Cloth Dispenser

Abstract

A re-usable dispenser for interfolded cloth sheets is disclosed. The dispenser includes a re-usable top housing that is moves relative to a re-usable bottom housing as the cloth sheets are depleted and a replaceable refill housing including refill cloths.

1 . A dispenser comprising:
 a bottom housing including a base trim, and a bottom sidewall extending away from the base trim and having a bottom sidewall height;   a top housing having a top panel and a top sidewall extending from the top panel and having a top sidewall height, the top panel having a dispensing opening;   a refill housing including a refill base, a refill support extending away from the refill base, a refill sidewall extending away from the refill base, and a plurality of refill cloths formed into a generally U-shaped stack by folding a flat stack about a transverse fold axis, the U-shaped stack resting on the refill support, the refill housing nested within the bottom housing; and   wherein the top panel of the top housing rests on a top of the U-shaped stack and the top housing is partially nested within the bottom housing such that the top housing moves relative to the bottom housing as the refill cloths are depleted.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a means for maintaining a connection between the bottom housing and the top housing; 
 wherein the means for maintaining a connection between the bottom housing and the top housing comprises a guide slot and a guide pin that travels in the guide slot, one of the guide track and the guide pin being located on an outer surface of the top sidewall and the other of the guide track and the guide pin being located on the inner surface of the bottom sidewall. 
 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a groove and a tab, one of the groove and the tab being located on an outer surface of the top sidewall and the other of the groove and the tab being located on the inner surface of the bottom sidewall, the grove and the tab extending in a direction of a longitudinal axis which extends along the bottom sidewall away from the base trim; 
 wherein the tab can slidably engage the groove as the top housing moves relative to the bottom housing. 
 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a top trim; 
 a flip top comprising a lid connected to a flange by a hinge wherein the flange is affixed to the top trim; 
 wherein the flip top is dimensioned to seal an opening in the top trim. 
 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the top housing is transparent. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the top sidewall height and the bottom sidewall height are such that the top housing rests on the base trim when the refill cloths are depleted. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the dispenser is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the dispenser is oblong. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the refill support has a refill support height that is substantially equal to the bottom sidewall height. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the bottom housing has an opening surrounded by the base trim and the refill housing is installed through the opening. 
     
     
         11 . A dispenser comprising:
 a bottom housing including a base trim and a bottom sidewall extending away from the base trim and having a bottom sidewall height;   a top housing having a top panel and a top sidewall extending away from the top panel and having a top sidewall height, the top panel having a dispensing opening;   a refill housing including a refill base, a refill support extending away from the refill base, a refill sidewall extending away from the refill base, and a plurality of refill cloths formed into a generally U-shaped stack by folding a flat stack about a transverse fold axis, the U-shaped stack resting on the refill support, the refill housing nested within the bottom housing; and   wherein the top panel of the top housing rests on a top of the U-shaped stack and the bottom housing is partially nested within the top housing such that the top housing moves relative to the bottom housing as the refill cloths are depleted.   
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a means for maintaining a connection between the bottom housing and the top housing; 
 wherein the means for maintaining a connection between the bottom housing and the top housing comprises a guide slot and a guide pin that travels in the guide slot, one of the guide track and the guide pin being located on an outer surface of the bottom sidewall and the other of the guide track and the guide pin being located on the inner surface of the top sidewall. 
 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a groove and a tab, one of the groove and the tab being located on an inner surface of the top sidewall and the other of the groove and the tab being located on the outer surface of the bottom sidewall, the groove and tab extending in a direction of a longitudinal axis which extends along the bottom sidewall away from the base trim; 
 wherein the tab can slidably engage the groove as the top housing moves relative to the bottom housing. 
 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a top trim; 
 a flip top comprising a lid connected to a flange by a hinge wherein the flange is affixed to the top trim; 
 wherein the flip top is dimensioned to seal an opening in the top trim. 
 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the top housing is transparent. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the top sidewall height and the bottom sidewall height are such that the top housing rests on the base trim when the refill cloths are depleted. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the dispenser is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the dispenser is oblong. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the refill support has a refill support height that is substantially equal to the bottom sidewall height. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the bottom housing has an opening surrounded by the base trim and the refill housing is installed through the opening. 
     
     
         21 . A refill housing for installation in a holder of a dispenser, the refill housing comprising:
 a refill base;   a refill support extending from the refill base;   a refill sidewall extending from the refill base; and   a plurality of refill cloths formed into a generally U-shaped stack by folding a flat stack about a transverse fold axis, the U-shaped stack resting on the refill support.   
     
     
         22 . The refill housing of  claim 21  wherein the refill base includes a pair of spaced apart raised surfaces, each raised surface supporting an end of the U-shaped stack. 
     
     
         23 . The refill housing of  claim 22  wherein the raised surfaces are at least partially angled with respect to the refill base. 
     
     
         24 . The refill housing of  claim 21  where a top of the U-shaped stack of refill cloths extends above a top edge of the refill sidewall. 
     
     
         25 . The refill housing of  claim 21  wherein:
 the refill support has a refill support height and the refill sidewall has a refill sidewall height; and 
 the refill support height is substantially equal to the refill sidewall height.