Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for providing a sheet product dispenser with automated product level tracking functionality are provided herein. Various product level sensors are disclosed herein including a product level sensor configured to emit a signal toward an outer circumference of a sheet product roll on a spindle extending along a longitudinal axis and to receive a reflected signal. The product level sensor is positioned a radial distance away from the spindle and aimed to emit the signal in a direction that is not parallel and not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The product level sensor detects a parameter of the reflected signal corresponding to the distance between the product level sensor and the sheet product roll. Other example embodiments include mechanical product level sensors. Various communication protocols may be employed to limit transmission of data to conserve battery life while still maintaining desired communication functionality.

Abstract: A washroom management system with a sensor to generate operability level data for a washroom component: a controller to modify operation of the washroom component; and a central management system to access the operability level data, communicate with the controller and evaluate the operability data to determine an actionable event type for the washroom component, and the central system further configured to in response to determining the event type is the automated resolution event, put the washroom component into the issue resolution state and then putting the washroom component to one of the normal operation state or disabled state based on evaluating the operability level data after the issue resolution state; and in response to determining the event type is the assisted resolution event, leave the washroom component in the normal operation state or put it into the disabled state and causing a message to be sent to an attendant.

Abstract: A method of making a fuel grain for a hybrid rocket engine includes deposing beads of fuel grain material onto mandrel using additive manufacturing to form a cylindrical fuel grain, each bead including a polymer based rocket fuel material and a nanoscale metallic material. The deposing includes deposing multiple, adjacent beads to form concentric layers of beads, wherein a composition of the beads of the fuel grain material differs between the beads of a first layer and the beads of a second layer of the fuel grain.

Abstract: A paper dispenser includes a paper input area and a paper output area; the paper input area including a holder for a paper roll and including a paper input unit provided to displace paper from the paper roll towards the paper output area, the paper output area including a paper output unit which is adapted to dispense paper to an outside of the dispenser, the dispenser further including a paper cutting unit arranged between the paper input unit and a paper output unit, which paper cutting unit is adapted for cutting the paper, wherein the paper output unit is operationally connected to the paper input unit to dispense the paper at a dispensing speed that is at least as large as a displacing speed of the paper input unit.

Abstract: A device (1) for delivery of film for a station for packaging by plastic-wrapping, includes: at least two reels (2), each including at least one support shaft (3) for a film roll as well as a film guide (4), in particular in the form of a roller downstream from the shaft; a return roller (5), up to which an unwound film (6) travels from the roll of one of the reels (2); a loader for bringing the reserve film (9) from the roll of the at least one other reel (2) close to the unwound film. The loader includes a rotor (10), which rolls up the reserve film (9) around it in such a way as to bring it close to the unwound film (6). A machine that uses this device as well as a corresponding method are also described.

Abstract: A dual roll paper towel dispenser, a method of dispensing towel from a dual roll paper towel dispenser, and a method of servicing a dual roll paper towel dispenser are disclosed herein. The dual roll paper towel dispenser can be provided with a dispenser mechanism disposed in a dispenser housing. The dispenser mechanism can include a first drive roller for dispensing paper from an upper first roll of paper and a second drive roller for dispensing paper from a lower second roll of paper. The dispenser mechanism can further include a drive system including a motor for selectively operating the first drive roller and the second drive roller, wherein the drive system powers the motor in a first rotational direction to actuate the first drive roller and powers the motor in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction to actuate the second drive roller.

Abstract: A machine (1) for spreading fabric on a spreading plane (2) includes a carriage (3) that is movable on the spreading plane, the carriage has an unwinding system (6) for unwinding the fabric; an inclined chute arranged below; a cutting system (11) for cutting the fabric, arranged at a lower end (12) of the chute; and a movement system (35) for moving the unwinding system between a first and a second unwinding operating configuration. In the first configuration, a first end (14) of the unwinding system is vertical to the chute (10) and in the second configuration, the first end (14) is in an advanced position towards the cutting head (13).

Abstract: A method and a system for determining an amount of material remaining in a spool are provided herein. The system includes a radiofrequency identification (RFID) reader that is configured to read an RFID tag disposed at an end of a core of the spool. The RFID reader is provided on or in a vicinity of a support surface configured to hold at least a portion of the material. The system further includes a computer system in communication with the RFID reader, the computer system being configured to compute an amount of remaining material in the spool based on a thickness of the material and based on a number of revolutions of the spool. The number of revolutions is determined by a number of times the RFID tag on the spool comes in a reading vicinity of the RFID reader.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position; and a guide system that includes a first roller attached to the main body and a second roller attached to the loading door. The towel dispenser may include a motor for driving dispensing of the toweling from the housing and an associated sensor. The towel dispenser can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the front wall of the main body and a lip of the loading door collectively define a gap to which the guiding system guides the toweling and through which towels are dispensed when the loading door is in the closed position.

Abstract: Sheet product dispensers and methods are provided. A sheet product dispenser includes a loading station for sheet material, a sheet feeding mechanism configured to feed the sheet material, a presentation station for presenting one or more discrete sheet products to an end user, a sensor downstream of the feeding mechanism and upstream of the presentation station configured to detect a presence of the discrete sheet products, and a controller configured to facilitate dispensing of the one or more discrete sheet products in response to a signal, and to determine and store data associated with the dispensing of the sheet products.

Abstract: A double drum traction winch of which the rotatable drums are both provided with adjustable grooves is provided. Each drum includes multiple, for example three or more, curved segments, each segment defining a section of a circumferential groove, such that multiple circumferential grooves on the outer surface of the drum are each composed of several curved segments. The curved segments are each movably supported by a core body for movement in a substantial radial direction relative to the rotational axis of the drum. An actuator mechanism for the curved segments is provided, that includes actuators that cause essentially radial displacement of the curved segments, such that the circumference of the grooves can be adjusted.

Abstract: A sheet product dispenser includes a transfer bar, a roller assembly, a motor, a sensor, and a controller. The transfer bar is movable between first and second positions. The roller assembly, disposed proximate the transfer bar second position, has a drive roller and a pinch roller that define a nip. The motor is in operable communication with the transfer bar to move the transfer bar between the first and second positions. The sensor is in operable communication with the dispenser cover. The controller is in operable communication with the sensor and the motor, and is responsive to executable instructions to facilitate actuation of the motor in response to a signal from the sensor to cause the transfer bar to move between the first position and second positions. The transfer bar includes at least one finger that drives an end of a roll of sheet product towards the nip upon actuation of the transfer bar from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A sensing device is for sensing an outer surface of a roll of material. An infrared (IR) laser source is configured to direct IR laser radiation to the outer surface of the roll of material. A single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector is configured to receive reflected IR laser radiation from the outer surface of the roll of material. A controller is coupled to the IR laser source and the SPAD detector to determine a distance to the outer surface of the roll of material based upon a time-of-flight of the IR laser radiation.

Abstract: A soft good dispensing device includes a loading zone configured to receive a soft good supply in multiple different orientations, a scale configured to measure a weight of the soft good supply in the loading zone, a controller configured to estimate an amount of a soft good remaining on the soft good supply using the measured weight, a user interface configured to display the estimated amount of the soft good remaining and to receive a user selection of a desired quantity of the soft good, and a dispensing mechanism configured to automatically dispense the desired quantity of the soft good from the soft good supply.

Abstract: A reinforcing bar binding machine is provided with a feed means for feeding a wire from a wire reel rotatably mounted on a binding machine body, a braking means for braking a rotation of the wire reel, and a control means that starts a braking to the rotation of the wire reel by the braking means after the wire is fed to a predetermined amount by the feed means.

Abstract: A display assembly for a plurality of thread-like products sold by length, with relative dispensing method, includes at least one display module provided with a plurality of reels with a dispensing path with a counting device thereon to measure the length of product, wherein the counting device includes: a counting drum mounted in rotation on a support carriage; a tilting lever mounted tilting opposite the counting drum and having at least one pressure counter roller to push the product in contact coupling with the counting drum when the lever is biased into a closed/non-working position by elastic elements, the lever able to switch between the closed/working position and an open/non-working position overcoming the bias of the elastic elements; and elements for detecting rotation of the counting drum and issuing a measuring signal proportional to the rotation to a logical processing unit interfaced with a viewing device and a printing.

Abstract: An automated dispenser includes a rotatable carousel including a mounting station for a primary roll of sheet product and a mounting station for a reserve roll of sheet product; mounting brackets configured for mounting the carousel such that it is movable between a locked, rearward position for dispensing and a forward position where the carousel is rotatable for reloading; a drive system including a motor coupled to a drive roller and control circuitry; a transfer mechanism adapted so as to be operable to urge a tail of the reserve roll toward a dispensing nip of the drive system upon depletion of the primary roll; a housing; and an auxiliary access aperture fitted with an access door, the auxiliary aperture and access door being configured and adapted to be manually operable to expose the reserve roll for manual dispensing.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly for web materials includes an enclosure that is configured to support a roll of material and a feed mechanism configured to dispense the material from the assembly. A capacitive sensor is connected to the feed mechanism and configured to allow touch-less operation of the dispenser. Operation of the sensor is adjustable so that the assembly can achieve a desired operation in environments having different capacitive backgrounds.

Abstract: A semi-automatic brazing apparatus having a brazing wire feeding apparatus containing a brazing wire feed mechanism, a controller, and a user input device. The brazing wire from a brazing wire source is continuously drawn from the source through the apparatus via the feeding mechanism and is directed towards a brazing gun for a semi-automatic brazing operation.

Abstract: An automatic electronic dispenser for dispensing a roll of paper product. A dispenser module drives paper from the roll through a discharge chute at the bottom of the module. A front cover hinged on each side rotates to an open position for loading a paper roll. A back cover enables mounting the electronic dispenser to a vertical surface such as a wall. A paper roll holder is attached to the sides of the dispenser module. A driving roller unrolls the paper from the paper holder in response to a signal from an electronic sensor. A plurality of pressing rollers engages the driving roller as paper is being dispensed along a path between the pressing and driving rollers to a discharge chute.

Abstract: An electronic sheet product dispenser includes a support for a roll of sheet product having a reference indication, a sensor, a battery, a feed mechanism, and a processor. The sensor is responsive to detect the reference indication on the roll, wherein the reference indication is associated with authorized use of the sheet product in the dispenser. The processor is responsive to executable instructions when executed on the processor for performing the method of: determining whether an unauthorized sheet product is disposed in the dispenser, and enabling an unauthorized roll procedure in response to presence of an unauthorized sheet product being detected; and, in response to receiving a low battery warning of the battery, and conditional on an unauthorized roll procedure being enabled, disabling the unauthorized roll procedure and proceeding with responding to a product dispense request to dispense the sheet product out of the dispenser on command.

Abstract: Flexible film or strip dosing device and method for various therapeutic applications are disclosed. The device includes at least one film or strip and a packaging container for the film or strip. The film or strip normally include a polymer base with or without a therapeutic agent admixed with the polymer base. The film or strip is printed with doses, marks or calibrated lines to indicate different length of the film and therefore the different doses of the therapeutic agents. The packaging container or dispenser can have marks or calibrated lines similar to a ruler which measures the length of film and therefore the different doses of therapeutic agents. The packaging container may have a built-in cutter to conveniently cut the film or strips as needed for flexible dosing of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for dispensing sheet material from a roll which include a low-material sensing system. The low-material sensing system provides an indication when the sheet material approaches depletion or is depleted so that the depleted sheet material roll can be replaced with a full roll. The low-material sensing system determines that the sheet material is depleted or near depletion by comparing the rotational speed of a sheet material roll from which the sheet material is unwound with the speed of the motor which produces movement of the sheet material roll when power is supplied to the motor. The sheet material roll speed increases as material is unwound while the motor speed remains relatively constant. A low-material indication is provided when the comparison reaches a threshold representative of the low-material state.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing sheet material pertains to a housing (82) arranged for receiving a supply of sheet material (1), a feed mechanism (2) for advancing said sheet material through a discharge opening (100) of said housing (82), a motor (3) for driving said feed mechanism (2) and a controller (4) for powering the motor (3) to drive the feed mechanism.

Abstract: A toilet tissue dispensing apparatus which automatically dispenses a predetermined length of toilet tissue is herein described. A toilet tissue roll is contained within an enclosure and is fed from a front panel through a small slot. A motion sensor detects a user's hand and automatically initiates the feeding of the tissue. A digital readout displays an approximate number of sheets remaining on the roll. When a pre-determined minimum number of sheets are left, the digital display begins to flash, thereby indicating the need to replenish the tissue. The dispenser is installed in a recessed manner within a bathroom wall capable of being accessed in a drawer-like manner for tissue roll replacement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing soft goods are provided. A described method includes receiving a soft good supply at a loading zone of a soft good dispensing device, receiving an indication of a desired quantity of the soft good at a processing circuit of the soft good dispensing device, using a dispensing mechanism of the soft good dispensing device to automatically dispense the desired quantity of the soft good from the soft good supply based on a control signal received from the processing circuit, and providing a dispensed quantity of the soft good to a dispensing zone of the soft good dispensing device for user access.

Abstract: Dispensers and dispensing systems and methods having communication abilities are provided. Various embodiments include the ability to communicate reminders and other messages to users and maintenance personnel. An embodiment of the present invention has two sensors, one for detecting when to dispense a product and the other for detecting when to communicate pre-recorded messages. Another embodiment also includes the ability to record multiple messages into the dispenser for later playback upon triggering events. Still yet other embodiments provide messages upon dispensing of product.

Abstract: A printing apparatus 100 includes a detecting unit, which detects that a core part at a center portion of a recording medium 202, in a rolled state, has reached a predetermined position accompanying the consumption of the recording medium 202 in a recording medium accommodating unit 301 accommodating the recording medium 202, when the printer apparatus 100 is in an installed state; and further includes a moving mechanism that moves the detecting unit to a position whereby the detecting function of the detecting unit is deactivated.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position; and a guide system that includes a first roller attached to the main body and a second roller attached to the loading door. The towel dispenser may include a motor for driving dispensing of the toweling from the housing and an associated sensor. The towel dispenser can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the front wall of the main body and a lip of the loading door collectively define a gap to which the guiding system guides the toweling and through which towels are dispensed when the loading door is in the closed position.

Abstract: Dispensing towels includes, using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, (a) the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and (b) subsequent thereto, the steps of (1) retracting the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly; (2) sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and (3) ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor. The toweling is advanced by the motor assembly such that a line of perforations in the toweling, along which the user tears the toweling, is located downstream of the sensor.

Abstract: Dispensing towels includes, using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, (a) the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and (b) subsequent thereto, the steps of (1) retracting the toweling into the housing the motor assembly; (2) sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and (3) ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor. The toweling is advanced by the motor assembly such that a line of perforations in the toweling, along which the user tears the toweling, is located downstream of the sensor.

Abstract: A hands-free towel dispenser includes a housing having an internal volume that may contain at least one roll of towel material. Within the dispenser a dispensing mechanism is in communication with a sensor system which scans for the presence of a user at a first pulse rate and initiates a dispense cycle upon sensing a user. The sensor system is in electrical communication with a control circuit which determines the time that has elapsed from the last dispense cycle and compare the elapsed time with a preset value. If the elapsed time is greater than the preset value, the control circuit configures the sensor system to scan for the presence of a user at a second pulse rate. Upon detecting a user, the control circuit initiates a dispense cycle and sets the sensor system to scan for the presence of a user at the first pulse rate.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position; and a guide system that includes a first roller attached to the main body and a second roller attached to the loading door. The towel dispenser may include a motor for driving dispensing of the toweling from the housing and an associated sensor. The towel dispenser can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the front wall of the main body and a lip of the loading door collectively define a gap to which the guiding system guides the toweling and through which towels are dispensed when the loading door is in the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an unwinder for a packaging machine, in particular for a thermoformer or tray sealer, comprising a holding mandrel provided for receiving thereon a film reel having a film wound thereon. The unwinder comprises a measuring module configured to detect a distance to an end face of the film wound on the film reel and/or a distance to a stop member.

Abstract: A drain cleaning machine with an electronic cable monitoring system is disclosed which comprises a frame supporting a rotatable drum which is driven by a motor through an endless belt. The drum contains a flexible drain cleaning cable which is rotatable with the drum and axially displaceable into and out from the drum, and the frame supports a cable feeding device through which the cable extends and by which the cable is displaced into and out of the drum. An electronic cable monitoring system is configured to assess an amount of cable payed out from and retracted into the drum. A process determines an amount and direction of relative movement between a rotatable drum and a cable follower member and generates a signal representative of an amount of cable payed out or retracted into the drum.

Abstract: Systems and methods of rolling and unrolling secondary flooring surfaces, such as tall pile polyethylene turf, are provided. The system includes a drive system that allows for the conversion of a primary surface into a secondary flooring surface in a relatively short period of time. The drive system includes core adjustable speed drive units for controlling the speed and torque of the motors that drive the core, as well as roller adjustable speed drive units for controlling the speed of the front roller. The core adjustable speed drive units control the torque of the core motors during roll up and control the speed of the core motors during roll out.

Abstract: A printer includes a mainframe including a front face part that has an opening through which a recording medium passes; a guide unit connected to the mainframe on a first side of the front face part; a printer mechanism unit configured to perform printing on the recording medium, and connected to the mainframe on a second side of the front face part opposite to the first side thereof; an arm unit having a first end connected to the mainframe; and a shaft unit configured to hold a roll of the recording medium, and connected to a second end of the arm unit, wherein the guide unit is configured to guide the recording medium so as to feed the recording medium to the printer mechanism unit through the opening of the front face part of the mainframe.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes: a housing for receiving toweling; a motor assembly that causes a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from the housing such that a line of perforations in the toweling along which a user tears the toweling is located downstream of the sensor, and the toweling to be retracted into the housing after the leading edge has been extended; and a sensor that senses a leading edge of the toweling during retraction of the toweling. The sensor causes the motor assembly to cease retracting the toweling into the housing as a function of the sensing of the leading edge of the toweling. The toweling may be a roll of perforated paper towels.

Abstract: An unreeling assembly, particularly for labeling devices, comprising a supporting frame for at least one reel of continuous film which is supported by a respective reel support, which can rotate about an unreeling axis of the reel, and a motorized traction drum, which is designed to unreel the continuous film from the reel of continuous film, between the reel of continuous film and the traction drum there being at least one tensioning element, which is movable, with respect to the supporting frame, along a respective movement path, elements being provided for estimating the radius of the reel of continuous film as a function of the data related to the angular velocity of the reel, to the speed of the film drawn by the traction drum and to the position of the tensioning element with respect to the supporting frame along the respective movement path.

Abstract: A detecting device includes a paper roll receiving unit including two recesses formed in a rest portion, to receive the paper roll that drops by its weight if the paper roll has a predetermined winding diameter. Further, an attachment frame is provided near the paper roll receiving unit. An arm supported on the attachment frame is provided with first and second projections making contact with an end surface of the paper roll. When the residual amount of the paper roll becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined amount, the first projection is moved into a cylindrical core of the paper roll or the second projection moves out of contact with the end surface of the paper roll. A detecting unit detects, based on the operation of the arm, whether the residual amount of the paper roll is equal to or smaller than the predetermined amount.

Abstract: A cutting structure for plastic film includes a bracket, a first roller, a second roller, a tachometer, a processor, a monitor and a cutter. The bracket includes a bottom and two sidewalls extending from the bottom along a same direction. The first roller includes a shaft fixed to the sidewalls and a sleeve rotatably sleeving on the shaft. The second roller is pivotally connected to the sidewalls. The tachometer is disposed on one end of the second roller and configured for measuring the rotation speed of the second roller. The processor is configured for reading the rotation speed and further calculating a rotation distance of the second roller. The monitor is configured for displaying the rotation distance. The cutter extends upward from the bottom for cutting the plastic film pulled from the first roller and the second roller.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position; and a guide system that includes a first roller attached to the main body and a second roller attached to the loading door. The towel dispenser may include a motor for driving dispensing of the toweling from the housing and an associated sensor. The towel dispenser can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the front wall of the main body and a lip of the loading door collectively define a gap to which the guiding system guides the toweling and through which towels are dispensed when the loading door is in the closed position.

Abstract: Dispensing towels includes: the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and subsequent thereto, the step of retracting the toweling into the housing. The housing includes a main body, and a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position, in which the housing is configured to extend toweling there from, and an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein. The loading door serves as a towel carrier and has a curved surface defining a cavity within which a roll of paper towels is received and retained in floating engagement therewith. The roll of paper towels rolls and slides on the curved surface when unwinding during said step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing including a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position, in which the housing is configured to dispense towels there from, and an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein; and a guide system that is configured to guide the toweling within the housing while towels are dispensed from the housing. The loading door serves as a towel carrier and has a curved surface defining a cavity configured to receive the roll of paper towels in floating engagement therewith such that the roll of paper towels rolls and slides on the curved surface during unwinding.

Abstract: It is intended to allow for efficiently performing a feeder replacement operation. A feeder 50 is formed in a shape elongated in one direction to allow a replacement operation therefor to be performed in such a manner that it is inserted and pulled out relative to a feeder installation section 150, along a longitudinal direction thereof. A rear end 111 which is a trailing one of longitudinally opposite ends of each of a plurality of feeders 50A, 50B, - - - , in an insertion direction, is provided with a guide portion for guiding one 50C of the feeders to be installed in adjacent relation to ones of the remaining feeders. For example, the guide portion can be formed by rounding corners of the rear end 111 of the feeder 50.

Abstract: A dental floss dispensing unit includes a housing, a supply spool, and a metering element. The supply spool is coupled to the housing and has a length of floss wound thereabout. The length of floss has a free end extending from the housing and a plurality of alternating and distinct first and second floss segments. The metering element engages the length of floss and provides resistance to removal of the length of floss from the housing. A magnitude of the resistance changes as each floss segment moves into engagement with the metering element, thereby providing a tactilely detectable indication to the user that one of the first or second segments is emerging from the housing. The dispensing unit is configured to allow the supply spool to be manually rotated without manipulation (e.g., disassembly) of the housing for rewinding floss onto the spool.

Abstract: A drain cleaning machine with an electronic cable monitoring system is disclosed which comprises a frame supporting a rotatable drum which is driven by a motor through an endless belt. The drum contains a flexible drain cleaning cable which is rotatable with the drum and axially displaceable into and out from the drum, and the frame supports a cable feeding device through which the cable extends and by which the cable is displaced into and out of the drum. An electronic cable monitoring system is configured to assess an amount of cable payed out from and retracted into the drum. A process determines an amount and direction of relative movement between a rotatable drum and a cable follower member and generates a signal representative of an amount of cable payed out or retracted into the drum.

Abstract: A cable handling system mounted to a mobile robot to dispense and retrieve cable at zero tension includes a cable reel drive and a downstream tension roller drive that includes an idler. As a cable passes through the tension roller drive, position along the length of the cable and/or the cable speed is monitored accurately by a sensor attached to the idler. A system controller in communication with the sensor controls the cable reel drive and the tension roller drive for dispensing and retrieving cable downstream of the tension roller drive.

Abstract: A container comprising a housing that is configured to rotatably mount a filament supply spool, and a filament guide mechanism mountable within a channel of the housing, where the filament guide mechanism comprises a filament pathway configured to guide the filament from the filament supply spool rotatably mounted in the interior chamber, and a sensor configured to detect the presence of the filament through at least a portion of the filament pathway.

Abstract: Systems and methods of rolling and unrolling secondary flooring surfaces, such as tall pile polyethylene turf, are provided. The system includes a drive system that allows for the conversion of a primary surface into a secondary flooring surface in a relatively short period of time. The drive system includes core adjustable speed drive units for controlling the speed and torque of the motors that drive the core, as well as roller adjustable speed drive units for controlling the speed of the front roller. The core adjustable speed drive units control the torque of the core motors during roll up and control the speed of the core motors during roll out.