Sheet dispensers

• US 5,137,173 A
• Filed: 09/04/1990
• Issued: 08/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Union Trustees
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Limited (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Hughes, Stephen P., Wood, Ian E.
• Primary Examiner(s): SKAGGS JR, H GRANT
• Application Number:
  US07/577,402
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 221/34, 221/45, 221/46, 221/47, 221/49, 221/50, 221/61, 221/62, 221/63, 221/154, 292/35, 292/36, 292/40, 292/41
• US Class Current: 221/34
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/424 dispensing from the bottom part of the dispenser A47K10/44 takes precedence

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing disposable wipes or the like having an aperture (30) in one face of the dispenser through which wipes may be dispensed. The aperture comprises a central opening (32) and two relatively thin elongated openings (34) which extend out from either side of the central opening. Protuberances (38) protrude into the elongated openings (34) from each side thereof. The protuberance from one side of each opening is preferably located adjacent to the corresponding protuberance from the other side, in a staggered arrangement.

A dispenser is also provided which comprises a hopper (4) to hold at least one stack of wipes, the hopper being receivable in and pivotally attached to an outer casing (6), in such a way that with the outer casing resting on the ground, or secured to a wall, the hopper may be opened in order to insert a stack of wipes.

Claims

1. A dispenser adapted to be wall mounted comprising a casing and a hopper pivotally attached to said casing to hold a stack of disposable wipes or the like, and having an aperture in one face through which the wipes may be dispensed, the aperture comprising a central opening and two relatively thin elongated openings which extend out from either side of the central opening, and protuberances protruding into each elongated opening from each side thereof in a staggered arrangement adjacent those protruding from the other side.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongated openings have bulbous outer ends, the width of the bulbous outer end being greater than the width of the elongated openings.

3. A dispenser for dispensing disposable wipes or the like as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, with said casing resting on the ground or secured to a wall, the hopper may be opened in order to insert a stack of wipes.

4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3 comprising means to limit the arcuate movement of the hopper relative to said casing.

5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3 in which the hopper is provided with two chambers, each communicating with the dispensing outlet.

6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further including locking means on said casing, said locking means comprising a central rotatable member having at least two arms extending therefrom which engage with respective movable locking members, the locking members being biased into a locking position and engageable with complementary catches, the locking members being released from their locking position when the central member is rotated.

7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6 wherein the locking members have sloping surfaces over which the catches cam when the two are brought into contact, causing the locking members to move against the bias.

8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6, the front end rear of the hopper being provided with said catches such that the hopper may be locked in a closed or fully opened position.