Sensing retracting leading edge in automatic towel dispenser
First Claim
1. A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser, comprising:
- using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and
subsequent thereto,retracting the toweling into the housing the motor assembly;
sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and
ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor;
wherein said step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user includes advancing the toweling such that a line of perforations in the toweling that is closest to the leading edge of the toweling is located downstream of the sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Dispensing towels includes, using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, (a) the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and (b) subsequent thereto, the steps of (1) retracting the toweling into the housing the motor assembly; (2) sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and (3) ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor. The toweling is advanced by the motor assembly such that a line of perforations in the toweling, along which the user tears the toweling, is located downstream of the sensor.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser, comprising:
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using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and subsequent thereto, retracting the toweling into the housing the motor assembly; sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor; wherein said step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user includes advancing the toweling such that a line of perforations in the toweling that is closest to the leading edge of the toweling is located downstream of the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser, comprising:
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using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user, such extension causing a line of perforations of the toweling to be disposed downstream of a sensor of the dispenser; and following tearing, by a user, of the toweling at the line of perforations that is disposed downstream of the sensor; retracting the toweling into the housing the motor assembly; sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using the sensor, while retracting the toweling; and ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor.
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18. A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser, comprising:
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using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user, such extension causing a line of perforations of the toweling to be disposed downstream of a sensor of the dispenser; and tearing, by a user, the toweling at the line of perforations that is disposed downstream of the sensor; retracting the toweling into the housing the motor assembly; sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using the sensor, while retracting the toweling; and ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor.
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Specification