Abstract: Anti-curl control device for an automatic dispenser of wipe materials, of the type incorporating a housing with lid, fixed end plates supporting a drum incorporating a cutting device, a material reel wound on a core having end fittings and a press roller counter-bearing upon the drum. The anti-curl device comprises a roller having a peripheral surface with protruding griping feature. The roller is freely rotatable relative to supporting plates extending from a reel-holder end plate which is flexible relative to a fixed end plate. The roller is angled obliquely relative to the material reel and comes into localized contact along its generatrix with the last turn of the reel to ensure a braking effect. The roller is linked to rotation of the drum and the reel-holder end plate is elasticly deflected to adjust in position as the reel is unwound.

Abstract: Toweling dispenser apparatus including a toweling support roller carrying a movable cutter blade. A switch is actuated after a user pulls on toweling to rotate the toweling support roller and transport the toweling. After some rotation of the roller has occurred, an electric switch is closed and energizes an electric motor to drive the roller and reduce the force required by the user to rotate the roller and actuate the cutter blade to sever a towel from the toweling.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet product includes a housing, a proximity sensor operative to detect a presence of a user's hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser, and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing, the dispensing mechanism including an electronic controller operably coupled to a drive motor that is operably coupled to a feed roller to dispense the sheet product. The dispensing mechanism is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from the proximity sensor to dispense the sheet product, and is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet product in response to an existing sheet product being torn from the dispenser. The controller is responsive to a switch adapted and configured to set an adjustable time delay between sheet feeds when the dispensing mechanism is operating in at least one of the first mode and the second mode.

Abstract: A wiping material dispenser includes a drum receiving a cutting blade holder. An extension of one of the drum lateral sides comprises an offset supporting plate provided with an opening for fixing an end of the blade holder. A toothed sector is mounted on the end and interacts with a gearwheel freely mounted on the drum axis and connected to a hooked cam. The drum has a projected element having a ramp profile. A lateral flange of a housing receiving the drum axis makes it possible to fix a shaped body exhibiting elastic pivoting capacity in order for an end thereof to interact with the hooked cam or the projected element.

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: There is provided a towel dispenser that includes a housing for containing toweling. The toweling includes a first towel and a second towel that are connected together and separable at a perforation formed between the first and second towel. The housing is configured to define a path P for the toweling. A motor and a perforation sensor are provided for dispensing the toweling and are electrically connected together. The perforation sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of the presence of the perforation and the motor is configured to deactivate in response to the signal.

Abstract: A dual-mount roll dispenser has a cover and a body. The body portion is adapted for recess mounting but is also suitable to be exposed in a wall mount application. The hinge or pivots that permit the cover to be opened are positioned sufficiently far forward that, together with the shape of the cover, the cover can be opened wide even when more than half the depth of the dispenser is recessed with a surrounding wall.

Abstract: In a continuous sheet processing apparatus including a processing portion (3) above and on a lateral side (right side in the drawing) of a roll body accommodating portion (2), when a cover (8) is in an open state, a guide plate (11) is in an outside of a frame (17). When the cover (8) starts to be closed, protruding portions (14a) abut on cams (17a) and link arms (14) start pivoting about a shaft (16), thereby allowing arms (12) connected to the link arms (14) to pivot about a shaft (13). As a result, the guide plate (11) and the arms (12) move before the cover (8) to enter a space between a roll body (1a) and a continuous sheet (1). When the cover (8) is closed, an engagement portion (11a) of the guide plate (11) engages with the continuous sheet (1), and is positioned while being biased to an opposite side (left side in the drawing) of the processing portion (3) with respect to a position directly above a central axis of the roll body (1a).

Abstract: A processing portion (3) is arranged in a position above and on a lateral side (right side in the drawing) of a roll body accommodating portion (2), and an engagement portion (11a) of a guide plate (11), which is positioned between the roll body accommodating portion (2) and the processing portion (3), engaging with a continuous sheet (1) is positioned while being biased to an opposite side (left side in the drawing) of the processing portion (3) with respect to a position directly above a central axis of a roll body (1a), or preferably to an opposite side (left side in the drawing) of the processing portion (3) with respect to an outermost end of the roll body (1a).

Abstract: An automatic sensing and outputting device for an object mainly includes a housing, a control portion and an output unit. The housing has a surface on which a fixing rod is disposed, and accommodates a driving mechanism. The control portion is disposed at a predetermined position in the housing. A control circuit board in the control portion includes a sensor and a zeroing sensor for object output sensing. The output unit includes a reel, which engages with and moved by the driving mechanism in the housing, and a pressing plate, which normally and slightly presses against the reel through an elastic member.

Abstract: A system used to rotatably support a roll of absorbent material within a dispenser. The system includes a plug pre-packaged only in one end of a core of a roll of absorbent material to be dispensed from the dispenser. The other end of the core is insertable into a boss extending from a wall of the dispenser. The plug mates with a hub member having a complimentary shape to that of the plug. The hub member is rotatably supported within an arm connected to a wall 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: Automatic dispensers for dispensing products such as towel, tissue, wipes, sheet-form materials, soap, shaving cream, fragrances and personal care products. A dispenser includes a housing, an electrical power source, a user input device, a dispensing mechanism, and motor control apparatus. The user input device generates a signal responsive to a user request for product. Motor control apparatus de-powers the dispensing mechanism based on a determination of dispenser conditions representing discharge of the product.

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: An electronically controlled roll towel dispenser with a data communication system. The dispenser automatically dispenses a predetermined length of paper toweling from a supply roll after a length of toweling has been detached by a user pulling and tearing the protruding toweling against a stationary cutting blade. The dispenser is battery powered with an electric motor, an electromechanical dispensing mechanism, and an embedded microcontroller for controlling and monitoring operation of the dispenser. In addition to primary control functions, the microcontroller monitors parameters such as battery condition, towel usage, system status, system errors, and unsafe operating conditions. Pushbutton switches are also provided for programming towel length and the dispense delay. The dispenser further includes an optical transmitter for transmitting visual and infrared data to a receiving device.

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: The invention is directed to improved automatic dispenser apparatus for dispensing sheet material and the like without contact between a user and the dispenser. Proximity detection apparatus is provided to detect the presence of a user in a detection zone generated outside the dispenser. Control apparatus controls actuation of the dispenser in response to the detected user. Preferred forms of the proximity detector include a sensor and a signal detection circuit operatively connected to the sensor. The sensor includes conductors configured to have a capacitance and positioned such that the capacitance is changed by the presence of a user within the detection zone. The signal detection circuit detects the change in capacitance and is provided with an oscillator having a frequency which is affected by the sensor capacitance and a differential frequency discriminator which detects changes in the oscillator frequency.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical roll towel dispenser includes a housing with a roll carrier disposed therein to rotationally support a roll of towel material. An electro-mechanical feed mechanism is disposed in the housing to dispense measured sheets of the towel material. The feed mechanism operates in a first mechanical operational mode wherein the towel sheets are dispensed by a user grasping and pulling on a tail of the towel material extending from the housing, and a second electrical operational mode wherein a measured length of a next sheet is automatically and electrically fed out of the housing to define the tail for the next user.

Abstract: A powered dispenser for dispensing a perforated web of sheet material includes an internal well which holds a dispensed segment of the paper web for separation by a user. The well may include a concave portion attached to an elongated upwardly inclined portion that extends to a discharge opening. A separating member in the well is provided so that the dispensed segment can be pulled against it to separate the segment at the tear lines with a substantially reduced pull force. The separating member may have a symmetrical configuration and an asymmetrical configuration. The separating member is pivotally configured so as to rotate towards or away the discharge opening for actuating the feed mechanism when a force is applied to a portion of a dispensed segment.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical roll towel dispenser includes a housing with a roll carrier disposed therein to rotationally support a roll of towel material. An electro-mechanical feed mechanism is disposed in the housing to dispense measured sheets of the towel material. The feed mechanism operates in a first mechanical operational mode wherein the towel sheets are dispensed by a user grasping and pulling on a tail of the towel material extending from the housing, and a second electrical operational mode wherein a measured length of a next sheet is automatically and electrically fed out of the housing to define the tail for the next user.

Abstract: A user-activated, dispenser of pre-moistened, antiseptic towelettes appropriate for hand cleansing use in such contexts as food service, health care, long-term care, child care, educational settings, industry, military, and public restrooms. The dispenser contains two compartments. One is used for towelette-dispensing and the other can be optionally used for housing hand drying means or for storing a reserve supply of towelettes. Each compartment is configured according to operant and classical conditioning strategies that motivate sustained positive changes in both the frequency and effectiveness of hand washing behavior. Optionally, the present invention dispenser can also comprise towelette warming means, a retractable handle, and a sanitary towelette or paper towel disposal assembly.

Abstract: An automatic toilet paper feeding apparatus includes a paper holder which holds a roll of toilet paper and which has a paper sending section that sends out the toilet paper, a paper receiving tray provided close to the paper sending section of the paper holder, and a paper sending mechanism which sends out a given length of the toilet paper to the paper receiving tray in response to a user's instruction. The paper sending mechanism includes a motor which rotates for a given period of time and then stops rotating in response to a user's instruction, a sending roller which is rotated by the motor to send out the toilet paper to the paper receiving tray, and a mechanism for automatically cutting a sending end portion of the toilet paper when the sending roller stops as the motor stops.

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 method and a device are provided for separating a roll of toilet paper which has plural tear lines. This invention is aimed to feed the continuous toilet paper into the device, which has a feeding element and a pulling element both provided for driving the paper. The pulling element can drive the toilet paper at a speed quicker than that of the feeding element, so that the toilet paper is pulled apart along the tear lines.

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 device for distributing paper segments, comprising a containment structure; at least a continuous roll of paper presenting a plurality of perforations distributed along the direction of unwinding of the roll, the roll developing inside the containment structure until reaching an exterior release area presented by the containment structure itself; means for unwinding the roll towards the release area; at least a detector, positioned downstream of the roll within the containment structure, to identify at least a perforation in the paper roll during the unwinding thereof; and locking means connected to said detector to lock the unwinding of the roll when the perforation is identified.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet materials from a roll. The apparatus includes a roll of sheet material and a feed mechanism for incrementally feeding lengths of sheet material from the roll to a dispensing position. The feed mechanism includes a user manipulable means for engagement by the user and a drive roller operably connected to the user manipulable means. The drive roller is maintained in continuous contact with the outer circumference of the roll. Upon operation of the user manipulable means by the user, the drive roller frictionally engages and drives the roll rotationally about the axis of the roll. This causes the incremental feeding of the sheet material by unwinding the sheet material from the roll.

Abstract: The angular motion translator is a device with direct mechanical coupling which allows a user to reliably and durably change the angular relationship between two elements in a rotating frame (i.e. two output shafts) by changing the angular relationship between two elements in a static reference frame, whereby the change in the angular relationship of the elements in the rotating frame is proportional to the change in the angular relationship of the elements in the static reference frame. Essentially, the angular motion translator is comprised of two linked identical planetary gear sets facing one another as mirror images. Matching elements in the two planetary gear sets are held static, although one of the static elements may be rotated with respect to the other, matching elements are rigidly attached together so that they rotate as a single unit, and the remaining matching elements are attached to either the input shaft and the inner output shaft or the outer output shaft respectively.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improved apparatus for dispensing flexible web material from one or more rolls including stop apparatus for reliably and simply controlling the amount of web material dispensed. The improved dispenser stop for controlling the amount of web material dispensed includes a positive stop mechanism movable between ready and stop positions as the drive roller rotates. Dispensing is stopped when the stop moves to contact an engagement surface at the end of a dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting data on usage of towels or other folded web products. The system includes one or more product dispensers having a respective sensor arrangement associated therewith for determining product usage. For example, a plurality of piezoelectric transducers may be situated about the throat of a product dispenser to generate a detection signal as sheets are withdrawn by a user. Detection signals produced by the transducers are fed to signal condition circuitry, the output of which is fed to a local processor. Selected benchmark information is derived by the local processor, and is transmitted, such as by wireless techniques, to a central data collection unit. The central data collection unit includes a processor which compares the benchmark information against predetermined data to produce the desired usage information.

Abstract: The angular motion translator is a device with direct mechanical coupling which allows a user to reliably and durably change the angular relationship between two elements in a rotating frame (i.e. two output shafts) by changing the angular relationship between two elements in a static reference frame, whereby the change in the angular relationship of the elements in the rotating frame is proportional to the change in the angular relationship of the elements in the static reference frame. Essentially, the angular motion translator is comprised of two linked identical planetary gear sets facing one another as mirror images. Matching elements in the two planetary gear sets are held static, although one of the static elements may be rotated with respect to the other, matching elements are rigidly attached together so that they rotate as a single unit, and the remaining matching elements are attached to either the input shaft and the inner output shaft or the outer output shaft respectively.

Abstract: A paper dispensing apparatus for preventing paper from unraveling from the roll.

Abstract: A towel dispenser comprising an electronic power system, which includes an array of one or more photovoltaic cells for energizing a control circuitry which, in turn, controls operation of the dispenser. The control circuitry is responsive to a sensing device, comprised of a motion detector, which senses rapid changes in light, which in turn, activates the dispensing of a length of paper towels when an object, such as a user's hand, is moved in front of the sensing device.

Abstract: A non-automatic dispenser of towelettes that is appropriate for use in such contexts as food service, health care, long-term care, child care, educational settings, industry, military and public restrooms. A photo sensor, triggered by badge provides data for performance feedback and reinforcement/accountability strategies, documented by research as essential for sustained changes in hand cleansing behavior. Mounting shoes provide for versatility of secure placement on counter/desks; under cabinet; on either front, left or right facing wall, in bathroom stall.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing sheet material from a roll of sheet material includes a rotatable sheet material engagement member having an outer surface for engaging the sheet material. A pivoted shaft is mounted adjacent to the sheet material engagement member having a feed roller mounted thereon. The shaft and feed roller are pivotally moved toward the sheet material engagement member and the feed roller is rotated to transport the sheet material over the outer surface of the sheet material engagement member. Spaced tucker members are connected to the sheet material engagement member and simultaneously rotate and pivot upon depletion of a primary roll of sheet material to position the lead end of a reserve roll between the sheet material engagement member and the feed roller.

Abstract: A portable dispenser apparatus that dispenses pre-moistened towelettes from a web. The dispenser includes a housing presenting a towelette dispensing opening and a storage compartment adapted to support the web of towelettes in a roll. A dispensing assembly is provided for drawing the end-most towelette from the web and dispensing it through the dispensing opening when a dispensing actuator is operated. The actuator activates the dispensing assembly to dispense a single towelette from the web, and returns the remaining web to the roll subsequent to removal of the end-most towelette by the user so that the next towelette of the web remains moist until subsequently dispensed. A manually operated web-fed dispenser and a travel dispenser are also provided, as is a moistening composition for use on the towelettes.