Paper dispenser having a frictional discharge assistant

Claim 1

A paper dispenser comprising in combination: a receptacle for storing therein a stack of paper sheets, said receptacle having an open top, a bottom wall, side walls and a rear wall, the front of said receptacle being open to provide a forward discharge opening; a retainer member hingedly affixed at one end thereof to a top edge of said rear wall substantially centrally between said side walls and overlying said bottom wall; resilient means engaged with said retainer member and said rear wall for supporting said retainer member in a normal position overlying a stack of paper sheets stored within said receptacle, said resilient means providing only a mild resistance to downward movement of said retainer member under finger pressure and restoring said retainer member to its normal position when finger pressure is released; a dispenser element having a foot on one end thereof for frictional engagement with the top sheet of a stack of paper sheets stored within said receptacle, said dispenser element being freely pivotally affixed at the other end thereof to said retainer member and being maintained at a forward angle by stop means which prevents rearward motion of said dispenser element such that only forward angular pivotal movement of said dispenser member is permitted; said retainer member being manually operable in downward movement by finger pressure and being restored to its normal position when finger pressure is released, the downward movement of said retainer member frictionally engaging said foot on the one end of said dispenser member with the top sheet of a stack of paper sheets stored in said receptacle and further causing said dispenser member to pivot in a forward angular movement toward said discharge opening to slide the top sheet of the stack of paper sheets toward said discharge opening, whereby the top sheet is dispensed from said receptacle.