Dispensing mechanism for flexible sheets

Abstract

A dispenser includes a plurality of walls that define a cavity configured to receive a plurality of flexible sheets, where at least one of the plurality of walls defines a dispensing opening. A dispensing mechanism is disposed at the dispensing opening, the dispensing mechanism having a first hinged flap and a juxtaposed second hinged flap, the first hinged flap having a first hinge with first and second opposing faces, and the second hinged flap having a second hinge with first and second opposing faces. At least one of the first hinge and the second hinge having at least one protrusion that extends from a respective first opposing face to make contact with a respective second opposing face when a flexible sheet is dispensed from the cavity, the at least one protrusion limiting pivotal movement of the respective hinge in one direction.

1 . A dispenser, comprising:
 a plurality of walls that define a cavity configured to receive a plurality of flexible sheets, at least one of the plurality of walls defining a dispensing opening; and   a dispensing mechanism disposed at the dispensing opening, the dispensing mechanism comprising a first hinged flap and a juxtaposed second hinged flap, the first hinged flap comprising a first hinge having first and second opposing faces, the second hinged flap comprising a second hinge having first and second opposing faces, at least one of the first hinge and the second hinge comprising at least one protrusion that extends from a respective first opposing face to make contact with a respective second opposing face when a flexible sheet is dispensed from the cavity, the at least one protrusion limiting pivotal movement of the respective hinge in one direction.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the first hinge and the second hinge comprises a respective at least one protrusion that extends from a respective first opposing face to make contact with a respective second opposing face when a flexible sheet is dispensed from the cavity.   
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a first at least one protrusion, and wherein at least one of the first hinge and the second hinge comprises:
 a second at least one protrusion that extends from a respective second opposing face toward a respective first opposing face.   
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first and second opposing faces of each respective first and second hinge comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the respective first and second opposing faces being flexibly joined at the respective proximal end.   
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the at least one protrusion comprises a plurality of protrusions disposed at the distal end of the respective hinge.   
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the at least one protrusion comprises a first set of protrusions extending from a respective first opposing face toward the respective second opposing face, and further comprises a second set of protrusions extending from a respective second opposing face toward the respective first opposing face, the first and second sets of protrusions being disposed with respect to each other so as to mesh with each other when a flexible sheet is dispensed from the cavity.   
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first hinged flap comprises a first end portion flexibly mounted relative to the dispensing opening that extends to a second end portion;   the second hinged flap comprises a first end section flexibly mounted relative to the dispensing opening that extends to a second end section;   when the first and second flaps are in a first position, the second end portion of the first flap is disposed adjacent the second end section of the second flap to substantially close off access to the cavity; and   when the first and second flaps are in a second position, the second end portion of the first flap and the second end section of the second flap are inwardly spaced apart from each other to provide access to the cavity.   
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein when the first and second flaps are in the first position, the first and second flaps are substantially coplanar. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein:
 hinge ends of respective first and second hinged flaps define proximal ends, and openable ends of respective first and second hinged flaps define distal ends;   the distal end of the first flap comprising at least one tooth element;   the distal end of the second flap comprising at least one tooth member;   when the first and second flaps are in a first position, the at least one tooth element registers with the at least one tooth member to facilitate passage of a flexible sheet being dispensed through the dispensing opening, and to facilitate separation of the flexible sheet being dispensed from a subsequent flexible sheet remaining substantially within the cavity; and   when the first and second flaps are in a second position, the at least one tooth element is spaced apart from the at least one tooth member to provide access to the cavity.   
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the at least one tooth element includes a first tooth element, a second tooth element, and a third tooth element, the first tooth element being spaced from the second tooth element thereby defining a first notch portion, and the third tooth element being spaced from the second tooth element thereby defining a second notch portion;   the at least one tooth member includes a first tooth member and a second tooth member, the first tooth member being spaced from the second tooth member thereby defining a notch section;   when the first and second flaps are in the first position, the first and second tooth members nest within the first and second notch portions, and the second tooth element nests within the notch section.   
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein:
 when the first and second flaps are in the first position, the at least one tooth element registers with the at least one tooth member to form at least one pinch point and at least one gap that facilitates passage of a flexible sheet being dispensed through the dispensing opening, and facilitates separation of the flexible sheet being dispensed from a subsequent flexible sheet remaining substantially within the cavity;   
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first hinge and the second hinge are each pivotally mounted relative to the dispensing opening through a living hinge formed from a plastic material.   
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of walls defining the dispensing opening defines a lid, and further comprising:
 a cover integrally formed with the lid via a living hinge;   wherein one of the lid and the cover comprises a stepped wall; and   wherein the other of the lid and the cover comprises a raised rib configured to mate with the stepped wall to form a snug-fit seal between the cover and the lid when the cover is folded over about the living hinge onto the lid.   
     
     
         14 . A dispenser, comprising:
 a plurality of walls that define a cavity configured to receive a plurality of flexible sheets, at least one of the plurality of walls defining a dispensing opening; and   a dispensing mechanism disposed at the dispensing opening, the dispensing mechanism comprising a first hinged flap and a juxtaposed second hinged flap, the first hinged flap comprising a first hinge having first and second opposing faces, the second hinged flap comprising a second hinge having first and second opposing faces, at least one of the first hinge and the second hinge comprising at least one protrusion that extends from a respective first opposing face toward a respective second opposing face when a flexible sheet is dispensed from the cavity, the at least one protrusion limiting pivotal movement of the respective hinge in one direction;   the respective second opposing face comprising at least one mating recess, the at least one protrusion and the at least one mating recess each being cooperatively disposed with respect to each other so as to disengageably lock with each other when a flexible sheet is dispensed from the cavity.   
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first hinged flap comprises a first end portion flexibly mounted relative to the dispensing opening that extends to a second end portion;   the second hinged flap comprises a first end section flexibly mounted relative to the dispensing opening that extends to a second end section;   when the first and second flaps are in a first position, the second end portion of the first flap is disposed adjacent the second end section of the second flap to substantially close off access to the cavity; and   when the first and second flaps are in a second position, the second end portion of the first flap and the second end section of the second flap are inwardly spaced apart from each other to provide access to the cavity.   
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein when the first and second flaps are in the first position, the first and second flaps are substantially coplanar. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein:
 hinge ends of respective first and second hinged flaps define proximal ends, and openable ends of respective first and second hinged flaps define distal ends;   the distal end of the first flap comprising at least one tooth element;   the distal end of the second flap comprising at least one tooth member;   when the first and second flaps are in a first position, the at least one tooth element registers with the at least one tooth member to facilitate passage of a flexible sheet being dispensed through the dispensing opening, and to facilitate separation of the flexible sheet being dispensed from a subsequent flexible sheet remaining substantially within the cavity; and   when the first and second flaps are in a second position, the at least one tooth element is spaced apart from the at least one tooth member to provide access to the cavity.   
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the at least one tooth element includes a first tooth element, a second tooth element, and a third tooth element, the first tooth element being spaced from the second tooth element thereby defining a first notch portion, and the third tooth element being spaced from the second tooth element thereby defining a second notch portion;   the at least one tooth member includes a first tooth member and a second tooth member, the first tooth member being spaced from the second tooth member thereby defining a notch section;   when the first and second flaps are in the first position, the first and second tooth members nest within the first and second notch portions, and the second tooth element nests within the notch section.   
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein:
 when the first and second flaps are in the first position, the at least one tooth element registers with the at least one tooth member to form at least one pinch point and at least one gap that facilitates passage of a flexible sheet being dispensed through the dispensing opening, and facilitates separation of the flexible sheet being dispensed from a subsequent flexible sheet remaining substantially within the cavity;   
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first hinge and the second hinge are each pivotally mounted relative to the dispensing opening through a living hinge formed from a plastic material.   
     
     
         21 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of walls defining the dispensing opening defines a lid, and further comprising:
 a cover integrally formed with the lid via a living hinge;   wherein one of the lid and the cover comprises a stepped wall; and   wherein the other of the lid and the cover comprises a raised rib configured to mate with the stepped wall to form a snug-fit seal between the cover and the lid when the cover is folded over about the living hinge onto the lid.