Patent ID: 7270292

Claim:
A web transfer mechanism for providing, in a flexible sheet material dispenser, automatic transfer of web feed from a working roll to a reserve roll, comprising: a main feed roller and a second roller forming a feed nip for receiving therethrough a sheet material web; a transfer arm mounted adjacent to the main feed roller, the transfer arm being movable into a transfer position, wherein movement of the transfer arm into the transfer position is operative to drive a leading end portion of sheet material web extending from the reserve roll into a vicinity of the feed nip such that upon driving of the main feed roller the sheet material web from the reserve roll is carried through the feed nip; a dispenser cover member; and a movable shield member, the shield member being partially exposed through a port formed in the dispenser cover member, the shield member being biased to move into an open position automatically when the cover member is moved to an open position, the shield member presenting, when in its open position, a space for placement and retention of the leading end portion of sheet material web between the transfer arm and the main feed roller, to thereby pre-set the leading end portion for a subsequent transfer of feed thereto, the movable shield member being operably connected with the transfer arm such that movement of the movable shield member to its open position causes movement of the transfer arm to a retracted position spaced from the transfer position.