A dispenser for dispensing consumable product having a consumable product holding area configured to store the consumable product within the dispenser; a dispensing mechanism having a spindle configured to hold and rotate the consumable product to facilitate a dispensing cycle to dispense a portion of the consumable product; and a motor having piezoelectric elements configured to (i) frictionally couple to the spindle to rotate the spindle in a first direction during a first motor state and (ii) uncouple from the spindle during a second motor state to allow the spindle to freely spin.

A resistance mechanism for a sheet product dispenser for dispensing a length of sheet product from a roll of sheet product rotatably supported by the sheet product dispenser is provided. The resistance mechanism includes an arm configured to frictionally engage a surface of the roll of sheet product, and a spring attached to the arm and configured to bias the arm into engagement with the surface of the roll of sheet product, such that the resistance mechanism provides a pull force resistance opposing a pull force applied to a tail portion of the roll of sheet product.

An assembly for supporting a roll of sheet product with respect to a sheet product dispenser is provided including a mandrel configured to be positioned within a housing of the dispenser and a spindle. The spindle includes a spindle body positioned over the mandrel and configured to be received within a central opening of the roll. The spindle includes first and second sets of friction elements extending away from respective ends of the spindle body. Each friction element is configured to extend radially inward from the spindle body so as to provide a contact force against the mandrel when the spindle is installed on the mandrel. The contact forces applied against the mandrel may be designed to be constant irrespective of whether the roll of sheet product is installed on the spindle and/or if the inner surface of the central opening of the roll of sheet product has any inconsistencies.

A rolled product dispenser for dispensing a web of rolled product, comprising: a housing; and a dispensing assembly at least partially housed in the housing and interacting with the web of rolled product and including a dispensing roller having a rotation center and a peripheral wall with an upper section. The dispensing assembly can comprise an upper tensioning assembly and/or a lower tensioning assembly and/or a variable tension return assembly.

A dispensing assembly attachable to a fixed substrate is provided. The dispensing assembly may comprise: a housing comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, a top panel, and a back panel that together define a compartment; and a cartridge that may be removably received in the compartment of the housing. The cartridge may comprise a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, a top, and a bottom. One or more portions of the cartridge may engage one or more structures formed on an inner surface of the compartment.

A lockout system that is configured to limit use of a rolled web material dispenser assembly to dispense only authorized rolls of web material. The lockout system includes respective first and second mating registration elements that removeably cooperate with one another and provide a rotational cooperation therebetween when engaged with one another. One of the registration elements is associated with each authorized roll of web material and the mating registration element is associated with the rolled web material dispenser assembly. The first registration element defines an insert engaged with a bore of discrete authorized rolls of web material. The corresponding and mating second registration element defines a hub that is supported by the roll dispenser. Mating of the first and second registration elements provides a rotatable linkage that facilitates rotation of the roll relative to the dispenser assembly during the dispense activity.

A method of dispensing a user-determined length of sheet product from a roll of sheet product via a sheet product dispenser is provided. The method includes the steps of providing the roll of sheet product rotatably supported by the sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product therefrom, wherein the roll of sheet product rotates in response to a pull force applied to a tail portion of the roll of sheet product; and providing, via the sheet product dispenser, a pull force resistance opposing the rotation of the roll of sheet product, wherein the pull force resistance is between 36 grams-force and 96 grams-force throughout a majority of a life of the roll of sheet product.

An assembly for supporting a roll of sheet product with respect to a sheet product dispenser is provided including a mandrel configured to be positioned within a housing of the dispenser and a spindle. The spindle includes a spindle body positioned over the mandrel and configured to be received within a central opening of the roll. The spindle includes first and second sets of friction elements extending away from respective ends of the spindle body. Each friction element is configured to extend radially inward from the spindle body so as to provide a contact force against the mandrel when the spindle is installed on the mandrel. The contact forces applied against the mandrel may be designed to be constant irrespective of whether the roll of sheet product is installed on the spindle and/or if the inner surface of the central opening of the roll of sheet product has any inconsistencies.

A dispensing assembly attachable to a fixed substrate is provided. The dispensing assembly may comprise: a housing comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, a top panel, and a back panel that together define a compartment; and a cartridge that may be removably received in the compartment of the housing. The cartridge may comprise a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, a top, and a bottom. One or more portions of the cartridge may engage one or more structures formed on an inner surface of the compartment.

The present invention provides a holder and dispenser of rolled products such as paper, plastic, foil, tape and other goods with magnetic resistance. The dispenser generally includes a base and a cage that supports the roll of material and rotates relative to the base. A magnetic resistance mechanism is generally located between the base and the cage. The magnetic resistance mechanism creates forces that act to resist rotation of the cage relative to the base.