Abstract: An automated product dispenser for dispensing a product from a supply of product is provided. The automated product dispenser includes a chassis assembly, a drive assembly, and an isolation member. The chassis assembly includes a chassis frame, and the drive assembly includes a motor, a drivetrain, and a drivetrain housing. The isolation member mounts the drive assembly to the chassis assembly such that the drive assembly is substantially spaced apart from the chassis frame. A related method of inhibiting vibration transmission in an automated product dispenser also is provided.

Abstract: Urinal screens are provided including an outer ring and a web portion bounded by the outer ring and formed from a plurality of web strings disposed in a mesh pattern, such that a plurality of open areas are defined among the web strings. The web portion includes a vaulted portion. Urinal screen assemblies are also provided and include a urinal screen and a bioenzymatic block containing odor combatting chemistry disposed in a void formed by the vaulted portion of the urinal screen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of increasing the brightness of non-wood fibers. The method comprises forming a mixture of non-wood fibers and exposing the mixture to a brightening agent, the brightening agent being a permanganate compound, an acid, or a combination of the permanganate compound and the acid. The resulting brightened fibers have a brightness greater than the fibers of the mixture before exposure as measured by MacBeth UV-C standard.

Abstract: Cutlery dispensing assemblies and methods for making and using same. In some examples, the cutlery dispensing assembly can include a chassis comprising a backbone, an upper support frame located at an upper end of the backbone, and a base located at a lower end of the backbone. A skewer mechanism can be at least partially disposed within the chassis and configured to contain a stack of the cutlery. The stack of the cutlery can include a bottom piece of cutlery and at least one other piece of cutlery. Each piece of cutlery can have an opening through which the skewer mechanism is configured to pass. The skewer mechanism can include an elongated body that is configured to pass through the opening of each piece of cutlery, and a lever extending from elongated the body.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a paper towel product that will capably separate from the paper towel roll as a full sheet, a half sheet or a quarter sheet. A method of making a paper towel with machine direction perforations is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cutlery dispenser for dispensing wrapped cutlery. The cutlery dispenser may include a case configured to expand from a compact configuration into an expanded configuration. The cutlery dispenser also may include a wrapped cutlery band disposed within the case and configured to be dispensed therefrom. The present disclosure also provides a method for dispensing wrapped cutlery. The method may include the step of providing a cutlery dispenser including a case and a wrapped cutlery band disposed within the case. The method also may include the step of expanding the case from a compact configuration into an expanded configuration. The method further may include the step of dispensing at least a portion of the wrapped cutlery band from the case.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sheet product dispenser for dispensing individual sheets from a roll of perforated sheet product. The sheet product dispenser may include a housing, a roll support disposed within the housing and configured to rotatably support the roll of perforated sheet product, and a mechanical dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and configured to guide and advance the sheet product during a dispense cycle, wherein the mechanical dispensing mechanism is further configured to mechanically synchronize the dispense cycle with perforation lines of the sheet product. The present disclosure also provides a sheet product dispenser for dispensing individual sheets from a roll of sheet product that may be non-perforated.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing mounted to a wall and defining an interior space for receiving toweling comprising a roll of towels, the interior space comprising a curved surface configured to receive the roll of towels in floating engagement therewith such that the roll of towels rolls and slides on the curved surface during unwinding of the roll of towels. The towel dispenser further includes a loading door configured to rotate relative to the main body, when the main body is mounted to a wall, between a closed position in which the loading door extends over a top of and closes off the interior space of the main body in which toweling is received, and an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein without obstruction by the loading door, with the loading door extending upwardly above and over a top of the housing.

Abstract: A portable towel dispenser includes a housing configured to stand upright and an interior space for receiving a toweling assembly including a roll of towels on an arbor. The interior space is configured to receive in a vertical orientation the arbor for vertical support thereof during unwinding of the roll of towels. A loading door is configured to rotate relative to the housing about a generally vertical axis between a closed position, in which the loading door and housing together enclose the toweling assembly within the dispenser, and an open position, in which the dispenser is configured to receive the toweling assembly therein without obstruction by the loading door. The dispenser is battery operated, includes a handle, and is readily hand portable. A button on a bottom of the housing is depressed to enable dispensing when the housing is stood upright.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing cutlery may include a housing configured to contain a plurality of utensils for dispensing, a dispensing mechanism that includes at least one belt configured to be driven and separate a utensil from a stack of utensils, and at least one drive mechanism configured to drive the at least one belt. The dispenser may further include a receptacle configured to receive the utensil separated from the stack of utensils.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture, including fibers and films, and methods of making thereof. In accordance with the present invention, the article includes a binder impregnated with or encapsulating a filler. The binder is a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), cellulose nanofibrils, or a combination of the PVOH and cellulose nanofibrils. The filler is deinking waste solids comprising ash and cellulose fines.

Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.

Abstract: Examples of an alignment assembly for loading a shipping container are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, the alignment assembly includes a base rotatably disposed on a pole and an alignment bracket moveably connected to the base. The alignment bracket may include a main support member connected to an alignment member. The alignment bracket is configured to permit the alignment member to be disposed substantially co-planer with a sidewall of the shipping container.

Abstract: Sheet product dispensers and methods of dispensing sheet products are provided, including feeding a sheet material from a roll via a sheet feeding mechanism, separating one or more discrete sheet products from the roll via a separation mechanism, dispensing the one or more discrete sheet products to an end user at a presentation station via a sheet product conveying mechanism, and detecting a presence of the sheet material via a sensor downstream of the sheet feeding mechanism, wherein the sheet product conveying mechanism is driven in response to the sensor detecting the presence of the sheet material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing pressware are provided. In one or more embodiments, a method for producing pressware can include producing a pressware product between an upper forming die and a lower forming die contained within a forming die assembly, retracting at least a portion of the upper forming die from the pressware product, and ejecting the pressware product from the lower forming die while feeding a web material between the upper forming die and the lower forming die. The method can also include cutting a segment of the web material to produce a substrate, and pressing the substrate between the upper forming die and the lower forming die to produce another pressware product.

Abstract: The present application provides a napkin dispenser for dispensing a number of folded napkins from a sheet material to an end user. The napkin dispenser may include a loading station for loading the sheet material, a folding station for folding a napkin from the sheet material, and a presentation station for presenting one or more of the folded napkins to the end user.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a paper towel product that will capably separate from the paper towel roll as a full sheet, a half sheet or a quarter sheet. A method of making a paper towel with machine direction perforations is also disclosed.

Abstract: Nonwoven textile fabrics in accordance with the present invention are formed primarily of individualized bast fibers substantially free of pectin having a mean length less than 6 millimeters. The nonwoven fabric can include staple fibers and/or pulp fibers. Individualized bast fibers include fibers derived from the flax and hemp plants. The nonwoven textile fabric is formed into a web while in a dry state and subsequently bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: Tissue papers and methods of making are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a tissue paper is substantially free of a chemical debonder and has a geometric mean tensile (GMT) in a range between about 500 and about 5,000 g/3 inches (g/3 in.) and a caliper in a range between about 50 and about 350 mils/8 sheets.