Dispenser, retrofit kit for a dispenser, a method for provision of portions of a tissue web and method for upgrading a dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser for provision of portions of a tissue web, a retrofit kit for a dispenser, a method for provision of portions of a tissue web, and a method for upgrading a dispenser. The dispenser comprises a first transport arrangement for unused tissue and a second transport arrangement for used tissue, a housing with a dispensing opening through which a tissue portion located between the first transport arrangement and the second transport arrangement protrudes, a detection arrangement comprising at least one sensor unit, preferably comprising a first sensor and a second sensor, for detecting a user change, and a control unit adapted to activate the second transport arrangement when a user change is detected.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A dispenser for provision of portions of a tissue web, comprising:
 a first transport arrangement for unused tissue and a second transport arrangement for used tissue;   a housing with a dispensing opening through which a tissue portion located between the first transport arrangement and the second transport arrangement protrudes;   a detection arrangement comprising at least one sensor unit for detecting a user change; and   a control unit adapted to activate the second transport arrangement when a user change is detected.   
     
     
         17 . The dispenser according to  claim 16 , wherein the control unit is adapted to activate the first transport arrangement when a user change is detected. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one sensor unit comprises a first sensor and a second sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one sensor unit comprises a third sensor for detecting a user change. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor have the same detection principles;   the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor have the same detection fields;   the at least one sensor unit has a detection field in the direction of a user;   the at least one sensor unit has a detection field in the direction of the tissue web; or   the at least one sensor unit is positioned on a front face of the dispenser, adjacent the dispensing opening, or on an intermediate part of the dispenser housing.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The dispenser according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one sensor unit is chosen from the group of sensors consisting of:
 an acceleration sensor;   a motion sensor;   a thermal sensor;   an infrared sensor;   an electromagnetic radiation sensor;   an optic sensor;   a time-of-flight sensor;   a capacitive sensor;   an image sensor;   a reflective sensor;   a pyroelectric (passive) infrared sensor; or   a thermopile sensor.   
     
     
         22 . The dispenser according to  claim 19 , wherein at least two of the first sensor, the second sensor, or the third sensor are arranged on a single circuit board. 
     
     
         23 . The dispenser according to  claim 16 , wherein the second transport arrangement comprises a blocking element, and wherein activation of the second transport arrangement via the control unit triggers a release of the blocking element. 
     
     
         24 . The dispenser according to  claim 23 , wherein:
 the blocking element is a time controlled blocking element; and   the second transport arrangement comprises a release element adapted to release the blocking element.   
     
     
         25 . The dispenser according to  claim 23 , wherein the blocking element is a mechanical blocking element. 
     
     
         26 . The dispenser according to  claim 24 , wherein the release element comprises a valve. 
     
     
         27 . The dispenser according to  claim 26 , wherein the valve is selected from the group consisting of an electric valve, a solenoid valve, or an electric drive. 
     
     
         28 . The dispenser according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first transport arrangement comprises a manual transport mechanism or an automatic transport mechanism; and   the second transport arrangement comprises a manual transport mechanism or an automatic transport mechanism.   
     
     
         29 . The dispenser according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the detection arrangement is adapted to an energy-saving sleeping mode by default and is adapted to raise to an active mode upon activation of the first transport arrangement;   the control unit is adapted to activate the second transport arrangement when a repeated activation of the first transport arrangement by a single user is detected; and   the control unit is adapted to activate the second transport arrangement when a departure speed of a user is detected that is above a threshold value.   
     
     
         30 . A retrofit kit for a dispenser according to  claim 16 , the retrofit kit comprising:
 a detection arrangement comprising at least one sensor unit for detecting a user change; and   a control unit adapted to activate a second transport arrangement of the dispenser when a user change is detected.   
     
     
         31 . The retrofit kit according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a release element adapted to release a blocking element of the second transport arrangement of the dispenser.   
     
     
         32 . A method for provision of portions of a tissue web, the method comprising:
 transporting unused tissue and transporting used tissue such that a tissue portion located between a first transport arrangement and a second transport arrangement protrudes through a dispensing opening in a housing of a dispenser;   detecting a user change; and   activating the second transport arrangement when a user change is detected.   
     
     
         33 . A method for upgrading a dispenser for provision of portions of a tissue web, the method comprising:
 installing a retrofit kit comprising a detection arrangement comprising at least one sensor unit for detecting a user change and a control unit adapted to activate a second transport arrangement of the dispenser when a user change is detected;   wherein the dispenser comprises a first transport arrangement for unused tissue, a second transport arrangement for used tissue, and a housing with a dispensing opening through which a tissue portion located between the first transport arrangement and the second transport arrangement protrudes.   
     
     
         34 . The dispenser according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 the first sensor, the second sensor, or the third sensor have different detection principles; or   the first sensor, the second sensor, or the third sensor have different detection fields.