Learning Curve International Inc.

Georgia-pacific Corporation

Georgia-pacific Consumer Operations LLC

Georgia-pacific Consumer Products LP

Will Isaksson

Paul Dowd

Andrew R Morris

Donald E Toht

David Gahris

John Stephen Formon

Bruce T Boone

Michael A Susi

James H Murphy

Jeff Katz

Jeffry Han Katz

A powered dispenser for dispensing individual sheet segments from a continuous roll of sheet material provided with spaced tear lines comprises a powered feed mechanism, a releasable, powered drive mechanism, a powered transfer mechanism, a pair of web sensing sensors, a capacitive sensing system providing automatic sensitivity adjustment, and control circuitry. A dual power supply system provides a mechanical lock-out functionality, and the control system is protected from electrostatic build-up on the surface of the feed roller. The web sensor, and an antenna plate of the capacitive sensing system, are provided on respective printed circuit boards mounted in overlying relation. Utilizing signals received from the pair of web sensors and the capacitive sensing system, the control circuitry senses the presence of a user to activate the powered drive mechanism, and prevents further dispensing of the sheet material until a previously dispensed segment is separated from the roll. The web sensors detection of a leading edge of the sheet material initiates a predetermined interval of sheet material advancement providing a proper placement of successive tear lines. Various approaches may be utilized to accommodate inadvertent sheet 'tabbing' scenarios. The web sensors, together with the control circuitry, are also used to detect the depletion, or absence, of a working roll of sheet material, whereupon the control circuitry controls the powered transfer mechanism to automatically transfer the web feed supply from a depleted working roll to a reserve roll. The powered transfer mechanism may include a motor driven transfer bar, or provide motor driven release of a spring biased transfer bar. Another arrangement allows for ready release of a roll core, and drop of the same into an open dispenser cover for removal.

Apparatus and methods usable in connection with dispensing flexible sheet material from a roll

A paper towel dispenser which provides for hands free, automatic feeding of the first sheet of a primary web roll, such as a paper towel roll, into a feed mechanism when its cover is closed. The dispenser also automatically transfers its web feed supply from a primary roll to a reserve roll upon the exhaustion of the primary roll. The present invention eliminates the need for an attendant to thread the leading edge of a primary or reserve roll into the feed mechanism of the dispenser. The dispenser also eliminates wasted paper because it does not begin to feed the reserve roll until the primary roll has expired. The dispenser can include either a manual feed mechanism or a powered feed mechanism. The dispenser relies on a sensor for determining when a portion of the web is absent from a side of the feed mechanism proximate a web discharge opening. When such an absence is sensed, an automatic, powered web transfer mechanism contacts the web located in front of the feed mechanism and positions it between the rollers of the feed mechanism. The transfer mechanism includes a web transfer member and a motor for driving the transfer member in the direction of the feed mechanism. The dispenser also includes a retraction mechanism for returning the transfer bar to a rest position after the web has been introduced into the feed mechanism.

Power transfer system apparatus

A battery operated miniature toy locomotive for use in a toy railway system is claimed. The toy railway system comprises a toy railway track configuration made up of a plurality of wooden toy railway track segments. Each wooden track segment has a pair of uniformly spaced depressions extending from a first connecting end to a second connecting end of each wooden track segment. The toy locomotive has a first pair of wheels positioned at a proximal end of the toy locomotive and a second pair of wheels positioned at a distal end of the toy locomotive. The first and second pairs of wheels are adapted for placement within the depressions formed on each wooden track segment. The toy locomotive further comprises a locomotive housing which has an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a motor for providing energy to the first pair of wheels and the second pair of wheels. The motor is positioned within the housing and operatively connected with the first pair of wheels and the second pair of wheels wherein both pairs of wheels are simultaneously powered by the motor.

Four wheel drive toy locomotive

A toy vehicle set accessory is claimed. The toy vehicle set accessory comprises a dumper station for removing a toy log from a toy vehicle. A saw mill is positioned substantially adjacent the dumper station. The saw mill receives a toy log from the dumper station and separates the toy log into two distinct pieces.

Toy vehicle logging mill accessory

Growing community of inventors

New York, NY, United States of America

Will Isaksson