Static build-up control in dispensing system

• US 7,182,289 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2005
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
• Inventors: Moody, John R., Broehl, Joshua M.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, JOHN QUOC
• Application Number:
  US11/052,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20050127232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 242/559.2, 242/560.1, 242/563, 242/590, 242/596, 242/564.4, 242/906, 312/34.8, 312/34.22
• US Class Current: 242/564.4
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/34 dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/3643 by pulling the paper
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/3687 with one or more reserve rolls
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/38 the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge A47K10/36 and A47K10/46 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3233 Details of the housing, e.g. hinges, connection to the wall
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3253 with one or more reserve rolls
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/326 dispensing simultaneously from several rolls or stacks
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3668 Detection of the presence of a user
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/126 with both-ends supporting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 20/005 Electrical drive motor control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H05F 3/02 by means of earthing connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 242/906 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 holds and positions at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other, dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. The dispenser dissipates static charges to a local ground such as a high impedance wall surface on which the dispenser is mounted.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material comprising:

an ungrounded chassis;

a feed mechanism fixed to the chassis, the feed mechanism including at least one roller and being adapted to advance sheet material from a roll of sheet material across the roller;

an electronic controller device affixed to the chassis proximate to the roller and not directly connected to any earth ground, the controller device being adapted to control dispensation of the sheet material; and

a low impedance conductive path extending from the roller to a mounting member of the chassis, the mounting member being adapted to affix the chassis to a support surface, said support surface being formed of a high impedance material that is only indirectly connected to said earth ground to thereby provide a high impedance around connection, wherein the mounting member provides an electrical mechanical contact between the dispenser and the support surface whereby any static electricity charge built-up on the at least one roller as a result of dispensing sheet material is dispersed through the low impedance conductive path onto the high impedance support surface and though the high impedance support surface to the earth ground.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the roller includes a roller shaft rotatably mounted to the chassis, and wherein the conductive path include a compression spring in contact with the roller shaft.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the compression spring is biased against the roller shaft.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller device is battery powered, the dispenser is located in an area having a relative humidity of at least 5%, and the high impedance support surface is a damp wall.