Towel dispenser
US5573318A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47K10/28
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Unused towel rolled up in a shell (4) is guided between a roller (38) and a tracer (40) for detecting the towel end and via a transport roller (6a), forms a loop and runs via a transport roller (6b) to a roller (13) guided in slots (14a,b) and intended for receiving used towel. To ascertain whether the loop is being used or not, there is a movement sensor (20) with a bar (22) which is suspended rotatably about a horizontal axis and to which is attached a batten (23) via which the towel (5) is guided. Clamped in the bar (22) is the upper end of a piezoelectric element which at its lower end is clamped between parts connected to a sensor housing (21). Since a distinction can be made between use and non-use, it is possible for released unused towel to be retracted again. Various programs can be selected for operating the towel dispenser, and in particular the loop can be formed from unused and used towel or only from unused towel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.