Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing consumable product having a consumable product storage area configured to store the consumable product within the dispenser; a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to the consumable product and configured to facilitate a dispensing cycle to dispense a portion of consumable product, and wherein the dispensing cycle creates a vibration event in at least a portion of the dispenser; a vibration sensing device configured to sense a vibrational characteristic of the vibration event, wherein a value of the vibrational characteristic changes as a function of an amount of consumable product remaining in the dispenser; and a data processing device configured to (i) store data describing the vibrational characteristic and (ii) communicate the data to a remote receiver separate from the dispenser.

Abstract: A coiled material passing device is usable to pass a coiled material played out by an uncoiler to a leveler feeder configured to correct any winding curl of the coiled material. The coiled material passing device includes a clamper configured to clamp a starting end of the coiled material played out from the uncoiler, a moving body configured to support the clamper, the moving body being movable between the uncoiler and the leveler feeder, and a first driver configured to move the moving body.

Abstract: A rolled sheet material dispenser, used for dispensing a sheet material on a reel, includes a box and a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly includes a first clamping member, a second clamping member and at least one elastic member. The first clamping member or/and the second clamping member may be a roller. The roller is pivotally connected to the box through a pair of rolling bearings and adjacent to a dispensing opening. The roller is connected with the elastic member so that the roller can be displaced by an elastic force of the elastic member to a clamping position and can be supported by the rolling bearings to clamp the sheet material stably.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for optimizing performance of a product dispenser are provided herein. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the product dispenser (e.g., the environment, the type or habits of users or individual users, etc.), initial dispensing parameter settings of the product dispenser may be undesirable. Using monitored usage data, optimized dispensing parameters can be determined to achieve more desirable usage of the product dispenser (e.g., decrease waste, power save, increase efficiency, etc.). Additionally, using bounding parameters and/or information from the environment (e.g., nearby product dispensers) can lead to further optimized performance of the product dispenser. User or group specific optimized dispensing parameters can also be determined and used.

Abstract: A roller shade system comprising a covering material windingly coupled to a roller tube such that rotation of the roller tube causes the covering material to be raised or lowered. A mechanism is coupled to the roller tube to rotate the roller tube and a level adjuster is attached to each end of the roller tube. The level adjuster includes a baseplate with a leveling bar pivotally coupled to the baseplate. A valance assembly to enclose the roller tube, mechanism, and level adjuster, while permitting the fabric through an opening is also provided.

Abstract: A support system for moving a rolled material between a rolled configuration and an extended configuration. The support system may include a roller having a longitudinal axis, a housing supporting the roller, and a cradle extending along a first longitudinal length of the roller. The cradle may include a base removably coupled to the housing and a contact member supported by the base.

Abstract: Methods for managing power consumption of a battery-powered device such as a fluid dispenser are disclosed. One method includes setting a duty cycle of a sensor used by the device to a first range and setting a timer upon detection of a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a second range. The method continues by checking for another triggering event during the second range. The checking step is repeated if the timer has not lapsed, but if the timer has lapsed the process returns to the setting step. Related methods may be used to adjust the duty cycle based upon a detected characteristic such as light, sound, motion or time.

Abstract: A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a housing defining an interior space configured to receive the roll of sheet product therein, and a roll support positioned within the interior space and configured to rotatably support the roll of sheet product. The housing includes a dispensing gap in communication with the interior space and configured to allow a tail portion of the roll of sheet product to extend therethrough and out of the interior space, and a drainage gap in communication with the interior space and configured to allow a liquid to drain therethrough and out of the interior space. The drainage gap is spaced apart from the dispensing gap and positioned below the dispensing gap. A related method of protecting a roll of sheet product within a sheet product dispenser also is provided.

Abstract: A paper input mechanism having a buffer function and a printing device using the mechanism are disclosed. The paper input mechanism (300) includes a frame (1) forming a conveying passage (P) for conveying continuous paper, and further includes a fixed passage plate (4) and a buffer plate (2) both located at a paper inputting side of the conveying passage (P), wherein the buffer plate (2) has an initial position and is pressed by the continuous paper to deviate from the initial position; the buffer plate (2) is opposite to the fixed passage plate (4) when being located at the initial position, so as to form a paper input passage (R), and the paper input passage (R) is connected with the conveying passage (P).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cartridge body for a cartridge for providing media to a printer includes a first part and a complimentary second part, the first part and the second part formed of post-consumer-material; a hinge integrally connected to the first part and the second part and adapted to close the first part and the second part together over the media and contain the media therein; and an opening formed by the closed first part and second part for dispensing the media to the printer. A cartridge is also disclosed.

Abstract: A station combines a toilet paper dispenser, dispenser for dispensing hand wipes, a dispenser for dispensing surface antibiotic wipes, and a deodorant feature. The station includes a toilet paper dispenser made from a plastic type material and the toilet paper dispenser may be a single or double roll dispenser. The station cover houses a battery-operated fan that pulls air from inside the dispenser. A tray inside the dispenser holds a fragrance cup holding a quantity of deodorant. The base holds one or two rolls of commercial toilet paper, each of which rolls on a hollow plastic axle to hold a bottle containing wipes. A microswitch may be integrated in the cover to disengage the fan when the cover of the unit is open.

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: 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: Control apparatus for controlling operation of a paper towel dispenser includes control switches and a handle having two relatively movable handle portions rotating when a paper toweling support drum rotates. One of the handle portions has projections which engage the switches when the handle rotates.

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: An automatic product dispenser determines if the roll loaded into the dispenser is approved for use with the dispenser. The core of a roll contains a feature that alters an electromagnetic field created proximate the core. The alteration of the electromagnetic field may then be used to determine if the core, and thus the roll, is usable with the dispenser. The feature is designed such that it is damaged once product is completely dispensed from the roll thereby preventing replenishment and reuse of a spent roll.

Abstract: A sheet product dispenser is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a roil of sheet product, a dispensing arrangement, and a method of sensing the separation of a dispensed sheet product. A sensor is provided for detecting the movement of a movable member, such as a tear bar or paper guide. The sensor generates a signal in response to the movement of the movable member. A controller de-energizes a roller in said dispensing arrangement in response to said signal.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for dispensing T-shirt type plastic bags singly by means of an automated dispenser. At the push of a button or other control means, a single bag is partially ejected from the machine, whereupon the user can take the bag and use it. The device has detectors for detecting fault conditions (such as bag depletion, wrinkled bags, and the like) as well as display means such as an LCD for displaying ads or other information to users.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing, a sensor, and a motor assembly that causes in response to a hand: a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from the housing a multiple of a predetermined unit length (PUL), optionally plus a further extent that is less than PUL; and then to be retracted. The motor assembly ceases retracting based on sensing the leading edge of the toweling. PUL is set in a length learn sequence by: retracting the toweling until a leading edge of the toweling is sensed; advancing the toweling a preset extended length greater than at least a distance between immediately adjacent lines of perforations in the toweling; retracting the toweling until a leading edge of the toweling is sensed while measuring a length by which the toweling is retracted; and determining the difference between the preset extended length and the measured retracted length.

Abstract: With a device for controlling the drive of a reel, with a wire supply in the form of a coil of said wire supply, from which the wire, through interposition of a tensioning device, which is spring-pretensioned in one deflection direction and effective up to a maximum deflection, for approximated stabilization of the wire tension of a feed installation of the wire infeed of a downstream positioned wire processing machine, the velocity curve of the feed rate of the wire infeed in accordance with a preset velocity-time profile is controlled by a control unit of the wire processing machine, and whereby the curve of the rotation speed of the reel in accordance with a preset rotation speed-time profile is controlled by the drive control of the reel, whereby the drive control of the reel sets the rotation speed-time profile of the reel, with regard to the velocity-time profile of the feed rate, forward by a preset time interval.

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: An apparatus is provided for delivering single-dose packages sequentially from a substantially continuous strip having a first dispensing end and a second end. The strip includes a cover layer attached to a base layer to define a plurality of blisters therebetween that have one or more medications therein. The blisters are aligned in single file generally along the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends and/or otherwise arranged in single-dose packages adjacent one another, e.g., at least some of the single-dose packages including a plurality of blisters having different types of medications therein. A first single-dose package at the first dispensing end may be separable from a second adjacent single-dose package such that individual single-dose packages may be removed successively from the first dispensing end.

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: Paper towel dispenser apparatus and method wherein one or more targets are connected to a rotatable toweling support roller. A sensor senses capacitance changes caused by the rotating roller and the one or more targets and sends signals to a controller to control rotation of the roller.

Abstract: A sheet product dispenser includes a sheet product feed mechanism coupled to a DC stepper motor, the mechanism moving a sheet product out of the dispenser during a dispense cycle; and a control unit controlling the DC stepper motor to move the sheet product with a gradually increasing acceleration during a portion of the dispense cycle.

Abstract: A continuous sheet processing apparatus has a frame, a roll body accommodating portion disposed inside of the frame for accommodating a roll body formed of a wound continuous sheet, and a cover mounted for undergoing pivotal movement between open and closed positions relative to the frame so as to allow the insertion of the wound continuous sheet into the roll body accommodating portion in the open position of the cover. A processing portion has a processing head and a platen roller confronting the processing head. The processing head performs a processing operation with respect to the continuous sheet drawn out from the roll body accommodating portion in a state in which the cover is in the closed position. The platen roller transports the continuous sheet in a state in which the cover is in the closed position.

Abstract: Automatic dispensers, proximity detectors and user-detection methods. A proximity detector can be used to trigger operation of the dispenser to dispense products such as towel, tissue, wipes, sheet-form materials, soap, shaving cream, fragrances and personal care products.

Abstract: An electronic dispenser for dispensing a measured sheet from a roll of web material includes a passive, self-discharging static charge dissipating material configured with at least one component of the dispenser that stores static charge generated by operation of the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention is a dispenser that, in one embodiment, includes a support for a roll of web material, a drive roller cooperating with an idler roller to feed web material supported by the roll support, and a mouth through which the web material is dispensed which has a floor but not a roof such that the web material does not jam when dispensed through the mouth. In another embodiment, the mouth is slot shaped. In various embodiments of the invention with either a slot shaped mouth or a wide mouth without a roof, a sensor is provided for selectively activating a drive motor in response to an incursion into a sensing field, wherein the sensor comprises an infrared emitter and receiver.

Abstract: A towel dispenser which sprays portions of a material web pulled off from a supply roll with a disinfectant. A disinfectant supply bottle is arranged partially inside a core of the supply roll, and its liquid outlet is connected to the inlet of a diaphragm pump, which feeds into a nozzle pipe. To measure the residual material web remaining on the supply roll, an angular velocity transmitter is used which comprises a stationary reflective light barrier and a line pattern applied to the inside of the core of the supply roller.

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 method of dispensing toweling includes: extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and subsequently retracting the toweling into the housing. The housing includes a main body, a loading door configured to rotate relative to the main body between open and closed positions; and a guide system including a first roller attached to the main body and having a first toothed surface, and a second roller attached to the loading door and having a second toothed surface that is configured to mesh with the first toothed surface. At least one end of the first roller moves such that an axis of rotation of the first roller moves relative to the main body of the housing.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes: a main body, a loading door, a guide system, and a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from the housing and to cause the toweling to be retracted into the housing after the leading edge has been extended. The loading door 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. A back side of the housing includes an opening configured to permit excess toweling to fall there through during retraction of the toweling back into the housing by the motor assembly, whereby the towel dispenser accommodates retraction of excess toweling that is extended, but not taken.

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 method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser includes: extending the toweling exterior of a housing of the dispenser for grasping by a user; and subsequent thereto, retracting the toweling into the housing. The toweling includes a roll of paper towels and the dispenser is configured to unwind roll of paper towels during extension of toweling from the housing but not rewind the roll of paper towels during subsequent retraction of toweling into the housing. A back side of the housing includes an opening that is configured such that excess toweling gathering within the housing may fall there through as a result of retraction back into the housing of excess toweling dispensed but not taken.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling comprising a roll of paper towels. The housing includes extension walls located proximate opposite exterior sides of the housing that extends above a top side of the housing. Each extension wall includes a weakened line extending parallel to a weakened line of the other extension walls, whereby the extent above the top side at which each extension walls extends may be changed. The extent represents a distance from the underside of a fixture below which the top side of the housing is mounted when the towel dispenser is installed under the fixture. The fixture may be a shelf or cabinet.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing, a sensor, and a motor assembly that causes in response to a hand: a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from the housing a multiple of a predetermined unit length (PUL), optionally plus a further extent that is less than PUL; and then to be retracted. The motor assembly ceases retracting based on sensing the leading edge of the toweling. PUL is set in a length learn sequence by: retracting the toweling until a leading edge of the toweling is sensed; advancing the toweling a preset extended length greater than at least a distance between immediately adjacent lines of perforations in the toweling; retracting the toweling until a leading edge of the toweling is sensed while measuring a length by which the toweling is retracted; and determining the difference between the preset extended length and the measured retracted length.

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: A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser includes extending the toweling exterior of a housing of the dispenser for grasping by a user; and subsequent thereto, retracting the toweling into the housing. The housing includes extension walls located proximate opposite exterior sides of the housing that extend above a top side of the housing. The method further includes, as a preliminary step, mounting the dispenser to the underside of a fixture, including removing a portion of each extension wall along a score line so as to adjust the distance from the underside of the fixture below which the top side of the housing is mounted. The fixture may be a shelf or a cabinet.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a main body; a loading door that rotates relative to the main body between open and closed positions; and a guide system that is configured to guide the toweling within the housing while towels are dispensed from the housing. The guide system includes a first roller attached to the main body and having a first toothed surface, and a second roller attached to the loading door and having a second toothed surface that is configured to mesh with the first toothed surface. The toothed surfaces of the first roller and the second roller mesh together when the loading door moves into the closed position from the open position and do not preclude the loading door from moving into the closed position from the open position.

Abstract: The automatic sensing and outputting device of the present invention includes a base, a shell, a cover and a roller unit. The base has a longitudinal rod extending from an upper side thereof which the shell parallels. The cover pivoted at one ends on the shell and is swayable. The roller unit is rotatably disposed in the shell and is driven by a rotating means. Thereby, the cover and the roller unit are adapted to clamp a sheet-like object therebetween and to output the sheet-like object when the roller unit rotates.

Abstract: An electronic dispenser for dispensing a measured sheet from a roll of web material includes a passive, self-discharging static charge dissipating material configured with at least one component of the dispenser that stores static charge generated by operation of the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing wiping material includes a feeding mechanism for controlling the dispensing of the web. The feeding mechanism comprises a rotatable drum with a web guide arranged spaced from and surrounding the drum around a major part of its periphery. The web is fed from a first roll, over at least part of an outer surface of the web guide and into the feeding mechanism. An actuator is at least partially supported in a first position by the web, such that, if the first roll is depleted, the actuator is arranged to be displaced into a second position, and to actuate a loader for a second roll.

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 powered dispenser for dispensing individual sheet segments from a continuous roll of sheet material provided with spaced tear lines comprises a powered feed mechanism, a releasable, powered drive mechanism, a powered transfer mechanism, a pair of web sensing sensors, a capacitive sensing system providing automatic sensitivity adjustment, and control circuitry. A dual power supply system provides a mechanical lock-out functionality, and the control system is protected from electrostatic build-up on the surface of the feed roller. The web sensor, and an antenna plate of the capacitive sensing system, are provided on respective printed circuit boards mounted in overlying relation. Utilizing signals received from the pair of web sensors and the capacitive sensing system, the control circuitry senses the presence of a user to activate the powered drive mechanism, and prevents further dispensing of the sheet material until a previously dispensed segment is separated from the roll.

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: 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: An automatic sensing and outputting device for an object mainly includes a housing, a control portion and an output unit. The housing has a surface on which a fixing rod is disposed, and accommodates a driving mechanism. The control portion is disposed at a predetermined position in the housing. A control circuit board in the control portion includes a sensor and a zeroing sensor for object output sensing. The output unit includes a reel, which engages with and moved by the driving mechanism in the housing, and a pressing plate, which normally and slightly presses against the reel through an elastic member.

Abstract: A manual dispenser for severing a segment of paper from a note paper roll comprised of a narrow elongate sheet of paper helically wound upon itself, with one surface of the sheet having one or more strips of low-tack pressure adhesive extending longitudinally thereof. In one embodiment, the manual dispenser includes a tear bar that that is manually engagable with one side of the roll.

Abstract: An electronic dispenser for dispensing measured perforated sheets from a roll of perforated web material includes a housing, and a roll carrier disposed in the housing to rotationally support the roll of perforated web material. An electrically driven feed mechanism is disposed in the housing to dispense the sheets of web material therefrom. The feed mechanism includes rollers defining a drafting zone through which the web material is conveyed. The web material is drawn in the drafting zone to an extent necessary to at least partially separate the web material along a perforation line prior to the perforation line passing through the drafting zone.