Sheet material dispensing apparatus and method
US6412678B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T225/393
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A dispensing apparatus and method are disclosed for dispensing sheet material from at least one roll of the sheet material. Dispensing is transferred from a stub roll to a reserve roll automatically in response to sensing a predetermined quantity of the stub roll. An isolating element is provided to lift the reserve roll out of contact with dispensing rollers during dispensing of sheet material from the stub roll, and a nipping element is provided to nip sheet material of the reserve roll when dispensing is transferred from the stub roll to the reserve roll. A cam controls movement of both the isolating element and the nipping element. Structure is also provided for sensing the diameter of the reserve roll of sheet material and providing an indication when the reserve roll is a predetermined diameter. The dispenser is quiet and capacity efficient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.