Article dispensing – Concurrent separation and distortion of flexible article – With casing or support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-29
2001-01-09
Bollinger, David H (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
Concurrent separation and distortion of flexible article
With casing or support
C221S048000, C221S061000, C221S063000, C221S199000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170698
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an adapter for dispensing interfolded stacked sheets from a rolled product dispenser, and more particularly to an adapter for a conventional single roll product dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wide variety of dispensers are available for dispensing material such as tissues, paper towels, and the like. Most dispensers are configured to dispense these products either from a roll or from a stack of interfolded sheets. For example, dispensers for rolled products, such as rolls of bathroom tissue, are well known in the art. With such conventional single roll dispensers, the dispenser includes a housing for receipt of at least a portion of the roll. The roll is typically held between sides of the dispenser by way of a spindle that engages in recesses or slots in the dispenser sides. Such dispensers typically have an open front face, and the rolled product is dispensed by the consumer simply pulling the end sheets of the roll. These conventional single roll dispensers may be recessed within a wall or other supporting structure.
In selected applications, it is desired to use stacked interfolded sheets of material instead of the roll forms. The interfolded sheets are typically dispensed from a top or bottom hygienic dispenser in which essentially only the end of the interfolded sheet is exposed. The remaining sheets are covered, typically within the dispenser. Unfortunately, conventional rolled product dispensers are not configured to dispense stacked interfolded sheets. Thus, when a user desires to switch from dispensing a rolled product to dispensing interfolded sheets, a new dispenser must be purchased and installed. Additionally, in certain circumstances, it may be desired to alternate between dispensing rolled materials and dispensing stacked interfolded sheets. It would not be feasible to change out and re-install the respective dispensers in these circumstances.
Accordingly, an adapter is desirable which enables a user to easily and inexpensively adapt a rolled product dispenser to stacked interfolded sheet dispenser without damaging or permanently altering the rolled product dispenser. Such an adapter would allow for relatively quick and easy change out between the two types of product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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 practice of the invention.
The present invention is directed to an adapter particularly suited for dispensing stacked interfolded sheets from a rolled product dispenser. The adapter is configured to fit over an open front of a conventional rolled product dispenser. The particular type of conventional rolled product dispenser is not limited to the present invention. Generally, such rolled product dispensers define an internal space or volume for receipt of the rolled product, typically by way of a spindle inserted through the rolled product and engaged in sides of the dispenser. Such conventional dispensers may be mounted within recesses of a wall or other supporting structure.
The adapter according to the invention includes a body having a configuration so as to fit over the open front of the rolled product dispenser. In this way, the body cooperates with the dispenser to define a receptacle space for receipt of stacked interfolded sheets. In this regard, the body may comprise an outwardly projecting front wall or member defining an interior volume of the body. The interior volume of the body and the interior volume of the rolled product dispenser thus become the receptacle space for the interfolded stacked sheets.
A dispensing opening is defined through a front wall of the body. This opening can have any manner of shape or configuration and, desirably, may have a width dimension so that the side edges of the stacked interfolded sheets are urged inwardly upon being pulled through the dispensing opening. Any configuration of such an opening is within the scope of the invention.
A releasable attaching device is configured with the body so that the body may be removably attached to the rolled product dispenser or its respective wall or other supporting structure.
In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the body comprises side walls and a generally open back. The side walls and the front wall define the interior volume of the adapter. The front wall may have a curved cross-sectional profile that also forms a top and bottom surface of the body. In an alternative embodiment, a top and bottom surface may be defined by planar height extensions of the body. For purposes of attaching the body and providing stability to the body, it may be preferred that the body have a height and width dimension such that at least one of the height or width dimensions is greater than the respective height or width of the rolled product dispenser open front. In this manner, at least some portion of the dispenser body will abut against an outside surface or rim of the rolled product dispenser. For example, the body may include a top or bottom height extension that abuts against the top or bottom rim surfaces of the rolled product dispenser when the adapter is mounted thereto.
It may be preferred that the body also include alignment members that extend generally rearward relative to the front wall. The alignment members are disposed so as to fit within the rolled product dispenser and align the body relative thereto. The alignment members may take on any form or configuration. In one desirable embodiment, the alignment members comprise extensions of side walls of the body that extend rearwardly beyond an open back of the body. These extensions slide within the rolled product dispenser upon mounting the adapter onto the dispenser. In this embodiment, the releasable attaching device may comprise projections that extend outwardly from the side wall extensions of the body. These projections may have a size and configuration so as to fit within the existing spindle holes or recesses provided in the sides of the rolled product dispenser. The projections may be spring loaded or the side walls may have enough flexibility so as to be manually flexed inward to allow insertion of the projections into the spindle holes or recesses.
In an alternative embodiment, the body comprises an open back defined by a circumferential flange. This flange may define a back surface that generally circumscribes the rolled product dispenser open front. This back surface may include any type of adhesive material, such as an adhesive tape, configured thereon for mounting the adapter body to the dispenser. In this embodiment, the alignment members may comprise bosses that extend rearwardly passed the circumferential flange. The bosses slide within the rolled product dispenser upon mounting the adapter onto the dispenser and help to align the dispenser and maintain the stability thereof.
The invention will be described in greater detail below through use of the appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2765909 (1956-10-01), Graham
patent: 4913312 (1990-04-01), Boutin
Phelps Stephen L.
Scheurell Diane
Bollinger David H
Dority & Manning
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
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