Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090101671 | PUMPING DISPENSER - A device for dispensing a flowable material is disclosed. The device includes a container holding the flowable material therein and a pumping assembly attached to the container. The pumping assembly includes a pump and a placard portion configured for displaying viewable information thereon associated with the flowable material. | 04-23-2009 |
20090101751 | DISPENSER AND DISPENSING METHOD HAVING COMMUNICATION ABILITIES - Dispensers and dispensing systems and methods having communication abilities are provided. Various embodiments include the ability to communicate reminders and other messages to users and maintenance personnel. An embodiment of the present invention has two sensors, one for detecting when to dispense a product and the other for detecting when to communicate pre-recorded messages. Another embodiment also includes the ability to record multiple messages into the dispenser for later playback upon triggering events. Still yet other embodiments provide messages upon dispensing of product. | 04-23-2009 |
20090177315 | Product, Dispenser and Method of Dispensing Product - A method of dispensing product includes determining by a processor if product loaded into a dispenser is authorized for use in the dispenser by identifying a reference indication associated with the product; in response to determination that the product is authorized, dispense a first amount of product; and in response to determination that the sheet product is unauthorized, dispense a second amount of sheet product, wherein the second amount of sheet product is different than the first amount. | 07-09-2009 |
20090184432 | Air Freshener Device And Methods For Controlling An Amount Of Evaporated Scented Material Emitted From The Air Freshener Device - A method for controlling an amount of evaporated scented material emitted from an air freshener device include generating a first control signal to induce the motor to rotate fan blades at a first rotational speed during a first time interval which urges air flow toward the aperture of the container to induce evaporation of the scented material in the container. The method further includes generating additional control signals to induce the motor to increase a rotational speed of the fan blades during a second time interval to increase air flow toward the aperture of the container, the second time interval being after the first time interval, such that first and second mass rates of evaporated scented material from the container during the first and second time intervals, respectively, are maintained within a predetermined mass rate range. | 07-23-2009 |
20090236464 | APPARATUS FOR SECURING AND DISPENSING SHEET PRODUCT - A spindle sleeve for a sheet product dispenser is disclosed having a body with a first end, a second end, an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a central longitudinal axis. The body includes a first portion disposed proximate the first end, a second portion disposed proximate the second end, and a third portion disposed between the first and second portions. The third portion has a U-shaped cutout defining a cantilevered flexible finger oriented to align with the central longitudinal axis, and the first and second portions have unbroken surfaces of the body around the perimeter of the body at the first and second ends, respectively. The finger has a dorsal-type fin extending perpendicular to the outer surface of the finger. | 09-24-2009 |
20090277920 | High Capacity Napkin Dispenser - A large capacity napkin dispenser for in counter mounting includes: (a) an elongate housing having a generally rectangular cross-section for receiving a stack of napkins; (b) a faceplate with a dispensing aperture, the faceplate being hinged to the housing so as to be movable between an open position for re-loading and a closed position for dispensing; (c) a movable support member mounted in the housing; (d) biasing means for urging the movable support toward the faceplate so that the stack of napkins is advanced to the aperture as it is depleted; and (e) sequestered means for locking the faceplate in the closed position. The locking means includes release means located adjacent the inner surface of the faceplate such that when the faceplate is in the closed position the release means is concealed in the interior of the dispenser, thereby eliminating the need for a key. The dispenser further includes internal gripping surfaces which facilitate re-loading and smooth operation as well as molded-in features which greatly reduce cost of manufacture. | 11-12-2009 |
20090278425 | EASY LOAD SHEET PRODUCT DISPENSER - A dispenser includes a cover; a housing back member; a hinge coupling the housing back member and the cover such that the cover is pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the cover and the housing back member collectively forming a housing of the dispenser; a first and second mounting bracket coupled to the housing back member; and a rotatable carousel removably mounted to the first and second mounting brackets, wherein the brackets and carousel are configured such that the carousel is movable between an inner, locked position for dispensing and an outer, rotatable position for reloading. | 11-12-2009 |
20100072227 | INTERCHANGEABLE ACCESS DEVICE FOR A DISPENSER - An interchangeable access device for a dispenser is provided. The interchangeable access devices include a push-button device and a keyed-device. Each of the access devices includes a retaining feature that allows the access device to be removably coupled to a dispenser cover. The access devices cooperate with a latch member to disengage the latch member from a catch coupled to a back-housing. The access devices may be removed and interchanged by a dispenser operator to reflect changes in the application environment. | 03-25-2010 |
20100114366 | DISPENSERS PROVIDING CONTROLLED DISPENSING AND CONTROLLED DISPENSING METHODS - Dispensers and method for controlled dispensing of products, preferably paper products, are discussed in this patent disclosure. Various embodiments of the present invention can comprise a housing, a separating assembly, a feed mechanism, and an advancing mechanism. The housing can support inner components of the dispenser. The housing can hold a stack of paper product to be dispensed. The separating assembly can comprise a separating member. The separating member can separate one or more napkins from the stack. The separating member can be controlled by a controller for controlled dispensing operations. The feed mechanism can move the separated napkin or napkins toward a dispensing slot for dispensing. The advancing mechanism can advance the stack of napkins such that, as the stack is depleted from one end of the stack, a remainder of the stack is advanced toward the separating member for dispensing. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. | 05-06-2010 |
20110253828 | AUTOMATED SHEET PRODUCT DISPENSER - A sheet product dispenser includes a cover, a pair of arms supporting a roll of sheet product within the cover, and a baffle. The roll of sheet product rotates upon activation of the dispenser during a dispense cycle. The baffle is adapted to deflect upon contact with the roll of sheet product and remain engaged against the roll of sheet product during at least a significant portion of a roll life. | 10-20-2011 |
20110303699 | INTERCHANGABLE ACCESS DEVICE FOR A DISPENSER - A dispenser includes a back-housing, a cover movably coupled to the back-housing, and a latch coupled to the back-housing. A catch is coupled to the cover. The latch cooperates with the catch to hold the cover against the back-housing when the cover is in a first position. The cover has an opening. A key insert is disposed to be removably coupled to the opening of the cover. A push button insert is disposed to be removably coupled to the key insert. A key device is disposed to be removably coupled to the key insert. The push button insert and the key device are mutually interchangeable with each other for being removably coupled to the key insert by a user. | 12-15-2011 |
20120037746 | Dispenser and Dispensing Method Having Communication Abilities - Dispensers and dispensing systems and methods having communication abilities are provided. Various embodiments include the ability to communicate reminders and other messages to users and maintenance personnel. An embodiment of the present invention has two sensors, one for detecting when to dispense a product and the other for detecting when to communicate pre-recorded messages. Another embodiment also includes the ability to record multiple messages into the dispenser for later playback upon triggering events. Still yet other embodiments provide messages upon dispensing of product. | 02-16-2012 |
20120205484 | Automated Tissue Dispenser - An automated dispenser includes a rotatable carousel including a mounting station for a primary roll of sheet product and a mounting station for a reserve roll of sheet product; mounting brackets configured for mounting the carousel such that it is movable between a locked, rearward position for dispensing and a forward position where the carousel is rotatable for reloading; a drive system including a motor coupled to a drive roller and control circuitry; a transfer mechanism adapted so as to be operable to urge a tail of the reserve roll toward a dispensing nip of the drive system upon depletion of the primary roll; a housing; and an auxiliary access aperture fitted with an access door, the auxiliary aperture and access door being configured and adapted to be manually operable to expose the reserve roll for manual dispensing. | 08-16-2012 |
20130001247 | Pumping Dispenser - A device for dispensing a flowable material is disclosed. The device includes a container holding the flowable material therein and a pumping assembly attached to the container. The pumping assembly includes a pump and a placard portion configured for displaying viewable information thereon associated with the flowable material. | 01-03-2013 |
20130015200 | Pumping Dispenser ShieldAANM Cittadino; Antonio M.AACI AppletonAAST WIAACO USAAGP Cittadino; Antonio M. Appleton WI US - A dispenser apparatus for dispensing a flowable material includes a chassis portion, a sensor disposed proximate the chassis portion for sensing a presence of an object, a pump assembly arranged on the chassis portion, operative to dispense the flowable material responsive to receiving a signal from the sensor, and a shield member disposed proximate to the sensor. | 01-17-2013 |
20130018506 | Systems and Methods Involving Product DispensersAANM Cittadino; Antonio M.AACI AppletonAAST WIAACO USAAGP Cittadino; Antonio M. Appleton WI US - A method includes determining whether an object is sensed by a sensor, dispensing a product responsive to determining that the object has been sensed, setting an object clear time value to a first value, setting a first timer to a first time period and starting the timer, starting a second timer with the set object clear time, determining whether the first timer has expired, determining whether an object is sensed by the sensor responsive to determining that the first timer has not expired, determining whether the second timer has expired responsive to determining that an object is not sensed by the sensor, setting the first timer to a second time period and starting the first timer responsive to determining that the second timer has expired. | 01-17-2013 |
20130079923 | SHEET PRODUCT DISPENSER WITH AUXILIARY FEED BUTTON - A sheet product dispenser includes a housing having a front cover, a main controller, a motor, a dispensing mechanism, a maintenance switch, and an auxiliary feed push button. The motor, main controller and dispensing mechanism are configured to dispense a length of sheet product in response to a signal representative of a request for sheet product. The maintenance switch is internally disposed within the housing and accessible for actuation when the front cover is open, in operable communication with the main controller to facilitate operation of the motor when actuated. The auxiliary feed push button is disposed in operable communication with the maintenance switch, and is disposed to be accessible and actuatable when the cover is closed. The main controller is responsive to executable instructions to facilitate actuation of the motor in response to a signal from the maintenance switch when actuated by the auxiliary feed push button. | 03-28-2013 |
20130299624 | AUTOMATED TISSUE DISPENSER - An automated dispenser includes a rotatable carousel including a mounting station for a primary roll of sheet product and a mounting station for a reserve roll of sheet product; mounting brackets configured for mounting the carousel such that it is movable between a locked, rearward position for dispensing and a forward position where the carousel is rotatable for reloading; a drive system including a motor coupled to a drive roller and control circuitry; a transfer mechanism adapted so as to be operable to urge a tail of the reserve roll toward a dispensing nip of the drive system upon depletion of the primary roll; a housing; and an auxiliary access aperture fitted with an access door, the auxiliary aperture and access door being configured and adapted to be manually operable to expose the reserve roll for manual dispensing. | 11-14-2013 |
20130306785 | AUTOMATED SHEET PRODUCT DISPENSER - A dispensing mechanism for a sheet product dispenser includes a chassis, a roller positioned within and coupled to the chassis, and a spring configured to bias the roller into contact with a sheet product. Another dispensing mechanism for a sheet product dispenser includes a chassis, a roller positioned within the chassis, a pair of plugs, and a pair of springs. The roller is coupled to the chassis via the plugs, and the springs are configured to bias the roller into contact with a sheet product. Still another dispensing mechanism for a sheet product dispenser includes a chassis, a first roller positioned within and coupled to the chassis, a second roller positioned within and coupled to the chassis, and a spring configured to bias the first roller toward the second roller and into contact with a sheet product. | 11-21-2013 |
20130306786 | AUTOMATED SHEET PRODUCT DISPENSER - A roller for a sheet product dispenser includes a roller shaft, a roller frame molded onto the roller shaft, and a plurality of flexible rubber portions overmolded onto the roller frame and spaced along a length of the roller frame. The rubber portions are configured to contact a sheet product for dispensing from the sheet product dispenser. A dispensing mechanism for a sheet product dispenser includes a chassis and a roller positioned within and coupled to the chassis. The roller includes a roller shaft, a roller frame molded onto the roller shaft, and a plurality of flexible rubber portions overmolded onto the roller frame and spaced along a length of the roller frame. The rubber portions are configured to contact a sheet product for dispensing from the sheet product dispenser. | 11-21-2013 |
20130320128 | SHEET PRODUCT DISPENSER WITH LOAD INDUCEMENT PORTION - A sheet product dispenser for dispensing a roll of sheet product mounted thereto includes a housing portion and a load inducement portion. The housing portion defines a space operative to receive the roll of sheet product for rotation about an axis to dispense the sheet product. The load inducement portion is operative to induce a frictional force between the roll of sheet product and the load inducement portion during rotation of the roll of sheet product. The load inducement portion includes a guide member, and a load member slidably engaged with the guide member and operative to contact and apply a load to an outer surface of the roll of sheet product. | 12-05-2013 |
20140252042 | FLUID DISPENSER - Embodiments of the disclosure include a dispenser having a fluid reservoir and a pump assembly. The pump assembly includes an intake tube affixed to a pumping mechanism and at least partially disposed in the fluid reservoir, and an intake valve at least partially disposed in the intake tube. The intake valve is configured to minimize fluid from the fluid reservoir from entering the intake tube when the pump mechanism is not in use, regardless of an orientation of the dispenser. | 09-11-2014 |