Interfolded sheet dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing discrete sheets of interfolded media is disclosed. The sheet dispenser is provided with an elastomeric cover which defines a perimeter and a cover opening located within the perimeter through which a pack of sheets can be installed and through which individual sheets can be removed. The elastomeric cover can be resiliently deflectable between a resting state in which the elastomeric cover extends generally parallel to the base and a deflected state in which the elastomeric cover bends in a direction towards the base. The elastomeric cover is bent into the deflected state and into the interior of the dispenser by the media pack during installation of the pack and return to the resting state once the media pack has been fully installed into the dispenser.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispenser for dispensing discrete sheets of interfolded media, the dispenser comprising:
 (a) abase;   (b) at least one sidewall extending from the base and terminating at a distal end to define an interior space for holding the interfolded sheets and to define an open end;   (c) an elastomeric cover defining a perimeter and a cover opening located within the perimeter, the elastomeric cover extending from the perimeter towards the cover opening and covering at least a portion of the open end; and
 wherein the elastomeric cover is resiliently deflectable between a resting state in which the elastomeric cover is generally parallel to the base and a deflected state in which the elastomeric cover bends in a direction towards the base. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the elastomeric cover includes at least a single elastomeric member extending from the perimeter towards the cover opening and covering at least a portion of the open end. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the elastomeric cover includes at least two elastomeric members extending from the perimeter towards the cover opening and covering at least a portion of the open end, and wherein the at least two elastomeric members are resiliently deflectable between a resting state in which the elastomeric members are generally parallel to the base and a deflected state in which the elastomeric members bend in a direction towards the base. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 3  wherein the elastomeric cover and the at least two elastomeric members are a single continuous part. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the elastomeric cover perimeter includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the at least two elastomeric members includes a first elastomeric member extending from the first side and a second elastomeric member extending from the second side. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the elastomeric cover perimeter includes a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, and wherein the at least two elastomeric members includes a third elastomeric member extending from the third side and a fourth elastomeric member extending from the fourth side. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 6  wherein the elastomeric cover and the first, second, third, and fourth elastomeric members are a single continuous part. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein the first elastomeric member is separated from the third and fourth elastomeric members by a respective first and second gap and wherein the second elastomeric member is separated from the third and fourth elastomeric members by a respective third and fourth gap. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  6 , wherein the elastomeric cover is formed such that the first, second, third, and fourth elastomeric members are at least partially connected to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the cover opening is further defined by a first recessed area within the first elastomeric member and a second recessed area within the second elastomeric member. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , further including a cover support frame to which the elastomeric cover is attached, the cover support frame being constructed from a material that is less flexible than a material from which the elastomeric cover is formed. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the cover support frame is secured directly to the at least one sidewall. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the cover support frame is secured to the at least one sidewall by a projection extending from the at least one sidewall being received into a recess defined within the cover support frame. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , further including a platen within the interior space, the platen being spring biased with a spring located between the base and platen to support the interfolded sheets within the dispenser. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the at least one sidewall includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourth sidewall, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls extend from the base and terminate at the distal end to define the interior space for holding the interfolded sheets. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the first sidewall, a first portion of the third sidewall, and a first portion of the fourth sidewall are formed by a first housing half and wherein the second sidewall, a second portion of the third sidewall, and a second portion of the fourth sidewall are formed by a second housing half connected to the first housing half. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , further including a window insert provided with at least one transparent window to display a placard inserted between the window insert and one of the first and second sidewalls. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the window insert includes a first insert half adjacent the first sidewall and a second insert half adjacent the second sidewall, and wherein the at least one transparent window includes a first window defined by the first insert half and a second window defined by the second insert half. 
     
     
         19 . A method of inserting a pack of interfolded sheets of media into a dispenser, the method including:
 (a) providing a dispenser defining an interior space and an open end, wherein the open end is at least partially blocked by a resiliently deflectable elastomeric cover extending generally parallel to the open end to in a resting state, the elastomeric cover defining a resulting opening area that is less than a surface area defined by the interfolded sheets;   (b) inserting the pack of interfolded sheets into the interior space of the dispenser by depressing the pack of interfolded sheets against a top surface of the elastomeric cover to deflect the elastomeric cover into a bent state;   (c) further inserting the pack of interfolded sheets into the interior space until the pack of interfolded sheets moves past the elastomeric cover such that the elastomeric cover return to the resting state; and   (d) releasing the pack of interfolded sheets such that a support spring can support the pack of interfolded sheets at or below a bottom surface of the elastomeric cover.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of providing a dispenser includes the dispenser being partially blocked by the elastomeric cover, including at least two resiliently deflectable elastomeric members which extend generally parallel to the open end to in a resting state.