Patent ID: 9167941
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: A47K

Abstract:
1. A sheet product dispenser, comprising: a housing having a cover; a main controller, a motor, and a dispensing mechanism all disposed within the housing and in operable communication with each other to dispense a length of sheet product; an indicator light disposed relative to the housing and configured in operable communication with the main controller to provide indication to a user of a functional aspect of the dispenser; a stationary tear bar operably disposed proximate the dispensing mechanism to facilitate separation of the sheet product, a movable tear bail operably disposed proximate the tear bar, and a tear sensor operably disposed to send a tear signal to the main controller upon movement of the tear bail, wherein the stationary tear bar, the tear bail, and the tear sensor are operable when the cover is open and when the cover is closed; and an auxiliary feed push button disposed in operable communication with a switch, the switch being internally disposed within the housing so as to be accessible and actuatable by a user when the cover is open to dispense a length of sheet product in response to actuation of the switch by a user when the cover is open, the push button being so disposed as to be accessible and actuatable by a user when the cover is closed and comprising a viewing window configured to allow a user to view the indicator light; wherein the main controller is responsive to executable instructions to facilitate actuation of the motor and the dispensing mechanism to dispense a length of sheet product in response to the signal from the tear sensor; wherein the main controller is responsive to executable instructions to facilitate actuation of the motor and the dispensing mechanism to dispense a length of sheet product in response to a signal from the switch when actuated by the auxiliary feed push button; and wherein the main controller is responsive to executable instructions to facilitate actuation of the motor and the dispensing mechanism to dispense a length of sheet product in response to a signal from the switch when the switch is actuated by a user.