Abstract: A dispenser for coiled sheet material, such as paper towelling, having an improved transfer mechanism for transferring feed from a partially consumed roll of sheet material to a fresh or reserve roll. The sheet from the partially consumed roll is fed across an apron to a pair of cooperating feed rolls. The transfer mechanism comprises a sensing finger carried by a pivotable frame which rides on the sheet material being dispensed from the partly consumed roll. When the end of the sheet material moves past the finger, the finger being unsupported, will drop through an opening in the apron to thereby pivot the frame downwardly and cause a roller to move the free end of the sheet of the reserve roll into the nip between the feed rolls so that the sheet from the reserve roll will then be fed from the dispenser. A pivotable discharge plate is mounted at the discharge opening of the dispenser and can be pivoted between a controlled feed position and a free feed position.

Abstract: A dispenser for folded paper napkins including an enclosed cabinet having an opening in the front thereof through which napkins may be removed individually. A pair of V-shaped guides are mounted on inside surfaces of opposite sides of the cabinet. A drawer for holding a supply of folded napkins has a pair of V-shaped ribs formed along opposite sides which slidably engage the guides to movably support the drawer within the cabinet. A carriage assembly including a pressure plate for engaging the rear of the napkin supply in the drawer has a pair of V-shaped slides affixed to opposite sides. The sides slidably engage the ribs to movably support the carriage assembly in the drawer. A pair of constant force springs are affixed to the cabinet and engage the rear of the pressure plate to urge the plate and carriage assembly forwardly of the drawer against the rear of the napkin supply to facilitate individual removal of the napkins through the cabinet opening.

Abstract: A large capacity elevator-type napkin dispenser comprising an elongated supporting structure or cage composed of a series of spaced rod-like vertical supports. A stack of folded napkins is supported on a pressure plate that is mounted on a carriage adapted to slide vertically within the cage. The pressure plate is supported from the carriage by a plurality of compression springs which enable the pressure plate to float and accommodate the varying thickness of the stack of folded napkins. A cover is mounted on the upper end of the cage and has an opening through which the napkins are dispensed. The pressure plate and stack of napkins are urged upwardly toward the undersurface of the cover by a biasing mechanism that includes a pair of extension springs. The springs have a varying spring rate so that the force of the springs will be greatest when the pressure plate is fully loaded with napkins.

Abstract: An adjustable holder including a base to support a stack of articles, such as folded napkins. Retaining members are connected to the sides of the base and define a compartment within which the articles are retained. Each retaining member includes a horizontal section which is disposed beneath the base and a vertical section. A locking member is mounted on the undersurface of the base and is engaged with the horizontal section of each retaining member. Each locking member is composed of a pair of diverging arms having aligned openings to receive the horizontal section of the retaining member. By flexing the diverging arms toward a generally parallel condition, the horizontal section of the retaining member can be freely moved toward and away from the base to accommodate articles of different sizes and by releasing the diverging arms, the horizontal section will be firmly gripped to maintain the retaining member in a given position.

Abstract: A dispensing unit for elongated articles is disclosed including a pair of dispensing members which are operated by hand to dispense articles from a storage bin through a dispensing port. The dispensing members are structured so as to cooperate with the interior walls of the storage bin, and also with a sorting tab mounted on the interior thereof, to ensure that the articles waiting to be dispensed from within the unit are properly aligned in the storage bin adjacent the dispensing port so that jamming of the objects inside of the storage bin is prevented.