US 6,460,727 B1Granted

Pop-up sheet product dispensing system

OwnerAram J. Irwininventor

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Abstract

An improved pop-up system for dispensing sheet products from continuous perforated web material. A perforated web (12) is drawn through a slit-like dispensing opening (14) which, though close-fitting, does not constrict the web (12). Catch flaps (18) capable of swinging out of plane with the web are formed in the web by two symmetrical cuts (20) in the same line extending perpendicularly inward from the longitudinal edges of the web; the cuts each extend through one-third of the web (12) and are bridged by a perforated region (16). When the pop-up presentment (24) is pulled, the catch flaps are drawn to the opening (14) where they catch, bend backward, and jam, becoming caught flaps (22). This causes enough tension in the perforated region (34) drawn outside the opening (14) to break the dispensed individual sheet (10) free, leaving another pop-up presentment (24). A number of different, more developed dispensers for rolls and folded stacks using this system are further detailed in additional embodiments.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An improved pop-up dispensing system comprising:

(a) a continuous web of sheet material divided by a plurality of lines of frangibility running at predetermined intervals substantially transversely to the major axis of the web and defining individual sheets which will be dispensed,
(b) a dispensing opening through which said web is dispensed, and
(c) catching means for causing said web and said dispensing opening to mechanically engage or catch one another, the degree of mechanical engagement caused by said catching means between said opening and said web being greater than the degree of engagement of said opening with undifferentiated portions of said web, said catching means engaged at predetermined intervals corresponding with each line of frangibility such that when a first sheet is drawn through said opening, the following second sheet triggers engagement of said catching means such that a predetermined portion of said second sheet is pulled out and projects through said opening before said degree of mechanical engagement, in combination with a user's pull, creates sufficient tension between said first and second sheets to break the line of frangibility between said first and second sheets, freeing said first sheet and forming a pop-up presentment from said predetermined portion of said second sheet which remains projecting through said opening, and said degree of mechanical engagement being low enough to be overcome by the user's next pull without requiring the user to restrain the dispenser with a second hand, such that said second sheet is ultimately dispensed just as the first sheet,
whereby the user need only grasp and pull the portion of an individual sheet protruding from said dispensing opening to dispense said individual sheet, such action leaving a portion of the next sheet firmly held in said opening and similarly presented for the next use.

1 more element

A method for providing pop up dispensing, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a continuous web of sheet material divided by a plurality of lines of frangibility running at predetermined intervals substantially transversely to the major axis of the web and defining individual sheets which will be dispensed,
(b) providing a dispensing opening through which said web is dispensed, and
(c) providing catching means for causing said web and said dispensing opening to mechanically engage or catch one another, the degree of mechanical engagement caused by said catching means between said opening and said web being greater than the degree of engagement of said opening with undifferentiated portions of said web, said catching means engaged at predetermined intervals corresponding with each line of frangibility such that when a first sheet is drawn through said opening, the following second sheet triggers engagement of said catching means such that a predetermined portion of said second sheet is pulled out and projects through said opening before said degree of mechanical engagement, in combination with a user's pull, creates sufficient tension between said first and second sheets to break the line of frangibility between said first and second sheets, freeing said first sheet and forming a pop-up presentment from said predetermined portion of said second sheet which remains projecting through said opening, and said degree of mechanical engagement being low enough to be overcome by the user's next pull without requiring the user to restrain the dispenser with a second hand, such that said second sheet is ultimately dispensed just as the first sheet,
whereby the user need only grasp and pull the portion of an individual sheet protruding from said dispensing opening to dispense said individual sheet, such action leaving a portion of the next sheet firmly held in said opening and similarly presented for the next use, and
whereby the user can dispense sheets with only one hand without interruption while keeping their other hand and their concentration free to focus on more important tasks, such as cleaning.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/737,608Filed 13 Dec 2000 · us provisional application
Priority: 13 Dec 1999
Published: US 2002/0074375 A120 Jun 2002
Granted: 8 Oct 2002
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

A47K 10/3827
With roll spindles which are not directly supported: with a distribution opening which is parallel to the rotation axis
A47K 10/32
Towel dispensers; Toilet paper dispensers: dispensers for paper towels or toilet paper
A47K 10/38
Dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means: the web being rolled-up
A47K 10/42
Dispensers for paper towels or toilet paper: dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked