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(11) | EP 2 692 661 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Dispenser of sheets |
| (57) Dispenser (1) of sheets, in particular notes, cards and the like, comprises a box-shaped
containing body (3) for containing the sheets, an opening, obtained in the containing
body (3), to enable the sheets to exit the containing body (3), anchoring means (21),
fixed to a base wall (13) of the containing body (3), for anchoring in a releasable
manner the containing body (3) to a supporting surface of an element arranged for
supporting the dispenser (1), and extracting means (27), slidably associated with
the opening, to extract, one at a time, the sheets from the containing body (3).
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[0002] The main purposes of such dispensers are providing a user with sheets on which to write reminders, notes and the like, and to act as a vehicle for advertising.
[0003] Dispensers of sheets are known comprising blocks of sheets glued together to form a prism, typically a cube.
[0004] Such blocks of sheets define side walls on which an advertising message is printed, for example consisting of an image of a product, or of a company name.
[0005] In use, the blocks of sheets are generally positioned on a desk to be easily reachable and usable. This position also favours the visibility of the advertising message printed thereupon.
[0006] A drawback of known dispensers is that they are advertising mediums that are not very effective over time. In fact, in use, with progressive consumption of the sheets, the advertising message is reduced until it disappears. Consequently, known dispensers function effectively as advertising mediums for a very short amount of time, which will be shorter the greater the use of the sheets.
[0007] A further drawback of known dispensers is that they required two hands to be used: one for retaining the block and the other for pulling away the sheet. This is due to the fact that the sheets are glued together and thus resist pulling.
[0008] Another drawback of known dispensers is that the appearance thereof deteriorates with use. In fact, by increasing consumption of the sheets, increases the quantity of glue that remains visible on the block and the advertising message is reduced.
[0009] An object of the invention is to improve dispensers of sheets, in particular notes, cards and the like.
[0010] A further object is to make dispensers that are more effective advertising mediums over time than are known dispensers.
[0012] Still another further object is to obtain dispensers the pleasing appearance of which is maintained even after use.
[0014] Owing to the box-shaped containing body, on which advertising messages are printable, the dispenser according to the invention performs the function of advertising medium more effectively than known dispensers and the pleasing appearance thereof is maintained also after use.
[0015] In fact, the advertising messages remain plainly visible on the containing body until, and after, the sheets contained therein are exhausted.
[0016] Also, owing to the combined action of the anchoring means, which anchors the box-shaped containing body to a surface, for example the top of a desk, supporting the dispenser, and of said extracting means, which enables the sheets to be extracted from the containing body, it is possible to use the dispenser according to the invention even with just one hand.
[0017] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate an embodiment thereof by way of non limiting example, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser of sheets according to the invention, with extracting means, that is included therein, in a grasping position;
Figure 2 is a perspective, sectioned view of the dispenser of sheets in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a further perspective view of the dispenser according to the invention, with the extracting means in a release position;
Figure 4 is a sectioned perspective view of the dispenser according to the invention, with the extracting means in the release position;
Figure 5 is another perspective view of the dispenser of sheets according to the invention, showing anchoring means included therein;
Figure 6 is another further perspective view of the dispenser of sheets according to the invention resting on a supporting surface;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the dispenser of sheets according to the invention with some details removed to show others better;
Figure 8 is a frontal view of the extracting means;
Figure 9 is a perspective view, with some details removed to show others better, of a further embodiment of the dispenser of sheets according to the invention;
Figure 10 is a sectioned perspective view with some details removed to show others better, of the further embodiment of the dispenser of sheets according to the invention;
Figure 11 is a perspective view, with some details removed to show others better, of a version of the dispenser of sheets in Figure 9;
Figure 12 is a top view, with some details removed to show others better, of the dispenser of sheets according to the invention;
Figure 13 is a perspective view of a spring included in the dispenser according to the invention.
[0018] With reference to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a dispenser 1 of sheets 2, in particular notes, cards and the like.
[0019] The main functions of the dispenser 1 are to supply sheets 2 to a user on which to write reminders, notes and the like, and to act as an advertising medium.
[0020] For this reason, in use, the dispenser 1 will be typically positioned on a desk, not shown, to be easily reachable and usable. This position further favours the visibility of an advertising message printed thereupon, as will be explained better below.
[0021] The dispenser 1 comprises a box-shaped containing body 3, for example made of folded card, to contain the sheets 2, the sheets 2 being housed in the containing body 3 in such a manner as to rest on a side thereof of less thickness.
[0023] In particular, the containing body 3 comprises a first side wall 4, a second side wall 5, opposite the first side wall 4, a third side wall 6 interposed between the first side wall 4 and the second side wall 5, and a fourth side wall 6, opposite the third side wall 6.
[0024] In particular, the first side wall 4, the second side wall 5, the third side wall 6 and the fourth side wall 7 have a substantially square shape.
[0025] Also, the first side wall 4, the second side wall 5, the third side wall 6 and the fourth side wall 7, respectively comprise a first external face 8, a second external face 9, a third external face 10 and a fourth external face 11, on which it is possible to print, for example by a lithographic or digital or silkscreen or hot or pad print or similar, with fluorescent or phosphorescent colours, or reflecting colours and the like, an advertising message, not shown, for example consisting of an image of a product, or of a name of a company.
[0026] The containing body 3 further comprises an upper wall 12 and a base wall 13, opposite the upper wall 12 (Figure 5).
[0028] Also, the upper wall 12 and the base wall 13 respectively comprise an external upper face 14 and an external lower face 15, on which it is possible to print an advertising message, or, for example on the external lower face 15, the directions of the dispenser 1.
[0029] In the upper wall 12 an opening 16 is obtained to enable the sheets 2 to exit the containing body 3 (Figures 7 and 12).
[0030] The opening 16 comprises a first edge 17 having an arc shape, in particular an ellipse arc shape, a second edge 18 also having an arc shape, in particular an ellipse arc shape, facing the first edge 17, a third, substantially rectilinear, edge 10, connecting respective first ends of the first edge 17 and of the second edge 18, and a fourth edge 20, which is also substantially rectilinear, facing the third edge 19, connecting respective second ends of the first edge 17 and of the second edge 18.
[0031] In particular, the first edge 17 faces the second edge 18 in such a manner the opening 16 increases from the centre towards the periphery.
[0032] The dispenser 1 further comprises anchoring means 21, fixed, for example by gluing, to the base wall 13 of the containing body 3, to anchor the containing body 3 in a releasable manner to a supporting surface 22 of an element, for example a desk, arranged for supporting, in use, the dispenser 1 (Figure 5).
[0033] The anchoring means 21 comprises a sheet of acetate 23, for example of substantially square shape and of a slightly smaller dimension than that of the base wall 13.
[0034] The sheet of acetate 23 is glued to the base wall 13 by a layer of glue positioned substantially at a central portion 25 thereof, this letting peripheral portions 26 of the sheet of acetate 23 to move freely.
[0035] Also, the sheet of acetate 23 includes an adhesion surface 24 provided with waves or folds which give the adhesion surface 24 a slightly corrugated shape.
[0036] In use, it is sufficient to rest the dispenser 1 on the supporting surface 22, so that the air exits that is present between the aforesaid waves and the supporting surface 22, this making an air vacuum between the adhesion surface 24 and the supporting surface 22.
[0037] The air vacuum that is thus made is such as to enable the dispenser 1 to slide along the supporting surface 22 in any direction and at the same time prevent the dispenser 1 from being lifted from the supporting surface 22.
[0038] In order to detach the dispenser 1 from the supporting surface 22, it is necessary to slide the dispenser 1 beyond the supporting surface 22.
[0039] The dispenser 1 further comprises extracting means 27 slidably associated with the opening 16, to extract, one at a time, the sheets 2 from the containing body 3 (Figure 8).
[0041] The blade 28 comprises a grasping portion 29 for grasping, one at a time, the sheets 2, and a gripping portion 30, projecting, in use, outside the opening 16.
[0042] In use, the gripping portion 30, having, for example, a substantially triangular shape, is graspable by a user to move the blade 28 between a grasping position A (Figures 1 and 2) in which the grasping portion 29 is housed substantially completely in the containing body 3 for grasping a sheet 2, and a release position R (Figures 3 and 4) in which the grasping portion 29 is extracted from the containing body 3 to release the sheet 2.
[0043] The grasping portion 29 comprises a first face 31, facing, in the grasping position A, the sheets 2, provided with at least one layer of adhesive substance of the stick-remove type, having a thickness of about 2 micron, to enable on the one hand secure gripping of a sheet 2 and on the other hand a gentle release of the latter when the blade 28 is in the release position R.
[0044] In particular, in the shown embodiment, there are 3 layers 52 of adhesive substance that are parallel to one another and extend substantially parallel to a direction of extraction E of the blade 28 from the containing body 3.
[0045] The grasping portion 29 further comprises a second face 32 (Figure 3), opposite the first face 31, on which an advertising message is printable, this message being visible when the blade 28 is in the release position R.
[0046] Also the gripping portion 30 comprises a pair of faces 32-33 (Figures 3 and 4), opposite one another, on which an advertising message is printable.
[0047] Furthermore, the blade 28 comprises a pair of wings 35 projecting from opposite sides of the grasping portion 29 at a base zone 36 of the latter, to prevent the blade 28 from completely exiting the opening 16, in this manner keeping the blade 28 anchored to the containing body 3.
[0049] Also, in use, the wings 35 are folded in such a manner as to retain laterally at least part of the sheets 2.
[0050] The dispenser 1 further comprises elastic means 37, housed in the containing body 3, arranged for pressing the sheets 2 against the grasping portion 29 of the blade 28 and vice versa to promote adhesion between the sheets 2 and the grasping portion 29 and to compact the sheets 2 (Figure 2, 4 and 13).
[0051] In particular, the elastic means 37 comprises a pair of springs 38 and one spring 39 made from respective cards folded in concertina fashion.
[0052] The springs of the pair of springs 38 are positioned one after another, and act between a first internal face 43, opposite the first external face 8, of the first side wall 4 of the containing body 3, and the sheets 2 so as to push the sheets 2 towards the blade 28 and then towards the opening 16.
[0053] Vice versa, the spring 39 acts between a second internal face 44, opposite the second external face 9, of the second side wall 5 of the containing body 3, and the second face 32 of the blade 28 so as to push the blade 28 towards the sheets 2.
[0054] Also, the spring 29 contrasts the pair of springs 28, the spring 29 and the pair of springs 28 being configured in such a manner as to exert suitable elastic forces that are such as to enable a sheet 2 facing the blade 28 to position itself substantially at the opening 16 and the blade 28 to be arranged substantially vertically.
[0055] In other words, the spring 29 and the pair of springs 28 exert respective elastic forces opposite one another.
[0056] The dispenser 1 further comprises flexible abutting means 40, for abutting on the sheets 2 such as to enable, as disclosed above, the sheets 2 to exit the opening 16 one at a time (figures 4, 6 and 7).
[0057] The abutting means 40 is fixed, for example by gluing, to an internal upper face 42 (Figure 2), opposite the upper external face 14, of the upper wall 12.
[0058] In particular, the abutting means 40 is fixed to the internal upper face 42 in such a manner that a free strip 53 of the abutting means 40 projects from the first edge 17 of the opening 16 towards the interior of the latter.
[0059] In use, the abutting means 40, for example comprising a tab 41 made of plastics, abuts, by pressing through the strip 53, on at least part of the sheets 2 and cooperates with the grasping portion 29 of the extracting means 27 to define sufficient space for one sheet 2 at a time to pass through.
[0060] Also, the dispenser 1 comprises inspection means, not shown, for inspecting the inside of the containing body 3 in order to check the level of consumption of the sheets 2.
[0061] In particular, the inspection means comprises a slit, for example of substantially elliptic shape, obtained in the third side wall 6 and/or in the fourth side wall 7 and extending substantially horizontally.
[0062] In one embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 9 and 10, supporting means 45 is provided, housed in the containing body 3, to support further sheets 46, for example a block of adhesive sheets of the Post-it® Z-notes type.
[0063] In particular, the supporting means 45 defines a bridge structure, for example made of folded card, inside the containing body 3.
[0064] This bridge structure comprises a first upright 48, facing and next to the third side wall 6, a second upright 49, opposite the first upright 48, facing and next to the fourth side wall 7, and a crosspiece 50 connecting the first upright 48 and the second upright 49.
[0065] In this manner, the aforesaid bridge structure is configured in such a manner as to support, via the crosspiece 50, the further sheets 46, and house, and permit the sliding below the crosspiece 50, of the pair of springs 38 and of the sheets 2.
[0066] In other words, the first upright 48, the second upright 49 and the crosspiece 50 are configured for acting as a guide, and retaining laterally, and respectively above, the sheets 2 and the pair of springs 38.
[0067] In this embodiment, a further opening 47 is further provided, obtained in the upper wall 12 of the containing body 3, shaped in such a manner as to enable the further sheets 46 to exit the containing body 3 one at a time.
[0068] The further opening 47 is coplanar, and extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly with respect to the opening 16.
[0069] It should be noted that in Figure 9 and 10 the abutting means 40 is not shown although it is present.
[0070] In one version of the aforesaid embodiment, shown in Figure 11, one or more blocks 51 of page-marking flags are provided, fixed, for example to the third external face 10.
[0071] It should be noted that in Figure 11 the abutting means 40 is not shown although it is present.
[0072] It should be noted that owing to the box-shaped containing body 3, on which the advertising messages are printable, the dispenser 1 according to the invention performs the function of advertising medium more effectively than known dispensers and maintains a pleasing appearance also after use.
[0073] In fact, the advertising messages remain visible on the containing body 3 until exhaustion, and beyond, of the sheets 2 contained therein.
[0074] Also, it should be noted that the dispenser 1 according to the invention has a greater space than known dispensers for the advertising messages.
[0075] In fact, for this purpose, there are available the first external face 8, the second external face 9, the third external face 10, the fourth external face 11, the external upper face 14 and the external lower face 15 of the containing body 3, the second face 32 of the grasping portion 29 of the blade 28 and the pair of faces 33-34 of the gripping portion 30 of the blade 28.
[0077] Also, it should be noted that owing to the combined action of the anchoring means 21 that anchors the box-shaped containing body 3 to the supporting surface 22 and of said extracting means 27, which enables the sheets 2 to be extracted from the containing body 3, it is possible to use the dispenser 1 according to the invention even with just one hand.
[0078] In one embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the containing body 3 has a parallelpipedon shape with a rectangular base.
[0079] In another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the containing body 3 has a cylindrical shape.
[0080] In another further embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the anchoring means 21 is fixed by jointing into the base wall 13.
[0081] In another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the sheet of acetate 23 has the same or a greater dimension than the base wall 13.
[0082] In still another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the abutting means 40 is fixed by jointing into the internal upper face 42 of the upper wall 12.
[0083] In another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the gripping portion 30, has a semi-elliptical shape.
[0084] In another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the blade 28 is made of plastics.
[0085] In a further embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the containing body 3 is made of plastics, for example transparent plastics.
[0086] Also, in another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, to enable the sheets 2 to exit the opening 16 one at a time, the opening 16 is provided in such a manner that the first edge 17 and the second edge 18, having a substantially ellipse arc shape, are nearer at a central zone of the opening 16. In this manner, in use, the first edge 17 abuts on, by pressing, at least part of the sheets 2 and cooperates with the grasping portion 29 of the extracting means 27 to define a space that is sufficient for the passage of just one sheet 2 at a time. As a consequence, in this embodiment the tab 41 is not provided.
1. Dispenser (1) of sheets, in particular notes, cards and the like, comprising:
- a box-shaped containing body (3) for containing said sheets (2);
- an opening (16), obtained in said containing body (3), to enable said sheets (2) to exit said containing body (3);
- anchoring means (21), fixed to a base wall (13) of said containing body (3), for anchoring in a releasable manner said containing body (3) to a supporting surface (22) of an element arranged for supporting said dispenser (1); and
- extracting means (27), slidably associated with said opening (16), to extract, one at a time, said sheets (2) from said containing body (3).
2. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein said anchoring means (21) comprises vacuum
adhesion means (23).
3. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1, or 2, wherein said anchoring means (21) comprises
a sheet of acetate (23) including a corrugated surface (24).
4. Dispenser (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said extracting means (27)
comprises retainer means (35) for preventing said extracting means (27) from exiting
said opening (16) completely.
5. Dispenser (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said extracting means (27)
comprises a grasping portion (29) for grasping, one at a time, said sheets (2), and
a gripping portion (30), projecting externally from said opening (16), graspable by
a user for moving said extracting means (27) between a grasping position (A) wherein
said grasping portion (29) is housed in said containing body (3) for grasping a sheet
(2) of said sheets, and a release position (R) wherein said grasping portion (29)
is extracted from said containing body (3) for releasing said sheet (2).
6. Dispenser (1) according to claim 5, wherein said grasping portion (29) is provided
with at least one layer (52) of adhesive substance.
7. Dispenser (1) according to claim 6, wherein said layer (52) has a thickness of about
2 micron.
8. Dispenser (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said opening (16) comprises
a first edge (17) having an arc shape, in particular an ellipse arc shape, and a second
edge (18) having an arc shape, in particular an ellipse arc shape, said first edge
(17) facing said second edge (18) such that said opening (16) has a width which increases
from the centre towards the periphery.
9. Dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, as claim 8 is appended to claim
5, and comprising elastic means (37), housed in said containing body (3), arranged
for pressing said sheets (2) against said extracting means (27) and vice versa, for
facilitating the adhesion between said sheets (2) and said grasping portion (29).
10. Dispenser (1) according to claim 9, wherein said elastic means (37) comprises first
elastic means (38) acting between a first side wall (4) of said containing body (3)
and said sheets (2), and second elastic means (39) acting between said extracting
means (27) and a second side wall (5), opposite said first side wall (4), of said
containing body (3), said second elastic means (39) contrasting said first elastic
means (38).
11. Dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, as claim 9 is appended to claim
8, and comprising abutting means (40) for abutting on said sheets (2), said abutting
means (40) partially projecting from said first edge (17) and cooperating with said
extracting means (27) to enable said sheets (2) to exit one at a time.
12. Dispenser (1) according to any preceding claim, and comprising supporting means (45),
housed in said containing body (3), for supporting further sheets (46), in particular
a block of adhesive sheets, and a further opening (47), obtained in said containing
body (3), shaped in such a manner as to enable said further sheets (46) to exit said
containing body (3) one at a time.
13. Dispenser (1) according to claim 12, wherein said supporting means (45) defines a
bridge structure inside said containing body (3), said bridge structure being configured
in such a manner as to house said first elastic means (38) and said sheets (2) and
to enable said first elastic means (38) and said sheets (2) to slide under said bridge
structure.
14. Dispenser (1) according to claim 12, or 13, wherein said further opening (47) is coplanar
and extends transversely to said opening (16).
15. Dispenser (1) according to any preceding claim, and comprising a supporting external
side wall (6; 7) for supporting at least one block (51) of page-marking flags.