Low reserve indicator for a paper towel dispenser
US6908059B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S242/912
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A paper towel dispenser dispenses towels from a paper supply and includes a dispenser housing a low-reserve indicator mechanism for indicating when a reserve quantity of the paper supply is low. The dispenser housing has a housing wall structure on which the low-reserve indicator mechanism is affixed. The paper supply has vertically super imposed edge portions which form an outwardly facing vertical side of the paper supply. The low-reserve indicator mechanism includes an indicator mounted for movement between a retracted position and an indicating position for establishing a low-reserve indication detectable from outside of the dispenser house. The indicator mechanism also includes a release mechanism adapted to be spring-biased into contact with the vertical side of the paper supply. The release mechanism is released for movement in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing height of the vertical side of the paper supply to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.