Multi-setting dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material

• US 8,684,297 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2008
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Moody, John R., Broehl, Joshua M.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIVERA, WILLIAM ARAUZ
• Application Number:
  US12/131,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20080230647A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,129 Days
• Field of Search: 242/560, 242/560.1, 242/560.3, 242/564.4, 242/563, 242/563.1, 242/563.2
• US Class Current: 242/560
• 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

A method of grounding a dispenser. A low impedance path is connected to elements internal to the dispenser. The low impedance path is also connected to a surface contact spring which is adapted to contact an external mounting surface when the dispenser is affixed thereto. Static electrical charge accumulated on the elements is discharged through the low impedance path and the surface contact spring to the external mounting surface.

Claims

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

a support adapted to hold a roll of flexible sheet material;

a motor driven feed mechanism adapted to receive and dispense flexible sheet material from the roll;

an electronic proximity sensor in operable communication with an electronic controller;

the electronic controller in operable communication with the motor driven feed mechanism and adapted to control dispensation of the flexible sheet material, the electronic controller including;

a length switch adapted to control a length of a flexible sheet material being dispensed by the motor driven feed mechanism;

a time-delay switch adapted to set a time delay between successive flexible sheet material dispensation by the motor driven feed mechanism;

a sensitivity switch adapted to control a sensitivity of the electronic proximity sensor;

a jog-off-on switch adapted to provide temporary movement of the motor driven feed mechanism; and

a low battery light adapted to turn on when a battery voltage is lower than a predetermined level.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the jog off-on switch is spring loaded and adapted to provide temporary movement of the motor driven feed mechanism while the jog off-on switch is held by a user.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the jog off-on switch is adapted to allow a user to thread the flexible sheet material through the motor driven feed mechanism while the jog off-on switch is held by the user.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an on-off switch adapted to automatically turn back on after a period of time.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a cover and an on-off switch, wherein, when the cover is opened, the on-off switch is switched to an off state.

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

a support adapted to hold a roll of flexible sheet material;

a motor driven feed mechanism adapted to receive and dispense flexible sheet material from the roll;

an electronic controller in operable communication with the motor driven feed mechanism and adapted to control dispensation of the flexible sheet material, the electronic controller including a length switch adapted to control a length of a flexible sheet material being dispensed by the motor driven feed mechanism, and a time-delay switch adapted to set a time delay between successive flexible sheet material dispensation by the motor driven feed mechanism;

a jog-off-on switch adapted to provide temporary movement of the motor driven feed mechanism; and

a low battery light adapted to turn on when a battery voltage is lower than a predetermined level.

7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the jog off-on switch is spring loaded and adapted to provide temporary movement of the motor driven feed mechanism while the jog off-on switch is held by a user.

8. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the jog off-on switch is adapted to allow a user to thread the flexible sheet material through the motor driven feed mechanism while the jog off-on switch is held by the user.

9. The dispenser of claim 6, further comprising an on-off switch adapted to automatically turn back on after a period of time.

10. The dispenser of claim 6, further comprising a cover and an on-off switch, wherein, when the cover is opened, the on-off switch is switched to an off state.

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

a support adapted to hold a roll of flexible sheet material;

a motor driven feed mechanism adapted to receive and dispense flexible sheet material from the roll;

an electronic proximity sensor in operable communication with an electronic controller;

the electronic controller in operable communication with the motor driven feed mechanism and adapted to control dispensation of the flexible sheet material, the electronic controller including;

a length switch adapted to control a length of a flexible sheet material being dispensed by the motor driven feed mechanism;

a time-delay switch adapted to set a time delay between successive flexible sheet material dispensation by the motor driven feed mechanism;

a sensitivity switch adapted to control a sensitivity of the electronic proximity sensor; and

a low battery light adapted to turn on when a battery voltage is lower than a predetermined level.

12. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising an on-off switch adapted to automatically turn back on after a period of time.

13. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a cover and an on-off switch, wherein, when the cover is opened, the on-off switch is switched to an off state.