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US 9,867,509 B2Granted
Dispenser with capacitive-based proximity sensor
AssigneeSan Jamar, Inc.
InventorsKostyantyn Hlushchenko, Taras Hrabovenskyy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dispenser assembly for web materials includes an enclosure that is configured to support a roll of material and a feed mechanism configured to dispense the material from the assembly. A capacitive sensor is connected to the feed mechanism and configured to allow touch-less operation of the dispenser. Operation of the sensor is adjustable so that the assembly can achieve a desired operation in environments having different capacitive backgrounds.
Claims25
A dispenser assembly comprising:
- an enclosure adapted to hold a supply of web material, the enclosure having an opening through which web material is dispensed;
- a capacitive sensor comprising an antenna wherein the antenna is directly supported by and disposed outside the enclosure and located and having a sensing zone proximate the opening and operative to detect movement of an object within the sensing zone;
- a drive mechanism operative to advance web material when the capacitive sensor detects movement of an object within the sensing zone;
- and
- a circuit board operationally connected to the antenna and configured to effectuate operation of the drive mechanism when the capacitive sensor detects movement of an object within the sensing zone and wherein the circuit board is located at a position that is offset from the capacitive sensor.
2 more elements
A web material dispenser comprising:
- an enclosure;
- a feed mechanism contained in the enclosure and configured to cooperate with a roll of a material such that operation of the feed mechanism dispenses the material beyond the enclosure;
- an antenna supported by and disposed outside the enclosure, the antenna being shaped to cooperate with a cavity defined by the enclosure such that the antenna is supported by cooperation of the antenna with the cavity defined by the enclosure;
- and
- a control that is offset from the antenna and is independently supported by the enclosure and operationally connected to the antenna and configured to manipulate sensitivity of a signal associated with the antenna as a function of background interference with the signal associated with the antenna.
2 more elements
A method of forming a web material dispenser, the method comprising:
- providing a feed mechanism that is configured to dispense web material from an enclosure;
- connecting a controller to the feed mechanism;
- and
- providing a capacitive sensor formed as an elongate antenna that is operationally connected to the controller and supported by and disposed outside the enclosure at a location in a cavity in the enclosure and remote from the controller such that the controller and elongate antenna are independently supported by the enclosure and configured to initiate operation of the feed mechanism in response to proximity detection of a user.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.