Stack of paper sheets, dispenser having such a stack and method for forming such a stack

Abstract

A stack of paper sheets, particularly for use as dispenser napkins, includes a plurality of folded sheets. Each folded sheet is folded along a first folding line so that a part of a free edge opposite to the first folding line is located on an outer surface of the folded sheet and inward of the outer peripheral edges of the folded sheet, whereby a starter fold is formed. Each folded sheet is further folded along a second folding line non-parallel to the first folding line, the second folding line separating the folded sheet in two panels connected at the second folding line. Two consecutive folded sheets are interfolded so that one panel of one folded sheet is disposed between two panels of the consecutive folded sheet. Also, a method for manufacturing such a stack and folding the sheets included in the stack as well as a dispenser containing such a stack are disclosed.

1 . A stack of paper sheets for use as napkins, comprising:
 a plurality of folded sheets,   wherein each folded sheet is folded along a first folding line so that a part of a free edge opposite to the first folding line is located on an outer surface of the folded sheet and inward of outer peripheral edges of the folded sheet to form a starter fold,   wherein each folded sheet is further folded along a second folding line non-parallel to the first folding line, the second folding line separating the folded sheet in two panels connected at the second folding line,   wherein two consecutive folded sheets are interfolded so that one panel of one folded sheet is disposed between two panels of the consecutive folded sheet, and   wherein each folded sheet is further folded along a third folding line parallel to the first folding line forming a backfold, the backfold and the starter fold being located on opposite sides of an intermediate sheet before being folded about the second folding line.   
     
     
         2 . The stack according to  claim 1 , wherein the first folding line extends perpendicular to the second folding line. 
     
     
         3 . The stack according to  claim 1 , wherein the starter fold extends along the two panels on surfaces of the two panels facing away from each other. 
     
     
         4 . The stack according to  claim 1 , wherein a width of the starter fold perpendicular to the first folding line and a width of the backfold perpendicular to the third folding line sum up to a total width of the folded sheet between the first folding line and the third folding line. 
     
     
         5 . The stack according to  claim 1 , wherein the backfold extends along the two panels on surfaces of the panels facing each other. 
     
     
         6 . The stack according to  claim 1 , wherein the free edge of the starter fold is formed by a fourth folding line. 
     
     
         7 . The stack according to  claim 6 , wherein the fourth folding line is a half fold of a base sheet. 
     
     
         8 . The stack according to  claim 6 , wherein the fourth folding line is parallel to the first folding line. 
     
     
         9 . The stack according to  claim 1 , wherein the folded sheet is folded about two of the second folding lines separating the folded sheet in three panels connected at the second folding lines. 
     
     
         10 . A dispenser comprising:
 a housing for accommodating the stack according to  claim 1 ; and   a dispensing opening, the part of the free edge of the starter fold being accessible via the dispensing opening when the stack is accommodated in the housing.   
     
     
         11 . A method for forming a stack of folded paper sheets, the method comprising:
 a) folding a plurality of sheets to form intermediate folded sheets folded along a first folding line so that a free edge opposite to the first folding line is located inward of outer peripheral edges of the intermediate folded sheet to form a starter fold;   b) folding the intermediate folded sheets along a second folding line non-parallel to the first folding line to form the folded sheets so that a part of the free edge of the starter fold is located inward of the outer peripheral edges and on an outer surface of the folded sheet, the second folding line separating the folded sheet in two panels connected at the second folding line;   c) interfolding two consecutive folded sheets so that one panel of one folded sheet is disposed between the two panels of the consecutive folded sheet; and   d) enfolding the sheets along a third folding line parallel to the first folding line forming a backfold so that the backfold and the starter fold are located on opposite sides of the sheet,   wherein step d) is performed before step b).   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of folding the sheets along a fourth folding line before the step a). 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the sheets are fed in a machine direction and the first folding line is parallel to the machine direction and the second folding line is transverse to the machine direction.