ES2841432T3 - Paper Product Dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

Dispenser for paper products (1), comprising a box-shaped container (2), which defines an interior compartment (3) to house the paper products and suitable to house a packet of napkins or handkerchiefs internally, to be collected one after another in succession, said container (2) provided with an opening (4) to collect the products contained in the inner compartment (3), and a base (5) designed to be in contact with any support surface, said container (2) comprises a lower part (7) and an upper part (8), where said interior compartment (3) is located. said lower part (7) comprises a front element (9) that is affected by said opening (4) to collect said products, said dispenser (1) comprises rotary coupling means (6) interposed between said lower part (7) of said container (2) and said base (5), to allow said container (2) to rotate freely with respect to said base (5), allowing said opening (4) to rotate in the desired direction towards a particular user who intends to collect a product, in which said rotary coupling means (6) comprise a female element (27) and a male element (28), said male element (28) being rotatably coupled within said female element (27), characterized because said female element (27) comprises a circular seat (27a), formed in said lower part (7) of said container (2), and because said male element (28) comprises an annular projection (28a), integral with the surface top of said base (5) in use, and adequate a to engage with said circular seat (27a).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Paper Product Dispenser

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispenser for paper products.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a dispenser for paper products such as napkins, handkerchiefs or the like.

PRIOR ART

There are different types of dispensers for paper products such as napkins, tissues and similar products that are designed to be placed, for example, on tables, furniture or other surfaces that allow users to take the products freely.

An example of common use of these dispensers is in bars, restaurants or other similar businesses where the products are used by those who consume food or beverages.

Usually a dispenser like the one mentioned above is a box-shaped container, containing a packet of napkins or tissues inside, which are taken one after another.

Usually, although not always, napkins or handkerchiefs are interspersed, that is, each one is folded and positioned together with another, in such a way that when someone takes one, they drag the flap of the product that is immediately after. In this way, the user can easily take the product.

The dispenser container typically has at least one opening through which the user can take one product at a time. When the products are sandwiched, the flap of the first product available to the user partially protrudes from said opening.

Regarding the position of use, the opening can be in the front or in the upper part of the dispenser. The container can be opened to place the paper products after they have been finished; the container opening mechanism and its positioning can also be different (eg front or side opening). In certain situations of use, for example, on a bar counter, the dispenser is placed on a support surface, in a specific position that allows the products to be conveniently taken, for example, with the opening facing the users.

However, there are other usage situations where a single position is not suitable for all users.

For example, if the dispenser is in the middle of a table, the opening to take the products will always be in front of a single user; In order to take the product, other users must turn the dispenser permanently or ask the user facing the opening to reach them. This action represents a detriment to hygiene, since the product passes through several hands.

Document US2016 / 0029856 A1 describes a dispenser for paper products according to the introduction of claim 1.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The technical purpose of this invention is to improve the state of the art in the field of dispensers for paper products.

Within this technical purpose, the present invention aims to provide a dispenser for paper products that allows several users, located in different positions with respect to the dispenser itself, to easily collect the products in conditions of maximum hygiene and comfort.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser for paper products that is simple, practical and intuitive to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser for paper products that makes it possible to obtain the aforementioned objects with a constructive solution that is simple and inexpensive.

This purpose and objectives are achieved by the dispenser of paper products according to the attached claim 1.

The dispenser comprises a container, which contains an interior compartment to place the paper products, provided with at least one opening to collect the products contained in the interior compartment, and a base designed to be in contact with any support surface; according to the invention, the dispenser comprises rotary coupling means interposed between the container and the base.

This makes it possible to rotate the container with respect to the base at will, allowing several users positioned differently with respect to the dispenser itself to collect the products in a comfortable and simple way.

The dependent claims relate to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention will be better understood by any person skilled in the art from the following description and the attached drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the dispenser for paper products according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the dispenser from the front; Figure 3 is a view of the dispenser from above; Figure 4 is a view of the dispenser from below; Figure 5 is a view of the dispenser from behind; Figure 6 is an axonometric view of the dispenser, with some parts removed for clarity; Figure 7 is an exploded axonometric view of the dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying Figure 1, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a paper product dispenser in accordance with the present invention.

The paper products can be napkins, tissues or the like, of any shape and / or size.

The dispenser 1 comprises a container for paper products, generally indicated by the reference numeral 2.

The container 2 comprises an interior compartment 3 to house the products (not shown in the figures).

Furthermore, the container 2 comprises at least one opening 4, to collect the products contained in the inner compartment 3.

According to the invention, the dispenser 1 comprises at least one base 5.

The base 5 is designed to be in contact with any support surface; This support surface can be, for example, a tabletop, a piece of furniture, a bar counter, a shelf or another, without limitation.

According to the invention, the dispenser 1 comprises a rotary coupling means 6, interposed between the container 2 and the base 5.

This solution allows the container 2 to rotate freely with respect to the base 5, which allows the opening 4 to rotate in the desired direction, for example, towards a specific user who intends to collect a product.

In more detail, the container 2 comprises a lower part 7 and an upper part 8, where said inner compartment 3 is located.

The rotary coupling means 6 are interposed between the lower part 7 of the container 2 and the base 5.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the lower part 7 and the upper part 8 of the container 2 are separable from each other, to allow access to the interior compartment 3.

In other words, the upper part 8 of the container 2 constitutes, in practice, its opening and closing lid.

The lower part 7 comprises a front element 9 which is affected by the opening 4 to collect the products. The upper part 8 is articulated with the lower part 7; therefore, the upper part 8 can be rotated from a closed position to an open position, in which it is possible to access the inner compartment 3.

The upper part 8 is articulated, in particular, to the front element 9 of the lower part 7; in more detail, the front element 9 is provided with two opposite side holes 10, in which the respective pins 11 provided in the upper part 8 can be engaged.

In other embodiments of the invention, it is clear that the side holes 10 could also be provided in the upper part 8, while the pins 11 could be provided in the lower part 7.

The opening 4 for collecting the products (see as an example Figures 1 and 2) has an elongated shape, rounded at the ends; With reference to its longitudinal axis, the opening 4 is asymmetrical, since it comprises a substantially arcuate upper contour 12 and a lower contour 13, which define a recess 14 that facilitates the insertion of the fingers of the user's hand.

The upper section 8 of the container 2 (see as an example Figures 1 and 7) is slightly divergent, in the sense that it widens towards the area of the opening 4; this makes it possible to create a front element 9 of a large size and, consequently, an opening 4 that is larger and easily accessible.

The dispenser 1 comprises compaction means for the products, indicated with the reference number 15. The compaction means 15 are located in the inner compartment 3 of the container 2.

In more detail, the compaction means 15 make it possible to keep the products consistently and correctly in contact with the front element 9 of the lower part 7, so that they can be easily collected through the opening 4, even when they have been almost completely consumed.

The compaction means 15 comprise a pair of guides 16 and a plate 17 slidingly associated with said guides 16.

The guides 16 are connected to the lower part 7 of the container 2; in more detail, the bottom of the lower part 7 is provided with opposite pockets 18 in which the respective appendices 19, associated with said guides 16, are removably coupled.

The coupling between the lugs 19 and the pockets 18 can be, for example, by means of locks or other suitable means of connection.

The plate 17 comprises two side slides 20, slidingly coupled to the respective upper edges 21 of the guides 16.

The plate 17 is associated with elastic means that exert a pushing action on the same plate 17 in the direction of the opening 4 of the container 2, so that the package of paper products housed in the inner compartment 3 is always induced to rest against the front element 9, even when it has been almost completely consumed.

The elastic means can be of any type as long as it is suitable to implement the specific function described.

The container 2 comprises closure means 22, which allow selective access to the interior compartment 3.

The closing means 22 comprise at least one elastically flexible tab 23, integral with the lower part 7 (in the rear area, in use).

The tab 23 comprises a respective raised end portion 24; said raised end portion 24 has a circular shape, for example.

The closing means 22 also comprises a hole 25 created in the upper part 8 (in the rear area, in use).

In a closed configuration of the container 2, the raised end portion 24 of the tab 23 engages in the hole 25.

To open the container 2 and access the inner compartment 3, slight pressure must be exerted on the raised end portion 24 so that it disengages from the hole 25, thus releasing the upper portion 8 from the lower portion 7.

The base 5 of the dispenser 1 is basically a cross; this solution allows the dispenser 1 to obtain optimum stability on a support surface, while limiting the weight of the object and the use of materials.

Support legs 26 are provided at all four corners of the cross (Figure 4).

The legs 26 can be or be covered with material that creates a high coefficient of friction on the support surface of the dispenser 1; for example, this material can be rubber or the like.

This makes it possible to keep the base 5 in stable contact with the support surface even while the container 2 rotates with respect to it.

However, the base 5 can have any shape according to the specific needs of the application.

According to the invention, the rotary coupling means 6 comprise a female element 27 and a male element 28, the latter rotatably coupled inside the female element 27.

The female element 27 and the male element 28 are respectively associated with the bottom 7 of the container 2 and the base 5.

In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, which is of special practical interest, the female element 27 is associated with the lower part 7 of the container 2, while the male element 28 is associated with the base 5.

The female element 27 comprises (or is constituted by) a circular seat 27a formed in the lower part 7 of the container 2 (in more detail, formed in the bottom of the lower part 7).

The male element 28 comprises (or is constituted by) an annular protrusion 28a, integral with the upper surface of the base 5 in use, and suitable for engagement within the circular seat 27a.

According to one embodiment, the annular boss 28a comprises a plurality of restriction sections 29 of the annular boss 28a itself within the circular seat 27a.

In more detail, restriction sections 29 prevent annular projection 28a from being accidentally removed from circular seat 27a.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the annular projection 28a comprises four restriction sections 29, arranged at 90 ° to each other.

Each of the restriction sections 29 comprise a respective section of said annular projection 28a, physically separated or isolated by means of discontinuous sections (eg cuts).

This makes it possible for each restriction section 29 to be elastically flexible; For this purpose, a respective slot or cut 30 is provided in the thickness of the base 5 and near each restriction section 29, which allows free flexing of the restriction section 29.

Each restriction section 29 has its respective terminal end 31 bent outward from the annular boss 28a: in doing so, a kind of tooth is created which, when the annular boss 28a engages within the circular seat 27a, abuts against the peripheral edge. thereof and precisely prevents any accidental removal of the annular projection 28a.

To disengage the container 2 from the base 5, for example for cleaning, maintenance and similar purposes, it is sufficient to press the restriction sections 29 towards the center of the annular protrusion 28a, to separate the restriction sections 29 themselves from the peripheral edge of the circular seat 27a.

The coupling between the annular projection 28a and the circular seat 27a allows the container 2 to rotate freely with respect to the base 5, to orient the opening 4 to collect the products at will.

The rotation of the container 2 with respect to the base 5 is particularly safe and stable, given the large diameter of the annular projection 28a and the circular seat 27a.

According to one embodiment, the dispenser 1 comprises selective blocking means 32 of the container 2 with respect to the base 5.

In more detail, the selective locking means 32 allows - at the discretion of the user - to limit the container 2 with respect to the base 5, to prevent its rotation, or to release the container 2 from the base 5 so that the two components can rotate freely. each.

Selective locking means 32 comprise a first element 33 that selectively mates with a second element 34, integral with base 5.

According to one embodiment, the base 5 is provided with a casing 40 into which the first element 33 is inserted when not in use, so that it can be preserved.

In order to use it, the first element 33 must be removed from the housing 40.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, which is of special practical interest, the first element 33 comprises a first part 35 for assembly with the container 2, and a second part 36 for assembly with the second element 34.

The first element 33 is substantially in the shape of a mushroom, where the first part 35 constitutes the head and the second part 36, the stem.

The bottom of the lower part 7 of the container 2 is provided with a through hole 37 with two diameters: one slightly larger than the diameter of the first part 35 and the other slightly larger than the diameter of the second part 36.

In this way, the first element 33 can be fitted within the through hole 37 so that the second part 36 thereof protrudes downwards relative to the bottom 7 of the container 2.

Consequently, the second element 34 comprises a hole 38 formed in the base 5, in the center of which is provided a small rod 39 of tubular shape oriented downwards, which protrudes from the lower surface of the base 5; said rod 39 is suitable for selectively inserting the second part 36 of the first element 33. Therefore, as shown in figure 6, when the first element 33 is hooked inside the through hole 37, the second part 36 hooks inside of the rod hole 39 prevents the container from rotating with respect to the base 5.

When, instead, the first element 33 is disengaged from the through hole 37, the container 2 can rotate freely with respect to the base 5.

Thus, it can be seen how the invention achieves its intended purposes.

According to the invention, the dispenser 1 constitutes a practical and economical solution to allow easier consumption of paper products by multiple users located in different positions in relation to the dispenser itself.

According to the invention, the use of the dispenser 1 is very simple and straightforward, as well as safe from the point of view of the necessary hygiene requirements.

Thanks to the presence of the selective blocking means 32, the dispenser 1, according to the invention, can also be transformed into a traditional dispenser, that is to say, not rotatable with respect to the base.

This invention has been described in accordance with preferred embodiments, but possible equivalent variants may exist without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. Paper product dispenser (1), comprising a box-shaped container (2), that defines an interior compartment (3) to house the paper products and suitable to house inside a packet of napkins or handkerchiefs, to be collected one after the other in succession, said container (2) provided with an opening (4) to collect the products contained in the interior compartment (3), and a base (5) designed to be in contact with any support surface, said container (2) comprises a lower part (7) and an upper part (8), where said inner compartment (3) is located. said lower part (7) comprises a front element (9) that is affected by said opening (4) to collect said products, said dispenser (1) comprises rotary coupling means (6) interposed between said lower part (7) of said container (2) and said base (5), to allow said container (2) to rotate freely with respect to said base ( 5), which allows said opening (4) to be rotated in the desired direction towards a particular user who intends to pick up a product, wherein said rotary coupling means (6) comprise a female element (27) and a male element (28), said male element (28) being rotatably coupled within said female element (27), characterized in that said female element (27) comprises a circular seat (27a), formed in said lower part (7) of said container (2), and in that said male element (28) comprises an annular projection (28a), integral with the upper surface of said base (5) in use, and suitable to engage with said circular seat (27a). A dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein said annular projection (28a) comprises a plurality of restriction sections (29) within said male element (28). A dispenser (1) according to claim 2, wherein in each of said restriction sections (29) of said male element (28), there are sections of said annular projection (28a) physically separated or isolated from the same by means of discontinuous sections, to make said restriction sections (29) elastically flexible. 4. A dispenser (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each restriction section (29) has its respective terminal end (31) bent outward from said annular projection (28a), so as to create a a kind of tooth that, when said annular projection (28a) engages within said circular seat (27a), rests against the peripheral edge thereof and prevents any accidental removal of said annular projection (28a). The dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising selective blocking means (32) of said container (2) with respect to said base (5), said selective blocking means (32) comprising a first element (33), integral with said container (2), adapted to selectively couple to a second element (34), integral with said base (5). A dispenser (1) according to claim 5, wherein said first element (33) comprises a first part (35) for assembly to said container (2), and a second part (36) for assembly to said second element (34), said first member (33) having substantially the shape of a mushroom, wherein said first part (35) constitutes the head and said second part (36) the stem. 7. A dispenser (1) according to claim 6, wherein said lower part (7) comprises a through hole (37) with two diameters, one slightly greater than the diameter of said first part (35) and the other slightly greater that the diameter of said second part (36), so that said first element (33) can be coupled within said through hole (37) so that said second part (36) protrudes downwards with respect to said lower part (7 ). A dispenser (1) according to claim 7, wherein said second element (34) comprises a hole (38) formed in said base (5), in the center of which is provided a small rod (39) that it is suitable for selectively receiving said second portion (36). A dispenser (1) according to one of claims 5-8, wherein said base (5) comprises a housing (40) in which said first element (33) is present before it can be used. 10. A dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said lower part (7) and said upper part (8) are separable from each other to allow access to said inner compartment (3). A dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising compacting means (15) for paper products, housed within said inner compartment (3).