ES2912747T3 - Dispenser for sheet products, particularly napkins - Google Patents

Abstract

Dispenser for sheet products comprising: a base (10); an outer shell (50) mounted to the base, wherein the outer shell has a first portion (52) configured to enclose a stack of sheet products to be dispensed and a second portion (53) having a dispensing opening (54), the first and second portions being non-detachably and non-movably attached relative to one another, wherein the first portion (52) comprises two pairs of opposing side walls (55) and the second portion (53 ) comprises a top wall (57) fixed in a non-removable and non-movable manner to the side walls (55); a platen (60) reciprocable relative to the base (10) and spring biased toward the dispensing opening (54); first and second vertical longitudinal columns (13, 14) respectively extending vertically from the base (10) parallel to a direction of movement of the platen (60) on opposite sides of the platen, wherein the outer casing (50 ) can be moved by translation of the base (10) along the vertical extension of the columns (13, 14) to introduce a stack of paper products between the first and second columns on the platen; characterized by a stop (17, 18) on each of the first and second columns (13, 14), respectively provided at an end (16) of the first and second columns opposite the base (10), the stops being configured to engage with a leading sheet product of the stack of sheet products and/or the platen (60) in an extended position.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Dispenser for sheet products, particularly napkins

technical field

The present disclosure relates generally to a dispenser for sheet products, and more particularly to a dispenser configured to hold and dispense sheet products. The dispenser may be for dispensing sanitary paper sheet products such as hand towels, napkins, facial tissues, toilet paper or other cleaning products in sheet form. Even more particularly, the disclosure relates to so-called table top dispensers typically arranged on a table or counter.

Background

Napkins in the form of sheets of material (e.g. paper or non-woven material) intended for cleaning and hygiene purposes are common commercial items (e.g. in restaurants or cafeterias) that may be provided in the form of stacks of napkins arranged in a dispenser that it has a dispensing opening from which individual napkins can be easily removed when needed. The dispenser for the napkins must be easy to handle, must protect the napkins until use, and must be easy to move to a location where the napkins are needed, such as a table or counter and the like.

A commonly used option is to arrange the napkins in an interfolded stack that stands upright on a spring biased platen in a container having a dispensing opening at the top of the container. The napkins are then successively removed from the top of the stack through the dispensing opening.

The platen, and thus the stack, is pushed towards the dispensing opening to feed individual napkins into the dispensing opening until all the napkins have been removed from the dispenser.

Interfolded napkins are sheets of materials arranged in a stack of overlapping sheets that are each folded at least once. The sheets are interconnected such that the separate folded sheets of material form a chain of sheets in which each sheet has a front panel and a back panel, the back panel being at least partially overlapped with the front panel of the back sheet in the battery. In this way, the individual sheets are loosely held together by means of frictional forces arising between the overlapping parts. Sheets can be dispensed from a dispenser by pulling the front panel of the first sheet (front sheet) in the stack. In this manner, the first sheet is removed at the same time that a predetermined portion of the front panel of a rear sheet is fed to a dispensing position in the dispenser.

Some dispensers have a lid or cover with a dispensing opening that restricts the width of the dispensed napkin in order to prevent the front panel of the next napkin to be dispensed from receding into the dispenser. Once all the napkins contained in the dispenser have been removed, the dispenser must be refilled. For this purpose, the lid or cover is usually pivotally hinged to the body of the dispenser. Therefore, the lid or cover can be opened giving access to the interior of the body to insert a new stack of napkins. Examples of such dispensers can be found in WO 2014/037041 A1, WO 2006/132618 A1 or WO 2017/180070 A1.

Dispensers of the type described above are generally made of a plastic material and are therefore relatively inexpensive to manufacture. However, these dispensers are made up of many parts that require relatively laborious assembly of the dispenser and are sometimes even double-walled (see for example

WO 2016/029964 A1, WO 2006/132618 A1 or WO 2017/180070 A1) leading to a relatively high material usage. Particularly for emerging markets, there is therefore a need to further simplify these dispensers to lower manufacturing costs. At the same time, however, dispensers need to be easy to use with respect to the dispensing process as well as the refilling process.

Another dispenser is known from US 1,362,449 which forms the basis for the preamble of claim 1.

Summary

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a dispenser comprised of a relatively small number of parts, which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and still provides satisfactory or even poor ease of use. improved.

The present invention relates to a dispenser having the characteristics defined in claim 1. Examples and particular embodiments of the present disclosure are mentioned in the dependent claims, in the following description and in the drawings.

According to the invention, a dispenser for sheet products is disclosed. The dispenser may be particularly configured to hold and dispense sanitary paper products in sheet form. Examples of sanitary paper products are hand towels, paper napkins, facial tissues, toilet paper, and other cleaning products in sheet form. Sheet products can be made from tissue paper (ISO 12625-1 standard) or non-woven material (ISO 9092 standard). The dispenser consists of a base, an outer shell removably mounted to the base and having a dispensing opening, a platen that can reciprocate relative to the base, and a spring, which biases the platen away from the base. and towards the dispensing opening in the outer casing.

In one aspect, the dispenser may therefore consist of only four structural parts. Upon separation of the outer casing from the base, an upper support surface of the platen is readily accessible and a new stack of sheet products can be easily inserted or placed on the platen, thereby simplifying the refilling process. To further enhance ease of use, the base comprises first and second vertical columns on opposite sides of the platen which can serve to guide the platen in the direction of its movement and/or to align a new stack of sheet products on the platen. platen support surface. The columns are longitudinal and extend vertically from the base. Also, the columns can be flat. Furthermore, the columns may be located on the shorter sides of the platen, if the platen is substantially rectangular.

In this context and throughout this disclosure, an outer casing can be understood as an external, usually hard (rigid), protective and/or enclosing case or cover of the dispenser. Similarly, the base can be understood as the bottom and/or support part of the outer casing. The dispensing opening in the outer casing is to be understood as the opening through which a user can withdraw a sheet product from the dispenser. The base may have a support surface or pedestal configured to place the base and thus the dispenser on a horizontal surface such as a table or counter. In this disclosure, the platen may be a support for supporting the sheet products within the dispenser and by means of the spring pressing them against the inner surface of the outer casing surrounding the dispensing opening. The platen may be in the form of a plate having a substantially square supporting surface which may correspond in shape and/or area to the shape of the sheet products or the footprint of the stack.

According to the invention, the dispenser for sheet products comprises a base and an outer casing mounted on the base. The outer shell has a first portion configured to enclose a stack of sheet products to be dispensed and a second portion having a dispensing opening. In particular, the first portion may define a space circumferentially enclosing the stack of sheet products and which is open at its bottom and closed at its top by the second portion. When mounted to the base, the base closes the open bottom and supports the outer shell. The first portion and the second portion are fixed relative to each other. In this context, "fixed" is to be understood as meaning that the portions cannot move relative to one another and/or are permanently fixed relative to one another, as the user is not intended to separate the portions to refill the dispenser. However, the portions can still be made from separate parts that are joined together. In particular, "fixed relative to one another" is intended to exclude a cap having the dispensing opening and being hinged to the sidewalls or removably attached to the sidewalls for refilling. Rather, and according to the present disclosure, the entire outer shell, including the first and second portions, must be removed for refilling. The first portion comprises two pairs of opposing sidewalls that can be connected to each other at their vertical edges, and the second portion comprises a top wall attached to the sidewalls, ie at their top edges. In one aspect, the outer shell is made from an integral part, particularly an injection molded part. The dispenser of the invention further comprises a platen which is reciprocable relative to the base and spring biased towards the dispensing opening. First and second columns are provided extending from or protruding from the base, respectively, parallel to a direction of movement of the platen on opposite sides of the platen. According to the invention, the columns extend vertically and protrude from the base and the base may be configured to stand on a horizontal surface such as a table or counter. The first and second columns may be separate parts that are attached to or mounted to the base. Alternatively, the first and second columns may be integral parts of the base, ie the first and second columns and the base are one part, for example an injection molded part. To introduce a stack of paper products between the first and second columns on the platen, the outer casing is detachably mounted to the base. Therefore, the outer casing can be removed by translation from the base in the direction of movement of the platen and/or along the extension of the columns.

Once the outer casing is removed from the base and a new stack of sheet products is placed on the platen, the user has to temporarily hold the stack of sheet products with the platen being held in a retracted position against the force of the spring. In this context, the retracted position can be considered as a position in which the stage moves to a position closer to the base.

To avoid or reduce this need, the dispenser further comprises a stop on each of the first and second columns, respectively provided at an end of the first and second columns opposite the base. In particular, the columns are attached to the base or integrally formed with the base at a first end, extending vertically from the base to a second end in a longitudinal direction. Stops are provided at the second end. The stops are configured to engage a leading sheet product of the stack of sheet products and/or the platen in an extended position. The leading sheet product in the stack of sheet products should be considered as the first sheet product in the stack of sheet products to be dispensed through the dispensing opening, i.e. the top sheet product in the stack. of sheet products supported on the platen. The extended position of the platen is a position in which the platen moves away from the base by the spring without any sheet product being supported on the platen and in which the platen contacts or engages with a surface of the stops facing the platen. In one example, the stops may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the columns and/or the direction of movement of the platen, ie horizontally, from the second end of the columns. In this example, it is no longer required to manually retain the platen in the retracted position once a new stack of sheet products has been placed on the platen, because this task is taken over by the bumpers engaged with the leading sheet product in the stack. of sheet products and thereby holding the platen across the stack in the retracted position. An additional advantage of this example is that the platen is retained in the extended position by the stops after removal of the outer shell from the base for filling. Therefore, the stage does not move uncontrollably when the outer casing is separated from the base.

To allow an easy refilling process and particularly an easy process of placing a new stack of sheet products on the platen, the stops are flexible. In one aspect, the stops are flexible in opposite directions, but rigid enough to counteract a force exerted across a stack of sheet goods by the spring biased platen and/or a force exerted directly by the spring biased platen on the the stops to thereby hold the stack of sheet products in place on the platen and/or limit upward movement of the platen. In a particular example, the stops are more flexible in a direction toward the base parallel to the direction of movement of the platen than in a direction away from the base parallel to the direction of movement of the platen. In another example, the stops are flexible in only one direction, namely the direction towards the base parallel to the direction of movement of the platen. For this purpose, the stops may have a stack engaging part for engaging with the front sheet product of the stack of sheet products or the platen support surface in an extended position and a fixing part that is fixed to the stack of sheet products. the free ends of the first and second columns. The coupling part and the fixing part are connected by a hinge such as a flexible hinge. For more details on the configuration of the stops and how to achieve flexibility, reference is made to WO 2016/029964 A1.

In this context, the entire description of "locking elements 11" in this document is disclosed.

In this embodiment, a new stack of sheet products can be inserted between the second ends of the columns by flexing the stops toward the base and thereby pushing the platen against the spring force into the retracted position. Once the stack of sheet products has passed the stops, the stops recede and the user can release the stack. Subsequently, the platen is held in the retracted position across the stack of sheet products with the leading sheet product of the stack of sheet products contacting or engaging a lower surface of the stops.

In one example, the bumpers are made of a resilient material such as polypropylene. The stops may be separate parts placed at the respective end of the first and second columns. This is particularly advantageous because the first and second columns are preferably made of a hard, rigid plastic material such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS).

To allow a controlled movement of the platen and thereby a simplified filling process, the platen has guide elements on opposite sides, respectively engaged with the first and second columns. In one example, the guide elements can be hooked on the first and second columns. Thus, the guide elements can guide the platen along the first and second columns in the direction of movement of the platen and limit the movement of the platen in at least one or even two directions perpendicular to the direction of movement of the platen. the platen.

In one example, each guide element has a pair of spaced-apart slots, respectively engaged with opposite longitudinal side edges of the respective first and second columns to limit movement of the platen in two directions perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the direction of travel. platen movement.

According to one aspect, the base and/or the columns and/or the outer casing may be made of a rigid plastic material, particularly of the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) group.

In addition to the stops, the dispenser may further comprise a retention mechanism configured to temporarily retain the platen in the retracted (refill) position while the outer shell is separated from the base. As mentioned above, it can be cumbersome to insert a new stack of sheet products while manually holding the platen in the retracted position or pushing the platen into the retracted position while inserting a new stack. Thus, in some embodiments, the dispenser includes a retention mechanism that allows a user to manually push the platen against spring force toward the base and thereby engage the platen with the retention mechanism, with the platen being retained in the base. retracted position, thereby allowing easy refilling.

According to one configuration of this aspect, the retention mechanism may comprise a coupling element and a coupling element, the coupling element being configured to engage the coupling element when the platen is manually moved to the retracted filling position while the outer casing separates from the base.

In those embodiments, it may be beneficial to automatically release the platen retention mechanism upon attachment of the outer casing to the base, so that the platen again delivers sheet products to the dispensing opening as it is propelled toward the dispensing opening. dispensation. In particular, the coupling member may be provided with a release portion configured to engage with the outer shell to release the coupling member from the mating member when the outer shell is attached to the base.

For example, the engaging element may be a latch fixed relative to the base and to be engaged with a recess or hook, as an engaged element, fixed relative to the platen.

Alternatively, the engaging element may be a latch fixed relative to the platen and to be engaged with a recess or hook, as an engaged element, fixed relative to the base.

Furthermore, channels may be provided on an inner surface of the outer casing, the channels engaging with the posts upon attachment of the outer casing to the base. When attaching/detaching the outer casing to/from the base, the outer casing is guided along the posts simplifying controlled attachment/detachment.

According to one aspect, the width of the columns is within the range of 15 mm and 50 mm. In another example, the width of the columns 13, 14 is within the range of 20mm and 40mm. In a particular example, the width of the columns 13, 14 is between 25 mm and 35 mm.

Additional aspects of the present disclosure can be found in the following description of a particular embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a dispenser.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the outer casing of the dispenser of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the dispenser of figure 1 with the outer casing separated and incorporating stops.

Figure 4 shows a partial top view of Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a dispenser of Figure 1 with the outer casing of Figure 2 separated and incorporating a first example of a retention mechanism, in which the first example does not form part of the invention.

Figure 6 shows an enlarged partial perspective view of the retaining mechanism of the dispenser of Figure 5.

Figures 7A and B show a schematic cross-section through the retaining mechanism of the dispenser of Figure 5 to explain its function.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a dispenser of figure 1 with the outer casing of figure 2 separately and incorporating a second example of a retention mechanism, in which the second example does not form part of the invention.

Figure 9 shows an enlarged partial perspective view of the retaining mechanism of the Figure 8 dispenser.

Figures 10A and B show a schematic cross-section through the retaining mechanism of the dispenser of Figure 8 to explain its function.

Detailed description

An example of a dispenser according to the present disclosure is shown in Figure 1. The dispenser comprises a base 10 and an outer shell 50 defining a housing for the dispenser. The housing defines an interior volume configured to house a stack of sheet products, such as napkins. The outer shell 50 is releasably attached to the base 10. To this end, the base has resilient latches 11 on opposite sides which engage a respective recess 51 in the outer shell 50 to releasably secure the outer shell 52 to base 10. When outer casing 50 is to be separated from base 10, a user can press inward on latches 11, accessible through recess 51, to disengage them from recesses 51 and allow separation of the base 10. outer casing 50.

The outer shell 50 also shown in Figure 2 comprises a first portion 52 defining a circumferential enclosure for a stack of sheet products (not visible in Figure 1) to be dispensed from the dispenser through an opening of dispensing 54 disposed in a second portion 53 of the outer casing 50. The outer casing 50 therefore comprises two pairs of opposite side walls 55 and connected to each other at the corners or corner portions 56. Consequently, the side walls 55 define the first portion 52, which is open at its bottom facing the base 10 and closed at its top by a top wall 57 defining the second portion 53 having the dispensing opening 54. In one embodiment, the outer shell 50 it is made of rigid plastic material such as ABS. The outer shell 50 may be manufactured in an injection molding process such that the outer shell 50 is a one-piece, integral component.

The base 10 is shown in Figure 3. In the illustrated example, the base 10 comprises a lower portion 12, which is configured to correspond with a lower portion of the outer shell 50 to define the housing after attachment of the outer shell 52. to base 10.

Furthermore, the base 10 comprises two columns 13, 14. In one example, the columns 13, 14 are manufactured together with the lower portion 12 from a rigid plastic material such as ABS. Alternatively, the columns 13, 14 may be separate parts which are subsequently joined or assembled with the lower portion 12. However, as with the outer shell 50, the columns 13, 14 may also be manufactured in a injection molding process. injection together with the lower portion 12, so that the lower portion 12 and the columns 13, 14 are a solid component in one piece.

The columns 13, 14 are, as in the illustrated example, longitudinal members having opposite ends 15, 16 as seen in the longitudinal direction and extending vertically or protruding from the lower portion 12 of the base 10. In In this context, the columns 13, 14 are attached to the lower portion 12 of the base 10 at their ends 15, while the opposite ends 16 can be considered free ends. In the particular example shown in the figures, the columns 13, 14 extend or protrude from the lower portion 12 of the base 10 and have a tapering section away from the base. Furthermore, the columns 13, 14 are formed as planar elements because their length in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) and their width in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Z direction) are larger than the thickness in the thickness direction. perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction (X direction). In one example, the width of the columns 13, 14 is within the range of 15mm and 50mm. In another example, the width of the columns 13, 14 is within the range of 20mm and 40mm. In a particular example, the width of the columns 13, 14 is between 25mm and 35mm, such as 25mm.

Each of the columns 13, 14 comprises a stop 17, 18 at its free end 16. The stops 17, 18 are made of an elastic material such as polypropylene. In the illustrated example, the stops 17, 18 are manufactured separately from the columns 13 and 14 and are attached to the free end 16 of the columns 13, 14 by means of a releasable connection, such as, and without limitation, a screw connection. snap fit (eg hooks 19 of stops 17, 18 engaged with recesses 20 at free end 16 of columns 13, 14).

The stops 17, 18 are flexible in a direction towards the base 10 (lower portion 12). To put it another way, the stops 17, 18 can be flexed on a (flexible) film hinge 21 about an axis 22 parallel to the width direction (Z direction) of the columns 13, 14.

The stops 17, 18 are prevented from flexing upwards beyond the position shown in Figure 3 (orientation substantially parallel to the platen 60 or more particularly to the support surface 61 of the platen). Therefore, the stops 17, 18 are flexible or elastic only in one direction, namely a direction towards the lower portion 12 of the base 10 or towards an inner surface of each of the columns 13, 14. However, at least the Upward flexing is not anticipated and the stops 17, 18 are less flexible in an upward direction than in a downward direction. In order to achieve the required and intended flexibility, the configuration of the hinge as well as the manufacturing process (eg injection molding) are important. For details regarding the configuration of the stops, reference is made to WO 2016/029964 A1.

The dispenser comprises a platen 60. The platen 60 has an upward support surface 61 on which the sheet products are to be placed. Platen 60 can reciprocate along columns 13, 14 in a direction indicated by the double arrow in Figure 3 (direction Y). In particular, the platen 60 can move between a retracted position near the base 10 or lower portion 12 of the base 10 as shown in Figure 3 and an extended position in which the upwardly facing support surface 61 of the platen 60 is in contact with a downward facing surface of the stops 17, 18 which limits further upward movement of the platen 60 past the stops 17, 18.

In order to continuously feed the sheet products to the dispensing opening 54 after removing the sheet products from the dispenser, the platen 60 is urged towards the dispensing opening 54 by a spring 70. The spring 70 is disposed between a lower surface 62 of the platen 60 and an upper surface 23 of the lower portion 12 of the base 10.

Furthermore, on the sides of the columns 13, 14, the platen 60 is provided with a guide element 63 which engages (eg hooks onto) the columns 13, 14 and guides the platen along the columns 13, 14 in the Y direction and limiting movement in the width direction (Z direction) and/or the X direction. In the illustrated example, the guide element 63 is in the form of a T-slot guide the platen 60 having T-slots and the respective column engaging respectively in the T-slot. To put it another way, a pair of spaced-apart slots 64 are provided and the slots 64 respectively engage opposite longitudinal side edges 24, 25 of the respective first and second columns.

Next, reference is made to the filling process of the dispenser shown in figures 1 to 4.

When all the sheet products contained in the dispenser are dispensed and it is necessary to fill the dispenser with new sheet products, the user first pushes the latches 11 to disengage them from the recesses 51. The user is then enabled to detach the outer casing 50 of the base 10 substantially in a translational movement along the Y direction.

In this situation, the upper surface (support surface) 61 of the platen 60 is in an extracted position in which the upper surface 61 is in bearing contact with a surface of the stops 17, 18 facing the upper surface 61 of the platen 60. Consequently, the platen 60 is held in the extracted position by the stops 17, 18.

The user then grabs a stack of sheet products and inserts the stack from the top in Figure 3 between the columns 13, 14 by flexing the stops 17, 18 on the hinge 21 about the axis 22 towards the inner surfaces of the columns 13. , 14 so that the stack of sheet products can pass the stops 17, 18. During this process, the stack comes into contact with the support surface 61 of the platen 60 and the platen 60 is pushed down towards the lower portion 12 of the base 10 against the spring force of the spring 70 and is guided along the columns 13 and 14 by the guide element 63 in a controlled manner.

Once the leading sheet product (top sheet product) in the stack of sheet products has passed the stops 17, 18, the stops 17, 18 recede due to their elasticity. Once the user releases the stack of sheet products, the surfaces of the stops 17, 18 facing the front sheet product come into contact with the front sheet product as the stack of sheet products is pushed up the platen 60 being pushed up by spring 70. Consequently, the stack of sheet products is held in place and outer casing 50 can be easily attached to base 10 by engaging latches 11 with recesses 51. In addition, and As visible from Figure 2, the outer shell 50 has ribs 100 on its inner surface 58 which form channels 101 which respectively engage posts 13, 14 during attachment of the outer shell 50 to the base 10. Accordingly, the outer shell 50 is guided by the channels 101 along the columns 13, 14 during attachment/detachment of the outer shell 50 to/from the base 10.

An additional dispenser is shown in figures 1, 2 and 5 to 7. The only difference compared to the dispenser described with respect to Figures 1 to 4 is that the stops 17, 18 are omitted and a retaining mechanism 80 is incorporated instead. This non-stop embodiment does not form part of the invention.

The retention mechanism 80 is provided to temporarily retain the platen 60 in the retracted position for refilling when the outer shell 50 is separated from the base 10.

For this purpose, the retaining mechanism 80 comprises a coupling element 81 and a coupled element. The coupling element 81 can be fixed for example to the lower portion 12 of the base 10. The coupling element 81 can be made of bent sheet metal, thus being flexible and elastic. The coupling element 81 may have a latch 82. The coupling element 81 may further have a release portion 84 configured to engage an inner surface 58 of the outer shell 50 upon attachment of the outer shell 50 to the base 10.

The engaging element may be in the form of a recess 83 formed in a side surface of the platen 60. Accordingly, a user may place a new stack of sheet products on the support surface 61 of the platen 60 and push the platen 60 downward against the spring force of spring 70. Once platen 60 reaches the retracted position as shown in Figure 5, latch 82 is first pressed inward and then retracts to engage recess 83. Consequently , the platen 60 is retained in the retracted position, even if the user releases the platen 60. As a result, the stack of sheet products can be easily placed on the support surface resting between the columns 13 and 14 and on the upper support surface 61 allowing easy attachment of the outer casing 50.

When the outer shell 50 is attached as shown in Figures 7A and B by translationally moving the outer shell 50 along arrow A in Figure 7A, an inner surface 58 of the outer shell 50 comes into contact with the release portion 84 of the engaging member 81 and pushes the engaging member 81 inward, whereby the latch 82 is released from the recess 83. Therefore, the platen 60 can move upward as shown by arrow B in Figure 7B being driven by spring 70.

An alternative latch mechanism 90, which can be used in place of latch mechanism 80, is shown in the dispenser depicted in Figures 1, 2, and 7-10, where the dispenser does not form part of the invention. The retention mechanism 90 is provided to temporarily retain the platen 60 in the retracted position for refilling when the outer shell 50 is separated from the base 10.

For this purpose, the retaining mechanism 90 comprises a coupling element 91 and a coupled element. The coupling element 91 can be attached to the platen 60, for example. The coupling element 91 is one piece with the platen 60 and is integrally formed in an injection molding process. The coupling element 91 may have one or more flexible latches 92. The coupling element 91 may further have a release portion 94 configured to engage with an inner surface 58 of the outer casing 50 or a ramp 59 on the inner surface 58 of the housing. outer casing 50 after attachment of outer casing 50 to base 10.

The attached element may be in the form of one or more hooks 93 formed on the lower portion 12 of the base 10.

Accordingly, a user can place a new stack of sheet products on support surface 61 of platen 60 and push platen 60 downward against the spring force of spring 70. Once platen 60 reaches the retracted position as shown in Fig. 9, the latches 92 are first pressed inward by the sloping surfaces 94 of the hooks 93 and then retract to engage the hooks 93. Therefore, the platen 60 is retained in the retracted position, although the user releases the platen 60. As a result, the stack of sheet products can be placed on the support surface and rests between the columns 13 and 14 and on the support surface 61 allowing easy attachment of the outer casing 50.

When outer shell 50 is attached as shown in Figures 10A and B by translationally moving outer shell 50 along arrow A in Figure 10A, a ramp 59 on an inner surface 58 of outer shell 50 enters in contact with the release portion 94 of the coupling element 91 and pushes the coupling element 91 inward (see arrow C in Fig. 10A), whereby the latches 92 are released from the hooks 93. Consequently, the platen 60 can move upward as shown by arrow B in Fig. 10B when pushed by spring 70.

The use of stops 17, 18 and retention mechanisms 80; 90 has been separately disclosed in the illustrated example embodiments. However, it will be apparent that stops and a retaining mechanism can also be incorporated into a dispenser. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, but various modifications and alterations are conceivable within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (17)

Yo. Dispenser for sheet products comprising: a base (10); an outer shell (50) mounted to the base, wherein the outer shell has a first portion (52) configured to enclose a stack of sheet products to be dispensed and a second portion (53) having a dispensing opening (54), the first and second portions being non-detachably and non-movably attached relative to one another, wherein the first portion (52) comprises two pairs of opposing sidewalls (55) and the second portion (53 ) comprises a top wall (57) fixed in a non-removable and non-movable manner to the side walls (55); a platen (60) reciprocable relative to the base (10) and spring biased toward the dispensing opening (54); first and second vertical longitudinal columns (13, 14) respectively extending vertically from the base (10) parallel to a direction of movement of the platen (60) on opposite sides of the platen, wherein the outer casing (50 ) can be translationally removed from the base (10) along the vertical extent of the columns (13, 14) to introduce a stack of paper products between the first and second columns on the platen; characterized by a stop (17, 18) on each of the first and second columns (13, 14), respectively provided at an end (16) of the first and second columns opposite the base (10), the stops being configured to engage with a leading sheet product of the stack of ^{sheet products and/or the platen} 60 ^{in an extended position.} 2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first (52) and second (53) portions are made in one piece. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, in which the stops (17, 18) are flexible parallel to the direction of movement of the platen (60). 4. Dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the stops (17, 18) are more flexible parallel to the direction of movement of the platen (60) in a direction towards the base (10) than in a direction away from the base . 5. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the stops (17, 18) are made of an elastic material. 6. Dispenser according to claim 5, in which the stops (17, 18) are made of polypropylene. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the stops (17, 18) are independent parts placed at the respective ends (16) of the first and second columns (13, 14). Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the platen (60) has guide elements (63) on opposite sides, respectively engaged with the first and second columns (13, 14). A dispenser according to claim 8, wherein each guide element (63) has a pair of spaced-apart slots (64), respectively engaged with opposite longitudinal side edges (24, 25) of the respective first and second columns. 10. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base (10) and/or the columns (13, 14) and/or the outer casing (50) are made of a rigid plastic material, particularly from the group of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a retention mechanism (80; 90) configured to temporarily retain the platen (60) in a retracted position while the outer shell (50) is separated from the base (10). ). 12. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the retaining mechanism (80; 90) comprises a coupling element (81; 91) and a coupling element (83; 93), wherein the coupling element is configured to engage with the mating element when the platen (60) is manually moved to the retracted position while the outer shell (50) is separated from the base The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the engaging member (81; 91) is provided with a release portion (84; 94) configured to engage the outer casing (50) to release the engaging member from the member. engaged when the outer casing is attached to the base (10). 14. Dispenser according to claim 12 or 13, in which the coupling element (81) is a latch (82) fixed in relation to the base and to be coupled with a recess or hook, as a coupled element (83), fixed relative to the platen. 15. Dispenser according to claim 12 or 13, in which the coupling element (91) is a latch (92) fixed in relation to the platen and to be engaged with a recess or hook, as the coupling element (93), fixed relative to the base. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the outer casing (50) has channels (101) parallel to the direction of movement of the platen engaged respectively with the first and second columns (13, 14). 17. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the width of the columns (13, 14) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the platen and at a distance between the columns (13, 14) is no more than 50 mm and not less than 10 mm.