Patent ID: 7793882
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: A47K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A dispenser for dispensing sheet product, comprising: a housing; a proximity sensor operative to detect a presence of a user's hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser; a tear bar operative to pivot in response to an existing sheet product being torn from the dispenser; a tear bar switch in operable communication with the tear bar; a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing, the dispensing mechanism comprising an electronic controller operably coupled to a drive motor that is operably coupled to a feed roller to dispense the sheet product; wherein the dispensing mechanism is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from the proximity sensor to dispense the sheet product; wherein the dispensing mechanism is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet product in response to the tear bar asserting the tear bar switch in response to the existing sheet product being torn from the dispenser; wherein the infrared proximity sensor comprises an infrared emitter and an infrared detector, the infrared emitter is disposed and configured to emit an infrared light energy, the presence of a user's hand serves to reflect the emitted infrared light energy, and the adjustable sensitivity of the infrared proximity sensor is adjustable by changing an effective distance of the reflected infrared light energy; and wherein the infrared proximity sensor comprises a plurality of resistors electrically interconnected with the infrared emitter to allow for higher or lower currents through the infrared emitter, thereby affecting the intensity of infrared light emitted, and thereby changing the effective distance of the reflected infrared light energy.