Static build-up control in dispensing system

• US 20040178297A1
• Filed: 03/23/2004
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
• Inventors: Moody, John R., Broehl, Joshua M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,017,856 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 242/564.4
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/36 with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/3625 with electronic control means
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/3687 with one or more reserve rolls
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3668 Detection of the presence of a user
• CPC Class Codes: H05F 3/02 by means of earthing connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 242/906 Static charger or discharger

Abstract

Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus has means for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; means for dispensing paper from the first roll; means for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, means for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and means for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. The dispenser incorporates means for dissipating static charges to a local ground.

Claims

1. A method of grounding a dispenser comprising:

connecting a low impedance path to elements internal to the dispenser;

connecting the low impedance path to a surface contact spring adapted to contact an external mounting surface when the dispenser is affixed to the external mounting surface; and

discharging static electrical charge accumulated on the elements to the external mounting surface through the low impedance path and the surface contact spring.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the dispenser includes a nib roller and the method further comprises connecting the low impedance path to the nib roller.

3. The method as in claim 2 further comprising connecting a shaft of the nib roller to the low impedance path using a spring contact.

4. A paper dispenser comprising:

a support adapted to hold a roll of a paper;

a motor driven feed mechanism adapted to receive and dispense paper from the roll;

a surface contact spring adapted to contact a mounting surface external to the dispenser when the dispenser is affixed to the mounting surface; and

at least one low impedance wire having a first end electrically coupled to the surface contact spring and a second end coupled to an element internal to the dispenser.

5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the feed mechanism includes a nib roller and the second end of the at least one low impedance wire is coupled to the nib roller.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein the dispenser further comprises a spring contact coupling the second end of the at least one low impedance wire to the nib roller.

7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the nib roller includes a shaft and the spring contact couples the second end of the at least one low impedance wire to the shaft.

8. A dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material comprising:

a chassis including a mounting member adapted to affix the chassis to a support surface;

a feed mechanism affixed to the chassis, the feed mechanism including at least one roller and being adapted to advance sheet material from a roll of sheet material across the roller;

an electronic controller affixed to the chassis and adapted to control dispensation of the sheet material; and

a conductive path extending from the roller toward the mounting member, wherein the conductive path is adapted to contact the support surface when the chassis is affixed thereto and to discharge static electricity accumulated on the at least one roller to the support surface.

9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the roller includes a roller shaft and the conductive path includes an arm adapted to contact the roller shaft.

10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the arm is spring biased against the roller shaft.