Patent Description:
Different types of dispensing devices for controlling quantities of paper products dispensed such as for hospitals, restrooms, and other environments have been developed in recent years. Many of these dispensers include automatic drive mechanisms that drive a feed roller to dispense selected amounts of sheet material. Such automatic drive mechanisms, however, typically employ intermeshing gears that can create significant noise during operation. Additionally, such automatic drive mechanisms may not apply a consistent driving or pulling force engaging and feeding the sheet material, which can result in inconsistent or improper feeding of the sheet material, and/or increased wearing of parts or components of the feed roller.

Other drive mechanisms, such as shown in US Patent Publication No. <CIT> can use a belt located along an outer portion of the dispenser and which couples the feed roller to a drive motor.

Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for an automatic dispenser that provides for a substantially quiet and consistent dispensing or feeding of desired amounts of a sheet material, and which addresses the foregoing and other related and unrelated problems in the art.

The present invention is directed to a dispenser with the feature of claim <NUM>. Briefly described, the present disclosure is, in one aspect, directed to a dispenser assembly for dispensing selected amounts of a sheet material, for example, paper products, including, but not limited to, towels, tissue, napkins, etc. The dispenser assembly can include a dispenser housing and a supply of sheet material, such as a roll of sheet material, attached to at least a portion of the dispenser housing, for example, by one or more arms or supports. The dispenser assembly further may include a feed roller that is rotatably mounted within the dispenser housing and generally is configured to feed, drive, or pull a predetermined amount of sheet material of the supply of sheet material through a discharge of the dispenser. The dispenser assembly also generally can include one or more pressing rollers that are biased toward engagement with the feed roller so that the sheet material is urged and/or engaged against the feed roller such that the sheet material is pulled or drawn between the bead and pressing roller(s) during a dispensing operation.

In one embodiment, the dispenser assembly further includes a feed roller drive assembly/system for driving rotation of the feed roller to dispense selected amounts of sheet material. The drive system/assembly can include at least one driving mechanism, including a motor in communication with the feed roller to drive rotation or movement thereof. The drive system/assembly also can include a belt transmission assembly for transferring power between the motor and the feed roller. The belt transmission assembly includes a drive belt extending between the drive motor and feed roller. For example, the drive belt can engage a pulley, sheave or belt gear, or can be attached or otherwise operably coupled to a driveshaft of the motor, and further will be operatively coupled to the feed roller, e.g., by a feed roller pulley.

In one embodiment, the feed roller pulley can be attached to or engaged with the feed roller between the ends of the feed roller; for example, at or near a midpoint of the feed roller body, with the drive belt received about and operably engaging the feed roller for transferring power from the motor to the feed roller for driving rotation of the feed roller. Other coupling and driving arrangements between the feed roller and drive belt can be used, however, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The arrangement/positioning of the location/point of engagement where the drive belt engages the feed roller, further generally will be selected to facilitate the application of a substantially consistent drive force along the feed roller body, to help ensure substantially consistent feeding of the sheet material (e.g., preventing or reducing jamming and/or tearing of the sheet material) as well as increasing the working/useful life of the components of the feed roller.

The feed roller pulley can be disposed, arranged, or located along the feed roller body. The feed roller pulley is received within a circumferential groove or channel defined in an outer surface of the feed roller body. Accordingly, the drive belt may be disposed within the outer, circumferential surface of the feed roller body, or a perimeter defined thereby. As another alternative not forming part of the invention, the feed roller body can include teeth or other engaging surfaces formed along its body (including at a recessed area) and which are adapted to be engaged by the drive belt. The drive belt further can include a plurality of ribs, notches, teeth or cogs disposed therealong and configured to at least partially contact or engage corresponding notches, indentations, recess, etc. between gear teeth or projections defined along a motor pulley, and along the feed roller pulley or the feed roller body.

The feed roller drive system assembly further can be substantially configured as a unit or module. The drive system with the drive belt transmission assembly also may help provide a reduction in noise in comparison to other transmissions/assemblies, such as assemblies utilizing a series of rigid, intermeshing gears, and/or drive arrangements mounted externally of the dispenser, such as drive arrangements mounted along the side of a dispenser. In addition, in another aspect, the drive belt transmission assembly may have an extended working/useful life in comparison to other components, and may allow for driving of the feed roller, and/or mechanisms/systems attached thereto or in communication therewith, using reduced power.

In one embodiment, the feed roller drive assembly or system, including the drive motor and at least a portion of the drive belt transmission assembly, can be located and/or mounted at least partially within a cavity or chamber defined within the dispenser housing. For example, the drive mechanism can be coupled to a motor housing or support that is connected to one or more interior support portions of the dispenser housing that are positioned within an interior chamber or cavity of the dispenser housing. The mounting of the motor within an interior cavity or chamber of the dispenser housing also can help substantially reduce ambient noise heard/experienced outside the dispenser housing during operation of the dispenser.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the drive belt transmission assembly also can include a tensioner assembly for creating and/or maintaining tension in the drive belt. The tensioner assembly can include a tensioner bracket movably mounted within the dispenser housing adjacent or proximate to the drive belt, and a roller configured to engage the drive belt for providing tension therealong. In one embodiment, the tensioner bracket can be biased, such as by a spring or biasing member, so as to press or engage the roller against an upper surface of the drive belt. The biasing force applied to the drive belt can be adjusted but generally will be sufficient to provide a substantially consistent tension along the drive belt to prevent slippage of the drive belt against the motor and/or feed roller pulley(s), and/or to help reduce premature wear of the drive belt.

In another embodiment, the dispenser can include a tensioned motor support assembly that includes a biasing member (e.g., a tension spring or other suitable spring or biasing member) that engages and biases the motor to prevent slippage of the drive belt. For example, at one end the biasing member can be connected to at least a portion of the housing, and at another end thereof can be connected to a support or mounting bracket (e.g., that supports the motor in a cantilever type arrangement) to bias the support/mounting bracket, and the motor supported thereby, in a manner to provide a sufficient tension force or stress along the drive belt (e.g., to prevent slippage thereof).

In additional embodiments, a tensioned motor mounting assembly can include a support frame or support portion and a base or pivot arm. The support frame/support portion is connected to and supports the motor, and further is coupled to the base (e.g., by a plurality of fasteners). The base further is moveably (e.g., slidably, pivotably, rotatably) coupled to the dispenser housing. For example, in one embodiment, the base is connected to the dispenser housing (e.g., an intermediate wall thereof) by a plurality of fasteners that are received within slots or other suitable apertures or openings that allow movement on the fasteners therealong. Alternatively, the base can be connected to the dispenser housing by a bearing assembly or other suitable mechanism that allows for rotation/pivoting of the support assembly thereabout.

The motor support assembly further includes one or more biasing members connected thereto for biasing the motor support assembly, such as to provide tension along the drive belt (e.g., to substantially prevent, reduce, or inhibit wear, slippage, etc. thereof) and/or to provide dampening for the motor/drive assembly (e.g., dampening or absorbing motor vibrations or other components of the drive system). In one example, the biasing member(s) can include a spring(s) with one end thereof connected to the frame and another end thereof connected to a portion of the dispenser housing.

Additionally, the tensioned motor mounting assembly can include a bearing or bushing that is coupled to the base (e.g., is fitted or otherwise received within an opening or aperture thereof) that at least partially supports or engages an end portion of the motor driveshaft. The bearing or bushing further generally is mounted between the base and driveshaft in a manner so as to substantially prevent, reduce, or inhibit bending or twisting of the driveshaft or components of the drive assembly (e.g., the belt gear attached to the driveshaft), and thus help substantially prevent, reduce, or inhibit uneven wear thereof or other damage thereto.

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.

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.

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.

As generally illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> the present disclosure is, in one aspect, directed to a dispenser <NUM> and components thereof for feeding or dispensing a flexible sheet material <NUM>. Such sheet material can include, in some aspects, paper sheet materials such as towels, tissue, napkins, etc. In other aspects, the sheet material can include other types of sheet materials including plastic or other materials. The dispenser <NUM> generally will include a motorized or driven feed roll drive assembly/system <NUM> mounted/disposed within a dispenser housing <NUM> and operable to substantially automatically dispense a length of sheet material (<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). For example, a predetermined length or size sheet (e.g., a <NUM>"-<NUM>" or other desired length) can be dispensed. Upon activating the dispenser <NUM>, the feed roller drive assembly <NUM> is engaged and operates to drive or cause rotation of a feed roller or drive spindle <NUM>. The rotation of the feed roller <NUM> in turn pulls the sheet material from a supply <NUM> for feeding of the measured or selected amount or length L of sheet material <NUM> along a conveying or feed path P (<FIG> and <FIG>) from the roll or supply <NUM> of the sheet material <NUM> through the dispenser and out of a discharge <NUM>, such as a discharge chute or other suitable aperture or opening, provided/defined in the housing <NUM> of the dispenser, as generally indicated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The driven feed roller drive assembly <NUM> can be activated to feed or drive the sheet material <NUM> from the supply <NUM> of sheet material to and through the discharge <NUM> of the dispenser housing <NUM>, for example, upon receiving a signal from a control system <NUM> of the dispenser. An example of a control system <NUM> for a dispenser is shown generally in <FIG>, and can include a controller or processor <NUM> including control software/programming for controlling the feed roller drive assembly to feed the selected or desired length of sheet material, and to monitor the dispenser and components such as the supply of sheet material and usage/operation of the dispenser. The controller further will be in communication with, and will receive a plurality of signals, from a sensor or an array or series of sensors, such as generally indicated at <NUM>, to control dispensing of the sheet material <NUM>.

The sensors <NUM> can include various type sensors or detectors, for example, including an adjustable proximity sensor that can be configured/adjusted to detect the presence of a user's hand or other object at a desired range/location and dispense measured/selected amounts of sheet material <NUM>, or one or more pairs of IR sensors (e.g., an emitter and a corresponding detector) that are arranged about/within the discharge chute and transmit/receive signals across the discharge path to sense or detect the presence or absence of sheet material or other object within the discharge chute or otherwise along the feed path. Any suitable sensor, however, such as a photoelectric, light curtain, or other similar sensing systems/detectors, can be used to detect the presence of a user's hands or other object placed along the dispenser housing, and/or the feeding of a selected amount of sheet material <NUM> can be used, without departing from the present disclosure. In addition, various sensor arrays and/or control systems can be used, such as disclosed in <CIT>, and <CIT>.

It further should be appreciated that the dispenser described herein should not be considered to be limited to any particular style, configuration, or intended use or type of sheet material. For example, the dispenser may be operable to dispense paper towels, toilet tissue, or other similar paper or sheet materials, including dispensing or feeding non-perforated and/or perforated sheet materials.

As indicated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the dispenser housing <NUM> generally will include a roll support mechanism/assembly <NUM>, for holding at least one roll <NUM> of the supply <NUM> of sheet material <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the roll <NUM> can be supported by a pair of supports or arms <NUM> coupled to the dispenser housing <NUM>. These arms/supports <NUM> may be fixedly arranged to hold the supply <NUM> of sheet material in a spaced relationship with respect to the feed roller <NUM>. For example, the support arms <NUM> can be attached or coupled to the housing by sliding or snap-fitting at least a portion of the supports/arms within grooves or slots <NUM> defined along a rear portion <NUM> of the dispenser housing. However, the support arms <NUM> can be connected to the dispenser housing <NUM> in any suitable manner, such as with one or more fasteners or other suitable connection mechanisms. As a further alternative, the support arms also can be integrally formed with the housing without departing from the present disclosure. Additionally, the support arms <NUM> may be biased or urged, such as by a spring or other suitable biasing mechanism(s), or by a general resiliency, toward the feed roller <NUM> to urge or direct the supply <NUM> of sheet material downwardly toward or against the feed roller <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example driven feed roller <NUM> of the feed roller drive assembly <NUM>. As indicated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the feed roller <NUM> generally will include an elongated body <NUM>. The body <NUM> can be made of a molded plastic, synthetic or other composite material, though other types of low or reduced static materials. In one aspect, a wood material can be used. In another aspect, metal materials, which can include an insulating material applied thereabout, also can be employed. The feed roller body <NUM> will include first and second ends 40A/40B and a generally cylindrical outer side wall <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the feed roller body <NUM> also may include one or more driving bands or sections <NUM> disposed on an outer surface 42A of the side wall <NUM>, such as a series of driving bands being disposed on the outer surface in a spaced arrangement or configuration. The driving bands <NUM> may at least partially include or be comprised of rubber, plastic, resin or other, similar materials suitable to increase grip of the feed roller <NUM> and/or friction between the feed roller <NUM> and the sheet material <NUM> to thereby assist in the feeding or driving of the sheet material <NUM>. It further will be understood that although some exemplary embodiments, such as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, show six substantially equally sized driving bands <NUM> disposed in a spaced relationship about the outer surface of the feed roller body, any number, size, arrangement and/or configuration of driving bands also may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Still further, the feed roller <NUM> can be provided without driving bands, or, as another alternative, can have a covering or sleeve of a grip increasing material.

As further shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the feed roller body <NUM> can be movably or rotatably coupled to one or more walls or other portions of the dispenser housing <NUM>, such as side walls <NUM>/<NUM>. The first 40A and/or second 40B ends of the feed roller body can be connected, mounted, or otherwise coupled to the side walls <NUM>/<NUM> by one or more bearing assemblies <NUM>. Other suitable support mechanisms that support and allow for rotation of the feed roller body in relation to the dispenser housing <NUM> further can be used. The bearing assemblies <NUM> may include roller or ball bearings that can be contained, housed or otherwise disposed between bands or rings defining a bearing body <NUM>. In one aspect, the bearing body <NUM> can include a base or platform <NUM> that is coupled or fixed to a side wall <NUM>/<NUM> of the dispenser housing, for example, using one or more fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, rivets, etc.). The bearing assemblies also can be otherwise fixed or integrally formed with one or more portions/components of the dispenser housing. Embodiments of this disclosure additionally are not limited solely to the use of roller/ball bearings, and may include other types of bearings, such as plain, fluid, or magnetic bearings or any other suitable mechanisms for rotatably fixing the feed roller body to or otherwise within the dispenser housing.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the dispenser assembly <NUM> further generally can include one or more pressing rollers <NUM>. The pressing rollers <NUM> can be biased toward engagement with the feed roller <NUM>, so as to engage and urge or press the sheet material <NUM> against the feed roller <NUM>, e.g., with a force sufficient to facilitate drawing or pulling of the sheet material therebetween upon rotation of the feed roller. The pressing roller(s) <NUM> can be mounted within the dispenser housing <NUM>, such as with the ends thereof held within one or more arms or supports of a bracket <NUM> in a manner to enable rotation of the pressing rollers. The bracket <NUM> also can be biased by a biasing member, such as a spring or other suitable biasing member, so that the pressing rollers <NUM> can be urged toward the driven feed roller <NUM>.

One or more pressing roller(s) <NUM> further can be disposed within a frame or other structure <NUM> and biased toward the feed roller such as by compressing spring <NUM> or other suitable springs, biased cylinders or other biasing mechanisms (<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>). In one embodiment, the frame <NUM> can support at least two pressing rollers and also can be pivotable to enable one pressing roller to move away from the feed roller as needed, while the other roller is pivoted into closer contact with the feed roller (not shown).

The pressing roller(s) additionally can include bands of a gripping material, such as a rubber or synthetic material, to assist in pulling the sheet material therebetween without causing damage to the sheet material as it passes between the feed roller and pressing roller(s). The engagement of the pressing rollers <NUM> and feed roller <NUM> will define nip points at upstream and downstream points along the feed path P of the sheet material <NUM> as the sheet material <NUM> is engaged and fed between the feed roller <NUM> and the pressing rollers. In addition, or alternatively, the pressing rollers <NUM> may be driven by drive mechanism, for example, off of a motor <NUM> that drives the feed roller or by a separate drive, so as to facilitate feeding of the sheet material <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG>, 4A-<NUM>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show the feed roller drive assembly <NUM> for driving rotation of the feed roller <NUM> to dispense selected amounts of sheet material. The feed roller drive system/assembly <NUM> can include at least one driving mechanism, e.g., a motor <NUM>, that is in communication with the feed roller so as to drive movement/rotation thereof. The motor <NUM> can include a brushless servo or stepper motor or other, similar type of variable speed electric motor, and communicates with the control system of the dispenser <NUM> to receive instructions and power for activating and driving the feed roller <NUM> through a dispensing cycle (e.g., a determined time, number of revolutions, etc.), so as to feed the selected or desired amount/length of the sheet material through the discharge opening of the dispenser.

In one additional aspect, the drive system/assembly <NUM> also can include a drive belt transmission assembly <NUM> for transferring power between the drive motor <NUM> and the feed roller <NUM>. The drive belt transmission assembly <NUM> can include a drive belt <NUM> coupling the drive motor <NUM> to the feed roller <NUM>. In one example, the drive belt <NUM> can engage a pulley, sheave, or belt gear <NUM> attached or otherwise operably connected to a driveshaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM>. The drive belt <NUM> further can be coupled to the feed roller <NUM>, such as by engaging a pulley, sheave, or belt gear <NUM> that is operatively connected to the feed roller <NUM>, or by otherwise engaging the feed roller body <NUM>. The pulleys <NUM> and <NUM> also can be configured with differing gear ratios to provide a desired driving force to the feed roller. By way of example, a gear ratio of about <NUM>/<NUM> or about <NUM> can be used in some embodiments. However, it will be understood that any suitable gear ratio, such as about <NUM>/<NUM>, about <NUM>/<NUM>, etc., can be used without departing from the scope of present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the feed roller pulley <NUM> can be attached or connected to the feed roller body <NUM> at a position between its ends 40A, 40B. For example, the feed roller pulley <NUM> may be mounted or located between the ends 40A, 40B at a position that is substantially spaced apart from both of the ends 40A, 40B. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the feed roller pulley <NUM> can be arranged/positioned approximately intermediate or substantially at a midpoint <NUM> of the feed roller body <NUM>. Such arrangement/positioning may facilitate the application of a substantially consistent driving force along the feed roller body, which may provide consistent feeding of the sheet material (e.g., preventing or reducing jams, tears, etc.) as well as increasing the working life of the components of the feed roller.

According to the invention, the feed roller pulley <NUM> is disposed within a circumferential groove <NUM> defined in the outer circumferential surface 42A of the feed roller body <NUM>. Accordingly, at least a portion of the drive belt <NUM> may be disposed within the circumferential groove <NUM> and at a position that is substantially below or otherwise within a perimeter or outer boundary defined by the outer surface 42A of the feed roller body. For example, as generally illustrated in <FIG>, a portion <NUM> of the drive belt <NUM> that is at least partially in engagement with the feed roller pulley <NUM> may be positioned within the groove <NUM> and spaced away from a portion <NUM> of the feed roller body <NUM> that contacts or engages the sheet material driving disposing thereof, to help to prevent the drive belt <NUM> from interfering with dispensing of the sheet material.

The feed roller pulley <NUM> also can be integrally formed with the feed roller body <NUM>, though other constructions are possible, without departing from the present disclosure. For example, the feed roller pulley can be a separate part/component that is coupled between two separate, symmetrical parts that can be connected/coupled together to form the feed roller body. As a further alternative, the drive belt can engage or be fitted in a driving relationship with the feed roller directly without a drive pulley or gear.

The drive belt <NUM> can include a synchronous belt with a plurality of ribs, notches, or cogs <NUM> disposed therealong that are configured to be at least partially received within corresponding notches or teeth <NUM>/<NUM> of the motor pulley and the feed roller pulley. Other types and/or configurations of drive belts also can be used. The drive belt assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure may substantially reduce noise in comparison to other drive transmissions/assemblies, such as drive assemblies utilizing a series of intermeshing gears. Further, the drive belt assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure may have an extended working life in comparison to other systems/assemblies, and may allow for driving of the feed roller, or mechanisms/systems attached thereto or otherwise in communication therewith, using reduced power requirement in comparison to other driving systems/assemblies.

In one embodiment, the drive belt <NUM> can be a type 72XL belt, having a belt width of about <NUM> and having about <NUM> to about <NUM> cogs. It will be understood, however, that the drive belt can have any suitable width, e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and/or suitable number of teeth or cogs, e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM> cogs, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The belt and/or the cogs thereof can comprise a chloroprene rubber adhesive or other suitable elastic material, though any material can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The pitch of the cogs further can be about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and in another aspect, about <NUM> to about <NUM> and can have a height of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and in one aspect about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The drive belt <NUM> further can comprise one or more layers or plies, including a tensile layer that comprises a reinforcement, for example, fiberglass, though the belt can comprise any suitable material, e.g., other rubbers, plastics and/or composites, without departing from the present disclosure. Additionally, the drive belt <NUM> can include a wrapping, such as a cloth or sheet material comprising high elastic nylon, though the wrap cloth can comprise any other suitable material without departing from the present disclosure. Further, the drive belt <NUM> can have a thickness of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, though the belt can have any suitable thickness, e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or greater than <NUM>, and a tensile strength of about 60N/mm to about 80N/mm with an elongation of the belt generally being less than about <NUM>%-<NUM>%. Still further, the drive belt <NUM> can have a hardness of about <NUM>, though the belt may have any suitable hardness, while retaining sufficient flexibility, for example, about <NUM> to about <NUM> or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, though belts with hardness values less than <NUM> or greater than <NUM> also can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, with embodiments of the present disclosure, the drive motor <NUM> and other components of the drive assembly <NUM> can be located internally within the housing of the dispenser. In one example embodiment, the motor <NUM> can be mounted at least partially within a cavity or chamber <NUM> defined within the dispenser housing. The motor <NUM> also can be provided as part of a drive unit, with the motor <NUM> coupled to a motor housing <NUM> that is fixed or coupled to one or more support portions <NUM> of the dispenser housing within the interior chamber or cavity <NUM> of the dispenser housing. The motor housing <NUM> may have a body <NUM> with a series of walls or sides <NUM> arranged to at least partially form a channel or groove <NUM> sized and/or configured for receiving at least a portion of the motor <NUM> therealong (<FIG>). The walls <NUM> further may have projection portions <NUM> with holes or apertures <NUM> defined therethrough for receipt of one or more fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, rivets, etc.) to fix/couple the motor housing to the supports <NUM> (<FIG>).

With the drive motor <NUM> received within the channel <NUM> of the motor housing <NUM>, the driveshaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> may extend through an opening or aperture in a wall <NUM> of the motor housing <NUM>. Additionally, one or more dampening pads, such as silicon pads <NUM>, further may be provided, such as, at the connection of the motor housing to the supports and between the motor and the motor housing, to reduce vibration and/or noise due to operation of the motor. The internal mounting assembly of the motor within the cavity or chamber of the dispenser housing can isolate the motor so as to substantially reduce ambient noise heard/experienced outside the dispenser housing during operation of the drive mechanism.

As generally shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the drive belt transmission assembly <NUM> further can include a tensioner assembly <NUM> for tensioning the drive belt <NUM>. The tensioner assembly <NUM> can include a tensioner bracket <NUM> having a body <NUM> with a first, upper end <NUM> and second, lower end <NUM> (<FIG>). The tensioner bracket <NUM> can be mounted within the dispenser housing, e.g., by a fastener <NUM>, and generally will be located or arranged along and substantially adjacent or proximate to the drive belt <NUM> as generally shown in <FIG>.

The tensioner bracket <NUM> further can be biased, such as by a spring <NUM> or other suitable biasing member, sufficient to bias or engage a roller <NUM> connected to the lower end <NUM> of the tensioner housing against an upper surface of the drive belt (<FIG>). Such a biasing action creates an engagement between the roller <NUM> and the drive belt <NUM> that can be selected and/or adjusted as needed to provide a substantially consistent tension along the drive belt <NUM> to prevent slippage and/or premature wear thereof.

The roller <NUM> also can be rotatably mounted to the tensioner bracket <NUM> so as to roll along the moving drive belt <NUM>. For example, one or more ends 142A/B of the roller <NUM> can be snap-fitted within one or more channels/notches <NUM> defined in the projecting portion <NUM> at the lower end <NUM> of the tensioner bracket132. Due to the applied biasing or spring force, the tensioner assembly <NUM> generally will urge the roller in a downward direction D1 and toward engagement with the drive belt <NUM> sufficient to tension or tighten the belt. The spring/tension force further can vary with movement of the feed roller/belt, to ensure the belt and the pulleys remain tightly engaged.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a tensioned motor mounting assembly <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the mounting assembly <NUM> includes one or more biasing members <NUM> (e.g., one or more a tension springs or other suitable springs or biasing members) that engage and bias the drive motor <NUM> to provide a sufficient tension force or stress along the drive belt <NUM>, for example, to prevent slippage and/or premature wear thereof during repeated dispensing operations.

In one example, the mounting assembly <NUM> includes a mounting bracket <NUM> supporting the motor <NUM>. The biasing member <NUM> can be coupled to the mounting bracket <NUM>, such that the biasing member <NUM> engages/biases the motor <NUM> and tensions the drive belt <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a first end 332A of the biasing member <NUM> can be connected to a portion <NUM> (e.g., an interior wall or other suitable portion) of the dispenser housing <NUM> or to a support member connected thereto, and the second opposing end 332B of the biasing member <NUM> can be connected to the mounting bracket <NUM>.

The mounting bracket <NUM> includes a generally u-shaped bracket having side portions <NUM> and an end portion <NUM> that is disposed at an end 340A of the side portions <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). The side portions <NUM> further can include flanges <NUM>, which flanges <NUM> can be connected to at least a portion of (such as an internal or intermediate wall or another portion connected to) the dispenser housing <NUM>, for example, by fasteners <NUM>, such as screws, rivets, bolt or other suitable fastening mechanisms. The motor <NUM> can be at least partially disposed between the side portions <NUM> of the bracket, and can be substantially fixedly connected to the end portion <NUM>, for example, by one or more fasteners <NUM> (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.). The end portion <NUM> also includes a hole or aperture <NUM> that at least partially accepts and receives the driveshaft of the motor <NUM>. Accordingly, the motor <NUM> can be supported so as to be substantially parallel with the feed roller body <NUM> in a cantilever-type arrangement that allows for movement of the motor <NUM> under the tension of the biasing member <NUM>.

The biasing member <NUM> is connected to an end 340A of one of the side portions <NUM> of the mounting bracket <NUM> to bias the motor <NUM> and the mounting bracket <NUM> a sufficient amount to provide a tension force or stress along the drive belt <NUM>. The mounting bracket <NUM> can be made from a metal (e.g., steel, such as plated steel, stainless steel, etc.; aluminum; or other suitable metallic material), a plastic or polymeric material, or other composites/synthetic materials, and generally can be configured so as to allow for some deflection, elongation, or bending of the mounting bracket <NUM> under biasing of the biasing member <NUM>.

Additionally, or in an alternative construction, the intermediate wall <NUM> can have slots or other suitably shaped or configured apertures defined therein that received the fasteners <NUM>, or the mounting bracket <NUM> can be otherwise movably coupled to the dispenser housing, e.g., such as by a bearing or bushing, to allow for some movement of the mounting bracket <NUM> along the wall <NUM>, e.g., as urged by or under control of the biasing member.

The biasing force applied to the by the biasing member <NUM> generally will be sufficient to provide a substantially consistent tension along the drive belt <NUM> to prevent slippage thereof against the motor pulley <NUM> and/or feed roller pulley <NUM>, and/or to help reduce premature wear of the drive belt <NUM>. Further, the movable mounting bracket <NUM> will be able to move under the control of the biasing member <NUM> to substantially dampen or absorb vibrations or other movements by the motor or other components of the drive system to substantially reduce noise generated thereby.

<FIG> show a tensioned support assembly <NUM> for supporting the motor <NUM> according to an additional aspect of the present disclosure. As generally shown in <FIG>, the support assembly <NUM> includes a support frame <NUM> that is connected to and supports the motor <NUM>, and a base <NUM> or other suitable portion that is connected to and supports the support frame <NUM>. The base <NUM> also movably couples the support frame <NUM>, and the motor <NUM> supported thereby, to the dispenser housing <NUM>.

The support assembly <NUM> also can include a biasing assembly <NUM> (<FIG>) that biases or urges the assembly <NUM> to provide tensioning along the drive belt <NUM> (e.g., to substantially prevent, reduce, or inhibit slippage, premature wear, etc. thereof) and also to provide dampening for the dispenser during operation thereof (e.g., to dampen or absorb vibrations of the motor <NUM>, or other components of the drive assembly, such as to reduce noise generated thereby).

<FIG> further show that the support frame <NUM> includes a body <NUM> with a plurality of supports or arms <NUM> extending therefrom. The body <NUM> can be formed from a metal, such as steel, aluminum, etc., though other materials can be used (e.g., other suitable metallic materials, composite materials, polymeric materials, or combinations thereof). The body <NUM> further includes a surface or face 410A with a plurality of holes <NUM> defined therein for receiving fasteners, such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc. (not shown), to connect the motor <NUM> to the support frame <NUM>. The surface/face 410A further will include a hole or aperture <NUM> defined therethrough and will be sized, shaped, positioned, or otherwise configured for receiving the driveshaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM>, as generally shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

A body or pad, e.g., formed form silicon, rubber, or another suitable material (not shown), can be received about the driveshaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> between the surface/face 410A and the motor <NUM> in a sandwich type arrangement, e.g., to dampen or absorb vibrations between the motor <NUM> and the support frame <NUM>. Each support <NUM> also generally includes a flange <NUM> or other suitable portion extending therefrom to facilitate attachment of the frame <NUM> to the base <NUM>. For example, each flange <NUM> includes a hole or aperture <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) defined therethrough for receiving fasteners <NUM> (such as screws, bolts, etc.), which fasteners <NUM> can be tightened against/threaded into corresponding threaded holes <NUM> defined in the base <NUM> for fixedly attaching the support frame <NUM> and the base <NUM>.

Additionally, the base <NUM> includes a body <NUM> with a plurality of protruding portions <NUM> extending therefrom that correspond and facilitate attachment to the plurality of supports <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> (<FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the base <NUM> is connected to an interior wall <NUM> of the dispenser housing <NUM> so as to allow for sliding or other suitable movement therebetween. For example, the base <NUM> is connected to the intermediate wall <NUM> of the dispenser housing <NUM> by a plurality of fasteners <NUM> (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) that are received through slots <NUM> or other apertures shaped or configured to allow for sliding movement or other suitable of the fasteners <NUM> therealong (<FIG> and <FIG>). The fasteners <NUM> further can be threaded into corresponding threaded holes <NUM> defined in the body <NUM> of the base <NUM> (<FIG>).

In one embodiment, the body <NUM> of the base <NUM> is formed from polyoxymethylene ("POM"), also known as acetyl, polyacetyl, and polyformaldehyde. Other suitable plastic, polymeric, or synthetic materials having reduced frictional properties (e.g., a low surface friction) capable of enabling or allowing at least some sliding movement between the body <NUM> and a portion (e.g., an intermediate wall <NUM>) of the dispenser housing <NUM> also can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, or in an alternative construction, the body <NUM> or can have a low-friction coating that allows for sliding movement between the base <NUM> and the interior wall <NUM>. The fasteners <NUM> further can include/receive washers <NUM> thereabout that have a Teflon®, or other substantially low friction, coating, or are formed from a substantially low friction material (e.g., polyoxymethylene or other suitable polymeric or synthetic material), to further facilitate movement, e.g., sliding, between the base <NUM> and the intermediate wall <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, the biasing assembly <NUM> includes one or more biasing members <NUM> connected to/engaging the support frame <NUM> that provide a tensioning force or stress along the drive belt <NUM>. In one embodiment, the biasing members <NUM> can include one or more tension springs or other suitable tensioning members having a spring body <NUM> that is connected to the support frame <NUM> and at least a portion (e.g., a rear wall <NUM>) of the dispenser housing <NUM>. Although a single spring biasing member <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, any number of springs or other suitable biasing mechanisms or combinations thereof can be used, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

<FIG> further show that the spring body <NUM> can include a first end 452A that includes a hooked, looped, or ring and is connected to the support frame <NUM>, and a similarly constructed second end 452B (e.g., having a hook, loop, or ring) that is connected to the rear wall <NUM> of the dispenser housing <NUM>. In one embodiment, one of the supports <NUM> includes notches or holes <NUM> defined therein that at least partially form an attachment portion or feature <NUM> that is sized, positioned, and/or configured to engage the hooked, looped, or ring end 452A of the spring body <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>).

The biasing assembly <NUM> also can include a pin or rod <NUM> that is fitted or otherwise received within one or more grooves or notches <NUM> defined in or along the rear wall <NUM> of the dispenser housing <NUM>, or portion or member attached thereto, and the pin or rod <NUM> can be connected to the second hooked, looped, or ring end 452B of the spring body <NUM> (<FIG>). The second end 452B can be otherwise connected or coupled to the dispenser housing <NUM> (e.g., to an opening or an attachment feature defined in the rear wall <NUM>), without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the support assembly <NUM> including a bearing assembly <NUM> that at least partially supports an end 82A of the driveshaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> and the belt gear <NUM> received therealong, e.g., to prevent twisting or bending of the motor driveshaft <NUM> and other components of the drive assembly (e.g., under force/biasing of the biasing assembly) so as to substantially reduce, prevent, or inhibit uneven wear thereof or damage thereto. In one embodiment, the bearing assembly <NUM> can include one or more roller bearings <NUM>, though other suitable bearings or bushings can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The bearing(s) <NUM> can be fitted or otherwise received within an opening or aperture <NUM> defined in the base <NUM> (e.g., the opening/aperture <NUM> can be at least partially defined by a protruding portion <NUM> of the base <NUM>), such that an outer race 472A of the bearing <NUM> engages the base <NUM> (e.g., the protruding portion <NUM> thereof) and an inner race 472B of the bearing <NUM> engages the belt gear <NUM> received along the driveshaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM>.

Accordingly, the support assembly <NUM> can be biased by the biasing assembly <NUM> to provide a tensioning force or stress along the drive belt <NUM>. This tension along the drive belt <NUM> can substantially prevent, inhibit, or reduce wear of the drive belt <NUM>, motor <NUM>, or other components of the drive assembly. Furthermore, the support assembly <NUM> generally will be moveable/translatable under the control of the biasing assembly <NUM> (e.g., shock absorbing manner/arrangement) to provide dampening, shifting or moving in a substantially controlled, cushioned or vibration absorbing effects and/or movements of the motor <NUM> and other components of the drive assembly to substantially reduce noise generated thereby.

<FIG> show a tensioned motor support assembly <NUM> according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the support assembly <NUM> includes a motor support portion <NUM> that is connected to the motor <NUM>, and a pivot arm, pivoting bracket, or other movable portion <NUM> coupled to the motor support portion <NUM>. The pivot arm <NUM> further connects the motor support portion <NUM>, and the motor <NUM> generally supported thereby, to the dispenser housing <NUM>. The support assembly <NUM> also includes a biasing assembly <NUM> (e.g., including one or more biasing members such as tension springs or other suitable tensioning or biasing members). The biasing assembly <NUM> generally is coupled to the pivot arm <NUM>, which is pivotably or rotatably connected to the dispenser housing <NUM>, such that the support assembly <NUM> can move, e.g., generally under the control of the biasing assembly <NUM>, to provide a substantially constant tension, stress, or force along the drive belt <NUM> and/or to substantially dampen or absorb vibrations of the motor <NUM> or other components of the drive assembly during operation thereof.

The support assembly <NUM> further can include a bearing assembly <NUM> (e.g., including a bearing, bushing, etc.) that engages the pivot arm <NUM> and the belt gear <NUM> to at least partially support the driveshaft <NUM>, e.g., to substantially reduce, inhibit, or prevent bending or twisting of the driveshaft <NUM> (e.g., due to the urging of/force of the biasing assembly <NUM>), to help to substantially prevent, reduce, or inhibit premature and/or uneven wear or other damage to the components of the motor <NUM> and/or drive assembly.

As shown in <FIG>, the support assembly <NUM> also can include a bearing assembly <NUM> for pivotably or rotatably connecting the support assembly <NUM> to the dispenser housing <NUM>. In one example embodiment, the bearing assembly <NUM> can include one or more roller bearings or other suitable bearings, bushings, or mechanisms that allow for pivoting/rotation, which bearings can engage the pivot arm <NUM> (e.g., engaging or connecting to or formed with a projecting portion or other support <NUM> connected to or formed with the pivot arm <NUM>), and an intermediate wall <NUM> that is connected to, or formed as part of, the dispenser housing <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, an inner race 580A of the bearing assembly can engage the projecting portion <NUM> of the pivot arm <NUM> and an outer race 580B of the bearing <NUM> can engage a surface <NUM> defined by an opening or aperture <NUM> provided or defined in the intermediate wall <NUM>. As a result, the support assembly <NUM> will be rotatably/pivotably connected to the intermediate wall <NUM> such that the support assembly <NUM> can pivot/rotate thereabout, under the control of the biasing assembly <NUM>, e.g., allowing the biasing assembly <NUM> to act as a shock absorber or dampener to substantially dampen, reduce, or absorb vibrations/movement during operation of the motor, or other components of the drive assembly, as well as to provide a substantially constant tension force/stress along the drive belt <NUM>, which further can help substantially reduce, inhibit, or prevent premature wear thereof.

Further, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the support portion <NUM> generally includes a body <NUM> with a plate-like structure and one or more holes or apertures <NUM> defined therein (see <FIG>) for receiving fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) to couple the support portion <NUM> to the motor <NUM>. The motor support portion <NUM> has an aperture or opening <NUM> that allows for passage of the driveshaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> to be coupled to the belt gear <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). The body <NUM> of the motor support portion <NUM> further can be formed from a metal, such as aluminum or steel, though other metallic materials, composite materials, or polymeric materials can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Still further, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the pivot arm <NUM> can include a body <NUM> with a plate-like structure that has a series of posts or support portions <NUM> provided therealong. The support portions <NUM> can include threaded holes or apertures <NUM> defined therein configured to couple to one or more fasteners that are received through corresponding openings or holes <NUM> defined in the motor support portion <NUM> to fixedly connect the support portion <NUM> and the pivot arm <NUM> (<FIG>). The projecting portion <NUM> for engaging the bearing assembly <NUM> also can be formed with, or otherwise connected to, the body <NUM> of the pivot arm <NUM>. In one embodiment, the body <NUM> of the pivot arm <NUM> can be formed from a reduced friction material, such as polyoxymethylene ("POM"), though other suitable plastics, synthetics, polymeric materials, or combinations thereon can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, show a tensioned motor support assembly <NUM> according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and 17A-17C, the support assembly <NUM> includes a motor support portion <NUM> that is connected to the motor <NUM>, and a pivot arm/bracket or movable pivot arm <NUM> that is coupled to the motor support portion <NUM> and rotatably or pivotally coupled to the dispenser housing <NUM>. The support assembly <NUM> further includes a biasing assembly <NUM> (e.g., including one or more biasing members <NUM> such as tension springs or other suitable tensioning or biasing members).

The biasing assembly <NUM> generally is coupled to or otherwise in communication with the pivot arm <NUM> and the motor support portion <NUM>, such that the support assembly <NUM> can pivot, rotate, or otherwise move, e.g., under the control of the biasing assembly <NUM>, to provide a substantially constant tension stress or force along the drive belt <NUM> and/or to dampen or absorb vibrations of the motor <NUM> or other components of the drive assembly during operation thereof. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a first end 607A (e.g., having a hook, hoop, ring, etc.) of the biasing member(s) <NUM> is connected to or otherwise engages a rod, pin, or other suitable portion <NUM> that is connected to and extends between the pivot arm <NUM> and the support portion <NUM> (e.g., the rod <NUM> can be received within one or more corresponding openings, notches, etc. defined in the pivot arm <NUM> and motor support portion <NUM>). As further shown in <FIG>, a second end 607B (e.g., having a hook, hoop, ring, etc.) of the biasing member(s) <NUM> is connected to or otherwise engages a rod, pin, or other suitable portion <NUM> that is connected to the dispenser housing <NUM> (e.g., is received within corresponding notches <NUM> or other suitable openings defined along one or more portions of the dispenser housing <NUM>).

<FIG> and <FIG> further show that the support assembly <NUM> includes a bearing assembly <NUM> for pivotably or rotatably connecting the pivot arm <NUM> to the dispenser housing <NUM>. The bearing assembly <NUM> can include one or more bearings <NUM>/<NUM> (e.g., roller bearings or other suitable bearings, bushings, or mechanisms that allow for pivoting/rotation) that are connected to or otherwise engage the pivot arm <NUM>, and an intermediate wall or portion <NUM> that is connected to, or formed as part of, the dispenser housing <NUM>. The intermediate portion <NUM> can include an interior wall or portion that is formed with the dispenser housing <NUM>, or can include a separate, detachable or fixed portion or part that is connected to the dispenser housing <NUM> by one or more fasteners, or by other suitable connections mechanism, e.g., adhesives, snap-fittings, etc..

In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the bearing assembly <NUM> generally includes a plurality of bearings <NUM>/<NUM> that are received about a projecting portion or other suitable support <NUM> connected to or formed with the pivot arm <NUM>. The plurality of bearings <NUM>/<NUM> can be spaced apart along the projecting portion <NUM>. For example, a first bearing <NUM> can be positioned substantially adjacent or substantially proximate to a first end 618A of the support <NUM>, while a second bearing <NUM> can be positioned substantially adjacent or substantially proximate to a second end 618B of the support portion 614B. The pivot arm <NUM> further has a shoulder or face <NUM> formed/defined along the projecting portion <NUM> about its first end 618A (e.g., defined by a reduced diameter portion <NUM> of the projection portion <NUM>), and as generally shown in <FIG>, the first bearing <NUM> can be positioned substantially adjacent to or in engagement or contact with the shoulder <NUM> (so as to substantially prevent, reduce, or inhibit movement or dislocation of the bearing <NUM>). A cap or other suitable portion <NUM> can be connected to the second end 618B of the projecting portion <NUM>, so as to engage or contact the bearing <NUM> (e.g., to substantially prevent, reduce, or inhibit movement or dislocation of the bearing <NUM>). The cap <NUM> can be fixed to the support or projecting portion <NUM> by an adhesive, though other connections are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Additionally, the bearings <NUM> and <NUM> can be received within, such as by press-fitting into, an opening or passage <NUM> defined in the intermediate portion/wall <NUM>, such that an inner race <NUM>/<NUM> of the bearing assembly engages an exterior surface <NUM> of the support or projecting portion <NUM> of the pivot arm <NUM> and an outer race 612A/614B of the bearing <NUM>/<NUM> engages an interior surface <NUM> defined by the opening <NUM> provided or defined in the intermediate portion/wall <NUM>, as generally shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, the support assembly <NUM> will be rotatably/pivotably connected to the intermediate portion/wall <NUM> such that the support assembly <NUM> can pivot/rotate thereabout, under the control of the biasing assembly <NUM>, e.g., allowing the biasing assembly <NUM> to act as a shock absorber or dampener to substantially dampen, reduce, or absorb vibrations/movement during operation of the motor, or other components of the drive assembly, as well as to provide a substantially constant tension force/stress along the drive belt <NUM>, e.g., to help to substantially reduce, inhibit, or prevent premature wear thereof.

In one embodiment, the outer race 612A/614B of each bearing <NUM>/<NUM> further can include, or receive thereabout, a material having a desired degree of give or compressibility, such as a material formed from rubber or other suitable dampening material, such as plastics, synthetics, etc. to provide dampening or absorbing of vibrations between the pivot arm <NUM> and intermediate portion/wall <NUM> during operation of the motor or other components of the drive mechanism.

Further, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the support portion <NUM> generally includes a body <NUM> with a plate-like structure and one or more holes or apertures defined therein for receiving fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) to couple the support portion <NUM> to the motor <NUM>. The motor support portion <NUM> also has an aperture or opening that allows for passage of the driveshaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> to be coupled to the belt gear <NUM>. The body <NUM> of the motor support portion <NUM> further can be formed from a plastic material, such as polyoxymethylene ("POM") or other polymeric materials, though other suitable materials, such as composite materials, metallic materials, or combinations thereof, can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

<FIG> show that the pivot arm <NUM> can include a body <NUM>, which can include a plate-like structure with a series of posts or supports <NUM> spread thereabout. These supports <NUM> can include threaded holes or apertures <NUM> defined therein configured to couple to one or more fasteners that are received through corresponding openings or holes defined in the motor support portion <NUM> to fixedly connect the motor support portion <NUM> and the pivot arm <NUM>. The projecting portion <NUM> for the bearings <NUM>/<NUM> also can be formed with, or otherwise connected to, the body <NUM> of the pivot arm <NUM>. In one embodiment, the body <NUM> of the pivot arm <NUM> can be formed from a reduced friction material such as polyoxymethylene ("POM"), though other suitable plastics, synthetics, or polymeric materials also can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The support assembly <NUM> further can include a bearing assembly (e.g., similar to bearing assembly <NUM>) that is at least partially received within and engages an opening or passage <NUM> defined along the pivot arm <NUM> (such that the bearing assembly is supported thereby), and that also engages the belt gear <NUM>. The support assembly <NUM> thus can at least partially support the driveshaft <NUM>, while also helping to substantially reduce, inhibit, or prevent bending or twisting of the driveshaft <NUM> (e.g., due to the urging of/force of the biasing assembly <NUM>), and help reduce or inhibit premature and/or uneven wear or other damage to the components of the motor <NUM> and/or drive assembly.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, the pivot arm <NUM> can include at least one post <NUM>, or other suitable projecting portion, that is received within a corresponding slot or opening <NUM> defined within the intermediate portion/wall <NUM>. The slot <NUM> allows movement of the pivot arm <NUM>, generally under the control of the biasing assembly <NUM>, and further allows for the post <NUM> to engage or contact the intermediate portion/wall <NUM>, e.g., to help to provide support/stabilization of the support assembly <NUM> and/or to reduce the stress/forces at the bearing assembly <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the dispenser assembly may include one or more tear bars or other suitable cutting members <NUM> disposed adjacent or along the discharge throat or chute of the dispenser housing so that a user can separate a sheet or measured amount of the material by grasping and pulling the sheet across the tear bar <NUM>. In addition, a movably mounted pawl member <NUM> can be located proximate to the stationary tear bar <NUM> such that movement of sheet material <NUM> into the tear bar <NUM> for severance moves the pawl member <NUM> between multiple positions. A signal device such as a proximity sensor, switch, or the like, that is cooperative with the pawl member <NUM>, also can be arranged such that movement of the pawl member <NUM> between various positions causes the signal means to send a signal to notify the control circuit that the sheet material has been removed. The signal means can include infrared emitters/detectors, or a mechanical switch. After receiving a signal that sheet material <NUM> may have been removed, the control circuit can activate a paper detection sensor to verify that the sheet material has been removed from the discharge <NUM>.

As indicated in <FIG>, in an additional or alternative construction, the dispenser assembly may include one or more movable cutting mechanisms <NUM> to allow for at least partially cutting, perforating, or otherwise creating a line of separation, at or along a selected portion of the sheet material <NUM> after a desired or prescribed length of the sheet material has been dispensed or fed. <FIG> shows an example cutting mechanism that is disposed or positioned within the feed roller. The cutting mechanism can be configured to move or be actuated at a prescribed or preset point during a revolution of the feed roller, or after a prescribed rotation of the feed roller so as to selectively cut or perforate the sheet material after a desired or prescribed length or portion of the sheet material has been fed or dispensed. For example, the cutting mechanism <NUM> may be supported within the body <NUM> of the feed roller <NUM> and can be at least partially extensible/retractable into and out of the body of the feed roller through an opening, aperture, or slot <NUM> defined therein as indicated in <FIG>, with the rotation of the feed roller to selectively cut or perforate the prescribed length or amount of sheet material <NUM> after it has been pulled or fed from the supply roll for dispensing. The cutting mechanism can include a cutting blade <NUM> with a cutting edge or series of teeth <NUM> formed/arranged therealong, and which blade can be movably supported or otherwise coupled to the feed roller body. Embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can also utilize concepts disclosed in commonly-owned <CIT> and <CIT> which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of an electronic control system or circuit <NUM> for operating the dispenser assembly <NUM> in an exemplary embodiment. The dispenser or operative components of the dispenser may be powered by a power supply <NUM> such as one or more batteries <NUM> contained in a battery compartment, though any suitable battery storage device may be used for this purpose. Alternatively, or in addition to battery power, the dispenser may also be powered by a building's alternating current (AC) distribution system as indicated at <NUM>. For this purpose, a plug-in modular transformer/adapter could be provided with the dispenser, which connects to a terminal or power jack port located, for example, in the bottom edge of the circuit housing for delivering power to the control circuitry and associated components. The control circuit also may include a mechanical or electrical switch that can isolate the battery circuit upon connecting the AC adapter in order to protect and preserve the batteries.

In one example embodiment of an electronic dispenser, a sensor <NUM>, such as a proximity detector or other suitable sensor <NUM>, may be configured to detect an object placed in a detection zone external to the dispenser to initiate operation of the dispenser. This sensor may be a passive sensor that detects changes in ambient conditions, such as ambient light, capacitance changes caused by an object in a detection zone, and so forth. In an alternate embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may be an active device and include an active transmitter and associated receiver, such as one or more infrared (IR) transmitters and an IR receiver. The transmitter transmits an active signal in a transmission cone corresponding to the detection zone, and the receiver detects a threshold amount of the active signal reflected from an object placed into the detection zone. The control system circuitry generally will be configured to be responsive to the sensor for initiating a dispense cycle upon a valid detection signal from the receiver. For example, the proximity sensor <NUM> or other detector can be used to detect both the presence of a user's hand. The dispenser can additionally include a paper detector sensor <NUM>, such as one or more infrared emitters and infrared detectors with one infrared emitter/detector, pair aligned to detect a user's hand below the dispenser <NUM> and the second infrared emitter/detector pair aligned to detect a sheet hanging below the outermost front edge of the discharge chute.

The dispenser controller or processor <NUM> can control activation of the dispensing mechanism upon valid detection of a user's hand for dispensing a measured length of the sheet material <NUM>. In one embodiment, the control circuit can track the running time of the drive motor <NUM> of the motorized feed roller, and/or receive feedback information directly therefrom indicative of a number of revolutions of the feed roller and correspondingly, an amount of the sheet material feed thereby. In addition, or as a further alternative, sensors and associated circuitry may be provided for this purpose. Various types of sensors can include IR, radio frequency (RF), capacitive or other suitable sensors, and any one or a combination of such sensing systems can be used. The control system <NUM> also can control the length of sheet material dispensed. Any number of optical or mechanical devices may be used in this regard, such as, for example, an optical encoder may be used to count the revolutions of the drive or feed roller, with this count being used by the control circuitry to meter the desired length of the sheet material to be dispensed.

The processing logic for operation of the electronic dispenser in, for example, the hand sensor and butler modes, can be part of the control software stored in the memory of the microprocessor in the control system <NUM>. One or more binary flags are also stored in memory and represent an operational state of the dispenser (e.g., "paper cut" set or cleared). An operational mode switch in dispenser sets the mode of operation. In the hand sensor mode, the proximity (hand) sensor detects the presence of a user's hand below the dispenser and in response, the motor <NUM> is operated to dispense a measured amount of sheet material <NUM>. The control circuit can then monitor when the sheet of material is removed. For example, actuation of the pawl member <NUM> or triggering/activation of a paper detection sensor <NUM> can determine the removal of paper and reset the hand sensor. The proximity sensor <NUM> also can be controlled to not allow additional sheet material to be dispensed until the proximity sensor is reset. If the proximity sensor <NUM> detects the presence of a user's hand but does not dispense sheet material, the control circuit can check for sheet material using the paper detection sensor <NUM>. If sheet material <NUM> has not been dispensed (i.e., no sheet material is hanging from the dispenser), the motor <NUM> will be activated to dispense a next sheet.

A multi-position switch <NUM> also can be provided to switch the dispenser operation between a first or standard operation mode and a second mode, such as a butler mode. In such butler mode, the proximity sensor <NUM> for detecting the presence of a user's hand/object can be deactivated, and the controller <NUM> can automatically dispense sheet material when the cover is closed and the dispenser is put into operation. The paper detection sensor <NUM> further can determine if a sheet is hanging from the dispenser. If sheet material is hanging, the control circuit will then monitor when the sheet of material is removed. For example, a cutting mechanism movement detector, which may arranged and configured to detect actuation or movement of the cutting mechanism; the pawl member; and/or the paper detection sensor can determine the removal of paper and reset the dispenser. The next sheet will be dispensed automatically. If the paper detection sensor <NUM> determines the absence of hanging sheet material, the motor <NUM> will be activated to dispense the next sheet. The control circuit will then determine if the sheet has been removed before dispensing another sheet.

In one embodiment, the dispenser assembly <NUM> is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from the proximity sensor to dispense a sheet of material. The dispensing mechanism is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet in response to the signal means being activated by movement of the cutting mechanism or tear bar to its extended position in response to dispensed sheet material <NUM> being removed from the dispenser. In another embodiment, the dispenser <NUM> can be operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet in response to a signal means being activated by movement of the cutting mechanism, and a signal from a paper detection sensor <NUM> that the sheet material <NUM> has been removed from the dispenser. Such a sensor can be affixed to an external surface of the discharge chute rather than inside the discharge chute.

Claim 1:
A dispenser (<NUM>) with a dispenser housing (<NUM>); a supply (<NUM>) of sheet material (<NUM>) rotatably mounted along the dispenser housing (<NUM>); a feed roller (<NUM>) comprising a feed roller body (<NUM>) rotatably mounted along the dispenser housing (<NUM>) adjacent the supply (<NUM>) of sheet material (<NUM>) so as to receive and feed sheet material (<NUM>) from the supply (<NUM>) of sheet material (<NUM>) along a discharge path (P) through a discharge (<NUM>) along the dispenser housing (<NUM>); and
a feed roller drive assembly (<NUM>) including a drive motor (<NUM>), and a belt transmission assembly (<NUM>) having a drive belt (<NUM>) coupled to a drive motor pulley (<NUM>) operatively attached to a driveshaft (<NUM>) of the drive motor (<NUM>) and to a feed roller pulley (<NUM>) received within the circumferential groove (<NUM>) defined along the feed roller body (<NUM>) to facilitate rotation of the feed roller (<NUM>) by operation of the drive motor (<NUM>), the drive belt (<NUM>) being at least partially received within the circumferential groove (<NUM>) defined along the feed roller body (<NUM>).