Multiple orifice nozzle with cavity

Abstract

A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a nozzle configured to allow the sheet product to be dispensed therethrough and out of the interior space of the housing. The nozzle includes a first orifice disposed at or near an outer end of the nozzle and configured to allow the sheet product to pass therethrough, the first orifice having a first minimum cross-sectional area, a second orifice disposed at or near an inner end of the nozzle and configured to allow the sheet product to pass therethrough, the second orifice having a second minimum cross-sectional area that is greater than the first minimum cross-sectional area, and protrusions disposed around a central axis of the nozzle.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product, the sheet product dispenser comprising:
 a housing defining an interior space configured to receive the roll of sheet product therein, the housing comprising:
 a nozzle configured to allow the sheet product to be dispensed therethrough and out of the interior space of the housing, the nozzle comprising:
 a first orifice disposed at or near an outer end of the nozzle and configured to allow the sheet product to pass therethrough, the first orifice having a first minimum cross-sectional area; 
 a second orifice disposed at or near an inner end of the nozzle and configured to allow the sheet product to pass therethrough, the second orifice having a second minimum cross-sectional area that is greater than the first minimum cross-sectional area; and 
 a plurality of protrusions disposed around a central axis of the nozzle. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises:
 a base configured to be mounted to a support surface; and   a cover attached to the base and configured to move relative to the base between an open position and a closed position.   
     
     
         3 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the cover is pivotally attached to the base and configured to pivot relative to the base between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first orifice and the second orifice are coaxial with the central axis of the nozzle. 
     
     
         5 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first orifice and the second orifice have different cross-sectional shapes. 
     
     
         6 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first orifice has a circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         7 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first orifice has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         8 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second orifice has a tapered shape. 
     
     
         9 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 8 , wherein the second orifice has the second minimum cross-sectional area at or near an outer end of the second orifice. 
     
     
         10 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the second orifice has a maximum cross-sectional area at or near an inner end of the second orifice, and wherein the maximum cross-sectional area is greater than the first minimum cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         11 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are disposed in a circumferential array around the central axis of the nozzle. 
     
     
         12 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions each have a curved inner surface extending toward the central axis of the nozzle in a direction from the inner end of the nozzle toward the outer end of the nozzle. 
     
     
         13 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a cover and a nozzle cap attached to the cover, wherein the first orifice is defined in the nozzle cap, and wherein the second orifice is defined in the cover. 
     
     
         14 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the nozzle cap is removably attached to the cover. 
     
     
         15 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is a flared nozzle, and the first orifice has a maximum cross-sectional area at the outer end of the nozzle that is less than the second minimum cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         16 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are disposed within the second orifice. 
     
     
         17 . A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product, the sheet product dispenser comprising:
 a housing defining an interior space configured to receive the roll of sheet product therein, the housing comprising:
 a nozzle configured to allow the sheet product to be dispensed therethrough and out of the interior space of the housing, the nozzle comprising:
 a first orifice defined in a first component and disposed at or near an outer end of the nozzle, the first orifice configured to allow the sheet product to pass therethrough, and the first orifice having a first minimum cross-sectional area; 
 a second orifice defined in the first component and disposed at or near an inner end of the first component, the second orifice configured to allow the sheet product to pass therethrough, and the second orifice having a second minimum cross-sectional area that is greater than the first minimum cross-sectional area; and 
 a cavity defined in the first component and disposed between the first orifice and the second orifice, the cavity configured to allow the sheet product to pass therethrough, the cavity having a maximum cross-sectional area that is greater than the first minimum cross-sectional area, and greater than the second minimum cross-sectional area. 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the first orifice and the cavity each have a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         19 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 18 , wherein the second orifice has a circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         20 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the first orifice has a first axial length, the second orifice has a second axial length that is less than the first axial length, and the cavity has a third axial length that is greater than the first axial length. 
     
     
         21 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the nozzle further comprises a second component, and wherein the first component is removably coupled to the second component. 
     
     
         22 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 21 , wherein the second component comprises a third orifice having a third minimum cross-sectional area that is greater than the maximum cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         23 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 21 , wherein the second component is a cover of the housing, and wherein the first component is a nozzle cap attached to the cover. 
     
     
         24 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the nozzle is configured to rotate with respect to the housing. 
     
     
         25 . The sheet product dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the first component comprises a flange about a perimeter of the first component to secure the nozzle to the housing.