CN105431069A - Sheet product dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser, comprising a housing defining an interior volume for receiving a stack of sheet products. The dispenser comprises an actuator and a dispensing member, wherein the actuator is operable by a user to activate a dispensing member to dispense a desired number of sheet products. The actuator includes two or more user interfaces that a user can actuate to transmit to the dispensing member an amount of movement corresponding to different numbers of sheet products being dispensed depending upon which of the user interfaces is actuated. The dispenser comprises a support structure for engaging a front face of the stack including opposed shelves for supporting opposed sides of the front face of the stack. A roller of the dispensing member is located between the opposed shelves and engages and grips on the front face of the stack. The actuator imparts a predetermined amount of rotation to the roller, which causes the roller to separate one or more sheet products at the front face of the stack, in a one-at-a-time fashion. A different amount of rotation is imparted to the roller depending upon which of the user interface ledges is actuated, thereby allowing selection of different numbers of sheet products to be dispensed.

Description

Sheet Product Dispenser

technical field

The present application relates to dispensers configured to contain and dispense stacks of sheet product.

Background technique

There are sheet product dispensers in which sheet product is dispensed from a product housing through a dispensing opening. Examples of known types of sheet products are hand towels, toilet paper, napkins, napkins, and other wiping products in sheet form. A continuing problem with such dispensers is that the user may get more product than desired, resulting in waste.

For this purpose, dispensers are known which dispense preset quantities of sheet products. However, this type of dispenser relies on accurate settings in terms of thickness of the sheet product and/or stack compression height. Furthermore, dispensers of this type require difficult adjustments to change the pre-set quantity of sheet product to be dispensed, and are therefore often used in order to always dispense the same quantity of sheet product.

It would be desirable to provide a sheet product dispenser that is capable of accommodating sheet products with different numbers of folds and also stacks with different degrees of stack compression without necessarily requiring adjustment of components of the dispenser.

It would also be desirable to provide a dispenser in which the quantity of sheet product dispensed by the dispenser can be easily selected.

Finally, it would be desirable to provide a dispenser that produces a more controlled and neater sheet product than is obtained with conventional dispensers.

The present application addresses the above and other shortcomings of sheet product dispensers, and provides advantages and improvements that will become apparent from the following general and specific description of embodiments of the invention.

Contents of the invention

In a first aspect there is provided a dispenser comprising a housing for a stack of sheet material products and a dispensing opening, the dispenser comprising a dispensing member for engaging a face of the sheet material adjacent to the dispensing opening, the dispensing member being operable to Moveable and adapted to grip the sheet whereby movement of the dispensing member causes the gripped sheet to slide relative to a lower sheet face in the stack to separate the sheet product adjacent the dispensing opening from the stack.

According to a first aspect, the dispensing member grips a sheet product adjacent to the dispensing opening and causes said sheet product to slide relative to an underlying sheet product, thereby allowing the gripped sheet product to move relative to and interact with the remaining stack. separate. The stack is joined at its side of the stack adjacent to the dispensing opening and thus does not rely on accurate picking of a preset number of sheets. The thickness of each sheet product from the edge side varies depending on the compression, and the compression varies depending on the weight or depth of the remaining stack. The number of sheets can be controlled by setting the movement of the dispensing member to dispense one sheet product and repeating this movement for each additional sheet product to be dispensed. The amount by which a sheet needs to slide relative to the underlying sheet does not vary depending on the number of sheet products in the remainder of the stack. Thus, the first aspect allows a desired number of sheets to be dispensed in a continuous manner.

In one embodiment, the dispenser housing is configured to retain the stack of sheet products within the interior volume of the housing such that the front of the stack is adjacent to the dispensing opening. A dispensing member is positioned to engage the stack front and is extendable into the interior volume. The dispensing member is positioned to press into the front of the stack in the stacking direction such that the frontmost sheet product in the stack is gripped and moved while being pressed against the lower sheet product in the stack. This causes the leading sheet product to rub against the lower sheet in the stack where it is gripped as it moves relative to the lower sheet. The stack may weight press against the dispensing member or otherwise be biased against the dispensing member.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member is configured to move the fold or edge of the sheet product by gripping and moving a side of the sheet product adjacent to the fold or edge.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member is configured to move a fold or edge of a sheet product adjacent to the dispensing opening along a side of a lower sheet in the stack to separate the sheet product from the stack.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member is configured to move the sheet product over the barrier such that once the barrier is overcome the sheet product passes through the dispensing opening. In one embodiment, the dispensing member itself acts as a barrier that must be overcome to allow the sheet product to pass through the dispensing opening.

In one embodiment, it is so configured that the sheet product gripped by the dispensing member rubs against the underlying sheet product as it is moved by the dispensing member, but one face of the sheet product has more friction with the dispensing member than the sheet product The friction between the opposite side of the stack and the lower sheet product in the stack, thereby allowing the gripped sheet product to move in a sliding manner relative to the remainder of the stack.

The dispensing member has suitably selected surfaces which interact with surfaces of the sheet product adjacent to the dispensing opening. The surface is selected so as to achieve a relatively high friction with the sheet product. For example and without limitation, the surface of the dispensing member may be made of an elastomeric material, which may be tacky to the touch, such as by means of grooves or intersecting grooves, shadows, depressions aligned with the direction of movement. Wait for texturing. The skilled person is able to appropriately select the form and material of the dispensing part to ensure a sufficiently high grip on the sheet product.

In one embodiment, the dispenser comprises a support structure against which the stacked dispensing surfaces are supported. The support structure may be configured to hold the stack in place against the weight of the stack (e.g., in a gravity-fed dispenser), or to hold the stack in place against a biasing member acting on the stack (e.g., in an in-counter dispenser, over-the-counter dispenser) dispenser or desk top dispenser) to hold the stack in place. The dispensing surfaces of the stack are pressed against the support structure by the weight of the stack or the urging force provided by the biasing member. In one embodiment, the support structure comprises at least one wall. In one embodiment, the support structure exposes a portion of the dispensing face and the dispensing member is positioned to engage the exposed portion of the dispensing face of the stack. The dispensing member is configured to move the gripped sheet away from the support structure to separate the sheet product from the remainder of the stack for dispensing from the dispensing opening.

In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a housing defining an interior volume in which the stack is arranged. The stack includes a front and a back, and four side walls extending between the front and the back. The four side walls are formed by the folds or edges of the sheet products in the stack, while the front side is formed by the major surfaces of the frontmost sheet product(s) and the back is formed by the major surfaces of the rearmost sheet product(s) constitute. The dispensing component is positioned to operate on the front of the stack. The one or more leading sheet products are gripped by the dispensing member and moved relative to lower sheets in the stack to dispense the sheet products.

In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a support structure for engaging and supporting the stacking face adjacent to the dispensing opening in the stacking direction. The dispensing part is positioned so as to engage the stacking fronts at or above the level of the support structure in the stacking direction. In this way, the support structure and the dispensing part have a stacking front that is pressed against the support structure and the dispensing part by the weight of the stack, ie by gravity, or by biasing means. The support structure in the described embodiment is configured to engage opposite edge regions of the front face of the stack. A dispensing member is positioned in the space between the opposing edge regions to also engage the stack fronts. The dispensing opening is located between part of one of the joining edge regions of the support structure and the dispensing part. The dispensing member is operable to move the sheet product grasped by the dispensing member and engaged in the dispensing opening.

In an embodiment, the support structure and dispensing member are arranged such that one side of the sheet product moves away from the support structure into the dispensing opening, while the other side of the sheet product remains supported by the support structure. This is especially useful in gravity-feed dispenser embodiments so that one side of the sheet product hangs through the dispensing opening to be held by the user while the other side remains sandwiched between the support structure and the rest of the stack to keep the distribution tidy. Embodiments in which a part of the sheet product is held by the support structure and another part is moved away from the support structure by the dispensing member are discussed further below in relation to the third aspect. These features can be combined with the first aspect.

In one embodiment, one or more shelves are included to support the dispensing surface of the stack adjacent to the dispensing opening. A dispensing member is positioned adjacent to the shelf and configured to move the sheet away from the shelf to separate the sheet product from the remainder of the stack for dispensing through the dispensing opening.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member rotates to provide the movement required to slide the sheet product to separate the sheet product from the remainder of the stack. The axis of rotation about which the dispensing member rotates is arranged parallel to the face of the sheet product in the stack. The axis may also be aligned with the edge portion of the front of the stack that engages the shelf or support structure.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member is provided as a roller engaging a side of the sheet product adjacent the dispensing opening. In the described embodiment, the peripheral surface of the roller grips one side of the adjacent sheet product.

The roller may define a cylindrical outer profile for engaging the sheet product or the roller may have a flap-shaped outer profile. The flap profile can be used to move the gripped sheet product by a set amount defined by the protruding portions of the flaps of the profile while allowing relative rotation between the rollers and the opposing recessed portions of the flap profile . The petal profile may have one, two, three, four or more petals. The rollers may be configured to dispense one sheet product per flap. The cylindrical outer profile allows greater tolerances in dispensing a pre-set amount of sheet product because the cylindrical outer profile does not require flap alignment.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member is located closer to one edge of the stack front than to the opposite edge. The dispensing member is configured to move a closer edge of the sheet product adjacent to the dispensing opening into the dispensing opening for gripping by a user. This asymmetrical positioning of the dispensing member reduces the likelihood of slipping, since the distance to be displaced in order to dispense the sheet product is reduced.

In one embodiment, the dispenser includes an actuator operable by a user to cause movement of the dispensing member relative to the sheet products in the stack to dispense one or more sheet products. The actuator may be as described below with respect to the second aspect. In one embodiment, the actuator may comprise a rotatable knob or button. In one embodiment, the rotatable knob can be rotated by different amounts (eg, different number of revolutions or half-turns) to move the dispensing member by different amounts to dispense different amounts of sheet product. In another embodiment, the actuator includes a plurality of buttons selectively actuatable to cause the dispensing member to move corresponding different amounts, thereby dispensing different corresponding quantities of the sheet product.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member is movable to move a sheet product adjacent to the dispensing opening into or through the dispensing opening. As the preceding sheet is cleared by moving the preceding sheet into the dispensing opening, the dispensing member engages and grips the following sheet so that the following sheet moves into or passes through the dispensing opening, whereby User holds. In particular, the dispensing member is arranged to operate on the front side of the sheet product adjacent to the dispensing opening, so that when said sheet product is moved into the dispensing opening and away from the dispensing member, subsequent sheet products in the stack are Dispense part engagement.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a dispenser comprising a housing for a stack of sheet products, a dispensing opening, dispensing means for dispensing a selected quantity of sheet products through the dispensing opening. The dispenser also includes an actuator operatively coupled to the dispensing member, the user can operate the actuator to selectively cause the dispensing member to dispense a first preset amount of the sheet product, and the user can also operate the actuator to selectively cause the dispensing member to dispense a second different (eg, greater) quantity of the sheet product.

The second aspect allows a user to operate the actuator to selectively cause one of at least two different quantities of the sheet product to be dispensed. In this way, different allocation requirements can be met in an easy-to-handle manner.

In one embodiment, a user is operable to selectively cause the dispensing member to dispense a third quantity of the sheet product different from (eg, greater than) the second quantity. In this way, small, medium and high volume sheet product requirements can be met.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member moves upon operation of the actuator to separate different quantities of sheet product from the remainder of the stack to dispense different quantities of sheet product.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member is configured to rotate relative to the stack, wherein the amount of rotation varies depending on operation of the actuator to dispense different quantities of the sheet product. In one embodiment, the dispensing member is a roller and the amount of rotation or number of turns of the roller is varied depending on the operation of the actuator to dispense different amounts of sheet product.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member causes the sheet product adjacent to the dispensing opening to slide against a lower sheet product in the stack. This in turn moves the sheet product relative to the rest of the stack and into or through the dispensing opening. In one embodiment, the dispensing member engages a succeeding sheet product after dispensing a preceding sheet product so that the succeeding sheet product can be moved into the dispensing opening or through the dispensing opening by sliding against a lower sheet in the stack. Open your mouth.

In one embodiment, once the sheet product adjacent to the dispensing opening has moved away from the dispensing member, the dispensing member is able to engage the succeeding sheet product in the stack so that both the adjacent sheet product and the succeeding sheet product can is assigned.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member is moved by a first amount to thereby dispense the first amount of sheet product, and is moved by a second, greater amount to dispense the second amount of sheet product. Movement can be rotation. In one embodiment, a specific amount of movement (eg, rotation) dispenses one sheet product, and integer multiples of said specific amount of motion dispenses a corresponding integer multiple of the sheet product.

In one embodiment, the actuator comprises different user interfaces for actuating different quantities of sheet product for dispensing. The user interface may be, for example, a button, a joystick, a pointer, or an electronic button. The actuator and dispensing means cooperate to dispense the sheet product in an amount dependent on the user interface operated. Different user interfaces can be independently operated by a user to cause different quantities of sheet product to be dispensed. In one embodiment, the different user interfaces are buttons. In one embodiment, the different user interfaces are pressed by the user through the actuation stroke.

In one embodiment, the actuator includes a switch that switches between types of motion such that movement of the user interface portion of the actuator in one direction becomes in another direction or in another direction of the dispensing member. Movement on the plane (ie from straight line to rotation or vice versa). The converter may additionally or alternatively comprise a mechanically advantageous transmission. In one embodiment, the converter converts linear motion of the movable portion of the actuator into rotational motion of a dispensing member configured to engage one or more sheet products and cause the one or more sheet products to Move into or through the dispensing opening.

In one embodiment, the actuator includes a gear assembly that provides transmission between the one or more user interface portions of the actuator and the dispensing member. In one embodiment, the gear assembly is configured such that actuation strokes of different user interface portions cause the dispensing member to dispense different amounts of the sheet product, respectively. In other words, the gear assembly is configured to transmit different amounts of movement to the dispensing member despite the same length of actuation stroke being applied to different user interface portions of the actuator.

In the embodiments of the actuator described above in relation to the first and second aspects, an adjuster may be provided to allow adjustment of the amount of eventual movement of the dispensing member during the stroke of the actuator. This helps to compensate for the different degrees of slip that occur between dispensing members and sheet products that have different slip characteristics.

In one embodiment, the actuator has a defined stroke length defined between the movable part of the actuator and the finger stop of the fixed part of the actuator. In one embodiment, the stroke length differs depending on which user actuation interface is depressed. More particularly, in said embodiment, the different stroke lengths correspond to different lengths of the path of travel from the movable part to the finger stop. In one embodiment, an adjuster is provided to allow the user to vary the stroke length.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a dispenser comprising a housing defining an interior volume for supporting a stack of sheet product, wherein the interior has a maximum depth in a stacking direction of the stack and a maximum area perpendicular to the stacking direction. The dispenser has a dispensing opening and a stack support structure surrounding the dispensing opening, as well as a dispensing part for engaging the stack front with the largest area on one side of the front and on the other side, and a dispensing part for The sheet product is released at the one side to extend through the dispensing opening while the sheet product remains supported by the support structure at the other side of the stack front.

A third aspect provides a dispenser in which sheet products such as napkins are presented to a user in a neat and easy-to-handle manner. The dispensing part releases at least one sheet product from one side but not from the other side, so that the sheet product can be held or extended vacantly or hung through the dispensing opening from the other side. A user is able to reach into a gripping area of the dispenser adjacent the dispensing opening to access the at least one sheet product. This two-step neat dispensing process provides certainty in terms of the number of napkins dispensed and prevents the user from simply reaching in and grabbing an unexpected (typically large) number of napkins. Moreover, this aspect also provides a support structure around the dispensing opening, which support structure can be made small in size to minimize the risk of tearing.

The housing, support structure and dispensing opening of the third aspect can be applied to any of the preceding aspects and embodiments. In particular, the dispensing part may be a dispensing part according to the first aspect, wherein the dispensing part has the release function described above, while the support structure holds one side of the sheet product. Furthermore, the functions of the dispensing member and its support structure and dispensing opening of the third aspect may be combined with the second aspect, such that the actuator is operable by a user to actuate the dispensing member.

In one embodiment, the one side and the other side are opposite sides of the stack. In one embodiment, the maximum area is defined by a maximum x-dimension and a maximum y-dimension (such as conventional x and y perpendicular to each other), wherein the one side and the other side are opposite in the y direction and the dispensing opening is opposite to the one At least a portion, optionally a majority, and optionally all of the path between one side and the other has an x-dimension. This allows the sheet product to extend through the dispensing opening on either side x substantially uncompressed, and also allows the sheet product to extend through the dispensing opening in a free, easy-to-handle and aesthetically pleasing fashion.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member is configured to engage and operate on the stack front to move one side of the sheet product away from the support structure. In one embodiment, the dispensing member separates the engaged sheet product from the support structure at said side and enters the dispensing opening to disengage the sheet product from the dispensing member such that the dispensing member engages the underlying sheet product. The dispensing member is operable to release the underlying sheet product to extend through the dispensing opening. In one embodiment, the dispensing member comprises a roller arranged to engage the front face of the stack and to rotate to move the sheet product on said side relative to the support structure, thereby releasing said side of an adjacent sheet product and causing the The sheet product is positioned in/through the dispensing opening.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member is configured to release a plurality of sheet products at said one side while said plurality of sheet products remain fixed at said other side such that the plurality of sheet products extend through Dispensing opening. The dispensing member may be configured to release the sheet products one at a time.

In one embodiment, the dispensing member is configured to grip the sheet product, and the dispensing member is operable to release the sheet product from the dispensing member, thereby allowing the sheet product to extend through the dispensing opening while being secured on said other side place.

In one embodiment, the dispenser is configured such that the stack is pressed against the support structure. This could be by gravity (gravity fed dispensers) or by spring force (table top, countertop or in-counter dispensers) or some other biasing member urging force. The support structure and interior volume are such that the other side of the sheet product is sandwiched between the support structure and the remainder of the stack.

In one embodiment, the dispenser is a gravity-fed dispenser with an internal volume adapted to be positioned over the dispensing opening. In said embodiment, the released sheet product is suspended in such a way that said other side is suspended from the support structure. The dispenser may comprise a sheet product support for supporting the suspended portion of the sheet product below the dispensing opening. The sheet product support may include perimeter cutouts to allow a user to hold the hung sheet product from opposite sides of the sheet product.

In one embodiment, at said one side and/or at said other side the support structure can be adjusted and/or the dispensing member can be adjusted to move the front side of the sheet product to a stronger or Weakly bonded. This adjustment allows the dispensing member to be operable for different types of sheet products, such as more or less slippery sheet products.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided a method of supplying a stack of sheet products for filling in a housing of a dispenser of any of the embodiments and aspects described herein.

The fourth aspect can be applied to all aspects and embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method includes loading a stack of sheet product in a dispenser. The supplied sheet product is interrelated with the above-mentioned dispensing means, since the dispensing means must work with a specific type of sheet product in order to dispense the sheet product or a desired quantity of sheet product. In particular, sheet products from different suppliers may have different slip characteristics relative to the dispensing member, so that the amount of movement (eg rotation) of the dispensing member depends somewhat on the type of sheet product. In one embodiment, the method includes adjusting the dispensing member or the relationship between the sheet product and the dispensing member depending on the characteristics of the particular type of sheet product in the dispenser.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention. The dispenser includes a housing defining an interior volume for receiving a stack of sheet products. The dispenser includes an actuator and a dispensing member, wherein the actuator is operable by a user to activate the dispensing member to dispense a desired amount of the sheet product. The actuator comprises two or more user interfaces in the form of lugs in the illustrated embodiment, which the user can selectively depress to impart an amount of movement to the dispensing member which is dependent on which user interface Be pressed to dispense different quantities of sheet products corresponding to each other. In that particular embodiment, the stroke length of the actuator is different for each of the different user interfaces to impart different amounts of movement to the dispensing member for dispensing different quantities of sheet product.

Figure 2 shows the various parts of the dispensing member and actuator in more detail. Figure 2 also shows the support structure for the stacking fronts, the support structure including opposing shelves for supporting the opposite sides of the stacking fronts. The rollers of the dispensing unit are located between the opposing shelves, the rollers engaging and gripping the stack fronts. The actuator applies a predetermined amount of rotation to the roller, which causes the roller to engage and separate the one or more sheet products from the front of the stack one at a time. Different amounts of rotation are applied to the rollers depending on which user interface lug is pressed, thereby allowing different amounts of sheet product to be selectively dispensed.

Figure 3 shows the dispensing part and the actuator along a section through the central axis of the roller to reveal the rack and pinion arrangement defining the interaction between the actuator and the dispensing part. That interaction is such that linear movement of the actuator causes rotational movement of the roller.

Figure 4 shows a cross-section regarding the vertical relationship (the vertical direction being the stacking direction) between the rollers and the proximal and distal shelves of the support structure (where the proximal shelf is closer to the user). The proximal shelf is positioned such that the stack must bend around the dispensing roller, while the distal shelf is positioned more flush with the roller.

Figure 5 shows in more detail the rack and pinion arrangement for converting the linear motion of the movable actuator part of the actuator into the rotational motion of the rollers. One end of the travel of the movable actuator part is defined by the abutment part abutting against the fixed actuator part. The other end of the travel of the movable actuator part is stopped by a user's finger extending from one of the user interface lugs of the movable actuator part and a finger on the fixed actuator part against which the user's finger will abut. Limited to pieces.

Figure 6 shows a number of images showing how the sheet product is given to the user during dispensing. Specifically, the rollers operate relatively close to the proximal side of the stack front to release the proximal side of the one or more sheet products from the proximal shelf. The distal side of the released sheet product is held securely, sandwiched between the distal shelf of the support structure and the remainder of the stack, thereby providing a suspended position from which the one or more sheet products hang up. The dispenser includes a support channel that contacts and supports the one or more suspended sheet products to reduce the tension required to suspend the distal side of the suspended sheet products. The support slot includes a perimeter cutout or recess for allowing the user to grip the hung sheet product on the opposite side.

Figure 7 shows an exemplary configuration and several alternative configurations for the roller. The exemplary configuration of the roller shown defines a circular cross-section, while alternative embodiments have one or more flaps, paddles or tabs, etc. for engaging the front faces of the stack of sheet products.

Figure 8 shows an indexing device for use with a flap-type, paddle-type, tab-type, etc. roller of a dispensing member.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the dispenser with a modified stand including a catch chute for catching any sheet product falling from the support chute. The catch trough includes retaining tabs at the ends of the catch trough surface. The capture trough also includes a recess so that a sheet product supported on the surface of the capture trough can be gripped by a user on the opposite side.

Figure 10 discloses an alternative embodiment of an actuator in which a rotatable handle is used to transmit rotational motion to a roller not shown.

Figure 11 discloses an alternative actuator comprising separate buttons associated with different rack and pinion arrangements to selectively apply different amounts of rotation to the rollers for dispensing different amounts of sheet product respectively.

Figure 12 shows a first alternative embodiment of an actuator in which the button follows a rotational path that is transmitted to the rotational motion of the roller, instead of converting the linear motion of the actuator into rotational motion of the roller .

Figure 13 shows an embodiment of an adjustable stop feature that allows adjustment of the position of one end of the actuation stroke. Said features allow adjustment of the abutment or stop position of the movable actuator part relative to the fixed actuator part to define different stroke lengths. This adjustment feature allows the user to adjust the stroke length, which can be used to compensate for different slip characteristics associated with different types of sheet products used with the dispenser.

detailed description

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a dispenser 1 . The dispenser 1 comprises a housing 40 defining an internal volume for containing the stack 10 of sheet products. The sheet product is interfoldable and may be a napkin. More generally, sheet products have a wiping function. Housing 40 is provided on top of stand 5 having feet for positioning on a horizontal surface such as a counter top. The housing 40 includes a distal wall defining a support surface for the stack 10, a side wall for laterally containing the stack 10, and a proximal wall 8 for preventing the stack 10 from falling towards the user. In the embodiment shown the front wall 8 comprises a door that opens about a hinge 7 to allow the stack 10 to be filled. In an alternative embodiment, the front wall may alternatively include a channel extending in the stacking direction instead of a door to allow a user to enter the interior volume defined by the housing 40 . The housing 40 is open at the top (or at the rear in the stacking direction) to allow the housing 40 to be top-loaded from above. When the feet of stand 5 are positioned on a horizontal surface, the surface of the distal wall of housing 40 that supports the edge or fold in the stack is inclined rearwardly in this exemplary embodiment relative to vertical.

Housing 40 and bracket 5 are constructed in this illustrated embodiment to define a gravity-fed dispenser. The aspects and embodiments described above and further detailed below can be widely applied to different types of dispensers, such as and not limited to table napkin dispensers, folded bath towel dispensers, hand towel folded or interfolded dispensers, counter top napkin dispensers dispenser, or an in-counter napkin dispenser. As noted above, the sheet product is typically used for wiping, and is foldable and/or interfoldable, and may be a tissue based sheet product.

Figure 1 shows an actuator 2 mounted to a side of a housing 40 and operatively coupled to a dispensing member 3 to cause one or more sheet products to be dispensed. The actuator 2 comprises different user interfaces 27, 28 which define different stroke lengths of the actuator 2 to thereby allow the user to select one of the different quantities available for the sheet product dispensed by the dispensing member 3 quantity.

For ease of understanding, FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the dispensing part 3 and the actuator 2 with the various components separated. The support structure 12 is mounted on the front or bottom end of the housing 40 . The support structure 12 defines shelves 21 , 22 in contact with the front faces of the stack 10 of sheet products (see also FIG. 4 ). The front side of the stack 10 of sheet products is defined by the surface of one or more leading sheets in the stack 10 .

In the gravity-feed dispenser embodiment shown, the stack faces rest on the shelves 21, 22 and support the majority of the weight of the stack 10. The rear surface of the housing 40 in this embodiment bears a relatively small amount of the weight of the stack 10 . The shelves 21 , 22 contact opposite edges of the front faces of the stack of sheet products and define a dispensing opening 41 in the space between the shelves 21 , 22 . The support structure 12 also comprises walls surrounding the shelves 21 , 22 for supporting the folded or edge faces of the front of the stack 10 .

The rollers 15 of the dispensing member 3 are rotatably mounted to the support structure 12 (see Figure 4) adjacent to the proximal shelf 22, which is the shelf closest to the user in use. The roll 15 consists of a mandrel or central shaft 14, which is manufactured from a relatively rigid material, and an outer cladding portion 13 which may be injection molded or extruded and which may be relative to the material of the sheet product. At least on the outer surface of the cladding portion 13 there are better gripping properties than on the central axis 14 . The central shaft 14 protrudes through at least one side of the support structure 12 for coupling with the actuator 2 in the following manner. The extension of such a central axis 14 through the support 12 is visible in FIG. 3 .

The distribution part 3 also includes a circular gear 23 and a one-way clutch 24 mounted to the central shaft 14 of the roller 15 . As will be described in more detail, the circular gear 23 serves as a gear member interacting with the rack member 25 of the actuator 2 . The one-way clutch 24 ensures that the roller 15 can only be rotated by actuation of the actuator 2 in the dispensing direction, since reverse rotation may be disadvantageous for the dispensing operation in the embodiment shown.

The actuator 2 can be further understood with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 . The actuator 2 comprises a movable actuator part 19 and a fixed actuator part 18 . The fixed actuator part 18 is mounted to the housing 40 side and the support structure 21 side, and the movable actuator part 19 is mounted to the fixed actuator part 18 for linear movement relative to the fixed actuator part. The movable actuator part 19 comprises a rack member 25 in the form of gear teeth in the illustrated embodiment which meshes with a circular gear 23 of the dispensing part 3 to form a rack and pinion configuration. This rack and pinion configuration converts linear movement of the movable actuator portion 19 into rotational movement of the roller 15 .

The movable actuator portion 19 comprises a plurality of user interface lugs 27, 28 positioned proximally on the dispenser 1 and sized to contact the index and middle fingers of a user. A user is able to push down on the lug to impart a linear movement to the movable actuator portion 19 and thus a rotational movement to the roller 15 . The stroke length of the movable actuator portion 19 defines the extent to which the roller 15 is moved and thus the amount of sheet product dispensed.

The fixed actuator part 18 of the actuator 2 includes a finger stop 29 against which a user's finger will abut when the user's finger pushes on one of the user interface lugs 27 , 28 . In this respect, the finger stop 29 defines a stop point for the travel of the movable actuator part 19 . The lower user interface lug 27 has a shorter travel distance than the upper user interface lug 28 before being aligned with the finger stop 29 . The two distances thereby define shorter and longer linear movements of the rack member 25 respectively, which in turn correspond to smaller and larger amounts of rotation of the roller 15 , respectively. The user interface lugs 27, 28 respectively define a first quantity of sheet product for dispensing and a second larger quantity of sheet product for dispensing. For example, the first user interface lug 27 may correspond to the dispensing of a single sheet product or may correspond to the dispensing of a fold of an interfolded sheet product, which will eg thus yield/dispense two separate sheet products. The second user interface lug 28 can dispense twice this amount, so the second user interface lug can dispense two individual sheet products or two folds of an interfolded sheet product, specifically four individual sheet products .

The movable actuator part 19 abuts against an abutment part 42 defining the resting position of the movable actuator part 19 relative to the fixed actuator part 18 . Although not shown, the movable actuator part 19 is biased back to the start position defined by the movable actuator part 19 abutting against the abutment part 42 of the fixed actuator part 18, such as by means of a spring. . The one-way clutch 24 allows rotation of the circular gear 23 to be transmitted to the central shaft 14 of the roller 15 when the user applies linear motion to the rack member 25 by moving the movable actuator portion 19 . However, when the spring causes the movable actuator part 19 to return to the abutment position of the movable actuator part and the abutment part 42, the one-way clutch 24 causes the circular gear 23 to disengage so as not to move toward the central shaft 14 or Any other part of the roller 15 exerts a further rotational movement.

Referring to FIG. 4 , this figure shows the relative positions of the proximal shelf 22 , the distal shelf 21 and the rollers 15 . In particular, this figure shows the outer surfaces of the shelves 21, 22 and rollers 15 positioned in general alignment with respect to the stacking direction so that the front faces of the stack 10 contact and are supported on the distal support shelf 21. , rollers 15 and proximal support shelf 22. The roller 15 is positioned adjacent to the proximal support shelf 22 and a dispensing opening 41 is defined in the gap between the distal support shelf 21 and the roller 15 . At least a portion of the outer surface of the rollers 15 is positioned above the proximal support shelf 22 to cause the front face of the stack 10 to bend to some extent around the rollers 15 in order to ensure a large contact area and adequate pressure to avoid or at least minimize slippage.

The function of the rollers 15 is to grip the major surface of a portion of the sheet product at the front of the stack and move the sheet product away from the proximal shelf by sliding it relative to the lower sheet in the stack twenty two. The rollers 15 pass the sheet product into the dispensing opening 41 once the fold or edge of the gripped sheet product is moved over the rollers 15 . Subsequent sheets in the stack will rest against the rollers 15 once a particular sheet product has moved into/through the dispensing opening 41 .

The rollers 15 in this embodiment have a circular cross section. The outer surfaces of the rollers 15 are required to grip the material of the sheet product. Thus, the outer surface of the roller 15 may comprise sandpaper, may be textured, or may include depressions or ribs, or may be made of a material that has a high friction relationship with the material defining the sheet product, such as an elastomeric material. The outer surface may additionally or alternatively include grooves or raised patterns, such as hatched patterns, to increase grip. In other grip-enhancing alternatives, the outer surface of the roller 15 may be provided by axially or radially extending teeth, wherein the teeth are angled towards or against the direction of rotation when dispensing the sheet product, or the teeth may have Rectangular or sharp outline.

Roller 15 rotates such that the outer surface of the roller moves in a direction away from proximal shelf 22 and toward distal shelf 21 in a position engaged with the front face of stack 10 . This causes the sheet product to move away from the proximal shelf 22 and towards the distal shelf 21 . The rollers 15 thus do not cause the sheet product to move away from the distal shelf 21, so that the proximal portion of the sheet product moves into/passes the dispensing opening 41, while the distal edge of the sheet product remains supported on the distal shelf 21 , sandwiched between the remainder of the stack and the distal shelf 21 . Thus, the sheet product gripped by the rollers 15 will be released into/through the dispensing opening 41 to hang in suspension from the distal edge at the distal shelf 21 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , the support structure 12 may include proximal ribs extending in the stacking direction at the proximal shelf 22 for engaging the proximal side of the front of the stack 10 to ensure that the stack is properly pushed toward the rollers 15 .

In this embodiment, not only the degree of grip between the rollers 15 and the sheet product, but also the height of the proximal shelf 22 and the angle of inclination of the housing 40 with respect to the vertical are used to control the grip in the stack 10. The pressure between the frontmost sheet and the roller 15. The height of the proximal shelf 22 in the stacking direction can be adjusted, for example, by a user-operable adjuster, to reduce or increase this pressure so that the configuration of the support structure 12 is optimized to ensure the correct amount of sheet product according to the user. Allocation of choice at actuator 2.

The degree to which the shell 40 is filled by the stack of sheet products can affect the final pressure on the rollers 15 . In one embodiment, the fill line 6 (FIG. 1) gives the user an indication of the stack height that should be maintained to achieve the desired function of the dispenser. Alternatively, weights may be applied to ensure proper pressure on the rollers 15 in addition to the stack weight. In yet another alternative embodiment, a biasing element such as a spring may push the stack onto the rollers 15 .

Referring to Figures 1 and 6c, a support slot 4 is provided, which is positioned below the dispensing opening 41 . The support slot 4 is located below the distal shelf 21 so that the sheet product suspended in the dispensing opening 41 , suspended at the distal edge, rests on the support slot 4 . The function of the support slot is to relieve some of the weight of the sheet product which tends to pull that sheet product away from the distal shelf 21 which would result in an undesired complete release of the sheet product from the support structure 12 or uncontrolled release. The support slot 4 includes a peripheral cutout 30 positioned such that one or more hung sheet products are placed over the cutout 30, thereby allowing a user to hold the hung sheet product from both sides through the cutout 30 on one side. (one or more). Replacing the cutout with a recess can provide a similar function. For ease of handling and presentation quality, the support slot 4 is angled so as to bend the fold or edge of the hung sheet product towards the user. The support slot 4 thus provides an angled slide for immediate vertical suspension of the intercepted sheet product.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 in conjunction with Figure 6, an exemplary operation of the dispenser will now be described. To dispense a desired amount of sheet product such as napkins, the user presses with a finger on the user interface lug 27 or on the user interface lug 28 depending on whether a smaller or larger amount of the sheet product is desired. For example, if dispenser 1 is located at a drive-thru window, user interface lug 27 may be associated with a small food order and user interface lug 28 may be associated with a large food order. Of course, additional user interfaces may be provided to provide a wider range of numbers of dispenseable sheet products. The movable actuator portion 19 moves linearly under the direction of a user pressing on one of the user interface lugs 27 , 28 . The linear motion of the movable actuator part 19 is converted into a rotary motion of the roller 15 by means of a rack and pinion arrangement.

The stack 10 is arranged in the housing 40 and rests against the distal and proximal shelves 21 , 22 . The front face of the stack 10 is locally curved around the roller 15 due to the relative positioning of the distal and proximal shelves 21 , 22 . The rollers 15 are pressed into the front face of the stack of sheet products to engage the frontmost sheet product, rather than the edges or folds as would be the case with the sides of the stack. Rotation of the rollers 15 causes the leading sheet product of the stack 10 that engages the rollers to retract relative to the proximal shelf 22 in a manner that involves sliding against lower sheets in the stack. The gripping force between the outer surface of the rollers 15 and the foremost sheet product is greater than the corresponding frictional force between the leading sheet product and the lower sheet product in the stack 10, so that the leading sheet product can move relative to the lower sheet product. The material product slides or moves. Once the leading sheet product moves off the proximal shelf 22 , continued rotation of the rollers 15 causes the edge of the gripped sheet product to move over the rollers 15 and into the dispensing opening 41 .

Once the sheet product has been released by the rollers 15 , in the gravity-fed embodiment shown, the sheet product will drop from the proximal edge or fold into a hang position extending through the dispensing opening 41 . The distal edge of the sheet product is not acted upon by the rollers 15 and therefore remains sandwiched between the proximal shelf 21 and the remainder of the stack 10 to provide a point of suspension that allows the sheet product to hang.

Depending on which user interface lug 27, 28 is pressed, the dispensing process described above will be repeated in varying amounts by the rotation of the dispensing roller 15 so that one or more sheet products hang in suspension at the distal shelf 21 through the dispensing opening 41 rise. The hung sheet product will lie to some extent on the lower support trough 4, ready to be held by the user. The user can then reach the hung sheet product by using the cutout 30 in the support groove 4 and hold it from both sides of the hung sheet product, and pull the hung sheet product to remove the hung sheet product Release from the pinch at the distal shelf 21 . The sheet product can then be bagged or immediately used for wiping.

Referring to FIG. 6 b , it can be seen that the hung sheet product defines a tail 44 extending beyond the support channel 4 . This may result from the use of rollers 15 in the interfolded sheet product configuration. Referring to Figure 6a, the initial position of the tail 44 can be seen before the rollers 15 have been operated to release the sheet product associated with the tail 44. This tail 44 is not clamped at the distal edge between the remainder of the stack and the distal shelf 21 so that when the roller 15 rotates, the tail 44 hangs over the folded sheet that is still hanging in the air at the distal shelf 21 product. Imagine the user holding onto the hanging sheet product shown in Figure 6b, this will pull out a new tail of the frontmost sheet product in the stack, thereby creating the trailing sheet product as shown in Figure 6a Material product configuration. This tail portion 44 is folded behind the hung sheet product by the user when the user holds the hung sheet product, thereby further utilizing the perimeter cutout 30 of the support slot 44 .

Those skilled in the art can provide many alternatives or supplements to the above embodiments.

In the above embodiments, the cross-section of the roller 15 is substantially circular, as shown for example in Figures 4 and 7i. FIGS. 7 a to 7 h show further alternatives with cross-sections different from that of the exemplary roller 15 . In these alternative embodiments, the roller profile includes tabs, paddles or lobes. Between the tabs, paddles or petals are relatively recessed portions of the profile that will slip (eg slide) or come out of contact with respect to the front face of the stack 10 . The slippery portion of the alternate roller design allows the leading sheet to be dispensed without interfering with the following sheet, whereby the slipping portion of the roller is positioned in alignment with the following sheet. Dispensing of the subsequent sheet begins only when the roller rotates further so that the next tab, paddle or flap engages and grips the latter sheet.

An indexing system can be applied in association with non-circular alternatives to the rollers to establish the desired starting position for a particular tab, paddle or flap, thereby ensuring a dispense selected by the user at the actuator 2 The process is implemented correctly. The asymmetrical configuration of the roller design of FIGS. 7a to 7h includes the asymmetrical configuration for the rollers during dispensing due to a set amount of movement of the actuator 2 to engage, grip and move the leading sheet of the stack 10 into the dispensing opening 41. specific starting position. An exemplary indexing system 45 is shown in FIG. 8 .

In Figure 8, the cam 46 is mounted to and rotates with the center shaft 14 of the roller. A cam 46 may be mounted to the actuator 2 on the other side of the support structure 12 . The cam follower 47 is urged on the outer contour of the cam 46 by a torsion spring 49 . The outer profile of the cam 46 includes a recessed portion 48 aligned with a start or end point, as defined by at least one tab, paddle or flap of the roller. In this way, if the dispensing cycle is not terminated to eject the sheet product into the dispensing opening 41, the biasing force on the cam follower 47 will tend to force or at least bias such that the cam follower 47 and cam gear 46 The recesses 48 are aligned. For example, if the user does not complete the actuation stroke, the indexing system 45 can complete this actuation stroke to ensure that the required amount of sheet product is dispensed and also to ensure that the ideal starting point for the roller in the dispense cycle is provided for the next use .

Referring to Figure 9, an alternative embodiment is shown. In a modification, a catch trough 50 is provided, located between the feet of the stand 5 and positioned so as to catch any sheet product falling from the dispensing opening 41 and the support trough 4 . The catch chute 50 provides an inclined surface as a downward chute for any sheet product that has fallen, and also includes a tab 53 to stop the movement of the fallen sheet product so as to keep the fallen sheet product supported on the chute surface superior. Catch trough 50 also includes a recessed portion 51 that is generally centrally located and recessed relative to the chute surface of catch trough 50 and provides an opening at tab 53 to allow a user to grip the sheet product from both sides.

Figure 9 provides a modification of another user interface lug 52 mentioned as one possibility in the above description, so that a third, larger quantity of sheet product can be dispensed. This embodiment has first, second and third user interface lugs 27, 28 and 52 for allowing the user to select between small, medium and large quantities of sheet products, small quantities of sheet products, medium and Large may correspond to, for example, small, medium, and large food orders at a fast food drive-thru window. Each of the user interface lugs 27 , 28 and 52 defines a different stroke length for the movable actuator portion 19 , which corresponds to a corresponding different amount of rotation of the roller 15 . For example, first user interface lug 27 may cause roller 15 to rotate a sufficient amount to dispense one folded interfolded sheet product, thereby providing two separate sheet products. Likewise, the second user interface lug 28 may be associated with dispensing four individual sheet products and the third user interface lug 52 may be associated with dispensing six individual sheet products.

Referring to Figure 10, an embodiment of the first and third aspects is shown in which the actuator is in the form of a geared rotary knob meshing with a gear fixed to the central shaft 14 of the roller 15. In this alternative embodiment, the actuator transmits the rotational movement applied by the user to cause the rotational movement of the roller 15 .

FIG. 11 shows another alternative embodiment for which three separate buttons 61 , 62 , 63 are provided which are movable through the same actuation stroke but which respectively exert different amounts of pressure on the roller 15 . Rotate so as to cause different amounts of sheet product to be dispensed. In that particular embodiment, each of the buttons 61 , 62 , 63 is associated with a rack gear engaging a compound gear 65 respectively. Compound gear 65 meshes with gear 64 associated with roller 15 . The compound gear 65 has gear members of different sizes which mesh respectively with one of the rack pinions associated with the buttons 61 , 62 , 63 . The compound gear 65 therefore transmits different amounts of rotation to the gear 64 in order to impart different amounts of rotation to the roller 15 depending on which button 61 , 62 , 63 is pressed. Also, in the embodiment of FIG. 11 , the buttons 61 , 62 , 63 move perpendicular to the stacking direction to cause rotation of the roller 15 , but not parallel to the stacking direction as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 9 .

Yet another alternative embodiment of the actuator is shown in FIG. 12 . In Fig. 12 the actuator comprises three different buttons 66, 67, 68 applying different amounts of rotation to the roller 15 with the same stroke length. In particular, a compound gear 69 is provided having portions of different gear sizes which mesh with sector gears 70 , 71 , 72 associated with the first to third buttons 66 , 67 , 68 respectively. As in the previous alternative embodiment of FIG. 11 , the stroke lengths associated with each of the buttons 66, 67, 68 are the same while dispensing different amounts of sheet product respectively, by virtue of having different gear size portions. Compound gear 69 is realized. In the alternative embodiment of Figure 12, each of the buttons 66, 67, 68 moves in an arc rotationally about a pivot 73 to effectuate the dispensing process. Accordingly, various embodiments support linear motion along various axes, arcuate motion, and rotational motion for a user-actuated interface.

Figure 13 shows an exemplary modification in which the actuator includes an adjustable stop 75 which allows the start and end points of the actuation stroke to be adjusted to calibrate the actuation The length of the stroke, thus ensuring that the desired amount of sheet product is dispensed. Specifically, different sheet properties of the sheet product, such as thickness, embossing depth, and/or material, may cause slight variations in the relationship between the amount of rotation of the rollers and the amount of sheet product dispensed. Accordingly, the actuator or dispensing device may include an adjuster to compensate for changes in that relationship for different types of sheet products. In the embodiment of FIG. 13 , the stop 75 is adjustable to shorten or increase the stroke length, thereby varying the amount of rotation of the dispensing roller for each of the user interface lugs 27 , 28 .

In another alternative, the actuator may be electronic. In particular, a motor may be provided to rotate the distribution rollers. Also, one or more actuation buttons can be utilized to dispense a desired amount of sheet product. In one particular form of electronic implementation of the actuator, corresponding control buttons may be provided which cause the motor to rotate the dispensing rollers by different amounts to dispense different quantities of sheet product respectively.

Referring to Figure 4, the shelves 21, 22 are provided as planar lugs, although alternative forms of shelves are also contemplated. For example, one or more rods may be used in place of proximal shelf 22 and/or distal shelf 21 . The one or more rods will still be shelf-like and support the edges of the stacking fronts to allow the one or more rods to be described as shelves.

In another alternative embodiment and referring to FIG. 2 , the rollers 15 may be oriented in alignment with the short sides of the stack instead of the long sides of the stack. In such an embodiment, the shelves 21, 22 may also be provided at opposite short sides of the stack for contacting the edge of the front short side of the stack instead of the long side as shown.

Embodiments described herein also contemplate alternative dispensing procedures that eliminate user-operated actuators. Referring to Figure 6(a), the user can simply grab the tail 44 to dispense the leading sheet product. In one alternative, a user may dispense a first quantity of sheet product (e.g., two) by grasping tail 44, and the actuator may be configured to cause the dispensing member to dispense second and third greater quantities of sheet product. (for example, four and six, respectively).

In another alternative embodiment, the dispenser comprises more than one distribution roller. Referring to FIG. 4, the dispenser may include a plurality of dispensing rollers that engage the front of the stack and are movable to dispense one or more sheet products. For example, distribution rollers may move in conjunction or separately. In one form, operation of the actuators may cause the dispensing rollers to move in conjunction to dispense one or more sheet products. In an alternative, the actuator may operate on different dispensing rollers depending on which user interface is activated. Different dispensing rollers may be configured (eg sized) to dispense different corresponding quantities of sheet product.

Claims (21)

1. a distributor, it comprises for the stacking shell of articles of sheet material, dispense aperture, for distributing the distributor gear of the articles of sheet material of selected quantity through described dispense aperture, and for the actuating mechanism of described distributor gear, described actuating mechanism can by user operation to cause described distributor gear to distribute the articles of sheet material of the first quantity and described actuating mechanism can by user operation with the articles of sheet material causing described distributor gear to distribute the second more quantity, wherein, described actuating mechanism comprises different user interface, described different user interface is for activating the articles of sheet material for distributing of varying number.

2. distributor according to claim 1, wherein, described actuating mechanism can by user operation to cause the articles of sheet material of the 3rd quantity that the second quantity described in described distributor gear distribution ratio is many.

3. distributor according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, described distributor gear comprises following distribution member: described distribution member with the articles of sheet material from described stacking separation varying number, distributes the articles of sheet material of varying number according to the operation movement of described actuating mechanism.

4. distributor according to claim 3, wherein, described distributor gear comprises following distribution member: described distribution member is relative to described stacking rotation, and the amount of rotating is different according to the operation of described actuating mechanism, to distribute the articles of sheet material of varying number.

5. the distributor according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, described distribution member is roller, and rotate amount or the number of turns different according to the operation of described actuating mechanism, to distribute the articles of sheet material of varying number.

6. the distributor according to claim 3,4 or 5, wherein, described distribution member is arranged to engage the stacking front being adjacent to described dispense aperture, articles of sheet material is moved in described dispense aperture, preferably being arranged to slides against the lower floor's sheet material in stacking is adjacent to the blocks of section product of described dispense aperture, to move this articles of sheet material relative to described stacking remainder.

7. the distributor according to any one of claim 4 to 6, wherein, described distribution member is arranged in distribute and after first articles of sheet material, engages a slice at rear articles of sheet material, can move in described dispense aperture at rear articles of sheet material by described, move to described in described dispense aperture at rear articles of sheet material preferably by sliding against the lower floor's sheet material in stacking.

8. the distributor according to any one of claim 4 to 7, wherein, once the articles of sheet material being adjacent to described dispense aperture has moved apart described distribution member, described distribution member can engage described stacking in a slice at rear articles of sheet material, to make contiguous articles of sheet material and to be all assignable at rear articles of sheet material.

9. the distributor according to any one of claim 4 to 8, wherein, described distribution member move the first amount with distribute the articles of sheet material of described first quantity and mobile second larger amount to distribute the articles of sheet material of described second quantity.

10. the distributor according to any one of claim 4 to 9, wherein, a certain amount of movement of described distribution member is configured to distribution articles of sheet material, and the articles of sheet material of described a certain amount of that integral multiple of distribution of integral multiple.

11. according to distributor in any one of the preceding claims wherein, wherein, described actuating mechanism and the cooperation of described distributor gear with according to by the user interface that operates to distribute the articles of sheet material of each quantity.

12. according to distributor in any one of the preceding claims wherein, wherein, described actuating mechanism comprises switching mechanism, described switching mechanism is used for the conversion between type of sports, becomes in described distributor gear along other direction or moving in another aspect along moving of a direction to make the user interface part of described actuating mechanism.

13. distributors according to claim 12, wherein, described switching mechanism is used for the rotary motion of the distribution member rectilinear motion of actuation part being converted to described distributor gear, and described distribution member is configured to engage one or more articles of sheet material and is moved in described dispense aperture by described one or more articles of sheet material.

14. according to distributor in any one of the preceding claims wherein, wherein, described actuating mechanism comprises gear mechanism, and described gear mechanism is provided in the transmission between one or more user interface part of described actuating mechanism and the distribution member of described distributor gear.

15. distributors according to claim 15, wherein, described gear mechanism is arranged so that the actuation stroke of different user interface section causes the driver part of described distributor gear to distribute the articles of sheet material of varying number.

16. according to distributor in any one of the preceding claims wherein, wherein, relation between the actuation stroke of the amount of movement of the distribution member of described distributor gear and the movable part of described actuating mechanism changes according to sheet product characteristic, described distributor comprises the adjusting device for described distributor gear or described actuating mechanism, to compensate any change of described relation, thus guarantee that the articles of sheet material of ideal quantity is assigned with.

17. distributors according to claim 17, wherein, described adjusting device changes the length of described actuation stroke.

18. according to distributor in any one of the preceding claims wherein, wherein, described actuating mechanism has the haul distance of restriction, between retainer between the standing part and moveable part of described actuating mechanism of the haul distance of described restriction and finger retainer.

19. distributors according to claim 18, wherein, described haul distance is pressed according to which in described multiple user's actuation interface and different because of the path of the different length to finger retainer.

20. distributors according to any one of claim 1 to 19, wherein, the haul distance of described actuating mechanism is different by user operation according to which in described multiple user's actuation interface, or wherein, the transmission of described actuation stroke is different by user operation according to which in described multiple user's actuation interface, is assigned with to make the articles of sheet material of varying number.

21. 1 kinds of supply sheet section products are stacking with according to the method for loading in the shell of distributor in any one of the preceding claims wherein.