A paper product dispenser that includes a toilet paper spindle adapted to hold and dispense a toilet paper roll, at least one motor connected to the toilet paper spindle, a controller connected to the motor, and a thermopile sensor in communication with the controller, the thermopile sensor comprising a plurality of thermocouples that form a junction A and a junction B, wherein when the thermocouples sense thermal radiation, thermal gradient between junction A and junction B is created, the thermal gradient generating an electrical signal that the thermopile sensor sends to the controller.

A method of reducing sheet product waste generated during use of a sheet product dispenser in a particular location and over a broad range of usage rates includes designing a dispenser. The design includes determining a desired housing size to obtain a top to bottom height for sheet product roll storage within the housing, dividing the height by two to obtain a maximum roll diameter, locating two roll holders in the housing so that each holder may accept a roll having the maximum roll diameter, positioning a first roll of the maximum roll diameter in a first one of the two roll holders, and positioning a second roll of the maximum roll diameter in a second one of the two roll holders so that two rolls of equivalent length are configured to be dispensed sequentially from the dispenser. The installation and use of two rolls of maximum roll diameter reduces waste. Dispensers formed according to this method are also described.

An example sheet product dispenser includes a housing, a first roll holder, and a second roll holder. A first roll of sheet product is positioned on the first roll holder and assigned as a primary roll and a second roll of sheet product is positioned on the second roll holder and assigned as a secondary roll. A dispensing mechanism is configured to dispense sheet product from at least one of the first roll and the second roll. A sensor is configured to sense measurement data associated with the primary roll, including sensing when the primary roll rotates to dispense and measuring the diameter of the primary roll. A data communication device is in communication with the sensor and configured to transmit the measurement data. A controller is configured to determine situational information regarding the sheet product dispenser and provide corresponding alerts to users regarding the situational information and measured data.

A dispenser for storing and dispensing multiple rolls of sheet material is described. The rolls are held in place within the interior space of the housing by a pair of spindle holders. The housing front cover has an opening and a slidable door disposed therein to provide access to the rolls. A restricting member is movably coupled to the housing interior and biased to move in a direct towards an outmost winding of a roll. As the roll is dispensed, the restricting member moves out of the pathway of the door, eventually allowing a user to slide the door across the opening so that a second roll may be accessed.

A rolled media dispenser is disclosed. In one example, the dispenser includes a transfer bar for automatically transferring paper from a completely depleted stub roll to a primary roll. In one example, the transfer bar includes a lift member that prevents transfer of the paper from the stub roll to the primary roll when paper in the stub roll is present and includes a cam lift member that prevents the transfer of paper from the stub roll to the primary roll as long as paper from the stub roll is present beneath the cam lift member.

A holder (10) for at least two toilet-paper rolls (12, 14) which are arranged one above the other and consist of a paper web (56) wound up on a sleeve (52, 54) or a shaft, having a first and a second wall (28, 30) which are arranged at a distance parallel to each other, wherein each of the walls (28, 30) has a guide (40, 42) for receiving one end each of the shaft or of a shaft journal, which can be received in an opening in the sleeve, wherein the guide (40, 42) has a substantially vertically running supply portion (40b) for supplying a toilet-paper roll (12, 14), the supply portion merging into an unrolling portion (40c) running at an inclination with respect to the vertical in the direction of at least one first tear-off element (60, 62) or a stop (72).

Certain dual roll dispensers and methods of dispensing sheet product are provided. In one example, the method includes receiving, by the controller, a first trigger from at least one motion sensor, where the controller is in an awake state before the first trigger is received. The method includes causing, in response to the first trigger, a measurement device to enter an awake state, where the measurement device is configured to measure an amount of product dispensed by the dispenser. The method also includes receiving dispense event information associated with the amount of product dispensed during a dispense event, and storing or transmitting the dispense event information.

A method of reducing sheet product waste generated during use of a sheet product dispenser in a particular location and over a broad range of usage rates includes designing a dispenser. The design includes determining a desired housing size to obtain a top to bottom height for sheet product roll storage within the housing, dividing the height by two to obtain a maximum roll diameter, locating two roll holders in the housing so that each holder may accept a roll having the maximum roll diameter, positioning a first roll of the maximum roll diameter in a first one of the two roll holders, and positioning a second roll of the maximum roll diameter in a second one of the two roll holders so that two rolls of equivalent length are configured to be dispensed sequentially from the dispenser. The installation and use of two rolls of maximum roll diameter reduces waste. Dispensers formed according to this method are also described.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses regarding an improved sheet product dispenser are provided herein. Example sheet product dispensers include a rotatable carriage that holds two full size product rolls. Upon substantial depletion of one of the product rolls, the sheet product dispenser is configured to enable the carriage to rotate to present the depleted product roll to the janitor for easy and intuitive replacement. For example, a carriage with a depleted product roll may be configured to automatically rotate upon opening of the cover. Additional features for intuitive and reliable installation of the product roll are also provided herein, such as roll holder slot guides and a retention mechanism that maintains installation of a product roll during rotation of the carriage. Such example sheet product dispensers help to eliminate product waste, reduce confusion while loading, and reduce the time and effort required to load the sheet product dispenser.

Certain dual roll dispensers and methods of dispensing sheet product are provided. In one example, the method includes receiving, by the controller, a first trigger from at least one motion sensor. The method includes determining an active product being dispensed by the dispenser, and powering, in response to the first trigger, a measurement device configured to measure an amount of the active product dispensed by the dispenser. The method also includes receiving, from the measurement device, dispense event information associated with the measured amount of the active product dispensed by the dispenser during a dispense event, and storing the dispense event information.