Patent ID: 6517025
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: A47K,Y10S

Abstract:
A paper towel dispenser adapted for containing an upright roll of paper towels having an inner periphery exposed in use from which the towels are dispensed, the dispenser comprising:a dispenser housing having a wall structure forming an inner chamber adapted to support the upright roll, the wall structure including a vertically open dispensing aperture therein for dispensing towels from the roll inner periphery; and a low-reserve indicator mechanism affixed to the dispenser housing within the chamber for indicating when a remaining quantity of towels in the roll is low, the indicator mechanism comprising: an indicator mounted for movement between a retracted position, and an indicating position for establishing a low-reserve indication detectible from outside of the dispenser housing, and a release mechanism arranged to be supported upon an upwardly facing end of the roll at a support location spaced outwardly from an initial inner periphery of the roll, the release mechanism being movable downwardly in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing radial thickness of the roll sufficient to cause the inner periphery of the roll to progress outwardly past the support location, the release mechanism being operably connected to the indicator to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position in response to the release mechanism moving downwardly.