A hygienic paper roll holder that is gentle for elderly and toddlers and can be replaced without touching a used paper roll core and a replacement paper roll with a relatively simple configuration and easy operation with one hand. The paper roll holder comprises a U-shaped holder body, support parts for moving and supporting both sides of toilet paper, the support parts being attached to the U-shaped holder body, and a movable tray that has a stationary part for placing a replacement toilet paper and a holding part for temporarily holding a used core. By moving this movable tray up and down by hand, the used core supported by the support parts and the replacement toilet paper on the stationary part can be exchanged.

A system and control method for determining an amount of paper product dispensed from a dispenser or remaining in the dispenser is provided. The paper product is initially loaded in the dispenser as a paper product formation, such as a roll or stack of the product. At defined intervals, a digital image of an aspect of the paper product formation in the dispenser is taken and transmitted to a digital imager processor. A feature of the digital image that changes as the paper product formation decreases in size as the paper product is dispensed is analyzed and compared with a predetermined value of the feature at a predefined size of the paper product formation to determine an amount of the paper product dispensed or remaining in the dispenser.

A system and control method for determining an amount of paper product dispensed from a dispenser or remaining in the dispenser is provided. The paper product is initially loaded in the dispenser as a paper product formation, such as a roll or stack of the product. At defined intervals, a digital image of an aspect of the paper product formation in the dispenser is taken and transmitted to a digital imager processor. A feature of the digital image that changes as the paper product formation decreases in size as the paper product is dispensed is analyzed and compared with a predetermined value of the feature at a predefined size of the paper product formation to determine an amount of the paper product dispensed or remaining in the dispenser.

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 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 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.

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 adaptive towelette dispensing device is provided. The device is operable in conjunction with a container storing a plurality of dried, compressed, individually wrapped, preferably sealed towelettes. The adaptive towelette dispensing device is contemplated to include one or more reservoirs adapted to receive additives, one or more pumps configured to transfer additives through a conduit to be incorporated into a dispensed solution. The adaptive towelette dispensing device is further contemplated to include a towelette releasing mechanism, a towelette chute, a towelette dispensing mechanism, and a controller.

A paper dispenser includes a base, paper dispensing portion and cover. The paper dispensing portion has two support members and a paper dispensing unit. The paper dispensing unit has an auxiliary roller, paper dispensing roller, swing unit and paper dispensing cutter disposed at the swing unit. The paper dispensing cutter swings between the inside and outside of a receiving groove of the paper dispensing roller. The support members each have a roll resilient positioning unit, arcuate pivotal connection unit and cam guide groove surrounding the pivotal connection unit and being closed. Two sides of the paper dispensing roller are pivotally disposed at one end of the pivotal connection unit. The guide unit is movably disposed at the cam guide groove. The cover is pivotally disposed at the base and has a paper discharge hole. The paper dispensing portion is disposed between the cover and base.

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.