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

The present invention provides a faceplate or cover for a napkin dispenser that allows users to selectively remove different numbers of napkins during use. The cover has an opening through which napkins can be withdrawn and is designed to fit on top of a napkin storage container. The cover has pick zones that allow for the removal of different numbers of napkins, which can be adjusted based on user needs. The cover can also be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of the pick zones. The invention also includes a carriage or faceplate that can be connected to a napkin storage container, allowing for easy removal of different numbers of napkins. The method of forming the napkin dispenser is also provided. The technical effect of the invention is to provide a versatile and convenient way to dispense napkins in a variety of settings.

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 greater measure of control than a plain stack of napkins, it takes up more space and has similar sanitation issues.

At least one dispenser, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,635, attempts to address this issue by providing a dispenser with a faceplate that allows for the removal of several napkins during a single dispensing event but does so in an uncontrolled manner.

With this dispenser, customer service persons may remove, inadvertently or intentionally, more napkins than may be desired or necessary, respectively.

Such use tends to increase waste and cost associated with providing only a desired or necessary number of paper napkins to customers as determined by customer request and / or the type and / or quantity of food stuffs being provided.

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