Abstract: This disclosure relates to a dispenser which in one embodiment is a motorized electric dispenser that reliably detects a request for a portion of product and electromechanically dispenses a pre-determined length of product to the user, without the user needing to directly touch any part of the dispenser. The dispenser comprises a product path passing between an engagement opening and a capacitive sensor. A controller is operatively configured to identify a dispense request based upon a detection signal received from the capacitive sensor and activate a drive motor upon the identification of the dispense request. The dispense request is defined as an introduction of a user target within an introduction threshold distance from the capacitive sensor followed by a removal of the user target beyond a removal threshold distance away from the capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A system for consecutively dispensing paper sheet material from a stub roll and a primary roll which utilizes a pivoted transfer door to locate a lead end portion of the primary roll in dispensing position responsive to disengagement between the transfer door and a pivoted lever supporting the stub roll.

Abstract: A system for consecutively dispensing paper sheet material from a stub roll and a primary roll which utilizes a pivoted transfer door to locate a lead end portion of the primary roll in dispensing position responsive to disengagement between the transfer door and a pivoted lever supporting the stub roll.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a dispenser which in one embodiment is a motorized electric dispenser that reliably detects a request for a portion of product and electromechanically dispenses a pre-determined length of product to the user, without the user needing to directly touch any part of the dispenser. The dispenser comprises a product path passing between an engagement opening and a capacitive sensor. A controller is operatively configured to identify a dispense request based upon a detection signal received from the capacitive sensor and activate a drive motor upon the identification of the dispense request. The dispense request is defined as an introduction of a user target within an introduction threshold distance from the capacitive sensor followed by a removal of the user target beyond a removal threshold distance away from the capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A dispenser cabinet for holding and dispensing paper toweling or other paper sheet material includes a front dispenser cabinet portion and a rear dispenser cabinet portion. Hinge receptacles are attached to both left and right side walls of the dispenser cabinet portions and hinges are selectively alternatively positionable in the hinge receptacles to allow the hinge connection between the dispenser cabinet portions to be changed between left and right side walls.

Abstract: Paper towel dispenser apparatus and method wherein one or more targets are connected to a rotatable toweling support roller. A sensor senses capacitance changes caused by the rotating roller and the one or more targets and sends signals to a controller to control rotation of the roller.

Abstract: A spring is utilized to exert variable tensional forces on a toweling support drum of a paper toweling dispenser. The spring is connected between a drum and a sliding spring mount which enables a long toweling tail to be presented externally of the dispenser.

Abstract: A hybrid towel dispenser is provided that can be operated in an automatic dispensing mode and a manual dispensing mode. The dispenser includes a drum having a retractable knife that extends out of the drum when the drum rotates past a selected position and severs a towel segment from a towel sheet. The dispenser also includes a motor, a manual advance assembly, and a one-way rotational coupling that couples the motor to the drum such that the motor rotates the drum in the automatic dispensing mode and a user can rotate the drum in the manual dispensing mode separately from the motor, using the manual advance assembly.

Abstract: A hybrid towel dispenser is provided that is operable in an automatic dispensing mode and a manual dispensing mode. The paper towel dispenser comprises: a rotatable drum that advances a paper towel sheet applied on the drum when the drum rotates; a one-way rotational coupling; a motor coupled to the drum by the one-way rotational coupling and automatically operable to rotate the drum; and a manual advance assembly coupled to the drum and manually operable by a user to rotate the drum. The one-way rotational coupling couples the motor to the drum such that the motor drives the drum in a first direction and does not drive the drum when the manual advance assembly is operated to rotate the drum in the first direction.

Abstract: A hybrid towel dispenser is provided that can be operated in an automatic dispensing mode and a manual dispensing mode. The dispenser includes a drum having a retractable knife that extends out of the drum when the drum rotates past a selected position and severs a towel segment from a towel sheet. The dispenser also includes a motor, a manual advance assembly, and a one-way rotational coupling that couples the motor to the drum such that the motor rotates the drum in the automatic dispensing mode and a user can rotate the drum in the manual dispensing mode separately from the motor, using the manual advance assembly.

Abstract: A hybrid towel dispenser is provided that can be operated in an automatic dispensing mode and a manual dispensing mode. The dispenser includes a drum having a retractable knife that extends out of the drum when the drum rotates past a selected position and severs a towel segment from a towel sheet. The dispenser also includes a motor, a manual advance assembly, and a one-way rotational coupling that couples the motor to the drum such that the motor rotates the drum in the automatic dispensing mode and a user can rotate the drum in the manual dispensing mode separately from the motor, using the manual advance assembly.

Abstract: Paper towel dispenser apparatus and method wherein one or more targets are connected to a rotatable toweling support roller. A sensor senses capacitance changes caused by the rotating roller and the one or more targets and sends signals to a controller to control rotation of the roller.

Abstract: A delta detection method for detecting capacitance changes caused by relative movement between a physical object and a capacitance sensor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a dispenser which in one form is a motorized electric dispenser, designed to be a low-cost device having a reduced footprint. The dispenser electromechanically dispenses a pre-determined length sheet of material to the user, without the requirement of a touchless sensor, or the user needing to directly touch any part of the dispenser while the hygienic portion is functioning properly. In the event that the hygienic portion is not functioning properly, a manual advance assembly may also be utilized. One objective of the device in one form is to provide a variably determined sheet of material to the user in accordance with industry standards, without the use of the standard “touchless” sensors. In another form, the entire roll of material remains sanitary and enclosed within the dispenser until it is dispensed. In one form, there is no “tail” projecting from the dispenser that may be a source of cross-contamination.

Abstract: A hybrid towel dispenser is provided that is operable in an automatic dispensing mode and a manual dispensing mode. The paper towel dispenser comprises: a rotatable drum that advances a paper towel sheet applied on the drum when the drum rotates; a one-way rotational coupling; a motor coupled to the drum by the one-way rotational coupling and automatically operable to rotate the drum; and a manual advance assembly coupled to the drum and manually operable by a user to rotate the drum. The one-way rotational coupling couples the motor to the drum such that the motor drives the drum in a first direction and does not drive the drum when the manual advance assembly is operated to rotate the drum in the first direction.