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  Automated toilet paper dispenserRelated Patent Categories: Winding, Tensioning, Or Guiding, Unwinding, With Detector, Indicator, Or ControlThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070176041. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/423,100, filed on Jun. 8, 2006, now pending, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/245,585, filed on Oct. 7, 2005, now pending, where these two applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to paper dispensers and particularly to away-from-home type toilet paper dispensers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A common concern in providing toilet paper in public facilities is wastage and theft of toilet paper. Known toilet paper dispensers, whether single roll or double roll, dispense a user-selectable portion of the toilet paper roll stored in the dispenser. The toilet paper roll may be perforated, in which case the user unwinds a desired number of perforated segments from the roll then tears the segments away from the roll along one of the perforations. Alternatively, the toilet paper roll may be non-perforated, in which case the user must press the paper roll portion against a knife, a serrated edge or other severing means in the dispenser to separate the portion from the roll. [0004] In both cases, the user has unlimited access to the roll of toilet paper in the dispenser. Wastage occurs when the user pulls a long portion of the roll from the dispenser and does not use it, leaving the portion hanging out of the dispenser and/or laying on the floor. Worse, abuse can occur by unwinding the entire roll and stealing the paper, or leaving the paper unused and wasted. [0005] Another problem with known toilet paper dispensers is that users typically have to reach under the dispensers to grab the leading edge of the toilet paper roll, then pull the leading edge downwards in order to extract paper from the dispenser. This can be an awkward process, especially if the dispenser is mounted low, or if there is an insufficient tail protruding under the dispenser for the user to obtain a firm grip. Persons with disabilities or restricted mobility can find operating such dispensers to be particularly challenging. Sometimes when the paper is particularly fragile or when the roll is difficult to rotate, the paper segment separates from the roll by the downwards pull by the user, leaving the user with a much shorter portion than intended. [0006] Some dispensers are provided with a rotary knob on the exterior of the dispenser to aid the user in dispensing paper. However, many users are reluctant to touch the dispenser, as such dispensers can be dirty and can contain bacteria or other unhygienic material. [0007] In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide a toilet paper dispenser that can solve at least some of the shortcomings of present toilet paper dispensers. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] It is a general objective of the invention to provide a hands-free toilet paper dispenser that solves at least some of the problems in present toilet paper dispensers. A particular objective of the invention is to provide an improved toilet paper dispenser that can automatically advance a toilet paper portion of predetermined length for the user. A further objective of the invention is to provide a toilet paper dispenser that can operate in both an automated dispensing mode and a manual dispensing mode. [0009] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a toilet paper dispenser comprising a housing for containing a toilet paper roll; a drive roller engagable with the roll; a motor; and a one-way coupling that couples the motor to the drive roller in a first direction to automatically dispense paper from the dispenser and decouples same in an opposite second direction, thereby enabling toilet paper to be manually dispensed in the first direction. [0010] The dispenser can have a manual dispensing means that is rotationally coupled to the toilet paper roll and operable by a user to rotate the roll in the first direction to manually dispense paper from the dispenser. The dispenser can further comprise a roll support rotatably coupled to the housing and which serves to receive a core of the roll. In such case, the manual dispensing means is a knob coupled to the roll support and operable to rotate the roll support thereby rotating the roll. [0011] The dispenser can further comprise a sensor mounted on the housing and a controller communicative with the sensor and the motor. The controller is programmed to operate the motor when the sensor is activated. A power supply such as a battery can be electrically coupled to the motor to provide power thereto. [0012] The drive roller can be positioned in the housing to engage a leading edge of the roll. When the roll is perforated, a secondary pair of pinch rollers can be provided to grip the leading edge of the roll and prevent perforations in the leading edge of the roll from breaking about the drive roller. When the roll is non-perforated, severing means like a knife can be provided to sever a dispensed portion from the roll. [0013] Alternatively, the drive roller can be positioned in the housing to engage the surface of the roll. In such case, the drive roller can be movably connected to the housing thereby being movable to maintain contact with rolls of varying diameter. More particularly, the drive roller can be movably connected to the housing by a track in the housing in which the roller is slidable therealong. Biasing means can be provided to bias the roller against the roll. The motor can be suspended from the roller thereby serving as the biasing means. [0014] Alternatively, the drive roller can be the roll support that receives a core of the roll. In such case, the roll support is rotationally coupled to the motor by the one way bearing. Manual dispensing means can also be rotationally coupled to the roll support to allow a user to manually dispense portions from the roll. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) [0015] FIGS. 1(a) to (d) are respective front elevation, top plan, side elevation and perspective views of an automated toilet paper dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention. [0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram view of certain components of the toilet paper dispenser. [0017] FIGS. 3(a) and (b) are side and perspective views, respectively, of a motor and gears for coupling to rollers of the dispenser. FIG. 3(c) shows the motor and gears coupled to a drive roller and driven roller of the dispenser. [0018] FIGS. 4(a) to (d) are respective front elevation, top plan, side elevation, and back elevation (with battery pack removed) views of an automated toilet paper dispenser according to a second embodiment of the invention. [0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram view of certain components of the toilet paper dispenser according to the second embodiment of the invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Automated toilet paper dispenser Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Automated toilet paper dispenser patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Automated toilet paper dispenser or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and apparatus for reeling control Next Patent Application: Towel roll holder and dispenser and blank for forming container for the towel roll holder and dispenser Industry Class: Winding, tensioning, or guiding ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Automated toilet paper dispenser patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.74313 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , |
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