Dispensing Device with Replaceable Front Cover

Abstract

A dispenser for sheet materials is disclosed. The dispenser includes a front plate assembly that allows for easy removal and replacement of the front plate for changing design elements and/or functionality. In one embodiment, the front plate is removably attachable to a back frame member and forms a flush fit with the back frame member when attached. The front plate can be disengaged from the back frame member by opening the dispenser housing and accessing push pins from an interior surface.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A dispenser assembly for dispensing sheet materials comprising:
 a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of sheet material, the housing including a front cover assembly;   a dispensing mechanism contained within the housing for dispensing the sheet material; and   wherein the front cover assembly comprises:   (1) a back frame member, the back frame member comprising a first side and a second and opposite side, the second side of the back frame member forming an interior surface of the housing, the first side of the back frame member defining a raised margin area; and   (2) a plurality of front plates each having a first side and a second and opposite side, the plurality of front plates each having a first surface with a different appearance, the first side of each of the plurality of front plates configured to form an exterior surface of the dispenser, wherein the second side of each of the plurality of the front plates is removably attachable to the first side of the back frame member, wherein the second side of each of the plurality of the front plates includes at least one locking element that corresponds in location and connects to at least one mating receptor on the first side of the back frame member and wherein the front plate forms a flush fit with the margin area of the first side of the back frame member when the locking element and mating receptor are engaged.   
     
     
         22 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the margin area of the first side of the back frame member forms a portion of the exterior surface of the housing. 
     
     
         23 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the housing includes a front face and wherein the first side of each of the plurality of the front plates and the margin area of the first side of the back frame member form the front face. 
     
     
         24 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the back frame member includes at least one push pin located on the second side of the back frame member, the push pin for separating the one of the plurality of the front plates from the back frame member when pressure is applied for facilitating disengagement of the one of the plurality of the front plates from the back frame member. 
     
     
         25 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the second side of each of the plurality of the front plates includes at least four locking elements that correspond in location and connect to at least four mating receptors on the first side of the back frame. 
     
     
         26 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the second side of each of the plurality of the front plates includes at least six locking elements that correspond in location and connect to at least six mating receptors on the first side of the back frame. 
     
     
         27 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the second side of each of the plurality of the front plates further includes at least one alignment tab and the first side of the back frame member defines at least one alignment slot for aligning one of the plurality of the front plates with the back frame member when connecting the two pieces together. 
     
     
         28 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the locking element on the second side of each of the plurality of the front plates defines a slot and the mating receptor on the first side of the back frame member comprises a locking tab that is slideably engageable with the slot on the locking element. 
     
     
         29 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the first side of at least one of the plurality of the front plates has a mirrored finish. 
     
     
         30 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the first side of at least one of the plurality of the front plates has a metallic finish. 
     
     
         31 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the first side of at least one of the plurality of the front plates has a woodgrain finish. 
     
     
         32 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the dispenser is connected to a power source and wherein each of the plurality of the front plates automatically connects to the power source when connected to the back frame member. 
     
     
         33 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 32 , wherein the first side of each of the plurality of the front plates comprises an electronic display. 
     
     
         34 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 32 , wherein each of the plurality of the front plates includes an audio speaker. 
     
     
         35 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the back frame member is pivotally connected to the housing. 
     
     
         36 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the roll of sheet material comprises a roll of paper towels for dispensing paper towels from the dispenser. 
     
     
         37 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the interior volume of the housing has a volume so as to retain at least two rolls of sheet material. 
     
     
         38 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the first side of each of the plurality of the front plates has a perimeter and wherein the raised margin area of the first side of the back frame member surrounds at least 70% of the perimeter of the first side of each of the plurality of the front plates. 
     
     
         39 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the dispenser assembly includes at least three different front plates. 
     
     
         40 . The dispenser assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the front plate forms a flush fit with a U-shape of the margin area of the first side of the back frame member when the locking element and mating receptor are engaged. 
     
     
         41 . A method for assembling a dispenser assembly for dispensing sheet materials, the method comprising:
 providing a dispenser comprising:
 a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of sheet material, the housing including a front cover assembly; 
 a dispensing mechanism contained within the housing for dispensing the sheet material; and 
 a front cover assembly comprising a back frame member, the back frame member comprising a first side and a second and opposite side, the second side of the back frame member forming an interior surface of the housing, the first side of the back frame member defining a raised margin area; 
   selecting one of a plurality of front plates, each of the plurality of front plates having a first side and a second and opposite side, the first side of each of the plurality of front plates forming an exterior surface of the dispenser, the second side of each of the plurality of the front plates being removably attachable to the first side of the back frame member, wherein the second side of each of the plurality of the front plates includes at least one locking element that corresponds in location and connects to at least one mating receptor on the first side of the back frame member and wherein the front plate forms a flush fit with the margin area of the first side of the back frame member when the locking element and mating receptor are engaged; and   attaching the selected front plate to the back frame member.