Abstract: An automatic web transfer mechanism in a flexible sheet material dispenser includes a web-sensing member operatively coupled with a transfer arm. The member senses the absence of web from a stub roll at a pre-feed portion between the stub roll and a feed roll nip to activate a transfer of feed to the web of a reserve roll. The transfer is initiated by a transfer arm that advances the reserve web into the proximity of the feed roller nip. In a second aspect, a movable front shield opens automatically upon opening of the outer dispenser cover, presenting an opening for pre-transfer placement and retention of a leading edge of web material from the reserve roll. Upon closure of the dispenser cover, the front shield returns to a closed position placing the transfer arm in a pre-transfer set position.

Abstract: A dispenser having a transfer mechanism for transferring between a first source and a second source of sheet material, and a method for transferring between the first source and the second source. Dispensing is transferred from a first source to a second source upon an absence of sheet material from the first source. The transfer mechanism includes a transfer roller with a slot to receive a free end of sheet material from the second source. The transfer roller also includes a plurality of raised portions, the raised portions are free to rotate through a dispensing roller when there is an absence of sheet material from the first source. This rotation introduces the free end of sheet material from the second source to the dispensing roller, and allows dispensing from the second source. Afterwards, the transfer roller is set to receive sheet material from a new source of sheet material.

Abstract: A paper dispenser including a carriage that is rotatable between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The carriage holds at least two rolls of paper. In the first orientation, the first roll is in a primary position and the second roll is in a secondary position. In the second orientation, the first roll is in the secondary position and the second roll is in the primary position. A roll sensor senses the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position. Paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed into a feed mechanism for dispensation. A transfer mechanism feeds paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter.

Abstract: An embossing system for embossing and perforating at least a portion of a web is provided comprising a first embossing roll having embossing elements and at least a second embossing roll having embossing elements, wherein the elements of the first and second embossing rolls define perforate nips for embossing and perforating the web and wherein at least a predominate number of the perforate nips are substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. Moreover, substantially all of the nips defined by the embossing elements of the first and second embossing rolls can be substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. Further, the cross-machine embossing elements are at an angle of about 85° to 95° from the machine direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus has means for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; means for dispensing paper from the first roll; means for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, means for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and means for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. The dispenser incorporates means for dissipating static charges to a local ground.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus has means for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; means for dispensing paper from the first roll; means for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, means for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and means for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. The proximity sensor incorporates “static” and noise immunity circuitry.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet material including a plurality of spaced perforations may include a housing defining an interior for accommodating a source of the sheet material, and an outlet through which the sheet material may be dispensed. The device may also include a perforation sensor configured to sense perforations in the sheet material, disposed in the interior of the housing. The perforation sensor may include at least one light receptor, and at least a portion of the perforation sensor may be positioned in the housing to contact sheet material traveling from the source to the outlet, thereby spreading perforations in the sheet material.

Abstract: An improved process for making sheet from a fibrous furnish includes: depositing the furnish on a foraminous support; compactively dewatering the furnish to form a nascent web; drying the web on a heated cylinder; creping the web therefrom and throughdrying the web to a finished product. The microstructure of the web is controlled so as to facilitate throughdrying. The product exhibits a characteristic throughdrying coefficient of from 4 to 10 when the airflow through the sheet is characterized by a Reynolds Number of less than about 1. The novel products of the invention are characterized by wet springback ratio, hydraulic diameter and an internal bond strength parameter.

Abstract: A powered dispenser for dispensing individual paper towel segments from a continuous roll of paper provided with spaced lines of tearing comprises a housing, a support for the roll of paper, a feed mechanism, and a control device. The control device senses the presence of a user to activate the feed mechanism, controls the amount of material which is dispensed from the housing for any one cycle, and prevents further dispensing of the paper until the previous segment is separated from the roll. The control device detects the leading edge of the paper to initiate monitoring of the length of paper to be dispensed to prevent any cumulative error in dispensing the segments.

Abstract: A powered dispenser for dispensing individual paper towel segments from a continuous roll of paper provided with spaced lines of tearing comprises a housing, a support for the roll of paper, a feed mechanism, and a control device. The control device senses the presence of a user to activate the feed mechanism, controls the amount of material which is dispensed from the housing for any one cycle, and prevents further dispensing of the paper until the previous segment is separated from the roll. The control device detects the leading edge of the paper to initiate monitoring of the length of paper to be dispensed to prevent any cumulative error in dispensing the segments.

Abstract: A paper towel dispenser which provides for hands free, automatic feeding of the first sheet of a primary web roll, such as a paper towel roll, into a feed mechanism when its cover is closed. The dispenser also automatically transfers its web feed supply from a primary roll to a reserve roll upon the exhaustion of the primary roll. The present invention eliminates the need for an attendant to thread the leading edge of a primary or reserve roll into the feed mechanism of the dispenser. The dispenser also eliminates wasted paper because it does not begin to feed the reserve roll until the primary roll has expired. The dispenser can include either a manual feed mechanism or a powered feed mechanism. The dispenser relies on a sensor for determining when a portion of the web is absent from a side of the feed mechanism proximate a web discharge opening.

Abstract: In a preferred construction, a food container includes: (i) a container base such as a serving planer, plate or howl having (a) a substantially planar central area, (b) a container base sidewall extending outwardly and upwardly from the central area having: (1) a recessed frustal tapered container base sealing area formed in the container base sidewall, and (2) a container base stop ridge adjacent the frustal tapered container base sealing area, and (c) an outwardly extending convex rim adjoining the container base stop ridge having an outer lip formed thereabout; and (ii) a resilient mating domed lid.

Abstract: An embossing system for embossing and perforating at least a portion of a web is provided comprising a first embossing roll having embossing elements and at least a second embossing roll having embossing elements, wherein the elements of the first and second embossing rolls define perforate nips for embossing and perforating the web and wherein at least a predominate number of the perforate nips are substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. Moreover, substantially all of the nips defined by the embossing elements of the first and second embossing rolls can be substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. Further, the cross-machine embossing elements are at an angle of about 85° to 95° from the machine direction.

Abstract: A carton, and a blank for forming the carton, are provided having interlocking flanges that may be folded down into a locked configuration in a variety of sequences and that may retain the locked configuration when folds are misaligned. The carton includes a plurality of walls having locking flanges foldably attached thereto. Each one of the locking flanges is adapted to engage adjacent locking flanges in a folded configuration. Each one of the locking flanges includes a first side portion and an opposing second side portion. Each of the side portions includes a first tab, a second tab spaced apart from the first tab, and an engagement edge disposed between the first tab and the second tab. In a folded configuration, each one of the tabs and the engagement edge of a side portion engages corresponding tabs and the engagement edge of an adjacent flange side portion.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a predetermined amount of paper product to a customer based on a food order inputted into a business machine at a food service establishment. The system includes a business machine, such as a cash register, linked to a powered paper product dispenser. Each menu item available at the establishment is assigned a number that represents the total number of paper product sheets that a normal customer may need while consuming the item. This number is stored within a memory. A microprocessor contained within either the dispenser or the business machine linked to the dispenser retrieves a command from the memory when a food item key is pressed and provides a signal to the dispenser motor which in turn rotates a feed roller within the dispenser so that the predetermined number of paper product sheets are dispensed to the customer. The system controls the amount of paper product provided to the customer in order to reduce waste.

Abstract: The present invention provides a web perforating apparatus which includes a system for detecting and indicating when a blade in the apparatus is broken, dull or otherwise not perforating the web. The apparatus is typically used with rewinders or other similar machines that produce perforated sheets of products, such as paper, using sets of stationary anvil blades and rotating perforating blades. The apparatus comprises at least one anvil including a blade holder and an anvil blade which is positioned within the blade holder. The blade holder is formed of an insulating material for electrically isolating the anvil blade from the machine frame of the rewinder. An electrical conductor is coupled to the anvil blade for supplying an electric current to the anvil blade from a current source. The apparatus also includes at least one grounded perforating blade for moving relative to the anvil blade and cooperating with the anvil blade to perforate the web at predetermined points along its length.

Abstract: A box is formed from a blank of foldable material and includes a first wall and a second wall. The second wall is folded about a first wall fold line to form a first box corner. A third wall is folded about a second wall fold line to form a second box corner. A triangular top is folded about a top fold line. A triangular bottom is folded about a bottom fold line. A plurality of apertures is formed in the top. An insert having a plurality of panels is positioned between the first, second and third walls when the walls are folded about the wall fold lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cup less likely to leak by forming a u-shaped channel about a periphery of a bottom blank, forming a top blank into a generally cylindrical shape, and coupling an edge of the top blank to the u-shaped channel of the bottom blank.

Abstract: A flexible sheet container is provided that permits a user to quickly and easily feed a leading sheet. The container has a base portion that defines a storage area and a top covering the base portion. The top includes an opening into the storage area through which individual flexible sheets are dispensed. A pair of opposing flaps is pivotally attached to the top at their first ends and each extends toward the dispensing opening with its second end. The complementary second ends of the flaps together further define the dispensing opening while in a dispensing position. The flaps pivot inward toward the storage area to provide access through the opening into the storage area. As such, to feed a leading flexible sheet, a user may rotate the flaps inward, grab a leading flexible sheet, and pull it through the opening. During dispensing, the flaps rotate outward and retain subsequent sheets.

Abstract: A paper dispenser including a carriage that is rotatable between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The carriage holds at least two rolls of paper. In the first orientation, the first roll is in a primary position and the second roll is in a secondary position. In the second orientation, the first roll is in the secondary position and the second roll is in the primary position. A roll sensor senses the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position. Paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed into a feed mechanism for dispensation. A transfer mechanism feeds paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed, mechanism when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter.