HOLDER FOR FLAT ARTICLES

Abstract: A flat article holder has in various embodiments a flat base or stand and integral sidewalls or a wall which has or have a number of spaced apart separator strips (16, 17) forming slots (18, 19) for holding and dispensing of flat articles, such as single disposable paper serviettes. A rectangular embodiment of the holder has a flat base (10) with a continuous or uninterrupted surface and flat sidewalls (11, 12) and a flat top (13), the walls and top having a number of common separator strips (16, 17) forming slots (18, 19). A semi-rectangular embodiment has a base (110), two sidewalls (111, 112) and a curved top (113) the walls and top have common slots (120, 121). Another embodiment has a semi-circular wall (311) with slots (320, 321). These embodiments may be made and sold as flat blanks of card paper with a tab (322) on one end and a tab-receiving slit (323) adjacent the edge (314) of the other end and may have two tranverse fold lines (325, 326). In the case of the semi-triangular embodiment there is a third transverse, median fold line (327).

Description: TITLE; Holder for Flat Articles FIELD OF THE INVENTION: This invention relates to a holder for flat articles, in particular to a holder for storage and dispensation of flat articles such as folded paper napkins or serviettes. The invention further relates to blanks from which such holders for flat articles are made. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: Numerous types of dispensers for flat articles are known ranging from simple rectangular boxes designed to lie flat on a table for use in storage and dispensation of such things as serviettes to the type which are designed to stand upright on shop counters again for storage and dispensation of serviettes. Nevertheless there is a need for a holder which is simple, attractive and cheap. There is a further need for a dispenser which can be easily stored before use or, possibly, dismantled ready for next use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: This invention, therefore, provides a free-standing holder for flat articles, which comprises:- 1. a base portion or portions; in combination with 2. a wall portion or portions, r wherein the wall portion is provided with an array of parallel ■ 4 slots into each of which a flat article may be inserted for storage, removal and dispensing when required, the entire holder being foπnable from and, if required dismantleable into, a blank. This invention further provides a blank for a free-standin holder according to the invention, the blank being provided with: 1. grooved or indented means for folding the blank into a desired shape; and 2. means for joining one portion of the blank to another to enable the blank to be erected and placed on a surface as required. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: Figure 1 is a perspective drawing of one example of an erected, rectangular cross-section holder according to the invention; Figure 2 is a similar perspective drawing of a modified example of an erected, substantially rectangular cross- section holder according to the invention; Figure 3 is a similar perspective drawing of an erected, triangular cross-section holder according to the invention; Figure 4 is a similar perspective drawing of an erected, semi-cylindrical cross-section holder according to the invention; Figure 5 is a blank which can be formed into the holder of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a blank which can be formed into the holder o Figure 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: The reference in the specification and claims to "flat articles" refers in particular to such things as folded napkins or serviettes, an application to which the invention is particularly suited. However, "flat articles" also includes such things as coasters and, in an office environment, cards and files. The reference in the specification and claims to "a wall portion or portions" includes the case where two substantially vertical walls terminate in or merge into a top (as viewed in use) wall or roof portion. Suitable examples of the material from which the holder according to the invention, and also the blank according to the invention, may be made are: relatively rigid or stiff paper or paper-like material such as card paper or cardboard or a relatively thin plastics material. Other, but less preferred, examples are thin metal or even wood, particularly where the wood may have been coated or veneered with a suitable plastics material to improve foldability and durability. The selection of a suitable material will depend in the main upon a decision whether to retain or dispose of the holder according to the invention after one or several uses. Retention of such a holder would tend to favour selection of a more durable material. The material used may be coloured or not, coated with a material such as gold or gold- TITUTESHEET coloured foil or not. This selection will depend on th aesthetic effect desired. Referring to the blank according to the invention, the blank i typically relatively elongated and conveniently divided int three portions. Thus the central portion may comprise a numbe of parallel, longitudinal slots to accommodate the flat article and two end portions which may be joined together to form a bas portion. The joining may be, for example, by conventiona tongues and grooves or by adhesive of a selected type, whethe permanent adhesive or adhesive of the type which may be used t adhere temporarily for a limited use. The adhesive may be protected by an adhesive strip. Another method of joining is to use staples. Although the holder device of the invention has been described in a specific orientation using relative spatial terms such as "base", "side walls" and "top wall" it will be appreciated that the device could have, for example, only one curvedside wall and could be placed on its side. Accordingly, I do not wish to be limited by the specific descriptions of spatial configuration. Furthermore, the number of ribs and therefore slots could be varied in size, width and number from those actually illustrated in the embodiments. Referring to the drawings, the description will be directed towards storage and dispensation of disposable folded sheets or paper material such as serviettes, this description being exemplary only. There is first of all shown in Figure 1, as a first embodiment of the invention, a holder for serviettes. The holder is generally of rectangular configuration in section or end profile and is preferably made as an integral one-piece structure and comprises a flat base 10 which has a continuous or uninterrupted surface, two flat or planar (and "interrupted", in the sense of having slots) side walls 11 and 12, and a flat or planar (and interrupted) top wall 13. Both ends are open. The bottom portion of each side wall has a continuous or uninterrupted surface 14, 15 while the remaining portion and top wall are interrupted. The slots are formed by a plurality of parallel, equispaced, separator strips such as those portions labelled 16, 17 on respective side walls and those portions labelled 18 and 19 on the top wall. Examples of slots are those labelled 20 and 21 respectively. Each slot enables a standard-size disposable serviette to be placed therein with a corner projecting from the top of the holder. The holder enables ready dispensing of single items. The embodiment shown in Figure 2 of the drawings is similar to that of Figure 1 with a base 110 and side walls 111, 112 and side wall bottom portions 114, 115 respectively of the same configuration and with separator strips in the side walls such as those labelled 116 and 117. The separator strips of the top wall such as those labelled 118 and 119, collectively form uniformly-curved surface which is interrupted by slots openings 120, 121 between the strips for storage and dispensin of folded serviettes. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the bas 210, side walls 211, 212 and bottom portion 214, 215 of the sid walls are of the same configuration and structure but the to wall has been eliminated. In place of the top wall strips suc as the two labelled 216 and 217 form both side walls. Slots 22 and 221 are formed between the strips and the side walls for with the base a triangular integral or one-piece structur wherein the walls merge into the base. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, there is base 310 but the separate side walls of the previous embodiment are replaced by a single curved or semi-cylindrical wall 311, an the slots 320 , 321 have lower edges 322, 323 curved. In Figure 4 there is also shown a folded serviette 324. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, an adhesive method of joining is used instead of tongues and grooves. In the embodiment of a blank shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, the holder of Figure 4 is shown manufactured for sale as a flat cardpaper blank for assemblyby a purchaser/user. The blank has a tab 324 on one end and a tab-receiving slit 325 adjacent the edge of the other end. The blank also has two fold line designated 325, 326. In the blank shown in Figure 6, an additional, transverse, media fold line 327 is included in order to obtain the embodiment o the holder of Figure 3. In the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6, a tongue and groov method of joining is used.

Claims: The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A free-standing holder for flat articles, which comprise a. a base portion or portions; in combination with b. a wall portion or portions, wherein the wall portion is provided with an array o parallel slots into each of which a flat article may b inserted for storage, removal and dispensing when required the entire holder being formable from and, if required dismantleable into, a blank. 2. A free-standing holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein th free-standingholder has a substantially rectangular cross section, having a base portion, two side walls and a to wall, the slots being formed in the side walls and to wall. 3. A free-standing holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein th top wall is curved or domed upwards. 4. A free-standing holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein th free standing holder has a substantially triangular cross- section, having a base portion and two side walls joine along an apex, the slots being formed in the side walls. 5. A free-standing holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free-standing holder has a semi-cylindrical cross-section, having a base portion and a single curved wall joined at opposite ends to the base portion, the slots being forme in the curved wall. 6. A blank for a free-standing holder as claimed in claim 1, the blank being provided with:- a. grooved or indented means for folding the blank int a desired shape; and b. means for joining one portion of the blank to anothe to enable the blank to be erected and placed on a surface as required. 7. A blank for a free standing holder as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for joining one portion of the blank to another comprises a tongue means in one portion and a slot means in the second portion. 8. A blank for a free-standing holder as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for joining one portion of the blank to another comprises adhesive means. T

Inventors: VOGLIS CHRISTOPHER, VOGLIS, CHRISTOPHER
Applicants: VOGLIS CHRISTOPHER, VOGLIS, CHRISTOPHER
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A47G19
IPC codes: A47G21