A sheet product (e.g., napkin) dispenser may include an example calibration system and method for a product depletion curve for accurately determining a product level. An example sheet product dispenser includes a housing, a roll holder, a dispensing mechanism, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor is configured to emit a signal toward the product roll and receive a return signal. The controller is configured to receive a calibration product roll and operate the sensor to emit the signal and receive the return signal. The controller determines a brightness value of the return signal and determines a calibration value associated with the determined brightness value. The determined brightness value is within a range of brightness values associated with the calibration value. The controller adjusts a product depletion curve based on at least the determined calibration value and the determined brightness value. Additionally, example product level notification systems are provided herein.

A sheet material dispenser can include a dispenser housing that supports one or more supplies of sheet material, and a feed roller configured to engage and feed the sheet material from the dispenser housing. The dispenser also can include a sheet material loading assembly including a cover that is rotatably connected the dispenser housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. The sheet material loading assembly further can include a roller that is rotatably connected to the cover and configured to be coupled to a portion of sheet material from one of the supplies, with the cover in its open position, and to press the portion of sheet material into engagement with the feed roller body, with the cover in its closed position, to initiate dispensing of the at least one supply from the dispenser.

Sheet product dispensers and methods of dispensing sheet products are provided, including feeding a sheet material from a roll via a sheet feeding mechanism, separating one or more discrete sheet products from the roll via a separation mechanism, dispensing the one or more discrete sheet products to an end user at a presentation station via a sheet product conveying mechanism, and detecting a presence of the sheet material via a sensor downstream of the sheet feeding mechanism, wherein the sheet product conveying mechanism is driven in response to the sensor detecting the presence of the sheet material.

A sheet material dispenser can include a sheet material transfer assembly operable to automatically transfer feeding or dispensing of sheet material between a plurality of supplies of sheet material. The sheet material transfer assembly can include a frame that is movable between a plurality of positions including a first position that facilitates feeding of the sheet material from a first supply of sheet material, and a second position that facilitates feeding or dispensing of sheet material from a second supply of sheet material. The frame of the sheet material transfer system can shift or move to the second position for dispensing sheet material from the second supply of sheet material when the first supply of sheet material is fully dispensed.

A sheet product (e.g., napkin) dispenser may include an example calibration system and method for a product depletion curve for accurately determining a product level. An example sheet product dispenser includes a housing, a roll holder, a dispensing mechanism, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor is configured to emit a signal toward the product roll and receive a return signal. The controller is configured to receive a calibration product roll and operate the sensor to emit the signal and receive the return signal. The controller determines a brightness value of the return signal and determines a calibration value associated with the determined brightness value. The determined brightness value is within a range of brightness values associated with the calibration value. The controller adjusts a product depletion curve based on at least the determined calibration value and the determined brightness value. Additionally, example product level notification systems are provided herein.

A sheet material dispenser can include a dispenser housing that supports one or more supplies of sheet material, and a feed roller configured to engage and feed the sheet material from the dispenser housing. The dispenser also can include a sheet material loading assembly including a cover that is rotatably connected the dispenser housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. The sheet material loading assembly further can include a roller that is rotatably connected to the cover and configured to be coupled to a portion of sheet material from one of the supplies, with the cover in its open position, and to press the portion of sheet material into engagement with the feed roller body, with the cover in its closed position, to initiate dispensing of the at least one supply from the dispenser.

Various consumable material dispensing apparatus including automatic roll transfer features are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a housing, a roll support assembly, a motor, a roll sensor mechanism, and a controller. The housing can include a cabinet, an interior, and an opening. The roll support assembly can support a plurality of rolls. The motor can rotate the roll support assembly from a first position where a first roll is proximate the opening to a second position where a second roll is proximate the opening. The roll sensor mechanism can detect whether a diameter of the first roll is less than a threshold value when the roll support assembly is in the first position. In response, the controller can instruct the motor to rotate the roll support assembly from the first position to the second position.

Sheet product dispensers and methods of dispensing sheet products are provided, including feeding a sheet material from a roll via a sheet feeding mechanism, separating one or more discrete sheet products from the roll via a separation mechanism, dispensing the one or more discrete sheet products to an end user at a presentation station via a sheet product conveying mechanism, and detecting a presence of the sheet material via a sensor downstream of the sheet feeding mechanism, wherein the sheet product conveying mechanism is driven in response to the sensor detecting the presence of the sheet material.

An apparatus for dispensing consumable material can include a housing, first and second support frames, a mandrel, and a lever. The mandrel can be movably mounted to the support frames between upper and lower positions and configured to hold upper and lower rolls. In some embodiments, when the mandrel is in the upper position, only the lower roll is accessible, and when the mandrel is in the lower position, both of the upper and lower rolls are accessible. The lever can be operatively connected to the first support frame and moveable between first and second positions. In some embodiments, when in the first position, a portion of the lever presents a physical interference that inhibits the mandrel from moving from the upper position to the lower position and, when moved to the second position, the physical interference is removed, thereby allowing the mandrel to move.

A method and apparatus for dispensing toilet paper is disclosed. A sliding toilet paper holder includes a toilet paper holder configured to carry and dispense a roll of toilet paper. A slide assembly is coupled to the toilet paper holder and is attachable to a support structure adjacent to a toilet. The slide assembly operable between a stowed position and an extended position to selectively extend and retract the toilet paper holder. The apparatus and method permits a user to more readily access and dispense a desired quantity of toilet paper while seated on a toilet and to stow the toilet paper carried on the toilet paper holder when not needed. A spare tissue spindle may also be carried by the slide assembly.