Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing material from the outer surface of a roll. The dispenser includes a cabinet, and a drive roller having an outer surface. The drive roller is rotatably mounted in the cabinet so that the outer surface of the roll rests directly on the outer surface of the drive roller.

Abstract: A flexible diaphragm for covering the discharge end of a cup dispenser that stores a plurality of cups in a nested stack. The diaphragm includes an inner continuous edge defining a central discharge opening through which the bottom of the outermost cup in the stack extends to be grasped and withdrawn from the stack. The inner continuous edge is configured in a polygonal shape to retain the stack of cups to be dispensed while permitting the outermost cup in the stack to be withdrawn from the stack. Preferably, the inner continuous edge is hexagonal in shape.

Abstract: A cup dispenser includes a housing for storing a plurality of cups nested in a stack. The cup dispenser has an annular collar surrounding the exterior of the housing. An annular retaining ring carries a cup holding member that is removably mounted on the collar such that the cup holding member is disposed over the discharge end of the housing to control removal of cups from the stack. The collar and housing have a locking arrangement which cooperates to permit relative movement of the collar and housing between a locked position and an unlocked position where the collar and housing can be separated. Portions of the collar and locking arrangement exposed to the interior of the housing preferably are substantially free of crevices or cavities which can trap bacteria.

Abstract: The dispenser is adapted to dispense different size cups, such as portion cups, and includes a housing for storing a plurality of cups in a nested stack and a flexible diaphragm covering the discharge end of the housing. The diaphragm includes a web section having a central discharge opening through which the bottom of the outermost cup of the stack extends to be grasped and withdrawn from the stack. The discharge opening preferably has a symmetrical polygonal shape, such as a hexagonal shape, and has an inner periphery configured to retain a stack of the smallest cups to be dispensed in the housing while permitting the outermost cup in the stack to be drawn from the housing.

Abstract: A dispenser for a roll of tissue material wound around a tubular roll core having an inner surface, the dispenser comprising a housing including a base; and a mandrel mounted on the base for supporting the roll for rotation about a generally horizontally extending axis, the mandrel including an outer surface and structure for reducing frictional engagement between the roll core inner surface and the mandrel outer surface.

Abstract: The transfer assembly for a dispensing cabinet for dispensing wound sheet material, such as paper toweling, from a primary roll and a reserve roll includes a transfer arm having a pair of dispensing fingers under which the leading end of the sheet material from the reserve roll is disposed and a sensing arm including a sensing surface over which sheet material from the primary roll being fed into the nip between a drive roller and a pressure roller rides. The transfer arm and sensing arm are mounted for common movement between a non-transfer position wherein the sheet material riding over the sensing surface of the sensing arm, in cooperation with the pulling force being applied thereon by the drive roller, holds the transfer finger away from the nip and a transfer position wherein, in response to the tail end of the sheet material being detached from the primary roll, the transfer arm moves toward the nip and the transfer fingers push sheet material from the reserve roll into the nip.

Abstract: A pipemarker consists of an elongated sign, which has a front face for bearing identifying information and a rear face with a bracket-receiving channel, and at least one bracket that can be attached to a pipe with strapping. The bracket includes a rachet for tightening the strapping and an outward projection containing a compression spring which snaps into the bracket-receiving channel of the sign.

Abstract: A device for dispensing flexible sheet material, such as paper toweling, from a roll has a feed mechanism including a crank- or lever-operated roller having a drive section and a pressure element engageable with toweling extending around a portion of the roller. The pressure element is spring-biased toward the outer surface of the roller drive section and provides sufficient friction between the roller drive section and the toweling to cause it to be unwound from a roll and advanced for dispensing with out the need for an idler roller which can cause jamming. In one embodiment, a transfer assembly is provided for sequentially dispensing toweling from a primary roll and a reserve roll, after all the toweling has been dispensed from the primary roll.

Abstract: A two roll dispenser for toilet tissue or similar sheet material which is arranged so that replacement of an empty core on either roll support with a new roll insures that a user cannot change to the dispensing position for the new roll until the other roll has been used up.

Abstract: A paint valve for use with an automatic roller apparatus comprises a valve body connected at one end to the roller to provide paint thereto and at the other end to a paint reservoir in the handle. A valve stem is mounted within a cavity in a portion projecting outwardly at an angle from the body. The valve stem is designed to engage a fill tube mounted on a paint can. Pushing down on the fill tube forces the stem upwardly opening the valve cavity and paint reservoir tube and closing the cavity to the roller head. A pump shaft creates a suction drawing paint through the fill tube, valve stem and out two holes in the stem into a paint reservoir. When the valve body is removed from the end of the fill tube, the valve closes off the intake and opens the cavity leading to the roller head.