Abstract: The invention consists of a paper towel dispenser for dispensing individual sheets of paper towels from a roll of paper having regularly spaced apart lines of partial severance. The dispenser is comprised of a housing and a housing door which can be pivotally opened to allow a roll of sheet material to be inserted into the dispenser. The dispenser has a funnel-shaped exit to allow the end of the roll to protrude in order to be grasped by the user. A paper towel tearing member is located adjacent to the funnel outlet of said funnel and the opening of this member is adjustable in order to vary the size of the opening of the dispenser. This adjustment of the exit size creates an adjustment in the position at which the sheet tears away from the roll to allow the use of different types of sheet material in a single dispenser.

Abstract: The invention provides an over-end take off device (OETO) for unwinding elastomeric fiber. The invention further provides a method for unwinding elastomeric fiber for downstream processing.

Abstract: A holder for a paper roll with axial dispensing of the paper from the roll, includes a housing which has an end wall provided with a dispensing opening and tear elements extending around the periphery of the opening. The holder includes members for rotating the web of paper being drawn from a paper roll, which is disposed in the housing, relative to the paper roll in dependence of the length of paper web being drawn out of the dispensing opening, said members being disposed within the housing.

Abstract: A package of material for unwinding from a flush end. The package of material includes an elongated winding member to receive a continuous strand of material substantially normal to an axis of the elongated winding member. The continuous strand of material wound about the elongated winding member substantially covers at least one of two ends of the winding member to define a flush end of the package of material. The covered end of the winding member does not protrude beyond the continuous strand of material wound on the winding member. The continuous strand of material is to be unwound over the flush end in a substantially parallel misaligned manner relative to the axis of the elongated winding member. The continuous strand of material being unwound from the elongated winding member is free of obstruction from the covered end of the winding member.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping hair strands with string or artificial hair is disclosed. The apparatus has a shell that defines an axle having an opening. The axle rotatably supports a drive wheel, a spool of string and a guide wheel. The drive wheel engages the guide wheel. The string passes from the spool past the guide wheel, which has circumferential notches to engage and play out the string. In practice, the user passes a hair strand through the opening in the axle, fastens the string to a hair strand, energizes the apparatus, and moves it along the length of the hair strand as the string is wrapped about the strand. The apparatus is preferably powered by a small DC motor.

Abstract: An over-end takeoff device (OETO) and a method for unwinding elastomeric fiber from a package are provided. The OETO includes a fiber guide spaced apart from the fiber package and disposed at an acute angle between 0° and 30° to the rotational axis of the package.

Abstract: A hair wrapping device and method which includes a housing and a motor contained within the housing. A cover is rotatably mounted to the housing and is driven by the motor. A spool for receiving cord is mounted for rotational movement with the cover. The cord is held for rotation with the cover. The cover has an aperture to thread a lock of hair and the cord therethrough. Rotation of the cover by the motor causes rotation of the cord around the lock of hair, thereby wrapping the hair with the cord.

Abstract: A dispenser adapted to dispense sheet material therefrom includes a housing configured to support a sheet material product therein which has an exit port. The dispenser also includes at least a removable orifice plate for controlling the movement of sheet material from the housing through the exit port. Methods of using and adjusting a dispenser having a removable orifice plate.

Abstract: A socket latch drum release assembly includes a shaft release coupling which telescopically engages a rotary drum shaft to selectively lock and unlock a rotary drum of a drain cleaning machine without the necessity of tools. The shaft release coupling includes a polygonal shaped distal end which corresponds with a polygonal opening in the removable drum shaft. At least one of the plurality of faces which form the polygonal shaped distal end includes a retractable engagement member which corresponds to a recess located in each face of the polygonal opening. The drum shaft is directed into the sleeve from one side and the shaft release coupling is engaged with the shaft on the opposite side of the sleeve. Engagement between a radially extending flange of the shaft release coupling and the end of the shaft rotatably locks the rotary drum shaft into the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping hair with a cord is provided and according to one embodiment includes a housing; a main spindle operatively coupled to the housing and one or more cartridges with one cartridge being operatively coupled to the main spindle and the other cartridges being operatively coupled to one another. Each cartridge contains a cord that is dispensed and wrapped around hair as a result of the rotation of the main spindle.

Abstract: A portable wire dispenser which provides a housing/shell with an interior cavity shaped to receive a roll of wire. On a surface of the housing/shell is a circular opening which communicates with the interior cavity. An end of the spool of wire, from the interior circumference of the spool, extends through said circular opening so that a user is able to easily draw a length of wire therethrough for use. In one embodiment, a belt loop on the housing/shell allows the user to easily carry the dispenser; in another embodiment, the housing/shell is equipped with a hand-tool receptacle to hold a wire cutter or a screwdriver for easy access by the user.

Abstract: A method of preparing connected coils of wound ribbon in an alternating pattern to reduce twisting thereof during continuous axial ribbon feed to a processing machine. Each coil has a sequence of turns wound about a central axis and includes central end at an inner-most turn of the sequence of turns and an outer end at an outer-most turn of the sequence of turns. The outer end of a first coil of the coils is connected to the central end of a second coil of the coils. The method includes orienting the first coil in a clockwise winding direction and orienting the second coil in a counterclockwise winding direction such that at least some twists developed during axial ribbon feed of the first coil are removed during axial ribbon feed of the second coil.

Abstract: A twist controlling device for ribbon material wound in a coil about a central axis. The device controls twists in the ribbon material as it is fed from the coil to a processing machine. The device includes a gate adapted to be positioned along a ribbon feed path from the coil to the processing machine and having an opening therethrough for receiving the ribbon material. The gate is adapted to engage the ribbon and is rotatable about a gate axis generally coincident with a center of the opening for controlling twisting of the ribbon.

Abstract: A dispenser adapted to dispense sheet material therefrom is provided and includes a housing configured to support a sheet material product therein which has an exit port. The dispenser also includes at least a removable orifice plate for controlling the movement of sheet material from the housing through the exit port. Methods of using and adjusting a dispenser having a removable orifice plate.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet material includes a housing having a chamber configured to hold sheet material and an access door configured to provide both access to the chamber and closure to the chamber. The housing includes a dispensing member supported by the access door. The dispensing member has a first panel and a second panel. At least one panel moves so that the opening in the first panel and the exit port in the second panel align to permit sheet material to be threaded therethrough for loading, and at least one panel moves so that the opening and exit port are moved out of alignment for dispensing the sheet material. A method of installing sheet material in a dispenser.

Abstract: A holder for a paper roll with axial dispensing of the paper from the roll, includes a housing which has an end wall provided with a dispensing opening and tear elements extending around the periphery of the opening. The holder includes members for rotating the web of paper being drawn from a paper roll, which is disposed in the housing, relative to the paper roll in dependence of the length of paper web being drawn out of the dispensing opening, said members being disposed within the housing.

Abstract: There is provided a mounting system for an apparatus for dispensing wet wipes. The system may include a dispenser and a mounting bracket. The dispenser has the ability to be mounted to a conventional toilet tissue holder. The mounting bracket may securely yet removably hold the dispensing apparatus to the holder.

Abstract: The invention provides an over-end take off device (OETO) for unwinding elastomeric fiber. The invention further provides a method for unwinding elastomeric fiber for downstream processing.

Abstract: An optical fiber pay-out system utilizes over-the-end pay-out from a storage spool (34) into a module (38) adjacent the pay-out end of the spool. The module has a freely rotatable capstan (47) affixed thereto over a portion of the surface of which are endless belt (63) is in contact. A nozzle member (42) directs the paid out fiber into the region of belt and surface contact. Height adjusting members (72) are provided for imparting a twist to the fiber in the region by directing the fiber to an off-center position relative to the centerline of contact of the belt and surface of the capstan.

Abstract: A desoldering wick dispenser In an embodiment of combined package and tube, the package has a funnel shaped housing containing a coil of desoldering wick. An end portion of the desoldering wick extends through and beyond the outer end of a tube extending from the center of the housing. The coil of desoldering wick is a spiral having a conical shape approximately complementary to the end of the housing. Alternatively, the coil may be a helically wound spool of wick in a somewhat more elongated tubular housing. The end of the wick extending through the tube is drawn from the center of the coil. The tube may be metal or plastic and may be a continuous or split tube, or formed from a helically coiled wire. The wick is manipulated by the tube when used.

Abstract: A dispenser of individual sheets by unwinding from the center of a product in roll form, without a central tube, having a plurality of successive sheets forming a coiled strip, a free end of which projects toward the outside of the roll from the center, of the type including a fixed dispensing nozzle which delimits a passage of frustoconical general shape and which includes a generally vertically oriented cutout to make it easier to introduce the free end of the strip of a roll into the passage, the width of the cutout in the vicinity of the upper orifice of the passage being markedly greater than its width in line with the lower outlet orifice of the nozzle.

Abstract: A centerflow rolled paper dispenser is provided in which the dispenser comprises a housing containing a spring loaded drawer member that is slidable between an open and a closed position. The dispenser includes an upper housing and a support member within said upper housing for supporting a roll of paper. Further, a lower housing is attached to the upper housing. An exit port from said upper housing to said lower housing is provided for release of rolled paper that is dispensed from the center of the roll through a predetermined dispensing orifice. Additionally, the drawer member is in substantially overlapping position with the exit port, the drawer member being spring loaded to bias the drawer member towards the open position to make loading a new roll of paper into the dispenser more convenient. A rotatable disk is provided with orifices of varying size disposed on the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A dispenser for center feed roll products includes a base and a cover adapted to fit the base. The cover further defines a cavity to receive the center feed roll product. The base further includes a roll platform and a securing means. The securing means defining an aperture is coupled to the roll platform and is adapted to support a center feed roll product. In addition, the securing means permits the installation of a roll product through the aperture and prevents the removal of the roll product.

Abstract: A disposable towel dispenser for mounting to the exterior of a tractor or other vehicle having hydraulic couplers mounted to its exterior. The dispenser is a vertical housing of generally cylindrical shape which has a top cap which is easily removed for insertion of a roll of disposable towels within the housing. The roll of disposable towels rests on an internal platform which has a central opening from which disposable towels may be drawn downward from the center of the roll. The housing is equipped with a protruding bracket on one side which can be slid into a receiving bracket mounted on the tractor provided for mounting of a standard slow moving vehicle sign. The housing may have a receiving bracket mounted to its exterior on the opposite side from the protruding bracket for mounting of a slow moving vehicle sign to the dispenser.

Abstract: A paper towel dispenser, comprising:a support structure;a platform forming a part of the support structure and adapted to support two rolls of center pull paper toweling in side-by-side relationship, the platform having a bottom, a first opening in the bottom, and a second opening in the bottom, each opening capable of receiving paper toweling from an inner end of a roll of center pull paper toweling; anda selectively positionable access-blocking member attached to the support structure, the access-blocking member having a first position and a second position for alternatingly blocking access to one of the first and second openings while providing access to the other one of the first and second openings.

Abstract: An apparatus which dispenses a static centerflow rolled sheet product. The rolled product is disposed within a housing defined by a front side, back side, and side walls. The front side includes an opening through which an end of the rolled sheet product is pulled. A protrusion is defined, for example, on the back side member and extends towards the front side within the housing. The protrusion is disposed and has a length so as to extend into the rolled sheet product center void a sufficient distance to prevent the rolled product from collapsing on itself as the sheet product is withdrawn.

Abstract: A coiling system for coiling and uncoiling of the elongated flexible element. The elongated flexible element is preformed and coiled onto a core, which is detachable for the purpose of uncoiling the elongated flexible element by its inner end. A coiling system which comprises a coil component functioning as an end wall so arranged as to interact with a detachable core with an elongated flexible element coiled thereonto.

Abstract: To dispense optical fiber, electrical wire, or the like between two desired points, a line dispenser and dispensing method for dispensing a line preliminarily housed inside to the outside of the line dispenser is provided. Particularly, the line dispenser is characterized by provision of a guide member, which is provided between a body portion of a reel and an aperture for dispensing the line to the outside of the line dispenser and which is rotatable about the center axis of the reel. This rotatable guide member enables smooth dispensing of the line.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for dispensing a straightened length of coiled wire through an "O" ring portion of the frame of the dispenser. The dispenser includes coupling mechanisms which permits multiple dispensers to be joined and used together.

Abstract: A towel roll holder and towel dispenser includes a housing for retaining a roll of toweling. The housing is affixed to a support surface, and easily opened or removed for replacement of the roll. In one embodiment, Velcro strips mounted on the support surface releasably engage oppositely configured Velcro strips mounted on an outwardly extending flange on the base of the housing. In another embodiment, magnetic strips or ferromagnetic material mounted on the support surface releasably attach to complementary strips on the housing flanges. In another embodiment, one side or end of the housing base flange is hinged to the support surface, and the opposite side or end of the housing base flange is releasably attached to the support surface with Velcro or magnetic (or ferromagnetic) strips as referred to above, or a rotatable latch. Towels may be dispensed from a narrow end of a cone-shaped nozzle on the end of the housing, or through a slot in a housing wall.

Abstract: A dispenser for feeding perforated paper towels from a continuous roll. The dispenser includes a dispenser body for containing the paper towel roll which may be mounted to a supporting surface such as a wall. A unique feeder assembly is attached to the dispenser body for dispensing an end portion of the continuous roll. The feeder assembly includes a feeder body having a back wall, first and a second side walls attached on each side edge and a bottom wall attached to the bottom edge of the back and side walls. A first aperture is located on the bottom wall of the feeder body and a face plate having a second aperture overlapping the first aperture also is attached to the feeder body. The pair of overlapping apertures are biased against one another for receiving and dispensing an individual paper towel. In the preferred embodiment, a removable flange attaches the feeder assembly to the dispenser body. The flange includes a locking mechanism for lockingly engaging the flange onto the dispenser body.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing and dispensing toilet paper. The apparatus holds the toilet paper roll in a stationary position as the loose paper end is pulled from the inner core of the paper roll. A housing for containing the paper roll is attached to a base, and a cover engaged with the housing compresses the paper roll against the base. This compression prevents sag of the layered toilet paper roll as the void in the paper core becomes enlarged.

Abstract: A container arrangement constructed to enable a web of material (35) to be withdrawn from the outer surface of a generally cylindrical roll, preferably a roll of toilet paper or like material. The arrangement includes a roll container (1), which can be opened to enable depleted rolls to be replaced. The container (1) includes a web outfeed opening which is coaxial with the roll axis. Mounted at one end wall of the container (1) is a cylindrical guide member (4) whose circular peripheral edge is aligned coaxially with the axis (10) of the outfeed opening (63) and whose diameter exceeds the effective, initial diameter of an unused roll (3). The guide member (4) functions to deflect the web from the cylindrical surface of the roll as the web (35) is drawn through the opening (63). The guide member (4) is rotatably journalled (51) for rotation about an axis which extends generally coaxial with the roll axis.

Abstract: A center pull towel dispenser includes two housing members which pivot about a vertical pivot axis. A support plate supports the coreless roll product on end with the lead end of the coreless roll product passing through a bottom wall disposed under the support plate. Various structural elements of the apparatus cooperate to provide ease of threading of a roll product lead end into a dispensing member including a downwardly converging, generally cone-shaped wall and to resist inadvertent pinching of the sheet product to be dispensed when the housing members form a closed interior.

Abstract: Dispenser apparatus for sequentially dispensing sheet material from two center pull coreless rolls of sheet material disposed side-by-side includes a housing and a support within the housing for supporting the two coreless rolls on end and side-by-side. Two dispenser nozzles are incorporated in the apparatus, one nozzle for each roll. A closure member is mounted on the housing to enable only one roll at a time to be manually accessed for dispensing.

Abstract: Dispenser apparatus for sequentially dispensing sheet material from two center pull coreless rolls of sheet material disposed side-by-side includes a support for supporting the coreless rolls on end and two dispenser elements, each of which receives the lead end from a roll. The dispenser elements are movable so that the lead ends of the rolls are alternately presented for manual access by a consumer. An arrangement is provided to provide for automatic transfer between rolls when one roll is depleted.

Abstract: A paper towel dispenser of the type dispensing towelling spirally from the center of a coreless roll of towelling while the roll stands upright. The dispenser is a knockdown dispenser having a separate base, a first casing part, and a second casing part. The dispenser can be shipped with the parts disassembled to save space and assembled onsite by connecting the base to the first casing part and then pivotally connecting the second casing part to the base. The roll of towelling sits on the base and the casing parts form an enclosure about the roll. The dispenser has a dispensing nozzle in the base through which the paper towelling is dispensed. An access opening is provided in the wall of the nozzle to make it easier to thread the towelling through the nozzle when loading a new roll of towelling in the dispenser. A dispensing ring may be provided in the bottom of the nozzle through which the towelling is dispensed.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing and dispensing toilet paper. The apparatus holds the toilet paper roll in a stationary position as the loose paper end is pulled from the inner core of the paper roll. A housing for containing the paper roll is attached to a base, and a cover engaged with the housing compresses the paper roll against the base. This compression prevents sag of the layered toilet paper roll as the void in the paper core becomes enlarged.

Abstract: A combined dry sanitary tissue and prewetted personal hygiene wipes dispenser including a rear housing and a front housing, the front housing being movable from an open position to a closed position with the rear housing, the front and rear housings forming a first compartment for a roll of dry sanitary tissue, the compartment having an opening through which the roll of dry sanitary tissue is dispensed. A second compartment is provided inside the first compartment from which a roll of prewetted personal hygiene wipes is dispensed. The second compartment includes a lid having a dispensing port therethrough. There is an orifice through the front housing allowing access to the dispensing port in the lid when the front housing section is in the closed position. The lid is not removable from the second compartment when the front housing is in the closed position. A lock is included for locking the front housing in the closed position.

Abstract: A coil of an interconnected chain of open bags is provided in which the coil has a center opening having a diameter at least as great as the transverse dimension of the bags. A dispenser is provided on which a coil of bags is mounted. An end of the chain is pulled from the center opening and fed around a tapered mandrel and thence over a feed control mandrel oriented in angular relationship with the tapered mandrel. The web is then fed to a bagging machine for dispensing, loading and closing of the bags. The table on which the coil is mounted is rotatable so that the orientation of a span of bags running from the coil to the tapered mandrel remains substantially constant as the web is fed.

Abstract: A centerflow dispenser for dispensing a rolled paper product which includes a device for varying the diameter of the dispensing orifice to accommodate rolled paper products of various weights, widths, bulks and tensile strengths. The dispenser includes a rear housing, a front housing pivotally attached to the rear housing, the rear housing having extending therefrom a support member or bottom housing upon which a rolled paper product is placed. In one embodiment, the support member has attached thereto a rotatable disk with a plurality of a different diameter orifices disposed in the periphery thereof. The disk can be rotated such that each orifice in turn comes in at a vertical overlapping relationship with an exit port in the support member. In such manner, the desired orifice can be selected for the particular paper product being dispensed.In a second embodiment, interchangeable U-shaped members are supplied, each having a different diameter orifice therein.

Abstract: A method for installing and recovering transmission cable. A termination box has a stationary winding barrel having a central axis, and a transmission cable guide rotatably coupled to the stationary winding barrel for guiding a transmission cable onto and from the stationary winding barrel by being rotated around the central axis. Various methods show the step for winding and unwinding transmission cable from the termination box; as well as, use of the termination box in conjunction with a strength wire to install transmission cables between a transmission supply point and a transmission receiving point or points.