Patent Publication Number: US-9901222-B2

Title: Tabletop napkin dispenser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation Bypass Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2011/069116 filed Oct. 31, 2011, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is concerned with a tabletop napkin dispenser, which is a dispenser for dispensing napkins that is designed to be placed on the top of a table or counter or the like so that a user can withdraw napkins from the confines of the dispenser in a one-at-a-time fashion through a dispensing opening. The napkin dispenser includes a housing defining a product reservoir for receiving a stack of napkins. The napkins are generally interfolded so that withdrawing one napkin causes the next napkin to be partly pulled through the dispensing opening. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There is known from WO 2006/132618 a tabletop napkin dispenser that is intended to be stood on a rear face so that a front face including a dispensing opening faces upwards. The dispenser has side faces connecting the front and rear faces of a height such that the dispenser is able to accommodate a stack of about 200 napkins. As such, the height dimension of the napkin dispenser is less than a length direction of a footprint of the dispenser. There is also known from WO 2005/107548 a dispenser able to hold a stack of about 450 napkins, whereby the height dimension from a rear face to an opposing front face including the dispensing opening is greater than a length dimension of the front and rear faces. The dispenser of WO &#39;548 is intended to be laid on its side, specifically on a side face of largest area so that, unlike the device of WO &#39;618, it does not stand on its rear face. The dispenser of WO &#39;618 dispenses vertically, while the dispenser of WO &#39;548 dispenses horizontally. In the following, we will refer to these two types of dispenser as a vertically dispensing tabletop dispenser and a horizontally dispensing tabletop dispenser, respectively. 
     The vertically dispensing device of WO &#39;618 is made of a base element forming the rear face, a sleeve element forming the side faces of the dispenser and a lid mounted to the sleeve by a hinge. The base element includes upstanding side wall members, two of which cooperate with the sleeve to define a paper thin cavity that is open at a top end for receipt of, e.g., advertising material. The sleeve is thus transparent so that the advertising material can be viewed through it. The other two upstanding side wall members form a catch mechanism with the lid for holding the lid in a closed position. 
     The base element and the sleeve element clip together on all four sides at the base end of the sleeve. Manufacturing considerations for the device of WO &#39;618 mean that the base element and the sleeve are required to be fairly square, whereas a more rounded shape could be aesthetically preferable. 
     The lid of the vertically dispensing device of WO &#39;618 is openable and closeable about the hinge. In the open position, a napkin reservoir is accessible for refilling. In the closed position of the lid, the refill access is substantially closed by the lid so that the napkins have to be removed through the dispensing opening defined in the lid. The lid is held in the closed position by resilient catch members extending upwardly from the upstanding side wall members of the base element to engage on corresponding catch members formed inside the lid. A platform fits in the space defined by the sleeve and the side wall members upon which the stack rests. The platform is biased by a spring to the dispensing opening. 
     To release the catches, the side wall members of the base element have to be pushed inwardly through an archway provided in the sleeve member. Further, when the platform is at an uppermost position adjacent the dispensing opening, which occurs when the stack is low or entirely used up, the platform tends, due to close tolerances, to obstruct inward depression of the upstanding side wall members and the associated catch members. It is desirable to provide an easier to open lid member, once the user knows the knack of doing so. 
     The upstanding side wall members partly defining the advertising cavity include a thumb sized cut out from an otherwise rectangular member to allow the advertising material to be removed and, perhaps, replaced. The advertising material is thus required to be of a specific size, encouraging the use of a template format for designing the advertising material. It has been found that a more flexible system could be desirable. 
     In the horizontally dispensing napkin dispenser of WO &#39;548, there is also provided a sleeve member that defines a housing of the dispenser and also defines an internal product reservoir. The sleeve member is clipped to a base member. The sleeve member, and thus an outer appearance of the dispenser, is restricted to being relatively square shaped because of manufacturing considerations, while it has been found that consumers may prefer a more rounded appearance. 
     The sleeve member defines guide channels that receive guide rails of a drawer. The drawer is guided between a retracted and closed position with respect to the sleeve and an extended position for refilling the drawer with napkins. A front face of the drawer defines a front face of the dispenser and includes a dispensing opening. The drawer is held closed in the retracted position by a catch mechanism. The drawer defines a tray with upstanding side and rear walls for receiving the stack of napkins. A transverse panel translatably mounted in the drawer is provided to bias the stack toward the dispensing opening. It has been found that the biasing configuration disclosed in WO &#39;548 can in some uses allow the napkins to fall away from the dispensing opening as the stack nears a fully depleted state. It has been found that a more consistent biasing configuration could be useful in some instances. 
     The dispenser of WO &#39;548 has been designed purely for horizontal dispensing. It has been found that a dispenser of this kind, with a drawer and a relatively large napkin capacity, that can also dispense vertically would be desirable. 
     It is desired to overcome the above identified problems or resolve the above identified desirable features. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first aspect, there is provided a tabletop napkin dispenser including a rear wall member and four side wall members that are mounted to the rear wall member to define an open ended box providing a housing for a stack of napkins and a front member including a dispensing opening that is moveable between an open position with respect to the open ended box to provide access for refilling the napkin dispenser and a closed position to close the open end of the box, wherein the rear wall member and the four side wall members are separate injection molded pieces that are clipped together to form the open ended box. 
     The napkin dispenser can include rear and side wall members that are separately formed injection molded pieces that are clipped together. This aspect is able to improve the appearance of the napkin dispenser because the formation of the dispenser in separate pieces provides increased design flexibility as compared to an integral construction. For example, a more rounded profile for the napkin box is possible, which has been found to be desirable. Further, manufacturing simplicity is ensured by molding the components so that they clip together. 
     In an embodiment, the sidewall members include first and second opposed sidewall members that are identical in that they are formed from a same first injection mould and include third and fourth opposed sidewall members that are identical in that they are formed from a same second injection mould, so that the first and second sidewall members are interchangeable with one another in the napkin dispenser during assembly and the third and fourth sidewall members are interchangeable with one another in the napkin dispenser during assembly, yet the first and second sidewall members are not interchangeable with the third and fourth sidewall members in the napkin dispenser during assembly. Such a structure allows a reduced number of injection moulds to be used for manufacture. Further, the assembly process is simplified since it is not necessary to discriminate between the first and second sidewall members and the third and fourth sidewall members. That is, the first and second sidewall members can be taken indiscriminately from the same bin of pieces and the third and fourth sidewall members can be taken indiscriminately from a different bin of pieces. 
     In more detail, if the first and second sidewall members were interchanged in position with respect to the rear member or the third and further sidewall members were interchanged in position with respect to the rear member, the dimensions of the first and second sidewall members would still match the rear member or the dimensions of the third and fourth sidewall members would still match the dimensions of the rear member and the clip structure of the sidewall members would still match with counterpart clip structure of the rear member and with counterpart clip structure between the sidewall members. If the first sidewall member were interchanged in position with respect to the rear member with the third or fourth sidewall member or the second sidewall member were interchanged in position with respect to the rear member with the third or fourth sidewall members, the dimensions of the first or second sidewall members would not match the dimensions of the rear member and the dimensions of the interchanged sidewall members would not match, and there would be non-matching clip structure between the sidewall members and non-matching clip structure with the rear member. 
     Put another way, the first and second sidewall members are both left and right hand pieces with respect to the rear member and the third and fourth sidewall members are both left and right hand pieces with respect to the rear member, and they can be interchanged while still allowing the open ended box to be clipped together to the same extent during assembly and without affecting the physical form of the open ended box. 
     In one embodiment, the first and second sidewall members are of a different size (surface area) from the third and fourth sidewall members. Additionally, or alternatively, the first and second sidewall members define a different clipping structure from the third and fourth sidewall members. That is, the first and second sidewall members include an engagement structure set and the third and fourth sidewall members include a counterpart engagement structure set. In an embodiment, the first and second sidewall members include clip type engagement members (e.g. projections for engaging recesses on an adjacent sidewall member or recesses for receiving projections from an adjacent sidewall member in a resilient manner) on opposing sides of the sidewall member respectively adjacent the third and fourth sidewall members and the third and fourth sidewall members include counterpart engagement members. 
     In an embodiment, the sidewall members are each symmetrical about a central axis of the respective sidewall member passing in a front to rear direction, which is one way of achieving the desired interchangeability. 
     In an embodiment, some or all of the pieces are clipped together by way of resilient members including respective projections that snap fit into recesses. Thus, as the pieces are brought together, the resilient member deforms and when the projection is aligned with the recess, the resiliency of the member forces the projection into the recess. Alternatively, some or all of the pieces are clipped together by way of resiliency from the part with the recess, and projections are snap fit into such recesses. That is, the part with the recess resiliently deforms to snap fit the projection into the recess when they are aligned. 
     In an embodiment, the napkin dispenser includes a platform and a biasing member, the platform being biased by the biasing member toward the dispensing opening so that the platform forces the stack of napkins toward the dispensing opening from a rear side of the stack. The biasing member may be located between the rear member and the platform and biases the platform toward the dispensing opening to ensure that the stack of napkins is always presented adjacent the dispensing opening irrespective of the degree of depletion of the stack. In an embodiment, the platform is provided by a further separate injection molded piece. The biasing member is, in one embodiment, provided by a spring, which may be made of metal. 
     In an embodiment, at least one of the side wall members is made up of an outer wall member and an inner wall member that define a sheet shaped cavity between them for the receipt of sheet material, wherein the outer wall member is transparent so that the sheet material disposed in the cavity can be viewed from outside of the dispenser through the outer wall member. The separately injection moulded constructions of the napkin dispenser provides a certain design freedom in terms of where to locate the transparent wall portion. In an embodiment, first and second opposed side wall members are opaque and at least one of third and fourth opposed side wall members are transparent, wherein the first, second, third and fourth side wall members are separately injection moulded pieces. 
     In an embodiment, at least one of the side wall members, and, for example, opposed side wall members, are made up of an inner wall member and an outer wall member that are separately injection molded pieces so as to define a cavity between them for receipt of sheet material, wherein the first and second wall members support the sheet material. The outer wall member is transparent so that the sheet material in the cavity can be viewed from the outside of the napkin dispenser through the outer wall member. In an embodiment, the inner and outer wall members are held together by the inner wall member including structure to engage on the outer side of the outer wall member or the outer wall member including structure to engage on the inner side of the inner wall member. In an embodiment, the structure is brought into engagement by bringing the inner and outer wall members into contacting yet offset relation and moving the inner and outer wall members along the plane of the wall members relative to one another into an aligned position. In an embodiment, the movement is in a front to rear direction. In an embodiment, the inner or outer walls include resilient fingers with projections thereon for receipt in recesses on the other of the inner or outer wall members for locking the aligned position to prevent the reverse movement to the offset to aligned motion. This structure provides a convenient to manufacture way of creating an advertising material cavity. 
     In one embodiment, the front member is provided by a drawer that is slideable within the open ended box between the open position and the closed position, the drawer defining a tray for receipt of the stack of napkins. The side wall members of the open ended box and the drawer define cooperating guide rails and guide channels for facilitating opening and closing of the drawer. This arrangement provides for a relatively large capacity napkin dispenser. In an embodiment, first and second opposed side wall members each include first and second drawer guide channels or guide rails that are symmetrically disposed on the side wall member with respect to an axis extending between the first and second channels or rails, wherein the axis is centrally disposed with respect to the side wall member. The counterpart guide channels or guide rails of the drawer are engaged with two corresponding guide rails or guide channels respectively provided on opposed side wall members. The other two guide rails or guide channels of the opposed side wall members are free of such engagement. In this way, the side wall member pieces may be clipped into either side of the opposed sides of the dispenser and there will always be a counterpart guide rail or guide channel for the drawer to engage with. Contrast this with a configuration wherein there is just one non-centrally disposed guide rail or guide channel and if the side wall members were formed of separate pieces, there exists the possibility of the opposed guide rails or guide channels not corresponding with one another. In an embodiment, the opposed side wall members each include a pair of guide rails or channels and the drawer includes first and second opposed counterpart channels or rails on opposite sides of the drawers such that the drawer can be mounted to the open ended box in a first configuration to one of the pair of guide rails or channels of the side wall members and in a second upside down configuration to the other of the pair. That is, the opposed side wall members each including the first and second guide rails or channels are interchangeable without misaligning opposed guide rails or channels. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the front member is provided by a lid member that is pivotably mounted to the open ended box for rotation between the open and closed positions. The lid member can thus be opened for refilling by rotating around the pivot. In an embodiment, the side wall members include first and second opposed side wall members each having first and second pivot members that are symmetrically disposed with respect to an axis passing between the first and second pivot members, wherein the axis is a central axis of the sidewall member, and the lid member is pivotably mounted to two corresponding pivot members respectively on opposed side wall members. In this way, there is no possibility of using the wrong piece and the pivot members on opposite side wall member pieces being non-corresponding. That is, the opposed side wall members each including the first and second pivots are interchangeable without misaligning opposed pivot pairs. The other two pivot members on the opposed side wall members are free of the lid member being pivotably mounted to them. 
     In an embodiment, the rear wall member defines a flat base part and opposed curved side parts connecting with opposed side walls to give a rounded outer profile to the napkin dispenser. In an embodiment, the flat base part extends to the edge of the rear side wall part at the other two opposed sides. In an embodiment, integrally molded tabs extend from the edge of the flat base part at the two opposed sides that respectively include engagement projections that are snap fit into engagement recesses of opposed side wall members. 
     In an embodiment, the opposed curved side parts include integrally injection molded engagement projections that snap fit into engagement recesses in the corresponding side wall members. The use of a curved side part for including a projection tab allows an aesthetically pleasing product to be produced in a way that is adapted for injection moulding since the undercut required is able to be performed with such a structure. 
     In an embodiment, the rear wall member includes upstanding side walls extending along opposed side wall members and are respectively located on the same side of the rear side wall member as the opposed curved side parts of the rear side wall member. Such an upstanding side wall could cover the engagement projections in a front to rear direction or in a direction normal to the flat part of the rear wall member, which would hinder the production of the necessary undercuts to make the engagement projections. In one embodiment, the upstanding side walls are each formed with cut outs to reveal the engagement projection on the curved side parts as viewed in a direction along flat part of the rear wall member. In an embodiment, the cut outs extend to the front edge of the upstanding side walls. In an embodiment, the cut outs reduce in length in a direction along the upstanding side wall from a front end to a rear end of the upstanding side wall. 
     In an embodiment, the upstanding side walls cooperate with the adjacent side wall member to define a sheet material receiving cavity. This double wall structure allows paper material, advertising material and the like to be inserted into the cavity. In such an embodiment, the side wall member is at least partly, and, in some embodiments, majorly or entirely, transparent so that the sheet material can be viewed through the side wall member from outside the napkin dispenser. The above described cut outs in the upstanding side walls not only allow the engagement projections to be injection molded, but also offer convenient access to remove the sheet material. Further, since the cut outs may extend from the front edge to adjacent the rear edge of the upstanding side walls, different size sheet material may be conveniently removed from the cavity as compared to if just a small size thumb cut out is provided. 
     In a second aspect, there is provided a tabletop napkin dispenser including a rear wall member, a front member including a dispensing opening and side wall members extending between the rear wall member and the front member that define an interior space for the receipt of a stack of napkins, wherein at least one of the side wall members includes an inner side wall member and an outer side wall member that define a sheet material receiving cavity therebetween and which respectively support an inner surface and an outer surface of the sheet material, wherein the outer side wall member is at least partly see-through so that the sheet material in the cavity can be viewed from outside the napkin dispenser, wherein the inner side wall member is formed with an opening that extends a major amount of the distance from a front edge to a rear edge of the inner side wall member. 
     In this way, different height sheet materials, e.g. paper or thin (less than 3 mm thick) cardboard sheets or printed sheets or advertising sheets, can be inserted in the sheet cavity and be easily retrieved. A thumb sized opening provides a small tolerance for sheet material height before the sheet material becomes lost in the cavity as it is entirely covered by the inner and outer side wall members. 
     In an embodiment, the opening is centrally disposed with respect to a direction extending along the side wall member and perpendicular to the rear to front direction. This provides immediate and intuitive access to the sheet material. 
     If a just fitting rectangle is drawn around the inner side wall member, the opening area forms at least 50% of the inner side wall member. This again enhances flexibility in template design for the sheet material that can also be easily received from the sheet cavity. 
     In an embodiment, the opening decreases in size from a front end to a rear end of the inner side wall member in a direction extending along the inner side wall member that is perpendicular to the rear to front direction so that a rear end of the inner side wall member is of increased size as compared to the front end. This provides an inner side wall member of increased stability. This is particularly required in a configuration where the rear end of the inner wall member is attached to the rear wall member and the remainder of the inner wall member extends freely in an upstanding, cantilevered way from a general body of the rear wall member. 
     In an embodiment, the inner side wall member is integrally injection molded with a rear wall member piece and the outer side wall member is a separately injection molded piece. The outer side wall member clips to the rear wall member by way of a projection formed on the rear side wall member engaging with a recess formed in the outer wall member. The projection is revealed by the opening in the inner side wall member when viewed in a direction extending along a flat base of the rear wall member. That is, rear wall member includes a portion extending above the bottom of the opening in the rear to front direction on the outside of the inner wall member that includes the projection that clips into the recess in the outer wall member. The projection is formed on an inside surface of said portion of the rear wall member. The opening thus provides space for forming the projection during the injection molding process. 
     In an embodiment, the dispenser includes a platform that is reciprocal in the front to rear direction and which is for seating the stack of napkins on, and further includes a biasing member for biasing the platform toward the dispensing opening to present the stack of napkins at the dispensing opening by moving the platform under the biasing force toward the dispensing opening as the stack depletes. 
     In an embodiment, the opening splits the inner side wall member into first and second distinct parts. In an embodiment, the first part and second part respectively include a guide rib or channel that extends in the rear to front direction and cooperates with a guide channel or rib of the platform to guide reciprocal movement of the platform from a rear of the dispenser to a front of the dispenser. 
     In an embodiment, the inner wall member includes side extensions so that the cavity is closed at the sides as well as at the rear end, whereas it is open at the front end for receipt of the sheet material. 
     In an embodiment, there is provided a plurality of projections extending from the inner wall member toward the outer wall member at a rear end of the inner wall member that define flat surfaces with respect to a flat outer surface of a rear wall member that extends parallel to a flat tabletop surface, wherein the flat surfaces provide a seat upon which a rear end of the sheet material rests in the cavity. In an embodiment, the plurality of projections are part of reinforcing ribs extending in a rear to front direction for reinforcing the inner sidewall member as it freely projects from the rear wall member. The embodiments mentioned in this paragraph are independently applicable from the opening feature of the second aspect. They are advantageous as they provide a simple way of reinforcing the inner wall member and providing a seat for the sheet material in terms of manufacturing the dispenser. 
     In an embodiment, the front member is provided by a lid member that is pivotably connected to the side wall members so as to be rotatable from an open position in which the interior space is accessible for refilling the napkins and a closed position in which the interior space is closed and the napkins are to be withdrawn through the dispensing opening defined by the lid member. 
     In an embodiment, an opposed side wall member to said at least one side wall member defines such a sheet material cavity and such an opening therein. In this way, opposed side wall members are able to accommodate advertising material or the like in the cavity so that the material can be viewed through outer wall member from both sides. Further, the advertising material can be of variable heights due to the advantageous configuration of the opening described above. 
     In an embodiment, the inner side wall member is made of an opaque material. In an embodiment, the inner side wall member extends normally from a flat interior facing surface of the wall member of the dispenser and is integrally injection moulded therewith. The injection moulding material is opaque. 
     In a third aspect, there is provided a tabletop napkin dispenser including a lid member and an open ended housing defining an interior space for housing a stack of napkins, wherein the lid member includes a dispensing opening, and wherein the lid member is moveable from an open position for providing access to refill napkins in the interior space and a closed position to close the open end of the housing, wherein the lid member or the housing includes at least one tab or resilient arm extending away from the lid member or the housing towards the other of the lid member or the housing and the other of lid member or the housing includes a through opening into which a projection of the tab or resilient arm resiliently snaps to hold the lid member in the closed position, wherein the projection can be pushed on from outside of the napkin dispenser and moved through the opening to resiliently deflect the tab interiorly to disengage the projection and the opening to allow the lid member to be opened. 
     According to this aspect, the mechanism for unlocking the lid member is more intuitive and can involve less force than a mechanism described above with respect to the prior art in which a whole side wall has to be deflected, once the user knows the knack of operating the unlocking mechanism. 
     In an embodiment, the tab member is attached at one end to the lid member or the housing and projects freely therefrom and includes an arm portion in the direction of projection and a projection portion defining the projection for engaging the recess at the distal end of the arm portion. This structure offers an easy to deflect configuration. 
     In an embodiment, the napkin dispenser includes a platform upon which the stack is to seat that is reciprocal within the housing from a retracted position relative to the dispensing opening to an adjacent most position relative to the dispensing opening in a rear to front direction. In an embodiment, the napkin dispenser includes a biasing means, such as a spring, for biasing the platform from the retracted position to the adjacent most position. 
     In an embodiment, the platform is arranged so that the tab deflects to disengage the projection from the opening in a way that is clear of the platform in the adjacent most position. This feature serves to ease unlocking of the lid member as compared to the prior art arrangement whereby the deflection portion is obstructed by the platform. 
     In one embodiment, the tab depends from the lid member and the opening is provided in the housing. In one embodiment, the through opening is located in the housing above the plane of the platform in the rear to front direction when the platform is in the adjacent most position. 
     In one embodiment, the lid member is pivotably connected to the open ended housing and is rotatable about the pivot between the closed and open positions. In an embodiment, the tab or opposed such tabs are provided on the side of the lid member or housing at a central location perpendicular to the pivot axis. In an embodiment, there is first and second such tabs and through openings that are positioned on the housing or the lid member at opposite ends of a line extending from one side of the dispenser to the other in parallel with the pivot axis. 
     Alternatively put, in one embodiment, the housing includes a rear face and four side faces, two larger than the other two to define an open ended oblong. In an embodiment, tabs or openings are provided on opposing smaller side faces. In one embodiment, the lid member is pivotally connected at each end to the opposing smaller faces. The pivotal connection is located at a corner portion of the smaller faces, while the through openings or tabs are located at a central region of the smaller faces. 
     In one embodiment, the housing includes opposed sidewalls each defining a channel defined between first and second ribs extending in the rear to front direction. Opposed sides of the platform each include first and second projecting tabs that are guided by the ribs on the outside of the channel. This arrangement provides for stable guiding of the platform. The tabs are part of an outer perimeter shape of the platform. In an embodiment, the first and second tabs include protrusions that extend toward the guide ribs so as to reduce the contact area with the guide ribs to improve the feel of the movement of the platform. 
     Put another way, the platform includes first and second notches extending through the thickness of the platform at each of opposed sides thereof for receiving first and second guide ribs of corresponding opposed side wall members, thereby guiding the movement of the platform. The first and second guide ribs extend from a rear end of the housing to a front end portion and define a channel between them. The platform may include opposed projecting portions received in the opposed channels of the side wall members for guiding movement of the platform from a retracted position to an extended position relatively adjacent the dispensing opening. 
     In an embodiment, at least one of the channels are closed at a forward end by a cross bar extending between the first and second guide ribs and the platform includes at least one limiter tab (or the projecting portion) that is disposed inside the channel and which contacts the cross bar to limit the platform from moving any further in the rear to forward direction, thereby defining the adjacent most position of the platform. This way of limiting the movement of the platform is relatively easy to manufacture and provides a nicely integrated way of achieving the guide and limit functions for the movement of the platform. It is thus an independently applicable feature with respect to the tab and opening locking mechanism for the lid member. 
     In an embodiment, the limiter tab is located at a rear side of the thickness of the platform so that the top of the platform extends above the cross bar in the rear to forward direction. In this way, sufficient space is provided in the rear to forward direction from the top of the guide rails in the side of the housing for accommodation of the opening or tab, while the platform is still positioned as close as possible to the dispensing opening. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one tab is positioned in line with the guide channel in the forward to rear direction. 
     In an embodiment, the crossbar includes an obstruction or stop member upstanding in the rear to forward direction that limits the degree of deflection of the tab provided with the lid member as the projection of the tab is moved out of the opening provided with the housing. This obstruction member prevents over deflection of the tab beyond its plastic deformation point. Further, the platform limiting and guiding functions and the tab protecting function are provided through a nicely integrated functional complex. 
     In an embodiment, the housing includes a stop member for limiting inward deflection of the tab or resilient arm to a stop position. In an embodiment, the stop position is located outwardly of an inward projecting extent of stack guiding ribs disposed adjacent the stop member so that the tab does not deflect so far inwardly as to scrunch, crush or otherwise contact the stack of napkins. Also, the stop member prevents over straining of the tab or resilient arm. In an embodiment, the stop member is positioned on a sidewall member of the housing. The stop member is positioned at a border of the opening. In an embodiment, the stop member projects so as to overlap with the opening. In an embodiment, the stop member is integrally moulded or clipped to a side wall member that it is associated with. 
     In an embodiment, the tab member is attached at one end to the lid member or the housing and projects freely therefrom and includes an arm portion in the direction of projection and a projection portion defining the projection for engaging the recess at the distal end of the arm portion, wherein the stop member is positioned to contact and obstruct movement of a distal end portion of the arm portion. In an embodiment, the stop member has an attached end and a free end, wherein the free end projects to overlap a path of inward deflection of the tab member. In an embodiment, the attached end of the stop member is located at a border of the through opening. 
     In one embodiment, a plurality of such tab and through openings is provided. 
     In a fourth aspect, there is provided a tabletop napkin dispenser including a rear wall member and side wall members defining an open ended housing providing an interior space for housing a stack of napkins, and a front member including a dispensing opening that is moveable between a closed position for closing the open end of the housing and an open position providing access to refill napkins in the interior space, wherein at least one, or in some embodiments, a plurality of the side wall members, include a plurality of interiorly protruding ribs that extend in a rear to front direction so that the ribs are presented to the interior space to guide the stack of napkins. 
     Such ribs have been found to maintain stack integrity and allow the dispenser to be oriented for horizontal or vertical dispensing. 
     In an embodiment, the ribs protrude by an amount of 5 mm or more, 6 mm or more or 7 mm or more. This size of ribs keeps the stack away from the remainder of the surface of the side wall to guide the stack to the dispensing opening in a vertical and a horizontal dispensing orientation of the dispenser. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one, or plurality of, side wall members each include 3 or more of such ribs or 4 or more of such ribs. In an embodiment, the ribs are distributed evenly or about evenly across the side wall member. An even distribution of the ribs helps to ensure that the stack contacting and pushing function is achieved across the full extent of the side wall member in a direction along the plane of the side wall member that is perpendicular to the direction of extension of the ribs. 
     In an embodiment, the ribs for a given side wall member are connected by reinforcement ribs that project interiorly from the side wall member but are set back relative to the extent of protrusion of the ribs. This helps achieve a reinforcement function, while minimising any stack contact by the cross members. Stack contact by the reinforcement ribs tends to disturb stack integrity, particularly when the dispenser is oriented for vertical dispensing. In an embodiment, the reinforcement ribs are at least 1 mm, 2 mm, or 3 mm less interiorly projecting than the guide ribs. The reinforcement ribs may be cross-wise members with respect to the guide ribs, such as diagonally extending relative to the rear to front direction. In an embodiment, the guide ribs are aligned with or are parallel with a central rear to front axis of the dispenser. 
     In an embodiment, the reinforcement ribs extend across a major extent (such as at least 80%, 90% or even entirely) of the sidewall member and the guide ribs extend along a major extent (such as at least 80%, 90% or even entirely) of the sidewall member. In an embodiment, the side wall member is an injection moulded piece and the reinforcement and guide ribs are integrally injection moulded therewith. In an embodiment, the reinforcement ribs are provided in a criss-cross pattern. 
     In an embodiment, the front member is provided by a drawer that is slideable relative to the open ended housing between the closed and open positions. In an embodiment, the movement of the drawer is guided by cooperating rails and channels disposed on opposed sides of the drawer. A rail or channel counterpart is provided on an inside surface of opposed first and second side wall members. Third and/or fourth opposed side wall members of the housing each include said ribs. The first, second, third and fourth side wall members respectively make up the four sides of a generally oblong shaped open ended housing. 
     In an embodiment, the drawer and the channel and rail structures are such that the drawer is slideable between the open and closed position in a first orientation and also in an upside down orientation. In such an embodiment, the third and the fourth side wall members include the ribs so that the ribs are in contact with the stack of dispensers in both orientations and a tray of the drawer upon which the stack is disposed rides along the ribs on the opposed side wall member. 
     In an embodiment, the drawer is open at a surface opposite to a tray member of the drawer so that the stack held on the tray member is able to come into contact with the ribs on the corresponding side wall member positioned against the open surface of the drawer, to thereby guide the stack. 
     In an embodiment, the ribs at one or both of the opposite ends are tapered to merge with the remainder of the surface of the side wall member. This feature ensures that the ribs do not offer any harsh, potentially snagging surfaces. 
     In a fifth aspect, there is provided a lid member for a chute of a napkin dispenser that is designed for movement between open and closed positions relative to the chute, wherein the lid member includes a dispensing opening through which napkins are withdrawn from the chute and at least one transparent window through which napkins in the chute are viewable to allow a napkin stack low condition to be observed from outside of the napkin dispenser through the window. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one transparent window includes a transparent window disposed on one or both sides of the dispensing opening. The at least one transparent window may be disposed on a side of the dispensing opening in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the dispensing opening with respect to the dispensing opening being elongate. The lid member may be curved and the at least one window disposed on the curve, so that with a front surface of a stack of napkins pressed against a rear surface of the lid member and the dispensing opening, the at least one transparent window reveals an end portion of the stack in the stacking direction of the napkins. That is, the transparent window is rearwardly disposed as a result of the lid member curvature relative to the dispensing opening. 
     In an embodiment, a body of the lid member is opaque so that the lid member is partly transparent and partly opaque when viewed from the outside. In an embodiment, the body provides an opaque frame about the dispensing opening. In an embodiment, the body and the window are separate pieces attached together, for example, separately injection moulded pieces. In an embodiment, the body and the window pieces include peripheral interfaces surfaces that overlap with one another that are provided with an adhesive layer to attach the pieces together. 
     In an embodiment, the lid member includes curved outer portions relative to an inwardly disposed central portion so that the dispensing opening is at an apex of the lid member relative to the outer portions, wherein at least one of the outer portions are transparent to provide the at least one window. This feature allows a thickness direction of the stack to be observed through the window to enable better determination of the product low condition. In an embodiment, the curvature is such that at least 1 cm, 2 cm or 3 cm or more of a stack having a front sheet disposed against the dispensing opening can be viewed through the window when viewed along a plane extending perpendicularly along a central axis passing through a rear to front direction of the stack. 
     In an embodiment, a lip piece is also provided, which is attached to the body piece to provide a lip for the dispensing opening. In an embodiment, the lip piece and the body piece are integral with each other and the body piece is separate. In an embodiment, the lip piece is transparent. In an embodiment, the opaque body piece and the transparent window and lip piece(s) are positioned so that the lip area and the window are isolated from one another by an opaque area. 
     In an embodiment, there is provided a tabletop napkin dispenser including an open ended chute defining an interior area for receipt of a stack of napkins, and a lid member as defined above that is moveable between a closed position relative to the chute and an open position relative to the chute. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       These and other aspects will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  shows an exploded view of the drawer of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of the drawer of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  shows an exploded view of the front member of the drawer of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4B  shows a perspective view of the front member of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  shows an exploded view of one of the larger area sidewall members of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5B  shows a perspective view of the larger area sidewall member of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a dispenser according a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of the dispenser of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8A  shows an exploded view of the front or lid member of the drawer of  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 8B  shows a perspective view of the front or lid member of  FIG. 8A . 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a table top dispenser for dispensing napkins that has a removable drawer for increased napkin capacity. The drawer is released by pressing resilient tabs at either side of a dispensing opening. The table top dispenser is made up of four sidewall members and a rear member that clip together. The larger area sidewall members are made up of first and second sidewall plates, the outer of which is see-through so that advertising material disposed in the space between the inner and outer sidewall plates can be seen. The tabletop napkin dispenser includes a platform that is biased by a spring to urge a stack of napkins held in the drawer of the dispenser toward the dispensing opening and away from the base member. 
       FIG. 2  shows a napkin dispenser in which various components are shown before they have been assembled together. In particular, there is shown a drawer including a front member, first to fourth sidewall members, a base member, a platform and a spring for biasing the platform toward the dispenser opening. The first to fourth sidewall members and the base member clip together to define an open ended box (or chute) for receiving the drawer therein in a slideable manner that is movable between open and closed positions with respect to the open ended box. The spring or biasing member is attached at one end to a front facing surface of the base member and at the other end to a rear facing surface of the platform. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  show the drawer in detail. The drawer includes a tray member for receiving a stack of napkins and a front member that attaches to the tray member for defining the dispensing opening. The tray member includes resilient tabs that engage with corresponding openings in the sidewall members when the drawer member is in the closed position and which can be depressed in order to release the drawer member from the open ended box to allow it to be retracted to a position for refilling. Walls of the tray member have mounted thereon respective stop, members for preventing over inward depression of the resilient tabs. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  disclose a front member of the napkin dispenser in detail. The front member is made of two parts that clip together. A first part provides an opaque frame for the dispensing opening and the portions mounting to the drawer member, while a second part is transparent and defines lips of the dispensing opening as well as filling in side portions of the first part to provide an aesthetically pleasing transparent and opaque mix. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a sidewall member of the napkin dispenser in detail. The napkin dispenser includes first, second, third and fourth sidewall members, two opposed of which define corresponding relatively small areas, and two opposed of which define relatively large areas.  FIG. 5A  shows the larger area sidewall members in detail. The larger area sidewall member is made up of first and second plates that clip together to define an advertising material receiving space between them. The outer of the plates is transparent, while the inner of the plates is opaque so that the advertising material can be viewed through the transparent plate. Also shown is that the outer plates include four depressions at each corner for receiving respective feet members to stand the napkin dispenser on and for providing a soft interface with the tabletop. 
       FIG. 6  discloses another embodiment of a tabletop napkin dispenser of a kind in which a rear to front dimension or a stack height capacity dimension is smaller than a length and/or width dimension of the dispenser, which can be compared with the napkin dispenser of  FIGS. 1 to 5B  wherein the rear to front dimension is greater than a length and width dimension of the napkin dispenser. The napkin dispenser of  FIG. 6  is designed to be stood on a rear wall member so that a front wall member and its associated dispensing opening faces upwardly, to define a vertically dispensing dispenser. The napkin dispenser of  FIG. 6  further includes four sidewall members connecting the rear wall member and the front wall member, wherein two opposed of the sidewall members are of a larger area than the other two opposed side wall members, so that the napkin defines a generally oblong shape. The front wall member is locked in a closed position with respect to a chute defined by the four sidewall members and a rear wall member and can be released to pivotally open with respect to the chute in order to allow refilling of a napkin reservoir defined by the interior space defined within the four sidewall members and the rear wall member. A platform is disposed within the interior space that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position and is biased by a biasing member to the extended position with respect to the dispensing opening so that the stack of napkins is always disposed adjacent the dispensing opening irrespective of the depletion state of the stack of napkins. 
       FIG. 7  provides an exploded view of various parts of the napkin dispenser of  FIG. 6 . This figure shows four sidewall members, the rear wall member and the front wall member as separately injection molded pieces, and the platform. A sheet-sized cavity is disposed between the larger of the sidewall members, which are transparent, and upstanding inner wall members extending normally to a general body of the rear wall member. A stack receiving interior space is defined within inner surfaces of the upstanding inner wall members of the rear wall member and inner surfaces of the inner sidewall members. The platform is received and guided within this space between the retracted and extended positions. Also shown in  FIG. 7  are rectangular cards for disposition in the cavity defined in the space between the larger sidewall members and the inner upstanding sidewall members of the rear wall member. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  disclose a two-piece construction for the front or lid member of the tabletop napkin dispenser. An opaque piece includes pivot arms having respective openings therein for receiving pivot protrusions of the smaller sidewall members, to define a pivot axis about which the lid member will rotate between open and closed positions. The opaque piece also includes depending resilient fingers including tab-like protrusions for engagement in respective openings in the smaller sidewall members to allow the lid member to be locked in the closed position when the tab-like projections engage with the openings and to allow the lid member to be released from the locked position for pivoting to the open position when the tab-like projections are depressed by a user from the outside to deflect the resilient arms inwardly to disengage the tab-like projections from the openings. A transparent piece of the lid member defines a lip of the opening of the dispensing opening and also transparent outer portions disposed on either side of the dispensing opening and which extend from one end of the lid member to the other to provide transparent windows for viewing a depletion state of the napkins within the napkin dispenser. 
     A perspective view of a table top napkin dispenser according to a first embodiment is shown in  FIG. 1 . The tabletop napkin dispenser  1  is made up of separately injection molded pieces that are able to be clipped or snap-fit together in order to form the tabletop napkin dispenser  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . Some of these pieces can be seen in  FIG. 2 , where there is shown a pre-assembly view of the table top napkin dispenser  1 . The tabletop napkin dispenser  1  includes a base member  2 , first, second, third and fourth sidewall members  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , a front member  7  and a tray member  8 . 
     The base member  2  and the first, second, third and fourth sidewall members  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  are clipped together in order to form an open ended oblong shaped box or chute  10  for housing a stack of napkins. The tabletop napkin dispenser  1  includes a drawer including a tray member  8  and a front member  7  that defines a dispensing opening  11  that are clipped together. The drawer  9  is movable between a rearward most position in which an open end of the cute  10  is closed by the front member  7  of the drawer  9  and a position in which the drawer  9  is dislocated from the chute  10  for ease of refilling the drawer  9  with napkins. 
     The dispenser  1  further includes an elongate spring  15  that is connected to a front facing surface of the rear member  2  at one end and is connected to a rear facing surface of the platform  14  at its other end. The platform  14  serves to contact a rear facing surface of a stack of napkins disposed in the drawer  9 . The spring  15  is in a more compressed configuration when the drawer  9  is full with napkins and in an extended configuration when the drawer  9  becomes depleted so that the platform  14  biases the stack of napkins to a position adjacent the dispensing opening  11  irrespective of the state of depletion of the stack of napkins. 
     The first, second, third and fourth sidewall members  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  extend between the rear member  2  and an open end of the chute  10 . The first, second, third and fourth sidewall members  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  include first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  that have the same length as the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  in the rear to front direction, yet have a smaller width in a perpendicular direction to define smaller area rectangular shapes for the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  than the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6 . 
     The rear member  2  provides a closed rear face to the open ended chute  10  having an open front end. The rear member  2  includes first and second tab-like projections  16 ,  17  that project from an outer periphery of the rear member  2  to engage in corresponding recesses  18  in a rear end of the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4 . The first and second tab-like projections  16 ,  17  project in a sideways direction. By resiliently deflecting the first and second tab-like projections  16 ,  17  in a rear to forward direction, the corresponding openings  18  on the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  are securely engaged to thereby mount the rear member  2  and the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  together. 
     The rear member  2  further includes brackets  19  that overlap with a periphery of a rear end of the spring  15  in a rear to front direction in order to connect the spring  15  to the rear member  2 . These brackets  19  are provided on a front facing surface of the rear member  2 . The platform  14  includes depending members  20  that overlap with a periphery of the spring at the other end in a front to rear direction in order to connect the other end of the spring  15  to the underside of the platform  14 . 
     The larger area third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  include resilient tab-like members  21  that project sideways from an outer periphery of the sidewall members  5 ,  6  in order to mount the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  to the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4 . More specifically, the projecting tab-like members  21  resiliently deflect in order to pass into corresponding openings in the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  and resiliently reform into the initial position in order to engage them. As can particularly be seen in  FIG. 5B , a rear end of the sidewall members  5 ,  6  include at least one (in the shown embodiment two) snap-fit projections  22  for clipping into counterpart structure in the rear wall member  2 . Continuing to refer to  FIG. 5B , it can be seen that the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  include the tab-like projections  21  on both sides thereof so that the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  are symmetrical about a central axis extending in a front to rear direction. The symmetrical constructions of the sidewall members  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  allows the first and second sidewall members  3 , 4  to be interchanged in position with one another with respect to the rear member  2  and likewise the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  are interchangeable, yet the tab-like projections  21 , the snap-fit projections  22  and the projecting tabs  16 ,  17  are still aligned with counterpart openings despite the interchange. In this way, manufacture is simplified for a clip together napkin dispenser as the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  and the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  do not have to be discriminated from one another. The third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  include a larger number (four in the shown in embodiment) of outwardly extending projections  21  for securing them to the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  than the rear member  2  (which includes two outwardly extending projecting tabs  16 ,  17 ) for engaging the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4 . 
     The chute  10  is thus formed by clipping together the rear member  2  and the first to fourth side wall members  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  through protrusions engaging in recesses (which term includes slots), to thereby define a generally oblong shaped chute  10  having one open end. 
     The third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  include, on an interior side thereof, a plurality (in the shown embodiment four) of ribs  23  extending longitudinally from a rear end to a front end of the respective sidewall member  5 ,  6 . These ribs protrude by a distance so as to support a tray defining wall of the tray member  8  of the drawer  9  in a low friction manner with respect to the fourth sidewall member  6  and to be able to project into a side face of the stack of napkins held in the drawer  9  to guide the stack of napkins. In one example structure, the ribs  23  project by a distance of about 7 mm. Also shown, but not identified by a reference numeral, are crossbars connecting the guide ribs  23  and diagonally oriented to structurally reinforce the ribs  23 . 
     The first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  include structure to guide retraction and extension of the drawer  9 . In particular, the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  include channels  24  in an interior facing surface for receiving opposed rails of the drawer  9 . The channels  24  extend from a rear end to a front end of the sidewall members  3 ,  4 . The channels  24  are, in the shown embodiment, defined between first and second ribs  26 ,  27  that extend in a front to rear direction and are spaced apart in a direction perpendicular thereto to provide a space or channel between them for receiving the guide rails  25 . 
     The first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  are symmetrically formed with respect to a rear to front central axis passing through the chute  10  so that the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  include an upper and a lower drawer guiding channel  24 . This enables the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  to be interchanged with one another for ease of the manufacturing process and also allows the drawer member  9  to be mounted in the orientation shown in  FIG. 1  and also in an upside down orientation with respect to the chute  10 . In fact, the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  are symmetrically formed with respect to the central axis so that they may also be interchanged with one another. In this way, one injection mold can be used for forming both the first and the second sidewall members  3 ,  4  and one injection mold can also be used for forming both the third and the fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6 . 
     Turning back to the drawer guiding channels  24  in the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4 , the more centrally disposed drawer guiding rib  27  is a continuous (or at least more continuous) one, while the other guide rib  26  is discontinuous, formed into a plurality of rib portions spaced in the front to rear direction to provide a low friction interaction with the rails  25  for the rib  26  upon which the weight of the drawer  9  will rest. The discrete rib portions of the drawer guiding rib  26  are co-located with recesses for receiving tab-like projection  21  of the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6 , which provides clearance for moulding the corresponding recesses or slots in the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the drawer  9 , specifically the tray member  8 , includes opposed guide rails  25  that project from an outside of the tray member  8 . The guide rails  25  are provided to be accommodated in the opposed guide channels  24  of the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  in order to guide movement of the drawer  9  from a retracted to an extended position with respect to the chute  10 . The guide rails  25  are defined by a pair of spaced ribs  29 ,  30  that extend longitudinally from a rear end to a front end of the drawer  9 . These ribs  29 ,  30  define a relatively deep rail for insertion in the channel  24 , while also reducing frictional contact with the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4  as compared to a solidly defined rail  25 . The first and second guide ribs  29 ,  30  are, in the shown embodiment, connected at the rear end and the front end to define a continuous loop. The upper guide rib  30  of the guide rail  25  is shaped with a concave depression to allow the drawer to be inserted in an upwardly angled state relative to a central axis passing in a rear to front direction of the chute  10  and, once partly inserted, lowered so that the drawer  9  moves along the axis to the retracted position. 
     The tray member  8  comprises a base wall  31  and first and second upstanding sidewalls  32  as well as rear corner pieces  33 . The stack of napkins is stored in the drawer  9  in an interior space defined by the base wall  31 , the upstanding sidewalls  32  and the rear corner pieces  33 . The rear corner pieces  33  frame an opening in the rear of the drawer member  8  through which the platform  14  passes as the drawer member  8  is mounted in the chute  10 . With the drawer member  8  in the retracted position so that the chute  10  is closed by the front member  7 , the platform  14  and spring  15  partially project through the opening framed by the rear corner pieces  33  to contact a rear face of the stack in the drawer  9 . Part of the platform  14  and spring  15  will be disposed rearwardly of the rear opening in the drawer  9  in a space in the rear to front direction defined between the corner pieces  33  and the rear member  2 . 
     A front facing surface of the corner pieces  33  provides a surface against which a rear face of the stack of napkins seats when the drawer member  9  is filled with napkins. At least the base wall  31  and the upstanding sidewalls  32  of the tray member  8  are integrally injection molded. The rear wall pieces  33  can be separately injection molded and clipped in place to the sidewalls  32  or can be integrally injection molded with the rest of the tray member  8 . 
     The front of the drawer  9  is provided by a front member  7  that includes the dispensing opening  11 . Sidewalls  32  of the tray member  8  include slits  34  extending therethrough and in communication with a front thereof. The front member  7  includes corresponding ribs to provide a mechanical fit between the front member  7  and the tray member  8 . In an embodiment, adhesive is also applied between the ribs and the slits  34  to ensure that the front member  7  is securely held to the tray member  8  of the drawer  9 . Other attachment mechanisms are possible, including a snap-fit variation. The combination of mechanical fit and adhesive is used for the attachment between the front member  7  and the tray member  8  in one embodiment since this is a heavily handled part of the tabletop napkin dispenser  1  during use. 
     The drawer  9  includes first and second tabs  12  disposed at a front end portion of the sidewalls  32  that can be deflected into the interior space defined by the tray member  8  to disengage projection tabs  36  from corresponding openings  13  in the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4 , thereby releasing the drawer  9  from a locked and retracted position for movement into a more extended or removed position relative to the chute  10 . The first and second tabs  12  include resilient fingers  35  and projecting tabs  36  disposed at a distal end of the resilient fingers  35 . The tab projections  36  are clip-on members with respect to the resilient fingers  35  in order to allow the base wall  31  and the sidewalls  32  and the resilient fingers  35  to be integrally injection molded to form the tray member  8 . The guide rail  25  is also an integrally injection molded component of the tray member  8 . 
     The tray member  8  includes stop members  37  to prevent the resilient fingers  35  from extending too far inwardly in order to prevent the resilient fingers  35  from damaging the stack of napkins and also to prevent overstraining of the resilient fingers  35 . The stop members  37  are provided by way of an obstructing surface in the path of the inward deflection of the resilient fingers  35 . In the shown embodiment, the stop members  37  are mounted to the sidewalls  32  of the tray member  8  at a distal end of the resilient fingers  35  and which include a projection disposed in the path of an inward deflection of the resilient fingers  35 . The stop members  37  are formed in a ramped manner in that they taper to merge into the sidewalls  32  in a rearward direction and project further beyond the sidewalls  32  in a forward direction to guide the napkins toward the dispensing opening  11 . The stop members  37  are separately formed from the tray member  8  and snap-fit to the sidewalls  32 , which again allows the tray member  8  to be injection molded, while still allowing functional components such as the stop members  37  to be provided in a low complexity manufacturing manner. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the front member  7  includes a transparent part  38  and an opaque part  39 . These parts  38 ,  39  are attached together to provide a partially opaque and partially transparent front member  7 . The transparent and opaque parts  38 ,  39  may, in one embodiment, be adhesively attached to one another. The transparent part  38  forms a lip  40  around a frame to the dispensing opening  11  formed by the opaque part  39 . The transparent part  38  further fills-in cutout portions  41  defined in the opaque part  39  to form half-moon shaped transparent regions on either side of the dispensing opening  11  in order to allow the stack of napkins to be viewed through the front member  7 . 
     In particular, the front member is curved in profile so that the front member  7  extends from the dispensing opening  11  and curves in a front to rear direction so that a front end thickness of the stack of napkins in the drawer  9  can be viewed. The transparent part  38  includes this curved profile so that the end portion of the front of the stack in a stack height direction of front to rear direction can be viewed therethrough. The dispensing opening  11  is generally slot shaped with an enlarged portion in a central region of the slot. Transparent windows  50  on either side of the dispensing opening  11  provided by the transparent part  38  are elongate and share a longitudinal axis that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the slot-like dispensing opening. Since the front end portion of the stack can be viewed through the front member  7 , it can be quickly and easily determined when the stack of napkins is in a depleted condition and also provides an intuitive feel to the dispensing operation. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  are each formed of inner and outer plates  42 ,  43  that can be clipped together in order to define advertising material receiving space between them. The advertising material receiving space is substantially planar so that it is only large enough to receive sheet like material such as paper or thin cardboard. In order to hold the inner and outer plates  42 ,  43  slightly apart to define the advertising material receiving space, the inner plate  42  includes an outwardly protruding bump  44 . This bump  44  holds open the advertising material receiving space, while also avoiding excessive feeding of the advertising material into the space. The inner and outer plates are separately injection molded parts, which allows the sidewall members  5 ,  6  and particularly the advertising material space defined by them to be formed in a low complexity manufacturing manner. The inner plate  42  includes a thumb sized cutout  45  so that advertising material held in the space between the inner and outer plates  42 ,  43  can be retrieved easily from an inside of the chute  10 . 
     The inner and outer plates  42 ,  43  clip together by way of L-shaped brackets  46  and resilient fingers  47  so that the inner and outer plates  42 ,  43  can be brought together and partially overlapped in a direction normal to the plates  42 ,  43  and then moved longitudinally in a front to rear direction so that the L-shaped brackets  46  engage against engagement surfaces on the inner plate  42 , whereat the resilient fingers  37  resiliently deflect into engagement with blocking surfaces on the outer plate  43  to prevent the outer plate  43  being moved in a rear to front direction to prevent the reverse operation to the just described mounting operation. The L-shaped brackets  46  are moved into engagement with further blocking surfaces on the inner plate  42  as a result of the relative movement between the inner and outer plates  42 ,  43  in the front to rear direction to block movement of the outer plate  43  relative to the inner plate  42  in a direction normal to the planes defined by the plates  42 ,  43 . In this way, the combination of the resilient fingers  47  and the L-shaped brackets  46  and the blocking surfaces of the first and second plates  42 ,  43  lock the inner and outer plates  42 ,  43  together in a forward to rear direction, a rear to forward direction and in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the plates  42 ,  43 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown feet  51  that can be mounted (e.g. adhesively attached) to corresponding depressions  49  in the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  and/or corresponding depressions  48  in the rear wall member  2 . The dispenser  1  has depressions in both the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  and in the rear wall member  2  so that the tabletop napkin dispenser  1  can be used in a horizontally dispensing orientation, in which case they will be provided in the depressions  49 , or in a vertically dispensing orientation, in which case the feet  51  will be provided in the depressions  48  of the rear wall member  2 . The feet  51  serve to lift the napkin dispenser  1  from the tabletop surface and are made of a material such as rubber that is softer than the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  at the outer surfaces or the rear wall member  2  at the outer surface to provide a soft and scratch free interaction with the tabletop surface. 
     A refilling operation for the napkin dispenser  1  and a dispensing operation for the napkin dispenser  1  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 . 
     In order to refill the napkin dispenser  1 , the projections  36  of the tabs  12  on either side of the dispensing opening  11  can be pressed inwardly to resiliently deflect the resilient fingers  35  to take the tab projections  36  out of engagement with the openings  13  in the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4 . In this way, the drawer  9  for housing a stack of napkins is released from a locked and closed position with respect to the chute  10  of the napkin dispenser  1 . Once unlocked, the drawer  9  can be retracted with respect to the chute  10  by pulling the front member  7  forward while holding the projections  36  of the tabs  12  in the inwardly deflected, released position. 
     The drawer  9  can be continued to be retracted until it is entirely removed from the confines of the chute  10  by sliding the guide rails  25  on either side of the drawer  9  along the guide channels  24  in the first and second sidewall members  3 ,  4 . Once removed, the drawer  9  can be filled with napkins by aligning a stack height of the napkins with a rear to front direction of the drawer  9  so that a rear face of the stack of napkins is positioned against the rear wall pieces  33  of the drawer  9  and so that a front face of the stack of napkins is aligned with the front member  7  of the drawer  9 . 
     In order to reinsert the drawer  9  into the open ended chute  10 , the rear of the drawer  9  is inserted into the open end of the chute  10  so that the guide rails  25  enter the guide channels  24 . In order to ease this mounting process, the guide rails  25  may include an angled portion at a rear end thereof in order to allow the drawer  9  to be angled with respect to a central axis passing in a front to rear direction of the chute  10 . Once the guide rails  25  have begun running in the guide channels  24 , the drawer  9  is brought into an aligned position with the central axis and moved to a rearward position so that the front member  7  seats flush against a front end of the chute  10  to close the open end of the chute  10 , whereat the projections  36  of the tabs  12  enter the openings  13  under resilient reformation of the resilient fingers  35  in order to lock the drawer member  9  in the retracted position. 
     In passing the drawer  9  through the open end of the chute  10 , the opening in the rear end of the drawer  9  defined by the pieces  33  being arranged in a frame shape around the opening allows the platform  14  to pass at least partly through the rear opening in the drawer  9  to engage against a rear face of the stack. As the drawer  9  is moved into the retracted position, and with the platform  14  pressed against a rear end of the stack, the platform  14  is moved to the rear end of the chute  10 , which causes the spring  15  to become compressed. As such, the stack of napkins is biased forwardly in the drawer  9  to a position adjacent the dispensing opening  11  when the drawer  9  is in the locked and retracted position. 
     If desired, a sheet of advertising material can be fed between the inner and outer plates  42 ,  43  of the third and/or fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6 . As desired, rubber feet can be mounted (e.g. stuck) in corresponding depressions  49  at the corners of outer surfaces of one of the third or fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  or in corresponding depressions  48  in the rear wall member  2  depending upon whether horizontal or vertical dispensing is to be implemented. 
     Napkins contained in the drawer  9  when the drawer  9  is in the locked and retracted position can be withdrawn through the dispensing opening  11  so that they come into contact with the transparent lip  40  as they are withdrawn. The lip forming piece  38  can be made of a different material such as one having a greater frictional interaction with the napkins, in order to ensure one at a time dispensing. As the stack depletes, there will come a point at which the platform or at least the rear extent of the stack of napkins can be viewed through the transparent windows  50  disposed on either side of the dispensing opening  11  at rearwardly curving parts of the front member  7  or where the rearward curve in combination with the transparent windows  50  allows an end portion, such as at least ten napkins, pressed against the front member  7  to be viewed. 
     As the stack of napkins depletes, the platform  14  moves under the force of the biasing spring  15  toward the front member  7  to ensure that a napkin is disposed at the dispensing opening  11  for as long as napkins remain in the stack stored in the drawer  9 . The stack of napkins will generally be interfolded so that as a front-most napkin is withdrawn through the dispensing opening  11  for use, the adjacent napkin in the stack is partly pulled through the dispensing opening  11  with it for grasping for the next use. 
     A further embodiment of a tabletop dispenser is shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  discloses a tabletop napkin dispenser  60 , which can be seen in exploded view in  FIG. 7 . 
     The tabletop napkin dispenser comprises a rear wall member  61 , first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  and third and fourth sidewall members  64 ,  65 . The rear wall member  61  and the first to fourth sidewall members  62 - 65  are separately injection molded pieces that are able to clip together in order to provide a chute  70  that is closed other than an open front end. A lid member  66  is pivotally attached to the chute  70  between an open position that gives access to the open front end of the chute  70  and a closed position that closes the front open end of the chute  70  so that napkins disposed within an interior spaced defined by the chute  70  are removed through the dispensing opening  69  of the lid member  66 . 
     The rear wall member  61  includes a flat inner surface  71  that will extend parallel to the plane of the tabletop when the dispenser stands on the rear wall member  61 . Side parts curve upwards to define a curved rim  72  to long sides of the rear wall member  61 . Further, upstanding inner side walls  73  extend normally to the flat surface  71  and define inner and outer surfaces that are parallel to the inner and outer surface of the inner and outer surfaces of the larger sidewall members  64 ,  65 . 
     First and second projecting tabs  74  extend from the edges of the smaller sides of the rear wall member  61 . The first and second projecting tabs  74  engage with recesses disposed in a bottom of the first and second smaller sidewall members  62 ,  63 , in order to secure the rear wall member  61  thereto. A projection  75  is also disposed on inner surface of the curved rims  72  between an outer surface of the upstanding sidewalls  72  and the long side edge of the rear wall member  61  at a location centrally disposed along the long side edge. These projections  75  engage with corresponding recesses  76  disposed at a rear end of the third and fourth sidewall members  64 ,  65 . Further, the third and fourth sidewall members  64 ,  65  include tabs  77  projecting from the smaller sides thereof to engage in corresponding recesses  78  provided in the smaller sidewall member  62 ,  63 . The recesses  78  are defined by rails protruding normally from a general body of the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  inwardly that include slots or recesses  78  disposed therethrough. In this way, the chute  70  is formed from five separately injection molded pieces  61  to  65  that snap-fit together through protrusions engaging in recesses in a counterpart engagement member. 
     A cavity is disposed in a space between inner surfaces of the third and fourth sidewall members  64 ,  65  and outer surfaces of the upstanding inner sidewalls  73  of the rear wall member  61  that is sheet or card shaped for receiving advertising material such as the cards  79  shown in  FIG. 7 . The outer sidewall members  64 ,  65  are transparent so that advertising or other information on the cards  79  can be viewed through the third and fourth sidewall members  64 ,  65  from the outside of the napkin dispenser  60 . The upstanding inner sidewalls  73  each include a central cutout that extends from a front end to a rear end and which is larger at the front end than at the rear end to define an upside down isosceles trapezoid shape to the cutout. 
     The opposing upstanding inner sidewalls  73  of the rear member  61  are thus formed into two discrete portions separated by the cutout. This enables cards  79  to be disposed in the space between the outer surface of the upstanding inner sidewalls  73  and the third and fourth sidewall members  64 ,  65  that are of smaller height than accommodated by the space and which can still be retrieved from the inside of the dispenser through the cutouts. Yet further, the cutouts extend below a top edge of the curved rim  72 , which provides clearance for injection molding the undercuts required to produce the projections  75  that engage with recesses  76  in the third and fourth sidewall members  64 ,  65 . 
     The platform  67  includes notches  80  at each corner end of the long sides of the platform  67  that extend through the thickness of the platform  67 . The notches  80  receive guide ribs  81  that extend from a rear end to a front end of inner surfaces of the upstanding inner sidewalls  73  through which notches  80  and guide ribs  81 , movement of the platform  67  from a retracted position adjacent the flat surface  71  of the rear wall member  61  to an extended position adjacent the dispensing opening  69  is guided. 
     The platform  67  also includes a pair of notches  82  extending through a thickness of the platform  67  on each of the short sides of the platform  67 . The pair of notches  82  are spaced apart from each other in a central position on the short sides so as to define a projecting portion  83  between them. The first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  are each provided with guide ribs  84  extending from a rear end to adjacent a front end of the respective sidewall member  62 ,  63 . The projecting portions  83  of the platform  67  are received between the guide ribs  84 , while the guide ribs  84  are received in the notches  82 . In this way, the platform  67  is guided by a guide mechanism provided on each of its four sides, namely by way of notch and rib mechanisms. 
     The guide ribs  84  on each of the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  are connected at a front end by a cross member connecting rib  85 . The cross member connecting rib  85  is positioned rearwardly in the rear to front direction of a front edge of the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  so that through openings  87  extending through a thickness of the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  are located above the cross member connecting rib  85 . 
     The lid member  66  includes depending resilient fingers  88  having tab-like projections  89  disposed at distal ends thereof. The tab-like projections  89  are sized to be received in the through openings  87  of the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  to lock a closed position of the lid member  66 . From the outside of the napkin dispenser  60 , a user can press the tab-like projections  89  inwardly through the openings  87  to resiliently deflect the resilient fingers  88 , to thereby release the lid member  66  for opening. When the lid member  66  is returned to the closed position, the tab-like projections  89  engage against the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  to deflect the resilient fingers  88  inwardly until the tab-like projections  89  align with the through openings  87  at which point the tab-like projections reengage with the through openings  87  under the bias of the resilient fingers  88  to lock the lid members  66 . 
     Stop members  86  project in a rear to front direction from a front facing surface of the cross member connecting rib  85  and are disposed in a path of inward deflection of the resilient fingers  88  to avoid over-inward deflection of the resilient fingers  88 . A front facing edge of the stop members  86  is disposed below a bottom edge of the through openings  87 . The stop members  86  define a stop position for inward deflection of the resilient fingers  88  such that the resilient fingers  88  cannot be moved inwardly to a position at or beyond the inward extension of the guide ribs  84  of the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  so that the resilient fingers  88  are prevented from coming into contact with, and thus scrunching, the napkins. That is, the inward extent of the guide ribs  84  defines the stack location in a long direction of the platform  67  and the stop members  86  are disposed outwardly of this inward extent to prevent the resilient fingers  88  coming into contact with the stack of napkins. 
     A spring  68  is disposed between the flat surface  71  of the rear member  61  and a rear facing side of the platform  67 . The rear facing side of the platform  67  includes brackets for securing an end of the spring  68 . The other end of the spring freely rests against the flat surface  71  of the rear member  61  (although it could be secured thereto by brackets or the like at the cost of some manufacturing simplicity). The retracted position of the platform  67  is defined when a rear side of the platform  67  comes into contact with the flat surface  71  of the rear member  61 . An extended position of the platform  67  is defined when a front facing side of the projecting portions  83  of the platform  67  comes into contact with a rear facing side of the cross member connecting rib  85 . The spring  68  biases the platform  67  from the retracted position to the extended position so that the napkins are always disposed adjacent the dispensing opening  69  irrespective of the depletion state of the stack of napkins. 
     The lid member  66  includes first and second pivot arms  90  at either end of the long side of the lid member  66 . The first and second pivot arms  90  include pivot openings  91  therethrough at a distal end of the pivot arms  90  that receive pivot projections  92  disposed on an inner surface of the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63 , respectively. The first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  each include first and second pivot projections  92  at a front end portion thereof and symmetrically disposed with respect to a rear to front axis passing centrally between the short sides of the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63 . In this way, the lid member  66  can be mounted to one side of the first and second side wall members  62 ,  63  or the other side of the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63 . In terms of manufacturing, it means that the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  can be identical pieces and interchanged with one another, to simplify the manufacturing process. In fact, the third and fourth sidewall members  64 ,  65  are formed from the same injection mold as are the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  and are interchangeable with one another in the napkin dispenser  60 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the lid member  66  is a two-piece construction made from separate injection molded pieces  93 ,  94 . There is a transparent piece  93  and an opaque piece  94 . The opaque piece  94  includes the pivot arm  90  and the resilient fingers and tab-like projections  88 ,  89 . The transparent piece  93  provides a lip  97  of the dispensing opening  69  and also transparent windows  95 ,  96  disposed on either side of the dispensing opening  69  and extending along the dispensing opening  69  along a long side of the lip member  66  from substantially at one end to substantially at the other end. The lid member  66  includes a more flattened portion framing the dispensing opening  69  as provided by the opaque piece  94 , while the transparent windows  95 ,  96  curve rearwardly from the more flattened portion so that a depth of the stack of napkins (such as at least 10 napkins) can be seen through the transparent windows  95 ,  96  so that a user can determine when the stack of napkins is reaching a depleted state. The transparent piece  93  and the opaque piece  94  include overlapping interfacing surfaces that are provided with an adhesive layer to adhere the first and second pieces  93 ,  94  together. 
     The napkin dispenser  60  further includes four feet made of a relatively soft material as compared to the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  or the rear wall member  61  that are disposed in respective depressions at corner portions of an outer surface of a rear facing surface of the napkin dispenser  60 . The soft feet  100  can be adhesively attached in the depressions. The depressions may be provided on an outer surface of a rear facing surface of the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63 . The feet  100  provide an interface between the napkin dispenser  60  and the table top surface and lift the remainder of the outer surface of the rear facing surface of the napkin dispenser  60  from the tabletop surface to avoid scratching of the table top surface. The feet  100  may be made of, for example, rubber. 
     In use, the second embodiment of the tabletop napkin dispenser  60  is stood on the feet  100  on the table top surface. To fill the napkin dispenser  60  with napkins, the tab-like projections  89  protruding into the through openings  87  in the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  are pressed clear of the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  to allow the lid member  66  to be rotated about the pivots  91 ,  92  so that the lid  66  is moved into a position in which the body of the lid extends substantially parallel and outside of one of the third and fourth sidewall members  64 ,  65 . The lid member  66  is thus moved into an open position exposing the open end of the chute  70 . 
     A stack of napkins can be placed with a rear surface of the stack laying on the front facing surface of the platform  67 . To close the lid member  66 , the stack and the platform are pushed downwards to the position in which a rear facing surface of the platform  67  contacts the flat forward facing surface  71  of the rear wall member  61  such that that platform  67  is in its retracted position. Movement of the platform  67  is guided by notches  80 ,  82  and guide ribs  81 ,  84  on each of the four sides of the platform  67  and by the projecting portion  83  of the platform  67  being disposed between the pair of guide ribs  84  on the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63 , respectively. With the platform  67  disposed in the retracted position and the stack of napkins thus clear of a forward facing edge of the chute  70 , the lid member  66  can be rotated about the pivots  91 ,  92  into the closed position to close the chute  70 . 
     As the lid member  66  is moved into the closed position, the tab-like projections  89  engage against the first and second sidewall members  62 ,  63  to inwardly deflect the resilient fingers  88  until the tab-like projections  89  align with the through openings  87  in the first and second sidewall members  82 ,  83 . At which point the resilient fingers force the tab-like projections  89  outwardly into the through openings  87  to lock the closed position of the lid member  66 . 
     The napkins can be removed through the dispensing opening  69  so that they contact the lip  97  provided by the first piece  93  of the lid member  66 . The lip  69  may be made of a high friction material with respect to the napkins than the other piece  94  of the lid member  66  so that the napkin adjacent in the stacking order to the napkin being dispensed is better gripped by the dispensing opening to ensure successful one at a time interfolded napkin dispensing operation. As the stack reaches a depleted state, the user is given forewarning by viewing the bottom of the stack or a front facing surface of the platform  67  through the windows  95 ,  96 , to garner an indication that the napkin dispenser  60  is to be refilled. 
     The napkin dispenser  60  further includes provision for disposing advertising or other information cards in a sheet shaped cavity disposed between the inner surface and the third and fourth sidewall members  64 ,  65  and the outer surface of the inner sidewalls  73  of the rear member  61 . The height of the information cards  79  in the rear to front direction can be designed with flexibility, since the inner sidewalls  73  include a centrally disposed cutout that extends from the front end to the rear end thereof. The cards  79  can include written information, graphics, advertising information or aesthetically pleasing designs that can be viewed through the transparent outer sidewall members  64 ,  65 . 
     Various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments. 
     An example of such modification is that the rails  25  of the drawer  9  shown in  FIG. 2  can be provided in split form in that it does not extend continuously from the rear end to the front end of the tray member  8 . Instead, the rails  25  could be divided into two or more separate rails distributed from the front end to the rear end of the tray member  8 . 
     In the first embodiment, where ribs  23  are disposed on inner surfaces of the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6 , this could be modified so that only the inner surface of the sidewall members  5 ,  6  in contact with the stack of napkins when the drawer member  9  is mounted in a predetermined orientation in the chute  10  is provided with the ribs  23 . This modification would functionally achieve the stack guiding function, but at the expense of manufacturing flexibility since the third and fourth sidewall members  5 ,  6  would not then be interchangeable. 
     In the first embodiment, the guide rails  25  of the drawer  9  are provided by upper and lower ribs connected at each end. A solid rail that does not include the space between the first and second ribs and is instead filled in with material could alternatively be provided, at the expense of the low friction arrangement of the first embodiment and weight and material use considerations. 
     In the drawer  9  of the first embodiment, a rear opening is provided by four corner pieces  33 . Each of these four corner pieces  33  is separated from one another. A continuous frame shape could, however, be provided, although this may make it less easy to injection mould the drawer  9 . 
     In the first and second embodiments, the front member  7  or the lid member  66  are made of first and second separate pieces. It is envisaged, however, that four separate pieces could be provided. A first opaque piece as shown in the figures, a second lip providing piece and third and fourth transparent window providing pieces. In this way, the transparent windows would not be connected to the transparent lip by connecting webs as shown in  FIGS. 4, 8A and 8B .