Abstract: A sheet material dispenser can include a dispenser housing that supports one or more supplies of sheet material, and a feed roller configured to engage and feed the sheet material from the dispenser housing. The dispenser also can include a sheet material loading assembly including a cover that is rotatably connected the dispenser housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. The sheet material loading assembly further can include a roller that is rotatably connected to the cover and configured to be coupled to a portion of sheet material from one of the supplies, with the cover in its open position, and to press the portion of sheet material into engagement with the feed roller body, with the cover in its closed position, to initiate dispensing of the at least one supply from the dispenser.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking, locating, identifying, or mapping movements of persons or personnel within a facility may include badges carried by individuals throughout the facility. These badges can each include a transmitter configured to transmit signals including signature information identifying the badges and also identifying codes of each signal transmitted. In addition, a plurality of dispensers can be positioned at selected locations of the facility and can include receivers that receive the signals transmitted by the transmitters of the badges. These receivers also can be configured to transmit information related to the received signals to one or more processors configured to identify each badge from which signals are received based upon the signature information and also to determine the proximity, range, distance, or zone between the badge identified and the receivers.

Abstract: A sheet material dispenser can include a dispenser housing that supports one or more supplies of sheet material, and a feed roller configured to engage and feed the sheet material from the dispenser housing. The dispenser also can include a sheet material loading assembly including a cover that is rotatably connected the dispenser housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. The sheet material loading assembly further can include a roller that is rotatably connected to the cover and configured to be coupled to a portion of sheet material from one of the supplies, with the cover in its open position, and to press the portion of sheet material into engagement with the feed roller body, with the cover in its closed position, to initiate dispensing of the at least one supply from the dispenser.

Abstract: The present disclosure is in one aspect to a dispenser for rolled sheet materials. The dispenser includes a feed roller that is rotatably mounted to a housing of the dispenser housing, and that is configured to feed a predetermined amount of sheet material from the supply of sheet material through a discharge provided along the housing of the dispenser. The dispenser also has a feed roller drive assembly with a drive motor, and a belt transmission assembly. The belt transmission assembly has a drive belt coupled to the drive motor and to the feed roller such that rotation of the feed roller is driven by operation of the drive motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking, locating, identifying, or mapping movements of persons or personnel within a facility may include badges carried by individuals throughout the facility. These badges can each include a transmitter configured to transmit signals including signature information identifying the badges and also identifying codes of each signal transmitted. In addition, a plurality of dispensers can be positioned at selected locations of the facility and can include receivers that receive the signals transmitted by the transmitters of the badges. These receivers also can be configured to transmit information related to the received signals to one or more processors configured to identify each badge from which signals are received based upon the signature information and also to determine the proximity, range, distance, or zone between the badge identified and the receivers.

Abstract: A power management system for a dispenser that includes a passive infrared radiation sensor arranged along the dispenser and configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by one or more users within a prescribed detection range, area, or zone of the dispenser. When the passive infrared radiation sensor does not capture infrared radiation within the prescribed detection range, area, or zone, the dispenser is placed in a low power state with the passive infrared sensor remaining connected to a power source and a controller, a dispensing mechanism, and/or the proximity sensor being disconnected from the power source. Other aspects also are described.

Abstract: A sheet material dispenser can include a dispenser housing that supports one or more supplies of sheet material, and a feed roller configured to engage and feed the sheet material from the dispenser housing. The dispenser also can include a sheet material loading assembly including a cover that is rotatably connected the dispenser housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. The sheet material loading assembly further can include a roller that is rotatably connected to the cover and configured to be coupled to a portion of sheet material from one of the supplies, with the cover in its open position, and to press the portion of sheet material into engagement with the feed roller body, with the cover in its closed position, to initiate dispensing of the at least one supply from the dispenser.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking, locating, identifying, or mapping movements of persons or personnel within a facility may include badges carried by individuals throughout the facility. These badges can each include a transmitter configured to transmit signals including signature information identifying the badges and also identifying codes of each signal transmitted. In addition, a plurality of dispensers can be positioned at selected locations of the facility and can include receivers that receive the signals transmitted by the transmitters of the badges. These receivers also can be configured to transmit information related to the received signals to one or more processors configured to identify each badge from which signals are received based upon the signature information and also to determine the proximity, range, distance, or zone between the badge identified and the receivers.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a sheet material dispenser. The dispenser can include support for supporting a supply of the sheet material, and a feed roller arranged along a feed path of the sheet material downstream from the supply of sheet material that is operable to pull the sheet material from the supply of sheet material for feeding thereof. Additionally, the dispenser can include a controller that is in communication with the feed roller and includes programming for monitoring rotation of the feed roller during a dispensing cycle for feeding a selected length of the sheet material from the supply of sheet material. A material supply monitoring system further can be in communication with the controller, and operative to detect a number of rotations or an angle of rotation of the supply sheet material during at least a series of dispensing cycles.

Abstract: An electronic dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material. A control circuit receives a plurality of signals and controls dispensing of the sheet material. A tear bar is mounted within the housing for severance of sheet material by the user. A pivotally mounted pawl member is located proximate to the tear bar such that movement of sheet material into the tear bar for severance pivots the pawl member from a first position to a second position. Movement of the pawl member to the second position causes a signal to be sent to notify the control circuit that the sheet material has been removed. The dispensing mechanism is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from a proximity sensor to dispense a sheet of material, and is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet in response to the signal generated by movement of the pawl member to the second position in response to dispensed sheet material being removed from the dispenser.

Abstract: An electronic dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material. A control circuit receives a plurality of signals and controls dispensing of the sheet material. A tear bar is mounted within the housing for severance of the sheet material. A pivotally mounted pawl member is located proximate to the tear bar such that movement of the sheet material into the tear bar for severance pivots the pawl member from a first position to a second position, such movement causing a signal to be sent to the control circuit. The dispensing mechanism is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from a proximity sensor to dispense a sheet of material, and is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet in response to the signal activated by movement of the pawl member to the second position in response to dispensed sheet material being removed from the dispenser.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking, locating, identifying, or mapping movements of persons or personnel within a facility may include badges carried by selected persons or personnel through the facility, and these badges can each include a transmitter configured to transmit a series of signals including signature information identifying the badges and also identifying codes of each signal transmitted. In addition, a series of receivers can be positioned at selected locations of the facility and can receive the signals transmitted by the transmitters of the badges, and these receivers can be configured to identify each badge from which signals are received based upon signature information for identified badges and also to determine the proximity, range, distance, or zone between the badge identified and one or more receivers.

Abstract: The present disclosure is, in one aspect, directed to a sheet material dispenser assembly including a dispenser housing with at least one support and a discharge. The dispense assembly has a supply sheet material at least partially supported by the at least one support, and at least one driving roller driven to direct sheet material from the supply of sheet material to the discharge. In addition, the dispenser assembly includes a plurality of pressing rollers at least partially engaging the sheet material against the at least one driving roller as the at least one driving roller is driven to direct the sheet material towards the discharge, which pressing rollers are held in a substantially tensioned arrangement to facilitate a consistent drawing or pulling of the sheet material.

Abstract: An automatic electronic dispenser for dispensing a roll of paper product. A dispenser module drives paper from the roll through a discharge chute at the bottom of the module. A front cover hinged on each side rotates to an open position for loading a paper roll. A back cover enables mounting the electronic dispenser to a vertical surface such as a wall. A paper roll holder is attached to the sides of the dispenser module. A driving roller unrolls the paper from the paper holder in response to a signal from an electronic sensor. A plurality of pressing rollers engaging the driving roller as paper is being dispensed along a path between the pressing and driving rollers to a discharge chute.