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:
Dec. 20, 2005
Filed:
Jun. 03, 2002
Larry Allen Schotz, Mequon, WI (US);
William G. Haen, DePere, WI (US);
Alan P. Paal, New Franken, WI (US);
Abtin Spantman, West Bend, WI (US);
Thomas Michael Leiterman, Green Bay, WI (US);
Patrick Gerald Mccutcheon, Green Bay, WI (US);
Larry Allen Schotz, Mequon, WI (US);
William G. Haen, DePere, WI (US);
Alan P. Paal, New Franken, WI (US);
Abtin Spantman, West Bend, WI (US);
Thomas Michael Leiterman, Green Bay, WI (US);
Patrick Gerald McCutcheon, Green Bay, WI (US);
Alwin Manufacturing Co., Green Bay, WI (US);
Abstract
The invention is directed to improved automatic dispenser apparatus for dispensing sheet material and the like without contact between a user and the dispenser. Proximity detection apparatus is provided to detect the presence of a user in a detection zone generated outside the dispenser. Control apparatus controls actuation of the dispenser in response to the detected user. Preferred forms of the proximity detector include a sensor and a signal detection circuit operatively connected to the sensor. The sensor includes conductors configured to have a capacitance and positioned such that the capacitance is changed by the presence of a user within the detection zone. The signal detection circuit detects the change in capacitance and is provided with an oscillator having a frequency which is affected by the sensor capacitance and a differential frequency discriminator which detects changes in the oscillator frequency. The control circuit receives the detected frequency change and generates a signal provided to actuate the dispenser to dispense the material.