The present invention relates generally to paper towel dispensers, and more particularly to an automatic electronically controlled roll towel dispenser with a data communication system for collecting data from the dispenser and transmitting the data to a receiving device for analysis.
Dispensers for dispensing paper towels are well known in the art. A paper towel dispenser typically requires a user actuate a mechanism for the dispenser to dispense paper toweling. Folded paper towels are pre-cut and folded into various configurations to be individually dispensed. Roll paper towels are continuous rolls of paper which are wound around a central core and dispensed by advancing a length of paper toweling from the dispenser and tearing off the length of toweling along a stationary cutting bar in the dispenser.
Folded towels are paper towels which are pre-cut and folded into various configurations. The use of folded paper towel dispensers allows a user to dispense towels by pulling on the exposed end of each new individual towel. These dispensers are also very easy to refill with folded towels. However, a number of the folded towels will often fall out when an exposed towel is pulled. This can result in a significant waste of paper towels. Accordingly, folded towel dispensers are not as economical as other types of alternative dispensers.
Roll towels are less expensive to manufacture and produce less waste than folded towels. A roll towel dispenser typically includes a housing, a supply of paper in the housing, and a mechanism for unrolling a length of paper for use. Roll towel dispensers may include a lever, crank, or other mechanism for dispensing a length of towel from the dispenser chassis and a serrated blade for cutting the length of towel from the remaining roll. However, manual contact with a dispensing lever or the like raises health concerns for the user. To alleviate these health concerns, dispensers have been developed, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,461 to Rasmussen, that eliminate contact with any part of the dispenser, and instead rely upon the user directly pulling the paper towel from the dispenser. In these type dispensers, the paper toweling must have sufficient tensile strength to effect rotation of the feed roller and actuation with the cutting blade without premature tearing. Paper possessing the requisite tensile strength to operate these dispensers is limited in the amount of softness and absorbency it can provide.
Another disadvantage of manual roll towel dispensers is that the user generally controls the length of paper dispensed prior to tearing it off the dispenser. A user can therefore wastefully dispense an excessive length of toweling. This adds to the waste and abuse associated with known paper towel dispensers.
Electrically powered roll towel dispensers are also known in the prior art. Such an example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,832 to Niada. In this patent, a light sensitive device is used to detect the presence of a user's hand in front of the dispenser. After detecting the user's hand, the dispenser advances paper toweling for a predetermined length of time. The dispensed length of paper towel is then separated from the supply roll by pulling the paper toweling against a serrated cutting bar on the dispenser.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,176 to Cassia discloses an electrically powered dispenser which includes a reciprocating cutter to produce an individual towel from the continuous web of paper. While this arrangement enables the use of softer and more absorbent paper, the dispenser requires a substantial amount of energy to drive both the feed mechanism and the reciprocating cutter. Accordingly, the batteries for this dispenser must be replaced frequently. Moreover, the dispenser design is much more complex and costly than other systems.
Also, in some electrically powered dispensers, such as the dispenser disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,825 to Hawkins, the paper will continuously dispense while a user's hand or other object is placed in front of the sensor. Thus, the dispenser is subject to easy abuse and waste of paper. In an effort to avoid abuses, some dispensers, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,099 to Hoffman, have incorporated a waiting period where the dispenser will not operate for a brief time after each use. However, the need to wait can be frustrating to some users.
None of the known prior art dispensers incorporate a microcontroller or an electromechanical triggering mechanism for controlling operation of the roll towel dispenser. In addition, none of the prior art shows or discloses the use of an optical data link for transmitting status and usage data to a receiving device for analysis.
Optical data links are also well known in the art for use in transmitting data between electrical devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,699 to Vane et al. discloses a security detector having an optical data transmitter. Communication with visible light is typically limited to use with fiber-optic data links, while open-air optical data links typically operate in the infrared (IR) range. Well known are the familiar IR-remote control devices used to control home video and audio electronics. Other familiar methods of optical data communication include the Infrared Data Association (IRDA) standard used with personal computers, lap tops, computer peripherals, and personal organizers to provide wireless data transfer between devices.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved electronically controlled roll towel dispenser having an embedded microcontroller for controlling and monitoring the dispenser, and having a transmitter for transmitting data to a receiving device that is of a simpler design and is less expensive than prior art systems.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus which automatically dispenses a predetermined length of paper towel in response to a user tearing off a previously dispensed length of towel.
Another object of the invention to provide an electronically controlled roll towel dispenser that is completely intuitive to use, a user does not have to know or learn anything new, a length of exposed paper towel extends from the dispenser, a user merely tears the exposed length of towel from the dispenser without touching the dispenser, in response to the tearing action and after a short delay, the dispenser is automatically triggered to dispense another length of towel for the next user.
A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus which does not require a user to physically contact the apparatus during use.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser wherein the lengths of paper towel automatically dispensed and the dispense delay after the dispenser is automatically triggered to dispense another length of towel for the next user are programmable.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser that includes a microcontroller running an embedded program for monitoring the dispenser for system errors, collecting data from the dispenser, storing the data in memory, and controlling operation of the dispenser; a data transmitter coupled to the microcontroller for transmitting system errors and dispenser data stored in memory; and a data receiver located remotely from the dispenser for receiving data from the data transmitter.
The present invention is directed to an electronically controlled roll towel dispenser with a data communication system. The dispenser includes a data transmitter preferably in the form of a bi-colored LED. The data transmitted by the dispenser can be received visibly through blinking LED data and through IR data packets. The addition of intelligent electronics into the roll towel dispenser creates a dispenser that automatically dispenses a predetermined length of paper toweling from a supply roll, monitors the status of the dispenser, and collects dispenser data to be transmitted to a remotely located data receiver for analysis.
The data receiver is preferably a personal organizer or personal digital assistant (PDA) operating with a Palm OS operating system and an integral infrared (IR) receiver, such as those manufactured by 3Com Corporation. The data transmitter is preferably an IR-emitting bi-colored LED, providing a simple, low cost alternative for data transmission. The physical communication protocol between the data transmitter and the data receiver preferably complies with standard HP-SIR protocol. In the present invention, IR data is transmitted only when the dispenser cover is open while in the service mode.
An exposed length of toweling is removed from the electronically controlled dispenser by the familiar pulling and tearing action. To accomplish this end, the dispenser implements an electromechanical trigger mechanism to translate the physical motion of a towel being tom across a cutting bar and a rotatable trigger arm on the dispenser into an electrical signal. This signal directs a motorized drive mechanism to automatically dispense a fresh portion of towel. The electronic control of the electromechanical dispensing process is provided by an embedded microcontroller.
In addition to controlling the electromechanical dispense processes, the embedded microcontroller provides other useful benefits. It can effect a programmable dispense delay to reduce towel consumption and waste. The length of paper toweling dispensed and its lineal feed rate are also programmable operating parameters. Access to modify any of these parameters is automatically enabled whenever the dispenser cabinet cover is opened for periodic service. The microcontroller also has the ability to monitor and record important dispenser usage quantities and events. For example, the microcontroller can be programmed to automatically record the date and time of paper outage and refill, automatically monitor the usage of toweling to determine times of peek usage or total paper distributed from a particular dispenser, automatically provide a usage history to allow end users to plan maintenance and ordering of supplies, and automatically page or otherwise notify service personnel of machine status. This paging feature may be incorporated into the functionality of the dispenser by the microcontroller triggering the data transmitter to send a paging signal to service personnel in the event of a system error or other service requirements, such as replacing batteries, replenishing the paper supply, clearing paper jams, or other serviceable events
The dispenser is fully programmable to dispense any length of paper, at any speed, and with any dispense delay. The dispenser utilizes pushbutton switches on a control panel to select and adjust these parameters. Moreover, the dispenser can also acquire and store dispenser usage information to be transmitted by the data transmitter to a data receiver in the event of system errors, low battery voltage, or low paper supply. The data may also be used to determine paper usage patterns for inventory management or for planning maintenance.
In an alternative operating mode, called a hygienic mode, only a short length of paper toweling is dispensed from the dispenser. In the normal operating mode, typically 10, 12 or 14 inches of paper toweling is dispensed, while in the hygienic mode only 3 or 4 inches of paper toweling is dispensed. The hygienic mode is preferably used to limit the exposure of bacteria and germs present in most washrooms where the dispensers are located on the exposed toweling. In use, when a user pulls on the short length, a full length is automatically presented. After the full length is torn off by the user, another short length is presented for the next user.
The dispenser is designed to dispense any grade of roll towel paper including low basis weight paper. The power driven, microcontroller controlled internal feeding mechanism is designed to dispense any paper easily and smoothly. All the user does is tear off the exposed length of paper and another length is automatically dispensed. The dispenser is preferably powered with four D-size alkaline batteries, but may be powered from another DC power source, such as a DC power supply or an AC to DC transformer. The dispenser is designed so that the batteries last from six to twelve months. The dispenser continuously monitors battery voltage and includes a low battery status indicator provided by the data transmitter.
The present embodiment is that of an improvement to the electronic control system of a battery-powered roll towel dispenser. This dispenser features a data transmitter for transmitting visual and IR data to a remote data receiver. The data may include a variety of system and service conditions to the user or maintenance person. For example, failure modes are typically indicated by red flashing patterns, while the relative battery condition is indicated by green, yellow or red flashes which represent good, marginal or low battery voltage, respectively. The color and pattern of each particular indicator signal is determined by the firmware programmed into the dispenser's embedded microcontroller.
Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those schooled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Referring first to
Contacting the normally open switch 52 with the closed cover 20 provides an electrical signal to a microcontroller U2 on the printed circuit board 50 representing that the dispenser 10 is in a normal operating mode. When the cover 20 is open and the first end 40 of the cover lever 36 is not contacting the switch 52, the dispenser 10 is in a non-operating service mode as described in more detail below.
The trigger assembly 58 includes a rotatable trigger arm 72 pivotally mounted to the frame 57 of the trigger assembly by right and left bearing blocks 78, 80 and right and left trip brackets 74, 76. The trigger arm 72 is located behind a serrated cutting bar 88,
Referring next to
The hygienic mode is a variation of the normal operating mode. In the hygienic mode, only a short length of paper, typically 3 or 4 inches, extends from the discharge opening. During operation, a user pulls on the short length and a full length is automatically presented to the user. The user pulling on the short length triggers the dispenser to automatically dispense the full length of paper toweling for use by the user. After the user tears the full length from the dispenser, another short length is automatically dispensed for the next user.
Except for the batteries and drive motor 66, all electrical components reside on the printed circuit board 50. Referring now to the schematic of electrical components on the printed circuit board 50 shown in
Moving now to the components mounted on the printed circuit board 50, the primary power supply bus VP branches to a voltage regulator circuit comprising U1 for supplying the proper voltage to the control circuitry connected to VCC. This reduced and regulated voltage improves the efficiency and extends the life of the batteries. The supply voltage VP is sampled by circuitry comprising transistor Q1 and a voltage divider formed by resistors R3, R4 and capacitor C4. With Q1 conducting, a scaled representation of the supply voltage VP is presented at the junction of resistors R3 and R4.
The main component on the printed circuit board 50 is the microcontroller U2 which includes RAM for storage of variable data, and is connected to a EEPROM U3 for storage of collected historical data and operating parameter settings. Peripheral circuitry supporting U2 include a crystal oscillator CR1 and reset circuitry comprising R2, C3 and D2. The microcontroller U2 is preferably a PIC16C62X manufactured by Microchip, Inc. Following is a summary of the microcontroller control circuits.
The analog comparator input AN0 is sourced by the voltage divider circuit of Q1, R3 and R4. When activated by control output Pmgr the voltage divider provides a scaled representation of the supply voltage VP at Vsamp.
Digital output RA1 controls a power management circuit labeled Pmgr comprising R6, R7, R8 and Q2. This circuit is used to activate the higher power circuits on an as needed basis.
The digital output circuit RA2, labeled RED, provides drive current to the red diode in an integrated bi-color LED. The digital output circuit RA3, labeled GREEN, provides drive current to the green diode in the bi-color LED. Circuit RA4 is a digital input labeled TACH. The TACH circuit provides a voltage proportional to the light transmitted between the LED and phototransistor of OP1. The apertures in the rotating encoder of drive motor 66 alternately pass or block a beam of IR light between the LED and the phototransistor in OP1, switching the voltage at RA4 from binary high to binary low.
Circuits RB1, RB2, RB3, RB6 and RB7 are digital inputs from a matrix of pushbutton switches labeled K1 LENGTH, K2 DELAY, K3 MODE and K4 PRESET.
Circuit RB5 is a digital input labeled TRIGGER from trigger switch SW1. SW1 is a normally open switch that closes when the trigger is activated. Circuit RB4 is a digital input labeled COVER from the cover switch SW2. SW2 is a normally open switch that closes when the cover interlock is activated.
The power manager 154 extends battery life by putting the system into a sleep mode after a certain amount of time. The system wakes up from the sleep mode when it receives an interrupt. The next process in
In the error monitor process, the system is continuously monitored for a system error 162. If no error is detected, then the system returns to the main loop of FIG. 15. However, if an error is detected and the cover is closed 164, the error status is indicated 166 as shown in
The next process in the main loop is the service mode 158. The dispenser cover must be open for the dispenser to be in service mode. The first process in service mode is the status indicator process 172 of FIG. 19. In the status indicator process 172, the battery voltage is monitored. If the battery voltage is less than 10% of full voltage 188, then the Red LED blinks on and off and transmits data that the batteries should be replaced 192. If the battery voltage is less than 20% of full voltage 190, then the Yellow LED blinks on and off and transmits data that the batteries are low and should be replaced soon 194. If the battery voltage is greater than 20% of fill voltage 190, then the Green LED blinks on and off and transmits data that the batteries are good and do not need to be replaced 196.
Returning to the service mode 158 of
Returning again to the service mode 158 of
In the update error status process 182 of
Returning again to the service mode process 158 of
In the dispense process, the system checks for a flagged error 242 and a dispense request 244. If a dispense has been requested by an activated trigger, the system checks to determine if the trigger has been released 246. If not, the system checks for a trigger timeout 25. If there has been a trigger timeout, then a trigger jam error is flagged 254. If the trigger was released, then the system initiates a dispense delay 248 and a feed cycle 250.
The feed cycle shown in
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations, and admissions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and should not limit the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/130,137, filed Apr. 20, 1999 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/159,006, filed Oct. 11, 1999.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US00/10761 | 4/20/2000 | WO | 00 | 1/29/2002 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO00/63100 | 10/26/2000 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country |
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0 573 558 | Dec 1997 | EP |
WO 9959457 | Nov 1999 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60130137 | Apr 1999 | US | |
60159006 | Oct 1999 | US |