Towel dispensers

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 10602887
  • Patent Number
    10,602,887
  • Date Filed
    Monday, July 8, 2019
    4 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 31, 2020
    4 years ago
Abstract
A towel dispenser includes a housing mounted to a wall and defining an interior space for receiving toweling comprising a roll of towels, the interior space comprising a curved surface configured to receive the roll of towels in floating engagement therewith such that the roll of towels rolls and slides on the curved surface during unwinding of the roll of towels. The towel dispenser further includes a loading door configured to rotate relative to the main body, when the main body is mounted to a wall, between a closed position in which the loading door extends over a top of and closes off the interior space of the main body in which toweling is received, and an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein without obstruction by the loading door, with the loading door extending upwardly above and over a top of the housing.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present application hereby incorporates by reference U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2009/0065626; 2010/0219280; 2010/0219281; 2010/0219282; 2010/0219283; 2010/0219284; 2010/0314429; 2011/0068209; 2011/0068210 2011/0068211; 2011/0068212; 2011/0068213; 2011/0068214; 2011/0068215; 2011/0068216; 2011/0068217; 2011/0068218; 2011/0068219; 2012/0104141; 2012/0305696.


Furthermore, the present application hereby incorporates by reference the disclosure of the Appendix attached hereto, including any and all exhibits contained therein.


COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to towel dispensers and, more particularly, to towel dispensers in which a length of toweling is extended from the housing for grasping and pulling by a user for separation and dispensing of one or more towels. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the toweling comprises a roll of perforated towels, in which the towels are connected together and separable at perforation formed between the towels.


Towel dispensers are well known and generally include a housing configured to receive toweling; a guide system that defines a path within the housing and that guides the toweling along the path during movement of the toweling while towels are dispensed; and a motor that moves the toweling along the path to the exterior of the housing, thereby exteriorly extending the toweling from the housing. The guide system can include rollers or fixed guides and typically includes one or more driven rollers connected to the motor by a transmission. A switch or sensor for detecting motion or proximity of an object—such as a hand—is provided to initiate the operation of the motor. For example, in a known dispenser, a controller is electrically connected to the sensor and is configured to activate the motor when the sensor generates a signal that indicates the presence of the wave of a hand.


Conventional towel dispensers generally operate as follows. A roll of toweling is placed within the housing and threaded through the guide system. A user causes a towel to be dispensed by placing a hand or other object near the sensor. Alternatively, the dispensing of toweling can be initiated by pressing a button or switch that is configured to activate the motor. Dispensing of the toweling is stopped when a predetermined length of toweling has been dispensed. Alternatively, in some cases the toweling is stopped when the hand is removed or button/switch is released.


Conventional towel dispensers are disclosed in each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,412,679; 6,419,136; 6,742,689; 6,745,927; 6,766,977; and 7,191,977. Each of these U.S. patents is incorporated herein by reference.


Even in view of known towel dispensers, it is believed that one or more needs exist for advancements in towel dispensers.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of toweling including a roll of sheet material separated by perforations that define towels when separated, the present invention is not limited to use only in such context, and may be used with toweling that does not include such perforations. Moreover, while preferred implementations relate to dispensing of paper towels, the invention is not limited to such implementations and is applicable, for example, in implementations relating to the dispensing of other types of toweling, including toilet paper.


Accordingly, in an aspect of the invention, a towel dispenser, comprises a housing and a loading door, wherein the loading door, when in a closed position, extends over a top of and closes off an interior space of a main body of the housing in which the toweling is received. Preferably, the toweling is receive by being lowered or dropped into the interior space of the main body.


In a feature, the main body includes a back wall configured for mounting of the housing to a wall of a room.


In additional features, the housing includes one or more rollers extending along a front area of the main body proximate an edge of the interior space, and the housing includes a motor assembly for driving the one or more rollers.


In a feature, the toweling comprises a roll of towels.


In a feature, the interior space comprises a curved surface that receives the roll of towels in floating engagement therewith such that the roll of towels rolls and slides on the curved surface during unwinding of the roll of towels.


In a feature, the loading door includes one or more rollers. The rollers may extend along a section of the interior side of the loading door.


In a feature, the loading door is configured to rotate relative to the main body, when the main body is mounted to a wall, between the closed position and an open position. When in the open position, the housing is configured to receive toweling therein without obstruction by the loading door. When in the closed position, and when the loading door and the housing include rollers, the loading door and housing are configured to receive an extent of toweling between the loading door and the housing such that the extent of toweling is extended from the housing by driving of the rollers of the housing and loading door. Preferably, the one or more rollers of the loading door are driven by rotation of the one or more rollers of the housing when the one or more rollers of the housing are driven by the motor assembly. A transmission may be used to drive the one or more rollers of the housing, with the rollers of the door being indirectly driven thereby.


In an additional feature, an opening is defined by the housing through which the toweling is inserted into the interior space of the main body when the loading door is in the open position, the opening extending across a top of the main body and further extending down a forward side of the main body so as to expose approximately half of an exterior curved surface area of a roll of towels when received in the interior space with the loading door in the open position, the loading door further extending downwardly and covering the opening along the forward side of the main body when the loading door is in the closed position.


In another feature, the loading door is at least partially transparent. When transparent, the toweling within the interior space of the main body preferably is visible when the loading door is in the closed position.


Moreover, when the loading door includes rollers and is transparent, the section of the loading door along which the rollers extend preferably is not transparent. Such section preferably is located proximate an end of the loading door distal to a pivot axis of one or more hinges of the loading door by which the loading door moves between the open and closed positions.


In a feature, the dispenser further includes one or more sensors mounted to the main body and operatively connected to the motor assembly (or controller thereof). Each sensor is configured to sense a leading edge of the toweling between a gap formed by the main body and the loading door when the loading door is in the closed position.


In a feature, the dispenser further includes a sensor operatively connected to the motor assembly (or controller thereof) and located on an exterior surface of the main body for detecting the presence of an object or movement. The sense preferably causes the motor assembly to drive the rollers when a hand wave is detected by such sensor.


In a feature, the dispenser further includes a light indicator for indicating a status of the towel dispenser. The light indicator preferably comprises an LED for indicating a status of the towel dispenser.


In a feature, the dispenser further includes toweling received within the interior space of the main body. The toweling preferably comprises a perforated roll of towels and, in particular, a roll of perforated paper towels.


In another aspect, a wall mounted towel dispenser mounted for dispensing toweling includes a housing, comprising: (i) a main body having a back wall by which the dispenser is mounted to a wall of a room and which main body defines an interior space in which toweling comprising a roll of towels is received; (ii) one or more rollers extending along a front area of the main body proximate an edge of the interior space; and (iii) a motor assembly for driving the one or more rollers. The interior space of the main body comprises a curved surface configured to receive the roll of towels in floating engagement therewith such that the roll of towels rolls and slides on the curved surface during unwinding of the roll of towels.


Additionally, the dispenser comprises a loading door having one or more rollers extending along a section of the interior side of the loading door, the loading door being configured to rotate relative to the main body, between, (i) a closed position, in which the one or more rollers of the loading door are driven by rotation of the one or more rollers of the housing when the one or more rollers of the housing are driven by the motor assembly, the loading door and the housing being configured to receive an extent of toweling between the loading door and the housing when the loading door is in the closed position such that the extent of toweling is extended from the housing by driving of the rollers of the housing and loading door, and (ii) an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein. The loading door when in the closed position extends over a top of and closes off the interior space of the main body in which toweling is received.


In a feature, an opening is defined by the housing through which the toweling is inserted into the interior space of the main body when the loading door is in the open position, the opening extending across a top of the main body and down a forward side of the main body so as to expose approximately half of an exterior curved surface area of a roll of towels when received in the interior space with the loading door in the open position, the loading door further extending downwardly and covering the opening along the forward side of the main body when the loading door is in the closed position.


In another feature, the loading door is transparent except along the section of one or more rollers of the loading door, whereby the toweling within the interior space of the main body is visible when the loading door is in the closed position.


In another aspect, a towel dispenser includes a housing configured to be mounted to a wall along a back thereof, and defining an interior space for receiving toweling comprising a roll of towels, the interior space comprising a curved surface configured to receive the roll of towels in floating engagement therewith such that the roll of towels rolls and slides on the curved surface during unwinding of the roll of towels. The towel dispenser further includes a loading door having one or more rollers extending along a section of the interior side of the loading door, the loading door being configured to rotate relative to the main body, when the main body is mounted to a wall, between, (i) a closed position, in which the loading door and the housing are configured to receive an extent of toweling therebetween for dispensing of the toweling, and in which the loading door extends over a top of and closes off the interior space of the main body in which toweling is received, and (ii) an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein without obstruction by the loading door, with the loading door extending upwardly above and over a top of the housing.


In a feature, the towel dispenser is configured to receive toweling therein for dispensing by moving the loading door to the open position, placing the a roll of towels down through a top opening into the interior space of the housing, causing an extent of the toweling to extend over an edge of the housing proximate the interior space such that the extent of toweling is positioned between the loading door and the main body when the loading door is moved into the closed position, and moving the loading door into the closed position.


The towel dispenser preferably is further configured such that no further threading or positioning of the toweling is required to load the toweling for dispensing. Preferably, the toweling is not mounted on a spool when within the interior space during unwinding, and the toweling is not fixed relative to an axis of the housing during unwinding.


Still yet other aspects and features of the invention are shown in the disclosure of the Appendix incorporated herein by reference.


In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention further encompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations of such aspects and features. Thus, for example, any aspect may be combined with a feature in accordance with the present invention without requiring any other aspect or feature.


Furthermore, other aspects and features of the invention includes the methods, apparatus, and operational logic of towel dispensers as disclosed in the above incorporated U.S. Patent Application Publications of the first paragraph, when combined and not inconsistent with the aspects and features explicitly discussed herein. Thus, for example, embodiments of the towel dispenser in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention include towel dispensers that utilize the length learn logic for dispensing toweling as disclosed in one or more of the incorporated U.S. patent references.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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



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



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



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



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





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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


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


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


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


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


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


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



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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


A light indicator 40 for indicating a status of the towel dispenser—such as an LED arrangement—also preferably is included in the apparatus 10.


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

Claims
  • 1. A sheet material dispenser comprising: a housing comprising: a main body, wherein the main body comprises an interior surface with respect to the housing;a loading door movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the main body, wherein the loading door comprises an interior surface with respect to the housing; anda cavity formed between the loading door and the main body, wherein the cavity is sized to house a roll of sheet material therein;a main body roller positioned on a portion of the interior surface of the main body, wherein the main body roller is mounted within the main body in a recessed manner with respect to the portion of the interior surface such that only a portion of the main body roller is visible; anda loading door roller positioned on a portion of the interior surface of the loading door, wherein the loading door roller is mounted within the loading door in a recessed manner with respect to the portion of the interior surface such that only a portion of the loading door roller is visible,wherein the loading door roller and the main body roller are positioned within the housing so as to be hidden from a user when the loading door is in the closed position, wherein the loading door roller is visible to the user when the loading door is in the open position,wherein, when the loading door is in the open position, the loading door roller is spaced apart from the main body roller and an opening is formed, wherein the opening is sized to enable the user to insert the roll of sheet material into the cavity.
  • 2. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the opening is sized to enable the user to position a leading portion of the roll of sheet material between the spaced apart loading door roller and main body roller, wherein, in an instance in which the roll of sheet material is within the cavity and the leading portion of the roll of sheet material is positioned between the loading door roller and the main body roller, movement of the loading door to the closed position causes the roll of sheet material to be installed in the sheet material dispenser and ready for dispensing with the leading portion of the roll of sheet material sandwiched between the loading door roller and the main body roller.
  • 3. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein, when installed in the cavity, the roll of sheet material is not fixed relative to an axis of the housing during dispensing.
  • 4. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the opening formed when the loading door is in the open position is sized to enable the user to drop the roll of sheet material into the cavity.
  • 5. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cavity defines an internal curved surface that corresponds to curvature of an outer circumference of the roll of sheet material.
  • 6. The sheet material dispenser of claim 5, wherein the cavity is further defined by opposing side walls that correspond to a top and a bottom of the roll of sheet material.
  • 7. The sheet material dispenser of claim 6, wherein the main body comprises the opposing side walls and the internal curved surface of the cavity.
  • 8. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the main body defines a back portion that is configured to enable mounting to a wall.
  • 9. The sheet material dispenser of claim 8, wherein the loading door is configured to rotate upwardly away from the main body when moved from the closed position to the open position.
  • 10. The sheet material dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a motor configured to operate the main body roller to cause dispensing of the roll of sheet material from the sheet material dispenser.
  • 11. The sheet material dispenser of claim 10 further comprising a proximity sensor that is configured to sense an object and, in response, generate a signal to cause the motor to operate to cause dispensing of the roll of sheet material.
  • 12. The sheet material dispenser of claim 10 further comprising a leading edge sensor that is positioned proximate the main body roller and configured to sense a leading edge of the roll of sheet material and, in response, generate a signal to cause the motor to cease operation.
  • 13. The sheet material dispenser of claim 12 further comprising a controller that is configured to detect and dispense sheets of varying lengths from an installed roll of sheet material.
  • 14. A sheet material dispenser comprising: a body comprising an interior surface;a loading door attached to the body and movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the body, wherein the loading door comprises an interior surface, wherein a cavity is formed between the loading door and the body, wherein the cavity is sized to hold a roll of sheet material in loose engagement therein; anda loading door roller positioned on a portion of the interior surface of the loading door, wherein the loading door roller is mounted within the loading door in a recessed manner with respect to the portion of the interior surface such that only a portion of the loading door roller is visible,wherein, in an instance in which the loading door is in the closed position, the loading door roller is hidden from a user, wherein, in an instance in which the loading door is in the open position, the loading door roller is visible to the user,wherein, in an instance in which the loading door is in the open position, the body is spaced apart from the loading door roller and an opening is formed therebetween, wherein the opening is sized to enable the user to insert the roll of sheet material into the cavity.
  • 15. The sheet material dispenser of claim 14, wherein, when installed in the cavity, the roll of sheet material is not fixed relative to an axis of the body during dispensing.
  • 16. The sheet material dispenser of claim 14, wherein the opening formed when the loading door is in the open position is sized to enable the user to drop the roll of sheet material into the cavity.
  • 17. The sheet material dispenser of claim 14, wherein the cavity defines an internal curved surface that corresponds to curvature of an outer circumference of the roll of sheet material.
  • 18. A sheet material dispenser comprising: a body comprising an interior surface;a loading door attached to the body and movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the body, wherein the loading door comprises an interior surface, wherein a cavity is formed between the loading door and the body, wherein the cavity is sized to hold a roll of sheet material in loose engagement therein; anda body roller positioned on a portion of the interior surface of the body, wherein the body roller is mounted within the body in a recessed manner with respect to the portion of the interior surface such that only a portion of the body roller is visible,wherein, in an instance in which the loading door is in the closed position, the body roller is hidden from a user, wherein, in an instance in which the loading door is in the open position, the body roller is visible to the user,wherein, in an instance in which the loading door is in the open position, the loading door is spaced apart from the body roller and an opening is formed therebetween, wherein the opening is sized to enable the user to insert the roll of sheet material into the cavity.
  • 19. The sheet material dispenser of claim 18, wherein, when installed in the cavity, the roll of sheet material is not fixed relative to the body during dispensing.
  • 20. The sheet material dispenser of claim 18 further comprising a motor configured to operate the body roller to cause the leading portion of the roll of sheet material to dispense from the sheet material dispenser.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/036,244, entitled “Towel Dispensers” filed Jul. 16, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/462,819, entitled “Wall Mounted Towel Dispensers” filed Mar. 18, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/468,931, entitled “Wall Mounted Towel Dispensers” filed Aug. 26, 2014, issued on Mar. 21, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,596,964, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/468,313, entitled “Wall Mounted Towel Dispenser” filed Aug. 25, 2014, issued on Oct. 25, 2016 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,474,422, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/920,772, entitled “Wall Mounted Towel Dispensers” filed Dec. 25, 2013, and of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/869,648, entitled “Wall Mounted Towel Dispenser” filed Aug. 23, 2013, the contents of each being incorporated by reference hereby in their entirety.

US Referenced Citations (194)
Number Name Date Kind
1761464 Caps Jun 1930 A
2135767 Price et al. Nov 1938 A
2193759 Birr Mar 1940 A
RE22565 Gillanders et al. Nov 1944 E
2487763 Patterson et al. Nov 1949 A
3575328 Jespersen et al. Apr 1971 A
3730409 Ratti May 1973 A
RE28911 Jespersen et al. Jul 1976 E
4131044 Cassia Dec 1978 A
4137805 DeLuca et al. Feb 1979 A
4142431 Jespersen Mar 1979 A
4188844 DeLuca Feb 1980 A
4191307 LeClaire, Jr. et al. Mar 1980 A
4203562 DeLuca et al. May 1980 A
4206858 DeLuca et al. Jun 1980 A
4236679 Jespersen Dec 1980 A
4286489 DeLuca Sep 1981 A
4307638 DeLuca et al. Dec 1981 A
4307639 DeLuca Dec 1981 A
4340195 DeLuca Jul 1982 A
4404880 DeLuca Sep 1983 A
4611768 Voss et al. Sep 1986 A
4666099 Hoffman et al. May 1987 A
4738176 Cassia Apr 1988 A
4817483 Armbruster Apr 1989 A
4848690 Lemoine Jul 1989 A
4856724 Jespersen Aug 1989 A
4944466 Jespersen Jul 1990 A
D312369 DeLuca et al. Nov 1990 S
4984530 Dutton Jan 1991 A
D316788 Fischer et al. May 1991 S
5020403 D'Angelo et al. Jun 1991 A
5048386 DeLuca et al. Sep 1991 A
5078033 Formon Jan 1992 A
5107734 Armbruster Apr 1992 A
5137173 Hughes et al. Aug 1992 A
5249755 Jespersen Oct 1993 A
5271574 Formon et al. Dec 1993 A
5288032 Boone et al. Feb 1994 A
5294192 Omdoll et al. Mar 1994 A
5305937 Barnett Apr 1994 A
5314131 McCanless et al. May 1994 A
5375785 Boone et al. Dec 1994 A
5441189 Formon et al. Aug 1995 A
5452832 Niada Sep 1995 A
5526973 Boone et al. Jun 1996 A
5558302 Jesperson Sep 1996 A
5601253 Formon et al. Feb 1997 A
5765717 Gottselig Jun 1998 A
5772291 Byrd et al. Jun 1998 A
5924617 LaCount et al. Jul 1999 A
5979821 LaCount et al. Nov 1999 A
5979822 Morand et al. Nov 1999 A
D419014 Fluegge et al. Jan 2000 S
D419805 Fluegge et al. Feb 2000 S
6032898 LaCount et al. Mar 2000 A
6105898 Byrd et al. Aug 2000 A
6152397 Purcell Nov 2000 A
6161796 Daniels Dec 2000 A
6237871 Morand et al. May 2001 B1
6250530 LaCount et al. Jun 2001 B1
6354533 Jespersen Mar 2002 B1
6412679 Formon et al. Jul 2002 B2
6419136 Formon et al. Jul 2002 B2
6554158 Kapiloff et al. Apr 2003 B2
6607160 Lewis et al. Aug 2003 B2
6695246 Elliot et al. Feb 2004 B1
6710606 Morris Mar 2004 B2
6736348 Formon et al. May 2004 B1
6736466 Helland et al. May 2004 B1
6742689 Formon et al. Jun 2004 B2
6745927 Formon et al. Jun 2004 B2
6758434 Kapiloff et al. Jul 2004 B2
6766977 Denen et al. Jul 2004 B2
6826985 Broehl Dec 2004 B2
6826991 Rasmussen Dec 2004 B1
6830210 Formon et al. Dec 2004 B2
6854684 Byrd et al. Feb 2005 B2
6871815 Moody et al. Mar 2005 B2
6902134 Green et al. Jun 2005 B2
6903654 Hansen et al. Jun 2005 B2
6929213 Contreras Aug 2005 B1
6952067 Tanaka et al. Oct 2005 B2
6959891 Kapiloff et al. Nov 2005 B2
6964395 Lewis et al. Nov 2005 B1
6988689 Thomas et al. Jan 2006 B2
6994408 Bunnell Feb 2006 B1
7017856 Moody et al. Mar 2006 B2
7040566 Rodrian et al. May 2006 B1
7040567 Lewis et al. May 2006 B1
D522781 Wieser et al. Jun 2006 S
7114677 Formon et al. Oct 2006 B2
7168602 Broehl Jan 2007 B2
7182289 Moody et al. Feb 2007 B2
7185841 Kaufmann Mar 2007 B2
7185842 Lewis et al. Mar 2007 B2
7191977 Denen et al. Mar 2007 B2
7219852 Tramontina et al. May 2007 B2
7237744 Morris et al. Jul 2007 B2
D550999 Formon et al. Sep 2007 S
7296765 Rodrian Nov 2007 B2
D564269 Paal et al. Mar 2008 S
7338008 Jenkins Mar 2008 B1
7341170 Boone Mar 2008 B2
7347134 Lewis et al. Mar 2008 B2
7387274 Moody et al. Jun 2008 B2
7406901 Schmidt et al. Aug 2008 B2
7438256 Nip et al. Oct 2008 B2
7530524 Wieser et al. May 2009 B2
7533845 Neveu et al. May 2009 B2
7553098 Maekawa et al. Jun 2009 B2
7568652 Cittadino et al. Aug 2009 B2
7594622 Witt et al. Sep 2009 B2
7624664 Morris et al. Dec 2009 B2
7698980 Morris Apr 2010 B2
7774096 Goerg et al. Aug 2010 B2
7783380 York et al. Aug 2010 B2
7821155 Reinsel et al. Oct 2010 B2
7832679 Denen et al. Nov 2010 B2
7845593 Formon et al. Dec 2010 B2
7878446 Reinsel et al. Feb 2011 B2
7887005 Troutman et al. Feb 2011 B2
7946522 Lewis et al. May 2011 B2
7963475 Rodrian Jun 2011 B2
8079540 Troutman et al. Dec 2011 B2
8079541 Troutman et al. Dec 2011 B2
8079542 Troutman et al. Dec 2011 B2
8079543 Troutman et al. Dec 2011 B2
8083170 Troutman et al. Dec 2011 B2
8186551 Morris May 2012 B2
8231075 Troutman et al. Jul 2012 B2
8231076 Troutman et al. Jul 2012 B2
8240594 Troutman et al. Aug 2012 B2
8336803 Troutman et al. Dec 2012 B2
8434709 Troutman et al. May 2013 B2
8464976 Mok et al. Jun 2013 B2
8561933 Troutman et al. Oct 2013 B2
8632030 Troutman et al. Jan 2014 B2
9144352 Cittadino et al. Sep 2015 B2
9282855 Troutman et al. Mar 2016 B2
9307875 Clarkin Apr 2016 B2
9474422 Troutman et al. Oct 2016 B1
9480370 Troutman et al. Nov 2016 B2
9596964 Troutman et al. Mar 2017 B1
9642503 Troutman et al. May 2017 B1
D807663 Taylor Jan 2018 S
10165907 Troutman et al. Jan 2019 B1
10342394 Troutman Jul 2019 B2
20010001475 Formon et al. May 2001 A1
20030019971 Lewis et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030168550 Formon et al. Sep 2003 A1
20040251375 Denen et al. Dec 2004 A1
20050150992 Morris et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050171634 York et al. Aug 2005 A1
20060006275 Neveu et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060138274 Goeking et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060169827 Lewis et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060173576 Goerg et al. Aug 2006 A1
20070080255 Witt et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070152010 Denen et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070158359 Rodrian Jul 2007 A1
20070194166 Reinsel et al. Aug 2007 A1
20080011772 Morris et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080018302 Reinsel et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080078777 Cittadino et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080087758 Formon et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080099595 Lewis et al. May 2008 A1
20090065626 Petri et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090065628 Troutman et al. Mar 2009 A1
20100219280 Troutman et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100219281 Troutman et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100219282 Troutman et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100219283 Troutman et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100219284 Troutman et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100314429 Troutman et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110068209 Troutman et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110068210 Troutman et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110068211 Troutman et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110068212 Troutman et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110068213 Troutman et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110068214 Troutman et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110068215 Troutman et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110068216 Troutman et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110068217 Troutman et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110068218 Troutman et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110068219 Troutman et al. Mar 2011 A1
20120104141 Troutman et al. May 2012 A1
20120305696 Troutman et al. Dec 2012 A1
20140021286 Troutman et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140021287 Troutman et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140131506 Clarkin May 2014 A1
20160287036 Troutman et al. Oct 2016 A1
20170042393 Troutman et al. Feb 2017 A1
20200037829 Troutman et al. Feb 2020 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (6)
Number Date Country
209712725 Dec 2019 CN
0573558 Dec 1997 EP
H05-111442 May 1993 JP
2007-014367 Jan 2007 JP
WO 1998053728 Dec 1998 WO
WO 2010141931 Mar 2011 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Search Authority (Korean Intellectual Property Office) for International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2010/037561, dated Jan. 10, 2011.
Innovia WB2-159S Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser, retrieved Feb. 1, 2018 from <https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008HDREZ6/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_cr_x_a_w>.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20190328184 A1 Oct 2019 US
Provisional Applications (2)
Number Date Country
61920772 Dec 2013 US
61869648 Aug 2013 US
Continuations (3)
Number Date Country
Parent 16036244 Jul 2018 US
Child 16504366 US
Parent 15462819 Mar 2017 US
Child 16036244 US
Parent 14468931 Aug 2014 US
Child 15462819 US
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 14468313 Aug 2014 US
Child 14468931 US