Electric paper cabinet

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing paper towels of predetermined length includes a case, a supply roll of a continuous paper web, a mechanism for advancing the paper web outside the case, a mechanism for at least partially cutting the paper web protruding from the case, and a motor for driving both mechanisms, the motor shaft being rotated in a first direction until a paper web of predetermined length is advanced outside the case and then reversed so that the paper advancement is stopped and the paper web is cut. A first unidirectional coupler is arranged between the motor and the advancing mechanism and a second unidirectional coupler is arranged between the motor and the cutting mechanism to selectively actuate either of the advancing or cutting mechanisms according to the rotational direction of the motor shaft. The length of the dispensed towel is an integral multiple of an elementary length and the number of elementary lengths by which the paper web is advanced before being cut is switch selectable. In one embodiment, the start-up circuit includes a photoelectric arrangement affording non-contact type activation of the apparatus by a user, and in another embodiment, which is battery operated, includes a microswitch adapted for direct operation by a user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing paper towels of a predetermined length from a supply roll of a continuous paper web.

There are known dispensers of the above type wherein, upon pressing a push button or a lever, a predetermined length of paper web is advanced outside the dispenser so that the user can detach a paper towel by hand, usually by tearing the protruding web length through a pull action against a saw-toothed blade.

The known dispensers have a number of drawbacks, the most relevant of which are the following. The length of the paper web dispensed each time is rigorously predetermined when designing the apparatus and cannot be altered, or only through replacement of a considerable portion of the dispensing mechanism. This is a disadvantage for the manufacturer forced to market more than one model of the same apparatus or to appreciably modify an existing model to meet the requirements of his customers. Moreover, where the dispensed paper length is either too long or too short, there will be a waste of paper since in the latter case the user will draw more than one towel from the apparatus.

A second drawback of prior art dispensers is that the user must positively detach the dispensed web, often causing the apparatus to jam. It is to be noted that the user's hands are wet when tearing the web preventing use of papers with lower tear strength. On the other hand papers formed of two thin sheets are highly desirable for their absorbency, softness and cost, but cannot withstand a pulling action with wet hands.

A prior art dispenser is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,125 which provides for the manual extraction and cutting of a paper strip by the user, while the apparatus stores a fraction of the power received so that after a predetermined number of cycles, a length of paper to start a new cycle is caused to be fed outward.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,730,409 describes a dispenser apparatus in which cutting the paper web available at the outside is carried out manually by the user and causes the actuation of an electric motor that feeds a further paper length.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,044 describes a dispenser of the above-mentioned type, in which a predetermined paper length is drawn manually while some power is stored at the same time for the subsequent operation of a movable blade for cutting the paper web.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,146 describes a manually operated dispensing apparatus in which only a prefixed length of paper web can be drawn outside and torn by means of a timer preventing the paper web from unrolling. A fraction of the applied power is stored to cause a length of paper to be fed, after tearing, and to remain accessible from outside in order to start the subsequent cycle. The length of the dispensed strip can be previously selected among two or three values by acting onto the dispensing mechanism.

All these devices provide for a completely manual operation, except for the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,730,409 wherein only the feeding operation is motorized and the cut still must be carried out manually by the user. Therefore the above-mentioned drawbacks remain unsolved and even according to the last mentioned patent a certain length of paper is left exposed outside of the apparatus with further inconveniences of hygienic nature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus for paper webs usable as towels, wherein the length of the dispensed web available outside can be fully adjusted, even by untrained persons without requiring any mechanical adjustment of the dispenser.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which automatically supplies and partially cuts the dispensed web length so that the towel hangs from the apparatus without falling and can be completely detached with a minimum pulling effort.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic towel dispenser which does not require a positive action or a physical contact to be started but can supply the paper towel without being touched by the user.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser wherein the adjustable dispensing and the cutting of the paper are obtained through the same power means, thus avoiding a second power source, such as an additional motor or temporarily storing means, for actuating a cutting device at the end of the dispensing step.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing mechanism of the above-mentioned type which is battery powered.

These and additional objects are achieved by the invention which provides an apparatus for dispensing a predetermined length of a paper web comprising a housing provided with a slot through which the paper web is supplied outside from a supply roll contained in said housing; bidirectional electric motor; ;means for advancing the paper web through the slot; means for partially transversely cutting the paper web protruding outside said slot; coupling means for selectively coupling the motor either to one of the advancing means or to the cutting means, the motor when coupled to the cutting means advancing the paper web through the slots and when coupled to the cutting means actuating the cutting means partially to cut the paper web; a control circuit for driving the motor when coupled to the advancing means for a duration proportional to the predetermined length, and then driving the motor, after coupling to the cutting means, whereby the dispensed paper web is at least partially cut.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the selective coupling means comprises first unidirectional coupling means connecting the motor with the advancing means so that the latter is driven only when the motor is rotated in a first direction and second unidirectional coupling means connecting the motor with the cutting means so that the latter is driven when the motor is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first.

The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the dispensing apparatus opened;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with its cover removed;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section along line III--III of FIG. 2 showing the apparatus driving gears;

FIG. 4 is a partial front view showing the driving gears;

FIG. 5 illustrates the cutting blade for the paper;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section along line VI--VI of FIG. 2 illustrating the working of the cutting means;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the plate supporting the paper web before leaving the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention, showing the dispensing apparatus in the open position;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9, with is cover removed;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view showing details of a safety switch of the apparatus, relative to the closing and opening of its cover;

FIG. 12 ia fragmentary view illustrating the push bottom control device for battery operation of the apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view illustrating self-centering paper roll brackets of the apparatus;

FIG. 14 illustrates the unidirection coupling assemblies of the paper advance and cutter bar drive mechanism for the apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view illustrating details of the cutting device mechanism for the apparatus; and

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 1 according to the invention comprises a case la housing the main components which is closed by a cover 2 connected to the case through hinges 9. Both the case and the cover are preferably made of plastic material by molding. The cover 2 is provided with a central portion 3 that is transparent and partially curved to allow for the supply roll 8 of paper carried by the case. Through the transparent portion 3 the quantity of paper still available can be checked. The cover is further provided with a key lock 48 or the like engaging the case to prevent unauthorized opening, and with an elongated notch 47 cooperating with a similar notch 46 on the front (or lower) portion of the case to define an outlet slot for the paper web.

Since the apparatus is preferably mounted vertically, e.g. against a wall or the like, the case and the cover are further connected by a pair of articulated bars 4 adapted to keep the cover lifted when replacing the paper roll or adjusting the length of the paper web to be cut as will be explained later. When the cover is closed a peg 44 protruding from the inner surface of the cover actuates a safety switch 50 in the case so that upon lifting the cover the apparatus is deenergized.

The case la comprises a bottom wall 10, two side walls 11, 12, a front wall 13 and a rear wall 14. The bottom wall 10 is provided with means (not shown) for fastening the apparatus to a wall. A pair of brackets 15 rise from the bottom wall to hold the roll 8 of a continuous paper web 5.

The remaining part of case la is divided into three compartments, a central one 71 and two lateral ones 72, 73 (see FIG. 2). The central compartment 71 is defined by the bottom wall 10, by two uprising lateral metal plates 51, 52 and by an upper partially curved plate 60 upon which is supported the paper web 5 unwinding from roll 8 towards the outlet. As it will be illustrated later, the frame 55 formed by plates 51, 52 and 60 carrying the paper driving mechansim, the control circuit board 39 (FIG. 7) and all the other components is detachable from the bottom wall 10 and fastened to it by elastic pawls 24, 57 formed in the bottom wall.

A tiltable plate 30 is pivotally connected to the lateral plates 51, 52 and defines a passage for the web 5. An idle shaft 33 is pivotally mounted on this plate 30 and is provided with a plurality of rollers 35. Plate 30 is further provided with an opening 41 in correspondence of a similar aperture 59 formed in the plate 60, through which protrudes a tongue 40 connected to a switch 49 (FIG. 8) for detecting the exhaustion of the paper web, as will be better explained in the following. In use plate 30 lays in proximity of plate 60 (both preferably of metal) so that the paper web 5 keeps the tongue (40 in FIG. 7) depressed and the associated switch 49 closed. Upon exhaustion of the paper web 5, such to tongue 40 is free to move upward thus opening the associated switch 49 and putting the apparatus out of service. Either condition is displayed outside the dispenser through light indicators 36 or 37, typically LED devices, on the top of the lateral compartment 73 visible on the right portion of FIGS. 1 and 2. Both indicators are visible outside through a pair of small holes (not shown) in the cover.

The right-hand compartment is defined by bottom wall 10, side wall 12 and lateral plate 52 and houses a block 45 having a side recess 58, the two above mentioned light indicators 36, 37 and an aperture 43 into which fits the peg 44 upon closure of the cover 2 to close switch 50 connected to the apparatus power supply by depressing tab 42. A photoelectric arrangement 53, 54 is provided in recess 58 for starting the paper dispensing and the cover 2 is correspondingly shaped so that the user can start the apparatus by placing even only one finger in recess 58 even without touching the recess wall. As seen in FIG. 2 the recess 58 houses an aligned pair of cooperating elements such as a LED 53 and a phototransistor 54 connected in a circuit arrangement such as to start a dispensing cycle when the light beam from the LED does not reach the phototransistor. Of course other optical or proximity devices can be used instead of the represented one.

The left compartment 72 is defined by bottom wall 10, side wall 11 and lateral plate 51 and houses the drive gear (82 to 122 in FIG. 3) for advancing and cutting the paper web 5 as will be illustrated later. As can be seen in FIG. 2, an inner housing 16 is formed adjacent the rear wall 14 and covers an electrical transformer (not shown), but the housing 16 is unnecessary when the transformer is placed outside the apparatus, e.g. to meet safety provisions requiring that only a low voltage be present in the dispenser.

Brackets 15 of which only one is shown (see also FIG. 1), holding the paper roll 8 are symmetrically and slidably mounted on rails 28 and elastically pushed toward each other against stop members not shown, by means of compression springs 78 in a housing 29 on the bottom. The upper ends of the brackets 15 carry suitable plugs 17 for engaging a paper roll 8 which can be either provided with a core or not. Since the distance between the brackets if adjustable, rolls of different width can be fitted to the apparatus, while maintaining in any case a self-centering arrangement thanks to the above-mentioned symmetrically slidable and elastically pressed mounting.

A paper roll 8 is easily loaded in the dispensing apparatus by further spacing apart the brackets 15 (i.e. pushing laterally on protruding tabs 19), and then releasing them after positioning the roll between the plugs 17.

The advancing, cutting and control devices are all mounted on the metal frame 55 formed by plates 60, 51 and 52, these latter being provided with engaging means with the bottom wall 10 such as metal blades movable in slots (both not shown) in the bottom wall. Two tab strips 57 are formed in the bottom wall 10 by means of cuts 59 extending along the three sides of a C-shaped and the ends of these tabs abut against the higher portion of wedge-shaped projections 24 sloping down to the bottom. When the frame 55 is positioned in the case, these tabs 57 are elastically biased toward the outside and abutting against the frame 55 to hold it firmly in position. By depressing these tabs and pushing the frame 55 toward the brackets 15, the frame 55 can be disengaged and removed, e.g. for maintenance purposes.

A tiltable door 25 (better shown in FIG. 7) is provided in plate 60 for access to the control circuit board 39 and more particularly to a set of microswitches M for adjusting the length of the dispensed paper web.

The paper web 5 unwinding from roll 8 initially lays over plate 60 and then is guided between plate 60 and plate 30 which is provided with side arms 34 (only one of which is shown), pivotally connected to plates 51, 52 by means of pins 27. Thus the plate 30 can be swung upward when inserting paper web 5. Moreover plate 30 is provided with a longitudinally extending raised portion 38 which abuts against the cover to keep the plate 30 is position when the apparatus is in operation. Plate 30 further carries a plurality of rolls 35 mounted on a common idle shaft 33 connected to plate 30. These rolls 35 partially lean out from plate 30 through openings 32 to contact a plurality of rollers 63 mounted on frame 55. These rollers are the driving or feed rollers of the paper web and are carried by a shaft 120 in the central compartment 71. As also seen in FIG. 7, shaft 120 is journalled between plates 51, 52 at such a position that rollers 63 partially protrude from plate 60 through an elongated opening 61 in this plate. The surface of rollers 63 is such as to frictionally engage the paper web and for example the rollers are covered with rubber.

Without the paper web 5 interposed, rollers 63 and rolls 35 would be in contact with a certain degree of pressure, so that when paper web 5 is present between plates 60 and 30, it is pressed between them when plate 30 is in its working position.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, a cutting device 85 is provided at the output of paper web 5 from the space between plates 60 and 30. It comprises a fixed blade 31, mounted between plates 51, 52, and a movable blade 56. Blade 31 and blade 56 have sharp edge and both are preferably of steel. The paper web length 6, accessible from outside is still supported by plate 60 and is advanced to the required length between the fixed blade 31 and the blade 56 and it is cut by the movement of the latter is a scissor-like manner as will be described later in detail.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 it will now be disclosed the arrangement for advancing and cutting the paper web 5. FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along line III--III of FIG. 2, showing plate 51 on which a plurality of gears is mounted, whereas FIG. 4 is a plan view of the arrangement.

The shaft 80 of an electric d.c. motor 64 housed in the central compartment 71 passes through plate 51 and carries a pinion 82 engaging the outer teeth of a first toothed wheel 88. The inner teeth 86 of this wheel 88 engage in turn the outer teeth of a second toothed wheel 94 having inner teeth 92 driving a third toothed wheel 102 mounted on pin 100. The first 88 to third 102 toothed wheels form a reduction gear between the motor 64 and two pinions 112 and 122. For clarity sake, in FIG. 4 pinions 112 and 122 are shown as if they were longitudinally spaced apart more than they really are, as can be seen in FIG. 3 wherein it is clearly shown that wheel 102 meshes with both pinions. Apart from pinion 82, all the gears are preferably of nylon or other plastic material.

Pinions 112 and 122 are connected to shaft 110 and 120 respectively, through one-way clutches 115 and 116. Both pinions are freely rotatable in both directions with respect to plate 51 on which they are supported. Clutch 115 couples to pinion 112 to shaft 110 only when pinion 112 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, when observing FIG. 3, whereas a clockwise rotation of the same pinion does not drive shaft 110. Moreover a shaped cam 130 having a pin 132 is fastened to shaft 110 and is therefore rotated only when this shaft is rotated.

On the contrary clutch 116 couples pinion 122 to shaft 120 only when this pinion is rotated clockwise when observing FIG. 3 while disengaging such a shaft during rotation in the opposite direction. The two one-way clutches 115 and 116 may be for example constructed, as represented in FIG. 4, so as to be extremely simple and of low cost, by using a so-called "pinching" or "throttling" spring 109 with some coils wound around a hub 113 co-axial and integral with shaft 110, and other coils wound in an opposite direction on a hub 114 co-axial and integral with shaft 120. One end of the spring 109 is fixed to the case la and the other end is free whereby, when the rotation of the two pinions (which has always the same direction) is such as to cause a tightening of coils on one of the two hubs, this is driven in rotation together with the associated shaft, whereas the coils wound in the opposite direction will loosen around the associated hub which is not driven into engagement, thus causing the corresponding shaft to remain stationary. Of course also different types, all know, of one-way clutch could be provided.

In FIG. 3 the arrows show the rotations of the gears for which pinion 122 rotates clockwise, so that it drives shaft 120 with the rollers 63 and the paper web is advanced, whereas pinion 112 although rotating as shown by the arrow, does not drive either shaft 112 or cam 130. On the contrary, when the rotations are reversed, paper advancement is stopped and shaft 110 is rotated. This shaft drives cam 130, as well as an eccentric 139 with pin 136 on the opposite side (see FIG. 4) for actuating the cutting means 85 as will be better described later.

In FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 the construction of the cutting means 85 is clearly shown. Blade 31 is fastened at an end to plate 51 and at the other end to plate 52 (FIG. 6) whereas blade 56 is carried by shaft 140 through fastening blocks 142 (e.g. of nylon) allowing for a limited rotation with respect to the fixed blade. The edge of blade 56 is not parallel to blade 31, as between seen in FIG. 4, for a progressive cutting action and is is interrupted by a recess 145 in the middle so that a central strip of paper web is left uncut after the cutting step.

The reciprocating movement of blade 56 is obtained through levers 131 and 135, in the left and right compartments respectively. The lever 131, 135 have the same shape and are mounted parallel in the frame. One end (127 in FIG. 4, 128 in FIG. 6) of each lever 131, 135, respectively, is pivotally coupled to the corresponding plate (51, 52) whereas the other ends (125 in FIG. 4, 126 in FIG. 6) are connected together by shaft 140 transversely extending through the frame and supporting the blade 56. The upper ends 133, 134 of blade 56 are further connected to plates 51, 52 by elastic means such as springs 96, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for a smoother movement.

The middle portion of each lever 131, 135 has a slot 137, 138 (FIGS. 4 and 6) housing a pin 132, 136 mounted on a corresponding cam 130, 139. As already mentioned these cams 130, 139 are rigidly connected each other at the ends of shaft 110 which in turn is coupled to pinion 112 by unidirectional clutch 115. A complete rotation of pinion 112 in a counterclockwise direction causes a reciprocating movement of blade 56 as clearly visible in FIG. 6 wherein the upper position of lever 135 and blade 56 is shown in dashed lines. The same figure illustrates in dashed lines the partially lifted cover 2 and plate 30 fully swung outward.

A device for measuring the length of the dispensed paper web is provided in the right-hand compartment 73 and will be summarily described since it is of convention type (see FIG. 7). It comprises a disc 65 mounted on shaft 120 and provided with a number (e.g. four) of peripheral cuts 66. A detector 68, 69 of the optical type detects the passage of each cut 66 during the advancing rotation of shaft 120 and delivers to the control circuit a number of pulses that is proportional to the length of dispensed web 6.

A block diagram of the electric control circuit 20 of the apparatus is shown in FIG. 8. The terminals of d.c. motor 64 are connected to the outputs 21, 22 of a drive circuit 23 which is controlled by a logical unit 26. The motor 64 is kept at rest by supplying an equal d.c. voltage on both outputs 21, 22 (e.g. 12 V). When one of the outputs, e.g. 21, is brought to a near zero voltage, a voltage difference will be applied to the motor terminals, thus driving the motor in one direction. In reversing the above situation the motor 64 is driven in the opposite direction. Typically the outputs 21, 22 are connected to the collectors of two power transistors (not shown). By driving one of them, into a saturation state, its collector will assume a predetermined voltage level, such as a few tenths of volt thus allowing for the motor rotation. Logical unit 26 receives a start pulse from the photoelectric detector 53, 54 which starts the rotation of the motor 64 in the dispensing direction. This rotation is sensed by the above-described monitoring device comprising a disc 65 with peripheral cuts 66 rotated by shaft 120 and a photoelectric detector 68, 69. In this way a number of pulses proportional to the rotation of rollers 63 (that is to the dispensed paper length) is supplied to the logical unit 26. These pulses are stored and their is compared with the preselected configuration set on the described switches M. When a number of pulses has been received that is equal to the selected one, the motor 64 is stopped and its rotation reversed for a predetermined time to accomplish the complete rotation of pinion 112, i.e. the cut of the web 5. A protection circuit 76 disables the drive circuit 23 in case switch 49 (paper exhaustion) is open and further provides for the control of light indicators 36, 37. A d.c. power supply 77 feeds all the circuits and cuts the feeding upon the opening of the cover 2. The following is a brief description of the operation of the dispensing apparatus according to the invention, as described above.

The apparatus is vertically mounted on a wall or the like and properly connected to the mains for the power supply, so that the light indicators 36, 37 show its state of service. in case the paper roll 8 is exhausted (or the paper web not currently introduced between plates 60 and 30), light 36 signals an out-of-service condition.

To introduce a fresh paper roll 8, the cover 2 is opened by the service personnel with the proper key and lifted until the articulated bars 4 are aligned and keep it open. Upon lifting the cover 2, peg 44 disengages the tab 42, thus opening switch 50 so that the electric power supply is cut off during servicing. A paper roll 8 is mounted and automatically centered between brackets 15 and thereafter plate 30 is tilted forward to correctly position the paper web 5 on rollers 63. Then plate 30 is returned to the original position and the cover 2 is closed again. Paper web 5 is pressed between rollers 63 and rolls 35 by the closed cover 2 pressing on raised portion 38 of plate 30, rollers 35 being slightly displaced against the action of spring means (not shown) on which the shaft 33 of idle rollers is mounted. Paper web 5 further presses tongue 40 of switch 49 so that the out of service indicator 37 is off when the cover 2 is closed and paper web 5 in place.

In case the length of the paper towel is to be changed, before introducing the web 5 between plates 60 and 30, the operator opens door 25 and sets a different configuration on the microswitches M of the control circuit board 39. These switches (for example four) represent how many elementary lengths of paper web 5 will be dispensed before the web is cut. As an example, in case all the switches are set on, the maximum length of paper will be dispensed. If only the first switch is sent on and all the remaining are off, the length of the dispensed paper web will be half of the maximum, and so on, according to the rules of binary arithmetics. As an example, the elementary length chosen for the apparatus can be in the order of 2 cm and the maximum length dispensed at each cycle would be 15 times this length, corresponding to binary configuration 1111 of the switches. A table showing the correspondence between the towel length and the configuration of the switches can be attached to plate 60 for easy reference.

When the user moves a finger in recess 58 he interrupts the light beam between the LED 53 and the phototransistor 54 thus starting the dispensing cycle. Known circuit arrangements can be provided to disable further actuation of the apparatus for a predetermined time. The control circuit 23 will drive the motor 64 in a direction such as to rotate rollers 63 and advance the paper web 5 out of the dispenser apparatus. The rotation of shaft 120 carrying the driving rollers 63 will be monitored by the control circuit which compares the number of pulses received from the above-mentioned photoelectric device 68, 69 with the predetermined number deriving from the set switches M. Upon detecting the identify of the two numbers, motor 64 is stopped and driven in the opposite direction for a complete rotation of pinion 112. This way blade 56 performs a reciprocating movement cutting almost completely the protruding web 6 and returning to the original position. Since a narrow middle strip of paper web is left uncut by the presence of recess 145 in blade 56, the towel 6 will remain hanging below the dispenser and can be easily detached by the user. After the cutting, the apparatus is ready for another dispensing cycle.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the paper towel dispensing apparatus provided by the invention and indicated generally by reference numeral 1'. The apparatus 1' is generally similar to the apparatus 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and accordingly, like elements have been given the same reference numeral and similar elements have been given the same reference numeral with a prime rotation.

The apparatus 1' is battery-powered and the internal housing 16 formed near the rear wall 14 contains the battery holder (not shown). The battery may be, for example, nine elements of 1.5 volts each. The batter holder includes suitable connectors for extending power to the elements of the apparatus 1'. Preferably, the housing 16 may be adapted to be opened to allow substituting the individual battery elements only from the inside of the apparatus 1' in order that access is possible exclusively to authorized personnel.

Additional modifications of the apparatus 1' relative to the apparatus 1 reside in the elimination of the optical devices, which require continuous emission of light, in order to minimize drain on the battery.

To this end, the indicators 36 and 37 (FIG. 1) are eliminated, and the photoelectric arrangement 53, 54 is replaced with a microswitch assembly 53' mounted on the underside of cover 2 and contacts 36a and 37a which are mounted in a lateral block 45'. Block 45' corresponds to block 45 in the apparatus 1, but is formed with a pair of recesses 58' within which the contacts 36a and 37a are mounted. Referring to FIG. 12, the microswitch assembly 53' includes a microswitch 53a, a mounting plate 170 on which the microswitch 53a is mounted and screws 54 which secure the plate 170 to the posts 172 in the underside of the cover 2. The microswitch 54a provides an input to the logic unit 26 (FIG. 16) in place of the optical detectors 53, 54 (FIG. 8) of the apparatus 1 (FIG. 1).

As it is better seen in FIG. 12, block 45' mounts the two contacts 36a and 37a which, upon closing of the cover 2 of apparatus 1, are connected with the terminals of microswitch 53a provided for the starting of the operative cycle of the machine. The microswitch 53a, when operated, interconnects contacts 36a and 37a via its contacts and plate 170 to a connect power to the logic circuit 26 (FIG. 14) which energizes the motor 64.

The start microswitch 53a is advantageously fixed on the under side of the cover 2 by means of screws 54 which, besides fixing the plate 170 onto which the microswitch is mounted, engage the contacts 36a and 37a of the block 45a upon closing of the cover 2. Plate 170, for example, may include conductive portions dispersed in electrically conducting relation with screws 54, and adapted to be interconnected by the microswitch contacts when the microswitch 53a is operated. Access to the microswitch 53a preferably takes places without direct contact, by means of an elastic membrane 171 provided on cover 2, onto which it is sufficient to exert a slight pressure in order to start the operation cycle. Naturally other control devices may be used in lieu of the mentioned microswitch, but preferably avoiding optical devices which require a continuous emission of light, in order to reduce as far as possible the consumption of the battery.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the apparatus 1' includes an improved safety device for cutting off the power from the apparatus 1' when the cover 2 is lifted. With reference to FIG. 11, the cover 2 is provided with a peg 44 as in the apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, but which, in contrast thereto, does not actuate switch 50' by simply lowering a tab projecting therefrom as for apparatus 1' shown in FIG. 6. In the appartus 1, the opening 43 provided in the right-hand compartment of the apparatus enables peg 44, passing through it upon closing the cover 2, to depress a lever 150 which pivots about arm 152a about pivot 154, rotating arm 152b therewith, against the force of restoring spring 153 which is connected between the free end of arm 152b and the paddle 151 of a transmission element 152. Depressing of element 152 closes switch 50' connected with the power supply of the apparatus.

In the apparatus 1' the brackets 15', which carry the paper roll 8 are represented schematically in FIGS. 9 and 10 as well as, in greater detail, in FIG. 13 wherein they are represented symmetrically slidable in a self-centering fashion, under the push of a tension spring 78. The self-centering characteristic of brackets 15' is realized by means of an idle gear transmission 155 which mutually connects the brackets 15' to each other by means of rack-type toothed profiles 156 solidly fixed or integral to the brackets themselves. In such a way, displacing one of the two brackets from its equilibrium position determined by the spring 78, the gear 155 rotates by a certain number of teeth, thus displacing by the same number of teeth in an opposite direction the rack relative to the other bracket 15' so that the two brackets always moves symmetrically with respect to a center axis passing through the rotating shaft of gear 155. The self-centering brackets may be used in dispensing apparatus for paper towels powered by electric distribution network, such as the apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1.

The apparatus 1' also includes a modified unidirectional spring type control for the operation of the shafts 110 and 120, which control the paper cutting mechanism and the paper advancement mechanism, as will be described. The modified control may be used in the apparatus 1' shown in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 14, the pinions 112' and 122', both moved by a power shaft 80 (FIG. 3) through a kinematic chain, such as that for the apparatus 12 in (FIG. 3), are connected respectively with said shafts 110 and 120 through unidirectional couplings 160' and 161' of opposite direction. Both pinions may rotate freely in both directions with respect to the plate 51 onto which they are mounted. The coupling 160' couples pinion 112' with shaft 110 only when such a pinion is rotated in a determined first direction, while a rotation in the opposite direction of the same pinion does not drive shaft 110.

The coupling 161' connects pinion 122' with shaft 120 only when this pinion is rotated in an opposite direction with respect of said first direction, while it disengages shaft 120 during rotation of the pinion in the other direction. The two unidirectional couplings 160' and 161' are made, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 15, thus been extremely reliable though been simple and unexpensive. To this end, only two springs 162' and 163' of the so-called "pinching" or "throttling" type are used being would, respectively, in opposite directions, over the hub 113' co-axial and integral with the shaft 110 and over the hub 114 which is in turn co-axial and integral with the shaft 120. One end of each spring 162', 163' is fixed to the corresponding pinion 112' and 122' respectively, while the other is free so that, when rotation of the two pinions (which takes place always in the same direction) is such to cause a tight clamping of the coils over one of the two hubs, the latter is driven in rotation together with the corresponding shaft, while the coils of the other coupling, wound in the opposite direction, will loosen around the associated hub which shall not be driven into engagement thus causing the corresponding shaft to remain stationary.

To the aim of ensuring that such a shaft which is not to be rotated remains effectively still, a reversal device is provided which is formed by a double spring of the "pinching" type 109' would with a portion of its coils 115' around a second hub 113a' co-axial and integral with said first hub 113' on shaft 110 and having a second portion of coils 116' wound around another hub 114a' co-axial and integral with hub 114' on shaft 120. With one or the other of said portions 115' and 116', said spring 109' blocks one or the other hub, and the associated shaft, whichever is left free by the associated spring 162' or 163', preventing any accidental reaction.

Referring to FIG. 15, the cutting device 85' for apparatus 1' is operated as described and shown for the cutting device 85 (FIG. 5) for the apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, by a cam 130 rigidly connected to one end of the shaft 110 and provided with a pin 132 running in a slot of a lever 131. At the other end, a similar device (such as cam 139 with the pin 136 illustrated in FIG. 6) ensures the correct operation of the cutting device 85' formed by a stationary blade and a mobile blade. With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, a paddle 165 is rigidly connected with the lever 131 by a screw 166 (similarly another paddle rigidly fixed with lever 135 is mounted on the opposite side of the apparatus), while the small shaft 127 onto which lever 131 is pivotedly mounted, may move with respect to paddle 165 sliding in a slot 164 formed therein. At the end of the cutting step of the paper web, rotation of pinion 112' still continues until said paddle, in its movement represented with dash lines in FIG. 15, blinds a photoelectric sensor 167 which, as shown in FIG. 16 is connected with the logic unit 26 in parallel with the photoelectric detector 68-69, causes the motor to stop. It should be noted that the energization of the logic unit 26 is determined by closing of the microswitch 53a. It should be noted further that whenever the paper roll 8 is exhausted (or if the paper web is not properly inserted between plates 60 and 30 of FIG. 9) the cycle would not be activated. The paper web 5, when correctly inserted, presses down the tab (indicated with 40 in FIG. 7) associated with the switch 49 of FIG. 16 which thus enables the performance of the working cycle through microswitch 53a with the cover 2 closed and therefore contacts 36a and 37a preset and switch 50 closed.

As in the apparatus 1 (FIG. 1), before introducing the paper web 5 between plates 30 and 60, the operator may preset a different combination of the microswitches M of the electronic circuit board 39 (FIG. 7) to program the number of elementary lengths of paper web that will be dispersed before the web is cut, each time the microswitch 53a is operated to initiate a dispensing cycle.

Possible additions and/or variations can be performed by those skilled in the art to the above-described and illustrated embodiment of the dispensing apparatus according to the invention, without exceeding the scope of the invention itself, with particular reference to the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing s predetermined length of a paper web from a paper supply roll, comprising: a housing provided with a slot through which the paper web is fed outside from the roll contained in said housing; a bidirectional electric motor; means for advancing the paper web through said slot; means for transversely cutting at least a part of the paper web protruding outside said slot; means for selectively coupling said motor to said advancing means and to said cutting means, said motor when coupled to the advancing means being capable of advancing the paper web through said slot and when coupled to said cutting means being capable of actuating the cutting means to cut the web; a control circuit connected to a source of power for driving the motor when coupled to said advancing means for an duration proportional to the predetermined length, and then driving said motor after coupling to said cutting means, whereby the dispensed paper web is at least partially cut; and switch means manually operable to enable said control circuit for starting a dispensing cycle.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said switch means comprises contact means connected in circuit with said control circuit, a microswitch, means mounting said microswitch within said housing in operative relation with said contact means, said housing having a cover portion formed with an aperture therethrough, said microswitch being located near said aperture, and mean secured to said cover portion in said aperture for facilitating operation of said microswitch.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said mounting means mounts said microswitch to the undersurface of said housing cover portion, said cover portion being movable between closed and open positions carrying with it said microswitch, and said mounting means icnluding means electrically connecting said microswitch to said contact means when said cover portion is in its closed position.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said source of power comprises at least one battery.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2, further including a safety switch mounted within said housing and connected in circuit with said source of power, said cover portion having a projection extending rearwardly thereof within said housing, and coupling means coupling said projection to said safety switch for operating said safety switch when said cover portion is in its closed position for connecting at least said control circuit to said source of power only when said cover portion is in its closed position.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said coupling means includes a transmission member, means movably mounting said transmission member within said housing, and bias means biasing said transmission member out of engagement with said safety switch, said transmission member being moved by said projection against the force of said spring into engagement with said safety switch as said cover portion is moved to its closed position.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutting means comprises a fixed blade, a movable blade. and lever means pivotally mounted on said housing and supporting said movable blade at each end, said movable blade including cam means engaged by said lever means whereby said lever means imparts reciprocating movement to said movable blade, optical sensing means connected in circuit with said control circuit, and said lever means including a rotatably mounted element disposed in operative relationship with said optical sensing means to cause said optical sensing means to generate an end of dispensing cycle signal after the cutting means has been actuated to cut the web.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said optical sensing means comprises a source of light and a light responsive device aligned therewith in a spaced relation, said rotatably mounted element having a barrier portion and being carried by said lever means to interpose its barrier portion between said source of light and said light responsive device with movement of said lever means during each cutting operation.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said advancing means and said cutting means includes respective first and second shafts and respective first and second pinions, and wherein said coupling means comprises first unidirectional coupling means interposed between said first shaft and said first pinion and second unidirectional coupling means interposed between said second shaft and said second pinion, said unidirectional coupling means each comprising a spring wound around a hub rigidly fixed to the associated shaft and having one end free and another end fixed to the respective pinion so that rotation in a determined direction of the two pinions causes loosening of the coils wound on the hub which remains free and tightening of the coils wound on the other hub which is thus driven into rotation, and means for stopping the shaft which is not driven into rotation.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said means for stopping comprises a further spring wound partially on one and partially on the other of two further hubs coaxial and rigidly fixed, respectively, to the shafts associated with said two first hubs.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, including a pair of brackets for supporting said paper supply roll within said housing, each of said support brackets having a rack portion with an idle pinion means which simultaneously engages both rack portions, said idle pinion means rotatable on an axis through which passes through the center plane of symmetry for said brackets.

12. An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined length of a paper web from a paper supply roll, comprising: a housing provided with a slot through which the paper web is fed outside from the roll contained in said housing; a bidirectional electric motor; means including a first shaft and a first pinion for advancing the paper web through said slot; means including a second shaft and a second pinion for transversely cutting at least a part of the paper web protruding outside said slot; means for selectively coupling said motor to said advancing means and to said cutting means, said motor when coupled to the advancing means being capable of advancing the paper web through said slot and when coupled to said cutting means being capable of actuating the cutting means to cut the web; a control circuit for driving the motor when coupled to said advancing means for a duration proportional to the predetermined length, and then driving said motor after coupling to said cutting means, whereby the dispensed paper web is at least partially cut; said coupling means including first unidirectional coupling means interposed between said first pinion and said first shaft and second unidirectional coupling means interposed between second shaft and said second pinion, said unidirectional coupling means each comprising a spring wound around a hub rigidly fixed to the associated shaft and having one end free and another end fixed to the respective pinion so that rotation in a determined direction of the two pinions causes loosening of the coils wound on the hub which remains free and tightening of the coils wound on the other hub which is thus driven into rotation, and means for stopping the shaft which is not driven into rotation.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said means for stopping comprises a further spring wound partially on one and partially on the other of two further hubs coaxial and rigidly fixed, respectively, to the shafts associated with said two first hubs.

14. An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined length of a paper web from a paper supply roll, comprising: a housing provided with a slot through which the paper web is fed outside from the roll contained in said housing; a pair of brackets supporting said paper supply roll within said housing, each of said support brackets having a rack portion and idle pinion means which simultaneously engages both rack portions, said pinion means rotatable on an axis through which passes the center plane of symmetry of said brackets; a bidirectional electric motor; means for advancing the paper web through said slot; means for transversely cutting at least a part of the paper web protruding outside said slot; means for selectively coupling said motor to said advancing means and to said cutting means, said motor when coupled to the advancing means being capable of advancing the paper web through said slot and when coupled to said cutting means being capable of actuating the cutting means to cut the web; a control circuit for driving the motor when coupled to said advancing means for a duration proportional to the predetermined length, and then driving said motor after coupling to said cutting means, whereby the dispensed paper web is at least partially cut.