Modular dispenser

A modular dispenser of sheet products including an open-ended case (10), a front panel (20), and a rear panel (30) is characterized in that the open-ended case is fitted with first longitudinal ribs (11, 12) by which the front and rear panels are kept in place on the open-ended case. In particular, the open-ended case includes a set of ribs providing the function of guidance, assembly and closing.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispenser of sheet products. In particular it concerns a dispenser of cellulose wadding, hereafter tissue paper, items.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Presently public places, such as restaurants, make available to the consumers dispensers of tissue paper items such as table napkins, towels or sanitary paper.

In general, a napkin dispenser is made up of a substantially parallelipipedic open-ended case including a front panel fitted with a transverse slot through which the napkins are extracted. The napkins are assembled as a pack inside the dispenser either in a mere juxtaposed manner or independently of each other or interleafed with each other.

The dispensers can be set down flat or vertically against a wall.

The dispenser size interacts with the size of the corridor/aisle of the premises. In particular the dispenser if made small must be reloaded frequently. The supplier of such dispensers always attempts providing his clients with designs suitable for their purposes, however he also must take into account the consequent large number of designs entailing management costs and the costs of manufacture. Moreover, these dispensers require a bulky storage space.

Accordingly, a dispenser of which the dimensions may be freely selected without entailing excessive costs is desirable.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention attains this objective using a modular dispenser comprising a tubular open-ended case, a front panel fitted with a dispensing slot, and a rear panel, the dispenser being characterized in that the open-ended case comprises first longitudinal ribs with which the front and rear panels are affixed to the open-ended case.

Thanks to this solution of the invention, a dispenser of the desired capacity can be suggested to the client, where the dispenser exhibits a cylindrical or U-shaped open-ended case of appropriately selected length. In particular, the length can be selected without detriment to the affixation means because the end panels are fastened on longitudinal ribs.

These ribs not only allow simple assembly but also they offer the advantage of bracing the walls. As a result, the walls can be made thinner and material savings are obtained.

In another feature of the invention, the open-ended case comprises a detachable panel on one of its sides and is fitted with a second rib cooperating with a rib rigidly joined to the detachable panel. In particular one of the two ribs exhibits an arcuate cross-section, the other rib exhibiting a cross-section in the form of a disk segment in order to constitute a hinge.

In still another feature of the invention, the open-ended case comprises third ribs guiding a transverse panel in the space within the two front and rear panels.

In yet another feature of the invention, the open-ended case comprises fourth ribs guiding a return spring of the transverse panel.

In another feature of the invention, the ribs run longitudinally over the full length of the open-ended case.

In another feature of the invention, the open-ended case consists of two right-angle plates assembled to form a U. In particular the two plates are held together by two elements constituting ribs.

In another feature of the invention, the open-ended case comprises ribs in particular on its inside surface to implement the functions of guidance, assembly and closing.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing a dispenser, the method being characterized in that a segment forming the open-ended case is cut off an extruded basic part comprising longitudinal ribs on its inside and in that a panel fitted with a dispensing slot is affixed to one end of the ribs and another panel is affixed to the other end.

In another feature of the invention, the extruded basic part is trough-shaped and is fitted with a longitudinal rib near one free edge on which, following cutting off, a detachable panel hinging about the free edge shall is affixed.

In another feature of the present invention, two right-angle plates are cut off from two right-angle extruded basic parts and are assembled to form the open-ended case.

Other additional features and advantages are elucidated in the description below of a non-limiting embodiment of the invention and in relation to the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The dispenser consists of two components10A ands10B, of a front panel20, a rear panel30, an upper panel40, a push panel50, and optionally, a transparent window60completing the wall of the upper panel. Once these components are assembled, they constitute an open-ended case receiving tissue paper articles, in particular table napkins. The napkins are configured parallel to the front panel which is fitted with a dispensing slot21through which the napkins can be extracted. The napkins are kept against the front panel20by the push panel50that is loaded by return springs mounted in the walls of the open-ended case10.

FIG. 2shows the component10A of the open-ended case10. This component10A assumes the form of a right-angle plate with one leg assigned to be the bottom and the other leg to be a sidewall. First longitudinal ribs11and12are part of the leg10A2constituting a sidewall and running from one end to the other of the right-angle plate. The illustratively cross-sectionally circular cylindrical ribs allow passing through their ends screws that are turned to keep the panels in place. The rib13near the upper edge of the right-angle plate exhibits an arcuate cross-section to receive a complementary rib on the panel40. The rib14is a dual one, being shaped to house a helical spring14A which is longitudinally displaceable in it. However this spring can be replaced by any other equivalent resilient means that applies a longitudinal return load. The rib15guides and supports small wheels or skids mounted on the push panel. There are three ribs16on the bottom-constituting leg of this embodiment and they support the napkins in the dispenser and, in particular, they substantially reduce friction between the napkins and the box while bracing the wall. At the other free edge of this right-angle plate, an end rib17cooperates with a rib10B to form a locking means.

The component10B shown inFIG. 3is symmetrical with the first component except for the ribs of the free longitudinal edges. The shape of the rib17′ is complementary to that of the rib17which is beaded and these two ribs can be mutually engaged by using the rib17as the housing. The rib17is engaged by the rib17′ sliding into it from one end. Be it noted that the rib15′ is dual. Its lower side guides the push element50. Its upper side acts as a slide18to house a not shown locking element locking the upper panel40of which the free edge rests against the upper free edge13′ of the side leg. Preferably the locking element is a clip with elastic legs.

The front panel20is shown as seen from its inner surface in FIG.4. There are four seats23for affixation screws at the four corners. These seats are the same height as the ribs11,12. A screw inserted from the outside can be engaged in this manner into the end aperture of each of the ribs.

The rear panel is not shown in detail because it comprises the same seats near the edges for screw affixation to the ribs11and12.

FIG. 5shows the upper panel40. A rib41runs along a longitudinal edge. The rib's shape complements that of the rib13of the component10A. Once engaged one in the other, the panel40will be pivotable about the upper edge of the component10A. A recessed segment42of the cross-section of the rib41acts as a stop and limits the excursion of the panel40. The opposite edge is fitted with a dual rib which cooperates with the above mentioned clip. The rear wall of this dual rib limits the rearward displacement of the clip's elastic legs. The push panel50is fitted on each side with small wheels52and with a stud53to which is affixed the end of the return spring.

Preferably the components20,30,50and60are made by conventional molding. The components10A,10B and40preferably are extruded through an appropriate die using a material such as aluminum. The manufacture of a dispenser only requires the elements10and40be made by cutting to size the extruded basic parts.

Thereupon the components are assembled to one another in the manner suggested in the exploded view of FIG.1. First the open-ended case10is assembled by inserting the rib17′ of the right-angle plate10B into the rib17of the right angle plate10A. The upper panel40is put in place by sliding the ribs13and41one into the other. The not shown locking element is inserted in the slide fitted on the upper edge of the rib15′. The push panel50is put in place with its small wheels52resting against the guide surfaces constituted by the ribs15and15′ and the two return springs inside the ribs14of which one end is affixed to the stud53, furthermore the optional window60.

Lastly, the open-ended case is closed by means of the panels20and30which are affixed by screws inserted from the outside into the seats23as far as into the tubular ribs11and12.

In this manner a rugged dispenser is achieved of which the capacity can be selected according to need, and which comprises a reduced number of parts, and which is economical as a whole. The components can be stored separately and assembled as needed. The person implementing such an assembly can have access to extruded basic parts precut to the right length or can himself cut the extruded basic parts to the desired length.