초록 ▼

The present invention provides an improved apparatus for sequentially dispensing individual, liquid-impregnated sheets along a dispensing direction from an interfolded array of the sheets while presenting a next available sheet from the array in a graspable position. The apparatus includes a contain

The present invention provides an improved apparatus for sequentially dispensing individual, liquid-impregnated sheets along a dispensing direction from an interfolded array of the sheets while presenting a next available sheet from the array in a graspable position. The apparatus includes a container for holding the array of sheets and includes a distinctive guiding mechanism. The guiding mechanism is located on the container and extends substantially linearly along a direction transverse to the dispensing direction. It contacts a major surface of an overlapped portion between a preceding sheet and a successive sheet, and directs the sheets along a curvilinear path, which curves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet surface. This configuration induces a separation between the individual sheets and presents a portion of the successive sheet in a graspable position outside of the container.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for sequentially dispensing individual liquid-impregnated sheets from an interfolded array of said sheets while presenting a next available sheet from said array in a graspable position outside of a container, comprising the steps of: a. holding said array of sheets in the container; b. tra

A method for sequentially dispensing individual liquid-impregnated sheets from an interfolded array of said sheets while presenting a next available sheet from said array in a graspable position outside of a container, comprising the steps of: a. holding said array of sheets in the container; b. transversely hinging within the container a guide means, which is capable of being moved with reference to a hinge to allow a user to reach an uppermost sheet in the stacked array; c. withdrawing said sheets from said array along a dispensing direction; d. contacting a first surface of said sheets with said guide means to direct said sheets along a first curvilinear path which curves in a direction substantially perpendicular to said first sheet surface while maintaining the cross-wise, transverse dimension of said sheets in a substantially linear, straight-line configuration; and e. contacting an opposite surface of said sheets to direct said sheets along a second curvilinear path, which curves in a curvature direction that is generally opposite to the curvature direction of said first curvilinear path, while maintaining the cross-wise, transverse dimension of said sheets in a substantially linear, straight-line configuration, thereby drawing an overlapping portion between a preceding sheet and a next successive sheet along a generally zig-zag path to induce a separation of the individual sheets and present said successive sheet in said graspable position.