HK1230458B - Dispenser and method of replenishing a dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Dispenser and method of refilling a dispenser

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a dispenser and a method of refilling a dispenser with web material.

Background Art

For example, sheet material for wiping purposes can be supplied in the form of stacks. Different types of dispensers are known for accommodating stacks of such sheet material and for dispensing individual sheets of sheet material from such stacks. Generally speaking, two types of dispensers suitable for stacks of sheet material can be distinguished: first, dispensers from which the sheet material is dispensed from the bottom of the stack; and second, dispensers from which the sheet material is dispensed from the top of the stack. The first type of dispenser can be easily refilled with sheet material by placing new sheet material on top of the sheet material remaining in the dispenser. A disadvantage of this type of dispenser is that the weight of a large stack of sheet material tends to make it difficult to dispense the sheet material from the bottom. In the second type of dispenser, the sheet material can be easily dispensed from the top, regardless of the weight of the stack. On the other hand, refilling the second type of dispenser can be a problem, because the stack often has to be refilled from the bottom.

The stack can be biased toward the dispensing opening and the napkins can be dispensed from the top of the stack through the dispensing opening.Refilling the latter type of dispenser can create its own unique problems.

US2809082 discloses a dispenser, see Figure 6, in which paper is fed from the top of a stack which is refilled from the bottom, but does not describe how the refilling is done in practice.

US2011/0101020 discloses a dispenser comprising a housing having a rear plate and a lid. The bottom of the lid is hinged on a connecting pin. A support container houses a stack of pre-cut materials in use and can accommodate a spare stack. The bottom of the support container is hinged around the same axis of rotation. The lid has a horizontal plate inside, which is used to support the stack in use to load the spare stack after rotating the lid and the support container. The support container is mounted inside and is detachably attached to the housing after rotating into the interior space of the housing, which causes the stack in use to shift downward, allowing the spare stack to be inserted into the interior space. That is, the support container is inverted to approach the bottom of the stack in use to refill the dispenser with the spare stack. After the spare stack is placed on another stack, the stack in use and the spare stack are connected to each other.

A dispenser for folded web material is intended to include several initially separate stacks of web material that are connected to form a continuous folded web material for dispensing. In such a dispenser for folded web material, the refilling process would include the step of connecting the initially separate stacks together. It would be desirable to provide a simple and reliable refilling process and to connect the separate stacks together.

In dispensers for folded web material, service personnel performing the refilling process may be tempted to store excess folded web material in the dispenser. This can cause problems because the stack of folded web material will try to expand in the dispenser, which risks compacting the material and making it difficult to dispense.

In this context, there is a need for an alternative arrangement for refilling the dispenser with a stack of folded web material from the bottom end of the dispenser. There is also a need for an arrangement that simplifies loading when several independent stacks of web material are connected. There is also a need for an arrangement that reduces the risk of the user filling the dispenser with an excess of web material.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser that satisfies one or more of the above needs.In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser that is arranged to be refilled with folded web material from its bottom end.

In a first aspect, the above object is achieved by a dispenser for dispensing sheets of web material from a stack of folded web material, the dispenser comprising: a web material storage section arranged to receive and support the stack of folded web material in a substantially vertical orientation during dispensing of the web material; the web material storage section comprising:

an upper end portion from which the web material is arranged to be guided for dispensing;

a lower end portion opposite the upper end portion and arranged to support the stack of folded web material in said generally vertical direction at least when the dispenser is in the dispensing position;

The upper end and the lower end are arranged in a fixed spatial relationship.

The lower end portion of the web material storage section comprises:

- loading opening, and

a supporting device arranged to be movable between a supporting position, in which the supporting device at least partially extends above the loading opening so that it can support the stack of folded web material, and an insertion position, in which the supporting device at least partially is removed from the loading opening;

Therein, the supporting device is arranged to be movable from the supporting position to the insertion position by pushing a stack to be introduced into the loading opening towards the supporting device in a direction towards an upper end of the web material storage section.

The supporting device is arranged in the loading opening such that if a new stack of web material is moved towards the supporting device in the direction towards the upper end of the supporting material, the supporting device moves away from the loading opening so that the stack can be introduced into the loading opening.

After the introduction of a new stack of web material, any web material already present in the web material storage section may be pushed further towards the upper end of the web material storage section.

At least in the dispensing position, the web material storage section is in a generally upright vertical position. In this position, the web material contained in the storage section will be supported in a generally vertical direction by the supporting means, and gravity causes the web material to be pressed into a pile placed on the supporting means.

A stack of web material can be prepared for recharging the dispenser, comprising connector elements for interconnecting several stacks within the web material storage section to form a continuous web material. The connector elements can be designed so that, when the web material is placed on the support device and the web material is pressed into a stack, the connector elements automatically connect to each other. Accordingly, interconnecting the stacks of web material during recharging of the dispenser can be facilitated.

The supporting means may comprise at least one, preferably two, protruding members.

The protruding member can be retracted from the supporting position to the inserted position. This retractable protruding member can be achieved, for example, by being movable along a direction extending above the loading opening. For example, the protruding member can be arranged to be extendable and retractable through an aperture provided in a peripheral wall defining the loading opening. The protruding member can be retracted in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal direction extending from the lower end to the upper end of the web material storage section. The protruding member can be retracted in a direction generally parallel to a support surface formed when the support device is in the supporting position.

The support means can be arranged so that when the stack is pushed a distance (D) from its supporting position in a direction toward the upper end, the support means can be repositioned in the supporting position. The advantages resulting from this feature will be described below with respect to another variant of the dispenser. It will be understood that the effects of this feature, and the effects of this feature in combination with other features described below, when applied to the dispenser variants mentioned above, are similar.

In a second aspect, this object is achieved by a dispenser for dispensing sheets of web material from a stack of folded web material. The dispenser comprises:

A web material storage section arranged to receive and support a stack of folded web material in a generally vertical orientation during dispensing of the web material; said web material storage section comprising:

an upper end portion from which the web material is arranged to be guided for dispensing, and

A lower end portion is opposite the upper end portion and is arranged to support the stack of folded web material in the generally vertical direction at least when the dispenser is in the dispensing position.

The lower end portion of the web material storage section comprises:

- loading opening, and

- a supporting device, which is arranged to be movable between a supporting position and an insertion position, wherein, in the supporting position, the supporting device extends at least partially above the loading opening so that it can support the stack of folded web material; in the insertion position, the supporting device is at least partially removed from the loading opening; wherein, the supporting device is arranged to be movable from the supporting position to the insertion position by pushing the stack to be introduced into the loading opening towards the supporting device in a direction towards the upper end of the web material storage section; wherein the supporting device is arranged to be able to be re-positioned in the supporting position when the stack is pushed a distance (D) from the supporting position of the supporting device in a direction towards the upper end.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a dispenser having a web material storage section for storing folded web material during dispensing. The web material storage section has a loading opening arranged at its lower end, where a support device is arranged to provide vertical support for the folded web material. The support device is arranged in the loading opening such that if a new stack of web material is pushed toward the support device in a direction toward the upper end of the supported material, the support device will move away from the loading opening, allowing the stack to be introduced into the loading opening. Furthermore, the support device is arranged such that once the stack is pushed further past the support position of the support device by a distance D, the support device can be repositioned in its supporting position.

During the refilling process, a participant can fill the web material storage section with folded web material through the loading opening. As explained above, to introduce new web material into the dispenser, the new web material must be pushed past the support position of the support device by at least a distance D. Accordingly, once the new web material has been pushed past the distance D, the support device is repositioned in the support position. Returning to the support position causes the web material present in the web material storage section to move toward the support device by a distance D. This movement occurs as soon as the support device returns to the support position, at least when the loading opening is partially pointing downward. However, this movement can also occur at a later stage, for example, when the dispenser is brought from the loading position to the dispensing position, in which the support device actively supports the web material. In any case, when the support device is in the support position, the distance D becomes available for storing web material, but when the support device is in the insertion position, the distance D is unavailable for storing web material.

The fact that the newly introduced web material has to travel the distance D for the correct functioning of the support device ensures that the dispenser is not filled with an excessive amount of folded web material.

The upper and lower ends may be arranged in a fixed spatial relationship. In this case, the web material storage section has a fixed relative extension and orientation between the upper and lower ends. The web material storage section itself may be movable, for example, between a dispensing position and a loading position, as will be described below.

In other variations, the upper and lower ends may be arranged to allow their spatial relationship to change. For example, the spatial relationship between the upper and lower ends may change between the dispensing position and the loading position of the dispenser.

In this variant, the web material storage section may include a displaceable portion, which preferably includes a lower end portion, wherein, when the displaceable portion is arranged in the dispensing position, the lower end portion is arranged approximately below the upper end portion as viewed in the vertical direction, and the displaceable portion can be shifted from the dispensing position to an inclined loading position, wherein, in the inclined loading position, the lower end portion is positioned next to and below the upper end portion as viewed in the vertical direction.

In this variation, the dispenser can be placed in a loading position, where the loading opening is ready for use. This alternative is particularly useful for relatively large dispensers with a storage section that extends a large vertical distance in the dispensing position. If the entire storage section were tilted to position it in the loading position, it would take up a lot of space. By tilting only the displaceable portion of the storage section, easy loading can be achieved in a space-saving manner.

The displaceable portion can be pivoted upward with respect to the vertical direction.

The displaceable part is pivotable in the inclined loading position from a downward direction to an angle of between 30-100°, preferably approximately 90°, in a vertical direction.

Viewed in vertical direction, the web material storage section may comprise a fixed portion above the displaceable portion, and the displaceable portion comprises a transition portion forming a gradual transition from the displaceable portion to the fixed portion when the displaceable portion is positioned in the inclined loading position.

At least in the dispensing position, the dispensing opening can be arranged above the lower end, viewed in the vertical direction.

Useful features in conjunction with one of the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention will be described below.

The dispenser can be a free-standing unit or mounted to a structure such as a wall, furniture, or door. The dispenser can be arranged so that a user manually pulls the tail of the web material through the dispensing opening. Alternatively, the dispenser can be arranged to automatically dispense the web material through the dispensing opening. Automatic dispensing can include either electrically or mechanically feeding the web material. In either case, the user can activate the feeding.

The web material can be provided as a continuous web material that is folded to form the folded web material. Similarly, the stack of folded web material used to refill the dispenser with the folded web material can include a continuous web material. Here, the terms "refill" or "load" not only refer to refilling or loading a dispenser partially filled with a stack of folded web material, but can also be understood to include loading an empty dispenser. The continuous web material can be separated during dispensing. The web material pieces dispensed from the dispenser can be used as towels, napkins, for general wiping, etc. The folded web material can be Z-folded in an accordion-like manner to form the stack of folded web material.

The web material may comprise one or more web layers. If there are more than one web layer, the layers are interleaved in the stack. During dispensing from the dispenser, one or more web sheets can be separated from the web material in the dispenser. To this end, the web material can be provided with multiple rows of weakened portions or perforations. Alternatively, the web material can be non-perforated, in which case the dispenser can be provided with a cutting or tearing device to separate web sheets from the tail of the web material. One or more packages of folded web material are arranged to be placed in the web material storage section of the dispenser, forming a folded web material stack.

The tail of the web material can be arranged to extend from the upper end of the web material storage section to the dispensing opening of the dispenser.The tail of the web material can change direction once or multiple times inside the dispenser between the upper end of the web material storage section and the dispensing opening.

As explained above, "continuous web material" refers to a material that can be continuously supplied, for example when arranged in a suitable dispenser. Preferred web materials are in particular those that are suitable for constituting absorbent tissues for personal use, for example for wiping hands after washing, as a napkin, or for object wiping purposes.

The term "web material" is understood herein to include tissue material, nonwoven material and material which is a mixture of tissue material and nonwoven material.

The term "tissue paper" is understood herein to mean a soft, absorbent paper having a basis weight of less than 65 g/ ^m² , typically between 10 and 50 g/ ^m² . The density of the tissue paper is typically less than 0.60 g/ ^cm³ , preferably less than 0.3 g/ ^cm³ , and more preferably between 0.08 and 0.20 g/cm³. Tissue paper can be creped or uncreped. Creping can occur in the dry or wet state. Tissue paper can be produced using the TAD or atmos process. The fibers contained in tissue paper are primarily pulp fibers from chemical pulp, mechanical pulp, thermomechanical pulp, chemimechanical pulp, and/or thermochemical pulp (CTMP). Tissue paper may also contain other types of fibers, for example, fibers that enhance the strength, absorbency, and softness of the paper. These fibers can be made from regenerated cellulose or polymeric materials such as polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, and the like.

The term "nonwoven" is applied to a wide range of products that, according to their characteristics, fall between the paper and cardboard groups on the one hand and the textile group on the other. A large number of extremely diverse production processes are used for nonwovens, such as air-laid, wet-laid, hydroentangled, spunbond, meltblown, and others. The fibers can be in the form of endless fibers or prefabricated fibers of unlimited length, such as man-made fibers produced on site or staple fibers. Alternatively, they can be made from natural fibers or mixtures of man-made and natural fibers.

The web material may be a recycled flexible material, a virgin material or a combination thereof. A similar stack as described in Figure 1 may be provided, comprising a single continuous web material, or several interfolded continuous web materials.

Where the supporting device is arranged to be able to be positioned in the supporting position again, if the stack is pushed a distance (D) from the supporting position of the supporting device in a direction towards the upper end, the supporting device can be arranged to traverse the distance (D) inside the storage section when moving between the supporting position and the insertion position.

The supporting means will therefore be moved inside the storage section, a movement which requires that space extending along the distance D inside the container be free.

The supporting device may be arranged to automatically relocate to the supporting position when the stack is pushed in said direction by said distance D. Automatic relocation of the supporting device to the supporting position will allow, for example, a first stack to be loaded and then released in the web material storage section without the risk of the stack falling out of the loading opening.

In order to automatically assume the support position again, the support device can be biased towards the support position.

The support means may be arranged to provide a distance of at least 20 mm, preferably at least 40 mm. These distances provide suitable free space inside a filled web material storage in many cases to ensure that problems of overfilling of the web material do not occur.

The supporting means may comprise at least one, preferably two, protruding members. The protruding members may advantageously project from two opposite sides of the loading opening.

The protruding member can be pivoted between the support position and the insertion position.For this purpose, the protruding member is pivotable in a direction towards an upper end portion to move between the support position and the insertion position.

The protruding member is pivotable about a pivot axis located on the side of the loading opening such that the protruding member can pivot inside the loading opening and thus traverse a distance D during pivoting to the release position. The distance D can be substantially equal to the extension of the protruding member.

The upper portion of the web material storage section may comprise an upper stop arranged to delimit the space available for the folded web material in the web material storage section in a direction towards the upper end.

For this purpose, the upper stop may, for example, be arranged to extend above the web material storage section so that an upper end of a stack of web material contained in the web material storage section may abut the upper stop.

The upper stop may be formed as part of the web material storage section, may be formed as a structure integral with the web material storage section (in some variations, as a housing), may be a component that serves only to limit the space available for folding the web material, or may be a component that is useful for performing another function in addition to constituting an upper stop.

An upper stop, arranged to limit the space available for folded web material in the web material storage section, can further enhance the dispenser's overfill protection. To fully fill a dispenser including a support device, web material can be loaded into the dispenser during one or more loading operations, provided that the introduction of new web material into the dispenser requires the web material to be moved a distance D from the support position. Ultimately, when the web material storage section is nearly full of web material, the upper end of the stack of web material contained in the web material storage section will reach an upper stop positioned at the upper end of the web material storage section. Accordingly, during the introduction of new web material, the total space available for web material in the web material storage section extends between the upper stop at the upper end and a position a distance D past the support position of the support device (towards the upper end). When the total space is completely filled with web material, the support device will return to the support position, resulting in the total space available for web material expanding by a capacity corresponding to the distance D. Accordingly, when the web material is supported vertically, such as when the dispenser is in the dispensing position, the total space available for the web material in the web material storage section is greater than the total space available during loading.

In certain embodiments, when the dispenser is in the dispensing position, the loading opening and the support device are accessible for loading a stack into the storage section. When the dispenser is in the dispensing position, the web material storage section extends in a generally vertical direction. Thus, the loading opening opens in a generally downward direction, and the web material is introduced by pushing the web material upward through the support position of the support device. In this case, the support device can be arranged to automatically reposition itself in the support position solely under the action of gravity acting on the support device.

In other variations, the dispenser can be moved from the dispensing position to a loading position, wherein the loading opening and the support means can be accessed to load the stack into the storage section. In this case, the loading opening can be moved to a position that is more accessible to the user than the vertically downwardly oriented position.

For example, the web material storage section may be tiltable from said dispensing position to said loading position.

In some variations, in the stowed position, the storage segment is arranged such that the upper end is located vertically above the lower end.

In some variations, in the loading position, the storage section may form an angle with the vertical direction that is less than approximately 90°, preferably less than 80°. Thus, any web material contained in the storage section is still subject to the influence of gravity and is urged toward the lower end of the storage section, or toward the upper end of the storage section (depending on the orientation of the web material storage section). This facilitates interconnection of existing stacked connectors during the loading process.

In the loading position, when the storage section is arranged so that the upper end is vertically above the lower end and the storage section forms an angle of less than approximately 90° with the vertical, the web material initially present in the storage section will, due to the effect of gravity, appear at the lower end of the storage section during the loading of the new web material. Thus, the interconnection between the stack of the initial web material and the stack of the new web material can be completed or ensured by an attendant.

The supporting means may be the only means providing support to the stack in the substantially vertical direction in the web material storage section when the dispenser is in the dispensing position, thereby ensuring that the web material contained in the stack can move freely between the lower end and the upper end in order to achieve the desired effect in this connection.

The supporting device may be the only device providing support for the stack in the web material storage section in the direction of the upper end of the storage section when the dispenser is in the loading position. It can thus be ensured that the web material contained in the stack can move freely between the lower end and the upper end in order to achieve the desired effect in this connection.

The loading opening may be formed at a lower end portion of the web material storage section. A portion of the lower end portion extends below the opening to form a surface towards which the stack may abut before being introduced into the loading opening.

However, the loading opening can also be constituted by the lowermost end of the web material storage section, so that the lower end ends at the loading opening. This will save space in the dispenser device.

Similarly, the supporting device may be arranged at the lowermost end of the web material storage section.

The dispenser may comprise a housing, and the web material storage section may be positioned inside the housing.The dispenser may comprise a dispensing device comprising a dispensing opening for the web material in the housing.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of refilling a dispenser according to the above, wherein the method comprises:

- placing an end face of the stack of folded web material against the supporting means;

- pushing the stack of folded web material towards the upper end of the web material storage section so that the supporting device moves from the supporting position into its release position;

- releasing the stack when positioned beyond the supporting means, allowing the supporting means to return to its supporting position.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of refilling a dispenser according to the above, wherein the method comprises:

- placing an end face of the stack of folded web material against the supporting means;

- pushing the stack of folded web material towards the upper end of the web material storage section so that the supporting device moves from the supporting position into its insertion position;

- further pushing the stack of folded web material towards the upper end of the web material storage section to a position at a distance D from the supporting position so that the supporting device can be positioned in the supporting position again;

- releasing the stack inside the web material storage section, allowing the supporting device to return to its supporting position.

The dispenser may comprise an initial stack of web material, the initial stack and the stack comprising respective connector means, and introduction of a stack adjacent to the initial stack in the web material storage section results in the stacks being connected to each other by means of the connector means.

Suitable connector means may be any means whereby corresponding connectors meet to be connected to each other, possibly requiring the application of light pressure, such as adhesive connectors or mechanical connectors. Mechanical connectors, such as hook and loop connectors, are preferred.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described below, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the present invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1a and 1b schematically illustrate the lower end of a web material storage section of an example dispenser;

2a to 2d schematically illustrate the lower end of the web material storage section of an example dispenser during loading of a web material stack;

Figures 3a and 3b show an embodiment of the dispenser when the support device is in a supporting position and an inserted position, respectively;

Figures 4a to 4c illustrate the introduction of a stack of web material into the dispenser of Figures 3a and 3b; and

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a dispenser, wherein the dispenser is in a loaded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings showing exemplary embodiments. However, this disclosure should not be construed as limiting the present invention to the embodiments set forth herein. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the features disclosed in the exemplary embodiments may be combined. Throughout this specification, like reference numerals denote like elements. For the sake of brevity and/or clarity, well-known functions and structures will not be described in detail herein.

1a and 1b schematically illustrate a lower end 20 of a web material storage section 16 of a dispenser. In the dispensing position, the web material storage section 16 will be arranged along a vertical direction 12, with a lower end 20 oriented downwards and an opposite upper end 18 (not shown) oriented upwards along said vertical direction.

The web material storage section 16 defines a loading opening 62 through which web material can be inserted in the direction towards the upper end 18. At the lower end 20 a supporting device 70 is arranged.

1 a , the supporting device 70 is shown in a supporting position. In the supporting position, the supporting device 70 extends partially above the loading opening 62 so as to be able to support the web material contained in the web material storage section 16, at least when the web material storage section 16 is in the dispensing position.

1 b , the supporting device 70 is shown in the inserted position. In the inserted position, the supporting device is moved away from the loading opening 62 so that the web material can be introduced through the loading opening 62 in the direction towards the upper end 18.

In Figures 1a and 1b, the support device 70 includes two opposing support members 72. The support members can pivot between a support position and an insertion position. When pivoting from the support position to the insertion position, the support members 72 will travel a distance D toward the upper end 18.

In the illustrated variant, each support member 72 is pivotable about a respective pivot axis 101 , the two pivot axes 101 being arranged on opposite sides of the web material storage section 16 adjacent to the loading opening 62 .

The pivot axis 101 allows the support member 72 to pivot approximately 90° toward the upper end 18 .

Accordingly, when in the support position, the support member 72 travels a distance D corresponding to the extension extending above each support member loading opening 62 .

The supporting device 70 is arranged such that the stack 82 to be introduced into the loading opening can be moved from the supporting position into the insertion position by pushing the stack 82 towards the supporting device 70 in the direction towards the upper end 18 of the web material storage section 16. Furthermore, the supporting device 70 is arranged such that the stack 82 can be brought into the supporting position again when it is pushed the distance (D) from the supporting position of the supporting device 70 in the direction towards the upper end 18.

If the web material storage section 16 is oriented with its lower end 20 below the upper end 18 when the dispenser is in the loading position, the support device 70 can be relocated to its supporting position simply by the force of gravity acting on the support device, ie the support member 72.

Alternatively, the support device 70 may be biased towards the support position such that the support device 70, once released from the inserted position, will strive to return to the support position.

When the support device 70 is biased towards the support position, if the dispenser is in the loading position, the web material storage section 16 can assume any orientation and the support device will still strive towards the support position.

Figures 2a to 2d schematically illustrate a refill dispenser comprising a lower end portion 20, such as described with respect to Figures 1 a and 1 b.

In Fig. 2a the web material storage section comprises a quantity of web material, here shown as three separate web material stacks 82. To form a continuous web material the three separate web material stacks 82 are preferably connected to each other, for example by connector means provided at the ends of the stacks.

A new stack 82' is about to be introduced into the web material storage section 16 and is pushed towards the supporting device 70 in the direction towards the upper end 18 of the web material storage section 16.

The stack will therefore rest against the support means 70 and move the support means from the support position to the insertion position, as shown in Figure 2b. In Figure 2b, the new stack 82' holds the support means 70 in its loading position.

As shown, the web material 82 already contained in the web material storage section 16 is likewise pushed by the new stack 82′ towards the upper end 18 of the storage section. This will be the case at least when the web material storage section 16 is arranged with the lower end 20 below the upper end 18, as will be the case when the dispenser is in the loading position.

FIG2c shows a state where a new stack 82' has just moved past the support member 72 of the support device. Thus, the new stack 82' has just traveled a distance from the support position that corresponds to the distance D traveled by the support device 70 when it moves from the support position to the release position. Accordingly, the support device 70 can be repositioned in the support position, as shown in FIG2d. In FIG2d, the new stack 82' is in place within the web material storage section 16 and supported by the support device.

In the variant schematically shown in Figures 2a to 2d, the upper end 18 of the web material storage section 16 further comprises an upper stop 100. The upper stop 100 delimits the space of the storage section 16 that is available for web material.

As shown in Figures 2c and 2d, when the web material storage section 16 is about to be completely filled with web material, a portion 82" of the web material will abut the upper stop 100, and the web material will continue to fill the web material storage section 16 from the upper stop 100 toward the support device 70. However, as shown in Figure 2c, when the uppermost portion 82" of the web material reaches the upper stop 100, it will no longer be possible to move new web material past the distance D of the support device.

Therefore, in the insertion position, the distance D of the lower end portion 20 through which the support device passes is not available for introducing web material. When the web material storage section above the distance D is completely filled with web material, the support device 70 will again be in the support position shown in FIG2 d.

At least when the web material storage section 16 is in its substantially vertical dispensing position, the web material contained in the dispenser will fall to be supported by the support means 70 in the supporting position and accordingly space forming a distance D will be available between the uppermost web portion 82' and the upper stop.

Accordingly, problems associated with overloading the dispenser with web material may be avoided.

Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a dispenser 2 for dispensing at least one sheet of web material. The dispenser 2 includes a housing 4. The housing 4 is arranged to be oriented along a vertical direction 12. Thus, when the dispenser 2 is installed to dispense sheets of web material therefrom, the housing 4 has natural top and bottom ends. The housing 4 includes a door 6. A dispensing opening 8 for dispensing sheets of web material is provided in the door 6. The door 6 is arranged to be opened to provide access to the interior of the dispenser 2, for example, for refilling the dispenser 2 with a stack of folded web material.

However, other variations are conceivable in which the dispenser can be refilled without opening the door.

3a and 3b show the dispenser with the door 6 in the open position. The door 6 can be locked with a locking device 10 in the closed position.

The dispenser 2 is arranged for dispensing web material from a web material that is Z-folded in an accordion-like manner. For the sake of clarity, the web material is omitted in Figures 3a and 3b. The dispenser 2 comprises a dispensing device 14 comprising a dispensing opening 8.

A web material storage section 16 is provided inside the housing 4. The web material storage section 16 is arranged to hold and support folded web material.

Viewed in vertical direction 12, the web material storage section 16 comprises an upper end 18 and an opposite lower end 20. From the upper end 18 the web material is arranged to be guided to the dispensing device 14, at the lower end 20 a stack of folded web material is arranged to be supported.

To support the stack at its lower end 20, the web material storage section 16 includes a support device 70. To support the stack in the vertical direction 12, the web material storage section 16 includes side elements 24 on its four sides. Accordingly, the web material stack is arranged to be substantially enclosed in the web material storage section 16. Some of the side elements 24 may be flexible, and some of the side elements 24 may be provided with openings to provide access to the interior of the web material storage section 16.

The supporting device 70 comprises two opposing supporting members 72 which are arranged to be pivotable about respective pivot axes 101 which are arranged on opposite sides of the loading opening 62 .

Furthermore, the web material storage section 16 comprises an upper stop 100 for delimiting the available space for storing web material. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper stop is formed by a portion of the housing 4. Since in this embodiment the web material storage section 16 is fixedly arranged to the housing, the upper stop 100 can be formed.

In the variant of Figures 3a to 3b, the web material storage section 16 is not changed by moving the dispenser from the dispensing position to the loading position, but by opening the door 6 the dispenser is brought into the dispensing position.

Accordingly, the web material storage section is arranged vertically in the dispensing position and in the loading position.

The dispenser of Figures 3a and 3b comprises support means 70 and thus provides the same functionality as explained above in relation to Figures 1a and 1b, 2a-2b. Figures 4a-4c illustrate the dispenser of Figures 3a and 3b during the introduction of a new web of material in the form of a stack 82.

3a to 3b, the web material storage section is arranged so that the spatial relationship between the lower end 20 and the upper end 18 is fixed. Furthermore, the web material storage section is fixedly arranged within the housing of the dispenser, and the dispenser is also intended to be fixedly arranged, for example, on a wall.

Other variations can naturally be envisaged in which the spatial relationship between the lower end 20 and the upper end 18 of the web material storage section 16 is fixed. For example, such a web material storage section can be rotated out of the housing, tilted or otherwise reoriented relative to the housing to make the loading opening 62 accessible for refilling with tissue paper material.

In other variations of the dispenser, the spatial relationship between the lower end 20 and the upper end 18 may be varied. One such variation is illustrated in FIG.

FIG5 shows a dispenser 2 for dispensing at least one sheet of web material. The dispenser 2 comprises a housing 4. The housing 4 is arranged to be positioned along a vertical direction 12. Thus, when the dispenser 2 is mounted in a location for dispensing web material therefrom, the housing 4 has a natural top and bottom end. The housing 4 comprises a door 6 (not shown). A dispensing opening 8 for dispensing sheets of web material is provided in the door 6. The door 6 is arranged to be openable, thereby providing access to the interior of the dispenser 2, for example, for the purpose of refilling the dispenser 2 with multiple packages of folded web material.

However, other variations of the dispenser can be envisaged in which the dispenser can be refilled without opening the door.

The dispenser 2 is arranged for dispensing web material from a folded web material that is Z-folded in an accordion-like manner. The web material has been omitted in Figure 5 for the sake of clarity. The dispenser 2 comprises a dispensing device 14 from which the web material is fed to the dispensing opening 8 in the door 6 when the dispenser 2 is in use.

A web material storage section 16 is provided inside the housing 4. The web material storage section 16 is arranged to receive and support folded web material. The web material storage section 16 comprises an upper end 18 and a lower end 20.

The web material storage section 16 includes a displaceable portion 26 and a fixed portion 34. In the dispensing position (not shown), the displaceable portion 26 is vertically arranged below and generally aligned with the fixed portion 34. The displaceable portion 26 includes a lower end 20 of the web material storage section 16, while the fixed portion 34 includes an upper end 18. When the displaceable portion 26 is arranged in the dispensing position, as viewed in the vertical direction 12, the lower end 20 is generally arranged below the upper end 18. Accordingly, when the displaceable portion 26 is arranged in the dispensing position, the door 6 can be closed, and a user can dispense web material from the dispensing opening. At least in the dispensing position, the dispensing opening 8 is arranged above the lower end 20, as viewed in the vertical direction 12. Accordingly, at least a portion of the stack of web material arranged in the web material storage section 16 is arranged below the dispensing opening 8.

The dispenser 2 is arranged to dispense web material from the top of a stack of folded web material. In use, the tail of the web material extends from the top of the stack of folded web material supported in the web material storage section 16 to the dispensing opening located in the closed door. When the dispenser 2 has been refilled with folded web material, the top of the stack of folded web material may be in the region of the upper end 18 of the web material storage section 16. Accordingly, the tail of the web material extends from the upper end 18 to the dispensing opening 8. On the other hand, when most of the web material in the dispenser 2 has been dispensed, the top of the stack of folded web material is in the region of the lower end 20 of the web material storage section 16. In this case, the tail of the web material extends through the web material storage section 16, from the lower end 20 to its lower end 18 and thence to the dispensing opening 8.

In order to guide the tail of the web material from the web material storage section 16 toward the dispensing opening, the dispenser 2 includes a guide device 100 and a separating unit 14, wherein the guide device 100 is arranged at the upper end 18 of the web material storage section 16. In this way, the tail of the web material extends upward from the stack of web materials in the web material storage section 16, passes through the guide device 100 and reaches the dispensing opening via the separating unit 14. The guide device 100 may include a clamping portion that is arranged to frictionally engage with the tail of the web material to prevent the tail of the web material from sliding down toward the stack of folded web materials in the web material storage section 16.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the guide device 100 can also form an upper stop that defines the vertical extension of the web material storage section 16. This means that when loading web material from the lower end 20 of the web material storage section, the folded web material cannot pass the upper stop. The upper stop will thus define the uppermost position to which the stack of folded web material contained in the web material storage section 16 can extend.

The dispensing device 14 may comprise a separating unit 28 adapted to separate a piece of web material from the perforated web material.

The displaceable portion 26 is displaceable to an inclined loading position shown in FIG. 5 .

In the inclined loading position of the displaceable part 26, the lower end 20 of the web material storage section 16, viewed in the vertical direction 12, is positioned beside and below the upper end 18 of the web material storage section 16. In other words, in the inclined loading position, the lower end 20, viewed in the horizontal direction 48, is positioned further away from the rear side 50 of the housing 4 than in the dispensing position. The displaceable part 26 is pivotable upwards with respect to the vertical direction 12.

According to some embodiments, the displaceable portion 26 is pivotable through an angle α between 30° and 100° from the downward direction along the vertical direction 12. In this way, the displaceable portion 26 is easily accessible to a user standing in front of the dispenser to refill the dispenser 2 with one or more bales of web material.

In the embodiment shown, the displaceable portion 26 can be pivoted downwards through an angle of approximately 90°. When the displaceable portion 26 is arranged in the inclined loading position, the lower end 20 is easily accessible for refilling the dispenser 2 with folded web material from the bottom of the stack of folded web material present in the web material storage section 16.

The displaceable portion 26 further includes a transition portion 36 that forms a transition from the displaceable portion 26 to the fixed portion 34. The transition portion 36 forms a gradual transition from the displaceable portion 26 to the fixed portion 34 when the displaceable portion 26 is positioned in the tilted stowage position.

In view of the foregoing, it should be understood that in the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the lower end 20 and the upper end 18 are not in a fixed spatial relationship. Rather, the lower end 20 and the upper end 18 are in a variable spatial relationship. The spatial relationship of the lower end 20 and the upper end 18 changes when the displaceable portion 26 is moved from the generally upright position of the dispenser's dispensing position to the inclined position of the dispenser's loading position.

5 , the side elements 24 on four sides of the web material storage section 16 support the folded web material stack. In the transition section 36, one of the side elements, which comprises a flexible plate 37, comprises a substantially smooth surface 38 adapted to abut against the folded web material stack introduced into the web material storage section 16.

The flexible plate 37 is arranged toward the rear side 50 of the dispenser 2 so that, when the folded web material stack is refilled from the bottom end of the web material storage section 16, the folded web material stack can slide along the generally smooth surface 38 when it is pushed upward in the web material storage section 16. The flexible plate 37 is supported by at least one element 40, wherein the element 40 extends in a direction transverse to the vertical direction 12. In the transition section 36, a number of side elements 24' are arranged substantially perpendicular to the flexible plate 37. These side elements 24' are pivotally connected to each other to allow the displaceable section 26 to pivot upward. Accordingly, viewed as a whole, the pivot axis 39 of the displaceable section 26 is arranged at a distance from the displaceable section 26.

The displaceable portion 26 is biased toward the tilted loading position. In these embodiments, the dispenser 2 includes two gas springs 42 that are arranged to bias the displaceable portion 26 toward the tilted loading position. Each gas spring 42 is pivotally attached to the housing 4 at the bottom end of the housing 4 and pivotally attached to the displaceable portion 26 at a distance above the bottom end of the housing 4 (approximately in the middle of the displaceable portion 26). The housing pivot point 44 of each gas spring 42 is arranged at the bottom end of the housing 4 and is fixed relative to the housing 4. The displaceable portion pivot point of each gas spring 44 is arranged in the middle of the displaceable portion 26 and moves relative to the housing 4 together with the displaceable portion 26.

When the displaceable portion 26 is positioned in the dispensing position, the displaceable portion pivot point is arranged closer to the rear side 50 of the dispenser 2 than the housing rotation point 44, as viewed in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, when the displaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position, the gas spring 42 is compressed. Thus, due to the arrangement of the housing pivot point 44 and the displaceable portion rotation point 42 in the horizontal direction 48, and the inherent property of the compressed gas spring 42 extending, the displaceable portion 26 remains in the dispensing position when the displaceable portion 26 is in the dispensing position. Thus, the specific arrangement of the gas spring 42 and its housing rotation point 44 and displaceable portion rotation point 46 forms a locking mechanism for the displaceable portion 26. The locking mechanism is arranged to be released to allow the displaceable portion 26 to pivot from the dispensing position to the tilted loading position.

When in the tilted loading position, the user can refill the dispenser 2 with a stack of folded web material through the loading opening 62 arranged in the region of the lower end 20. At least one of the side elements 24 of the displaceable portion 26 is provided with a support surface 61. The support surface 61 is tilted together with the displaceable portion 26 in the tilted loading position. Thus, when the displaceable portion 26 is in the tilted loading position, a bundle of folded web material placed in the displaceable portion 26 is supported in the vertical direction 12 by the support surface 61. The lower end 20 is provided with a recess 64 for removing the packaging strap of the bundle of folded web material. Finally, the user can pivot the displaceable portion 26 back into the dispensing position by pushing on the lower end 20.

By positioning the dispensing portion pivot point 46 closer to the rear side 50 than the housing rotation point 44 , viewed in the horizontal direction 48 , the gas spring 42 is compressed and the displaceable portion 26 is again retained in the dispensing position.

The displaceable portion 26 includes a support device 70 for supporting at least a portion of the stack of folded web material, at least when the dispenser is in the dispensing position. The support device 70 includes two protruding members 72, one on each side of the displaceable portion 26. The support device 70 is arranged to be movable between a support position and an insertion position. To this end, the support device can be, for example, as described with respect to the variants already described above (e.g., as depicted in any of Figures 1 to 4).

5 , the displaceable portion 26 comprises an outer end 61 extending beyond the web material storage section 16 to form a space adjacent the support means towards the lower end 20. This is required in order to provide a space in which a new stack of web material can be positioned before being pushed towards the support means 70 for introduction into the web material storage section 16.

However, variants can be envisaged in which the supporting means 70 are arranged at the outermost end of the displaceable portion 26. These variants are advantageous in that the web material storage section 16 can use the space inside the dispenser available for storing web material more efficiently.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary embodiments described above may be combined. Therefore, it should be understood that the various examples described above are illustrative only, and the present invention is limited only by the appended claims. As used herein, the terms "comprising" or "consisting of" are open-ended and include one or more stated features, elements, steps, components, or functions, but do not exclude one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions, or combinations thereof, whether present or additional.

Claims (21)

1. A dispenser (2) for dispensing sheets of folded web material from a stack (82) of folded web material, the dispenser (2) comprising: The outer casing (4) has a side door (6); A web material storage section (16) located inside the housing (4) is arranged to hold and support the stack (82) of folded web material in a generally vertical direction during web material distribution; The width material storage segment (16) includes: At the upper end (18), the web material is arranged to be guided from the upper end for distribution; The lower end (20), opposite to the upper end (18), is arranged to support the stack (82) of the folded fabric material in the generally vertical direction (12) at least when the dispenser is in the dispensing position; The upper end (18) and the lower end (20) are arranged in a fixed spatial relationship; Its features are, The lower end (20) of the width material storage section (16) includes: - Loading opening (62), and - A support device (70) is arranged to be movable between a support position and an insertion position, wherein in the support position, the support device extends at least partially over the loading opening (62) to support a stack of folded fabric; and in the insertion position, the support device (70) is at least partially removed from the loading opening. The support device (70) is arranged such that the stack (82) to be introduced into the loading opening can be moved from the support position to the insertion position by pushing the stack (82) toward the upper end (18) of the web material storage section (16) towards the support device (70). The support device (70) is arranged such that when the stack (82) is pushed a distance (D) from its support position along the direction toward the upper end (18), it can return to the support position, the distance (D) corresponding to the distance traversed lateral within the web material storage section as the support device moves between the support position and the insertion position. The web material storage section (16) includes side elements (24) on its four sides to support the stack in the vertical direction (12) and prevent the stack from being loaded into the web material storage section (16) from the four sides, and wherein the support device (70) is arranged to be biased toward the support position. The dispenser can be moved from the dispensing position to the loading position by opening the side door (6), and in the loading position, the loading opening (62) and the support device can be approached to load the stack into the web material storage section (16) through the loading opening (62). 2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the support device (70) includes at least one protruding member (72). 3. The dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the support device (70) comprises two protruding members (72). 4. The dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the protruding member (72) is retractable from the support position to the insertion position. 5. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the distance (D) is at least 20 mm. 6. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the distance (D) is at least 40 mm. 7. The dispenser according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the upper end (18) of the web material storage section (16) includes an upper stop (100) arranged to define a space in the web material storage section (16) available for folding web material. 8. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the web material storage section (16) is tiltable from the dispensing position to the loading position. 9. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, in the loading position, the web material storage section (16) is arranged such that the upper end (18) is located vertically above the lower end (20). 10. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, in the loading position, the web material storage section (16) forms an angle of less than 90° with the vertical direction. 11. The dispenser according to claim 10, wherein, in the loading position, the web material storage section (16) forms an angle of less than 80° with the vertical direction. 12. The dispenser according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, when the dispenser is in the dispensing position, the support device (70) is the only device in the web material storage section (16) that provides support to the stack in the generally vertical direction. 13. The dispenser according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, when the dispenser is in the loading position, the support device (70) is the only device in the web material storage section (16) that provides support to the stack in the direction toward the upper end (18) of the web material storage section (16). 14. The dispenser according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the loading opening (62) is formed at the lowermost end of the web material storage section (16). 15. The dispenser according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the support device (70) is arranged at the lowermost end of the web material storage section (16). 16. The dispenser according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the support device (70) is arranged at a distance from the lowermost end of the web material storage section (16). 17. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser includes a dispensing device (14) including a dispensing opening (8) for dispensing web material in the housing (4). 18. The dispenser according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, at least in the dispensing position, when viewed along the vertical direction (12), the dispensing opening (8) is arranged above the lower end (20). 19. A method for refilling the dispenser (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the method comprises: - Place the stacked end faces of the folded fabric material against the support device (70); - Push the stack of folded web material toward the upper end (18) of the web material storage section (16) so that the support device (70) moves from its supported position to its released position; - When the stack is positioned beyond the support device, the stack is released, allowing the support device (70) to return to its support position. 20. The method of refilling the dispenser (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 18 according to claim 19, wherein the method comprises: Before releasing the stack inside the material storage section, the support device (70) is allowed to return to its support position. - Continue pushing the stack toward the upper end (18) to a position D away from the support position, so that the support device (70) can be in the support position again. 21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the dispenser includes an initial stack of web material, the initial stack and the stack including corresponding connector devices, and the stacks in the web material storage segment (16) are introduced close to the initial stack, causing the stacks to be interconnected via the connector devices.