MXPA98006638A - Contact man free paper towels supplies man - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a paper towel dispenser without manual contact comprising: a) a box means for containing towels, b) a sensor means for detecting an object, c) a dispensing means for supplying a predetermined towel length. when the sensing means detect an object, d) a source of electrical energy to energize the supply means, e) control circuitry to control the spout, which provides a delay between two cycles of supplying the towel and controlling the predetermined length of the towel, and f) an arrangement of one or more photovoltaic cells to energize the circuitry of the

Description

TOWELS D SUPPLIES? CONTACT FREE PAPER MANUAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: The invention relates to towels dispensers and methods for supplying towels. More particularly, the invention relates to dispensers without manual contaste and methods for dispensing towels without the use of the hands. Towel dispensers are well known and are shown e? US Patents 3, 647, 159,044 and 4,165,138. For example, 3,64 7,159 to Bump presents a towel dispenser having an automatic towel length control means and a means of tensioning the roll holder . The presented towel dispenser comprises a box, means within the box for rotatably supporting a roll of paper towels, a roller of frictional power coupling with a core of the roll paper, and means for limiting the length of the individual towels removed from the roll. pump. The latter means includes a first member as a rotary gear in response to rotation of the first engagement member, a finger carried by the second engagement member, a strip mounted for linear movement on the jet between a first position and a second position, a stop surface carried by the strip in a position intersecting the trajectory of, exit of the finger when the strip is in a first position, a limiting stop carried by the strip in a position that intersects the path of the finger when the strip it is in the second position, means for temporarily retaining the strip in the second position and means for forcing the strip towards the first position. The strip moves towards, the second position by the contact of the finger with the stop surface in response to the rotation of the second gear. The electronic towel dispensers are also known. US Patent Nos. 3,730,409; 3,971, 607; 4,738,176; 4,796,825 and 4,826,262 present towels dispensers , for example the 3,730, 409 to Ratti, shows a dispenser comprising a cabinet having a paper supply roll and a motor-driven supply roll that frictionally engages the web of towels to advance it through a spout after a cutter movable. The cutter is guided to a normal rest position and is movable to a cutting position by the cutting action of the user. The dispenser comprises a control circuit including a normally closed and a normally open switch connected in series between the motor and a supply source. energy. The open stop switch is in parallel with the switch ready. A program apparatus is coupled to the cutter. The motor and control circuit responds to the movement of the cutter to its cut position to open the run switch and close the switch ready. The -25 - = - tuovin? EnLcrpd l ^ Csr deco de "return - a - gu normal position closes the start switch to energize the motor, the program apparatus responds to the operation of the motor to close in sequence turn on the switch and reopen the switch ready and then reopen the start switch to turn off the engine Finally, the systems without manual contact to control the operation of appliances in the bathroom such as water taps, soap dispensers and Examples of hand-free systems are disclosed in US Patents 4,795,825, 5,031,258, 5,060,323, 5,086,526, 5,2l7r035, and in the 4,796,825 patent to Hawkins, an electronic paper towel dispenser allows towels of paper are supplied from a roll by placing a hand in front of the supply cabinet.The supply of towels is stopped when the hand is removed when there is no normal room lighting. The assortment of towels is controlled by a non-contact switch to energize an engine. The problem with electronic hand-free contact jets is that they re-ignite a source of electricity such as AC current from a wall contact to power the mechanism without manual action. This can be dangerous for the user, especially when the spout is near a sink or other source of water. Another problem is that ranches, dispensers, etc. are complicated devices that are expensive to manufacture and difficult to keep working. Still another problem is that the hand-held nozzles of the prior art continue to supply paper while the user's hand remains in front of the s * ensor. Also, if there is any change in the ambient light, the previous jets have to readjust to the new luminous reference. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved towel spouts to automatically provide a towel length in response to movement of an object such as the user's hands. In this way, a user can avoid contact with viruses or bacteria from the dispenser left by previous users. It is another object to provide energy-efficient manual contact sources that use solar energy. In another object to provide dispensers that are simple in design, safe and easy to use. It is another object, to provide suppliers without manual contact that are cheap in their manufacture and free of problems such as inability to function due to changes in environmental lighting conditions. The invention comprises a manual contact free towel dispenser comprising a unique electronic energy system. The electronic system comprises a solar panel that energizes a single control circuit that in turn controls the operation of the dispenser. The control circuit responds to the sensor device that activates the assortment of a towel paper length when an object such as the user's hands move in front of the sensor device. The hand-free contact spout of the invention comprises: a) a housing for containing towels; b) sensor means for detecting an object such as a person's hand; c) means for dispensing a towel when the sensor means detects an object; d) a source of electrical energy to feed the medium spout; e) control circuitry for controlling the dispensing means; f) a solar panel to energize the control circuitry; Preferably, the. sensor means comprise a motion detector that senses rapid changes in light. Also preferably the source of electricity is a rechargeable battery that is recharged by the solar panel. These and other features of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which it shows: Figure 1, a perspective view of one embodiment of the towel dispenser of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the spout of, -. = -_ toaüas of Figure 1,. pulling the roll of towels; Figure 3 is a sectional view of a side elevation of the towel dispenser of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a project of plate for a mechanical plate used in the dispenser of the invention; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram for the electrical cirsuite of the invention; Figure 6 is a block diagram describing the operation of the manual contact free spout; Figure 1 is a block diagram describing the operation of the spill safety shut-off feature; and Figure 8 is a block diagram describing how the battery is charged by the solar cell. The term "free of hands" means control of the 15 supplying means without the need to use the hands. The term "towel" refers generally to absorbent paper or other suitable material for drying. As shown in Figure 1, in a preferred embodiment of the invention a non-contact hand towel dispenser 20 comprises a cabinet 12 with rear wall 14, two side walls 16, 18 an upper wall 20, a bottom wall 22, and a frontal cover 24 openable and cerrafole. The front cover 24 can be pivotably attached to the cabinet, by the hinge 26 for easy opening and closing of the cover _25- -24- when such as a roll 28 is placed in the cabinet 12. The towel dispenser 10 can be mounted to a wall or other support by any convenient means such as clamps, adhesives, nails, screws or anchors (not shown). As shown in more detail in Figures 2.3 and 4, the spout 10 comprises a supplying means for supplying a towel length to the outside of the spout 10. Such means may comprise an impeller roller 32, a compression roller 34, transfer bar 36 and roller support cup 38a and an arm of roller support 38b. The dispensing means allows a predetermined length of towel to be supplied to the outside through the notch 40, where the towel can be gripped by the wearer and torn off along a serrated edge 43 of a sheet 42. The dispensing means operates to supply towels either from a main roll or from a blind roll 30. The means for controlling the paper assortment from the main roll 28 once the blind roll has been exhausted, comprises a transfer bar 36, which is described in detail in FIG. U.S. Patent 4,165,138, and incorporated by reference. As shown, in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the main roll 28 is first loaded into the cabinet 12 on the support cup 38a and the support arm 38b located opposite on the side walls 16, 18 and forming the station ".par.a- the ^ Qll < D -inci al- = 4 - (- Figure 1). A towel length from the main roll 28 is entangled behind the transfer bar 36 which includes a fork 37a and a cam 37b, and over the drive roller 32, so that the tolla sheets 50 will be pulled between the roller drive 32 and the blind roller 34 in a downward movement when the drive roller is rotated by a motor 88 as shown in Figure 4. When the towels 50 are pulled down, they are guided along a wall 52 of the toothed blade 42 and out of the notch 40. 10 The length of the towel 50 stocked from the dispenser can be set to the desired length, preferably the dispenser 10 releases approximately 25 to 30 cm of towel 50 per cycle. The towel strip 50 is removed by stripping the assorted towel length 50 at the edge 43 of the sheet 42. When the main roll 28 has been partially finished, preferably 10 cm in diameter as indicated by the paper indicator 56, the cover of the spout 24 is "opened and the main roll becomes the blind roll or second 30 and a new roll 28 is put in the support cup 38a, and the support arm 38b is put in the station 48. When the second or blind roll 30 is completely finished the new main roll 28 starts to feed paper 50, between the driving roller 32 and the gripping roller 34 outside the spout 10, = 25- «- when the motor 88 is activated.

When the low paper indicator 56 indicates that the new roll 28 is finishing, the operator opens the cover 24, an empty core (not shown) of the blind roller 30 is removed from the station 54 and discarded, and a new, 28 it is dropped in the proper position at station 54, where the blind roll 30 becomes and continues to feed. A main roll 32 is placed in the roll support cup 38a and the roll support arm 38b. The basic transfer mechanism for continuous feeding from a blind roll until it is fully used and the automatic transfer to a main roll is described in detail in US Pat. No. 4,165,138. The operation without manual contact of the dispenser 10, It performs when a perona places an object such as her hands in front of a sensor picture 82 shown in Figure 4. The photosensor 82 activates the motor 88 to provide a predetermined amount of towel 50. The dispenser 10 has an electrical circuitry that as shown in FIG. described in reference to Figure 4-8, ensures safe, efficient and reliable operation of the spout 10. Referring now to Figure 4, a section view of a portion of the Spout 1 is shown. In Figure 4, a circuit board 81 is mounted to a mechanical plate 80 of the spout 12. Note that the circuit board is mounted between the mechanical plate 80 and the wall 16 of the cabinet 12. The photo sensor 82 sits within a assembly tube 83 and is coupled to circuit board 81 by wires 84, 85. As will be described with reference to Figure 5, sensor photo 82 reacts to changes in light intensity. The light passes from a room, through an aperture 86 in the front movable cover 5 of the spout 10, to the photo sensor 82. A clear plastic lens 87 is fitted in the aperture 86. The lens 87 prevents the debris from plugging. or block the opening 86 which could prevent the light from reaching the sensor 82. The lens 87 also prevents the garbage from falling into the spout 10, which could cause it to malfunction. Also shown in Figure 4 is the motor 88 which is attached to the drive roller 32, the motor 88, including a gearbox. { not illustrated) is obtainable from Skil Corporation in Chicago Illinois. The 8 engine? it is placed partially inside the drive roller 32 and receives power from a rechargeable battery 90, also obtainable from Skil Corporation. The battery 90 is coupled to the motor 88 via the circuit board 81 by wires 92, 94 that are connected or soldered to the circuit board 81. A solar panel 96 is located at the top of the dispenser co or shown in Figure 1. The solar panel 96 shown is made by Solarex Corporation in Frederisk Maryland. The solar panel 96 is coupled to the battery 90 and to the control circuitry 98 by means of the plate of 81-core wires LL0O, 102 which are connected or soldered to the circuit board 81. The solar panel 96 provides power to the the control circuitry 98 for controlling the dispensing means of the dispenser 10. In a preferred embodiment, the solar panel 96 supplies power to the control circuitry 98. { Figure 5) which controls a motion sensing, rotation control, safety features and battery recharge 90. In a second mode, the solar panel 96 provides power to the control circuitry 98. When the solar panel 96 is not exposed to light, the solar panel does not supply power to the control circuitry 98 and the S8 motor can not operate. The solar panel 96 operates with an on-off switch for the spout 10 and thus prevents the battery 90 from being discharged unnecessarily when the lights are off. If the control circuitry 98 does not receive power from the solar panel 96, the motor 88 can not walk. Referring to Figure 5, a schematic diagram of the control circuitry 98.1 is shown to the control circle 98 controls the manual non-contact operation of the spout 10. More specifically the circuitry 98 controls and performs the following functions: 1) senses when an object just as a person's hand is in front of the sensor picture 82 and turn on the motor 88; 2) when the appropriate length of towel sheets 50 has been filled and the engine 88 is turned off; 3) senses when the towel strip 50 has become entangled in the dispenser 10 and turns off the motor 88; 4) senses when the front spout 24 of the spout is open and prevents the operation of the motor 88; 5) creates a short delay, preferably 2 seconds between each supply cycle; and 6) charges the battery 90 by means of the solar panel 96. The values of the components shown in the schematic diagram of Fig. 5 are the following: CAPACITORS c Cl2 - =? L? X '? Í $ o **' lFa? Rra *? D? CC45 C3 - 104 x 10"* Farad C6 OTHER COMPONENTS All the diodes are part numbers IN4148 or IN914 of diodes, Inc., the operational amplifiers ICIA and ICIB, are in the printed circuit ICL7621DCPA of Maxim. The transistors Qi and Q2 are part No. 2N3904 from National The transistor No. 2N3906 from National The solar transfer is part No. NSL-4532 or NSL-7142 from Silonex The switches ST1 and RD2 are part No. MINS1525-052500 from CP-CLAIRE.

The RLY1 is part no. TF2E-3V from AROMAT. Sensor photo 82, shown is a sadmium sulfide made in a motion detector manufactured by Silonex Corporation in Plattsburg, New York. The photo sensor 82, is a 5 resistor of variable resistance. The resistance of the photo sensor 82 changes depending on the amount of light to which the sensor photo 82 is exposed. If the amount of light on the sensor photo 82 is high, the photo sensor resistance is relatively low. If the amount of light in photo sensor 82 is low, the resistance of the photo sensor becomes relatively high. In the ambient light, the sensor photo 82 has a certain resistance, which causes the voltage Va, to be less than a reference voltage Vb, the voltage Va and the reference voltage Vb, are positive and negative inputs of the operational amplifier IC1A. When the voltage Va is less than the reference voltage Vb, the operational amplifier at its output voltage Vml IC1A becomes negative, this is Vml is at a zero voltage, when the voltage Vml is zero, the motor 88 does not It will euncionará. 20 Note that the reference voltage Vb, is determined by and is adjusted according to the level of ambient light in a room. Therefore, the reference voltage Vb is not preset for any particular level of light. A reference voltage circuit 104 establishes the voltage Vb according to u-fourth. Because the reference circuit 104 establishes the reference voltage Vb according to the ambient light, no adjustments are needed at the dispenser 10, based on whether such a high or low level of light is for a particular room. In addition, the combination of the photo 5 sensor 82, and the reference voltage circuitry 104, allows the photo sensor 82, to shoot the jet 10, when a person's hand approaches 25 to 30 cm, to the sensor 82. The circuit of reference voltage 104, includes resistors R2 and R3, and capacitor Cl. Resistors R2 and R3, are connected to the positive terminal of the solar panel 96, which provides a voltage B +, when the solar panel 96 is exposed to light. In ambient light, the Va voltage is approximately .5 (B +), when a person places an obstacle such as his hand within a predetermined distance of the sensor photo 82, Preferably from 25 to 30 cm, the amount of light that reaches the sensor photo 82 decreases enough to cause the resistance of the photo sensor to rise to a level where the voltage Va becomes greater than the voltage Vb, and therefore causes that the Vml output of amplifier IC1A is a positive voltage. The amplifier IC1A in its output voltage Vml, sends it through the diode DI, and is coupled to the positive input of the amplifier IC1B. The reference voltage Vc is provided between the resistors R5 and R6, and is the negative input of the amplifier IC1B, if the voltage Vml is greater than the reference voltage Vc, IC1B, Vm2, it is with positive voltage. When the output voltage Vm2 is positive, the transistor npn Ql is closed, causing a current to flow through the coil CL1, which in turn closes the relay RLY1, when this is closed, the motor 88, works because the positive terminal of the motor, MOTOR +, is connected to the positive terminal of the battery, Battery +. In order to stop the motor 88, and no longer spinning after a predetermined amount of towel '50 has been dispensed, a roller sensing circuit 106 is provided, this circuit includes a magnet 108., a transistor Q3 n-p-n, a capacitor C6, resistors R7 and R8, and a switch RD1. The magnet 108 is mounted on the drive roller 32. The magnet 108 activates the switch RDl, when the magnet 108 is aligned with the switch RDl. When the switch is closed the voltage drops once in capacitor C6. The voltage drop in capacitor C6 changes to transistor Q3, which causes the voltage Vml to fall to less than the reference voltage VC, and therefore produce a negative output or zero voltage Vml from the operational amplifier IC1B and stop to the motor 88. By changing the radius of the drive roller 32, the paper length 50, which is supplied, can be varied. The time that the motor 88 needs, so that it rotates the: rro i41o - of ^ pul ^ í n "ß-2, -un-- url- '-Gople a, that is, the time it takes to the magnet 108 is aligned with the switch RDl, is approximately 0.47 seconds.When the drive roller 32, has turned a full turn, the amount of towel 50, has been supplied and the magnet 108, is again 5 aligned with the RDl sensor, to stop the motor 88, as described, preferably, the motor 88, will drive a 1-diameter roller from 7.5 to 10 cm, during one revolution, which will be sufficient to supply 25-3 gcm, of paper 50. If the RDl sensor is not activated in a second, for example, if there is a stacking of paper, a safety timer circuit lio, turns off the motor 88. The safety circuit 110 includes the capacitor C2, and the resistor R4. If the switch RDl, does not sense the magnet 108, in l.O seconds, the circuit 110, causes the voltage Vml, falls below the reference voltage Vc, and causes the output voltage Vm2 to be at zero volts and turn off the motor 88. When the front cover 24 is open, for example, to add a roll of towels 50, to the dispenser 10, the motor 88, can not operate, thanks to a safety circuit of Gate 120. Circuit 120 includes resistors R5 and R6, a switch RD2, and a magnet 121. One conduit 122, of switch or switch RD2, is attached to resistor R5, and the other conduit 124, is attached to the ground (32. The reference voltage Vc is created between the resistors R5, and R6.) When the front cover 24 opens and causes the voltage Vc to be greater than the voltage Vml, and therefore causes the volta output Vm2, of the operational amplifier IC1B is with a zero voltage Note that the voltage Vm2 is never greater than the voltage B + 5 When the front cover 24 is closed, the magnet 121, causes the switch RD2 to close and allow the voltage Vc to be less than the voltage Vml, which in turn causes the output voltage Vm2 of the IClB amplifier to have a positive voltage and turn on the motor 88. 10 In the ambient light of a room, the solar panel 36, generates sufficient current for the control circle 98. In the preferred embodiment (shown in Fig. 5), the solar panel 96 generates enough current to also charge the battery 90. In this preferred embodiment, a positive conduit, PANEL 15 SOLAR + of the solar panel 96, is connected to the circuitry charging the battery 126. The charging circuitry 96 includes a diode D5, the resistors Rll and R16, a capacitor C4, and a transistor, Q2, pnp.

The SOLAR PANEL + positive duct, from solar panel 96, charges capacitor C4, through resistor R16. When the capacitor C4 is charged at a certain voltage level, preferably approximately 1.2 volts more than the battery voltage B +, the resistor Rll, causes the capacitor C4 to discharge at ~ 25 '~ "~' through the --- transistor- --- @ 2 - - ^ r" and in the positive terminal.

Battery + of the battery 90. As long as the light reaches the solar panel 96, the charging process of the battery 5 will be repeated, and the solar panel 96, will continuously charge the capacitor C4, and the battery 90. In the second mode (not shown), solar panel 96, only provides power to circuitry 98. Battery 10 s disposable cell D, (not shown), or other disposable batteries can be used for motor 88, instead of rechargeable battery 90 Because the control circuitry 98 is activated by the solar panel 96, the motor 88 will not operate unless there is light in it fourth, thus preventing the disposable batteries from discharging uselessly. After the desired battery has been fully discharged, it can be replaced. The control circuitry 98 also includes the delay circuitry 112, to prevent the dispenser 10 from starting a new towel dispenser cycle 50, until a predetermined time after the 88 motor has been turned off after a previous cycle. of supply. The predetermined time is preferably about 2 seconds. --- = 25-! The circuitry -demand 122, includes a diode D2, resistor R3, and capacitor Cl. When the voltage Vm2 is high, the motor 88 operates and causes the towel 50 to be supplied from the pump 10. When Vm2, is high, the capacitor Cl, is charged to a very high level, forcing the reference voltage Vb to be high, it takes approximately 2 seconds Vb to return to its ambient light level, during which time, if a person places his hand in front of the photo sensor 42, the voltage Va will not be greater than the Vb. As a result, motor 88, can not rotate again until approximately 2 seconds after it has been turned off. This prevents a continuous discharge of towels 50 from the dispenser, which would cause the battery 90 to discharge, and the motor 88 will be burned. The manner in which the engine is started is described in the flow chart of the Figure 6. The motor 88 can not turn if there is not enough ambient light in the room to energize the circuitry 98. The solar panel 96, acts with an on-off switch, for the spout 10, and does not allow the spout 10 supply 50 towels, if there is not enough light in the room. If there is sufficient light in the room to energize the control circuitry 98, the different checks that have been described with reference to the circuitry in Fig. 5 are shown in the flow chart of Fig. 6. These checks are performed before that the engine turns on 88.

The manner in which the motor 88 is turned off, which has been explained with reference to Fig. 5, is described in the flow chart in Fig. 8. Similarly, the charging of the battery 90, by the solar panel 96, which has been explained with reference to Figure 5, is described in the flow chart of Figure 8. The embodiments of the invention presented have been discussed as exemplary embodiments. And although preferred embodiments have been shown, many changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (6)

RE I VI ND I CAC I ONES

1. - A hand-free paper towel dispenser comprising: a) a box means for containing towels; b) a sensor means for detecting an object; c) a dispensing means for supplying a predetermined towel length when the sensing means detects an object; d) a source of electrical energy to energize the supply means; e) a control circuitry for controlling the edio dispenser, which provides a delay between the cycles of supplying the towel and controls the predetermined length of the towel; and f) an arrangement of one or more photovoltaic cells to energize the control circuitry.

2. The manual non-contact towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein the sensor means comprises a variable resistor that changes in response to changes in light levels.

3. - The towel dispenser Without manual contact according to claim 1, wherein the source of electrical energy is a battery

4. - The hand-free towel jet dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the source of electrical energy is a rechargeable battery.

5. The paper towel dispenser without manual contact according to claim 4, wherein the arrangement of one or more photovoltaic cells also charges the rechargeable battery. 6.- # 1 hand-free towel dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the box means comprises a movable front cover. The non-contacting hand towel dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the delivery means includes means for detecting when the cover is open and preventing the supply of a towel until the cover is closed. 8. - A non-contact hand towel dispenser comprising: a) a box means for containing towels; b) a sensor means for detecting an object; c) dispensing means for supplying a predetermined towel length when the sensing means senses the object, the dispensing means comprises a drive roller mounted on the housing means and a motor inside the drive roller; d) a source of electrical energy to energize the supply means; e) control circuitry for controlling the dispensing means, giving a delay between the cycles of supplying towel and controlling the predetermined length of the towel; and f) an arrangement of one or more photovoltaic cells to energize the control circuitry. 9. - The hand-held non-contacting towel dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the dispensing means further includes magnet means for sensing when the drive roller has supplied a predetermined amount of the paper towel. 10. A method for dispensing paper towel from a paper towel dispenser without manual contact, which includes a box, a dispensing mechanism for supplying a predetermined paper length from the dispenser, a sensing mechanism for sensing the presence of a paper towel. object, a control circuitry for controlling the delivery mechanism, giving a delay between the cycles of the towel supply, and controlling the predetermined length of the towel, a power source for energizing the supply mechanism and an arrangement of one or more photovolcaic cells to provide power to the control circuitry from the arrangement of one or more cells, which method comprises: sensing when an object is within a predetermined distance of the sensor mechanism; , _. _ "Supply the predetermined length of the towel from the dispenser. 11. - A hand-free towel dispenser comprising: a) a box means for containing towels; b) a sensor means for detecting an object; c) a dispensing means for supplying a predetermined towel length when the sensing means detects an object; d) a source of electrical energy to energize the supply means; e) a control circuitry for controlling the dispensing means, which provides a delay between the cycles of supplying the towel and controls the predetermined length of the towel; and f) an arrangement of one or more photovoltaic cells to energize the control circuitry. g) an LED light that controls the time of the cycles of the towel assortment. 12. - A hand-free towel dispenser comprising: a) a box means for containing towels; b) a sensor means for detecting an object; c) a dispensing means for supplying a predetermined towel length when the sensing means detects an object; Í - ^^ Wj -? ? a.-Source? < = electrical-energy to energize the supply medium; e) control circuitry for controlling the dispensing means, which provides a delay between the cycles of supplying the towel and controlling the predetermined length of the towel; and f) an arrangement of one or more photovoltaic cells to energize the control circuitry; g) a door security circuit comprising a switch that prevents the jet from operating when a door of the box is open. E S UME A dispenser (10), towel without manual contact comprising a box means (12), to contain towels; a sensor means (82) for detecting an object such as the hands of a person, a dispensing means for supplying a towel when the sensor means detects the object, a source of electrical energy (90), to energize the supply means; control circuitry (98), to control the supply means; and a light sensor panel (96), for energizing the sontrol circuitry. Preferably, the sensor means (82) comprises a motion detector that senses rapid changes in light. Also preferably, the source of the electrical energy is a battery which in turn is energized by the light sensor panel.