Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing sheet material from a sheet material dispenser are described. Dispenser embodiments include drive and tension rollers supported within a housing forming a nip therebetween. Pulling of sheet material through the nip and against the drive roller rotates the drive roller. Dispenser embodiments may include a cutting mechanism powered by drive roller rotation with an improved carrier-supported blade permitting highly-efficient dispenser operation. Dispenser embodiments may include a sheet material tail length adjuster which permits the attendant to shorten or lengthen the tail length extending away from the dispenser. Dispenser embodiments may further include a sheet material conservation feature which imposes a delay between dispense cycles encouraging use of a single sheet of material and discouraging sheet material waste.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing sheet material from a sheet material dispenser are described. Dispenser embodiments include drive and tension rollers supported within a housing forming a nip therebetween. Pulling of sheet material through the nip and against the drive roller rotates the drive roller. Dispenser embodiments may include a cutting mechanism powered by drive roller rotation with an improved carrier-supported blade permitting highly-efficient dispenser operation. Dispenser embodiments may include a sheet material tail length adjuster which permits the attendant to shorten or lengthen the tail length extending away from the dispenser. Dispenser embodiments may further include a sheet material conservation feature which imposes a delay between dispense cycles encouraging use of a single sheet of material and discouraging sheet material waste.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing sheet material from a sheet material dispenser are described. Dispenser embodiments include drive and tension rollers supported within a housing forming a nip therebetween. Pulling of sheet material through the nip and against the drive roller rotates the drive roller. Dispenser embodiments may include a cutting mechanism powered by drive roller rotation with an improved carrier-supported blade permitting highly-efficient dispenser operation. Dispenser embodiments may include a sheet material tail length adjuster which permits the attendant to shorten or lengthen the tail length extending away from the dispenser. Dispenser embodiments may further include a sheet material conservation feature which imposes a delay between dispense cycles encouraging use of a single sheet of material and discouraging sheet material waste.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing sheet material from a sheet material dispenser are described. Dispenser embodiments include drive and tension rollers supported within a housing forming a nip therebetween. Pulling of sheet material through the nip and against the drive roller rotates the drive roller. Dispenser embodiments may include a cutting mechanism powered by drive roller rotation with an improved carrier-supported blade permitting highly-efficient dispenser operation. Dispenser embodiments may include a sheet material tail length adjuster which permits the attendant to shorten or lengthen the tail length extending away from the dispenser. Dispenser embodiments may further include a sheet material conservation feature which imposes a delay between dispense cycles encouraging use of a single sheet of material and discouraging sheet material waste.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing sheet material from a sheet material dispenser are described. Dispenser embodiments include drive and tension rollers supported within a housing forming a nip therebetween. Pulling of sheet material through the nip and against the drive roller rotates the drive roller. Dispenser embodiments may include a cutting mechanism powered by drive roller rotation with an improved carrier-supported blade permitting highly-efficient dispenser operation. Dispenser embodiments may include a sheet material tail length adjuster which permits the attendant to shorten or lengthen the tail length extending away from the dispenser. Dispenser embodiments may further include a sheet material conservation feature which imposes a delay between dispense cycles encouraging use of a single sheet of material and discouraging sheet material waste.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing sheet material from a sheet material dispenser are described. Dispenser embodiments include drive and tension rollers supported within a housing forming a nip therebetween. Pulling of sheet material through the nip and against the drive roller rotates the drive roller. Dispenser embodiments may include a cutting mechanism powered by drive roller rotation with an improved carrier-supported blade permitting highly-efficient dispenser operation. Dispenser embodiments may include a sheet material tail length adjuster which permits the attendant to shorten or lengthen the tail length extending away from the dispenser. Dispenser embodiments may further include a sheet material conservation feature which imposes a delay between dispense cycles encouraging use of a single sheet of material and discouraging sheet material waste.

Abstract: A power supply system for outputting low voltage electrical power from a high voltage power source includes an isolation-type power conversion device, such as a transformer having a primary high voltage side and an isolated secondary low voltage side. The low voltage side is interconnected with a power output arrangement, which is adapted to supply low voltage power to a load, which may be in the form of an electric blanket or the like. A switching arrangement is interconnected with the high voltage primary side of the power conversion device, for providing intermittent operation of the power conversion device. The period of intermittent operation of the power conversion device is controlled via a control arrangement, to vary the power output from the low voltage secondary side of the transformer and thereby to the electrical load.

Abstract: A heating arrangement includes a pliable member such as a blanket, mattress pad, throw, etc., having a heating element that is engageable with a power supply via a connection arrangement secured to the heating element and to the pliable member, and a connector from a power supply cord that extends from the power supply. The connection arrangement includes a housing within which the ends of the heating element are located, and a mounting member that surrounds the housing and is connected to the pliable member for maintaining the connection arrangement in place. The ends of the heating element include connector pins that are received within passages defined by the housing, and which are adapted for engagement by receivers associated with the power supply connector. A retainer arrangement is interposed between the power supply connector and the housing, for releasably maintaining the power supply connector in engagement with the housing.

Abstract: A heating arrangement includes a pliable member such as a blanket, mattress pad, throw, etc., having a heating element that is engageable with a power supply via a connection arrangement secured to the heating element and to the pliable member, and a connector from a power supply cord that extends from the power supply. The connection arrangement includes a housing within which the ends of the heating element are located, and a mounting member that surrounds the housing and is connected to the pliable member for maintaining the connection arrangement in place. The ends of the heating element include connector pins that are received within passages defined by the housing, and which are adapted for engagement by receivers associated with the power supply connector. A retainer arrangement is interposed between the power supply connector and the housing, for releasably maintaining the power supply connector in engagement with the housing.

Abstract: A resistive heating device, such as an electric blanket, heating pad or throw, includes one or more resistive heating elements supplied with power from a power supply. The one or more resistive heating elements are constructed of a material which varies in resistance in proportion to variations in temperature. A controller is interconnected with the power supply for controlling operation of the power supply, to control the amount of power supplied to the resistive heating load and thereby the heat generated by the resistive heating load. A load sensing arrangement is interconnected with the controller and with the power output of the power supply. The load sensing arrangement is operable to detect the presence of the one or more resistive heating elements as well as the resistance of the one or more resistive heating elements.

Abstract: An electrically operated heating device such as an electric blanket, mattress pad, heating pad or throw, includes a power supply, a controller and a heating member that can be selectively engaged and disengaged with each other, to provide a modular construction. The controller and the power supply can be used with different types of heating members, to provide manufacturing efficiencies and to reduce assembly steps. The controller and the heating member can also be engaged with an adapter which is configured for engagement with a power source associated with a vehicle, such as a cigarette lighter-type power source. In this manner, the pliable heating member and the controller can be used with either a stationary power source or with a power source associated with a vehicle.

Abstract: An electrically operated heating device, such as an electric blanket, mattress pad, heating pad or throw having a pliable member, includes heating elements located within an interior defined by the pliable member which are configured to prevent breakage or disconnection of the heating elements in the event the pliable member is subjected to a concentrated load that applies tension to the heating elements. The interior of the pliable member includes a series of passages within which the heating elements are located. The heating elements have a non-linear configuration such that the overall length of the heating element contained within each passage has a length greater than that of the passage, which enables the heating elements to stretch and flex when the blanket portion is subjected to a concentrated load.

Abstract: An electrical power supply includes a power input interconnected with a power source that supplies input power having a voltage exceeding a predetermined voltage threshold, e.g. a low voltage threshold. A power conversion arrangement converts the input power to output power having a voltage at or below the voltage threshold, and the low voltage power is supplied to a power outlet. An over-voltage protection arrangement, in the form of a voltage sensing circuit, is operable to detect the voltage of output power from the power supply and to discontinue the supply of power to the power outlet in the event power supplied to the power outlet has a voltage that exceeds the low voltage threshold. The over-voltage protection circuit is incorporated in a circuit board adapted to be plugged into a primary circuit board of the power supply.

Abstract: A power supply system for outputting low voltage electrical power from a high voltage power source includes an isolation-type power conversion device, such as a transformer having a primary high voltage side and an isolated secondary low voltage side. The low voltage side is interconnected with a power output arrangement, which is adapted to supply low voltage power to a load, which may be in the form of an electric blanket or the like. A switching arrangement is interconnected with the high voltage primary side of the power conversion device, for providing intermittent operation of the power conversion device. The period of intermittent operation of the power conversion device is controlled via a control arrangement, to vary the power output from the low voltage secondary side of the transformer and thereby to the electrical load.

Abstract: An electrically operated heating device, such as an electric blanket, mattress pad, heating pad or throw having a pliable member, includes heating elements located within an interior defined by the pliable member which are configured to prevent breakage or disconnection of the heating elements in the event the pliable member is subjected to a concentrated load that applies tension to the heating elements. The interior of the pliable member includes a series of passages within which the heating elements are located. The heating elements have a non-linear configuration such that the overall length of the heating element contained within each passage has a length greater than that of the passage, which enables the heating elements to stretch and flex when the blanket portion is subjected to a concentrated load.

Abstract: A control unit for operating a valve system in a water conditioner system includes a drive motor having an output shaft coupled to the valve system, a valve position slide switch, an electronic regeneration controller, and a settable mechanical clock. The electronic controller can be programmed by the use of electrical jumpers/dip switches/control knobs. As the drive motor drives the output shaft coupled to the valve system, the drive motor also contemporaneously rotates a dual lead screw in the valve position slide switch. The dual lead screw drives an electrical contactor along a series of electrical contacts in a closed loop fashion. Each of the discrete electrical contacts corresponds to a position of the valve. The electronic controller controls the position of the valve in accordance with dwell times programmed into the electronic controller. If a demand regeneration scheme is desirable, a hardness setting rotary potentiometer can be used to provide analog electrical control.