Automatic towel dispenser

摘要

Dispensing towels includes, using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, (a) the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and (b) subsequent thereto, the steps of (1) retracting the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly; (2) sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and (3) ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor. The toweling is advanced by the motor assembly such that a line of perforations in the toweling, along which the user tears the toweling, is located downstream of the sensor.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
(a) advancing toweling using a motor of a paper towel dispenser apparatus; (b) monitoring, via a sensor, rotation that occurs as toweling is advanced or retracted; (c) determining, via the sensor, that a certain amount of rotation has occurred; (d) based on said determining that a certain amount of rotation has occurred, ceasing the advance of the advancing toweling; (e) after said ceasing of the advance of the advancing toweling, determining, via the sensor, that additional rotation has occurred; and (f) in response to said determining that a certain amount of rotation has occurred, applying force, via the motor, in a manner adapted to counteract the additional rotation; (g) wherein the toweling gathers within a housing of the paper towel dispenser apparatus during retracting of the toweling, the toweling not being wound onto a roll.