Abstract: A spindle stabilizer assembly for use in connection with a rolled material dispenser that dispenses a rolled material. The spindle stabilizer assembly includes a spindle having a larger diameter part and a smaller diameter part, where the smaller diameter part is partially inserted into the larger diameter part and is slidable relative thereto against the bias of a spring. Strips of tape are axially formed to the larger diameter part and the larger diameter part is slid into a stabilizing tube, where the tape frictionally slows the rotation between the spindle and the tube. A friction engagement is provided between an outer diameter of the tube and the rolled material that allows the rolled material to rotate relative to the tube under a reasonable force so that the rolled material can be easily torn off the roll.

Abstract: A wall-mount hardware assembly is provided with a base adapted to be mounted to an upright support surface. A post is connected to the base. A lighting assembly is installed in the post to illuminate an underlying region. A bar extends from the post to support an article. A power source is disposed within the bar.

Abstract: A telecommunications wall fixture includes a body configured for mounting to a wall, the body defining a mounting surface generally parallel to the wall when mounted. A cable storage spool is rotatably mounted to the body for storage and deployment of cable. A device is used for re-orienting the rotation axis of the spool from being generally perpendicular to the mounting surface to being generally non-perpendicular to the mounting surface, wherein the spool is configured such that the spool can be stored within the body when the spool is oriented to have the rotation axis generally perpendicular to the mounting surface.

Abstract: A telecommunications assembly includes a chassis defining an interior region and a tray assembly disposed in the interior region. The tray assembly includes a tray and a cable spool assembly. The cable spool assembly is engaged to a base panel of the tray. The cable spool assembly is adapted to rotate relative to the tray. The cable spool assembly includes a hub, a flange engaged to the hub and an adapter module. The flange defines a termination area. The adapter module is engaged to the termination module of the flange. The adapter module is adapted to slide relative to the flange in a direction that is generally parallel to the flange between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A rolled material dispenser includes a brake mechanism designed to govern the rolling of a roll of packing material during dispensing of the packing material to reduce unintended tearing of the packing material and improve the user experience of handling such material dispensing. In one example, the brake mechanism includes a first portion configured to engage the roll during normal unloading of material from the roll and a second portion configured to engage the roll to impede rotation of the roll when unloading of material is uneven. An idler roller engages the material being dispensed, which idler roller may be resiliently supported to absorb forces on the material.

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

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

Abstract: Toweling dispenser apparatus includes a cover having relatively moveable cover portions. Relative movement caused by pushing one of the cover portions operates through transmission structure to rotate a toweling support drum and move toweling within the interior of the apparatus toward a dispensing position.

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: 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 sheet product dispenser is provided for sheet product from a roller. The sheet product dispenser includes a first roll of sheet product, called a stub roll, a main roll of sheet product, and a dispensing arrangement. A sensor is provided for detecting when sheet product on a stub roll is depleted. The sensor generates a signal in response to the depletion of the stub roll and a controller activates an electromechanical actuator. The actuator acts to operate a transfer bar that moves an end portion of the main roll sheet product adjacent a roller assembly that engages the main roller sheet product.

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.

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.

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

Abstract: A sheet product dispenser includes a cover, a pair of arms supporting a roll of sheet product within the cover, and a baffle. The roll of sheet product rotates upon activation of the dispenser during a dispense cycle. The baffle is adapted to deflect upon contact with the roll of sheet product and remain engaged against the roll of sheet product during at least a significant portion of a roll life.

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: 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 paper towel dispenser is sized to fit within an existing recessed cabinet. The dispenser includes a frame, a pair of roll supports, and a dispensing mechanism. The pair of roll supports are supported by the frame to provide support to a roll of paper towel. The dispenser is also supported by the frame, and operates to dispense the paper towel.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet product includes a housing, a proximity sensor operative to detect a presence of a user's hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser, and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing, the dispensing mechanism including an electronic controller operably coupled to a drive motor that is operably coupled to a feed roller to dispense the sheet product. The dispensing mechanism is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from the proximity sensor to dispense the sheet product, and is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet product in response to an existing sheet product being torn from the dispenser. The controller is responsive to a switch adapted and configured to set an adjustable time delay between sheet feeds when the dispensing mechanism is operating in at least one of the first mode and the second mode.

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.

Abstract: A toilet paper spindle which is simple and effective at rewinding the amount of toilet paper and restricting the amount dispensed is disclosed and described. The toilet paper spindle can include a central spindle, an outer sleeve, and a rotation biasing member. The central spindle can include engagement ends which prevent or minimize movement of the central spindle with respect to the mounted spindle holder. The outer sleeve can be oriented concentrically about the central spindle and can minimize or prevent relative movement of a standard toilet paper roll mounted thereon. The rotation biasing member can be oriented inside the outer sleeve to allow axial rotation along a common axis between the outer sleeve and the central spindle during removal of toilet paper from the toilet paper roll. The biasing member also acts such that the outer sleeve returns to a biased position after removal of the toilet paper is complete effectively rewinding the roll.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing roll material is described that substantially prevents toilet paper runaway and is useful in reducing irritation caused by using dry toilet paper. In one embodiment, the dispenser has a structure that has a thin, but strong curved, rigid arm with a tooth that is biased to engage the toilet paper roll in such a manner that it will only permit the roll to turn only in one direction. If the roll is attempted to be turned in the opposite direction, the tooth, which is disposed toward the roll, will engage the roll and prevent rotation in the second direction without substantially damaging the toilet paper on the roll. In a second embodiment, the toilet paper dispenser will dispense a predetermined amount of toilet paper into a receiver that has a sufficient size that it will fold over onto itself a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A spooling tool for paying out a fiber optic cable prewound on a spool region of a drop box or on an associated spool, when installing a cable at a user's premises. In one embodiment, the tool includes a base plate and a stud projecting from one side of the plate. An elongate arbor has one end secured to the stud in such a manner as to support the arbor perpendicular to the base plate. The arbor is dimensioned to pass through an axial passage in the box so that the box pivots on the arbor when the cable is unwound by an installer. A cap mechanism at the opposite end of the arbor retains the drop box on the arbor, and applies enough drag on the box to inhibit it from free wheeling on the arbor.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing roll material is described that substantially prevents toilet paper runaway and is useful in reducing irritation caused by using dry toilet paper. In one embodiment, the dispenser has a structure that has a thin, but strong curved, rigid arm with a tooth that is biased to engage the toilet paper roll in such a manner that it will only permit the roll to turn only in one direction. If the roll is attempted to be turned in the opposite direction, the tooth, which is disposed toward the roll, will engage the roll and prevent rotation in the second direction without substantially damaging the toilet paper on the roll. In a second embodiment, the toilet paper dispenser will dispense a predetermined amount of toilet paper into a receiver that has a sufficient size that it will fold over onto itself a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: Automatic dispensers for dispensing products such as towel, tissue, wipes, sheet-form materials, soap, shaving cream, fragrances and personal care products. A dispenser includes a housing, an electrical power source, a user input device, a dispensing mechanism, and motor control apparatus. The user input device generates a signal responsive to a user request for product. Motor control apparatus de-powers the dispensing mechanism based on a determination of dispenser conditions representing discharge of the product.

Abstract: A low cost roll dispenser includes a housing with an interior and a feeding mechanism. The housing has an interior with a shape, which may be a ramp or series of ramps, that biases a roll of sheet material forward so that it is in constant contact with the shape and the feeding mechanism while the roll is stationary and while the roll is being unwound. The low cost roll dispenser may have a cover and an integrated handle that drives the feeding mechanism that attach to the housing without the use of any tools.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing rolled materials wherein the dispenser includes a housing adapted to support a roll of material. A cover is attached to the housing, the cover being pivotable upwardly to an open position and pivotable downwardly to a closed position. A first roller may be attached to the housing and a second roller may be attached to the cover. A dispensing opening is formed between the housing and the cover when the cover is in its closed position, so that the leading portion of a roll of material that is placed within the housing may extend over the first roller. When the cover is moved to its closed position, the leading portion is captured in the nip formed between the first roller and the second roller, thus eliminating the need to feed the leading portion of the rolled material through the nip formed by the rollers.

Abstract: Device that enables a person to separate from a roll any length of flexible sheet material, typically toilet paper or paper kitchen towel. The moving parts of the device consist of a rotor, to which the roll is firmly attached, and an L-shaped braking arm that has a limited freedom of movement around a peg that can be added to any conventional roll-holding device. The free end of the roll is slid through a slit in one leg of the L. Directing the pull on the roll's free end up or down, the arm will bend slightly upward or downward. When bent upward, a smooth section of an opening in the other leg of the L becomes engaged with a section of the rotor consisting of a sprocket or gear (Variant A), or with a cylindrical surface of the rotor (Variant B), and thus the rotor/roll assembly is allowed to turn unimpeded under the effect of pull on the end of the roll.

Abstract: A paper dispensing apparatus for preventing paper from unraveling from the roll.

Abstract: A braking arrangement for dispensers of continuous material particulary paper dispensers includes a first gearwheel arranged for rotation about a first axis, and second gearwheel arranged for rotation about a second axis. The second gearwheel is arranged for displacement relative to the first gearwheel such that the second axis remains parallel to the first axis. In addition, the second gearwheel is biased towards the first gearwheel to partially intermesh therewith such that a variable gap is defined between the first and second gearwheel for passage of a continuous material.

Abstract: A rack for rolling type sanitary paper, including a fixing seat, a shaft disposed at front end of the fixing seat, a core member fitted around the shaft and a torque spring disposed between the shaft and the core member. The core member is passed through the reel of the sanitary paper and disposed with a stopper plate, whereby the user can tear apart the sanitary paper by constant amount. Each time after torn apart, the pulling end of the sanitary paper is restored to have a fixed length for ready use.

Abstract: A toilet paper holder and disbursement mechanism for use with a roll of toilet paper including a spring-loaded rod having ends that are adapted to be fixedly secured to an external mounting bracket; an inner sleeve disposed about the rod and axially aligned therewith and rotatable with respect thereto and having an extended end portion positioned in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the rod; an elongated outer sleeve for holding a roll of toiler paper, the outer sleeve disposed about the inner sleeve and axially aligned therewith and rotatable with respect thereto and having a extended end portion positioned in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the rod at a location adjacent to the end portion of the inner sleeve; a spring mechanism coupled between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve for urging the outer sleeve to a fixed rest position relative to the inner sleeve when the outer sleeve is axially rotated and then released; a manually-adjustable payout mechanism coupled between the end

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding a long sheet wound in the form of a roll as cut sheets having a predetermined length, comprises a housing and a pull length regulator being attached to the housing, for stopping the running of the long sheet when the sheet has been pulled by a predetermined length.

Abstract: An inexpensive unit for removable attachment to the spindle of a roll holder for a roll-type paper product such as toilet tissue or paper towelling. The unit is formed from a flexible plastics material and includes a center section having an arcuate bight portion and a pair of wall portions that converge from the arcuate portion and are joined together along the end edges thereof. An arm extends laterally from each end of the joined end edges of the walls. The unit is slid onto a spindle and when a roll of paper material is in turn slid onto the unit-carrying spindle the joined end edges of the walls will forcefully engage the inner surface of the roll core. When a user pulls the free end of the paper material wound on the roll the unit of this invention will rotate with the roll until the laterally extending arms engage or abut the edges of the roll holder. This signals the user that an appropriate length of material has been pulled from the roll and that that length may now be torn from the roll.

Abstract: Roll support spindle apparatus for rotatably supporting a coreless paper roll for dispensing. The spindle apparatus includes relatively movable spindle members, at least one of which is locked against rotation to exert a braking force on the coreless paper roll to prevent free-wheeling of the coreless paper roll during unwinding.

Abstract: Packaging machines are often supplied with a web of packaging material of double width. During transport, the web of material (11) is sub-divided into two part webs (12,13) by means of a central longitudinal cut. The exact run of the web of material (11) and of the part webs (12,13) is monitored by edge-sensing members (21; 25,26). Any deviations from the correct position are transmitted as error signal to web-adjusting members (24; 27,28). These are each equipped with two deflecting rollers (32,33 or 59,60 or 62,63) arranged at a distance from one another and intended for deflecting the web of material (11) or part web (12,13). The two deflecting rollers are each adjusted in order to adjust the web run.

Abstract: In a business forms press and method wherein a wide, continuous web of paper is separated into a plurality of business forms width sections, a web separating unit provides pairs of bars for each web section, arranging the pairs of bars so that the axis of these bars is at an obtuse angle to the longitudinal direction of the press and at an obtuse angle to the path of the webs, arranging the pairs of bars so that their distance between the axis thereof and the angle of the plane through the axis of the respective pair of bars with the plane of the web entering the bars is such to provide lateral displacements of the different web sections from each other.

Abstract: In a device for introducing a web of material into a processing machine that has a knife for separating at least one edge of the web and means of conveying the edge, a pair of pressure rolls that divert the edge to one side out of its original course and convey it farther and a downstream transverse knife that has guide surfaces that guide the initial section of the edge onto a feed surface and/or into rope scissors. The device can be rotated around a vertical axis.

Abstract: An improved stretcher/expander roller is disclosed. The roller includes a rigid core which is rotatably mounted downstream from where a traveling web is slit. An elastomeric covering around the core has at least one pair of helical lands formed in it which each spiral outwardly away from the center of the roller. The lands are inclined outwardly away from the center of the roller and progressively increase in flexibility from the center to the ends of the roller. The roller imparts axial forces on the web strips to simultaneously separate the web strips from one another and cross-stretch each web strip. The lands are made progressively more flexible by either progressively increasing the depth of the helical grooves between the lands, by progressively decreasing the helix angle of the lands, or by progressively decreasing the angle subtended by each land and the axis of the roller, from the center to the ends of the roller.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for scroll slitting metal webs into a serpentine wave shaped form having identically shaped sections spaced apart by a common center-to-center distance. The scroll slitting apparatus includes multiple sets of mating scroll slitting knives mounted upon rotatable arbors for slitting the metal webs into multiple strips having serpentine wave-shaped edge sections. The apparatus also includes a recoiler and a looping pit positioned between the scroll slitting knives and the recoiler. The looping pit permits slack to be placed in the strips between the stripping station and the rewind station such that the strips may all be spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the amplitude of the serpentine wave shaped edge placed on the strips, thereby enabling all the strips to be rewound onto a common arbor or shaft.

Abstract: Machine for separating and longitudinally slitting thin sheet, especially double-rolled aluminum sheet or foil, and for winding it onto two winding shafts in abutting strip coils, each winding station including a displaceable cylinder-biased winding carriage with a deflecting roll and a pressure roll defining a terminal sheet run unaffected by the carriage position. Slitting knives arranged on a rotatable swivel shaft in the winding carriage reach into the sheet path in its terminal run, just ahead of the winding point, the slitting knives being retractable into a safe position through rotation of the swivel shaft.

Abstract: A winding machine for winding up into rewind rolls a plurality of strips cut from an elongated web includes contact drums respectively bearing against the rewind rolls, the contact drums being independently arranged for independently exerting pressure against their rewind rolls for independently maintaining the necessary gap values between them and the periphery of the main drum about which the strips are partially looped upon entering the machine. Detecting devices associated with pairs of support arms provided for the contact drum operate a motor associated with each of the support arm pairs for each rewind roll for simultaneously rotating a pair of spindles on the support arms so as to pivot them away from the centerline of the machine when the extent of the aforementioned gap at each contact drum is reduced below a desired minimum.

Abstract: There is described a device for longitudinally slitting a web and for separating the separated portions thereof before they are fed onto a takeup reel or core.