Gpcp IP Holdings LLC

Timothy Andrew Robertson

David Warren Murphy

Steven B Mattheeussen

Ryan Anthony Goltz

John William Grosz, Jr

Roy J Rozek

Kevin Michael Swanson

Ted Allen Casper

Antonio Michael Cittadino

Brian Scott Borke

John Patrick Laitala

Nickolas Everett Madsen

Aaron Lee Sinclair

Jacob Edward Malesky

Nathan Patrick Roche

Jacob Charles Dahl

Philip Ross Walker

Alan Joseph Johnson

Matthew Keith Florian Williquette

Ryan Alexander Kantor

Chevis James Watkinson

Stuart Elizabeth Mullens

Andrew Mark Mueller

John Grosz

Samuel Bruenger

Todd Schuelke

Daniel Joseph Bartman

John William Grosz

Disclosed are various examples of automated dispensers to dispense consumable products, such as paper towels, gels, liquids, gases, aerosols, foams, and other consumables. Automated dispensers can operate in various modes. Examples of the disclosure can utilize a dispense profile to adjust the speed at which consumable products are dispensed.

Dispenser profiles for usage optimization

Systems, devices, and methods for providing a sheet product dispenser with automated product level tracking functionality are provided herein. Various product level sensors are disclosed herein including a product level sensor configured to emit a signal toward an outer circumference of a sheet product roll on a spindle extending along a longitudinal axis and to receive a reflected signal. The product level sensor is positioned a radial distance away from the spindle and aimed to emit the signal in a direction that is not parallel and not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The product level sensor detects a parameter of the reflected signal corresponding to the distance between the product level sensor and the sheet product roll. Other example embodiments include mechanical product level sensors. Various communication protocols may be employed to limit transmission of data to conserve battery life while still maintaining desired communication functionality.

Systems and methods for product level tracking of sheet product rolls

Some sheet product dispensers disclosed herein are configured to dispense from a sheet product roll that includes a plurality of predetermined portions that are designed for providing a toilet seat cover. A line of perforations separates consecutive portions. A motor operates to drive the drive roller to cause movement of the sheet product along a dispensing pathway to position a leading predetermined portion of the sheet product into a dispensing position such that the trailing edge of the leading predetermined portion is positioned within the housing and the leading edge of the leading predetermined portion is positioned outside the dispensing chute to enable removal of the leading predetermined portion. Staged dispensing is utilized to help maintain hygiene, while still quickly providing the dispense. Perforation tear assist features are provided to aid in proper separation of the line of perforations, such as to help maintain integrity of the dispensed portion.

Automated toilet seat cover dispenser

Spindles and cover assemblies for dispensing sheet product for use with coreless sheet product rolls. The spindle may include a hollow cylindrical body, which may have an elongated channel in a sidewall; a rod which extends partially out of the body; and a spring disposed within the body in biasing contact with the rod. The rod may include a flexible tab matingly engaged within the channel, permitting the rod to translate within the hollow cylindrical body without falling out. The hollow cylindrical body may have an end with an opening bounded by an inward facing ledge, and the rod may include a radial ledge, such that the rod can translate within the body but cannot fall out due to interference between the inward facing ledge and the radial ledge. The spindle may include a friction hub disposed about and rotatable around the hollow cylindrical body between ends of the body.

Spindle and cover components for sheet product dispensers and dispenser systems including such components

Improvements to sheet product dispensers configured to hold multiple product rolls are provided herein. An example sheet product dispenser comprises a housing defining a dispensing position and a reserve position. The housing is configured to hold a first roll of sheet product in the dispensing position and a second roll of sheet product in the reserve position, where a user can receive a portion of the first roll of sheet product that is in the dispensing position. The sheet product dispenser includes a roll replacement feature that is configured to enable installation of a replacement roll of sheet product into the reserve position. The sheet product dispenser includes a restrictive access feature configured to prevent installation of the replacement roll of sheet product directly into the dispensing position in an instance in which the roll replacement feature enables installation of the replacement roll of sheet product in the reserve position.

Premature replacement prevention or deterrence for multiple roll sheet product dispensers

A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product is provided. An example sheet product dispenser includes a housing defining an interior space for receiving a first roll of sheet product () therein, a mandrel () positioned within the interior space, and a spindle () positioned over at least a portion of the mandrel and configured to support the first roll of sheet product for rotation about the mandrel. The spindle comprises abase portion () and a nose portion () configured to translate relative to one another along a longitudinal axis of the mandrel (). At least a portion of the spindle is configured to translate relative to the mandrel from a first configuration to a second configuration to cause a remainder of the first roll of sheet product () to deform and enable movement of a dispensing door () to enable access to a second roll of sheet product.

Spindles and dispensers for sheet product

An example sheet product dispenser includes a housing with a base portion and a loading door. A motor drives a base portion roller or a loading door roller to cause dispensing of the sheet product along a sheet product path and through an outlet. A pump is in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir and a spray mechanism, and is configured to cause liquid from the reservoir to spray onto the sheet product through the spray mechanism prior to dispensing. A controller is configured to determine whether to operate in either a dry mode or a wet mode based on user input provided. When in the dry mode, the controller causes the motor to operate to dispense dry sheet product. When in the wet mode, the controller causes the motor to operate and the pump to operate to dispense wetted sheet product.

Automated wetted or dry sheet product dispensers

A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product is provided. An example sheet product dispenser includes a housing defining an interior space for receiving a first roll of sheet product therein, a mandrel positioned within the interior space, and a spindle positioned over at least a portion of the mandrel and configured to support the first roll of sheet product for rotation about the mandrel. The spindle comprises a base portion and a nose portion configured to translate relative to one another along a longitudinal axis of the mandrel. At least a portion of the spindle is configured to translate relative to the mandrel from a first configuration to a second configuration to cause a remainder of the first roll of sheet product to deform and enable movement of a dispensing door to enable access to a second roll of sheet product.

A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a housing defining an interior space configured to receive the roll of sheet product therein, and a roll support positioned within the interior space and configured to rotatably support the roll of sheet product. The housing includes a dispensing gap in communication with the interior space and configured to allow a tail portion of the roll of sheet product to extend therethrough and out of the interior space, and a drainage gap in communication with the interior space and configured to allow a liquid to drain therethrough and out of the interior space. The drainage gap is spaced apart from the dispensing gap and positioned below the dispensing gap. A related method of protecting a roll of sheet product within a sheet product dispenser also is provided.

Sheet product dispensers and related methods for protecting a roll of sheet product and reducing waste

Growing community of inventors

Appleton, WI, United States of America

Timothy Andrew Robertson