DISPENSER

Abstract

A dispenser for tissue paper comprising a housing is provided. The housing includes a first seat for a first roll or a first stack of tissue paper and a second seat for a second roll or a second stack of tissue paper. The housing is provided with a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position, from which tissue paper is graspable for dispensing thereof. The dispenser includes a blocking arrangement for selectively blocking either the first dispensing position or the second dispensing position. The dispenser includes a sensor device arranged to sense at least one position of the blocking arrangement, wherein the sensor device is connected to a control unit arranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser based on the sensed at least one position of the blocking arrangement.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application is a §371 National Stage Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/SE2012/051444 filed Dec. 20, 2012, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a dispenser for tissue paper.

BACKGROUND

A dispenser for tissue paper may typically be arranged in a washroom. The tissue paper may be provided in rolls of tissue paper or in stacks of tissue paper. A dispenser arranged in a public or commercial facility which is highly frequented may be provided with a large reserve of tissue paper. For instance, the tissue paper may be provided from two seats, or positions, inside the dispenser.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,245 discloses a dispenser for selectively dispensing first and second rolls of sheet material respectively wrapped around first and second cores. The dispenser includes a housing defining a storage compartment for the first and second rolls and an opening, a first and second core support structures disposed in the housing for respectively supporting differently sized first and second cores and a divider slidably carried by the housing and covering a portion of the opening. The divider is movable between a first dispensing position, wherein a first portion of the opening is uncovered to allow access to the first roll and a second portion of the opening is covered to prevent access to the second roll, and a second position, wherein the first portion of the opening is covered and the second portion the opening is uncovered to allow access to the second roll. The divider includes an adjustable blocking plate for preventing movement of the divider from the first dispensing position to the second dispensing portion until substantially all the sheet material has been exhausted from the first roll.

A dispenser for tissue paper has to be replenished more or less regularly. An indication of a tissue paper filling state of a dispenser may facilitate the work of service personnel responsible for replenishing the dispenser with tissue paper.

WO 2005/065509 discloses a system and method for measuring, monitoring and controlling washroom dispensers and products. An apparatus for the dispensing of product is provided. The apparatus includes a dispenser sensor unit. The dispenser sensor unit is configured for detecting information about the product and for varying a dispensing parameter of the dispenser. A data communications unit in communication with the dispenser sensor unit is provided and is configured for receiving information from the dispenser sensor unit. A washroom monitoring station in communication with the data communications unit may be present and may be configured for receiving information from the data communications unit. The dispenser sensor unit may be configured for receiving a communication so as to vary a dispensing parameter of the dispenser.

WO 2012/034590 SCA discloses a solution for detecting a level of a consumable tissue product in a tissue dispenser located in a washroom. This is provided in a number of aspects such as a tissue dispenser, a method, system, and a sensor unit utilizing two sensor elements each arranged to measure light reflected from a reflection field located on the tissue product itself, and arranged to measure absence of the tissue product. Data from the sensor elements are wirelessly transmitted to a server for further handling, such as for instance notification to a janitor in charge of service of the washroom.

A dispenser including two seats, or positions, from which tissue paper may be dispensed may be provided with a blocking arrangement. The blocking arrangement blocks access to one of the two seats such that dispensing of tissue paper takes place from only one of the seats until that particular seat is empty. Only then the blocking arrangement may be manipulated to provide access to the other seat for dispensing tissue paper therefrom.

SUMMARY

It is desired to provide a dispenser for tissue paper with an alternative arrangement for assisting service personnel in replenishing the dispenser.

According to an aspect, a dispenser for tissue paper comprising a housing provides an alternative arrangement for assisting service personnel in replenishing the dispenser. In the aspect, the housing includes a first seat for a first roll or a first stack of tissue paper and a second seat for a second roll or a second stack of tissue paper. The housing is provided with a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position, from which first and second dispensing positions tissue paper is graspable for dispensing thereof. The dispenser includes a blocking arrangement for selectively blocking either the first dispensing position or the second dispensing position. The dispenser includes a sensor device arranged to sense at least one position of the blocking arrangement. The sensor device is connected to a control unit arranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser based on the sensed at least one position of the blocking arrangement.

Since the sensed at least one position of the blocking arrangement is utilized by the control unit to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser, service personnel are able to utilize the tissue paper filling state as a basis for planning replenishing of the dispenser with tissue paper.

The dispenser may be adapted to be arranged in a washroom. The dispenser may be arranged to be attached to a structure such as a wall or a door. The housing may include one compartment, inside which the first and second seats are provided. Alternatively, the dispenser may include two compartments, one for each of the first and second seats. The term “seat” is herein to be interpreted as any structure or arrangement suitable for supporting a roll of tissue paper or a stack of tissue paper. An example of a seat for a roll of tissue paper is a peg, which fits into a core of the roll and about which the roll may pivot. An example of a seat for a stack of tissue paper is a frame provided with a dispensing opening. The frame is sized such that the stack abuts against the frame around the dispensing opening. The term “dispensing position” is intended to define a portion of the housing from which a user is intended to dispense tissue paper. Accordingly, the blocking arrangement prevents dispensing of tissue paper from either the first dispensing position or the second dispensing position. For each dispensing position there may be provided a separate dispensing opening. Alternatively, there may be provided one dispensing opening for both dispensing positions.

According to embodiments, the blocking arrangement may include a movable lid arranged to be positioned in a first blocking position and in a second blocking position, wherein in the first blocking position the movable lid prevents access to the first dispensing position and permits access the second dispensing position, and wherein in the second blocking position the movable lid prevents access to the second dispensing position and provides access to the first dispensing position. The lid may be arranged to slide between the first and second blocking positions.

According to embodiments, the blocking arrangement may prevent the movable lid from being moved from the first blocking position to the second blocking position unless the second seat is substantially empty. In this manner, it may be ensured that the movable lid is only movable to the second blocking position when the second seat is empty, i.e. all tissue paper in the second seat has been used. Thus, the second seat is emptied before access is provided to the first seat for dispensing tissue paper therefrom. Replenishing of the dispenser may thus be performed of a completely empty second seat.

According to embodiments, the blocking arrangement may prevent the movable lid from being moved from the second blocking position to the first blocking position unless the first seat is substantially empty. In this manner, it may be ensured that the movable lid is only movable to the first blocking position when the first seat is empty, i.e. all tissue paper in the first seat has been used. Thus, the first seat is emptied before access is provided to the second seat for dispensing tissue paper therefrom. Replenishing of the dispenser may thus be performed of a completely empty first seat.

According to embodiments, the blocking arrangement may include a lever mechanism adapted to bear against rolls or stacks of tissue paper arranged in the first and second seats. The lever mechanism may be arranged to engage and release the movable lid. Thus, a level of tissue paper in the first and/or second seats may affect the movable lid and its movability between the first and second blocking positions.

According to embodiments, the lever mechanism may include a first linkage arranged to bear against the first roll or stack of tissue paper and a second linkage arranged to bear against the second roll or stack of tissue paper. In this manner a level of tissue paper in the first seat and the second seat may be detected.

According to embodiments, the at least one position of the blocking arrangement sensed by the sensor device may relate to one position of the lever mechanism.

According to embodiments, the at least one position of the blocking arrangement sensed by the sensor device may relate to one position of the movable lid.

According to embodiments, the dispenser may include a sensing unit arranged to acknowledge replenishing of the dispenser with tissue paper. In this manner, a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser may be reset to a state representing filled first and second seats. The sensing unit may be connected to the control unit.

According to embodiments, the sensor device may include an optical sensor device.

According to embodiments, the optical sensor device may include a light source and a photosensitive element. Several alternative operations of the optical sensor and the control unit are envisaged. Depending on how the optical sensor is arranged in relation to the blocking arrangement, either light sensed by the optical sensor indicates a filled seat and absence of light indicates an empty seat, or light sensed by the optical sensor indicates an empty seat and absence of light indicates a filled seat. Alternatively, difference in light sensed by the optical sensor indicates a filled or an empty seat. A change in intensity of light from the light source received by the photosensitive element indicates that a seat has been emptied, either an increase in light intensity or a decrease in light intensity.

According to embodiments, the blocking arrangement may include a light reflecting surface arranged to reflect light from the light source towards the photosensitive element. In this manner, reliability of the sensor device may be ensured by the light being reflected from the light source towards the photosensitive element.

According to embodiments, the sensor device and at least part of the blocking arrangement may be arranged in an enclosure separate from the first and second seats. In this manner, the sensor device may be protected from damage, e.g. when the dispenser is replenished. Moreover, if the sensor device is an optical sensor device, the sensor device is not accidentally affected by light nor related to the sensor.

According to embodiments, the sensor device may be arranged to sense at least two positions of the blocking arrangement, and the control unit may be arranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser based on the sensed at least two positions of the blocking arrangement.

According to embodiments, the control unit may be arranged to indicate a first tissue paper filling state indicating either an empty first seat or an empty second seat, and a second tissue paper filling state indicating empty first and second seats.

According to embodiments, the control unit may be arranged to indicate a third tissue paper filling state indicating at least partially filled first and second seats.

The control unit may be arranged to indicate a fourth tissue paper filling state indicating filled first and second seats.

According to embodiments, the control unit may be arranged separate from the dispenser and the sensor device may be arranged to communicate with the control unit. For instance, the sensor device may communicate wirelessly with the control unit.

According to embodiments, the control unit may be arranged in the dispenser. In this manner, a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser may be indicated directly on the dispenser, e.g. by one or more light sources indicating different tissue paper filling states.

According to embodiments, the control unit may communicate with, or may form part of, a data collection system configured for communicating tissue paper filling states of the dispenser to an operator. In this manner, the operator may be informed of tissue paper filling states of the dispenser. The data collection system configured for communicating tissue paper filling states may for instance include a visual indication of a relevant tissue paper filling state of the dispenser. The data collection system may be provided on the dispenser itself or remote from the dispenser. In these embodiments, the data collection system need not necessarily have any data storage capacity. The data collection system may only have the possibility to indicate a current tissue paper filling state of the dispenser.

According to embodiments, the data collection system may be configured to store data for communicating tissue paper filling states of the dispenser to an operator. In this manner, the operator may be informed of tissue paper filling states of the dispenser in a location remote from the dispenser, e.g. via message from the data collection system to a handheld device used by the operator. The operator may for instance upon demand retrieve the tissue paper filling state of the dispenser. The data collection system configured to store data may for instance be a data server.

Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the present invention may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser for tissue paper according to embodiments,

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a sensor device and a portion of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1, and

FIGS. 3 and 4 each illustrates a dispenser for tissue paper according to different embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. However, this invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Disclosed features of example embodiments may be combined as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser 2 for tissue paper according to an embodiment of the invention. The dispenser 2 includes a housing 4. The housing 4 includes a first seat 6 for a first roll 8 of tissue paper and a second seat 10 for a second roll 11 of tissue paper. The housing 4 is provided with a first dispensing position 12 and a second dispensing position 14. A user may grasp tissue paper from the first and second dispensing positions 12, 14 for dispensing tissue paper.

The dispenser 2 includes a blocking arrangement 16 for selectively blocking either the first dispensing position 12 or the second dispensing position 14. The blocking arrangement 16 includes a movable lid 18 arranged to be positioned in a first blocking position and in a second blocking position. In the first blocking position, the movable lid 18 prevents access to the first dispensing position 12 and permits access to the second dispensing position 14. In the second blocking position, the movable lid 18 prevents access to the second dispensing position 14 and provides access to the first dispensing position 12. In FIG. 1, the movable lid 18 is illustrated in the first blocking position. The movable lid 18 is slidably attached to the housing 4 for sliding between the first and second blocking positions. The blocking arrangement 16 is arranged to prevent the movable lid 18 from being moved from the first blocking position to the second blocking position unless the second seat 11 is substantially empty. That is, when substantially all tissue paper has been dispensed from the second roll 11 of tissue paper the movable lid 18 may be moved to the second blocking position. Conversely, should the movable lid 18 be in the second blocking position then the blocking arrangement 16 prevents the movable lid 18 from being moved from the second blocking position to the first blocking position unless the first seat is substantially empty.

The blocking arrangement 16 includes a lever mechanism 20 adapted to bear against the first and second rolls 8, 11 of tissue paper. The lever mechanism 20 of the blocking arrangement 16 is arranged to engage and release the movable lid 18. Thus, when engaged, the movable lid 18 is prevented from being moved from the first blocking position to the second blocking position, or vice versa. Conversely, when released, the movable lid 18 may be moved from the first blocking position to the second blocking position, or vice versa.

The lever mechanism 20 includes a first linkage 22 arranged to bear against the first roll 8 and a second linkage 24 arranged to bear against the second roll 11. The first and second linkages 22, 24 are identical. In the following, the function of the first and second linkages will be discussed, primarily with reference to the second linkage 24. The second linkage 24 includes a first arm 26 arranged to bear against the second roll 11 of tissue paper. The first arm 26 is pivotably and slidably connected to the housing 4 at a pivot point 27. The second linkage 24 further includes a second arm 28. The second arm 28 is connected to the first arm 26 at a first end portion 30 of the first arm 26 and is arranged to engage with the movable lid 18 at a second end portion 32 of the second arm 28. The second end portion 28 engages with the movable lid 18 by the second arm 28 being immovable in a direction along the movable lid 18 and its sliding direction 33. Thus, a straight edge 35 of the second end 32 abutting against a straight edged recess 37 of the movable lid 18 prevents the movable lid 18 from being moved to the second blocking position.

The second arm 28 is slidably connected to the housing 4. The second arm 28 is slidable along a longitudinal direction of the second arm 28, substantially perpendicularly to the sliding direction 33 of the movable lid 18. The connection between the second arm 28 and the first arm 26 at the first end portion 30 is a sliding connection. For instance, the first end portion 30 may be provided with a pin 34 and the first arm 26 may be provided with a slot 36 such that the pin 34, arranged in the slot 36, may slide along the slot 36.

As tissue paper is dispensed from the second roll 11, the first arm 26 bearing against the second roll 11 is displaced by the diameter of the second roll 11 decreasing. During the displacing, the first arm 26 pivots and slides in relation to the housing 4 at the pivot point 27. As the first arm 26 is displaced in this manner, the first arm 26 slides with its slot 36 along the pin 34 from a first slot end 38 to a second slot end 40. The second arm 28 thus, remains immovable until the pin 34 reaches the second slot end 40. The length of the slot 36 is adapted to the diameter of the second roll 11. Thus, when substantially all tissue paper has been dispensed from the second roll 11, the second slot end 40 reaches the pin 34. Upon a further decrease of the diameter of the second roll 11, the first arm 26 engages with the pin 34 in the slot 36 and slides the second arm 28 away from the movable lid 18. The movable lid 18 is thus released from the engagement with the second arm 28 and may be moved to the second blocking position to provide access to the first dispensing position 12.

Since in the illustrated example a first roll 8 of tissue paper is provided in the first seat 6, a corresponding second arm 28′ of the first linkage 22 is in a position to engage with the movable lid 18. However, the second arms 28, 28′ are each provided with a slanted edge 42, 42′ opposite to the straight edge 35, 35′. Thus, as the movable lid 18 being moved to the second blocking position pushes against the slanted edge 42′, the second arm 28′ slides away from the lid 18 in a direct substantially perpendicularly to the sliding direct 33 of the lid 18. When the movable lid 18 has reached the second blocking position, the straight edge 35′ of the second arm 28′ of the first linkage 22 engages with a straight edged recess 37′ at an opposite end of the movable lid 18.

The dispenser 2 includes a sensor device 50 arranged to sense at least one position of the blocking arrangement 16. The sensor device 50 is connected to a control unit (not shown) arranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2 based on the sensed at least one position of the blocking arrangement 16.

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the sensor device 50 and a portion of the dispenser 2 illustrated in FIG. 1. The movable lid 18 is illustrated in the second blocking position in FIG. 2. The sensor device 50 is arranged to sense at least one position of the blocking arrangement 16. In these embodiments, the at least one position of the blocking arrangement 16 sensed by the sensor device 50 relates to one position of the lever mechanism 20. The sensor device 50 is arranged in a vicinity of the first and second linkages 22, 24 more particularly in a vicinity of the second arms 28, 28′ of the two linkages 22, 24. The sensor device 50 and the second arms 28, 28′ are arranged in an enclosure 52 separate from the first and second seats 6, 10 of the first and second rolls 8, 11 of tissue paper. The enclosure 52 is attached to the housing 4 of the dispenser 2. In these embodiments, the sensor device 50 is separate from the first and second seats 6, 10 in the sense that the enclosure 52 delimits the sensor device 50 from the housing 4 of the dispenser 2.

The sensor device 50 includes an optical sensor device. The optical sensor device includes a light source 54 and a photosensitive element 56. The second arm 28 of the second linkage 24 of the blocking arrangement 16 includes a light reflecting surface 58 arranged to reflect light from the light source 54 towards the photosensitive element 56. The light reflecting surface 58 may be constituted by any kind of surface having reflective properties, at least to some degree.

When the second arm 28 of the second linkage 24 is in a position in which the second arm 28 may engage with the movable lid 18 in the first blocking position, the light from the light source 56 is reflected by light reflecting surface 58 towards the photosensitive element 56. This is the situation illustrated in both FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e. when there is tissue paper on the second roll 11 in the second seat 10. The sensor device 50 thus, senses at least one position of the blocking arrangement 16.

The sensor device 50 is connected to a control unit 60. The control unit 60 is arranged separate from the dispenser 2. The sensor device 50 is arranged to communicate with the control unit 60. For instance, the sensor device 50 may communicate wirelessly with the control unit 60. In these embodiments, the control unit 60 is provided in a data server 62. The data server 62 forms an example of a data collection system configured to store data. The data server 62 may e.g. be arranged for communicating tissue paper filling states of the dispenser to an operator. The control unit 60 may be a dedicated control unit provided separately in the server, e.g. on a PCI card inserted in the data server 62. Alternatively, the control unit 60 may be implemented as a computer program executed by a processor of the data server 62. However, the control unit 60 may alternatively be provided in a separate device, which separate device in turn may communicate with the data server 62.

In any event, the control unit 60 is arranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2. The tissue paper filling state is based on the sensed at least one position of the blocking arrangement 16. Accordingly, in the dispenser illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2 may e.g. be that the second seat 10 of the dispenser 2 is not empty.

As mentioned above, when all tissue paper of the second roll 11 in the second seat 10 has been dispensed, the second arm 28 of the second linkage 24 moves away from the movable lid 18, i.e. upwardly in FIGS. 1 and 2. The light reflecting surface 58 is thus moved away from the sensor device 50. No light, or light at a lower intensity, from the light source 54 is now received by the photosensitive element 56. The control unit 60 now indicates a different tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2, e.g. that the second seat 10 of the dispenser 2 is empty, or that one of the first and second seats 6, 10 is empty. Thus, in these embodiments the sensor device 50 is arranged to sense at least two positions of the blocking arrangement 16, and the control unit 50 is arranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2 based on the sensed at least two positions of the blocking arrangement 16.

The sensor arrangement 50 may include a further light source and a further photosensitive element. The second arm 28 of the first linkage 22 may also be provided with a light reflecting surface. Thus, a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2 may also indicate whether the first roll 8 in the first seat 6 includes tissue paper or is empty. Thus, also in this sense the sensor device 50 of these embodiments is arranged to sense at least two positions of the blocking arrangement 16, and the control unit 50 is arranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2 based on the sensed at least two positions of the blocking arrangement 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates a dispenser 2 for tissue paper according to an embodiment of the invention. The dispenser 2 includes a housing 4. The housing 4 includes a first seat 6 for a first stack of tissue paper and a second seat 10 for a second stack 70 of tissue paper. The first seat 6 is empty, i.e. the first stack of tissue paper has been dispensed. The housing 4 is provided with a first dispensing position 12 and a second dispensing position 14. A user may grasp tissue paper from the first and second dispensing positions 12, 14 for dispensing tissue paper.

Other than being adapted for dispensing of tissue paper from a stack of tissue paper, the dispenser 2 of these embodiments works in the same manner as the dispenser 2 of the FIGS. 1 and 2 embodiments. To avoid repetition, elements have been omitted in FIG. 3. The lever mechanism 20 of the blocking arrangement 16 is adapted to bear against the first and second stacks of tissue paper. The first linkage 22 of the lever mechanism 20 is illustrated in FIG. 3 in a position where the first arm 26′ has followed the now empty first stack. The second arm 28′ has thus been slid upwardly in FIG. 3 and permitted the movable lid 18 to be moved from the second blocking position to the first blocking position. Dispensing of the tissue paper may now be performed from the second stack 70 at the second dispensing position 14.

For a further description of the dispenser 2 reference is made to the description relating to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a dispenser 2 for tissue paper according to an embodiment of the invention. The dispenser 2 includes a housing 4. The housing 4 includes a first seat 6 for a first roll 8 of tissue paper and a second seat 10 for a second roll 11 of tissue paper. The housing 4 is provided with a first dispensing position 12 and a second dispensing position 14. A user may grasp tissue paper from the first and second dispensing positions 12, 14 for dispensing tissue paper.

The dispenser 2 includes a blocking arrangement 16 for selectively blocking either the first dispensing position 12 or the second dispensing position 14. The blocking arrangement 16 includes a movable lid 18 arranged to be positioned in a first blocking position and in a second blocking position. In the first blocking position, the movable lid 18 prevents access to the first dispensing position 12 and permits access the second dispensing position 14. In the second blocking position, the movable lid 18 prevents access to the second dispensing position 14 and provides access to the first dispensing position 12. In FIG. 4, the movable lid 18 is illustrated in the second blocking position. The movable lid 18 is slidably attached to the housing 4 for sliding between the first and second blocking positions. The blocking arrangement 16 is arranged to prevent the movable lid 18 from being moved from the second blocking position to the first blocking position unless the first seat 6 is substantially empty. That is, when substantially all tissue paper has been dispensed from the first roll 8 of tissue paper the movable lid 18 may be moved to the first blocking position. Conversely, should the movable lid 18 be in the first blocking position then the blocking arrangement 16 prevents the movable lid 18 from being moved from the first blocking position to the second blocking position unless the second seat 10 is substantially empty.

The blocking arrangement 16 includes a stud 80 adapted to bear against the first roll 8 of tissue paper or the second roll 11 of tissue paper. The stud 80 extends from the movable lid 18 in a direction perpendicularly to a sliding direction 33 of the movable lid 18. The stud 80 has a length such that it will bear against the tissue paper of the first roll 8. When the first roll 8 of tissue paper has been dispensed, the stud 80 has a length such that it will pass the first seat 6. Thus, the movable lid 18 is prevented from being moved from the second blocking position to the first blocking position until the first roll 8 of tissue paper is substantially empty.

The stud 80 is attached to a first socket 82 provided at one end portion of the movable lid 18. The stud 80 may be removed from the first socket 82 and may be placed in a second socket 83 provided at an opposite end portion of the movable lid 18. An operator may do so when the first seat 6 has been replenished with a roll of tissue paper while dispensing of tissue paper takes place from the second roll 11. Thus, the movable lid 18 will be prevented from being moved from the first blocking position until the second seat 10 is empty. Accordingly, tissue paper from one roll at a time will be dispensed from the dispenser 2.

The dispenser 2 includes a sensor device 50 arranged to sense at least one position of the blocking arrangement 16. The sensor device 50 is connected to a control unit 60 arranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2 based on the sensed at least one position of the blocking arrangement 16. The control unit 60 is arranged in the dispenser 2.

The sensor device 50 is arranged to sense at least one position of the blocking arrangement 16. In these embodiments, the at least one position of the blocking arrangement 16 sensed by the sensor device 50 relates to one position of the movable lid 18. The sensor device 50 includes a Hall Effect sensor 85 attached to the housing 4 and a first magnet 84 and a second magnet 86 attached to opposite end portions of the movable lid 18. The Hall Effect sensor 85 is arranged to sense the first or the second magnet 84, 86. Sensing of the first or the second magnet 84, 86 allows the control unit 60 to indicate a paper tissue filling state of the dispenser 2 based on at least one position of the movable lid 18.

The sensor device 50 is connected to the control unit 60. The sensor device 50 is arranged to communicate with the control unit 60. The control unit 60 is arranged to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2. The control unit 60 is connected to two light sources such as two LEDs 87 for indicating a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2. The control unit 60 may thus, be referred to as forming part of a data collection system configured for communicating tissue paper filling states of the dispenser 2 to an operator. A sensing unit 88 is positioned in the housing 4 and arranged to acknowledge replenishing of the dispenser 2 with tissue paper. The sensing unit 88 is connected to the control unit 60. For instance, the sensing unit 88 may sense the opening and/or closing of a replenishing lid (not shown) of the dispenser 2. It is assumed that the dispenser 2 is replenished when the replenishing lid is opened. Thus, the control unit 60 may reset the tissue paper filling state of the dispenser 2 based on input from the sensing unit 88.

Purely provided as an example of indication of tissue paper filling states of the dispenser 2, the following example is provided:

• • Tissue paper is dispensed from the first roll 8 by users until the first seat 6 is empty.
  • A user desiring to dispense tissue paper moves the movable lid 18 from the illustrated second blocking position to the first blocking position in order to dispense tissue paper form the second roll 11.
  • Thus, the sensor device 50 senses the first magnet 84 being moved away from the Hall Effect sensor 85 and the second magnet 86 is moved to the Hall Effect sensor 85, which in turn is sensed by the Hall effect sensor 85.
  • The control unit 60 thus lights one of the LEDs 87 to indicate that one of the seats 6, 10 is empty.
  • When all tissue paper has been dispensed from the second roll 11, a user will move the movable lid 18 to the second blocking position in an attempt to find tissue paper at the first dispensing position 12.
  • Again, the sensor device 50 senses a magnet being moved away from the Hall Effect sensor 85 and a magnet being moved to the Hall Effect sensor 85.
  • In response thereto the control unit 60 lights also the other LED 87 to indicate that both seats 6, 10 are empty.

An operator responsible for replenishing the dispenser 2 will see one or two lit LEDs 87 and in response thereto may replenish the dispenser 2, in one or both seats 6, 10, respectively. Upon opening the dispenser 2, the sensing unit 88 resets the control unit 60, which in turn shuts off the one or two LEDs 87. The control unit 60 may communicate with a remotely located data server 62. The data server 62 is an example of a data collection system configured to store data.

The following may relate to all embodiments disclosed herein:

The control unit 60 may be arranged to indicate a first tissue paper filling state indicating either an empty first seat 6 or an empty second seat 10, and a second tissue paper filling state indicating empty first and second seats 6, 10. Thus, in the first tissue paper filling state, it is recommended to replenish the dispenser 2 with tissue paper. In the second tissue paper filling state, it is required that the dispenser 2 is replenished with tissue paper. The control unit 60 may be arranged to indicate a third tissue paper filling state indicating at least partially filled first and second seats 6, 10. Thus, it is verified that no immediate replenishing of the dispenser 2 is required.

The data server 62 may be arranged for communicating tissue paper filling states of the dispenser 2 to an operator. The tissue paper filling states may be presented on a display screen of the data server 62. In addition thereto, or alternatively, the data server 62 may present the tissue paper filling states of the dispenser 2 in a location remote from the data server 62, e.g. via messages from the data server 62 to a handheld device used by the operator.

The data server 62 has been described to be a remotely located data server 62, which encompasses a data server 62 located outside a facility, such as a restroom, wherein the dispenser 2 is located, as well as a data server 62 located in a different building than wherein the dispenser 2 is located. Alternatively, the data server 62 may be locally arranged, i.e. in the facility, such as a restroom, wherein the dispenser 2 is located. The data server 2 may thus form a locally arranged information system for providing an operator with paper tissue filling states of the dispenser 2.

Example embodiments described above may be combined as understood by a person skilled in the art. For example, the FIG. 4 embodiments may be provided with an optical sensor instead of the Hall Effect sensor. Although the invention has been described with reference to example embodiments, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art. For example, the light reflecting surface 58 may alternatively be positioned to reflect light onto the photosensitive element 56 when a seat is empty. The second arms 28, 28′ may be shaped such that light from the light source 54 does not hit the second arms 28, 28′ in one position thereof, i.e. in which one position light will not be reflected from the light reflecting surface 58 to the photosensitive element 56. Parts of the lever mechanism 20 may be provided on a rear side of the dispenser 2, e.g. the second arms 28, 28′. Accordingly, also the enclosure 52 and the sensor device 50 may be provided on the rear side of the dispenser 2. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and that the invention is defined only the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dispenser for tissue paper comprising a housing, the housing comprising:

a first seat for a first roll or a first stack of tissue paper;

a second seat for a second roll or a second stack of tissue paper;

a first dispensing position, from which tissue paper on the first roll or the first stack of tissue paper is graspable for dispensing thereof;

a second dispensing position, from which tissue paper on the second roll or the second stack of tissue paper is graspable for dispensing thereof;

a blocking arrangement for selectively blocking either the first dispensing position or the second dispensing position; and

a sensor device arranged to sense at least one position of the blocking arrangement,

wherein the sensor device is connected to a control unit configured to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser based on the sensed at least one position of the blocking arrangement.

2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the blocking arrangement comprises a movable lid arranged to be positioned in a first blocking position and in a second blocking position,

wherein, in the first blocking position, the movable lid prevents access to the first dispensing position and permits access to the second dispensing position, and

wherein, in the second blocking position, the movable lid prevents access to the second dispensing position and provides access to the first dispensing position.

3. The dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the blocking arrangement prevents the movable lid from being moved from the first blocking position to the second blocking position unless the second seat is substantially empty.

4. The dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the blocking arrangement prevents the movable lid from being moved from the second blocking position to the first blocking position unless the first seat is substantially empty.

5. The dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the blocking arrangement comprises a lever mechanism adapted to bear against the first roll or first stack of tissue paper arranged in the first seat and against the second roll or second stack of tissue paper arranged in the first second seat, and wherein the lever mechanism is configured to engage and release the movable lid.

6. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the lever mechanism comprises a first linkage arranged to bear against the first roll or the first stack of tissue paper and a second linkage arranged to bear against the second roll or the second stack of tissue paper.

7. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the at least one position of the blocking arrangement sensed by the sensor device relates to one position of the lever mechanism.

8. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the at least one position of the blocking arrangement sensed by the sensor device relates to one position of the movable lid.

9. The dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a sensing unit configured to acknowledge replenishing of the dispenser with tissue paper.

10. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises an optical sensor device.

11. The dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the optical sensor device comprises a light source and a photosensitive element.

12. The dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the blocking arrangement comprises a light reflecting surface arranged to reflect light from the light source towards the photosensitive element.

13. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device and at least part of the blocking arrangement are arranged in an enclosure separate from the first and second seats.

14. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device is configured to sense at least two positions of the blocking arrangement, and wherein the control unit is configured to indicate a tissue paper filling state of the dispenser based on the sensed at least two positions of the blocking arrangement.

15. The dispenser according to claim 14, wherein the control unit is configured to indicate a first tissue paper filling state indicating either that the first seat is empty or that the second seat is empty, and a second tissue paper filling state indicating that both the first and second seats are empty.

16. The dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the control unit is configured to indicate a third tissue paper filling state indicating that the first and second seats are at least partially filled.

17. The dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the control unit is configured to indicate a fourth tissue paper filling state indicating that the first and second seats are filled.

18. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged separate from the dispenser and the sensor device is configured to communicate with the control unit.

19. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged in the dispenser.

20. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the control unit communicates with, or forms part of, a data collection system configured for communicating tissue paper filling states of the dispenser to an operator.

21. The dispenser according to claim 20, wherein the data collection system is configured to store data for communicating tissue paper filling states of the dispenser to an operator.