Electronic Dispenser for Dispensing Sheet Products

Abstract

An electronic dispenser for dispensing sheet products includes an infrared proximity sensor operative to detect a presence of a user's hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser and a feed mechanism configured to engage a sheet product roll to cause a quantity of sheet product to be dispensed therethrough. The infrared proximity sensor is configured to have an adjustable sensitivity to vary a detection range of the infrared proximity sensor. The feed mechanism has a motor operative in response to the infrared proximity sensor to engage the feed mechanism.

1 . An electronic dispenser for dispensing sheet products, comprising: 
 an infrared proximity sensor operative to detect a presence of a user's hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser, the infrared proximity sensor being configured to have an adjustable sensitivity to vary a detection range of the infrared proximity sensor; and    a feed mechanism configured to engage a sheet product roll to cause a quantity of sheet product to be dispensed therethrough, the feed mechanism having a motor operative in response to the infrared proximity sensor to engage the feed mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a movable paper level arm which engages the sheet product roll and moves in response to a change of diameter of the sheet product roll.  
   
   
       3 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the level arm engages a switch to trigger a low paper condition.  
   
   
       4 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the feed mechanism comprises a drive shaft having a feed roller disposed thereon, wherein a magnet having 4 poles (N-S-N-S) is disposed on the feed roller.  
   
   
       5 . The dispenser of  claim 4 , further comprising a Hall sensor to sense the feed roller position to control a length of sheet product being dispensed.  
   
   
       6 . An electronic dispenser for dispensing sheet products, comprising: 
 a housing adapted to engage a wall in a recessed manner;    an infrared proximity sensor operative to detect a presence of a user's hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser;    a feed mechanism disposed within the housing, configured to engage a sheet product roll to cause a quantity of sheet product to be dispensed therethrough, the feed mechanism having a motor operative in response to the infrared proximity sensor to engage the feed mechanism.    
   
   
       7 . The dispenser of  claim 6 , further comprising a movable paper level arm which engages the sheet product roll and moves in response to a change of diameter of the sheet product roll.  
   
   
       8 . The dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein the level arm engages a switch to trigger a low paper condition.  
   
   
       9 . The dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein the feed mechanism comprises a drive shaft having a feed roller disposed thereon, wherein a magnet having 4 poles (N-S-N-S) is disposed on the feed roller.  
   
   
       10 . The dispenser of  claim 9 , further comprising a Hall sensor to sense the feed roller position to control a length of sheet product being dispensed.  
   
   
       11 . The dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein the housing has a cover and a back plate.  
   
   
       12 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , further comprising a magnetic reed switch on a printed circuit board, and a magnet disposed in contact with the cover and disposed in operable communication with the magnetic reed switch.  
   
   
       13 . The dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein the infrared proximity sensor is configured to have an adjustable sensitivity to vary a detection range of the infrared proximity sensor.  
   
   
       14 . An electronic dispenser for dispensing sheet products, comprising: 
 a housing adapted to engage a wall in a recessed manner;    an infrared proximity sensor operative to detect a presence of a user's hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser, the infrared proximity sensor being configured to have an adjustable sensitivity to vary a detection range of the infrared proximity sensor;    a feed mechanism configured to engage a sheet product roll to cause a quantity of sheet product to be dispensed therethrough, the feed mechanism having a motor operative in response to the infrared proximity sensor to engage the feed mechanism or operative in response to the sheet product being toward from the dispenser; and    a movable paper level arm which engages the sheet product roll and moves in response to a change of diameter of the sheet product roll.    
   
   
       15 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the level arm engages a switch to trigger a low paper condition.  
   
   
       16 . The dispenser of  claim 14  wherein the feed mechanism comprises a drive shaft having a feed roller disposed thereon, wherein a magnet having 4 poles (N-S-N-S) is disposed on the feed roller.  
   
   
       17 . The dispenser of  claim 16 , further comprising a Hall sensor to sense the feed roller position to control a length of sheet product being dispensed.  
   
   
       18 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the housing has a cover and a back plate.  
   
   
       19 . The dispenser of  claim 18 , further comprising a magnetic reed switch on a printed circuit board, and a magnet disposed in contact with the cover and disposed in operable communication with the magnetic reed switch.