Napkin Dispenser

Abstract

A cover, carriage, or faceplate for a napkin dispenser is provided. The cover, faceplate or carriage defines one or more pick zones that facilitate manual extraction of different numbers of multiple napkins from the dispenser during each dispensing event. Preferably, the cover, carriage or faceplate cooperates with a container configured to receive a stack of napkins and is maintained adjacent an end or edge of the stack. More preferably, the cover, faceplate or carriage is configured to cooperate with containers having various shapes and/or configured for countertop, hanging, or in-counter implementation of the container to allow retrofitting of currently available single quantity dispensing napkin dispensers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 762,093 filed on Feb. 7, 2013 titled “Napkin Dispenser” and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to napkin dispensers and more particularly, to a napkin dispenser that allows variable numbers of napkins to be manually removed from the dispenser during each dispensing event.[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art[0005]Napkin dispensers have been commonly used in restaurants and other locations for dispensing disposable paper napkins. While napkin dispensers may appear uncomplicated at first glance, a number of problems have been associated with their use. In the past, napkin dispensers have been configured to attempt to dispense a single napkin with each dispensing event. Such configurations have several drawbacks.[0006]For instance, in a single napk...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention provides a faceplate, distribution cover or carriage (hereinafter “cover” when referencing all three) for dispensing napkins that is adapted to fit on or otherwise cooperate with a napkin storage container. The cover has an opening through which napkins may be withdrawn and defines a number of pick zones or grip sites that are each configured to allow different numbers of napkins to be manually removed from the dispenser during each discrete dispensing activity. In one aspect, a carriage is maintained in engagement with an end of a stack of napkins to allow user interaction with any of ...

Problems solved by technology

While napkin dispensers may appear uncomplicated at first glance, a number of problems have been associated with their use.

Such use detracts from efficient utilization of the dispenser and commonly detracts from efficient vender/customer interaction.

This is particularly problematic in drive-through environments where the customer service person is charged with quickly and efficiently providing a customer with a completed order and an appropriate number of napkins.

While this makes it easy to provide multiple napkins of virtually any amount, such operations can compromise sanitation and safety in that the stacks of napkins are fully exposed to the environment and can be easily knocked over.

While this provides a slightly greate...

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