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US 2017/0042393 A1Published application

Automatic towel dispenser

AssigneeInnovia Intellectual Properties, LLC

InventorsWILLIAM BRYANT TROUTMAN, WILLIAM BRYANT TROUTMAN, II, IAN D. KOVACEVICH, THOMAS JAMES PHILPOTT, CHRISTOPHER HOY, LAWRENCE OBER

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Abstract Drawings Claims Description

Abstract

Dispensing towels includes, using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, (a) the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and (b) subsequent thereto, the steps of (1) retracting the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly; (2) sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and (3) ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor. The toweling is advanced by the motor assembly such that a line of perforations in the toweling, along which the user tears the toweling, is located downstream of the sensor.

Claims186

Dependent claims

Claim 1A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser · 122 words28 dependent Claim 30A towel dispenser · 114 words33 dependent Claim 64A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser · 161 words21 dependent Claim 72A towel dispenser · 126 words6 dependent Claim 93A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser · 260 words6 dependent Claim 100A towel dispenser · 173 words22 dependent Claim 123A towel dispenser · 170 words11 dependent Claim 135A towel dispenser · 151 words8 dependent Claim 144A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser · 115 words10 dependent Claim 155A towel dispenser · 101 words4 dependent Claim 160A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser · 117 words5 dependent Claim 166A towel dispenser · 152 words5 dependent Claim 172A towel dispenser · 98 wordsNo dependents Claim 173A towel dispenser as disclosed herein. · 6 wordsNo dependents Claim 174A method of dispensing towels from a dispenser · 142 wordsNo dependents Claim 175A method for dispensing a towel as disclosed herein. · 9 wordsNo dependents Claim 176A method · 167 words3 dependent Claim 180A method · 88 words2 dependent Claim 183A method · 111 words3 dependent

A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser, comprising:

(a) using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user;
and subsequent thereto, the steps of,
(b) retracting the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly;
(c) sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling;
and
(d) ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor.

3 more elements

A towel dispenser, comprising:

(a) a housing for receiving toweling comprising a roll of paper towels;
(b) a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from the housing and to cause the toweling to be retracted into the housing after the leading edge has been extended;
and
(c) a sensor for sensing a leading edge of the toweling during retraction of the toweling by the motor assembly;
(d) wherein the sensor is configured to cause the motor assembly to cease retracting the toweling into the housing as a function of the sensing of the leading edge of the toweling during retraction of the toweling into the housing.

2 more elements

A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser, comprising:

(a) the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user;
and subsequent thereto,
(b) the step of retracting the toweling into the housing;
(c) wherein the housing comprises,
(i) a main body, and
(ii) a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between,
(A) a closed position, in which the housing is configured to extend toweling there from, and
(B) an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein,
(iii) wherein the loading door comprises a towel carrier having a curved surface defining a cavity within which toweling comprising a roll of paper towels is received and retained in floating engagement therewith;
and
(d) wherein the roll of paper towels rolls and slides on the curved surface when unwinding during said step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user.

8 more elements

A towel dispenser, comprising:

(a) a housing for receiving toweling, comprising
(i) a main body,
(ii) a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between,
(A) a closed position, in which the housing is configured to dispense towels there from, and
(B) an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein, and
(iii) a guide system that is configured to guide the toweling within the housing while towels are dispensed from the housing;
(b) wherein the loading door comprises a towel carrier having a curved surface defining a cavity configured to receive the roll of paper towels in floating engagement therewith such that the roll of paper towels rolls and slides on the curved surface during unwinding.

4 more elements

A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser, comprising:

(a) extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user;
and subsequent thereto,
(b) retracting the toweling into the housing;
(c) wherein the housing comprises,
(i) a main body,
(ii) a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between,
(A) a closed position, in which the housing is configured to extend toweling there from, and
(B) an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein, and
(iii) a guide system that is configured to guide the toweling within the housing during extension from and retraction into the housing of the toweling, the guide system comprising a first roller attached to the main body and having a first toothed surface, and a second roller attached to the loading door and having a second toothed surface that is configured to mesh with the first toothed surface,
(iv) wherein at least one end of the first roller moves such that an axis of rotation of the first roller moves relative to the main body of the housing;
and
(d) wherein the method further comprises the step of moving the loading door into the closed position after loading toweling within the dispenser, with the first roller being urged into engagement with the second roller when the loading door enters the closed position and the second roller acting on the first roller so as to displace at least one end of the first roller when the loading door enters the closed position.

9 more elements

A towel dispenser, comprising:

(a) a housing for receiving toweling, comprising
(i) a main body,
(ii) a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between,
(A) a closed position, in which the housing is configured to dispense towels there from, and
(B) an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein, and
(iii) a guide system that is configured to guide the toweling within the housing while towels are dispensed from the housing;
(b) wherein the guide system comprises a first roller attached to the main body and having a first toothed surface, and a second roller attached to the loading door and having a second toothed surface that is configured to mesh with the first toothed surface;
and
(c) wherein the toothed surfaces of the first roller and the second roller mesh together when the loading door moves into the closed position from the open position and do not preclude the loading door from moving into the closed position from the open position.

6 more elements

A towel dispenser, comprising:

(a) a housing for receiving toweling, comprising
(i) a main body,
(ii) a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between,
(A) a closed position, in which the housing is configured to dispense towels there from, and
(B) an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein, and
(iii) a guide system that is configured to guide the toweling within the housing while towels are dispensed from the housing;
(b) wherein the guide system comprising a first roller attached to the main body and having a toothed surface proximate a first end thereof, and a second roller attached to the loading door and having a toothed surface proximate a first end thereof that is configured to mesh with the toothed surface of the first roller;
and
(c) wherein a transmission connects a motor to a second end of the first roller, the second end of the first roller being opposite the first end of the first roller.

6 more elements

A towel dispenser, comprising:

(a) a housing for receiving toweling, comprising
(i) a main body,
(ii) a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between,
(A) a closed position, in which the housing is configured to dispense towels there from, and
(B) an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein, and
(iii) a guide system that is configured to guide the toweling within the housing while towels are dispensed from the housing;
(b) wherein the guide system comprising a first roller attached to the main body and having a first toothed surface, and a second roller attached to the loading door and having a second toothed surface that is configured to mesh with the first toothed surface;
and
(c) wherein the first roller is spring biased toward engagement with the second roller when the loading door is in the closed position.

6 more elements

A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser, comprising:

(a) extending the toweling exterior of a housing of the dispenser for grasping by a user;
and subsequent thereto,
(b) retracting the toweling into the housing;
(c) wherein the housing comprises extension walls located proximate opposite exterior sides of the housing that extend above a top side of the housing, and
(d) wherein the method further comprises a preliminary step of mounting the dispenser to the underside of a fixture, including removing a portion of each extension wall along a score line so as to adjust the distance from the underside of the fixture below which the top side of the housing is mounted.

2 more elements

A towel dispenser, comprising a housing for receiving toweling comprising a roll of paper towels, the housing comprising extension walls located proximate opposite exterior sides of the housing that extends above a top side of the housing, each extension wall comprising a weakened line extending parallel to a weakened line of the other extension walls, whereby the extent above the top side at which each extension walls extends may be changed, the extent representing a distance from the underside of a fixture below which the top side of the housing is mounted when the towel dispenser is installed under the fixture.

A method of dispensing towels from toweling with a dispenser, comprising:

(a) extending the toweling exterior of a housing of the dispenser for grasping by a user;
and subsequent thereto,
(b) retracting the toweling into the housing;
(c) wherein the toweling comprises a roll of paper towels and the dispenser is configured to unwind roll of paper towels during extension of toweling from the housing but not rewind the roll of paper towels during subsequent retraction of toweling into the housing, and
(d) wherein a back side of the housing includes an opening that is configured such that excess toweling gathering within the housing may fall as a result of retraction of toweling back into the housing.

2 more elements

A towel dispenser, comprising:

(a) a housing for receiving toweling, comprising
(i) a main body,
(ii) a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between,
(A) a closed position, in which the housing is configured to dispense towels there from, and
(B) an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein,
(iii) a guide system that is configured to guide the toweling within the housing while towels are dispensed from the housing, and
(iv) a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from the housing and to cause the toweling to be retracted into the housing after the leading edge has been extended;
(b) wherein a back side of the housing includes an opening configured to permit excess toweling to fall there through during retraction of the toweling back into the housing by the motor assembly.

5 more elements

A towel dispenser, comprising:

(a) a housing for receiving toweling, wherein the toweling includes towels that are connected together and separable at perforation formed between the towels;
(b) a motor configured to selectively cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from the housing and to cause the toweling to be retracted into the housing;
and
(c) a sensor for sensing a leading edge of the toweling;
(d) wherein the sensor is configured to cause the motor to cease retracting toweling into the housing in response to the sensing of the leading edge of the toweling.

2 more elements

A towel dispenser as disclosed herein.

A method of dispensing towels from a dispenser, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a towel dispenser including a housing for containing toweling, wherein the toweling includes towels connected together and separable at perforations formed there between;
a motor configured to selectively cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from the housing and to cause the toweling to be retracted into the housing;
and a sensor for sensing a leading edge of the toweling;
(b) using the motor, extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user;
(c) using the motor, retracting the toweling into the housing;
(d) while retracting the toweling, sensing a leading edge of the toweling using the sensor;
and
(e) ceasing to retract the toweling into the housing using the motor upon sensing the leading edge of the toweling by the sensor.

5 more elements

A method for dispensing a towel as disclosed herein.

A method, comprising:

(a) advancing toweling using a motor of a paper towel dispenser apparatus;
(b) determining, via a sensor, when a certain extent of toweling has been advanced;
(c) based on said determining when a certain extent of toweling has been advanced, ceasing the advance of the advancing toweling, wherein, upon ceasing the advance of the advancing toweling, a first length of toweling is extended outside of a housing of the paper towel dispenser apparatus;
(d) determining, via the sensor, that the length of toweling extended outside of the housing has increased, wherein a second length of toweling is extended outside of the housing of the paper towel dispenser apparatus, the second length being greater than the first length;
and
(e) in response to said determining that the length of toweling extended outside of the housing has increased, applying force to the toweling, via the motor, in a manner adapted to retract the toweling such that the length of toweling extended outside of the housing decreases.

3 more elements

A method, comprising, when a length of toweling is extended outside of a housing of a paper towel dispenser:

(a) determining, via a sensor, that the length of toweling extended outside of the housing of the paper towel dispenser has increased;
and
(b) in response to said determining that the length of toweling extended outside of the housing has increased, applying force to the toweling, via the motor, in a manner adapted to retract the toweling such that the length of toweling extended outside of the housing decreases.

A method, comprising:

(a) advancing toweling using a motor of a paper towel dispenser apparatus;
(b) monitoring, via a sensor, rotation that occurs as toweling is advanced or retracted;
(c) determining, via the sensor, that a certain amount of rotation has occurred;
(d) based on said determining that a certain amount of rotation has occurred, ceasing the advance of the advancing toweling;
(e) after said ceasing of the advance of the advancing toweling, determining, via the sensor, that additional rotation has occurred;
and
(f) in response to said determining that a certain amount of rotation has occurred, applying force, via the motor, in a manner adapted to counteract the additional rotation.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/339,920Filed 31 Oct 2016
Priority: 6 Jun 2009
Published: 16 Feb 2017
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A47K 10/36
Dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means: with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
A47K 10/3625
The cutting devices being motor driven: with electronic control means
A47K 2010/3668
With mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices: detection of the presence of a user
A47K 2010/3681
With mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices: characterised by the way a new paper roll is loaded in the dispenser

Family

Application61/184,789Us provisional application · filed 6 Jun 2009
Application61/266,169Us provisional application · filed 3 Dec 2009
Application12/795,384Continuation in part · filed 7 Jun 2010
Application12/861,804Continuation · filed 23 Aug 2010
Application14/035,944Continuation · filed 24 Sep 2013
Application15/339,920Continuation
Application12/861,804Continuation in part
US 10,213,069 B2Related patent
US 2010/0314429 A1Published application
US 2014/0021287 A1Published application
US 8,632,030 B2Related patent
US 9,480,370 B2Related patent
US 2017/0042393 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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