Patent ID: 7111805

Claim:
A dispenser for separating and releasing perforated towels from a continuous roll of towels, said dispenser comprising: a base comprising an inner edge defining a base opening through which towels pass; an upper blade comprising a curved edge, a second edge opposite said curved edge, and at least one gear rack extending along a side of said upper blade between said edges, a lower blade nesting between said upper blade and said base, said lower blade comprising a second curved edge positioned adjacent said curved edge of said upper blade to form an adjustable opening between said blades, said lower blade further comprising a second gear rack extending along a side of said lower blade substantially parallel to said gear rack of said upper blade; at least one gear attached to said base in a position allowing the gear to control said gear racks on said upper blade and said lower blade; a biasing member attached to one of said blades and further attached to said base such that one blade is a biased blade and the other blade is an unbiased blade; and a rotatable cam positioned on an end of said base opposite said biasing member and engaging said unbiased blade to prevent lateral movement of said unbiased blade past the outer edge of said cam; and wherein said biasing member pulls said biased blade outward toward one end of said base, and said gear moves said unbiased blade outward against said cam to form the adjustable opening between said blades, and wherein said adjustable opening is aligned with said base opening.