DISPENSER AND DISPENSING METHOD HAVING COMMUNICATION ABILITIES

• US 20090101751A1
• Filed: 10/15/2008
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cittadino, Antonio M., Silk, J. Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,066,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 242/563
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/3612 with drive and pinch rollers
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/3625 with electronic control means
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3668 Detection of the presence of a user
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3681 characterised by the way a new paper roll is loaded in the dispenser

Abstract

Dispensers and dispensing systems and methods having communication abilities are provided. Various embodiments include the ability to communicate reminders and other messages to users and maintenance personnel. An embodiment of the present invention has two sensors, one for detecting when to dispense a product and the other for detecting when to communicate pre-recorded messages. Another embodiment also includes the ability to record multiple messages into the dispenser for later playback upon triggering events. Still yet other embodiments provide messages upon dispensing of product.

Claims

1. A dispenser comprising:

a controller;

a first sensor electrically coupled to said controller;

a dispenser mechanism operably coupled to said first sensor, said dispenser mechanism dispensing a product in response to a signal from said first sensor;

a second sensor electronically coupled to said controller; and

a speaker operably coupled to said second sensor and said controller, wherein said speaker emits a prerecorded audible message in response to said controller receiving a signal from said second senor sensor.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said first sensor is a proximity sensor and said second sensor is a proximity sensor.

3. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein said first sensor has a range of 3 inches and said second sensor has a range of 6 feet.

4. The dispenser of claim 3 further comprising:

a record button electrically coupled to said controller;

a play button electrically coupled to said controller; and

,

a microphone electrically coupled to said controller.

5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said second sensor is a switch.

6. A dispenser comprising:

a housing having a dispensing area;

a first sensor coupled to said housing adjacent said dispensing area;

a dispenser mechanism for dispensing a product from said dispensing area, said dispenser mechanism being operably coupled to said first sensor such that when said first sensor is activated, said dispenser mechanism dispenses said product from said dispensing area;

a second sensor coupled to said housing; and

a speaker operably coupled to said second sensor, wherein said speaker emits a prerecorded audible message when said second sensor is activated.

7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein said first sensor is a proximity sensor and said second sensor is a proximity sensor.

8. The dispenser of claim 7 wherein said first sensor and said second sensor have different activation ranges.

9. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein said first sensor activation range is up to 3 inches and said second sensor activation range is up to 6 feet.

10. The dispenser of claim 9 further comprising:

a selection switch operably coupled to said speaker;

a record button operably coupled to said selection switch; and

a play button operably coupled to said selection switch and said speaker.

11. The dispenser of claim 10 further comprising a microphone operably coupled to said record button.

12. The dispenser of claim 11 further comprising a controller operably coupled to said record button and said microphone, said controller including a processor that is responsive to executable computer instructions for recording an audio signal from said microphone in response to said record button being actuated.

13. The dispenser of claim 12 wherein said controller includes a memory device operably coupled to said processor, wherein said processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions to store said audio signal on said memory device in response to said record button being actuated.

14. A method of operating a dispenser, said method comprising:

activating a recording mode;

actuating a recording button;

recording an audio message;

activating a play mode;

playing said recorded audio message in response to an activation of a first sensor; and

,

dispensing a product in response to an activation of a second sensor.

15. The method of operating a dispenser of claim 14 further comprising the step of holding said recording button in an actuated position while said recording of said audio message.

16. The method of operating a dispenser of claim 15 further comprising the step of actuating a play button before said activating of said play mode.

17. The method of operating a dispenser of claim 16 further comprising the step of emitting an audio tone after said actuating of said recording button.

18. The method of operating a dispenser of claim 17 wherein said activation of said first sensor occurs when an object passes within a first predefined distance of said dispenser.

19. The method of operating a dispenser of claim 18 wherein said activation of said second sensor occurs when an object passes within a second predefined distance from said second sensor.

20. The method of operating a dispenser of claim 19 wherein said second predefined distance is less than said first predefined distance.