AU2014203710A1 - A dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A DISPENSER A dispenser (10) for articles, the dispenser (10) including a container (14). The container (14) comprising a front, a back, an interior, an inlet (26) to the interior located at or near the front, and an outlet (34) from the interior located at or near the front and below the inlet (26). The dispenser (10) further including guiding means located in the interior and configured to guide the articles from the inlet to the outlet by gravity. The guiding means including at least a first part (38) and a second part (44) located below the first part (38), wherein the first part (38) extends from the inlet towards the back, and the second part (44) extends from the back towards the outlet (34). 1r uA Fig. 5

Description

1 A DISPENSER Field [0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser for articles. [0002] The invention has been developed primarily for use in dispensing adhesive cartridges and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and is also suitable for dispensing cartridges of silicone, sealant, filler and caulk. Background [0003] Adhesives are often sold in disposable cylindrical cartridges that are designed to be loaded into a gun for extrusion. A nozzle can be screwed onto the cartridge, and is often sold with the cartridge. The contents of the cartridges have a relatively short shelf life of about 12 months. [0004] One known method of merchandising the cartridges in a retail environment involves manually placing the cartridges onto a shelf. A wire rack is often utilised to ensure that the cartridges are kept in an ordered manner. Another known method involves keeping the cartridges in the shipment box or manually placing the cartridges in another box, and then placing that box onto a shelf. The box is manually cut such that there is a window to access the cartridges. [0005] A disadvantage of the above known methods is that the cartridges are static when on the shelves and requires manual rotation to have rearward cartridges moved forward and presented for sale in a timely manner. However, as manual rotation is not often feasible or poorly carried out, a large number of cartridges expire prior to selling. A further disadvantage of the above known methods is that the cartridges on the shelves frequently fall over requiring manual handling to reposition the cartridges in an upright position. A further disadvantage of the above known methods is that they are inefficient, labour intensive and inconvenient.

2 Object of Invention [0006] It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or at least provide a useful alternative. Summary of Invention [0007] There is disclosed herein a dispenser for articles, the dispenser including: a container comprising a front, a back, an interior, an inlet to the interior located at or near the front, and an outlet from the interior located at or near the front and below the inlet; guiding means located in the interior and configured to guide the articles from the inlet to the outlet by gravity, the guiding means including at least a first part and a second part located below the first part, wherein the first part extends from the inlet towards the back, and the second part extends from the back towards the outlet. [0008] The first part is preferably configured to guide the articles towards the back by gravity. The first part is defined by a first platform declining towards the back. The first platform has a first curved portion located at or near the front and configured to guide the articles onto the first platform. The second part is configured to guide the articles towards the outlet by gravity. The second part is defined by a second platform declining towards the outlet. The second platform has a second curved portion located at or near the back and configured to guide the articles onto the second platform. [0009] The guiding means preferably further includes at least third and fourth parts located between the first and second parts, the third part being located above the fourth part, the third part extends from the back towards the front, and the fourth part extends from the front towards the back. The third part is configured to guide the articles towards the front by gravity. The third part is defined by a third platform declining towards the front. The third platform has a third curved portion located at or near the front and configured to guide the articles onto the third platform. The fourth part is configured to guide the articles towards the back by gravity. The fourth part is defined by a fourth platform declining towards the back. The fourth platform has a 3 fourth curved portion located at or near the back and configured to guide the articles onto the fourth platform. [00010] The dispenser preferably further comprises stopping means configured to stop the articles at or near the outlet. [00011] The container preferably further comprises a compartment located forwardly from the inlet and above the outlet, the compartment adapted to store secondary articles therein. The compartment includes a front wall having a transparent front portion. The compartment further includes a back wall having a transparent back portion. [00012] The container preferably further comprises a front wall located forwardly from the inlet and above the outlet, the front wall having a transparent front portion. [00013] The compartment preferably has an open top. [00014] The container preferably further comprises a pair of longitudinal opposing side walls extending from the back to the front such that the interior is therebetween, and wherein a distance between the side walls is substantially equal to a length of each article. Each of the articles is rollable. Each of the articles is substantially cylindrical in shape. [00015] The container preferably further comprises a base comprising at least one base flange portion extending from a bottom portion of one of the side walls. The at least one base flange portion preferably inwardly extends from the bottom portion of the one of the side walls. The base preferably comprises a pair of said base flange portions, wherein a first of the pair of said base flange portions inwardly extends from a bottom portion of a first of the side walls, and a second of the pair of said base flange portions inwardly extends from a bottom portion of a second of the side walls. [00016] The dispenser preferably further includes a supporting means configured to support at least another dispenser thereabove in a stacked arrangement. The supporting means comprises at least one support flange portion extending from a top portion of one of the side walls. The at least one support flange portion preferably inwardly extends from the top portion of one of the 4 side walls. The at least one support flange portion preferably configured to abut with the at least one base flange portion of said at least another dispenser. The supporting means preferably comprises a pair of said support flange portions, wherein a first of the pair of said support flange portions inwardly extends from a top portion of a first of the side walls, and a second of the pair of said support flange portions inwardly extends from a top portion of a second of the side walls. The first of the pair of said support flange portions configured to abut with the first of the pair of said base flange portions of said at least another dispenser, and the second of the pair of said support flange portions configured to abut with the second of the pair of said base flange portions of said at least another dispenser. [00017] The dispenser preferably further includes at least one protuberance upwardly extending from the at least one support flange portion and at least one corresponding aperture located on the at least one base flange portion, wherein the at least one protuberance is configured for releasable engagement with the at least one aperture of said at least another dispenser. The engagement between the at least one protuberance and the at least one aperture of said at least another dispenser is a snap-fit engagement. The dispenser preferably includes a pair of said protuberances upwardly extending from the at least one support flange portion and a pair of said apertures located on the at least one base flange portion. Brief Description of Drawings [00018] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: [00019] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a dispenser; [00020] Fig. 2 is a front view of the dispenser of Fig. 1; [00021] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of Fig. 1; [00022] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a dispenser; [00023] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a dispenser, wherein the base and walls of the dispenser are not shown; 5 [00024] Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a dispenser; [00025] Fig. 7 is a front view of the dispenser of Fig. 6; [00026] Fig. 8 is a rear view of the dispenser of Fig. 6; [00027] Fig. 9 is another top perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 6; [00028] Fig. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 6; [00029] Fig. 11 is a right side view of the dispenser of Fig. 6; [00030] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of Fig. 6; [00031] Fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the protuberances of the dispenser of Fig. 6; and [00032] Fig. 14 is a side view of the protuberance of Fig. 13. Description of Embodiments [00033] Figs. I to 3 show a first embodiment of a dispenser 10 for articles. The articles are in the form of cartridges 12 containing adhesives. The cartridges 12 are substantially elongate, cylindrical in shape and rollable. [00034] The dispenser 10 includes an open top container 14 which is substantially rectangular prismatic in shape. The container 14 comprises a bottom or base 16, a front wall 18, a back wall 20, and a pair of side walls 22, 24. The base 16 and the walls 18, 20, 22, 24 together define an interior therebetween for the cartridges 12. The side walls 22, 24 are spaced apart by a distance slightly larger than the length of the cartridges 12 to allow the cartridges 12 to roll therebetween. [00035] The container 14 further comprises an elevated base portion 28 and an inner front wall 30 that are arranged in relation to the front wall 18 to define an open top compartment 3 1 for storage and display of nozzles 32. The front wall 18 is transparent such that any nozzles 32 in the 6 compartment 31 are visible therethrough by a person standing in front of the dispenser 10. The inner front wall 30 is also transparent such that the number of the cartridges 12 in the interior of the container 14 is visible therethrough by a person standing in front of the dispenser 10. [00036] The region of the open top of the container 14, adjacent to the compartment 31, acts as an inlet 26 to the interior of the container 14. The front wall 18 includes an opening adjacent to the base 16 that acts as an outlet 34 from the interior of the container 14. [00037] The dispenser 10 further comprises a stopping means in the form of a rail 36 located at the front of the dispenser 10. The rail 36 extends forwardly and upwardly from the base 16 and is configured to stop a cartridge 12 at the outlet 34 such that the stopped cartridge 12 is partially exposed from the interior of the container 14 for easy access. [00038] As best shown in Fig. 3, the dispenser 10 further comprises guiding means located in the interior of the container 14 and configured to guide the cartridges 12 from the inlet 26 to the outlet 34 by gravity. The guiding means comprises four parts in the form of platforms 38, 40, 42, 44. The platforms 38, 40, 42, 44 define a substantially sinusoidal pathway for the cartridges 12 in the interior of the container 14 to roll from the inlet 26 to the outlet 34. [00039] The platform 38 extends from the inlet 26 towards the back wall 20 such that there is a gap between a free edge of the platform 38 and the back wall 20. The gap is of sufficient width to allow a cartridge 12 to pass therethrough. The platform 38 declines from the inlet 26 towards the back wall 20 such that cartridges 12 on the platform 38 are guided to roll towards the back wall 20 by gravity. [00040] The platform 40 is located below the platform 38 and extends from the back wall 20 towards the inner front wall 30 such that there is a gap between a free edge of the platform 40 and the inner front wall 30. The gap is of sufficient width to allow a cartridge 12 to pass therethough. The platform 40 declines from the back wall 20 towards the inner front wall 30 such that cartridges 12 on the platform 40 are guided to roll towards the inner front wall 30 by gravity.

7 [00041] The platform 42 is located below the platform 40 and extends from the inner front wall 30 towards the back wall 20 such that there is a gap between a free edge of the platform 42 and the back wall 20. The gap is of sufficient width to allow a cartridge 12 to pass therethough. The platform 42 declines from the inner front wall 30 towards the back wall 20 such that cartridges 12 on the platform 42 are guided to roll towards the back wall 20 by gravity. [00042] The platform 44 is located below the platform 42 and above the base 16. The platform 44 extends from the back wall 20 towards the outlet 34. The platform 44 declines from the back wall 20 towards the outlet 34 such that the cartridges 12 on the platform 44 are guided to roll towards the outlet 34 by gravity. [00043] As best shown in Fig. 1, each of the side walls 22, 24 includes three elongate apertures 44, 46, 48 that allow most of the cartridges 12 on the platforms 40, 42, 44 to be visible through the respective side wall 22, 24. The elongate aperture 44 extends from about the back wall 20 towards the inner front wall 30, and is parallel to and slightly above the platform 40. The elongate aperture 46 extends from about the inner front wall 30 towards the back wall 20, and is parallel to and slightly above the platform 42. The elongate aperture 48 extends from about the back wall 20 towards the inner front wall 30, and is parallel to and slightly above the platform 44. [00044] A typical journey of a single cartridge 12 from the inlet 26 to the outlet 34 along the sinusoidal pathway will now be described. [00045] Initially, after being received by the inlet 26, the cartridge 12 is placed onto the platform 38 so that the cartridge 12 rolls towards the back wall 20. The cartridge 12 then passes through the gap between the free edge of the platform 38 and the back wall 20 onto the platform 40. The cartridge 12 then rolls towards the inner front wall 30 and then passes through the gap between the free edge of the platform 40 and the inner front wall 30 onto the platform 42. The cartridge 12 then rolls towards the back wall 20 and passes through the gap between the free edge of the platform 42 and the back wall 20 onto the platform 44. The cartridge 12 then rolls towards the outlet 34 until it is stopped by the rail 36 so that it is stationary at the outlet 34 for dispensing.

8 [00046] The use of the dispenser 10 in a retail environment will now be described where the dispenser 10 is initially empty. [00047] The dispenser 10 is positioned onto a retail display shelf such that the front wall 18 of the container 14 is facing outward (i.e. is visible to the consumers). A user stands in front of the dispenser 10 and sequentially loads the dispenser 10 with cartridges 12 through the inlet 26. The received cartridges 12 roll along the sinusoidal path formed by the platforms 38, 40, 42, 44 until the first received cartridge 12 reaches the outlet 34 and is stopped by the rail 36. It will be appreciated that, once the first received cartridge 12 is stopped, the remaining received cartridges 12 will be stopped and stacked sequentially therebehind along the sinusoidal path. The user will keep loading the container 14 until the received cartridges 12 are stacked up to the inlet 26. The user will then load the compartment 31 with the nozzles 32 through its open top. [00048] When a customer requires a cartridge 12, the customer will remove the cartridge 12 located at the outlet 34. Once that the cartridge 12 at the outlet 34 is removed, the cartridge 12 immediately behind will roll to the outlet 34 by gravity and be stopped by the rail 36. Consequently, all other cartridges 12 in the container 14 will also move along the sinusoidal path. Accordingly, there will always be a cartridge 12 at the outlet 34 for dispensing until the dispenser 10 is empty. The customer will also remove a nozzle 32 from the compartment 31 which is required to use the cartridge 12. [00049] When the cartridges 12 within the dispenser 10 are running low, the user loads more cartridges 12 by the inlet 26 using the steps described above. When the nozzles 32 within the dispenser 10 are running low, the user loads more nozzles 32 using the steps described above. [00050] An advantage of the dispenser 10 is that it can be loaded from the front. This is beneficial as the dispenser 10 does not have to be removed from the display shelf to be loaded and thus is convenient to use. Also, the front loading allows other merchandise or indeed other dispensers 10 to be placed side-by-side on the display shelf [00051] Another advantage of the dispenser 10 is that it allows the cartridges 12 to be dispensed in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) manner. This minimises the risk of cartridges 12 expiring, and without requiring any manual re-organisation of the cartridges 12.

9 [00052] Another advantage of the dispenser 10 is that the apertures 44, 46, 48 of the side walls 22, 24 and the walls 18, 30 allow the user to quickly check or monitor the stock levels of the cartridges 12 and the nozzle 32. [00053] Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a dispenser 10' in which like reference numerals are used to denote like features to that of the dispenser 10. In this embodiment, the dispenser 10' does not have an elevated base portion and an inner front wall to define an open top compartment. Instead, the region of the open top of the container 14 adjacent to the front wall 18 acts as the inlet 26. Further, the platform 40 extends from the back wall 20 towards the front wall 18 such that there is a gap between the free edge of the platform 40 and the front wall 18 for the cartridges 12 to pass through. The platform 42 extends from the front wall 18 towards the back wall 20 such that there is a gap between the free edge of the platform 42 and the back wall 20 for the cartridges 12 to pass through. An advantage of the dispenser 10' is that the stock levels of the cartridges 12 within the container 14 can be easily checked and/or monitored through the transparent front wall 18. [00054] Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of a dispenser 10" in which like reference numerals are used to denote like features to that of the dispenser 10 and in which the walls 20, 22, 24, 30 and the base 16 are not shown. In this embodiment, each of the platforms 38, 40, 42, 44 has a curved portion 50, 52, 54, 56. The curved portions 50, 52, 54, 56 provide the sinusoidal path with rounded turns to allow the cartridges 12 to be guided therethrough in a smooth and sequential manner. This substantially prevents the cartridges 12 from becoming blocked within the sinusoidal path. [00055] The curved portion 50 is located at or near the inner front wall 30 and upwardly extends towards the inlet 26. The curved portion 50 allows the cartridges 12 received by the inlet 26 to be in contact therewith such that the cartridges 12 are guided onto the platform 38 in a smooth manner. [00056] The curved portion 52 is located at or near the back wall 20 and upwardly extends through the gap between the free end of the platform 38 and the back wall 20. The curved portion 52 allows the cartridges 12 to pass through the gap between the free end of the platform 38 and the back wall 20 in a sequential manner. The curved portion 52 also provides a surface 10 that is in contact with the cartridges 12 as they pass through the gap between the free end of the platform 38 and the back wall 20 such that there the cartridges 12 smoothly transition onto the platform 40. [00057] The curved portion 54 is located at or near the inner front wall 30 and upwardly extends through the gap between the free end of the platform 40 and the inner front wall 30. The curved portion 54 allows the cartridges 12 to pass through the gap between the free end of the platform 40 and the inner front wall 30 in a sequential manner. The curved portion 54 also provides a surface that is in contact with the cartridges 12 as they pass through the gap between the free end of the platform 40 and the inner front wall 30 such that there the cartridges 12 smoothly transition onto the platform 42. [00058] The curved portion 56 is located at or near the back wall 20 and upwardly extends through the gap between the free end of the platform 42 and the back wall 20. The curved portion 56 allows the cartridges 12 to pass through the gap between the free end of the platform 42 and the back wall 20 in a sequential manner. The curved portion 56 also provides a surface that is in contact with the cartridges 12 as they pass through the gap between the free end of the platform 42 and the back wall 20 such that there the cartridges 12 smoothly transition onto the platform 44. [00059] Figs. 6 to 14 show a fourth embodiment of a dispenser 100 for cartridges 12. In this embodiment, the dispenser 100 includes an open top and open bottom container 114 which is substantially rectangular prismatic in shape. The container 114 comprises a pair of base flanges 1 16a, 1 16b, a front elongate member 118, a back wall 120, and a pair of side walls 122, 124 defining an interior therebetween for the cartridges 12. The side walls 122, 124 are spaced apart by a distance slightly larger than the length of the cartridges 12 to allow the cartridges 12 to roll therebetween. [00060] The base flange 116a inwardly extends from a bottom edge of the side wall 122 and the base flange 116b inwardly extends from a bottom edge of the side wall 124. The base flanges 116a, 116b act as the base for the dispenser 100. The front elongate member 118 extends between the front edges of the side walls 122, 124 to define an opening thereabove and an opening therebelow. The opening above the member 118 acts as an inlet 126 to the interior of the 11 container 114. The opening below the member 118 acts as an outlet 134 from the interior of the container 114. [00061] As best shown in Figure 12, the dispenser 100 further comprises guiding means located in the interior of the container 114 and configured to guide the cartridges 12 from the inlet 126 to the outlet 134 by gravity. The guiding means comprises two parts in the form of platforms 138, 144. The platforms 138, 144 define a substantially sinusoidal path for the cartridges 12 in the interior of the container 114 to roll from the inlet 126 to the outlet 134. [00062] The platform 138 extends from the inlet 126 towards the back wall 120 such that there is a gap between a free edge of the platform 138 and the back wall 120. The gap is of sufficient width to allow a cartridge 12 to pass therethrough. The platform 138 declines from the inlet 126 towards the back wall 120 such that the cartridges 12 on the platform 138 are guided to roll towards the back wall 120 by gravity. [00063] The platform 144 is located below the platform 138 and extends from near the back wall 120 to and slightly through the outlet 34. The platform 144 is declined such that the cartridges 12 on the platform 144 are guided to roll towards the outlet 134 by gravity. A free end 136 of the platform 144, located past the outlet 134, extends upwardly acting as a stopping means configured to stop a cartridge 12 at the outlet 134 such that the stopped cartridge 12 is partially exposed from the interior of the container 114 for easy access. [00064] The dispenser 100 further includes a supporting means configured to support another dispenser (not shown) thereabove in a stacked arrangement. The supporting means is in the form of a pair of support flanges 158a, 158b to support the other dispenser. The support flange 158a inwardly extends from a top edge of the side wall 122 and the support flange 158b inwardly extends from a top edge of the side wall 124. When the other dispenser is stacked on top of the dispenser 100, the support flange 158a corresponds and abuts with the base flange (equivalent to 116a) of the other dispenser, and the support flange 158b corresponds and abuts with the equivalent base flange (equivalent to 116b) of the other dispenser. [00065] The dispenser 100 further includes protuberances 162a, 162b, 164a, 164b and corresponding apertures 166a, 166b, 168a, 168b. The protuberances 162a, 162b upwardly extend 12 from the support flange 158b and the protuberances 164a, 164b upwardly extend from the support flange 158a. Although only the enlarged details of the protuberance 162a are shown in Figs. 13 and 14, it will be appreciated that the other protuberances 162b, 164a, 164b are substantially identical in shape and size. The apertures 166a, 166b are located on the base flange 1 16a and the apertures 168a, 168b are located on the base flange 1 16b. When the other dispenser is stacked on top of the dispenser 100 as described above, the protuberances 162a, 162b, 164a, 164b are snap fittingly received into the apertures (equivalent to 168a, 168b, 162a, 162b) of the other dispenser, respectively, for releasable engagement between the dispenser 100 and the other dispenser. This engagement allows the dispenser 100 and the other dispenser to be releasably secured together when in a stacked arrangement. [00066] It will be appreciated that the dispenser 100 will operate in a similar fashion to that described in relation to the dispenser 10, albeit the cartridges 12 will roll along the sinusoidal path formed by only the platforms 138, 148. [00067] An advantage of the dispenser 100 is that two or more of the dispensers 100 can be stacked together to minimise space when displayed on a display shelf whilst allowing cartridges 12 to be loaded and dispensed with relative ease (i.e. from the front). [00068] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. For example, the dispensers 10, 100 may be fabricated from sheet metal, acrylic, cardboard or a combination thereof.

Claims (35)

1. A dispenser for articles, the dispenser including: a container comprising a front, a back, an interior, an inlet to the interior located at or near the front, and an outlet from the interior located at or near the front and below the inlet; guiding means located in the interior and configured to guide the articles from the inlet to the outlet by gravity, the guiding means including at least a first part and a second part located below the first part, wherein the first part extends from the inlet towards the back, and the second part extends from the back towards the outlet.

2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first part is configured to guide the articles towards the back by gravity.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first part is defined by a first platform declining towards the back.

4. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the first platform has a first curved portion located at or near the front and configured to guide the articles onto the first platform.

5. The dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second part is configured to guide the articles towards the outlet by gravity.

6. The dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second part is defined by a second platform declining towards the outlet.

7. The dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the second platform has a second curved portion located at or near the back and configured to guide the articles onto the second platform.

8. The dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding means further includes at least third and fourth parts located between the first and second parts, the third part being located above the fourth part, the third part extends from the back towards the front, and the fourth part extends from the front towards the back. 14

9. The dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the third part is configured to guide the articles towards the front by gravity.

10. The dispenser according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the third part is defined by a third platform declining towards the front.

11. The dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the third platform has a third curved portion located at or near the front and configured to guide the articles onto the third platform.

12. The dispenser according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the fourth part is configured to guide the articles towards the back by gravity.

13. The dispenser according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the fourth part is defined by a fourth platform declining towards the back.

14. The dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the fourth platform has a fourth curved portion located at or near the back and configured to guide the articles onto the fourth platform.

15. The dispenser according to any one the preceding claims, further comprising stopping means configured to stop the articles at or near the outlet.

16. The dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container further comprises a compartment located forwardly from the inlet and above the outlet, the compartment adapted to store secondary articles therein.

17. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the compartment includes a front wall having a transparent front portion.

18. The dispenser according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the compartment includes a back wall having a transparent back portion.

19. The dispenser according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the compartment has an open top. 15

20. The dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container further comprises a front wall located forwardly from the inlet and above the outlet, the front wall having a transparent front portion.

21. The dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container further comprises a pair of longitudinal opposing side walls extending from the back to the front such that the interior is therebetween, and wherein a distance between the side walls is substantially equal to a length of each article.

22. The dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the articles is rollable.

23. The dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, each of the articles is substantially cylindrical in shape.

24. The dispenser according to claim 21, wherein the container further comprises a base comprising at least one base flange portion extending from a bottom portion of one of the side walls.

25. The dispenser according to claim 24, wherein the at least one base flange portion inwardly extends from the bottom portion of the one of the side walls.

26. The dispenser according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the base comprises a pair of said base flange portions, wherein a first of the pair of said base flange portions inwardly extends from a bottom portion of a first of the side walls, and a second of the pair of said base flange portions inwardly extends from a bottom portion of a second of the side walls.

27. The dispenser according to any one of claims 24 to 26, further including a supporting means configured to support at least another dispenser thereabove in a stacked arrangement.

28. The dispenser according to claim 27, wherein the supporting means comprises at least one support flange portion extending from a top portion of one of the side walls. 16

29. The dispenser according to claim 28, wherein the at least one support flange portion inwardly extends from the top portion of one of the side walls.

30. The dispenser according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the at least one support flange portion is configured to abut with the at least one base flange portion of said at least another dispenser.

31. The dispenser according to any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein the supporting means comprises a pair of said support flange portions, wherein a first of the pair of said support flange portions inwardly extends from a top portion of a first of the side walls, and a second of the pair of said support flange portions inwardly extends from a top portion of a second of the side walls.

32. The dispenser according to claim 31, wherein the first of the pair of said support flange portions configured to abut with the first of the pair of said base flange portions of said at least another dispenser, and the second of the pair of said support flange portions configured to abut with the second of the pair of said base flange portions of said at least another dispenser.

33. The dispenser according to any one of claims 28 to 32, further including at least one protuberance upwardly extending from the at least one support flange portion and at least one corresponding aperture located on the at least one base flange portion, wherein the at least one protuberance is configured for releasable engagement with the at least one aperture of said at least another dispenser.

34. The dispenser according to claim 33, wherein the engagement between the at least one protuberance and the at least one aperture of said at least another dispenser is a snap-fit engagement.

35. The dispenser according to claim 33 or 34, further including a pair of said protuberances upwardly extending from the at least one support flange portion and a pair of said apertures located on the at least one base flange portion. H.B. Fuller Company Australia Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON & FERGUSON