Dispensing mechanism for flexible sheets

Abstract

A dispensing mechanism for a flexible sheet container includes a first flap having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion. The second end portion includes at least one tooth element. The dispensing mechanism also includes a second flap having a first end section that extends to a second end section. The second end section includes at least one tooth member. The at least one tooth member is off-set from the at least one tooth element.

1 . A flexible sheet container 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 positioned at the dispensing opening, the dispensing mechanism including:   a first flap having a first end portion flexibly mounted relative to the dispensing opening that extends to a second end portion, the second end portion including at least one tooth element;   a second flap having a first end section flexibly mounted relative to the dispensing opening that extends to a second end section, the second end section including at least one tooth member, the at least one tooth member being off-set from the at least one tooth element, wherein when the first and second flaps are in a first position, the at least one tooth element is spaced from the at least one tooth member to provide access to the cavity and, wherein when the first and second flaps are in a second 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, the at least one pinch point being configured to facilitate separation of flexible sheets and the at least one gap being configured to facilitate passage of a flexible sheet through the dispensing opening.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible sheet container according to  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible sheet container according to  claim 2 , wherein 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, wherein when the first and second flaps are in the second 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. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible sheet container according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first stop member limiting pivotal movement of the first flap in one direction; and   a second stop limiting pivotal movement of the second flap in the one direction.   
     
     
         5 . The flexible container according to  claim 4 , wherein the first stop member includes a stop element fixedly mounted to the first flap and a stop portion fixedly mounted relative to the flexible sheet container, the stop element abutting the stop portion to limit movement of the first flap in the one direction. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible container according to  claim 4 , wherein the second stop member includes a stop element fixedly mounted to the second flap and a stop portion fixedly mounted relative to the flexible sheet container, the stop element abutting the stop portion to limit movement of the second flap in the one direction. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible sheet container according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a frame element fixedly secured to the at least one of the plurality of walls at the dispensing opening, the first and second flaps being pivotally connected to the frame element. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible sheet container according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second flaps is pivotally mounted relative to the dispensing opening through a living hinge formed from an elastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible sheet container according to  claim 8 , wherein the elastic material is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible sheet container according to  claim 9 , wherein the thermoplastic is polypropylene. 
     
     
         11 . A dispensing mechanism for a flexible sheet container, the dispensing mechanism comprising:
 a first flap having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion, the second end portion including at least one tooth element;   a second flap having a first end section that extends to a second end section, the second end section including at least one tooth member, the at least one tooth member being off-set from the at least one tooth element.   
     
     
         12 . The dispensing mechanism according to  claim 11 , 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. 
     
     
         13 . The dispensing mechanism according to  claim 12 , wherein 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, wherein when the first and second flaps are in the second 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. 
     
     
         14 . The dispensing mechanism according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first stop member limiting pivotal movement of the first flap in one direction; and   a second stop limiting pivotal movement of the second flap in the one direction.   
     
     
         15 . The dispensing mechanism according to  claim 14 , wherein the first stop member includes a stop element fixedly mounted to the first flap and a stop portion fixedly mounted relative to the flexible sheet container, the stop element abutting the stop portion to limit movement of the first flap in the one direction. 
     
     
         16 . The dispensing mechanism according to  claim 14 , wherein the second stop member includes a stop element fixedly mounted to the second flap and a stop portion fixedly mounted relative to the flexible sheet container, the stop element abutting the stop portion to limit movement of the second flap in the one direction. 
     
     
         17 . The dispensing mechanism according to  claim 11 , further comprising: a frame element, the first and second flaps being pivotally connected to the frame element. 
     
     
         18 . The dispensing mechanism according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the first and second flaps is pivotally mounted relative to the frame element through a living hinge formed from an elastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The dispensing mechanism according to  claim 18 , wherein the elastic material is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         20 . A method of dispensing flexible sheets of material from a flexible sheet container, the method comprising:
 deflecting a first flap including at least one tooth element and a second flap including at least one tooth member to a first position to provide access to a flexible sheet storage cavity;   initiating withdrawal of a flexible sheet;   positioning the first and second flaps in a second position such that 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;   drawing the flexible sheet through the at least one pinch point and the at least one gap; and   separating the flexible sheet from another flexible sheet through at least a friction force developed at the at least one pinch point.