CPC A47K 13/22 (2013.01) [A47K 10/34 (2013.01); A47K 10/36 (2013.01); A47K 10/3612 (2013.01); A47K 10/3625 (2013.01); A47K 13/165 (2013.01); A47K 17/003 (2013.01); B65H 35/0006 (2013.01); B65H 35/006 (2013.01); A47K 2010/3668 (2013.01); A47K 2010/3881 (2013.01)] | 29 Claims |
1. A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product, wherein the sheet product defines a plurality of sheets with consecutive sheets separated by a line of perforations, the sheet product dispenser comprising:
a roll holder configured to support the roll of sheet product;
a dispensing mechanism operable to dispense the sheet product from the roll, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises a drive roller;
a dispensing chute extending from the dispensing mechanism to an end of the dispensing chute;
a dispensing pathway extending through the sheet product dispenser for dispensing of the sheet product therealong, wherein a portion of the dispensing pathway extending within the dispensing chute from the dispensing mechanism to the end of the dispensing chute defines a length that is at least half of a length of a sheet of the sheet product;
a motor operable to cause the driver roller to rotate to cause the sheet product to move along the dispensing pathway;
a sensor configured to detect detachment of a leading sheet from the sheet product roll; and
a controller configured to:
receive an indication of detachment of the leading sheet from the sensor; and
cause, in response to receiving the indication of detachment of the leading sheet, the motor to operate the dispensing mechanism to move a next leading sheet of the sheet product from the roll of sheet product into a staged position such that the next leading sheet of the sheet product is positioned along the dispensing pathway with a leading edge inside the dispensing chute,
wherein, when the next leading sheet is in the staged position, the leading edge of the next leading sheet is positioned less than 6 inches from the end of the dispensing chute.
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