Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus including a scanner unit openable and closable with respect to a printer body unit for simultaneously achieving smooth opening/closing movement and the downsizing of the apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a first gear member provided in the printer body unit and a second gear member which is attached to the scanner unit so as to be swingable with respect to the scanner unit and which is in mesh with the first gear member. When the scanner unit opens or closes with respect to the printer body unit, the second gear member swings with respect to the scanner unit while retaining a meshing state with the first gear member.

Abstract: A cradle apparatus and method for transporting and/or deploying a coil of pipe supported around a reel are disclosed. The cradle apparatus can include a first arm member and a second arm member each having a male segment and a female segment capable of telescopic movement. A first set of pipe reel engagement spools and a second set of pipe reel engagement spools can rotate to raise/lift a first flange and a second flange of the reel thereonto when the pipe reel is positioned between the first arm member and the second arm member and the proximal end and the distal end of the first arm member and the second arm member are brought closer together due to telescopic movement of the male and female segments.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted reel lifting apparatus for rotating the reel to dispense or wind the reelable material. A driven wheel engages the rim of the reel at a plurality of reel lifting arm pivot positions, such as sliding alongside the lifting arm in an axis parallel with the lifting arm. The driven wheel is capable of engaging with the reel at any position of the lifting arm. A linear drive mechanism allows the driven wheel to travel up and down the lifting arm to accommodate various reel sizes. The lifting arm may incorporate an automatic locking slot having a spring-driven locking mechanism. The lifting arms may also be mounted with a mounting bracket having a pattern of slots to enable the lifting arms to be selectively mounted in a narrow configuration or a wide configuration.

Abstract: Dispenser apparatus for dispensing from a roll of sheet paper product supported by a support arm, a support member pivotally mounted on the support arm and a biasing structure operable to reduce the shock force in the sheet paper product by resisting pivotal movement of the support member.

Abstract: Paper towel dispensers having backlit projection systems, systems including such paper towel dispensers, and methods for operating such paper towel dispensers are disclosed. A paper towel dispenser having backlit projection systems comprises a paper towel holder configured to securely retain a supply of paper towel during use of the paper towel dispenser, and a dispensing mechanism configured to cause a portion of paper towel to be dispensed out of the paper towel dispenser. The paper towel dispenser also includes a projector configured to emit a quantity of light that strikes the portion of paper towel to create a projected image on the portion of paper towel when the portion of paper towel is dispensed out of the paper towel dispenser.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a floor shield which can be located above the floor below a urinal. The floor shield can protect a user's clothing, such as shoes and pants, from being soiled while using a urinal. In some embodiments, the floor shield can have a liquid absorbing mat contained between frame elements. The absorbing mat can easily be removed and replaced when the mat is dirty.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning eyewear has a mounting element for mounting the cleaning device on the eyewear, a cleaning element, and a retraction mechanism. The mounting element includes a loop mounting system that may be wrapped around a part of the eyewear and connected to form a loop for mounting the cleaning device on the eyewear. The retraction mechanism is mounted on the mounting element, and a cord attaches the cleaning element to the retraction mechanism. The invention further includes a method of use of the cleaning device for cleaning the eyewear.

Abstract: A hollow cylindrical core member (17) suitable for supporting a roll (11) of absorbent sheet material. The core member (17) includes a central axis (22), an outer cylindrical surface (20), and an inner cylindrical surface (23). The inner cylindrical surface (23) includes engagement means suitable for rotationally locking said core member (17). The engagement means include at least one elongated recess (19) and/or projection (29) extending helically along said inner cylindrical surface (23), or at least one elongated projection (29) extending in a direction of said central axis (22).

Abstract: An improved towel dispenser includes a rotatable driveshaft mounted in a one-way clutch bearing fitted with a pinion which engages a vertically oriented press bar assembly including at its lower portion a rack which engages the pinion to advance paper towel through a dispensing nip upon pivotable motion of the press bar assembly. A dispensing chute located below the dispensing nip includes a lower shelf configured to direct web forwardly toward the front portion of a dispenser. The gear rack is preferably an internal gear rack integrally formed with a unitary press bar assembly member. The dispensing chute is configured such that an angle between a cutting-blade and the outer lip of the shelf makes an angle with a vertical of at least about 25°.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing wiping material through a dispensing opening, includes an outer, first housing for holding at least one roll containing a continuous web of wiping material. The first housing may further hold an inner, cassette including at least a front wall and two side walls, the cassette at least partially enclosing a feeding unit for controlling the dispensing of the web. The feeding unit includes at least a drive roller, a pressure roller and a cutting device, and the web is arranged to be fed from the roll and into the feeding unit. The cassette includes an at least partially removable hatch, which hatch, when opened, is arranged to provide access to the feeding unit.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the efficient and even quilt binding finishing is described. The device comprises: a base member, rod member and spool member.

Abstract: A filament drive mechanism for use with an additive manufacturing system, the filament drive mechanism comprising first and second drive shafts engaged with each other and configured to rotate in opposing rotational directions around substantially parallel and fixed axes, where the first and second drive shafts include engagement surfaces substantially aligned with each other for engaging a filament therebetween.

Abstract: An unrolling device, particularly for materials in rolls, with material alignment control, comprising elements for unrolling a roll of material to be unrolled, the device further comprising elements for detecting at least one lateral edge of the material unrolled from the roll which are adapted to detect quantitatively the movement of the edge transversely to the unrolling direction of the material.

Abstract: A medium loading apparatus includes supporting units that are attached to both end portions of roll paper, a loading unit that is loaded with the roll paper to which the supporting units are attached, and a rotational force transfer unit that is arranged on the loading unit so as to be opposed to a shaft rotating member constituting the supporting unit in the axial line direction of the roll paper and transfers a rotational force of a motor to the shaft rotating member.

Abstract: A toilet paper dispenser has a housing to cover a wall-mounted pre-existing toilet paper roller. The housing defines a rear periphery defining a wall opening configured for accepting the toilet paper roller therethrough. A pair of operating rollers are rotatably mounted in the housing and are closely spaced from each other to closely receive toilet paper from toilet paper roller therebetween. A motor is mounted in the housing and is coupled to the operating rollers to rotate at least one of the rollers. A presence sensor and a processor are included with the housing, where the processor is capable of receiving signals from the presence sensor. Responsive to a signal from the presence sensor indicating the presence of a hand, the processor energizes the motor to turn the operating rollers. The housing has a bottom opening through which toilet paper is dispensed when the operating rollers are turned.

Abstract: A core tube holding device comprising: a plurality of out-pushing members that are arranged side by side spaced apart in the axial direction, each having a pressing part; a connecting member for connecting the plurality of out-pushing members; a holding member that has at every position in the axial direction a pressed part corresponding to the pressing part, and that is disposed radially outward with respect to the plurality of out-pushing members; and an action unit adapted to exert a force for moving, to one side in the axial direction, a one end out-pushing member which, among the plurality of out-pushing members, is at an end on the one side; wherein: at least one from among the pressing parts and the pressed parts is formed in a tapered shape that spreads radially outward from the one side to the other side in the axial direction, and when the force for moving the one end out-pushing member acts thereon via the action unit, the one end out-pushing member moves to the one side while also pulling the othe

Abstract: A movable member encoder is used to detect the position of a movable member, and a correction value calculator calculates a correction value corresponding to the amount of displacement of the movable member from a reference position and the integration of the amount of displacement. The correction value calculated by the correction value calculator is then used in correcting a voltage instruction value output from a feed motor controller to a feed motor.

Abstract: A device for loading strips of wipe material for wipe material dispensing machines of the type including a housing that accommodates lateral side pieces which support a drum including a cutting device and a strip of material located above the drum, is distinctive in that it comprises a dual arrangement with, firstly, an enclosure that is concentric with the drum and defines, together with the drum, a gap through which the strip of material passes and, secondly, at least two rollers arranged parallel to each other and rotatably mounted relative to the lateral side pieces of the housing and meshing with a sprocket joined to the drum. An intermediate roller is fitted between the at least two rollers and make it possible to insert the strip of material into the gap between the enclosure and the drum and then eject it towards the front of the machine.

Abstract: A system for demarcating an area comprises a first vehicle, an attachment point, a demarcating element, a motor and a vehicle control unit. The demarcating element extends from the first vehicle to the attachment point. The system furthermore comprises a camera, which camera is operatively connected to the vehicle control unit.

Abstract: An unwinding and/or winding device, particularly for awnings, comprising a rotating shaft rotatably coupled to a supporting element for the rotation of the rotating shaft around its longitudinal axis. A flexible element is also comprised, a portion of which is associable with a covering sheet to be tightened and fixed, at a first one of its ends, to the rotating shaft for the unwinding or winding of the same flexible element, respectively, from or onto the rotating shaft. The device also comprises a slider that moves with respect to the supporting element in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the rotating shaft and is kinematically associated with the rotating shaft by means of motion conversion elements for converting the rotary motion of the rotating shaft into a translational motion of the slider. During its unwinding or its winding, respectively, from or onto the rotating shaft, the flexible element is guided by the slider.

Abstract: Systems and methods of rolling and unrolling secondary flooring surfaces, such as tall pile turf, are provided. The system includes a core onto which the secondary flooring surface is rolled, the core being coupled on both ends to a frame that moves along a primary surface. The system includes a drive system that allows for the conversion of the 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 frame adjustable speed drive units for controlling the speed of the movement of the frames along the primary surface. 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 sheet conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance roller pair that has a roller with a uniform diameter in a sheet width direction and that is configured to pinch and convey a sheet, and a guide unit that is provided on an upstream side of the conveyance roller pair and that is configured to regulate a position of an edge of the sheet, wherein the conveyance roller pair conveys the sheet in a state in which the sheet is bended by the guide unit so that on a roller side with a uniform diameter in a sheet width direction, the sheet convexly bends.

Abstract: A medical dispenser for storing and dispensing electrodes includes a housing having a front member and a back member, at least one electrode strip disposed between the front member and the back member of the housing and an actuator mounted to the front member of the housing and adapted to engage the at least one electrode strip. The electrode strip includes a strip member and a plurality of electrodes mounted to the strip member. The actuator is movable relative to the front member such that movement of the actuator results in corresponding movement of the at least one electrode strip to dispense an electrode from the housing. The actuator may be adapted to engage an electrode of the at least one electrode strip. In one embodiment, the actuator is adapted to engage a male terminal of the electrode.

Abstract: Methods for operating a printer web medium supply are provided in one aspect of the method. An input force is received and the input force is distributed to supply first force at a first end of a core having a web wound thereon and to supply a second force at a second end of the core with the first force and the second force being sufficient to control rotation the core against an inertial load of the core and web medium wound thereon. Both the first force and the second force are less than a third force applied to a single driven end of an alternative core to rotate the alternative core against the inertial load and wherein the core has a first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second end that are less than a third yield strength required to receive the third force at the driven end of the alternative core.

Abstract: A roll recording material transport device includes a driving side roll holder, a driven side roll holder, a driving side spindle, a driven side spindle, a spindle driving source, a driving side support mechanism, a driven side support mechanism, a transport roller, and an assist executing section. The assist executing section executes assist control in which a rotating force in the direction of transporting the roll of recording material is applied by the spindle driving source through the driving side spindle and the driving side roll holder in an engaged state to the roll portion. The frictional force between the driving side spindle and the driving side roll holder is set smaller than the frictional force between the driven side spindle and the driven side support mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic product dispenser determines if the roll loaded into the dispenser is approved for use with the dispenser. The core of a roll receives a plug that engages a hub within the dispenser. The plug has a feature that alters an electromagnetic field created proximate the hub. The alteration of the electromagnetic field may then be used to determine if the plug, and thus the roll, is usable with the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a spindle assembly for a ticket printer which permits the paper roll to be changed without removing the spindle assembly from the ticket printer. The spindle assembly consists of two arms mounted on the printer, on the upper portion of each respective arm is mounted a backing plate from which a spindle protrudes. The spindle may be retracted for loading paper by rotating a spindle actuator which is elevated by two ramps mounted thereon. The elevation of the actuator, which is connected to the spindle, retracts the spindle from the backing plate. An anti-theft ticket bezel is also disclosed, which has teeth incorporated into the ceiling within the opening of the bezel, so that if a ticket is pulled from outside the teeth tear the ticket or cuts it into strips, rendering the ticket useless.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for transporting and/or unloading and/or installing a flexible pipe. The apparatus comprises at least one support member for supporting a reel member carrying a wound flexible pipe and a plurality of reel rim guide elements for locating the reel member at a desired location with respect to the support member.

Abstract: A hands-free dispenser has a body and a cover connected to the body. A sensor element is attached to the body. The cover has an opening that enables the sensor to protrude through the cover and extend beyond a plane of the cover when the cover is closed.

Abstract: A device for rotating at least one mandrel coupled to a secondary reduction gear that can in turn be coupled to a primary reduction gear and supplies a torque to the mandrel. The primary reduction gear is driven by at least one driving motor, the primary and secondary reduction gears are mechanically similar and can be coupled via at least one torque transmission means rotated by the primary reduction gear along a rotation axis, the torque transmission means includes at least one coupling tube with two section ends. Furthermore, in the assembled configuration, the primary and secondary reduction gears define a unitary assembly integrally encapsulating the torque transmission means that can be removed from the unitary assembly in the permanent assembled configuration through an opening of the unitary assembly formed in at least one of the walls of the primary and secondary reduction gears opposite the section ends of the torque transmission means.

Abstract: A toilet paper dispenser has a housing to cover a wall-mounted pre-existing toilet paper roller. The housing defines a rear periphery defining a wall opening configured for accepting the toilet paper roller therethrough. A pair of operating rollers are rotatably mounted in the housing and are closely spaced from each other to closely receive toilet paper from toilet paper roller therebetween. A motor is mounted in the housing and is coupled to the operating rollers to rotate at least one of the rollers. A presence sensor and a processor are included with the housing, where the processor is capable of receiving signals from the presence sensor. Responsive to a signal from the presence sensor indicating the presence of a hand, the processor energizes the motor to turn the operating rollers. The housing has a bottom opening through which toilet paper is dispensed when the operating rollers are turned.

Abstract: A device includes a winding rotary member having a cylindrical shape; a holder having a rotating member, which is provided in the vicinity of a cylindrical surface of the winding rotary member, capable of nipping and conveying the sheet; a first driving mechanism configured to rotate the winding rotary member; and a second driving mechanism configured to rotate the rotating member. The winding rotary member rotates with the sheet is nipped with the rotatable holder, whereby the sheet is wound around the winding rotary member.

Abstract: In a toweling dispenser, an electric motor driven toweling support roller and a handle for rotating the toweling support roller are connected by a one-way clutch, which allows the handle to rotate the toweling support roller only in a single direction of rotation when the electric motor does not drive the toweling support roller, the single direction transporting toweling on the toweling support roller to an exit opening of the dispenser.

Abstract: Embodiments of a welding system include a compact wire feeder adapted to feed welding wire having a diameter up to approximately 5/64 inches disposed on a wire spool having an outer diameter of approximately 8 inches. The compact wire feeder may include a housing, a spool mounting hub disposed in the housing and adapted to receive the wire spool, and a wire drive assembly having a motor adapted to apply an output torque to a shaft of a gearbox to drive the welding wire from the welding spool to a welding torch.

Abstract: A platen support mechanism of a printer moves a platen unit of the printer. When moving the platen unit from a closed position to an open position, the platen support mechanism of the printer first moves the platen unit along a straight first path, and then moves the platen unit along a curved second path. A posture of the platen unit is held constant during this time by a six joint linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A transport system has a dedicated trailer for transporting a small transport reel (i.e., <18-ft in diameter) of continuous rod to the field. The trailer has a pedestal that can pivot the reel. A hub motor on the pedestal can turn the reel, and a transfer unit and rod bender on the trailer can curve or straighten the rod when being fed into or out of the reel. A power and hydraulic system operates the various hydraulic components on the trailer. In other aspects, the transport system includes stands that can hold the small transport reels on a trailer within a defined transport envelope. When empty, these stands can be stacked on top of one another on the trailer for return to a facility.

Abstract: A format selecting device makes it possible to control distribution of material band formats in a one-to-two ratio, wherein the position of the format selecting device enables a cutting blade to come out from a drum at each revolution thereof, for a small format and at each two revolutions per large format. The selecting device acts and initiates a ratio of sprocket assemblies at which sprockets are meshing therebetween for a small format distribution, and certain sprockets are punctually disengaged on the drum revolution for distributing large formats and cancellation of the blade exit outside of the drum. The selecting device is positioned from a flange of a housing and comprises an operating lever provided with two fixed stops which are remote and arranged on the flange defining an angular space corresponding to the lever pivoting in the top or lower part according to a selected format.

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: A filament drive mechanism comprising a rotatable component comprising a central hole defined at least in part by an internally-threaded surface, and is configured to receive a filament strand through the central hole to engage the internally-threaded surface with the filament strand. The filament drive mechanism further comprises at least one rotation mechanism configured to rotate the rotatable component, thereby allowing the engaged internally-threaded surface to drive the filament strand through the central hole of the rotatable component.

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 packaging material dispenser may include a roll carriage having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a base plate separating the upper portion from the lower portion. The packaging material dispenser may also include a packaging material dispensing assembly mounted on an upper surface of the base plate and defining at least a portion of a packaging material path. A first portion of the packaging material path may extend behind the packaging material dispensing assembly. The upper portion of the roll carriage may include an opening defining a packaging material path access area positioned to provide access to a top of the packaging material path. The packaging material dispenser may also include a packaging material dispensing assembly drive mechanism extending below the base plate.

Abstract: A paper toweling dispenser selectively operable to dispense paper toweling from a roll of paper toweling employing a plurality of alternative operational modes.

Abstract: A hands-free dispenser has a body and a cover connected to the body. A sensor element is attached to the body. The cover has an opening that enables the sensor to protrude through the cover and extend beyond a plane of the cover when the cover is closed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a dispenser which in one form is a motorized electric dispenser, designed to be a low-cost device having a reduced footprint. The dispenser electromechanically dispenses a pre-determined length sheet of material to the user, without the requirement of a touchless sensor, or the user needing to directly touch any part of the dispenser while the hygienic portion is functioning properly. In the event that the hygienic portion is not functioning properly, a manual advance assembly may also be utilized. One objective of the device in one form is to provide a variably determined sheet of material to the user in accordance with industry standards, without the use of the standard “touchless” sensors. In another form, the entire roll of material remains sanitary and enclosed within the dispenser until it is dispensed. In one form, there is no “tail” projecting from the dispenser that may be a source of cross-contamination.

Abstract: Systems and methods of rolling and unrolling secondary flooring surfaces, such as tall pile turf, are provided. The system includes a core onto which the secondary flooring surface is rolled, the core being coupled on both ends to a frame that moves along a track mounted on or in a primary surface. 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 frame adjustable speed drive units for controlling the speed of the movement of the frames along the tracks. 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: An automatic dispenser for a rolled material has a sensor that detects the presence of a user in front of the dispenser. When that occurs, a motor is driven by energy stored in a battery or a capacitor and a short length of the material is dispensed from the roll. The user then grasps that short length and pulls more of the material off the roll, thereby causing the roll to rotate. Rotation of the roll drives the motor as a generator producing electrical energy that recharges the battery or capacitor.

Abstract: A stock supply station for use in a insulated glass unit component production line includes a plurality of rotatable sheet stock coils, an indexing mechanism, and an uncoiling mechanism. The indexing mechanism is coupled to the sheet stock coils for indexing a selected one of the sheet stock coils to an uncoiling position. The uncoiling mechanism selectively uncoils sheet stock from a sheet stock coil indexed to the uncoiling position to thereby provide sheet stock to a downstream processing station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying an underlayment layer to trucking cargo are provided. The underlayment layer may be formed into a roll with a rod disposed therethrough. The roll may be supported by a frame. The roll can be configured to move vertically with respect to the ground. A trailer carrying trucking cargo can be stationed beneath the frame. The underlayment layer may unwound and dispensed from the roll. In order to drape the trucking cargo with the underlayment layer, the roll may be moved horizontally over the frame in addition to or alternatively to having the trucking cargo driven horizontally with respect to the roll.

Abstract: In a recording medium transporting mechanism, a flange member is attached on either side of a roll paper and the flange member has a diameter smaller than a maximum outer diameter of a roll paper. Support rollers support a corresponding one of the flange members in a rotatable manner. The support rollers are moveable along the axis of rotation of the roll paper. The sum of an outer diameter of corresponding one of the flange members and the support rollers is greater than a maximum outer diameter of the roll paper. A rewinding roller of at least a length equivalent to a distance between both sets of support rollers when the sets of support rollers are farthest apart is engaged with a support roller within the set of support rollers and can rotate the flange member in a rewinding direction over a desired amount of continuous time.

Abstract: A sheet roll dispenser includes a case for receiving an associated sheet roll, a roller for unwinding the associated sheet roll from the case, a motor operatively engaging the roller to rotate the roller to unwind the associated sheet roll, a battery compartment for receiving an associated battery, and electrical contacts for supplying an electrical connection from the associated battery to the motor. The roller is disposed in the case. The motor and the battery compartment are disposed inside the roller. The electrical contacts are disposed within the battery compartment.