Patent Publication Number: US-8538580-B2

Title: Sheet product dispensers and methods for controlling the dispensers

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Sheet product dispensers have been developed that dispense a sheet product. After a sheet product dispenser dispenses a sheet product, the person typically wipes off their hands with the sheet product. After the person wipes off their hands, some bacteria may undesirably remain on the hands. 
     Accordingly, the inventor herein has recognized a need for a sheet product dispenser that minimizes and/or eliminates bacteria on the hands. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A sheet product dispenser in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a housing and a dispensing assembly disposed in the housing. The dispensing assembly is configured to hold a roll of sheet product thereon and to dispense a portion of the roll of sheet product. The sheet product dispenser further includes an ultraviolet light source disposed on the housing. The ultraviolet light source is configured to emit ultraviolet light. 
     A method for controlling a sheet product dispenser in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is provided. The sheet product dispenser has a sensor, a dispensing assembly, an ultraviolet light source, and a controller. The method includes generating a first signal utilizing the sensor of the sheet product dispenser. The method further includes generating a second signal to induce the ultraviolet light source to emit ultraviolet light in response to the controller of the sheet product dispenser receiving the first signal from the sensor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of an automatic sheet product dispenser in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic of a portion of the automatic sheet product dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional schematic of the automatic sheet product dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic of a portion of the automatic sheet product dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic of a portion of the automatic sheet product dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic of a control system utilized in the automatic sheet product dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a method for controlling the automatic sheet product dispenser of  FIG. 1  in accordance with another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic of a manual sheet product dispenser in accordance with another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic of a portion of the manual sheet product dispenser of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic of a drive member utilized in the manual sheet product dispenser of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic of a portion of the manual sheet product dispenser of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic of a control system utilized in the manual sheet product dispenser of  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a method for controlling the manual sheet product dispenser of  FIG. 8  in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , an automatic sheet product dispenser  10  for dispensing a roll of sheet product  12  is illustrated. The automatic sheet product dispenser  10  includes a housing  20 , a motor  21 , a dispensing assembly  22 , a proximity sensor  24 , an ultraviolet light source  26 , and a controller  30  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     The housing  20  is provided to enclose a portion of the remaining components of the automatic sheet product dispenser  10 . The housing  20  includes a back housing portion  40  and a front cover  42 . In one exemplary embodiment, the back housing portion  40  and the front cover  42  are constructed from plastic. The front cover  42  is configured to be rotatably attached to the back housing portion  40 . The back housing portion  40  is configured to be mounted on a wall (not shown). The front cover  42  includes a window  44  therein for allowing the proximity sensor  24  to detect an object proximate to the front cover  42 . The front cover  42  further includes a discharge opening  46  for allowing a portion of the roll of sheet product  12  to extend therethrough. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 6  (with periodic reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), the motor  21  is provided to drive the dispensing assembly  22  for dispensing a portion of the roll of sheet product  12  from the automatic sheet product dispenser  10 . In particular, the motor  21  drives the dispensing assembly  22  in response to receiving control signals from the controller  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5 , the dispensing assembly  22  is provided to dispense a portion of the roll of sheet product  12 . The dispensing assembly  22  includes hubs  60 ,  61 , a feed roller  62 , a pinch roller  64 , a dispensing shelf  66 , and drive gears  68 ,  70 ,  72 . 
     The hubs  60 ,  61  are attached to the back housing portion  40  and are configured to hold the roll of sheet product  12  therebetween. When dispensing a portion of the roll of sheet product  12 , the roll of sheet product  12  rotates relative to the hubs  60 ,  61 . 
     The feed roller  62  is configured to feed a portion of the roll of sheet product  12  onto the dispensing shelf  66 . The feed roller  62  has a width equal to a width of the roll of sheet product  12 . The feed roller  62  includes roller portions  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  with intermediate bosses  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 . During operation, the feed roller  62  is driven by the motor  21  ( FIG. 4 ), via the drive gears  68 ,  70 ,  72 . When the feed roller  62  rotates, the feed roller  62  urges a portion of the roll of sheet product  12  disposed between the feed roller  62  and the pinch roller  64  to move toward the dispensing shelf  66 . The dispensing shelf  66  deflects the portion of the sheet product  12  outwardly from the front cover  42 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the proximity sensor  24  is configured to generate a signal when an object is disposed proximate to the proximity sensor  24 . In particular, the proximity sensor  24  generates the signal when a person&#39;s hands are disposed proximate to the housing  20  to receive a portion of the roll of sheet product  12 . The signal from the proximity sensor  24  is received by the controller  30 . In one exemplary embodiment, the proximity sensor  24  is disposed proximate to the window  44  ( FIG. 1 ) of the front cover  42 . 
     The ultraviolet light source  26  is configured to emit ultraviolet light in response to signal received from the controller  30 . In one exemplary embodiment, the ultraviolet light source  26  is disposed on an external portion of the housing  20  ( FIG. 1 ). Further, in one exemplary embodiment, the ultraviolet light is in either the B-band (i.e., 320 nm-280 nm wavelength with energy per photon of 3.10-3.87 eV) or C-band (i.e., below 280 nm wavelength with energy per photon of 4.43-6.20 eV) of an ultraviolet light spectrum. In another exemplary embodiment, the ultraviolet light has a wavelength of 253.7 nm with a radiation level of 3.0 Joules/m 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  (with periodic reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4 ), the controller  30  is provided to control operation of the automatic sheet product dispenser  10 . The controller  30  is electrically coupled to the proximity sensor  24 , the ultraviolet light source  26 , and the motor  21 . The controller  30  is configured to receive a signal from the proximity sensor  24  indicating an object, such as a person&#39;s hands, are disposed proximate to the housing  20 . The controller  30  is further configured to generate another signal to induce the ultraviolet light source  26  to emit ultraviolet light onto a person&#39;s hands to kill bacteria thereon. The controller  30  is further configured to generate another signal to actuate the motor  21  to drive the dispensing assembly  22  to urge a portion of the roll of sheet product  12  from the automatic sheet product dispenser  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  (with periodic reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4  and  6 ), a flowchart of a method for controlling of the automatic sheet product dispenser  10  in accordance with another exemplary embodiment will now be explained. 
     At block  130 , the proximity sensor  24  generates a first signal when an object is disposed proximate to the proximity sensor  24  of the automatic sheet product dispenser  10 . 
     At block  132 , the controller  30  generates a second signal to induce the motor  21  to actuate the dispensing assembly  22  to dispense a portion of the roll of sheet product  12 , in response to the controller  30  receiving the first signal from the proximity sensor  24 . 
     At block  134 , the controller  30  generates a third signal to induce the ultraviolet light source  26  to emit ultraviolet light in response to the controller  30  receiving the first signal from the proximity sensor  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a manual sheet product dispenser  150  for dispensing a roll of sheet product  152  in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The manual sheet product dispenser  150  includes a housing  160 , a dispensing assembly  162 , a position sensor  164 , an ultraviolet light source  166 , and a controller  170  ( FIG. 12 ). 
     The housing  160  is provided to enclose a portion of the remaining components of the manual sheet product dispenser  150 . The housing  160  includes a back housing portion  180  and a front cover  182 . In one exemplary embodiment, the back housing portion  180  and the front cover  182  are constructed from plastic. The front cover  182  is configured to be rotatably attached to the back housing portion  180 . The back housing portion  180  is configured to be mounted on a wall (not shown). The back housing portion  180  includes a discharge chute  181  for discharging a portion of the roll of sheet product  152 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the dispensing assembly  162  is provided to dispense a portion of the roll of sheet product  152 . The dispensing assembly  162  includes hubs  186 ,  188 , a drive member  190 , a push bar  192 , a feed roller  194 , a drive shaft  196 , a pinion  198 , a one-way clutch bearing  200 , and a spring  202 . 
     The hubs  186 ,  188  are attached to the back housing portion  180  and are configured to hold the roll of sheet product  152  therebetween. When dispensing a portion of the roll of sheet product  152 , the roll of sheet product  152  rotates relative to the hubs  186 ,  188 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 through 11 , the drive member  190  is provided to drive the feed roller  194 . The drive member  190  includes a peripheral frame  220 , a toothed-rack portion  222 , tab members  224 ,  226 ,  228  and a magnet  230 . The drive member  190  is rotatably coupled to the back housing portion  180  at a pivot point  191 . The toothed-rack portion  222  extends across an interior region defined by the peripheral frame  220 . The toothed-rack portion  222  is configured to engage teeth in the pinion  198  which rotates about the drive shaft  196 . The drive shaft  196  is further mounted in the one-way clutch bearing  200  which has the pinion  198  secured thereabout. During operation, when the push bar  192  attached to the drive member  190  is pushed inwardly by a person, the drive member  190  induces the drive shaft  196  to rotate the feed roller  194  to urge a portion of the roll of sheet product  152  between the feed roller  194  and a pinch roller  195  to be dispensed. In one exemplary embodiment, the feed roller  194  includes roller portions  250 ,  252 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258  and  260  operably coupled to the drive shaft  196 . The spring  202  is configured to bias the drive member  190  such that the push bar  192  extends outwardly from the front cover  182 . The tab members  224 ,  226 ,  228  are configured to engage the push bar  192  for coupling to the push bar  192  to the drive member  190 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 12 , the position sensor  164  is configured to generate a signal when the magnet  230  is disposed proximate to the position sensor  164 . The magnet  230  is coupled to the drive member  190 . When the push bar  192  is pushed such that the drive member  190  is moved inwardly from a first operational position toward a second operational position, the position sensor  164  detects the magnet  230  and generates a signal which is received by the controller  170 . 
     The ultraviolet light source  166  is configured to emit ultraviolet light in response to signal received from the controller  170 , when the push bar  192  is pushed inwardly. In one exemplary embodiment, the ultraviolet light source  166  is disposed on an external portion of the housing  160  ( FIG. 8 ). Further, in one exemplary embodiment, the ultraviolet light is in either the B-band (i.e., 320 nm-280 nm wavelength with energy per photon of 3.10-3.87 eV) or C-band (i.e., below 280 nm wavelength with energy per photon of 4.43-6.20 eV) of an ultraviolet light spectrum. In another exemplary embodiment, the ultraviolet light has a wavelength of 253.7 nm with a radiation level of 3.0 Joules/m 2 . 
     The controller  170  is provided to control operation of the ultraviolet light source  166  in the manual sheet product dispenser  150 . The controller  170  is electrically coupled to the position sensor  164  and the ultraviolet light source  166 . The controller  170  is configured to receive a signal from the position sensor  164  indicating a person has depressed the push bar  192 , such that a person&#39;s hands are disposed proximate to the housing  160  ( FIG. 8 ). The controller  170  is further configured to generate another signal to induce the ultraviolet light source  166  to emit ultraviolet light onto the person&#39;s hands to kill bacteria thereon. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13  (with periodic reference to  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  12 ), a flowchart of a method for controlling the manual sheet product dispenser  150  in accordance with another exemplary embodiment will now be explained. 
     At block  280 , the position sensor  164  generates a first signal indicative of an operational position of the push bar  192  of the dispensing assembly  162 . The push bar  192  has first and second operational positions. The dispensing assembly  162  dispenses a portion of the roll of sheet product  152  when the push bar  192  is moved from the first operational position to the second operational position. 
     At block  282 , the controller  170  generates a second signal to induce the ultraviolet light source  166  to emit ultraviolet light in response to the controller  170  receiving the first signal from the position sensor  164 , when the first signal indicates the push bar  192  is at the second operational position. 
     The dispensers for dispensing a roll of sheet product and the methods associated therewith provide a substantial advantage over other dispensers and methods. In particular, the dispensers and methods provide a technical effect of emitting an ultraviolet light to kill bacteria on a person&#39;s hand. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalent elements may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms, first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.