US20090114669A1 - Sheet Product Dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A nozzle for dispensing sheet product is disclosed. The nozzle includes a base portion having an inner periphery and an outer periphery and oriented substantially perpendicular to a dispense direction of the sheet product. A sloping portion of the nozzle is disposed proximate a center of the base portion. The sloping portion extends from the inner periphery of the base portion toward the center in the dispense direction and terminates at an edge defining an opening of the nozzle. The nozzle further includes a lip portion disposed about the outer periphery of the base portion, and a retention feature extending from the lip portion.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/985,366, filed Nov. 5, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present disclosure relates to a sheet product dispenser, and more particularly to features that provide for the dispensing of sheet product from the dispenser.
• Sheet products, such as disposable absorbent wipers or towels for example, have many uses. Disposable wipers are particularly popular with do-it-yourself homeowners and trades people who find wipers valuable for cleaning tools, work areas and their hands. Disposable wipers are also used frequently in factories, on farms and in the boating industry (both commercial and recreational). These are just a few of the wide variety of people and multitude of uses of disposable wipers. Frequently, disposable wipers are used by people who are on the go, whether it be trades people moving from job to job, maintenance people moving from machine to machine within a factory or farmers dealing with issues wherever they come up. Containers of disposable wipers thus are often treated as valuable items of one's normal equipment for performing jobs and are often carried in the back of trucks to job sites along with other tools or on maintenance carts in factories. Disposable wiper containers end up in countless types of places, wherever people do work.
• Often, because these containers may be used and stored outside, they can become exposed to inclement weather or they can be indoors in dusty and dirty environments. Mobile and water resistant sheet product containers include a dispensing nozzle or orifice that is typically integrated with the supply of sheet product within the container. Accordingly, such nozzles may only be used with the associated supply of sheet product, and are replaced as part of each replacement supply of sheet product for use within the dispenser. A configuration of the dispensing nozzle is generally adapted for proper dispensing (such as to result in tearing at a pre-scored perforation line) of a particular sheet product media or material. Alternatively, dispensers may utilize nozzles integrated with a lid of the dispenser and therefore require a different lid for each different type of sheet product material for which the nozzle is adapted to dispense. Therefore, each different type of sheet product material to be dispensed requires a different lid, each different lid having associated therewith design and tooling costs. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a sheet product dispensing arrangement that overcomes these drawbacks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• An embodiment of the invention includes a nozzle for dispensing sheet product. The nozzle includes a base portion oriented substantially perpendicular to a dispense direction of the sheet product and having an inner periphery and an outer periphery. A sloping portion is disposed proximate a center of the base portion and extends from the inner periphery of the base portion toward the center in the dispense direction to terminate at an edge defining an opening of the nozzle. The nozzle further includes a lip portion disposed about the outer periphery of the base portion, and a retention feature extending from the lip portion. The retention feature has a leg portion and a latch portion, the leg portion is oriented substantially parallel to the dispense direction, and the latch portion extends from a free end of the leg portion substantially perpendicular to the dispense direction.
• A further embodiment of the invention includes a sheet product dispenser. The sheet product dispenser has a main body with a bottom and side walls that define a top opening and an interior of the main body and a lid removably disposed upon the top opening. The lid includes a nozzle having a base portion oriented substantially perpendicular to a dispense direction of the sheet product with an inner periphery and an outer periphery. A sloping portion is disposed proximate a center of the base portion and extends from the inner periphery of the base portion toward the center in the dispense direction to terminate at an edge defining an opening of the nozzle. The nozzle further includes a lip portion disposed about the outer periphery of the base portion. The retention feature has a leg portion and a latch portion, the leg portion is oriented substantially parallel to the dispense direction, and the latch portion extends from a free end of the leg portion substantially perpendicular to the dispense direction.
• These and other advantages and features will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention that is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the accompanying Figures:
• FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a sheet product dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the sheet product dispenser with a lid removed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the lid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of a unitary nozzle and cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 5 depicts a cross section view of the lid depicted inFIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 6 depicts a cross section view of the lid depicted inFIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 7 depicts an enlarged section view of the cross section depicted inFIG. 6 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 8 depicts a top perspective view of the lid shown inFIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 9 depicts a top view of the lid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 10 depicts a top perspective view of a lid and unitary nozzle and cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 11 depicts a top perspective view of a unitary nozzle and cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
• FIG. 12 depicts a top perspective view of a lid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• An embodiment of the invention provides a nozzle for the dispensing of sheet product. In one embodiment, the nozzle is removably attached to a lid of the dispenser, thereby allowing the nozzle to dispense more than one supply (such as a roll for example) of sheet product, and allowing different nozzles to be utilized with the same container and lid to dispense different types or sizes of sheet product. As used herein, the terms “sheet product” and “sheet products” are inclusive of natural and/or synthetic cloth or paper sheets. Further, sheet products can include both woven and non-woven articles. Examples of sheet products include, but are not limited to wipers, napkins, tissues, and towels.
• FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of asheet product dispenser10. Thesheet product dispenser10 includes top, bottom andside walls15,20,25, respectively, forming asealable container30 having amain body35. Alid55 is removably attached to thebody35, and provides thetop wall15 of thecontainer30. Thelid55 may be removably attached to thebody35 in various ways, such as through the use of aconnection57 disposed at an outer radial position of thelid55, such as a threaded connection, complementary circumferential grooves, or beads enabling thelid55 to be snapped onto thebody35 for example. Removal of thelid55 exposes the interior of thecontainer30 to enable a supply of sheet product to be inserted. Anozzle60 or aperture through which to dispense sheet material is removably attached to thelid55, as will be described further below.
• Thecontainer30 is illustrated in the various Figures as being generally cylindrical in shape, which is a spatially efficient configuration to house a roll of towels having a vertical axis, and is an economical configuration with regard to container material costs. However, thecontainer30 may have other shapes as desired.
• FIG. 2 depicts a top view of thedispenser10 shown with thelid55 removed. Acontinuous roll65 of sheet product is shown in aninterior70 of themain body35 of thecontainer30. As described above, the sheet product may be made from either a woven or nonwoven material. There are a wide variety of nonwoven processes and they can be either wetlaid or drylaid. Some examples include hydroentagled (sometimes called spunlace), DRC (double re-creped), airlaid, spunbond, carded, paper towel, and meltblown sheet products. The sheet product may have perforations (not shown) extending in lines across its width to separate individual sheets and facilitate separation or tearing of individual sheets from the roll at discrete intervals. Individual sheets may be sized as desired to accommodate the many uses of the sheet products. For example, perforation lines may be formed every 13 inches to define a universally sized sheet. Multiple perforation lines may be provided to allow the user to select the size of sheet depending on the particular need.
• Theroll65 of sheet product may be provided without a central core so that afree end75 in the center portion of theroll65 is accessible. Theroll65 is positioned with its axis extending vertically, and theroll65 of sheet product is consumed from its center to its outside. Theroll65 may be of any size to fit within thedispenser10. In one embodiment, the diameter of theroll65 ranges from about 6 to about 12 inches. In other embodiments, a roll may have a diameter of approximately 8 inches or of approximately 10 inches.
• FIG. 3 depicts a top view of thelid55 with thenozzle60 in place. With reference toFIG. 3 in conjunction withFIG. 2,lid55 substantially covers the opening to the interior70 of thecontainer30.Nozzle60 defines anopening110 through which sheet product is dispensed. In one embodiment, theopening110 is acircular opening110. In use, thefree end75 of theroll65 is pulled from theinterior70 of thedispenser10 through theopening110.
• To seal thecontainer30, such as to improve water tightness for example, opening110 may be covered with anopenable cover115.FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of one embodiment in which thecover115 andnozzle60 are formed as a removable, integrated, unitary nozzle and coverassembly120, including aliving hinge125 disposed between thenozzle60 and thecover115. Thecover115 is integrally arranged with thehinge125 and in pivotal communication with thenozzle60 via thehinge125. Material of thenozzle60, material of thecover115, and material of thehinge125 are merged together with one another in the integrated,unitary assembly120, thereby defininghinge125 as theliving hinge125.
• FIG. 5 depicts a cross section view of thelid55 andunitary assembly120 depicted inFIG. 3. With reference toFIGS. 3 through 5, one embodiment of thenozzle60 includes aflat base portion130, sloping raisedportion135 and acircumferential wall portion137. The sloping raisedportion135 is disposed sloping in an upward direction140 (also herein referred to as a “dispense direction of the sheet product”) from thebase portion130. Theupward direction140 represents the direction of withdrawal of sheet product from theinterior70 of thecontainer30. Theflat base portion130 includes aninner periphery142 and anouter periphery143 and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the upward direction140 (or is parallel to thetop wall15 and bottom wall20). Thecircumferential wall portion137 is disposed about theouter periphery143 and is oriented substantially parallel with the upward direction140 (substantially parallel to side wall25). Thewall portion137 extends from thebase portion130 in theupward direction140, thereby defining anozzle chamber144 having an inner diameter of dimension x. A height h1 of the raisedportion135 of thenozzle60 is less than a height h2 of thecircumferential wall portion137.
• As used herein, the term “substantially” with reference to relative orientation, shall represent a minimal deviation, such as resulting from manufacturing, design, and assembly tolerances, for example.
• The slopingportion135 is disposed proximate acenter155 of thebase portion130 and extends from theinner periphery142 toward thecenter155 in theupward direction140. The slopingportion135 terminates at an edge that defines theopening110. In one embodiment, the slopingportion135 of thenozzle60 defines a continuousconical surface145 having a straight, sloped surface that originates from thebase portion130 at afirst radial distance150 from thecenter155 of thenozzle60 and terminates at the edge (indicated generally by reference numeral110) that defines anopening110 at asecond radial distance160 from thecenter155. Thefirst radial distance150 is greater than thesecond radial distance160. Thesecond radial distance160 defines the radius of theopening110.
• The raisedportion135 of thenozzle60, specifically the radius of theopening110 defined by thesecond radial distance160, is configured such that theopening110 provides frictional resistance to the removal of the sheet product disposed within thecontainer30. In an exemplary embodiment, theopening110 is configured such that a strength of a portion of the sheet product absent perforations is greater than the frictional resistance provided by theopening110 of thenozzle60. Further, a strength of a portion of the sheet product having perforations is less than the frictional resistance provided by thenozzle60. Accordingly, as the portion of the sheet product having the perforations is withdrawn beyond theopening110 and in response to a continued application of force to the sheet product, the frictional resistance of theopening110 causes a first individual sheet to separate from a next individual sheet at the perforations, leaving a small portion of sheet product disposed beyond theopening110 for subsequent dispensing (or withdrawal) of the next individual sheet.
• Thecover115 has acap portion165 and awall portion167. Thewall portion167 of thecover115 is disposed proximate anouter periphery168 of thecap portion165 and is oriented substantially perpendicular to thecap portion165. Cover115 pivots aboutpivot point170 ofhinge125. In response to thecover115 being pivotally coupled with thenozzle60, thewall portion167 ofcover115 interfaces with thewall portion137 of thenozzle60, which, in conjunction withcap portion165 thereby seals thenozzle60, particularly theopening110 and the sheet product within theinterior70 ofcontainer30. In an embodiment, thewall portion167 is defined by an outer diameter having a dimension of approximately x, and the outer diameter ofwall portion167 interfaces with the inner diameter ofcircumferential wall portion137 to seal thecontainer30. As used herein, the term “approximately” represents deviation resulting from manufacturing and design tolerances as well as a desired interface fit, such as one of an interference, slip, or transition fit, for example.
• While an embodiment has been depicted havingcircumferential wall portions137,167, it will be appreciated that scope of the invention is not so limited, and is contemplated to include other wall portion geometry, such as square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or any other desired shape for example. Further, while an embodiment has been described with the outer diameter of thecap portion165 of thecover115 interfacing with an inner diameter of thecircumferential wall portion137 of thenozzle60, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not so limited, and is contemplated to include other arrangements, such as the inner diameter of thecap portion165 of thecover115 interfacing with an outer diameter of thecircumferential wall portion137 of the nozzle, for example.
• FIG. 6 depicts another cross section view ofFIG. 3, with particular attention to an interface between thenozzle60 and thelid55. Thenozzle60 includes retention features175 disposed at the outer circumference of thenozzle60 to retain thenozzle60 within thelid55. The retention features175 extend from alip portion177 disposed outboard of thewall portion137. The retention features175 interface with thelid55 via openings180 (best seen with reference toFIG. 7) that have matching, or complementary geometry to the retention features175. Thelip portion177 is disposed surrounding anouter periphery192 of thecircumferential wall portion137 and is oriented perpendicular to the upward direction140 (parallel to thetop wall15,bottom wall20, and base portion130).
• FIG. 7 depicts an enlarged portion ofFIG. 6 illustrating the interface between thenozzle60 andlid55. With reference toFIGS. 4 and 7, an embodiment of theretention feature175 includes aleg portion185 and alatch portion200. Theleg portion185 is disposed at anouter periphery193 of thelip portion177, extends from thelip portion177 in theupward direction140, and is oriented substantially parallel with the upward direction140 (substantially parallel to side wall25). Thelatch portion200 extends from afree end190 of theleg portion185 substantially perpendicular to theupward direction140. Further,FIG. 4 depicts thehinge125 integrally arranged with thelip portion177. In one embodiment, thelip portion177 is disposed surrounding the full circumference of thecircumferential wall portion137. Theretention feature175 is disposed at one or more discrete circumferential positions on thelip portion177 surrounding thecircumferential wall portion137, such as at four discrete circumferential positions as depicted inFIG. 4, for example.
• Theunitary assembly120, including thenozzle60, is assembled or attached to thelid55 via theleg portion185 andlatch portion200 of theretention feature175. In an embodiment, theunitary assembly120 is removably assembled with or attached to thelid55 from an interior side195 (also herein referred to as an “underside”) (FIGS. 5 and 6) defined by an orientation of thelid55 relative to the interior70 such that theleg portion185 is disposed through theopening180 of thelid55. In one embodiment, thelatch portion200 is disposed upon theleg portion185 extending toward thecenter155 of thebase portion130 to retain thenozzle60 within thelid55. The disposition of theleg portion185 relative to theopening180 of thelid55 is such that theretention feature175 is biased in a radiallyinward direction205 toward thecenter155 of thenozzle60. Accordingly, thelatch portion200 retains theunitary assembly120 within thelid55, preventing separation of theassembly120 fromlid55 toward the interior70 of the container30 (opposite to the direction140). Additionally, thelatch portion200 may include a lead207 to facilitate an ease of installation of theassembly120 with thelid55. For example, in response to an application of force in theupward direction140 to assemble theassembly120 with thelid55, contact between the lead207 and theopening180 results in generation of a force opposite the radiallyinward direction205. Contact between thelip portion177 and thelid55 at acontact interface210 retains theassembly120 within thelid55 and prevents separation of theassembly120 from thelid55 in theupwardly direction140.
• While an embodiment has been described with theleg portion185 of theretention feature175 having a radially inward bias and thelatch portion200 disposed upon the radially inward side of theleg portion185, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not so limited, and may apply to other retention feature175 arrangements, such as theleg portion185 having a radially outward bias and thelatch portion200 disposed upon the radially outward side of theleg portion185 of theretention feature175, for example.
• In response to withdrawal or dispensing of sheet product from the interior70 in theupward direction140, interaction between the sheet product and theopening110 results in a frictional force upon thenozzle60 directed in theupward direction140. This frictional force is transferred from thenozzle60 to thelid55 viacontact interface210. The frictional force is further transferred from thelid55 to themain body35 via theconnection57 between thelid55 and thebody35. Insertion of theassembly120 into thelid55 via theinterior side195, in conjunction with the retention features175, andopenings180, prevents separation of theassembly120 from thelid55 in response to the frictional force that results from withdrawal of the sheet product.
• With reference back toFIG. 3 in conjunction withFIG. 4 andFIG. 7, a radial distance from thecenter155 to theconnection57 between thelid55 and thebody35 is greater than the radial distance from thecenter155 to aperiphery212 of thenozzle60. Therefore, theconnection57 between thelid55 and thebody35 includes a greater circumference and interface surface area than a connection betweennozzle60 and thelid55. The greater circumference and interface surface area thus results in a lower stress level for a given applied load (such as the frictional force). Accordingly, insertion of theassembly120 into thelid55 via theinterior side195 to prevent separation of theassembly120 from thelid55 results in a transfer of all of the frictional force to the connection between thelid55 and thebody35. This provides an advantage over alternate designs that may include insertion of the assembly via anexterior side215 of thelid55, in that assembly via theexterior side215 does not provide the positive restraint to prevent separation of thenozzle60 from thelid55 in theupward direction140 as is provided bycontact interface210 between thelid55 and thelip portion177, which results from insertion of theassembly120 from theinterior side195 of thelid55.
• Different sheet product materials may have different characteristics, such as thickness and perforation strength for example. Therefore the desired frictional force that results from withdrawal of different sheet product may vary in order to properly dispense the sheet product, such as to cause the sheet product to tear at perforations for example. Accordingly,nozzles60 havingdifferent opening110 configurations may be selected for use with thedispenser10 in conjunction with different sheet product materials. Further, selection ofappropriate nozzle60 configuration and material is contemplated to provide useful function for at least three replacement supplies of sheet product.
• Insertion of theassembly120 into thelid55 further allows a single design of thelid55 andmain body35 to be utilized with more than one configuration ofnozzle60, such as more than onenozzle opening110 configuration for example. Flexibility to use the samemain body35 andlid55 of the container with different sheet product materials is contemplated to reduce overall costs related todispenser10 manufacture. It will be appreciated that costs of tooling are often related to the size of the tools. Therefore, for example, fixed costs related to tooling of thecontainer30 andlid55, which represent the larger (by size) ofdispenser10 components may be applied across more units produced, with any variation required (such as to accommodate different sheet product materials for example) to be accommodated via differentunitary assemblies120, having a smaller and less costly tool. Additionally, it will be appreciated that replacement of the comparativelysmaller assembly120 following wear of thenozzle60 is contemplated to be more cost effective than replacement of anentire lid55 into which thenozzle60 has been integrated.
• Insertion of theassembly120 into thelid55 such that it can be subsequently removed also allows for an end user to purchase onedispenser10 that can be used with a variety of sheet product materials by removing and inserting into thelid55 the appropriate nozzle and coverassembly120 for the sheet product to be dispensed. As such, the end user need not maintain an inventory ofdifferent dispensers10 that are each suited to dispensing particular sheet product.
• FIG. 8 depicts a top perspective view of thelid55 andunitary assembly120 shown inFIG. 3.
• FIG. 9 depicts alternate embodiments of thenozzle60 that includeslits220, such that a raisedportion225 of thenozzle60 includes more than onenon-continuous segment230. With reference toFIG. 9 in conjunction withFIG. 5, one embodiment includes aslit235 that is disposed entirely within the raisedportion225, such that theslit235 originates at anopening240 of thenozzle60 and terminates at a location having a radial distance from thecenter155 that is less than thefirst radial distance150. In another embodiment, thenozzle60 includes aslit245 that is disposed within the raised portion as well as abase portion250 of the nozzle. Therefore, slit245 originates at opening240 and terminates at a location having a radial distance from thecenter155 that is greater than thefirst radial distance150.
• FIG. 10 depicts another embodiment of alid255 andunitary assembly260 that includes anozzle265 andcover270. Thenozzle265 includes twoflaps275. Eachflap275 is configured to be capable to pivot about itsbase280 or point of attachment to thenozzle265. Pivot stops285 disposed behind theflaps275 limit a range of motion of theflaps275. In response to withdrawal of sheet product from the interior70, theflaps275 pivot about theirrespective base280 until they contact pivot stops285. In response to contact with pivot stops285, thepivots275 are held at angle such that they contact and interfere with perforations within the sheet product, resulting in tearing of the sheet product in response to continued application of withdrawal force following contact and interference by theflaps275 with the perforations.
• FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment of theunitary assembly260 depicted inFIG. 10. Retention tab features290, as described above with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6 provide retention of theunitary assembly260 with thelid255. It will be appreciated that, as described above, theunitary assembly260 is assembled with thelid255 via an interior side295 (best seen with reference toFIG. 10) of thelid255.
• FIG. 12 depicts another embodiment of alid300. Thelid300 includes arecess305. Therecess305 is configured to include geometry that is complementary to, or matches geometry of a cover, such ascovers115,270 ofunitary assemblies120,260, respectively. Aretention feature310, such as a tab for example, interferes with the cover and thereby retains the covers in an open position, such as to allow a user to withdraw sheet product from thedispenser10.
• Referring back now toFIG. 1, an embodiment of analternate retention feature315 to retain the cover (such ascover115,270) in an open position is depicted. Theretention feature315 includes geometry that is complementary to or matches geometry of anopening320 within thehinge125.
• As disclosed, some embodiments of the invention may include some of the following advantages: a sheet product dispensing nozzle that may be used with more than one replacement supply of sheet product, a sheet product dispenser incorporating a nozzle that can be used with more than one replacement supply of sheet product material; elimination of dispensing nozzles previously incorporated within replacement supplies of sheet product; and flexibility to utilize a sheet product dispenser having a removable nozzle to accommodate multiple sheet product materials
• While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

Claims (19)

1. A nozzle for dispensing sheet product therethrough, the nozzle comprising:

a base portion having an inner periphery and an outer periphery, the base portion oriented substantially perpendicular to a dispense direction of the sheet product;

a sloping portion disposed proximate a center of the base portion and extending from the inner periphery of the base portion toward the center in the dispense direction, the sloping portion terminating at an edge defining an opening of the nozzle;

a lip portion disposed about the outer periphery of the base portion;

a retention feature extending from the lip portion, the retention feature having a leg portion and a latch portion, the leg portion oriented substantially parallel to the dispense direction, the latch portion extending from a free end of the leg portion substantially perpendicular to the dispense direction.

2. The nozzle ofclaim 1, further comprising a wall portion disposed about the outer periphery of the base portion and extending from the base portion in the dispense direction, wherein the lip portion is disposed outboard of the wall portion.

3. The nozzle ofclaim 1, wherein the retention feature comprises more than one retention feature, each of the more than one retention features being disposed at a discrete circumferential position on the lip portion.

4. The nozzle ofclaim 1, wherein the sloping portion comprises a slit.

5. The nozzle ofclaim 1, wherein the latch portion extends toward the center of the base portion.

6. The nozzle ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a hinge integrally arranged with the lip portion; and

a cover integrally arranged with the hinge and in pivotal communication with the nozzle via the hinge;

wherein the cover comprises a cap portion and a wall portion, the wall portion of the cover disposed proximate an outer periphery of the cap portion and oriented perpendicular to the cap portion;

wherein in response to the cover being pivotally coupled with the nozzle via the hinge, the wall portion of the cover interfaces with the wall portion of the nozzle, thereby sealing the nozzle.

7. The nozzle ofclaim 6, wherein material of the nozzle, material of the hinge, and material of the cover are merged together such that the hinge is a living hinge.

8. A sheet product dispenser comprising:

a main body having a bottom and side walls that define a top opening and an interior of the main body;

a lid removably disposed upon the top opening, the lid comprising a nozzle, the nozzle comprising:

a base portion having an inner periphery and an outer periphery, the base portion oriented substantially perpendicular to a dispense direction of the sheet product;

a sloping portion disposed proximate a center of the base portion and extending from the inner periphery of the base portion toward the center in the dispense direction, the sloping portion terminating at an edge defining an opening of the nozzle;

a lip portion disposed about the outer periphery of the base portion; and

a retention feature extending from the lip portion, the retention feature having a leg portion and a latch portion, the leg portion oriented substantially parallel to the dispense direction, the latch portion extending from a free end of the leg portion substantially perpendicular to the dispense direction.

9. The dispenser ofclaim 8, further comprising a wall portion disposed about the outer periphery of the base portion and extending from the base portion in the dispense direction, wherein the lip portion is disposed outboard of the wall portion.

10. The dispenser ofclaim 8, wherein the retention feature comprises more than one retention feature, each of the more than one retention features being disposed at a discrete circumferential position on the lip portion.

11. The dispenser ofclaim 8, wherein the sloping portion comprises a slit.

12. The dispenser ofclaim 8, wherein the latch portion extends toward the center of the base portion.

13. The dispenser ofclaim 8, further comprising:

a hinge integrally attached with the lip portion; and

a cover integrally arranged with the hinge and in pivotal communication with the nozzle via the hinge;

wherein the cover comprises a cap portion and a wall portion, the wall portion of the cover disposed proximate an outer periphery of the cap portion and oriented perpendicular to the cap portion; and

wherein in response to the cover being pivotally coupled with the nozzle via the hinge, the wall portion of the cover interfaces with the wall portion of the nozzle, thereby sealing the nozzle.

14. The dispenser ofclaim 13, wherein material of the nozzle, material of the hinge, and material of the cover are merged together such that the hinge is a living hinge.

15. The dispenser ofclaim 8, wherein:

the nozzle is removably attachable to the lid via the retention feature.

16. The dispenser ofclaim 15, wherein:

the nozzle is attachable to an underside of the lid, the underside of the lid disposed proximate the interior of the main body.

17. The dispenser ofclaim 16, wherein the nozzle is removably attachable to the underside of the lid.

18. The dispenser ofclaim 8, further comprising:

sheet product disposed within the interior of the main body.

19. The dispenser ofclaim 18, wherein:

the sheet product comprises at least one of double re-creped material, carded material, hydroentangled material, and paper towel material.

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