Patents by Inventor Dannie D. Byrd

Dannie D. Byrd has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20160000274
    Abstract: A hands-free towel dispenser is provided which utilizes an active sensing system, preferably an infra-red system, for detecting when a dispense of toweling should occur. The control for the dispenser is designed for low power use, thereby allowing the dispenser to be battery powered. The dispenser can also be powered by a solar panel, either in addition to or in place of, the batteries. Thus, the dispenser can be used in all lighting conditions. In addition, the dispenser is microprocessor controlled, thereby reducing costs and adding flexibility and functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg
  • Patent number: 8960588
    Abstract: A hands-free towel dispenser is provided which utilizes an active sensing system, preferably an infra-red system, for detecting when a dispense of toweling should occur. The control for the dispenser is designed for low power use, thereby allowing the dispenser to be battery powered. The dispenser can also be powered by a solar panel, either in addition to or in place of, the batteries. Thus, the dispenser can be used in all lighting conditions. In addition, the dispenser is microprocessor controlled, thereby reducing costs and adding flexibility and functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Wausu Papere Towel & Tissue, LLC
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg
  • Publication number: 20090272836
    Abstract: A hands-free towel dispenser is provided which utilizes an active sensing system, preferably an infra-red system, for detecting when a dispense of toweling should occur. The control for the dispenser is designed for low power use, thereby allowing the dispenser to be battery powered. The dispenser can also be powered by a solar panel, either in addition to or in place of, the batteries. Thus, the dispenser can be used in all lighting conditions. In addition, the dispenser is microprocessor controlled, thereby reducing costs and adding flexibility and functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Wausau Paper Towel & Tissue, LLC
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg
  • Patent number: 7354015
    Abstract: A hands-free paper towel dispenser including a housing with a front cover that is pivotable between open and closed positions. A sensing mechanism is disposed entirely within the interior space of the cabinet at a location adjacent to the front cover and is oriented toward the front cover of the cabinet to permit detecting of an object adjacent the front cover without the object contacting the front cover. At least a portion of the sensing mechanism is accessible when the front cover is at the open position. A dispensing mechanism is disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of towel, with the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller. The dispenser also includes an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Wausau Paper Towel & Tissue, LLC
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg
  • Patent number: 7325768
    Abstract: A hands-free paper towel dispenser including a housing with a front cover that is pivotable between open and closed positions. A sensing mechanism is disposed entirely within the interior space of the cabinet at a location adjacent to the front cover and is oriented toward the front cover of the cabinet to permit detecting of an object adjacent the front cover without the object contacting the front cover. At least a portion of the sensing mechanism is accessible when the front cover is at the open position. A dispensing mechanism is disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of towel, with the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller. The dispenser also includes an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Wausau Paper Towel & Tissue, LLC
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg
  • Patent number: 6854684
    Abstract: A hands-free paper towel dispenser including a housing with a front cover pivotally attached thereto. A sensor is disposed entirely within the housing, and mounted so that it is not attached to the front cover and oriented toward the front cover of the housing to detect an object adjacent the front cover of the housing without the object contacting the front cover. A dispensing mechanism is disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of towel, with the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller. Control circuitry controls operation of the sensor and the motor, with the control circuitry including a circuit to control the length of towel that is dispensed, and a circuit to provide a delay between dispensing cycles. The dispenser also includes an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Mosinee Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg
  • Publication number: 20040041057
    Abstract: A hands-free paper towel dispenser including a housing with a front cover pivotally attached thereto. A sensor is disposed entirely within the housing, and mounted so that it is not attached to the front cover and oriented toward the front cover of the housing to detect an object adjacent the front cover of the housing without the object contacting the front cover. A dispensing mechanism is disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of towel, with the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller. Control circuitry controls operation of the sensor and the motor, with the control circuitry including a circuit to control the length of towel that is dispensed, and a circuit to provide a delay between dispensing cycles. The dispenser also includes an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Bay West Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg
  • Publication number: 20040035976
    Abstract: A hands-free paper towel dispenser including a housing with a front cover that is pivotable between open and closed positions. A sensing mechanism is disposed entirely within the interior space of the cabinet at a location adjacent to the front cover and is oriented toward the front cover of the cabinet to permit detecting of an object adjacent the front cover without the object contacting the front cover. At least a portion of the sensing mechanism is accessible when the front cover is at the open position. A dispensing mechanism is disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of towel, with the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller. The dispenser also includes an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Bay West Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg
  • Patent number: 6293486
    Abstract: A towel dispenser comprising an electronic power system, which includes an array of one or more photovoltaic cells for energizing a control circuitry which, in turn, controls operation of the dispenser. The control circuitry is responsive to a sensing device, comprised of a motion detector, which senses rapid changes in light, which in turn, activates the dispensing of a length of paper towels when an object, such as a user's hand, is moved in front of the sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Mosinee Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg
  • Patent number: 6105898
    Abstract: A towel dispenser comprising an electronic power system, which includes an array of one or more photovoltaic cells for energizing a control circuitry which, in turn, controls operation of the dispenser. The control circuitry is responsive to a sensing device, comprised of a motion detector, which senses rapid changes in light, which in turn, activates the dispensing of a length of paper towels when an object, such as a user's hand, is moved in front of the sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Mosinee Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg
  • Patent number: 5772291
    Abstract: A towel dispenser comprising an electronic power system, which includes an array of one or more photovoltaic cells for energizing a control circuitry which, in turn, controls operation of the dispenser. The control circuitry is responsive to a sensing device, comprised of a motion detector, which senses rapid changes in light, which in turn, activates the dispensing of a predetermined length of paper towels when an object, such as a user's hand, is moved in front of the sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Mosinee Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg