Paper product dispenser

• US 9,370,283 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2015
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biotouchless Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Scott Fellhoelter
• Inventors: Fellhoelter, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Mansen, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAMPOS, JR, JUAN J
• Application Number:
  US14/707,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20150238056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 242/562, 242/563, 242/563.2, 242/564, 242/564.3, 242/564.4, 242/564.5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/3687 with one or more reserve rolls
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3226 collecting data of usage
• 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: A47K 2010/3693 Selection of the size of the paper roll
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 26/06 responsive to predetermined lengths of webs

Abstract

A paper product dispenser that includes a motor adapted to dispense a paper product and a controller. A network interlace card is in communication with the controller and is adapted to connect the paper product dispenser to a network. DIP switches are connected to the motor to adjust the length of the paper product and the interval between the activation of the motor. A power roller is connected to the motor and an idle roller is face-to-face with the power roller. The paper product passes between the power roller and the idle roller. A paper sensor is positioned below the power roller to detect the presence or absence of the paper product. A thermopile sensor is also provided to detect the presence of a human being adjacent to the dispenser.

Claims

1. A paper product dispenser comprising:

a first motor adapted to dispense a first paper product;

a second motor adapted to dispense a second paper product;

a hand motion sensor connected to the first motor and the second motor;

a controller connected to the first motor, the second motor, and the hand motion sensor;

a first dual in-line package switch connected to the controller adapted to adjust length of paper product dispensed by the first motor and the second motor, the first dual in-line package switch having a plurality of first switches, each first switch having a specific paper length setting that sets the maximum length of paper product to dispense, each first switch being connected to the controller where the paper length setting of the first switch is adjustable in firmware; and

a second dual in-line package switch connected to the controller, the second dual in-line package switch having a plurality of second switches, each second switch having a specific delay time setting that sets the amount of time between the hand motion sensor sensing a hand motion and the time the paper product is dispensed, each second switch being connected to the controller where the delay time setting is adjustable in firmware.

2. The paper product dispenser of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a communication device adapted to connect the paper product dispenser to a network.

3. The paper product dispenser of claim 2 further comprising a paper empty sensor in communication with the controller and adapted to detect presence and absence of paper, wherein when the paper empty sensor detects absence of paper, the paper empty sensor sends a signal to the controller, the controller sends a service signal through the network that can be received by a device that is connected to the network.

4. The paper product dispenser of claim 2 further comprising a thermopile sensor in communication with the controller and adapted to detect a human being adjacent to the paper product dispenser, wherein when the thermopile sensor detects a human being, the thermopile sensor sends a signal to the controller, the controller processes the signal and compiles the signal to generate occupancy data that is sent to the network.

5. The paper product dispenser of claim 2 further comprising a front cover and a main chassis that encase the dispenser and a front cover sensor adapted to detect an open position of the front cover, the front cover sensor being in communication with the controller, wherein when the front cover is in the open position, the front cover sensor sends a signal to the controller, the controller sends a service signal through the network that can be received by a device that is connected to the network.

6. The paper product dispenser of claim 1 further comprising an LED connected to the controller and adapted to provide an indication of a status of the dispenser.

7. The paper product dispenser of claim 6 further comprising a paper empty sensor in communication with the controller, the paper empty sensor being adapted to detect presence and absence of paper, wherein when the paper empty sensor detects absence of paper, the paper sensor sends a signal to the controller, the controller activates the LED after receiving the signal.

8. The paper product dispenser of claim 6 further comprising further comprising a front cover and a main chassis that encase the dispenser and a front cover sensor adapted to detect an open position of the front cover, the front cover sensor being in communication with the controller, wherein when the front cover is in the open position, the front cover sensor sends a signal to the controller, the controller activates the LED after receiving the signal.

9. The paper product dispenser of claim 6 further comprising:

a battery; and

a battery meter connected to the battery, the controller, and the LED, the battery meter being adapted determine amount of battery power of the battery, wherein when the battery meter senses a predetermined threshold of battery power, the battery meter sends a signal to the controller and the controller activates the LED after receiving the signal.