U.S. patent application number 12/699190 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-08 for apparatus for dispensing sheet material.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gerald L. Clark, Darrell R. Johnson, David W. Kapiloff, Richard Paul Lewis, Stephen L. Phelps, Paul Francis Tramontina.
Application Number | 20100170979 12/699190 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34711232 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100170979 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lewis; Richard Paul ; et
al. |
July 8, 2010 |
APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING SHEET MATERIAL
Abstract
A sheet material dispenser includes a controller for
automatically controlling the lengths of sheet materials dispensed
from a continuous roll by identifying the type of sheet materials
on the roll and dispensing suitable lengths of the identified sheet
material. The dispenser desirably has a support for rotatably
supporting a roll of sheet material carrying identification
relating to the type of sheet material on the roll, and an
identifier positioned in or adjacent the dispenser for identifying
the type of sheet material on the roll. A processor receives data
from the identifier, processes the data and generates an output
command, and a controller controls the lengths of sheet material
dispensed from the roll in response to the output command. In this
way, more absorbent products may be dispensed in shorter lengths
and less absorbent products may be dispensed in longer lengths.
Inventors: |
Lewis; Richard Paul;
(Marietta, GA) ; Tramontina; Paul Francis;
(Alpharetta, GA) ; Kapiloff; David W.;
(Gainesville, GA) ; Phelps; Stephen L.; (Liburn,
GA) ; Johnson; Darrell R.; (Woodstock, GA) ;
Clark; Gerald L.; (Nicholson, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORITY & MANNING, P.A.
POST OFFICE BOX 1449
GREENVILLE
SC
29602-1449
US
|
Assignee: |
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide,
Inc.
Neenah
WI
|
Family ID: |
34711232 |
Appl. No.: |
12/699190 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10750238 |
Dec 31, 2003 |
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12699190 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/563.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/3226 20130101;
A47K 5/1209 20130101; A47K 10/3612 20130101; A47K 5/1217 20130101;
A47K 10/38 20130101; A47K 10/36 20130101; A47K 10/3827 20130101;
A47K 10/3845 20130101; A47K 2010/3668 20130101; A47K 10/3625
20130101; A47K 5/06 20130101; A47K 10/424 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/563.2 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20060101
A47K010/38; B65H 16/00 20060101 B65H016/00; B65H 20/00 20060101
B65H020/00; B65H 43/00 20060101 B65H043/00 |
Claims
1-25. (canceled)
26. An apparatus adapted to dispense a web of sheet material from a
continuous roll, the apparatus comprising: a support configured to
rotatably support a roll of sheet material which includes an
identification relating to absorbent characteristics of sheet
material on the roll; electrical contacts arranged to engage the
identification in the form of a conductor on a core of the roll of
sheet material; an identifier configured to identify the absorbent
characteristics of sheet material on the roll from the
identification; a processor configured to receive data relating to
the absorbent characteristics of the sheet material on the roll,
the processor further configured to process the data and generate
an output command; and a controller configured to control the
length of sheet material dispensed from the roll in response to the
output command.
27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the identifier comprises a
reader for reading data from the identification on the roll of
sheet material.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the reader is configured to
read data from a label, a logo, a bar code, a magnetic strip, an
RFID tag, or a hologram on the roll of sheet material.
29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the reader is arranged to
read data from the identification on a core of the roll of sheet
material.
30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the reader is arranged to
read data from the identification on the sheet material.
31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the identification on the
roll of sheet material is encoded, and the apparatus includes a
decoder for decoding the encoded data.
32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the reader is positioned
inside of the dispenser.
33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the reader is positioned
adjacent the dispenser.
34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the reader is arranged to
read data from an RFID tag embedded in or attached to a core of the
roll of sheet material.
35. The apparatus of claim 26, including an infrared
emitter/detector circuit which is arranged to emit infrared light
into a core of the roll of sheet material, and to detect reflection
of the light off reflective identification on a core of the
roll.
36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the reflective
identification is configured such that the reflectivity is
controlled, therefore permitting control of total reflected
light.
37. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the processor includes an
algorithm stored in a chip set embedded on a printed circuit
board.
38. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the processor is arranged to
receive data from the identifier, to process the data, to generate
an output command, and to transmit the output command to the
controller.
39. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the support is contained
within a dispenser housing.
40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein an activation switch is
provided for activating the identifier when the dispenser housing
is opened, thereby to allow identification of a roll of sheet
material inserted onto the support.
41. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein a deactivation switch is
provided for deactivating the identifier after identification of
the sheet material on the roll.
42. The apparatus of claim 39, including a delay switch for
providing a delay between successive dispensing operations.
43. The apparatus of claim 39, including a lockout switch for
preventing operation of the controller when the dispenser housing
is open.
44. The apparatus of claim 26, including an electric motor for
automatically dispensing the sheet material.
45. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the controller controls the
number of revolutions of the electric motor in response to the
output command.
46. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein an external sensor is
provided for sensing a user's hand, and the electric motor is
activated so as to dispense sheet material in response to the
sensing of the user's hand.
47. A dispenser for dispensing sheet material from a supply roll
including an identification relating to absorbent characteristics
of sheet material on the roll, the dispenser comprising: a
dispenser housing; a support for rotatably supporting the supply
roll within the dispenser housing; electrical contacts arranged to
engage the identification in the form of a conductor on a core of
the roll of sheet material; an identifier on or adjacent the
support for identifying the absorbent characteristics of sheet
material on the roll from the identification; a processor for
receiving identification data from the identifier, processing the
data and generating an output command; and a controller for
controlling the length of sheet materials dispensed from the supply
roll in response to the output command.
48. An apparatus for dispensing a web of sheet material from a
continuous roll, the apparatus comprising: a support for rotatably
supporting a roll of sheet material which includes identification
relating to absorbent characteristics of sheet material on the
roll; electrical contacts arranged to engage the identification in
the form of a conductor on a core of the roll of sheet material; a
first network operating in accordance with a predetermined
protocol; a second network comprising a plurality of
microcontrollers; a gateway operatively coupled to said first
network and to said second network; and an HTTP server embedded in
one of said gateway and said plurality microcontrollers.
49. An apparatus for dispensing a web of sheet material from a
continuous roll, the apparatus comprising: a support for rotatably
supporting a roll of sheet material which includes identification
relating to the type of sheet material on the roll; electrical
contacts arranged to engage the identification in the form of a
conductor on a core of the roll of sheet material; a
microcontroller for controlling the length of sheet material
dispensed from the roll; a first network operating in accordance
with a predetermined protocol; a second network comprising a
plurality of said microcontrollers; a gateway operatively coupled
to said first network and to said second network; and an HTTP
server embedded in one of said gateway and said plurality
microcontrollers.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the dispensing of sheet
material. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus
for dispensing predetermined lengths of sheet material.
[0002] Sheet material dispensers for dispensing, for example, but
not by way of limitation, paper towels, generally include a
housing, and a supply of sheet material within the housing in the
form of individual sheets, folded sheets, festooned sheets, or a
roll of sheet material which can be dispensed as individual sheet
materials, such as, for example only, paper towels. Roll towel
dispensers typically include a mechanism for advancing sheets or
unrolling the sheet material roll. In some dispensers, the
mechanism includes a lever or a crank for manually dispensing sheet
material from the roll, and the dispenser housing often carries a
blade for cutting the lengths of sheet material from the roll.
Manual contact with a dispenser lever or one or more sheets touched
by another user can be a health hazard for a user, especially in
certain environments such as, by way of non-limiting example, in
hospitals, and so forth.
[0003] Further, another disadvantage of sheet dispensers is that
the softness and absorbency characteristics of the sheet material,
or lack thereof, are limited by the mechanical and/or electrical
limitations of the dispenser. That is, the dispenser has a
predetermined setting which provides the same amount of sheet
material to a user, whether or not the sheet material is a soft,
highly absorbent sheet material, or whether the sheet material has
a much lower absorbency.
[0004] A sheet material which is soft and highly absorbent only
requires, for example, about eleven to twelve inches, or less, of
sheet material per hand drying even to sufficiently dry a user's
hands to the user's satisfaction. A sheet which is not highly
absorbent may require fourteen inches, eighteen inches, or more to
sufficiently dry a user's hands to the user's satisfaction. When a
dispenser is preset to dispense, for example, about twelve inches
of sheet material, it may satisfy a user if highly absorbent.
However, if the sheet material is low absorbency, it will likely
result in the user obtaining at least another twelve (12) inch
sheet. This results in waste, higher costs to maintain sheet
material in the dispenser, and a greater environmental impact.
[0005] Some dispensers allow a change in length of the sheet
material dispensed by a manual manipulation of the dispenser prior
to the introduction of a new roll of sheet material. A disadvantage
with these dispensers is that they require an operator to manually
adjust the sheet material length during replacement of a roll.
Apart from requiring time, effort and expertise from the operator,
there is the risk of human error in the resetting operation.
[0006] Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a sheet
material dispenser which automatically dispenses different lengths
of sheet material based on characteristics of the sheet material,
such as absorbency, and so forth. Desirably, such a sheet material
dispenser would recognize the sheet material, and would dispense an
appropriate amount in one sheet to satisfy a user's hand drying
needs, but limit cost and waste.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Aspects and advantages of the invention are set forth below
in the following description, or may be obvious from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0008] The present invention provides a sheet material dispenser
which controls the lengths of sheet material dispensed from a
continuous roll by identifying the type of sheet material on the
roll and dispensing suitable lengths of the identified sheet
material. The dispenser desirably may include a support for
supporting sheet material carrying identification relating to the
type of sheet material, and an identifier in or adjacent the
dispenser for identifying the type of sheet material. A processor
receives data from the identifier, processes the data and generates
an output command, and a controller controls the lengths of sheet
material dispensed from the roll in response to the output command.
In this way, more absorbent products can be dispensed in shorter
lengths and less absorbent products in longer lengths.
[0009] The identifier may be a reader or scanner which reads data
from identification on the sheet material or on a core of the sheet
material roll. In this case, the identification may comprise a
label, a logo, a bar code, a magnetic strip, a radio frequency
identification device (RFID) such as a "smart" tag or chip, or a
hologram on the roll of sheet material. Desirably, the
identification on the roll of sheet material is encoded, and the
dispenser includes a decoder for decoding the encoded data.
[0010] Alternatively, the identifier may comprise an infrared
emitter/detector circuit which is arranged to emit infrared light
into the core of the sheet material roll, and to detect reflection
of the light off reflective identification on the core of the
roll.
[0011] The broad scope of the applicability of the present
invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art from
the details given below.
[0012] The detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention is given by way of example only, and various
modifications within the scope of the invention will be apparent to
those of skill in the art.
[0013] Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate
the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon
review of the specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set
forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification,
including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a
sheet material dispenser according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the dispenser of FIG.
1 in an open condition.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 in FIG.
2.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the dispenser illustrated in
FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a dispenser
according to a another embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a dispenser
according to a still another embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a front view of a portion of the dispenser of FIG.
1 in an open condition, showing a module which is inserted into the
dispenser housing of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of yet another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a logic chart of a dispense paper routine;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a logic chart of a check dispenser status
routine;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a logic chart of a paper routine; and
[0026] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of still yet another embodiment
of the present invention.
DEFINITIONS
[0027] As used herein, the term "identification" when used as a
noun means anything on an object which serves to identify the
object.
[0028] As used herein, the term "identifier" means a mechanism or a
device for identifying an object from identification on the
object.
[0029] As used herein, the term "comprising" is intended to be
inclusive or open-ended, and is not intended to exclude additional
elements or method steps which do not prevent operation of the
invention.
[0030] As used herein, the term "fasteners" means devices that
fasten, join, connect, secure, hold, or clamp components together.
Fasteners include, but are not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts,
rivets, snap-fits, tacks, nails, loop fasteners, and interlocking
male/female connectors, such as fishhook connectors, a fish hook
connector includes a male portion with a protrusion on its
circumference. Inserting the male portion into the female portion
substantially permanently locks the two portions together.
[0031] As used herein, the term "basis weight" (hereinafter may be
referred to as "BW") is the weight per unit area of a sample and
may be reported as grams per meter squared (gsm). The basis weight
may be measured using test procedure ASTM D 3776-96 or TAM Test
Method T-220.
[0032] As used herein, the term "hinge" refers to a jointed or
flexible device that connects and permits pivoting or turning of a
part to a stationary component. Hinges include, but are not limited
to, metal pivotable connectors, such as those used to fasten a door
to frame, and living hinges. Living hinges may be constructed from
plastic and formed integrally between two members. A living hinge
permits pivotable movement of one member in relation to another
connected member.
[0033] As used herein, the term "couple" includes, but is not
limited to, joining, connecting, fastening, linking, or associating
two things integrally or interstitially together.
[0034] As used herein, the terms "sheet material" and "paper" means
a material that is thin in comparison to its length and breadth.
Generally speaking, sheet materials should exhibit a relatively
flat planar configuration and be flexible to permit folding,
rolling, stacking, and the like. Exemplary sheet materials and
papers include, but are not limited to, paper tissue, bath/toilet
tissue, paper towels, wipes, label rolls, or other fibrous, film,
polymers, or filamentary products. The terms "sheet material" and
"paper" may be used interchangeably.
[0035] These terms may be defined with additional language in the
remaining portions of the specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments
of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical
and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like
or similar designations in the drawings and description have been
used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention.
[0037] Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0038] FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a dispenser 10 for
dispensing a web of sheet material 12 from a continuous roll 14
according to one embodiment of the present invention. The web of
sheet material in this embodiment comprises an absorbent material,
such as paper toweling, and so forth, which may be periodically
perforated for separation.
[0039] With reference also to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the dispenser
10 is seen to include a dispenser housing 16 having a back panel 18
mountable to a wall or similar vertical surface, a pair of opposed
side panels 20 and 22, and a front cover 24. The front cover 24 is
desirably, but not by way of limitation, pivotally connected to a
lower portion of the housing 16 with hinges 28 so as to be movable
between a closed condition, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and an open
condition, as illustrated in FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that
the front cover 24 may be connected by fasteners, screws, and any
other mechanism known in the art. The front cover 24 of the
dispenser housing 16 typically is opened for servicing or for
loading a replacement sheet material roll into the dispenser 10. A
latch (not shown) allows the front cover 24 to be locked in the
closed condition so as to avoid unauthorized tampering with the
dispenser components within the housing 16.
[0040] The sheet material roll 14 desirably includes a core or
sleeve 30. The sheet material roll 14 may, alternatively, be a
coreless roll, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,148 to
J. Mitchell, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety herein for all purposes. The sheet material roll 14 is
desirably rotatably supported within the housing 16 by a pair of
mounting hubs 32 and 34 which, in the present embodiment, are
illustrated as connected to the side panels 20 and 22 of the
housing 16 by means of roll holders 36 and 38. It will be
appreciated, however, that the housing 16 may be provided as a
separate unit with few or no mechanisms connected thereto. In this
instance, some or all of the dispensing mechanisms shown and/or
described herein may be provided as one or more modules which are
inserted into the housing, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Examples of
such dispenser housings and modules are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,131,044 and 6,079,035, both of which are incorporated by
reference in their entirety herein for all purposes.
[0041] As can be seen, the sheet material 12 runs off the roll 14,
between a pair of rollers 40 and 42, and through a dispensing
opening 44, for example, in a lower end 45 of the housing 16.
Alternatively, the dispensing opening may be formed in the front
cover, or in both a portion of the front cover and a portion of the
lower end (not shown). The opening 44 may have a serrated edge (not
illustrated), or it may carry teeth (also not illustrated) for
severing the web of sheet material. One end of the roller 40 may be
rotatably mounted to the side panel 20 of the housing 16 or of a
module housing (FIG. 7) by means of a roll holder 46, and one end
of the roller 42 may be rotatably mounted to the side panel 20 of
the housing 16 or of a module housing (FIG. 7) by means of a roll
holder 48. The other ends of the rollers 40 and 42 may be rotatably
mounted to the side panel 22 by means of roll holders concealed
within a transmission housing 50. The transmission housing 50
contains a transmission (not visible) for transmitting drive from
an electric motor 52 to the roller 40 so as to rotate this roller.
Alternatively, at least one of the rollers may be mounted in the
front cover, as disclosed generally in U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,160
which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein for all
purposes.
[0042] The rollers 40 and 42 together define a nip 54 having a gap
which is desirably slightly smaller than the thickness of the sheet
material on the roll 14. The sheet material 12 passes through the
nip 54, as shown most clearly in FIG. 1, so that rotation of the
drive roller 40 and the driven roller 42 pulls the sheet material
off of the roll 14 and dispenses it through the dispensing opening
44.
[0043] An activation sensor 56 may be mounted to the lower end 45
of the housing 16 (or, alternatively, to a module in the housing
(not shown)) adjacent a lens 58, as illustrated in FIG. 1. It will
be understood, however, that the activation sensor 56 and/or lens
58, or any activations system shown and/or described herein or
known in the art, may be mounted in any area of the housing, so
long as it operates as described herein. In this embodiment of the
invention, the sensor 56 is desirably, but not by way of
limitation, a conventional passive sensor for detecting infrared
radiation. Passive infrared detectors are known in the art, and are
described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,337 to Shikaumi and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,248 to Bauer et al, both of which are
incorporated herein by reference. A passive infrared detector which
may be used with the dispenser 10 is a Model 40623 sold by Eltec
Instruments Inc. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate
that various different infrared detectors are available, and that
many of the available detectors are suitable for use with the
dispenser 10. In practice, the sensor 56 is arranged to detect
infrared radiation from a user's hand placed below the lens 58, and
upon detecting the radiation, to transmit a signal for activating
the electric motor 52 so as to dispense a length of sheet material
through the dispensing opening 44.
[0044] It will by understood, however, that other activation
mechanisms, such as capacitive and ultrasonic, may be used in the
present invention. Capacitive proximity sensors produce an
electrostatic field that will sense both metal objects and
non-metallic materials such as paper, glass, liquids and cloth.
Ultrasonic proximity sensors use a transducer to send and receive
high frequency sound signals. When a target enters the beam the
sound is reflected back to the sensor, causing it to energize or
de-energize the output circuit. Another sensor type is inductive.
In this case an electromagnetic field is used, however, detection
is limited to only metallic objects.
[0045] With particular reference now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the
dispenser 10 includes a reader or scanner 60 positioned in a
non-limiting example on the housing 16 or module (FIG. 7), and by
way of another non-limiting example, the core 30 of the roll 14
carries identification in the form of a Radio Frequency
Identification Device (RFID), which in this embodiment comprises a
passive "smart" chip or tag 62. It will be understood that the
reader or scanner 60 may be positioned on any portion of the
dispenser, or near the dispenser, which permits it to operate in
the manner shown and described herein. Similarly, it will be
appreciated that the smart tag 62 may be positioned on any
location, or a number of locations, on the sheet material.
[0046] The smart tag 62 contains information relating to the type
of sheet material on the roll 14, for example information relating
to the absorbency, the basis weight, etc. of the sheet material 12.
In use, the scanner 60 interrogates the smart tag 62 with an
electronic signal, and the smart tag 62, which includes an internal
antenna (not visible), in turn generates and transmits an
electromagnetic pulse that is readable by the scanner to identify
the type of sheet material on the roll 14. The scanner 60 typically
is configured to retrieve information from the smart tag 62 and to
decode the information.
[0047] RFID smart tag technology is known and understood by those
skilled in the art, and a detailed explanation thereof is not
necessary for purposes of describing the dispenser and method of
the present invention. Generally, conductive or passive smart tags
consist of silicone or other semiconductors, a coiled, etched, or
stamped antenna, a capacitor, and a substrate on which the
components are mounted or embedded. A protective covering typically
is used to encapsulate and seal the substrate. Inductive or passive
smart tags have been introduced by Motorola under the name
BISTATIX.RTM.. A detailed description of the BISTATIX.RTM. device
may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,259,367 to Klein, the entire
contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. Further
information on smart tags and related technology is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,451,154 to Grabau et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,493 to
Mon; U.S. Pat. No. 6,362,738 to Vega; and PCT publication WO
02/48955. Various different RFID tags and scanners are available.
RFID tags and scanners suitable for use with the dispenser 10 are
available from, for example, Philips Semiconductors of Eindhoven,
The Netherlands; Sokymat of Lausanne, Switzerland; Checkpoint
Systems Inc. of Miami, Fla.; and Omron Company of Tokyo, Japan.
[0048] Alternatively, the smart tags 62 may be an active device. In
this configuration, the smart tag 62 includes active transceiving
circuitry that has the capability to selectively respond to coded
request signals transmitted by a scanner. An active smart tag 62
may include the capability to receive and store additional
information beyond the information contained in its fixed code. An
active smart tag 62 requires an internal power supply, such as a
micro-battery, thin an battery, and so forth (not shown).
[0049] The dispenser housing 16 desirably contains at least one
battery 64 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) for powering the various electric
and electronic components within the dispenser 10. It will be
appreciated, however, that more than one, that is, a plurality of
batteries may be used. Alternatively, however, the dispenser may be
powered by AC or an AC powered transformer adapter.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the dispenser 10
includes a processor 66 which receives data from the scanner 60
relating to the type of sheet material on the roll 14. The
processor 66 contains an algorithm, which in this embodiment is
stored in a chip set embedded on a printed circuit board within the
dispenser housing 16, and which is used to process the data from
the scanner 60 and to generate an output command for a controller
68. The controller in turn controls the operation of the electric
motor 52, and hence the dispensing of the sheet material 12, in a
mariner which is described in more detail below.
[0051] A delay switch 70 is desirably provided for ensuring a
minimum delay of, for example, but not by way of limitation, three
seconds between successive activations of the electric motor 52.
This delay is designed to avoid accidental reactivation of the
electric motor, and hence unnecessary dispensing of sheet material
by a user. The dispenser 10 also desirably includes a lockout
switch 72 which opens when the front cover 24 is pivoted away from
the closed condition, so as to prevent communication between the
sensor 56 and the controller 68. This prevents operation of the
electric motor 52 while the dispenser 10 is open. When the front
cover 24 is returned to the closed condition, the lockout switch 72
automatically closes to allow operation of the controller 68 and
the electric motor 52. In this way, the switch 72 protects an
operator from moving components within the housing 16 during
servicing or replacement of the roll of sheet material.
[0052] An activation switch 74 closes when the front cover 24 is
opened, thereby desirably activating the scanner 60. This allows
the scanner to read information from the smart tag 62 when the roll
14 is inserted into the dispenser 10. A deactivation switch 76 is
also provided for deactivating the scanner 60, to conserve energy,
after a predetermined number of revolutions of the drive roller 40,
for example 9, or a predetermined number of activations of the
electric motor 52, for example 3. It will be understood that any
number of revolutions or activations may be set for the
deactivation switch.
[0053] Alternatively, the dispenser 10 may be equipped with a reset
system, e.g., a front cover 24 mounted switch that would trip when
the front cover 24 was opened for reloading (not shown). In another
alternative, a switch could be provided in connection with a fuel
gauge which would trip when the fuel gauge goes to a full zero
positions, such as when a product roll is replaced (not shown).
Once the system is reset, its reading or sensing circuit would be
enabled for a discrete or limited increment, for example, three
rotations of the drive roller. After this interval and sensing of
the product, the reading or sensing system would shut down until
the next reset to conserve power. In still another alternative, a
momentary contact switch may be provided in conjunction with, for
example, one arm of the roll holder, such that movement of the arm,
to load a new roll of sheet material, energizes the reading or
sensing circuit.
[0054] The operation of the dispenser 10 will now be described with
reference to FIG. 4. First, upon opening the front cover 24 of the
dispenser housing 16 for the replacement of the sheet material 12,
the activation switch 74 desirably closes to activate the scanner
60. The scanner then reads and decodes information relating to the
type of sheet material 12 on the replacement roll 14 from the smart
tag 62, and transmits data relating to the type of sheet material
to the processor 66. The processor receives the data, processes the
data, and generates an output command for adjusting the setting of
the controller 68, which in turn controls the electric motor 52 so
as to dispense a suitable length of sheet material. In this way,
the lengths of sheet material 12 metered or dispensed vary
according to the type of sheet material 12 on the roll 14. For
example, the dispenser 10 may be set to dispense three different
types of sheet material A, B and C having different degrees of
softness and absorbency. If the towel A is the most absorbent and
the towel C is the least absorbent, the processor 66 typically is
set to generate output commands for adjusting the controller 68 so
as to dispense shorter lengths of towel A than towel C. For
example, the controller 68 may be adjustable to dispense 12 inches
of sheet material A, 14 inches of sheet material B, and 18 inches
of sheet material C. In this way, higher quality, more absorbent
sheet material is efficiently dispensed without significant waste,
while lower quality, less absorbent sheet material is dispensed in
sufficiently long lengths to effect proper drying of a user's
hands. A desired result is to provide one sheet of material to dry
a user's hands; the length provided is meant to provide adequate
dryness, based on characteristics of the sheet material, such as
absorbency, basis weight, and so forth, so that a user only uses
one sheet per hand drying episode.
[0055] Once the controller 68 has been set and the front cover 24
has been closed (and desirably locked), sheet material 12 is
dispensed to a user upon triggering of the sensor 56. In this
regard, when the sensor 56 detects a user's hand, it transmits a
signal to the controller 68, through the switches 70 and 72, and
the controller then activates the electric motor 52 to dispense the
predetermined length of sheet material to the user. In this
embodiment of the invention, the controller 68 desirably includes a
counter which limits the number of revolutions of the electric
motor 52 to effect dispensing of the desired length of sheet
material to the user. The delay switch 70 is opened upon
deactivation of the electric motor 52 by the controller 68, and
this switch remains open for a predetermined time interval, for
example, but not by way of limitation, 3 seconds, to block
communication between the sensor 56 and the controller 68. In this
manner, the delay switch 70 desirably prevents accidental
reactivation of the motor 52 by a user removing sheet material 12
from the dispenser 10, and hence unnecessary dispensing of the
sheet material. The delay switch 70 also serves to discourage
vandals by frustrating bulk dispensing.
[0056] When an operator opens the front cover 24 to replace the
roll 14, the activation switch 74, by way of non-limiting example,
once again activates the seamier 60 so as to allow for the reading
of a smart tag on a replacement roll of sheet material inserted
into the dispenser 10. In the event that the replacement roll
comprises a different sheet material to the previous roll, the
processor 66 generates a new output command for adjusting the
setting of the controller 68, and hence the length of sheet
material to be dispensed by the electric motor 52. Also, as soon as
the front cover 24 of the dispenser housing 16 is opened, the
lockout switch 72 opens to prevent operation of the electric motor
52, thereby to protect the operator from moving components within
the housing 16.
[0057] In the event that an unrecognized roll of sheet material
("unrecognized roll", "unrecognized sheet material" and/or
"unrecognized paper" as used herein refers to a roll of sheet
material which is scanned and either (1) does not send back the
expected signal, or (2) does not send back any signal) is loaded
into the dispenser 10, and the scanner 60 is unable to read and/or
receive information relating to the type of sheet material on the
roll, the processor 66 sets the controller 68 to a default setting,
which typically is the last stored setting or the maximum setting,
which for sheet material A, B and C is 18 inches. In this way, when
the dispenser 10 is used to dispense an unrecognized product, such
as a product which the dispenser is not designed to dispense, it
either dispenses the product at an arbitrary setting or at the
maximum setting. Alternatively, the processor 66 may be designed to
generate an output command in these instances which blocks
operation of the controller 68 entirely so as to prevent operation
of the electric motor 52, and hence dispensing of sheet material.
Such a function is advantageous because the use of an unrecognized
product can result in the jamming of the dispenser or in
unsatisfactory dispensing of the product.
[0058] FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a dispenser 110 according to
a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a support
112 for a sheet material roll 114 includes a pair of mounting hubs
116 and 118 connected to side panels 120 and 122 (or a mounting
module, such as that shown in FIG. 7) of a dispenser housing 124 by
means of roll holders 126 and 128. As can be seen, the roll 114
carries a reflective label 130, and the support 112 includes an
infrared emitter 132 in the mounting hub 116 and an infrared
detector 134 in the mounting hub 118. The emitter 132 is arranged
to emit angled infrared light into the core of the roll 114, as
shown, which upon reflection off the reflective label 130 is
detected by the infrared detector 134 to complete an infrared
emitter/detector circuit. If an unauthorized product is inserted
into the dispenser 110, the infrared emitter/detector circuit will
not be completed, and typically the dispenser will default to a
setting in which a relatively long length of sheet material is
dispensed. Recognition of different rolls of sheet materials in
this embodiment may be accomplished by adjusting the relative
reflectivity of the label and therefore total reflected light for
various sheet materials. Apart from the infrared emitter/detector
circuit, the dispenser 110 is similar in all other respects to the
dispenser 10 described above.
[0059] In FIG. 6 of the drawings, a portion of a dispenser 210
according to a third embodiment of the invention is seen to include
a reader 212 for reading a logo 214, a bar code or the like which
may be typically stamped or ink-jetted onto a side of a sheet
material roll 216. It will be appreciated, however, that the bar
code may be located anywhere on the roll 216. The reader 212 in
this embodiment is desirably located on a support arm 218 for
rotatably supporting the roll 216 within a dispenser housing 220,
and is positioned so as to be aligned with the path of travel of
the logo 214, although it will be appreciated that, like the bar
code, the reader 212 may be positioned anywhere within the
dispenser housing 216, so long as it operates as described herein.
Accordingly, as the roll 216 rotates on the support arm 218, the
logo 214 passes the reader 212 to identify the roll. Once the type
of sheet material has been identified, the dispenser 210 is
automatically set to dispense a suitable length of the sheet
material. If an unrecognized product without the required marking
214 is inserted into the dispenser 210, a default setting typically
will be assumed in which a relatively long length of sheet material
is dispensed. Apart from the support arms 218 and the reader 212,
the dispenser 210 is similar in all respects to the dispenser 10
described above.
[0060] It will be appreciated that the reader 212 may be configured
to read and/or recognize a specific label, a specific logo, a
magnetic strip, a hologram, and so forth. Accordingly, the present
embodiment is intended as a non-limiting example.
[0061] A portion of a dispenser 310 according to a fourth
embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7 of the
drawings. The dispenser 310 is similar in many respects to the
dispenser 10, and differs only in that the dispensing mechanisms
are mounted in a module 311, having, by way of non-limiting
example, side walls 322 and at least a portion of a back wall 318,
which is inserted into the dispensing housing 316. Otherwise, the
dispenser 310 has the characteristics and operation of dispenser
10, as previously described herein.
[0062] Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of a
dispenser 10 controller 400 is presented. Controller 400 includes
microprocessor or microcontroller 402 ("microprocessor" and
"microcontroller" used interchangeably herein) activation sensor
404 (comprising IR receiver 404a and IR transmitter 404b), paper
type sensor 406, motor 408, relay 410 and various sensors, timers,
adjustors, and LED indicators (described in more detail later).
Controller 400 is powered by either A.C. power source 412 or D.C.
power source 414. A communication connection 416 is provided to
facilitate programming/reprogramming of microcontroller 402 and/or
communication between dispenser 10 and a remote computer.
[0063] Microcontroller 402 controls the functioning of dispenser 10
by executing code stored in a program memory. Ideally,
microcontroller 402 has onboard program memory and data memory.
Such memory is desirably a non-volatile memory; however, volatile
memory may be used. One example of a suitable microcontroller is
the PIC16F72 microcontroller (PICmicro.RTM. family) manufactured by
Microchip Technology.
[0064] Microcontroller 402, motor 408 as well as individual
components of controller 400 are powered by either A.C. power
supply 412 or D.C. power supply 414. Desirably, a 120 Volt A.C.
line input voltage is reduced to 12 volts using a transformer. The
reduced voltage is rectified and feed into linear regulator 413
which maintains the desired D.C. voltage level required by
controller 10. On possible embodiment of a D.C. power supply is a
battery.
[0065] As previously noted for sensor 56, activation sensor 404 is
a conventional passive sensor for detecting infrared (IR) radiation
comprising a transmitter 404a and receiver 404b. Such passive
infrared detectors are known in the art. IR transmitter 404b
transmits a periodic (at random intervals or fixed intervals as
desired) pulsed IR signal. IR receiver 404a is configured to detect
reflected IR signals in the same pattern as the transmitted signal.
When such a signal is detected, activation sensor 404 generates an
output signal informing microcontroller 402 that sheet material or
paper should be dispensed.
[0066] Desirably, paper length adjustments and IR sensitivity
adjustments are performed automatically over communication
connection 416 using a remote computer. It should be noted,
however, that dispenser 10 allows for manual paper length
adjustments and manual IR sensitivity adjustments using paper
length adjustment 430 and IR sensitivity adjustments 418
respectively.
[0067] When microcontroller 402 determines that activation sensor
404 has been triggered and that dispenser 10 is ready to dispense
paper, microcontroller 402 causes paper to be dispensed from
dispenser 10 by engaging relay 410 thereby applying power to
electric motor 408. As electric motor 408 turns, paper roll 14
turns and paper is forced out of the front of dispenser 10. As
paper is being dispensed, microcontroller 402 monitors rotation
counter 418 which outputs a signal for each motor rotation (or
paper roll 14 rotation, or fraction thereof). When rotation counter
418 generates a predefined number of rotation signals,
microcontroller 402 disengages relay 410 thereby removing power to
motor 408. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that the length of paper that is dispensed can be controlled by
manipulating the predefined number of rotation signals
microcontroller 402 looks for (i.e. the value at which
microcontroller 402 turns off motor 408).
[0068] Before engaging relay 410, microcontroller 402 checks the
status of Delay timer 421. The purpose of delay timer 421 is to
prevent consecutive paper dispensing events until a predefined
amount of time elapses. Upon disengaging relay 410 after a paper
dispensing event, delay timer 421 is activated. While delay timer
421 is active, microcontroller 402 disables relay 410. Delay timer
421 is designed to "time out" after a predefined amount of time.
Such functionality can be achieved using a count down timer, a
count up timer or any other suitable timing technology. For
example, delay timer 421 could be set to "time out" ten seconds
after activation. For such a configuration, consecutive paper
dispensing events could not occur faster than once every ten
seconds.
[0069] Before engaging relay 410, microcontroller 402 checks the
status of door open sensor 420. When a user opens front cover 24 to
replace paper roll 14 or otherwise service dispenser 10, open door
sensor 420 asserts a door open signal that is sensed by
microcontroller 402. Upon sensing a door open signal,
microcontroller 402 disables relay 410 thereby disabling electric
motor 408.
[0070] Microcontroller 402 monitors the output of sensor 423. D.C.
voltage sensor 423 monitors the output voltage level of D.C. power
supply 414. If such voltage level drops below a predefined amount,
microcontroller 402 asserts a voltage signal to low D.C. supply
voltage LED 422. When such a low signal is asserted, LED 422 will
emit light informing a user that the D.C. power source (perhaps a
battery) is not providing the proper power to controller 400.
[0071] Microcontroller 402 also monitors low paper sensor 424. One
method of sensing a low paper condition may be accomplished using a
mechanical arm that rides on paper roll 14. As paper from paper
roll 14 is dispensed from dispenser 10, paper roll 14 shrinks in
size. Eventually such mechanical arm will activate low paper sensor
424 and a low paper signal will be asserted. When microcontroller
402 detects a low paper signal, microcontroller 402 asserts a
signal to low paper LED 426 and LED 426 will emit light informing a
user that the paper source is almost depleted.
[0072] Attention is now directed to paper type sensor
transmitter/receiver 406. When a user opens front cover 24 to
replace paper roll 14 or otherwise service dispenser 10, open door
sensor 420 asserts a door open signal that is sensed by
microcontroller 402. Microcontroller 402, in turn, activates the
transmitter/receiver associated with the paper type sensor
transmitter/receiver 406. One possible embodiment of a paper type
sensor transmitter/receiver is an RFID based sensor. Ideally, paper
roll 14 is associated with an RFID smart tag. For such a
configuration, paper type sensor transmitter/receiver 406 transmits
an RFID smart tag trigger signal and listens for transmissions from
RFID smart tags associated with paper roll 14. At least part of the
received smart tag data is stored in a memory associated with
microcontroller 402. Such smart tag data ideally comprises paper
type identification information. Such information may be used by
microcontroller 402 to automatically configured dispenser 10
operation based on the type of paper inserted into dispenser
10.
[0073] Now referring to FIG. 12, a network enabled dispenser system
450 is depicted. Multiple dispenser 10 devices are shown all
interconnected to remote computer 456 via interface 452 and through
wired or wireless communication link 454. Such communication
technology is well known in the art and includes Wi-Fi (wireless
fidelity) and Bluetooth.
[0074] Interface 452 may comprise a gateway for connecting two
otherwise incompatible systems or for simply providing a connection
between two compatible systems. As used herein, a gateway is an
electronic device that connects two otherwise incompatible systems
or that simply provides a connection between two compatible
systems. Interface 452 may also be incorporated into remote
computer 456.
[0075] For such a configuration, a TCP/IP protocol suite may be
incorporated into Interface 452 providing a gateway between remote
computers connected to communications link 454 and dispenser 10
devices which ideally enables continuous remote access to such
devices. The gateway may incorporate an HTTP server for accessing
data from multiple dispenser 10 devices and for transmission of
data to individual dispenser 10 devices.
[0076] In the above described system 10 configuration,
communications link 406 provides access to a first network (such as
the Internet) operating in accordance with a predetermined protocol
(TCP/IP is one example). A plurality of dispenser 10 devices may
comprise a second network, such as a LAN. A gateway (Interface 452)
operatively couples the first network to the second network.
Finally, an HTTP server is embedded in either the gateway or the
plurality of dispenser devices facilitating the transfer of data
between the two networks. With such a configuration, one of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that individual dispenser
10 devices or groups of dispenser 10 devices may be accessed as if
such devices were a web site and their information could be
displayed on a web browser. Such technology is fully disclosed by
Ardalan et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,057 for use in a system for
communicating with electricity meters, which is hereby incorporated
by reference for all purposes.
[0077] Exemplary algorithms for controlling dispenser 10 are now
considered. Such algorithms include a Dispense Paper routine, a
Check Dispenser Status routine, and a Paper routine. Ideally, such
algorithms, in the form of programming code, would be stored in a
nonvolatile memory associated with processor 66 or microcontroller
402. Hereafter, however, processor 66 will be described as
executing the disclosed algorithms. Typically, when dispenser 10 is
powered up or reset, after performing the necessary startup
routines, processor 66 would access and execute such programming
code as required. It should be appreciated, however, that such
programming code may be executed by any processor associated with
dispenser 10.
[0078] Referring now to FIG. 9, a high level block diagram of an
exemplary Dispense Paper routine is presented. Step 500 marks entry
into the Dispense Paper routine. At step 502, the status of
dispenser 10 is checked by executing exemplary Check Dispenser
Status routine which is described in more detail later. Generally
speaking, the Check Dispenser Status routine evaluates the state of
the various sensors associated with dispenser 10 and "sets" a
Status-Off-Line flag if dispenser 10 is not ready to dispense paper
or "resets" such Status-Off-Line flag if dispenser 10 is ready to
dispense paper. At step 504, the value of the Status-Off-Line flag
is examined. If the Status-Off-Line flag is set, dispenser 10 is
not ready to dispense paper and program control returns to step 502
and the Check Dispenser Status routine is again executed. Such a
loop will continue until the Check Dispenser Status routine
determines that dispenser 10 is ready to dispense paper and resets
the Status-Off-Line flag.
[0079] If at step 504, processor 66 determines that the
Status-Off-Line flag is not set (i.e. the Status-Off-Line flag has
been reset), program control passes to step 506 where processor 66
checks for a signal indicating that paper should be dispensed. For
the disclosed exemplary embodiment, processor 66 checks for a
received IR signal having a predefined pattern. If the appropriate
IR signal has been received, a rotation counter is initialized
(step 510) and program control passes to step 512 where electric
motor 52 is activated. As electric motor 52 turns, paper towel roll
14 turns and the rotation counter is incremented. At step 514,
processor 66 evaluates the rotation counter value to determine if
the desired number of rotations has been recorded. If the desired
rotation counter value has not been recorded, an optional
"watchdog" process may be performed (step 516).
[0080] A "watchdog" process is simply a process designed to prevent
endless loops. For example, if electric motor 52 has malfunctioned,
the desired rotation counter value will not be reached as electric
motor 52 will not turn. For such a situation, and without a
watchdog process, the processor 66 will be caught in an endless
loop where it continuously checks the rotation counter value. If
electric motor 52 is consuming power during such a situation, there
will be unnecessary power consumption (particularly undesirable for
battery power embodiments) and the electrical components that
control electric motor 52 will be unnecessarily stressed reducing
product life. Exemplary watchdog processes may include checking for
paper movement and monitoring elapsed time. Ideally, when an error
condition is detected, the watchdog process would disable the motor
drive circuits and report the error condition.
[0081] After step 516, program control passes back to step 514 and
processor 66 again evaluates the status of the rotation counter
value. If the desired rotation counter value has been recorded,
then program control passes to step 518 where power to electric
motor 52 in interrupted, a Delay Flag is set, Delay Counter is
initialized, and the Status-Off-Line flag is set. Program control
then passes back to step 502 and the Check Dispenser Status routine
is executed.
[0082] Referring now to FIG. 10, step 530 marks the entry into an
exemplary Check Dispenser Status routine. Upon entry into such
routine, the status of the Delay Flag is checked (step 532). If the
Delay Flag is set, then program control passes to step 534 and a
delay counter value is examined (step 536). If a predefined delay
counter value has been reached, then the Delay Flag is reset (step
540) and program control passes to step 542. If, however, such
predefined delay counter value has not been reached, the delay
counter value is serviced (step 538) and program control returns to
step 534. Such delay counter value may be a count down timer, a
count up timer, an elapsed time monitor, or any other suitable
process for monitoring the passage of time. Exemplary methods of
servicing a delay counter value include incrementing a counter
value, decrementing a counter value, and updating a time value.
[0083] Returning to step 532, if the delay flag is not set, then
program control passes to step 542 and the status of the paper
sensor is examined. Such a paper sensor ideally determines when
dispenser 10 is out of paper. If the paper sensor indicates that
the paper supply in dispenser 10 has been depleted, then the
Status-Off-Line flag is set and program control returns to the
calling routine (i.e. the Dispense Paper routine). If at step 544
the paper sensor indicates that the paper supply in dispenser 10
has not been depleted, then program control passes to step 548.
[0084] At step 548, a door sensor is evaluated. Such a door sensor
ideally determines when a dispenser 10 access means (such as front
cover 24) has been opened (perhaps to service dispenser 10). If the
door sensor indicates that a monitored access point has been
opened, the Status-Off-Line flag is set and a Paper routine
(described herein) is executed. When program control returns from
the Paper routine, program control returns to the calling routine
(i.e. the Dispense Paper routine).
[0085] Returning to step 550, if the door sensor indicates that no
monitored access points have been opened, program controls passes
to step 554. At step 554, the Status-Off-Line flag is reset (i.e.
dispenser 10 is ready to dispense paper). Optionally, a Detect and
Issue Warnings routine (not disclosed) may be executed at this
point. Such a routine would check the status of warning sensors,
such as low battery, low paper, etc. and issue warnings (such as
turning on an LED or transmitting a signal/message to a remote
device) when necessary. After resetting the Status-Off-Line flag,
program control returns to Dispense Paper routine.
[0086] Referring now to FIG. 11, step 580 marks the entry into an
exemplary Paper routine. The general purpose of the Paper routine
is to automatically detect the type of paper inserted into
dispenser 10 and automatically configure dispenser 10 according to
predefined paper dispensing parameters associated with the detected
paper type. Such dispensing parameters may include the length of
the paper to be dispensed and/or the delay between consecutive
paper dispensing events. At step 582, processor 66 activates the
paper type sensor's transmitter and receiver and listens for paper
information (584). For example, if the paper type sensor is an RFD
based sensor, an RFID trigger signal is transmitted to trigger RFID
smart tag transmissions and a receiver circuit listens for such
smart tag transmissions.
[0087] Such transmissions ideally comprise paper information
associated with the type of paper inserted into dispenser 10. As
noted above, such paper information may be used, for example, to
determine the length of paper to be dispensed and the delay between
dispensing events. Thus, paper information may include two counters
values; the rotation counter value (step 512) and the delay counter
value (step 534). Alternatively, such paper information may be a
simple code that is used to retrieve/access the appropriate paper
type information from a memory associated with processor 66. At
step 586, if processor 66 determines that valid paper information
has been received, then a Paper-Type-Value is set consistent with
the received paper type information. Additionally, a PVR-Flag is
set (PVR--Paper Value Received). The PVR-Flag is used to document
the receiving of valid paper information.
[0088] Returning to step 586, if processor 66 determines that no
valid paper information has been received, the status of the door
sensor is checked (step 586) in the same or similar manner as is
done in step 548 (FIG. 10). If the door sensor indicates an access
point has not closed, program control jumps back to step 584. If,
however, the door sensor indicates that the access points have been
closed, program control passes to step 594 and the status of the
PVR-Flag is checked.
[0089] If the PVR-Flag has been set, program control passes to step
598. At step 598, the paper type sensor transmitter/receiver may be
deactivated and program control returns to the calling routine, in
this case, the Check Dispenser Status routine.
[0090] If, however, at step 594 the PVR-Flag has not been set,
program control passes to step 595. At step 595, the paper sensor
is checked in the same or similar manner as in step 542 (FIG. 10).
If the paper sensor indicates that there is paper in dispenser 10,
then an unknown paper type is deem to have been inserted into
dispenser 10. Under such conditions, the paper type value is set to
a default value (step 597). Such a default value may simply be the
previous paper type value (i.e. no change in value) or it may be a
predefined value specifically used for unknown paper types. Next,
at step 598, the paper type sensor transmitter/receiver may be
deactivated and program control returns to the calling routine. If,
however, at step 595 the paper sensor indicates that there is no
paper in dispenser 10, the Status-Off-Line Flag is set and program
control passes to step 598.
[0091] Although the invention has been described above with
reference to dispensers which automatically dispense sheet
materials with the aid of an electric motor, it will be appreciated
that the dispenser could include a manually operated lever or the
like for drawing sheet materials off a sheet material roll. In
manually operated dispensers with levers, the controller would be
arranged to limit the operation of the lever, for example the
number of strokes that can be effected or the extent of each stroke
(not shown).
[0092] An advantage of the dispenser according to the present
invention is that it automatically controls the lengths of sheet
materials dispensed. Accordingly, there is no need for an operator
to adjust the dispenser in order to effect a change in the lengths
of sheet materials dispensed. Furthermore, the dispenser is
efficient in that it allows for the automatic dispensing of
relatively short lengths of more absorbent products, and relatively
longer lengths of less absorbent products. Also, the dispenser
detects the loading of an unrecognized product, which is usually a
less expensive and less absorbent sheet material product, and
defaults to a greater length of sheet dispensed. In this way, the
dispenser dispenses a single sheet in order to provide user
satisfaction in using the single sheet for a hand drying episode,
no matter whether a highly absorbent or less absorbent sheet
material product is dispensed.
[0093] It should be understood that the dispenser of the invention
is not limited to the dispensing one type of sheet material, such
as paper towels. On the contrary, the dispenser could also be used
to dispense various other types of sheet material, such as, but not
by way of limitation, facial sheets, bath tissue sheets, wipers,
and so forth.
[0094] While the present invention has been described in connection
with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the
subject matter encompassed by way of the present invention is not
to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is
intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all
alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be included
within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *