Dispenser for flexible sheets

Abstract

A dispenser having a lid with an opening for dispensing individual flexible sheets wherein the flexible sheets are formed from a continuous sheet of material having perforations at predetermined intervals. The lid having a centrally located annular groove and concentric raised portion surrounding an opening disposed in the lid to permit the continuous sheet material to pass therethrough, and a resilient gasket having an opening corresponding in size to the opening in the lid. The gasket having a peripheral edge attached to the lid with the opening of the gasket aligned with the opening in the lid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispenser for dispensing individual flexible sheets wherein the flexible sheets are of the type formed from a continuous sheet of material having perforations at predetermined intervals whereby a first sheet may be torn away from the next adjacent sheet, and the continuous sheet is arranged to be fed through an opening in the lid of the dispenser, the dispenser comprising:
 a body having a bottom with sidewalls terminating in a peripheral rim defining a compartment for receiving and holding a supply of continuous sheet material;   a lid engaged with the peripheral rim of the body to seal the compartment, the lid having an opening disposed in the lid to permit the continuous sheet material to pass therethrough and a plurality of slits radiating outwardly from the opening to define a plurality of flaps; and   a gasket formed of a material more resilient than the lid, the gasket having an opening and a plurality of slits radiating outwardly therefrom defining a plurality of flaps, the gasket having a peripheral edge attached to the lid with the opening of the gasket aligned with the opening in the lid so passage of the continuous sheet material through the openings in the lid and the gasket causes the flaps of the gasket and the flaps of the lid to deform sufficiently to allow the continuous sheet material to pass therethrough but to exert sufficient force to cause individual sheets to tear away at each perforation while preventing the continuous sheet material from releasing back into the compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a material selected from plastic, polymer, cardboard, aluminum, alloy, or carbon fiber. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the gasket is formed from a material selected from resilient foam, rubber, neoprene rubber, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the gasket has a thickness of about 1/16 inch, a Shore A hardness between about 50 and about 70, a tensile strength between about 500 psi and about 1500 psi and an elongation between about 250 percent and about 450 percent. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein the gasket has a Shore A hardness of 60, a tensile strength of 1000 psi and an elongation of 350 percent. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the opening in the gasket is square. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket is attached to a bottom surface of the lid. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket is attached to a top surface of the lid. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the number of slits in the lid differs from the number of slits in the gasket. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the opening in the gasket corresponds in size to the opening in the lid. 
     
     
         11 . A dispenser for dispensing individual flexible sheets wherein the flexible sheets are of the type formed from a continuous sheet of material having perforations at predetermined intervals whereby a first sheet may be torn away from the next adjacent sheet, and the continuous sheet is arranged to be fed through an opening in the lid of the dispenser, the dispenser comprising:
 a body having a bottom with sidewalls terminating in a peripheral rim defining a compartment for receiving and holding a supply of continuous sheet material;   a lid engaged with the peripheral rim of the body to seal the compartment, the lid having an opening disposed in the lid to permit the continuous sheet material to pass therethrough and a plurality of slits radiating outwardly from the opening to define a plurality of flaps; and   a gasket formed of a material more resilient than the lid, the gasket having a plurality of slits radiating outwardly from a central point to define a plurality of flaps, the gasket having a peripheral edge attached to the lid with the central point of the gasket aligned with the opening in the lid and the flaps of the gasket in contact with the flaps of the lid so passage of the continuous sheet material through the concentric openings in the lid and the gasket causes the flaps of the gasket and the flaps of the lid to deform sufficiently to allow the continuous sheet material to pass therethrough but to exert sufficient force to cause individual sheets to tear away at each perforation while preventing the continuous sheet material from releasing back into the compartment.   
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the lid comprises a material selected from plastic, polymer, cardboard, aluminum, alloy, or carbon fiber. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the gasket is formed from a material selected from resilient foam, rubber, neoprene rubber, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the gasket has a thickness of about 1/16 inch, a Shore A hardness between about 50 and about 70, a tensile strength between about 500 psi and about 1500 psi and an elongation between about 250 percent and about 450 percent. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the gasket has a Shore A hardness of 60, a tensile strength of 1000 psi and an elongation of 350 percent. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the flaps of the gasket are unattached to the flaps of the lid. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the gasket is attached to bottom surface of the lid. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the gasket is attached to a top surface of the lid. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the number of slits in the lid differs from the number of slits in the gasket.