Abstract:
In one embodiment, a power system for a plurality of dispensers comprises an AC transformer to receive a line voltage and generate an output voltage of about 2 volts AC to about 50 volts AC; a plurality of dispensers, each housing at least one electrical component operatively configured to dispense product through a dispensing aperture, each of the dispensers comprising a battery compartment; and a plurality of power converters adapted to be at least partially disposed within the battery compartments such that at least one power converter is associated with each dispenser, the converters disposed in communication with the AC transformer such that the power converters receive the output voltage and provide a DC voltage to one or more electrical components housed within the dispensers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/831,765 filed Jul. 18, 2006, and entitled “Power Supply System For Dispenser,” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure generally relates to power supply systems, and more particularly, to power supply systems and methods to provide power to one or more dispensers. 
     Battery powered paper dispensers incorporating waste minimizing technology have become popular for minimizing waste, while improving sanitation and convenience of use. For battery powered paper dispensers, periodic battery replacement often becomes a nuisance. Indeed, monitoring power levels within batteries in use as well as replacing spent batteries can require important employee time that may be spent on other important job-related tasks. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a paper dispenser with a conventional battery pack BP, including batteries  58 , as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,067. Batteries  58  within battery pack BP can be changed during a maintenance procedure. This procedure typically includes opening a dispenser housing to access and remove batteries ( 58 ) with battery pack BP for replacement or testing. 
     Battery testing is generally utilized to determine when batteries are nearing end of life (EOL). Sometimes, batteries within battery pack BP are replaced prior to EOL during a scheduled battery replacement. While replacing batteries nearing EOL may be efficient, this procedure can lead to replacing batteries having remaining power amounts thereby potentially wasting good batteries, increasing battery costs, and increasing battery waste. In a similar vein, replacing batteries that are spent typically occurs after batteries have been drained for some time thereby causing a dispenser to be inoperable for some amount of time. 
     For an array of dispensers within a location, for example, one or more restrooms, dispensers seeing more frequent use relative to others require more frequent battery replacement. It is typically a nuisance to keep battery replacement records, particularly in multi-dispenser environments. In addition, battery acquisition costs and disposal concerns, and the requirement of additional labor costs are significant limitations of current battery powered paper dispensers. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for improved power systems for dispensers to resolve the above-discussed and other difficulties and limitations. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are power supply systems for dispensers and methods of powering dispensers. 
     In one embodiment, a power system for a plurality of dispensers comprises an AC transformer to receive a line voltage and generate an output voltage of about 2 volts AC to about 50 volts AC; a plurality of dispensers, each housing at least one electrical component operatively configured to dispense product through a dispensing aperture, each of the dispensers comprising a battery compartment; and a plurality of power converters adapted to be at least partially disposed within the battery compartments such that at least one power converter is associated with each dispenser, the converters disposed in communication with the AC transformer such that the power converters receive the output voltage and provide a DC voltage to one or more electrical components housed within the dispensers. 
     In one embodiment, a power system for a plurality of paper dispensers comprises an AC-to-AC transformer to receive an input AC voltage at a first voltage level and to provide an output AC voltage at a second voltage level; a plurality of paper dispensers, each having a dispense roller powered by a roller motor, the roller motor being a DC motor; a plurality of low voltage lines to carry the output AC voltage to the paper dispensers; and at least one AC-to-DC voltage converter disposed proximate one of the plurality of paper dispensers and coupled to at least one of the low voltage lines to receive the second voltage level, the at least one AC-to-DC voltage converter operatively configured to convert the output AC voltage to an output DC voltage. 
     In one embodiment, a dispenser comprises a dispenser housing having an inner chamber operatively configured to support a roll of paper and having a dispensing aperture; a DC motor operatively configured to dispense paper from the roll of paper through the dispensing aperture; a battery compartment adapted to receive a plurality of batteries; and a power converter sized to dispose at least partially within the battery compartment, the power converter comprising an input terminal receiving an AC voltage of between 2 and 50 volts, an output terminal providing a DC voltage to the motor; and a converter circuit disposed between the input and output terminals. 
     In one embodiment, a method to provide power to a plurality of dispensers, the method comprises providing a transformer operatively configured to receive an input voltage and to provide a supply voltage; and providing a voltage converter to receive the supply voltage and to provide an output voltage, the output voltage being provided to a dispenser to power the dispenser for dispensing operation and the voltage converter to have a predetermined size such that the voltage converter can be removably disposed within a compartment housed within the dispenser. 
     The above described and other features are exemplified by the following Figures and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the various embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional battery-powered dispenser that includes a battery compartment housing batteries. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a dispenser used with a power supply system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3-6  illustrate several perspective views of an adapter housing suitable for use with a dispenser in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary adapter for use with a dispenser in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a schematic diagram of an AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuit for use in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a wiring diagram for a power system for one or more dispensers in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a power supply system wiring network for one or more dispensers of a dispenser network in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a logical flow diagram of a method to power one or more dispensers in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to power supply systems and methods for one or more dispensers. Embodiments of the present invention may be used in conjunction with available battery-powered paper dispensers and/or new line-powered paper dispensers. In addition, embodiments of the present invention can be used to implement a network of dispensers in a location. Such locations can include, for example, an office, school, restaurant, or many other facilities where dispensers are desired. 
     Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below in detail. Throughout this description, various components may be identified as having specific values or parameters, however, these items are provided as exemplary embodiments. Such exemplary embodiments do not limit the various aspects and concepts of the present invention as many comparable parameters, sizes, ranges, and/or values may be implemented. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , this figure illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a dispenser  10  that can be used with a power supply system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Other sample and possible dispensers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,793,170 and 6,592,067 and US Patent Application Publication 2005/0072875, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the dispenser  10  may be automated or user operated according to embodiments of the present invention. For example, the dispenser  10  may be operated in a hands-free mode by use of a proximity sensor, infrared sensor, capacitive-sensor, optical sensor, and many other sensors. According to other embodiments, the dispenser  10  may also respond to active input from a user to operate by dispensing material when receiving active input from a user. It is an advantage of some embodiments of the present invention to provide an AC-to-DC (Alternating Current to Direct Current) adapter system that can be implemented with existing battery powered paper dispensers. 
     It should be understood that the dispenser  10  can be used to dispense many types of materials in accordance with the various embodiments of the present invention. For example, the dispenser  10  may be configured to dispense sheet product material. The term “sheet products” can include natural and/or synthetic cloth or paper sheets. Further, sheet products can include both woven and non-woven articles. Examples of sheet products include, but are not limited to, wipers, napkins, tissues, and towels. Other possible types of dispensed materials can include, but are not limited to, plastic or plastic-based sheet materials and metallic or metallic-sheet materials. In addition, the dispenser may be adapted to emit various scents or scented air. As an example, this may include dispensing various fragrances to control area odors or alter scent characteristics of an area. In yet other embodiments, the dispenser may be adapted for dispensing liquids or foams (e.g., for use as a liquid or foam soap dispenser). 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , dispenser  10  includes a rear housing  11  and a front housing (removed to expose dispenser components) that house dispenser components. The dispenser  10  can include a carousel assembly  30  and a feed roller  50  which serves to feed material to be dispensed by the dispenser  10 . A control unit  54  can operate a feed roller motor  56 . Power can be supplied to the dispenser  10  by batteries (not shown) or a system including an AC-to-DC adapter  20  as described below in more detail. A light  59 , for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), may also be incorporated into a low battery warning system such that the light  59  turns on when battery voltage approaches or falls below a predetermined threshold. 
     Batteries or adapter  20  can be held within a compartment  58 . The compartment  58  may be specifically designed to hold multiple batteries or may be specifically designed to hold the adapter  20 . When batteries are used, a battery compartment cover  12  can retain one or more batteries within the compartment  58 . The cover  12  can include a pair of tabs  13  sized to engage a pair of slot openings  14  within the dispenser housing. The cover  12  can further include a latch  15  adapted to engage a portion of the dispenser or dispenser housing to secure cover  12 . Battery replacement can include engaging latch  15  to gain access to battery compartment  58 . For brevity, the other enumerated items of  FIG. 2  are not discussed here in detail; however, these components are discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,067 (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     As mentioned above, the adapter  20  can be used to provide power to the dispenser  10 . According to some embodiments, the adapter  20  can include AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60  (discussed below in more detail with reference to  FIG. 8 ). In one embodiment, the adapter  20  is supplied with a low AC voltage, e.g., about 2 VAC (volts alternating current) to about 50 VAC, specifically about 12 VAC to 30 VAC for some embodiments, with 24 VAC particularly useful for some embodiments, and converts the low AC voltage to a low DC voltage, e.g., about 2 VDC (volts direct current) to about 24 VDC, specifically about 2 VDC to about 12 VDC for some embodiments, with 6 VDC particularly useful for some embodiments. As the adapter  20  can be sized to take the place of batteries or sized the same as a few batteries, the adapter  20  can be disposed in contact with battery electrical connections (not shown). Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention can retrofit an existing dispenser to be powered as discussed herein. Retrofitting need not alter an existing dispenser, thus enabling existing dispensers the option of still being powered by batteries. 
     Battery electrical connectors  73 ,  74  are configured for electrical contact with batteries to receive power from batteries. The adapter  20  can have corresponding connectors  70 ,  72  to connect to the battery electrical connections. The exact location of connectors  70 ,  72  can vary according to different embodiments. In one embodiment, however, the adapter&#39;s  20  connectors  70 ,  72  mirror the connectors  73 ,  74  of the dispenser  10  to form electrical connections thereby enabling the adapter  20  to provide power to the dispenser  10 . It should be understood, that in those embodiments where the compartment  58  is not sized specifically for batteries, the adapter  20  also has connectors  70 ,  72  to be coupled to the dispenser  10  to provide electrical power to the dispenser  10 . 
     As mentioned above, the adapter  20  can be housed within an adapter housing  21  when disposed within the dispenser  10 . As an example, the adapter housing  21  may be used when the compartment  58  is specifically configured to receive batteries. Thus, the adapter housing  21  can alter or retrofit sizing of the compartment  58  to receive the adapter  20 . Advantageously, this enables the adapter  20  to fit snugly and ensures that the adapter  20  is positioned in a desired position within the dispenser  10 . 
       FIGS. 2-6  illustrate the adapter housing  21  suitable for use with the dispenser  10  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The adapter housing  21  can be sized to be received into the compartment  58 . The shape and size of the adapter housing  21  can vary according to application as one advantage of the adapter housing  21  is to enable the adapter  20  to mate with the dispenser  10 . As shown, the adapter housing  21  can include a top surface  17 , a lower surface  19 , and pair of tabs  13 . The pair of tabs  13  can be sized to engage a pair of corresponding slot openings  14  of the dispenser  10 . The adapter housing  21  can further include the latch  15  adapted to engage a structure within a housing of the dispenser. The shape of the adapter  20  and the adapter housing  21  can correspond to enable quick entry and removal of the adapter  20  within the dispenser  10  should a user desire to insert or remove the adapter  20  from the dispenser  10 . In some embodiments, the adapter housing  21  may not be desired or used. 
       FIG. 7  (with periodic reference to  FIG. 2 ) illustrates an exemplary adapter  20  for use with the dispenser  10  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As mentioned herein, the adapter  20  comprises a plurality of inputs and outputs to receive one voltage and provide another. The adapter  20  can receive an input AC voltage and provides an output DC voltage. To accomplish voltage transition, the adapter  20  can comprise the AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60 . The AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60  can be configured to convert an AC voltage to a DC voltage and, in some embodiments, the AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60  may convert an input voltage to a lower voltage (e.g., a DC/DC converter). In other embodiments, the adapter  20  may also provide multiple output voltages (AC or DC) having different voltage levels so that the adapter  20  can provide different voltages to dispenser  10  components operating at different voltage levels. 
     The inputs and outputs of the adapter  20  can serve as interfaces with other dispenser  10  components. As such, the inputs and outputs can be positioned in various configurations and include many different interfacing mechanisms. As illustrated, the adapter  20  has an input  75  and two connectors  70 ,  72 . The connectors  70 ,  72  can be spaced in relation to corresponding electronic contacts within the compartment  58 . As an example, the distance between connectors  70 ,  72  can approximate a battery diameter. This advantageous configuration enables the connectors  70 ,  72  to provide electrical coupling between AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60  and the electrical components of the dispenser  10 , such as the feed roller motor  56  and other dispenser electronics. The connectors  70 ,  72  can be many types of electrically conducting items, including for example, springs, contacts, or outwardly extending metal arms. Alternatively, the connectors  70 ,  72  can be configured to connect to a wire (e.g., a jumper wire) extending between the adapter  20  and the dispenser  10 . 
     The input  75  of the adapter  20  enables the adapter  20  be electrically connected to an input voltage supply. Indeed, a low voltage AC line  76 , i.e., supply line, ( FIG. 8 ) can be connected at one end to a terminal which can be coupled with a barrel jack as the input  75  to AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60 . The low voltage AC line  76  can be a low voltage line, with the AC voltage being supplied by a step down transformer. Advantageously, low voltage transformers are commonly commercially available. For example the step down transformer can be a 120 VAC to 24 VAC wall-mount or box-mount transformer. In some embodiments, the low voltage AC line  76  is provided at approximately 24 VAC. This advantageous feature enables safe installations and maintenance to be performed by maintenance personnel who are not highly skilled tradesman, e.g., licensed electricians and electrical contractors. Moreover, this advantageous feature can reduce associated installation and maintenance costs and provide a safe dispenser. 
       FIG. 8  (with periodic reference to  FIG. 2 ) illustrates a schematic diagram of the AC-to-DC conversion circuitry  60  for use in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60  is an exemplary conversion circuit and that many others can be used in alternative embodiments. As shown, the AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60  generally includes a bridge rectifier circuit  62  and additional signal conditioning circuitry  61 . In one embodiment, the signal conditioning circuitry  61  comprises adequate filtering capabilities so that the AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60  can power various electronic sensors with power yet not affect operational characteristics of any used sensors. For example, the signal conditioning circuitry  61  can provide a steady, filtered DC voltage that would not affect the operation of a proximity sensor (not shown) used in operating the dispenser  10 . 
       FIG. 8  also illustrates a plurality of inputs and outputs of the AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60  as discussed above. Indeed,  FIG. 8  shows that AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60  includes connectors  70 ,  72  that provide a DC voltage to power dispenser feed roller motor  56 , and that AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60  includes the input  75 . The input voltage terminal can be an input barrel jack for electrical coupling to voltage line that can be supplied by a transformer. A barrel jack connection mechanism advantageously enables the AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60  to be separated relative to dispenser  10 , such as during adapter  20  installation or replacement. It should be understood that the input  75  can be many types of connection mechanisms in accordance with the various embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  (with periodic reference to  FIG. 2 ) illustrates a wiring diagram for a power system for one or more dispensers in accordance to some embodiments of the present invention. The wiring diagram generally illustrates a transformer  90  providing power to multiple low voltage AC lines  76  that terminate in connection points  78 . As shown, the connection points can be male-type barrel jack connectors. Thus, the illustrated wiring diagram shows that the single transformer  90  can provide electrical power to a plurality of dispensers  10  (not shown) by connecting the connection points  78  to one or more dispensers  10 . The connection points  78  can provide power to an input of the adapter  20 . 
     In one embodiment, the transformer  90  receives a standard 120 VAC input and steps down this input voltage to a lower AC voltage (e.g., 24 VAC). In some embodiments, the line voltage can be about 110 VAC to about 230 VAC. Stepping down the voltage to a lower level enables an efficient yet effective power distribution network to one or more dispensers. Indeed, the transformer  90  can be located remote from (e.g., in a different room) one or more of the dispensers. Advantageously, having a remotely located transformer  90  can provide a centrally located power supply to feed multiple dispensers according to some embodiments. Further, due to the use of a low voltage AC power feed systems, distances between the transformer  90  and dispensers can range widely (e.g., less than 1 foot up to approximately 1000 feet). This advantageously enables the low voltage AC line  76  to be sized specifically according to installation requirements. 
     Other wiring configurations are also possible in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. For example, the connection points  78  of  FIGS. 9-10  may supply power to multiple dispensers such that a dedicated supply line is not required for one dispenser. Indeed, two dispensers may be coupled together with a short connection line so that one connection point  78  can provide power to multiple dispensers. This configuration can aid in reducing low voltage AC line  76  lengths to reduce installation and product costs. 
       FIG. 10  (with periodic reference to  FIG. 2 ) illustrates a power supply system network for one or more dispensers of a dispenser network in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 10  illustrates how multiple dispensers in distinct locations (e.g., separate restrooms) can be powered. The dispensers  10  illustrated in  FIG. 10  can include the dispensers  10  discussed so that dispensers house adapters  20  with AC-to-DC voltage conversion circuitry  60 . 
     The power supply system network generally includes an input voltage supply, the transformer  90 , multiple low voltage AC lines  76 , and several dispensers  10 . The transformer  90  may be located remotely from the dispensers  10 . Indeed, as illustrated, the transformer can be disposed remote from several restrooms in which the dispensers  10  are located. To provide power to the dispensers  10 , the transformer  90  receives the input voltage supply and steps down the input voltage. This reduced voltage is then provided to the low voltage AC line  76 . 
     The low voltage AC line  76  carry supply voltages to the dispensers  10  to power the dispensers  10 . The low voltage AC line  76  can be routed to the dispensers through walls and/or ceilings. The supply lines can connect to adapters  20  within the dispensers  10  so that the adapters can appropriately alter the supply voltage for use by the dispensers. In one embodiment, the low voltage AC line  76  directly connect to adapters with corresponding connectors (e.g., male and female barrel jack connectors). Although  FIG. 10  shows the dedicated low voltage AC line  76  for each dispenser  10 , one low voltage AC line  76  can be used to power multiple dispensers  10 . In addition, one or more dispensers  10  can be coupled to another dispenser  10  so that one dispenser  10  can provide power to another dispenser  10 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a logical flow diagram of a method  200  to power one or more dispensers in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The method  200  can include installing one or more AC-to-DC adapters into existing dispensers to retrofit in use dispensers, installing a new dispenser network at a location, or combinations thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that method  200  can be performed in various orders (including differently than illustrated in  FIG. 11 ), additional actions can form part of method  200 , and that some actions pictured in  FIG. 11  are not necessary. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the method  200  can initiate by providing one or more dispensers in a location  205 . A location generally refers to a place where a user, supplier, or installer may desire to dispose one or more dispensers, and can include a building, a restaurant, a room, a school, and many other such places. The method  200  can also include providing a transformer at a location at  210 . The transformer can receive a standard AC voltage supply (e.g., 120 VAC) and step down the standard AC voltage supply to a lower level AC voltage (e.g., 24 VAC). The lower level AC voltage can be provided to one or more dispensers via one or more supply lines at a location at  215 . 
     The method  200  can further include providing one or more adapter devices to convert the lower level AC voltage to DC voltage at location  220 . In one embodiment, the method  200  includes disposing an adapter within a dispenser placed at a location at  225 . As shown at location  230 , the adapter devices converts an AC supply voltage (e.g., 24 VAC) to a DC voltage (e.g., 6 VAC) according to method  200 . The DC voltage can then be provided to power the one or more dispensers. The provided DC voltage can be used to power dispensing mechanisms such as sensors, motors, status monitoring systems, and user interface devices. 
     The method  200  can also include additional features. As an example, the method  200  can include accessing a low voltage terminal of a line voltage transformer and coupling the terminal to a power converter within an adapter to provide a low-level DC voltage. The method  200  may also include extending an electrical conductor (e.g., wire) between a transformer and a power converter. The method may further include running an electrical conductor through a building wall and through a back wall of a dispenser housing. 
     Advantageously, in embodiments, the adapter can be conveniently integrated as a removable unit-body into a battery compartment of an existing dispenser to achieve space saving and operational conveniences. In other embodiments, the AC-to-DC converter may be incorporated within the dispenser at the time of manufacture. 
     It is yet another advantage of embodiments of the present invention to provide a battery adapter system utilizing low voltage, which can be safely installed and routed by routine maintenance personnel, without the need for a skilled tradesman (e.g., an electrical contractor). In comparison to DC lines, the low voltage AC lines have substantially greater permissible run lengths. Furthermore, low voltage transformers are commonly available (e.g., in telephone systems, alarm systems and the like). 
     The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the particular formulations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such formulations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat. Moreover, the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments only and the terminology is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
     Therefore, while certain embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail with particular reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention should not be limited to the above discussed embodiments, and should only be defined by the following claims and all equivalents.