Apparatus and methods usable in connection with dispensing flexible sheet material from a roll

• US 7,624,664 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2002
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Susi, Michael A., Morris, Andrew R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ashley; Boyer D
• Assistant Examiner(s): FLORES SANCHEZ, OMAR
• Application Number:
  US10/211,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20030167893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,675 Days
• Field of Search: 836/49, 836/48, 836/50, 225/39, 225/65, 225/46, 242/564.1, 242/560, 242/564, 221/46, 221/45, 221/191, 221/194, 221/196, 221/197
• US Class Current: 83/648
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/36 with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
• 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 2010/3881 with tearing edges having movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/10 from or with devices for breaking partially-cut or perforated webs, e.g. bursters
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9606 using one electrode only per touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/12 With preliminary weakening
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/205 With feed-out of predetermined length from work supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/209 With feed-out of lead-end to aid initial grasping
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/232 Plural supply sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/238 With housing for work supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/268 By resiliently engaging package ends or interior of core
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/30 Breaking or tearing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/541 Actuation of tool controlled in response to work-sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8822 Edge-to-edge of sheet or web [e.g., traveling cutter]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/889 Tool with either work holder or means to hold work supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/896 Rotatable wound package supply

Abstract

A powered dispenser for dispensing individual sheet segments from a continuous roll of sheet material provided with spaced tear lines comprises a powered feed mechanism, a releasable, powered drive mechanism, a powered transfer mechanism, a pair of web sensing sensors, a capacitive sensing system providing automatic sensitivity adjustment, and control circuitry. A dual power supply system provides a mechanical lock-out functionality, and the control system is protected from electrostatic build-up on the surface of the feed roller. The web sensor, and an antenna plate of the capacitive sensing system, are provided on respective printed circuit boards mounted in overlying relation. Utilizing signals received from the pair of web sensors and the capacitive sensing system, the control circuitry senses the presence of a user to activate the powered drive mechanism, and prevents further dispensing of the sheet material until a previously dispensed segment is separated from the roll. The web sensors detection of a leading edge of the sheet material initiates a predetermined interval of sheet material advancement providing a proper placement of successive tear lines. Various approaches may be utilized to accommodate inadvertent sheet “tabbing” scenarios. The web sensors, together with the control circuitry, are also used to detect the depletion, or absence, of a working roll of sheet material, whereupon the control circuitry controls the powered transfer mechanism to automatically transfer the web feed supply from a depleted working roll to a reserve roll. The powered transfer mechanism may include a motor driven transfer bar, or provide motor driven release of a spring biased transfer bar. Another arrangement allows for ready release of a roll core, and drop of the same into an open dispenser cover for removal.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material, comprising:

a chassis defining a gap for passage of a spent sheet material roll core therethrough, said gap being formed in a lower surface of the chassis disposed below a core support location;

a support mechanism connected to said chassis for rotatably supporting the core above said gap in the core support location, said support being movable from a core retention position to a core release position for releasing said core into said gap;

a cavity floor for receiving said spent core dropped through said gap; and

a dispenser cover including said cavity floor, said dispenser cover being movably mounted to said chassis for movement between a closed position and an open position;

wherein said dispenser cover in said closed position defines an enclosure for enclosing a roll of the flexible sheet material disposed therein, and in said open position moves away from said chassis to permit loading of a roll of the flexible sheet material;

wherein said dispenser cover in said open position forms said cavity floor to catch said spent core for ready removal by an attendant; and

further comprising;

a back panel member;

wherein said chassis is supported by said back panel member, said chassis comprising a middle chassis member defining said gap disposed between said middle chassis member and said back panel for passage of a spent sheet material roll core therethrough.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein:

when said dispenser cover is in said open position, said cavity floor is inclined for encouraging a core dropped thereon to roll forward away from said chassis while catching said spent core for ready removal by an attendant.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser cover has a front panel disposed at a front portion of the dispenser when in said closed position, said front panel forming said cavity floor.

4. A dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material, comprising:

a chassis defining a gap for passage of a spent sheet material roll core therethrough, said gap being disposed below a core support location;

a support mechanism operably connected to said chassis for rotatably supporting the core above said gap in the core support location, said support being movable from a core retention position to a core release position for releasing said core into said gap;

a dispenser cover forming a cavity floor for receiving said spent core dropped through said gap, said dispenser cover being movably mounted to said chassis for movement between a closed position and an open position;

wherein said dispenser cover in said closed position defines an enclosure for enclosing a roll of the flexible sheet material disposed therein, and in said open position moves away from said chassis to permit loading of a roll of the flexible sheet material;

wherein said dispenser cover in said open position orients said cavity floor to catch said spent core for ready removal by an attendant; and

further comprising;

a back panel member;

wherein said chassis is supported by said back panel member, said chassis comprising a middle chassis member defining said gap disposed between said middle chassis member and said back panel for passage of a spent sheet material roll core therethrough.

5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein:

when said dispenser cover is in said open position, said cavity floor is inclined for encouraging a spent core dropped thereon to roll under the influence of a gravitational force into a position for ready removal by an attendant while being caught by said cavity floor.

6. A dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material, comprising:

a chassis defining a gap for passage of a spent sheet material roll core therethrough, said gap being formed in a lower surface of the chassis disposed below a core support location;

a support mechanism connected to said chassis for rotatably supporting the core above said gap in the core support location, said support being movable from a core retention position to a core release position for releasing said core into said gap;

a cavity floor for receiving said spent core dropped through said gap; and

a dispenser cover including said cavity floor, said dispenser cover being movably mounted to said chassis for movement between a closed position and an open position;

wherein said support mechanism includes a finger-operable release handle extending through a wall of said chassis;

wherein said dispenser cover in said closed position defines an enclosure for enclosing a roll of the flexible sheet material disposed therein, and in said open position moves away from said chassis to permit loading of a roll of the flexible sheet material;

wherein said dispenser cover in said open position forms said cavity floor to catch said spent core for ready removal by an attendant; and

further comprising;

a back panel member;

wherein said chassis is supported by said back panel member, said chassis comprising a middle chassis member defining said gap disposed between said middle chassis member and said back panel for passage of a spent sheet material roll core therethrough.

7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein said release handle is attached to said chassis through a spring arm that is biased to place said releasable support mechanism in said core retention position.

8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein said spring arm is attached to said chassis at one end and has attached proximate an opposite end said release handle and a mounting hub for supporting said core.

9. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the dispenser cover has a front panel disposed at a front portion of the dispenser when in said closed position, said front panel forming said cavity floor.

10. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein:

when said dispenser cover is in said open position, said cavity floor is inclined for encouraging a core dropped thereon to roll forward away from said chassis while catching said spent core for ready removal by an attendant.