TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a dispenser according to the precharacterizing portion of claim 1.

BACKGROUND

Different kinds of dispensers for web of absorbent paper, tissue or nonwoven material in the form of a roll or in the form of a stack, for e.g. wiping purposes or use as napkins, are known.

US 6196102 and US 6363824 disclose one type of dispenser wherein a sheet from a non-perforated web from a roll is separated by means of a cutting device arranged on a drum. The drum is operated by a user pulling at a dispensing end of the web. The dispenser is provided with an arrangement for providing a breaking force on the roll to prevent formation of any loop in the web and such that the web can be cut.

In a different type of dispenser, a user grasps and pulls on a dispensing end of the web from the roll to feed out a desired amount of web from the dispenser. The web on the roll used with this type of dispenser is perforated such that a user may feed out and separate one or more sheets of web from the roll in the dispenser. Any perforations are designed to facilitate separating a sheet from the web but it is not always possible to feed out one sheet at a time as a user pulls on a dispensing end of web from a dispenser, i.e. the material does not always break at every perforation.

WO2009/150342 discloses a dispensing apparatus for perforated web material. Seen in a dispensing direction of the web from the roll, there is first provided a guiding plate over which the web is led. Thereafter the web is led vertically downwards and through a passage for "anti folding" with a curved shape. The passage is formed between a front portion and an inner portion of the apparatus. Finally, the web is led further vertically downwards to a point of exit for the web in the apparatus. At the point of exit two abutments are provided for separating a sheet from the web material. SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative dispenser for dispensing perforated web of absorbent paper, tissue or nonwoven material in the form of a roll or in the form of a stack, by means of which dispenser separate sheets of the web are dispensed by a user.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a dispenser for a perforated web of absorbent paper, tissue or nonwoven material in the form of a roll or a stack. The dispenser is adapted for a user to grasp, and pull on, a dispensing end of the web to dispense a sheet of web from the roll or the stack. The dispenser comprises a housing forming a compartment, a passage arrangement defining a web passage, and an oblong dispensing opening. Inside the compartment the roll is adapted to be arranged to rotate about an axis or the stack is adapted to be supported when dispensing the web, and a web path is defined from a position of the roll or of the stack to the oblong dispensing opening including the web passage. An edge portion is provided at each of two lateral short sides of the oblong dispensing opening for separating a sheet from the web along a perforation. The edge portions are arranged at a distance from each other narrower than a width of the web. A straight edge is arranged alongside, and

perpendicularly to, the web path. The web path changes direction as it passes over the straight edge. The straight edge, the web passage and the oblong dispensing opening are arranged directly adjacent to each other in that order seen in a direction of dispensing of the web.

Thanks to the straight edge, and the oblong dispensing opening being narrower than the width of the web, the web and any perforation in the web passage are stretched more at least at one side than at the centre when a user pulls on a dispensing end of the web. Accordingly, when a perforation reaches the dispensing opening and the edge portions, the perforation will rupture and a sheet of web is dispensed. As a result, the above mentioned object is achieved.

The web of absorbent paper, tissue or nonwoven material may be used for wiping or drying purposes. For instance, may a sheet of web be used as a napkin. The web may have one, two or more layers of paper, tissue or nonwoven material. The straight edge, the web passage and the oblong dispensing opening being arranged directly adjacent to each other means that there are no further objects or arrangements interfering with the web between the straight edge and the dispensing opening. A straight edge in this context is an edge which is substantially straight with at least two opposite sides of the straight edge, where the outer edges of the web pass over the straight edge, being substantially aligned. A minor curvature at a more central portion of the straight edge may be accepted.

According to embodiments of the invention comprising web in the form of a roll, a braking device may be arranged in the compartment and may be adapted to abut against the roll. The braking device may ensure that the web is taut between the roll of web and the straight edge. The braking device may also ensure that a frictional force brakes the roll as web is dispensed.

According to embodiments of the invention, the web path may be subjected to a change of direction in only one direction at the straight edge. In this manner the web is not entangle by several changes of direction, in connection with the web passage. The change of direction at the straight edge may be 10-90 degrees, preferably 15 - 45 degrees. According to embodiments of the invention, the edge portions may comprise a rubberlike material adapted to abut the web. Thanks to the rubberlike material, the friction between the web and the edge portions may be high. Accordingly during dispensing, after a perforation has passed the edge portions, this friction may contribute to the perforation rupturing. The rubberlike material may be e.g. rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone, or TPE (Thermoplastic elastomer).

According to embodiments of the invention, the passage arrangement may comprise a first wall portion and a second wall portion, each extending in two substantially parallel planes defining therebetween the web passage. The edge portions may connect to the first and second wall portions. In this context, the edge portions may be directly connected to one or both of the first and second wall portions, they may form an integrated part of the passage arrangement, or they may be attached to, alternatively form part of, a different part of the dispenser, such as its housing, adjacent to the first and second wall portions. According to embodiments of the invention, the first and second wall portions may be provided with cut-outs between the edge portions, the cut-outs each having a shape of a circular, or semi circular, segment to form the oblong dispensing opening extending in a circular, or semi circular, plane substantially perpendicularly to the two substantially parallel planes. In this manner a dispensing end of the web will be easily graspable for a user in the cut-outs. A semi-circular shape may for instance be elliptical. A width of the cut-outs may be 60-100 mm at edge portions and a depth of the cut-outs may be 20-40 mm at its centre. This may be a suitable size for a hand of user to grasp the dispensing end of the web. Alternatively, it may be seen as suitable for web with a width of about 140 mm. In this case, seen more generally, the width of the cut-outs at the edge portions may be between 40 - 70 % of the width of the web and the depth of the cut-outs may be between 15 - 30 % of the width of the web.

According to embodiments of the invention, the distance between the first wall portion and the second wall portion may be 2-6 mm, preferably 3-4 mm. In this manner wrinkles formed in the web, abutting the first and second wall portions along the web passage, will subject the web to a suitable frictional force as the web is dispensed from the dispenser. According to embodiments of the invention, a funnel may be arranged before the web passage seen in the direction of dispensing of the web. In this manner a free end of the web inside the dispenser may easily be guided into the web passage, e.g. when the dispenser is refilled with a new roll of web or a new stack of web. According to embodiments of the invention, the distance between the edge portions and the straight edge may be between 40 - 80 mm, preferably 50 - 70 mm, along the web passage. In this manner a suitable contraction of an about 140 mm wide web may be achieved. Seen more generally, the distance between the edges portions and the straight edge may be between 25 - 60 % of the width of the web, preferably 35 - 50 %, along the web passage.

According to embodiments of the invention, the dispenser may be adapted for placing on a flat surface. In this manner the dispenser may be place on a table, e.g. in a restaurant, for users to grasp napkins from the dispenser. According to embodiments of the invention, the first and second wall portions of the passage arrangement may be arranged tilted downwardly from a horizontal plane at an angle of 15 - 60 degrees, preferably 25- 35 degrees, when the dispenser is arranged in a position for dispensing. I this manner a direction of dispensing will be suitable for a user as he or she grasps and pulls on a dispensing end of the web, when the dispenser is placed e.g. on a table.

According to embodiments of the invention, the housing is provided with a wall in which a recess is formed to follow the shape of the circular, or semi circular, plane of the oblong dispensing opening. In this manner a user may easily reach a dispensing end of the web at the dispensing opening.

According to embodiments of the invention wherein the dispenser is adapted for use with a perforated web in the form of a stack, the dispenser may be adapted to support the stack in a position such that the web is fed from a top of the stack over the straight edge and into the web passage.

According to embodiments of the invention wherein the dispenser is adapted for use with a perforated web in the form of a stack, the dispenser may be adapted to support the stack in a position such that the web is fed from a bottom of the stack over the straight edge and into the web passage.

According to embodiments of the invention, the dispenser may be adapted to contain a second web in the form of a second roll or a second stack. Inside the compartment the second roll may be adapted to be arranged to rotate about an axis or the second stack may be adapted to be supported when dispensing the web, and a second web path may be defined from a position of the second roll or the second stack to the oblong dispensing opening including the web passage. In this manner the dispenser need not be opened and refilled when a first roll has been emptied or a first stack is finished. Instead the second roll or second stack of web may be put to use and the same dispensing opening and web passage as for the first roll or first stack may be utilized.

According to embodiments of the invention, the said straight edge or a second straight edge may be provided alongside and perpendicularly to the second web path adjacent the web passage. Accordingly, the web from the first and second rolls, or first and second stacks, may pass over the same straight edge. Alternatively, the web from the second roll or the second stack may pass over a separate straight edge, i.e. the second straight edge.

According to embodiments of the invention, the web path may extend between two rollers of a pair of drivable rollers. In this manner the web may be advanced towards the dispensing opening as the rollers are driven. This is not necessary for dispensing but may be useful when refilling the dispenser with a new roll of web or a new stack of web.

Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the present invention may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a dispenser according to embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 2 illustrates the dispenser of Fig. 1 with web from a first roll extending along a web path,

Fig. 3 illustrates a passage arrangement of a dispenser according to embodiments of the invention, and

Fig. 4 illustrates an interior of a dispenser according to embodiments of the invention, and

Fig. 5 illustrates a dispenser according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the

accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. However, this invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Disclosed features of embodiments may be combined as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

Fig. 1 illustrates a dispenser 2 according to embodiments of the invention. The dispenser 2 is schematically outlined with its interior visualized. The dispenser 2 comprises a housing 4 inside which a compartment is formed. The dispenser 2 has a bottom surface, optionally provided with e.g. rubber feet, arranged to be placed on a flat horizontal surface such as a table, e.g. in a restaurant. In the compartment there are arranged a first roll 6 and a second roll 8, each with a web of absorbent paper, tissue or nonwoven material. The respective webs are fully rolled up on the rolls 6, 8 to clearly illustrate components inside the dispenser 2. The web is perforated to facilitate dispensing separate sheets of web, e.g. for use as napkins, from a dispensing opening 10 of the dispenser 2. Each roll 6, 8 is supported by an axle 9 such that it can rotate about an axis 11. For each roll 6, 8 there is provided a braking device 13, which at one end is pivotably attached to the housing 4 and at a second end abuts against the roll 6, 8. Each braking device 13 is biased against the respective roll 6, 8 by means of a spring 15.

A passage arrangement 12 inside the compartment comprises a first wall portion 14 and a second wall portion 16 extending in two substantially parallel planes. Between the first and second wall portions 4, 16 there is formed a web passage 18. At one end of the web passage 18 there is an oblong opening forming the dispensing opening 10. At the other end of the web passage 18, a third wall section 20 is connected to the first wall section 14 and a fourth wall section 22 is connected to the second wall section 16. The first and third wall portions 14, 20 are arranged at an angle with each other such that a straight edge 24 is formed by a connecting portion between the first and third wall portions 14, 20. Between the third and fourth wall portions 20, 22 a separate wall section 26 is arranged. One end of the separate wall section 26 forms a second straight edge For each roll of web 6, 8 there is provided a pair of drivable rollers 30, 31. One roller of each pair of rollers 30, 31 is provided with a not-shown knob, by means of which each relevant roller may be manually rotated, i.e. driven. Fig. 2 illustrates the dispenser 2 of Fig. 1 with web from the first roll 6 extending along a web path to the dispensing opening 10 and web from the second roll 8 being arranged between a second of the pair of rollers 31. The web path from the first roll 6 extends from the first roll 6, between a first of the pairs of rollers 30, between the third wall portion 20 and the separate wall section 26, over the straight edge 24, through the web passage 18 and to the dispensing opening 10. At the dispensing opening 10 a dispensing end 32 of the web is available for a user to grasp and pull on. The dispensing arrangement 12 is arranged in the dispenser 2 such that the first and second wall portions 14, 16 are tilted downwards from a horizontal plane at about 30 degrees. This will provide a user friendly dispensing direction when the dispenser 2 is place on a table surface. A wall of the housing 4 is provided with a recess 34 formed to follow the shape of the dispensing opening 10.

As mentioned above, the web from the second roll 8 is arranged between the second pairs of rollers 31. When the web from the first roll 6 has been used up, a user may turn the not-shown knob of one of the rollers of the second pair of rollers 31 to feed the web from the second pair of rollers 31 to the dispensing opening 10 where the web will be available for the user to grasp and pull on. The web from the second roll 8 will extend along a second web path. The second web path extends from the second roll 8, between the second pair of rollers 31 , between the fourth wall portion 22 and the separate wall section 26, over the second straight edge 28, through the web passage 18 and to the dispensing opening 10.

Fig. 3 illustrates a passage arrangement 12 of a dispenser according to embodiments of the invention. As mentioned above, a first wall portion 14 and a second wall portion 16 of the passage arrangement 12 extend in two substantially parallel planes and between the first and second wall portions 14, 16 there is formed a web passage 18. The web passage may be 3 - 4 mm wide. The first and second wall portions 14, 16 are provided with cut outs in the shape of circle segments such that an oblong curved dispensing opening 10 is formed in the passage arrangement 12. The dispensing opening 10 accordingly, extends in a curved plane perpendicular to the planes of the first and second wall portions 14, 16.

Two edge portions 36 are provided in the passage arrangement 12 at one end of the web passage 8, one at each lateral short side of the dispensing opening 10. The edge portions 36 are arranged at a distance from each other narrower than a width of the web to be dispensed in the dispenser. With a width of the web of about 140 mm the distance between the edge portions 36 may be e.g. 65 - 75 mm. The edge portions 36 comprise a rubberlike material, such as rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone, or TPE (Thermoplastic elastomer) to provide a high frictional engagement between the edge portions 36 and the web to be dispensed from the dispenser 2. At the other end of the web passage 18 a third wall section 20 is connected to the first wall section 14 and a fourth wall section 22 is connected to the second wall section 16. A funnel leading to the web passage 18 is formed by the third and fourth wall portions 20, 22.

The first and third wall portions 14, 20 are arranged at an angle with each other such that a straight edge 24 is formed by a connecting portion between the first and third wall portions 14, 20. The straight edge 24 is curved but is straight in the sense that it extends in one direction 38 only. The straight edge 24 extends perpendicularly to a web path of the web to be dispensed.

With reference to Figs. 1 - 3 the function of dispensing separate sheets from the perforated web according to embodiments of the present invention is explained as follows:

The web path, and accordingly the web from one of the rolls 6, 8, extends over a straight edge 24, 28. The web path changes direction over the straight edge 24, 28. Thus, the web is maintained flat from the roll 6, 8 up to the straight edge 24, 28, and when web is dispensed, the web is subjected to a frictional force as it passes over the straight edge 24, 28. Due to the frictional force, the web in the web passage 18 is taut as it is pulled out through the dispensing opening 10. Since the dispensing opening 10 has a width narrower than the web, the web, from being flat at the straight edge 24, 28, is gradually wrinkled in the web passage 18 to fit through the dispensing opening 10. The wrinkles formed in the web passage 18 abut the first and second wall portions 14, 16 and subject the web to a further frictional force when dispensed. The frictional forces act on the web opposite to a pulling force exerted by a user. Accordingly, when a perforation of the web reaches the edge portions 36 of the dispensing opening 10 the perforation starts rupturing and a sheet is separated from the web. This is due to the difference between the pulling force of the user and the friction forces being large enough to rupture the perforation. In more detail: When a perforation passes through the web passage 18 it is stretched and when it comes to the edge portions 36 the perforation ruptures at the sides. Due to the straight edge 24, 28, and the dispensing opening 10 being narrower than the width of the web and being arranged centrally of the web path, the web, and the perforation, are stretched more at the sides than at the centre. As the pulling force continues, the rupturing progresses into the centre of the perforation, and a sheet is dispensed. With this controlled rupturing the perforation in the centre is the part that ruptures last, which means this part will continue a little longer in the pulling direction. Thus, the centre of the dispensing end 32 will become readily graspable at the dispensing opening 10.

The web paths extend between the rollers of the pairs of drivable rollers 30, 31. The rollers abut against the web passing therebetween. A pair of rollers 30, 31 does not take active part in dispensing. The pair of rollers 30, 31 is provided to advanced the web towards the dispensing opening in case the dispensing end should not be in a position at the dispensing opening 10, such as when the web has broken between the pair of rollers 30, 31 and the dispensing opening 10, or when a new roll 6, 8 is placed in the dispenser 2. In these cases a user can turn the not-shown knob of a roller to transport the web towards the dispensing opening 0.

Each braking device 13 is frictionally engaged with a respective roll 6, 8. The braking device 13 is provided to ensure that the web is taut along the web path from the roll 6, 8 to the straight edge 24, 28. Also, the braking device 13 contributes with a frictional force which, together with the previously mentioned frictional forces at the straight edge 24, 28 and in the web passage 18, aids separation of sheets from the web along perforations.

Fig. 4 illustrates an interior of a dispenser according to embodiments of the invention. Primarily the main difference between these embodiments and the embodiments according to Figs. 1 and 2 are mentioned below. A first roll 6 of web is arranged to rotate about an axis 11 . The web extends along a web path from the first roll 6 to a dispensing opening 10 provided in a passage arrangement 12. The web path does not extend between any rollers of a pair of rollers. Thus, the web extends from the roll 6 directly to a curved part 40 connected to a first wall portion 14 of the passage arrangement 12. The curved 40 part forms a straight edge 24 over which the web path changes direction.

The passage arrangement 12 comprises a second wall portion 16. A web passage 18 is formed between the first and second wall portions 14, 16. At one end of the web passage 18 the dispensing opening 10 is provided, wherein a dispensing end 32 of the web is graspable by a user. A funnel is formed between the curved part 40 and the second wall 16 for guiding a dispensing end of the web into the web passage 18, e.g. when a new roll 6 is place in the dispenser. A second roll 8 of web is arranged below the first roll 6 and a second web path extends from the second roll 8 to the dispensing opening 10. The second web path extends between rollers of a pair of rollers, much like in the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2. The second web path passes alongside the straight edge 24 and changes direction over the straight edge 24. Accordingly, there is no separate straight edge provided alongside the second web path.

Braking devices 13 are provided to abut against the rolls 6, 8, and are arranged at a front end of the dispenser. In this manner the rolls 6, 8 may be replaced from a rear of the dispenser towards a front of the dispenser without the braking devices 13 forming an obstacle during replacing.

When placing two rolls 6, 8 in the dispenser, first the second roll 8 is placed in the dispenser. The web of the second roll 8 is arranged between the rollers of the pair of rollers. Then the first roll 6 is placed in the dispenser and the web from the first roll 6 is positioned along its web path from the roll 6 to the dispensing opening 10. The dispenser is closed, and users dispense sheets of web from the first roll 6 until it is empty.

Thereafter web from the second roll 8 is fed to the dispensing opening 0 by means of manually rotating one of the rollers by means of a not-shown knob. Dispensing can now continue from the second roll 8. If the web from the first roll 6 should break inside the dispenser, the second roll 8 may be put to use as explained above. The dispenser may be opened at a later time to manually lead a dispensing end of any remaining web from the first roll 6 to the dispensing opening 10. Fig. 5 illustrates a dispenser 2 according to embodiments of the invention. Primarily, the difference between these embodiments and the embodiments according to Figs. 1 - 3 and 4 are discussed below.

The dispenser 2 is schematically outlined with its interior visualized. The dispenser 2 comprises a housing 4 inside which a compartment is formed. In the compartment there are arranged a first shelf 50 supporting a first stack 52 of web and a second shelf 54 supporting a second stack 56 of web. Each stack 52, 56 comprises perforated web of absorbent paper, tissue or nonwoven material. The dispenser 2 further comprises a passage arrangement 12. The passage

arrangement 12 illustrated is of the kind discussed in connection with Figs. 1-3.

Naturally, a passage arrangement 12 as illustrated in connection with Fig. 4 may alternatively be used. Between a first wall portion 14 and a second wall portion 16 of the passage arrangement 12 there is formed a web passage 18. At one end of the web passage 18 there is a dispensing opening 10 for dispensing sheets of web from the first stack 52 or the second stack 56. A straight edge 24 is formed in the passage arrangement 12. Again, drivable rollers 30, 31 may be provided for feeding the web to the dispensing opening 10 where a dispensing end 32 of the web will be available for the user to grasp and pull on. Again, the web path changes direction over the straight edge 24. The web is subjected to a frictional force as it passes over the straight edge 24. Due to the frictional force, the web in the web passage 18 is taut as it is pulled out through the dispensing opening 10.

The web in the first stack 52 is fed from the bottom of the first stack 52 over the straight edge 24 and into the web passage 18. Accordingly, the first shelf 50 is arranged in the compartment such that the bottom of the first stack 52 is supported in a position such that the web may be fed to the straight edge 24. For instance, the bottom of the first stack 52 may be at a level substantially the same as the relevant rollers 30. The web in the second stack 56 is fed from the top of the first stack 56 over the straight edge 24 and into the web passage 18. Accordingly, the second shelf 54 is arranged in the compartment such that the second stack 54 is supported in a position such that the web may be fed to the straight edge 24. For instance, the top of a full second stack 54 may be at a level substantially the same as the relevant rollers 31.

Example embodiments described above may be combined as understood by a person skilled in the art. It is also understood by those skilled in the art that the dispenser may be opened to replace an empty roll or empty stack. Edge portions need not form part of a passage arrangement but may be provided as separate parts or integrated in the housing as long as they are arranged at a dispensing end of the web passage. The edge portions may be formed from the same material as the dispensing arrangement or the housing. The fourth wall portion may form part of the second wall portion, i.e. the fourth wall portions forms an extension of the second wall portion beside the web passage. The straight edge may be formed by a separate element.

Although the invention has been described with reference to example embodiments, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art. The dispenser may for instance be designed to contain only on roll of web or only one stack of web. The dispenser may be wall mounted. In embodiments comprising two stacks of web, web from each stack may be fed from either the top of each stack or from the bottom of each stack to a straight edge. A further alternative may be to feed the web from the bottom of the second stack (lower stack) to a straight edge and from the top of first stack (upper stack) to a straight edge. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, combinations of features of disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

As used herein, the term "comprising" or "comprises" is open-ended, and includes one or more stated features, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, the common abbreviation "e.g.", which derives from the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," may be used to introduce or specify a general example or examples of a previously mentioned item, and is not intended to be limiting of such item. If used herein, the common abbreviation "i.e.", which derives from the Latin phrase "id est," may be used to specify a particular item from a more general recitation. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "coupled" or

"connected" to another element, it can be directly coupled or connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another element, there are no intervening elements present.