Sheet dispensers and methods of making and using the same

• US 20050072790A1
• Filed: 11/23/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Windorski, David C., Hamerly, Michael E., Kenner, Martin A., Gamradt, Stephen L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,182,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/35
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 5/005 Supports for note-pads B42F9/00 takes precedence; underlays B43L3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0805 through an aperture in a wall
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/045 for sheet shaped or pliable articles

Abstract

Sheet dispensers, which provide feedback to a user or provide a unique function to a user, are disclosed. Visual, audio, aromatic, or other types of feedback may be provided to a user by the sheet dispenser. Sheet dispensers suitable for use as a switch, a room deodorizer, a flame-generating device, or a combination thereof are disclosed. A method of activating a switch-controlled object is also disclosed. Further, a method of making sheet dispensers is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A sheet dispenser comprising:

a housing for receiving a plurality of removable sheets; and

means for providing feedback in response to removal of a sheet from the housing by a user, the feedback being perceivable by the user.

2. The sheet dispenser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of removable sheets are arranged in a stack that shuttles from a first position to a second position within the housing during removal of a sheet from the stack.

3. The sheet dispenser of claim 2, wherein the means for providing feedback comprises visual indicia positioned under the stack of removable sheets that is viewable upon movement of the stack of removable sheets within the housing between the first and second positions.

4. The sheet dispenser of claim 1, wherein the means for providing feedback comprises an aromatic feedback generator activated by removal of a sheet from the housing.

5. The sheet dispenser of claim 1, wherein the means for providing feedback comprises a flame generator activated by removal of a sheet from the housing.

6. The sheet dispenser of claim 1, wherein the means for providing feedback comprises a signal-receiving device that is activated by a signal transmitted in response to removal of a sheet from the housing.

7. The sheet dispenser of claim 6, wherein the signal-receiving device is located inside the housing.

8. The sheet dispenser of claim 6, wherein the signal-receiving device is located outside the housing.

9. The sheet dispenser of claim 6, wherein the signal-receiving device generates visual feedback in response to the signal transmitted in response to removal of a sheet from the housing.

10. The sheet dispenser of claim 6, wherein the signal-receiving device generates audio feedback in response to the signal transmitted in response to removal of a sheet from the housing.

11. The sheet dispenser of claim 6, wherein the signal-receiving device generates aromatic feedback in response to the signal transmitted in response to removal of a sheet from the housing.

12. A sheet dispenser comprising:

a housing for receiving a plurality of removable sheets; and

an activating mechanism responsive to removal of a sheet from the housing by a user to provide feedback that is perceivable by the user.

13. The sheet dispenser of claim 12, wherein the plurality of removable sheets are arranged in a stack that shuttles from a first position to a second position within the housing during removal of a sheet from the stack.

14. The sheet dispenser of claim 13, wherein the feedback comprises visual indicia positioned under the stack of removable sheets and the activating mechanism is movement of the stack of removable sheets within the housing between the first and second positions to allow the visual indicia to be viewed by the user.

15. The sheet dispenser of claim 12, wherein the feedback comprises aromatic feedback activated by removal of a sheet from the housing.

16. The sheet dispenser of claim 12, wherein the activating mechanism comprises switching circuitry for transmitting a signal to a signal-receiving device in response to removal of a sheet from the housing.

17. The sheet dispenser of claim 16, wherein the signal-receiving device is located inside the housing.

18. The sheet dispenser of claim 16, wherein the signal-receiving device is located outside the housing.

19. The sheet dispenser of claim 16, wherein the signal-receiving device generates visual feedback in response to the signal transmitted by the switching circuitry in response to removal of a sheet from the housing.

20. The sheet dispenser of claim 16, wherein the signal-receiving device generates audio feedback in response to the signal transmitted by the switching circuitry in response to removal of a sheet from the housing.

21. The sheet dispenser of claim 16, wherein the signal-receiving device generates aromatic feedback in response to the signal transmitted by the switching circuitry in response to removal of a sheet from the housing.

22. A method of providing perceivable feedback to a user of a sheet dispenser, the method comprising:

at least partially removing a first sheet from a stack of sheets housed by the sheet dispenser; and

activating the feedback for perception by the user in response to removal of the first sheet.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein activating the feedback for perception by the user in response to removal of the first sheet comprises:

shuttling the stack of sheets from a first position to a second position by removing the first sheet from the stack of sheets.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the feedback comprises visual indicia positioned under the stack of sheets that is viewable upon movement of the of the stack of sheets between the first and second positions.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein activating the feedback for perception by the user in response to removal of the first sheet comprises:

initiating aromatic feedback in response to removal of the first sheet from the stack of sheets.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein activating the feedback for perception by the user in response to removal of the first sheet comprises:

generating a flame in response to removal of the first sheet from the stack of sheets.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein activating the feedback for perception by the user in response to removal of the first sheet comprises:

transmitting a signal to a signal-receiving device in response to removal of the first sheet from the stack of sheets.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the signal-receiving device generates visual feedback in response to the signal transmitted in response to removal of the first sheet from the stack of sheets.

29. The sheet dispenser of claim 27, wherein the signal-receiving device generates audio feedback in response to the signal transmitted in response to removal of the first sheet from the stack of sheets.

30. The sheet dispenser of claim 27, wherein the signal-receiving device generates aromatic feedback in response to the signal transmitted in response to removal of the first sheet from the stack of sheets.