A system and method are provided for improving product usage prior to refill of product dispensers in service areas that include a plurality of such dispensers. Via a sensor configured with each of the product dispensers and a control system in communication with the sensors, a product level or amount condition of product in each dispenser is detected. Based on the information from the sensors, a visual or audio message is generated and transmitted to the patron that encourages the patron to use a first product dispenser that has a greater product fill amount as compared to a second product dispenser in the same or a different service area.

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.

Some example sheet product dispensers that accommodate one or more sheet product rolls are provided herein. An example sheet product dispenser includes a dispensing mechanism with a drive roller and nip roller. A motor is configured to rotate the drive roller to cause a portion of the sheet product to dispense from the sheet product dispenser. A controller is configured to determine a sheet length for dispensing and cause the motor to operate to cause sheet product to be dispensed from the sheet product dispenser. The controller is further configured to monitor an amount of rotation of the motor as the motor operates and cause, in an instance in which the amount of rotation of the motor corresponds to the determined sheet length, the motor to cease operation so as to cause the determined sheet length of sheet product to be dispensed from the sheet product dispenser.

Various dispensing systems with drop-down features are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the dispensing system includes a roll support with a sensor and a piston. The sensor can move as the roll decreases in size (e.g., the outside diameter decreases) and can apply a force to the roll. The piston can move to become less engaged with the roll, such as becoming less received in a roll plug or the hollow core of the roll. When the roll has decreased to a threshold size, the piston substantially or fully disengages from the roll and/or the sensor applies a force to dislodge the roll from the roll support. This results in the roll automatically dropping off the roll support. The roll support is thus available to receive a fresh roll.

A paper sheet material dispenser apparatus for dispensing paper sheet material from a roll of paper sheet material having a tail portion includes a sensor structure having a light emitter and a light sensor for sensing the absence of a replacement tail portion projecting from a housing exit opening and for activating an electric motor to rotate a roll support drum and cause the replacement tail portion to project from the exit opening.

A power management system for a dispenser that includes a passive infrared radiation sensor arranged along the dispenser and configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by one or more users within a prescribed detection range, area, or zone of the dispenser. When the passive infrared radiation sensor does not capture infrared radiation within the prescribed detection range, area, or zone, the dispenser is placed in a low power state with the passive infrared sensor remaining connected to a power source and a controller, a dispensing mechanism, and/or the proximity sensor being disconnected from the power source. Other aspects also are described.

A roll towel dispenser includes a frame configured to support a first roll of first paper towel and a second roll of second paper towel and a main roller coupled to the frame. During operation, the first paper towel and the second paper towel are positioned adjacent the main roller such that the first paper towel is positioned between the second paper towel and the main roller. The main roller is configured to engage the first paper towel such that rotation of the main roller moves the first paper towel from the first roll, at least partially around the main roller, and through an outlet of the roll towel dispenser. The first paper towel slips relative to the second paper towel while the main roller moves the first paper towel such that only the first paper towel is dispensed through the outlet.

A dispenser having a feed roller that at least partially engages sheet material to facilitate dispensing thereof, and a cutting mechanism disposed within a chamber defined by a body of the feed roller. The cutting mechanism including a cutting blade and at least one movable support connected thereto. The at least one support further is operatively connected to the body of the feed roller and is actuated with rotation thereof to move the cutting blade into and out from one or more openings defined along the body of the feed roller to at least partially cut or perforate a selected portion of the sheet material as the sheet material is dispensed.

A dispenser for dispensing consumable product having a consumable product storage area configured to store the consumable product within the dispenser; a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to the consumable product and configured to facilitate a dispensing cycle to dispense a portion of consumable product, and wherein the dispensing cycle creates a vibration event in at least a portion of the dispenser; a vibration sensing device configured to sense a vibrational characteristic of the vibration event, wherein a value of the vibrational characteristic changes as a function of an amount of consumable product remaining in the dispenser; and a data processing device configured to (i) store data describing the vibrational characteristic and (ii) communicate the data to a remote receiver separate from the dispenser.

To dispense a predetermined length of a sheet hygienically. In a sheet dispensing device, a sheet feeding mechanism feeds out a predetermined length for use of a sheet from a sheet dispensing port, and at this time, a part, of the sheet, located upstream of the sheet dispensing port in terms of a feeding direction of the sheet is held by a driving roller and a driven roller. The driven roller is biased by leaf springs to be pressed toward the driving roller. Consequently, the sheet is dispensed while hanging down from the sheet dispensing port. When a user pulls down the hanging sheet while holding it, the sheet is cut from the vicinity of a held part, so that the user can take the predetermined length for use of the sheet hygienically.