Abstract: A dispenser for rolled absorbent web material is disclosed. A carriage is rotatable between at least two orientations. The carriage includes a first roll holder, which holds a first roll of absorbent web material in a primary position when the carriage is in a first orientation and in a secondary position when the carriage is in a second orientation, and a second roll holder, which holds a second roll of absorbent web material in the secondary position when the carriage is in the first orientation and in the primary position when the carriage is in the second orientation. A roll sensor senses the amount of absorbent web material remaining on the roll in the primary position. A feed mechanism dispenses absorbent web material from at least one of the rolls. A transfer mechanism feeds absorbent web material from the roll in the secondary position into the feed mechanism when the absorbent web material on the roll in the primary position is nearly depleted.

Abstract: A paper dispenser having a proximity detector for dispensation of paper therefrom. The dispenser includes a housing having an inner chamber adapted to support a roll of paper. The housing also has a dispensing aperture. A motor is adapted to dispense paper from the roll through the dispensing aperture. The dispenser also includes a proximity detection circuit, which comprises an antenna, an oscillator circuit to charge the antenna, an operational amplifier operated as a unity gain follower which receives an antenna signal from the antenna, a detector circuit which detects changes in the antenna signal, and a comparator which actuates the motor in response to changes in the antenna signal.

Abstract: A proximity detection circuit. An oscillator circuit is adapted to provide charge to an antenna. An operational amplifier, operated as a unity gain follower, receives an antenna signal which is representative of an external capacitive load on the antenna. A detector circuit receives the antenna signal via the operational amplifier and outputs a detection signal in response to changes in the antenna signal. A comparator receives the detection signal and is adapted to generate an output signal in response thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus holds and positions at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; dispenses paper from the first roll; dispenses paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, positions the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and dispenses from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. The proximity sensor incorporates “static” and noise immunity circuitry.

Abstract: A paper dispenser including a carriage that is rotatable between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The carriage holds at least two rolls of paper. In the first orientation, the first roll is in a primary position and the second roll is in a secondary position. In the second orientation, the first roll is in the secondary position and the second roll is in the primary position. A roll sensor senses the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position. Paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed into a feed mechanism for dispensation. A transfer mechanism feeds paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus has means for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; means for dispensing paper from the first roll; means for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, means for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and means for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. The proximity sensor incorporates “static” and noise immunity circuitry.

Abstract: A paper dispenser including a carriage that is rotatable between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The carriage holds at least two rolls of paper. In the first orientation, the first roll is in a primary position and the second roll is in a secondary position. In the second orientation, the first roll is in the secondary position and the second roll is in the primary position. A roll sensor senses the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position. Paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed into a feed mechanism for dispensation. A transfer mechanism feeds paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed, mechanism when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus has a device for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; a device for dispensing paper from the first roll; a device for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, a device for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and a device for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a capacity-change based proximity sensor comprising a circuit according to a balanced bridge principle where detection is based on detecting a phase difference, which depends upon the amount of detected capacitance difference or change.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus has means for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; means for dispensing paper from the first roll; means for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, means for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and means for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. The proximity sensor incorporates “static” and noise immunity circuitry.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus has means for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; means for dispensing paper from the first roll; means for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, means for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and means for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a capacity-change based proximity sensor comprising a circuit according to a balanced bridge principle where detection is based on detecting a phase difference, which depends upon the amount of detected capacitance difference or change.

Abstract: Existing fiber optic transmission systems do not provide for or permit a raceway arrangement for optically transmitted signals which would allow flexible access to such signals. The present invention provides a system for providing multiple access to a fiber optic transmission at selected locations along a continuum.

Abstract: A monopolar electrosurgical instrument for utilization with endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical procedures. The instrument is structured so as to substantially eliminate the adverse effects occasioned by capacitive coupling between the instrument and tissue adjacent thereto within the body being operated upon. Capacitive coupling is controlled through the implementation of the shaft structure itself with an electrically insulative polymeric material of low dielectric constant which is combined with a current conductor centrally disposed therein which is of minimum diameter effective to carry requisite current to a working tip. A shield arrangement may be provided such as a coextruded electrically conductive wire mesh surmounting the internally disposed electrical conductor. This shield, in one embodiment may be coupled with return ground employing electrical connectors which assure proper coupling with source and ground.