US2738934A

US2738934A - Paper towel dispenser

Info

Publication number: US2738934A
Application number: US398256A
Authority: US
Inventors: William J Dobkin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-12-15
Filing date: 1953-12-15
Publication date: 1956-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 1973-03-20

Description

March 20, 1956, w. J. DoBKlN PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dac. l5, 1953 March 20, 1956 w. J. DoBKlN PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER Filed DSG. 15, 1953 4' Sheets-Sheet 2 TTORNEY March 20, 1956 w. J. DoBKlN 2,738,934

PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER LL L g March 20, 1956 w J. DoBKlN 2,733,934

PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER Filed Dec. 15, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 L//g I//7i 7 INI/EN TOR. n// /A /v f asK//V TTOR NE Y United States PatentV O PAPER TQWEL 'DISPENSER William .J Dohkin, .laskson Heights, N- -l I Application December 15, 1953, Serial No. 398,256

22 claims. (ci. 24x-5.5.4)

The present invention relates topaper towel Adispensers of the roll type.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved paper towel dispenser of the roll type. r-

A more specic object is to provide a paper towel dispenser containing an active paper towel roll and a number of Areserve `paper towel rolls and designed to pick-up the towel vfeed for dispensation from said reserve rolls successively and automatically, .as the `rolls are successively ,consumed Another specific object yis to provide -a paper towel dispenser of the multiple roll type, operable for automatic feed ipicleup from roll to roll in sequence, as described, without changing the .positions .of the axes of said rolls.

A .further specific yobject .is to .provide `a paper towel dispenser of the automatic multiple vroll type ;described,

2,738,934 Patented Mar. 20, 1956 "ice embodying .the present invention and shown supported on the paper towel tion;

having means for indicating automatically the `number of towel -rolls still in reserve. A

:A still further specific object is to providea paper-towel dispenser of the automatic multiple roll type .described designed to permit easy vreplacement of the supporting cylinders cr cores of the used paper Vrolls by .full paper l i completely used up,` the next section .of paper toweling l.

is dispensed from the .tirstroli in .reserve without changing the position of this .first reserve Aroll. This switchver in towel -feed to the trst of the reserve rolls :is effected automatically .after the operative roll is completely .consumed. 'ln asimilar manner, the otherl reserve rolls are placed successively -into vfeed operation, automatically Aas these rolls are successively consumed.

An 'indicating device denotes the ,number of .reserve paper rolls in vthe cabinet, and as these rolls are successively consumed, this device is automatically operated to register according to the roll supply lcondition in-the cabinet.

i As a paper towel roll is used up, the -empty supporting cylinder or core thereof remains in position, 'while the nextipaper roll heldin reserve, is placed into feed operay Fig. 2 is a vertical section .ofthe paper towel dispenser somewhat .diagrammatic taken approximately along the lines 2.-:2 of Fig. 1 but on a larger scale and Ashowing said dispenser fully loaded and ready for use;

Fig. 3 is'a detail vertical section of the lower part of .a motor-driven .paper towel dispenser taken approximately along fthe lines 5f-3 .of Fig. l but on a larger scale;

Fig. 4 is a vfragmentary perspective ofthe :indicating device ofthe paper towel dispenser;

is a transverse section of vthe paper towel ,dis-

penser-taken approximately along the lines 5..-...5 ,of Fig. 21

but o n a larger scale, vand showing some parts broken away to reveal the structure behind Said parts;

-Fig. 6 lis a detail section of the paper towel-,dispenser taken along the lines 676 of Fig. '5; i

Fig. 7 is a section -of the paper towel .dispenser .taken along the lines 7f7 ofFig. 2 but directed .morespecically to the paper guide mechanism; 1: `Fig.'S -,1fs a detail section of the guide mechanism ltake along therl-ines 8f8of Figr7;

Fig. 9 is a (fragmentary perspective of the paper towel dispenser;

Fig. Vis .a side elevation somewhat .diagrammatic of .dispenser .shown inlopen' loading posi- Fig. ll -is a fragmentary section .of the paper .-towe dispenser shown in open loading position;

Fig. 12 is ,a fragmentary side -view of a ,form of manually operated paper towel dispenser; and

Eig. l -is' a fragmentary -side view of another form `of manualiyoperated paper towel dispenser.

Referring to the drawings, the paper towel dispenser of the present invention comprises a cabinet l10 .(Figs. -1 and 2) -made of two parts consisting .of a main .section in the' -form of a rectangular-box-like back adapteditoube attached ,to a wall A (Fig. l) in any suitable manner and a front -12 of similar size and shape -but shallower .than said back, hinged to said `back .in a manner to be described, to serve as a door for the cabinet. Attached to this .cabinet front 12 is a series of paper roll support brackets 14 (."Figs, v2, 3 and f5.) arranged to support a Aseriesol paper towel rolls 15 in a a vertical row with their .axes parallel, six of such rolls being shown, designated :herein =by the numeral d5 when referred to generally, and designated herein by the ynumeral 15 with subscripts a, b, d, e and f to distinguish the different rolls, when .referred to speciically. These brackets 14 are of the usual=type commonly employed to support paper towel rolls, .and are shown each comprising a pair of arms `16 .aixed at .one end to the side walls 17 respectively of the cabinet 4front 12 and 'having near their other ends .respectiveournals or pivots 18 adapted to engage loosely the ends .of the hollow -cardboard core or cylinder 20 of .a .paper 1roll 15 and Ato-support thereby said roll for rotation, as the toweling is pulled therefrom. One or both of the bracket arms 16 are resilient, to permit them to spring relatively apart, when inserting a new roll or when removing the-core, after the roll :is-used up.

In Aorder to'hold the unreeled ends a, b, c, d, e and ffrom the

paper towel rolls

15d, 15b, 15C, 15d, 15e and lf .respectively in position tombe picked-up for feed `at the. proper time, there is provided a frame 25 (iFigsfZ, B, 7 .and 8.) within Ythe cabinet Vfront 12 adapted tosuppor't a ,series of -paper guides Z6 for these unreeled paperlends, these guides `being designated herein -by the numeral t26 when ...referred to generally and being designated herein by gthe numeral 26 -with subscripts a, `b, Ac, d, e `-and J to ,distinguish the different guides, .whednreflerredto is pecli'tically. This `frame A25 comprises A,a `.pairof .parallel uprightchannels 2'7, rigidly interconnected Eattlleir lowgr ends to the side walls 17 of the cabinet front 12. The channels 27-are provided with notches 31 (Fig. 7) to permit the guides 26 to be inserted Within said channels for the purpose to be described.

' The number of guides 26 provided corresponds to the number of paper rolls a15 in the cabinet 10, six guides being shown in the instant example. Each of these guides 26 comprises a bar 32 at its upper end in the form 0f a U-channel and a-platen 33 at its lower end shown in the form of a U-shaped channel bar, the two

bars

32 and 33 being rigidly connected together by two flat parallel straps 34 to form -a 4rigid rectangular open structure, with the bars `32 and 33 projecting outwardly at their'endsv beyond said straps and into the channels 27k of the-"frame 25A Thefnpper bars 532 of theiguides 26 are narrow enough to permit them-to pass freely through the Vnotches-31 in the frame channels 27, in the operation of inserting these bars into these channels'during loadingor removingA them therefrom.

the guides 26 are of similar construction,except that the straps 34 thereof are of dilerent lengths to accommodate the heights of the different paper rolls 15, and each guide is symmetrically designed to permit the guide to be properly inserted in the frame 25 through the appropriate notches 31 with either channel end up, whendoading the cabinet 10. The longest guide 26'f, whichis the last-guide, is permanently secured within the frame channels 27 by means of pins 36 secured in these channels, since this guide is not removed for loading. All other guides 26 are freely removable from the frame 25 to permit loading, as will be described. f

When the dispenser is fully loaded and ready for use, the paper rolls 15 are supported one above the other, with suicient clearance to afford freedom thereto from each .other and guides 26 are packed close together and supported on seats or

stops

37 and 38, as shown in

Figs.l

3 and 5. The dispenser is loaded from the top downward, Vwhile the cabinet front 12 is open as shown in Figs. `l and l1, and while all the guides 26,' except the last guide 26jc are out of the frame 25. This last guide 26j which is permanently attached to the frame 25,v lies above or inwardly beyond the seats or stops 37, while the cabinet is being loaded. y

After the top paper roll )c is inserted between its pivot supports 18, the loose unreeled end f from this roll is stretched out along the guide 26f to the bottom of the cabinet 10. Guide26e is then inserted through a pairof opposed notches 31 in the frame channels 27 andil pushed along the frame 25 towards its upper end, until the lower end of this guide clears the stops 37. The next ,paper roll 25e is then loaded on its pivot supports 18 and its loose unreeled end e stretched out along the lguide 26e to the bottom of the cabinet 10. Guide 26d is then inserted through a pair of opposed notches 31 on the frame channels 27 and pushed along the frame 25 towards its upper end, until its lower .end clears the stops 37 In each case, the unreeled end of the toweling from. a'paper roll 15 is trained over the upper bar 32 ofa lcorresponding guide 26, and the loading process described is continued for all the rolls 15, until the last bottom roll 15a is loaded. The unreeled end a of this last bottom paper roll 15a is not trained over the bar 32 of the corresponding guide 26a, as in the case of the unreeled ends of the other paper rolls, but is threaded direclyjfrom said roll 15a through the bottom of the'.

dispenser and out to dene a loose hanging end a'. All the other unreeled roll ends b, c, a', e and f are trained over the top bars 32 of the

guides

26a, 26b, 26e, 26d and 26e respectively, threaded between adjoining guides 26-and convergently collected in a pocket 40 (Figs. 3 and 1l) of tapering cross-section, serving as a chute for these roll ends and formed near the lower end of the dispenser between the loose end a of the bottom roll n15a anda confining Wall plate 41, to be more kfully described. The unreeled paper end'a is led directly from the bottom paper roll 15a along the face of the bottom platen bar`33 of the end guide 26a and out to dene the surplus ap end a', as shown in Figs. 3 and ll. In fully loaded position, the open cabinet will be in the condition shown in Fig. 11.

After the dispenser is fully loaded with the loose extreme end a' from the bottom roll 15a hanging out to afford surplus for a starting flap, and after the cabinet front 12 has been close'd for operation, the unreeled end a from 'the bottom paper roll 15a will be sandwiched between the bottom platen bar-33 of the end guide 26a and a feed roller 45. After closing of the cabinet front 12, the surplus end a' of the toweling unreeled from the bottom paper roll 15a will project through a dispensing opening slot or throat 42. This surplus projecting end a' of the toweling from the bottom roll 15a is torn off across a serrated cutting edge 106 on one side ofthe dispensing slot 42, thus leaving the dispenser ready for use,

either by manipulation of a push-button or of a handle,`

as will be more fully described, to deliver a predetermined length of toweling through the dispensing slot 42.

. The feed roller 45 (Figs. 3 and 5) is desirably made of soft rubber molded to a shaft 46 supported in bearings 47 in the-side walls 48 of the cabinet back 11.

To direct the towelings unreeled from the paper rolls 15 towards the dispenser slot 42 after they pass the feed roller 45, 4a wall 59 (Figs. 2, 3, 5 and l1) is provided on one side of the course of these towelings, extending upwardly from the bottom wall 51 of the cabinet back 11on oneside of the dispensing slot 42. On the opposite side of the coursetof the toweling ends unreeled from the :paper rolls 415 is the plate 41. Both of these plates'41-and 50 extend edgewise the full width of the towelings and converge towards the dispensing slot 42 to formthechute for these towelings tapering towards saiddispensing slot.

' sections of vthese side walls serving as the stops 37 respectively. These stops 37 are wide enough to support all of the` guides 26 except the one nearest to the feed roller 45. ,The; end guide 26 nearest to the feed roller 45 is supportedon the seats or stops 38 mounted on the stops 37 Vrespectively for movement out of guide supporting position, when said end guide is dragged downward by the feed roller 45, in the absence of interveningpaper toweling, as will be more fully described.

The side arms 57 of the bracket 55 have respective bottom tab extensions 58 respectively supporting a hinge rod 60 for the lower edge of the wall plate 41. This plate 41 is biasedv by a spring 61 encircling the hinge rod 60 and urging said plate in a clockwise direction about the axis of said hinge rod (Figs. 3 and 1l). The upper edge of the plate 41 is bent 0r rolled to deline a bead 62 serving to establish resilient pressure contact on the lower platen bar 33 of the end guide 26j, due to the action of the spring 61.

The upper ends of the guides 26 are supported within the side channels 27 of the frame 25, as already described, whilether lower ends resting on the

stops

37 and 38 arefree to slide along said stops towards the feed roller 45 ,under the pressure action of the spring-pressed plate 41, except as limited by said feed roller. As a result, the lower ends of the guides 26 are pressed by the plate 4l -against vthe feed roller 45, so that constant feed pressure is maintained against the paper toweling between said feedroller and the platen bar 33 ofthe first guide 26 adjacent to said feed roller.

Since the feed roller 45 is made of soft rubber, it affords s ucient frictional contact with one side of the paper toweling to grip the toweling and feed it downward without-slippage along .the comparatively smooth metallic surface of the platen bar 33of the adjacent guidez, The surface of this platen bar 3 3 presents little frictional resistance tothe, downward feed of the paper toweling,

thereby causing vthe paper toweling .to be fed through the dispensing slot 42 at the peripheral speed of the feed roller 45.

The feed roller 45 may be operated. .either electrically or manually. In the electric .control shown in Fig. 3, the feed roller 45 is actuated by a geared .electric motor 65 secured to the base 51 of the cabinetback 11 and driving said roller through

sprockets

66 and 67 and a linx-.chain 68. The motor is geared to rotate sprocket 66 one full revolution with manipulation of a motor control switch 7 0 shown in the form o f a .push-button (Figs. l, 5 and 6) accessible for manipulation from -the front of the cabinet 10. The control device by which the motor sprocket .66 is rotated one revolution for each actuation of the push button 70 and then automatically stopped,

is .well-known in the towel dispensing art. The ratio of the ,diameters ofthe sprockets 66 and67 is such, that each revolution of the sprocket 66 will rotate the feed roller 45 a number of predetermined revolutions, to deliver a predetermined length vof .toweling through the dispensing Slot 42.

Fig. 12 shows a .manually .operated arrangement using a crank .handle to rotate the feed roller 45 through the required number of revolutions. In this arrangement, a gear 7 5 is .mounted on one end .of the feed roller shaft 46 inside thecabinet 10 and a second gear 76 in said cabinet is secured .to a shaft 78 supported for rotation on a side wall 48 of the cabinet back 11 and .extendingthrough said side wall to the outside of said cabinet. Secured to the outside end of .this shaft 7 8 is a feed control member 80 in the form ,of Aa crank handle. Gear `76 is in mesh with .the gear and their-speed ratio is such, that one complete turn of the crank handle will rotatethc feed roller .4 5 stlcently, to dispense a predetermined length of .towelirtg A stop, such as is generally used to limita crankrnovement to one revolution, is used in this mechanism 1to prevent continuous -feed of the toweling. l

Fig. i3 shows another type of manual operation. In this arrangement, a sector gear is mounted on -a shaft 86 extending through a side wall 48 of the cabinet back 1.1 and carrying at its end outside the cabinet 10 a crank handle 87 serving as a feed control member. This sector gear 85 meshes with the :gear 75 .on the feed roller shaft, so that one swing of the .handle 87 from front to back of .the cabinet 1 0, .will dispense the desired length of toweling.

From the description of the device so far presented, it is apparent that the feed roller 4S exerts no friction on the operative 'platen bar 33 adjacent to the feed roller and will feed the exposed toweling from the `bottom paper roll 15a until it is completely used up. When the last remnant of toweling from vthis bottom paper roll 15a has passed the feed roller 45, the friction hold afforded by this feed roller is transferred directly .to the platen bar 33 itself, and since this feed roller is of soft rubber, its rotation will urge the platen bar downward. I v

As already indicatedythe fixed stops 37 constituting the upper sections of the side arms 57 respectively of the U-bracket '55 are wide enough to support all of the guides 26 except the guide 26 nearest the feed roller 45 which is supported on the movable stops 38, as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 9. Each of these movable stops 38 forms part of a springpressed upstanding slide 90 movably attached to a corresponding side arm 57 of the U-bracket 55 by a pair of guide studs 91 and 92 axed to said side bracket arm. The stud 91 passes through an angularly inclined cam slot 93 on the upperend ofthe slide 90 and the stud 92 passes through a guide slot 94 at the lower end o f said slide extending lengthwise of said slide. The upper endof this slide 90 defining a corresponding stop 38 presents aseat 95 vfor the Vguide 26 nearest the feed roller 45. This scat 9 5 is normally maintained in its uppermost position level with the t0n guide seating Surface .ofthe corresponding stop 37 by means o f a tension spring 9.7 secured at one end to a .lateral Yextension of the slide 90 and at its other end to an anchor pin affixed to the corresponding side arm 57 of the bracket v55. The stud 92 limits the upper movement of the s lide 90 .to the guide supporting position adjacent to the feed roller, as described.

When there is no towelng between the feed 1911er 4.5 and the adjacent guide 26 seated on the'stops 3S, the f riction of said feed roller drags this guide downward against the action of the springs 97, thereby depressing the Stops 3 8. Due to the `inc :lination of the cam slot 93 on each slide 90, this slide is cammed angularly away from the feed roller 4 5 as this slide moves downward, thereby causing the stop 38 at the upper end of this slide to move sideways away from said feed roller and from under Vthe paper guide 26 adjacent t0 Said feed rollr, until .tbs SIOP 38 clears said guide. Under these conditions, the cleared guide 26 adjacent to the feed vroller 4 5 be lowered by the friction 4action of said Vfeed roller thereon, until this guide -isstopped by extensions n1 02 on the s ide bracket arms 57 serving as racks f or the guides 26 which have completed their paper guidingfunction, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. These side bracket arms 57 have respective sloping edges 103 for directing the idle guides 2 6 beyond the wall 5 0 and onto the racks 102. As each guide 26 is dropped o nto .the racks 1 02, it moves the other guides one step along thc racks towards their outer ends. The feed roller 4 5 is provided Awith two circumferential slots 105 (Fig. 5) for receiving the straps 34 of tho vidle guides 26, as these guides are dropped into inoperative position on theSe racks 102.

Since the entire group of guides 26 is under the pressure of the plate 41 through the spring ,6 1, thc entire group moves up towards the feed .Ioller45 along the stops 3 7, as soon as the guide 2 6 nearest the feed roller has been forced down out of the way. This operation exposes the u nreeled `tnweling .of the .non paper roll 15 in reserve and pushes `it Ainto contact with the feed roller 45, while moving the next guide 2 6 facing said toweling onto the stops 38, which by this time have been released into their uppermost guide seating position under the action of the springs 97. This change to a new paper `roll 15 is repeated automatically, wheneverthe previous paper roll has been exhausted, ,until the last paper roll in the dispenser is used vup. When this final-dispensing .stage is reached, -thedispenser is automatically locked ,against further manipulation, either -by disconnecting .the current operating -the motor `65 or ,by locking the Igears in the .case of a manually operated machine.v This locking mechanism is not show n but it may .b e accomplished, as for example, when the last remaining guidef26f is forced down, after the lastpaper roll 15j has beenexhausted, by causing .this downward guide movement to actuate the locking mechanism. lt should lbe noted that enough clearance exists between the top bar 32 of this last guide 26j and the pins 36 .on the frame 25, .in .the operative position of said guide, to permit `rsaid guide to drop onto the the racks 1102, when the last roll 15j has been consumed.

lt should be noted again that Vthe upper ends of the channels 27 l(Figs. 2, 3, 7 and 8) of the Aframe 25 retaining Athe guides 26 are suspended on the vrod 30 near the top of the cabinet front 1 2 :but the .lower end of this frame including'the bottomcross-brace 28 is free to swing. This swinging action of the frame 25 about ythe axis of the rod 3G, permits the guides 26 restingonthe stops 37 and 3S to move successively up 'to the :feed roller 45 and partway within said roller, as indicatedrby the dotted lines in Fig. 3. At the-same time, the lower ends of the frame channels 27 including the cross-brace 28 move over from position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 vto dot and dash line position shown. The guides '26 and frame channels 27 in the dot and dash line position show n in Fig. 3, appear to cut ,partway through the paper towel rolls 15, but it mustbe understood that the lower paper rolls are used up before the guides move into that position, so that no interference is encountered. Y

l At the lower' end'of the cabinet'front 12 o n one side of the dispensing slof 42 (Figs. 3 and 5) is a serrated cutting edge 106 provided to aid in the process of tearing user by pulling on the projectingpnrt of the toweling.

p Since the feed'roller 45 is arranged to rotate through av detnite'cycle initiated electrically or mechanically by a vmanipulationy of the user,'and since each cycle discharges a predetermined length of toweliug, there might be an interval during certain cycles, when the end of the feeding from one paper roll 15 and the beginning of the feeding from the next paper roll 15 overlap, so that the toweling from a fresh paper roll 15 starts feeding before the end of the previous paper roll 15 has been withdrawn fromV the chute defined between the walls 41 and 5t). To prevent this overlapping feed during any cycle, the towel ing from a new paper'roll 15 is prevented from coming into Contact with the feed roller 45, during any cycle during which said feed roller has been feeding out the end from a previous paper roll 15. This permits the feed roller 45 to complete this cycle and to come to a stop and causes the feed from the next paper roll to be delayed until the next cycle is initiated by a fresh manipulation by the user.

To prevent feed overlap during any one cycle, as described above, there is provided a guide pawl or detent 110 (Figs. 3 and 5), which is shown in the form of a hoodrpivotally supported near one end for up and down swinging movement on a rod 111 mounted on the side walls 48 of the cabinet back 11, and which covers the feed roller 45. This guide detent 110 comprises a top wall 112 extending across the full width of the cabinet and downwardly extending side anges 11.3 flanking the ends of said feed roller. Each of these flanges 113 has a guide stop 114 in the form of a tab extending therefrom beyond the feed roller 45 to a point slightly less than the thickness of the lower platen bar 33 von the guide 26 adjacent to the feed roller, and when said guide is in operative normal position adjacent to said feed roller, as shown in full lines in Fig. 3. the detent 110 is in raised position with its guide stops 114 resting on said platen bar. When the toweling from the active paper roll is used up and the paper guide 26 adjacent to thc feed roller 45 is forced downward by the friction action of said feed roller directly thereon, as described` the guide detent 11.0 drops down by the action of gravity about the axis of its supporting rod 111, until said detent .is stopped by a control rod 115, as indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 3. ln this dropped position of the guide detent 110, the guide stops 114 will assume a position in front of the platen bar 33 of the next succeeding guide 26, thereby blocking the movement of said guide towards the feed roller 45, until the detent is lifted again.

The rod 115 controlling the downward guide blocking position of the detent 110 into the dot and dash line position shown in Fig. 3, also serves to return said detent into elevated position shown in full lines. For that purpose, this control rod 115 (Figs. 3, 5 and 6) is journalled in the side walls 48 of the cabinet back 11 for rotation about its longitudinal axis and is provided with two notches 1.16 to receive the side flanges 113 respectively of the guide detent 110. When the guide detent 110 is in its lower position and its side flanges 113 are resting in the notches 116 of this rod 115, the rotation of this rod in either direction will lift the detent 116, raising the stops 114.011 thsdetent above the platen bar`33 of the guidesr 26 restingfon the stops 37, and releasing thereby the guides 26 for movement towards the feed roller by the action of the spring-pressed plate 41.` lThis control rod 115 is rotated by 'the same manipulation of the user which initiates' the ncxt towel feeding cycle. The mechanism for rotating this control rod 115 may be of any suitable type'fand in Figs. 5 and 6'this mechanism is 'shown comprising "a linkage made up lof 'a slide 117 mips-.centA to one side wall 17 ofthe cabinet front 12 connected at one endto' the push button 70 by which Ithe motor `is startedfor operation through a single cycle, and guided for movement across said side wall by a pin 118 in said side wallpassing through an elongated slot 128 in said slide and a'slide 121 adjacent to a side wall s55 of the cabinet'baclill' disposed in end to end abutting relationship with the slide 117 land guided for movement across said side cabinet wall 48 by means of a pair of pins 122 in said side cabinet wall 48 passing through respective elongated slots 123'in said slide 121. One end of the slide 121 engages an arm 124 secured to one end of the control rod 115, this arm being maintained in contact with the end of the slide 121'by means of a suitable spring 125 acting on the control rod.

ln operation, the guide detent is normally maintained in elevated position, shown in full lines in Fig. 3, with the guide stops 114 on said ldetent resting on the platen bar 133 `of the guide 26 adjacent to the feed roller 45, but spaced `beyond the platen bar 33 of the next succeeding guide 26. While a paper roll 15 is active, every time a towel dispensing cycle is initiated by actuation of the push' button' 70, the controlrod 115 is vrotated clockwise (Fig. 3)th'rough 'the linkage 117 and 121, through an angle, but this'pperation of the control rod 115 is an idle one, sincethe detent 110 is already in elevated position shown in full lines in Fig. 3. However, when the last of, this active'roll' 1S 'has been fed during a cycle beyond'the feed roller' 45,' the guide 26 adjacent to the feed roller 45 coming into direct contact with the feed roller is moved 'downward thereby, causing the detent 110 'supported on said guide to drop with said guide into dot and dash line position shown in Fig. 3, to block the movement`ofthe next guide 26 into towel feeding position with respect to the feed roller 45. The detent 110 lis rnaintained in this guide blocking position, until the start of the next dispensing cycle. When this next dispensing c'ycle is initiated by manipulation of the push button 70,*Vthecontro`l rod is rotated clockwise (Fig. 3) to lift the detent, until its guide stops 114 clear the platen bar 330i the next succeeding guide 26, as shown in full lines in Fig. 3, whereupon the group of platen bars 33 is moved bythe action of the springpressed plate 41 towards the feed roller 45, until the paper toweling on the end platen Abar 33 is pressed against said feed roller for dispensation.

In the case of a manually operated dispenser, a suitable connection is provided between the rocker arm 124 on the control rod 115 and the operating handle or crank employed for operating the feed roller 45 to produce the function of preventing feed overlap, described above in connectionrwith an electrically 'operated dispenser.

The guide` detent'110 serves not only the function described but serves also to guide the paper toweling from the bottom roll 415a immediately above the detent to-V wards the feed side cf the feed roller 4S. The purpose of alll of the guides 26, in addition to holding the paper toweling against the feed roller 4S, is to maintain the lOWelng above Said fed roller from collapsing and becoming tangled, whenthe upper end of the toweling is pulled loose from theroll core 20. Since there are no guides 26 serving to prevent the tail end of the paper toweling from the bottom paper roll 15a just above the gui'de detent 110 from collapsing, this detent serves as a guide for this purpose. pulled loose from the core 20 of the bottom roll 15a it' When the paper toweling B is l 9 cndsandiallson .top of the ,defeat 110, .as shown by the dot amd dash lines B in Fig. 3. ,Fur-ther drag .by .the feed roller :45, will straighten out f he paper. toweling and feed itgpast hefeed roller. The front edge of the guide detent 110 hasv a downwardly turned flange 127 serving as a smoothjguide lip over -which the paper toweling rides in its passage towards the feed roller 45.

In a like manner, the -upper end of .each -gu-lde 26 holds the loose'end of each paper roll 15 in the -form of acurl, as Shown by lthe dot and dash linesB in connection with the-secondpaper rod-l 15b in Fig. 3, .and straightens this curlfas the paper toweling is pulled down. The guide 26 maintains the .toweling straight -between their-straps 3 4, until .ihevnigreeled ends of these towelings vare -fed out past the feed-:roller 45.

.;,A1tho1igh= fthev guides 26 have been described as being rendered inoperative .as they .are dropped successively onto the racks 102, actually the top cross-bar 32 of the last guideto dmpaonto said racks serves as a guide for the paper fromihe iactive roll l5, -as shown fin .dot and dash linesinFig. Y

.already described, the feed roller 45 is cut away with slotsgwS -to receive the straps 34 on the idle guides 26 asthey :are pushed onto the rack 162 into the dot and dash lineposition shown .in Fig. 3. Similarly, the top Wall ,112 of the detcnt 110 has slots 130 (Fig. ,5) n line with `the slots .105 .on .the feed roller 45, to receive the guide straps .34, as the idle guides .26 are pushed onto the rack 102.

in .order .to ,indicate to the attendant when the dispenser should b e reloaded, .the cabinet front 12 has -in its front panel near the bottom a 4window 13.5 (liigs. l, 3., .4 and 5D located .the left or right side of the front. lnsidert-he cabinet front 12 is an .indicating device coniprishig aplate- 136 movable across the window 35 Aand supported -for verticalxslide movement by anca-ns of studs 13,7 :secured .to the iront panel of the cabinet fnont -12 and passing with tree Aslide fit :through a slot 13S in .said ifhe plate-13.6 has .a right-.angle offset 140 at its lower rend, notched fto provide a stepped edge 141 extending above and across the entire lgroup .of guides 26, as shown zin :Figs 3, land .5, the -width of leach step being equal to the width of -a'tp'laten bar 3.3 on each guide 26. On-ih'eiface of the slide plate 1361's a vertical row of indicatimrs 142 visible :successively through the window lmsthis :slide plate is dropped .step by step, rin the manner to fbe described. 'These indications i412 comprise the word Empty-and 'below this word the mmnerals :l to l6 reading downward.A

Whemthe dispenser :is ull and the bottom paper towel 15a isfactive, :the :bottom'step on .the offset 140 of the slide platel56 rests :on'the' platen bar 33 of the last guide .26f, so ithat fthe numerai .6 :appears vin the window 135, rindicating fthat :there .are six paper rolls in .the dispenser, 4at lesttve; of whichtare in reserve. When 'the bottom roll 15a is used up :and the ,guide .26a pushed into Ainoperative position onto, the rack 102, the .remaining guides .26!) to Zfzare moved'one step .towards the feed roller 45, caus ing ,the platen bar 3B of Athe ,last guide ;26f to move forward rout .of the -way -of the .bottom step lon Ithe tolset i140 of the slide plate 136. Ihis causes the VSlide plate 136 so released to ,drop by ,gravity one step, until :the step tnext from the .bottom seats on -the platen bar 1.33 -of the last guide 2573 therebyhringing .the numeral 5 into -iv-iew thnottgh the window. 135, -to indicate that .there are :at leas t, four lreserve Lrpaper .rolls 1S and one active soll 15. 'Ibis .step hystep operation .of .the indicating device .fis continuedJjuntil the word Empty appears .-throughthe window 135, indicating .that all of -the paper rolls l15 have .been-consumed.

When reloading the dispenser, -it -is necessary to .move the indicator plate 136 manually back to its uppermost position, .since in :its lowerrnost position, its olset 140 block-s ithe trestoratfon of the ,guides 26 back into ,position along the

stops

37 and 38.

while thesabinet frontlZ is eloscd. the pack of guides. 26 is held byimeatlsof .the springfpressed plate 41 against the feed roller 45 mounted on `the cabinet back 1 1. ever, when the cabinet front' 1'2-is opened; vthis pack .of guides 26 is no longer conned by the feed roller 4iso that the pressure ofthis plate on these guides. tendsto move these guides away from .the'stops 37 and .38. To hold the guides 26 -in place against the pressure of the plate 41 when the cabinet front 12 is opened, there is provided a pair of angle pieces, each having a leg 143 (Figs. 3, 5 and 9) secured to aside .wall 17 .of the cabinet front above the

stops

37 and 3 8 and a short leg 144 over@ lappingthe platen bar 33 of the front guide, to serve as a check against the movement of the guides 26 away from the stops 37 .and 38 under tbe'spring .action of the plate 41. When loading the dispenser in open position of the cabinet front 12, it `is necessary to depress slightly the bead 62 on the plate 41, to insert the paper guides 42 6 he tween said bead and the guide checks 144. Whenthe cabinet front-12 .is closed for operation, the feed troller c5 vforces .the paper guides .'26 .away from the checks 144, as seen in Fig. 3, thesechecks remaining A'idle mill the cabinet front is opened again. t

Where the dispenser is limited to low .-capacity, as ,for example, to three .or four rolls of toweling for the less active washroorns,` the cabinet will .be low enough ,to permit the use conveniently of a .cabinet iront with a -side hinge connection to the cabinet back. However, in a busy washroom, it may be necessary tto extend the cabinet from a normal operating height at the v bottom to close to the ceiling. In such .a case, to avoid using a step ladder for loading, tthecabinet front 12 `is designed to hinge to the back 11 at the bottom and to swing out in front to .a horizontal position, as :shown in Figs. 10 and l-l. The hinge for this bottom connection comprises ;a plate. rigidly .secured ,to each side -wall :48 of the cabinet bank 11 near the bottom and extending `out into the ,cabinet front 12, each -plate having a depending ltab 151 at its outer end .as a hinge support. A hinge -rod or pintle 152 is inserted through :the side walls 17 of .the cabinet jliront 12 and through the tabs 151, thusA hingi-ng the cabinet front 12 ,to Ythe `cabinet back Il. vA link :arm .153 Fig. 1-.0 for each side of lthe cabinet v10 between the bac-k 11 and the front 12 comprises a pair of links pivotally connected atzone end fto the cabinet back-and cabinet -front respectively and jointed together at :their opposite ends, and these link anms serve :to support the cabinet front horizontally when in .loadcd position. These ,link arms 153 fold up within the cabinet 10, when the cabinet is closed. .A suitable latch or lock not shown) -is provided to secure .the cabinet iront 12 in closed position against the .cabinet 'back ,11.

The attendant may wait until all of the paper *.rolls 15 are consumed before he reloads the dispenser. More likely, he -wil1 load at some stage, while a paper -roll 15 is still acti-ve and unconsurned and while some paperroll or :rolls are Still in reserve. For loading the dispenser while in par-tially tlled condition, the attendant opens up the cabinet front 12 and removes from tthe frame 25 fthe guides 26 which have dropped into inoperative position onto therack 102, except the last guide ,2 6 to -drop onto said rack. This last guide 26 .is replaced onto 'the unreeled end of the toweling from the partially consumed roll 15J ythe empty .cores 20 of the consumed 'Paperrolls 15 are .replaced with full paper -rolls l5, and the Vidle guides 26 which ,had been .removed from .the trame .2 5 are replaced ton this v fratrie `with the unreeled .ends ofthe full replacing rolls 15 interleaved yalternately between these guides and with the unreeled .end of the bottom troll 15a onftop. -IThe ,loose ends rb,I rc, d, e and yfof the paper rolls 15b, 15e, 15d, 15e and 15jc respectively, beyond .the guides 26, extendin :the .chute .between .the

plates

41 and 5 0, while the .last loose .end of the bottom roll )15a vis pulledibeyond (the tcaredge 10610 provide athc sulplus a.

The doosetoweling. ends .of the yother paper rolls 15.'

except the paperroll which is partially consumed and was active before reloading extend in the chute between the plates 41' and-150 but 'are' short of reaching the tear edge 106, whilethe loose end of this partially consumed roll extends to this tear edge but does not interfere with the feed of the toweling from'the bottom roll 15a, when the dispenser is closed and the next dispensing cycle is initiated. The paper rolls are used successively from the bottom to the top as described, the partially consumed roll becoming a reserve roll and coming into feed action again when its turn is reached. In this manner, the reloading of the dispenser is effected without interfering with the reserve and active paper rolls 15 in the dispenser.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to specific embodiments, it is to -be -understood that it is not to be limited thereto but is to be construed broadly and restricted solely by the scope of the appended claims.

` What is claimed is:

l.- In a paper towel dispenser, the combination comprising'a-cabinet having a dispensing opening, means for supporting a plurality of paper rolls in said cabinet in a row one above the other, one of said rolls-being set for feed through said opening while the succeeding rolls are held in reserve, and means for picking up the feed from said rolls in succession for dispensation through said opening-automatically as the rolls are successively cori-v sumed, while maintaining said rolls in their reserve position one above the other.

2. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination comprising a cabinet having a main section and a door section movably attached thereto for movement into open and closed positions and presenting a dispensing opening, means for supporting a series of paper rolls on said door section one above the other for movement with said door section, -means for feeding paper from said rolls towards said opening for dispensation, and neans for setting said rolls from a reserve-state successively into operation for feeding automatically as the -rolls are successively consumed, while maintaining said rolls in their original reserve position one above the other.

3. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination as described in claim 2, wherein said main section is in the form of a box of rectangular shape open at the front and adapted to be secured to a wall, said door section constitutes a front for said main section and is hinged-thereto and said paper supporting means are adapted to support the paper rolls on said door section in a row one above the other.

` 4. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination cornprising means for supporting a plurality of paper rolls, a corresponding plurality of platens stacked in position one ahead of the other face to face in a row with the unreeled ends of-said rolls alternately positioned with respect to said platens and one roll end at the end of the platen stack exposed and in face contact with the adjacent platen to receive feed support therefrom, a feed roller in position to engage frictionally the exposed unreeled roll end and to feed it along the platen in contact with -said exposed roll end, means for pressing the stack of platens-and said feed roller relatively towards each other, and means mounting said platens for movement from said stacked position into inoperative positions, whereby said'platens may be moved successively into said inoperative positions, as the paper rolls are successively used upto expose successively the unreeled ends of the paper `rolls alternately positioned with respect to said platens and to 'cause said roll ends successively as they are exposed to engage said feed roller for feeding action. f v

5. ln a paper towel dispenser, the combination comprising means for supporting a plurality of paper rolls in a row one above the other, a corresponding plurality of paper guides arranged in a pack one ahead of the other in front of the position of the supported Ipaper rolls-and having respective platens face to face-in a row, the unreeled ends of the paper from said rolls except the unreeled end of the bottom paper roll being adapted to be interleaved alternatelynand stretched yout between said e paperl guides, while the unreeled end of the bottom paper roll is exposed at the end of the guide pack, a feed roller in position opposite vto said platens to engage frictionally the exposed unreeled paper end and to feed it along the platen which is in contact with said exposed paper end, means for pressing the pack of platens and said feed roller relatively towards each other, and means mounting said guides for movement from said pack position into inoperative positions, whereby said guides may be moved successively into said inoperative positions, as the 'paperrolls are successively used up to expose successively the unreeled ends of the paper roll alternately' positionedwith respect to said platens and to cause said roll ends successively as they are exposed to engage said feed rollerv for feeding action. if

6. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination as described in claim 5, wherein each of said paper guidesv except the last one, includes a cross-bar near'one -end serving as a guide bar for a corresponding'unreeled roll end, a cross-bar near the other end dening the corresponding platen, and a pair of substantially parallel straps interconnecting said cross-bars into a rigid substantially rectangular open structure, said last paper guide including a pair of substantially parallel straps and a bottom cross-bar interconnecting said latter straps to form a rigid open structure.

7. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination as described in claim 5, comprising a frame for retaining said paper guides in upright position as a pack, said guides being supported on said frame for movement with respect thereto into inoperative position as the corresponding paper roll is consumed, and being of different lengths to accommodate the heights of the different paper rolls.

8. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination comprising means for supporting a plurality of paper rolls in a row one above the other, a frame supported for swinging movement and comprising a pair of substantially parallel upright channels rigidly interconnected by a cross# brace, a plurality of paper guides supported as a pack in said frame one ahead of the other in front of the position of the supported paper rolls, the 'unreeled ends of the paper from said rolls except the unreeled end fof the bottom paper roll being adapted to be interleaved alternately and stretched out between said paper guides, while the unreeled end of the bottom paper roll is exposed at the end of the guide pack, each of'said paper guides except the last one including a cross-bar near the top serving as a guide bar for a corresponding unreeled roll end, a cross-bar near the bottom defining a paper platen, and a pair of substantially parallel straps interconnecting said cross-bars into a rigid substantially rectangular open structure, said last paper guide including a pair of substantially parallel straps and a bottom crossbar interconnecting said latter straps to form a rigid open structure, all of said cross-bars projecting at their ends beyond said straps and into the channels of said frame, said straps being of different lengths to accommodate the height of the different paper rolls, the platens being arranged face to face in a row, a feed roller in position opposite to said platens to engage frictionally the exposed unreeled roll end and to feed it along the platen which is in contact with said exposed roll end, means for pressing the platens towards said feed roller as a pack, and means mounting said guides for movement fromsaid pack position with respect to said frame into inoperative positions, whereby said guides may be moved successively into said inoperative positions, as the paper rolls are successively used up to expose successively the unreeled ends of the paper roll alternately positioned with respect to said platens and to cause said roll ends successively as they are exposed to engage said feed roller for feeding action.

13 :.9. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination comprising means for supporting a plurality of paper rolls, a: corresponding plurality of platens stacked imposition one ahead of the otherface to .face in a row with the unreeled ends of said rolls alternately positioned with respect to said platens and one roll end at the end of the platen stack exposed and in face contact with the adjacent first platen :to receive feed support therefrom, means for supporting all of said platens except the rst one, means supporting said first platen in operative position rand having a -spring-pressed mounting permitting the latter platen :supporting means to be depressed when the first platen supported thereon is forced downward, a' ,feed-roller opposite said platen stack in position to engage frictionallytheexposed unreeled roll end and to feed it valong said rst platen, while said tirst platen` is supported-onsaid depressible platen .supporting means, means for pressing the stack of platens towards said feed roller, said first platen when engaged directly by said feed roller in the absence of intervening paper being pressed down bysaid .feed vroller with a force 'to cause said depressible platen supporting means to be depressed, thereby allowing said ,first platen to move downward, and means for guiding :said first platen into inoperative position as :said rst platenis depressed, thereby causing the stack of platens to move under the action of said pressing means one step towards said feed roller, -to bring the next exposed unreeled paper end into feed contact with said feed roller, and 'to bring the Vnext platen in contact with the .latter exposed unreeled A,paper 4end in position vto be supported on rsaid depressible supporting means.

10. In la paper towel dispenser, the combination -comprising means for supporting ap lurality of paper rolls, a paper .feed control member, means responsive to each manipulation of said control member for feeding through a cycle a section of paper of predetermined length from said paper rolls for dispensation, means for :setting said rolls from reserve successively into operation for feeding, automatically as the paper rolls are successively consumed, and means for interrupting :the :feedz-from a fresh paper roll until the next feeding cycle, during any cycle in which the tail end of a previous active roll is dispensed.

ll. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination as described in 4claim 4, comprising a paper feed control member, means responsive to each manipulation of said control member for driving said feed roller -through a predetermined angle to feed a section of paper of predetermined length from said paper rolls for dispensation, means for holding said stack of platens and said feed roller against relative movement towards each other under the action of said pressing means during any feed cycle in which the first platen adjacent to said feed roller has been moved into inoperative position, whereby the next exposed unreeled roll end is maintained out of feed contact with said feed roller until the next feed cycle, and means operable upon each manipulation of said control member for rendering said holding means inoperative during the initial period of each feed cycle.

l2. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination comprising means for supporting a plurality of paper rolls in a row one above the other, a feed roller below the position of the bottom paper roll, a paper feed control member, means responsive to each manipulation of said control member for driving said feed roller through a predetermined angle to feed a section of paper of predetermined length from said paper rolls for dispensation, means for setting said paper rolls from reserve successively into operation for feeding, automatically -as the paper rolls are successively consumed, and means for interrupting the feed from a paper roll until the next feeding cycle during any cycle in which the tail end of a previous active roll is dispensed and comprising a hood disposed between the position of the bottom paper roll and said feed roller and supported for movement into and out of operative position, and a connection between said control member and '14 said hood-.for actuating-said bond. .into inoperative posif tion upon each actuation of said. control member, said hood serving also to support .the curled tail end ofthe paper .from the bottom paper roll, when saidtail-en'd has been pulled ot said bottom paper roll.

13. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination comprising means fof supporting av plurality -ofpaper rolls, means for feeding paper from said rolls for dispensation, means for setting said rolls from reserve successively'into operation for feeding, automatically as the rolls are successively consumed, means for indicating the number of rolls in reserve, and .means automatically `operable as each roll becomes exhausted and each reserve rollis placed into operation for-- operating said indicating means.-

"l-4..n a paper towel dispenser,` the combination cornprsing .a-cabinet defining a dispensing opening, means for support-ing a plurality of4 paper rolls within said cabinet, means for feeding paper from said rolls through said dispensing opening, meansfDr-setting said rolls from reserve successively into 4operation forfeeding, automatically as the rolls are successively consumed, said'cabinet havinga window, an `indicating :plate behind said window bearing indicia representing the number of reserve rolls in said cabinet, said indicia being successively exposable through said -window according to ythe position of said indicating plate, and means for moving said indicating plate step by step automatically as said paper rolls are successively consumed, each step corresponding to the distance between successive indicia to expose an indicium through said window from which the number of rolls still in reserve in the cabinet can be determined.

l5. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination comprising :a cabinet .defining a dispensing opening, means for supporting .aplurality of paper rolls within .said cabinet one ser-vingers yan-activr roll and .the vothers as reserve rolls, means in -said cabinet at the entrance of .said dispenser Adefining aA chute tapering :in cross-section -towards saidsopening, means for guiding the-unreeled papers from .the reserve .paper rolls into said chute in array one in front of the-otherbut :shortof reaching said dispensing opening and for guiding the unreeled paper from the active roll into said chute infront `of the array of other unreeled papersand .through said :dispensing opening and means for feeding the :unreeledpapers Ain said chute successivnlyA through Said dispensing opening, as the paper rollsaresuccessivelyconsumed. a

16. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination comprising a cabinet Ydefining a dispensing opening, means for supporting a plurality of paper rolls within said cabinet, a corresponding plurality of platens stacked in position one ahead of the other face to. face in a row with the unreeled ends of said rolls alternately positioned with respect to said platens and one roll end at the end of the platen stack exposed and in face contact with the adjacent platen to receive feed support therefrom, a feed roller in position to engage frictionally the exposed unreeled roll end and to feed it along the platen in contact with said exposed roll end, means in said cabinet at the entrance to said dispenser opening defining a guide chute for all of the papers from said rolls, which tapers in crosssection towards said opening and which includes a plate forming a wall of said chute, said plate being springpressed against the stack of platens to press said platens towards said feed roller, and means for moving said platens successively out of said stacked position into inoperative position, as the paper rolls are successively used up to expose successively the unreeled ends of the paper rolls alternately positioned with respect to said platens and to cause said roll ends successively as they are exposed to engage said feed roller for feeding action.

17. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination comprising a cabinet having a dispensing opening fixed with respect to said cabinet when the dispenser is in operative condition, means for supporting a plurality of paper rolls in predetermined orderly sequence in said cabinet with one paper roll in operative position for dispensa- 'i135 tionof its papel-1 through said opening and with the'other paper rolls in reserve position for later successive operations and forv dispensation of their papers through sald dispensing opening, andrueans automatically operableas l cach operative roll becomes exhausted for initiating the rotationfof the next reserve roll in the sequence in a paper dispensingdirection and for thereby setting up the latter 'roll as the' next operative dispensing roll. y

:18. lna paper towell dispenser, the combination corn prising a-cabinet having a dispensing opening xed with respect'to said cabinet when the'dispenser is in operative condition, means for supporting a plurality of paper rolls in predetermined 'orderly sequencezin said4 cabinet with one paper rollin operative position for dispensation of its paper through said opening'and ywith the other paper rolls in reserve position for later successive operations and for later dispensations of their papers through said opening, means blocking the reserve rolls'against dispensing operations automatically'while `the operative roll remains unexhausted, and means automatically operable as each operative roll becomes exhausted for releasing the means blocking the operation of the next reserve roll in the sequence, whereby the latter roll can be set up as the next operative dispensing roll.

1.9. In ai paper towel dispenser, the combination comprising a' cabinet having a dispensing opening txed with respect to said cabinet when'the dispenser is in operative condition, means for supporting a plurality of paper rolls in predetermined orderly sequence in said cabinet with one paper roll in operative dispensing condition and with the other paper rolls in reserve for successive dispensing operations, means for feeding the paper from each roll to said dispensing opening, means for rendering the feeding means for the vreserve rolls inoperative automatically while the operative roll remains unexhausted, whereby the delivery of paper from the reserve rollsv to said opening is prevented while the operative roll remains unexhausted, and means automatically operable as each operative roll becomes exhausted for rendering operative the feeding means for the next reserve roll inthe sequence, whereby the latter roll is set up automatically as thenext operative dispensing roll.

20.111 a paper towel dispensenthe combination comprising a cabinet having a dispensing opening, means for supporting a plurality of paper rolls in predetermined orderly sequence in said cabinet with one paper roll in operativeposition and with the other paper rolls in'reserve position, a control member, means responsive fto eachactuati'oniof said control member through a cycle for feeding a predetermined length of paper-from each Vof the -rolls through said dispensing opening, means rendering the paper feeding means for the reserve rolls inoperative automatically while one of the rolls remains operative `for dispensation, "andY means automatically operable as-Seach operative roll becomes exhausted for .rendering operativ'theffeedng means for the next reserve roll -in the'sequence, whereby the actuation of said control member will cause 'dispensation of paper from the latter roll. 21.1:in a paper ltowel dispensen'the combination com# prising a cabinet having' a dispensing opening fixed -with respect to said cabinet'when the. dispenser Yis 4inoperative condi-tiomf-nieans for supporting a plurality of paper rolls in :predetermined orderly sequence in Vsaid cabinet-with one' paperfroll in operative position for dispensation of its paper through a part of said dispensing opening and with the otherpaper rolls in-reserve position for later successive operations and for dispensation of their papers through said:` part of the' dispensing opening; means blocking the operation of the reserve rolls automatically while the operative roll remains unexhausted, means auto# matically operable as each operative roll becomes exhausted for releasing the means blocking the operation of the next reservev roll in the sequence, and means automatically operable with the release of the blocking means for the latter roll for initiating the dispensing operation of the latter roll, while maintaining the latter roll in the axial position it had as a reverse roll, whereby the latter roll is set up as the next operative dispensing roll.

22. In a paper towel dispenser, the combination as described in claim 4, wherein said feed roller is operable to move said platens successively out of said stacked position into inoperative positions, automatically as the paper rolls :are successively used up. v

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,098,509 Krauth June 2, 1914 1,278,906 Goddard Sept. 17, 1918 1,346,970 ohmer et ai. July 20, 1920 1,393,964 l Potts, et al. Oct. 18, 1921 11,750,582 Elliott Mar. 11, 1930