Patent Application
20120312853
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to paper product dispensers and, more particularly, to electronic dispensers for flexible sheet material.
The dispensing of paper products has resulted in many different types of dispensing devices for controlling quantities dispensed as well as for determining how efficiently the paper products are dispensed. Primarily, these dispensers use mechanical paper feeding mechanisms, actuated by the user physically touching the dispenser equipment to deliver a fixed length of paper. This bodily contact can raise concerns over hygiene when such dispensers are located in public restroom facilities.
The use of electronic dispensers is becoming more prevalent especially in public restroom facilities where the electronic dispensers dispense a measured length of sheet material upon sensing the presence of a user. In such “hands free” operation, the user does not manually activate or otherwise contact the dispenser in order to initiate a dispense cycle.
Conventional electronic dispensers accumulate and discharge static electricity during the dispense cycle. Static charge can be generated by various components or operations such as the movement of sheet material over rollers, interactions between rollers, etc. If the static charge is not dissipated, the user may receive a static shock if he touches the dispenser during use. In addition, the static charge can adversely affect the electronic control and sensor circuitry in the dispenser.
In one embodiment, an electronic dispenser is provided for dispensing flexible sheet material. The electronic dispenser can operate in a number of modes including a proximity detection mode in which a proximity sensor detects the presence of a user's hand when placed into proximity with the dispenser, and a butler mode in which the dispenser automatically dispenses another measured sheet of sheet material. In butler mode, the electronic dispenser does not use a hand detection proximity sensor. Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are operative in multiple modes. A dispenser housing contains a support mechanism for holding at least one roll of sheet material, and includes a base for mounting to a surface, a cover pivotally mounted to the base, and a discharge chute formed within the housing for discharging the sheet material from the dispenser. A control circuit in the housing controls dispensing of the sheet material from the housing. A dispensing mechanism drives sheet material from the housing upon receiving a signal from the control circuit. The dispenser includes an adjustable proximity sensor. A tear bar is mounted within the housing for severance of sheet material by the user. A pivotally mounted pawl member is located proximate to the tear bar such that movement of sheet material into the tear bar for severance pivots the pawl member from a first position to a second position. A signal means cooperative with the pawl member is located such that movement of the pawl member to the second position causes the signal means to send a signal to notify the control circuit that the sheet material has been removed. The dispensing mechanism is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from the proximity sensor to dispense a sheet of material, and is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet in response to the signal means being activated by movement of the pawl member to the second position.
In another embodiment, an electronic dispenser is provided for dispensing flexible sheet material. A dispenser housing contains a support mechanism for holding at least one roll of sheet material, and includes a base for mounting to a surface, a cover pivotally mounted to the base, and a discharge chute formed within the housing for discharging the sheet material from the dispenser. A control circuit in the housing controls dispensing of the sheet material from the housing. A dispensing mechanism drives sheet material from the housing upon receiving a signal from the control circuit. The dispenser includes an adjustable proximity sensor. A tear bar is mounted within the housing for severance of sheet material by the user. A pivotally mounted pawl member is located proximate to the tear bar such that movement of sheet material into the tear bar for severance pivots the pawl member from a first position to a second position. A signal means cooperative with the pawl member is located such that movement of the pawl member to the second position causes the signal means to send a signal to notify the control circuit that the sheet material may have been removed from the discharge chute. A paper detection sensor is activated by the control circuit to verify that the sheet material has been removed from the discharge chute. The dispensing mechanism is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from the proximity sensor to dispense a sheet of material, and is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet in response to a signal from the paper detection sensor that the sheet material has been removed from the dispenser.
In a further embodiment, an electronic dispenser is provided for dispensing flexible sheet material. A dispenser housing contains a support mechanism for holding at least one roll of sheet material, and includes a base for mounting to a surface, a cover pivotally mounted to the base, and a discharge chute formed within the housing for discharging the sheet material from the dispenser. A control circuit in the housing controls dispensing of the sheet material from the housing. A dispensing mechanism drives sheet material from the housing upon receiving a signal from the control circuit. The dispenser includes a proximity sensor having an adjustable detection range. A tear bar is mounted within the housing for severance of sheet material by the user, wherein movement of sheet material into the tear bar for severance moves the tear bar from a first position to a second position. The tear bar can be pivotally mounted or slideably mounted within the housing. A signal means cooperative with the tear bar is located such that movement of the tear bar to the second position causes the signal means to send a signal to notify the control circuit that the sheet material may have been removed from the discharge chute. A paper detection sensor is activated by the control circuit to verify that the sheet material has been removed from the discharge chute. The dispensing mechanism is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from the proximity sensor to dispense a sheet of material, and is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet in response to a signal from the paper detection sensor that the sheet material has been removed from the dispenser.
These and other advantages and aspects of the embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following detailed description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, as follows.
The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of embodiments of the invention including the best, currently known embodiment. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still obtaining the beneficial results. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the embodiments described can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the embodiments without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the embodiments described are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the embodiments of the invention and not in limitation thereof, since the scope of the invention is defined by the claims.
The embodiments described utilize concepts disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,782 entitled “Intelligent Dispensing System” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,824 entitled “Intelligent Electronic Paper Dispenser,” both of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein. The embodiments also utilize concepts disclosed in published patent application US 2008/0100982 entitled “System and Method for Dissipating Static Electricity in an Electronic Sheet Material Dispenser” and incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
Embodiments of the electronic dispenser include a drive motor and gear assembly mounted within the dispenser housing. The motor includes a drive shaft and a drive gear attached thereto that engages the shaft of the drive roller. The gear assembly transmits motive force from the motor to the drive roller. Thus, upon energizing the motor, the drive roller is caused to rotate, which results in conveyance of the sheet material disposed in the nip between the pressure roller and drive roller along the conveying path and out of the dispensing throat of the housing. A tear bar is disposed in the throat so that a user can separate a sheet of the material by grasping and pulling the sheet across the tear bar. In an alternative embodiment, an automatic cutting device may be provided to automatically cut the sheet of material.
It should be appreciated that the electronic dispenser is not limited to any particular style, configuration, or intended type of sheet material. For example, the dispenser may be a towel dispenser, toilet tissue dispenser, or any other sheet material dispenser.
In an electronic dispenser, a sensor 136 may be provided to detect an object placed in a detection zone external to the dispenser. This sensor may be a passive sensor that detects changes in ambient conditions, such as ambient light, capacitance changes caused by an object in a detection zone, and so forth. In an alternate embodiment, the sensor may be an active device and include an active transmitter and associated receiver, such as one or more infrared (IR) transmitters and an IR receiver. The transmitter transmits an active signal in a transmission cone corresponding to the detection zone, and the receiver detects a threshold amount of the active signal reflected from an object placed into the detection zone. Control circuitry 104 is configured with the sensor 136 for initiating a dispense cycle upon a valid detection signal from the receiver.
The dispenser control circuitry 104 controls activation of the dispensing mechanism upon valid detection of a user's hand for dispensing a measured length of the sheet material. Sensors and associated circuitry may be provided for this purpose. Various types of sensors are well known to those skilled in the art, including IR, radio frequency (RF), capacitive sensors, etc. Any one or a combination of such sensing systems can be used.
The control circuitry 104 also controls the length of sheet material dispensed. Any number of optical or mechanical devices may be used in this regard. In exemplary embodiments of the electronic dispenser, an optical encoder 124 may be used to count the revolutions of the drive roller, with this count being used by the control circuitry to meter the desired length of the sheet material to be dispensed. In other embodiments, the control circuitry 104 may track the running time of the motor 108 as the control variable, or detect perforations in the sheet material.
In an exemplary embodiment, the processing logic for operation of the electronic dispenser in the hand sensor and butler modes is part of the control software stored in the memory of the microprocessor in the control circuit 104. One or more binary flags are also stored in memory and represent an operational state of the dispenser (e.g., “paper cut” set or cleared). An operational mode switch in the dispenser sets the mode of operation. In the hand sensor mode, the proximity (hand) sensor 136 detects the presence of a user's hand below the dispenser and dispenses a measured amount of sheet material. The control circuit 104 will then monitor when the sheet of material is removed. Both the pawl member 132 and the paper detection sensor 140 can determine the removal of paper and reset the hand sensor 136. The hand sensor 132 will not allow additional paper to be dispensed until the hand sensor 132 is reset. If the hand sensor 132 detects the presence of a user's hand but does not dispense sheet material, the control circuit 104 can check for sheet material using the paper detection sensor 140. If sheet material has not been dispensed (i.e., no sheet material is hanging from the dispenser), the feed motor 108 will be activated to dispense a next sheet.
In the butler mode, the proximity sensor 136 for detecting the presence of a user's hand is deactivated. The control circuit 104 will then automatically dispense sheet material when the cover is closed and the dispenser is put into operation. The paper detection sensor 140 will determine if a sheet is hanging from the dispenser. If sheet material is hanging, the control circuit 104 will then monitor when the sheet of material is removed. Both the pawl member 132 and the paper detection sensor 140 can determine the removal of paper and reset the dispenser. The next sheet will be dispensed automatically. If the paper detection sensor 140 determines the absence of hanging sheet material, the feed motor 108 will be activated to dispense the next sheet. The control circuit 104 will then determine if the sheet has been removed before dispensing another sheet.
If the predetermined paper length has been achieved in decision block 236, the feed motor stops running as indicated in logic block 240. In decision block 256, the state of the paper cut flag in control circuit memory is tested. In normal operation, the paper cut flag is set when the user tears the hanging paper from the dispenser. If the paper cut flag is set, the control circuit enters a sleep mode until the next user is detected. This step is indicated in logic block 260. If the paper cut flag is not set in decision block 256, the control software waits for a paper cut (i.e., user tears hanging paper) as indicated in logic block 264. In decision block 268, the processing logic checks whether or not the pawl member position has changed from on to off. In other words, this test determines if the pawl member has reset after the paper tear. If the pawl member has changed from the on to off position, the control circuit enters a sleep mode in logic block 276 until the next user is detected. If the pawl member has not changed from on to off, a test is performed by the control software to determine the status of the paper detection in decision block 272. If the paper detection sensor has changed from off to on, the control circuit enters a sleep mode as indicated in logic block 276. If the paper detection sensor is determined to be off, processing logic returns to logic block 264 to wait for a paper cut.
If the predetermined paper length has not been achieved in decision block 236, a test is made in decision block 244 to determine if the pawl member has changed from the on to off position. If the pawl member has changed to the on position, then the paper cut flag stored in control memory is set as indicated in logic block 252. This is followed in logic block 232 with the feed motor again running to dispense a predetermined length of sheet material. If it is determined in decision block 244 that the pawl member has not changed to the off position, a test is made in decision block 248 to determine if the paper detection sensor is on. If the paper detection sensor is on, the paper cut flag in control memory is set as indicated in block 252. The processing logic returns to logic block 232 to run the feed motor. If the paper detection sensor is determined to be off in decision block 248, the feed motor again runs (logic block 232) to dispense a predetermined length of sheet material.
If the electronic dispenser is in the butler mode of operation as indicated in logic block 208, the processing logic will determine if the pawl member has changed from the on to off position in decision block 216. If the pawl member has changed from the on to the off position, the dispenser will enter the dispense paper mode as indicated in logic block 224. If the pawl member has not changed from the on to the off position in decision block 216, a test is made in decision block 220 to determine the status of the paper detection sensor. If the paper detection sensor is found to be off, the dispenser remains in the butler mode as indicated in logic block 208. If the paper detection sensor is found to be on, the dispenser enters the dispense paper mode as indicated in logic block 224. Beginning with the dispense paper mode step of logic block 224, the processing logic (blocks 224-276) is the same for both hand sensing and butler modes.
In one embodiment, a signal means 128 cooperative with the pawl member 14 is located such that movement of the pawl member 14 to the second position 18 causes the signal means to send a signal to notify the control circuit 104 that the sheet material 10 has been removed. The signal means 128 that are cooperative with the pawl member 14 can include a magnetic switch 24 or a mechanical switch. In another embodiment illustrated in
In one embodiment, the dispensing mechanism 100 is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from the proximity sensor 22 to dispense a sheet of material. The dispensing mechanism is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet in response to the signal means being activated by movement of the pawl member 14 to the second position 18 in response to dispensed sheet material 10 being removed from the dispenser. In another embodiment, the dispensing mechanism 100 is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet in response to the signal means being activated by movement of the pawl member 14 to the second position 18, and a signal from a paper detection sensor 44, 46 (
The pawl member 14 is electrically conductive and electrically connected to the control circuit forming a first part of an electric circuit. Movement of the pawl member 14 to the second position 18 brings the pawl member 14 into contact with one or more electrically conductive contact members. The conductive contact member is electrically connected to the control circuit 104 forming a second part of an electric circuit such that movement of the pawl member 14 into contact with the electrically conductive contact member completes the electric circuit and sends a signal to the control circuit 104.
In one embodiment, the signal means 128 cooperative with the pawl member 14 includes an infrared emitter and detector positioned opposite one another such that pivoting of the pawl member 14 to the second position 18 blocks reception of emitted light by the detector thereby sending a signal to the control circuit 104. In another embodiment, the signal means 128 cooperative with the pawl member 14 includes an infrared emitter/detector pair 24, 26 mounted in the housing such that moving the pawl member to the second position reflects emitted light back to the detector thereby sending a signal to the control circuit 104.
In a further embodiment not including a pawl member, an electronic dispenser 100 for dispensing flexible rolled sheet material 10 in an exemplary embodiment can have a moveable tear bar. Similar to the pawl member embodiments, the dispenser 100 housing contains a support mechanism for holding at least one roll of sheet material. The roll of sheet material 10 rides on a drive roller. The housing includes a base panel 52 for mounting to an external surface, a cover panel 50 pivotally mounted to the base panel, and a discharge chute 12 formed within the housing for discharging the sheet material 10 from the dispenser 100. The support mechanism for the roll of sheet material could be pivotally mounted within the housing. A control circuit 104 receives a plurality of signals and controls dispensing of the sheet material from the housing. The dispensing mechanism 100 is coupled to a motor 108 to drive sheet material 10 from the housing upon receiving a signal from the control circuit 104. The dispenser 100 includes an adjustable proximity sensor 22 for detecting the presence of a user's hand. A moveable tear bar is mounted within the housing for severance of sheet material 10 by the user, wherein movement of sheet material 10 into the tear bar for severance moves the tear bar from a first position to a second position. The tear bar can be pivotally or slideably mounted within the dispenser housing.
In one embodiment, a signal means 128 cooperative with the tear bar is located such that moving the tear bar to the second position causes the signal means 128 to send a signal to notify the control circuit 104 that the sheet material may have been removed. The signal means 128 that are cooperative with the tear bar can include either a magnetic switch or a mechanical switch. In another embodiment, after receiving a signal that sheet material may have been removed, the control circuit 104 can activate a paper detection sensor to verify that the sheet material has been removed from the discharge chute.
In one embodiment, the dispensing mechanism 100 is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from the proximity sensor to dispense a sheet of material. In another embodiment, the dispensing mechanism 100 is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet in response to the signal means 128 being activated by the tear bar moving to the second position, and a signal from the paper detection sensor that the sheet material has been removed from the dispenser.
In one embodiment, the signal means 128 cooperative with the tear bar includes an infrared emitter and detector positioned opposite one another such that movement of the tear bar to the second position blocks reception of emitted light by the detector thereby sending a signal to the control circuit 104. In another embodiment, the signal means 128 cooperative with the tear bar includes an infrared emitter/detector pair 24, 26 mounted in the housing such that movement of the tear bar to the second position reflects emitted light back to the detector thereby sending a signal to the control circuit 104.
For some embodiments as shown in
In one embodiment, the multi-position switch 120 in operable communication with the control circuit 104 can be used to select a power output level delivered to the proximity sensor. The power output level is controlled by a resistive circuit comprising at least two resistors having different resistances. The multi-position switch 120 in operable communication with the control circuit 104 can be used to select one of a plurality of time periods as a delay between delivery of a first sheet and delivery of a next sheet to the user.
With reference to
In another embodiment, an encoder could include a fan or star shaped reflective surface integrally incorporated within or affixed on one end of any roller or any gear and an infrared emitter/detector pair mounted in the housing in proximity to one end of any roller or any gear such that the leading and trailing edges of the reflective surface reflect emitted light back to the detector generating pulses countable by the control circuit to determine when a selected amount of sheet material has been dispensed.
With reference to
As shown in
In some embodiments, the proximity sensor can detect both a user's hand and a sheet hanging below a front edge of the discharge chute. For example, the proximity sensor 22 could include one infrared emitter and one infrared detector with the infrared emitter aligned to detect both the presence of a user's hand below the dispenser 100 and a sheet 10 hanging below an outermost front edge of the discharge chute 12. In other embodiments, the proximity sensor could include two infrared emitters and one infrared detector with one infrared emitter aligned to detect a user's hand below the dispenser 100 and the second infrared emitter aligned to detect a sheet hanging below the outermost front edge of the discharge chute 12.
With further reference to
With reference to
In one embodiment, the amount of sheet material remaining on roll 97 as well as battery life and dispenser open/closed status can be displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) on the front panel of the dispenser.
With reference to
Static electricity build-up is a common problem in electronic sheet material dispensers that is generated from operation of the dispenser. Various methods for dissipating static charge build-up in electronic sheet material dispensers are within the scope of the invention, and include placing at least one component within the dispenser in electrical conductive communication with an antenna that is disposed relative to the dispenser housing to dissipate static charge to air surrounding the antenna. The antenna could be placed in electrical conductive communication with the component by any conventional low impedance means. For example, the component may be connected to the antenna through a wire, foil, or other conductive path. Any manner of conventional electrical connection may be used to interconnect the antenna, conductive members, and component.
The dispenser component may be any one or combination of elements that are susceptible to generating or accumulating static charge. For example, the component may be the shaft or surface of the drive roller or pressure roller. The component may be the tear bar against which the sheet material is pulled in order to separate a sheet of the material. In some embodiments, the component may be the sheet material itself. The antenna could be in conductive communication with the sheet material along any portion of the conveying path of the sheet material through the internal volume of the dispenser. A collection plate, such as a foil plate or strip, may be disposed along the conveying path of the sheet material at a location that ensures that the sheet material slides along the plate, such as where the sheet material changes direction. This collection plate is in conductive communication with the antenna to dissipate static charge from the sheet material.
In an alternate embodiment, the antenna could be in conductive communication with one or more internal components of the dispenser through an intermediate device. For example, the antenna and internal components may be wired to a common collection point or node. In another embodiment, the component may be wired to a ground terminal within the dispenser's control circuitry, with the antenna wired to the same terminal. Additional embodiments of static charge dissipating mechanisms for electronic dispensers are described in US 2008/0100982 and are incorporated by reference herein.
The antenna can include either a single point or a multipoint array. The antenna discharges static electricity to the air in the space surrounding the antenna. In some embodiments, the antenna can be connected to the tear bar. The antenna may be made from any material suitable for electrostatic conduction and ionization of air. For example, the antenna may constitute an exposed wire, strip of sheet metal, foil, etc. The dissipation system is not limited by the type or configuration of the antenna or materials. The antenna is desirably electrically isolated from other components of the dispenser and disposed so as to dissipate the static charge through a non-conductive material external to the dispenser housing. In one embodiment, the antenna can be located within the dispenser such that it is open to external air allowing the static charge to be dissipated through the air by corona discharge. This location may be defined by a component of the housing, for example, within an external wall of the dispenser housing. In one embodiment, the antenna can be disposed in the back wall of the dispenser housing. In this manner, the antenna is hidden from view and generally protected. A cover may be disposed over the recess to prevent access or inadvertent touching of the antenna by maintenance personnel. The cover could be perforated or otherwise contain passages for the free flow of air into the compartment.
Although not intended to be limited to any particular operational principle, it is believed that the antenna collects the relatively high static charge voltage of the dispenser components to ionize air molecules and induce a corona discharge in the air surrounding the individual antenna's sharp points. Since the ions are subjected to the electric field concentrated at the antenna points, ions of a polarity opposite to the static charge polarity will travel along the electric field lines to the antenna, thereby neutralizing the field. The oppositely charged ions are neutralized as they move beyond the ionization region. This process continues until the field has been reduced to the point where ionization of air ceases. This corona discharge principle is thus a function of the antenna's ability to induce ionization using the static charge received from the components in conductive communication with the antenna. The electrical energy generated during this process is small and insufficient to create a spark.
Aspects of the static charge dissipation system and method are described with reference to
The antenna 42 is disposed in electrical conductive communication with at least one internal component of the dispenser 36 that is susceptible to generation and accumulation of static charge upon operation of the dispenser. In one embodiment, the antenna 42 is disposed within a recess 48 defined in the back wall 52 of the dispenser housing. The recess 48 in the back wall 52 of the housing hides and isolates the antenna 42 from users, and is only accessible upon removing the cover 50 from the supporting wall structure. It may be desirable to include a cover member (not shown) over the recess 48 to further isolate and protect the antenna 42. The cover member could be perforated or otherwise includes air passages therethrough so that the interior volume of the recess 48 is exposed to free airflow.
It should be appreciated that the antenna 42 need not necessarily be disposed within a recess 48, and may be disposed at any location relative to the dispenser 100 so as to be exposed externally. For example, the antenna 42 could be disposed at the top of the dispenser 100, or below the dispenser 100 along the underside 64.
The configuration and type of antenna 42 may vary. In the embodiment illustrated in
Any manner or combination of components within the dispenser 100 may be in electrical conductive communication with the antenna 42 for dissipating static charge. In the embodiment shown in
In another embodiment, the tear bar 20 could be in conductive communication with the antenna 42. The tear bar 20 may be rigidly or movably mounted and, thus, the conductive path is appropriately configured to mate with the tear bar 20. For a rigid tear bar 20, the conductive path may be any suitable stationary electrical connection.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means plus function elements in any claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the function in combination with other claim elements as specifically claimed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications to the exemplary embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In addition, it is possible to use some of the features of the embodiments disclosed without the corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments is provided for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention, and not in limitation thereof, since the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims.
