Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AUTOMATIC NAPKIN DISPENSER
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0101] The present application and the resultant patent relate generally to a
napkin dispenser and more particularly relate to an automatic napkin dispenser
that folds
and dispenses one or more napkins or groups of napkins in a controlled and
efficient
fashion from a continuous roll of sheet material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0102] Dispensers, such as napkin dispensers, generally are configured to
enable
the end user to retrieve products such as napkins and the like for personal
use. Although
conventional dispensers adequately dispense the products therein, such
dispensers also
enable end users to obtain any number of napkins with no control mechanisms.
Moreover, such conventional dispensers tend to allow napkins to be soiled due
to contact
with the surrounding environment during storage and/or dispensing. As such,
excessive
distribution of napkins, prematurely soiled napkins, and other types of waste
thus may
lead to unnecessary operating expenses.
[0103] Known dispensers generally provide a stack of folded napkins therein.
Establishments, such as quick service restaurants and the like, must maintain
a ready
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supply of such napkins and also must continuously refill the dispensers to
ensure
customer satisfaction. Such pre-folded napkins, however, generally may be morc
expensive than, for example, a continuous roll of napkin material or other
types of sheet
material. More napkins may be created from such a continuous roll of material.
Moreover, pre-folded napkins also require thc timc and expense to refill
continuously the
dispensers.
[0104] There is thus a desire for improved napkin dispensers and methods of
dispensing napkins and the like. Such improved dispensers and methods may
provide for
controlled, automatic dispensing of napkins and similar types of paper
products in an
economical, efficient, and sanitary fashion so as to limit or eliminate
unnecessary waste
and expense.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0105] The present application and the resultant patent thus may provide a
napkin
dispenser for dispensing a number of folded napkins from a continuous roll of
sheet
material to an end user. The napkin dispenser may include a loading station
for loading
the sheet material, a folding station for folding a napkin from the sheet
material, and a
presentation station for presenting one or more of the folded napkins to the
end user.
[0106] The present application and the resultant patent further may provide a
buckle fold assembly for folding a sheet of material. The buckle fold assembly
may
include a first pair of pinch rollers, a second pair of pinch rollers
downstream of the first
pair of pinch rollers, and a buckle tray adjacent to the second pair of pinch
rollers. A tail
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of the sheet of material fills the bucket chamber and a fold in the sheet of
material is
forccd through thc second pair of pinch rollers.
[0107] The present application and the resultant patent further may provide a
slot
fold assembly for folding a sheet of material. The slot fold assembly may
include a
vertical plate with a slot therein, a pusher plate positioned adjacent to the
slot with the
sheet of material extending therethrough, and a plate drive motor to drive the
pusher plate
and the sheet of material through the slot so as to create a fold in the sheet
of material.
[0108] The present application and the resultant patent further may provide a
reverse fold assembly for folding a sheet of material. The reverse fold
assembly may
include a multi-roller mechanism and a reverse drive mechanism. The reverse
drive
mechanism may include a first drive roller, a second drive roller, and a
directional roller
such that the directional roller rotates in a first direction to advance the
sheet of material
and rotates in a second direction to form a fold in the sheet of material.
[0109] The present application and the resultant patent further may provide a
tucker fold assembly for folding a sheet of material. The tucker fold assembly
may
include a knife assembly for separating the sheet of material, a tucker bar
positioned
adjacent to the knife assembly, and a slot positioned adjacent to the tucker
bar such that
the sheet of material is forced through thc slot and forms a fold therein.
[0110] These and other features and improvements of the present application
and
the resultant patent will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
upon review of
the following detailed dcscription when taken in conjunction with the several
drawings
and the appended claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0111] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a napkin dispenser as may be described
herein.
[0112] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a napkin dispenser as may
be
described herein with a partially transparent outer shell.
[0113] Fig. 3 is a partial side plan view of the napkin dispenser of Fig. 2.
[0114] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of a
napkin dispenser as may bc described herein with a partially transparent outer
shell.
[0115] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of a
napkin
dispenser as may be described herein with a partially transparent outer shell.
[0116] Fig. 6 is a partial sidc plan view of thc napkin dispenser of Fig. 5.
[0117] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth alternative embodiment of a
napkin
dispenser as may be described herein with a partially transparent outer shell.
[0118] Fig. 8 is a partial side view of the napkin dispenser of Fig. 7.
[0119] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth alternative embodiment of the
napkin
dispenser as may be described herein with a partially transparent shell.
[0120] Fig. 10 is a partial sidc view of thc napkin dispenser of Fig. 9.
[0121] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a sixth alternative embodiment of a
napkin
dispenser as may be described herein with a partially transparent outer shell.
[0122] Fig. 12 is a partial side view of the napkin dispenser of Fig. 11.
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[0123] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a seventh alternative embodiment of a
napkin dispenser as may be described herein with a partially transparent outcr
shell.
[0124] Fig. 14 is a partial side view of the napkin dispenser of Fig. 13.
[0125] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a number of napkin dispensers as may
be
described herein in several different configurations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0126] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like
elements throughout the several views, Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an
example
of a napkin dispenser 100 as may be described herein. As will be described in
more
detail below, the napkin dispenser 100 may take many different sizes, shapes,
and
configurations and may use many different types of components. Moreover, the
components described in the examples below may be interchangeable such that
the
napkin dispenser 100 is not limited to the given components or configurations
of any one
example. Rather, any of the components described herein and the like may be
used
together in any combination or orientation.
[0127] Generally described, the napkin dispenser 100 may use one or more
continuous rolls 110 of a sheet material 120. Any number of thc rolls 110 may
be used in
the napkin dispenser 100. The sheet material 120 may include any type of
natural and/or
synthetic cloth or paper sheets including woven and non-woven articles. The
sheet
material 120 may or may not include perforations at given intervals. The
leading end of
the sheet material 120 on each roll 110 may be considered a tail 125. The
napkin
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dispenser 100 separates and folds the sheet material 120 to produce a number
of napkins
130 with a fold 135 therein. The fold 135 may bc a hard fold with a crease
therein or
more of a "U" or a "C"-shaped configuration. Moreover, multiple folds 135 also
may be
created, i.e., a "Z"-shaped fold or a dinner napkin fold also may be created
herein.
101281 The napkin dispenser 100 thus includes a number of stations so as to
produce the napkins 130 from the sheet material 120 on the roll 110. These
stations may
include a loading station 140. The loading station 140 accepts the roll 110 of
the sheet
material 120 therein. The loading station 140 may include a loading mechanism
145 and
a transfer mechanism 150. The napkin dispenser 100 also may include a folding
station
160. The folding station 160 may perform a number of functions. The folding
station
160 thus may include a folding mechanism 170 and a cutting mechanism 180. The
folding mechanism 170 also may provide napkin separation as will be described
in more
detail below, either with or without the cutting mechanism 180, as a speed
mechanism
185.
101291 The napkin dispenser 100 also may include a presentation station 190.
The presentation station 190 provides the napkins 130 to an end user. The
napkin
dispenser 100 also may include a user interface 200. The user interface 200
may allow
the end user to select thc number of napkins 130 and the like as well as
allowing the cnd
user to initiate a dispense. These stations and the other components of the
napkin
dispenser 100 may be enclosed in whole or in part in an outer shell 210. The
outer shell
210 may be made out of any type of substantially rigid material. The outer
shell 210 may
have one or more loading doors 220 thereon. The napkin dispenser 100 also may
be in
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communication with a cash register 225 or other type of ordering or input
device. Other
components and other mechanisms also may be used herein in many diffcrcnt
configurations.
[0130] Figs. 2 and 3 show a first example of the napkin dispenser 100 as may
be
described herein as a single roll, buckle fold, horizontal dispenser 230. The
dispenser
230 may include a single roll 110. The single roll 110 may have a number of
perforations
235 at substantially uniform intervals. The loading mechanism 145 of the
loading station
140 may include a slot mechanism 245 having a pair of spindle plugs 240 in the
roll 110
and a pair of slots 250 formed in the outer shell 210. The slots 250 are
configured to
accommodate the spindle plugs 240 therein. The loading door 220 also may have
a
tucker finger 260 sized to accommodate the sheet material 120 as will be
described
below.
[0131] The folding station 160 may include the folding mechanism 170 in the
form of a buckle fold mechanism 270. The buckle fold mechanism 270 may include
a
first pair of pinch rollers 280 and a second pair of pinch rollers 290. The
buckle fold
mechanism 270 also may include a buckle tray 300 and a dispense shelf 310. The
first
pair of pinch rollers 280 may be positioned about the roll 110 and the loading
door 220.
Thc second pair of pinch rollers 290 may be positioned downstream about thc
buckle tray
300 and the dispense shelf 310. The second pair of pinch rollers 290 may be in
line with
the first pair of pinch rollers 280 as the tail 125 descends. The buckle tray
300 may be
sized to accommodate the desired length of the napkin 130. Thc pinch rollers
280, 290
may be spring loaded and may be motor driven. Each pair of pinch rollers 280,
290 may
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be driven at different speeds. Stripper fingers between the pinch rollers also
may be used
herein.
[0132] The presentation station 190 may include a presentation tray 330. The
presentation tray 330 may be semi-covered. The presentation tray 330 may
include an
offset angle 340 so as to stack the napkins 130 therein. The angle of the
buckle tray 340
may be about 140 degrees or so. Other angles may be used herein. The
presentation tray
330 also may have multiple retracting shelves therein as will be described in
more detail
below. The user interface 220 may include a number of push buttons 350. The
push
buttons 350 may be any type of mechanical or electrical selector and the like.
The push
buttons 350 may indicate the number of napkins 130 to be dispensed therefrom.
Although push buttons 350 for two, four, and six napkins 130 are shown, any
number of
the napkins 130 may be used herein with any number or orientation of the push
buttons
350.
[0133] In use, the roll 110 may be dropped into the outer shell 210 via the
loading
door 220 along the slots 250 of the slot mechanism 245. The tail 125 of the
roll 110 may
be placed over the first pair of pinch rollers 280. The tucker finger 260 on
the loading
door 220 may push the tail 125 between the first pair of pinch rollers 280 to
load the tail
125 therein when the loading door 220 is shut. The buckle fold mcchanism 270
creates
the fold 135 by driving the tail 125 into the buckle tray 300. Once the tail
125 hits the
end of the buckle tray 300, the second pair of pinch rollers 290 drives the
fold 135
therethrough. The perforation 235 may be separated based upon a speed
differential
between the first and the second pair of the pinch rollers 280, 290 acting as
the speed
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mechanism 185. The speed differential may be about two to one or so as to
separate the
perforation 235 between the pinch rollers 280, 290. Once the perforation 235
is
separated, the napkin 130 may drop along the dispense shelf 310 into the
presentation
tray 330. Specifically, the number of napkins 130 as indicated by the push
buttons 350
may drop into the presentation tray 330. The napkins 130 may be removed as a
group by
the end user. The presentation tray 330 then may be reloaded as above. Other
components and other configurations may be used herein.
[0134] Fig. 4 shows a further example of a single roll, buckle fold, vertical
dispenser 360. The dispenser 360 may be largely similar to the dispenser 230
described
above except for the user interface 200. Instead of the push buttons 350, the
user
interface 200 may include one or more sensors 370. Each sensor 370 may be any
type of
motion sensor such as photoelectric, infrared, and the like that does not
require physical
contact. The sensor 370 may be positioned anywhere on the outer shell 210. The
dispenser 360 thus may be activated by the end user waving his or her hand
thereabout.
The dispenser 360 may be set to dispense a predetermined number of napkins 130
or a
single napkin 130 may be dispensed for each wave of the end user's hand about
the
sensor 370. The dispenser 360 may dispense the napkins 130 into the
presentation tray
330 or directly into the end user's hand. The presentation tray 330 then may
be reloaded
as above. Other components and other configurations may be used herein.
[0135] Figs. 5 and 6 show a third example of the napkin dispenser 100 as may
be
described herein as a multiple roll, slot fold, vertical dispenser 380. The
dispcnscr 380
may include two or more of the rolls 110. In this case, a first roll 390 and a
second roll
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400 may be used although any number may be used herein. The loading mechanism
145
of the loading station 140 may include a door loading mcchanism 405 with a
number of
the loading doors 220. Each roll 390, 400 may have its own loading door 220
with the
first roll 390 having a first loading door 410 and the second roll 400 having
a second
loading door 420. Each door 410, 420 may be held open via a door prop 430. The
door
prop 430 may include a prop rod operating in a pen click like mechanism and
the like.
The loading doors 410, 420 may be held closed via magnets and the like. The
transfer
mechanism 150 may include a roller mechanism 435 with each door 410, 420
having a
pair of spring loaded pinch rollers positioned thereabout. Specifically, a
first pair of
pinch rollers 440 may be positioned about the first door 410 and a second pair
of pinch
rollers 450 may be positioned about the second door 420. One of the rollers
440, 450
may be positioned on each of the doors 410, 420 with one positioned
internally. Other
positions may be used herein. The pinch rollers 440, 450 may be motor driven,
i.e., drive
rollers. A sensor may be used to determine when one of the rolls 390, 400 is
depleted so
as to start the pair of pinch rollers 440, 450 of the other roll.
[0136] The folding station 160 of the dispenser 380 may include the folding
mechanism 170 as a slot fold mechanism 460. The slot fold mechanism 460 may
include
a vertical plate 470 with a thin slot 480 therein. A horizontal pushcr plate
490 may be
positioned opposed the slot 480 and may include a plate drive motor 500 for
largely
horizontal motion. The upper edge of the slot 480 may create as little
friction as possible
while the lower edge may create a friction forcc thereabout. As such, a sharp,
slightly
offset comer may be used. The leading edge of the pusher plate 490 also may
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corners to create a frictional force. Multiple pusher plates 490 may be used
herein. The
slot fold mechanism 460 may have an assembly drive mechanism 510 to maneuver
the
slot fold mechanism 460 vertically up and down or in any type of direction.
Any type of
drive mechanism may be used herein.
[0137] The presentation station 190 may take the form of a multiple slot
presentation tray 530. The multiple slot presentation tray 530 may have a
number of slots
540 therein. A first group 550 of the slots 540 may accommodate two napkins
130, a
second group 560 of the slots 540 may accommodate four napkins 130, and a
third {coup
570 of slots 540 may accommodate six napkins 130. The groups may accommodate
any
number of the napkins 130. Any number of groups may be used herein. Any type
of a
user interface 200 may be used herein.
[0138] In use, the first roll 390 may be loaded through the first door 410
while the
second roll 400 may be loaded through the second door 420 of the door loading
mechanism 405. The tail 125 of each roll 390, 400 may be positioned about the
respective pair of pinch rollers 440, 450 of the roller mechanism 435 and fed
therein. As
the respective pair of pinch rollers 440, 450 pull the sheet material 120
downward, the
pusher plate 490 of the slot fold mechanism 460 drives the sheet material 120
into the slot
480 so as to create the fold 135. The force of the pusher plate 490 also may
separate the
perforations 235 while the leading edge of the next napkin 130 is held via the
pair of
pinch rollers 440, 450. The pusher plate 490 then may be withdrawn so as to
leave the
napkin 130 in one of the slots 540. The slot fold mechanism 460 may be
maneuvered
vertically via the assembly drive mechanism 510 such that a napkin 130 may be
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positioned within the slots 540 of each of the groups 550, 560, 570 by the
pusher plate
490. The appropriate group of napkins 130 may be removed by the end user. The
presentation tray 530 then may be reloaded as above. Other components and
other
configurations may be used herein.
[01391 Figs. 7 and 8 show a fourth example of the napkin dispenser 100 as may
be described herein as a multi-roll, reverse fold, vertical dispenser 580. The
dispenser
580 may use a number of the rolls 110. In this example, a first roll 590 and a
second roll
600 are used, although any number of the rolls 110 may be used herein. The
loading
mechanism 145 of the loading station 140 may include a side door loading
mechanism
405 with one or more side loading doors 610. The rolls 590, 600 may be spindle
loaded
through the side loading door 610. The first roll 590 may unwind along a back
side 620
of the outer shell 210 while the second roll 600 may unwind along a front side
630 of the
outer shell 210. A sheet guide 640 may be used between the rolls 590, 600.
[0140] The transfer mechanism 150 may take the form of a multi-roller
mechanism 650. The multi-roller mechanism 650 may be positioned under the
rolls 590,
600. The multi-roller mechanism 650 may include a top feed roller 660 and a
pair of
bottom directional rollers: a first directional roller 670 and a second
directional roller
680. Some or all of the rollers 660, 670, 680 may be motor driven. The top
feed roller
660 may cooperate with the first directional roller 670 to pull the sheet
material 120 off
of the first roller 590 while the top feed roller 660 may cooperate with the
second
directional roller 680 to pull the sheet material 120 off of the second roll
600. A tucker
finger 690 may be positioned adjacent the side loading door 610 so as to tuck
the tails
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125 of each roll 590, 600 into the multi-roller mechanism 650. Other positions
may be
used herein.
[0141] The folding station 160 of the dispenser 580 may include the folding
mechanism 170 in the form of a reverse fold mechanism 700. The reverse fold
mechanism 700 may include a reverse drive mechanism 710 positioned downstream
of
the multi-roller mechanism 650. The reverse drive mechanism 710 may include a
pair of
drive rollers: a first drive roller 720 and second drive roller 730, and a
directional roller
740. Some or all of the rollers 720, 730, 740 may be motor driven. The reverse
fold
mechanism 700 also may include a pair of rollers 750 positioned downstream of
the
reverse fold mechanism 700. The rollers 750 may be spring loaded and motor
driven.
[0142] The presentation station 190 may include a presentation tray 760. The
presentation tray 760 may be partially covered. A presentation tray 760 may be
positioned on either or both ends 620, 630 of the outer shell 210. The user
interface 200
may take the form of an adjustable knob 770 or other type of selector so as to
indicate the
number of napkins 130 to be dispensed therefrom.
[0143] In use, the rolls 590, 600 may be loaded via the side loading door 610
of
the side door loading mechanism. The tail 125 of the first roll 590 may extend
along the
back side 620 towards the multi-roller mechanism 650 while the tail 125 of the
second
roll 600 may extend along the front side 630 towards the multi-roller
mechanism 650.
The tucker finger 690 feed the tails 125 into the multi-roller mechanism 650
when the
sidc door 610 is closed. Whcn the first roll 590 is to bc dispensed, the top
fccd guide
roller 660 of the multi-roller mechanism 650 may rotate in a counterclockwise
direction
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while the first directional roller 670 rotates in a clockwise direction. When
the second
roll 600 is to be dispensed, the top feed guide roller 660 may rotate in a
clockwise
direction while the second directional roller 680 rotates in a
counterclockwise direction.
(These rotational directions are by way of example and only refer to relative
as opposed
to absolute directions. Any direction of rotation may be used herein in any
order or
orientation.)
[0144] In either orientation, the tail 125 is fed from the multi-roller
mechanism
650 into the reverse drive mechanism 710 of the reverse fold mechanism 700.
The first
drive roller 720 may rotate in a clockwise direction while the second drive
roller 730
rotates in a counterclockwise direction so as to pull the tail 125 downward.
The
directional roller 740 may rotate in a counterclockwise direction to advance
the sheet
material 120 to the desired length. The directional roller 740 then may
reverse direction
such that the fold 135 is formed and is captured by the downstream rollers
750. The
speed differential between the multi-roller mechanism 650 and the reverse
drive
mechanism 710 acting as the speed mechanism 185 so as to separate the
perforations 235.
The directional roller 740 then may again reverse direction so as to continue
to pull the
sheet material 120 downward. The now folded napkin 130 drops into the
presentation
tray 760. The appropriatc group of napkins 130 then may be removed by the cnd
user.
The presentation tray 760 then may be reloaded as above.
[0145] Alternate examples, however, may use a cutting mechanism 180 and the
like downstream of thc reverse fold mechanism 700 to separate the napkins 130
as will bc
described in more detail below. The dispenser 580 also may use the buckle fold
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mechanism 270 and the like herein instead of the reverse fold mechanism 700.
Other
components and other configurations may bc used hcrcin.
[0146] Figs. 9 and 10 show a fifth example of the napkin dispenser 100 as may
be
described herein as a single roll, tucker fold, vertical dispenser 780. The
dispenser 780
may use the single roll 110 although additional rolls may be used. The
dispenser 780
may include the loading station 140 in the form of a tail finding mechanism
790. The tail
finding mechanism 790 may include a cradle 800. The cradle 800 may be spring
loaded
by a number of springs 810 or other types of tensioning devices. The tail
finding
mechanism 790 may include a pair of drive rollers 820. The pair of drive
rollers 820 may
be positioned about the bottom of the cradle 800. The roll 110 may be
positioned with
the cradle 800 via the loading door 220. The rollers 820 may rotate back and
forth until
the tail 125 is captured therein
[0147] The loading station 140 also may include the cutting mechanism 180 as a
knife assembly 830. The knife assembly 830 may include a knife roller 840 with
a knife
blade 850 thereon as well as an anvil roller 860. The knife assembly 830 may
be used
with a non-perforated roll 870 of the sheet material 120. The knife assembly
830 may cut
thc napkin 130 from the non-perforated roll 830 by contact between the knife
roller 840
and the anvil roller 860. The knife blade 850 may be slightly angled. An
additional
roller may be used to maintain tension. The knife assembly 830 also may be
used with a
roll having the perforations 235.
[0148] Thc loading station 140 also may have the folding mechanism 170 in the
form of a tucker fold assembly 880. As the napkin 130 advances from the knife
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830, the napkin 130 may be pushed through a slot 890 by a tucker bar 900 of
the tacker
fold assembly 880. The tucker bar 900 may be sizcd so as to accommodate the
slot 890.
The napkin 130 then may be pulled through the slot 890 via a pair of pinch
rollers 910.
The pinch rollers 910 may be spring loaded and motor driven. The fold 135 may
be
formed as the napkin 130 extends through the slot 890.
[0149] The napkin dispenser 780 also may include the presentation station 190
in
the form of a hidden tray assembly 920. The hidden tray assembly 920 may
include a flat
tray 925 out of the normal view of the end user. The flat tray 925 may be
motor driven or
gear driven. A push paddle 930 may be positioned underneath the flat tray 925
and in
communication with the flat tray 925. Depressing the push paddle 930 may cause
the flat
tray 925 to retract so as to drop a number of the napkins 130. A sensor and
the like also
may be used herein to initiate a dispense. The napkin dispenser 780 also may
use the
user interface 200 in the form of a knob 940 or other type of mechanical or
electrical
selector. Any suitable triggering mechanism may be used herein.
[0150] In use, the single roll 110 may be dropped into the cradle 800 of the
tail
finding mechanism 790. The rollers 820 may rotate back and forth until the
tail 125 is
captured therein. The sheet material 120 then may be pulled into the cutting
mechanism
180. Thc knifc assembly 830 cuts the sheet material 120 from the non-
perforated roll 830
by contact between the knife roller 840 and the anvil roller 860. As the sheet
material
120 advances from the knife assembly 830, the sheet material 120 may be pushed
through a slot 890 by a tucker bar 900 in thc tucker fold assembly 880 so as
to create the
fold 135 and the napkin 130. The napkin 130 then may drop onto the flat tray
925 of the
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hidden tray assembly 920. Depressing the push paddle 930 may cause the flat
tray 925 to
retract so as to drop one or more napkins 130 onto the push paddle 930 or on
to the end
user's hand. One or more trays also may be used. Other configurations and
other
components may be used herein.
[0151] Figs. 11 and 12 show a sixth example of the napkin dispenser 100 as may
be described herein as a multi roll, reverse fold, horizontal dispenser 950.
The dispenser
950 may have multiple rolls 110 therein. In this example, a first roll 960 and
a second
roll 970 may be used although any number of the rolls may be used. The
assembly 950
may use the loading station 140 in the form of the door loading mechanism 405
with the
two doors 410, 420 and the pair of drive rollers 440, 450 in the roller
mechanism 435
such as that shown in Fig. 5. Likewise, the dispenser 950 may use the folding
station 160
with the folding mechanism 170 as the reverse fold mechanism 700 of Fig. 7
with the
reverse drive mechanism 710 having the first and second drive rollers 720, 730
and the
directional roller 740.
[0152] The dispenser 950 may have the cutting mechanism 180 in the form of a
wheel cutter 980 if a non-perforated roll 870 is used. The wheel cutter 980
may have a
cutting wheel 990 maneuvered by a pulley 1000 and the like. The pulley 1000
may pull
the wheel cutter 980 over the sheet material 120 so as to separate thc
napkins. A speed
differential created by a number of pinch rollers and the like also may be
used to separate
the perforations 235 as described above if a perforated roll 110 is used.
[0153] The dispenser 950 may have the presentation station 190 in the form of
a
presentation bucket 1010 with a number of trays 1020 therein. The trays 1020
may be
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divided by a number of shelves 1030. In this example, a first shelf 1040 and a
second
shelf 1050 arc shown. Any number of the shelves may be used herein. Each of
the
shelves 1040, 1050 may have a shelf motor 1060 positioned thereabout. The
shelf motor
1060 may retract one or both of the shelves 1040, 1050. The shelves 1030 may
form a
first tray 1070, a second tray 1080, and a third tray 1090. Any number of
trays 1020 may
be used herein. Any type of user interface 200 may be used herein.
[0154] In use, the rolls 960, 970 may be loaded within the doors 410, 420 of
the
door loading assembly 405 and fed through the pinch rollers 440, 450 of the
roller
mechanism 435. The fold 135 then may be formed via the reverse fold mechanism
700
or a similar device. Once the appropriate length of sheet material 120 has
advanced, the
wheel cutter 980 may cut the sheet material 120 via the cutting wheel 990
advancing
along the pulley 1000. Alternatively, the speed of the respective pinch
rollers may be
used to separate a perforation 235 if perforated paper is used. Each napkin
130 then may
fall into the presentation bucket 1010. The third tray 1090 may hold, for
example, six
napkins 130, the second tray 1080 may hold four napkins 130, and the first
tray 1070 may
hold two napkins 130. The appropriate number of napkins 130 then may be
removed
from the appropriate tray 1020 by the end user. In order to reload the
presentation bucket
1010, the first and the second shelves 1040, 1050 may be retracted via the
shelf motors
1060. Six napkins 130 then may drop into the third tray 1090. The second shelf
1050
then may close such that four napkins 130 may drop into the second tray 1080.
The first
shelf 1040 then may close such that two napkins 130 may drop into the first
tray 1070.
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Other shelf opening and loading techniques may be used herein. Other
components and
other configurations may be used herein.
[0155] Figs. 13 and 14 show a seventh example of the napkin dispenser 100 as
may be described herein as a multi-roll, buckle fold, vertical dispenser 1100.
The
dispenser 1100 may use a number of the rolls 110. In this example, a first
roll 1110 and a
second roll 1120 may be used although any number of the rolls 110 may be used
herein.
In this example, the assembly 1100 may have the loading station 140 in a
manner similar
to that shown in Fig. 7 with the side door loading mechanism 605 having the
side loading
door 610 and the guide 640 positioned between the rolls 1110, 1120. The
loading station
140 also may use the transfer mechanism 150 in the form of the multi-roller
mechanism
650. The dispenser 1100 further may use the folding station 160 with the
folding
mechanism 170 similar to the buckle fold mechanism 270 with the pinch rollers
280, 290
and the buckle tray 300 described above.
[0156] The dispenser 1100 may have the presentation station 190 in the form of
a
multi-slot maneuverable presentation tray 1130. The multi-slot maneuverable
presentation tray 1130 may have a vertical drive mechanism 1140 positioned
adjacent to
the buckle fold mechanism 270. The multi-slot maneuverable presentation tray
1130
may have a numbcr of slots 1150 therein. The slots 1150 may be organized into
groups
such that a first group 1160 may have two slots 1150, a second group 1170 may
have four
slots 1150, and a third group 1180 may have six slots 1150. Any number of the
slots and
the groups may be used herein. The vertical drive mechanism 1140 drives the
multi-slot
maneuverable presentation tray 1130 up and down such that the buckle fold
mechanism
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270 may deliver the appropriate number of napkins 130 into each group 1160,
1170,
1180. The napkins 130 may be removed as a group by the end user. The
presentation
tray 1130 then may be reloaded as suggested above. Other components and other
configurations may be used herein.
01571 As can be seen, the various types of loading stations 140, the various
types
of folding stations 150, the various types of presentation stations 190, and
the various
types of user interfaces 200 may be applied in many different combinations and
orientations for the overall napkin dispenser 100. Although vertical
orientations 1190
and horizontal orientations 1100 are shown above, Fig. 15 also shows a side by
side
orientation 1210, an above-counter mount 1220, a below-counter mount 1230, a
rear wall
mount 1240, and a sidewall mount 1250. Other types of mounting may be used
herein.
In addition to the use of the various types of user interfaces 200 described
herein, the
dispensers also may be in direct communication with the cash register 225 or
other type
of ordering device. Any type of input device may be used herein. The cash
register 225
or other device may indicate the number of napkins 130 to be dispensed based
upon the
content of the order or other parameter. Other configurations and other
components may
be used herein.
[0158] It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to certain
embodiments of the present application and the resultant patent. Numerous
changes and
modifications may be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without
departing
from the general spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following
claims and
the equivalents thereof.
