Dispenser with automatic stub roll drop down
AssigneeDispensing Dynamics International
InventorsJoel P. Keily, Victor Landa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various dispensing systems with drop-down features are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the dispensing system includes a roll support with a sensor and a piston. The sensor can move as the roll decreases in size (e.g., the outside diameter decreases) and can apply a force to the roll. The piston can move to become less engaged with the roll, such as becoming less received in a roll plug or the hollow core of the roll. When the roll has decreased to a threshold size, the piston substantially or fully disengages from the roll and/or the sensor applies a force to dislodge the roll from the roll support. This results in the roll automatically dropping off the roll support. The roll support is thus available to receive a fresh roll.
Claims21
A dispensing system for dispensing consumable material from a roll, the dispensing system comprising:
- a casing;
- a first roll support and a second roll support, the first and second roll supports configured to support ends of the roll within the casing and allow the roll to rotate about an axis of rotation of the roll, at least one of the first and second roll supports comprising:
- a frame;
- a lever pivotably connected to the frame and configured to engage the roll when the ends of the roll are supported by the first and second roll supports, the lever configured to pivot responsive to depletion of the consumable material from the roll;
- a biasing member configured to bias the lever;
- and
- a piston operatively connected to the lever and configured to be moved from a first position to a second position responsive to pivotable movement of the lever;
- the system configured such that:
- when the piston is in the first position, the piston inhibits the roll from disconnecting from the at least one of the first and second roll supports;
- and
- when the piston is in the second position, the piston allows the roll to disconnect from the at least one of the first and second roll supports.
A dispensing system for dispensing consumable material from a roll, the dispensing system comprising:
- a casing;
- a first roll support and a second roll support, the first and second roll supports configured to support ends of the roll within the casing and allow the roll to rotate about an axis of rotation of the roll, the first roll support comprising:
- a first actuator configured to contact the roll and pivot responsive to depletion of the consumable material from the roll;
- and
- a second actuator operatively connected to the first actuator and configured to be moved from a first position to a second position responsive to pivotable movement of the first actuator;
- wherein:
- when in the first position, the second actuator engages a portion of the roll thereby inhibiting the roll from disconnecting from the first roll support;
- and
- when in the second position, said engagement between the second actuator and said portion of the roll is removed thereby allowing the roll to disconnect from the first roll support.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.