Paper Napkin Dispenser

Abstract

A paper napkin dispenser pertains to the field of devices intended for storing and dispensing portions of consumables, namely to the design of paper napkin dispensers used in public catering establishments, offices, institutions and at home. The essence: the housing is made in the form of a base (1) for a stack of napkins and two vertical guide elements (3) connected to the base (1) by means of latches, and the pressing means is made in the form of an upper cover (2) with a diamond-shaped cutout for removing napkins and mating openings (4) into which the vertical guide elements (3) are slidably inserted, wherein the upper cover (2) is made with the possibility of free movement along the vertical guides (3) under the action of its own weight for pressing the stack of napkins, and in the upper part of the vertical guide elements (3) recesses (5) are made for temporary fixation of the upper cover (2) in the upper position.The technical result is a reduction in the time it takes to load a stack of napkins by temporarily fixing the upper sliding cover using special notches on the vertical guide elements, while simultaneously increasing the ease of use of the dispenser. 4 fig.

Description

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of devices intended for storing and portioning dispensing of consumables, namely to the design of dispensers for paper napkins used in public catering establishments, offices, institutions and at home.

[0002] The utility model can be used for convenient storage and dosed dispensing of stacks of paper napkins of mutually nested or regular shape, ensuring constant accessibility of the top napkin due to its automatic compression, and due to its simplicity and convenience, it is intended for mass use in catering establishments, offices, hotels, as well as at home.

[0003] There are various designs of dispensers designed for dispensing folded (including mutually nested) paper napkins.

[0004] A dispenser for a stack of napkins is known [see Russian Patent for Invention No. 2639975]. The essence of this known solution lies in a container divided into a lower section with a wall and a wall section with side walls that form an opening for removing napkins. The upper section of the container is closed with a movable weight, which acts as a pressure lid with an outlet for dispensing napkins. The weight is connected to the body via flexible adjustment means (e.g., cords), limiting its vertical movement. The lower section of the container is removable and secured to the wall section with a magnetic clasp, allowing napkins to be refilled from below.

[0005] The disadvantage of this design is its complexity and the presence of numerous specific elements (a separate load, flexible means of adjusting it, and a magnetic locking system). This design complicates assembly, increases material consumption and product cost, and reduces overall reliability due to the additional mechanical and magnetic components.

[0006] A tabletop napkin dispenser is known [see patent AU 2016203879 B2]. The essence of the known solution lies in the modular design of the dispenser, assembled from separate injection-molded parts: a back wall and four side walls, which are connected to each other with latches, forming an open box (tray) for a stack of napkins. The front part can be designed as a hinged lid with a dispensing opening or as a pull-out drawer-tray. Inside the dispenser is a spring-loaded platform that presses the stack of napkins against the dispensing opening as they are used. The design allows for the placement of advertising materials in the cavities between the transparent outer and inner walls. A special feature is the interchangeability of paired side walls, which simplifies production and assembly, as well as the presence of guide channels for the box and / or hinges for the lid.

[0007] The disadvantages of this design are: high complexity and a large number of parts; the use of a spring, guides, hinges, and latches, which increases the risk of breakage and jamming; the need for precise alignment of many parts; high cost due to the use of a metal spring and complex tooling.

[0008] A paper napkin dispenser is also known [see Russian Patent for Invention No. 2679183]. The essence of this known solution consists of an inner housing, an outer housing, a spring-plate mechanism for pressing the napkins, and a system of guide channels with travel-limiting hooks. The design allows for the placement of advertising materials between the housings, as well as a hinged lid with elastic flaps. The lower section includes weights and feet, and the housings are connected by tongues and sockets. Disadvantages include high complexity, a large number of parts, and the presence of a spring mechanism, which increases the risk of wear and tear.

[0009] A dispenser for nested napkins is known [see patent ES 2753357 T3]. The essence of this known solution is the use of a housing with a capacity for a stack of napkins and one or more retaining elements. Each such element comprises a hooking portion and a flexible hinge (hinge), allowing this portion to rotate from the working (retaining) position to the loading position. The design includes stops that limit rotation, and the retaining elements can be made as removable or cast parts with complex geometry, including hinges, bridge sections, and locking elements. A disadvantage is the high complexity and the presence of precision flexible hinges and stops, which increases the risk of breakage and complicates manufacturing.

[0010] A paper napkin dispenser design is known, described in a Korean utility model [see patent KR 20240001490 U]. This device is a hexagonal housing with an internal cavity for placing a stack of napkins and an open top. A movable cover-shell, also made in the shape of a hexagon and enclosing the housing with the ability to move vertically, is mounted on top of the housing. An opening for removing napkins is made in the top wall of the cover. To fix the cover at different heights relative to the housing, the device is equipped with a stepped locking mechanism, including locking protrusions on the inner sides of the cover and a series of corresponding recesses on the outer sides of the housing. Disadvantages include the complexity and inconvenience of operation (requires constant manual switching), the presence of a latch mechanism subject to wear, and the lack of continuous automatic clamping.

[0011] The closest known analogue is a device for dispensing napkins, selected as a prototype [see US Patent US 1407156 A1]. This device comprises a support for a stack of napkins, two vertical guide elements in the form of U-shaped posts secured to the support with threaded rods and nuts (detachable connection), and a clamping means in the form of a plate (12) with a cutout for removing napkins and open cutouts on opposite edges that embrace the guides. The plate can move freely along the guides under its own weight or with the help of additional weighted strips.

[0012] The disadvantages of the prototype are:

[0013] - lack of means for temporarily fixing the pressure cover in the upper position, which makes it difficult to load a new stack of napkins (the user is forced to hold the cover with his hand or remove it completely);

[0014] - detachable connection of the guides to the base using nuts, which increases the number of parts, requires assembly operations and creates the risk of self-loosening.

[0015] The claimed utility model is aimed at eliminating the indicated shortcomings and achieving a technical result.

[0016] The technical result of the utility model is a reduction in the time required to load a stack of napkins by temporarily fixing the upper movable cover using special recesses on the vertical guide elements, while simultaneously increasing the ease of use of the dispenser.

[0017] The technical result is achieved due to the fact that the body of the paper napkin dispenser is made in the form of a base for a stack of napkins and two vertical guide elements connected to the base by means of latches, and the pressing means is made in the form of an upper cover with a diamond-shaped cutout for removing napkins and mating holes into which the vertical guide elements are slidably inserted, wherein the upper cover is made with the possibility of free movement along the vertical guides under the action of its own weight to press the stack of napkins, and in the upper part of the vertical guide elements there are recesses for temporarily fixing the upper cover in the upper position.

[0018] The essence of the utility model is explained by drawings.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a dispenser for paper napkins (general view), where: 1 - base of the dispenser for a stack of napkins; 2 - an upper movable cover with a diamond-shaped cutout for extraction, pressing a stack of napkins; 3 - two vertical guide elements along which the cover (2) moves; 4 - four mating holes in the upper movable cover (2), intended for its free movement along the vertical guides (3); 5 - recesses in the upper part of the vertical guide elements (3), providing the ability to temporarily fix the cover (2) in the upper position for the convenience of loading a stack of napkins.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows the cover of the paper napkin dispenser (general view), where: 4 - four mating holes in the upper movable cover (2), designed for its free movement along the vertical guides (3).

[0021] Fig. 3 shows a paper napkin dispenser (bottom view), where 6 are two anti-slip elastic pads.

[0022] Fig. 4 shows a paper napkin dispenser (view with napkins loaded).

[0023] Implementation of a utility model.

[0024] A paper napkin dispenser comprises a housing with a volume for a stack of napkins placed therein and a pressing means acting on the stack from above. According to the utility model, the housing is designed in the form of a base (1) for a stack of napkins and two vertical guide elements (3) connected to the base (1) by means of latches. The pressing means is designed in the form of an upper cover (2) with a diamond-shaped cutout for removing napkins and mating openings (4) into which the said vertical guide elements (3) are slidably inserted. The cover (2) is designed with the possibility of free vertical movement along the guide elements (3) under the action of its own weight for constant pressing of the stack of napkins. The cutout for removing napkins in the upper cover (2) is diamond-shaped.This cutout geometry (2) ensures more precise sheet feeding: the diamond shape guides the corner of the napkin into the center of the opening, preventing edge creasing and the simultaneous entrapment of multiple sheets. This improves the dispenser's ease of use, especially when removing a single napkin with one hand, and reduces paper napkin consumption by reducing the number of unintentionally pulled out extra sheets.

[0025] The upper portion of the vertical guide elements (3) features recesses (5) that allow the lid (2) to be temporarily secured in the upper position. To do this, lift the lid (2) until its mating holes (4) align with the recesses (5). The lid can then be slightly pushed toward the recesses (5), allowing the upper lid (2) to be held in place by the static friction force within the recesses. This frees the user's hands when loading a new stack of napkins, thereby reducing the time spent on dispenser maintenance while simultaneously increasing ease of use.

[0026] Anti-slip elastic pads (6), such as rubber, are attached to the underside of the base (1). These pads (6) prevent the dispenser from sliding unintentionally along the supporting surface (table, counter) while removing napkins, especially when the stack becomes low and the lid pressure decreases.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment (Fig. 1-4), the base (1) can be made with a recess for positioning the stack. Two vertical guide elements (3) are made in the form of U-shaped posts. The top cover (2) is provided with a central diamond-shaped cutout for access to the napkins. In the cover (2), four mating holes (4) are made, located in pairs at its opposite ends, into which the U-shaped guides (3) fit. All parts (base (1), cover (2), guide elements (3)) can be made by casting from hard plastic, which ensures manufacturability and low cost.

[0028] The technical result is achieved as follows.

[0029] A stack of paper napkins is placed on the base (1). To load, the user lifts the top cover (2) up along the guides (3) until the openings (4) align with the recesses (5) and locks it in the upper position. This leaves the user's hands free to insert the stack of napkins, reducing loading time and increasing convenience (for example, when opening a new package of napkins with both hands, without having to hold the top cover of the dispenser with one hand). After inserting the stack, the cover (2) disengages from the recesses (5) and, under its own weight, lowers, pressing the stack from above. As napkins are removed through the cutout in the cover (2), the stack decreases in height, and the cover (2) lowers smoothly, providing constant pressure. Anti-slip pads (6) prevent the dispenser from shifting when napkins are pulled out, which is especially important when using with one hand.This also improves ease of use, especially when placing the dispenser in areas with wet surfaces (wash basins, toilets, etc.).

[0030] The latched connection of the guides (3) to the base (1) eliminates the need for nuts, screws, or other fasteners, simplifying the design, reducing assembly labor, and increasing reliability. The counter-holes (4) in the cover (2) provide more precise guidance than the open cutouts of the prototype, preventing distortion and slippage.

[0031] Example of application of the utility model.

[0032] A napkin dispenser is installed on a kitchen table. The top lid (2) is lifted until it locks into the recesses (5), a new package of napkins is opened with both hands, and after opening, a stack of paper napkins is placed in the base (1). The lid (2) is lowered, and under its own weight, it freely descends along two vertical guides (3), pressing down the stack. When the top napkin is removed through the opening in the lid (2), the stack decreases in height, and the lid (2) automatically descends after it, constantly providing a tight hold and convenient access to the next napkin. The dispenser remains stationary on the table thanks to the anti-slip pads (6). Thus, when using the claimed utility model, the specified technical result is achieved - a reduction in the time for loading a stack of napkins due to the temporary fixation of the upper movable lid using special recesses on the vertical guide elements, while simultaneously increasing the ease of use of the dispenser.

[0033] The utility model is industrially applicable, as it can be used for mass application in catering establishments, offices, hotels, as well as at home.

[0034] The utility model is new because the totality of its essential features is unknown from the state of the art as of the priority date.

Claims

1. A dispenser for paper napkins comprising a housing with a volume for a stack of napkins placed therein and a pressing means acting on the stack from above, characterized in that the housing is made in the form of a base (1) for a stack of napkins and two vertical guide elements (3) connected to the base (1) by means of latches, and the pressing means is made in the form of an upper cover (2) with a diamond-shaped cutout for removing napkins and mating openings (4) into which the vertical guide elements (3) are slidably inserted, wherein the upper cover (2) is made with the possibility of free movement along the vertical guides (3) under the action of its own weight to press the stack of napkins, and in the upper part of the vertical guide elements (3) recesses (5) are made for temporarily fixing the upper cover (2) in the upper position.

2. A dispenser according to item 1, characterized in that the mating openings (4) in the cover (2) are made in the amount of four, located in pairs at opposite ends of the cover (2).

3. A dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (1) has a recess for positioning a stack of napkins.

4. The dispenser according to item 1, characterized in that the cover (2), base (1) and guides (3) are made of cast hard plastic.

5. The dispenser according to item 1, characterized in that two anti-slip elastic pads (6) are attached to the lower surface of the base (1).

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