Discriminating web material dispenser
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for dispensing product from a roll, the apparatus comprising:
- a drive roller adapted to advance product from a roll;
an inductive field generator configured to generate an electromagnetic field proximate a portion of the roll; and
a controller associated with the inductive field generator and adapted to determine if an alteration of the electromagnetic field by the roll substantially matches an expected alteration of the electromagnetic field for an authorized roll placed on the drive roller, and if the altered electromagnetic field substantially matches the expected alteration, then permit the drive roller to advance the product from the roll.
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Abstract
An automatic product dispenser determines if the roll loaded into the dispenser is approved for use with the dispenser. The core of a roll contains a feature that alters an electromagnetic field created proximate the core. The alteration of the electromagnetic field may then be used to determine if the core, and thus the roll, is usable with the dispenser. The feature is designed such that it is damaged once product is completely dispensed from the roll thereby preventing replenishment and reuse of a spent roll.
73 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dispensing product from a roll, the apparatus comprising:
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a drive roller adapted to advance product from a roll; an inductive field generator configured to generate an electromagnetic field proximate a portion of the roll; and a controller associated with the inductive field generator and adapted to determine if an alteration of the electromagnetic field by the roll substantially matches an expected alteration of the electromagnetic field for an authorized roll placed on the drive roller, and if the altered electromagnetic field substantially matches the expected alteration, then permit the drive roller to advance the product from the roll. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of regulating product dispensing from a dispenser, the method comprising:
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creating an inductive electromagnetic field having a characteristic frequency proximate a roll loaded into the dispenser and configured to be incrementally advanced by a drive motor; detecting a change to the characteristic frequency, the change created by the presence of a closed loop associated with the roll; comparing the changed frequency to a verification frequency; and enabling motorized advancement of the product if the changed frequency substantially matches the verification frequency. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification