WO2012114112A1

WO2012114112A1 - Dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2012114112A1
Application number: PCT/GB2012/050411
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matt Wright; Daniel WALTON; Stephen Lee
Original assignee: Bioprogress Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2011-02-23
Filing date: 2012-02-23
Publication date: 2012-08-30
Also published as: GB201103084D0; GB2488336A

Abstract

A sheet dispenser (10) comprising: a receptacle (20) configured to store a layered plurality of sheets including sheets in a first configuration (1) and sheets in a second configuration (2) wherein sheets in the first and second configurations partially overlap one another; and a dispense controller (30) engaged with and movable relative to the receptacle to a first position and a second position and having an aperture for withdrawal of sheets from the sheet dispenser, wherein, in use, only a sheet in the first configuration has a width that may be exposed by the aperture in the first position, and only a sheet in the second configuration has a width that may be exposed by the aperture in the second position.

Description

Dispenser

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dispensers for dispensing sheets. Background of the Invention

Sheet dispensers are known wherein which sheets for use in a wide variety of applications contained within a dispenser may be dispensed one sheet at a time.

A drawback with existing sheet dispensers is that an attempt to withdraw a single sheet from the dispenser may result in the unintentional withdrawal of multiple sheets, and it may be difficult or impossible to return unintentionally withdrawn sheets in the dispenser. This may be particularly undesirable if the dispenser contains only a small number of sheets or if the sheets are costly.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the invention provides a sheet dispenser comprising: a receptacle configured to store a layered plurality of sheets including sheets in a first configuration and sheets in a second configuration wherein sheets in the first and second configurations partially overlap one another; and a dispense controller engaged with and movable relative to the receptacle to a first position and a second position and having an aperture for withdrawal of sheets from the sheet dispenser, wherein, in use, only a sheet in the first configuration has a width that may be exposed by the aperture in the first position, and only a sheet in the second configuration has a width that may be exposed by the aperture in the second position.

Optionally, the dispense controller is rotatable relative to the receptacle.

Optionally, an edge of the aperture in the first position of the dispense controller is aligned with an edge of the sheet having the exposed width in the first configuration, and wherein an edge of the aperture in the second position of the dispense controller is aligned with the edge of the sheet having the exposed width in the second configuration. Optionally, a part of the sheet area of the sheet in the first configuration extends beyond the edge of the aperture in the second position and is exposed by the aperture in the first position.

Optionally, the receptacle comprises a receptacle area shaped to receive the layered plurality of sheets and to retain the configurations of the sheets.

Optionally, the receptacle is configured to store non-circular sheets, optionally square sheets.

Optionally, sheets in the first and second configurations have different relative orientations, and the receptacle is configured to receive sheets accordingly. Optionally, sheets in the second configuration are rotated by about 30-60 degrees relative to sheets in the first configuration.

Optionally, the sheet dispenser comprises a lid.

Optionally, the lid carries lid engaging means for engaging with co-operating engagement means carried by one of the receptacle or dispense controller.

Optionally, the lid engaging means and co-operating engagement means form a child- resistant latch.

Optionally, the receptacle comprises a receptacle aperture.

Optionally, the receptacle and dispense controller are provided with co-operating retaining means for retaining the dispense controller in movable engagement with the receptacle.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a sheet dispenser for dispensing sheets contained within the dispenser comprising: a receptacle configured to store a layered plurality of sheets including sheets in a first configuration and sheets in a second configuration wherein sheets in the first and second configurations partially overlap one another; a dispense controller movable relative to the receptacle and comprising an aperture for withdrawal of sheets from the sheet dispenser; wherein the dispense controller is movable relative to the receptacle to a first position at which a sheet in a first configuration, but not a sheet in a second configuration, may be withdrawn through the aperture and movable relative to the receptacle to a second position at which a sheet in a second configuration, but not a sheet in a first configuration, may be withdrawn through the aperture.

Optionally according to the second aspect, the dispense controller is rotatable relative to the receptacle.

Optionally according to the second aspect, an edge of the aperture in the first position of the dispense controller is aligned with an edge of the sheet in the first configuration, and wherein an edge of the aperture in the second position of the dispense controller is aligned with an edge of the sheet in the second configuration.

Optionally according to the second aspect, a part of the sheet area of the sheet in the first configuration extends beyond the edge of the aperture in the second position and is exposed by the aperture in the first position.

Optionally according to the second aspect, the receptacle comprises a receptacle area shaped to receive the layered plurality of sheets and to retain the configurations of the sheets.

Optionally according to the second aspect, the receptacle is configured to store non-circular sheets, optionally square sheets.

Optionally according to the second aspect, sheets in the first and second configurations have different relative orientations, and the receptacle is configured to receive sheets accordingly.

Optionally, sheets in the second configuration are rotated by about 30-60 degrees relative to sheets in the first configuration.

Optionally according to the second aspect, the sheet dispenser comprises a lid.

Optionally according to the second aspect, the receptacle comprises a receptacle aperture. Optionally according to the second aspect, the receptacle and dispense controller are provided with co-operating retaining means for retaining the dispense controller in movable engagement with the receptacle.

Summary of the Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings in which

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary sheet dispenser;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle of the sheet dispenser of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view the dispense controller of the sheet dispenser of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 illustrates an arrangement of sheets for use in the sheet dispenser of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 a illustrates a first configuration of the sheet dispenser of Figure 1;

Figure 5b illustrates a second configuration of the sheet dispenser of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 illustrates a dispense controller according to a second embodiment; and

Figure 7 illustrates an arrangement of sheets for use in an exemplary sheet dispenser comprising three dispensing positions.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary sheet dispenser 10 comprising a receptacle 20 for storage of sheets to be dispensed and a dispense controller 30 comprising an aperture 34.

Dispense controller 30 engages with the receptacle 20 such that the dispense controller 30 may rotate relative to the receptacle 20.

In this example, the receptacle 20 comprises a circular wall 28 that is slightly larger in diameter than a circular wall 32 of the dispense controller (illustrated in Figure 3) such that the receptacle 20 may receive the dispense controller 30. It will be appreciated that the circular wall 32 of the dispense controller could alternatively be larger in diameter than that of circular wall 28 of the receptacle. Circular wall 28 of the receptacle may contain breaks that expose the circular wall 32 of the dispense controller, allowing a user to grasp circular wall 32 in order to rotate the dispense controller relative to the receptacle 20.

The arrangement of circular walls 28 and 32 is sufficient to allow the dispense controller 30 to rotate relative to the receptacle 20. Additionally or alternatively, retaining means may be provided to prevent the receptacle 20 and dispense controller 30 from disengaging. For example a lip (not shown) provided on one of the dispense controller 30 and receptacle 20 may be provided to engage with a recess provided on the other of the dispense controller 30 and receptacle 20. This could be, for instance, a lip arranged on the inner surface of the receptacle's circular wall 28 and a recess arranged on the outer surface of the dispense controller's circular wall 32. Alternatively, a recess could be provided on receptacle surface 22 for engagement with a lip on the dispense controller's circular wall 32.

The dispense controller 30 is attached by a hinge 36 to a lid 40 carrying engagement means 42a for engaging with co-operating engagement means 42b on the receptacle 20. In alternative examples, it will be appreciated that the lid may be attached to the receptacle 20 or not bound to either the receptacle 20 or the dispense controller 30.

The lid may engage with the receptacle or dispense controller to form a child-resistant closure, such as a child resistant latch, such that the closure is prevented from opening except in specific positions where the latch is free to move and open. For example, the engagement means 42a and co-operating engagement means 42b may have first and second engagement points wherein the first and second engagement points will only both release to open the lid at a specific position or at specific positions.

In yet further examples, the sheet dispenser may not be provided with any lid if the sheets dispensed by the sheet dispenser 10 are not sensitive to air or moisture.

With reference to Figure 2, the receptacle 20 comprises a surface 22 on which a receptacle wall 24 is provided to define a receptacle area 26 in which sheets are stored. In this example, the receptacle walls are formed on surface 22 in order to form receptacle area 26 to be covered by dispense controller 30, however in another arrangement it will be appreciated that a recessed area on surface 22 may be provided in order to define a receptacle area, in which case the dispense controller 30 may engage with a circular channel also recessed into surface 22 and surrounding the recessed receptacle area. With reference to Figure 3, the dispense controller comprises a surface 36 containing an aperture 34, and a circular wall 32 provided on surface 36 for engagement with the receptacle 20 as described above.

Figure 4 illustrates a layered plurality of sheets of substantially the same shape and size for storage in receptacle area 26 comprising a plurality of sheets 1 in a first sheet configuration that are in a different orientation relative to sheets 2 in a second sheet configuration. In this example, sheets 1 in the first sheet configuration are rotated relative to sheets in a second sheet configuration such that a part la of sheets 1 in the first configuration protrude beyond the area covered by sheets 2 in the second configuration, and likewise a part 2a of sheets in the second sheet configuration protrude beyond the area covered by sheets in the first configuration. In this example, the protruding parts la and 2a are protruding corners. In this example, the protruding corners form an angle of 90 degrees, however it will be appreciated that sheets of other shapes will have other corner angles, and that the corners may be rounded and not square.

The sheet dispenser allows for a predetermined number of sheets to be dispensed at a time. For example, the sheets may be arranged such that the first and second configurations alternate through the layered plurality of sheets. In particular, most or all of the sheets in configuration 1 may be adjacent to sheets in configuration 2, and vice versa, and in one example no two adjacent sheets in the stack have the same configuration such that only one sheet is dispensed at a time. However, in other examples two or more adjacent sheets may have the same configuration if it is desirable for more than one sheet to be withdrawn at a time.

With reference to Figure 5 a, the dispense controller 30 may be rotated relative to the receptacle 20 to a first position in which aperture 34 is aligned with sheets 1 in receptacle area 26 in the first configuration. If the uppermost sheet of the layer of sheets is in the first configuration it may be withdrawn from the dispenser through aperture 34 because the width of the aperture is sufficiently large to expose a dispensing width W of a sheet in the first configuration. A user may withdraw the uppermost sheet by pressing a finger on the base of the layered plurality of sheets through aperture 29 (illustrated in Figures 1 and 2) in order to bias the plurality of sheets towards surface 36. In this case, an underlying sheet 2 in the second configuration is not withdrawn along with the sheet in the first configuration because, unlike sheet 1 in the first configuration, a substantially full width of the sheet 2 is not exposed by the aperture 34; instead, parts 2a of sheet 2 extend beyond the area of aperture 34. In order to withdraw this underlying sheet in configuration 2, the dispense controller is rotated to a second configuration at which this sheet may be withdrawn, as illustrated in Figure 5b, and at which parts la of sheet 1 extend beyond the area of aperture 34.

In this example, an aperture 29 is provided so that pressure may be applied to the plurality of sheets. If the sheets used in the sheet dispenser are susceptible to degradation on exposure to air through aperture 29 then a sheet of impermeable material may be provided between the aperture 29 and the layer of sheets to be dispensed. In alternative examples, a biasing means such as a spring may be provided to bias the layer of sheets towards the aperture surface 36.

The aperture 32 illustrated in Figure 1 is substantially the same size and shape as the sheet to be withdrawn, however it will be appreciated that the aperture may be of any size and shape that allows a sheet in one configuration to be withdrawn whilst preventing withdrawal of an underlying sheet in a different configuration. For example, Figure 6 illustrates a dispense controller 30 having an aperture 32 that is smaller in area than the sheets being dispensed, and as such parts of both sheet 1 in the first configuration and sheet 2 in the second configuration extend beyond the area of aperture 34. However, edge 34a of the aperture is at least as wide as the width of an edge of the sheet, thus allowing an uppermost sheet in the to be withdrawn from the dispenser by aligning edge 34a with an edge of the sheet and then withdrawing the sheet towards edge 34a.

It will be appreciated that the area of aperture 34 of the dispense controller may likewise be larger than the area of the sheets to be dispensed, so long as it is also sized to only allow withdrawal of sheets in one configuration at a time.

The above examples illustrate layering of sheets in two alternating configurations, however it will be appreciated that more than two configurations may be provided. For example, Figure 7 illustrates sheets 1, 2 and 3 layered in respective first, second and third configurations, for use in a sheet dispenser wherein the dispense control has 3 dispense positions.

The sheets dispensed by the sheet dispenser may be single ply sheets or multiple ply sheets, provided in the case of multiple ply sheets that the multiple plys are joined, for example by a mechanical bonding, such that the plys of each sheet do not separate during withdrawal of the sheet from the sheet dispenser as described below. Sheets to be dispensed by the dispenser may include, for example, plastic sheets carrying one or more chemical compounds, for example a breath-freshening compound such as mint provided as a coating on the plastic sheet and / or within the sheet. The sheets may alternatively or additionally contain a biologically active material, such as nicotine for consumption by individuals wishing to stop smoking.

The sheet dispenser of the present invention is particularly useful for dispensing of sheets carrying biologically active materials, for example medicinal compounds, because it prevents unintentional withdrawal of multiple sheets carrying an amount of the biologically active material that may exceed a recommended or safe dose. If the sheet is intended for human or animal consumption then it may be formed from a substance that dissolves or disintegrates in the mouth or stomach of the consumer, such as a soluble polymer. If the sheet carries a biologically active material then the sheet may be manufactured so as to provide a controlled release of the compound during disintegration or dissolution of the sheet.

The sheet dispenser 20 is sized to accommodate the sheets to be dispensed. Optionally, the sheet dispenser is sized so as to be handheld and suitable for storage in a clothing pocket or handbag.

The sheets to be dispensed are preferably flexible in order that they may readily be withdrawn from the sheet dispenser.

The sheet dispenser may be disposed after a single use. Alternatively, the sheet dispenser may be re-fillable.

The sheets in the example described above are square, however the sheets may be of any non- circular shape, for example elliptical, triangular, and a square or non-square rectangle, such that the sheets may be layered with different relative orientations in partially overlapping arrangements to produce configurations with protruding edges as described above in order to provide a first configuration at which a dispensing width of a sheet in the first configuration only may be exposed at a first position of the dispense controller, and a second configuration at which a dispensing width of a sheet only may be exposed at a second position of the dispense controller. As such, it will be appreciated that two protruding edges may together form protruding parts with corners (in the case of, for example, triangular or rectangular sheets) or may include rounded edges in the case of elliptical sheets. The sheet dispenser may be formed from moulded plastic, for example high density polythene (HDPE). The receptacle 20, the dispense controller 30 and the lid 40 may each be manufactured as separate components prior to assembly to form the sheet dispenser. Alternatively, the lid 40 may form a unitary component with either the dispense controller 30 or the receptacle 20.

The sheet dispenser may be manufactured so as to be disposed of once empty. Alternatively, the sheet dispenser may be re-usable. For example, the dispense controller and the receptacle may be disengageable so as to allow refilling of the receptacle.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of specific examples, it will be appreciated that various modifications, alterations and/or combinations of features disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A sheet dispenser comprising: a receptacle configured to store a layered plurality of sheets including sheets in a first configuration and sheets in a second configuration wherein sheets in the first and second configurations partially overlap one another; and a dispense controller engaged with and movable relative to the receptacle to a first position and a second position and having an aperture for withdrawal of sheets from the sheet dispenser, wherein, in use, only a sheet in the first configuration has a width that may be exposed by the aperture in the first position, and only a sheet in the second configuration has a width that may be exposed by the aperture in the second position.

2. A sheet dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the dispense controller is rotatable relative to the receptacle.

3. A sheet dispenser according to claim 1 or 2 wherein an edge of the aperture in the first position of the dispense controller is aligned with an edge of the sheet having the exposed width in the first configuration, and wherein an edge of the aperture in the second position of the dispense controller is aligned with the edge of the sheet having the exposed width in the second configuration.

4. A sheet dispenser according to claim 3 wherein a part of the sheet area of the sheet in the first configuration extends beyond the edge of the aperture in the second position and is exposed by the aperture in the first position.

5. A sheet dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the receptacle comprises a receptacle area shaped to receive the layered plurality of sheets and to retain the configurations of the sheets.

6. A sheet dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the receptacle is configured to store non-circular sheets, optionally square sheets.

7. A sheet dispenser according to any of claims 2-6 wherein the sheet dispenser is configured to receive sheets in the second configuration that are rotated by about 30- 60 degrees relative to sheets in the first configuration.

8. A sheet dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the sheet dispenser comprises a lid.

9. A sheet dispenser according to claim 8 wherein the lid carries lid engaging means for engaging with co-operating engagement means carried by one of the receptacle or dispense controller.

10. A sheet dispenser according to claim 9 wherein the lid engaging means and cooperating engagement means form a child-resistant latch.

11. A sheet dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the receptacle comprises a receptacle aperture.

12. A sheet dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the receptacle and dispense controller are provided with co-operating retaining means for retaining the dispense controller in movable engagement with the receptacle.

13. A sheet dispenser for dispensing sheets contained within the dispenser comprising: a receptacle configured to store a layered plurality of sheets including sheets in a first configuration and sheets in a second configuration wherein sheets in the first and second configurations partially overlap one another; a dispense controller movable relative to the receptacle and comprising an aperture for withdrawal of sheets from the sheet dispenser; wherein the dispense controller is movable relative to the receptacle to a first position at which a sheet in a first configuration, but not a sheet in a second configuration, may be withdrawn through the aperture and movable relative to the receptacle to a second position at which a sheet in a second configuration, but not a sheet in a first configuration, may be withdrawn through the aperture.

14. A sheet dispenser according to claim 13 wherein the dispense controller is rotatable relative to the receptacle.

15. A sheet dispenser according to claim 13 or 14 wherein an edge of the aperture in the first position of the dispense controller is aligned with an edge of the sheet in the first configuration, and wherein an edge of the aperture in the second position of the dispense controller is aligned with an edge of the sheet in the second configuration.

16. A sheet dispenser according to any of claims 13-15 wherein a part of the sheet area of a sheet in the first configuration extends beyond the edge of the aperture in the second position and is exposed by the aperture in the first position.

17. A sheet dispenser according to any of claims 13-16 wherein the receptacle comprises a receptacle area shaped to receive the layered plurality of sheets and to retain the configurations of the sheets.

18. A sheet dispenser according to any of claims 13-17 wherein the receptacle is configured to store non-circular sheets, optionally square sheets.

19. A sheet dispenser according to claim 14 wherein the sheet dispenser is configured to receive sheets in the second configuration that are rotated by about 30-60 degrees relative to sheets in the first configuration.

20. A sheet dispenser according to any of claims 13-19 wherein the sheet dispenser comprises a lid.

21. A sheet dispenser according to claim 20 wherein the lid carries lid engaging means for engaging with co-operating engagement means carried by one of the receptacle or dispense controller.

22. A sheet dispenser according to claim 21 wherein the lid engaging means and cooperating engagement means form a child-resistant latch.

23. A sheet dispenser according to any of claims 13-22 wherein the receptacle comprises a receptacle aperture.

24. A sheet dispenser according to any of claims 13-23 wherein the receptacle and dispense controller are provided with co-operating retaining means for retaining the dispense controller in movable engagement with the receptacle.