Center-pull napkin dispenser with controlled wrinkling

Abstract

Center-pull napkin dispensers and methods of supplying napkins for the same are disclosed. A center-pull napkin dispenser may comprise a body for supporting at least one roll of perforated paper napkins and a nozzle comprising a nozzle opening configured for dispensing napkins therethrough. The nozzle opening defines a nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ) and the roll of paper napkins defines a cross-sectional material mass (X). The nozzle cross-sectional area divided by the cross-sectional material mass and multiplied by a constant C=10,000, is about (A N /X)*C≧0.85. A method of supplying napkins for a center-pull napkin dispenser may comprise the steps of providing a center-pull napkin dispenser comprising a nozzle opening that defines a nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ); providing a roll of paper napkins such that the nozzle cross-sectional area divided by the napkin cross-sectional material mass (X) multiplied by the constant, is about (A N /X)*C≧0.85. An objective wrinkle index is also disclosed.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A center-pull type dispenser for dispensing paper napkins, the dispenser comprising:
 a body for supporting at least one roll of perforated paper napkins, the paper napkins defining a scaled web cross-sectional material mass (X); and,   a nozzle operatively connected to the body for dispensing the paper napkins from the roll, the nozzle defining a nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ),   wherein A N  divided by the web cross-sectional material mass (X) multiplied by a constant C=10,000, (A N /X)*C is greater than or equal to about 0.85.   
     
     
         2 . The center-pull dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ) divided by the scaled web cross-sectional material mass (X) multiplied by the constant (C), (A N /X)*C, is greater than or equal to 0.95. 
     
     
         3 . The center-pull dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ) divided by the scaled web cross-sectional material mass (X) multiplied by the constant (C), (A N /X)*C, is greater than or equal to 1.2. 
     
     
         4 . The center-pull dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ) divided by the scaled web cross-sectional material mass (X) multiplied by the constant (C), (A N /X)*C, is greater than or equal to about 1.3. 
     
     
         5 . The center-pull dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the scaled web cross-sectional material mass (X) multiplied by the constant (C) is no greater than about 2.15. 
     
     
         6 . The center-pull dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle defines a cross-section that is a circle. 
     
     
         7 . The center-pull dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle defines a cross-section that is a slot. 
     
     
         8 . The center-pull dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle defines a cross-section comprising projecting restrictions. 
     
     
         9 . The center-pull dispenser of  claim 1  wherein a diameter (D) of a circle having the same area as said nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ) is selected from the group consisting of about 0.40 inches, about 0.53 inches, about 0.63 inches, and about 0.77 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The center-pull dispenser of  claim 1  wherein a diameter (D) of a circle having the same area as the nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ) is about 0.3 to 1 inch. 
     
     
         11 . The center-pull dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said at least one roll of perforated paper napkins has a web width of about four and a half inches to about eight inches. 
     
     
         12 . The center-pull dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said at least one roll of perforated paper napkins comprises perforations that define a napkin length of four and a half to ten inches. 
     
     
         13 . A method of supplying napkins for a center-pull type dispenser, the method comprising the steps of:
 i) providing a center-pull type dispenser comprising:
 a) a body for supporting at least one roll of perforated paper napkins; and 
 b) a nozzle operatively connected to the body for dispensing the paper napkins from the roll, the nozzle defining a nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ); 
   ii) providing at least one roll of perforated paper napkins, the paper napkins defining a scaled web cross-sectional material mass (X) wherein the ratio of the nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ) divided by the scaled web cross-sectional material mass (X) multiplied by a constant C=10,000, (A N /X)*C, is greater than or equal to about 0.85; and,   iii) placing said at least one roll of perforated paper napkins inside the body such that napkins may be dispensed via the nozzle.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the ratio of the nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ) divided by the web cross-sectional material mass (X) multiplied by the constant (C), (A N /X)*C, is greater than or equal to about 0.95. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the ratio of the nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ) divided by the web cross-sectional material mass (X) multiplied by the constant (C), (A N /X)*C, is greater than or equal to about 1.2. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the ratio of the nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ) divided by the web cross-sectional material mass (X) multiplied by the constant (C), (A N /X)*C, is greater than or equal to about 1.3. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the scaled web cross-sectional material mass (X) multiplied by the constant (C) is no greater than about 2.15. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the nozzle defines a cross-section that is a circle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the nozzle defines a cross-section that is a slot. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the nozzle defines a cross-section comprising projecting restrictions. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13  wherein a diameter (D) of a circle having the same area as said nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ) is selected from the group consisting of about 0.40 inches, about 0.53 inches, about 0.63 inches, and about 0.77 inches. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13  wherein a diameter (D) of a circle having the same area as the nozzle cross-sectional area (A N ) is about 0.3 to 1 inch. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said at least one roll of perforated paper napkins has a web width of about four and a half inches to about eight inches. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said at least one roll of perforated paper napkins comprises perforations that define a napkin length of four and a half to ten inches.