Apparatus and methods usable in connection with dispensing flexible sheet material from a roll

• US 6,830,210 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2002
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
• Inventors: Susi, Michael A., Formon, John S., Morris, Andrew R.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, JOHN QUOC
• Application Number:
  US10/211,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20030168549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 242/563, 242/564, 242/564.4
• US Class Current: 242/563
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/36 with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/3612 with drive and pinch rollers
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/3625 with electronic control means
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3668 Detection of the presence of a user
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3881 with tearing edges having movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/10 from or with devices for breaking partially-cut or perforated webs, e.g. bursters
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9606 using one electrode only per touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/12 With preliminary weakening
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/205 With feed-out of predetermined length from work supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/209 With feed-out of lead-end to aid initial grasping
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/232 Plural supply sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/238 With housing for work supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/268 By resiliently engaging package ends or interior of core
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/30 Breaking or tearing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/541 Actuation of tool controlled in response to work-sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8822 Edge-to-edge of sheet or web [e.g., traveling cutter]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/889 Tool with either work holder or means to hold work supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/896 Rotatable wound package supply

Abstract

A powered dispenser for dispensing individual sheet segments from a continuous roll of sheet material provided with spaced tear lines comprises a powered feed mechanism, a releasable, powered drive mechanism, a powered transfer mechanism, a pair of web sensing sensors, a capacitive sensing system providing automatic sensitivity adjustment, and control circuitry. A dual power supply system provides a mechanical lock-out functionality, and the control system is protected from electrostatic build-up on the surface of the feed roller. The web sensor, and an antenna plate of the capacitive sensing system, are provided on respective printed circuit boards mounted in overlying relation. Utilizing signals received from the pair of web sensors and the capacitive sensing system, the control circuitry senses the presence of a user to activate the powered drive mechanism, and prevents further dispensing of the sheet material until a previously dispensed segment is separated from the roll. The web sensors detection of a leading edge of the sheet material initiates a predetermined interval of sheet material advancement providing a proper placement of successive tear lines. Various approaches may be utilized to accommodate inadvertent sheet “tabbing” scenarios. The web sensors, together with the control circuitry, are also used to detect the depletion, or absence, of a working roll of sheet material, whereupon the control circuitry controls the powered transfer mechanism to automatically transfer the web feed supply from a depleted working roll to a reserve roll. The powered transfer mechanism may include a motor driven transfer bar, or provide motor driven release of a spring biased transfer bar. Another arrangement allows for ready release of a roll core, and drop of the same into an open dispenser cover for removal.

Claims

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

a support for rotatably supporting a roll of sheet material;

a feed mechanism for advancing the sheet material from said roll;

a motor for driving the feed mechanism;

a structure defining a discharge chute of the dispenser downstream of said feed mechanism;

a sensor for detecting the presence and absence of sheet material in said discharge chute and outputting respective first signals indicative thereof;

a proximity sensing system including an RF antenna, for detecting the presence of a user'"'"'s hand in close proximity to the dispenser and outputting a second signal indicative thereof; and

a control device for receiving said respective first signals and second signal and controlling said motor to selectively drive said feed mechanism in response thereto;

wherein, said sensor is mounted on a first printed circuit board mounted on said structure adjacent to said discharge chute, and said antenna is mounted on a second printed circuit board mounted on said structure and positioned in overlying relation to the first printed circuit board.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said first and second printed circuit boards are each removably clipped into respective seats provided as part of said structure.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein an electrical shield is positioned between said antenna and said sensor.

4. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein said shield comprises a metalized layer formed on said second printed circuit board.

5. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises an optical emitter/receiver pair.

6. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said first printed circuit board is elongated and extends along a width of said discharge chute, and a pair of said sensors are mounted in spaced relation on said first printed circuit board.