Napkin holder assembly
A napkin holder assembly is disclosed including a first sidewall with upper and lower ends and an support structure disposed between the upper and lower ends, a second sidewall with upper and lower ends and an support structure disposed between the upper and lower ends, and a hinge having a plurality of hinge stops engaged to the support structure of the first sidewall and the support structure of the second sidewall.
The present invention relates generally to devices intended to hold a stack of sheet materials to be dispensed in an upright condition, and more particularly to a napkin holders.
BACKGROUNDDevices such as napkin holders are well known commercial products. Typically, napkin holders comprise a base having laterally spaced-apart side walls that extend upward. The side walls define a path therebetween, open at opposite ends and terminating at a bottom floor, for receiving a stack of napkins on edge. The side walls are spaced apart a sufficient distance to create a path that is wide enough to receive a vertical stack of napkins.
Such existing napkin holders have particular shortcomings. First, while the napkin holder path is generally wide enough to receive a sufficient number of napkins at the outset, and adequately functions to maintain the napkins in a vertical orientation, upon removal of a quantity of napkins the napkin stack tends to collapse. This is because, as napkins are withdrawn, the reducing stack thickness becomes substantially less than the width of the path. Thus, the napkin stack slides downward along the bottom floor until the bottom edges of the napkins contact the bottom edge of an opposite vertical wall. The weight of the napkin stack forces the stack against the bottom path floor and the stack assumes a generally curved shape that makes it more difficult to withdraw the next napkin.
If the vertical walls are less than the height of the napkin stack, the stack may hang over the top of one of the vertical walls, making it relatively more difficult to grasp and withdraw one or more of the napkins.
Other known napkin holders incorporate a mechanism, such as a pressure plate, for pressuring the stack of napkins against one of the vertical walls. Such holders are, however, substantially more expensive, require assembly, and are more difficult for the end user to use.
SUMMARYThe present invention relates to a napkin holder assembly including a first sidewall with upper and lower ends and an support structure disposed between the upper and lower ends, a second sidewall with upper and lower ends and an support structure disposed between the upper and lower ends, and a hinge having a stop structure engageable with the support structure of the first sidewall and the support structure of the second sidewall.
A feature of the invention is the provision of a napkin holder assembly that continues to secure napkins as the stack of napkins contained therein is depleted, while preventing the sidewalls of the assembly from contacting one another after the last napkin is removed.
Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a napkin holder having opposing sidewalls that are connected by a hinged and elevated base.
In an embodiment, there is further provided a napkin holder assembly including a first sidewall with upper and lower ends and an support structure disposed between the upper and lower ends, a second sidewall with upper and lower ends and the support structure disposed between the upper and lower ends, and a flexible hinge formed in the support structure of the first and second sidewalls.
The disclosed invention is a significant enhancement of the typical construction of conventional napkin holders, wherein opposing sidewalls are connected by a hinged and elevated base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSWhile the drawings depict preferred embodiments of the present invention, they are by way of example only and it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It is expected that variations and further modifications as well as further applications of the principles of the invention will occur to others skilled in the art and while differing from the foregoing, remain within the spirit and scope of the invention as described.
Referring now to
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As is further shown in
By way of example, referring now to
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In operation, upper hinge portion 32a frictionally engages the upper surface of hinge securing region 24a while lower hinge portion 36a, with angled end 44a, frictionally engages the lower surface of hinge securing region 24a. Securements 34a are positioned into receptacles 31a as upper hinge portion 32a and lower hinge portion 36a frictionally engage hinge securing region 24a so as to prevent hinge member 26 from disengaging from hinge securing region 24a. Preferably, securements 34a are angled in order to facilitate passing over the upper surface of hinge securing region 24a and into receptacles 31a.
As is further illustrated in
Referring now to
As described above with respect to hinge member 26, in operation, upper hinge portion 32b frictionally engages the upper surface of hinge securing region 24b while lower hinge portion 36b, with angled end 44b, frictionally engages the lower surface of hinge securing region 24b. Securements 34b are positioned into receptacles 31b as upper hinge portion 32a and lower hinge portion 36b frictionally engage hinge securing region 24b so as to prevent hinge member 28 from disengaging from hinge securing region 24b. Preferably, securements 34b are angled in order to facilitate passing over the upper surface of hinge securing region 24b and into receptacles 31b.
Referring now to
In operation, as illustrated in
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An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
Another alternative embodiment of the hinge assembly is illustrated in
While the invention has been described in conjunction with a preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that other objects and refinements of the present invention may be made with the present invention within the purview and scope of the present invention.
The invention, in its various aspects and disclosed forms, is well adapted to the attainment of the stated objects and advantages of others. The disclosed details are not to be taken as limitations on the invention, except as those details may be included in the appended claims. The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are as follows:
Claims
1. A napkin holder assembly comprising:
- a first sidewall with upper and lower ends and an support structure disposed between the upper and lower ends;
- a second sidewall with upper and lower ends and an support structure disposed between the upper and lower ends; and
- a hinge having a stop structure engageable with the support structure of the first sidewall and the support structure of the second sidewall.
2. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first sidewall has an arcuate region extending through the upper end.
3. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second sidewall has an arcuate region extending through the upper end.
4. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hinge stop structure counteracts movement of the first and second sidewalls.
5. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hinge stop structure prevents movement of the first and second sidewalls beyond a predetermined distance.
6. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first sidewall with upper and lower ends and intermediate member is of unitary one-piece construction.
7. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second sidewall with upper and lower ends and intermediate member is of unitary one-piece construction.
8. A napkin holder assembly comprising:
- a first sidewall with upper and lower ends and a support structure disposed between the upper and lower ends;
- a second sidewall with upper and lower ends coupled to the napkin support structure interconnecting the first and second sidewalls; and
- a flexible hinge formed in the support structure.
9. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first sidewall has an arcuate region extending through the upper end.
10. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 6, wherein the second sidewall has an arcuate region extending through the upper end.
11. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first sidewall, second sidewall, and support structure are of unitary construction.
12. A napkin holder assembly comprising:
- a first sidewall with upper and lower ends and an support structure disposed between the upper and lower ends;
- a second sidewall with upper and lower ends and an support structure disposed between the upper and lower ends; and
- a hinge having a biasing structure and being engageable with the support structure of the first sidewall and the support structure of the second sidewall.
13. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first sidewall has an arcuate region extending through the upper end.
14. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 12, wherein the second sidewall has an arcuate region extending through the upper end.
15. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 12, wherein the biasing structure is a leaf spring.
16. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first sidewall with upper and lower ends and intermediate member is of unitary one-piece construction.
17. The napkin holder assembly according to claim 12, wherein the second sidewall with upper and lower ends and intermediate member is of unitary one-piece construction.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 23, 2005
Publication Date: Mar 29, 2007
Inventors: Dean DiPietro (Brooklyn, NY), Damien Vizcarra (Waltham, MA), Dave Laituri (Wayland, MA), Maiya Shur (Brighton, MA), Britt Ashcraft (Provo, UT), Allan Cameron (Natick, MA)
Application Number: 11/234,474
International Classification: A47F 7/14 (20060101);