Patent Publication Number: US-11655117-B2

Title: Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of previously filed, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/709,265, filed Dec. 10, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/778,570, filed on Dec. 12, 2018. 
    
    
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     The specifications and figures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/709,265, filed Dec. 10, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/778,570, filed on Dec. 12, 2018, are specifically incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in their entireties. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure generally relates to dispensing assemblies and, more particularly, to dispensing assemblies for flexible sheet materials, such as paper products, e.g., tissue paper, paper towels, etc. Other aspects are also described. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Sheet material dispensers (e.g., for paper products, such as tissue, paper towels, etc.) are commonly used throughout various facilities, including restrooms or other area in hospitals, airports, bus stations, schools, etc. Such dispensers can include multiple supplies of sheet material and can be configured so that after one of the supplies of sheet material has been substantially exhausted or dispensed, an additional supply of the supplies of sheet material can be made available for further dispensing. Unfortunately, attempts are often made to improperly access or steal the supplies of sheet material from these dispensers or to otherwise tamper with or vandalize the dispensers. This can lead to increased paper supply costs and, in many instances, result in significant damage to the dispensers or components thereof. Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a sheet material dispensing assembly that allows for selective dispensing of one or more supplies of sheet material, while also being substantially resistant to damage due to tampering or vandalism. The present disclosure addresses these and other related, and unrelated, problems or issues in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     Briefly described, in one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a sheet material dispensing assembly for dispensing a plurality of supplies of sheet material. The sheet material dispensing assembly can include a dispenser housing that supports the supplies of sheet material and that defines one or more compartments configured to receive and house the supplies of sheet material. The supplies of sheet material can include rolled paper products, such as rolled tissue paper, paper towel rolls, etc. or other suitable supplies of sheet material. 
     The dispenser housing also includes one or more discharge openings sized, dimensioned, or otherwise configured to provide or otherwise allow access to one or more of the plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material (e.g., access that allows users to pull or otherwise engage sheet material from one of the supplies for dispensing thereof). 
     The dispenser assembly further includes one or more brackets or carriers having a plurality of spindles or supports (e.g., a pair of spaced apart spindles) that receive and support a corresponding supply of sheet material within the one or more compartments of the dispenser housing. 
     In one aspect, the dispenser assembly can include a plurality of carriers that can be arranged in a spaced and/or segmented series along the dispenser housing. 
     The carriers generally are received along tracks (e.g., slots, grooves, or similar features) defined along the dispenser housing, with the carriers being moveable from a first dispensing position that provides access to a first supply of sheet material, but generally reduces, inhibits, or prevents access to a second supply of sheet material, and a second dispensing position that can provide access to the second supply of sheet material. 
     For example, when the first supply of sheet material has been substantially dispensed, the carriers can shift/move along the carrier tracks from the first dispensing position to the second dispensing position to allow user access to the second supply of rolled sheet material through the discharge opening(s) in the dispenser housing. 
     In addition, the dispenser assembly includes a carrier pivoting assembly rotatably connected to its carrier. Each pivoting assembly has a pivotable lever or frame moveably mounted to its associated carrier, enabling rotation or pivoting movement, and configured to engage one of the supplies of sheet material, e.g., the first supply supported by the carrier, such that the frame rotates/pivots as the first supply of sheet material is dispensed. For example, as the diameter of the first supply of sheet material diminishes or reduces due to dispensing thereof, the lever engaging the first supply of sheet material pivots, rotates, or otherwise moves therewith. 
     The pivoting assembly also includes pins or rods that are extensible and retractable from corresponding openings in the carriers. In a first or extended position, the pins can engage corresponding locking features (e.g., hooks, protrusions, tabs, recesses, etc.) arranged along the carrier tracks to hold and/or support the carriers in the first dispensing position. The pins further can be retractable to a second or retracted position upon rotation of the frame, in which the pins can move out of engagement with the locking features to cause or otherwise allow the carrier to move along the carrier tracks under its weight and the weight of the second/next supply of sheet material, to move the second supply of sheet material into a position for dispensing. 
     The pins can be connected to one end of the lever, and the pins can be positioned so as to be substantially coaxial in a spaced, opposing orientation or relationship and further can be biased by one or more biasing members (e.g., a tension spring or other suitable biasing member) that are attached to opposing ends of the pins. 
     The pins also can include one or more guidance features configured to engage or interact with one or more corresponding guidance features along the frame to guide or allow movement of the pins between their extended and retracted positions as the lever rotates or pivots. Thus, as the frame rotate in response to dispensing of the first supply of sheet material, the guidance features of the frame interact with the corresponding guidance features of the pins to cause or otherwise allow the pins to be retracted under the urging of the biasing member to the retracted position in which the pins no longer engage the corresponding locking features defined along the tracks, allowing the carrier to move to its second position for dispensing the second supply of sheet material. 
     In one construction, the guidance features can include corresponding guide surfaces provided along at least a portion of the frame and a body of the pins. The guide surfaces can be angled and generally complementary to one another such that as the lever is rotated the guide surfaces move in relation to each other to enable the biased pins to retract under the urging of the biasing member. 
     In an alternative construction, the guidance features can include a helical groove or slot defined along the body of the pins and a corresponding tab or other projecting portion configured to be received within the helical groove provided on at least a portion of the frame. 
     The lever or frame further can include a roller rotatably attached thereto that is configured to engage the first supply of sheet material, with the carrier in that first dispensing position. 
     In one construction, the locking features can include a base portion that is secured to the dispenser housing along the track, a flexible elongated portion connected to the base portion at one end of the elongated portion, and a tab portion connected to the elongated portion at an opposing end of the elongated portion. The tab portion can be configured to engage a corresponding biased pin of the plurality of biased pins. 
     In an alternative construction, the locking features can include a flexible elongated portion that is integrally formed with a wall of the track and positioned within an opening defined there include, and a tab potion connected to the elongated portion that is configured to engage a corresponding biased pin. 
     The track can include a track offset that moves the second supply of sheet material towards the one or more discharge openings when the carrier is moved towards and/or to the second dispensing position. 
     The dispenser housing can include a cover and the track can be defined within the cover. In an alternative construction, the track can be defined in a separate component connected to or otherwise formed with the dispenser housing. 
     These and other advantages and aspects of the embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the disclosure as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments discussed herein. No attempt is made to show structural details of this disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein and the various ways in which they may be practiced. 
         FIG.  1    shows a front view of a sheet material dispensing assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  2  and  3    show perspective views of the sheet material dispensing assembly according to  FIG.  1   , with the housing of the dispenser assembly shown in dashed lines. 
         FIG.  4    shows a perspective view of a pivoting assembly for the sheet material dispensing assembly of  FIG.  1   , with its pins in an extended position. 
         FIG.  5    shows a perspective view of the pivoting assembly for the dispensing assembly of  FIG.  1   , with the pins in a retracted position. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  show perspective views of the carrier moving between a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position. 
         FIG.  7    shows perspective and partial perspective views of the rotatable frame according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    shows a partial, perspective view of a pin according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    shows a perspective view of a pin according to one additional aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  10 A- 10 B  show perspective views of locking features according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    shows a perspective view of locking features according to one additional aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of embodiments of this disclosure. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still obtaining the beneficial results. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the embodiments described can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the embodiments without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the embodiments described are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the embodiments of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof. 
       FIGS.  1 - 11    illustrate a sheet material dispenser assembly  10  that facilitates selective dispensing of sheet materials from a plurality of supplies of sheet material  12  received therein, according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The supplies  12  of sheet material include rolled paper products, such as perforated or unperforated tissue rolls, paper towel rolls, etc., though any suitable sheet material supplies and/or products can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the dispenser assembly  10  includes a dispenser housing  14  having one or more chambers or compartments  16  defined therein for receiving a plurality of supplies  12  of sheet material. The dispenser housing  14  also can include a base or back portion  20  that can be configured to facilitate mounting of the dispensing assembly  10  to a surface, such as to a wall or other suitable support (e.g., along a wall in a bathroom, a portion of a bathroom stall, or other suitable location). A moveable cover  22  can be coupled to the base  20 , including being detachably coupled (e.g., by snap fittings, fasteners, etc.) and/or can be rotatably mounted to the base  20 , such as by one or more hinges  23  to facilitate opening and closing of the cover  22 , as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   . The cover  22  is moveable to an open position or can be removed, as needed, to facilitate access to the chamber  16  within the interior of the dispenser housing for loading and unloading of the new and exhausted supplies  12  of sheet material within the chamber  16 . The dispenser housing  14  generally can be formed from plastic materials, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS), polyoxymethylene (“POM”), etc., though other suitable materials, e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, etc., or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIGS.  1 - 3    further show the dispenser housing  14  having one or more openings, apertures, or discharges  24 , e.g., defined in or otherwise along the cover  22 , that are sized, dimensioned, or configured to provide access to the supplies of rolled sheet material  12  supported in the dispenser housing  14 . Other types of openings and locations also can be provided. To dispense the sheet material from the dispenser assembly  10 , users can engage and pull a portion of sheet material (e.g., a hanging tab) from the supplies  12  through the opening(s)  24  and then tear off a selected or desired amount thereof. The sheet material can be perforated or precut to facilitate tearing or detachment of selected amounts thereof, though the sheet material can be substantially continuous, i.e., not perforated or precut, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the dispenser assembly  10  also can include a cutting mechanism, e.g., a jagged edge or blade(s), disposed along the opening(s)  24  to facilitate tearing or detachment of selected amounts of sheet material. 
     As additionally illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 5   , the dispenser assembly  10  includes one or more carriers or brackets  30  configured to support the plurality of supplies  12  of sheet material within the dispenser housing  14 .  FIGS.  1 - 3    show that the dispenser assembly  10  includes at least a first carrier  32  and a second carrier  34 , e.g., that are arranged in spaced series within the dispenser housing  14 , though any number of carriers  30  can be used, e.g., one or more than two, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIGS.  4 - 5    show perspective views of the carriers  30  according to one aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIGS.  4 - 5   , each carrier  30  has a pair of spaced spindle holders  36  including a first, lower spindle holder  36 A and a second, upper spindle holder  36 B, and a pair of opposing side rails or supports  38  and  40  connected to and supporting the spindle holders  36 A/ 36 B. The carriers  30  also include a cross-support or member  42  extending between and connecting the opposing side rails  38  and  40 , e.g., to provide a generally H-shaped configuration, though other shapes or configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The carriers  30  can hold multiple supplies of sheet material and generally are formed from a plastic material, such as ABS, POM, etc., though other suitable materials, e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The first, lower spindle holder  36 A generally is disposed at, or substantially adjacent to, a first, lower end  38 A/ 40 A of the side rails  38 / 40 , while the second, upper spindle holder  36 B is disposed at, or substantially adjacent to, a second, upper end  38 B/ 40 B of the side rails  38 / 40 . Each of the spindle holders  36  rotatably supports a respective supply of sheet material  12 . Typically, each supply of sheet material  12  includes a prescribed amount of sheet material wrapped about a spindle  44  receives a corresponding spindle holder  36 . For example, each spindle  44  can have a bore  46  defined therethrough that is sized, dimensioned, and/or configured to receive a spindle holder  36 , such that the spindle  44  and its wrapped supply of sheet material are supported by and rotatable with the spindle holder  36  ( FIGS.  4 - 5   ). 
       FIGS.  4 - 5    show at least one of the side rails  38 / 40  of the carriers  30  including movable or removable portions or sections  48  that can help facilitate the loading/unloading of the supplies of sheet material  18  to and from the spindle holders  36 . In the illustrated embodiment, the side rail  38  includes portions  48  that are pivotally or rotatably mounted to the carrier  30 , e.g., by one or more hinges  50  or other suitable rotatable/pivotable connection mechanisms. The pivoting portions  48  further will be connected to the spindle holders  36  by a snap fitting, frictional fit, or other releasable connection. As a result, the pivoting portions  48  can be disconnected from the spindle holders  36  and pivoted/rotated to facilitate loading of new supplies of rolled sheet material and unloading of dispensed/depleted supplies of rolled sheet materials. In alternative constructions, the opposing side rail  40  can include one or more pivoting or rotating portions  48  that facilitate loading/unloading of the supplies  12  of sheet material. Other constructions also are possible, e.g., one or more of the side rails  38 / 40  can include portions that are completely removable from the spindle holders  36  to facilitate loading/unloading of supplies of sheet material. 
     Turning again to  FIGS.  2 - 3   , in the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser assembly  10  further includes tracks  60 , e.g., including slots, channels, etc., defined within the cover  22  and/or the dispenser housing  14 . These tracks  60  generally are configured to receive and guide movement of the carriers  30  between first and second positions. In alternative constructions, the tracks  60  can be defined in separate members or parts  62  that can be attached to one or more components of the dispenser housing, e.g., the base  20 , cover  22 , or other suitable component or combinations thereof ( FIGS.  6 A- 6 D ). As further indicated in  FIGS.  2 - 5   , the side portions  38 / 40  of the carriers  30  can have guides or projections  64  that are received within and ride along the tracks  60 . In the illustrated embodiment, the guides  64  have a generally cylindrical shape with a channel or notch  65  defined therethrough, though other shapes or configurations, e.g., spherical, cubic, etc., are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The channel  65  generally allows for movement of the guides  64  over locking features  86  provided along the tracks  60 , as discussed further below. 
       FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  illustrate movement of the carrier  30  between various positions. As shown in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D , the carriers  30  are moveable along the tracks  60  from a first dispensing position shown at  66  ( FIG.  6 A-B ), which can provide access to a first, lower supply  12 A of sheet material  12  and can substantially reduce, prevent, or inhibit access to a second, upper supply  12 B of sheet material, to a second dispensing position, shown at  68  ( FIG.  6 C-D ), which provides access to the second, upper supply  12 B of sheet material. For example, in the first dispensing position  66 , users can access and engage the first, lower supply  12 A of sheet material through the opening  24  for dispensing thereof, but the seconded, upper supply  12 B of sheet material can be substantially obstructed by the cover  22 , such that access to the second, upper supply  12 B of sheet material is substantially reduced, prevented, or inhibited. When the first supply of sheet material  12 A is substantially dispensed as shown in  FIG.  6 B , the carrier  30  shifts or moves along the track  60  from the first dispensing position  66  toward the second dispensing position  66 , as shown in  FIG.  6 C , to provide of otherwise allow access to the second, upper supply  12 B of sheet material through the opening  24  for dispensing thereof. 
     In the illustrated construction, the tracks  60  are shown to have an offset or angled portion  70  at a lower end  70 A. This offset portion  70  is configured to move or shift the carrier  30  as it moves along the tracks, such that the second, upper supply  12 B of sheet material is moved toward and positioned sufficiently adjacent to the opening(s)  24  to facilitate access thereto in the second dispensing position  68  ( FIGS.  4 - 5   ). The offset  70  further can help to reduce the overall dimensions (e.g., the height) or size footprint of the dispenser housing  14 . The tracks  60  can have any suitable construction or configuration, however, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, e.g., in alternatives construction, the tracks  60  can be generally straight from end to end, as indicated in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D . 
     The dispenser assembly  10  also includes a carrier pivoting assembly  80  associated with each carrier  30  (e.g., in  FIG.  1   , a pair of carriers  30  are shown, each with a carrier pivoting assembly  80  associated therewith). As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 7   , the pivoting assembly  80  includes pivotable or rotatable levers or frames  81  moveably mounted to each carrier  30  and configured to engage the first supply  12 A of sheet material. For example, as indicated in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D , the lever  81  rotates/pivots as a first, lower supply  12 A of sheet material is dispensed, i.e., as the diameter of the supply  12 A is diminished or reduced during such dispensing. 
     The pivoting assembly  80  additionally includes a pair of pins or rods  82  attached to or otherwise in communication with the lever  81 , for operatively connecting the lever  81  to the carrier  30  ( FIGS.  1 - 5 ,  7 - 9 , and  10 A- 10 B ).  FIGS.  8  and  9    show perspective views of the pins  82  according to various aspects of the present disclosures. As illustrated, the pins  82  have a generally cylindrical body  83 , and move laterally with rotation/pivoting of the lever  81  so as to move between an extended position  84 , in which the pins  82  engage corresponding locking features  86  (e.g., hooks, protrusions, tabs, recesses, etc.) arranged along the tracks  60  to hold/support the carriers  30  in the first dispensing position  66 , and a retracted position  88 , in which the pins  82  are moved out of engagement with the locking features  86  to enable the carrier  30  to move along the tracks  60  to the second dispensing position  68 , as generally shown in  FIGS.  4 - 5  and  10 A- 10 B . Accordingly, as the lever  81  rotates due to the reduction in the diameter of the first or lower supply  12 A of sheet material during dispensing, the pins  82  are caused to move from their extended positions  84  toward their retracted positions  88 , and when the first supply  12 A of sheet material is substantially dispensed/exhausted to the desired extent, the pins  82  disengage the locking features  86  to allow the carrier  30  to move/slide, under its own weight (and/or together with that of the upper supply roll  12 B), along the track  60  from the first dispensing position  66  to the second dispensing position  68 . 
     As further shown in  FIGS.  1 - 5   , the cross-support  42  of carrier  30  generally will include one or more walls, flanges, or partitions  90 , or other suitable portions, that facilitate attachment of the pins  82  to the carrier  30 . These walls or flanges  90  each can have openings or passages  92  defined therethrough for receiving at least a portion (e.g., an end portion  82 B) of the pins  82 , with an opposite portion of each pin  82  (e.g., an end portion  82 A) further being received within a corresponding opening or passage  94  defined through the sidewall  38 / 40  of the carrier to couple each pin  82  and the pivoting assembly  80  to the carrier  30 . The pins  82  thus are arranged to be on a coaxial, in a spaced-part, opposing relationship/orientation, as  FIGS.  5  and  7    generally indicate. 
     The pins  82  additionally are moveable into and out from their corresponding openings  94  in the side walls  38 / 40  of the carrier  30  upon rotation of the lever  81 .  FIGS.  4 - 5 ,  7 - 9  and  10 A- 10 B  show the pins  82  including locating tabs  96  projecting from the body  83  of each pins  82  and disposed along, or substantially adjacent the first end portion  82 A of the pins  82 . The locating tabs  96  can include a generally rectangular body  97 , though other shapes are possible, and will be configured to be received within complementary slots or grooves  98  defined in the side rails  38 / 40 . The slots  98  are in communication with the openings  94  to help locate and guide the pins  82  in and out from the openings  94  ( FIGS.  4 ,  5 ,  10 A, and  10 B ). The pins  82  further are connected to one or more biasing members  100 , such as one or more tension springs or other suitable biasing members. The pins  80  are urged by the biasing member(s)  100  toward their retracted positions  88 . The walls  90  further can engage at least a portion of the pins  82  (e.g., end portion  82 B) to help to reduce, prevent, or inhibit bending, buckling, or other unwanted side-to-side movement of the pins  82 . 
       FIGS.  1 - 7    further illustrate that the lever  81  includes side portions or sections  102  rotatably, pivotally, or otherwise movably coupled to the pins  82  at a first end  102 A thereof and also coupled to and supporting a roller  104  at a second end  90 B thereof. The roller  104  is rotatably coupled to the side portions  102  of the lever, e.g., by bearings, bushings, etc., and is configured to engage the first, lower supply  12 A of sheet material ( FIG.  2   ), such that the roller  92  rotates as the first, lower supply  12 A of sheet material is rotated during dispensing (e.g., when a user engages a pulls sheet material from the supply  12 A). 
     In addition, as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  7 - 8   , the pins  82  include one or more guidance features  110  that engage or otherwise interact with corresponding guidance features  112  arranged along the lever  81  to guide or allow movement of the pins  82  between their extended  84  and retracted  88  positions as the lever  81  is pivoted/rotated during dispensing of the first, lower supply  12 A of sheet material. Thus, as the lever  81  rotates or pivots about the pins  82 , with the dispensing of the first, lower supply  12 A of sheet material, the guidance features  110 / 112  interact to cause or allow the pins  82  to be retracted under the urging or force of the biasing member  100  to move the pins toward their retracted position  88  and disengage from the locking features  86  defined along the track  60 . This in turn enables the carrier  30  to move (e.g., under its own weight and the weight of the second supply  12 B) the second supply  12 B to the second position  68  for dispensing sheets therefrom. 
     In the construction illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the guidance features  110  include slanted or angled guide surfaces or faces  114  defined along the body  83  of the pins  82 , and the guidance features  112  include corresponding, complementary guide surfaces  116  defined along the first end  102 A of the side portions  102 . These guide surfaces  114 / 116  generally are shaped, sized, or otherwise configured to guide movement of the pins  82  (e.g., under urging of the biasing member) towards their retracted position  88 . As the lever  81  is rotated/pivoted, the guide surfaces  116  of the pins  82  are moved along or otherwise in relation the guide surfaces  114  of the lever  81  to enabling the pins  82  to be moved under urging of the biasing member  100  toward their retracted position  88 . 
     In one alternative construction, such as shown in  FIG.  9   , the guidance features  110 / 112  can include a helical slot or recess  115  defined along each pin, and a corresponding tab or other suitable protruding portion (not shown) along the end  102 A of side portion  102  of the lever  81 . This helical slot  115  can be selectively engaged by the tab to allow the pins to move under the force of the biasing member from the extended or retracted position to the second position. 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the body  83  of the pins  82  includes a generally cylindrical sidewall  120  with one or more reduced area or recessed portions  122  defined therein that form or otherwise define the guide surfaces  114 . The second end  102 A of the side portion  102  of the lever  81  also can include a cylindrical projection  124 , with an end portion  124 A that is angled or offset to define the guide surfaces  116 . The cylindrical portion  124  also can include a passage/hole  126  in which the body  83  of a pin  82  can be at least partially received. For example, the recessed area  122  of the body  83  of each pins  82  is received within a hole or passage  126  to enable the lever  81  to be rotatable about the pins  82 . 
     As also illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the pins  82  generally are attached to the lever  81  in an aligned, substantially coaxial, spaced apart, opposing relationship/orientation. The pins  82  further are operatively connected and biased towards each other by the biasing member  100 . In one construction, as shown in  FIG.  7   , the second end portion  82 B of each pin  82  includes a hook  130  that engages a hooped or hooked end  100 A of the biasing member  100 . In an additional or alternative construction, as shown in  FIG.  9   , the second ends  82 B of the pins  82  can have an opening or passage  132  defined therethrough and configured to engage the hooked or hooped end  100 A of the biasing member  100 . The biasing member  100  provides a tension or pulling force that urges the spaced pins  82  towards one another, such that the guidance features  110 / 112  are pressed into contact or engagement with each other. 
     The components of the pivoting assembly  80 , e.g., the frame  81  and the pins  82 , are generally are formed from a plastic material, such as ABS, POM, etc., though other suitable materials, e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The pivoting assembly  80 &#39;s construction further is designed to be substantially resistant to damage caused by tampering or vandalism, for example, if someone pulls on the carrier  30  or the lever  81 , such as in an attempt to tamper with or vandalize the dispenser assembly  14 , the pins can release or disengage to avoid damage to the carrier body and/or housing. The lever  81  further can include a cross-bar or member  134  that extends between the side sections  102 , e.g., to increase the stiffness/rigidity of the lever  81  and help prevent damage thereto if the dispenser assembly  10  is tampered with or vandalized. The cross member  134  is optional, however, and can be omitted, as indicated in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D . 
       FIGS.  10 A- 10 B and  11    show perspective views of locking features  86  according to various aspect of the present disclosure. In one construction, as shown in  FIGS.  10 A-B , the locking features  86  can include a body  136  with a base portion  138  that is connected to the cover  22  along the track  60  (e.g., by fasteners, such as screws, bolts, etc., or other suitable connection mechanism, e.g., adhesives). The body  136  further can include a tab portion  140  that is connected to the base portion  138  by a flexible elongated portion or section  142 . The tab portion  140  includes a surface or shoulder  144  that is configured to engage the pins  82  in their extended position  84 , and an opposing surface or face  146  that is slanted or angled to allow for loading of the carrier  30  within the tracks  60 . For example, when the carrier  30  is loaded and within the tracks  60 , the pins  82  may engage the slanged or angled surface  146  to move/bend the flexible portion  140  and the tab  140  attached thereto to allow passage of the pins  82  and thus the carrier  30  to be loaded into its first dispensing position/configuration  66 . Furthermore, the channels  65  defined in the guides  64  of the carrier  30  are sized, dimensioned, or otherwise configured to allow for passage of the tab portions  140  therethrough to allow for movement of the guides  64  over the locking features  86 . 
     In an additional or alternative constructions, the locking features  86  can be integrally formed within the tracks  60 , as indicated in  FIG.  11   . For example,  FIG.  11    shows that the locking features  86  can be positioned within a hole or opening  150  defined in a wall or portion  152  of the track  60 , and the elongated flexible portion  144  is formed with the wall  152  of the track  60 . The locking features  86  further may be moveable into the opening  150  to allow the carrier  30  to be loaded or received within the tracks  60 , and further to allow the carrier  30  to be released from the track  60  if it is pulled or engaged, e.g., when someone attempts to tamper with or vandalize the dispenser assembly. 
     The foregoing description generally illustrates and describes various embodiments of the present invention. It will, however, be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the above-discussed construction of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed herein, and that it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as being illustrative, and not to be taken in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure shall be construed to cover various modifications, combinations, additions, alterations, etc., above and to the above-described embodiments, which shall be considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, various features and characteristics of the present invention as discussed herein may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the invention, and numerous variations, modifications, and additions further can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.