U.S. patent application number 12/658681 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-09 for multi-function paper toweling dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to DISPENSING DYNAMICS INTERNATIONAL. Invention is credited to Niko Anthony Cvjetkovic, Joel P. Keily.
Application Number | 20110133019 12/658681 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44368048 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110133019 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keily; Joel P. ; et
al. |
June 9, 2011 |
Multi-function paper toweling dispenser
Abstract
In a toweling dispenser, an electric motor driven toweling
support roller and a handle for rotating the toweling support
roller are connected by a one-way clutch, which allows the handle
to rotate the toweling support roller only in a single direction of
rotation when the electric motor does not drive the toweling
support roller, the single direction transporting toweling on the
toweling support roller to an exit opening of the dispenser.
Inventors: |
Keily; Joel P.; (Corona,
CA) ; Cvjetkovic; Niko Anthony; (La Palma,
CA) |
Assignee: |
DISPENSING DYNAMICS
INTERNATIONAL
|
Family ID: |
44368048 |
Appl. No.: |
12/658681 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12455121 |
May 27, 2009 |
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12658681 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/564 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/564 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20060101
A47K010/38; A47K 10/26 20060101 A47K010/26 |
Claims
1. A paper towel dispenser including, in combination: a housing; a
rotatable toweling support roller within said housing for receiving
and transporting paper toweling; an electric motor for driving said
toweling support roller in a single predetermined direction of
rotation; an electronic control for controlling operation of said
electric motor and rotation of said toweling support roller by said
electric motor in said single predetermined direction of rotation;
a rotatable manually engageable handle located externally of said
housing; and connector structure including a one-way clutch
operatively connecting said handle to said toweling support roller
enabling said handle upon application of manual force thereto to
independently drive and rotate said toweling support roller only in
said single predetermined direction of rotation when said electric
motor is not driving said toweling support roller, rotation of said
toweling support roller in said single predetermined direction of
rotation transporting any toweling supported by said toweling
support roller to dispense said toweling.
2. The paper towel dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said
connector structure further includes a projection attached to and
extending from said toweling support roller at the axis of rotation
thereof and a receptacle attached to said handle receiving said
projection, said projection and said receptacle locked against
relative rotational movement.
3. The paper towel dispenser according to claim 2 additionally
including a spring member and wherein said receptacle has an outer
cylindrical surface, said spring member wrapped about said outer
cylindrical surface and in engagement therewith, said spring member
and said receptacle comprising said one-way clutch.
4. The paper towel dispenser according to claim 3 wherein said
spring member has a plurality of concentric coils wrapped around
and engaging said cylindrical surface, said spring member having a
spring end connected to said housing and said coils tightening
about said receptacle to form a tight frictional engagement between
said spring member and the outer cylindrically shaped surface of
the receptacle to prevent rotational movement of said handle and
said toweling support roller in a rotational direction other than
said single predetermined direction of rotation.
5. The paper towel dispenser according to claim 4 wherein said
coils are wrapped about the receptacle in a direction opposed to
the single predetermined direction of rotation.
6. The paper towel dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said
one-way clutch comprises a circular member having a plurality of
spaced projections disposed thereabout defining notches and a
pivotally mounted pawl adjacent to said circular member and
engageable with said projections to prevent rotational movement of
said handle and said toweling support roller in a rotational
direction other than said single predetermined direction of
rotation.
7. The paper towel dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said
handle has an outer wall defining recesses for receiving fingers of
a user rotating said handle.
8. The paper towel dispenser according to claim 7 wherein each of
said recesses is defined by an inwardly directed flat outer wall
finger engagement surface and an adjoining curved outer wall
surface.
9. A paper towel dispenser including, in combination: a housing; a
rotatable toweling support roller within said housing for receiving
and transporting paper toweling; an electric motor for driving and
rotating said toweling support roller; control structure for
controlling rotation of said toweling support roller by said
electric motor in said single predetermined direction of rotation;
a rotatable manually engageable handle located externally of said
housing; and connector structure including a one-way clutch
operatively connecting said handle to said toweling support roller
whereby rotation of said handle in a selected direction of rotation
is operable to independently rotate said toweling support roller in
said single predetermined direction of rotation when said electric
motor is not driving said toweling support roller and whereby
rotation of said handle in a direction of rotation opposed to said
selected direction of rotation is inoperable to rotate said
toweling support roller.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/455,121, filed May 27, 2009.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to apparatus selectively operable to
dispense paper toweling from a roll of paper toweling employing a
plurality of alternative operational modes. The apparatus includes
an interconnection between a towel support roll and a manually
movable handle including a one-way clutch whereby the handle can
only rotate the roller in a single direction of rotation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many dispenser systems are known in the prior art for
dispensing paper toweling from rolls thereof. In some cases, the
paper toweling is comprised of individual paper towel segments
separated by perforated tear lines, and in others the toweling has
no perforated tear lines formed therein, severing or cutting
individual sheets from the toweling accomplished by some suitable
severing structure incorporated in the dispenser.
[0004] Many towel dispensers of a purely mechanical nature have
been developed and utilized over the years for dispensing paper
towels, including dispensers which are actuated by a user grasping
and pulling on a tail of the toweling extending from the dispenser
housing.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,314,850 and 6,553,879 disclose
apparatus for dispensing paper toweling including a rotatable
toweling support roller and a cutter blade pivotally mounted on the
outer peripheral portion of the roller. The blade is movable
between a first position in which the cutting edge of the blade is
positioned closely adjacent to the outer peripheral portion and a
second position in which the blade is disposed at an angle relative
to the outer peripheral portion with the cutting edge of the blade
spaced from the toweling support roller. The cutter blade when in
the second position projects in a direction generally opposed to
the direction of rotation of the toweling support roller. Pulling
force exerted on the toweling by a user not only serves to rotate
the toweling support roller but also causes the toweling to bear
against the cutting edge of the cutter blade to sever the
toweling.
[0006] The apparatus of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,314,850 and 6,553,879 has
met with considerable commercial success; however, some problems
with "tabbing" have occurred during use of the dispenser. Tabbing
occurs when a piece of towel tears from the sheet when a user
grasps and pulls the paper. Tabbing may occur with one or two hand
pulls. Papers that absorb water at the greatest rate are most
likely to tab, the rate of water absorbency varying by paper
manufacturer and grade. Tabbing also becomes a particular problem
when low basis weight paper is to be dispensed. It is not an
exaggeration to say that virtually all paper towel dispensers of a
purely mechanical nature which rely on direct pulling of the
toweling by a user to transport the toweling and actuate moveable
cutter or severing blades have a tabbing problem to some
extent.
[0007] Electro-mechanical dispensers employing an electric motor to
transport toweling and actuate cutter mechanisms are also well
known. Such arrangements include both dispensers which are manually
actuated, as by means of a push button and those employing a
sensor, such as a sensor sensing proximity of a user's hand, to
initiate operation.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,785, issued Nov. 23, 2004, discloses an
electro-mechanical roll towel dispenser including a housing with a
roll carrier disposed therein to rotatably support a roll of towel
material. An electro-mechanical feed mechanism is disposed in the
housing to dispense measured sheets of the towel material. The feed
mechanism operates in a first mechanical operational mode wherein
the towel sheets are dispensed by a user grasping and pulling on a
tail of the towel material extending from the housing, and a second
electrical operational mode wherein a measured length of a next
sheet is automatically fed from the housing to define the tail for
the next user.
[0009] The dispenser of U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,785 includes a sensor
for detecting a parameter that is changed by an initial pull
exerted on a tail of a web of material extending from the opening
of the dispenser. The sensor also generates a signal sent from the
sensor to a control circuit or circuitry causing the motor employed
in the apparatus to drive the feed mechanism until a measured
length of web material that includes the tail of web material has
been fed from the dispenser in the form of a measured sheet for
subsequent removal by the user.
[0010] Similar devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,730,409 and
Patent Publication Document WO 00/63100. The devices of these
latter two documents have sensors for detecting movement of a tail
end of web material such that the feed mechanism is activated in
response to detecting the movement.
[0011] Co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/290,220,
filed Oct. 28, 2008, discloses paper toweling dispenser apparatus
incorporating a motor which reduces pull force which must be
exerted by a user of the apparatus during dispensing. Initial
transport of the toweling is accomplished by the user exerting a
pull force of very low magnitude. On the other hand, when cutting
of toweling is occurring, which normally requires application of a
relatively high pull force, during which tabbing is most likely, an
electric motor employed in the apparatus provides assistance,
reducing the pull force that would otherwise have to be applied by
a consumer.
[0012] In addition, the apparatus of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/290,220 incorporates dual mode functioning; that is, when
the batteries normally utilized to energize the motor deplete,
toweling can still be cut and accessed by a user rotating a feed
knob to advance the tail. The user can remove the sheet by pulling
on the tail as usual. A key to maintaining low pull force in this
mode is to disengage the gear motor from the toweling support
roller through the use of a one-way clutch bearing or other clutch
system such as pawls.
[0013] The user can manually turn the feed knob or handle until the
sheet is cut and advanced. If the toweling is completely cut by the
cutting mechanism, the severed sheet can be fully advanced and can
be removed by the user without pulling required or, of the toweling
is partly severed, the user can rotate the knob to advance a tail
and then pull on the tail. In addition, the knob may be utilized to
rotate the toweling support roller and toweling thereon until the
motor is energized, rather than the user directly manually applying
pulling forces on the tail to accomplish this.
[0014] The following documents are also believed to be
representative of the current state of the prior art in this field:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,715,085, issued Feb. 6, 1973, U.S. Pat. No.
3,730,409, issued May 1, 1973, U.S. Pat. No. 3,737,087, issued Jun.
5, 1973, U.S. Pat. No. 3,949,918, issued Apr. 13, 1976, U.S. Pat.
No. 3,998,308, issued Dec. 21, 1976, U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,099,
issued May 19, 1987, U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,131, issued Jun. 30, 1987,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,265, issued Jan. 26, 1988, U.S. Pat. No.
4,738,176, issued Apr. 19, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,490, issued
Dec. 13, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,825, issued January, 1989, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,960,248, issued Oct. 2, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,302,
issued Jul. 21, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,832, issued Sep. 26,
1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,291, issued Jun. 30, 1998, U.S. Pat. No.
6,079,305, issued Jun. 27, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,898, issued
Aug. 22, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,655, issued Jul. 2, 2002, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,412,679, issued Jul. 2, 2002, Patent Document No. WO
9959457, dated November, 1999, Patent Document No. WO 0063100,
dated October, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 7,398,944, issued Jul. 15, 2008,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,620, issued May 17, 2005, U.S. Pat. No.
7,044,421, issued May 16, 2006, U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,750, issued
Mar. 4, 1986, U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,262, issued May 2, 1989, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,446,901, issued Sep. 10, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,818,
issued Jun. 2, 1981, U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,631, issued Sep. 5, 2000,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,920, issued Dec. 27, 1994, U.S. Pat. No.
7,354,015, issued Apr. 8, 2008, U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,176, issued
Apr. 19, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 790,490, issued Dec. 13, 1988, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,079,305, issued Jun. 27, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,136,
issued Jul. 16, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,679, issued Jul. 2, 2002,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,189, issued Aug. 15, 1995, U.S. Pat. No.
5,878,381, issued Mar. 2, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,919, issued
Nov. 25, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,832, issued Sep. 26, 1995, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,340,045, issued Aug. 23, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,811,
issued Aug. 9, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,263, issued Sep. 14, 1993,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,854, issued Jul. 18, 1989, U.S. Pat. No.
4,738,176, issued Apr. 19, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,818, issued
Jun. 2, 1981, U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,390, issued Oct. 9, 1979, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,657,945, issued Aug. 19, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,738,
issued Oct. 31, 1978, U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,664, issued Jan. 11,
2000, U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,514, issued Oct. 6, 1998, U.S. Pat. No.
5,417,783, issued May 23, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,043, issued
Jan. 5, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,526, issued May 20, 1997, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,363,824, issued Apr. 2, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,486,
issued Sep. 25, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,246, issued Feb. 24,
2004, U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,684, issued Feb. 15, 2005, U.S. Pat. No.
6,988,689, issued Jan. 24, 2006, U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,767, issued
Feb. 5, 2008, U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,768, issued Feb. 5, 2008, U.S.
Pat. No. 7,168,602, issued Jan. 30, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,067,
issued Jul. 15, 2003, U.S. Pat. No. 7,341,170, issued Mar. 11,
2008, U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,288, issued Feb. 27, 2007, U.S. Pat. No.
7,296,765, issued Nov. 20, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 6,977,588 issued
Dec. 20, 2005 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,785, issued Nov. 23,
2004.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0015] The present invention relates to a multi-function paper
towel dispenser selectively operable to dispense paper toweling
from a roll of paper toweling employing a plurality of alternative
operational modes. The desired mode of operation can be selected
utilizing control switches associated with sensor structure and
electronic control circuitry of the dispenser. The multi-function
paper towel dispenser is characterized not only by its versatility,
but by its relative simplicity, ease of use and reliability in any
of the operational modes selected. Two of the modes are a paper
hidden mode and a paper exposed mode, each of which utilizes sensor
structure in combination with electronic control circuitry to
operate an electric motor driven rotatable toweling support roller
to partially cut and dispense the paper toweling. The electric
motor is also utilized to rotate the paper toweling support roller
when not employing the sensor structure, the motor essentially
operating in a hybrid mode wherein a pull force exerted on the
toweling tail initiates rotation of the toweling support roller,
the electric motor then being energized to reduce the pull force
required by a user to effect final dispensing of a towel.
Furthermore, a user can manually rotate the paper toweling support
roller to effect dispensing of a towel in any of the modes.
[0016] The sensor structure of the multi-function paper towel
dispenser is operatively associated with the electric motor to
energize the electric motor and cause rotation of the toweling
support roller to transport the paper toweling for dispensing from
the dispenser in either a first mode of operation wherein the
electric motor is energized responsive to the sensor structure
sensing positioning of a user's hand at a predetermined location
external of the housing or in a second mode of operation wherein
the electric motor is energized responsive to the sensor structure
sensing the removal of a toweling tail from a location external of
the housing.
[0017] The electronic control circuitry for operating the dispenser
in either the first mode of operation or in the second mode of
operation utilizes simple, reliable mechanical switches as compared
to electronic switches that are controlled by logic
controller/programmable chips, the case in the prior art wherein
programmable logic electronics are employed. Programmable logic is
required because fixed parameters are not employed. Because the
present invention has fixed parameters and utilizes discrete
digital logic instead of programmable logic, no controller chip is
required, simple resistors and capacitors being utilized along with
the use of mechanical electric switches versus electronic switches.
As will be seen below, the invention incorporates a number of other
unique features, including energy saving features and a one-way
clutch interconnection between a toweling support roller and a
manually rotatable handle allowing the handle to rotate the roller
in a single direction only.
[0018] While it is generally known to employ one-way clutch
mechanisms in association with rotatable handles of towel
dispensers wherein dispensing is solely accomplished by using the
handles to rotate toweling support rollers, as exemplified by U.S.
Pat. No. 6,314,850 discussed above, in the present invention a
one-way clutch is employed in a novel manner in association with a
motor driven paper toweling support roller controlled by electronic
control circuitry.
[0019] Other features, advantages and objects of the present
invention will become apparent with reference to the following
description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view illustrating internal
components of a multi-function paper toweling dispenser constructed
in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a back, perspective view of the components;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a side, elevational view showing the structure
illustrated in FIG. 3 in solid lines, a housing and a supply roll
of toweling being shown in phantom lines;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a drive gear of
the toweling support roller;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the drive gear of the
toweling support roller and illustrating mechanical electric
switches employed therewith;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a switch panel having
mode selection control switches and a time delay control
switch;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an unperforated supply roll
of toweling that may be utilized in the multi-function paper towel
dispenser;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, side view illustrating a
portion of the drive gear of the toweling support roller and its
relationship with mechanical electric switches, one of which is
shown in solid lines and the other in dash lines;
[0028] FIG. 9 shows a towel tail being grasped and dispensed when
the control switches are in the positions shown in FIG. 6;
[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates the positioning of the toweling after a
towel sheet has been removed by the user;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating the
condition of the control switches during a different mode of
operation;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but illustrating the
condition of the toweling support roller and the mechanical
electric switches associated therewith in a different mode of
operation as determined by the control switches in FIG. 11 wherein
the electric motor is energized responsive to sensor structure
sensing positioning of a user's hand;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but illustrating
initial dispensing of a towel in response to a sensed user's
hand;
[0033] FIG. 14 illustrates a towel removed from the rest of the
toweling at the end of the dispensing cycle illustrated;
[0034] FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating sensor structure of the
multi-function paper towel dispenser;
[0035] FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIGS. 6 and 11, but
illustrating different control switch positions;
[0036] FIG. 17 shows the condition of a toweling tail when hidden
as selected by the middle control switch in FIG. 16;
[0037] FIG. 18 illustrates the middle switch moved to a position
that results in the tail being exposed;
[0038] FIG. 19 shows the toweling tail exposed and extending from
the bottom of the dispenser housing;
[0039] FIG. 20 depicts relative positioning of four segments of the
electronic control circuitry of the invention as shown in FIGS.
20A, 20B, 20C and 20D;
[0040] FIGS. 20A-20D illustrate these segments;
[0041] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a manually graspable
turning knob or handle employed to rotate the toweling support
roller having a projection in the form of a post extending
outwardly therefrom;
[0042] FIGS. 22-26 are views illustrating the knob and post rotated
to different positions, the post moving a spring biased pivoted
stop arm to different positions, the pivoted stop arm being used to
temporarily stop rotation of the toweling support roller during
operation of the dispenser; and
[0043] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a rotatable handle and
one-way clutch mechanism of the invention;
[0044] FIG. 28 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the
inside of the handle and a spring employed in the one-way
clutch;
[0045] FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 28 with the spring
connected to the handle;
[0046] FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing the spring being
tightened about a receptacle attached to the handle to resist
turning of the handle;
[0047] FIG. 31 is a view showing the spring untightened and
allowing rotation of the handle in a different direction of
rotation;
[0048] FIG. 32 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 27, but
showing an alternative embodiment of one-way clutch including a
pawl;
[0049] FIG. 33 is a side elevational view showing the pawl in a
position allowing rotation of the handle; and
[0050] FIG. 34 is a view similar to FIG. 33 showing the pawl
preventing rotation of the handle in the opposite direction of
rotation.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0051] Referring now to the drawings, a multi-function paper towel
dispenser constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention is illustrated. As explained and disclosed in
greater detail below, the dispenser is selectively operable to
dispense paper toweling from a roll of paper toweling employing a
plurality of alternative operational modes.
[0052] The paper towel dispenser includes a housing 10 (shown in
FIGS. 3, 9-10, 13, 14, 17, 19 and 22-26), the housing having a
towel dispensing opening 12 at the bottom thereof.
[0053] Mounted in the interior of the housing 10 is an assembly 14
(see FIGS. 1-3) including operational structural components of the
multi-function paper towel dispenser. These structural elements
include a roll support in the form of spaced support arms 16
insertable into the open ends of a supply roll of paper toweling in
a conventional fashion.
[0054] A rotatable toweling support roller 18 has a
cylindrically-shaped outer peripheral surface and is rotatable in a
predetermined direction of rotation a cutter blade 20 (see FIGS. 10
and 24) has attached to the ends thereof cam followers 22 (see
FIGS. 3 and 24), each including a cam follower arm and roller. Each
roller rides in a channel of a cam 24. Cams 24 are located at both
ends of the assembly 14, it being understood that the channels of
these cams are directed inwardly.
[0055] The blade, cam follower and cam system employed are suitably
that disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/290,220, filed Oct. 28, 2008 as well as in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,314,850 and 6,553,879, the teachings of which are incorporated by
reference into this application.
[0056] Rotation of toweling support roller 18 will cause the cam
followers to move along the cam surfaces defining the channels.
This, in turn, will cause the cutter blade 20 to pivot relative to
the toweling support roller 18.
[0057] The cutter blade is movable between an inactive position
wherein the cutter will not sever the toweling and a severing
position (see FIG. 24) wherein the cutter blade is positioned
outwardly of the toweling support roller to at least partially
sever the toweling on the toweling support roller.
[0058] An electric motor 30 is operatively associated with the
toweling support roller for selectively rotating the toweling
support roller. A mechanical electric switch 32 is operatively
associated with the electric motor and with the toweling support
roller. The electric switch is electrically connected to the
electric motor, with no control circuit boards intermediate the
electric motor and the electric switch.
[0059] Similar to the arrangement disclosed in co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/290,220, the electric switch 32 is
responsive to rotation of the toweling support roller 18 by a user
of the dispenser from a rest or inactive position to a first
position to energize the electric motor when the toweling support
roller reaches the first position and cause rotation of the
toweling support roller by the electric motor from the first
position to a second position and reducing the pull force required
by a user pulling the paper toweling during rotation of the
toweling support roller between the first position and the second
position. Further, the mechanical electrical switch 32 is
responsive to rotation of the toweling support roller beyond the
second position to deenergize the electric motor. This mode of
operation, sometimes hereinafter referred to as a hybrid or third
mode of operation, is described in more detail below.
[0060] Mechanical electric switch 32 includes a switch actuator
element 34 having a roller 36 at the end thereof which is biased
into engagement with a circular end 38 of the toweling support
roller 18. The switch actuator element 32 alternatively opens or
closes the switch during rotation of the toweling support
roller.
[0061] Located at circular end 38 of the toweling support roller
and engaged by the switch actuator element roller during rotation
of the toweling support roller is an arcuate projection 40. The
projection extends only part way along the periphery of the
toweling support roller and has two tapered projection ends 42.
Extending completely about circular end 38 and disposed inwardly of
the arcuate projection is a toweling support roller gear 44 having
teeth. Meshing with the teeth of the toweling support roller gear
are teeth of a drive gear 46 which is driven by electric motor 30,
the latter suitably being in the form of a DC gear motor. A one-way
clutch needle bearing 48 connects the drive gear to the electric
motor to allow the performance of certain functions indicated
below. Electric wiring connects the switch 32 to the electric
motor. The mechanical electric switch 32 is located between the
electric motor and a source of DC power in the form of electric
batteries (not shown).
[0062] FIGS. 6-10 may now be referred to in connection with
operation of the multi-function paper towel dispenser in the third
or hybrid mode. In such mode the roll of uncut or unperforated
toweling 50 as shown in FIG. 7 would be used as the supply roll.
FIG. 6 shows the setting of a control switch 66 to the hybrid
setting, the hybrid mode of operation being but one of the mode of
operation options, as will be explained in greater detail
below.
[0063] FIG. 8 shows mechanical electric switch 32 being utilized in
this mode of operation as indicated above. FIG. 9 shows a user
manually grasping the tail of the toweling and pulling it to
initiate rotation of the toweling support roller 18. Further
pulling of the toweling energizes the electric motor to power
rotation of the toweling support roller when the switch 32 is
closed.
[0064] FIG. 10 illustrates a severed toweling section removed from
the dispenser and a new tail moving into place to extend to a
position under the housing where it can be manually grasped and
pulled by the next user.
[0065] The toweling tail may be brought to such position by
manually rotating the toweling dispenser roller 18 by a rotatable
manually engageable element in the form of a handle or knob 54
connected to the toweling support roller. A one-way clutch
(described immediately below) is employed to ensure that the
toweling support roller is being rotated in the direction necessary
to advance toweling. The handle 54 can also be used to advance and
dispense the toweling if the batteries fail. The user can pull on
the tail as usual when not utilizing the apparatus without motor
assistance. In this situation, the required pull force is still
relatively low since the gear motor is in effect disengaged from
the toweling support roller by employing a one-way clutch needle
bearing or some other one-way clutch mechanism.
[0066] FIGS. 27-31 illustrate connector structure including a
one-way clutch operatively connecting handle 54 to the toweling
support roller enabling the handle upon application of manual force
thereto to drive and rotate the toweling support roller only in a
single predetermined direction of rotation. Rotation of the
toweling support roller in the predetermined direction of rotation
transports any toweling supported by the toweling support roller to
dispense the toweling.
[0067] The connector structure includes a projection in the form of
a spindle 100 attached to and extending from the toweling support
roller 18 at the axis of rotation thereof. A receptacle 102 is
attached to the handle 54 and receives the projection 100. The
projection and the receptacle are locked against relative
rotational movement by a key and notch arrangement, as illustrated.
A spring member 104 is wrapped about the outer cylindrical surface
of receptacle 102 and in engagement therewith. The spring member
104 and the receptacle 102 comprise a one-way clutch.
[0068] The spring member 104 has a plurality of concentric coils
wrapped about and engaging the cylindrical surface. The spring
member has a spring end 106 connected to a peg 108 affixed to the
housing structure.
[0069] The coils tighten about the receptacle to form a tight
frictional engagement between the spring member and the outer
cylindrically shaped surface of the receptacle to prevent
rotational movement of the handle and the toweling support roller
in a rotational direction other than the single predetermined
direction of rotation resulting in toweling dispensing. This is
shown in FIG. 30. In other words, the single predetermined
direction of rotation is that which will result in transport of the
paper toweling toward the dispenser exit opening.
[0070] FIG. 31 shows the handle (and of course the toweling support
roller) rotating in the single predetermined direction of rotation
resulting in dispensing of the toweling, the coils of the spring
member 104 loosening as indicated by the arrows to readily allow
this to occur. This action is a result of the spring coils being
wrapped about the receptacle in the direction opposed to the single
predetermined direction of rotation.
[0071] Handle 54 has a configuration encouraging a user to rotate
the handle (and the toweling support roller) in the single
predetermined direction of rotation. The handle 54 has an outer
wall 130 defining recesses 132 for receiving fingers of a user
rotating the handle. Each of the recesses is defined by an inwardly
directed flat outer wall finger engagement surface 134 that is easy
to push and an adjoining curved wall surface 136 which is difficult
to push.
[0072] FIGS. 32-34 disclose an alternative embodiment of connector
structure including a one-way clutch operatively connecting the
handle to the toweling support roller enabling the handle upon
application of manual force thereto to drive and rotate the
toweling support roller only in a single predetermined direction of
rotation. In the arrangement of FIGS. 32-34 the one-way clutch
includes a circular member 120 attached to rotate with the handle
54A and the toweling support roller 18. A plurality of spaced
projections 122 are disposed about the periphery of the circular
member 120 and define notches.
[0073] A pivotally mounted pawl 124 is located adjacent to the
circular member and pivotal relative to the housing. The pawl 124
is engageable with the projections 122 to prevent rotational
movement of the handle 54A and the toweling support roller 18 in a
rotational direction other than the single predetermined direction
of rotation resulting in the desired transport of the toweling on
the roller. FIG. 33 illustrates the handle rotating in the desired
direction as indicated by the arrows. A detent 126 on the pawl
engages the projections or teeth 122 to raise the pawl and relative
movement between the circular member and the pawl is still allowed.
When, however, the direction of the circular member is reversed,
the pawl falls under the influence of gravity as indicated by the
arrow in FIG. 34 to fall into a notch between two projections and
stop rotation of the handle and the associated toweling support
roller.
[0074] The multi-function paper towel dispenser incorporates sensor
structure operatively associated with the electric motor to
energize the electric motor and cause rotation of the toweling
support roller to transport the paper toweling for dispensing. This
sensor structure is utilized in conjunction with electronic control
circuitry in a manner which will now be described. When the
dispenser is in its hybrid or third mode of operation described
above, the sensor structure and electronic control circuitry are
not utilized.
[0075] The sensor structure is identified by reference numeral 60
and employs a "bouncing" technology in the infrared spectrum that
bounces a wave off a hand or paper to activate the unit. That is,
the sensor structure is operatively associated with the electric
motor to energize the electric motor and cause rotation of the
toweling support roller to transport the paper toweling for
dispensing from the multi-function paper toweling dispenser in
either a first mode of operation wherein the electric motor is
energized responsive to the sensor structure sensing positioning of
a user's hand or other object at a predetermined location external
of the housing or in a second mode of operation wherein the
electric motor is energized responsive to the sensor structure
sensing the removal of a toweling tail from a location external of
the housing.
[0076] FIGS. 20A-20D disclose the schematic of electronic control
circuitry which may be utilized to carry out the desired electronic
functions. It is important to note that the control circuitry
utilizes no programmable logic electronics as compared to prior art
devices which require programmable logic to operate because they do
not have fixed parameters. Because the present invention operates
with fixed parameters, mechanical switches can be utilized rather
than electronic switches that are controlled by a logic
controller/programmable chip. In other words, the present invention
employs discrete digital logic in the electronic circuitry instead
of programmable logic. Simple resistors and capacitors are utilized
instead, these being located on a circuit board 62 electrically
connected between the sensor 60 and the electric motor 30.
[0077] The control switch panel 64 and control switches shown in
FIGS. 6, 11, 16, and 18 are associated with the electronic circuit
board and utilized to select the various modes in which the
multi-function paper towel dispenser can operate. Switch 66 is
employed to switch between the hybrid mode of operation described
above and an electronic mode of operation wherein the sensor
structure 60 and control circuitry are utilized to operate the
dispenser in either a paper hidden mode (hereinafter sometimes
referred to as the first mode) of operation or a paper exposed mode
(sometimes hereinafter referred to as the second mode of
operation). Switch 68 of the switch display selects either the
paper hidden mode or the paper exposed mode. A third switch 70 is
utilized to set and adjust the time delay between cycles, for
example approximately one second or approximately three seconds.
When the switch 66 is set to hybrid operation, the switches 68 and
70 for exposed paper or hidden paper operation and time delay
adjustment are inactive.
[0078] FIG. 11 illustrates switch 66 set for electronic control and
switch 68 set for the paper hidden or first mode of operation
wherein the electric motor is energized responsive to the sensor
structure sensing positioning of a user's hand at a predetermined
location external of the housing. FIG. 13 illustrates a user's hand
positioned where it can be sensed and the infrared wave transmitted
by sensor structure 60 being bounced off the hand to the sensor
structure receiver. This results in the control circuitry on
circuit board 62 energizing the electric motor and causing rotation
of the toweling support roller to move the towel tail in a downward
direction as illustrated by the arrow and available for grasping
and removal by the user.
[0079] A second mechanical electric switch 76 is employed when the
multi-function paper towel dispenser operates in either the paper
hidden mode or paper exposed mode to stop rotation of the toweling
support roller when the dispensing cycle is completed. Switch 76 is
fixedly mounted adjacent to toweling support roller gear 44 and is
engageable during rotation of the toweling support roller by a
projection 78 extending from the gear 44. Once the first and second
mode mechanical electrical switch 76 is engaged by the projection
78, rotation of the toweling support roller and transport of the
toweling will be halted.
[0080] During rotation of the toweling support roller the blade
associated with the toweling support roller will cut the sheet, the
amount of which is controlled by the position of the actuator of
mechanical electric switch 76. In a preferred actuator position,
the sheet is cut more than ninety percent. This allows the user to
easily remove the sheet with a very light pull force. When the
sheet is removed by the user, the dispenser will not dispense
another sheet until the user puts a hand under the sensor.
[0081] FIGS. 11, 12 and 14 illustrate operation in the first or
paper hidden mode.
[0082] FIG. 16 shows the control switch panel with the control
switches 66 and 68 in the same positions as shown in FIG. 11, but
with switch 70 changed to a position which sets the delay time
between cycles to approximately one second as compared to three
seconds in FIG. 1.
[0083] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but with the paper
towel dispenser inactive and with the tail in a hidden position,
that is in a position where the tail is essentially non-visible
from outside the housing. Again, reactuation will only take place
if a hand or other object is in a position relative to the housing
and sensor 60 that would initiate the next cycle, which can occur
after approximately a second has passed.
[0084] FIG. 18 shows the switch 66 in the electronic control
position and switch 68 selecting the paper exposed or second mode
of operation wherein the electric motor is energized responsive to
the sensor sensing the removal of a toweling tail from a location
external of the housing. In this mode the sensor is looking for the
presence of a paper tail. As long as the paper tail is covering the
sensor's range, the motor remains deenergized. When a user removes
the hanging sheet, the lack of paper in front of the sensor will
trigger the motor to turn on. The motor turns the toweling support
roller until mechanical electric switch 76 is triggered by the
projection 78 on the toweling support roller gear 44. Rotation of
the toweling support roller will have advanced and cut the sheet,
the amount of which is controlled by the switch actuator position
of mechanical electric switch 76. In this mode of operation, the
multi-function paper towel dispenser always has a long tail of
paper hanging downwardly from the housing, for example 9 inches. In
a preferred embodiment, the sheet is pre-cut more than ninety
percent. This allows the user to easily remove the sheet with a
very light pull force.
[0085] The arrangement described above incorporates battery saving
features. By not using a controller chip the circuit board uses
less electricity than would otherwise be the case. Furthermore, the
sensor is not continuously on but rather is pulsed by the control
circuitry, for example about five times per second. In the long
run, a dispenser that sees light usage (with respect to sheets
dispensed) may have a considerable percentage of its batteries
drained by the circuit board. Having a board that uses less energy
can extend battery life most noticeably in dispensers that are
subject to low use conditions.
[0086] It has been found that while dispensing from hidden paper
(first) or exposed paper (second) modes the sensor structure can be
covered by a small towel tail leaving the dispenser in a less than
desirable condition. This can happen for a number of reasons,
including a user pulling on the exposed sheet before the motor has
turned off. When this happens in the hidden mode the dispenser will
not dispense a sheet even when the user puts his or her hand next
to the sensor. The feed knob 54 will need to be turned to advance
the sheet.
[0087] When this condition exists in the paper exposed mode, the
next sheet will not automatically advance, the feed knob having to
be used to advance the sheet.
[0088] FIGS. 21-26 disclose operation of structure for resolving
these potential problems. In particular, stop structure is provided
for operative association with the toweling support roller to
temporarily stop rotation of the toweling support roller during
operation of the dispenser.
[0089] The stop structure includes a pivoted stop arm 84 pivoted
about pivot point 86 and biased in a downward direction as viewed
in these figures by a spring 88. Knob 54, which is rotatable with
the toweling support roller, has a member in the form of post 90
projecting therefrom in an inward direction. When the toweling
support roller is being rotated by the electric motor 30, the knob
and post 90 will also rotate as shown in FIGS. 22-25 and the post
engages portions of the arm.
[0090] FIGS. 22 and 23 show the knob rotating and the post 90
engaging the underside of a top portion of the pivoted stop arm
causing the stop arm to pivot and lift upwardly. When the knob post
reaches the position shown in FIG. 24, momentary engagement between
the post and arm briefly stops rotation of the toweling support
roller, the knob post 90 being in lock up position. FIG. 24 shows
the tear blade position and orientation by phantom lines at the
point where the toweling support roller rotation is stopped by the
arm and post.
[0091] After the toweling support roller has stopped, the arm drops
out of the way as shown in FIG. 25. FIG. 26 shows return of the
pivoted stop arm to its lower (unlocking) position and the post
positioned to exit the pivoted stop arm during continued rotation
of the toweling support roller and post 90. The toweling support
roller is now free to be rotated by the motor, a user pulling on
the exposed sheet or a user rotating the knob.
[0092] The pivoted stop arm has the same stop position for either
the first or second (paper hidden or paper exposed) modes of
operation. However, the stop would have to be in a different
position to be used with the hybrid or third operation mode. If the
pivoted stop arm is installed in the multi-function paper towel
dispenser, only the exposed and hidden modes would work. In that
case, the dispenser likely would be made available without the
hybrid or third mode operational feature. However, the stop arm
could be a desirable feature for a stand alone hybrid system as
taught by co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/290,220,
as well. For example, if a user pulls the sheet too hard, the
momentum of the toweling support roller might be sufficient to
advance an extra sheet which some customers do not like. The arm
would stop toweling support roller rotation before the electric
switch 32 associated with hybrid operation is actuated.
* * * * *