Abstract: A low-material-indicating center pull dispenser for dispensing a web of material from a center pull roll. In embodiments, the dispenser includes a housing and a roll support platform which supports the center pull roll when loaded within the housing. The preferred roll support platform has an inward portion positioned to support a center pull roll inner region and a lower outward portion positioned to support the center pull roll outer region when the material forming the center pull roll inner region is depleted and the center pull roll drops onto the lower outward portion and changes position thereby providing a low-material indication. The change of center pull roll position may be viewed by center pull roll viewing structure such as at least one window, and/or a light transmissive housing or a housing portion.

Abstract: A low-material-indicating center pull dispenser for dispensing a web of material from a center pull roll. In embodiments, the dispenser includes a housing and a roll support platform which supports the center pull roll when loaded within the housing. The preferred roll support platform has an inward portion positioned to support a center pull roll inner region and a lower outward portion positioned to support the center pull roll outer region when the material forming the center pull roll inner region is depleted and the center pull roll drops onto the lower outward portion and changes position thereby providing a low-material indication. The change of center pull roll position may be viewed by center pull roll viewing structure such as at least one window, and/or a light transmissive housing or a housing portion.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing flexible web material from a center pull roll capable of accommodating different types of web material in the form of sheets separated by lines of perforation. The dispenser includes dispenser apparatus permitting the device to self-adjust to the different thicknesses, sizes and physical characteristics of different types of web material. In certain preferred embodiments, the dispenser comprises a housing, a web support within the housing and structure permitting the dispenser to self-adjust to the effective cross-sectional area of the web. The preferred dispenser structure includes elements positioned to receive the web between them. At least one of the elements is movable and is biased for displacement toward the other. Frictional force applied against the web by the elements resists pull force applied to the web by a user so that a single web sheet separates from the web along the perforation between the elements and the lead end when a user pulls on the web outside the housing.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing flexible web material from a center pull roll capable of accommodating different types of web material in the form of sheets separated by lines of perforation. The dispenser includes dispenser apparatus permitting the device to self-adjust to the different thicknesses, sizes and physical characteristics of different types of web material. In certain preferred embodiments, the dispenser comprises a housing, a web support within the housing and structure permitting the dispenser to self-adjust to the effective cross-sectional area of the web. The preferred dispenser structure includes elements positioned to receive the web between them. At least one of the elements is movable and is biased for displacement toward the other. Frictional force applied against the web by the elements resists pull force applied to the web by a user so that a single web sheet separates from the web along the perforation between the elements and the lead end when a user pulls on the web outside the housing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improved apparatus for dispensing flexible web material from plural rolls including improved transfer apparatus for reliably and simply dispensing material from a secondary roll once a primary roll has been depleted. The improved transfer apparatus comprises a one-piece transfer arm, first and second transfer rollers rotatably secured with respect to the transfer arm and a sensing member secured with respect to the transfer arm in position to contact the primary roll web surface. The sensing member permits movement of the transfer arm and transfer rollers to a transfer position once the primary roll diameter diminishes to a predetermined extent causing the secondary roll material to be dispensed.

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 paper roll holder for rotatably supporting a paper towel roll having a core with open ends. The holder includes a support structure having first and second attachment portions and two hubs insertable into the core of the paper towel roll for holding the paper towel roll. Each hub is rotatably coupled to an associated attachment portion of the support structure, each hub having a body having an axis and a resilient compressible sidewall having a maximum at rest diameter. The sidewall being radially compressible from the at rest position to a plurality of smaller diameters, whereby the sidewall is insertable into the open end of a plurality of differently sized cores. The paper roll holder can be placed in the housing of a paper towel dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser for selectively dispensing first and second rolls of sheet material respectively wrapped around first and second cores is provided. The dispenser includes a housing defining a storage compartment for the first and second rolls and an opening, a first and second core support structures disposed in the housing for respectively supporting differently sized first and second cores and a divider slidably carried by the housing and covering a portion of the opening. The divider is movable between a first dispensing position, wherein a first portion of the opening is uncovered to allow access to the first roll and a second portion of the opening is covered to prevent access to the second roll, and a second position, wherein the first portion of the opening is covered and the second portion the opening is uncovered to allow access to the second roll.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a web from a roll of paper includes a housing and a cover connected thereto to provide access to the housing interior. The dispenser has mechanism for supporting a paper roll and a drive roller and tension roller operatively associated therewith which urges paper from the paper roll into contact with the drive roller for dispensing a length of paper from the paper roll. Actuator mechanism operates the drive roller and extends across substantially the entire housing at the bottom thereof. A roller frame assembly is mounted within the housing and carries the tension roller and a transfer roller. The transfer roller releasably holds the free end of a first paper roll while paper from the second roll is dispensed upon actuation of the actuator to rotate the drive roller.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a web from a roll of paper includes a housing and a cover connected thereto to provide access to the housing interior. The dispenser has mechanism for supporting a paper roll and a drive roller and tension roller operatively associated therewith which urges paper from the paper roll into contact with the drive roller for dispensing a length of paper from the paper roll. Actuator mechanism operates the drive roller and extends across substantially the entire housing at the bottom thereof. A roller frame assembly is mounted within the housing and carries the tension roller and a transfer roller. The transfer roller releasably holds the free end of a first paper roll while paper from the second roll is dispensed upon actuation of the actuator to rotate the drive roller.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a web from a roll of paper includes a housing and a cover connected thereto to provide access to the housing interior. The dispenser has mechanism for supporting a paper roll and a drive roller and tension roller operatively associated therewith which urges paper from the paper roll into contact with the drive roller for dispensing a length of paper from the paper roll. Actuator mechanism operates the drive roller and extends across substantially the entire housing at the bottom thereof. A roller frame assembly is mounted within the housing and carries the tension roller and a transfer roller. The transfer roller releasably holds the free end of a first paper roll while paper from the second roll is dispensed upon actuation of the actuator to rotate the drive roller.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a web from a roll of paper includes a housing and a cover connected thereto to provide access to the housing interior. The dispenser has mechanism for supporting a paper roll and a drive roller and tension roller operatively associated therewith which urges paper from the paper roll into contact with the drive roller for dispensing a length of paper from the paper roll. Actuator mechanism operates the drive roller and extends across substantially the entire housing at the bottom thereof. A roller frame assembly is mounted within the housing and carries the tension roller and a transfer roller. The transfer roller releasably holds the free end of a first paper roll while paper from the second roll is dispensed upon actuation of the actuator to rotate the drive roller.