Dispenser with drop down feature and method

A dispenser for sheet materials comprising:

• a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of a sheet material;
• and
• a dispensing mechanism contained within the housing for dispensing the sheet material, the dispensing mechanism comprising:
• (a) a cradle device for holding a roll of sheet material;
• (b) collection device positioned below the cradle device, the collection device being positioned to receive a roll of sheet material that has been at least partially exhausted;
• (c) a pair of spaced apart abutment devices spaced from the cradle device, wherein a roll of sheet material loaded onto the cradle device rests against the abutment devices and as sheet material is dispensed, a diameter of the roll of sheet material reduces until the roll of sheet material drops between the cradle device and the abutment devices and onto the collection device;
• and
• (d) a transfer assembly that guides a sheet material from a roll of sheet material loaded on the cradle device out through a dispensing opening, the transfer assembly including a transfer shoe spaced from a drive roller, the transfer shoe guiding the sheet material into operative engagement with the drive roller for dispensing the sheet material from the dispenser, and wherein the transfer assembly pivots when a roll of sheet material drops between the cradle device and the abutment devices for continuing to dispense sheet material from the partially exhausted roll of material.