Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing flexible web material from a center pull roll capable of accommodating different types of web material in the form of sheets separated by lines of perforation. The dispenser includes dispenser apparatus permitting the device to self-adjust to the different thicknesses, sizes and physical characteristics of different types of web material. In certain preferred embodiments, the dispenser comprises a housing, a web support within the housing and structure permitting the dispenser to self-adjust to the effective cross-sectional area of the web. The preferred dispenser structure includes elements positioned to receive the web between them. At least one of the elements is movable and is biased for displacement toward the other. Frictional force applied against the web by the elements resists pull force applied to the web by a user so that a single web sheet separates from the web along the perforation between the elements and the lead end when a user pulls on the web outside the housing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improved automatic dispenser apparatus for dispensing sheet material and the like without contact between a user and the dispenser. Proximity detection apparatus is provided to detect the presence of a user in a detection zone generated outside the dispenser. Control apparatus controls actuation of the dispenser in response to the detected user. Preferred forms of the proximity detector include a sensor and a signal detection circuit operatively connected to the sensor. The sensor includes conductors configured to have a capacitance and positioned such that the capacitance is changed by the presence of a user within the detection zone. The signal detection circuit detects the change in capacitance and is provided with an oscillator having a frequency which is affected by the sensor capacitance and a differential frequency discriminator which detects changes in the oscillator frequency.

Abstract: A dispenser for storing and dispensing rolled sheet material is provided. The dispenser has a housing which holds at least one roll of sheet material therein. The housing has a portion of an outer surface which is positioned against a support surface. The housing also has an opening defined by a perimeter configured to provide two hub positions. The dispenser also has a hub configured to receive at least one roll of sheet material. The hub has a first end and a second end. The first end is positioned to extend through at least a portion of one hub position. The hub has a flange which is positioned radially around at least a portion of the hub near the second end. The flange has a perimeter which is larger than the perimeter of the hub positions, and is supported against the outer surface of the housing. The hub is configured to be positioned to hold one of a jumbo roll, a mid-sized roll, and a stub roll.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improved automatic dispenser apparatus for dispensing sheet material and the like without contact between a user and the dispenser. Proximity detection apparatus is provided to detect the presence of a user in a detection zone generated outside the dispenser. Control apparatus controls actuation of the dispenser in response to the detected user. Preferred forms of the proximity detector include a sensor and a signal detection circuit operatively connected to the sensor. The sensor includes conductors configured to have a capacitance and positioned such that the capacitance is changed by the presence of a user within the detection zone. The signal detection circuit detects the change in capacitance and is provided with an oscillator having a frequency which is affected by the sensor capacitance and a differential frequency discriminator which detects changes in the oscillator frequency.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improved automatic dispenser apparatus for dispensing sheet material and the like without contact between a user and the dispenser. Proximity detection apparatus is provided to detect the presence of a user in a detection zone generated outside the dispenser. Control apparatus controls actuation of the dispenser in response to the detected user. Preferred forms of the proximity detector include a sensor and a signal detection circuit operatively connected to the sensor. The sensor includes conductors configured to have a capacitance and positioned such that the capacitance is changed by the presence of a user within the detection zone. The signal detection circuit detects the change in capacitance and is provided with an oscillator having a frequency which is affected by the sensor capacitance and a differential frequency discriminator which detects changes in the oscillator frequency.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing rolls of sheet material is provided. The dispenser has a housing which holds one or more rolls of sheet material. The housing has an opening which is defined by a perimeter. A hub which is configured to hold a roll of sheet material is positioned to extend at least partially through the opening, and is moveably retained within the perimeter. An arm supports the hub for pivotable movement on a first end thereof. A portion of the arm is pivotably coupled to a portion of the housing. A second end of the arm is also pivotably movable and configured to be releasably locked into one of a plurality of selected positions.

Abstract: A dispenser for storing and dispensing rolled sheet material is provided. The dispenser has a housing which holds at least one roll of sheet material therein. The housing has a portion of an outer surface which is positioned against a support surface. The housing also has an opening defined by a perimeter configured to provide two hub positions. The dispenser also has a hub configured to receive at least one roll of sheet material. The hub has a first end and a second end. The first end is positioned to extend through at least a portion of one hub position. The hub has a flange which is positioned radially around at least a portion of the hub near the second end. The flange has a perimeter which is larger than the perimeter of the hub positions, and is supported against the outer surface of the housing. The hub is configured to be positioned to hold one of a jumbo roll, a mid-sized roll, and a stub roll.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing rolls of sheet material is provided. The dispenser has a housing which holds one or more rolls of sheet material. The housing has an opening which is defined by a perimeter. A hub which is configured to hold a roll of sheet material is positioned to extend at least partially through the opening, and is moveably retained within the perimeter. An arm supports the hub for pivotable movement on a first end thereof. A portion of the arm is pivotably coupled to a portion of the housing. A second end of the arm is also pivotably movable and configured to be releasably locked into one of a plurality of selected positions.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing rolled sheet material has a housing which holds at least one roll of sheet material. The housing has an outer surface positioned against a support surface and the housing also has an opening defined by a perimeter. A first end of a hub is positioned to extend through at least a portion of the opening in the housing. The hub is movably retained within the perimeter and it is configured to hold a roll of sheet material. An arm is coupled to a second end of the hub. The arm supports the hub for movement within the perimeter. The arm has a perimeter which is larger than the perimeter of the opening and the arm is movably supported against the outer surface of the housing. The arm is also configured to be releasably locked into one of a plurality of selected positions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improved automatic dispenser apparatus for dispensing sheet material and the like without contact between a user and the dispenser. Proximity detection apparatus is provided to detect the presence of a user in a detection zone generated outside the dispenser. Control apparatus controls actuation of the dispenser in response to the detected user. Preferred forms of the proximity detector include a sensor and a signal detection circuit operatively connected to the sensor. The sensor includes conductors configured to have a capacitance and positioned such that the capacitance is changed by the presence of a user within the detection zone. The signal detection circuit detects the change in capacitance and is provided with an oscillator having a frequency which is affected by the sensor capacitance and a differential frequency discriminator which detects changes in the oscillator frequency.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing flexible web material from a center pull roll capable of accommodating different types of web material in the form of sheets separated by lines of perforation. The dispenser includes dispenser apparatus permitting the device to self-adjust to the different thicknesses, sizes and physical characteristics of different types of web material. In certain preferred embodiments, the dispenser comprises a housing, a web support within the housing and structure permitting the dispenser to self-adjust to the effective cross-sectional area of the web. The preferred dispenser structure includes elements positioned to receive the web between them. At least one of the elements is movable and is biased for displacement toward the other. Frictional force applied against the web by the elements resists pull force applied to the web by a user so that a single web sheet separates from the web along the perforation between the elements and the lead end when a user pulls on the web outside the housing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improved apparatus for dispensing flexible web material from plural rolls including improved transfer apparatus for reliably and simply dispensing material from a secondary roll once a primary roll has been depleted. The improved transfer apparatus comprises a one-piece transfer arm, first and second transfer rollers rotatably secured with respect to the transfer arm and a sensing member secured with respect to the transfer arm in position to contact the primary roll web surface. The sensing member permits movement of the transfer arm and transfer rollers to a transfer position once the primary roll diameter diminishes to a predetermined extent causing the secondary roll material to be dispensed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improved apparatus for dispensing flexible web material from one or more rolls including stop apparatus for reliably and simply controlling the amount of web material dispensed. The improved dispenser stop for controlling the amount of web material dispensed includes a positive stop mechanism movable between ready and stop positions as the drive roller rotates. Dispensing is stopped when the stop moves to contact an engagement surface at the end of a dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A method for joining a tube and a plate includes forming a short connection stub which is integral to the plate. The stub is imperforate and has a cylindrical stub surface around the stub circumference and for engaging the tube. The distal stub edge is spaced from the plate and defines a circle. A cylindrical tube has an interior tube surface, an exterior tube surface and a tube end. The tube end is placed in telescoped relationship to the stub and the stub thereby contacts only one of the tube surfaces, i.e., the interior surface or the exterior surface. The tube and stub overlap at a junction. A substantially uniform force is then applied radially around the stub surface and the stub, the edge and the tube are urged simultaneously radially inwardly or outwardly with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A cooking-type elongate bar burner having a plurality of gas flow apertures and a top surface is defined in part by a stiffening ridge and by a pair of laterally extending flanges. The apertures are beneath the flanges and thereby substantially protected from grease clogging. The burner is roll formed of a single piece of sheet material and is configured to directly accept a gas flow control valve. Also a unique "intra-burner" cross-over ignition arrangement and a method for making the new burner by roll forming are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new "universal" heat distribution article for replacing a rack supporting lava rock or a custom-fitted heat distribution plate. The article includes at least a pair of plates (and preferably four plates), each of which has rows of apertures. The plates are in partial overlapping contact with one another and those apertures at the kettle central region are at least partially closed by the other plate. On the other hand, those plate apertures at the kettle side perimeter regions are fully open. Upward air flow at the kettle central region is restricted, heat is distributed toward the sides of the kettle and the temperature gradient across the cooking surface is materially improved. A retrofit kit and details of the heat distribution plate are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved bar burner is provided for use in a cooking grill having a top cooking area. The bar burner includes an elongate body having a pair of curved ends and a pair of substantially parallel sidewalls extending between the curved ends. A plurality of holes is distributed along each side wall for flowing combustible gas from the interior to the exterior of the body. Each curved end also has a plurality of holes for flowing gas to the exterior of the body. The holes in each curved end are arranged to define an end zone and a pair of angularly facing side zones. The holes in the side zones have enlarged cross-sectional areas, thereby providing improved heat rejection. The cross-sectional areas of the holes defining the angularly facing side zones are generally equal to one another and greater than the cross-sectional areas of the holes distributed along each side wall and in the end zones.