Hands-free paper towel dispenser

Abstract

A hands-free towel dispenser is provided which utilizes an active sensing system, preferably an infra-red system, for detecting when a dispense of toweling should occur. The control for the dispenser is designed for low power use, thereby allowing the dispenser to be battery powered. The dispenser can also be powered by a solar panel, either in addition to or in place of, the batteries. Thus, the dispenser can be used in all lighting conditions. In addition, the dispenser is microprocessor controlled, thereby reducing costs and adding flexibility and functionality.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A hands-free paper towel dispenser, comprising:
 (a) a cabinet defining an interior space sufficient to house a main paper towel roll, the cabinet including a housing and a cover that is pivotally attached to the housing, at least a portion of the cover defining a forward facing portion of the cabinet;   (b) a sensing mechanism mounted to the housing in a direction facing the cover and disposed entirely within the interior space of the cabinet at a location adjacent to the cover, the sensing mechanism configured to detect through the cover an object positioned outside of the cabinet and adjacent the cover without the object contacting the cover, and at least a portion of the sensing mechanism is accessible when the cover is at the open position;   (c) a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of towel, the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller;   (d) control circuitry that controls operation of the sensing mechanism and the motor, controls the length of towel that is dispensed, and provides a delay between cycles of towel dispensing; and   (e) an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing mechanism comprises a photo sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry includes a circuit that prevents operation of the motor when the front cover is in the open position. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the electric power source supplies non-alternating current. 
     
     
         5 . A hands-free paper towel dispenser, comprising:
 (a) a cabinet defining an interior space sufficient to house a main paper towel roll, the cabinet including a housing defined by a plurality of walls and a cover that is pivotally attached to the housing so that the cover is pivotable between an open position and a closed position, at least a portion of the cover defining a forward facing portion of the cabinet when the cover is in the closed position;   (b) a sensing mechanism mounted to the housing in a direction facing the cover and disposed entirely within the interior space of the cabinet at a location adjacent to the cover, the sensing mechanism configured to detect through the cover an object positioned outside of the cabinet and adjacent the cover without the object contacting the cover, and at least a portion of the sensing mechanism is accessible when the cover is at the open position;   (c) a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of towel, the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller;   (d) control circuitry that controls operation of the sensing mechanism and the motor to dispense a length of towel and provide a delay between cycles of towel dispensing; and   (e) an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser.   
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the sensing mechanism comprises a photo sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the control circuitry includes a circuit that prevents operation of the motor when the front cover is in the open position. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the electric power source supplies non-alternating current. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the control circuitry controls the length of towel that is dispensed. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the sensing mechanism is configured to detect through the forward facing portion of the cover an object positioned outside of the cabinet and adjacent the cover without the object contacting the cover. 
     
     
         11 . A hands-free paper towel dispenser, comprising:
 (a) a cabinet defining an interior space sufficient to house a supply of paper product, the cabinet including a housing defined by a plurality of walls and a cover that is pivotally attached to the housing so that the cover is pivotable between an open position and a closed position, at least a portion of the cover defining a forward facing portion of the cabinet when the cover is in the closed position;   (b) a sensing mechanism mounted to the housing in a direction facing the cover at a location adjacent to the cover, the sensing mechanism configured to detect through the cover an object positioned outside of the cabinet and adjacent the cover without the object contacting the cover;   (c) a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing for dispensing a length of paper product, the dispensing mechanism including a drive roller and a motor in driving engagement with the drive roller; and   (d) control circuitry that controls operation of the sensing mechanism and the motor to dispense a length of paper product and provide a delay between cycles of paper product dispensing.   
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the sensing mechanism comprises a photo sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry includes a circuit that prevents operation of the motor when the front cover is in the open position. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry controls the length of paper product that is dispensed. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the sensing mechanism is configured to detect through the forward facing portion of the cover an object positioned outside of the cabinet and adjacent the cover without the object contacting the cover. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the sensing mechanism is accessible when the cover is at the open position. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the sensing mechanism is positioned entirely within the housing when the cover is in the closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , further comprising an electric power source for powering operation of the dispenser. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 18 , wherein the electric power source supplies non-alternating current.