DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR FLEXIBLE SHEETS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to flexible sheet dispensers and, more particularly, to a dispensing mechanism for flexible sheets.

[0002] Flexible sheet containers are well known and are used to store and dispense a wide range of products such as baby wipes, cleaning cloths, and the like. The flexible sheet containers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and provide a convenient means to have flexible sheets, such as wipes, readily available. Certain flexible sheet containers include a large opening that enables a user to simply peel off a flexible sheet as needed. In other cases, the flexible sheet container includes an opening having a mechanism for retaining the flexible sheets. That is, as sheets are drawn through the opening, the mechanism provides some resistance. The mechanism grips a subsequent sheet as a sheet is being withdrawn. In this manner, the subsequent sheet is readily available.

[0003] The mechanism for retaining the flexible sheets must serve a dual purpose, first, providing access to the flexible sheet container to enable retrieval of an initial sheet or perhaps a stuck sheet, while also providing resistance on the sheets being withdrawn from the flexible sheet container. At present, these mechanisms take on a variety of forms. One form includes a slit created in a top portion of the flexible sheet container. The slit is usually formed in somewhat flexible material and is sized to enable one or more fingers to access the flexible sheet container. Side portions of the slit come together to grip the flexible sheets. In some cases each side portion includes a cut-out section that forms an opening that is configured to receive the flexible sheet. In other forms, the mechanism includes first and second winged portions that are pivotally mounted on the flexible sheet container through a living hinge. The winged portions are configured to deflect inward to provide access to the containers. When a flexible sheet is withdrawn, the wing member pivots together to provide resistance. In this manner, the wing member grips subsequent sheets. Often 20667/GPA-0101

times, each wing member includes a cut-out portion that defines an opening for receiving the flexible sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to one aspect of the invention, a flexible sheet container includes a plurality of walls that define a cavity configured to receive a plurality of flexible sheets. At least one of the plurality of walls defines a dispensing opening. A dispensing mechanism is positioned at the dispensing opening. The dispensing mechanism includes a first flap having a first end portion pivo tally mounted relative to the dispensing opening that extends to a second end portion. The second end portion includes at least one tooth element. The dispensing mechanism also includes a second flap having a first end section pivotally mounted relative to the dispensing opening that extends to a second end section. The second end section includes at least one tooth member. The at least one tooth member is off-set from the at least one tooth element. When the first and second flaps are in a first position, the at least one tooth element is spaced from the at least one tooth member to provide access to the cavity. When the first and second flaps are in a second position, the at least one tooth element registers with the at least one tooth member to form at least one pinch point and at least one gap, The at least one pinch point is configured to facilitate separation of flexible sheets and the at least one gap is configured to facilitate passage of a flexible sheet through the dispensing opening.

[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, a dispensing mechanism for a flexible sheet container includes a first flap having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion, the second end portion including at least one tooth element. The dispensing mechanism further includes a second flap having a first end section that extends to a second end section. The second end section includes at least one tooth member. The at least one tooth member is off-set from the at least one tooth element.

[0006] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of dispensing flexible sheets of material from a flexible sheet container includes 20667/GPA-OI01

deflecting a first member including at least one tooth element and second flap including at least one tooth member to a first position to provide access to a flexible sheet storage cavity, initiating withdrawal of a flexible sheet, positioning the first and second flaps in a second position such that the at least one tooth element registers with the at least one tooth member to form at least one pinch point and at least one gap, drawing the flexible sheet through the at least one pinch point and the at least one gap, and separating the flexible sheet from another flexible sheet through at least a friction force developed at the at least one pinch point.

[0007] These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0008] The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a lower right perspective view of a flexible sheet container including a flexible sheet dispensing mechanism in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

[0010] FIG 2 is a lower right perspective view of the flexible sheet dispenser of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG 3 is a lower right perspective view of the flexible sheet container of FIG. 1 illustrating the flexible sheet dispensing mechanism in an open configuration;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the flexible sheet container of FlG. 1 taken through line 4-4 illustrating the flexible sheet dispensing mechanism in a closed configuration; 20667 /GPA-0101

[0013] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the flexible sheet container in FIG. 4, illustrating a flexible sheet being pulled from a center portion of a roll of flexible sheets:

[0014] FlG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the flexible sheet container in FIG. 5, illustrating the flexible sheet being withdrawn through the flexible sheet dispensing mechanism;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectiona! view of the flexible sheet container in FIG. 6, illustrating the flexible sheet being disconnected from the roll of flexible sheets; and

[0016] FIG. 8 is a detail view of the flexible sheet dispensing mechanism of FIG. 2 acting upon a flexible sheet from the roll of flexible sheets.

[0017] The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] With initial reference to FIGS. 1-3 a flexible sheet container constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is indicated generally at 2. Flexible sheet container 2 includes a side wall 4, a bottom wall 5, and a top wall or Hd 6 that collectively define an internal storage cavity 7 within which is positioned a roll of flexible sheets 8 (FIG. 4). In the exemplary embodiment shown, top wall 6 includes a dispensing opening 10 that is provided with a dispensing mechanism 20. Dispensing mechanism 20 includes a frame element 24 having an outer edge portion 27 and an inner edge portion 30. Dispensing mechanism 20 is further shown to include a first flap 33 and a second flap 37.

[0019] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, first flap 33 includes a first end portion 44 that is secured to frame element 24 through a living hinge 45 formed from a flexible or elastic material such as, a thermoplastic in the form of polypropylene. First end portion 44 extends to a second end portion 47 that is 20667/GPA-0101

provided with a plurality of tooth elements 49-51. Tooth elements 49-51 extend laterally outward from and are substantially coplanar with first flap 33. Each tooth element 49-51 includes a corresponding tip portion 55-57, which, as will be discussed more fully below, establishes a respective pinch point 60-62. In any event, tooth element 49 is spaced from tooth element 50 so as to define a first notch portion 64 while tooth element 51 is spaced from tooth element 50 so as to define a second notch portion 65. First flap 33 is also shown to include a stop member 70. Stop member 70 limits outward rotational movement of flap 33 in a manner that will be discussed more fully below. Towards that end, stop member 70 includes a stop element 72 that is mounted to first flap 33 and a stop portion 73 that is fixedly mounted relative to frame element 24.

[0020] In further accordance with the exemplary embodiment, second flap 37 includes a first end section 78 that is pivotally mounted to frame element 24 through a living hinge 79 formed from a flexible or elastic material such as, thermoplastic in the form of polypropylene. First end section 78 extends to a second end section 81 that is provided with a plurality of tooth members 83 and 84. In a manner similar to that described above, tooth members 83 and 84 extend laterally outward from a substantially coplanar with second flap 37. In a manner also similar to that described above, each tooth member 83, 84 includes a corresponding tip portion 87 and 88 which, as will be described more fully below, define respective pinch points 91 and 92. As best shown in FIG. 2 tooth member 83 is spaced from tooth member 84 so as to define a notch section 95. Also, second flap 37 is provided with a stop member 98. Stop member 98 limits rotational movement of second flap 37 about living hinge 79. Towards that end, stop member 98 includes a stop element 99 that is fixedly mounted to second flap 37 and a stop portion 100 that is fixedly mounted relative to frame element 24.

[0021] While first and second flaps 33, 37 are disclosed herein having respective living hinges 45, 79 that provide pivotal attachment of the flaps 33. 37 relative to frame element 24. it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not so limited, and that flexible joints absent detailed structure defining a living hinge may be used in place of the living hinges thereby resulting in the first and second 20667/GPA-0101

flaps 33, 37 being flexibly coupled to the frame element 24 while still providing the utility herein described.

[0022] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, first and second flaps 33 and 37 are selectively shiftable between a first position such as shown in FIG. 2 and a second position such as shown in FIG. 3. In the first position, first and second flaps 33 and 37 are substantially coplanar and extend across dispensing opening 10. With this arrangement, first and second tooth members 83 and 84 register with first and second notch portions 64 and 65. Similarly, tooth elements 49-51 extend towards second flap 37 with tooth member 50 registering with notch section 95. With this arrangement, tip portions 55-57 nearly contact second end portion 81 of second flap 37 so as to define pinch points 60-62 while tip portions 87 and 88 of tooth members 83 and 84 nearly contact second end portion 47 of first flap 33 to define pinch points 91 and 92. While tip portions 55-57 and tip portions 87 and 88 are described as nearly contacting corresponding second and first flaps 37 and 33, it should be understood that other configurations, such as direct contact between the tip portions and opposing flaps or overlapping of the tip portions fall within the scope of the exemplary embodiment. In addition to defining pinch points 60-62 and 91-92, tooth elements 49-51 and tooth members 83, 84 interleave in order to define a plurality of gaps 102-109 (FIG. 8) as well as additional open areas (not separately labeled) on either side of first and second flaps 33 and 37. As will be discussed more fully below, pinch points 60-62 and 91, 92 and with gaps 102-109 facilitate the dispensing of flexible sheets from the roll of flexible sheets 8.

[0023] As best shown in FIG. 4, the roll of paper sheets 8 resides within storage cavity 7 of flexible sheet container 2. When a flexible sheet is desired flaps 33 and 37 are deflected into storage cavity 7, At this point, a flexible sheet 124 is withdrawn from a center portion (not separately labeled) of the roll of flexible sheets 8 as shown in FIG, 5. As best shown in FlG. 6, flexible sheet 124 is guided through dispensing opening 10 causing first and second flaps 33 and 37 to return to the first position. Stop members 70 and 98 prevent flaps 33 and 37 from additional rotation beyond the first position. Flexible sheet 124 is passed through gaps 102 and 109 such that pinch points 60-62 and 91-92 apply a frictional force as best shown in FIGs. 7 20667/GPA-0101

and 8. The frictional forced applied by pinch points 60-62 and 91, 92 facilitates separation of flexible sheet 124 from a subsequent flexible sheet 134. In addition to the application of frictional force to flexible sheet 124, tooth elements 49-51 and tooth members 83, 84 may engage perforations (not separately labeled) provided on the roll of flexible sheets 8 to further enhance separation of flexible sheet 124 from subsequent flexible sheet 134. With this arrangement, flexible sheet 124 remains substantially within storage cavity 7.

[0024] By minimizing contact between dispensing mechanism 20 and flexible sheet, for example 124, liquid entrained within the flexible sheet remains substantially in place. More specifically, liquid, such as antibacterial fluid, disinfectant, or other solutions are not pressed or squeegeed from flexible sheet 124 upon withdrawal from flexible sheet container 2. Gaps 102-109 as well as additional open areas (not separately labeled) within dispensing opening 10 ensure that a substantial portion of the liquid remains in entrained within flexible sheet 124.

[0025] While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.