Abstract: A hands-free paper towel dispenser including a housing with a front cover pivotally attached thereto. A sensor is disposed entirely within the housing, and mounted so that it is not attached to the front cover and oriented toward the front cover of the housing to detect an object adjacent the front cover of the housing without the object contacting the front cover. 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. Control circuitry controls operation of the sensor and the motor, with the control circuitry including a circuit to control the length of towel that is dispensed, and a circuit to provide a delay between dispensing cycles. The dispenser also includes an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.

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 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 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 predetermined length of paper towels when an object, such as a user's hand, is moved in front of the sensing device.

Abstract: A metered lever operating mechanism for a paper towel dispenser cabinet is disclosed. The operating mechanism has a lever actuator which is mounted in the dispenser cabinet for vertical reciprocating movement. The lever actuator has a handle which is operable by a user and a rack having gear teeth which mesh with a drive train. The drive train converts the downward stroke of the lever actuator into rotary motion to rotate a drive pinion. The drive pinion is connected to drive a delivery mechanism to deliver paper towel to the exterior of the dispenser cabinet. A metering assembly engages the drive pinion to limit the number of successive reciprocations of the lever actuator. The metering assembly must be reset between each series of successive reciprocations of the lever actuator to deter wasteful use of paper towel.

Abstract: A metering mechanism for a paper towel dispenser cabinet is disclosed. The metering mechanism includes a metering gear which is rotatably driven by an operating mechanism of the dispenser cabinet. The metering gear has an axially extending cam portion which defines a radial cam surface extending continuously around the axis of the metering gear from a larger radius to a smaller radius and an abutment wall adjacent to the larger radius end of the cam portion. The metering gear also has an integral resilient finger adjacent to the abutment wall which is biased out of the plane of the metering gear. A release means is urged toward the axis of the metering gear and engages the abutment wall in a stopped position to inhibit rotation of the metering gear and thereby inhibit operation of the dispenser.

Abstract: A lock (11) for a paper towel dispensing cabinet (10) including a latch (20) and bushing (21) arranged with the bushing extending through the door (14) of the cabinet and the latch secured to the door of the cabinet. The latch includes ramped sidewalls (24) which engage wedge structures (58) on the door and resilient retainer arms (27) which engage stops (60) on the door, to thereby hold the latch in position. The latch also includes a pair of resilient catch arms (30) that engage apertures (61) in the back of the cabinet to hold the door in a locked position. A key (22) is provided to release the catch arms so that the door of the cabinet can be opened. The latch, bushing and key can each be made of molded plastic material.

Abstract: A paper towel dispenser cabinet including a molded plastic back (2), door (9) and mechanism module (3). The back (2) has a rear wall (16), spaced first (18) and second (19) side walls and spaced top (17) and bottom (20) walls. The door has a front wall (271), a first side wall (274) and spaced top (273) and bottom (261) walls. The mechanism module (3) includes a mechanism plate (61) and a cover (81) for housing operating mechanism for the dispensing of paper towel from the cabinet. The mechanism module (3) is secured to the back with the cover (81) coplanar with and extending from the second sidewall (19) of the back. The back (2), the door (9) and the mechanism module (3) form a cabinet enclosure for the storage of paper towel rolls in which the top and bottom walls of the door and back form the top and bottom of the enclosure, the first side walls of the door and back form one side of the enclosure, and the second side wall of the back and the mechanism module cover form the other side of the enclosure.