Roller Or Sprocket Patents (Class 242/564.4)
  • Patent number: 8177156
    Abstract: A sheet roll dispenser includes an open-top hollow housing closed by a hingedly mounted lid. A first embodiment includes first and second roller support members mounted within the housing. A roll of sheet material is supported by the first roller support member when the housing is in a tabletop orientation and by the second roller support member when in a wall-mounted orientation. A nip is mounted in registration with an opening formed in the front wall. A free end of the sheet material is disposed in the nip. A switch actuator actuates a motor, causing the free end of the sheet material to be unrolled from the core and dispensed to a user through the opening. In a second embodiment, the roller support members may be rotatably mounted rollers, low-friction surfaces, or both. A third embodiment eliminates the rollers and plates and provides a ā€œUā€-shaped low friction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Rhett L. Rinne
  • Publication number: 20120104141
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Patent number: 8167228
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi, Kiyoto Komuro
  • Patent number: 8157202
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Taatjes, Patrick W. Turley, Martin G. Zalusky, Thomas P. Paul
  • Patent number: 8128018
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Shek
  • Patent number: 8083170
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Innovia Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Patent number: 8079543
    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 second roller includes an axis of rotation that is fixed relative to the loading door, and the first roller includes an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the second roller regardless of whether the loading door is in the closed position or the open position, or transitioning therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Innovia Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Patent number: 8079540
    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 loading door includes a curved body and a lip that generally extends away from the curved body. A portion of the main body that extends over the lip when the loading door is in the closed position includes the motor therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Innovia Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Patent number: 8079542
    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 can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the towel dispenser includes a motor and a transmission for feeding the toweling outside of the housing during dispensing of a towel, and an associated sensor. The motor is mechanically connected to the first roller by a transmission, and the second roller is connectable to the motor via the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Innovia Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Patent number: 8079541
    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 loading door includes a curved body and a lip that generally extends in parallel to a top surface of the housing away from the curved body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Innovia Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Patent number: 8056459
    Abstract: A lever, in its gooseneck-shaped top part, has a non-circular, curvilinear internal configuration with a wide gap toward the outside and a perpendicular anchoring ridge in the widest part oriented toward the inside to work together with a span ring made of an elastomer material arranged on an end piece of the receiving end of the mandrel of a spool of material, and a counterweight device, comprising a counterweight cam that works together with the lever with each turn of a drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Maurice Granger
  • Publication number: 20110180652
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: STRATASYS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Taatjes, Patrick W. Turley, Martin G. Zalusky, Thomas P. Paul
  • Publication number: 20110168831
    Abstract: A dispenser for sheet material such as paper towel, having a housing body and a housing cover. A feed mechanism in the dispenser includes a drive roller and a pressure roller forming a nip therebetween. Movement of the housing cover from a closed position towards an open position moves the pressure roller relatively away from the drive roller to open the nip. The reverse occurs during closing the cover. This allows easy access to the space between the rollers when adding a new supply of sheet material or when removing sheet material jams. A method for loading a dispenser is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Kin Lun Mok, King Lun Mok, Hong Ng
  • Publication number: 20110170928
    Abstract: A roll paper supply device has a roll paper compartment that stores roll paper with the axis of rotation transverse so that the roll paper can roll thereinside; supply rollers that feed the roll paper from the roll paper compartment in a sheet; and pair of side pressure plates that cover substantially all of the sides of the roll paper and contact part of the sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 7938351
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Taatjes, Patrick W. Turley, Martin G. Zalusky, Thomas P. Paul
  • Publication number: 20110068219
    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 toothed surface proximate a first end thereof, and a second roller attached to the loading door and having a toothed surface proximate a first end thereof that is configured to mesh with the toothed surface of the first roller. A transmission connects a motor to a second end of the first roller, the second end of the first roller being opposite the first end of the first roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: INNOVIA INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, LLC
    Inventors: William B. Troutman, William B. Troutman, II, Ian D. Kovacevich, Thomas James Philpott, Christopher Hoy, Lawrence Ober
  • Publication number: 20110062277
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: MICHAEL SHEK
  • Patent number: 7887005
    Abstract: There is provided a towel dispenser that includes a housing for containing toweling. The toweling includes a first towel and a second towel that are connected together and separable at a perforation formed between the first and second towel. The housing is configured to define a path P for the toweling. A motor and a perforation sensor are provided for dispensing the toweling and are electrically connected together. The perforation sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of the presence of the perforation and the motor is configured to deactivate in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Innovia Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Patent number: 7887001
    Abstract: An elastomeric fiber can be easily unwound from a package by way of using an OETO unwinding device which comprises a fiber package, a standby package and a static guide such that the distance from the inlet orifice of the static guide to the center of the static guide-facing side of the fiber package is in the range of 25 to 38 cm, and the distance (R) between the centers of the static guide-facing sides of the fiber package and standby package is in the range of 25 to 50 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hyosung Corporation
    Inventors: Keon Yong Yoon, Yeon Soo Kang, Seung Won Seo
  • Patent number: 7878446
    Abstract: An electrically powered dispenser for paper towels uses a special roller bracket to provide not only proper positioning and support for the drive and pinch roller shafts, but also tension and grounding between the drive and pinch rollers, thereby producing a dispenser that is both reliable to operate and simple to assemble. The mounting bracket is integrally formed from a single sheet of conductive material and preferably includes a pair of side plates connected by a mounting bar which includes an integrally formed tear bar portion for cutting the material after it has been transported past the rollers. Each side plate incorporates a flexible bridge (arm) portion for biasing each of the two shafts against a respective bearing portion to thereby complete a static discharge path from the rollers to the mounting bar without requiring any separate springs, contacts or wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Christopher M. Reinsel, David J. Gennrich, Kent J. Kallsen
  • Patent number: 7874509
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a rolled web of material having a plurality of laterally-extending, longitudinally-spaced lines of perforation. The device has a frame for supporting the rolled web such that lengths of the web are removed from the roll in a direction of advancement as the roll rotates. An infeed roller pair is rotatably mounted on the frame. The infeed roller pair provides a nip therebetween for receiving the web from the roll and for moving it forward in the direction of advancement. A pair of delivery rollers is rotatably mounted on the frame in spaced relation with the first pair of rollers. The second pair of rollers receives the web from the first roller pair and provides a nip therebetween for moving the web in the direction of advancement. Motor means drives the infeed roller pair and the delivery roller pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: James W. Kenney
  • Patent number: 7850040
    Abstract: Provided is a component tape feeder apparatus comprising a single output module, a single component exposure module, operably connected to the single output module, and, a plurality of input modules, wherein each input module of the plurality of input modules is operably connected to the single exposure module. A corresponding method of feeding electronic components includes supplying a plurality of component tapes housing electronic components to the single exposure module, wherein the supplying involves receiving and forwarding of the plurality of component tapes by the plurality of input modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hover-Davis, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Davis, Dean Tarrant, Michael Summers
  • Publication number: 20100224717
    Abstract: In a printer that uses a roll paper being a printing medium, when a 2-inch roll paper is used, as a flange member coaxially fixed to each central portion of both ends of a paper tube of the roll paper in its axial direction, a flange member with a smaller outer diameter than that of the flange member used for a 3-inch roll paper is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi IWASAKI
  • Publication number: 20100219284
    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 can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the towel dispenser includes a motor and a transmission for feeding the toweling outside of the housing during dispensing of a towel, and an associated sensor. The motor is mechanically connected to the first roller by a transmission, and the second roller is connectable to the motor via the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Publication number: 20100219283
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Publication number: 20100219281
    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 loading door includes a curved body and a lip that generally extends away from the curved body. A portion of the main body that extends over the lip when the loading door is in the closed position includes the motor therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Publication number: 20100219282
    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 loading door includes a curved body and a lip that generally extends in parallel to a top surface of the housing away from the curved body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Publication number: 20100219280
    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 second roller includes an axis of rotation that is fixed relative to the loading door, and the first roller includes an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the second roller regardless of whether the loading door is in the closed position or the open position, or transitioning therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Publication number: 20100176237
    Abstract: A hybrid towel dispenser is provided that is operable in an automatic dispensing mode and a manual dispensing mode. The dispenser comprises a rotatable drum; a motor; a one-way bearing coupling the motor to the drum such that the motor rotates the drum in the automatic dispensing mode and a user can rotate the drum in the manual dispensing mode separately from the motor. The sensor controlling the motor has a sensing path through the user engagement surface of the manual advance assembly. The dispenser can additionally have a manual advance assembly with a lever rotationally coupled to the cutting drum and operable by the user to rotate the drum in the manual dispensing mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Friesen, Bradley Friesen, John Friesen, Andrew Jackman, Lockland Corley, Richard Lalau, Michael Severyn, Alex Tramploski, Joel Keily
  • Patent number: 7726599
    Abstract: A sheet material dispenser includes a controller for automatically controlling the lengths of sheet materials dispensed from a continuous roll by identifying the type of sheet materials on the roll and dispensing suitable lengths of the identified sheet material. The dispenser desirably has a support for rotatably supporting a roll of sheet material carrying identification relating to the type of sheet material on the roll, and an identifier positioned in or adjacent the dispenser for identifying the type of sheet material on the roll. A processor receives data from the identifier, processes the data and generates an output command, and a controller controls the lengths of sheet material dispensed from the roll in response to the output command. In this way, more absorbent products may be dispensed in shorter lengths and less absorbent products may be dispensed in longer lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, David W. Kapiloff, Stephen L. Phelps, Darrell R. Johnson, Gerald L. Clark
  • Publication number: 20100127112
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for dispensing a deformable web, comprising a transport element rotatable under the influence of a drive, and a web guide disposed opposite thereto. The transport element and the web guide are arranged to cooperate, for the purpose of transport and deformation of the web. Moreover, the drive is fully integrated into the transport element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Ideepak Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Theodorus Joseph Aquarius
  • Publication number: 20100044407
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser and method of operation is provided. The sheet product dispenser records usage data and stores the data on a storage device. A dispenser controller uses the usage data to create a model that is used to determine a predicted depletion date. The depletion date is provided as feedback to an operator to allow the operator to more efficiently dispatch maintenance personnel. In one embodiment, the feedback is in the form of a display on the front of the dispenser that displays the predicted depletion date.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: GEORGIA-PACIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS LP
    Inventor: Craig D. Yardley
  • Publication number: 20100012674
    Abstract: Sheet product dispensers and methods for controlling the dispensers are provided. A sheet product dispenser includes a housing and a dispensing assembly disposed in the housing. The dispensing assembly is configured to hold a roll of sheet product thereon and to dispense a portion of the roll of sheet product. The sheet product dispenser further includes an ultraviolet light source disposed on the housing. The ultraviolet light source is configured to emit ultraviolet light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: GEORGIA-PACIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS LP
    Inventor: Warren R. Brownlee
  • Patent number: 7637452
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a repositionable adhesive note paper from a roll includes a housing defining an interior and a discharge opening. A drive system of the dispenser includes a roller rotatably mounted within the housing interior and a motor engaging the roller to rotate the roller with respect to the housing about a central axis of the roller. A pressure member is located within the housing and is preferably movable with between an engaged position where it urges the paper into contact with the roller and a disengaged position where it is separated from the roller to permit loading of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Rex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Kanbar, Albert Kolvites
  • Publication number: 20090230231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable type wet towel formation device for a wet towel feeder, which can supply the foldable type disposable wet towel formed by cutting a fabric wound in a roll shape during it is transported, and allowing the cut fabric to absorb water to thereby be folded into many folds. The foldable type wet towel formation device comprises first and second actuators, a transporting unit, a first driving unit, a shaft, and a second driving unit. In this instance, the transporting unit comprises a driving roller, a driven roller, and a belt engaged with the driving roller and the driven roller to be rotated between them, and is operated by the first actuator to transport the fabric. The first driving unit is constructed to transfer the movement of the first actuator to the driving roller The shaft is arranged between the driving roller and the driven roller to fold the fabric by the angular movement of a plurality of levers installed between the belt and the rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Jae Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 7570067
    Abstract: A paper dispenser having a proximity detector for dispensation of paper therefrom. The dispenser includes a housing having an inner chamber adapted to support a roll of paper. The housing also has a dispensing aperture. A motor is adapted to dispense paper from the roll through the dispensing aperture. The dispenser also includes a proximity detection circuit, which comprises an antenna, an oscillator circuit to charge the antenna, an operational amplifier operated as a unity gain follower which receives an antenna signal from the antenna, a detector circuit which detects changes in the antenna signal, and a comparator which actuates the motor in response to changes in the antenna signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Dennis J. Denen, Gary E. Myers, Charles W. Groezinger, John J. Knittle
  • Patent number: 7552890
    Abstract: A device for applying tension to a string of coiled tubing for the purpose of its insertion into or withdrawal from a wellbore. Specifically, the device is used with a wheel-type tensioner, which contacts and supports the tubing over an arc length of less than 180Ā°. The device enhances the tractive ability of the tensioner by applying forces normal to the tubing to press it into more intimate contact with the surface of the wheel, thereby increasing the normal force and attendant frictional force between the tubing and the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: RRI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Tommie Carroll Gipson
  • Patent number: 7530524
    Abstract: A dispenser has a cover and a housing body. Within the housing body is a pair of rollers having a nip area therebetween. When the cover is open, a disengagement mechanism may be manually depressed to increase the space between one end of the rollers, while the space between an opposing end of the rollers remains substantially unchanged to facilitate the removal of a jam in the nip area of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: SCA Tissue North America LLC
    Inventors: Russell G. Wieser, Jeffrey J. Brickl
  • Publication number: 20080283653
    Abstract: A compact continuous over end take-off creel system with a tension control apparatus permits unwinding of high tack elastomeric threads from multiple thread packages. Thread tension is monitored and controlled through a variable speed motor of a driven take-off roll to maintain continuous operation of the creel system by avoiding breakage of elastomeric threads. Separate motors and thread tension sensors, optionally in combination with pretensioners, may be used for groups of threads or for individual threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: INVISTA North America SARL
    Inventors: Ronald D. Bing-Wo, Thomas W. Manning
  • Patent number: 7387274
    Abstract: A method of grounding a dispenser. A low impedance path is connected to elements internal to the dispenser. The low impedance path is also connected to a surface contact spring which is adapted to contact an external mounting surface when the dispenser is affixed thereto. Static electrical charge accumulated on the elements is discharged through the low impedance path and the surface contact spring to the external mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Operations LLC
    Inventors: John R. Moody, Joshua M. Broehl
  • Patent number: 7380748
    Abstract: In a dispenser for dispensing rolls of paper towel including means for rotatably mounting the roll, a feed nip including a segmented drive roll with a plurality of drive surfaces and a nip roll adapted to cooperate therewith to advance the towel to a dispensing chute, an improved drive roll having an elongate axis and a plurality of drive segments defining drive surfaces disposed along its length of generally equal radius with respect to the elongate axis of the roll, as well as a plurality of guide disks interposed between adjacent drive segments configured to alleviate wrinkling as the towel is dispensed. Further improvements include a textured delivery chute and a method for dispensing a partially depleted roll of towel together with a fresh roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Harold J. Goeking, Paul Metcalfe, Michael R. Kilgore
  • Patent number: 7354015
    Abstract: A hands-free paper towel dispenser including a housing with a front cover that is pivotable between open and closed positions. A sensing mechanism is disposed entirely within the interior space of the cabinet at a location adjacent to the front cover and is oriented toward the front cover of the cabinet to permit detecting of an object adjacent the front cover without the object contacting the front cover. At least a portion of the sensing mechanism is accessible when the front cover is at the open position. A dispensing mechanism is disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of towel, with the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller. The dispenser also includes an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Wausau Paper Towel & Tissue, LLC
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg
  • Patent number: 7325767
    Abstract: A hands-free towel dispenser is provided which utilizes an active sensing system, preferably an infra-red system, for detecting when a dispense of toweling should occur. The control for the dispenser is designed for low power use, thereby allowing the dispenser to be battery powered. The dispenser can also be powered by a solar panel, either in addition to or in place of, the batteries. Thus, the dispenser can be used in all lighting conditions. In addition, the dispenser is microprocessor controlled, thereby reducing costs and adding flexibility and functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Wausau Paper Towel & Tissue, LLC
    Inventors: Adam T. Elliott, John I. Compton
  • Patent number: 7325768
    Abstract: A hands-free paper towel dispenser including a housing with a front cover that is pivotable between open and closed positions. A sensing mechanism is disposed entirely within the interior space of the cabinet at a location adjacent to the front cover and is oriented toward the front cover of the cabinet to permit detecting of an object adjacent the front cover without the object contacting the front cover. At least a portion of the sensing mechanism is accessible when the front cover is at the open position. A dispensing mechanism is disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of towel, with the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller. The dispenser also includes an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Wausau Paper Towel & Tissue, LLC
    Inventors: Dannie D. Byrd, Alain P. Cotnoir, Adam T. Elliott, Victor Mendelsberg
  • Patent number: 7228620
    Abstract: A tape guide for guiding a carrier tape in a component mounting machine, a tape magazine for receiving the tape guide, and a system including the tape guide and the tape magazine. The carrier tape carries components that are positioned in sequence on the carrier tape and are covered by a cover tape. The tape guide includes an exposure mechanism for exposing the components at a picking position, wherein the exposure mechanism includes a separator for separating and lifting a lateral portion of the cover from the carrier tape, leaving the remaining portion of the cover at least partially attached to the carrier tape, and for bringing the lifted portion of the cover aside. The tape guide also includes a lock for enabling ready and quick attachment and detachment of the tape guide to and from the component mounting machine, a guiding for guiding the carrier tape towards a picking position, and a retainer for preventing accidental displacement of the carrier tape along the tape guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Mydata Automation AB
    Inventor: Johan Bergstrom
  • Patent number: 7201343
    Abstract: The present invention is a laminate media, in the form of a continuous strip of carrier-less, pre-cut plastic patch protections, connected by perforations. The invention further describes both a method for separating the patches from each other by stressing the perforated patch area without stopping the driving process and a cassette within which the separation process occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventor: Stephane Mabit
  • Patent number: 7191978
    Abstract: A media web cartridge for storing a media web to be introduced into a wallpaper printing system, the wallpaper printing system including a region to receive the media web cartridge and feed the media web past a printhead at least as wide as the width of the media web, the media web cartridge comprising: a casing which envelopes the media web; a fixed shaft about which the media web is wound and is free to rotate; two support members that each hold an opposite end of the shaft, the support members adapted to be supported by the casing and to prevent rotation of the shaft relative to the casing; at least two feed rollers to draw the media web from about the shaft and force the media web through an exit region of the casing; and, at least one of the feed rollers including a coupling which protrudes through an opening in an end of the casing and is adapted to engage with a drive spindle provided in the printing system, the drive spindle adapted to rotate the at least one feed roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7185841
    Abstract: A dispenser for hygiene paper is proposed which makes available dry toilet paper and dispenses moistened hygiene paper. For this purpose, the dispenser contains a housing, a roll holder for the hygiene paper, a unit for the moistening with a liquid container, a moistening roll and at least one liquid tank which communicate with one another and a unit for the dispensing with a transport roll for the hygiene paper which is in contact with the moistening roll with an intermediate layer of the hygiene paper. The dispenser can be divided into a base housing and an insertion part. The advantage of the dispenser consists of commercially available toilet paper being made available and of moistened hygiene paper being dispensed in a specific length or in any desired length and of the dispenser being made simply and being easy to handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Werner Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 7182289
    Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus holds and positions at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other, dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. The dispenser dissipates static charges to a local ground such as a high impedance wall surface on which the dispenser is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Moody, Joshua M. Broehl
  • Patent number: 7182288
    Abstract: A dispenser for rolled absorbent web material is disclosed. A carriage is rotatable between at least two orientations. The carriage includes a first roll holder, which holds a first roll of absorbent web material in a primary position when the carriage is in a first orientation and in a secondary position when the carriage is in a second orientation, and a second roll holder, which holds a second roll of absorbent web material in the secondary position when the carriage is in the first orientation and in the primary position when the carriage is in the second orientation. A roll sensor senses the amount of absorbent web material remaining on the roll in the primary position. A feed mechanism dispenses absorbent web material from at least one of the rolls. A transfer mechanism feeds absorbent web material from the roll in the secondary position into the feed mechanism when the absorbent web material on the roll in the primary position is nearly depleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Joseph Denen, Craig D. Yardley, Joshua Michael Broehl, Robert James Hayes, John Joseph Knittle, Brian Kenneth Linstedt, Gregory James Merz, John R. Moody