Patent Publication Number: US-2023157491-A1

Title: Dispensing Device with Restricted Towel Dispenser

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Washrooms in commercial and residential buildings typically include products such as toilet tissue or paper towels. These products are typically housed by a dispenser and are dispensed as needed by the user. Indeed, there are a number of manual, semi-automatic, and automatic dispensers capable of dispensing said products. The cost of dispensers can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the apparatus. For example, many semi-automatic and automatic dispensers include motorized parts for automatically dispensing material. Automatic dispensers can include sensors for automatically dispensing a portion of product when a user is within range of the dispenser. However, these motorized parts and sensors can significantly increase the cost of the dispenser. Similar to the semi-automatic or automatic dispensers, restrictive manual dispensers can be needlessly complex containing knives in drums with over molded materials and complex mechanisms. Non-restrictive manual dispensers allow users to take excessive amounts of product which is costly to the facility. 
     Additionally, certain dispensers can also require numerous parts housed within the dispenser, which can increase the cost of the dispenser. Such dispensers include several internal components that may breakdown more frequently, which causes the dispenser to be incapable of dispensing product. Breakdown of the dispenser is frustrating for restroom users given that no product is capable of being dispensed when the user accesses the dispenser. Further, breakdown of the internal components of the dispenser can require tedious repair or costly replacement by restroom maintenance personnel. 
     In view of the above, a need exists for a dispenser having an improved design that is functional and can be achieved at a reduced cost. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, the present disclosure is directed to a dispenser for a sheet material, such as paper towels, that includes a drive roller, indexing mechanism, and stop release member capable of dispensing a selected size of sheet material. Further, the dispenser includes an extension spring configured to the indexing mechanism such that upon the user tearing the selected sized sheet of material, the dispenser is capable of dispensing a portion of sheet material so that the next user can easily access the sheet material. 
     In one embodiment, for instance, the present disclosure is directed to a dispenser for sheet material, such as paper towels, bath tissue, and the like. The dispenser includes a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of sheet material. The dispenser further includes a dispensing mechanism contained within the housing for dispensing the sheet material. 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, dispensing mechanism includes a drive roller configured to an indexing mechanism. The indexing mechanism includes a spring attachment mechanism having an extension spring attached thereto. The dispensing mechanism also includes a stop release member having a first end associated with a tear member and a second end configured to engage a stop member configured to the indexing mechanism. The rotation of the drive roller and indexing mechanism is stopped upon the stop member engaging the second end of the stop release member. Tearing of the sheet material by the user moves the first end of the stop release member such that the second end of the stop release member disengages the stop member. Once the stop release member disengages the stop member, energy stored in the extension spring is capable of moving the indexing mechanism and the drive roller such that a portion of sheet material can be dispensed. 
     In one embodiment, the indexing mechanism includes a drive wheel configured to the drive roller and a driven wheel configured to the drive wheel. An extension spring is configured to the driven wheel. Removal of the sheet material from the dispenser by the user causes the drive roller to rotate, which in turn rotates the drive wheel, which rotates the driven wheel. Rotation of the drive roller, drive wheel, and driven wheel is stopped when a stop member configured to the driven wheel comes into engagement with a stop release member. Upon tearing of the dispensed sheet material by the user, the stop release member disengages from the stop member allowing energy stored in the extension spring to at least partially rotate the driven wheel, which rotates the drive wheel and the drive roller to dispense a portion of sheet material. 
     In embodiments, the dispenser can include an access opening configured to allow a user to access the sheet material. The access opening can include one or more tear members for tearing selected sizes of the sheet material from the roll. 
     In embodiments, the dispensing mechanism includes a pressure roller configured to the drive roller. The sheet material can be dispensed via a dispensing path that is formed between the drive roller and the pressure roller. The drive roller is rotated by the sheet material as the sheet material is moved along the dispensing path. 
     In embodiments, the stop member is attached to a disk that is configured to the indexing mechanism. For example, the disk can be configured to the driven wheel such that the stop member rotates in the same manner as the driven wheel. 
     In embodiments, stop release member is configured with a first end and a second end. The first end of the stop release member is configured such that in order for the sheet material to access the tear member(s) the sheet material comes into contact with the first end of the stop release member causing the stop release member to pivot about a pivot point and causing the second end of the stop release member to disengage from the stop member. 
     In addition to functionality, the dispenser provided herein can be manufactured at a lower cost as compared to other manual, semi-automatic, or automatic dispensers. 
     Other features and aspects of the present disclosure are discussed in greater detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure with its front cover in an open position; 
         FIG.  1 B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure with its front cover in an open position 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of one embodiment of an indexing mechanism in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  3    is a perspective view of one embodiment of a indexing mechanism in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are plan views of one embodiment of a indexing mechanism in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a plan view of one side of the dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a plan view of one side of the dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a plan view of one embodiment of the stop member in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is a plan view of one embodiment of the dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    is a plan view of one embodiment of the dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  10    is a plan view of one embodiment of the dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    is a plan view of one embodiment of the dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  12    is a plan view of one embodiment of the dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  13    is a plan view of one embodiment of the dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  14 A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure with its front cover in an open position; and 
         FIG.  14 B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure with its front cover in an open position. 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure. 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to a dispenser for sheet materials and/or to a dispenser assembly. The dispenser of the present disclosure allows for the dispensing of a sheet material utilizing a dispensing mechanism that can be manufactured at lower costs as compared to other dispensers. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a dispenser for sheet materials with a dispensing mechanism capable of providing a portion of sheet material (a “tail”) after each use of the dispenser. The tail of sheet material is capable of being dispensed without requiring any automated components. Thus, the dispenser is a “hands-free” dispenser capable of dispensing a tail without requiring the user to touch the components of the dispenser. 
     In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a dispensing mechanism having a drive roller, a indexing mechanism, an extension spring, and a stop release member. In one embodiment, the dispenser further includes a stop member configured to engage the stop release member. In certain embodiments, the indexing mechanism includes a drive wheel and a driven wheel. The driven wheel is configured to be attached to an extension spring, such that upon disengagement of the stop member from the stop release member, energy stored in the extension spring can rotate the driven wheel, which rotates the drive wheel and the drive roller to dispense a portion of sheet material, such as a tail. 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS.  1  and  5 - 14   , various embodiments of a dispenser  10  made according to the present disclosure are illustrated. As shown particularly in  FIG.  1   , the dispenser  10  includes a housing  16  that can have any desired overall shape. The housing  16  can include a backplate suitable for mounting to a surface and one or more sidewalls  17  extending from the back cover further defining the interior space of the housing. The dispenser  10  can include a front cover  22 . The front cover  22  can be pivotally mounted to the housing  16  using any suitable means. For example, in one embodiment, hinges can be used to connect the front cover  22  with the housing  16 . Alternatively, the front cover  22  can be completely separable from the housing  16 . The front cover  22  is moveable from a closed position to an open position. The front cover  22  can define the front face and top of the dispenser  10 , while the housing  16  can define the bottom and the sidewalls  17  of the dispenser  10 . In the embodiment illustrated, the sidewalls  17  are entirely defined by the housing  16 . In other embodiments, however, the front cover  22  may have sidewalls that cooperate with the sidewalls  17  of the housing  16 . The housing  16  defines an interior volume for housing the operational components of the dispenser  10 , as well as the roll or rolls of sheet material  12  to be dispensed, including a main roll. In embodiments, the interior volume of the housing  16  may be suitable for holding more than one roll of material. The dispenser  10  can also include any conventional locking mechanism  21  for securing the front cover  22  to the housing  16 . The housing  16  further includes an opening through which a sheet material is dispensed. 
     The operational components of the dispenser  10  may be mounted directly to the housing  16  or can be part of a module or insert that is received within the housing  16 . For example, the operational components can be part of a module that may be readily removable from the housing for servicing and/or replacing components without the necessity of having to remove the entire dispenser  10  from its support surface. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the operational components of the dispenser  10  can include a indexing mechanism  50  and a drive roller  60 . As used herein, the term “indexing mechanism” refers to any intermittent drive mechanism that turns a wheel or shaft a set amount and then stops for a set amount of time before turning the wheel or shaft again for a set amount. Any suitable indexing mechanism can be used herein including, but not limited to, Geneva mechanisms, such as an external Geneva mechanism, an internal Geneva mechanism, or a spherical Geneva mechanism, mutilated gears, cycloidal gears, star wheels, cams, internal gears and combinations thereof. As shown, the indexing mechanism  50  can include a drive wheel  52  configured to a drive roller  60  and a driven wheel  54  configured to the drive wheel  52 . The drive wheel  52  is configured to the drive roller  60 , such that as the sheet material  12  is dispensed along the dispensing path, the sheet material  12  rotates the drive roller  60 , which in turn rotates the drive wheel  52  and the driven wheel  54  of the indexing mechanism  50 . The driven wheel  54  can be configured to a stop member  70 . The stop member  70  is configured to the driven wheel  54 , such that the stop member  70  rotates in the same manner as the driven wheel  54 . A stop release member  80  is included and generally includes a first end  82  associated with one or more tear members  100  and a second end  84  configured to engage the stop member  70 . When the stop member  70  engages the second end  84  of the stop release member  80 , rotation of the drive roller  60 , drive wheel  52 , and driven wheel  54  is stopped. Release of the stop member  70  from the second end  84  of the stop release member  80  allows for energy stored in the extension spring  64  to rotate the driven wheel  54  such that a portion of the sheet material  12  can be dispensed from the dispenser  10 . The drive roller  60 , drive wheel  52 , and the driven wheel  54  are configured to rotate as material is withdrawn from the dispenser  10 . For example, the drive roller  60  and the drive wheel  52  can be configured to complete one or more full rotations in order to dispense a desired amount of sheet material. The driven wheel  54  can be configured such that certain amounts of rotation correspond to a desired amount of sheet material. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the indexing mechanism  50  can include a drive wheel  52  and a driven wheel  54 . The drive wheel  52  and driven wheel  54  can be any suitable indexing mechanism. For example, in certain embodiments the drive wheel  52  can include a gear with one or more teeth. The driven wheel  54  can include a wheel having one or more teeth configured to engage the teeth of the drive wheel  52 . The drive wheel  52  is configured to a drive roller  60 . As shown, the drive wheel  52  has fewer teeth than the driven wheel  54 . For example, the drive wheel  52  and the driven wheel  54  may have a gear teeth ratio of from about 1:2 to about 1:5 (drive wheel teeth:driven wheel teeth), such as about 1:3.5. In a specific embodiment, the drive wheel  52  includes a gear having ten teeth and the driven wheel  54  includes a gear having  35  teeth. In such an embodiment, the drive wheel  52  can be configured to rotate 3.5 rotations and the driven wheel  54  rotates 270° before the stop member  70  engages the second end  84  of the stop release member  80 . Once the stop member  70  engages the second end  84  of the stop release member  80 , rotation of the drive roller  60 , drive wheel  52 , and driven wheel  54  is stopped. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the driven wheel  54  is configured such that one end of an extension spring  64  can be attached to the driven wheel  54 . In some embodiments, the driven wheel  54  has a spring attachment mechanism  55  thereon. A second spring attachment mechanism  56  can be located on the housing  16  or on the wall of the module on which the driven wheel  54  is mounted. The extension spring  64  is positioned such that it is extended when the stop member  70  is engaged with the second end  84  of the stop release member  80 . When the stop member  70  is released by the stop release member  80 , energy stored in the extension spring  64  rotates the driven wheel  54 , which, in turn, rotates the drive wheel  52  and the drive roller  60  to dispense a portion of sheet material  12 . The extension spring  64  can be configured such that it is capable of rotating the driven wheel  54  by a specific amount. For example, rotating the driven wheel  54  90° can correspond to a selected amount of sheet material being dispensed. The extension spring  64  can be configured such that it is capable of rotating the driven wheel  54  a certain amount in order to dispense a desired amount of sheet material. In one embodiment, for example, each 90° rotation of the driven wheel  54  can correspond to a three-inch sheet of sheet material being dispensed. Accordingly, when the extension spring  64  rotates the driven wheel 90°, a three-inch tail is dispensed. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3 ,  4     a  and  4   b , in some embodiments, the drive wheel  52  can include a driving cam wheel  112  and the driven wheel  54  includes a slotted Geneva wheel  110 . The driving cam wheel  112  is configured such that it is engageable with the slotted Geneva wheel  110  to impart a stepwise rotation thereto. The driving cam wheel  112  can include a drive wheel pin  114  capable of engaging the slots of the Geneva wheel  110  and rotating the Geneva wheel  110  in a stepwise fashion. As shown, the Geneva wheel  110  includes four equi-angularly spaced slots, however, any number of slots may be provided. The driving cam wheel  112  can also include a raised locking ring  116  for holding the Geneva wheel  110  in place in between rotations. The driving cam wheel  112  is configured to the drive roller  60 , such that as the user removes sheet material from the dispenser  10 , the drive roller  60  rotates, which rotates the driving cam wheel  112 . Accordingly, in this embodiment, drive roller  60  and the driving cam wheel  112  rotate in the same direction. 
     In embodiments where the Geneva wheel  110  includes four equi-angularly spaced slots, each full rotation of the driving cam wheel  112  rotates the slotted Geneva wheel  110  90°. The slotted Geneva wheel  110  can be configured such that each rotation of the Geneva wheel  110  corresponds to a certain amount of sheet material. For example, the dispenser  10  can be configured such that each 90° rotation of the slotted Geneva wheel  110  dispenses a three-inch sheet of sheet material. Accordingly, in some embodiments, as the user removes the sheet material from the dispenser  10 , the slotted Geneva wheel  110  is capable of rotating 270° before the stop member  70  engages the stop release member  80 . 
     Indeed, the driven wheel  54  can be configured such that a certain amount of rotation of the driven wheel  54  corresponds to the dispenser dispensing a desired amount of sheet material  12 . While certain described embodiments reference a three-inch sheet of material, the dispenser provided herein is not so limited. For example, the size of the drive roller  60 , drive wheel  52 , and driven wheel  54  can be adjusted such that increased or lesser amounts of sheet material  12  are capable of being dispensed. For example, if a larger amount of sheet material is desired, the drive roller  60 , drive wheel  52 , and driven wheel  54  can be configured such that select amount of rotation of the driven wheel  54  dispenses at least a three-inch sheet of material, such as at least a four-inch sheet of material, such as at least a 5-inch sheet of material, etc. 
     In certain embodiments, the drive wheel  52 , driven wheel  54 , and the drive roller  60  all rotate in the same direction. For example, in embodiments, where the drive wheel  52  and driven wheel are teethed gears, both the drive wheel  52  and the driven wheel  54  can rotate in the same direction. In other embodiments, the drive wheel  52  may rotate in a different direction from the driven wheel  54 , such as in an opposite direction. For example, in embodiments where the driven wheel  54  rotates in a clockwise motion the drive wheel  52 , in turn, rotates in a counterclockwise motion. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5 - 7    the drive wheel  52  and driven wheel  54  can be mounted to the sidewall  17  of the dispenser  10 . Still in other embodiments, the drive wheel  52  and driven wheel  54  can be mounted to the sidewall of a module housed within the interior of the dispenser  10 . A disk  120  can be mounted on the opposite side of the wall from the drive wheel  52  and the driven wheel  54 . The stop member  70  can be configured to or attached to the disk  120 . The disk  120  can be rigidly and rotationally affixed to the driven wheel  54  such that when the driven wheel  54  makes one rotation the disk  120 , having the stop member  70  thereon, also makes one rotation. As the driven wheel  54  is indexed, the disk  120  having the stop member  70  thereon is indexed as well. In certain embodiments, the disk  120  can be affixed to the driven wheel  54  with a key  125 . The disk  120  can be located on the interior of the housing  16  or the interior of the wall of an insert housing the dispensing mechanism, while the drive wheel and driven wheel can be mounted to the exterior of the side wall  17  of the housing  16  or the exterior of the insert. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8 - 12   , the dispenser  10  includes roll of sheet material  12  and a pressure roller  90  configured to apply spring pressure against the sheet material  12  and the drive roller  60 . The pressure roller  90  is spring biased against the drive roller  60  such that the sheet material  12  passing between the nip of the rollers is advanced along the dispensing path upon rotation of the drive roller  60 . Rotation of the drive roller  60  rotates the drive wheel  52 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  10   , as the sheet material  12  is advanced along the dispensing path the drive roller  60  rotates thus rotating the drive wheel  52 , which in turn rotates the driven wheel  54 , which rotates the disk  120  and the stop member  70 . Rotation of the drive roller  60  also rotates the drive wheel  52  and the driven wheel  54 . In certain embodiments, after a certain amount of rotation of the disk, the stop member  70  will engage the second end  84  of the stop release member  80 , thereby stopping the dispensing of the sheet material  12 . The stop release member  80  is configured such that any vertical or horizontal force exerted by the stop member  70  when it contacts the stop release member  80  is absorbed by the stop release member  80  (as shown in  FIG.  11   ). Further, additional stops or other members may be used such that any vertical force exerted by the stop member  70  on the stop release member  80  does not pivot the first end  84  in a downward motion. Accordingly, the stop release member  80  is configured such that dispensing of the sheet material  12  is stopped until the sheet material  12  is torn off from the roll. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  12   , when the sheet material  12  is biased against the one or more tear members  100  to tear the sheet material, the sheet material  12  moves the first end  82  of the stop release member  80  causing the stop release member  80  to pivot about the pivot point, which causes the second end  84  to disengage and release the stop member  70 . For example, the first end  82  can be positioned with respect to the tear member  100 , such that the sheet material  12  must come into contact with the first end  82  before the sheet material can access said tear member  100 . For example, the first end  82  can include an arm that extends below the tear member  100 , thus ensuring that the sheet material moves the arm of the first end in order to access the tear member  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  13   , once the second end  84  of the stop release member  80  disengages the stop member  70 , stored energy in the extension spring  64  is released and allows the driven wheel  54  to rotate a specific amount, thus dispensing a portion of sheet material  12 . For example, energy stored in the extension spring  64  can rotate the driven wheel  54  90°, which in turn rotates the drive wheel  52  and the drive roller  60  in order to dispense the tail of sheet material for the next user. 
     Accordingly, the drive roller  60 , drive wheel  52 , and driven wheel  54  can each be configured such that a certain number of rotations of the drive roller  60  or drive wheel  52  correspond to a selected amount of sheet material  12 . For example, in certain embodiments, the drive roller  60  and the drive wheel  52  are configured to complete one or more 360° rotations in order to dispense a desired amount of sheet material. In some embodiments, the drive wheel  52  and the drive roller  60  can be configured to rotate multiple 360° rotations in order to dispense the desired amount of product. In such embodiments, the circumference of the drive roller is smaller than the desired sheet length. For many manual dispensers, the circumference of the drive roller must be equal to the desired sheet length. For example, to dispense a twelve-inch sheet length from other dispensers, the drive roller would require a twelve-inch circumference. However, the drive roller  60  of the present dispenser  10  is capable of having a circumference that is smaller than the desired sheet length. The present drive roller  60  is configured to complete multiple 360° rotations to dispense the desired amount of sheet material. As such, the present drive roller  60  does not require a circumference that is equal to the desired sheet length. In certain embodiments, the drive roller  60  has a circumference of from about 2.5 inches to about 4 inches, such as about 3.4 inches, such as about 3.82 inches. In some embodiments, the drive roller  60  has a diameter of from about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches, such as about 0.80 inches, such as about 1.30 inches. 
     The dispenser  10  can be configured such that as the user grabs a tail of sheet material from the dispenser  10 , the driven wheel  54  is capable of rotating a specific amount corresponding to a desired amount of sheet material before being stopped by the stop member  70 . For example, in order to dispense a twelve-inch sheet of material  12 , the driven wheel  54  can be configured such that each 90° rotation of the driven wheel  54  corresponds to a three-inch portion of sheet material  12 . In such an embodiment, the user grabs a three-inch hanging tail of material and begins to remove the sheet material, which rotates the drive roller  60 , thus turning both the drive wheel  52  and the driven wheel  54 . The driven wheel  54  can rotate 270° to dispense a nine-inch portion of sheet material, which including the three-inch tail, equals a twelve-inch sheet. 
     Further, the drive wheel  52  and the drive roller  60  can be configured to complete one or more full rotations in order to dispense the desired amount of sheet material. For example, the drive wheel  52  and the drive roller  60  can complete two or more 360° rotations, such as three or more 360° rotations, such as four or more 360° rotations. Once the drive wheel  52  and the drive roller  60  have completed the desired amount of rotations corresponding to the selected amount of sheet material, the stop member  70  engages the second end  84  of the stop release member  80 . 
     These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims.