Abstract: A dispenser for a roll (10) of sanitary paper wound on a hollow core (12). The dispsenser (10) has a core supporting member (16) that contacts the inner surface (13) of the core (12) and has a braking surface (20). The coefficient of friction between the member (16) supporting the roll (10) and the inner surface (13) of the core (12) is less than the coefficient of friction between the braking surface (20) and the inner surface (13) of the core (12). The dispenser (10) also includes a compliant member (18), such as a spring, connected to the core supporting member (16). The compliant member (18) is responsive to the weight of the roll (10) and urges the inner surface (13) of the core (12) toward the braking surface (20). At some point during the dispensing of the roll (10), the frictional force, or drag, developed between the inner surface (13) of the core (12) and the braking surface (20) increases as the weight of the roll (10) decreases.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a lead pack from a continuously moving file of folded sheet objects such as paper napkins and transferring the pack to a work station. Each pack in the file is identified by a flag which projects a short distance from the file. A flag detector senses that a flag has reached a predetermined point along the path to indicate that the lead pack has advanced into a transfer pan. The flag detector initiates a separation and transfer cycle in which the lead pack is separated from the moving file and the transfer pan containing the lead pack is moved out of the path of the file and adjacent a work station where the pack is moved onto the work station.