A separation unit for separating a web material along preformed lines of weakness. The separation unit has a width direction and includes a first roller having a rotational axis extending in the width direction and a web width extending in the width direction, and a second roller having a rotational axis extending parallel with the rotational axis of the first roller and a web width extending in the width direction. The second roller is positioned at a distance from the first roller. Each of the first and the second rollers is provided with a plurality of protrusion elements being spaced along the rotational axes and protruding perpendicular from the axes. Each of the protrusion elements has a maximum width in the width direction, a maximum radial extension from the rotational axes, an inner portion adjacent to the rotational axes, and an outer portion remote from the rotational axes.

A separation unit for separating a web material along preformed lines of weakness. The separation unit has a width direction and includes a first roller having a rotational axis extending in the width direction and a web width extending in the width direction, and a second roller having a rotational axis extending parallel with the rotational axis of the first roller and a web width extending in the width direction. The second roller is positioned at a distance from the first roller. Each of the first and the second rollers is provided with a plurality of protrusion elements being spaced along the rotational axes and protruding perpendicular from the axes. Each of the protrusion elements has a maximum width in the width direction, a maximum radial extension from the rotational axes, an inner portion adjacent to the rotational axes, and an outer portion remote from the rotational axes.

In one aspect, the present disclosure includes a sheet material dispenser including a dispensing mechanism including a drive roller that is configured to engage the sheet material, and a drive motor in communication with the drive roller to drive rotation thereof for dispensing of the sheet material from a discharge. The sheet material dispenser also includes a pressing roller arranged along the drive roller and configured to engage the sheet material between the pressing roller and the drive roller, and a drive belt assembly including a drive belt operatively connected to the drive motor and the pressing roller for transferring power from the drive motor to the pressing roller. Other aspects also are described.

A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a supply of sheet product reduces accumulation of the sheet product in the chute. The dispenser comprises a housing including a chute having a sheet product dispensing opening, a sheet product feed roller assembly disposed in the housing and configured to feed sheet product from the supply of sheet product into the chute, and a pusher disposed in the housing and configured to engage the sheet product fed from the sheet product feed roller assembly at a location downstream from the sheet product feed roller assembly and push the sheet product fed from the sheet product feed roller assembly toward the dispensing opening to reduce accumulation of the sheet product in the chute. A related method of reducing accumulation of the sheet product in the chute also is provided.

Dispenser apparatus for dispensing from a roll of sheet paper product supported by a support arm, a support member pivotally mounted on the support arm and a biasing structure operable to reduce the shock force in the sheet paper product by resisting pivotal movement of the support member.

An example sheet product dispenser includes a dispensing mechanism operable to dispense sheet product to provide the dispensed portion within a dispensing chute. A tear bar is provided for separating the dispensed portion from a remainder of the sheet product. A shuttle is positioned between a switch and the dispensed portion. The shuttle is movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position. When the shuttle is in the unactuated position, the switch is in the unactuated configuration. The shuttle and the switch are positioned within the sheet product dispenser such that as the user pulls on the dispensed portion the shuttle moves to the actuated position so that the shuttle applies a force on the switch sufficient enough to transition the switch to an actuated configuration to indicate removal of the dispensed portion. Other example improvements include providing feedback for user inputs to a product dispenser.

A sheet product dispenser is provided including a housing including a roll holder configured to receive a product roll, a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a portion of the sheet product from the product roll, a sensor configured to emit a signal toward the product roll and receive a reflection of the signal from a surface of the product roll, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an indication of replacement of the product roll, determine a time-of-flight of the signal, and determine an expected time-of-flight (or corresponding distance of travel) of a theoretical signal to a theoretical full product roll. The controller is further configured to compare the time-of-flight (or a corresponding distance of travel) of the signal to the product roll to the expected time-of-flight or distance, and adjust a product depletion curve based on the comparison.

A separation unit for separating a web material along preformed lines of weakness. The separation unit has a width direction and includes at least a first roller having a rotational axis extending in the width direction and a web width extending in the width direction, and at least a second roller having a rotational axis extending parallel with the rotational axis of the first roller and a web width extending in the width direction. The second roller is positioned at a distance from the first roller. Each of the first and the second rollers is provided with at least one protrusion element extending perpendicularly from the axes. Each of the protrusion elements has a maximum width in the width direction, a maximum radial extension from the rotational axes, an inner portion adjacent to the rotational axes, and an outer portion remote from the rotational axes.

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.

A separating unit for separating a web material includes a first shaft extending along a first longitudinal axis in the width direction and a second shaft extending along a second longitudinal axis, parallel to the first shaft. The second longitudinal axis is separated from the first longitudinal axis in a direction perpendicular to the width direction. A first protrusion element extends perpendicularly from the first shaft and is rotatable about the first longitudinal axis and a second protrusion element extends perpendicularly from the second shaft and is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. In a use position, the first protrusion element partially overlaps the second protrusion element with a radial overlap oriented perpendicular to the first and second shafts. A contact element is biased against at least one of the first and second protrusion elements in a direction perpendicular to the first or second longitudinal axis.