US2652303A - Sheet-material dispensing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

E. J. FRIDAY SHEET MATERIAL DISPENSING MECHANISM Sept. 15,1953

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 17, 1950 Fig I.

Fjg 2.

Inventor: ETWIH J Fmdqg, b g

His Attornqs Sept. 15, 1953 E. J. FRIDAY 2,652,303

SHEET MATERIAL DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 17, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor: Erwin d. Fvid s,

b I. a as His Atgrne z.

p 1953 E. J. FRIDAY 2,652,303

SHEET MATERIAL DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 17, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor-z Erwin J. Friday,

b I I '9 His Aci Patented Sept. 15, 1953 Erwin J. Friday, South Glens Falls, N. Y., r to Fricar Mfg. Co., Inc.

assignor Schenectady, N. Y., a. r corporation of New York Application February 17, 1950, Serial No. 144,645

My invention relates to sheet-material dispensing mechanisms and particularly to the type used to dispense a predetermined length of towel and then to latchthe mechanism for a predetermined time before another length of towel can be obtained.

This application is a substitute for my abandoned application Serial No. 735,780 and is also somewhat similar in certain features to my copending application Serial No. 30,710.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved sheet-material dispensing mechanism.

Another object of myinve'ntion is to provide an improved sheet-material dispensing mechanism in which the material withdrawn atany one time is limited to a predetermined length;

A further object of my invention is to provide an improvedsheet-material cabinet comprising a dispensing 'mechanismin which the material withdrawn at anyone time is limited to a predetermined length and substantially the same length of material is rewoundon a rewind roll. i

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved towel-dispensing mechanism in l which the towel withdrawn and rewound is substantially equal and limited to a predetermined length at any one time with a time delay of predetermined duration after each withdrawal of towel during which themechanism is latched against operation.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent; and my invention will be better understood from the followingdescription referring to the accompanying drawings, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed outwith particularity in the claims annex'edto and forming part of this specification. I r

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front-elevational view, partly broken away, showing a sheet-material dispensing mechanism provided with an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a frontelevational view of the construction in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side-elevational view of the arrangements shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with thedoor open; Fig. 4 is a side-elevational view of theme'chanism shown in Fig. 1 with the side panel of the container broken away; Fig. 5 is a side-elevational view of the friction roll shown in Figs. 1 and 4, partly brokenaway to'show' the metering and time-delay mechanism within this roll; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the friction roll shown in Fig. 5, partly broken away to showdetails of the mechanism; ,l fig. {lis-an and View o the r ght iaolaims. (01. 312-38) hand end of the friction roll shown in Figs. 1, 5, and 6; and Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown an embodiment of my improved sheet-material dispensing mechanism in the form of a reroll fabric towel dispenser. The combination of elements forming the towel-supply regulating part of this arrangement can equally well be adapted to control the towel supply in a dispenser of paper towels in which the clean towel portion is torn off by the user. Both of these types of towel dispensers are generally used in public or general use lavatories where users are not as a rule overly careful in the use of the facilities provided. It, therefore, has been found desirable to limit the amount of clean toweling made available at any one time and to provide for a lapse of time between each available new supply of toweling. This time-delay feature tends to make the user more economical in the use of the towel and pro- -vides for an equitable distribution of towel among the various users. Fabric toweling has been found to be most practical when it is arranged so that a predetermined length of clean towel supply is obtainable between predetermined time delays and provided with a rewinding system which will take up exactly the same amount of soiled towel into the container as the clean towel which is fed out, thereby maintaining a predetermined loop of towel depending from the container for use. Such an arrangement is shown in Figs. 1 through 4, in which the mechanism includes a container having a, bottom or base I preferably formed integral with an upwardly extending back 2 and a partial front 3. This container may be made entirely of pressed and formed sheet metal and, if desired, the various parts may be welded together at suitable abutting edges to provide a tight enclosure for the dispensing arrangement. The sides of the container preferably also are formed of sheet metal to provide a light rigid structure and to form a smooth exterior which can easily be kept clean. These sides are shown as comprising an outer sheet portion 4 and an inner sheet portion 5 formed of a single sheet with a smallouter front wall portion 6. If desired both sides and the back 2 may be made of a single metal sheet, although this is not essential. The edge of the inner sheet portion 5 of each side is secured to the back 2 in any suitable manner, as by welding or by tabs extending through slots in the back 2. To complete the enclosure of the mechanism and to facilitate replacement of the towel, the container is provided with a large closure I, also preferably formed of sheet metal, which includes a front closure portion and a top closure portion provided with a suitable lock element 8 for cooperation with a complementary lock element 9 on the back 2 to lock the closure securely to the back to prevent tampering with the mechanism.

Preferably the closure is hinged .to "the-front .3 I

by a suitable pintle or hinge pin I and a mirror H may be mounted on the outside of the front closure portion 6. In order to strengthen the container, a cross-brace l2,-sho.wn,asa'channel section element, is arranged to extend between the upper front corners of :the sides and is secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by welding. This provides the desired rigidity to the container and also assures the correctspacing between the sides for rotatably and movably supporting parts of the dispensing mechanism.

This dispensing mechanism includes an arrangement for metering andjilimiting the clean towel obtainable at anyone time to a predetere mined length, and in the illustrated system provides for simultaneously rewinding a length of towel on a rewind roll equal in length to that withdrawn. Thetowelzadapted to-be usedinthe illustrated arrangement is .of suitable fabric and a roll [3 of clean towel is merely placed .inthe container and rests on the'bottom .1 which rotatably supports it to permit unwinding the towel as shown by the arrow 1.4 which vcausesthe roll l3 to turn as indicated by the arrow 15'. The towel then passes over a towel-tensioning roll it around a part of the circumference :of a ro tatably mounted cylindrical friction ro'll H in good frictional contact with the underside there of, and over a second towel-tensioning roll 181to a supply slot 19 formed in the lower part i of the container adjacent the gfront thereof. This opening preferably is formed by "turning in the edge ofthe bottom plate 1,;as shown at;2ll.,'to pro vide a smooth curved surface .over which the towel is drawn.

In order to obtain the desired operation of this mechanism, the friction roll all is formed with a high friction outer surface 2 l, wloich mae comprise any suitable roughened surface, such as sprayed metallizedisurface, orasheet of suit able sandpaper oremerypaper securelyfastened to the outside of the roll lilfiand the pair of towel: tensioning rolls [6 and [Bare pivotally mounted angularly relative to the "friction'roll H by. han er straps 22 to assuregood-contact between the towel and the surface 2[ 'andallow movement of the towel only whenthe roll ,l:1= is.t1irned, These. straps 22 are pivotally secured over-bushings 23 to the sides .5 of the container by screws 24 to provide for moving therolls l6 and i8 outwardly from the friction roll H in threading the towel around these rolls when installing a new roll of clean towel. This is :also desirable to allow for a slight movementof-the friction roll during nore mal operation and yet to keep the towel taut around the roll 11.

The desired turning of the frietionloll H to provide for the limited withdrawal Of tQwel from the container is re ulated by the operation of a metering and timeedelay mechanism mounted within and enclosed by the roll 1 andarran e around a mounting rod .25 which extends into a guide slot 26 formed in one of the inner sides 5,. The other end of the rod.2 .5 is provided with a, flat-sided guide key 21 arranged in vertically slidable engagement with another guide slot 25- formed in the otherinnQ -T sidewa l 0 p etermined rotation of the friction roll H and for latching the friction roll I! against rotation for a predetermined time after each of these predetermined rotations, that is, between successive rotations thereof. This mechanism is in" terposed between and connected to the friction roll it! iand to-itsmounting rod 25 and comprises a cam 28 mounted on the mounting rod 25 and rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by a setscrew 29, and formed with a spiral cam nortionof substan ially on comple e urn. shown 3, piral groove .30,- The ends of the spiral team portion :30 a e connected to e her by a :longitudinally'extendins cam portion 31. shown-ash roovein thecam 28. Acain follower 32 is longitudinally slidably mounted on a pair of-spacedapart ulde'mds 33 which are held'in nonrotatable positions relative to the friction roll l-libyamountln plote 34 secured to themner surface -.of the .:,roll 1-] .in any suitable .manner, as by welding, tp fit or otherwise. This pl te :34 is fu her firmly held .in position by a pa r-menacing rodsi-fi-seeuredzat one endto the mountin pla e .3 andat theother end to an and closure pla e .35 rigidl mounted in an end of the friction 112011 11 andsubstantially closing this end of the zlriotionyroll. A. -similar closure plate f rms a substantially closed end at the oth r cnd theifriction r011 11,, as shown in F sa'andfi. 'The ends-of the su derods 33 adja nt th mounting plate 3! ar secured th ret and the other ends thereof are-secu d to th nd closure plate 36. In order to provide the dered travel of :theeam follower 32, it is p v d d withe s. m engasemont-element formed as, a pin 31 whic, tendsintothercamgroove, such-that relative ati n between the cam 28 and. th followe '3; w l resultzin he follow r pin moving along the piraloam portion 30 from one end to the :otherwnere it s StQBDed by the wall so of the longitudinally extending cam por-tion 3| that isthe am fol ower it: moves from-an initial rollrotatahle pos on nt-oneendor the 6am alon the spiral hem porti n to a roll-stop position a theoth r endoithesp rallportionoi the The care. fo lowerthenisadepted to be biased esilien y alone he long tud nal oam p o 3! t ward themounting Plate :3 und r the ac tion of a pair of compression-coil -springs 3% arran ed one Qnea h of. thegu derodsia and held un eroomnresslon between the foll wer 32 a d th frict on roll end plate :36.- This movem nt o the c m f llow r wouldhe almost instantaneoil were not ad lerineaction provided, a d a suitable ime-de ay member. su as a d sh o Li adapted tosiveithe desired t me d v the re urn m vement of the f llow r t the initial olk otatable position thereof. The d hpot-ma be-ofao suitable type and is shown as nc ud n ani ton-M mounteclon-arod 42 which lida ly extends t rough the. mountin plate 34 a d suiteblys cured to the. follower 32, as by 3..- p n 3-. Adjustment Qiithe, :time delay can be made .to provide the desired delay interval by l fi ng anelief enew 4. In this manner, ro-

tation of the friction roll I! around themounting rod 25 carries the cam follower pin31 around the spiral cam groove 30 and the follower 28 slides longitudinally of theguide rods 33, thereby compressing the springs 39 until such movement is stopped by engagement of the follower pin with the longitudinal cam groove side-38. This limits further rotation of the follower around the cam and thereby limits the'rotation of the friction roll [1 to the same amount predetermined by the spiral cam portion 30. With such an arrangement, when towel 45 is pulled through the supply slot 19, it rotates the friction roll, as indicated by the arrow 45, until the friction roll is stopped by engagement of the follower pin 31 with the longitudinal camgroove wall 38. This prevents further rotation of the friction roll l1 and the frictional force between the friction surface 2| and the towel 45 prevents further withdrawal of towel from the container until the follower pin has traveled through the longitudinal groove 3| to the other end thereof adjacent the mounting plate 34. This provides the desired predetermined time delay between withdrawals of clean towel.

In order to assure further the proper operation of the metering mechanism, I have found it desirable to mount the friction roll I! eccentrically on the mounting rod 25 and relative to the cam 28 which is concentric with the rod 25. The amount of this eccentricity may be varied but has been found to provide the desired effect of producing a turning momentabout the rod 25 by the weight of the roll I! and the equipment in this roll so as to cause the cam follower pin 3'! to be biased slightly away from the side 38 of the longitudinally extending cam groove portion 3| furthest from the dashpot when displaced substantially the radius of the mounting rod from its center, as indicated by the point 41 in Fig. '7. This provides a release of the follower pin 31 from the side 38 of the cam groove and prevents the pin from becoming frozen against this flat side of the cam and allows the pin to move freely along the cam longitudinal portion 3|,

With this type towel dispenser, it is desirable that only a limited length of towel be left exposed and that soiled towel be rewound for removal from the container for replacement with a new roll when the clean towel roll is used up. In addition, it is desirable that the length of usable towel extending from the container should remain the same at all times bytaking up just the same length of used towel as the length of clean towel which is withdrawn to prevent lessening the towel loop available for use and to prevent its lengthening and possibly dragging on the floor. This is obtained by providing a predetermined length of towel 45 extending as a loop which is simultaneously rewound to the same extent as it is withdrawn from the container. In thus rewinding used towel, it is desirable that it be automatically smoothed out and straightenedbefore it is re,- rolled. In order to obtain this effect the towel is arranged to pass into the container through a return slot 48 made similar tothe supply slot l9 and located in the lower part of the container adjacent the back end thereof and. to be drawn over a towel-straighteningrod,49 adjacent the lower back part of the container and extending transversely between the sides thereof. This straightening rod 49 preferably isformed with spiral grooves or threads 50 extending in opposite directions from the center towards the ends of the rod. The towel then is drawn over a second straightening rod 5| as indicated by the arrows 52 and 53. This second rod 5| is spaced upwardly from the rod 49 and extends transversely between the sides of the container preferably slightly nearer the back 2 than the rod 49 to obtain a slight wrapping action of the towel around these two rods to produce more effectively the desired smoothing out of the towel. The towel passes from around the second straightening rod5l to a rewind roll 54 which is rotatably supported by a mounting rod 55 journaled rotatably and in upwardly slidable relation in the guide slots 26 in the container sides 5. This provides for vertical movement of the rewind roll as the towel increases its diameter and for supporting the rewind roll in contact with the friction roll l? with the towel in frictional contact with the friction surface 2! of this roll. i I

Whenever towel 45 is pulled out of the container it will pass from the clean towel roll l3 successively as indicated by the arrows I5, I 4, 46, 56, 51, 52, 53 and around the rewind roll 54, such that, as the friction roll l1 turns, the towel in frictional contact with the upper side of the roll I! will provide a driving force for rotating the rewind roll, as indicated by the arrow 58. Since only so much towel 45 is withdrawn from the container as is measured by a turn of the friction roll I! metered by the travel of the cam follower from one end to the other of the cam spiral groove, exactly the same length of towel is wound on the rewind roll 54, as the same peripheral length of friction surface 2| which measures the towel withdrawn, drives the rewind roll by contact with the used towel. This automatically keeps the loop of the towel 45 at the same desired length and since the friction roll I! is not reversible, it acts as a brake and prevents reverse rotation of the rewind roll. This rewind feature may be omitted if paper toweling is to be dispensed.

'My single friction roll and its mounting mech anism is particularly advantageous should it be found desirable for any reason to replace the friction roll. It is only necessary to open the cabinet and to slide the rewind roll 54 and the friction roll I! out of the guide slots 26 at the top of the cabinet and then replace the friction roll I! by insertion of a new roll and reinsert the rewind roll, all without disturbing the clean towel roll. The timing and metering mechanism is the only part of the mechanism which may wear out in time, and since it is all within the friction roll, it can be replaced at any time without tools bymerely replacing the friction roll as described above. In addition, withmy mechanism, if the followerpin 37 should for any reason snap, thereby preventing the operation of the timing and metering mechanism, the arrangement remains operable until anew friction roll can be installed. The rewinding feature continues as effective as with the timing mechanism, sincethe friction roll continues to be rotatable and functions to rewind the same length of towel as is payed out of the cabinet, thus further enhancing the utility of my im proved cabinet.

While I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of my invention, modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art. I desire it to be understood, therefore, that my invention is not t b limit d to the par-- amass;

cu r rran em n isc o ed and intend i th appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A metering and time-delay mechanism for a towel dispenser friction roll including a mounting rod for supporting the friction roll, a cam rigidly mounted on said mounting rod and having a spiral portion with a longitudinally extending portion connecting together the ends of said spiral portion, a cam follower nonrotatably and longitudinally movably mounted relative to and within the friction roll extending into engagement with said cam, means for providing a desired time delay for return movement of said follower along said cam longitudinal portion, and means for resiliently biasing said cam follower toward said time-delay means during return movement of said cam follower.

2. A metering and time-delay mechanism for a towel dispenser having a friction roll supported on a mounting rod, said metering and timedelay mechanism including acam rigidly mounted on the mounting rod and having a spiral portion of substantially one complete turn with a longitudinally extending portion connecting together the ends of said spiral portion, a mounting plate rigidly secured in the friction roll, apair of guide rods extending within the friction roll between said mounting plate and one end of the friction roll, a cam follower longitudinally movably mounted on said guide rods and extending into engagement with said cam, means including a compression coil spring on each of said guide rods between said follower and said one end of the friction roll for resiliently biasing said follower toward said mounting plate, and a time-delay means secured to said cam follower for providing a desired time delay for movement of said follower along said cam longitudinal portion under pressure of said resilient coil spring biasing means.

,3. A metering and time-delay mechanism for a towel dispenserincluding a mounting rod and a friction roll mounted on said rod, means including a cam mounted on said rod within said friction roll, a cam follower, means for supporting said follower withinsaid friction roll in en a ement w th sa d cam fo m n rotation of said friction roll to a predetermined amount at any one rotation thereof by movement of said follower along said cam from an initial rollrotatable position to a stop position, and means for providing a desired time delay for return movement of sai follower from the stop position to the initial roll-rota lable position of said follower.

4. A metering and time-delay mechanism for a towel dispenser friction roll including a mounting rod and a friction roll mounted on said mounting rod, means including a cam non-rotatably mounted on said mounting rod within said friction roll and having .a spiral portion with a longitudinally extending portion connecting together the ends of said spiral portion, means including-a cam follower mounted within said friction roll for rotation therewith and extending into engagement with said cam for metering rotation of said friction roll to a predetermined amount at any one time by movement of said follower along said cam on rotation of said friction roll froman initial roll-rotatable position to ,a roll-stop -position, means forproriding-a des rsd timed la fo re ummovement of saidfollower along said cam longitudinal portion from :the roll-stop position to the initial roll-rotatableposition,and means for resiliently biasing said ifiam follower toward said initial roll rotatableposition. v

5. A metering and time-delay mechanism for a towel dispenser including a mounting rod, a cylindrical friction rollformed with substantially closed ends andmounted on said rod, stop means mounted within and enclosed by said friction roll andinterposedbetween and connected to said friction roll and said mounting rod operable from a non-stop to a stop position by rotation of said friction roll relative vto said mounting rod for limiting rotation of said friction roll to -a predetermined amount at any one rotation thereof and including means for biasi said stop means to a non-stop position, and time-delay means within said friction roll connected to said stop means for providinga desired time delay for the return of said. stop means from a stop to a non-stop position.

6. A metering and timerdelay mechanism for a towel dispenser including -a friction roll with substantially closed ends, mounting means for said friction roll, .metering stop means mounted within and enclosed by vsaid friction roll and interposed between and connected to said frictionroll andsaid mounting means operable from a non-stop to a stop position by rotation of said friction roll relativetosaid mounting means for limiting rotation of said friction roll ;to a predetermined amount at anyone rotation thereof, meansfor biasing said stop means to a non-stop position, and a time=delay device connected to said stop means.andarrangedwithin said friction roll for providing ,a desired time delay for the return of saidstopmeans from a stop to a non stop position.

'7. 'A .sheetrmaterial dispensing mechanism in." cluding a friction roll formed with substantially closed ends, means including a container for rotatablemounting said friction roll therein and arranged for passageof clean sheet material in good frictional contact with a part of said friction roll on withdrawal of clean sheet material from said container, a sheet-material metering mechanism mounted within and enclosed by said friction roll and interposed between and connected to said friction roll and said mounting means for limiting rotation of said friction roll to a predetermined amount at any one rotation thereof on withdrawal of sheet material from said container, and .a time-delay device within said friction roll for providing a predetermined time delay between successive rotations of said f ion oll.

8. A towel dispensing mechanism including a towel cabinet adaptfid to contain a clean towelsupply roll, a towel roll, a towel-length regulating mechanism including a cylindrical friction roll formed with substantially closed ends arranged in said cabinet for passage of clean towel in good frictional contact with a part of said friction roll for rotation of said friction roll on withdrawal of towel from said cabinet, means including said cabinet for rotataloly mounting said friction roll, means for rotatably mounting said rewind roll in said cabinet for of towel around said .rewind roll in good frictional contact witha part of said friction roll to provide for therebyturning said rewind roll by said friction roll, and a metering mechanism mounted within and nc o e bysa df i tion T 11 nd interposed between and connected to said friction roll and said friction roll mounting means for limiting rotation of said friction roll to a predetermined amount at any one rotation thereof thereby limiting the length of clean towel obtainable from said cabinet and rewinding a length of towel on said rewind roll substantially equal to the length of towel drawn from said cabinet as measured by the predetermined rotation of said friction roll.

9. A sheet-material dispensing mechanism including a cabinet adapted to contain a clean sheet-material supply roll, a rewind roll, a regulating mechanism including a cylindrical friction roll formed with substantially closed ends arranged in said cabinet for passage of sheet material from a supply roll around a part of said friction roll in good frictional contact therewith for rotating said friction roll on withdrawal of sheet material from said cabinet, means including said cabinet for rotatably mounting said friction roll, means for rotatably and upwardly slidably mounting said rewind roll for passage of sheet material around said rewind roll in contact with a part of said friction roll to provide for turning said rewind roll, and means arranged within and enclosed by said friction roll interposed between and connected to said friction roll and said friction roll mounting means for limiting rotation of said friction roll to a predetermined amount at any one rotation thereof for limiting to a predetermined length the sheet material withdrawn at any one time and for rewinding a length of sheet material on said rewind roll equal in length to that withdrawn from said cabinet, said rotation limiting means including a means for latching said friction roll for a predetermined time between successive rotations thereof.

10. A towel dispensing mechanism including a cabinet having a supply slot for passage of towel from said cabinet and a return slot for passage of towel into said cabinet and adapted to, contain a clean towel-supply roll, a towel-rewind roll, a cylindrical friction roll formed with substantially closed ends arranged in said cabinet for passage of clean towel in good frictional contact with a part thereof for rotating said friction roll on withdrawal of towel from said cabinet, means for rotatably mounting said friction roll in the cabinet, means for rotatably supporting said rewind roll in said cabinet for passage of towel from said return slot around said rewind roll in good frictional contact with a part of said friction roll to provide for turning said rewind roll and rewinding a length of towel thereon substantially equal to the length of towel drawn from the cabinet through said supply slot, and a metering mechanism mounted within and enclosed by said friction roll and interposed between and connected to said friction roll and said mounting means therefor for limiting the rotation of said friction roll to a predetermined amount at any one rotation thereof thereby limiting the length of clean towel obtainable at any one time from saidvcabinet to a predetermined amount as measured by a predetermined rotation of said friction roll and rewinding substantially an equal length of towel on said rewind roll.

11. In a towel cabinet adapted to contain a clean towel-supply roll, a towel-rewind roll, a mechanism including a cylindrical friction roll formed with substantially closed ends, means for rotatably supporting said friction roll for passage of clean towel in good frictional contact with a part of said friction roll for rotating said friction roll, means for rotatably supporting said rewind roll inthe cabinet for passage of towel around enclosed by said friction roll interposed between and connected to said friction roll and said mounting means therefor for rotation of said friction roll a predetermined amount, at any one rotation thereof thereby limiting the length of clean towel obtainable at any one time from the cabinet as measured by a predetermined rotation of said friction roll and rewinding substantially an equal length of towel on said rewind roll, said metering and time-delay mechanism including means for latching said friction roll against rotation for a predetermined time between successive rotations thereof.

12. A towel dispensing mechanism including a cabinet, a cylindrical friction roll formed with closed ends, means for rotatably supporting said friction roll in said cabinet for passage of towel from a supply into contact with a part of said friction roll for rotating said friction roll on withdrawal of towel from said cabinet, said means including a mounting rod nonrotatably supported in said cabinet, a towel dispensing metering mechanism mounted within and enclosed by said friction roll including a cam rigidly and concentrically mounted on said mounting rod and having a spiral portion of substantially one complete turn with a longitudinally extending portion connecting together the ends of said spiral portion, a cam follower connected to and nonrotatably and longitudinally movably mounted relative to and within said friction roll arranged in engagement with said cam for limiting rotation of said friction roll at any one time to meter the length of towel withdrawn from said cabinet as measured by travel of said cam follower along said spiral cam portion, said mechanism including means for providing a desired time delay for return movement of said follower along said cam longitudinal portion, and means for resiliently biasing said cam follower against the action of said time-delay means during return movement thereof.

13. In a towel cabinet adapted to contain a clean towel-supply roll, a towel-rewind roll, a towel-dispensing mechanism including a cylindrical friction roll formed with substantially closed ends, means for rotatably supporting said rewind roll in the cabinet in contact with a part of said friction roll for passage of towel around said rewind roll in frictional contact with said friction roll to provide for rotating said rewind roll, means including a mounting rod for rotatably supporting said friction roll in the cabinet, a metering and time-delay mechanism within and enclosed by said friction roll for limiting rotation of said friction roll to a predetermined amount at any one rotation thereof for limiting the length of clean towel obtainable at any one time from the cabinet and for controlling the rewinding of a length oftowel on said rewind roll substantially equal to the length of towel drawn from the cabinet, said mechanism including a cam rigidly mounted on said mounting rod and having a spiral portion of substantially one complete turn with a longitudinally extending portion connecting the ends of said spiral portion,

151 said. metering mechanism including-a cam follower -connected :toi and nonrotatablyand long-itudin-ally movably. mounted relative to and within said ifrictionroll arranged .in engagement with said cam, means for providinga desired time delay for return movement ofsaid follower along said cam longitudinal portion, means enclosed in said friction roll forresiliently biasing said cam follower against the action of said time-delay means during return movement thereof, and meansincludinga pair of rolls mounted oneon eachside of saidifriction roll arranged for passageof towel from the-towel supply over one of saidpair of rolls around'a part of said friction roll and over the other-ofsaid pair of rolls for assuring good-contactof the towel with said friction roll.

14:. In atowel cabinethaving a supply slot and avreturnslot for passage of'atowel out of and into-theicabinet andadapted to contain a clean towel-supplyvroll, a towel-rewind roll, a toweldispensing mechanism. including a cylindrical friction roll formed With substantially closed ends, means for rotatably and upwardly slidably supporting said rewind :roll in said cabinet in contact with-saidfricti-on roll for passage of towel from the return slot around said rewind roll in contactnwith saidfriction roll to provide for rotating. said rewind roll, means including a mounting rod. for rotatably and eccentrically supporting said friction roll and being upwardly slidably,andnonrotatably mounted insaid cabinet,- a meteringand time-delay mechanism mounted within and enclosed by said friction roll including a cam rigidly and concentrically mounted onisaid mounting rod and having a spiralportion of one substantially complete turn with a longitudinally: extending portion connecting the endsiofjsaid spiral portion, said meohanisrnincludingavcam follower connectedto and nonrotatably' movably mounted relative to and within-said friction roll arranged in engagement with said cam for thereby controlling rewinding a-length of= towelonisaid rewind roll substantially equal .to the length of towel drawn fromthe cabinetlthrough the supply slotmeasured by a turn .of;said friction roll l as metered by said followerintraveling-fromoneend-to the other of said.camspiralportion; means forv providing a desired: time delay; for return movement of said follower along said cam longitudinal portion, and means enclosed-by said friction roll f or resiliently biasing said camfolloweragainst theaction of said time-delay means during return movement thereof.

15; ,In a towel cabinet having asupply slot and alreturn-slot for'passage of towel into the cabinet and adapted to contain aclean towel-supply roll, a towel-rewind roll, a towel dispensing mechanism including a cylindrical friction rolliformed with substantially closed ends, means-including apair of -rolls; mounted one oneach side of said frictionroll arranged for passage of towel-from a towel supply roll overone otsaidpair of rolls around; a part of said friction'roll and over the second of saidpair of rolls, means for, rotatably and upwardly, slidably supporting, said rewind rollin the cabinet in contact withisaidfriction roll for passage; of towel fromthe return slot around said rewind;roll in contactwithsaidjfrictionroll to provide for'rotating said rewind roll, means including amounting rodfor rotatably supporting --saidrfriction roll and being upwardly slidably and nonrotatably mounted in the Gabi-3 net, a, metering. andtime-delay; mechanism mounted .within and enclosed by said friction .roll including a cam :rigidly. mounted-onsaid "mountingrod'and-ihaving. a spiral portion of one-substantiallycomplete' turn with a longitudinally extending portion connecting the ends-of said spiral 1 portion; a cam follower connected to and. nonrotatably and longitudinally movably mounted withinand relative to saidvfriction roll arranged in engagement with saidcarn thereby controlling rewinding of a length of towels on said rewind rollsubstantially. equal tov the-length of: towel drawn from the. cabinet: through the supply, slot measured; by, a, turn of, said 1 friction roll as: metered.- by sai'd'afollower; in traveling from one end of said-cam-spiralportion; to the, other end "thereof; means, for providing a: desired time delay for return'movementrof;said;follower,along saidcam 1 longitudinal 1 portion,v and; means 1 enclosed bylsaid friction ;rollfor resiliently biasing said cam followenagainst thegaotionof said timedelay.means:during' return,amovemcntathereof;

16.1, In a vtowel cabinet adapted; to contain; a clean COWE1TSUDP1Y'IO11, al towel-rewind rolliya toweledispensing; mechanism; including a, cylindricalfrictiori roll withwend;closures,,inealifiwineluding a, pair of towelrtensioning; rolls mounted oneqon each side. :of said friction roll arrangedfor passage of :towel ifromthe towel'esupply-roll over one. of'said 'tensioningerol-ls around. the underside of .said friction roll and oventhesecondof said tensioning, rolls, means; in ludiha a mounting rod for rotatably -,s up p orti ng said-friction roll in the. cabinet and being; upwardly slidablyandnom rotatably supported inj the cabinetia metering and timerdelaymechan sm,mo ntedi i hin and enclosedbywsaid.frictioni o lion mitin -rotation of said friction rollto aipredetermined-arnountat y n rotation; the of h reb w mitin h length of cleantowel obtainable, at any; one time from thegcabinetto; a predetermined amount, said metering and time-delay mechanism including a cam rigidly-mounted on said mounting rod and having a-. spiral portionwith a longitudinally-extending portion connecting the ends of saidspiral portion, a mountingplate rigidly secured in said friction roll, a pair of guide rods extending within said friction roll between said mounting plateand one; of; said end-closures of said frictionroll, a cam followerlongitudinally movably mounted on said guide rods and extending into engagement with said loam, meansforresiliently biasing said followertovvardsaid mounting plate, and means for-providing azdesired time delay for movement of-said follower along said cam longitudinal .portion under pressure of said, resilient biasing means. e

1'7. ,In atowel cabinet having a supply slot and a.v return slot for, return passage of, towelinto the, cabinet and adapted to contain aclean towelsupply roll a towel-rewind'roll, a guideextendingdownward-ly from the top oflthe cabinet for apredetermined length oneach'side of the cabinet, a towel-dispensin mechanism including, a cylindrical friction roll formed with end closures, means, including a,pa ir of towel-tensioning rolls pivotally-v mounted angularly relative to said friction rollone on eachsidethereofarranged for passageof'towel from the towel-supply roll over one of, said ,tensioning rolls ,around the underside of said friction ,ro'll and over the second of said tensioni-n rolls, meanssincluding a mounting rod extending into saidguidesifor rotatably supportme sai .f. 1 tion;rol1,;in the cabinet andihaving-a id key; atone end, lidably; a ra g dn ne 0iv said g ides: f np ey ntina t on.v f .said

mounting rod, a metering and time-delay mechanism arranged within and enclosed by said friction roll for limiting rotation of said friction roll to a predetermined amount at any one rotation thereof thereby limiting the length of clean towel obtainable at any one time from the cabinet, said metering and time-delay mechanism including a cam rigidly mounted on said mounting rod and a spiral portion with a longitudinally extending portion connecting the ends of said spiral portion, a mounting plate rigidly secured in said friction roll, a pair of guide rods extending within said friction roll between said mounting plate and one of said end closures of said friction roll, a cam follower longitudinally slidably mounted on said guide rods and extending into engagement with said cam, means including a compression coil spring on each of said guide rods between said follower and said one end closure of said friction roll for resiliently biasing said follower toward said mounting plate, and means including a dashpot having a plunger therein secured to said cam follower for providing a desired time delay for movement of said follower along said cam longitudinal portion under pressure of said coil spring biasing means.

18. In a towel cabinet having a supply slot and a return slot for passage of towel from and into the cabinet and adapted to contain a clean towelsupply roll, a towel-rewind roll, a guide extending downwardly from substantially the top of the cabinet for a predetermined length on each side of the cabinet, a towel-dispensing mechanism including a cylindrical friction roll with end closures, means including a pair of towel-tensioning rolls pivotally mounted angularly relative to said friction roll one on each side thereof arranged for passage of towel from the towel-supply roll over one of said tensioning rolls around the underside of said friction roll and over the second of said tensioning rolls, means including a mounting rod supported in said guides for rotat- 14 ably supporting said friction roll in the cabinet and having a guide key at one end slidably arranged in one of said guides for preventing rotation of said mounting rod, means including a mounting rod for rotatably supporting said rewind roll in said guides in upwardly slidable relation above said friction roll, a metering and time-delay mechanism mounted within and enclosed by said friction roll for limiting rotation of said friction roll to a predetermined amount at any one rotation thereof thereby limiting the length of clean towel obtainable at any one time from the cabinet, said metering and time-delay mechanism including a cam rigidly mounted within said friction roll on said mounting rod and having a spiral portion of substantially one complete turn with a longitudinally extending portion connecting the ends of said spiral portion, a mounting plate rigidly secured in said friction roll, a pair of guide rods extending within said friction roll between said mounting plate and one of said end closures of said friction roll, a cam follower longitudinally slidably mounted on said guide rods and extending into engagement with said cam, means including a compression coil spring on each of said guide rods between said follower and said one end closure of said friction roll for resiliently biasing said follower toward said mounting plate, and means including a dashpot having a plunger secured to said cam follower for providing a desired time delay for movement of said follower along said cam longitudinal portion under pressure of said coil spring biasing means.

ERWIN J. FRIDAY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,853,705 Steiner Apr. 12, 1932 2,087,513 Harvey July 20, 1937

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