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(11) | EP 2 248 453 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
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| (54) | PAPER DISPENSER |
| (57) The invention relates to a paper dispenser, comprising two concentric tubes (1-2),
both provided with a longitudinal window (11-21). The inner tube has a series of sheets
of paper (4) folded into a horseshoe shape and facing one another, forming a stack
from which the sheets are extracted one by one by pulling the top sheet which projects
through a longitudinal opening (21). Two side covers (3) close said inner cylinder,
hold the group of sheets of paper (4) therein and allow gripping it with only two
fingers while the outer surrounding tube (1) is rotated in order to place the grooves
(11-21) facing one another when a sheet of paper is to be extracted, or to conceal
the inner groove (21) in the blind area of the outer cylinder (1) so as to also conceal
the end of the paper (4) and prevent its extraction in that position. |
Object of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a paper dispenser, of the type in which the product is folded in successive sheets, facing and overlapping one another, forming a stack from which the sheets are extracted one by one by pulling the top sheet.
Background of the Invention
[0002] There are currently different types of paper dispensers for dispensing either napkins, toilet paper or smoking paper. The successive sheets to be dispensed are either attached to one another by a perforated line or they are linked together, overlapping one another, as in the case of the invention.
Description of the Invention
[0003] The dispenser of the invention is formed by two concentric cylindrical tubes both provided with a generating window, inside which there are arranged sheets of paper folded into a horseshoe shape, such that the convex area is facing the generating opening of the inner cylinder, whereas the ends of the horseshoe are located towards the inner part of the mentioned inner tube.
[0004] The inner tube internally has a longitudinal guide, diametrically opposite the aforementioned opening, which allows placing the paper folded into a horseshoe shape as previously mentioned, such that the end of the outer sheet of paper slightly projects through the generating window.
[0005] This guide inside the inner tube has optionally been eliminated, in which case this element must have a configuration having a non-cylindrical geometric section in order to internally have edges which immobilize the sheets of paper in the mentioned position, folded into a horseshoe shape with the convex area arranged towards the longitudinal groove. In this case the outer tube will also be replaced with a laterally hinged cover.
[0006] The inner tube has respective side covers which hold the sheets of paper in place therein and allow, when grabbing it with the index finger and thumb placed on them, rotating the outer surrounding tube until the grooves are facing one another in a normal operating situation in order to be able to extract one of the sheets of paper from therein; or, with these grooves misaligned, i.e., with the inner groove concealed in the blind area of the outer cylinder, also covering the end of the paper and preventing its extraction.
Description of the Drawings
[0007] In order to complement the description that is being made and for the purpose of aiding to understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification in which the following has been shown with an illustrative and non-limiting character:
Figure 1 shows a side elevational view and respective sections indicated in said view.
Figure 2 shows respective perspective views of the mentioned device in the operating position and with its parts shown in exploded view.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment variant of a dispenser of this type.
Preferred Embodiment of the Invention
[0008] As can be seen in the mentioned figures, the device of the invention comprises two elements in the form of hollow cylindrical tubes respectively referenced as outer tube (1) and inner tube (2). Both tubes have grooves or a generating window, respectively referenced as (11) and (21).
[0009] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the inner tube (2) also has a longitudinal guide (22) on its inner face, which is located diametrically opposite the groove (21). Placed on this guide is the block of paper (4), folded into a horseshoe shape, which is formed by successive sheets folded in a V shape overlapping and hooked to one another, such that the end of the inner sheet projects through the window (21) so that the user can pull its end and thus extract successive sheets of paper.
[0010] The solution depicted in Figure 3 shows a dispenser in which the inner tube (2A) has a configuration having a non-circular geometric section, in which therefore there are edges which allow immobilizing the sheets of paper (4) in the indicated position, folded into a horseshoe shape with the convex area arranged towards the longitudinal groove (21A). Therefore, in this case the need for the longitudinal guide performing this function of preventing the rotation of the paper when each sheet is extracted is therefore eliminated. In this case, the outer tube can and must be replaced with a laterally hinged cover (1A).
[0011] The inner tube (2) has respective side covers (3) which are snap-fitted on it and allow gripping it in order to be able to rotate the outer tube (3) until aligning both windows (11) and (21) and thus being able to extract the sheets or to rotate the outer tube (2) to a position in which the windows (11) and (21) are not aligned and in which the extraction of paper (4) is therefore not possible.
[0012] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention as well as a preferred embodiment, it is hereby stated for all suitable purposes that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the described elements could be modified provided that this does not involve an alteration of the essential features of the invention which are claimed below.
1. A paper dispenser for paper folded in successive sheets facing one another, forming
a stack from which the sheets are extracted one by one by pulling the top sheet, characterized in that it comprises two concentric cylindrical tubes (1-2), both provided with a longitudinal
window (11-21), the inner tube comprising a set of sheets of paper (4), folded into
a horseshoe shape with the convex area arranged facing the longitudinal opening (21)
of the inner cylinder (2), which has respective side covers (3) which hold the group
of sheets of paper (4) therein and allow gripping it with only two fingers while the
outer surrounding tube (1) is rotated in order to place the grooves (11-21) facing
one another when a sheet of paper is to be extracted, or to conceal the inner groove
(21) in the blind area of the outer cylinder (1) so as to also conceal the end of
the paper (4) and prevent its extraction in that position.
2. The paper dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner tube (2) internally has a longitudinal guide (22) diametrically opposite
the generating opening (21) to facilitate this location of the paper, the end of the
outer sheet of paper slightly projecting through the window (21).
3. The paper dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner tube (2A) has a configuration having a geometric section in which there
are edges which immobilize the sheets of paper (4) in the indicated position folded
into a horseshoe shape with the convex area arranged towards the longitudinal groove
(21A).
4. The paper dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer tube has been replaced with a laterally hinged cover (1A).