Patent Publication Number: US-6981610-B2

Title: Dispenser for a paper product

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a dispenser for a paper product. More specifically, the invention is directed to a napkin dispenser having a faceplate including a limited access slot. 
   Prior napkin dispensers have faceplates including an opening through which napkins are dispensed. These dispensers do not include any effective means to limit access to the napkins by a person using the dispenser. This allows the user to remove many napkins through the opening at one time. Sometimes the user removes more napkins than what is required for use. This results in excess waste, increased material and labor costs for servicing the dispenser and a higher probability of no napkins being available to subsequent users. 
   It has been found that there is a need for a dispenser for a paper product such as a napkin that limits the number of napkins that can be removed by a user from the dispenser. The present invention satisfies this need. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A dispenser for a paper product having a faceplate defining a slot having a center portion, a first end and a second end. The center portion of the slot being larger than the first and second ends. The faceplate has a plurality of outwardly projecting lips positioned adjacent to the center portion for engaging a person&#39;s fingers to limit access to a paper product being dispensed through the slot. 
   The primary object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser for a paper product that limits access to the paper product by a user of the dispenser. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a dispenser for a paper product according to the present invention; a container for the paper product is represented in broken lines in the drawings; 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of a faceplate according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view thereof; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view thereof; 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view thereof; the other side view being a mirror image; 
       FIG. 6  is a back elevational view thereof; 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the dispenser according to the present invention showing a push plate assembly in relation to the faceplate according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the faceplate according to the present invention showing various dimensions; and 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken through the center of the dispenser according to the present invention in which napkins are shown positioned adjacent to the back of the faceplate according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The preferred embodiments and best mode of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the drawings, which form a portion of the disclosure. In the drawings, the dispenser of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference number “ 10 ”. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–6 , the dispenser  10  has a faceplate  12  having a front  14 , a back  16 , a first side  18  and a second side  20 . The faceplate  12  defines a slot  22  having a center portion  24 , a first end  26  and a second end  28 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the slot  22  extends longitudinally between the first and second ends  26  and  28 . The center portion  24  has a rounded upper portion  30  and an opposed rounded lower portion  32 . The first end  26  of the slot  22  has a rounded first end portion  34 . The second end  28  of the slot  22  has a rounded second end portion  36 . 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1–6 , the faceplate  12  includes a first upper lip  38  and a second upper lip  40  positioned adjacent to the upper portion  30  of the slot  22 . The faceplate  12  further includes a lower lip  42  positioned adjacent to the lower portion  32  of the slot  22 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first and second upper lips  38  and  40  have shapes that correspond to the shape of the upper portion  30  of the slot  22 . The lower lip  42  has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the lower portion  32 . The first and second upper lips  38  and  40  and the lower lip  42  project outwardly from the faceplate  12  as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the faceplate  12  includes a flat surface  44  positioned between a first top sloped surface  46  and a second top sloped surface  48 . The flat surface  44  is positioned adjacent to the upper portion  30  of the slot  22 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the faceplate  12  includes a first bottom sloped surface  50  and a second bottom sloped surface  52 . The first bottom sloped surface  50  is positioned adjacent to the lower portion  32  of the slot  22 . Still referring to  FIGS. 1–6 , the faceplate  12  includes a flange  54  that projects outwardly from the back  16  of the faceplate  12 . The flange  54  is sized and adapted to attach the faceplate  12  to a paper product container  56  that is represented in broken lines in the drawings. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , the dispenser  10  has a push plate assembly  58  positioned in the container  56 . The push plate assembly  58  includes a push plate  60  and a spring  62 . The spring  62  biases the push plate  60  toward the faceplate  12 . In an alternative embodiment, the dispenser  10  can use gravity force without spring biasing. 
   The faceplate  12  of the dispenser  10  is sized and adapted to limit access to the slot  22  by the fingers of a user, especially the use of the index finger and the thumb in a pinching motion. In this regard, the slot  22  is sized and adapted so that the center portion  24  is larger than the first and second ends  26  and  28 . The center portion  24  is sized to allow only limited space for a person&#39;s fingers. Further, the outwardly projecting lips  38 ,  40  and  42  engage the user&#39;s fingers to limit access through the slot  22 . The first and second ends  26  and  28  are sized and adapted to limit access while allowing passage of a paper product. 
   In a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the slot  22  has a width W of 6 inches. The center portion  24  has a height H 1  of 1⅞ inches. The first and second ends  26  and  28  have a height H 2  of ½ inch at the first and second end portions  34  and  36 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the lips  38 ,  40  and  42  project outwardly from the front  14  of the faceplate  12  a length L of ½ inch in relation to the flat surface  44 . These dimensions can vary depending on the size and shape of the faceplate  12 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 9 , a stack of interlaced paper napkins  64  are positioned in the container  56  between the back  16  of the faceplate  12  and the push plate  60 . The force exerted by the push plate  60  causes the napkins  64  to be bowed slightly adjacent to the slot  22  due to engagement with the surfaces  44 – 52  of the faceplate  12 . The slot  22  and lips  38 – 42  act to limit access to the napkins  64  by engaging the fingers of a user. It has been found that in most cases fewer than three napkins  64  can be removed through the slot  22  at one time. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the faceplate  12  is constructed of metal for durability and strength. In alternative embodiments, the faceplate  12  can be constructed of a plastic material for durability and strength. In addition to the above-described functional features, the dispenser of the present invention has a pleasing appearance. 
   The above detailed description of the present invention is given for explanatory purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the whole of the foregoing description is to be construed in an illustrative and not a limitative sense, the scope of the invention being defined solely by the appended claims.