Abstract: A dispenser can include a charge collector, an arc gap and a ground, where the arc gap is between the charge collector and the ground. The arc gap provides high impedance and can be set to a distance of from about 0.1 to about 0.01 inches. The technology operates by collecting charge from at one charge generating site with at least one charge collector and sending the charge to ground through the arc gap, the arc gap being between the at least one charge collector and the ground.

Abstract: A spindle includes two end portions, spaced apart from one another, with the two ends being of substantially equal diameters. The two ends are configured to interact with a support structure that is designed to hold a roll of web material. The spindle also includes a widened portion located between the two end portions. At a portion spaced from the widened portion, the spindle is configured to receive a removable member.

Abstract: A hands-free dispenser has a body and a cover connected to the body. A sensor element is attached to the body. The cover has an opening that enables the sensor to protrude through the cover and extend beyond a plane of the cover when the cover is closed.

Abstract: A two-roll toilet paper dispenser automatically transfers a new roll into dispensing position once the previous roll is spent or nearly spent. A spring-loaded plate senses the decreasing diameter of the first roll, and once it reaches a predetermined minimum, actuates a linkage that permits a mandrel carrying the two rolls to drop down within the dispenser body and position the second roll for dispensing. The mandrel and track structure permits reloading the dispenser without removing the mandrel. The rolls of toilet paper have adapter plugs in one end only, to ensure that the rolls are placed in the correct orientation within the dispenser.

Abstract: A stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products comprises a plurality of absorbent sheets each of which is itself folded at least twice about axes that are perpendicular to one another. The absorbent sheets have an embossed surface relief of a predetermined pattern or design. Each of the absorbent sheets within the stack comprises at least one pair of panels sandwiched between a pair of adjacent panels of another of the absorbent sheets in the stack.

Abstract: A two-roll toilet paper dispenser automatically transfers a new roll into dispensing position once the previous roll is spent or nearly spent. A spring-loaded plate senses the decreasing diameter of the first roll, and once it reaches a predetermined minimum, actuates a linkage that permits a mandrel carrying the two rolls to drop down within the dispenser body and position the second roll for dispensing. The mandrel and track structure permits reloading the dispenser without removing the mandrel. The rolls of toilet paper have adapter plugs in one end only, to ensure that the rolls are placed in the correct orientation within the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser for sequentially dispensing web material from a plurality of rolls includes a carousel rotatably mounted in a dispenser body. The carousel includes a plurality of roll holders that extend parallel to an axis of rotation of the carousel. The carousel includes a sensor that senses whether a roll of web material on one of roll holders is depleted or substantially depleted. A movable trigger latch blocks rotation of the carousel until the roll of web material on the current roll holder is depleted or substantially depleted; at that point, the carousel rotates by gravity in a first direction.

Abstract: A stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products comprises a plurality of absorbent sheets each of which is itself folded at least twice about axes that are perpendicular to one another. The absorbent sheets have an embossed surface relief of a predetermined pattern or design. Each of the absorbent sheets within the stack comprises at least one pair of panels sandwiched between a pair of adjacent panels of another of the absorbent sheets in the stack.

Abstract: A hands-free dispenser has a body and a cover connected to the body. A sensor element is attached to the body. The cover has an opening that enables the sensor to protrude through the cover and extend beyond a plane of the cover when the cover is closed.

Abstract: A braking assembly used in a dispenser that dispenses a continuous supply of material such as paper. The braking assembly includes a support structure. A first fixed gear is rotatably connected to the support structure. A movable chassis is also connected to the support structure. A second movable gear is held by the chassis and moves with the chassis. Teeth of the first gear and teeth of the second gear intermesh with each other and allow the paper to pass therethrough. The chassis maintains the teeth of the first and second gears in contact with each other while enabling a distance between gears to be adjustable. The assembly further includes a braking mechanism that varies an amount of force required to rotate the gears.

Abstract: A dispensing system that removes individual napkins from a stack of interfolded napkins in a manner that allows the number of napkins dispensed to be easily counted and controlled so that an appropriate number of napkins are dispensed. The counted napkins are collected in an easily manageable form and presented to a user.

Abstract: A spindle includes two end portions, spaced apart from one another, with the two ends being of substantially equal diameters. The two ends are configured to interact with a support structure that is designed to hold a roll of web material. The spindle also includes a widened portion located between the two end portions. At a portion spaced from the widened portion, the spindle is configured to receive a removable member.

Abstract: A hands-free dispenser for dispensing lengths of absorbent sheet products, includes: a dispenser body containing a dispensing mechanism; a hand sensor for detecting the presence of a user's hand in the vicinity of the dispenser; an elongated metallic conductive element having a proximate end in electrical communication with at least one metal surface of the dispenser positioned at a first location relative to the hand sensor, and a distal end in electrical communication with at least one charge receiver positioned at a second location relative to the hand sensor, the second location being at a greater distance from the hand sensor than the first location.

Abstract: A stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products comprises a plurality of absorbent sheets each of which is itself folded at least twice about axes that are perpendicular to one another. The absorbent sheets have an embossed surface relief of a predetermined pattern or design. Each of the absorbent sheets within the stack comprises at least one pair of panels sandwiched between a pair of adjacent panels of another of the absorbent sheets in the stack.

Abstract: A hands-free dispenser has a body and a cover connected to the body. A sensor element is attached to the body. The cover has an opening that enables the sensor to protrude through the cover and extend beyond a plane of the cover when the cover is closed.

Abstract: A stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products comprises a plurality of absorbent sheets each of which is itself folded at least twice about axes that are perpendicular to one another. The absorbent sheets have an embossed surface relief of a predetermined pattern or design. Each of the absorbent sheets within the stack comprises at least one pair of panels sandwiched between a pair of adjacent panels of another of the absorbent sheets in the stack.

Abstract: Expected battery consumption by non-hard wired paper towel dispensers is calculated and compared as a way to help sell dispensers. The information is provided on a real-time basis not only for each type of dispenser a salesperson is attempting to sell, but also for competitive dispensers so that the customer can make an informed decision as to which dispenser(s) best meets his needs.

Abstract: A paper towel dispensing apparatus, includes a housing having a cover, a drum, an associated cutting device incorporated in the drum, and a stored energy mechanism. The cutting device having plural blades that are spaced apart from each other. A space between blades is adjustable so that tails of differing sizes can be obtained when the paper towels are dispensed. Accordingly, different tensile strength towels can be used with the same dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser has a cover and a housing body. Within the housing body is a pair of rollers having a nip area therebetween. When the cover is open, a disengagement mechanism may be manually depressed to increase the space between one end of the rollers, while the space between an opposing end of the rollers remains substantially unchanged to facilitate the removal of a jam in the nip area of the dispenser.

Abstract: A stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products comprises a plurality of absorbent sheets each of which is itself folded at least twice about axes that are perpendicular to one another. The absorbent sheets have an embossed surface relief of a predetermined pattern or design. Each of the absorbent sheets within the stack comprises at least one pair of panels sandwiched between a pair of adjacent panels of another of the absorbent sheets in the stack.