KR20170021764A - Sheet material dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A sheet material dispenser comprising a flexible pouch and a rigid container. A flexible pouch configured to receive a plurality of sheets and including a dispenser opening. The flexible pouch includes a resealable cap for intermittently exposing and resealing the dispenser opening. The rigid container includes first and second front plates configured to be slidably coupled to the side walls of the rigid container, Are movable relative to each other between an open position in which these front plates are located in a spaced apart relation to one another and a closed position in which the front plates are located in relation to one another. When the first and second front plates are moved to the closed position, a portion of the first front plate is configured to be located directly below a portion of the resealable cap.

Description

SHEET MATERIAL DISPENSER

The present invention relates generally to a sheet material dispenser, and more particularly to an open position in which a flexible sheet-containing pouch can be inserted into a container and a sliding position where the sliding component is fastened to a portion of the pouch to secure the pouch inside the container. And a rigid outer container having a sliding component that is movable between a closed position in which the rigid outer container is movable.

Various storage and dispensing containers, especially sheet products, for example, for storing and dispensing wet and dry wipes, are on the market. For example, soft, flexible packages are available commercially that provide a compact yet easily transportable means for storing and dispensing stacks of wipes. Typically, such a flexible package includes a rigid flip top positioned above an opening with a hinged lid for opening and closing the package, defining an opening for dispensing the wipes contained therein. An example of such a flexible package is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0011906 (Buck et al), entitled " Storing and Dispensing Container for Product, " filed December 5, 2003, The disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

While the presently available flexible package for storing and dispensing sheet products offers many advantages, such a package can be used when, for example, a fixed dispenser (e.g., a wall-mounted dispenser) needs a counter top or other flat surface , Rigid containers or containers are not typically ideal for use in many applications where they are commonly used. Specifically, the flexible package typically does not provide the required structural integrity and / or the desired aesthetic appearance in such applications.

Thus, an improved sheet material dispenser will be appreciated in the art that allows the sheet to be dispensed from the flexible pouch in a conventional manner while allowing the flexible sheet-containing pouch to be secured within the rigid container.

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a sheet material dispenser. The dispenser generally includes a rigid container having an interior region defined at least in part by a rear wall and sidewalls extending outwardly from the rear wall. The rigid container may also include first and second front plates configured to be slidably connected to at least one of the side walls such that the front plates are in an open position in which the front plates are located in spaced- Are movable relative to each other between closed positions in which the front plates are located in relation to one another. The first and second front plates may each include a top surface, a bottom surface and inner and outer sides extending between the top and bottom surfaces, respectively. The sheet material dispenser may also include a flexible pouch configured to receive a stack of sheets. The flexible pouch can be configured to be received within an interior region of the rigid container. The flexible pouch may also define a dispenser opening and may include a resealable cap for intermittently exposing and resealing the dispenser opening. In addition, a portion of the first and second front plates may be configured to be located directly below a portion of the resealable cap when the front plates are moved to the closed position.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for using a sheet material dispenser comprising a flexible pouch and a rigid container configured to receive the flexible pouch. The flexible pouch may define a dispenser opening and may include a resealable cap for intermittently exposing and resealing the dispenser opening. The rigid container may include an inner region defined at least in part by a rear wall and sidewalls extending outwardly from the rear wall. The method generally includes placing a first front plate of a rigid container about a portion of the flexible pouch so that a portion of the first front plate is positioned directly beneath the surface of the resealable cap, Positioning the second front plate of the container such that a portion of the second front plate is located directly beneath the surface of the resealable cap. The front plates can be disposed in the closed position relative to each other when these first and second front plates are fastened to the surface of the resealable cap. The method also includes slidably connecting the front plates to the side walls of the rigid container such that the front plates are movable relative to each other between the closed position and the open position.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS All and possible disclosures of the present invention, including the best modes of the invention for those skilled in the art, are set forth in the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a sheet material dispenser according to aspects of the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the sheet material dispenser shown in Fig. 1, particularly showing the rigid container of the dispenser with the front plates moved to the open position and the flexible pouch of the dispenser being disassembled from this rigid container;
Fig. 3 shows a front view of the rigid container shown in Fig. 1, particularly showing the front plates of the rigid container in the open position; Fig.
Fig. 4 shows another front view of the rigid container shown in Fig. 1, particularly showing the front plates of the rigid container moved to the closed position; Fig.
Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the sheet material dispenser shown in Figure 1 taken along line 5-5;
Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the sheet material dispenser shown in Figure 1 taken along line 6-6;
Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 6;
Figure 8 illustrates another exploded perspective view of the sheet material dispenser shown in Figure 1, particularly illustrating one embodiment of a method for assembling and / or using a dispenser;
Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the sheet material dispenser shown in Fig. 1 similar to that shown in Fig. 6, in particular one embodiment of a method for connecting the front plates of a rigid container to the side walls of a rigid container.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which one or more examples are shown. Each example is provided for the purpose of illustrating the invention rather than limiting the invention. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with other embodiments to create another embodiment. It is therefore intended that the present invention include all such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Generally, the present invention is directed to a sheet material dispenser that includes both a flexible pouch and a rigid container configured to receive the flexible pouch. In some embodiments, the flexible pouch includes a resealable cap for defining an encompassing volume for containing a stack of sheets and for providing access to the enclosed volume so that the sheet can be dispensed from the dispenser can do. The rigid container may also generally include a back wall, side plates and front plates configured to define an interior region for receiving the flexible pouch. In some embodiments, the front plates may be configured to slide or otherwise move relative to the side walls between the open and closed positions. For example, when the front plates are moved to the open position, the interior area defined by the rigid container may be accessible for inserting a flexible pouch inside the container. Also, when a flexible pouch is installed between the front plates, the plates can be moved to the closed position to secure the flexible pouch between the front plates. For example, as described below, when the front plates are moved to the closed position, a cap opening may be defined between the front plates such that the plates extend around the flexible pouch at a location directly below the resealable cap . As such, the resealable cap can be exposed along the exterior of the rigid container when the front plates are in the closed position, allowing the seat to be dispensed from the flexible pouch.

It should be appreciated that various positional terms may be used herein, such as front, rear, top, bottom, interior, exterior, side, and the like. These terms are only used to identify the individual features (e.g., individual surfaces, walls, etc.) of a given component and / or to establish the positioning of various components of the disclosed sheet material dispenser relative to each other, But should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention otherwise.

Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1-7 illustrate several views of one embodiment of a sheet material dispenser 100 according to aspects of the present invention. 1 illustrates an exploded view of the sheet material dispenser 100 shown in FIG. 1, and particularly illustrates the flexible pouch 102 of the dispenser 100 and FIG. Rigid container 104 is shown. Figures 3 and 4 show a front view of the rigid container 100 shown in Figure 2 and show the front views of the front plates 156 and 158 of the rigid container 104, particularly in the open position (Figure 3) and the closed position (Figure 4) Respectively. 5 and 6 show cross-sectional views of the sheet material dispenser 100 shown in FIG. 1 taken along lines 5-5 and 6-6, respectively. Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of a part of the section shown in Fig.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the sheet material dispenser 100 includes both a flexible pouch 102 and a rigid container 104 configured to receive the flexible pouch 102. Generally, the flexible pouch 102 includes a plurality of sheets 106 (Figs. 5-7), for example a stack of wipes, wet wipes and / or any other suitable sheet-like product (s) . For example, in some embodiments, the flexible pouch 102 includes a top wall 108, a top wall 108, a bottom wall 108, (110), and sidewalls (112) extending between the top and bottom walls (108, 110). 2, the flexible pouch 102 defines a generally rectangular shape in which the top and bottom walls 108, 1110 extend substantially parallel to one another. However, in other embodiments, the flexible pouch 102 may be configured to define any other suitable shape that allows a plurality of sheets 106 to be received therein.

It should be appreciated that the term " flexible " is generally used herein to refer to a pouch 102 formed from a material that can be folded or bent. For example, in some embodiments, the flexible pouch 102 may be formed using a thin-walled film, for example, a foamed polymer-containing film or a non-foamed polymer-containing film. In such embodiments, the thin-walled film may have a wall thickness of, for example, less than about 2000 占 퐉, for example, less than about 1000 占 퐉 or less than about 500 占 퐉.

Likewise, the term " stiffness " generally refers to a material having a stiffness level generally associated with a material that is relatively rigid and rigid herein, such as a sheet material container and / or the material (s) Quot; are used to refer to one or more of the components of the container 104 formed from the < / RTI > For example, suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, rigid plastics and other polymer-containing materials. Such materials typically have a coefficient of flexural modulus (e.g., in the range of from about 1100 to about 1500 N / mm < 2 >) Measured according to ASTM D790 " Standard Test Method for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials "). For example, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the various components of the rigid container 104 may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene, and may have a thickness of from about 0.5 mm to about 3.0 mm, To about 2.5 mm, or from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm, and any other subranges therebetween.

In some embodiments, the flexible pouch 102 may define the distributor opening 116 through one of its walls to provide access to the sheets 106 received therein. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the distributor opening 116 is defined through the top wall 108 of the flexible pouch 102. In one embodiment, a removable cover (not shown) may be positioned directly above distributor opening 116 prior to initial use of flexible pouch 102, such as by removably sealing the cover around the periphery of opening 116, . In this embodiment, the removable cover can be pulled or peeled off from the dispenser opening 116 to allow initial access to the sheets 106 received within the flexible pouch 102 through the opening 116.

The resealable cap 118 may also be attached to the flexible pouch 102 around the periphery of the dispenser opening 116. The bottom surface 120 of the resealable cap 118 is positioned at the uppermost wall 108 of the flexible pouch 102 around the periphery of the distributor opening 116, As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the resealable cap 118 may be secured to the wall 108 of the flexible pouch 102 using a suitable adhesive, for example, using a cap 118 Or by connecting these components together using any other suitable attachment means (e. G., Thermal welding). ≪ / RTI >

In general, the resealable cap 118 may be configured to open and close to expose the distributor opening 116 intermittently and then reseal. As such, the resealable cap 118 may be particularly advantageous in order to retain moisture within the flexible pouch 102 when wet wipes and / or other moisture-retaining sheets are received therein. 2, the resealable cap 118 is generally positioned between the bottom surface 120 of the cap 118 and the top wall 108 of the flexible pouch 102 (e.g., And a top cap 124 that is pivotally connected to the bottom cap portion 122 via a hinge 126 and a bottom cap portion 122 that is connected to the bottom cap portion 122 (at the interface). Thus, in order to distribute the sheets from the flexible pouch 102, the top cap portion 124 may be pivoted away from the bottom cap portion 122 to expose the dispenser opening 116 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2) As shown in FIG. The uppermost cap portion 124 may then be pivoted back to its closed position to allow the uppermost cap portion 124 to be tightened and / or sealed against the bottom cap portion 122.

The bottom and top cap portions 122, 124 may be configured to be secured together and / or sealed to each other using any suitable construction generally known in the art. 5 to 7, the bottom cap portion 122 has a top surface 130 (also shown in FIG. 5) of the bottom cap portion 122 so as to extend around the inner periphery of the bottom cap portion 122 7 that project outwardly therefrom. The top cap portion 124 also includes a bottom surface 136 of the top cap portion 124 to define a groove 138 (FIG. 7) that extends around a corresponding top cap portion 124 configured to receive the sealing rib 128 And first and second seal lip 132, 134 that protrude outwardly from the seal lip (FIG. 7). When the uppermost cap portion 124 is pushed down or pressed down on the bottom cap portion 122 the sealing rib 128 is received within the groove 138 and either one or both of the sealing lips 132, Sealed and / or sealed to seal or otherwise prevent access to the dispenser opening 116. The re-sealable cap 116 may also be closed and sealed.

It should be appreciated that the hinge 126 (FIG. 2) used to provide axial rotation connection between the bottom and top cap portions 122, 124 can generally have any suitable hinge as is known in the art do. For example, when the resealable cap 118 is manufactured as a single integral component (e.g., by injection molding the bottom and top cap portions 122, 124 together) And a living hinge defined between the top cap portion 122 and the top cap portion 124. Alternatively, when the bottom and top cap portions 122, 124 are configured as detachable components, the hinge 128 may be secured to the top and top cap portions 122, 124 using, for example, one or more suitable hinge components. (Not shown) inserted through a corresponding hinge opening (not shown) defined through a portion of both.

It should also be appreciated that the resealable cap can generally be formed from any suitable material. However, in some embodiments, the resealable cap may be formed from a rigid material, such as rigid plastic or other polymer containing material.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-7, as shown above, the rigid container 104 of the sheet material dispenser 100 may be configured to generally accommodate the flexible pouch 102. For example, as shown in Figure 1 in particular, the rigid container 104 includes a rear wall 140 and a rear wall 140 defining an interior region 150 (Figures 2 and 3) for receiving the flexible pouch 102 And may include sidewalls 142, 144, 146, 148 extending outwardly from the wall 140. As shown, the sidewalls 142, 144, 146, 148 generally extend between the first lateral end 152 (FIG. 2) and the second lateral end 154 (FIG. 2) (Hereinafter referred to as first and second side walls 142 and 144) and first and second lateral ends 152 and 154 at the first and second lateral ends 152 and 154, respectively, And a pair of side walls 146 and 148 (hereinafter referred to as first and second end walls 146 and 148) that extend between the first and second side walls 142 and 144, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior region 150 of the rigid container 104 generally defines a rectangular shape that conforms to the rectangular shape of the flexible pouch 102. However, in other embodiments, the rigid container 104 may be configured to define an interior region 150 having any other suitable shape for allowing the flexible pouch 102 to be received therein.

The rigid container 104 may also include a first front plate 156 and a second front plate 158 configured to rest on the container 104 over the open end of the interior region 150. [ Generally, each front plate 156, 158 can define a top surface 160 and a bottom surface 162. 2 to 4, each of the front plates 156 and 158 includes an inner side surface 164, an outer side surface 166, and an outer side surface 166 extending laterally between the inner and outer side surfaces 164 and 166. [ 1 and a second lateral side 168, 170.

When assembled over the open end of the interior region 150, the front plates 156,158 may, in some embodiments, extend between the open position (Figures 1 and 2) and the closed position (Figure 3) May be configured to move relative to one another and to the rest of the rigid container 104 in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 140 (e.g., as indicated by arrow 171 in Figure 2) Means may be provided for inserting and / or securing the flexible pouch 102 within the region 150. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when in the open position, the first and second front plates 156, 158 may be spaced apart in a spaced relationship relative to one another. 2) can be defined between the inner side surfaces 164 of the front plates 156 and 158 so that the flexible pouch 102 can be inserted into the inner region 140 Let's do it. The front plates 156 and 158 can then be moved toward each other to a closed position to allow the flexible pouch 102 to be secured within the interior region 150. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when in the closed position, the front plates are positioned in an adjacent relationship to one another such that a portion of the inner sides 164 of the front plates 156, 158 are immediately adjacent And / or contact each other. 4) can also be defined between portions of the inner side surfaces 164 when the front plates 156 and 158 are moved to the closed position, Capable cap 118 to be accessible along the exterior of the rigid container 102 to achieve access to the dispenser opening 116 of the flexible pouch 102.

In order to allow this relative movement of the first and second front plates 156,158, the front plates 156,158 may include, in some embodiments, first and second side walls 142,144, They may be connected by a sliding type or may be otherwise slidably coupled with them. Generally, the sliding connection between the front plates 156, 158 and the side walls 142, 144 is such that the front plates 156, 158 slide between the open and closed positions against the side walls 142, 144 Or any other suitable configuration known in the art to enable the device to be moved or otherwise moved. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, each front plate 156, 158 can include retaining arms 176, 178 (FIGS. 6 and 7) extending from its bottom surface 162, The arms 176 and 178 are positioned between the first and second lateral ends 152 and 154 of the rigid vessel 104 in correspondence to corresponding outer protruding retention ribs 180, and 182, respectively.

6 and 7, each of the front plates 156,158 includes a first retaining arm 176 extending from its bottom surface 162 at a location adjacent the first side wall 142, And a second retention arm 178 extending from a bottom surface 162 thereof at a location adjacent the second side wall 144. 7, each retaining arm 176,178 includes an upper portion 184 and adjacent side walls 142,144 configured to extend from the bottom surface 162 in the direction of the rear wall 140 The lower portion 186 may be positioned directly below the corresponding retention lip 180, 182. The lower portion 186 may include a lower portion 186 configured to extend from the upper portion 184, This overlapping configuration is generally such that the retention lips 180,182 are oriented perpendicular to the height direction of the rigid container 104 (e.g., perpendicular to the rear wall 140 as indicated by arrows 188 in Figures 6 and 7) The front plates 156 and 158 can still maintain the positioning of the front plates 156 and 158 relative to the rear wall 140 in a direction substantially parallel to the rear wall 140, To be moved or slid with respect to the first and second portions (142, 144). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the front plates 156 and 158 are moved relative to each other between the open and closed positions, the sliding interface (s) Or the bottom surface 162 of each front plate 156 and 158 is in contact with the top end of each side wall 142 or 144 (e.g., the horizontal placement versus the vertical placement of the dispenser 100) The bottom surface 162 of each front plate 156,158 and the side walls 142,158 of the respective front plates 156,158 may be spaced apart from one another by a defined clearance or spacing between the retaining arms and lips 176,178,181, 144) at a first location 190 between the uppermost end of each pair and / or between adjacent surfaces of each pair of corresponding retaining arms / lips 176, 178, 180, 182 .

By slidingly connecting the front plates 156 and 158 to the side walls 142 and 144, the front plates 156 and 158 can be configured to be removed from the rigid container 104, have. For example, as described below with reference to Fig. 8, the front plates 156,158 are configured such that the retaining arms 176,178 are no longer secured below the retention lips 180,182, 144 against the side walls 142, 144 in the direction of the sides 152, 154 so that the front plates 156, 158 can be removed from the rigid vessel 104.

In an alternative embodiment, it should be appreciated that any other suitable attachment configuration may be provided between the front plates 156, 158 and the side walls 142, 144 to permit the sliding movement described herein. For example, in other embodiments, an array of tongue and groove types may include a second retention lip (not shown) positioned, for example, below the illustrated retention lip 180, 182 Is provided between the front plates 156 and 158 and the side walls 142 and 144 by configuring the respective side walls 142 and 144 so that the lower portion 186 of each of the retention arms 176 and 178 is adjacent May be received within a laterally extending channel defined between the lips.

Further, in some embodiments, the front plates 156, 158 may include one or more features to assist the user in moving the plates 156, 158 between the open and closed positions. 2 to 5, in one embodiment, the outer side 166 of each front plate 156, 158 includes a gripper tab 192 for holding the front plates 156, 158, And a curved protrusion extending from the outer side surface to define the curved protrusion. Specifically, the gripper tab 192 is configured to allow the user to grasp one or more fingertips along the back surface 194 (Figure 5) of each tab 192 to obtain a finger grip on the front plates 156, Lt; / RTI > 5, the gripper tabs 192 are configured to project outwardly from the distal walls 146, 148 of the rigid container 104 such that the front plates 156, An appropriate spacing is provided between the gripper tab 192 and the end walls 146 and 148 to allow the user to place at least one fingertip along the rear surface 194 of each gripper tab 192 . Thus, when attempting to slide the front plates 6, 158 to the open position, the user can simply grasp each gripper tab 192 and then pull the front plates 156, 158 away from each other.

As indicated above, when the front plates 156, 158 are moved to the closed position, the portion (s) of the inner side 164 of each plate 156, 158 may be configured to be disposed immediately adjacent and / or in contact with the corresponding portion (s) of the inner side surface 164, while other portions of the inner side surface 164 of the plates 156, To allow the user to access the resealable cap 118 along the exterior of the rigid container 104. [ For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each inner side 165 may be a straight or substantially straight line extending generally perpendicularly from the lateral sides 168, 170 of the front plates 156, And first and second side portions 196, 198 that define a linear profile. In this embodiment, given the configuration of the first and second side portions 196, 198, the inner side surfaces 164 of the front plates 156, 158 may be positioned immediately adjacent to each other and / 158 to contact each other along these side portions 196, 198 when they are moved to the closed position.

In some embodiments, the first and second side portions 196, 198 of the inner side surface 164 may include matching features configured to engage each other when the front plates 156, 158 are moved to the closed position Should be recognized. 3, in one embodiment, the first side portion 196 of the second front plate 158 and the second side portion 198 of the first front plate 158 each have an outer side And one or more alignment tabs (200) extending in the direction of the other front plate (156, 158). In this embodiment, the first side portion 196 of the first front plate 156 and the second side portion 198 of the second front plate 158 are configured such that when the front plates 156, 158 are moved to the closed position May define corresponding slot (s) 202 for receiving alignment tab (s) 200. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the alignment taps 200 and corresponding slots 202 may be aligned and / or aligned in and / or in any other suitable manner within and / or along the interior side 164 of the front plates 156, / / Can be located. Further, in yet another embodiment, to engage the front plates 156, 158 with one another when the front plates 156, 158 are moved to the closed position and / or to align the front plates 156, Any other suitable matching feature may be provided within and / or along the side portions 196, 198 of the inner side 164.

In addition, each inner side surface 164 may also include a central portion 204 defining a non-linear or non-linear profile extending between the first and second side portions 196, 198. 3 and 4, the central portion 204 of each inner side surface 164 extends from the first and second side portions 196, 198 to the outside of each corresponding front plate 156, 158 May be configured to define a curved profile that extends outwardly toward the side 166. Thus, when the front plates 156 and 158 are moved to the closed position, the central portions 204 of the inner side surfaces 164 are spaced apart from each other to form a cap opening 174 between the front plates 156 and 158. [ (Fig. 4) can be defined. This cap opening 174 is generally sized such that when distributing the sheets 106 from the flexible pouch 102 the front plates 156 and 158 can be fastened around a portion of the flexible pouch 102, The uppermost cap portion 124 of the sealable cap 118 is accessible to intermittently expose and then reseal the distributor opening 116. [

The central portions 204 of the interior sides 164 define the cap opening 174 to define a shape generally corresponding to the shape of the bottom cap portion 122 of the resealable cap 118. In some embodiments, Lt; / RTI > 4 illustrates a dashed circle 206 generally defining the external footprint of the bottom cap portion 122 along the front plates 156 and 158 when the sheet material dispenser 100 is fully assembled. . 4, the cap opening 174 defines an elliptical shape that generally corresponds to an elliptical shape of the outer footprint 206 of the bottom cap portion 122. As shown in Fig.

Further, in some embodiments, the curved profile of the central portions 204 is selected such that the cap opening 174 defines a cross-shaped dimension (s) smaller than the corresponding cross-sectional dimension (s) of the bottom cap portion 22 . For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the cap opening 174 may be configured to define both the lateral width 208 and the lateral width 210. 5 and 6, bottom cap portion 122 may also be configured to define a corresponding lateral width 212 and lateral width 214. In this embodiment, the cross-shaped widths 208, 210 of the cap opening 174 are selected to be less than the corresponding cross-shaped widths 212, 214 of the bottom cap portion 122, 158 may be configured to be received below the bottom cap portion 122 when these plates 156,158 are moved to the closed position such that this portion of the front plates 156,158 is received by the bottom cap portion 122, To be engaged with the bottom surface 120 of the base member 120. [ For example, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, due to the difference between the cross-shaped widths 208, 210, 212 and 214, the front plates 156 and 158 are positioned on the bottom surface of the bottom cap portion 122 120 may be configured to define projections 216 that are fastened to and supported by the front plates 156, 158. 5, the protrusions 216 are configured to extend completely around the footprint 206 of the bottom cap portion 122 such that the front plates 156, May be fastened to and support the bottom surface 120 of the bottom cap portion 122 along the entire outer periphery of the cap opening 174 when the cap cap 17 is moved to the closed position.

As shown above, by configuring the front plates 156 and 158 to engage the bottom cap portion 122 of the resealable cap 118, the top cap portion 124 can be configured to have rigidity And may be accessible along the exterior of the vessel 104. Thus, when attempting to distribute the sheets 106 from the sheet material dispenser 100, the user may place the opening tabs 218 that protrude outwardly from the bottom cap portion 122 (e.g., from the top cap portion 124) (By grasping the upper and lower cap portions 124 (Figs. 1 and 2)) to expose the dispenser opening 116. After the one or more sheets 106 are dispensed from the sheet material dispenser 100 through the dispenser opening 116, the top cap portion 124 is then pivoted back onto the bottom cap portion 122 to dispense the dispenser opening 116 Sealed or otherwise closed.

The present invention also relates to a method for assembling and / or using the disclosed sheet material dispenser (100). For example, in some embodiments, the sheet material dispenser 100 may be assembled and / or used in a manner similar to that shown and described above with reference to Figures 1-7. Specifically, assuming that the flexible pouch 102 used is installed inside the dispenser 100, the front plates 156 and 158 can be initially moved to the open position, so that the used flexible pouch 102 has a stiffness To be removed from the inner region 150 defined by the vessel 104. The used pouch 102 is defined between the front plates 156 and 158 since the front pawls 102 and 103 are not configured to be coupled to the flexible pouch 102 when the front plates 156 and 158 are in the open position, It can be simply pulled outward through the gap. A new flexible pouch 102 is then inserted between the front plates 156 and 158 and into the interior region 150 such that the bottom wall 110 of the flexible pouch 102 is positioned at the rear of the rigid container 104 Sealable cap 118 may be positioned adjacent to wall 140 and facing the open end of interior region 150. The front plates 156 and 158 are then slid inward relative to the side walls 142 and 144 such that the inner side 164 of each front plate 156 and 158 is positioned directly beneath the resealable cap 118 The top surface 160 of each front plate 156 and 158 can be fastened to the bottom surface 120 of the bottom cap portion 122 along the protrusion 216 .

Alternatively, the disclosed sheet material dispenser 100 can be assembled in a manner similar to that shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. Specifically, assuming that the flexible pouch 102 used is installed within the dispenser 100, the front plates 156, 158 can initially be moved away from each other relative to the sidewalls 142, 144 , Allowing the flexible pouch 102 used to be removed from the interior region 150 defined by the rigid container 104. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the front plates 156 and 158 may be positioned in a rigid container < RTI ID = 0.0 > Can be completely removed from the rigid vessel 104 by sliding the front plates 156, 158 laterally along the side walls 142, 144 toward the lateral ends 152, 154 of the body 104. Once removed, the front plates 156, 158 can then be placed over the new pouch 102 and placed in the closed position relative to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, each of the front plates 56, 158 may be individually mounted on the flexible pouch 102 to define a central portion 204 (see FIG. 8) of the inner side 164 of each plate 156, Is fastened around the flexible pouch 102 just below the resealable cap 118 and the top surface 160 of each front plate 156,158 is moved along the projection 216 to the bottom of the bottom cap portion 122 Can be fastened to the minor surface (122). The assembled front plates 156 and 158 and the flexible pouch 102 may then be installed on and / or on the remainder of the rigid container 104. For example, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the retaining arms 176, 178 of the front plates 156, 158 are engaged / retracted around the retention lips 180, 182 extending from the side walls 142, May be configured to engage or engage to slideably connect the front plates 156, 158 to the side walls 142, 144. Specifically, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9, the assembled front plates 156 and 158 and the flexible pouch 102 can be inclined relative to the side walls 142 and 144 so that one of the side walls (E.g., second retention arms 188) extending along a second side wall 144 (e.g., second side wall 144) are fastened under a corresponding retention lip (e.g., second retention lip 182) . The front plates 156, 158 (e.g., first retaining arms 180) are then moved until adjacent retaining arms (e.g., first retention arms 176) are seated beneath the corresponding retention lips May be pushed downwardly against the opposing sidewall (e.g., the first sidewall 142). For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the uppermost surface 220 of the retention lips 180, 182 may be positioned such that each lip 180, 182 extends outward from the adjacent side walls 142, . Thus, when the retaining arms 176 are pressed downward against the uppermost surface 220 of the retaining lip 180, the retaining arms 176 remain in engagement until the retaining arms 176 engage under the retaining lip 180 The lower portion 186 of each arm 176 is configured to flex slightly outward as it slides along the top surface 220 such that the first and second front plates 156, Lt; / RTI >

Of course, in other embodiments, any other suitable methodology may be used to assemble and / or use the disclosed sheet material dispenser 100.

The described description uses examples, including the best mode, to disclose the invention, and it is intended that any person skilled in the art may make and use the invention, including making and using any device or system and performing any included method . The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other embodiments that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims or include structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims.

Claims (20)

With a sheet material dispenser,
A rigid container comprising an inner region defined by at least a portion of the rear wall and sidewalls extending outwardly from the rear wall, the rigid container comprising a first and a second portion configured to slideably connect to at least one of the sidewalls, 2 front plates so that the first and second front plates are in an open position in which the first and second front plates are spaced apart relative to one another and the first and second front plates Wherein the first and second front plates each include a top surface, a bottom surface, and inner and outer sides extending between the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, The rigid container; And
A flexible pouch configured to contain a stack of sheets, the flexible pouch being configured to be received within an interior region of the rigid container, the flexible pouch defining a dispenser opening and adapted to intermittently expose and reseal the dispenser opening And a resealable cap, said flexible pouch comprising:
Wherein the portions of the first and second front plates are configured to be located immediately below the portion of the resealable cap when the first and second front plates are moved to the closed position. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first and second front plates are movable relative to each other in a direction substantially parallel to the rear wall. 2. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the flexible pouch is configured to be inserted within the inner region when the first and second front plates are moved to the closed position. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the inner side surfaces of the first and second front plates each include a first side portion, a second side portion, and a middle portion extending between the first side portion and the second side portion. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface of the inner side surface of the first front plate are adjacent to the inner side surface of the second front plate when the first and second front plates are moved to the closed position To contact the first side portion and the second side portion. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the alignment tab extends outwardly from at least one of the first side surface or the second side surface of the inner side surface of the first front plate, And is configured to be received in a corresponding slot defined in at least one of the first side surface or the second side surface of the inner side surface of the second front plate when moved to the closed position. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a central portion of an inner side of each of the first and second front plates has a non-linear configuration such that when the first and second front plates are moved to the closed position, Wherein a cap opening is defined between the first and second openings. 8. The sheet material dispenser of claim 7, wherein the non-linear configuration corresponds to a curvilinear profile extending between a first side or a second side of each front plate. 8. The sheet material dispenser of claim 7, wherein the shape of the cap opening generally corresponds to the shape of the portion of the resealable cap. 8. The sheet material dispenser of claim 7, wherein the cap opening defines a cross-like dimension less than a cross-shaped dimension defined by the portion of the resealable cap. 11. The cap of claim 10, wherein the cross-shaped dimension of the cap opening is such that a top surface of the first and second front plates is defined around the periphery of the cap opening configured to engage the bottom surface of the resealable cap A sheet material dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the resealable cap includes a bottom cap portion coupled to a wall of the flexible pouch and a top cap portion pivotably connected to the bottom cap portion, And is configured to be coupled to the bottom cap portion when in position. 2. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the sidewalls comprise a first sidewall having a first retention lip extending outwardly and a second sidewall having a second retention lip extending outwardly. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and second front plates include a first retention arm and a second retention arm, respectively, wherein the first retention arm is disposed on the first sidewall And a second retaining arm extending outwardly to an adjacent position such that a portion of the first retaining arm is positioned behind the first retaining lip and the second retaining arm is extended outwardly from a bottom side of each of the front plates to a position adjacent the second side wall Wherein a portion of said second retaining arm extends behind said second retaining lip. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first and second retaining arms are configured to be fastened behind the first and second retention lips to limit movement of the first and second front plates in a direction perpendicular to the rear wall , Sheet material dispenser. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the gripper tab is defined along an outer side of each of the first and second front plates. CLAIMS 1. A method for using a sheet material dispenser comprising a flexible pouch and a rigid container configured to receive the flexible pouch, the flexible pouch defining a dispenser opening and being resealable for intermittently exposing and resealing the dispenser opening The rigid container comprising an interior region defined by sidewalls extending at least partially from the rear wall and outward from the rear wall,
Positioning a first front plate of the rigid container about a portion of the flexible pouch so that a portion of the first front plate is positioned directly beneath a portion of the resealable cap;
Placing a second front plate of the rigid container about a portion of the flexible pouch so that a portion of the second front plate is positioned directly beneath a portion of the resealable cap, Are disposed in a closed position relative to each other when the first and second front plates are fastened to the resealable cap; And
Sliding the first and second front plates to the side walls of the rigid container such that the first and second front plates are movable relative to each other between the closed position and the open position, Way. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising sliding the first and second front plates from the closed position to the open position with respect to the side walls, wherein the first and second front plates When placed in a distant relationship relative to one another. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising removing the flexible pouch from between the first and second front plates when the first and second front plates are in the open position. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising inserting the flexible pouch into an interior region of the rigid container before or after the first and second front plates move to the closed position.

Images