Dispensers for consumable products

Abstract

Dispensers for consumable products A dispenser (100) for consumable products comprising a frame (105), and a first movable partition (130) within the frame (105), wherein the first movable partition (130) is arranged to define a first storage area for consumable products within the frame between a first side (110) of the frame and the first movable partition. A first opening (122) is in the frame at the bottom of the first storage area for dispensing consumable products from the first storage area. A second movable partition (130) is within the frame, wherein the second movable partition is arranged to define a second storage area for consumable products within the frame between a second side (110) of the frame opposite the first side of the frame and the second movable partition.A second opening (122) is in the frame at the bottom of the second storage area for dispensing consumable products from the second storage area.

Description

[0001] Dispensers for consumable products

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention concerns dispensers for consumable products. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention concerns wall-mountable dispensers that can be adjusted to hold different sizes of consumable products. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to dispensers for sanitary products.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Dispensers for consumable products are well known. For example, wall- mountable dispensers for sanitary products such as tampons and sanitary pads can be provided in public and workplace bathrooms. Sanitary products to be dispensed can be of various different sizes, due being different types of product, different sizes of the same or similar products, and different sizes of packaging. It can be difficult or impossible for known wall-mountable dispensers to accommodate different types and sizes of sanitary products. Further, it can be difficult or impossible for known wall-mountable dispensers to accommodate both individual sanitary products and cartons of sanitary products.

[0006] The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide improved dispensers for consumable products.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a dispenser for consumable products comprising: a frame; a first movable partition within the frame, wherein the first movable partition is arranged to define a first storage area for consumable products within the frame between a first side of the frame and the first movable partition; a first opening in the frame at the bottom of the first storage area for dispensing consumable products from the first storage area; a second movable partition within the frame, wherein the second movable partition is arranged to define a second storage area for consumable products within the frame between a second side of the frame opposite the first side of the frame and the second movable partition; and a second opening in the frame at the bottom of the second storage area for dispensing consumable products from the second storage area.

[0009] By having a first movable partition and second movable partition within the frame, defining respectively a first storage area and a second storage area, different sizes of consumable products can be stored within, and dispensed from, the two storage areas. Further, one or both of the first storage area and the second storage area can be resized as required when it is desired to store and dispense different sizes of consumable product. One or both of the first storage area and the second storage area can also be sized to accommodate a carton of consumable products, if required. As each storage area is defined by its respective movable partition, either of the first storage area and the second storage area can be resized while maintaining the existing size of the other storage area, which would not be possible were only a single movable partition used to define both storage areas.

[0010] The first opening and the second openings may be first and second portions of a single opening in the frame.

[0011] The dispenser may further comprise a first stop having a first end movably mounted above the first opening, and a second end that projects into the first openingto hold the consumable products within the first storage area prior to dispensing. In this way, the first stop can be mounted in a position required for the size of the first storage area and the size of the consumable products being dispensed from the first storage area. However, when there is a change in the size of the first storage area and / or the size of the consumable products, the first stop can be moved to be mounted in a different required position.

[0012] The first movable stop may be movable horizontally with respect to the first opening. In this way, the first movable stop can mounted at different horizontal positions across the first opening. For example, if the size of first storage area is increased or decreased by moving the first movable partition, the first movable stop can be moved correspondingly so that it is always at the middle of the first opening of the first storage area.

[0013] The second end of the first movable stop may be movable vertically with respect to the first opening. In this way, the first movable stop can be moved to project more or less into the first opening, as required by the particular size of consumable products being stored and dispensed.

[0014] The first end of the first movable stop may be mounted on the frame. The frame may comprise at least one slot, and wherein the first end of the first movable stop is mounted by a friction fitting through the at least one slot. Where the slot is a horizontal slot, the first movable stop can be moved horizontally by mounting the first movable stop at different positions of the slot of the frame using the friction fitting. The friction fitting may be a bolt and a wingnut.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the first movable stop may comprise at least one slot, and wherein the first end of the first movable stop is mounted by a friction fitting through the at least one slot. Where the slot is a vertical slot, the first movable stop can be moved vertically, and so it can project more or less into the first opening, by mounting the first movable stop at different positions of the slot of the first movable stop using the friction fitting. The friction fitting may be a bolt and a wingnut.

[0016] One or more of the above-described features may similarly apply to the second movable stop.

[0017] The frame may comprise at least one slot with a plurality of downwardly extending notches, and wherein the first movable partition comprises at least one projection, such that the at least one projection is arranged to be received in one of the downwardly extending notches of the at least one slot to hold the first movable partition in position within the frame. The at least one slot may be on the back of the frame. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one slot may be on front of frame. The slot may be adjacent the first opening.

[0018] The second movable partition may comprise at least one projection, such that the at least one projection is arranged to be received in one of the downwardly extending notches of the at least one slot to hold the second movable partition in position within the frame. Alternatively, the first movable partition and the second movable partition may be in held in position within the frame by separate slots with downwardly extending notches in the frame.

[0019] The first movable partition and / or the second movable partition may be mounted to the frame by a friction fitting. The friction fitting may be through the at least slot. The friction fitting may be a bolt and a wingnut.

[0020] The dispenser may further comprise a third movable partition within the frame between the first side of the frame and the first movable partition, arranged to define a back of the first storage area. This allows the depth of the first storage area to be adjusted. This can for example allow it to be sized to hold a carton of consumable products securely in position.

[0021] The first side of the frame may comprise at least one slot with a plurality of downwardly extending notches, and wherein the third movable partition comprises at least one projection, such that the at least one projection is arranged to be received in one of the downwardly extending notches of the at least one slot to hold the third movable partition in position within the frame.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the first movable partition may comprise at least one slot with a plurality of downwardly extending notches, and wherein the third movable partition comprises at least one projection, such that the at least one projection is arranged to be received in one of the downwardly extending notches of the at least one slot to hold the third movable partition in position within the frame.

[0023] The third movable partition may be mounted to the first side of the frame and / or the first movable partition by a friction fitting. The friction fitting may be through the at least one slot in the first side of the frame and / or the first movable partition. The friction fitting may be a bolt and wingnut.

[0024] The dispenser may further comprise a fourth movable partition within the frame between the second side of the frame and the second movable partition, arranged to define a back of the second storage area. One or more of the abovedescribed features may similarly apply to the fourth movable partition.

[0025] The dispenser may further comprise a third movable partition within the frame, wherein the third movable partition is arranged to define a third storage area for consumable products within the frame. The third storage area may be defined by the third movable partition and the first movable partition, the second movable partition, a fourth movable partition or a non-movable partition, for example. It will be appreciated that the dispenser mayfurther have a fourth or any desired number of storage areas, defined by further partitions within the frame, of which any or all may have a corresponding movable stop.

[0026] The dispenser may comprise at least one consumable product in the first storage area or the second storage area.

[0027] The consumable products may be sanitary products. Alternatively or additionally, the consumable products may be any of appropriate products for dispensing, such as food items or other small storable products. The dispenser may comprise at least one sanitary product in the first storage area or the second storage area. The dispenser may further comprise at least one consumable product in the first storage area or the second storage area, wherein the consumable product is not a sanitary product. It will be appreciated that the storage areas of the dispenser, including the first storage area, second storage area and any further storage areas, may be arranged to store and dispense any combination of types of consumable product, including both sanitary products and consumable products that are not a sanitary products.

[0028] The dispenser may be wall-mountable. In other words, the dispenser may be arranged to be mounted on a wall. Alternatively the dispenser may be freestanding, or mounted on a plinth, or any other appropriate arrangement. It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention.

[0029] Description of the Drawings

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described byway of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

[0031] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a wall-mountable dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention in closed configuration;

[0032] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the interior of the wall-mountable dispenser of Figure 1 in open configuration;

[0033] Figure 3 shows a close-up perspective view of the top part of the interior of the wall-mountable dispenser of Figure 1 ;

[0034] Figure 4a shows a close-up perspective view of the top part of the interior of the wall-mountable dispenser of Figure 1 in an alternative configuration;

[0035] Figure 4b shows a close-up perspective view of the top part of the interior of the wall-mountable dispenser of Figure 1 in another alternative configuration;

[0036] Figure 5 shows a close-up perspective view of the bottom part of the interior of the wall-mountable dispenser of Figure 1 ;

[0037] Figure 6 shows another close-up perspective view of the bottom part of the interior of the wall-mountable dispenser of Figure 1 ;

[0038] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the interior of the wall-mountable dispenser of Figure 1 when storing cartons;

[0039] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of example cartons; Figure 9a shows a perspective view of the interior of the wall-mountable dispenser of Figure 1 when storing loose sanitary products; and

[0040] Figure 9b shows a perspective view of the interior of the wall-mountable dispenser of Figure 1 in an alternative configuration when storing loose sanitary products.

[0041] Detailed Description

[0042] Awall-mountable dispenserfor sanitary products accordingto an embodiment of the invention is now described, with reference to Figures 1 to 9.

[0043] Figure 1 shows the dispenser 100 in closed configuration, which is the configuration in which it will be used to dispense sanitary products. The dispenser 100 is a roughly cuboid shape with rounded edges, with the bottom being angled so that the front edge of the bottom of the dispenser 100 is lower than the back edge of the bottom of the dispenser 100. The dispenser 101 has a cover 101 , which covers the top, sides and most of the front of the dispenser 101 , and which is closed in the closed configuration of the dispenser 100. Both sides of the cover 101 have a thin vertical window 102, through which the interior of the dispenser 100, and in particular a level of the sanitary products stored in the dispenser 100, can be seen. At the bottom of the front of the dispenser 100 is a hinged flap 103, which can be lifted to allow a sanitary product to be obtained from the dispenser 100, as described further below.

[0044] Figure 2 shows the dispenser 100 in open configuration, i.e. with the cover 101 open to reveal the interior of the dispenser 100. This is the configuration in which the dispenser 100 can be refilled, and also adjusted as described in more detail below.

[0045] The dispenser 100 comprises a frame 105, with which the dispenser 100 is mountable to a wall. In particular, the back 112 of the frame 105 is mountable to a wall. As can be seen, the bottom of the cover 101 is hinged to the bottom of the frame 105, so that to open the cover 101 , it is rotated so that it hangs below the frame 105. The top of the cover 101 a has a clip 104a which can be attached to a corresponding clip 104b at the top of the frame 105, to hold the cover 101 closed when the dispenser 100 is in the closed configuration.

[0046] The sides 110 of the frame 105 comprise thin vertical windows 104, which are positioned and sized so that when the cover 101 is closed, the windows 104 line up with the windows 102 of the cover, allowing the interior of the dispenser 100 to be viewed.

[0047] Towards the bottom of each of the sides 110 is a horizontal slot 110a, extendingfrom close to the front to the back of each side 110. Each horizontal a lot 110a has a plurality of downwardly extending notches along its length. Towards the top of each of the sides 110 is a corresponding horizontal slot 110b, again extendingfrom close to the front to the back of each side 110, and again with a plurality of downwardly extending notches along its length. The use of the horizontal slots 110a and 110b is described in more detail below.

[0048] Each of the sides 110 has a flange 110a which extends a short distance from the front edge of the side 100 towards the middle of the front of the frame 105, so defining the edges of the front of the frame 105.

[0049] Towards the top of the back 112 is a horizontal slot 113 extendingfrom close to each side of the back 112. The horizontal slot 113 again has a plurality of downwardly extending notches along its length, similar to the horizontal slots 110a and 110b. The back 112 has a corresponding horizontal slot (not visible in the Figures) towards the bottom, again with a plurality of downwardly extending notches along its length.

[0050] A rectangular panel 120 is attached to the flanges 110a of each side 110 of the frame 105, so that the panel 120 extends across the front of the frame 105. The top of the panel 120 is roughly at the middle of the front of the frame 105, and the bottom of the panel 120 is just above the top of the flap 103. Towards the top of the panel 120 is a horizontal slot 121 extending from close to each side of the panel 120. The horizontal slot 121 again has a plurality of downwardly extending notches along its length, similar to the horizontal slots 110a, 110b and 113. Towards the bottom of the panel 120 is a further horizontal slot 122 extending from close to each side of the panel 120, which unlike the other horizontal slots does not comprise any downwardly extending notches.

[0051] As can be seen in more detail in Figure 3, first and second partitions 130 are mounted within the frame 105. Each partition 130 defines a storage area within the frame 105, between the partition 130 and the side 110 of the frame 105 to which it is closest, in which sanitary products can be stored for dispensing as described in more detail below. Each partition 130 has a flange 130a which extends a short distance from the front edge of the partition 130 towards the closest side 100, so that the flanges 130a are in the same plane as the flanges 110a, giving two sets of flanges 110a and 130a which extend towards each other.

[0052] Each partition 130 has a projection (not visible in the Figures) that extends from the top of its back edge, i.e. the edge adjacent to the back 112 of the frame 105. The projection extends through the horizontal slot 113, and by moving the partition 130 downwards so that the projection is within one of the downwardly extending notches of the horizontal slot 113 the partition 130 is prevented from moving horizontally, as it is “hooked” in position by the projection within the notch. Each partition 130 also has a corresponding projection that extends from the bottom of its back edge, through the corresponding horizontal slot towards the bottom of the back 112.

[0053] Each partition 130 is further mounted on the panel 120 by a friction fitting 121 a, in particular a bolt and wingnut. The bolt passes through a hole in the flange 130a and one of the downwardly extending notches of the horizontal slot 121 , and is secured in position by the wingnut. In this way, the partition 130 is prevented from moving horizontally by the friction fitting 121 a within the notch. Further, the friction fitting 121 a prevents the partition 130 from moving vertically, so acts to prevent the projection at the top of the back edge of the partition 130 from moving out of the notch in the horizontal slot 113 in which it is positioned, and similarly prevents the corresponding projection at the bottom of the back edge of the partition 130 from moving out of the notch in the corresponding horizontal slot in which it is positioned.

[0054] Figures 4a and 4b shows alternative configurations of the partitions 130 within the frame 105. As can be seen, the partitions 130 are mounted to different downwardly extending notches of the horizontal slots 113 and 121 , so allowing the partitions 130 to define different widths of storage area.

[0055] In a similar fashion, further partitions (not shown in the Figures) can be mounted within the frame 105 using the horizontal slots 111 a and 111 b in the sides 111 of the frame 105, and the horizontal slots 130 in the partitions 130. Each partition will extend between a side 111 and a partition 130, and will act to reduce the depth of the storage area defined by the side 111 and the partition 130, i.e. the distance between the front of the storage area as defined by the front of the frame 105 (the flanges 110a and 130a particularly), and the back of the storage area as defined by the further partition.

[0056] Figures 5 and 6 show the bottom of the dispenser 100, with the flap 103 lifted so the interior of the dispenser 100 is visible. As can be seen, there is an opening to the interior of the dispenser 100 behind the flap 103, in particular an opening to the bottoms of the storage areas defined by the sides 110 and the partitions 130. A small flange 116 extends vertically from the bottom front edge of the frame 105 into the opening, which in use acts to hold sanitary products within the storage areas in place within the dispenser 100, so that they do not fall out when the flap 103 is lifted. (Due to the front edge of the bottom of the dispenser 100 being lowerthan the back edge of the bottom of the dispenser 100, sanitary product will tend to move towards the opening due to gravity.) This can be seen in particular in Figure 9a, which shows loose sanitary products being stored in the dispenser.

[0057] Bottom ends of first and second stops 140 extend from above the flap 103 into the opening, each stop 140 extending into the opening at the bottom of a respective storage area. Figure 7 shows the dispenser 100 in an alternative configuration with the flap 103 lowered, which allows the top ends of the stops 140 can be seen. Each stop is a flat rectangle with rounded corners having two vertical slots 142. As can be seen from Figure 7 in particular, each stop 140 is mounted on the panel 120 by a friction fitting 141 , which again is a bolt and wingnut. For each stop 140 the bolt passes through the horizontal slot 122 of the panel 120 and a vertical slot 142 of the stop 140, and is then fixed in place by the wingnut. In this way, each stop can be moved vertically so that it projects into the opening at the bottom of its respective storage area to a different extent, by having the bolt extend through the vertical slot 142 of the stop 140 at a different position. Further, each stop can be moved horizontally so that it projects into the opening at the bottom of its respective storage area in a different horizontal position, for example in the centre of the storage area, by having the bolt extend through the horizontal slot 122 of the panel 120 at a different position. In this way, each stop 140 can be positioned to best hold sanitary products in place within the storage areas, for different sizes of sanitary products and different widths of storage areas.

[0058] Figure 7 shows the dispenser 100 when storing cartons, and Figure 8 shows example cartons. As can be seen from Figure 8, the cartons 200, 201 , 202 are boxes which contain sanitary products, and can be opened at the bottom t allow the sanitary products they contain to be dispensed. As can be seen from Figure 9, the partitions 130 can be positioned so that the sizes of the storage areas the partitions 130 define match the sizes of the cartons 201 and 202, so the cartons 201 and 202 are held securely in position. It will be appreciated that if it is desired to use the dispenser with carton 200 instead of carton 201 or carton 202, the required partition 130 could be moved so that the size of the storage area the required partition 130 defines instead matches the size of the carton 200.

[0059] Figures 9a and 9b show alternative configurations of the dispenser 100 when storing loose sanitary products. As can be seen, the partitions 110 can be positioned as required to define storage areas of the required sizes. Similarly, the stops 140 can be positioned as required to hold the sanitary products in position within the storage areas prior to being dispensed.

[0060] While the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. For example, while the described dispenser has two storage areas, it will be appreciated that it could have more storage areas, for example three, four or any desired number of storage areas, defined by further movable partitions within the frame. While the described dispenser has been described for use dispensing sanitary products, the described dispenser or a dispenser in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, could be used to dispense other types of consumable products, such as food items or other small storable products. While the described dispenser is wall-mountable, in other embodiments a dispenser may not be wall-mountable.

[0061] Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

Claims1 . A dispenserfor consumable products comprising: a frame; a first movable partition within the frame, wherein the first movable partition is arranged to define a first storage area for consumable products within the frame between a first side of the frame and the first movable partition; a first opening in the frame at the bottom of the first storage area for dispensing consumable products from the first storage area; a second movable partition within the frame, wherein the second movable partition is arranged to define a second storage area for consumable products within the frame between a second side of the frame opposite the first side of the frame and the second movable partition; and a second opening in the frame at the bottom of the second storage area for dispensing consumable products from the second storage area.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are first and second portions of a single opening in the frame.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first stop having a first end movably mounted above the first opening, and a second end that projects into the first opening to hold the consumable products within the first storage area prior to dispensing.

4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first movable stop is movable horizontally with respect to the first opening.

5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the second end of the first movable stop is movable vertically with respect to the first opening.

6. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first end of the first movable stop is mounted on the frame.

7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein the frame comprises at least one slot, and wherein the first end of the first movable stop is mounted by a friction fitting through the at least one slot.

8. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the first movable stop comprises at least one slot, and wherein the first end of the first movable stop is mounted by a friction fitting through the at least one slot.

9. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises at least one slot with a plurality of downwardly extending notches, and wherein the first movable partition comprises at least one projection, such that the at least one projection is arranged to be received in one of the downwardly extending notches of the at least one slot to hold the first movable partition in position within the frame.

10. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second movable partition comprises at least one projection, such that the at least one projection is arranged to be received in one of the downwardly extending notches of the at least one slot to hold the second movable partition in position within the frame.11 . A dispenser as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the first movable partition and / or the second movable partition is mounted to the frame by a friction fitting.

12. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a third movable partition within the frame between the first side of the frame and the first movable partition, arranged to define a back of the first storage area.

13. A dispenser as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first side of the frame comprises at least one slot with a plurality of downwardly extending notches, and wherein the third movable partition comprises at least one projection, such that the at least one projection is arranged to be received in one of the downwardly extending notches of the at least one slot to hold the third movable partition in position within the frame.

14. A dispenser as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the first movable partition comprises at least one slot with a plurality of downwardly extending notches, and wherein the third movable partition comprises at least one projection, such that the at least one projection is arranged to be received in one of the downwardly extending notches of the at least one slot to hold the third movable partition in position within the frame.

15. A dispenser as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the third movable partition is mounted to the first side of the frame and / or the first movable partition by a friction fitting.

16. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a third movable partition within the frame, wherein the third movable partition is arranged to define a third storage area for consumable products within the frame.

17. A dispenser as any preceding claimed, further comprising at least one consumable product in the first storage area or the second storage area.

18. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the consumable products are sanitary products.

19. A dispenser as claimed in claim 18, further comprising at least one sanitary product in the first storage area or the second storage area.

20. A dispenser as claimed in claim 18 or 19, further comprising at least one non-sanitary product in the first storage area or the second storage area. 21 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser is wall-mountable.

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