Abstract: A process for bleaching high bulk cellulosic fiber and producing a durable elevated curl index includes: (a) concurrently bleaching, heat treating and convolving cellulosic fiber pulp at elevated temperature and pressure at high consistency generally under conditions selected so as to preclude substantial fibrillation and attendant paper strength and fiber bonding development; and (b) recovering the pulp wherein the length weighted curl index of the treated fiber is at least about 20% higher than the length weighted curl index of the fiber prior to the heat treatment and convolving thereof. Preferably, the curl imparted to the fiber persists upon treatment for 30 minutes in a laboratory disintegrator at 3000 rpm at 1% consistency at a temperature of 125° F. Moreover, the curl may be imparted to the fiber in a disk refiner at very short residence times, on the order of several seconds or less.

Abstract: A product metering napkin dispenser includes a housing defining a storage magazine for receiving a stack of folded napkins and a metering member that penetrates the stack in order to segregate a predetermined number of napkins from the remainder of the stack for dispensing. Preferred embodiments include gravity feed napkin dispensers. In various embodiments the metering member may include: a pivoting plate cooperating with a hinged trap door support surface; a rotating semicircular disk co-rotating with a support disk; or a reciprocating jaw assembly urging napkins through an aperture.

Abstract: A powered dispenser for dispensing individual sheet segments from a continuous roll of sheet material provided with spaced tear lines comprises a powered feed mechanism, a releasable, powered drive mechanism, a powered transfer mechanism, a pair of web sensing sensors, a capacitive sensing system providing automatic sensitivity adjustment, and control circuitry. A dual power supply system provides a mechanical lock-out functionality, and the control system is protected from electrostatic build-up on the surface of the feed roller. The web sensor, and an antenna plate of the capacitive sensing system, are provided on respective printed circuit boards mounted in overlying relation. Utilizing signals received from the pair of web sensors and the capacitive sensing system, the control circuitry senses the presence of a user to activate the powered drive mechanism, and prevents further dispensing of the sheet material until a previously dispensed segment is separated from the roll.

Abstract: A powered dispenser for dispensing individual sheet segments from a continuous roll of sheet material provided with spaced tear lines comprises a powered feed mechanism, a releasable, powered drive mechanism, a powered transfer mechanism, a pair of web sensing sensors, a capacitive sensing system providing automatic sensitivity adjustment, and control circuitry. A dual power supply system provides a mechanical lock-out functionality, and the control system is protected from electrostatic build-up on the surface of the feed roller. The web sensor, and an antenna plate of the capacitive sensing system, are provided on respective printed circuit boards mounted in overlying relation. Utilizing signals received from the pair of web sensors and the capacitive sensing system, the control circuitry senses the presence of a user to activate the powered drive mechanism, and prevents further dispensing of the sheet material until a previously dispensed segment is separated from the roll.

Abstract: A powered dispenser for dispensing individual sheet segments from a continuous roll of sheet material provided with spaced tear lines comprises a powered feed mechanism, a releasable, powered drive mechanism, a powered transfer mechanism, a pair of web sensing sensors, a capacitive sensing system providing automatic sensitivity adjustment, and control circuitry. A dual power supply system provides a mechanical lock-out functionality, and the control system is protected from electrostatic build-up on the surface of the feed roller. The web sensor, and an antenna plate of the capacitive sensing system, are provided on respective printed circuit boards mounted in overlying relation. Utilizing signals received from the pair of web sensors and the capacitive sensing system, the control circuitry senses the presence of a user to activate the powered drive mechanism, and prevents further dispensing of the sheet material until a previously dispensed segment is separated from the roll.

Abstract: A powered dispenser for dispensing individual sheet segments from a continuous roll of sheet material provided with spaced tear lines comprises a powered feed mechanism, a releasable, powered drive mechanism, a powered transfer mechanism, a pair of web sensing sensors, a capacitive sensing system providing automatic sensitivity adjustment, and control circuitry. A dual power supply system provides a mechanical lock-out functionality, and the control system is protected from electrostatic build-up on the surface of the feed roller. The web sensor, and an antenna plate of the capacitive sensing system, are provided on respective printed circuit boards mounted in overlying relation. Utilizing signals received from the pair of web sensors and the capacitive sensing system, the control circuitry senses the presence of a user to activate the powered drive mechanism, and prevents further dispensing of the sheet material until a previously dispensed segment is separated from the roll.

Abstract: A powered dispenser for dispensing individual sheet segments from a continuous roll of sheet material provided with spaced tear lines comprises a powered feed mechanism, a releasable, powered drive mechanism, a powered transfer mechanism, a pair of web sensing sensors, a capacitive sensing system providing automatic sensitivity adjustment, and control circuitry. A dual power supply system provides a mechanical lock-out functionality, and the control system is protected from electrostatic build-up on the surface of the feed roller. The web sensor, and an antenna plate of the capacitive sensing system, are provided on respective printed circuit boards mounted in overlying relation. Utilizing signals received from the pair of web sensors and the capacitive sensing system, the control circuitry senses the presence of a user to activate the powered drive mechanism, and prevents further dispensing of the sheet material until a previously dispensed segment is separated from the roll.

Abstract: A paper towel dispenser dispenses towels from a paper supply and includes a dispenser housing a low-reserve indicator mechanism for indicating when a reserve quantity of the paper supply is low. The dispenser housing has a housing wall structure on which the low-reserve indicator mechanism is affixed. The paper supply has vertically super imposed edge portions which form an outwardly facing vertical side of the paper supply. The low-reserve indicator mechanism includes an indicator mounted for movement between a retracted position and an indicating position for establishing a low-reserve indication detectable from outside of the dispenser house. The indicator mechanism also includes a release mechanism adapted to be spring-biased into contact with the vertical side of the paper supply. The release mechanism is released for movement in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing height of the vertical side of the paper supply to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position.

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: 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 a device for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; a device for dispensing paper from the first roll; a device for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, a device for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and a device 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 capacity-change based proximity sensor comprising a circuit according to a balanced bridge principle where detection is based on detecting a phase difference, which depends upon the amount of detected capacitance difference or change.

Abstract: A napkin dispenser for dispensing a stack of interfolded napkins includes an enclosure with a top, bottom, sidewalls, a back wall and a dispensing wall provided with a dispensing aperture spanning along its major axis at least the transverse dimension of an interfolded napkin to be dispensed therethrough as well as a pressure carriage slidably mounted in the enclosure provided with biasing means. The enclosure and pressure carriage are configured to receive a stack of interfolded napkins between the dispensing wall and the pressure carriage, whereas the dispensing means urge the carriage and thus the interfolded napkins towards the dispensing wall. The improved dispensing aperture of the napkin dispenser defines a narrow elongated slit about its central portion and a pair of open areas about its terminal portions.

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: A paper drying apparatus to dry a paper web carried on a fabric sheet includes a first rotatable drum to carry a paper web. A second rotatable drum is positioned downstream of the first drum with respect to the paper web carried by the first and second rotatable drum. A third rotatable drum is positioned downstream of the second rotatable drum to carry the paper web. A first air supply directs air through the first rotatable drum in a first direction to dry a paper web carried on the first rotatable drum. A second air supply supplies air through the second rotatable drum in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A third air supply supplies air through the third rotatable drum in the first direction. The first direction is one of a direction from an inside of a respective drum toward an outside of the respective drum and from the outside of the respective drum toward the inside of the respective drum.

Abstract: A motor control technique, which may be implemented in a motor drive unit of a sheet material dispenser, permits precise control of motor operation amounts within short intervals (“bursts”) of motor operation. The technique marries “bang-bang” motor speed control with a variable power motor drive system, e.g., a pulse width modulation (PWM). Motor speed is sensed by turning the motor off and waiting for the resulting inductive kick to die out. Then, a voltage threshold detector detects whether the back electromotive force (BEMF) of the motor is above a threshold corresponding to a motor speed setting. A PWM drive is preferably set up to have a predetermined number of power levels, e.g., nine. The motor speed is repeatedly sampled and if the speed sensing voltage is above the threshold, the PWM is brought down to the next lower power level. If the speed sensing voltage is below the threshold, the PWM is brought up to the next higher power level.

Abstract: An ultra soft, bulky, multi-ply tissue having low overall sidedness and a geometric mean tensile strength of less than about 800 g/3″ wherein an embossed ply has a TMI sidedness of at least about 0.45 and an embossed area of at least about 2%, which is capable of being made from non-premium furnish, and method for making such products are disclosed. An ultra soft, bulky, multi-ply tissue having low overall sidedness and a geometric mean tensile strength of less than about 35 g/3″ per lb. of basis weight wherein an embossed ply has a TMI sidedness of at least about 0.45 and an embossed area of at least about 2%, which is capable of being made from non-premium furnish, and method for making such products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bulk box forming system and method in which a compression apparatus receives the liner and a case such that a trailing edge detector signals a compression platen to laminate the liner against the case. A folding apparatus includes a plurality of folding arms and a plurality of case detectors generates detection signals for determining a folded position of the case. A multi-cell insertion and compression station is provided for forming a multi-cell bulk box. A control processor controls the operation of the system by receiving a detection signal of the trailing edge detector and the case detectors.

Abstract: Exhibiting favorable attributes of both a regular slotted container (“RSC”) and an automatic bottom container, a sheet material container is quickly and easily erectable from a knocked-down-flat (“KDF”) container precursor. The precursor collapses to a uniform two-layer KDF condition which permits stable, even stacking of multiple precursors for bulk shipping and storage of the same. The precursor is formed from a blank including a plurality of wall panels hingedly attached to each other along fold lines to form a closed loop of wall panels, and a plurality of end flap panels hingedly attached along fold lines to ends of the respective wall panels. A pair of adjacent end flap panels lie in face-to-face relation with each other in the KDF condition. One of the adjacent pairs of panels has a diagonal fold line defining a corner attachment region that attaches to the other end flap panel.

Abstract: The present invention describes an improved building material composition, useful for example as a fire door core and to improved methods of making this composition. The building material of the present invention consists essentially of expanded perlite, a fireproof binder, clay or vermiculite, and optionally diatomaceous earth, one or more viscosity-enhancing components, reinforcement fibers, and a plasticizer or mixtures thereof. The method of making this improved composition is a semi-continuous batch press method wherein at least the expanded perlite, fireproof binder, and clay or vermiculite are mixed; the mixture compressed in a mold, and the compressed mixture dried.

Abstract: A cup-holder insert for accommodating a beverage and a snack or combo meal includes in a typical embodiment: a) central support member of generally circular cross-section configured to be disposed in a cup-holder and reside vertically in the cup-holder when placed therein and which defines a first cavity adapted to receive a cup; b) at least a first laterally projecting food receptacle portion which projects laterally from the support member when the insert is placed in the cup-holder, the first laterally projecting food receptacle portion defining a second cavity adapted to receive victuals; and c) at least a second laterally projecting food receptacle portion thereof which projects laterally from the support member when the insert is placed in the cup-holder, the second laterally projecting food receptacle portion defining a third cavity for receiving victuals.

Abstract: A paper towel dispenser contains an upright roll of paper towels having an inner periphery from which the towels are dispensed. A low-reserve indicator mechanism is affixed to the housing within the chamber for indicating when a remaining quantity of towels in the roll is low. The indicator mechanism includes a sign mounted for movement between a retracted position and an indicating position for displaying indicia through a transparent portion of the housing when the roll is low. The indicator mechanism also includes a release mechanism supported upon an upper end of the roll and movable downwardly in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing radial thickness of the roll to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position. The indicator mechanism automatically conforms to rolls of varying height and outer diameter.