Patent ID: 6908059

Claim:
A paper towel dispenser adapted for dispensing towels from a paper supply, the dispenser comprising: a dispenser housing having a housing wall structure forming an inner chamber configured to support the paper supply such that vertically superimposed edge portions of the paper supply form an outwardly facing vertical side of the paper supply, the wall housing structure including an upright wall and a dispensing aperture at a lower end of the chamber for dispensing towels, the upright wall facing the vertical side of the paper supply; and a low-reserve indicator mechanism affixed to the upright wall within the chamber for indicating when a reserve quantity of the paper supply is low, the indicator mechanism comprising: an indicator mounted for movement between a retracted position, and an indicating position for establishing a low-reserve indication detectible from outside of the dispenser housing, and a release mechanism arranged to be spring-biased in a direction of bias away from the upright wall and into contact with the vertical side of the paper supply, the release mechanism being releasable for movement in the direction of bias in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing height of the vertical side of the paper supply sufficient to cause an upper end of the vertical side to descend out of contact with the release mechanism, the release mechanism being operably connected to the indicator to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position in response to the release mechanism moving in the direction of bias upon becoming released.