Abstract: Apparatus and processes for producing paper roll products with spaced core sections. A core substrate is arranged on a mandrel, and then divided into a plurality of core sections. The core sections are then separated from each other on the mandrel to form gaps between the core sections. Paper web material can then be wound onto the separated core sections to form a log of rolls. The log is then cut into final paper roll products.

Abstract: Improvements to paper web material dispensers, particularly two roll tissue dispensers. A dispenser according to the invention is able to prevent access to a second or reserve roll of tissue until a first or dispensing roll is entirely or substantially depleted. As a result, the tissue of the first roll must be used up, or substantially used up, before tissue from the second roll can be used, thereby avoiding tissue waste. The dispenser of the invention can be used with reduced core tissue rolls, where each roll has first and second core sections that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap between facing ends thereof so that the total length of the core sections is less than the width of the tissue wound onto the core sections. The dispenser of the invention thus encourages the use of reduced core tissue rolls, which results in a reduction of waste resulting from used tissue cores.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for producing paper roll products with spaced core sections. A core substrate is arranged on a mandrel, and then divided into a plurality of core sections. The core sections are then separated from each other on the mandrel to form gaps between the core sections. Paper web material can then be wound onto the separated core sections to form a log of rolls. The log is then cut into final paper roll products.

Abstract: Improvements to a paper web material dispenser, for example a roll tissue dispenser or a roll paper towel dispenser, that has a user actuation mechanism for rotating a dispensing mechanism of the dispenser. The dispenser is designed to prevent excessive force that is applied to the user actuation mechanism from causing damage to components of the dispenser connected to the user actuation mechanism. A torque limiting mechanism is used to limit the torque that is applied to the dispensing mechanism of the dispenser when a user applies an excessive force to the user actuation mechanism. The torque applied to the dispensing mechanism is kept below a level that would be sufficient to cause damage to the dispensing mechanism or portions thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for producing paper roll products with spaced core sections. A core substrate is arranged on a mandrel, and then divided into a plurality of core sections. The core sections are then separated from each other on the mandrel to form gaps between the core sections. Paper web material can then be wound onto the separated core sections to form a log of rolls. The log is then cut into final paper roll products.

Abstract: Improvements to paper web material dispensers, particularly two roll tissue dispensers. A dispenser according to the invention is able to prevent access to a second or reserve roll of tissue until a first or dispensing roll is entirely or substantially depleted. As a result, the tissue of the first roll must be used up, or substantially used up, before tissue from the second roll can be used, thereby avoiding tissue waste. The dispenser of the invention can be used with reduced core tissue rolls, where each roll has first and second core sections that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap between facing ends thereof so that the total length of the core sections is less than the width of the tissue wound onto the core sections. The dispenser of the invention thus encourages the use of reduced core tissue rolls, which results in a reduction of waste resulting from used tissue cores.

Abstract: A hands-free paper towel dispenser including a housing with a front cover that is pivotable between open and closed positions. A sensing mechanism is disposed entirely within the interior space of the cabinet at a location adjacent to the front cover and is oriented toward the front cover of the cabinet to permit detecting of an object adjacent the front cover without the object contacting the front cover. At least a portion of the sensing mechanism is accessible when the front cover is at the open position. A dispensing mechanism is disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of towel, with the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller. The dispenser also includes an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.

Abstract: Improvements to a paper web material dispenser, for example a roll tissue dispenser or a roll paper towel dispenser, that has a user actuation mechanism for rotating a dispensing mechanism of the dispenser. The dispenser is designed to prevent excessive force that is applied to the user actuation mechanism from causing damage to components of the dispenser connected to the user actuation mechanism. A torque limiting mechanism is used to limit the torque that is applied to the dispensing mechanism of the dispenser when a user applies an excessive force to the user actuation mechanism. The torque applied to the dispensing mechanism is kept below a level that would be sufficient to cause damage to the dispensing mechanism or portions thereof.

Abstract: Improvements to a paper web material dispenser, for example a roll tissue dispenser or a roll paper towel dispenser, that has a user actuation mechanism for rotating a dispensing mechanism of the dispenser. The dispenser is designed to prevent excessive force that is applied to the user actuation mechanism from causing damage to components of the dispenser connected to the user actuation mechanism. A torque limiting mechanism is used to limit the torque that is applied to the dispensing mechanism of the dispenser when a user applies an excessive force to the user actuation mechanism. The torque applied to the dispensing mechanism is kept below a level that would be sufficient to cause damage to the dispensing mechanism or portions thereof.

Abstract: A hands-free towel dispenser comprising a housing with a roll of towels inside an interior, a sensor for detecting the presence of an object and generating a signal, a motor driving a dispensing means for dispensing a desired length of towel, a control circuit for receiving the signal from the sensing means and controlling supply of power to the motor driving the dispensing mechanism, and a battery. The control circuit is adapted to sample back EMF generated by the motor while the dispensing means is dispensing the towel and to determine based on the sampled back EMF a calculated run time for the operation of the motor to dispense the desired length of towel. A method of dispensing a desired length of towel wherein a sensor generates a signal when the presence of an object is sensed. A control circuit receives the signal from the sensor and supplies power from a battery to a motor to drive a dispensing means to dispense a desired length of towel from the roll.

Abstract: Improvements to paper web material dispensers, particularly two roll tissue dispensers. A dispenser according to the invention is able to prevent access to a second or reserve roll of tissue until a first or dispensing roll is entirely or substantially depleted. As a result, the tissue of the first roll must be used up, or substantially used up, before tissue from the second roll can be used, thereby avoiding tissue waste. The dispenser of the invention can be used with reduced core tissue rolls, where each roll has first and second core sections that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap between facing ends thereof so that the total length of the core sections is less than the width of the tissue wound onto the core sections. The dispenser of the invention thus encourages the use of reduced core tissue rolls, which results in a reduction of waste resulting from used tissue cores.

Abstract: Improvements to a paper web material dispenser, for example a roll tissue dispenser or a roll paper towel dispenser, that has a user actuation mechanism for rotating a dispensing mechanism of the dispenser. The dispenser is designed to prevent excessive force that is applied to the user actuation mechanism from causing damage to components of the dispenser connected to the user actuation mechanism. A torque limiting mechanism is used to limit the torque that is applied to the dispensing mechanism of the dispenser when a user applies an excessive force to the user actuation mechanism. The torque applied to the dispensing mechanism is kept below a level that would be sufficient to cause damage to the dispensing mechanism or portions thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for producing paper roll products with spaced core sections. A core substrate is arranged on a mandrel, and then divided into a plurality of core sections. The core sections are then separated from each other on the mandrel to form gaps between the core sections. Paper web material can then be wound onto the separated core sections to form a log of rolls. The log is then cut into final paper roll products.

Abstract: A hands-free towel dispenser is provided which utilizes an active sensing system, preferably an infra-red system, for detecting when a dispense of toweling should occur. The control for the dispenser is designed for low power use, thereby allowing the dispenser to be battery powered. The dispenser can also be powered by a solar panel, either in addition to or in place of, the batteries. Thus, the dispenser can be used in all lighting conditions. In addition, the dispenser is microprocessor controlled, thereby reducing costs and adding flexibility and functionality.

Abstract: A hands-free paper towel dispenser including a housing with a front cover pivotally attached thereto. A sensor is disposed entirely within the housing, and mounted so that it is not attached to the front cover and oriented toward the front cover of the housing to detect an object adjacent the front cover of the housing without the object contacting the front cover. A dispensing mechanism is disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of towel, with the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller. Control circuitry controls operation of the sensor and the motor, with the control circuitry including a circuit to control the length of towel that is dispensed, and a circuit to provide a delay between dispensing cycles. The dispenser also includes an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.

Abstract: A hands-free paper towel dispenser including a housing with a front cover that is pivotable between open and closed positions. A sensing mechanism is disposed entirely within the interior space of the cabinet at a location adjacent to the front cover and is oriented toward the front cover of the cabinet to permit detecting of an object adjacent the front cover without the object contacting the front cover. At least a portion of the sensing mechanism is accessible when the front cover is at the open position. A dispensing mechanism is disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of towel, with the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller. The dispenser also includes an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.

Abstract: A hands-free towel dispenser is provided which utilizes an active sensing system, preferably an infra-red system, for detecting when a dispense of toweling should occur. The control for the dispenser is designed for low power use, thereby allowing the dispenser to be battery powered. The dispenser can also be powered by a solar panel, either in addition to or in place of, the batteries. Thus, the dispenser can be used in all lighting conditions. In addition, the dispenser is microprocessor controlled, thereby reducing costs and adding flexibility and functionality.

Abstract: An improved web material dispenser that is designed to dispense web material, such as toilet tissue or the like. The dispenser is able to retain a roll containing tissue at a dispensing position until the tissue has been exhausted from the roll. The dispenser senses that the tissue is exhausted from the roll, and only then permits a reserve roll to be rotated into a dispensing position. Thus, the dispenser ensures that the tissue from each roll is used up before permitting access to a reserve roll. The invention also provides a new web material roll that utilizes a “double core”, as well as a method of making the “double core”.

Abstract: An improved web material dispenser that is designed to dispense web material, such as toilet tissue or the like. The dispenser is able to retain a roll containing tissue at a dispensing position until the tissue has been exhausted from the roll. The dispenser senses that the tissue is exhausted from the roll, and only then permits a reserve roll to be rotated into a dispensing position. Thus, the dispenser ensures that the tissue from each roll is used up before permitting access to a reserve roll. The invention also provides a new web material roll that utilizes a “double core”, as well as a method of making the “double core”.

Abstract: An improved web material dispenser that is designed to dispense web material, such as toilet tissue or the like. The dispenser is able to retain a roll containing tissue at a dispensing position until the tissue has been exhausted from the roll. The dispenser senses that the tissue is exhausted from the roll, and only then permits a reserve roll to be rotated into a dispensing position. Thus, the dispenser ensures that the tissue from each roll is used up before permitting access to a reserve roll. The invention also provides a new web material roll that utilizes a “double core”, as well as a method of making the “double core”.