IE52924B1 - A product dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser for paper (2) from a toilet roll (3) comprises a front casing (6) hingedly connected to a wall engaging back member by means of a pivot bar (14) in a pivot slot (15) in the back member. The casing (6) and back member are retained together by retaining lips (16) and (17) whose disengagement is effected by upward movement of the pivot bar (14) in the pivot slot (15). A latch (18) on the casing (6) engages a receiving bar (19) on the back member to prevent unauthorized relative slidable movement of the casing (6) and back member.

Description

The present invention relates to a product dispenser, and in particular to a dispenser for dispensing sheet material from a roll, typically toilet paper.

Dispensers for dispensing toilet paper from ro;lls are 5 well-known. Such dispensers usually comprise a housing in which a number of toilet rolls may be stacked above a roll from which the paper is being dispensed. Normally, when the lower roll is empty, the core of the roll may be removed and the next roll above it moved into its position. These known dispensers in general all suffer from a major disadvantage, in that they are not vandal or tamperproof. In most cases the dispenser is refilled through an opening in the top of the housing, which is closed by a lid. Unfortunately, such lids can be readily prised open and the toilet rolls pilfered.

There is therefore a need for a dispenser which overcomes this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a dispenser.

The invention provides a product dispenser comprising a front member and a back member defining a space therebetween for the product, the front member being hingedly connected to the back member for product loading and being slidable relative to the back member for disengagement of a retaining means retaining the front and back members together, and a locking means to prevent relative sliding of the front and back members being provided, wherein the retaining means comprises a pair of complementary interengaging formations, one of the formations being an elongate member extending outwardly from the back member and parallel to the hinge axis, and the other formation being an elongated member extending from the front member to engage the corresponding elongated member on the back member.

The locking means may be a latch pivotal on the front or back member and engagable with a receiver on the other member. Preferably, the latch is spring biased to engage on the receiver.

Advantageously, the front member is slidable transversely of the hinge axis. In one embodiment of the invention, the hinge connection is provided by a pivot pin mounted on the front or back member pivotally engagable with a pivot slot on the other member, the pivot pin being pivotal and slidable in - 4 the pivot slot.

In one aspect of the invention, the back member is provided by a plate member adapted to be mounted on the vertical face of a wall, the plate member having a pair of side flanges, and a pivot slot being provided at the lower end of each side flange, and one of the complementary interengaging elongate members extends substantially the width of the plate member and projects upwardly from the plate member.

In another aspect of the invention, the front member is provided by a casing of channel shape closed at one end by a top member, the second of the interengaging complementary elongate members being provided by a lip that extends substantially the width of the top member and projects downwardly from the top member, the other end of the casing forming a base for dispensing the product.

Preferably, the latch is pivotal on a side of the casing and the receiver is a receiving bar mounted on the back member.

Advantageously, the latch is fast on a pivot shaft, one end of which terminates in a square section key shaft adjacent a side of the casing, and is access52924 - 5 able through an opening in the casing for external operation by a key.

Preferably, the product dispenser is for dispensing toilet paper from a toilet roll, and preferably a pair of spaced apart support members extend between the sides of the casing at the base thereof for supporting the toilet rolls, the support members defining an opening therebetween for dispensing the paper.

Advantageously, stop means are provided intermediate the ends of the front member to support and separate the products from the products being dispensed.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Fig.l is a cut-away perspective view of a product dispenser according to the invention Fig.2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig.l - 6 Fig.3 is a front view of the dispenser of Fig.1 Fig..4 is a side view of the dispenser of Fig.1 Fig.5 is a sectional plan view of the dispenser on the lines V-V of Fig.3 Fig.6 is an underneath plan view of the dispenser of Fig.1 Fig.7 is a sectional side view of the 10 dispenser of Fig.1 Fig.8 is an underneath perspective view showing a detail of the dispenser of Fig.1 Fig.9 is a perspective view showing a 15 detail of the dispenser of Fig.1 Fig.10 is an exploded view of the detail of Fig.9.

Referring to the drawings there is provided a product dispenser according to the invention, in this case, a dispenser indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for dispensing toilet paper 2 from toilet rolls 3. The dispenser 1 comprises a back plate member 5 and a front member, in this case, a front casing 6, hingedly connected to the back member 5. The back member 5 is of sheet metal material having a pair of side flanges 7 and is adapted for mounting to a vertical face of a wall 37 by screws 38. The front casing 6 is of channel shape having a pair of sides 8 joined by a front 9 and a top 10. A pair of spaced apart support members 11 of sheet metal extending between and spot welded to the sides 8 by flanges 12 support the roll 3 from which paper 2 is being dispensed. The support members 11 define an opening 13 through which the paper 2 is dispensed. As can be seen in Fig.7 the support members 11 are inclined downwardly towards the opening 13 to facilitate rotation of the toilet roll 3.

A pivot bar 14 extending between the sides 8 pivotally and slidably engaging a pair of pivot slots 15 in the side flanges 7 hingedly connects the front casing 6 to the back member 5 for loading toilet rolls 3 into the dispenser l.Star caps 4 secure the end of the pivot bar 14. The front casing - 8 6 and back member 5 are retained together by retaining means, which in this case is provided by a downwardly projecting lip 16 from the top 10 which engages a complementary upwardly projecting lip 17 from the back member 5.The two lips 16 and 17 are disengagable by sliding the front casing 6 upwardly relative to the back member 5. This upward slidable movement is accommodated by the pivot slot 15 which permits relative slidable movement of the pivot bar 14.

Locking means to prevent relative slidable movement between the front casing 6 and the back member 5, and thus disengagement of the retaining lips 16 and 17 is provided by a latch 18 pivotal on one of the sides 8, which engages a receiving bar 19 on the back member 5. The receiving bar 19 extends substantially the width of the back member 5 and is mounted thereon by bracket 20 of sheet metal spot welded to the back member 5.

The latch 18 is of a relatively heavy gauge sheet metal, in this case, sixteen gauge steel and is fast on a pivot shaft 21. A bracket member 22 also of sheet metal and spot welded to the side 8 of the casing 6 pivotally supports the pivot shaft 21, see Figs.9 and 10. A spacer 23 spaces the latch - 9 18 from the bracket 22 and a spring 24 the ends 25 and 26 of which are respectively engagable with the bracket 22 and a hole 27 in the latch bias the latch 18 onto the receiving bar 19. The end of the pivot shaft 21 terminates in a square section key portion 28 which is recessed and accessable through a key-hole 29 in the side 8 of the casing 6 for operation by a suitable key.

Stop means to support the stacked toilet rolls 3 10 and to separate them from the toilet roll 3 from which paper is being dispensed, in this case is provided by a leaf spring 30 spot welded to a side 8 of the casing 6. The free end of the leaf spring 30 is swaged at 31 to releasably retain the edge of the stacked toilet rolls 3.

Slots 34 are provided in the sides 8 adjacent the opening 13 to permit removal of an empty core of a toilet roll. The support members 11 are so spaced that the opening 13 is just wider than the diameter of an empty core.

A slot 35 is provided in the front 9 of the casing 6 to permit access to the lower of the stacked rolls so that it may be pushed into position when its preceding roll is empty. A plurality of holes 36 - 10 form a grill in portion of the sides 8 and front 9 of the casing 6 to permit visual inspection to ascertain if more rolls are required.

In use, the dispenser is opened by first unlocking 5 the latch 18 and moving the casing 6 upwardly in the direction of the arrow A (See Fig.7) relative to the back member 5 so that the retaining lips 16 and 17 disengage. The casing 6 is then pivoted downwardly in the direction of the arrow B and the casing 6 is loaded with toilet rolls. The first toilet roll is placed in position on the support members 11 and toilet rolls are then stacked in the casing 6, the lower stacked roll being supported on the leaf spring 30. The casing 6 is then pivoted upwardly in the direction of the arrow C and slid downwardly in the direction of the arrow D so that the retaining lips 16 and 17 engage. The latch T8 then engages the receiving bar 19 by virtue of the spring biasing. The roll 3 is then rotated by hand through the opening 13 and paper is dispensed through the opening 13 as desired.

When a toilet roll is empty the empty core is removed through the opening 13 and the next roll is moved into the dispensing position. -lilt is envisaged that in certain cases a serrated or cutting edge may be provided at a convenient position adjacent the opening 13 to facilitate tearing of the paper along its perforations. Indeed, where a serrated or cutting edge is provided, it will be appreciated that unperforated paper could be used.

It is also envisaged that instead of supporting the lower roll on support members as described, the lower roll could be supported on bars or any other suitable means.

While a particular construction of casing and back member have been described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any other suitable construction could have been used. Needless to say, it will be appreciated that any suitable material other than sheet metal could have been used, for example, a plastics material or the like. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the front casing and back member could be of open construction.

It will also be appreciated that the locking means could be provided in any suitable location, for example, it could have been mounted on a top member of the front casing, or indeed could be mounted at the very bottom of the casing to engage some other suitable protrusion from the back member. Indeed, - 12 it will be appreciated that the locking means could be mounted on the back member to engage a complementary protrusion on the casing. Needless to say, locking means other than that described could have been used.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that a shaft other than the key shaft described could have been used to operate the lock. Indeed, in certain cases, it may be desirable to use a tumbler lock.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated while a partic10 ular type of retaining means to retain the front casing and back member together have been described, any other suitable retaining means could be used. Indeed, where interengaging complementary formations are used, the formations could be provided at any desirable position on the casing or the back member.

It will also be appreciated that- the casing instead of being connected to the back member by means of a pivot bar in a pivot slot, the casing could be connected by means of a hinge. In which case, the hinge would be slidable, either relative to the casing or the back member. In fact, in certain cases, it may be desirable to have a double hinge arrangement between the casing and the back member.

Needless to say, it is not necessary that the casing - 13 and back member should be hinged at the bottom, they could if desired be hinged at the top, or indeed at the side.

It will also be appreciated that while a particular type of stop means has been provided to support and separate the toilet rolls, any other suitable type of stop means could be used, for example, a spring loaded ball, plunger or the like could be used.

It is envisaged that the dispenser just described, could be used for dispensing many other paper products, for example, it could be used for dispensing paper hand towels or the like. It will of course be appreciated that by altering the construction of the casing and dispensing opening, it could be used for dispensing any other type of products, for example, tooth brushes, sweets, cigarettes, or the like. Indeed, it is envisaged that the dispenser could also incorporate a coin mechanism for dispensing products by coin operation.

Further, it is envisaged that the dispenser could be used for dispensing flat sheets of toilet paper, such as the type generally referred to in the trade as toilet flats. These sheets are in general arranged in stacks with each sheet interacting with its adjacent sheets so that on removal of one sheet, the edge of the next sheet is presented ready for gripping. It is envisaged that the - 14 dispenser would be loaded with a stack of such toilet flats and each sheet would be removed from the opening at the end of the dispenser. It is envisaged that minor modifications may be required to the dispenser to accomodate toilet flats. For example, the leaf spring 30 would be removed, and certain minor changes to support members 11 may be required. Needless to say, such changes could be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will of course be appreciated that while the dispenser has been described as being mounted on a wall by screws, it could be mounted on any desired surface by any suitable fixing means, for example, raw! plugs, nails or the like could be used either.

Claims (10)

1. A product dispenser comprising a front member and a back member defining a space therebetween for the product, the front member being hingedly connected to

2. A product dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 in which the locking means comprises a latch pivotal on the front and engagable with a receiver on the back 20 member.

3. A product dispenser as claimed in Claim 2 in which the latch is spring biased to engage on the receiver. - 16

4. A product dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim which the front member is slidable transversely of the hinge axis. 5. Swaged at its free end to engage the edge of the product. 14. A product dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 13 in which the dispenser is for dispensing flat sheets of toilet paper. 5 a receiving bar mounted on the back member.

5. A product dispenser as claimed in any preceding 5 claim in which the hinge connection is provided by a pivot pin mounted on the front or back member pivotally engagable with a pivot slot on the other member, the pivot pin being pivotal and slidable in the pivot slot. 10 5 the back member for product loading and being slidable relative to the back member for disengagement of a retaining means retaining the front and back members together, and a locking means to prevent relative sliding of the front and back members being provided, 10 wherein the retaining means comprises a pair of complementary interengaging formations, one of the formations being an elongate member extending outwardly from the back member and parallel to the hinge axis, and the other formation being an elongate 15 member extending from the front member to engage the corresponding elongated member on the back member.

6. A product dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the back member is provided by a plate member adapted to be mounted on the vertical face of a wall, the plate member having a pair of side flanges, and a pivot slot being provided at the lower end of 15 each side flange, and one of the complementary interengaging elongate members extends substantially the width of the plate member and projects upwardly from the plate member.

7. A product dispenser as claimed in Claim 6 in which 20 the front member is provided by a casing of channel shape closed at one end by a top member, the second of the interengaging complementary elongate members being provided by a lip that extends substantially the width of the top member and projects downwardly from the top 25 member, the other end of the casing forming a base for - 17 dispensing the product.

8. A product dispenser as claimed in Claim 7 when dependent on any of Claims 2 and 3 in which the latch is pivotal on a side of the casing and the receiver is

9. A product dispenser as claimed in Claim 8 in which the latch is fast on a pivot shaft, one end of which terminates in a square section key shaft adjacent a side of the casing, and is accessable through an 10 opening in the casing for external operation by a key. 10. A product dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 9 in which a pair of spaced apart support members extend between the sides of the casing at the base thereof for supporting the product, the support 15 members defining an opening therebetween for dispensing the product. 11. A product dispenser as claimed in Claim 10 in which the product dispenser is for dispensing toilet paper from toilet rolls, the toilet rolls being 20 stackable on top of each other, the lower being supported by the support members. 12. A product dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim in which stop means is provided intermediate the - 18 ends of the front member to support and separate the products being dispensed. 13. A product dispenser as claimed in Claim 12 in which the stop means is provided by a leaf spring

10. 15. A product dispenser substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.