Abstract: An example sheet product dispenser includes a dispensing mechanism operable to dispense sheet product to provide the dispensed portion within a dispensing chute. A tear bar is provided for separating the dispensed portion from a remainder of the sheet product. A shuttle is positioned between a switch and the dispensed portion. The shuttle is movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position. When the shuttle is in the unactuated position, the switch is in the unactuated configuration. The shuttle and the switch are positioned within the sheet product dispenser such that as the user pulls on the dispensed portion the shuttle moves to the actuated position so that the shuttle applies a force on the switch sufficient enough to transition the switch to an actuated configuration to indicate removal of the dispensed portion. Other example improvements include providing feedback for user inputs to a product dispenser.

Abstract: A resistance mechanism for a sheet product dispenser for dispensing a length of sheet product from a roll of sheet product rotatably supported by the sheet product dispenser is provided. The resistance mechanism includes an arm configured to frictionally engage a surface of the roll of sheet product, and a spring attached to the arm and configured to bias the arm into engagement with the surface of the roll of sheet product, such that the resistance mechanism provides a pull force resistance opposing a pull force applied to a tail portion of the roll of sheet product.

Abstract: A resistance mechanism for a sheet product dispenser for dispensing a length of sheet product from a roll of sheet product rotatably supported by the sheet product dispenser is provided. The resistance mechanism includes an arm configured to frictionally engage a surface of the roll of sheet product, and a spring attached to the arm and configured to bias the arm into engagement with the surface of the roll of sheet product, such that the resistance mechanism provides a pull force resistance opposing a pull force applied to a tail portion of the roll of sheet product.

Abstract: A resistance mechanism for a sheet product dispenser for dispensing a length of sheet product from a roll of sheet product rotatably supported by the sheet product dispenser is provided. The resistance mechanism includes an arm configured to frictionally engage a surface of the roll of sheet product, and a spring attached to the arm and configured to bias the arm into engagement with the surface of the roll of sheet product, such that the resistance mechanism provides a pull force resistance opposing a pull force applied to a tail portion of the roll of sheet product.

Abstract: An example sheet product dispenser includes a dispensing mechanism operable to dispense sheet product to provide the dispensed portion within a dispensing chute. A tear bar is provided for separating the dispensed portion from a remainder of the sheet product. A shuttle is positioned between a switch and the dispensed portion. The shuttle is movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position. When the shuttle is in the unactuated position, the switch is in the unactuated configuration. The shuttle and the switch are positioned within the sheet product dispenser such that as the user pulls on the dispensed portion the shuttle moves to the actuated position so that the shuttle applies a force on the switch sufficient enough to transition the switch to an actuated configuration to indicate removal of the dispensed portion. Other example improvements include providing feedback for user inputs to a product dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet product is provided including a housing that defines an interior configured to accommodate a source of sheet product and an outlet through which the sheet product is dispensed. The dispenser also includes a first roller that is rotatable and disposed in the housing. A portion of the sheet product is designed to be in contact with the first roller prior to being dispensed through the outlet. The dispenser also includes a knife drum that is rotatable and configured to cooperate with the first roller to dispense the sheet product. The knife drum includes a knife configured to cut the sheet product into individual sheets. The dispenser also includes a spring assembly that may be configured to bias the knife drum toward a predetermined position during rotation of the knife drum.

Abstract: A resistance mechanism for a sheet product dispenser for dispensing a length of sheet product from a roll of sheet product rotatably supported by the sheet product dispenser is provided. The resistance mechanism includes an arm configured to frictionally engage a surface of the roll of sheet product, and a spring attached to the arm and configured to bias the arm into engagement with the surface of the roll of sheet product, such that the resistance mechanism provides a pull force resistance opposing a pull force applied to a tail portion of the roll of sheet product.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a user-determined length of sheet product from a roll of sheet product via a sheet product dispenser is provided. The method includes the steps of providing the roll of sheet product rotatably supported by the sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product therefrom, wherein the roll of sheet product rotates in response to a pull force applied to a tail portion of the roll of sheet product; and providing, via the sheet product dispenser, a pull force resistance opposing the rotation of the roll of sheet product, wherein the pull force resistance is between 36 grams-force and 96 grams-force throughout a majority of a life of the roll of sheet product.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet product is provided including a housing that defines an interior configured to accommodate a source of sheet product and an outlet through which the sheet product is dispensed. The dispenser also includes a first roller that is rotatable and disposed in the housing. A portion of the sheet product is designed to be in contact with the first roller prior to being dispensed through the outlet. The dispenser also includes a knife drum that is rotatable and configured to cooperate with the first roller to dispense the sheet product. The knife drum includes a knife configured to cut the sheet product into individual sheets. The dispenser also includes a spring assembly that may be configured to bias the knife drum toward a predetermined position during rotation of the knife drum.

Abstract: A sheet product dispenser for dispensing a roll of sheet product mounted thereto includes a housing portion and a load inducement portion. The housing portion defines a space operative to receive the roll of sheet product for rotation about an axis to dispense the sheet product. The load inducement portion is operative to induce a frictional force between the roll of sheet product and the load inducement portion during rotation of the roll of sheet product. The load inducement portion includes a guide member, and a load member slidably engaged with the guide member and operative to contact and apply a load to an outer surface of the roll of sheet product.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a user-determined length of sheet product from a roll of sheet product via a sheet product dispenser is provided. The method includes the steps of providing the roll of sheet product rotatably supported by the sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product therefrom, wherein the roll of sheet product rotates in response to a pull force applied to a tail portion of the roll of sheet product; and providing, via the sheet product dispenser, a pull force resistance opposing the rotation of the roll of sheet product, wherein the pull force resistance is between 36 grams-force and 96 grams-force throughout a majority of a life of the roll of sheet product.

Abstract: A sheet product dispenser includes a housing having a front cover, a main controller, a motor, a dispensing mechanism, a maintenance switch, and an auxiliary feed push button. The motor, main controller and dispensing mechanism are configured to dispense a length of sheet product in response to a signal representative of a request for sheet product. The maintenance switch is internally disposed within the housing and accessible for actuation when the front cover is open, in operable communication with the main controller to facilitate operation of the motor when actuated. The auxiliary feed push button is disposed in operable communication with the maintenance switch, and is disposed to be accessible and actuatable when the cover is closed. The main controller is responsive to executable instructions to facilitate actuation of the motor in response to a signal from the maintenance switch when actuated by the auxiliary feed push button.

Abstract: A sheet product dispenser includes a sheet product feed mechanism coupled to an electric motor, the sheet product feed mechanism moving a sheet product out of the dispenser during a dispense cycle; and a control unit controlling the sheet product feed mechanism or electric motor or both to move the sheet product with an increasing speed or acceleration or both during a portion of the dispense cycle.

Abstract: A roller for a sheet product dispenser includes a roller shaft, a roller frame molded onto the roller shaft, and a plurality of flexible rubber portions overmolded onto the roller frame and spaced along a length of the roller frame. The rubber portions are configured to contact a sheet product for dispensing from the sheet product dispenser. A dispensing mechanism for a sheet product dispenser includes a chassis and a roller positioned within and coupled to the chassis. The roller includes a roller shaft, a roller frame molded onto the roller shaft, and a plurality of flexible rubber portions overmolded onto the roller frame and spaced along a length of the roller frame. The rubber portions are configured to contact a sheet product for dispensing from the sheet product dispenser.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for a sheet product dispenser includes a chassis, a roller positioned within and coupled to the chassis, and a spring configured to bias the roller into contact with a sheet product. Another dispensing mechanism for a sheet product dispenser includes a chassis, a roller positioned within the chassis, a pair of plugs, and a pair of springs. The roller is coupled to the chassis via the plugs, and the springs are configured to bias the roller into contact with a sheet product. Still another dispensing mechanism for a sheet product dispenser includes a chassis, a first roller positioned within and coupled to the chassis, a second roller positioned within and coupled to the chassis, and a spring configured to bias the first roller toward the second roller and into contact with a sheet product.

Abstract: An automated dispenser includes a rotatable carousel including a mounting station for a primary roll of sheet product and a mounting station for a reserve roll of sheet product; mounting brackets configured for mounting the carousel such that it is movable between a locked, rearward position for dispensing and a forward position where the carousel is rotatable for reloading; a drive system including a motor coupled to a drive roller and control circuitry; a transfer mechanism adapted so as to be operable to urge a tail of the reserve roll toward a dispensing nip of the drive system upon depletion of the primary roll; a housing; and an auxiliary access aperture fitted with an access door, the auxiliary aperture and access door being configured and adapted to be manually operable to expose the reserve roll for manual dispensing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a dispenser having a fluid reservoir and a pump assembly. The pump assembly includes an intake tube affixed to a pumping mechanism and at least partially disposed in the fluid reservoir, and an intake valve at least partially disposed in the intake tube. The intake valve is configured to minimize fluid from the fluid reservoir from entering the intake tube when the pump mechanism is not in use, regardless of an orientation of the dispenser.

Abstract: A method includes determining whether an object is sensed by a sensor, dispensing a product responsive to determining that the object has been sensed, setting an object clear time value to a first value, setting a first timer to a first time period and starting the timer, starting a second timer with the set object clear time, determining whether the first timer has expired, determining whether an object is sensed by the sensor responsive to determining that the first timer has not expired, determining whether the second timer has expired responsive to determining that an object is not sensed by the sensor, setting the first timer to a second time period and starting the first timer responsive to determining that the second timer has expired.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a flowable material is disclosed. The device includes a container holding the flowable material therein and a pumping assembly attached to the container. The pumping assembly includes a pump and a placard portion configured for displaying viewable information thereon associated with the flowable material.

Abstract: Dispensers and dispensing systems and methods having communication abilities are provided. Various embodiments include the ability to communicate reminders and other messages to users and maintenance personnel. An embodiment of the present invention has two sensors, one for detecting when to dispense a product and the other for detecting when to communicate pre-recorded messages. Another embodiment also includes the ability to record multiple messages into the dispenser for later playback upon triggering events. Still yet other embodiments provide messages upon dispensing of product.