The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 15, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 09, 2001
Dennis Joseph Denen, Westerville, OH (US);
Craig D. Yardley, Deer Park, IL (US);
Joshua Michael Broehl, Worthington, OH (US);
Robert James Hayes, Lewis Center, OH (US);
John Joseph Knittle, Westerville, OH (US);
Brian Kenneth Linstedt, Ostrander, OH (US);
Gregory James Merz, Gahanna, OH (US);
John R. Moody, Neenah, WI (US);
Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Atlanta, GA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus has a device for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; a device for dispensing paper from the first roll; a device for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, a device for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and a device for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a capacity-change based proximity sensor comprising a circuit according to a balanced bridge principle where detection is based on detecting a phase difference, which depends upon the amount of detected capacitance difference or change. The proximity detector senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. It does not keep dispensing the towel. The hand must be withdrawn and placed in proximity to the sensor again.