Towel dispensers

Abstract

A towel dispenser includes a housing mounted to a wall and defining an interior space for receiving toweling comprising a roll of towels, the interior space comprising a curved surface configured to receive the roll of towels in floating engagement therewith such that the roll of towels rolls and slides on the curved surface during unwinding of the roll of towels. The towel dispenser further includes a loading door configured to rotate relative to the main body, when the main body is mounted to a wall, between a closed position in which the loading door extends over a top of and closes off the interior space of the main body in which toweling is received, and an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein without obstruction by the loading door, with the loading door extending upwardly above and over a top of the housing.

Claims

1. A sheet material dispenser comprising: a housing comprising: a main body defining a front edge, wherein the main body defines an exterior surface and an interior surface with respect to the housing; a loading door defining a front edge and configured to move between a closed position and an open position relative to the main body, wherein the loading door defines an exterior surface and an interior surface with respect to the housing; and a cavity formed between the loading door and the main body, wherein the cavity is sized to house a roll of sheet material in loose engagement therein such that the roll of sheet material is housed in the cavity without attachment to the housing; a main body roller positioned on a portion of the interior surface of the main body proximate the front edge, wherein the main body roller is mounted within the main body in a recessed manner with respect to the portion of the interior surface such that only a portion of the main body roller is visible; and a loading door roller positioned on a portion of the interior surface of the loading door proximate the front edge, wherein the loading door roller is mounted within the loading door in a recessed manner with respect to the portion of the interior surface such that only a portion of the loading door roller is visible, wherein, in an instance in which the loading door is in the closed position, the loading door roller and the main body roller are positioned within the housing so as to be hidden from a user, wherein, in an instance in which the loading door is in the open position, the main body roller and the loading door roller are visible to the user, wherein, in an instance in which the loading door is in the open position, the loading door roller is spaced apart from the main body roller and an opening is formed, wherein the opening is sized to enable the user to insert the roll of sheet material into the cavity and position a leading portion of the roll of sheet material between the spaced apart loading door roller and main body roller, wherein, in an instance in which the roll of sheet material is within the cavity and the leading portion of the roll of sheet material is positioned between the loading door roller and the main body roller, movement of the loading door to the closed position causes the roll of sheet material to be installed in the sheet material dispenser and ready for dispensing with the leading portion of the roll of sheet material sandwiched between the loading door roller and the main body roller.

2. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein, when installed in the cavity, the roll of sheet material is not fixed relative to an axis of the housing during dispensing.

3. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the opening formed when the loading door is in the open position is sized to enable the user to drop the roll of sheet material into the cavity.

4. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cavity defines an internal curved surface that corresponds to curvature of an outer circumference of the roll of sheet material.

5. The sheet material dispenser of claim 4, wherein the cavity is further defined by opposing side walls that correspond to a top and a bottom of the roll of sheet material.

6. The sheet material dispenser of claim 5, wherein the main body comprises the opposing side walls and the internal curved surface of the cavity.

7. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the main body defines a back portion that is configured to enable mounting to a wall.

8. The sheet material dispenser of claim 7, wherein the loading door is configured to rotate upwardly away from the main body when moved from the closed position to the open position.

9. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a motor configured to operate the main body roller to cause the leading portion of the roll of sheet material to dispense from the sheet material dispenser.

10. The sheet material dispenser of claim 9 further comprising a proximity sensor that is configured to sense an object and, in response, generate a signal to cause the motor to operate to cause dispensing from the roll of sheet material.

11. The sheet material dispenser of claim 9 further comprising a leading edge sensor that is positioned proximate the main body roller and configured to sense the leading edge of the roll of sheet material and, in response, generate a signal to cause the motor to cease operation.

12. The sheet material dispenser of claim 11 further comprising a controller that is configured to detect and dispense sheets of varying lengths from an installed roll of sheet material.

13. A sheet material dispenser comprising: a housing comprising: a main body defining a front edge, wherein the main body defines an exterior surface and an interior surface with respect to the housing; a loading door defining a front edge and configured to move between a closed position and an open position relative to the main body, wherein the loading door defines an exterior surface and an interior surface with respect to the housing; and a cavity formed between the loading door and the main body, wherein the cavity is sized to house a roll of sheet material in loose engagement therein such that the roll of sheet material is housed in the cavity without attachment to the housing; and a main body roller positioned on a portion of the interior surface of the main body proximate the front edge, wherein the main body roller is mounted within the main body in a recessed manner with respect to the portion of the interior surface such that only a portion of the main body roller is visible, wherein, in an instance in which the loading door is in the closed position, the main body roller is positioned within the housing so as to be hidden from a user, wherein, in an instance in which the loading door is in the open position, the main body roller is visible to the user, wherein, in an instance in which the loading door is in the open position, the loading door is spaced apart from the main body roller and an opening is formed, wherein the opening is sized to enable the user to insert the roll of sheet material into the cavity and position a leading portion of the roll of sheet material between the spaced apart loading door and main body roller, wherein, in an instance in which the roll of sheet material is within the cavity and the leading portion of the roll of sheet material is positioned between the loading door and the main body roller, movement of the loading door to the closed position causes the roll of sheet material to be installed in the sheet material dispenser and ready for dispensing with the leading portion of the roll of sheet material sandwiched between the loading door and the main body roller.

14. The sheet material dispenser of claim 13, wherein, when installed in the cavity, the roll of sheet material is not fixed relative to an axis of the housing during dispensing.

15. The sheet material dispenser of claim 13, wherein the opening formed when the loading door is in the open position is sized to enable the user to drop the roll of sheet material into the cavity.

16. The sheet material dispenser of claim 13, wherein the cavity defines an internal curved surface that corresponds to curvature of an outer circumference of the roll of sheet material.

17. The sheet material dispenser of claim 13 further comprising a motor configured to operate the main body roller to cause the leading portion of the roll of sheet material to dispense from the sheet material dispenser.

18. A sheet material dispenser comprising: a main body; a cavity defined within the main body, the cavity sized to receive a roll of sheet material; a loading door movable relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position, the loading door providing access to the cavity when the loading door is in the open position, the loading door enclosing the cavity when the loading door is in the closed position; dispensing rollers, including: a main body roller positioned on a main body edge surface of the main body, the main body roller mounted within the main body in a recessed manner with respect to the main body edge surface, a dispensing surface of the main body roller protruding through the main body edge surface, and a loading door roller positioned on a loading door edge surface of the loading door, the loading door roller mounted within the loading door in a recessed manner with respect to the loading door edge surface, a dispensing surface of the loading door roller protruding through the loading door edge surface; the main body roller positioned on the main body and the loading door roller positioned on the loading door so that, when the loading door is the open position, the dispensing surfaces of the dispensing rollers are spaced apart from each other to form an opening for inserting the sheet product into the cavity, and when the loading door is in the closed position, the dispensing surfaces of the dispensing rollers are adjacent each other to formed a nip for dispensing sheet product positioned therebetween.

19. The sheet material dispenser of claim 18, wherein, when installed in the cavity, the roll of sheet material is not fixed relative to an axis of the sheet material dispenser during dispensing.

20. The sheet material dispenser of claim 18, wherein, when the loading door is in the closed position, the dispensing surfaces of the dispensing rollers are hidden from a user, wherein, when the loading door is in the open position, the dispensing surfaces of the dispensing rollers are visible to the user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in the drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 is perspective view of an automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of FIG. 1, with the loading door in an open position, revealing toweling comprising a roll of perforated paper towels contained in an interior space of the dispenser housing.

(5) FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of FIG. 1, with the loading door in an open position, revealing toweling comprising a roll of perforated paper towels contained in an interior space of the dispenser housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (Ordinary Artisan) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being preferred is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the full scope of the present invention that is contemplated. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

(7) Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

(8) Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

(9) Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used hereinas understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such termdiffers in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

(10) Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, a and an each generally denotes at least one, but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to a picnic basket having an apple describes a picnic basket having at least one apple as well as a picnic basket having apples. In contrast, reference to a picnic basket having a single apple describes a picnic basket having only one apple.

(11) When used herein to join a list of items, or denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to a picnic basket having cheese or crackers describes a picnic basket having cheese without crackers, a picnic basket having crackers without cheese, and a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, and denotes all of the items of the list. Thus, reference to a picnic basket having cheese and crackers describes a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers, as well as describes a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.

(12) Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of the embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

(13) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus 10 in accordance an one embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 10 preferably dispenses common perforated paper towels that are commercially readily available from grocery stores and other retail stores. Furthermore, the apparatus preferably has a learning capability, giving it the ability to detect and dispense towels of varying lengths, including full sheets, half sheets, multiple sheets, and abnormally sized sheets. Therefore, a wide variety of perforated towels can be used with the apparatus, including generally any brand or length available at retail.

(14) With regard to FIGS. 1 and 3, the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus 10 includes a housing 12 comprising a main body 14 defining an interior space 16 for receiving toweling comprising a roll of perforated towels 18. The housing 12 further includes one or more rollers 20 that extend along a front area 21 of the main body proximate an edge 22 of the interior space, and a motor assembly (not shown) for driving the one or more rollers.

(15) The main body further includes a back wall 24 for mounting of the housing to a wall of a room, such as a tile wall of a restroom or kitchen of a residential or commercial establishment. The mounting mechanism is conventional and is not further described.

(16) Preferably, the interior space 16 comprises a curved surface configured to receive the roll 18 of towels in loose or floating engagement therewith such that the roll 18 of towels rolls and slides on the curved surface of the interior space 16 during unwinding of the roll 18 of towels.

(17) The automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus 10 also includes a loading door 26 that is configured to rotate relative to the main body, when the main body is mounted to a wall, between a closed position and an open position. Hinges (perhaps as best seen in Exhibit 6 of the Appendix) are preferably provided for pivoting movement of the loading door. The dispenser 10 is shown with the loading door 26 in the closed position in FIGS. 1 and 2, and with the loading door 26 in the open position in FIGS. 3 and 4.

(18) The loading door 26 includes one or more rollers 28 extending along a section 30 of the loading door on the interior side thereof (perhaps best seen in FIG. 3). The section 30 extends along an end of the loading door 26 distally located to a pivot axis 32 of the hinges of the loading door 26 relative of the housing 12.

(19) When the loading door 26 is in the closed position, the one or more rollers 28 of the loading door 26 are driven by rotation of the one or more rollers 20 of the housing 12 when the one or more rollers 20 of the housing 12 are driven by the motor assembly. Furthermore, the loading door 26 and the housing 12 are configured to receive an extent of toweling between the loading door 26 and the housing 12 when the loading door 26 is in the closed position such that the extent of toweling is extended from the housing 12 for dispensing by driving of the rollers 20,28 of the housing 12 and loading door 26. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when in the closed position, the loading door 26 extends over a top of and closes off the interior space of the main body 14 in which toweling is received.

(20) When the loading door 26 is in the open position, the housing 12 is configured to receive toweling therein without obstruction by the loading door 26. In particular, an opening is defined by the housing 12 through which the toweling is inserted into the interior space of the main body 14 when the loading door 26 is in the open position, the opening extending across a top of the main body 14 and down a forward side of the main body 14 so as to expose approximately half of an exterior curved surface area of toweling (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) when received in the interior space when the loading door 26 is in the open position. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the loading door also extends downwardly and covers the opening along the forward side of the main body 14 when the loading door 26 is in the closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(21) In preferred embodiments, the loading door 26 is at least partially transparent. In this respect, a portion of the loading door 34 is transparent, but is not transparent along the section 30 of the one or more rollers 28 of the loading door 26, whereby the toweling within the interior space of the main body 14 is visible when the loading door 26 is in the closed position.

(22) The dispenser also preferably includes one or more sensors 36 located on the main body 14 and configured to sense a leading edge of the toweling between a gap formed by the main body 14 and the loading door 26 when the loading door 26 is in the closed position.

(23) The dispenser preferably further includes a sensor 38 located on a front exterior surface of the main body 14 for detecting motion and for causing the motor assembly to drive the rollers 20 directly or through a transmission when either motion or an object, such as a wave of a hand, or a hand itself, is detected by the sensor 38.

(24) A light indicator 40 for indicating a status of the towel dispensersuch as an LED arrangementalso preferably is included in the apparatus 10.

(25) Additional views of embodiments of wall mounted automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention are shown in the Appendix.

(26) In this regard, Exhibit 1 of the Appendix is a perspective view of an automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the dispenser is mounted on the tile wall of a restroom of a commercial or residential establishment.

(27) Exhibit 2 of the Appendix is another perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix.

(28) Exhibit 3 of the Appendix is a perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix, with the loading door in an open position, revealing a roll of towels contained in an interior space of the dispenser housing.

(29) Exhibit 4 of the Appendix is a perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix, with the loading door in an open position, revealing a roll of towels contained in an interior space of the dispenser housing.

(30) Exhibit 5 of the Appendix is yet another perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix, with the loading door in an open position, revealing a roll of towels contained in an interior space of the dispenser housing.

(31) Exhibit 6 of the Appendix is a schematic illustration of a top elevational view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix.

(32) Exhibit 7 of the Appendix is a schematic illustration of a front elevational view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix.

(33) Exhibit 8 of the Appendix is a schematic illustration of a side elevational view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix, wherein the rear back wall of the dispenser is parallel to the top edge of the sheet.

(34) Exhibit 9 of the Appendix is another perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix.

(35) In further detail, Exhibit 1 of the Appendix is a perspective view of an automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the dispenser is mounted on a tile wall of a restroom or kitchen, for example, of a commercial establishment or residence.

(36) Exhibit 2 of the Appendix is another perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix; Exhibit 3 of the Appendix is a perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix, with the loading door in an open position, revealing a roll of towels contained in an interior space of the dispenser housing; Exhibit 4 of the Appendix is a perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix, with the loading door in an open position, revealing a roll of towels contained in an interior space of the dispenser housing; Exhibit 5 of the Appendix is yet another perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix, with the loading door in an open position, revealing a roll of towels contained in an interior space of the dispenser housing; Exhibit 6 of the Appendix is a schematic illustration of a top elevational view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix; Exhibit 7 of the Appendix is a schematic illustration of a front elevational view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix; Exhibit 8 of the Appendix is a schematic illustration of a side elevational view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix, wherein the rear back wall of the dispenser is parallel to the top edge of the sheet; and Exhibit 9 of the Appendix is another perspective view of the automatic paper towel dispenser apparatus of Exhibit 1 of the Appendix.

(37) Photographs of a working embodiment of a paper towel dispenser in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention are shown in Exhibits 10 through 26 of the Appendix.

(38) In this regard, Exhibit 10 shows a front elevational view of the paper towel dispenser; Exhibit 11 shows another front elevational view of the paper towel dispenser; Exhibit 12 shows a front perspective view of the front and top of the paper towel dispenser; Exhibit 13 shows a side perspective view of the front, top and left-hand side of the paper-towel dispenser; Exhibit 14 shows a side elevational view of the left-hand side of the paper towel dispenser; Exhibit 15 shows a side perspective view of the left-hand side, top and front of the paper towel dispenser; Exhibit 16 shows a side elevational view of the right-hand side of the paper towel dispenser; Exhibit 17 shows a side perspective view of the right-hand side, top and front of the paper towel dispenser; Exhibit 18 shows the top and front and front of the paper towel dispenser; Exhibit 19 shows a back of the paper towel dispenser, at which the towel dispenser is configured to be mounted to the surface of a wall via screws or bolts that extend through the openings shown in Exhibit 19; Exhibit 20 shows a perspective view of the bottom of the paper towel dispenser including a removable door for accessing a compartment that receives batteries for powering the paper towel dispenser, and that shows a port through which a power plug is received for alternatively powering the paper towel dispenser through a conventional electrical outlet; Exhibit 21 is a top perspective view with the loading door in the open position, whereby a perforated roll of paper towels may be placed within the paper towel roll receiving area of the dispenser; Exhibit 22 is another view of the paper towel dispenser with the loading door in the open position, and showing the paper towel dispenser mounted to a vertical wall via four screws extending through the openings in the rear wall of the dispenser; Exhibit 23 is another view of the paper towel dispenser with the loading door in the open position; Exhibit 24 is a view of an edge wall within the dispenser that bounds a side of the paper towel roll receiving area; Exhibit 25 is a perspective view of the paper towel dispenser following placement of the paper towel within the dispenser with the loading door closed; and Exhibit 26 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Exhibit 26 after the loading door has been closed.

(39) Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested herein, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.

(40) Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.