Patent ID: 8162252

Claim:
An automated dispenser comprising: a first mounting station for a primary roll of sheet product; a second mounting station including a support spindle for a reserve roll of sheet product; a drive system including a motor coupled to a drive roll and control circuitry as well as a pinch roller defining a dispensing nip with the drive roll adapted to dispense sheet product through the dispensing nip in response to a control signal controlling the motor; and a housing enclosing the first and second mounting stations in an undivided space partially occupied by the first and second mounting stations thereby sequestering the primary and reserve rolls of sheet product, the housing including a back surface, a primary access aperture, and an auxiliary access aperture fitted with an auxiliary access door, the auxiliary access aperture and access door being disposed proximate the mounting station for the reserve roll, being disposed distant from the mounting station for the primary roll, and being partially disposed between the back surface and a plane substantially parallel to the back surface, the plane intersecting a rotational axis of the reserve roll defined by the support spindle, and being configured and adapted to be manually operable to expose the reserve roll for manual dispensing.