CA2370835C - Minimizing paper waste carousel-style dispenser apparatus, sensor, method and system with proximity sensor - Google Patents
Minimizing paper waste carousel-style dispenser apparatus, sensor, method and system with proximity sensor Download PDFInfo
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- CA2370835C CA2370835C CA002370835A CA2370835A CA2370835C CA 2370835 C CA2370835 C CA 2370835C CA 002370835 A CA002370835 A CA 002370835A CA 2370835 A CA2370835 A CA 2370835A CA 2370835 C CA2370835 C CA 2370835C
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- paper
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
- A47K10/36—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
- A47K10/3687—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices with one or more reserve rolls
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
- A47K10/36—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
- A47K10/3631—The cutting devices being driven manually
- A47K10/3643—The cutting devices being driven manually by pulling the paper
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
- A47K10/38—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H19/00—Changing the web roll
- B65H19/10—Changing the web roll in unwinding mechanisms or in connection with unwinding operations
- B65H19/12—Lifting, transporting, or inserting the web roll; Removing empty core
- B65H19/126—Lifting, transporting, or inserting the web roll; Removing empty core with both-ends supporting arrangements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H20/00—Advancing webs
- B65H20/005—Electrical drive motor control devices therefor
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
- H03K17/945—Proximity switches
- H03K17/955—Proximity switches using a capacitive detector
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05F—STATIC ELECTRICITY; NATURALLY-OCCURRING ELECTRICITY
- H05F3/00—Carrying-off electrostatic charges
- H05F3/02—Carrying-off electrostatic charges by means of earthing connections
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K2010/3233—Details of the housing, e.g. hinges, connection to the wall
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K2010/3253—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper with one or more reserve rolls
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K2010/326—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing simultaneously from several rolls or stacks
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
- A47K10/36—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
- A47K2010/3668—Detection of the presence of a user
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S242/00—Winding, tensioning, or guiding
- Y10S242/906—Static charger or discharger
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 has means for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; means for dispensing paper from the first roll; means for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, means for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and means for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a capacity--change based proximity sensor comprising a circuit according to a balanced bridge principle where detection is based on detecting a phase difference, which depends upon the amount of detected capacitance difference or change. The proximity detector senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. It does not keep dispensing the towel. The hand must be withdrawn and placed in proximity to the sensor again.
Description
c i , =
MINIMIZING PAPER WASTE CAROUSEL-STYLE DISPENSER
APPARATUS. SENSOR. METHOD AND SYSTEM WITH PROXIMITY SENSOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of paper roll dispensers. In particular it relates to a carousel dispensing system for paper towels adapted to dispense paper from a plurality of rolls. This invention relates to the field of proximity sensors. In particular it relates to the field of phase-balance proximity sensors.
BACKGROUND
As is readily apparent, a long-standing problem is to keep paper towel available in a dispenser and at the same time use up each roll as completely as possible to avoid paper waste. As part of this system, one ought to keep in mind the person who refills the towel dispenser. An optimal solution would make it as easy as possible and as "fool-proof' as possible to operate the towel refill system and have it operate in such a manner as the least amount of waste of paper towel occurs.
This waste may take the form of "stub" rolls of paper towel not being used up.
Transfer devices are used on some roll towel dispensers as a means of reducing waste and decreasing operating costs. These transfer devices work in a variety of ways. The more efficient of these devices automatically begin feeding from a reserve roll once the initial roll is exhausted. These devices eliminate the waste caused by a maintenance person when replacing small rolls with fresh rolls in an effort to prevent the dispenser from running out of paper. These transfer devices, however, tend to be difficult to load and/or to operatc. Consequently, these transfer devices are less frequently used, even though they are present.
The current traasfer bar mechanisms tend to require the maintenance person to remove any unwanted core tube(s), remove the initial partial roll from the reserve position, and position the initial partial roll into the now vacant stub roll position.
This procedure is relatively long and difficult, partly because the stub roll positions in these current paper towel dispensers tend to be cramped and difficult to get to.
In order to keep a roll available in the dispenser, it is necessary to provide for a refill before the roll is used up. This factor generally requires that a "refill" be done before the current paper towel roll is used up. If the person refilling the dispenser comes too late, the paper towel roll will be used up. If the refill occurs too soon, the amount of paper towel in the almost used-up roll, the "stub" roll, will be wasted unless there is a method and a mechanism for using up the stub roll even though the dispenser has been refilled. Another issue exists, as to the ease in which the new refill roll is added to the paper towel dispenser. The goal is to bring "on-stream" the new refill roll as the last of the stub roll towel is being used up. If it is a task easily done by the person replenishing the dispensers, then a higher probability exists that the stub roll paper towel will actually be used up and also that a refill roll be placed into service before the stub roll has entirely been used up. It would be extremely desirable to have a paper towel dispenser which tended to minimize paper wastage by operating in a nearly "fool proof' manner with respect to refilling and using up the stub roll.
As an enhancement and further development of a system for delivering paper towel to the end user in as cost effective manner and in a user-friendly manner as possible, an automatic means for dispensing the paper towel is desirable, making it unnecessary for a user to physically touch a knob or a lever.
It has long been known that the insertion of an object with a dielectric constant into a volume with an electrostatic field will tend to modify the properties which the electrostatic field sees. For example, sometimes it is noticed that placing one hand near some radios will change the tuning of that radio. In these cases, the property of the hand, a dielectric constant close to that of water, is enough to alter the net capacitance of a tuned circuit within the radio, where that circuit affects the tuning of the RF signal being demodulated by that radio. In 1973 Riechmann (U.S.
Patent No. 3,743,865) described a circuit which used two antenna structures to detect an
MINIMIZING PAPER WASTE CAROUSEL-STYLE DISPENSER
APPARATUS. SENSOR. METHOD AND SYSTEM WITH PROXIMITY SENSOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of paper roll dispensers. In particular it relates to a carousel dispensing system for paper towels adapted to dispense paper from a plurality of rolls. This invention relates to the field of proximity sensors. In particular it relates to the field of phase-balance proximity sensors.
BACKGROUND
As is readily apparent, a long-standing problem is to keep paper towel available in a dispenser and at the same time use up each roll as completely as possible to avoid paper waste. As part of this system, one ought to keep in mind the person who refills the towel dispenser. An optimal solution would make it as easy as possible and as "fool-proof' as possible to operate the towel refill system and have it operate in such a manner as the least amount of waste of paper towel occurs.
This waste may take the form of "stub" rolls of paper towel not being used up.
Transfer devices are used on some roll towel dispensers as a means of reducing waste and decreasing operating costs. These transfer devices work in a variety of ways. The more efficient of these devices automatically begin feeding from a reserve roll once the initial roll is exhausted. These devices eliminate the waste caused by a maintenance person when replacing small rolls with fresh rolls in an effort to prevent the dispenser from running out of paper. These transfer devices, however, tend to be difficult to load and/or to operatc. Consequently, these transfer devices are less frequently used, even though they are present.
The current traasfer bar mechanisms tend to require the maintenance person to remove any unwanted core tube(s), remove the initial partial roll from the reserve position, and position the initial partial roll into the now vacant stub roll position.
This procedure is relatively long and difficult, partly because the stub roll positions in these current paper towel dispensers tend to be cramped and difficult to get to.
In order to keep a roll available in the dispenser, it is necessary to provide for a refill before the roll is used up. This factor generally requires that a "refill" be done before the current paper towel roll is used up. If the person refilling the dispenser comes too late, the paper towel roll will be used up. If the refill occurs too soon, the amount of paper towel in the almost used-up roll, the "stub" roll, will be wasted unless there is a method and a mechanism for using up the stub roll even though the dispenser has been refilled. Another issue exists, as to the ease in which the new refill roll is added to the paper towel dispenser. The goal is to bring "on-stream" the new refill roll as the last of the stub roll towel is being used up. If it is a task easily done by the person replenishing the dispensers, then a higher probability exists that the stub roll paper towel will actually be used up and also that a refill roll be placed into service before the stub roll has entirely been used up. It would be extremely desirable to have a paper towel dispenser which tended to minimize paper wastage by operating in a nearly "fool proof' manner with respect to refilling and using up the stub roll.
As an enhancement and further development of a system for delivering paper towel to the end user in as cost effective manner and in a user-friendly manner as possible, an automatic means for dispensing the paper towel is desirable, making it unnecessary for a user to physically touch a knob or a lever.
It has long been known that the insertion of an object with a dielectric constant into a volume with an electrostatic field will tend to modify the properties which the electrostatic field sees. For example, sometimes it is noticed that placing one hand near some radios will change the tuning of that radio. In these cases, the property of the hand, a dielectric constant close to that of water, is enough to alter the net capacitance of a tuned circuit within the radio, where that circuit affects the tuning of the RF signal being demodulated by that radio. In 1973 Riechmann (U.S.
Patent No. 3,743,865) described a circuit which used two antenna structures to detect an
2 intrusion in the effective space of the antennae. Frequency and amplitude of a relaxation oscillator were affected by affecting the value of its timing capacitor.
The capacity (C) is defined as the charge (Q) stored on separated conductors with a voltage (V) difference between the conductors:
C = Q/V.
For two infinite conductive planes with a charge per unit area of a, a separation of d, with a dielectric constant E of the material between the infinite conductors, the capacitance of an area A is given by:
C = E Ao=/d Thus, where part of the separating material has a dielectric constant Et and part of the material has the dielectric constant E2, the net capacity is:
C= EjAja/d + E2A2v/d The human body is about 70% water. The dielectric constant of water is 7.18 x 10"10 farads/meter compared to the dielectric constant of air (STP): 8.85 x 10"12 farads/meter. The dielectric constant of water is over 80 times the dielectric constant of air. For a hand thrust into one part of space between the capacitor plates, occupying, for example, a hundredth of a detection region between large, but finite parallel conducting plates, a desirable detection ability in terms of the change in capacity is about 10~, About 10"2 is contributed by the difference in the dielectric constants and about 10"2 is contributed by the "area" difference.
Besides Riechmann (1973), other circuits have been used for, or could be used for proximity sensing.
The capacity (C) is defined as the charge (Q) stored on separated conductors with a voltage (V) difference between the conductors:
C = Q/V.
For two infinite conductive planes with a charge per unit area of a, a separation of d, with a dielectric constant E of the material between the infinite conductors, the capacitance of an area A is given by:
C = E Ao=/d Thus, where part of the separating material has a dielectric constant Et and part of the material has the dielectric constant E2, the net capacity is:
C= EjAja/d + E2A2v/d The human body is about 70% water. The dielectric constant of water is 7.18 x 10"10 farads/meter compared to the dielectric constant of air (STP): 8.85 x 10"12 farads/meter. The dielectric constant of water is over 80 times the dielectric constant of air. For a hand thrust into one part of space between the capacitor plates, occupying, for example, a hundredth of a detection region between large, but finite parallel conducting plates, a desirable detection ability in terms of the change in capacity is about 10~, About 10"2 is contributed by the difference in the dielectric constants and about 10"2 is contributed by the "area" difference.
Besides Riechmann (1973), other circuits have been used for, or could be used for proximity sensing.
3 An important aspect of a proximity detector circuit of this type is that it be inexpensive, reliable, and easy to manufacture. A circuit made of a few parts tends to help with reliability, cost and ease of manufacture. Another desirable characteristic for electronic circuits of this type is that they have a high degree of noise immunity, i.e., that they work well where there may be electromagnetic noise and interference.
The circuit will perform better in more locations. It will have acceptable performance in more areas of application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention comprises to a carousel-based dispensing system for paper towels, in particular, which acts to minimize actual wastage of paper towels. The invention comprises means for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other, means for dispensing paper from the first roll, means for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, means for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll and means for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper.
The proximity sensor embodiment comprises a circuit according to a balanced bridge principle where detection is based on detecting a phase difference, which depends upon the amount of detected capacitance difference or change of capacitance in a region of detection.
According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a paper towel dispenser comprising:
a carousel assembly adapted to support a first paper roll over a second paper roll in a first position and to rotate about a first axis defined between said first and second paper rolls wherein each of said first and second paper rolls has a core;
The circuit will perform better in more locations. It will have acceptable performance in more areas of application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention comprises to a carousel-based dispensing system for paper towels, in particular, which acts to minimize actual wastage of paper towels. The invention comprises means for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other, means for dispensing paper from the first roll, means for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, means for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll and means for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper.
The proximity sensor embodiment comprises a circuit according to a balanced bridge principle where detection is based on detecting a phase difference, which depends upon the amount of detected capacitance difference or change of capacitance in a region of detection.
According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a paper towel dispenser comprising:
a carousel assembly adapted to support a first paper roll over a second paper roll in a first position and to rotate about a first axis defined between said first and second paper rolls wherein each of said first and second paper rolls has a core;
4 means for locking said rotating carousel assembly in said first position for paper towel dispensing and in a second position for paper roll loading, said carousel assembly adapted to support a newly loaded second roll over said first roll in said second position; and means for sequentially dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls, comprising: a) at least one paper towel feed mechanism disposed downstream from said carousel assembly; and (b) at least one paper roll transfer mechanism disposed between said at least one paper towel feed mechanism and said carousel assembly, said at least one paper roll transfer mechanism being adapted to contact said second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said second paper roll in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is nearly exhausted, and for dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is completely exhausted, said at least one paper roll transfer mechanism being adapted to contact the core of said completely exhausted second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said first papQr roll in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is reduced to a pre-determined diameter, said at least one paper roll transfer mechanism being adapted to contact said reduced first paper roll when said carousel assembly is rotated and locked in said second position for loading a new second roll and for dispensing paper towels from said reduced first paper roll in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said reduced first paper roll is nearly exhausted, and from said first and newly loaded second paper rolls in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is completely exhausted.
4a According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for dispensing paper towels,.comprising the steps of: (a) providing a carousel assembly adapted to support a first paper roll over a second paper roll in a first position and to rotate about a first axis defined between said first and second paper rolls wherein each of said first and second paper rolls has a core; (b) locking said rotating carousel assembly in said first position for paper towel dispensing; (c) utilizing a paper roll transfer mechanism to contact said second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said second paper roll in conjunction with a paper towel feed mechanism disposed downstream from said carousel assembly until said second paper roll is nearly exhausted, and for dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is completely exhausted; (d) utilizing said paper roll transfer mechanism to contact the core of said completely exhausted second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is reduced to a pre-determined diameter; (e) uniocking said carousel assembly from said first position; (f) rotating said unlocked carousel assembly to a second position, said carousel assembly adapted to support a newly loaded second paper roll over said first paper roll in said second position; (g) locking said carousel assembly in said second position for loading a new second roll; and (h) utilizing said paper roll transfer mechanism to coritact said reduced first paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said second position for dispensing paper towels from said reduced first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said reduced first paper roll is nearly exhausted, and from said first and newly loaded second paper rolls in conjunction with 4b said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is completely exhausted.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a paper roll dispenser, comprising:
means for holding a first paper roll; means for holding a second paper roll; means for supporting said first paper roll holding means and said second paper roll holding means, said supporting means being adapted to rotate about an axis defined between said first and second paper roll holding means; means for sequentially dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls disposed downstream from said rotatable supporting means; and a proximity detector adapted to trigger the dispensing of paper when a user's hand is positioned within the field of said detector, said proximity detector comprising:
a first comparator configured as an oscillator; a capacitive proximity sensor (CPS) operatively coupled to said oscillator;
a reference capacitor (Cref) operatively coupled between said oscillator and circuit ground and adapted to approximate the capacitance of said CPS; a variable trim resistor (Rtrim) connected in series between said CPS and said Cref; a second comparator adapted to receive analog input signals from said CPS and said Cref and generate a digital output signal; and a D
flip-flop adapted to latch and hold said digital output signal from said second comparator.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for dispensing paper towels, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a carousel assembly adapted to support a first paper roll over a second paper roll and to rotate about a first axis defined between said first and second paper rolls, each of said first and second paper rolls having a core; (b) providing motor means for dispensing paper towels from at least one of said first and second paper rolls on said carousel assembly; (c) providing a proximity detector adapted to trigger the dispensing of paper towels by said motor means when a user's hand is positioned 4c within the field of said detector; (d) locking said rotating carousel assembly in a first position for paper towel dispensing; (e) utilizing a generally U-shaped spring-loaded transfer bar to contact said second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said second paper roll in conjunction with a paper towel feed mechanism disposed downstream from said carousel assembly until said second paper roll is nearly exhausted and from said first and second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is completely exhausted; (f) utilizing said transfer bar to contact the core of said completely exhausted second paper roll for dispensing paper towels from said first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is reduced to a pre-determined diameter; (g) unlocking said carousel assembly from said first position; (h) rotating said unlocked carousel assembly to a second position approximately 180 degrees apart from said first position; (i) locking said carousel assembly in said second position for loading a new second roll; and (j) utilizing said transfer bar to contact said reduced first paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said second position for dispensing paper towels from said reduced first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is nearly exhausted and from said first and newly loaded second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is completely exhausted.
According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a paper towel dispenser comprising:
a carriage rotatable between at least a first orientation and a second orientation, the carriage comprising: a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper in a primary position when the carriage is in the first orientation and in a secondary position when the carriage is in the second 4d orientation; and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper 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 for sensing the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position; a feed mechanism into which paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed for dispensation; and a transfer mechanism adapted to feed paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter, thereby causing dispensation of paper from both rolls.
According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a paper towel dispenser comprising:
a rotatable carriage comprising: a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper; and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper; wherein the carriage is rotatable between at least a first rotation orientation in which the first roll holder holds the first roll in a primary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in a secondary position, and a second rotation orientation in which the first roll holder holds the first roll in the secondary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in the primary position; a roll sensor for sensing the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position; a feed mechanism into which paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed for dispensation; and a transfer mechanism, wherein when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter, the transfer mechanism feeds paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism, thereby causing dispensation of paper from both rolls; wherein the carriage is rotatable to move the roll held in the secondary 4e position into the primary position when paper from the roll held in the secondary position is fed into the feed mechanism.
According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a paper towel dispenser comprising:
a housing; a carriage disposed within the housing, the carriage being rotatable about a central axis and comprising: a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper; a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper, the second roll holder being disposed equidistant from the central axis and on an opposite side of the central axis from the first roll holder; and a radially aligned lever arm adapted to engage a catch disposed on the housing to maintain the carriage in one of two orientations, wherein in the first orientation, the first roll holder holds the first roll in a primary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in a secondary position, and in the second orientation the first roll holder holds the first roll in the secondary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in the primary position, and wherein in each orientation the roll held in the secondary position is offset from vertical alignment with the roll in the primary position by approximately 5 degrees; a feed mechanism disposed within the housing, wherein paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed into the feed mechanism for dispensation through a paper feed opening in the housing; and a transfer mechanism disposed within the housing, the transfer mechanism comprising a roll sensor adapted to sense the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position, wherein when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter, the transfer mechanism feeds paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism, thereby causing dispensation of paper from both rolls until the paper on the roll held in the primary position is exhausted, wherein the carriage is rotatable to move the roll held in the secondary position into the primary position 4f when the roll held in the primary position is exhausted and when the roll held in the secondary position is depleted to less than a second predetermined diameter.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of dispensing paper towels comprising: maintaining a rotatable carriage in a first orientation, the rotatable carriage comprising a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper, wherein in the first orientation the first roll is held in a primary position and the second roll is held in a secondary position; feeding paper from the first roll into a feed mechanism for dispensation; sensing when paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter; automatically feeding the paper from the second roll into the feed mechanism when the paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter such that paper from both rolls is dispensed until the paper on the first roll is exhausted; and rotating the carriage to a second orientation, wherein in the second orientation the second roll is held in the primary position.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of dispensing paper towels comprising: maintaining a rotatable carriage in a first orientation, the rotatable carriage comprising a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper, wherein in the first orientation the first roll is held in a primary position and the second roll is held in a secondary position; feeding paper from the first roll into a feed mechanism for dispensation; feeding the paper from the second roll into a transfer mechanism; sensing when paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter; activating the transfer mechanism to automatically feed the paper from the second roll into the feed mechanism when the paper on the first 4g roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter such that paper from both rolls is dispensed; rotating the carriage to a second orientation when the paper on the first roll is exhausted, wherein in the second orientation the second roll is held in the primary position; and placing a third roll of paper in the first roll holder.
4h BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followina descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the dispenser with the cover closed, with no internal mechanisms visible;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser with the cover closed, with no internal mechanisms visible;
Figure 3 shows a view of the carousel support, the locking bar and the transfer bar;
Figure 4A is a perspective view of the of the dispenser with the carousel and transfer bar, fully loaded with a main roll and a stub roll;
Figure 4B is a side view of the locking bar showing the placement of the compression springs;
Figure 4C shows the locking mechanism where the locking bar closest to the rear of the casing is adapted to fit into a mating structure in the rear casing;
Figure 5 is a perspective, exploded view of the carousel assembly;
Figure 6A is a side elevation view of the paper feeding from the stub roll while the tail of the main roll is positioned beneath the transfer bar, Figure 6B is a side elevation view of the stub roll is completely exhausted, so that the transfer bar tucks the tail of the main roll into the feed mechanism;
Figure 7A is a side elevation view of the carousel ready for loading when the main roll reaches a specific diameter;
Figure 7B is a side elevation view of the locking bar being pulled forwardly to allow the carousel to rotate 180 , placing the main roll in the previous stub roll position;
Figure 7C shows the extension springs which tend to maintain the transfer bar legs in contact with the stub roll;
4a According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for dispensing paper towels,.comprising the steps of: (a) providing a carousel assembly adapted to support a first paper roll over a second paper roll in a first position and to rotate about a first axis defined between said first and second paper rolls wherein each of said first and second paper rolls has a core; (b) locking said rotating carousel assembly in said first position for paper towel dispensing; (c) utilizing a paper roll transfer mechanism to contact said second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said second paper roll in conjunction with a paper towel feed mechanism disposed downstream from said carousel assembly until said second paper roll is nearly exhausted, and for dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is completely exhausted; (d) utilizing said paper roll transfer mechanism to contact the core of said completely exhausted second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is reduced to a pre-determined diameter; (e) uniocking said carousel assembly from said first position; (f) rotating said unlocked carousel assembly to a second position, said carousel assembly adapted to support a newly loaded second paper roll over said first paper roll in said second position; (g) locking said carousel assembly in said second position for loading a new second roll; and (h) utilizing said paper roll transfer mechanism to coritact said reduced first paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said second position for dispensing paper towels from said reduced first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said reduced first paper roll is nearly exhausted, and from said first and newly loaded second paper rolls in conjunction with 4b said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is completely exhausted.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a paper roll dispenser, comprising:
means for holding a first paper roll; means for holding a second paper roll; means for supporting said first paper roll holding means and said second paper roll holding means, said supporting means being adapted to rotate about an axis defined between said first and second paper roll holding means; means for sequentially dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls disposed downstream from said rotatable supporting means; and a proximity detector adapted to trigger the dispensing of paper when a user's hand is positioned within the field of said detector, said proximity detector comprising:
a first comparator configured as an oscillator; a capacitive proximity sensor (CPS) operatively coupled to said oscillator;
a reference capacitor (Cref) operatively coupled between said oscillator and circuit ground and adapted to approximate the capacitance of said CPS; a variable trim resistor (Rtrim) connected in series between said CPS and said Cref; a second comparator adapted to receive analog input signals from said CPS and said Cref and generate a digital output signal; and a D
flip-flop adapted to latch and hold said digital output signal from said second comparator.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for dispensing paper towels, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a carousel assembly adapted to support a first paper roll over a second paper roll and to rotate about a first axis defined between said first and second paper rolls, each of said first and second paper rolls having a core; (b) providing motor means for dispensing paper towels from at least one of said first and second paper rolls on said carousel assembly; (c) providing a proximity detector adapted to trigger the dispensing of paper towels by said motor means when a user's hand is positioned 4c within the field of said detector; (d) locking said rotating carousel assembly in a first position for paper towel dispensing; (e) utilizing a generally U-shaped spring-loaded transfer bar to contact said second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said second paper roll in conjunction with a paper towel feed mechanism disposed downstream from said carousel assembly until said second paper roll is nearly exhausted and from said first and second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is completely exhausted; (f) utilizing said transfer bar to contact the core of said completely exhausted second paper roll for dispensing paper towels from said first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is reduced to a pre-determined diameter; (g) unlocking said carousel assembly from said first position; (h) rotating said unlocked carousel assembly to a second position approximately 180 degrees apart from said first position; (i) locking said carousel assembly in said second position for loading a new second roll; and (j) utilizing said transfer bar to contact said reduced first paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said second position for dispensing paper towels from said reduced first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is nearly exhausted and from said first and newly loaded second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is completely exhausted.
According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a paper towel dispenser comprising:
a carriage rotatable between at least a first orientation and a second orientation, the carriage comprising: a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper in a primary position when the carriage is in the first orientation and in a secondary position when the carriage is in the second 4d orientation; and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper 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 for sensing the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position; a feed mechanism into which paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed for dispensation; and a transfer mechanism adapted to feed paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter, thereby causing dispensation of paper from both rolls.
According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a paper towel dispenser comprising:
a rotatable carriage comprising: a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper; and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper; wherein the carriage is rotatable between at least a first rotation orientation in which the first roll holder holds the first roll in a primary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in a secondary position, and a second rotation orientation in which the first roll holder holds the first roll in the secondary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in the primary position; a roll sensor for sensing the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position; a feed mechanism into which paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed for dispensation; and a transfer mechanism, wherein when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter, the transfer mechanism feeds paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism, thereby causing dispensation of paper from both rolls; wherein the carriage is rotatable to move the roll held in the secondary 4e position into the primary position when paper from the roll held in the secondary position is fed into the feed mechanism.
According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a paper towel dispenser comprising:
a housing; a carriage disposed within the housing, the carriage being rotatable about a central axis and comprising: a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper; a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper, the second roll holder being disposed equidistant from the central axis and on an opposite side of the central axis from the first roll holder; and a radially aligned lever arm adapted to engage a catch disposed on the housing to maintain the carriage in one of two orientations, wherein in the first orientation, the first roll holder holds the first roll in a primary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in a secondary position, and in the second orientation the first roll holder holds the first roll in the secondary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in the primary position, and wherein in each orientation the roll held in the secondary position is offset from vertical alignment with the roll in the primary position by approximately 5 degrees; a feed mechanism disposed within the housing, wherein paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed into the feed mechanism for dispensation through a paper feed opening in the housing; and a transfer mechanism disposed within the housing, the transfer mechanism comprising a roll sensor adapted to sense the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position, wherein when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter, the transfer mechanism feeds paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism, thereby causing dispensation of paper from both rolls until the paper on the roll held in the primary position is exhausted, wherein the carriage is rotatable to move the roll held in the secondary position into the primary position 4f when the roll held in the primary position is exhausted and when the roll held in the secondary position is depleted to less than a second predetermined diameter.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of dispensing paper towels comprising: maintaining a rotatable carriage in a first orientation, the rotatable carriage comprising a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper, wherein in the first orientation the first roll is held in a primary position and the second roll is held in a secondary position; feeding paper from the first roll into a feed mechanism for dispensation; sensing when paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter; automatically feeding the paper from the second roll into the feed mechanism when the paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter such that paper from both rolls is dispensed until the paper on the first roll is exhausted; and rotating the carriage to a second orientation, wherein in the second orientation the second roll is held in the primary position.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of dispensing paper towels comprising: maintaining a rotatable carriage in a first orientation, the rotatable carriage comprising a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper, wherein in the first orientation the first roll is held in a primary position and the second roll is held in a secondary position; feeding paper from the first roll into a feed mechanism for dispensation; feeding the paper from the second roll into a transfer mechanism; sensing when paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter; activating the transfer mechanism to automatically feed the paper from the second roll into the feed mechanism when the paper on the first 4g roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter such that paper from both rolls is dispensed; rotating the carriage to a second orientation when the paper on the first roll is exhausted, wherein in the second orientation the second roll is held in the primary position; and placing a third roll of paper in the first roll holder.
4h BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followina descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the dispenser with the cover closed, with no internal mechanisms visible;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser with the cover closed, with no internal mechanisms visible;
Figure 3 shows a view of the carousel support, the locking bar and the transfer bar;
Figure 4A is a perspective view of the of the dispenser with the carousel and transfer bar, fully loaded with a main roll and a stub roll;
Figure 4B is a side view of the locking bar showing the placement of the compression springs;
Figure 4C shows the locking mechanism where the locking bar closest to the rear of the casing is adapted to fit into a mating structure in the rear casing;
Figure 5 is a perspective, exploded view of the carousel assembly;
Figure 6A is a side elevation view of the paper feeding from the stub roll while the tail of the main roll is positioned beneath the transfer bar, Figure 6B is a side elevation view of the stub roll is completely exhausted, so that the transfer bar tucks the tail of the main roll into the feed mechanism;
Figure 7A is a side elevation view of the carousel ready for loading when the main roll reaches a specific diameter;
Figure 7B is a side elevation view of the locking bar being pulled forwardly to allow the carousel to rotate 180 , placing the main roll in the previous stub roll position;
Figure 7C shows the extension springs which tend to maintain the transfer bar legs in contact with the stub roll;
5 Figure 7D shows the cleanable floor of the dispenser;
Figure 8A shows a schematic of the proximity circuit;
Figure 8B (prior art) shows the schematic for the National Semiconductor dual comparator LM393;
Figure 9A shows the square wave output at UIA, pin 1;
Figure 9B shows the RC exponential waveforms at pins 5; and Figure 9C shows the RC exponential waveforms at pin 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is merely made for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.
An embodiment of the invention comprises a carousel-based dispensing system with a transfer bar for paper towels, which acts to minimize actual wastage of paper towels. As an enhancement and further development of a system for delivering --paper towel to the end user in a cost effective manner and in as user-friendly manner as possible, an automatic means for dispensing the paper towel is desirable, making it unnecessary for a user to physically touch a knob or a lever. An electronic proximity sensor is included as part of the paper towel dispenser. A person can approach the paper towel dispenser, extend his or her hand, and have the proximity sensor detect the presence of the hand. The embodiment of the invention as shown here, is a system, which advantageously uses a minimal number of parts for both the mechanical structure and for the electronic unit. It has, therefore, an enhanced reliability and maintainability, both of which contribute to cost effectiveness.
An embodiment of the invention comprises a carousel-based dispensing system with a transfer bar for paper towels, which acts to minimize actual wastage of paper towels. The transfer bar coupled with the carousel system is easy to load by a service person; consequently it will tend to be used, allowing stub rolls to be fully
Figure 8A shows a schematic of the proximity circuit;
Figure 8B (prior art) shows the schematic for the National Semiconductor dual comparator LM393;
Figure 9A shows the square wave output at UIA, pin 1;
Figure 9B shows the RC exponential waveforms at pins 5; and Figure 9C shows the RC exponential waveforms at pin 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is merely made for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.
An embodiment of the invention comprises a carousel-based dispensing system with a transfer bar for paper towels, which acts to minimize actual wastage of paper towels. As an enhancement and further development of a system for delivering --paper towel to the end user in a cost effective manner and in as user-friendly manner as possible, an automatic means for dispensing the paper towel is desirable, making it unnecessary for a user to physically touch a knob or a lever. An electronic proximity sensor is included as part of the paper towel dispenser. A person can approach the paper towel dispenser, extend his or her hand, and have the proximity sensor detect the presence of the hand. The embodiment of the invention as shown here, is a system, which advantageously uses a minimal number of parts for both the mechanical structure and for the electronic unit. It has, therefore, an enhanced reliability and maintainability, both of which contribute to cost effectiveness.
An embodiment of the invention comprises a carousel-based dispensing system with a transfer bar for paper towels, which acts to minimize actual wastage of paper towels. The transfer bar coupled with the carousel system is easy to load by a service person; consequently it will tend to be used, allowing stub rolls to be fully
6 utilized. In summary, the carousel assembly-transfer bar comprises two components.
a carousel assembly and a transfer bar. The carousel rotates a used-up stub roll to an up position where it can easily be replaced with a full roll. At the same time the former main roll which has been used up such that its diameter is less than some p inches, where p is a rational number, is rotated down into the stub roll position. The tail of the new main roll in the upper position is tucked under the "bar" part of the transfer bar. As the stub roll is used up, the transfer bar moves down under spring loading until the tail of the main roll is engaged between the feed roller and the nib roller. The carousel assembly is symmetrical about a horizontal axis. A
locking bar is pulled out to unlock the carousel assembly and allow it to rotate about its axis, and is then released under its spring loading to again lock the carousel assembly in place.
A side view, Figure 1, of the dispenser 20 with the cover 22 in place shows an upper circular bulge 24, providing room for a full roll of paper towel, installed in the upper position of the carousel. 'The shape of the dispenser is such that the front cover tapers inwardly towards the bottom to provide a smaller dispenser volume at the bottom where there is a smaller stub roll of paper towel. The shape tends to minimize the overall size of the dispenser. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the dispenser-20- with cover 22 in place and the circular (cylindrical) bulge 24, together with the sunrise-like setback 26 on the cover 22, which tends to visually guide a hand toward the pseudo-button 28, leading to activation of a proximity sensor (not shown). A light emitting diode (LED) 130 is located centrally to the pseudo-button 28. The LED 130 (Fig. 3) serves as an indication that the dispenser 20 is on, and dispensing towel. The LED 130 may be off while the dispenser is not dispensing.
Altennatively, the LED 130 may be lit (on), and when the dispenser 20 is operating, the LED 130 might flash. The LED 130 might show green when the dispenser 20 is ready to dispense, and flashing green, or orange, when the dispenser 20 is operating to dispense. Any similar combination may be used. The least power consumption is where the LED 130 only lights during a dispensing duty cycle. The sunrise-like setback 26 (Fig. 2) allows a hand to come more closely to the proximity sensor (not shown).
a carousel assembly and a transfer bar. The carousel rotates a used-up stub roll to an up position where it can easily be replaced with a full roll. At the same time the former main roll which has been used up such that its diameter is less than some p inches, where p is a rational number, is rotated down into the stub roll position. The tail of the new main roll in the upper position is tucked under the "bar" part of the transfer bar. As the stub roll is used up, the transfer bar moves down under spring loading until the tail of the main roll is engaged between the feed roller and the nib roller. The carousel assembly is symmetrical about a horizontal axis. A
locking bar is pulled out to unlock the carousel assembly and allow it to rotate about its axis, and is then released under its spring loading to again lock the carousel assembly in place.
A side view, Figure 1, of the dispenser 20 with the cover 22 in place shows an upper circular bulge 24, providing room for a full roll of paper towel, installed in the upper position of the carousel. 'The shape of the dispenser is such that the front cover tapers inwardly towards the bottom to provide a smaller dispenser volume at the bottom where there is a smaller stub roll of paper towel. The shape tends to minimize the overall size of the dispenser. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the dispenser-20- with cover 22 in place and the circular (cylindrical) bulge 24, together with the sunrise-like setback 26 on the cover 22, which tends to visually guide a hand toward the pseudo-button 28, leading to activation of a proximity sensor (not shown). A light emitting diode (LED) 130 is located centrally to the pseudo-button 28. The LED 130 (Fig. 3) serves as an indication that the dispenser 20 is on, and dispensing towel. The LED 130 may be off while the dispenser is not dispensing.
Altennatively, the LED 130 may be lit (on), and when the dispenser 20 is operating, the LED 130 might flash. The LED 130 might show green when the dispenser 20 is ready to dispense, and flashing green, or orange, when the dispenser 20 is operating to dispense. Any similar combination may be used. The least power consumption is where the LED 130 only lights during a dispensing duty cycle. The sunrise-like setback 26 (Fig. 2) allows a hand to come more closely to the proximity sensor (not shown).
7 .I t . I i .
Figure 3 shows the main elements of the carousel assembly 30. The carousel arms 32 have friction reducing rotating paper towel roll hubs 34, which are disposed into the holes of a paper towel roll (66, 68, Fig. 4A). The locking bar 36 serves to lock and to release the carousel for rotation about its axis 38. The locking bar 36 rides on one of the corresponding bars 40. The two corresponding bars 40 serve as support bars. Cross-members 42 serve as stiffeners for the carousel assembly 30. and also serve as paper guides for the paper to be drawn over and down to the feed roller 50 and out the dispenser 20. These cross members are attached in a rigid fashion to the corresponding bars 40 and in this embodiment do not rotate.
The legs 46 of the transfer bar 44 do not rest against the friction reducing rotating paper towel roll hubs 34 when there is no stub roll 68 present but are disposed inward of the roll hubs 34. The bar part 88 of the transfer bar 44 will rest against a structure of the dispenser, for example, the top of modular electronics unit 132, when no stub roll 68 is present. The bar part 88 of the transfer bar 44 acts to bring the tail of a new main roll of paper towel 66 (Fig. 4A) down to the feed roller 50 which includes intermediate bosses 146 (Fig. 3) and shaft 144. The carousel assembly is disposed within the fixed casing 48. The cover is not shown.
Feed roller 50 serves to feed the paper towels 66, 68 (Fig. 4A) being dispensed onto the curved dispensing ribs 52. The curved dispensing ribs 52 are curved and have a low area of contact with the paper towel dispensed (not shown). If the dispenser 20 gets wet, the curved dispensing ribs 46 help in dispensing the paper towel to get dispensed by providing low friction and by holding he dispensing towel off of the wet surfaces it would otherwise contact.
The feed roller 50 is typically as wide as the paper roll, and includes drive rollers 142 and intermediate bosses 146 on the drive shaft 144. The working drive rollers or drive bosses 142 (Fig. 3) are typically an inch or less in width, with intermediate bosses 146 (Fig. 3) located between them. Intermediate bosses 146 are slightly less in diameter than the drive rollers or drive bosses 142, having a diameter 0.0 15 to 0.045 inches less than the drive rollers or drive bosses 142. In this embodiment, the diameter of the intermediate bosses 146 is 0.030 inches less than the
Figure 3 shows the main elements of the carousel assembly 30. The carousel arms 32 have friction reducing rotating paper towel roll hubs 34, which are disposed into the holes of a paper towel roll (66, 68, Fig. 4A). The locking bar 36 serves to lock and to release the carousel for rotation about its axis 38. The locking bar 36 rides on one of the corresponding bars 40. The two corresponding bars 40 serve as support bars. Cross-members 42 serve as stiffeners for the carousel assembly 30. and also serve as paper guides for the paper to be drawn over and down to the feed roller 50 and out the dispenser 20. These cross members are attached in a rigid fashion to the corresponding bars 40 and in this embodiment do not rotate.
The legs 46 of the transfer bar 44 do not rest against the friction reducing rotating paper towel roll hubs 34 when there is no stub roll 68 present but are disposed inward of the roll hubs 34. The bar part 88 of the transfer bar 44 will rest against a structure of the dispenser, for example, the top of modular electronics unit 132, when no stub roll 68 is present. The bar part 88 of the transfer bar 44 acts to bring the tail of a new main roll of paper towel 66 (Fig. 4A) down to the feed roller 50 which includes intermediate bosses 146 (Fig. 3) and shaft 144. The carousel assembly is disposed within the fixed casing 48. The cover is not shown.
Feed roller 50 serves to feed the paper towels 66, 68 (Fig. 4A) being dispensed onto the curved dispensing ribs 52. The curved dispensing ribs 52 are curved and have a low area of contact with the paper towel dispensed (not shown). If the dispenser 20 gets wet, the curved dispensing ribs 46 help in dispensing the paper towel to get dispensed by providing low friction and by holding he dispensing towel off of the wet surfaces it would otherwise contact.
The feed roller 50 is typically as wide as the paper roll, and includes drive rollers 142 and intermediate bosses 146 on the drive shaft 144. The working drive rollers or drive bosses 142 (Fig. 3) are typically an inch or less in width, with intermediate bosses 146 (Fig. 3) located between them. Intermediate bosses 146 are slightly less in diameter than the drive rollers or drive bosses 142, having a diameter 0.0 15 to 0.045 inches less than the drive rollers or drive bosses 142. In this embodiment, the diameter of the intermediate bosses 146 is 0.030 inches less than the
8 .. ., ..i . . i n CA 02370835 2002-12-11 drive roller 142. This configuration of drive rollers or drive bosses 142 and intermediate bosses 146 tends to prevent the dispensing paper towel from becoming wrinkled as is passes through the drive mechanism and reduces friction, requiring less power to operate the feed roller 50.
A control unit 54 operates a motor 56. Batteries 58 supply power to the motor 56. A motor 56 may be positioned next to the batteries 58. A light 60, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), may be incorporated into a low battery warning such that the light 60 tums on when the battery voltage is lower than a predetermined level.
The cover 22 of the dispenser is preferably transparent so that the amount of the main roll used (see below) may be inspected, but also so that the battery low light 60 may easily be seen. Otherwise an individual window on an opaque cover 22 would need to be provided to view the low battery light 60. Another approach might be to lead out the light by way of a fiber optic light pipe to a transparent window in the cover 22.
In a waterproof version of the dispenser, a thin piece of foam rubber rope is disposed within a u-shaped groove of the tongue-in-groove mating surfaces of the cover 22 and the casing 48. The dispensing shelf 62 is a modular component, which is removable from the dispenser 20. In the waterprooÃversion of the dispenser 20, the dispensing shelf 62 with the molded turning ribs 52is removed. By removing the modular component, dispensing shelf 62, there is less likelihood of water being diverted into the dispenser 20 by the dispensing shelf 62, acting as a funnel or chute should a water hose or spray be directed at the dispenser 20, by the shelf and wetting the paper towel. The paper towel is dispensed straight downward. A most likely need for a waterproof version of the dispenser is where a dispenser is located in an area subject to being cleaned by being hosed down. The dispenser 20 has an on-off switch which goes to an off state when the cover 22 is pivoted downwardly. The actual switch is located on the lower face of the nodule 54 and is not shown.
In one embodiment, the user may actuate the dispensing of a paper towel by placing a hand in the dispenser's field of sensitivity. There can be adjustable delay lengths between activations of the sensor.
A control unit 54 operates a motor 56. Batteries 58 supply power to the motor 56. A motor 56 may be positioned next to the batteries 58. A light 60, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), may be incorporated into a low battery warning such that the light 60 tums on when the battery voltage is lower than a predetermined level.
The cover 22 of the dispenser is preferably transparent so that the amount of the main roll used (see below) may be inspected, but also so that the battery low light 60 may easily be seen. Otherwise an individual window on an opaque cover 22 would need to be provided to view the low battery light 60. Another approach might be to lead out the light by way of a fiber optic light pipe to a transparent window in the cover 22.
In a waterproof version of the dispenser, a thin piece of foam rubber rope is disposed within a u-shaped groove of the tongue-in-groove mating surfaces of the cover 22 and the casing 48. The dispensing shelf 62 is a modular component, which is removable from the dispenser 20. In the waterprooÃversion of the dispenser 20, the dispensing shelf 62 with the molded turning ribs 52is removed. By removing the modular component, dispensing shelf 62, there is less likelihood of water being diverted into the dispenser 20 by the dispensing shelf 62, acting as a funnel or chute should a water hose or spray be directed at the dispenser 20, by the shelf and wetting the paper towel. The paper towel is dispensed straight downward. A most likely need for a waterproof version of the dispenser is where a dispenser is located in an area subject to being cleaned by being hosed down. The dispenser 20 has an on-off switch which goes to an off state when the cover 22 is pivoted downwardly. The actual switch is located on the lower face of the nodule 54 and is not shown.
In one embodiment, the user may actuate the dispensing of a paper towel by placing a hand in the dispenser's field of sensitivity. There can be adjustable delay lengths between activations of the sensor.
9 There is another aspect of the presence of water on or near the dispenser 20.
A proximity sensor (not visible) is more fully discussed below, including the details of its operation. However, as can be appreciated, the sensor detects changes of capacitance such as are caused by the introduction of an object with a high dielectric constant relative to air, such as water, as well as a hand which is about 70%
water.
An on-off switch 140 is provided which may be turned off before hosing down and may be turned on manually, afterwards. The switch 140 may also work such that it turns itself back on after a period of time, automatically. The switch 140 may operate in both modes, according to mode(s) chosen by the user.
A separate "jog" off-on switch 64 is provided so that a maintenance person can thread the paper towe166 by holding a spring loaded jog switch 64 which provides a temporary movement of the feed roller 50.
Figure 4A shows the dispenser case 48 with the carousel assembly 30 and transfer bar 44. The carousel assembly 30 is fully loaded with a main roll 66 and a stub rol168, both mounted on the carousel arms 32 and rotate on the rotating reduced friction paper towel roll hubs 34 (only shown from the back of the carousel arms 32). In the carousel assembly 30, the two carousel arms 32, joined by corresponding-bars 40 and cross members 42, rotate in carousel fashion about a horizontal axis defined by the carousel assembly rotation hubs 38. The locking bar 36 is supported, or carried, by a corresponding bar 40. The corresponding bar provides structural rigidity and support. The locking bar 36 principally serves as a locking mechanism. Each paper towel roll 66, 68 has an inner cardboard tube which acts as a central winding core element, and which provides in a hole in paper towel ro1166, 68 at each end for engaging the hubs 34.
Figure 5 shows the carousel assembly 30 in exploded, perspective view. The number of parts comprising this assembly is small. From a reliability point of view, the reliability is increased. From a manufacturing point of view, the ease of manufacture is thereby increased and the cost of manufacture is reduced. The material of manufacture is not limited except as to the requirements of cost, ease of manufacture, reliability, strength and other requirements imposed by the maker, demand.
When the main roll, 66 (Fig. 4A) and the stub roll 68, (Fig. 4A) are in place, the carousel arms 32 are connected by these rolls 66 and 68 (Fig. 4A). Placing cross-members 42 to connect the carousel arms 32 with the locking 36 and corresponding 40 bar results in better structural stability, with racking prevented. The locking bar 36, which was shown as a single unit locking bar 36 in the previous figures, acts as a locking bar 36 to lock the carousel assembly 30 in the proper orientation. It acts also as the release bar, which when released, allows the carousel assembly 30 to rotate.
Two compression springs 70, 72 are utilized to center the locking bar 36.
Figure 4B is a side view of the locking bar showing the placement of the compression springs. The compression springs 70; 72 also tend to resist the release of the locking bar 36, insuring that a required force is needed to unlock the locking bar 36. The required force is typically between 0.51bf and 3.0 lbf, or more. In this embodiment, the force is2.0 lbf when the spring in a fully compressed position, and 1.1 lbf when the spring is in the rest position. In the rest position, the forces of the opposing springs offset each other.
-- - - --- The actual locking occurs as shown in Figure 4C. The locking bar 36 closest to the rear of the casing 48 is adapted to fit into a generally u-shaped mating structure 118 which is adapted to hold the locking bar 36 and prevent it and the carousel assembly 30 from rotating. When the locking bar 36 is pulled away from the rear of the casing 48, the locking bar 36 is disengaged from the mating structure 118.
The mating structure has an upper "high" side 120 and a lower "low" side 122, where the low side has a "ramp" 124 on its lower side. As the locking bar 36 is pulled out to clear the high side 120, the carousel assembly 30 is free to rotate such that the top of the carousel assembly 30 rotates up and away from the back of the casing 48.
As the carousel assembly 30 begins to rotate, the user releases the locking bar 36 which, under the influence of symmetrically placed compression springs 70, 72 returns to its rest position. As he carousel assembly rotates, the end of the symmetrical locking bar 36 which originally was disposed toward the user now rotates and contacts the ramp ll i i 124. A locking bar spring, e.g., 70 or 72, is compressed as the end of the locking bar 36 contacting the ramp 124 now moves up the ramp 124. The end of the locking bar 36 is pressed into the space between the low side 122 and the high side 120, as the end of the locking bar 36 slides past the low side 122. A locked position for the carousel assembly 30 is now reestablished.
Figure 5 shows the carousel arms 32 adapted to receive the loading of a new roll of towel 66 (Fig. 4A). The arms 32 are slightly flexible and bent outward a small amount when inserting a paper towel rol166 (Fig. 4A) between two opposite carousel arms 32. A friction reducing rotating paper towel roll hub 34 is inserted into a hole of a paper towel ro1166 (Fig. 4A), such that one roll hub 34 is inserted into a hole on each side of the paper towel ro1166 (Fig. 4A). Also shown in Figure 5 are the tamper resistant fasteners 74, which attach the friction-reducing rotating paper towel roll hubs 34 to the carousel arms 32.
Figure 5 shows the surface 76 of the roll hubs 34 and the surface 78 of the carousel arms 66, which contact each other. These contact surfaces 76, 78 may be made of a more frictionless material than that of which the carousel arms 32 and the roll hubs 34. are made. For example, a plastic such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); e:g:; TEFLON- , may be used, as a thin layer on each of the contacting surfaces. The paper towel dispenser 20 and its components may be made of, including but not limited to, plastic, metal, an organic material which may include but is not limited to wood, cardboard, treated or untreated, a combination of these materials, and other materials for batteries, paint, if any, and waterproofing.
Figure 6A shows the paper 80 feeding from the stub rol168 while the tai182 of the main ro1166 is positioned beneath the transfer bar 44. The legs (visible leg 46, other leg not shown) of the transfer bar 44 rests against the stub roll. When the diameter of the stub rol168 is larger by a number of winds of paper towel than the inner rol184, the legs 46 of the transfer bar 44 dispose the bar 88 of the transfer bar 44 to be rotated upward from the feed roller 50.
Figure 6B shows the situation where the stub roi168 is exhausted, so that the transfer bar 44 tucks the tai182 of the main ro1166 into the feed mechanism ,. , .. i . :. i I ,.
86. Figure 6B shows the stub roll 68 position empty, as the stub roll has been used up. The stub roll core 84 is still in place. As the stub roll 68 is used up, the legs 46 of the transfer bar 44 move up toward the stub roll core (inner roll) 84, and the bar 88 of the transfer bar is disposed downward toward the feed roller 50 and toward the top of a structural unit of the dispenser 20 (Fig. 2), such as the top of the electronics module 132 (Fig. 3). Initially the main ro1166 is in reserve, and its tail 82 in an "idling"
position such that it is under the transfer bar 44.. The main roll 66 and its tail 82 are not initially in a "drive" position. However, as the stub roll 68 is used up, the downward motion of the bar transfer bar, 44 driven by its spring loading, brings the bar 88 of the transfer bar 44 down to engage the main roll tail 82 with the feed roller 50.
Figure 7A shows the carousel assembly 30 ready for loading when the main roll 66 reaches a specific diameter. The diameter of the main roll 66 may be -rrieasured by comparison of that diameter with the widened "ear" shape 122 (Fig. 4A) on each end of the carousel arms 32. That part of each carousel arm 32 is made to measure a critical diameter of a main rol166. The carousel assembly 30 is tilted forward when it is locked. The carousel assembly 30 may rotate unassisted after the locking bar36 is released,due to the top=heavy nature of the-top roll. That is, the torque produced by the gravitational pull on the main-roll 66 is larger than that needed to overcome friction and the counter-torque produced by the now empty stub roll 68.
Figure 7B shows the process of loading where the service person pulls the locking bar 36 and allows the carousel to rotate 180 , placing the main rol166 in the previous stub roll 68 position. Now a new full sized rol166 can be loaded onto the main roll, 66 position. The transfer bar 44 automatically resets itself.
The transfer bar 44 is spring loaded so as to be disposed with the transfer bar legs 46 pressed upward against the stub roll 68 or the stub roll core 84. The transfer bar legs 46 are adapted to be disposed inward of the roll hubs 34 so the bar 88 of the transfer bar 44 will have a positive stop at a more rigid location, in this case, the top of the electronics module 132 (Fig. 2).
Figure 7C shows the extension springs 126. 128 which tend to maintain the transfer bar legs 46 in contact with the stub roll 68 or stub roll core 84.
The transfer bar 44 contains the two extension springs 126. 128. The spring forces are typically 0.05 lbf to 0.5 lbf in the bar 44 lowered position and 0.2 lbf to 1.0 lbf in the bar 44 raised position. In this embodiment, the spring forces are 0.21bf in the lowered position an 0.43 lbf in the raised position. The force of the two springs 126, 128 is additive so that the transfer bar 44 is subject to a total spring force of 0.41bf in the lowered position and 0.861bf in the raised position.
While modular units (Fig. 7D) such as the electronics module 132, the motor 56 module, and the battery case 150, are removable, they fit, or "snap"
together so that the top of the electronics unit 132, the top of the motor 56 module and remaining elements of the "floor" 148 of the dispensing unit 20 form a smooth, cleanable surface. Paper dust and debris tend to accumulate on the floor 148 of the dispenser 20. It is important that the dispenser 20 is able to be easily cleaned as part of the maintenance procedure. A quick wiping with a damp cloth will sweep out and pick up any undesirable accumulation. The removable modular dispensing shelf may be removed for rinsing or wiping.
-The feed roller 50-may be driven by a motor 56 which in turn may be driven by a battery or batteries 58, driven off a 100 or 220V AC hookup, or driven off a transformer which is run off an AC circuit. The batteries may be non-rechargeable or rechargeable. Rechargeable batteries may include, but not be limited to, lithium ion, metal hydride, metal-air, nonmetal-air. The rechargeable batteries may be recharged by, but not limited to, AC electromagnetic induction or light energy using photocells.
A feed roller 50 serves to feed the paper towel being dispensed onto the curved dispensing ribs 52. A gear train (not visible) may be placed under housing 86, (Fig. 3) for driving the feed roller. A control unit 54 (Fig. 3) for a motor 56 (Fig. 3) may be utilized. A proximity sensor (not shown) or a hand-operated switch 64 may serve to tum the motor 56 on and off.
As an enhancement and further development of a system for delivering paper towel to the end user in as cost effective manner and user-friendly manner as possible. An automatic means for dispensing the paper towel is desirable, making it unnecessary for a user to physically touch a knob or a lever. Therefore, a more hygienic dispenser is present. This dispenser will contribute to less transfer of matter, whether dirt or bacteria, from one user to the next. The results of washing ones hands will tend to be preserved and hygiene increased.
An electronic proximity sensor is included as part of the paper towel dispenser. A person can approach the paper towel dispenser, extend his or her hand, and have the proximity sensor detect the presence of the hand. Upon detection of the hand, a motor is energized which dispenses the paper towel. It has long been known that the insertion of an object with a dielectric constant into a volume with an electromagnetic field will tend to modify the properties, which the electromagnetic field sees. The property of the hand, a dielectric constant close to that of water, is enough to alter the net capacitance of a suitable detector circuit.
An embodiment of the invention comprises a balanced bridge circuit. See Figure 8A. The component U 1 A 90 is a comparator (TLC3702 158) configured as an oscillator.-- The frequency of oscillation of this component, U1A 90, of the circuit may be considered arbitrary and non-critical, as far as the operation of the circuit is concerned. The period of the oscillator is set by the elements Cref 92, Rhys 94, the trim resistance, Rtrim 96, where the trim resistance may be varied and the range resistors Rrange 152 are fixed. The resistors Rrange 152 allow limits to be placed on the range of adjustment, resulting in an easier adjustment. The adjustment band is narrowed, since only part of the total resistance there can be varied.
Consequently a single potentiometer may be used, simplifying the adjustment of Rtrim 96. A
value for Rrange 152 for the schematic shown in Figure 8A might be 100 kQ. Rtrim 96 might have an adjustment range of 10 kS2 to 50 kS2. The output signal at pin 1 98 of component U1A 90 is a square wave, as shown in Figure 9A. Cref 92 is charged by the output along with ANT 100, both sustaining the oscillation and measuring the capacitance of the adjacent free space. The signals resulting from the charging action are applied to a second comparator, U 1 B 102, at pins 5 104 and 6 106 (Fig.
8A).
These signals appear as exponential waveforms, as shoNvn in Figure 9B and Figure 9C.
The simplest form of a comparator is a high-gain differential amplifier, made either with transistors or with an op-amp. The op-amp goes into positive or negative saturation according to the difference of the input voltages because the voltage gain is typically larger than 100,000, the inputs will have to be equal to within a fraction of a millivolt in order for the output not to be completely saturated.
Although an ordinary op-amp can be used as comparator, there are special integrated circuits intended for this use. These include the LM 306, LM311, LM393 154 (Fig.
8A), LM393V, NE627 and TLC3702 158. The LM393V is a lower voltage derivative of the LM393 154. The LM393 154 is an integrated circuit containing two comparators. The TLC3702 158 is a micropower dual comparitor with CMOS push-pu11156 outputs. Figure 8B (prior art) is a schematic which shows the different output structures for the LM393 and the TLC3702. The dedicated comparators are much faster than the ordinary op-amps.
The output signal at pin 1 98 of component U1A 90, e.g., a TL3702 158, is a square wave, as shown in-Figure 2A: Two waveforms are-generated at the inputs of the second comparator, U2B 102. The first comparator 90 is running as an oscillator producing a square-wave clocking signal, which is input, to the clock input of the flip-flop U2A 108, which may be, for example, a Motorola D flip-flop, No.
14013.
Running the first comparator as a Schmitt trigger oscillator, the first comparator U1A 90 is setup to have positive feedback to the non-inverting input, terminal 3 110. The positive feedback insures a rapid output transition, regardless of the speed of the input waveform. Rhys 94 is chosen to produce the required hysteresis, together with the bias resistors Rbias 1 112 and Rbias2 114. When these two bias resistors, Rbias 1 112, Rbias2 114 and the hysteresis resistor, Rhys 94, are equal, the resulting threshold levels are 1/3 V+ and 2/3 V+, where V+ 158 is the supply voltage. The actual values are not especially critical, except that the three resistors Rbiasl 112, Rbias2 114 and Rhys 94, should be equal, for proper balance.
The value of 294 kS2 maybe used for these three resistors, in the schematic shown in Figure 8A.
An external pullup resistor, Rpullup 1 116, which may have a value, for example, of 4700, is only necessary if an open collector, comparator such as an LM393 154 is used. That comparator 154 acts as an open-collector output with a ground-coupled emitter. For low power consumption, better perfonnance is achieved with a CMOS comparator, e.g., TLC3702, which utilizes a cmos push-pull output 156. The signal at terminal 3 110 of U1A charges a capacitor Cref 92 and also charges an ANT sensor 100 with a capacitance which Cref 92 is designed to approximate. A value for Cref for the schematic of Figure 8A, for the most current board design, upon which it depends, is about 10 pF. As the clocking square wave is effectively integrated by Cref 92 and the capacitance of ANT 100, two exponential signals appear at terminals 5 104 and 6 106 of the second comparator U 1 B;
through the Rpr6tect 160 static protection resistors. Rprotect 160 resistors provide limiting resistance which enhances the inherent static protection of a comparitor input lines, particularly for the case of pin 5 104 of U 1 B 102. In the schematic shown in Figure 8A, a typical value for Rprotect 160 might be 2 W. One of the two exponential waveforms will be greater, depending upon the settings of the adjustable resistance Rtrim 96, Cref 92, and ANT 100. The comparator U 1 B 102 resolves small differences, reporting logic levels at its output, pin7 118. As the waveforms may initially be set up, based on a capacitance at ANT 100 of a given amount.
However, upon the intrusion of a hand, for example, into the detection field of the antenna ANT
100, the capacitance of ANT 100 is increased significantly and the prior relationship of the waveforms, which were set with ANT 100 with a lower capacitance, are switched over. Therefore, the logic level output at pin 7 118 is changed and the d flip-flop 108 state is changed via the input on pin 5 of the D flip-flop 108.
The second comparator 102 provides a digital quality signal to the D flip-flop 108. The D flip-flop, U2A 108, latches and holds the output of the comparator 90.. In this manner, the second comparator is really doing analog-to-digital conversion. A suitable D flip-flop is a Motorola 14013.
The presence, and then the absence, of a hand can be used to start a motorized mechanism on a paper towel dispenser, for example. An embodiment of the proximity detector uses a single wire or a combination of wire and copper foil tape that is shaped to form a detection field. This system is very tolerant of non-conductive items, such as paper towels, placed in the field. A hand is conductive and attached to a much larger conductor to free space. Bringing a hand near the antenna serves to increase the antenna's apparent capacitance to free space, forcing detection.
The shape and placement of the proximity detector's antenna (Fig. 8A, 100) turns out to be of some importance in making the proximity sensor work correctly.
Experimentation showed that a suitable location was toward the lower front of the dispenser unit. The antenna (Fig. 8A, 100) was run about two-thirds the length of the dispensing unit, in a modular, replaceable unit above the removable dispensing shelf 62 (Fig. 3). This modular unit would be denoted on Figure 3 as 120.
A detection by the proximity detection circuit (Fig. 8A) in the module 120 sets up a motor control flip flop so that the removal of the hand will trigger the start of the motor cycle. The end of the cycle is detected by means of a limit switch which, when closed, causes a reset of the flip-flop and stops the motor. A cycle may also be --initiated by closing a manual switch.
A wide range of sensitivity can be obtained by varying the geometry of the antenna and coordinating the reference capacitor. Small antennae have short ranges suitable for non-contact pushbuttons. A large antenna could be disposed as a doorway-sized people detector. Another factor in sensitivity is the element applied as Rtrim. If Rtrim 96 is replaced by an adjustable inductor, the exponential signals become resonant signals with phase characteristics very strongly influenced by capacitive changes. Accordingly, trimming with inductors may be used to increase range and sensitivity. Finally, circuitry may be added to the antenna 100 to improve range and directionality. As a class, these circuits are termed "guards" or "guarding electrodes," old in the art, a type of shield driven at equal potential to the antenna.
Equal potential insures no charge exchange, effectively blinding the guarded area of the antenna rendering it directional.
The antenna design and trimming arrangement for the paper towel dispenser application is chosen for adequate range and minimum cost. The advantages of using a guarded antenna and an adjustable inductor are that the sensing unit to be made smaller.
From a safety standpoint, the circuit is designed so that a detection will hold the motor control flip-flop in reset, thereby stopping the mechanism. The cycle can then begin again after detection ends.
The dispenser has additional switches on the control module 54. Figure 3 shows a"length-of-towel-to-dispense-at-one-time" (`length")switch 134. This switch 134, is important in controlling how long a length of paper towel is dispensed, for each dispensation of towel. It is an important setting for the owner of the dispenser on a day-to-day basis in determining cost (to the owner) versus the comfort (to the user) of getting a large piece of paper towel at one time.
-- --A soriiewhat similar second switch 136 is "time-delay-before-can-activate-the-dispensing-of another-paper-towel" ("time-delay") switch 136. The longer the time delay is set, the less likely a user will wait for many multiple towels to dispense.
This tends to save costs to the owner. Shortening the delay tends to be more comfortable to a user- -A third switch 138 is the sensitivity setting for the detection circuit. This sensitivity setting varies the resistance of Rtrim 96 (Fig. 8A). Once an effective antenna 100 (Fig. 8A) configuration is set up, the distance from the dispenser may be varied. Typical actual use may require a sensitivity out to one or two inches, rather than four or six inches. This is to avoid unwanted dispensing of paper towel.
In a hospital setting, or physicians office, the sensitivity setting might be made fairly low so as to avoid unwanted paper towel dispensing. At a particular work.location, on the other hand, the sensitivity might be set fairly high, so that paper towel will be dispensed very easily.
While it is well known in the art how to make these switches according to the desired functionalities, this switch triad may increase the usefulness of the embodiment of this invention. The system, as shown in the embodiment herein, has properties of lowering costs, improving hygiene, improving ease of operation and ease of maintenance. This embodiment of the invention is designed to consume low power, compatible with a battery or battery pack operation. In this embodiment, a 6 volt DC supply is utilized. A battery eliminator may be use for continuous operation in a fixed location. There is a passive battery supply monitor that will turn on an LED indicator if the input voltage falls below a specified voltage.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present -- invention.- Accordingly, -the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
A proximity sensor (not visible) is more fully discussed below, including the details of its operation. However, as can be appreciated, the sensor detects changes of capacitance such as are caused by the introduction of an object with a high dielectric constant relative to air, such as water, as well as a hand which is about 70%
water.
An on-off switch 140 is provided which may be turned off before hosing down and may be turned on manually, afterwards. The switch 140 may also work such that it turns itself back on after a period of time, automatically. The switch 140 may operate in both modes, according to mode(s) chosen by the user.
A separate "jog" off-on switch 64 is provided so that a maintenance person can thread the paper towe166 by holding a spring loaded jog switch 64 which provides a temporary movement of the feed roller 50.
Figure 4A shows the dispenser case 48 with the carousel assembly 30 and transfer bar 44. The carousel assembly 30 is fully loaded with a main roll 66 and a stub rol168, both mounted on the carousel arms 32 and rotate on the rotating reduced friction paper towel roll hubs 34 (only shown from the back of the carousel arms 32). In the carousel assembly 30, the two carousel arms 32, joined by corresponding-bars 40 and cross members 42, rotate in carousel fashion about a horizontal axis defined by the carousel assembly rotation hubs 38. The locking bar 36 is supported, or carried, by a corresponding bar 40. The corresponding bar provides structural rigidity and support. The locking bar 36 principally serves as a locking mechanism. Each paper towel roll 66, 68 has an inner cardboard tube which acts as a central winding core element, and which provides in a hole in paper towel ro1166, 68 at each end for engaging the hubs 34.
Figure 5 shows the carousel assembly 30 in exploded, perspective view. The number of parts comprising this assembly is small. From a reliability point of view, the reliability is increased. From a manufacturing point of view, the ease of manufacture is thereby increased and the cost of manufacture is reduced. The material of manufacture is not limited except as to the requirements of cost, ease of manufacture, reliability, strength and other requirements imposed by the maker, demand.
When the main roll, 66 (Fig. 4A) and the stub roll 68, (Fig. 4A) are in place, the carousel arms 32 are connected by these rolls 66 and 68 (Fig. 4A). Placing cross-members 42 to connect the carousel arms 32 with the locking 36 and corresponding 40 bar results in better structural stability, with racking prevented. The locking bar 36, which was shown as a single unit locking bar 36 in the previous figures, acts as a locking bar 36 to lock the carousel assembly 30 in the proper orientation. It acts also as the release bar, which when released, allows the carousel assembly 30 to rotate.
Two compression springs 70, 72 are utilized to center the locking bar 36.
Figure 4B is a side view of the locking bar showing the placement of the compression springs. The compression springs 70; 72 also tend to resist the release of the locking bar 36, insuring that a required force is needed to unlock the locking bar 36. The required force is typically between 0.51bf and 3.0 lbf, or more. In this embodiment, the force is2.0 lbf when the spring in a fully compressed position, and 1.1 lbf when the spring is in the rest position. In the rest position, the forces of the opposing springs offset each other.
-- - - --- The actual locking occurs as shown in Figure 4C. The locking bar 36 closest to the rear of the casing 48 is adapted to fit into a generally u-shaped mating structure 118 which is adapted to hold the locking bar 36 and prevent it and the carousel assembly 30 from rotating. When the locking bar 36 is pulled away from the rear of the casing 48, the locking bar 36 is disengaged from the mating structure 118.
The mating structure has an upper "high" side 120 and a lower "low" side 122, where the low side has a "ramp" 124 on its lower side. As the locking bar 36 is pulled out to clear the high side 120, the carousel assembly 30 is free to rotate such that the top of the carousel assembly 30 rotates up and away from the back of the casing 48.
As the carousel assembly 30 begins to rotate, the user releases the locking bar 36 which, under the influence of symmetrically placed compression springs 70, 72 returns to its rest position. As he carousel assembly rotates, the end of the symmetrical locking bar 36 which originally was disposed toward the user now rotates and contacts the ramp ll i i 124. A locking bar spring, e.g., 70 or 72, is compressed as the end of the locking bar 36 contacting the ramp 124 now moves up the ramp 124. The end of the locking bar 36 is pressed into the space between the low side 122 and the high side 120, as the end of the locking bar 36 slides past the low side 122. A locked position for the carousel assembly 30 is now reestablished.
Figure 5 shows the carousel arms 32 adapted to receive the loading of a new roll of towel 66 (Fig. 4A). The arms 32 are slightly flexible and bent outward a small amount when inserting a paper towel rol166 (Fig. 4A) between two opposite carousel arms 32. A friction reducing rotating paper towel roll hub 34 is inserted into a hole of a paper towel ro1166 (Fig. 4A), such that one roll hub 34 is inserted into a hole on each side of the paper towel ro1166 (Fig. 4A). Also shown in Figure 5 are the tamper resistant fasteners 74, which attach the friction-reducing rotating paper towel roll hubs 34 to the carousel arms 32.
Figure 5 shows the surface 76 of the roll hubs 34 and the surface 78 of the carousel arms 66, which contact each other. These contact surfaces 76, 78 may be made of a more frictionless material than that of which the carousel arms 32 and the roll hubs 34. are made. For example, a plastic such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); e:g:; TEFLON- , may be used, as a thin layer on each of the contacting surfaces. The paper towel dispenser 20 and its components may be made of, including but not limited to, plastic, metal, an organic material which may include but is not limited to wood, cardboard, treated or untreated, a combination of these materials, and other materials for batteries, paint, if any, and waterproofing.
Figure 6A shows the paper 80 feeding from the stub rol168 while the tai182 of the main ro1166 is positioned beneath the transfer bar 44. The legs (visible leg 46, other leg not shown) of the transfer bar 44 rests against the stub roll. When the diameter of the stub rol168 is larger by a number of winds of paper towel than the inner rol184, the legs 46 of the transfer bar 44 dispose the bar 88 of the transfer bar 44 to be rotated upward from the feed roller 50.
Figure 6B shows the situation where the stub roi168 is exhausted, so that the transfer bar 44 tucks the tai182 of the main ro1166 into the feed mechanism ,. , .. i . :. i I ,.
86. Figure 6B shows the stub roll 68 position empty, as the stub roll has been used up. The stub roll core 84 is still in place. As the stub roll 68 is used up, the legs 46 of the transfer bar 44 move up toward the stub roll core (inner roll) 84, and the bar 88 of the transfer bar is disposed downward toward the feed roller 50 and toward the top of a structural unit of the dispenser 20 (Fig. 2), such as the top of the electronics module 132 (Fig. 3). Initially the main ro1166 is in reserve, and its tail 82 in an "idling"
position such that it is under the transfer bar 44.. The main roll 66 and its tail 82 are not initially in a "drive" position. However, as the stub roll 68 is used up, the downward motion of the bar transfer bar, 44 driven by its spring loading, brings the bar 88 of the transfer bar 44 down to engage the main roll tail 82 with the feed roller 50.
Figure 7A shows the carousel assembly 30 ready for loading when the main roll 66 reaches a specific diameter. The diameter of the main roll 66 may be -rrieasured by comparison of that diameter with the widened "ear" shape 122 (Fig. 4A) on each end of the carousel arms 32. That part of each carousel arm 32 is made to measure a critical diameter of a main rol166. The carousel assembly 30 is tilted forward when it is locked. The carousel assembly 30 may rotate unassisted after the locking bar36 is released,due to the top=heavy nature of the-top roll. That is, the torque produced by the gravitational pull on the main-roll 66 is larger than that needed to overcome friction and the counter-torque produced by the now empty stub roll 68.
Figure 7B shows the process of loading where the service person pulls the locking bar 36 and allows the carousel to rotate 180 , placing the main rol166 in the previous stub roll 68 position. Now a new full sized rol166 can be loaded onto the main roll, 66 position. The transfer bar 44 automatically resets itself.
The transfer bar 44 is spring loaded so as to be disposed with the transfer bar legs 46 pressed upward against the stub roll 68 or the stub roll core 84. The transfer bar legs 46 are adapted to be disposed inward of the roll hubs 34 so the bar 88 of the transfer bar 44 will have a positive stop at a more rigid location, in this case, the top of the electronics module 132 (Fig. 2).
Figure 7C shows the extension springs 126. 128 which tend to maintain the transfer bar legs 46 in contact with the stub roll 68 or stub roll core 84.
The transfer bar 44 contains the two extension springs 126. 128. The spring forces are typically 0.05 lbf to 0.5 lbf in the bar 44 lowered position and 0.2 lbf to 1.0 lbf in the bar 44 raised position. In this embodiment, the spring forces are 0.21bf in the lowered position an 0.43 lbf in the raised position. The force of the two springs 126, 128 is additive so that the transfer bar 44 is subject to a total spring force of 0.41bf in the lowered position and 0.861bf in the raised position.
While modular units (Fig. 7D) such as the electronics module 132, the motor 56 module, and the battery case 150, are removable, they fit, or "snap"
together so that the top of the electronics unit 132, the top of the motor 56 module and remaining elements of the "floor" 148 of the dispensing unit 20 form a smooth, cleanable surface. Paper dust and debris tend to accumulate on the floor 148 of the dispenser 20. It is important that the dispenser 20 is able to be easily cleaned as part of the maintenance procedure. A quick wiping with a damp cloth will sweep out and pick up any undesirable accumulation. The removable modular dispensing shelf may be removed for rinsing or wiping.
-The feed roller 50-may be driven by a motor 56 which in turn may be driven by a battery or batteries 58, driven off a 100 or 220V AC hookup, or driven off a transformer which is run off an AC circuit. The batteries may be non-rechargeable or rechargeable. Rechargeable batteries may include, but not be limited to, lithium ion, metal hydride, metal-air, nonmetal-air. The rechargeable batteries may be recharged by, but not limited to, AC electromagnetic induction or light energy using photocells.
A feed roller 50 serves to feed the paper towel being dispensed onto the curved dispensing ribs 52. A gear train (not visible) may be placed under housing 86, (Fig. 3) for driving the feed roller. A control unit 54 (Fig. 3) for a motor 56 (Fig. 3) may be utilized. A proximity sensor (not shown) or a hand-operated switch 64 may serve to tum the motor 56 on and off.
As an enhancement and further development of a system for delivering paper towel to the end user in as cost effective manner and user-friendly manner as possible. An automatic means for dispensing the paper towel is desirable, making it unnecessary for a user to physically touch a knob or a lever. Therefore, a more hygienic dispenser is present. This dispenser will contribute to less transfer of matter, whether dirt or bacteria, from one user to the next. The results of washing ones hands will tend to be preserved and hygiene increased.
An electronic proximity sensor is included as part of the paper towel dispenser. A person can approach the paper towel dispenser, extend his or her hand, and have the proximity sensor detect the presence of the hand. Upon detection of the hand, a motor is energized which dispenses the paper towel. It has long been known that the insertion of an object with a dielectric constant into a volume with an electromagnetic field will tend to modify the properties, which the electromagnetic field sees. The property of the hand, a dielectric constant close to that of water, is enough to alter the net capacitance of a suitable detector circuit.
An embodiment of the invention comprises a balanced bridge circuit. See Figure 8A. The component U 1 A 90 is a comparator (TLC3702 158) configured as an oscillator.-- The frequency of oscillation of this component, U1A 90, of the circuit may be considered arbitrary and non-critical, as far as the operation of the circuit is concerned. The period of the oscillator is set by the elements Cref 92, Rhys 94, the trim resistance, Rtrim 96, where the trim resistance may be varied and the range resistors Rrange 152 are fixed. The resistors Rrange 152 allow limits to be placed on the range of adjustment, resulting in an easier adjustment. The adjustment band is narrowed, since only part of the total resistance there can be varied.
Consequently a single potentiometer may be used, simplifying the adjustment of Rtrim 96. A
value for Rrange 152 for the schematic shown in Figure 8A might be 100 kQ. Rtrim 96 might have an adjustment range of 10 kS2 to 50 kS2. The output signal at pin 1 98 of component U1A 90 is a square wave, as shown in Figure 9A. Cref 92 is charged by the output along with ANT 100, both sustaining the oscillation and measuring the capacitance of the adjacent free space. The signals resulting from the charging action are applied to a second comparator, U 1 B 102, at pins 5 104 and 6 106 (Fig.
8A).
These signals appear as exponential waveforms, as shoNvn in Figure 9B and Figure 9C.
The simplest form of a comparator is a high-gain differential amplifier, made either with transistors or with an op-amp. The op-amp goes into positive or negative saturation according to the difference of the input voltages because the voltage gain is typically larger than 100,000, the inputs will have to be equal to within a fraction of a millivolt in order for the output not to be completely saturated.
Although an ordinary op-amp can be used as comparator, there are special integrated circuits intended for this use. These include the LM 306, LM311, LM393 154 (Fig.
8A), LM393V, NE627 and TLC3702 158. The LM393V is a lower voltage derivative of the LM393 154. The LM393 154 is an integrated circuit containing two comparators. The TLC3702 158 is a micropower dual comparitor with CMOS push-pu11156 outputs. Figure 8B (prior art) is a schematic which shows the different output structures for the LM393 and the TLC3702. The dedicated comparators are much faster than the ordinary op-amps.
The output signal at pin 1 98 of component U1A 90, e.g., a TL3702 158, is a square wave, as shown in-Figure 2A: Two waveforms are-generated at the inputs of the second comparator, U2B 102. The first comparator 90 is running as an oscillator producing a square-wave clocking signal, which is input, to the clock input of the flip-flop U2A 108, which may be, for example, a Motorola D flip-flop, No.
14013.
Running the first comparator as a Schmitt trigger oscillator, the first comparator U1A 90 is setup to have positive feedback to the non-inverting input, terminal 3 110. The positive feedback insures a rapid output transition, regardless of the speed of the input waveform. Rhys 94 is chosen to produce the required hysteresis, together with the bias resistors Rbias 1 112 and Rbias2 114. When these two bias resistors, Rbias 1 112, Rbias2 114 and the hysteresis resistor, Rhys 94, are equal, the resulting threshold levels are 1/3 V+ and 2/3 V+, where V+ 158 is the supply voltage. The actual values are not especially critical, except that the three resistors Rbiasl 112, Rbias2 114 and Rhys 94, should be equal, for proper balance.
The value of 294 kS2 maybe used for these three resistors, in the schematic shown in Figure 8A.
An external pullup resistor, Rpullup 1 116, which may have a value, for example, of 4700, is only necessary if an open collector, comparator such as an LM393 154 is used. That comparator 154 acts as an open-collector output with a ground-coupled emitter. For low power consumption, better perfonnance is achieved with a CMOS comparator, e.g., TLC3702, which utilizes a cmos push-pull output 156. The signal at terminal 3 110 of U1A charges a capacitor Cref 92 and also charges an ANT sensor 100 with a capacitance which Cref 92 is designed to approximate. A value for Cref for the schematic of Figure 8A, for the most current board design, upon which it depends, is about 10 pF. As the clocking square wave is effectively integrated by Cref 92 and the capacitance of ANT 100, two exponential signals appear at terminals 5 104 and 6 106 of the second comparator U 1 B;
through the Rpr6tect 160 static protection resistors. Rprotect 160 resistors provide limiting resistance which enhances the inherent static protection of a comparitor input lines, particularly for the case of pin 5 104 of U 1 B 102. In the schematic shown in Figure 8A, a typical value for Rprotect 160 might be 2 W. One of the two exponential waveforms will be greater, depending upon the settings of the adjustable resistance Rtrim 96, Cref 92, and ANT 100. The comparator U 1 B 102 resolves small differences, reporting logic levels at its output, pin7 118. As the waveforms may initially be set up, based on a capacitance at ANT 100 of a given amount.
However, upon the intrusion of a hand, for example, into the detection field of the antenna ANT
100, the capacitance of ANT 100 is increased significantly and the prior relationship of the waveforms, which were set with ANT 100 with a lower capacitance, are switched over. Therefore, the logic level output at pin 7 118 is changed and the d flip-flop 108 state is changed via the input on pin 5 of the D flip-flop 108.
The second comparator 102 provides a digital quality signal to the D flip-flop 108. The D flip-flop, U2A 108, latches and holds the output of the comparator 90.. In this manner, the second comparator is really doing analog-to-digital conversion. A suitable D flip-flop is a Motorola 14013.
The presence, and then the absence, of a hand can be used to start a motorized mechanism on a paper towel dispenser, for example. An embodiment of the proximity detector uses a single wire or a combination of wire and copper foil tape that is shaped to form a detection field. This system is very tolerant of non-conductive items, such as paper towels, placed in the field. A hand is conductive and attached to a much larger conductor to free space. Bringing a hand near the antenna serves to increase the antenna's apparent capacitance to free space, forcing detection.
The shape and placement of the proximity detector's antenna (Fig. 8A, 100) turns out to be of some importance in making the proximity sensor work correctly.
Experimentation showed that a suitable location was toward the lower front of the dispenser unit. The antenna (Fig. 8A, 100) was run about two-thirds the length of the dispensing unit, in a modular, replaceable unit above the removable dispensing shelf 62 (Fig. 3). This modular unit would be denoted on Figure 3 as 120.
A detection by the proximity detection circuit (Fig. 8A) in the module 120 sets up a motor control flip flop so that the removal of the hand will trigger the start of the motor cycle. The end of the cycle is detected by means of a limit switch which, when closed, causes a reset of the flip-flop and stops the motor. A cycle may also be --initiated by closing a manual switch.
A wide range of sensitivity can be obtained by varying the geometry of the antenna and coordinating the reference capacitor. Small antennae have short ranges suitable for non-contact pushbuttons. A large antenna could be disposed as a doorway-sized people detector. Another factor in sensitivity is the element applied as Rtrim. If Rtrim 96 is replaced by an adjustable inductor, the exponential signals become resonant signals with phase characteristics very strongly influenced by capacitive changes. Accordingly, trimming with inductors may be used to increase range and sensitivity. Finally, circuitry may be added to the antenna 100 to improve range and directionality. As a class, these circuits are termed "guards" or "guarding electrodes," old in the art, a type of shield driven at equal potential to the antenna.
Equal potential insures no charge exchange, effectively blinding the guarded area of the antenna rendering it directional.
The antenna design and trimming arrangement for the paper towel dispenser application is chosen for adequate range and minimum cost. The advantages of using a guarded antenna and an adjustable inductor are that the sensing unit to be made smaller.
From a safety standpoint, the circuit is designed so that a detection will hold the motor control flip-flop in reset, thereby stopping the mechanism. The cycle can then begin again after detection ends.
The dispenser has additional switches on the control module 54. Figure 3 shows a"length-of-towel-to-dispense-at-one-time" (`length")switch 134. This switch 134, is important in controlling how long a length of paper towel is dispensed, for each dispensation of towel. It is an important setting for the owner of the dispenser on a day-to-day basis in determining cost (to the owner) versus the comfort (to the user) of getting a large piece of paper towel at one time.
-- --A soriiewhat similar second switch 136 is "time-delay-before-can-activate-the-dispensing-of another-paper-towel" ("time-delay") switch 136. The longer the time delay is set, the less likely a user will wait for many multiple towels to dispense.
This tends to save costs to the owner. Shortening the delay tends to be more comfortable to a user- -A third switch 138 is the sensitivity setting for the detection circuit. This sensitivity setting varies the resistance of Rtrim 96 (Fig. 8A). Once an effective antenna 100 (Fig. 8A) configuration is set up, the distance from the dispenser may be varied. Typical actual use may require a sensitivity out to one or two inches, rather than four or six inches. This is to avoid unwanted dispensing of paper towel.
In a hospital setting, or physicians office, the sensitivity setting might be made fairly low so as to avoid unwanted paper towel dispensing. At a particular work.location, on the other hand, the sensitivity might be set fairly high, so that paper towel will be dispensed very easily.
While it is well known in the art how to make these switches according to the desired functionalities, this switch triad may increase the usefulness of the embodiment of this invention. The system, as shown in the embodiment herein, has properties of lowering costs, improving hygiene, improving ease of operation and ease of maintenance. This embodiment of the invention is designed to consume low power, compatible with a battery or battery pack operation. In this embodiment, a 6 volt DC supply is utilized. A battery eliminator may be use for continuous operation in a fixed location. There is a passive battery supply monitor that will turn on an LED indicator if the input voltage falls below a specified voltage.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present -- invention.- Accordingly, -the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
Claims (59)
1. A paper towel dispenser, comprising:
a carousel assembly adapted to support a first paper roll over a second paper roll in a first position and to rotate about a first axis defined between said first and second paper rolls wherein each of said first and second paper rolls has a core;
means for locking said rotating carousel assembly in said first position for paper towel dispensing and in a second position for paper roll loading, said carousel assembly adapted to support a newly loaded second roll over said first roll in said second position; and means for sequentially dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls, comprising:
(a) at least one paper towel feed mechanism disposed downstream from said carousel assembly; and (b) at least one paper roll transfer mechanism disposed between said at least one paper towel feed mechanism and said carousel assembly, said at least one paper roll transfer mechanism being adapted to contact said second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said second paper roll in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is nearly exhausted, and for dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is completely exhausted, said at least one paper roll transfer mechanism being adapted to contact the core of said completely exhausted second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said first paper roll in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is reduced to a pre-determined diameter, said at least one paper roll transfer mechanism being adapted to contact said reduced first paper roll when said carousel assembly is rotated and locked in said second position for loading a new second roll and for dispensing paper towels from said reduced first paper roll in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said reduced first paper roll is nearly exhausted, and from said first and newly loaded second paper rolls in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is completely exhausted.
a carousel assembly adapted to support a first paper roll over a second paper roll in a first position and to rotate about a first axis defined between said first and second paper rolls wherein each of said first and second paper rolls has a core;
means for locking said rotating carousel assembly in said first position for paper towel dispensing and in a second position for paper roll loading, said carousel assembly adapted to support a newly loaded second roll over said first roll in said second position; and means for sequentially dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls, comprising:
(a) at least one paper towel feed mechanism disposed downstream from said carousel assembly; and (b) at least one paper roll transfer mechanism disposed between said at least one paper towel feed mechanism and said carousel assembly, said at least one paper roll transfer mechanism being adapted to contact said second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said second paper roll in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is nearly exhausted, and for dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is completely exhausted, said at least one paper roll transfer mechanism being adapted to contact the core of said completely exhausted second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said first paper roll in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is reduced to a pre-determined diameter, said at least one paper roll transfer mechanism being adapted to contact said reduced first paper roll when said carousel assembly is rotated and locked in said second position for loading a new second roll and for dispensing paper towels from said reduced first paper roll in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said reduced first paper roll is nearly exhausted, and from said first and newly loaded second paper rolls in conjunction with said at least one paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is completely exhausted.
2. The paper towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein said at least one paper towel feed mechanism includes at least one feed roller operatively coupled to a nib roller, said at least one feed roller being driven by a motor means.
3. The paper towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein said at least one paper roll transfer mechanism includes at least one generally U-shaped and spring-loaded paper roll transfer bar.
4. The paper towel dispenser of claim 3, further comprising a housing.
5. The paper towel dispenser of claim 4, wherein said carousel assembly comprises a pair of oppositely disposed paper roll support arms coupled respectively to a pair of support bars, each of said support bars being rotatably coupled to said housing by way of a carousel rotation hub, said carousel rotation hubs defining said first axis.
6. The paper towel dispenser of claim 5, further comprising a pair of cross members coupled respectively to said pair of rotatable support bars, each of said cross members being adapted to serve as a stiffener for said carousel assembly.
7. The paper towel dispenser of claim 6, wherein each of said cross members is adapted to serve as a paper guide for said carousel assembly.
8. The paper towel dispenser of claim 5, wherein said locking means includes at least one locking bar adapted to slidably ride on one of said support bars.
9. The paper towel dispenser of claim 8, wherein said at least one locking bar is spring-loaded to resist the unwarranted release of said locked carousel assembly, said locked carousel assembly being unlocked by pulling said at least one spring-loaded locking bar away from said housing.
10. The paper towel dispenser of claim 9, wherein said locked carousel assembly is biased to rotate toward said transfer bar when unlocked.
11. The paper towel dispenser of claim 5, wherein each of said paper roll support arms includes a pair of oppositely disposed paper roll hubs adapted to removably engage each of said first and second paper rolls.
12. A method for dispensing paper towels, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a carousel assembly adapted to support a first paper roll over a second paper roll in a first position and to rotate about a first axis defined between said first and second paper rolls wherein each of said first and second paper rolls has a core;
(b) locking said rotating carousel assembly in said first position for paper towel dispensing;
(c) utilizing a paper roll transfer mechanism to contact said second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said second paper roll in conjunction with a paper towel feed mechanism disposed downstream from said carousel assembly until said second paper roll is nearly exhausted, and for dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is completely exhausted;
(d) utilizing said paper roll transfer mechanism to contact the core of said completely exhausted second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is reduced to a pre-determined diameter;
(e) unlocking said carousel assembly from said first position;
(f) rotating said unlocked carousel assembly to a second position, said carousel assembly adapted to support a newly loaded second paper roll over said first paper roll in said second position;
(g) locking said carousel assembly in said second position for loading a new second roll; and (h) utilizing said paper roll transfer mechanism to contact said reduced first paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said second position for dispensing paper towels from said reduced first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said reduced first paper roll is nearly exhausted, and from said first and newly loaded second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is completely exhausted.
(a) providing a carousel assembly adapted to support a first paper roll over a second paper roll in a first position and to rotate about a first axis defined between said first and second paper rolls wherein each of said first and second paper rolls has a core;
(b) locking said rotating carousel assembly in said first position for paper towel dispensing;
(c) utilizing a paper roll transfer mechanism to contact said second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said second paper roll in conjunction with a paper towel feed mechanism disposed downstream from said carousel assembly until said second paper roll is nearly exhausted, and for dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is completely exhausted;
(d) utilizing said paper roll transfer mechanism to contact the core of said completely exhausted second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is reduced to a pre-determined diameter;
(e) unlocking said carousel assembly from said first position;
(f) rotating said unlocked carousel assembly to a second position, said carousel assembly adapted to support a newly loaded second paper roll over said first paper roll in said second position;
(g) locking said carousel assembly in said second position for loading a new second roll; and (h) utilizing said paper roll transfer mechanism to contact said reduced first paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said second position for dispensing paper towels from said reduced first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said reduced first paper roll is nearly exhausted, and from said first and newly loaded second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is completely exhausted.
13. A paper roll dispenser, comprising:
means for holding a first paper roll;
means for holding a second paper roll;
means for supporting said first paper roll holding means and said second paper roll holding means, said supporting means being adapted to rotate about an axis defined between said first and second paper roll holding means;
means for sequentially dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls disposed downstream from said rotatable supporting means; and a proximity detector adapted to trigger the dispensing of paper when a user's hand is positioned within the field of said detector, said proximity detector comprising:
a first comparator configured as an oscillator;
a capacitive proximity sensor (CPS) operatively coupled to said oscillator;
a reference capacitor (Cref) operatively coupled between said oscillator and circuit ground and adapted to approximate the capacitance of said CPS;
a variable trim resistor (Rtrim) connected in series between said CPS and said Cref;
a second comparator adapted to receive analog input signals from said CPS and said Cref and generate a digital output signal; and a D flip-flop adapted to latch and hold said digital output signal from said second comparator.
means for holding a first paper roll;
means for holding a second paper roll;
means for supporting said first paper roll holding means and said second paper roll holding means, said supporting means being adapted to rotate about an axis defined between said first and second paper roll holding means;
means for sequentially dispensing paper towels from said first and second paper rolls disposed downstream from said rotatable supporting means; and a proximity detector adapted to trigger the dispensing of paper when a user's hand is positioned within the field of said detector, said proximity detector comprising:
a first comparator configured as an oscillator;
a capacitive proximity sensor (CPS) operatively coupled to said oscillator;
a reference capacitor (Cref) operatively coupled between said oscillator and circuit ground and adapted to approximate the capacitance of said CPS;
a variable trim resistor (Rtrim) connected in series between said CPS and said Cref;
a second comparator adapted to receive analog input signals from said CPS and said Cref and generate a digital output signal; and a D flip-flop adapted to latch and hold said digital output signal from said second comparator.
14. The paper roll dispenser of claim 13, further comprising a control module operatively coupled to a motor means for dispensing paper from at least one paper roll, said control module including a first switch adapted to control the length of paper being dispensed by said motor means.
15. The paper roll dispenser of claim 14 wherein said control module further includes a second switch adapted to set a time delay between successive paper dispensations by said motor means.
16. The paper roll dispenser of claim 15 wherein said control module further includes a third switch adapted to vary the resistance value of Rtrim for adjusting the sensitivity of said proximity detector.
17. The paper roll dispenser of claim 13, further comprising means for visually guiding a user's hand toward said proximity detector, said means including a pseudo-button disposed within a sunrise-like setback on a cover for said paper roll dispenser near said proximity detector.
18. A method for dispensing paper towels, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a carousel assembly adapted to support a first paper roll over a second paper roll and to rotate about a first axis defined between said first and second paper rolls, each of said first and second paper rolls having a core;
(b) providing motor means for dispensing paper towels from at least one of said first and second paper rolls on said carousel assembly;
(c) providing a proximity detector adapted to trigger the dispensing of paper towels by said motor means when a user's hand is positioned within the field of said detector;
(d) locking said rotating carousel assembly in a first position for paper towel dispensing;
(e) utilizing a generally U-shaped spring-loaded transfer bar to contact said second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said second paper roll in conjunction with a paper towel feed mechanism disposed downstream from said carousel assembly until said second paper roll is nearly exhausted and from said first and second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is completely exhausted;
(f) utilizing said transfer bar to contact the core of said completely exhausted second paper roll for dispensing paper towels from said first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is reduced to a pre-determined diameter, (g) unlocking said carousel assembly from said first position;
(h) rotating said unlocked carousel assembly to a second position approximately 180 degrees apart from said first position, (i) locking said carousel assembly in said second position for loading a new second roll, and (j) utilizing said transfer bar to contact said reduced first paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said second position for dispensing paper towels from said reduced first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is nearly exhausted and from said first and newly loaded second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is completely exhausted.
(a) providing a carousel assembly adapted to support a first paper roll over a second paper roll and to rotate about a first axis defined between said first and second paper rolls, each of said first and second paper rolls having a core;
(b) providing motor means for dispensing paper towels from at least one of said first and second paper rolls on said carousel assembly;
(c) providing a proximity detector adapted to trigger the dispensing of paper towels by said motor means when a user's hand is positioned within the field of said detector;
(d) locking said rotating carousel assembly in a first position for paper towel dispensing;
(e) utilizing a generally U-shaped spring-loaded transfer bar to contact said second paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said first position for dispensing paper towels from said second paper roll in conjunction with a paper towel feed mechanism disposed downstream from said carousel assembly until said second paper roll is nearly exhausted and from said first and second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said second paper roll is completely exhausted;
(f) utilizing said transfer bar to contact the core of said completely exhausted second paper roll for dispensing paper towels from said first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is reduced to a pre-determined diameter, (g) unlocking said carousel assembly from said first position;
(h) rotating said unlocked carousel assembly to a second position approximately 180 degrees apart from said first position, (i) locking said carousel assembly in said second position for loading a new second roll, and (j) utilizing said transfer bar to contact said reduced first paper roll when said carousel assembly is locked in said second position for dispensing paper towels from said reduced first paper roll in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is nearly exhausted and from said first and newly loaded second paper rolls in conjunction with said paper towel feed mechanism until said first paper roll is completely exhausted.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein step (c) comprises the following sub-steps:
(c1) configuring a first comparator as an oscillator;
(c2) operatively coupling a capacitive proximity sensor (CPS) and a reference capacitor (Cref) to said oscillator according to a bridge balance principle;
(c3) connecting a variable trim resistor (Rtrim) in series between said CPS and said Cref;
(c4) providing a second comparator adapted to receive analog input signals from said CPS and said Cref and generate a digital output signal;
(c5) providing a D flip-flop adapted to latch and hold said digital output signal from said second comparator, said D flip-flop having an output state; and (c6) activating a motor switch upon detecting a change in the output state of said D flip-flop.
(c1) configuring a first comparator as an oscillator;
(c2) operatively coupling a capacitive proximity sensor (CPS) and a reference capacitor (Cref) to said oscillator according to a bridge balance principle;
(c3) connecting a variable trim resistor (Rtrim) in series between said CPS and said Cref;
(c4) providing a second comparator adapted to receive analog input signals from said CPS and said Cref and generate a digital output signal;
(c5) providing a D flip-flop adapted to latch and hold said digital output signal from said second comparator, said D flip-flop having an output state; and (c6) activating a motor switch upon detecting a change in the output state of said D flip-flop.
20. A paper towel dispenser comprising:
a carriage rotatable between at least a first orientation and a second orientation, the carriage comprising:
a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper in a primary position when the carriage is in the first orientation and in a secondary position when the carriage is in the second orientation; and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper 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 for sensing the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position;
a feed mechanism into which paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed for dispensation; and a transfer mechanism adapted to feed paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter, thereby causing dispensation of paper from both rolls.
a carriage rotatable between at least a first orientation and a second orientation, the carriage comprising:
a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper in a primary position when the carriage is in the first orientation and in a secondary position when the carriage is in the second orientation; and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper 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 for sensing the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position;
a feed mechanism into which paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed for dispensation; and a transfer mechanism adapted to feed paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter, thereby causing dispensation of paper from both rolls.
21. The paper towel dispenser of claim 20, wherein the carriage is rotatable to move the roll held in the secondary position into the primary position when the roll held in the primary position is exhausted.
22. The paper towel dispenser of claim 21, wherein the carriage is rotatable to move the roll held in the secondary position into the primary position when the roll held in the secondary position is depleted to less than a second predetermined diameter.
23. The paper towel dispenser of claim 20, wherein the carriage rotates about a central axis, and the roll holders are disposed equidistant from and on opposite sides of the central axis.
24. The paper towel dispenser of claim 23, wherein the carriage further includes two parallel paper guides, the paper guides being disposed on opposite sides of and equidistant from the central axis and on a line approximately halfway between the two roll holders.
25. The paper towel dispenser of claim 20, wherein for each of the two carriage orientations, the roll held in the secondary position is approximately vertically aligned with the roll in the primary position.
26. The paper towel dispenser of claim 20, wherein for each of the two carriage orientations, the roll held in the secondary position is offset from vertical alignment with the roll in the primary position by approximately 5 degrees.
27. The paper towel dispenser of claim 20 further comprising a housing which encloses the carriage, the roll sensor, the feed mechanism, and the transfer mechanism, the housing including an ejection port through which the dispenser mechanism dispenses the paper.
28. The paper towel dispenser of claim 27, the carriage further including a lever arm and the housing further including a catch, wherein the lever arm engages the catch to maintain the rotation orientation of the carriage.
29. The paper towel dispenser of claim 28, wherein the lever arm is radially slidable and centrally biased on the carriage.
30. The paper towel dispenser of claim 27, wherein the ejection port includes a plurality of ribs.
31. The paper towel dispenser of claim 20, wherein the roll sensor is integral to the transfer mechanism.
32. The paper towel dispenser of claim 20, wherein the feed mechanism dispenses paper in predetermined lengths.
33. The paper towel dispenser of claim 32, wherein the feed mechanism is motor driven.
34. The paper towel dispenser of claim 33, wherein the feed mechanism includes a proximity detector which defines a proximity field, wherein the proximity detector is adapted to activate the motor driven feed mechanism when a user's hand is within the proximity field.
35. The paper towel dispenser of claim 20 further comprising means of visually determining the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the secondary position.
36. A paper towel dispenser comprising:
a rotatable carriage comprising:
a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper; and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper;
wherein the carriage is rotatable between at least a first rotation orientation in which the first roll holder holds the first roll in a primary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in a secondary position, and a second rotation orientation in which the first roll holder holds the first roll in the secondary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in the primary position;
a roll sensor for sensing the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position;
a feed mechanism into which paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed for dispensation; and a transfer mechanism, wherein when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter, the transfer mechanism feeds paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism, thereby causing dispensation of paper from both rolls;
wherein the carriage is rotatable to move the roll held in the secondary position into the primary position when paper from the roll held in the secondary position is fed into the feed mechanism.
a rotatable carriage comprising:
a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper; and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper;
wherein the carriage is rotatable between at least a first rotation orientation in which the first roll holder holds the first roll in a primary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in a secondary position, and a second rotation orientation in which the first roll holder holds the first roll in the secondary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in the primary position;
a roll sensor for sensing the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position;
a feed mechanism into which paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed for dispensation; and a transfer mechanism, wherein when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter, the transfer mechanism feeds paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism, thereby causing dispensation of paper from both rolls;
wherein the carriage is rotatable to move the roll held in the secondary position into the primary position when paper from the roll held in the secondary position is fed into the feed mechanism.
37. The paper towel dispenser of claim 36, wherein the carriage rotates about a central axis, and the roll holders are disposed equidistant from and on opposite sides of the central axis.
38. The paper towel dispenser of claim 37, wherein the carriage further includes two parallel paper guides, the paper guides being disposed on opposite sides of and equidistant from the central axis and on a line approximately halfway between the two roll holders.
39. The paper towel dispenser of claim 36, wherein for each of the two carriage orientations, the roll held in the secondary position is approximately vertically aligned with the roll in the primary position.
40. The paper towel dispenser of claim 36, wherein for each of the two carriage orientations, the roll held in the secondary position is offset from vertical alignment with the roll in the primary position by approximately 5 degrees.
41. The paper towel dispenser of claim 36 further comprising a housing which encloses the carriage, the roll sensor, the feed mechanism, and the transfer mechanism, the housing including an ejection port through which the dispenser mechanism dispenses the paper.
42. The paper towel dispenser of claim 41, the carriage further including a lever arm and the housing further including a catch, wherein the lever arm engages the catch to maintain the rotation orientation of the carriage.
43. The paper towel dispenser of claim 42, wherein the lever arm is radially slidable and centrally biased on the carriage.
44. The paper towel dispenser of claim 41, wherein the ejection port includes a plurality of ribs.
45. The paper towel dispenser of claim 36, wherein the roll sensor is integral to the transfer mechanism.
46. The paper towel dispenser of claim 36, wherein the feed mechanism dispenses paper in predetermined lengths.
47. The paper towel dispenser of claim 46, wherein the feed mechanism is motor driven.
48. The paper towel dispenser of claim 47, wherein the feed mechanism includes a proximity detector which defines a proximity field, wherein the proximity detector is adapted to activate the motor driven feed mechanism when a user's hand is within the proximity field.
49. The paper towel dispenser of claim 36 further comprising means of visually determining the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the secondary position.
50. The paper towel dispenser of claim 36, wherein the carriage is rotatable to move the roll held in the secondary position into the primary position when the roll held in the primary position is exhausted.
51. The paper towel dispenser of claim 50, wherein the carriage is rotatable to move the roll held in the secondary position into the primary position when the roll held in the secondary position is depleted to less than a second predetermined diameter.
52. A paper towel dispenser comprising:
a housing;
a carriage disposed within the housing, the carriage being rotatable about a central axis and comprising:
a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper;
a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper, the second roll holder being disposed equidistant from the central axis and on an opposite side of the central axis from the first roll holder; and a radially aligned lever arm adapted to engage a catch disposed on the housing to maintain the carriage in one of two orientations, wherein in the first orientation, the first roll holder holds the first roll in a primary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in a secondary position, and in the second orientation the first roll holder holds the first roll in the secondary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in the primary position, and wherein in each orientation the roll held in the secondary position is offset from vertical alignment with the roll in the primary position by approximately 5 degrees;
a feed mechanism disposed within the housing, wherein paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed into the feed mechanism for dispensation through a paper feed opening in the housing; and a transfer mechanism disposed within the housing, the transfer mechanism comprising a roll sensor adapted to sense the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position, wherein when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter, the transfer mechanism feeds paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism, thereby causing dispensation of paper from both rolls until the paper on the roll held in the primary position is exhausted, wherein the carriage is rotatable to move the roll held in the secondary position into the primary position when the roll held in the primary position is exhausted and when the roll held in the secondary position is depleted to less than a second predetermined diameter.
a housing;
a carriage disposed within the housing, the carriage being rotatable about a central axis and comprising:
a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper;
a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper, the second roll holder being disposed equidistant from the central axis and on an opposite side of the central axis from the first roll holder; and a radially aligned lever arm adapted to engage a catch disposed on the housing to maintain the carriage in one of two orientations, wherein in the first orientation, the first roll holder holds the first roll in a primary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in a secondary position, and in the second orientation the first roll holder holds the first roll in the secondary position and the second roll holder holds the second roll in the primary position, and wherein in each orientation the roll held in the secondary position is offset from vertical alignment with the roll in the primary position by approximately 5 degrees;
a feed mechanism disposed within the housing, wherein paper from at least one of the two rolls is fed into the feed mechanism for dispensation through a paper feed opening in the housing; and a transfer mechanism disposed within the housing, the transfer mechanism comprising a roll sensor adapted to sense the amount of paper remaining on the roll held in the primary position, wherein when the roll sensor senses that the paper on the roll held in the primary position is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter, the transfer mechanism feeds paper from the roll held in the secondary position into the feed mechanism, thereby causing dispensation of paper from both rolls until the paper on the roll held in the primary position is exhausted, wherein the carriage is rotatable to move the roll held in the secondary position into the primary position when the roll held in the primary position is exhausted and when the roll held in the secondary position is depleted to less than a second predetermined diameter.
53. A method of dispensing paper towels comprising:
maintaining a rotatable carriage in a first orientation, the rotatable carriage comprising a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper, wherein in the first orientation the first roll is held in a primary position and the second roll is held in a secondary position;
feeding paper from the first roll into a feed mechanism for dispensation;
sensing when paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter;
automatically feeding the paper from the second roll into the feed mechanism when the paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter such that paper from both rolls is dispensed until the paper on the first roll is exhausted; and rotating the carriage to a second orientation, wherein in the second orientation the second roll is held in the primary position.
maintaining a rotatable carriage in a first orientation, the rotatable carriage comprising a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper, wherein in the first orientation the first roll is held in a primary position and the second roll is held in a secondary position;
feeding paper from the first roll into a feed mechanism for dispensation;
sensing when paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter;
automatically feeding the paper from the second roll into the feed mechanism when the paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a first predetermined diameter such that paper from both rolls is dispensed until the paper on the first roll is exhausted; and rotating the carriage to a second orientation, wherein in the second orientation the second roll is held in the primary position.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein rotating the carriage to a second orientation includes rotating the carriage when the paper on the first roll is exhausted.
55. The method of claim 54, wherein rotating the carriage to a second orientation includes rotating the carriage when the paper on the second roll is depleted to less than a second predetermined diameter.
56. The method of claim 53 further comprising placing a third roll of paper in the first roll holder after the first roll is exhausted.
57. The method of claim 53 further comprising feeding the paper from the second roll into a transfer mechanism, wherein automatically feeding the paper from the second roll into the feed mechanism includes activating the transfer mechanism to feed the paper from the second roll into the feed mechanism when the paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter.
58. A method of dispensing paper towels comprising:
maintaining a rotatable carriage in a first orientation, the rotatable carriage comprising a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper, wherein in the first orientation the first roll is held in a primary position and the second roll is held in a secondary position;
feeding paper from the first roll into a feed mechanism for dispensation;
feeding the paper from the second roll into a transfer mechanism;
sensing when paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter;
activating the transfer mechanism to automatically feed the paper from the second roll into the feed mechanism when the paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter such that paper from both rolls is dispensed;
rotating the carriage to a second orientation when the paper on the first roll is exhausted, wherein in the second orientation the second roll is held in the primary position;
and placing a third roll of paper in the first roll holder.
maintaining a rotatable carriage in a first orientation, the rotatable carriage comprising a first roll holder adapted to hold a first roll of paper and a second roll holder adapted to hold a second roll of paper, wherein in the first orientation the first roll is held in a primary position and the second roll is held in a secondary position;
feeding paper from the first roll into a feed mechanism for dispensation;
feeding the paper from the second roll into a transfer mechanism;
sensing when paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter;
activating the transfer mechanism to automatically feed the paper from the second roll into the feed mechanism when the paper on the first roll is depleted to less than a predetermined diameter such that paper from both rolls is dispensed;
rotating the carriage to a second orientation when the paper on the first roll is exhausted, wherein in the second orientation the second roll is held in the primary position;
and placing a third roll of paper in the first roll holder.
59. The method of claim 58, wherein rotating the carriage to a second orientation includes rotating the carriage when the paper on the second roll is depleted to less than a second predetermined diameter.
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US09/780,733 US6592067B2 (en) | 2001-02-09 | 2001-02-09 | Minimizing paper waste carousel-style dispenser apparatus, sensor, method and system with proximity sensor |
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CA002370828A Expired - Lifetime CA2370828C (en) | 2001-02-09 | 2002-02-08 | Minimizing paper waste carousel-style dispenser apparatus, sensor, method and system with proximity sensor |
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CA002370828A Expired - Lifetime CA2370828C (en) | 2001-02-09 | 2002-02-08 | Minimizing paper waste carousel-style dispenser apparatus, sensor, method and system with proximity sensor |
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- 2001-09-27 US US09/966,124 patent/US6871815B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-27 US US09/966,275 patent/US6838887B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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2002
- 2002-02-08 CA CA2371079A patent/CA2371079C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-02-08 CA CA002370835A patent/CA2370835C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-02-08 CA CA002370828A patent/CA2370828C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-02-11 EP EP20020250925 patent/EP1230886B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-02-11 EP EP20060118266 patent/EP1716800A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-02-11 AT AT02250925T patent/ATE283659T1/en active
- 2002-02-11 DK DK02250925T patent/DK1230886T3/en active
- 2002-02-11 ES ES02250925T patent/ES2234983T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-02-11 EP EP20050110815 patent/EP1659691B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-02-11 EP EP14190514.1A patent/EP2846466A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-02-11 PT PT02250924T patent/PT1231823E/en unknown
- 2002-02-11 PT PT02250925T patent/PT1230886E/en unknown
-
2003
- 2003-05-21 US US10/442,601 patent/US6793170B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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2005
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2008
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2014
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2017
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