding paper products 112
and including exterior walls 116. The paper
products 112 are dispensed in a dispensing direction
144 through a dispensing throat 132. At least one
protrusion 150 extends from interior surface 130
into interior area 128 to contact paper products
112.
Protrusions 150 include curved bumpers 152
including ridges 154 similar to those discussed
above in connection with the first embodiment of the
invention. Curved bumpers 152 are staggered in
dispensing direction 144 as discussed above. A
staging area 156 is provided adjacent dispensing
throat 132 at first end 140 of housing 114. Staging
area 156 includes additional curved bumpers 153 not
staggered in dispensing direction 144. Bumpers 153
allow paper products 112 to bow at the middle toward
dispensing throat 132 to make it easier for a user
to remove a single paper product from dispensing
throat 132.
In container 110, the means for urging paper
products 112 from interior area 128 toward
dispensing throat 132 in dispensing direction 144 is
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
32
different from that of container 10. As sshown in
FIG. 6, a spring-loaded plate 155 is disposed within
second end 142 of housing 114 along with at least
one spring 157. When spring 157 is comprea sed by
spring-loaded plate 155, spring 157 urges spring-
loaded plate 155 in dispensing direction 1.44. Thus,
when paper products 112 are placed in container 110
and spring-loaded plate is pushed to the right (as
shown in FIG. 6) thereby compressing spring 157,
l0 spring-loaded plate 155 and spring 157 urge paper
products 112 in dispensing direction 144 toward
dispensing throat 132. Use of a spring-loaded plate
and spring mechanism allows container 110 to be used
in situations where dispensing direction.1.44 is
substantially horizontal. Thus, container 110,
which provides spring-loaded urging, can be used in
locations where container 10, which provides
gravity-assisted urging, could not. Tt should be
understood that the staging bumpers 153 of: container
'?0 110 could be replaced with rib members similar to
those used with container 10 shown in FIG. 1 and as
depicted, for example in FIG. 4A through F'IG. 4D.
In accordance with the third embodiment of the
present invention, a container 210 is provided for
holding paper products 212 to be dispensed to a
user. As shown in FIGS. 7-9, container 21.0 includes
a housing 214 defined by exterior walls 21.6,
including first wall 218, second wall 220, third
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33
wall 222, and fourth wall 224. Exterior walls 216
define an interior surface 230, within which is
disposed an interior~area 228. A dispensing throat
232 is provided through first end wall 290 which is
positioned opposite a second end wall 242. Paper
products 212 are dispensed in a dispensing direction
244 through dispensing throat 232. Housing 214
includes plurality of protrusions 250, including
curved bumpers 252 having ridges 254 and rib members
l0 258 disposed in a staging area 256.
However, housing 214 need not include a door,
as found in some other embodiments of the invention,
although a door may be provided for security
reasons. In this embodiment, the fourth wall 224 is
quite small and located near the dispensing opening
232 in the first end wall 240 leaving a face of the
container 210 substantially open Further, housing
214 can also be constructed with double walls, as in
housing 14, for security reasons. Also, paper
products 212 are not directly loaded into interior
area 228, as in the first and second embodiments.
As shown in FIG. 8A, a cartridge 262 is
provided for insertion into interior area 228 of
housing 214 for containing paper products 212 to be
dispensed. As shown in FIG. 7, cartridge 262 is
sized to fit snugly within interior area 228 of
housing 214. Tf desired, leaf springs 264 may be
provided attached to the inside of second end 242 of
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WO 99/30601 PCT/US98126702
34
housing 214 to hold cartridge 262 in place. Any
other suitable mechanism such as a tab or other
interlock may be used to hold cartridge 262 in
housing 214 within the scope of the invention.
Preferably, cartridge 262 includes a plurality
of removable portions 268, the removal of which
creates openings 270 through cartridge 262. As
shown in FIG.v8A, cartridge 262 includes a plurality
of removable portions 268 that create openings 270
upon removal. Removable portions 268 are disposed
in outside walls 272 of cartridge 262 so that, once
removable portions 268 are removed, openings 270
encompass and receive protrusions 250 extending from
interior surface 230 of housing 214. Thus, upon
removal of removable portions 268 and placement of
cartridge 262 in housing 214, curved bumpers 252 and
rib members 258 contact the paper products 212
within cartridge and act just as the bumpers and rib
members do in the first two embodiments of the
invention.
Cartridge 262 may also include another
removable portion 278 disposed at end 280 of
cartridge 262. Removable portion 278 may be removed
to receive a spring-loaded plate if cartridge 262 is
to be used in a container such as that shown in FIG.
6 with a spring-loaded plate.
As shown in FIG. 8A, a removable portion 274
may be provided at end 276 of cartridge 262 so that
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
paper products 212 can be supported and aligned by
rib member 258 for dispensing through dispensing
throat 232. Alternately, end 276 of cartridge 262
may be formed as shown in FIG. 8B, so that removable
5 portion 274 is not required and cartridge 262 fits
into housing 214 without substantial modification of
end 276. Thus, if desired, a plurality of smaller
removable portions 274a (see FIG. 8B) may be
provided corresponding to rib members 258 and a
10 smaller removable portion 274b may be provided
corresponding to dispensing throat 232.
Removable portions 268, 278, and 274a may
either be removed (or simply not formed) during
manufacture of cartridge 262 or removed during
15 installation of cartridge 262 in housing 214. If
removable portions 268, 278, and 274a are to be
removed as part of the manufacturing process,
cartridge 262 should be shipped to the user wrapped,
for example in a polyethylene bag, to pre~;erve the
:0 sterility of the paper products in the cartridge.
If removable portions 268, 278, and 274a are to be
removed as part of the installation proceas, the
edges of the removable portions should be weakened,
scored, etc. for easy removal. Removable portion
'?5 274 should not be removed as part of the
manufacturing process to ensure that paper products
212 remain properly loaded in cartridge 2E>2.
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
36
Optional removable portions 268 may be placed
on front wall 272 (and/or a back wall which is not
shown) of cartridge 262. Removable portions 268 may
be used if optional protrusions 258 (i.e., rib
members of the type shown in FIGS. 4A-4D) are used
on the first wall 218 and the fourth wall 224 of
housing 214 (see, for example, FIG. 7). ~~uch
protrusions or rib members 258 may also beg used on
the first wall 18 and the fourth wall 24 c>f first
embodiment housing 14, if desired.
Preferably, cartridge 262 includes at: least one
slot 282 extending through one of the cartridge
walls 272. Slot 282 is visible from outside of
housing 214 when cartridge 262 is mounted in
l5 interior area 228. A user can visually determine
the amount of paper products 212 remaining within
cartridge 262 by inspecting the amount of paper
products visible through slot 282. As shown in FIG.
8A, two slots may be provided to provide a greater
ZO range of visual inspection. Any number oz-
arrangement of slots is possible within the scope of
the invention.
Cartridge 262 is preferably made of heavy paper
or cardboard, but may be made of any other suitable
25 material within the scope of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a 'partial perspective view of
another exemplary container for dispensing paper
products in which the dispensing throat 3:? is
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
37
located on the fourth wall 24 above the first end
wall 40 and below the portion of the fourth wall 24
that forms the door 34.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a housing of
another exemplary container similar to the one shown
in FIG. 7 except that the dispensing throat 232 is
located in the fourth wall 224 above the first end
wall 240 and below the open face of the container.
Another feature which may be seen in FIG. 11 and
which is hidden from view in FIG. 10 is the
exemplary protruding rib members 400 extending
parallel to the dispensing direction 244 amd having
a plurality of teeth 402 to contact paper products.
These protruding rib members 400 may be located
t5 proximate the dispensing throat 232 on any of the
exterior walls and are desirably located on one or
more of the first wall 218 and/or the fourth wall
224. It is desirable for a pair of these rib members
400 to be located in parallel on each wall.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of an exe=_mplary rib
member 400 with a plurality of teeth 402 too contact
paper products 212 proximate the dispensing throat.
The rib member is shown attached to the first wall
218 which is depicted as attached to a substantially
vertical surface 448. The teeth 402 desir<~bly extend
from about 0.250 inch to about 0.500 inch measured
perpendicular to the dispensing direction 244.
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
38
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another
exemplary cartridge 262 which is configured for use
with the exemplary containers of FIGS. 10 and 11. It
can be seen from the illustration that alternative
and/or additional removable portions 268' and
alternative and/or additional openings 270' are
located in the back and the front of the outside
walls 272 of the cartridge 262. A removable portion
274' may be formed at the end 276' of the cartridge
262 so that paper products 212 can be dispensed
through the dispensing throat 232 positioned in the
fourth wall 224 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view showing
another embodiment of the cartridge of FIG. 13. In
particular, FIG. 14 depicts an alternative
configuration for the end 276' of the cartridge 262
having a removable portion 274° which is intended to
conform to an embodiment in which the dispensing
throat 232 is positioned in the fourth wall 224 as
a:0 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another
exemplary embodiment showing a cartridge placed in
the exemplary housing shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a housing of
'Z5 an exemplary container for dispensing individual
paper products from a cartridge holding a plurality ,
of paper products. The container shown in FIG.16 is
generally similar to the ones shown in FICTS. 7 and
CA 02310653 2002-03-11
39
11 and, for the ease of identification, most of the
same identifying reference numbers will be used. An
important distinction between the container shown in
FIG. 16 and the other containers is that the housing
S of the container lacks a dispensing throat. Another
feature which may be seen in FIG. 16 is the fully
open face of the dispenser which includes one or
more cartridge retaining means 900 which may be
affixed to the end wall 240 and/or exterior walls
220 and 222.
The cartridge retaining means 900 may be small
blocks, chucks, stops, wires, braces, brackets,
pins, clips or the like as well as combinations
thereof. Alternatively and/or additionally, it is
contemplated that other devices such as hooks,
clamps or the like, adhesive materials, or
interlocking or interacting container and cartridge
geometries may be may be used as cartridge retaining
means. The position of these means may be in the
interior of the container and the illustration of
the means at the exterior is not intended to be
1 imit ing..
A thumb notch 902 may be located in i:.he first
end wall 240 along the dispensing direction 244. The
thumb notch may be configured in any shape or size
that is.appropriate for the dimensions of the
dispenser and the product to be dispensed.
Desirably, the thumb notch will have dimensions that
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are compatible with the dimensions of any finger or
thumb notches in any cartridges containing paper
products used with the container.
FIG. 17 is another exemplary container for
5 dispensing individual paper products from a
cartridge holding a plurality of paper products. The
container shown in FIG.17 is generally similar to
the one shown in FIG. 16. It can be seen that the
housing depicted in FIG. 17 has a plurality of
10 protrusions, including curved bumpers 252 which may
include ridges, and rib members 258 located in a
staging area 256.
If protrusions in the form of curved bumpers
are used, they may extend from the second and third
15 exterior walls into the interior area. If
protrusions in the form of rib members are used,
they may generally be configured as shown in FIG: 17
and can desirably be arranged in the manner of the
tall rib members in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
20 It is contemplated that a fourth exterior wall
may be included on the container. For example, an
optional fourth wall 224 may be included in the
container as shown in FIG. 18. The fourth wall 224
may partially cover the front of the housing and may
25 function as a cartridge containing means. Although
the fourth wall 224 is shown intersecting or
contacting the first end wall 240, the fourth wall
224 may be separated from the first end wall and
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appear as a band or strip or wall connecting the
second wall 220 and the third wall 222.
Alternatively and/oi additionally, the optional
fourth wall 224 may have a fixed portion and a
hinged portion that may function as a door. If an
optional fourth wall 224 is used, a dispensing
throat 232 may be provided at the intersection of
the fourth wall 224 and the first end wall 240. In
such an embodiment, paper products 212 are dispensed
in a dispensing direction 244 through the dispensing
throat 232. As shown in FIG. 18, the fourth wall 224
may be quite small and with the first end wall 240
form a dispensing throat 232 leaving a face of the
container 210 substantially open. Further, housing
214 can also be constructed with double walls,
doors, etc. for security reasons.
In embodiments utilizing a dispensing throat
232 defined by the intersection of the fourth wall
224 and the first end wall 240, the dispensing
throat 232 is desirably sized so that it has a
horizontal dimension "H" that is about the same as
or slightly greater than the width of the paper
products within the cartridge and a vertical
dimension "V" that is large enough to permit the
passage of a limited number of paper products. Of
course, the cartridge 262 will need. to be configured
to cooperate with the dispensing throat. Generally
speaking, if the paper products are in the form of
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folded paper napkins, the vertical dimension "V" of
the dispensing throat may be sized so that a limited
number of. folded paper napkins may extracted. This
could be achieved by making the vertical dimension
"V" some multiple of..the thickness of an individual
folded paper napkin (e. g., desirably greater than
about 2 and less than about 10 thicknesses, even
more desirably greater than about 2 and less than
about 6 thicknesses).
The paper product may be accessed by a thumb
slot and/or a finger slot. Desirably, these slots
are located on the fourth wall 224 and the first end
wall 240 and may be centered with respect to the
dimensions of the housing or the dimensions of the
dispensing throat 232.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another
exemplary cartridge 262 which is configured for use
with the exemplary containers of FIGS. 16 and 17.
Generally speaking, the cartridge may similar to the
cartridges shown in FIGS. 8A and 13 and may include
a cartridge body having cartridge walls and may
further include removable sections defined in the
cartridge body generally as described above for the
other cartridge embodiments. Since the container
embodiments of FIGS. 16 and 17 described above may
have an open face rather than a dispensing throat,
the cartridge front wall 272a intended to be
positioned in the open face of the container should
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include a slit, slot, orifice or channel 950 that
can serve to control access to the paper products
212 held within. Desirably, the slot is defined by
the cartridge front wall 272a and the bottom wall
272b of the cartridge. However, it is contemplated
that other locations may be used.
The slit is desirably sized so that it has a
horizontal dimension "H" that is about the same as
or slightly greater than the width of the paper
products within the cartridge and a vertical
dimension "V" that is large enough to permit the
passage of a limited number of paper products. For
example, if the paper products are in the form of
folded paper napkins, the vertical dimension "V" of
the slit may be sized so that a limited number of
folded paper napkins may extracted. This could be
achieved by making the vertical dimension "V" some
multiple of the thickness of an individual folded
paper napkin (e.g., desirably greater than about 2
and less than about 10 thicknesses, even more
desirably greater than about 2 and less than about 6
thicknesses).
The paper product may be accessed by a thumb
slot 952 and/or a finger slot 954. Desirably, these
slots are located on the front and bottom faces of
the cartridge and may be centered with respect to
the dimensions of the cartridge or the dimensions of
the slot.
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The cartridge may define at least one
additional slot 282 through one of the cartridge
walls, the slot being visible from outside the
housing when the cartridge is in the interior area
of the housing, an amount of paper products disposed
within the cartridge being determinable by visually
inspecting the amount of paper products through the
slot.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another
exemplary embodiment showing an exemplary cartridge
262 as depicted in FIG. 19 inserted in place in an
exemplary housing as shown in FIGS. 16 or 17. A
dispensing direction "D" is identified, as generally
perpendicular to the housing and cartridge assembly.
If the paper product is, for example, an interfolded
paper napkin or tissue, a leading flap or tail 960
would extend out of the slot 950 and be available
for a user to grasp.
FIG. 21 is yet another embodiment of an
exemplary housing. This embodiment differs from the
embodiments shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 in that the
first end wall 240 of FIGS. 16 and 17 generally
slopes away from the front or open face of the
housing. In contrast, the first end wall 240 of FIG.
21 slopes into or opens up to the front or open face
of the housing.
FIG. 22 is an exemplary cartridge which is
intended to be inserted into the housing shown in
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FIG. 21. The cartridge front wall 272a and the
bottom wall 272b are configured to fit snugly in the
housing. -
FIG. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view
5 (not to scale) of the lower portion of the container
and cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 20. The
cartridge front wall 272a, the bottom wall 272b and
a back wall 272c and a stack of interfolded paper
product 212 is shown. As can been seen in the
10 enlarged and expanded view, the slot 950 has a
vertical dimension "V" which is generally some
multiple of the thickness of a single layer or ply
or fold of the paper product 212. A dispensing
direction "D " is identified as generally
15 perpendicular to the housing and cartridge assembly.
If the paper product is, for example, an interfolded
paper napkin or tissue, a leading flap or tail 960
can been seen extending out of the slot 950 for a
user to grasp. Pulling the leading flap 960 will
20 result in one-at-a-time dispensing of the product.
It should be understood that FIG. 23 may also
generally represent an enlarged cross-sectional view
(not to scale) of the lower portion of the container
assembly shown in FIG. 18 when combined with a
25 cartridge or a clip of paper products. The cartridge
front wall .272a may be read as corresponding to the
fourth wall 224, the bottom wall 272b corresponding
to the first end wall 240, the back wall 272c
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corresponding to the first wall 218, the slot 950
corresponding to the dispensing throat 232, and the
finger and thumb slots in the cartridge
corresponding to finger and thumb slots in the
S fourth wall 224 and the first end wall 240. Of
course, the cartridge may be configured as shown in
FIGS. 8A, 13 and/or 19 to cooperate with the
dispensing throat 232 defined by the intersection of
the fourth wall 224 and the first end wall 240.
Thus, the following description applies to
embodiments of the invention having a generally open
face with a dispensing slit in the cartridge(i.e.,
lacking a dispensing throat in the housing) as well
as embodiments with a dispensing throat 232 defined
by the intersection of the fourth wall 224 and the
first end wall 240.
Gripping the interfolded product between lower
grip point 1000 and a first upper grip point 1002
engages two of the interfolded paper products (e. g.,
napkins, tissues, wipes, etc.) for dispensing. One
of which has a visible tail 960 extending from the
slot 950 and the other tail 962 still located inside
the cartridge but accessible through the finger slot
954. Pulling the product engaged at grip points 1000
and 1002 in the dispensing direction "D" will result
in two of the interfolded paper products to be
dispensed at a time. This result will be consistent
provided the interfolding of the product is
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consistent and the grip areas 1000 and 1002 remain
accessible.
Pulling the product engaged at grip points 1000
and 1004 in the dispensing direction "D" will result
in four of the interfolded paper products to be
dispensed at a time. This result will be consistent
provided the interfolding of the product is
consistent and the grip areas 1000 and 1004 remains
accessible.
l0 Pulling the product engaged at grip points 1000
and 1006 in the dispensing direction "D" will result
in six of the interfolded paper products to be
dispensed at a time. This result will be consistent
provided the interfolding of the product is
consistent and the grip areas 1000 and 1006 remains
accessible. Grip area 1006 may be accessed through
thumb slot 952. For interfolded products having
visible forward folds "Ff', this can be described
mathematically for interfolded products as N = Ft x
2 where N = the number of products dispensed, Ft =
the number of forward folds "Ff' falling between the
identified grip points and which are gripped by the
user. The number of forward folds (Ff) available for
gripping is generally limited only by the vertical
dimension of the slot "V " and the size of the
finger slots. Generally speaking, the "stack" of
product dispensed will be in a folded configuration
except for the leading and trailing edge or flap. Of
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course, if the product is dispensed one-at-a-time,
it will be in an unfolded configuration.
If a non-interfolded product is used in the
cartridge, the dispensing direction "D " remains the
same. However, there will be no leading flap as in
the interfolded format. Generally speaking, the
number of products dispensed will be the same as the
number of forward folds gripped unless the product
is double or triple folded.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that various modifications and variations can be
made in the present invention without departing from
the scope and spirit of the invention. It is
intended that the present invention include such
modifications and variations as come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
