Abstract: A low cost roll dispenser includes a housing with an interior and a feeding mechanism. The housing has an interior with a shape, which may be a ramp or series of ramps, that biases a roll of sheet material forward so that it is in constant contact with the shape and the feeding mechanism while the roll is stationary and while the roll is being unwound. The low cost roll dispenser may have a cover and an integrated handle that drives the feeding mechanism that attach to the housing without the use of any tools.

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.