Sheet material dispenser
First Claim
1. A dispenser for dispensing sheet product, comprising:
- a housing;
a proximity sensor operative to detect a presence of a user'"'"'s hand at a predetermined near the dispenser;
a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing, the dispensing mechanism being operational to dispense the sheet product;
the dispensing mechanism operative in a first mode to be responsive to a sheet request signal from the proximity sensor to dispense the sheet product; and
the dispensing mechanism operative in a second mode to be responsive to the sheet product being torn from the dispenser,wherein;
in response to a defined number of multiple sheet request signals being received within a defined time interval, the dispensing mechanism is operative the first mode only following expiration of the defined time interval.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A powered dispenser tor 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.
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Citations
3 Claims
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1. A dispenser for dispensing sheet product, comprising:
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a housing; a proximity sensor operative to detect a presence of a user'"'"'s hand at a predetermined near the dispenser; a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing, the dispensing mechanism being operational to dispense the sheet product; the dispensing mechanism operative in a first mode to be responsive to a sheet request signal from the proximity sensor to dispense the sheet product; and the dispensing mechanism operative in a second mode to be responsive to the sheet product being torn from the dispenser, wherein; in response to a defined number of multiple sheet request signals being received within a defined time interval, the dispensing mechanism is operative the first mode only following expiration of the defined time interval.
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2. A dispenser for dispensing sheet product, comprising:
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a housing; a proximity sensor operative to detect a presence of a user'"'"'s hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser; a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing, the dispensing mechanism being operational to dispense the sheet product; the dispensing mechanism operative in a first mode to be responsive to a sheet request signal from the proximity sensor to dispense the sheet product; and the dispensing mechanism operative in a second mode to be responsive to the sheet product being torn from the dispenser, wherein; in response to a number of sheet request signals in excess of a predefined number being received within a specified time interval, the dispensing mechanism is operative in the first mode only following lapse of a timer.
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3. A dispenser for dispensing sheet product, comprising:
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a housing; a proximity sensor operative to detect a presence of a user'"'"'s hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser; a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing, the dispensing mechanism being operational to dispense the sheet product; a sheet product sensor disposed to sense a presence of sheet material available for discharge; the dispensing mechanism operative in a first mode to be responsive to a sheet request signal from the proximity sensor to dispense the sheet product; and the dispensing mechanism operative in a second mode to be responsive to the sheet product being torn from the dispenser via the sheet product sensor sensing the absence of sheet material available for discharge, and wherein the dispensing mechanism is switchable to be operative in the second mode only, where the sheet product sensor is polled at a defined rate.
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Specification