Low reserve indicator for a paper towel dispenser

A paper towel dispenser includes a housing with an inner chamber configured to support a paper supply and a dispensing aperture for dispensing paper from the paper supply. The paper supply includes a side that is formed by superimposed edge portions of paper from the paper supply. An indicator mechanism is affixed to the housing within the inner chamber and is disposed adjacent the paper supply. The indicator mechanism includes an indicator operably connected to a release mechanism. The indicator is movable between a retracted position and an indicating position. The release mechanism is pivotally biased away from the housing and is releasable in response to the paper supply being reduced below a predetermined amount. Upon release of the release mechanism, the release mechanism causes the indicator to move to the indicating position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention is indicators for alerting users that the paper reserve in a paper towel dispenser is low.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is conventional to dispense paper towels from an upright roll, that is, a roll whose center axis is oriented vertically. The center of the roll is coreless, so the paper can be pulled from the inner periphery of the roll, that is, usually downwardly through a hole formed in a floor of a dispenser housing. Therefore, the radial thickness of the roll gradually diminishes from a roll inner periphery toward a roll outer periphery. Eventually, only a very small radial thickness of the roll remains.

It is also conventional to dispense paper towels from a vertical stack of individual towels or from a horizontal roll that rotates about a horizontal axis.

It is desirable for the user to be informed when the paper reserve is low in dispensers of the above-described types.

Low-reserve indicators have been previously proposed for paper towel dispensers of the type wherein individual towels are arranged in a vertical stack (see U.S. Pat. No. 1,738,721), or in a horizontal roll (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,601,956 and 3,273,773). In U.S. Pat. No. 1,738,721, the low reserve indicator includes a follower roller which rests upon the top of the stack and travels downwardly as the stack is depleted. The roller is attached by a lever arm to a pointer which is visible through a window disposed in a upper portion of the dispenser housing. The pointer rotates as the roller descends, in order to traverse a space between an “empty” indicia and a “full” indicia. Shortcomings of such an indicator include the fact that the roller must be manually held in a raised state by an operator who is loading fresh towels in the dispenser, thus complicating the re-filling operation. Also, the lever must be relatively long in order to extend between the pointer and the roller when the roller is at its lowermost state, whereby the expense, weight, size etc. of the indicator are greater than would be desired.

In each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,601,956 and 3,273,773, a relatively long indicator arm must be provided in order to extend to an outer cylindrical periphery of a paper roll U.S. Pat. No. 2,601,956, or in order to extend along and past the entire longitudinal length of the paper roll U.S. Pat. No. 3,273,773. Such long elements increase the overall cost of providing a low reserve indicator mechanism.

Also, it will be appreciated that the low reserve indicators described above are not suitable to a vertically oriented roll, let alone a coreless roll whose towels are pulled from the inner periphery of the roll.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a paper dispenser which comprises a housing and an indicator mechanism affixed to the housing. The housing includes an inner chamber configured to support a paper supply. The paper supply has a side that is formed by superimposed edge portions of paper from the paper supply. The indicator mechanism includes an indicator operably connected to a release mechanism. The indicator is movable between an retracted position and an indicating position. The release mechanism is pivotally biased away from the housing and is releasable in response to the paper supply being reduced below a predetermined amount. Upon release, the release mechanism causes the indicator to move to the indicating position.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved paper dispenser. Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2is a paper towel dispenser10which dispenses towels from a paper supply in the form of a coreless roll16of paper towels from an inner periphery12of the roll16. The dispenser housing includes an upright side wall18, a floor20, and a cover21, together forming an internal chamber14for housing the roll16. The floor20includes a central opening22through which the towels can be dispensed.

A rear side of the dispenser is to be affixed to a wall24, so that the central opening22is spaced from the wall. In a conventional manner, the dispenser10is split into front and rear sections26,28about a vertical parting line, and the dispenser is hinged at30along a vertical side of the parting line, to enable the generally semi-cylindrically shaped front section26to be swung open about that hinge, whereby the roll16can be inserted. Afterwards, the centermost towel is pulled partially down through the opening, and the front section26is closed, whereupon the dispenser is ready to dispense. A releasable latch31of any suitable type is provided for securing the front and rear sections26,28a closed state.

As the roll16becomes depleted, its radial thickness t becomes gradually diminished. In order to warn a user or custodian when the remaining number of towels in the roll reaches a low state, the low-reserve indicator40(also herein referred to as a “low reserve indicator mechanism”) is provided.

A first embodiment of the indicator40, depicted inFIGS. 2-11, comprises an upper housing50(FIG. 8), a pusher member60(FIG. 7), a release mechanism70including a release arm80(FIG. 9) and a release slide90(FIG. 5), and an indicator in the form of a sign100(FIG. 6).

The upper housing or base50(FIG. 8) is adapted to be fixed to an underside26aof the dispenser, for example, by a double-backed adhesive (not shown) which can be attached to a top wall52of the upper housing50. Depending downwardly from the top wall52are two identical parallel side walls54, each including a pair of horizontal guide slots56, a curved, generally vertical guide slot58, and a pivot hole59. The guide slots56and58of each side wall54are horizontally aligned with respective slots of the other side wall54. Also depending from the top wall52is a leg53adapted to support a rear end of a coil spring69(FIG. 13), as will be discussed.

The pusher member60(FIG. 7) includes a top wall62disposed beneath the top wall52of the upper housing50, a pair of side walls64disposed parallel to, and inside of, the side walls54of the upper housing, and a front pusher arm or wall65depending downwardly from a front end of the top wall62and side walls64. The pusher arm65includes an aperture66for accommodating movement of the sign100, as will be explained. Projecting outwardly from the exterior surface of each of the side walls64are two guide pins67. Those guide pins67are slidably received in respective horizontal slots56of the upper housing50to define a pin-and-slot connection to enable the pusher member to slide relative to the base. A pivot hole68is situated at a rear end of each side wall64to support the release arm80of the release mechanism70. Depending downwardly from a front end of the top wall62is a leg76that supports a front end of the spring69. It will be appreciated that the spring69yieldably biases the pusher member toward the center of the housing for reasons to be explained.

The release arm80(FIG. 9) includes a bottom wall82and two side walls84extending upwardly from the bottom wall82. The bottom wall82includes a rearwardly facing portion83which extends generally upwardly and rearwardly to enable the release arm to be cammed upwardly upon engaging a roll of paper towels when the dispenser is closed, as will be explained. Each side wall84includes a guide slot86extending in a generally front-to-rear direction. A front end of each guide slot86is open, whereas a rear end87thereof is closed. Each side wall84includes a hole88aligned with the respective pivot hole68of the pusher member60, whereby an axle89(FIG. 12) can be inserted through the holes68,88to establish a pivot connection enabling the release arm80to pivot up and down. The front end of the release arm80is thus able to move up and down. One or more torsion springs91(seeFIG. 12) are provided at the axle89to yieldably bias the release arm for counter-clockwise rotation as viewed inFIG. 12.

The release slide90(FIG. 5) includes side walls94and a connector92interconnecting rear ends of the side walls94. Projecting outwardly from a rear end of each side wall94is a guide projection in the form of a rectangular-shaped pin or lug96that is slidably disposed in the respective slot86of the release arm80to define therewith a pin-and-slot connection. A projection in the form of a guide pin97projects laterally outwardly from each side wall94at a location forwardly of the guide pin96. The guide pins97extend through respective guide slots58of the upper housing50to define therewith a pin-and-slot connection. Formed in the side wall94forwardly of the guide pin97is a slot98of generally U-shape. The slot98includes a central apex portion98aand front and rear portions98b,98cextending generally upwardly from the apex portion.

The sign100(FIG. 6) includes a body102having a pair of laterally projecting pivot pins104mounted in respective ones of the pivot holes59of the upper housing to enable the sign100to swing between a rear (retracted) position (FIG. 10) and a forward or indicating (extended) position (FIG. 11). The sign also carries pins106disposed in the slots98to form therewith a pin-and-slot connection. A front face108of the sign100carries indicia, such as the word “LOW” which is visible to a user or custodian when the sign is in the forward position (seeFIG. 14).

To enable the indicia to be visible, the front section26of the dispenser housing is preferably formed of a transparent material, such as a tinted acrylic. Alternatively, a window could be formed in the front section26through which the indicia could be seen.

In operation, the coreless roll16of paper towels is mounted in an upright state within the internal chamber14of the dispenser. When the front section26of the dispenser is then closed, the indicating mechanism (which is fixed to the underside26aof the front section26of the dispenser) approaches cylindrical outer periphery of the roll16. In this state, the pusher member60will be in its right-most position, that is, closest to the center of the dispenser, under the urging of the spring69(seeFIG. 13). Also, the release arm80will be in its lowermost position, due to gravity, aided by the force of the torsion spring91(FIG. 12). As a result, the inclined rearwardly facing portion83of the bottom wall of the release arm80of the release mechanism70abuts an upper edge16aof the roll16and is cammed upwardly thereby. Hence, the release arm80is caused to pivot upwardly against the bias of the torsion springs91about a pivot axis defined by the axle89. Eventually, the release arm80comes to rest on an upper surface16bof the roll16, as shown inFIG. 10.

It will be appreciated that the release mechanism accommodates rolls of varying height (that is, longitudinal length), because of the ability of the release arm80to pivot upwardly. That is, the extent to which the release arm swings upwardly will be dependent upon the height of the roll16. The greater the roll height, the greater will be the distance by which the release arm80swings upwardly.

When the front pusher arm65of the pusher member60abuts an outer periphery16cof the roll16it may be pushed radially outwardly thereby, against the bias of the spring69(FIG. 13), by a distance dependent upon the diameter of the roll16. In the embodiment according toFIGS. 10-11, the roll16of maximum diameter has been installed, whereby the pusher member60has been displaced to its maximum outer position wherein the guide pins67of the pusher member60are disposed at the front end of the guide slots56of the base.

If the roll16had been of a smaller outer diameter, as depicted inFIG. 12, wherein a smaller diameter roll16′ has been installed, the pusher member60(FIG. 3) would not have been displaced radially outwardly (that is, to the left) as far as inFIGS. 10 and 11. Also, the guide pins96of the release slide90would be situated farther outwardly (to the left) in the guide slots86of the release arm80inFIG. 12. Thus, the reason for making the release mechanism70of two parts80and90is to enable rolls of different outer diameter to be accommodated.

In any event, it will be appreciated that since the release arm80is mounted on the pusher member60, the final position of that release arm80is dependent upon the final position of the pusher member60.

In the state shown inFIG. 10, the guide pins106of the sign are captured in the rear portion98cof the guide slots of the release slide90, and the sign100is held in the rear (retracted) position.

As towels are removed from an inner periphery16dof the roll, the radial thickness t of the roll diminishes. Eventually, the inner periphery reaches a lowermost portion82aof the bottom wall82of the release arm80, whereafter an inclined, forwardly facing portion85of the release arm80contacts the upper rear edge16eof the roll16. Eventually, the thickness t′ is so thin, for example, one-eighth of an inch, that the upper edge16aof the roll travels radially outside of a front end of the forwardly facing portion85. Accordingly, the release arm becomes unsupported and drops downwardly about the axis of the pivot pins, due to gravity (seeFIG. 11). As that happens, the release slide90swings downwardly with the release arm, whereupon the guide slots98force the guide pins106of the sign100forwardly until the sign comes to rest in the forward position, so that the user or custodian can see the “LOW” indicia (seeFIG. 14).

It will be understood that since the release arm80is mounted on the pusher member60and moves together therewith, the distance between the pusher arm65and the roll-contacting point on the bottom wall82of the release arm80will remain essentially constant during the towel dispensing phase, regardless of the horizontal location of the pusher member60, that is, regardless of the outer diameter of the roll. Thus, the sign100will always provide a low reserve indication in response to the same value of t′.

It will be appreciated that the low-reserve mechanism according to the present invention enables a user or custodian to be warned of a low-reserve state of an upright roll of paper towels in a dispenser. Furthermore, the low-reserve mechanism automatically adjusts to the height and outer diameter of the upright roll.

Also while it has been mentioned that springs can be provided to bias the release arm80downwardly, it may be possible to dispense with those springs and rely upon gravity alone if the design is such that insufficient friction will be generated that could cause the release arm to become hung-up.

It will also be appreciated that the feature of the invention wherein the low-reserve mechanism automatically adjusts to the roll diameter is optional. That is, the release mechanism, instead of being formed of two relatively movable parts80,90, could be formed of a single member, as shown inFIG. 15. That is,FIG. 15shows an indicating mechanism40′ wherein the release mechanism70′ comprises a single element pivotably connected to a stationary upper housing50′ which also carries a pusher member65′ that abuts the outer periphery of the roll16. The release mechanism70′ carries guide slots98′ in which guide pins106′ of the sign100′ slide. The indicator mechanism accommodates a roll of a given outer diameter and does not possess the ability to accommodate rolls of different outer diameter as does the mechanism ofFIGS. 1-14.

The present invention can also be used to provide a low-reserve indication for towel dispensers of the type in which towels are dispensed from a paper supply in the form of a vertical stack or a horizontal roll. In that regard, attention is directed toFIGS. 16-18depicting a dispenser housing200of the type which dispenses paper towels202disposed in a vertical stack. The dispenser includes a fixed first section204that is fixed to a wall (not shown), and a hinged second section (door)206that is connected to the first section204by a hinge (e.g., along an upper edge or a vertical side edge) to open and close a chamber formed by the dispenser housing. The stack of towels202(preferably interfolded towels) is supported such that at each end of the stack, vertically superimposed edge portions of the towels form a vertical side208that faces in a horizontally outward direction. The housing also forms a dispensing aperture at a lower end of the chamber for dispensing towels one-at-a-time.

A low-reserve indicator mechanism210according to the invention is affixed within the chamber to an upright wall212defined by the door206for indicating when a remaining (reserve) quantity of towels in the stack is low. The indicator mechanism includes a base member214affixed to the upright wall212, an indicator216mounted to the base member214for rotation about a horizontal axis215a, and a release mechanism218. The base member is similar to the previously described upper housing50in that it includes a pair of parallel side walls220a,220b. The indicator216includes a sign222that bears the indicia “LOW”, and a crank arm234. The release mechanism comprises pair of parallel arms218a(only one arm being depicted) interconnected by a pin240.

The side walls220a,220bof the base member214are situated between the arms218a, and the indicator216is situated between the side walls220a,220b. The pin240is slidably and rotatably disposed in identical first slots242formed in respective side walls220a,220band is spring-biased in a direction of bias by tension springs244(only one shown), each of which extends between the pin240and a fixed joint246on the respective side wall220a,220b.

The crank arm234of the indicator216is pivotably connected to respective ones of the arms218aby respective pin-and-slot connections, and defined by a pin250that extends through a second slot252formed in the respective side wall220aor220b.

In use, an operator opens the door206, inserts a new stack of paper towels202, and re-closes the door. When the door is closed, the arms218aof the release mechanism engage the vertical side208of the stack and are pushed to the retracted position shown inFIG. 17, against the bias of the spring244. Simultaneously, the indicator216is swung to a position shown inFIG. 17wherein the sign222is spaced from a window256formed in the wall212. When the stack of towels becomes so depleted that the vertical side208of the stack descends to a level below the arms218a, the arms218aare released and swung by the springs244to a release position shown inFIG. 18in a direction causing the sign222to be swung toward the window256in order to expose the “LOW” indicia as shown inFIG. 16.

The low-reserve indicator mechanism210can also be used in connection with a conventional dispenser that dispenses towels from a roll of paper towels260which rotates about a horizontal axis262, as shown inFIG. 19. The towels are separated from the towels260by the user, for example, by forcing the paper against a conventional cutter (not shown) formed on the dispenser housing. The paper in the roll has vertically superimposed edge portions that form a vertical side264that is contacted by the arms218aof the release mechanism in the manner disclosed above. When the roll is depleted to such an extent that the vertical side264descends below the point of contact with the arms218a, the “LOW” indicia of the sign222becomes visible outside of the dispenser housing. A wall266shown inFIG. 19could be a side wall of the dispenser housing. The arms218acould be automatically pushed to the retracted position in response to the application of a force thereto from the towels260as the roll is being loaded.

The low-reserve indicator is small light-weight, inexpensive and can be automatically placed in a retracted state in response to the loading of paper, or closing the dispenser.

It will also be appreciated that the low-reserve indicator mechanism210could assume many different configurations for achieving its intended advantages.