US3697146A

US3697146A - Paper towel dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3697146A
Application number: US136714A
Authority: US
Inventors: Christian K F Boisen
Original assignee: Steiner Company Lausanne SA
Current assignee: Steiner Company Lausanne SA
Priority date: 1971-04-23
Filing date: 1971-04-23
Publication date: 1972-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-10

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing paper towel from a supply roll thereof in a dispensing cabinet includes a dispensing roller and a control shaft concentrically disposed therein for rotation independent thereof, time stop means coupled to the control shaft for halting rotation thereof for a predetermined time interval during each revolution thereof, clutch mechanism releasably coupling the control shaft to the dispensing roller, and adjustable clutch control apparatus for varying the angle through which the dispensing roller rotates before the clutch mechanism is engaged and thereby varying the length of towel web dispensed during each dispensing operation; two embodiments of the invention are disclosed, respectively affording selection among two and three different lengths of towel web to be dispensed.

Description

United States Patent Boisen, deceased [s4] PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER [is] 3,697,146 [451 Oct. 10, 1972 @Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell [72 Inventor: Christian K. F. Boisen, deceased, ff Dithma" Sandle late of Vanlose, Denmark by Karen an V. Boisen, administratrix I 5T CT 73 Assi ee: Steiner Com Lausanne S.A. 1 gn Lausanne, wgag dispenser for dispensing paper towel from a supply iroll thereof in a dispensing cabinet includes a Flledl P" 1971 ldispensing roller and a control shaft concentrically [21] APPL 136,714 therein for rotation independent thereof,

!t1me stop means coupled to the control shaft for haltging rotation thereof for a predetermined time interval U-S- CL "312/39, each revolution thereof clutch mechanism of Search "3 releasably coupling the control haft to the dispensing roller, and adjustable clutch control apparatus for 6 References cued varying the angle through which the dispensing roller UNITED STATES P f rotates before the clutch mechanism is engaged and r thereby varying the length of towel web dispensed Belensen ..3 each operation; two embodiments of 2,957,636 10/1960 Lesavoy ..312/39 X o the invention disclosed respectively affording Rasmussen I. "312/ E ele tion arnong and three different lengths of towel web to be dispensed.

19 Claims,l8 Drawin g Figures 0 I Q J l l I I l R I A I '80 N\\ I? 7 i 1 p I a PATENTEDom 10 I972 sum 1 or 3 FIGJ INVE N TOR CHRIS TIA N K. F. B0/5E/ V by KAREN V. BOISEN, A'dminsfrafr/x PATENTEMBI 1 1912 3.697; 146

SHEET 2 OF 3 F [6. 4A F I6. 48

PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER This invention relates to paper towel dispensers of the type wherein a predetermined length of towel web is dispensed in response to the manual pulling on the exposed portion of the web by a user.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved paper towel dispenser wherein the predetermined length of towel web dispensed during each dispensing operation may be varied by means of simple manual adjustments in the mechanism.

It is an important object of this inventionto provide a dispenser for dispensing a predetermined length of towel web from a supply roll thereof during each dispensing operation, the dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein and rotatably supporting the associated supply roll therein, the towel web extending along an exit path from the associated supply roll through the dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible to a user, a dispensing roller mounted forrotation in the cabinet and disposed in frictional engagement with the towel web for advancing therewith as the towel web is withdrawn from the cabinet by a user, a control shaft mounted in the cabinet adjacent to the dispensing roller for rotation about a fixed axis, automatic time stop means coupled to the control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through a predetermined angle for preventing further rotation thereof for a predetermined time interval, clutch mechanism having anengaged condition firmly coupling the control shaft to the dispensing roller for rotation therewith and a released condition decoupling the control shaft from the dispensing roller for accommodating independent rotation thereof, and adjustable clutch control apparatus mounted for engagement with the clutch mechanism andresponsive to rotation of the dispensing roller for effecting movement of the clutch mechanism between the engaged and released conditions thereof according to a predetermined program during each dispensing operation, the program including a coupled period wherein the clutch mechanism is in the engaged condition thereof and a variable length free period wherein the clutch mechanism is in the released condition thereof, the total angular extent'o'f the coupled period of the program being equal to the predetermined angle for thereby effecting actuation of the time stop mechanism by the control shaft to halt the rotation of the dispensing roller and terminate the dispensing operation, the adjustable clutch control apparatus being movable among a plurality of settings for varying the angular extent of the free period of the program thereby to selectively vary the total number of revolutions of the dispensing roller during each dispensing operation, whereby the length of towel web dispensed during each dispensing operation corresponds to the total number of revolutions of the dispensing roller which varies with the setting of the clutch control apparatus.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dispenser of the type set forth, wherein said clutch control apparatus is responsive to rotation of the dispensing roller through a first portion of the first predetermined angle immediately following operation and timing out of the time stop means for moving the clutch mechanism to the released condition thereof, the clutch control apparatus then being responsive to free rotation of the dispensing roller through a second predetermined angle for moving the clutch mechanism back to the engaged condition thereof, the automatic time stop means then being responsive to continued coupled rotation of the dispensing roller and the control shaft through the remaining portion of the first predetermined angle for halting rotation thereof to terminate the dispensing operation, the adjustable clutch control apparatus being movable among a plurality of setting respectively determining different values of the second predetermined angle for thereby effecting selected variation thereof, whereby the length of towel web dispensed during each dispensing operation corresponds to the sum of the first and second predetermined angles and varies with the setting of the clutch control apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispenser of the type set forth, wherein the clutch mechanism in the released condition thereof prevents recoupling of the control shaft with the dispensing roller, the clutch mechanism further having a set condition decoupling the control shaft from the dispensing roller while accommodating recoupling thereof, the clutch control apparatus including anadjustable releasing member having an operativeposition mounted for engagement with the clutch mechanism and responsive to rotation of the dispensing roller through the first portion of the first predetermined angle for moving the clutch mechanism to the released condition, and the reset member mounted for engagement with the clutch mechanism in the released condition thereof and responsive to free rotation of the dispensing roller through the second predetermined angle for moving the clutch mechanism to the set condition thereof, the clutch mechanism then being movable back to the engaged condition thereof in response to further free rotation of the dispensing roller through a third predetermined angle, the adjustable releasing member being movable between the operative position thereof and an inoperative position spaced from the clutch mechanism for preventing movement thereof from the engaged condition thereof, thereby to reduce the second and third predetermined angles to zero.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a dispenser of the type set forth, wherein the clutch mechanism includes a clutch disc mounted for rotation with the dispensing roller and having a notch formed in the circumferential surface there and a clutch lever mounted for rotation with the control shaft and having a clutch pawl movable between a clutching position bearing against the circumferential surface of the disc and a releasing position out of engagement with the disc, means biasing the pawl in the clutching position thereof for holding the pawl in contact with the circumferential surface of the disc, the pawl being disposed in the clutching position thereof and engaged in the coupling notch when the clutch mechanism is in the engaged condition and being disposed in the clutching position thereof and out of the coupling notch when the clutch mechanism is in the set condition thereof.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a I dispenser of the type set forth, wherein the clutch disc between an operative position mounted for engagement with the clutch lever when the pawl is in the releasing position thereof for moving the clutch mechanism to the set condition thereof and an inoperative position spaced from the clutch lever, the second and third predetermined angles being determined by the positions of both said releasing member and said reset members for thereby determining the length of towel web to be dispensed during each dispensing operation.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts of the towel dispenser whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a paper towel dispensing cabinet constructed in accordance with and embodying the features of the present invention, and illustrating the positions of the towel supply roll and the dispensing roller;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the length control mechanism of the present invention, illustrating the parts of the clutch assembly partially separated;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged view of the clutch assembly of FIG. 2 in its assembled condition with the clutch engaged;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrammatic representations of the configuration of the clutch assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 at two different stages of a typical dispensing operation, with the mechanism set to dispense a length of towel web equal to the circumference of the dispensing roller;

FIGS. 5A through 5D are diagrammatic representations similar to FIGS. 4A and 4B, illustrating the configurations of the clutch mechanism at several stages of a complete dispensing operation, with the mechanism set to dispense a length of towel web equal to twice the circumference of the dispensing roller;

FIGS. 6A through 63 are diagrammatic representations similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, illustrating the configurations of a second embodiment of the clutch mechanism at several stages of a complete dispensing operation, with the mechanism set to dispense a length of towel web of corresponding to one and one-half times the circumference of the dispensing roller; and

FIGS. 7A through 7E are diagrammatic representations similar to FIG. 6, and illustrating the configurations of the clutch mechanism of FIG. 6 at several stages of a complete dispensing operation, with the mechanism set to dispense a length of towel web corresponding to twice the circumference of the dispensing roller.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a dispenser, generally designated by the numeral 50, constructed in accordance with and embodying the features of the present invention. The dispenser 50 includes a cabinet or housing 60 which comprises a closed wall structure, generally prismatic in shape, and provided with a dispensing opening 65 in the bottom thereof adjacent to the front edge thereof,

in a well known manner. Rotatably supported within the cabinet 60 is a supply roll of paper towel, the leading edge of the towel web extending from the supply roll over a dispensing roller, generally designated by the numeral 80, and then outwardly through the dispensing opening 65 to an exposed position extending downwardly below the bottom of the cabinet 60. The dispensing roller preferably comprises a plurality of rubber roller segments 83 spaced along a hollow tubular shaft which is mounted for rotation within the cabinet 60 by suitable means. Each of the rubber roller segments 83 is provided with a frictional circumferential outer surface 84 adapted for frictional engagement with the towel web 75, whereby the dispensing roller 80 will be advanced by the towel web 75 and vice versa, all in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. The above basic dispensing apparatus has been only broadly described, it being understood that the detailed construction thereof is well known in the art, being disclosed, for example, in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,125 issued to H. Rasmussen on Oct. '29, 1968, and entitled PAPER DISPENSER, which patent is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and the disclosure of which patent is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now also to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a length control assembly, generally designated by the numeral 100, for determining the length of towel web 75 to be dispensed during each dispensing operation of the dispenser 50. The length control assembly includes an elongated control shaft disposed within the hollow tubular shaft 85 of the dispenser roller 80 coaxially therewith and extending outwardly beyond the opposite ends thereof. The control shaft 105 is rotatably supported adjacent to the opposite ends thereof in suitable bearings (not shown) which are preferably mounted on the bottom wall of the cabinet 60. The control shaft 105 is coupled at the right hand end thereof, as viewed in FIG. 2, to an automatic time stop device, generally designated by the numeral 90, and diagrammatically represented by a circle in FIGS. 4 through 7. The time stop mechanism 90 may be of the type, the construction and operation of which is disclosed in the aforementioned U. S. Pat. No. 3,408,125. The time stop device 90 is responsive to rotation of the control shaft 105 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, for arresting such rotation once during each revolution of the control shaft 105 for a predetermined period of time, at the expiration of which time period the control shaft 105 is released for further rotation. Integral with the left-hand end of the control shaft 105, as viewed in FIG. 2, and extending radially outwardly therefrom is a crank arm 101, having rotatably mounted adjacent to the outer end thereof a bearing roller 103 having a circumferential groove 104 formed therein. Mounted in the dispensing cabinet 60 adjacent to the left hand end of the control shaft 105 is a leaf drive spring 107, the free end of which is illustrated in FIG. 2 and is mounted for engagement in the groove 104 of the bearing roller 103. The drive spring 107 is preferably of the type disclosed in the aforementioned U. S. Pat. No. 3,408,125, and is arranged to cooperate with the time stop device 90 so that when the control shaft 105 is rotated to the stopping point of the time stop device 90, the drive spring 107 will be cocked and will resiliently urge the control shaft 105 toward continued rotation in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2. After the time stop device 90 has timed out and released the control shaft 105,. the drive spring 107 rotates the control shaft 105 through a predetermined further angle, preferably in the range of about 90. The purpose of this spring-driven rotation of the control shaft 105 after timing'out of the time stop device 90 is to advance a predetermined short length of towel web from the dispensing cabinet 60 to provide a margin for the next user to grab hold of, all as is explained in the aforementioned U. S. Pat. No. 3,408,125, and as will be more fully described hereinafter.

It will be noted that the outer diameter of the control shaft 105 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the dispensing roller shaft 85 to provide a clearance therebetween so that the

shafts

85 and 105 may rotate independently of each other. But in order that the

shafts

85 and 105 may be releasably coupled together, there is provided a clutch assembly, generally designated by the numeral 150, and including an annular clutch disc 110, a clutch lever 120, a control or reset spring 130, and a release cam member 140. The clutch disc 110 is substantially circular in shape and is provided with a circular opening disposed centrally therethrough and accommodating therein the left-hand end of the dispensing roller shaft 85, the clutch disc 110 being spaced a slight distance from the adjacent one of the roller segments 83, and being fixedly secured to the dispensing roller shaft 85 for rotation therewith. The clutch disc 110 has a circumferential outer surface 112 having formed therein a generally rectangular coupling notch 115 for a purpose to be described below.

The clutch lever 120 is provided at one end thereof with an annular mounting sleeve 121 extending outwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto and having a cylindrical opening therein for receiving therethrough the control shaft 105. In its assembled condition, the clutch lever 120 is disposed outwardly of the clutch disc 110, but closely adjacent thereto as illustrated in FIG. 3, with the mounting sleeve 121 being fixedly secured to the control shaft 105 so that the clutch lever 120 rotates with the control shaft 105. Integral with the outer end of the clutch lever 120 and extending inwardly therefrom substantially parallel to the axis of the control shaft 105 is a finger 123 which is disposed in use a slight distance radially outwardly of the circumferential surface 112 of the clutch disc 110 in overlapping relationship therewith, the finger 123 extending inwardly a predetermined distance beyond the inner surface of the clutch disc 1 10. Formed on the outer surface of the clutch lever 120 adjacent to the outer end thereof are a pair of mounting lugs 124 sup porting therebetween a pivot pin on which is pivotally mounted a'clutch pawl, generally designated by the numeral 125. The clutch pawl 125 is pivoted approximately midway between the ends thereof, and is biased toward rotation in the clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, by a suitable torsion spring (not shown). The clutch pawl 125 is shaped complementary to the coupling notch 115 in the clutch disc 110 and is arranged and dimensioned so that the inner end 126 thereof is adapted for engagement in the coupling notch 1 15. The outer end- 128 of the clutch pawl 125 is disposed a predetennined distance outwardly of the lever arm for a purpose to be described below. It will be noted that the pivotal mounting of the clutch pawl permits pivotal movement thereof between a releasing position, illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 2, wherein the inner end- 126 thereof is disposed upwardly out of engagement with the clutch disc 110, and an engaging position, illustrated in solid line in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein the inner end 126 thereof is disposed in engagement with either the circumferential surface 112 of the clutch disc 110 or the coupling notch 115, depending upon the orientation of the clutch disc 1 10.

Mounted on the inner surface of the clutch disc 1 10 adjacent to the coupling notch 1 15 and a slight distance rearwardly thereof, as viewed in FIG. 2, is a spring mount supporting thereon a control or reset leaf spring 130. The reset spring 130 is adjustable between an extended or operative position, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, extending a slight distance radially outwardly beyond the circumferential surface 112 of the clutch disc 110, and a retracted or inoperative position (not shown) withdrawn radially inwardly of the circumferential surface 112 of the clutch disc 110. In the extended or operative position thereof, the outer end of the control spring 130 will be disposed for engagement with the finger 123 of the clutch lever 120 during free rotation of the dispensing roller 80, while in the retracted or inoperative position thereof, the control spring 130 will at all times be spaced from the finger 123, all .for a purpose to be explained more fully hereinafter.

Secured to the inner surface of the bottom wall of the cabinet 60, adjacent to the left-hand end of the control shaft 105, as viewed in FIG. 2, is a release cam member, generally designated by the numeral 140. The cam member includes a flat elongated base plate 141 secured to the cabinet 60 by means of mounting screws 142, respectively received through complementary openings disposed adjacent to the opposite ends of the base plate 141. Preferably, the front one of the screw openings in the base plate 141 is in the form of an elongated slot 143 to accommodate pivotal movement of the base plate 141 about the axis of the rear mounting screw 142, for accommodating lateral adjustment of the position of the cam member 140 between the positions illustrated in solid and broken lines in FIG. 2. Integral with the base plate 141 and extending upwardly therefrom, substantially normal thereto adjacent to the front outer edge thereof, is an upstanding release cam flange 145 having an arcuate cam surface 147 extending along the front and upper edges thereof.

The parts of the clutch assembly 150 are so dimensioned and arranged that when the cam member 140 is pivoted inwardlyto the innermost or operative position thereof, illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 2, the cam flange 145 will be disposed in the path of the clutch pawl 125 as the clutch lever 120 rotates about the axis of the control shaft 105 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, so that the outer end 128 of the clutch pawl 125 will engage the camming surface 147 to effect a cammed pivotal movement of the clutch pawl 128 from the engaging position thereof to the releasing position thereof. On the other hand, when the cam member 140 is pivoted outwardly to its outermost or inoperative position, illustrated in solid line in FIG. 2, the cam flange 145 is disposed out of the path of rotation of the clutch pawl 125, whereby the clutch pawl 125 will no engage the cam surface 147 as the clutch lever 120 rotates about the axis of the control shaft 105.

Referring now also to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the operation of the dispenser 50 and, in particular, the length control assembly 110 thereof, will now be described in detail. After a supply roll 70 of paper towel is loaded into the dispensing cabinet 60, the towel web 75 is threaded over the dispensing roller 80 and outwardly through the dispensing opening 65, with a predetermined length thereof extending downwardly below the dispensing cabinet 60, as is illustrated in FIG. I. In use, the exposed portion of the towel web 75 is gripped by a user and is pulled downwardly to thereby dispense a length of towel web from the dispenser 60, after which the dispensed length is torn off against a tear edge (not shown) located adjacent to the dispensing opening 65. Because of the frictional engagement between the towel web 75 and the surfaces 84 of the dispensing rollers segments 83, the manual withdrawal of the towel web 75 from the dispensing cabinet 60 will effect a corresponding rotational movement of the dispensing roller 80 in the direction of the arrow indicated in FIG. 2, thereby effecting a corresponding rotational movement of the clutch disc 110 which is fixedly secured to the dispensing roller shaft 85.

While, as was described above, the finger 123 and clutch pawl 125 comprise two separate members on the clutch member 120, for simplicity they have been designated as a single member 125 in the diagrammatic illustrations of FIGS. 4 and 5. Thus, in these diagrammatic illustrations, the control reset spring 130 will be illustrated as acting directly upon the clutch pawl 125, rather than upon the finger 123. Fig. 4 illustrates a first mode of operation of the clutch assembly 150, wherein the cam member 140 is pivoted outwardly to the inoperative position thereof out of the path of the clutch pawl 125. Since the cam member 140 is inoperative in this position, it has not been shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The parts of the clutch assembly 150 are arranged so that at the beginning of a dispensing operation, they are disposed in the starting configuration illustrated in FIG. 4A, with the clutch pawl 125 engaged in the coupling notch 115. While the control spring 130 has been illustrated in its retracted position, it will be seen that in this particular mode of operation, the position of the control spring 130 is immaterial, since it remains inoperative throughout the entire dispensing operation.

When the dispensing roller 80 begins to rotate in response to the manual withdrawal of the towel web 75 from the dispensing cabinet 60 by a user, the clutch disc 110 will begin to rotate in the direction of the arrow indicated in FIG. 4A. Since the clutch pawl 125 is engaged in the coupling notch 115 of the clutch disc 110, the clutch lever 120 will be firmly coupled to the clutch disc 110 and will rotate therewith. Accordingly, the control shaft 105, to which the clutch lever 120 is fixedly secured, will also rotate with the dispensing roller 80. This rotation will continue for approximately A revolution until the time stop device 90 is actuated to halt further rotation of the control shaft 105 and the dispensing roller 80 coupled thereto. Thus, further withdrawal of the towel web 75 will be prevented and the dispensed length of towel web may be torn off during the delay interval of the time stop device 90.

As was explained above, the rotation of the control shaft from the starting position illustrated in FIG. 4A to the stopping position illustrated in FIG. 4B effects a cocking of the drive spring 107 by the crank arm 101, whereby upon timing out of the time stop device 90 and release of the control shaft 105, the entire clutch assembly 150 will be driven by the drive spring 107 back to the starting position illustrated in FIG. 4A. This driven rotation of the dispensing roller 80 will effect a corresponding advancement of a predetermined length of towel web 75 to an exposed position extending below the dispensing cabinet 60 far enough to be conveniently gripped by the next user of the dispenser 50. It will be noted that during this entire single dispensing operation, the clutch assembly 150 is at all times in an engaged condition, whereby the dispensing roller 80 is limited to one complete revolution during each dispensing operation, this one revolution comprising the sum of the manually driven portion and the spring driven portion. Accordingly, during each dispensing operation, a length of towel web substantially equal to the circumference of the dispensing roller segments 83 will be dispensed from the dispensing cabinet 60.

Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, there will be described a mode of operation wherein the length of towel web 75 dispensed during each dispensing operation is equal to twice the circumference of the dispensing roller segments 83. To effect a change to this mode of operation, it is necessary only to move the cam member 140 inwardly to the operative position thereof, illustrated in phantom in FIG. 2. This manual adjustment may be very simply and easily made with the assistance of only a screw driver. In this operative position, as was explained above, the cam flange 145 is disposed in the path of the clutch pawl 125. Accordingly, as the clutch pawl rotates, the outer end 28 thereof will engage and ride up along the cam surface 147, thereby effecting a pivotal movement of the clutch pawl 125 to the releasing position thereof, illustrated in phantom in FIG. 2.

In this mode of operation, the mechanism of the clutch assembly 150 will initially be arranged in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5A, with the clutch pawl 125 held in its releasing position by the cam surface 147 of the cam flange 145, out of engagement with the clutch disc 110. The control or reset spring is disposed in the extended position thereof, and in the initial configuration of the mechanism is disposed in engagement with the finger 123 (which for purposes of illustration is here depicted as the clutch pawl 125, as was explained above). When the dispensing roller 80 begins to rotate in response to the manual withdrawal of the towel web 75, the clutch disc 110 will begin to rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5A. The control spring 130 is constructed to have sufficient stiffness to overcome the inertia of the control shaft 105 and pull the clutch pawl 125 off of the cam flange 145. As soon as the clutch pawl 125 has been disengaged from the cam flange it immediately springs back to its engaging position in engagement with the circumferential surface 112 of the clutch disc 110 just behind the coupling notch 115. However, as soon as which will then slide past the clutch pawl 125. At this point, the clutch assembly 150 is disposed in the configuration illustrated in FIG. B.

Since the clutch pawl 125 is now decoupled from the clutch disc 110, it will remain in position during the continued free rotation of the dispensing roller 80 and the clutch disc 110, riding along the circumferential surface 112 of the clutch disc 110 in sliding engagement therewith. The free rotation of the dispensing roller 80 will continue for about one complete revolution thereof, until the coupling notch 115 rotates under the clutch pawl 125, which thereupon falls into the coupling notch 115 for engaging the clutch assembly 150, as is illustrated in FIG. 5C. The clutch lever 120 and the control shaft 105 will now rotate with the dispensing roller 80, in the same manner as was described above with respect to FIG. 4, until the time stop device 90 is actuated for arresting the rotation of the dispensing roller 80 and the clutch assembly 150 in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5D. During the time stop interval, the dispensed length of paper towel is severed, and after the time stop device 90 times out, the control shaft 105 is driven by the drive spring 107 back to the starting position of FIG. 5A.

During this spring-driven rotation back to the starting position, the clutch pawl 125 will engage the cam surface 147 and will be pivoted thereby back to its releasing position out of engagement with the coupling notch 115, so that the dispensing apparatus isagain in position to begin another dispensing operation. It will be noted that in this mode of operation there is added to the one coupled revolution of FIG. 4 an additional free revolution of thedispensing roller 80, whereby the total length of towel web dispensed during a dispensing operation is equal to twice the circumference of the dispenser roller segments 83. Thus, it can be seen that the length control assembly 100 affords simple manual selection of two different settings, respectively providing for dispensed lengths of towel web equivalent to one and two times the circumference of the dispensing roller segments 83 during each dispensing operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, there is illustrated a second embodiment 200 of the length control assembly of the'present invention. This embodiment 200 is identical to the embodiment 100, with the exception that there is substituted for the clutch disc 110 a clutch disc 210 having a circumferential surface 212 and being provided with two diametrically

opposed coupling notches

215 and 216 therein. There is also provided two control or reset

springs

230 and 231, respectively mounted on the clutch disc 210 adjacent to the

coupling notches

215 and 216. The control springs 230 and 231 are each constructed identically to the control spring 130 in FIG. 2, and are each adjustable between the extended operative position and the retracted inoperative position, described above. The operation of this modified embodiment 200 of the length control assembly is essentially the same as was described with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5, with the exception that the clutch disc 210 affords selection from among three different settings, respectively providing for dispensed lengths of towel web equivalent to one and one-half and two times the circumference of the dispensing roller segments 83 during each dispensing operation.

If it is desired to set the dispensed length of towel web equal to the circumference of the dispensing roller segments 83, the cam member 140 is pivoted to the inoperative position thereof, in which is does not engage the clutch pawl 125. This" mode of operation will be identical to that described with respect to FIG. 4 above, the settings of the control springs 230 and 231 being irrelevant since they at no time come into contact with the clutch lever 120. Thus, the clutch pawl 125 will remain engaged inone of the

coupling notches

215 or 216 during the entire dispensing operation, whereby the clutch mechanism 150 will be in an engaged condition at all times and the dispensing roller will be limited by the time stop device to one complete revolution during each dispensing operation.

If it is desired to adjust the length of towel web dispensed during eachdispensing operation to one and one-half times the circumference of the dispensing roller segments 83, it is necessary only to move the cam member back to the operative position thereof and check to make sure that both control springs 230 and 231 are disposed in the extended positions thereof. At the beginning of a dispensing operation, the clutch assembly will be disposed in the starting configuration illustrated in FIG. 6A, which configuration is substantially identical to that which was described with respect to FIG. 5A, above. Thus, the clutch pawl 125 is held in the released position thereof by the cam flange 145, the control spring 230 being disposed in engagement with the clutch pawl 125. As the dispensing roller 80 begins to rotate in response to manual withdrawal of the towel web 75, the control spring 230 will pull the clutch pawl 125 out of engagement with the cam flange 145, whereupon the clutch pawl 125 will spring back to the engaging position thereof in engagement with the circumferential surface 212 of the clutch disc 210 just behind the coupling notch 215. After only a slight rotation of the control shaft 105, the resistance of the drive spring 107 will overcome the stiffness of the control spring 230, which will then slide past the clutch pawl 125 to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6B.

Continued withdrawal of the towel web 75 will result in a free rotation of the dispensing roller 80 and the clutch disc 210 for approximately one-half revolution until the coupling notch 216 rotates beneath the clutch pawl 125, which will then fall into engagement with the coupling notch 216 for firmly coupling the clutch lever 120 to the clutch disc 210. With the clutch assembly 150 thus engaged, the control shaft 105 and the dispensing roller 80 will then rotate together until the time stop device 90 is actuated, thereby halting the dispensing operation, as was described above, with the mechanism disposed in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6D. After the time stop device 90 times out, the clutch assembly 150 and the dispensing roller 80 will be driven by the drive spring 107 back to the new starting configuration similar to that illustrated in FIG. 6A, but displaced therefrom so that the coupling notch 216 and control spring 231 will now be disposed adjacent to the clutch pawl 125. During this driven rotation, the clutch pawl 125 will engage and ride upon the cammed surface 147, and will be pivoted thereby to the released position out of engagement with the clutch disc 210. It will be appreciated that, in this mode of operation, during succeeding dispensing operations the

coupling notches

215 and 216 will alternately come into engagement with the clutch pawl 125.

In order to set the mechanism for dispensing a length of towel web equal to twice the circumference of the dispensing roller segments 83 during each dispensing operation, the cam member 140 is left in the operative position thereof and one of the control springs 230 or 231 is retracted to the inoperative position thereof while the other is left extended in the operative position thereof. Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings, this mode of operation will now be described. For purposes of illustration the control spring 230 has been shown in the withdrawn or inoperative position thereof, while the control spring 231 has been shown in the extended or operative position thereof, but it will be appreciated that these positions could be reversed. At the beginning of a dispensing operation, the clutch assembly 150 is disposed in a starting configuration illustrated in FIG. 7A, which is similar to that depicted in FIG. 6A. However, in this mode of operation, the retracted control spring 230 is disposed adjacent to the clutch pawl 125 and cam flange 145. Since the control spring 230 is in its retracted position, it cannot engage the clutch pawl 125. Thus, when the dispensing roller 80 and the clutch disc 210 begin to rotate in response to a manual withdrawal of the towel web, they will do so freely and the clutch pawl 125 will remain in position on the cam flange 140.

After the dispensing roller has rotated through ap proximately one-half revolution, the extended control spring 231 will come into engagement with the clutch pawl 125, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, and will carry the clutch pawl 125 out of engagement with the cam flange 145, in the manner described above. The clutch pawl 125 will then spring back into engagement with the circumferential surface 212 of the clutch disc 210, and after only a slight further rotation of the control shaft 105, the control spring 231 will slide past the clutch pawl 125 to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7C. Free rotation of the dispensing roller 80 and the clutch disc 210 will continue for about another one-half revolution until the coupling notch 215 rotates under the clutch pawl 125 which will then fall into the coupling notch 215 for firmly coupling the clutch lever 120 to the clutch disc 110. With the clutch assembly thus engaged, the control shaft 105 will rotate with the dispensing roller 80 for about another A revolution until the time stop device 90 is actuated, thereby halting the dispensing operation with the clutch assembly 150 disposed in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7E. After the time stop device 90 times out, the clutch assembly 150 and the dispensing roller 80 will be driven by the drive spring 107 back to the starting configuration illustrated in FIG. 7A, in response to which driven rotation, the clutch pawl 125 engages the cam surface 147 and is pivoted thereby to the releasing position, out of engagement with the coupling notch 215.

It will be noted that, in this mode of operation, the clutch mechanism 150 returns to the identical starting position at the end of each dispensing operation, and

that the clutch pawl always engages the coupling notch (here coupling notch 215) adjacent to the retracted control spring (here control spring 230).

Thus, it will be seen that by use of the clutch disc 210, it is possible to selectively dispense towel web having one of three different lengths during each dispensing cycle.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there has been provided a novel and improved paper towel dispenser which affords manual selection of the length of paper towel web to be dispensed during each dispensing operation.

More particularly, there has been provided a length adjusting mechanism for a paper towel dispenser which is of simple and economical construction and affords selection of different lengths of towel web to be dispensed by means of simple manual adjustments to the mechanism.

In addition, there has been provided a novel clutch assembly releasably coupling the dispensing roller to a control shaft, the clutch assembly being manually adjustable for selecting the angle through which the dispensing roller rotates free of the control shaft during each dispensing operation.

Finally, there have also been provided two interchangeable embodiments of a clutch disc for use in the clutch assembly, one of which clutch discs affords manual selection between two different lengths of towel web to be dispensed during each dispensing operation and the other of which clutch discs affords manual election among three different lengths of towel web to be dispensed during each dispensing operation.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined length of towel web from a supply roll thereof during each dispensing operation, said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein and rotatably supporting the associated supply roll therein, the towel web extending along an exit path from the associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible to a user, a dispensing roller mounted for rotation in said cabinet and disposed in frictional engagement with the towel web for advancing therewith as the towel web is withdrawn from said cabinet by a user, a control shaft mounted in said cabinet adjacent to said dispensing roller for rotation about a fixed axis, automatic time stop means coupled to said control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through a predetermined angle for preventing further rotation thereof for a predetermined time interval, clutch mechanism having an engaged condition firmly coupling said control shaft to said dispensing roller for rotation therewith and a released condition decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller for accommodating independent rotation thereof, and adjustable clutch control apparatus mounted for engagement with said clutch mechanism and responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller for effecting movement of said clutch mechanism between the engaged and released conditions thereof according to a predetermined program during each dispensing operation, said program including a coupled period wherein said clutch mechanism is in the engaged condition thereof and a variable length free periodwherein said clutch mechanism is in'the released condition thereof, the total angular extent of said coupled period of said program being equal to said predetermined angle for thereby effecting actuation of said time stop mechanism by said control shaft to halt the rotation of said dispensing roller and terminate the dispensing operation, said adjustable clutch control apparatus being movable among a plurality of settings for varying the angular extent of said free period of said program thereby to selectively vary the total number of revolutions of said dispensing roller during each dispensing operation, whereby the length of towel web dispensed during each dispensing operation corresponds to the total number of revolutions of said dispensing roller which varies with the setting of said clutch control apparatus.

2. The dispenser set forth in claim 1, wherein said adjustable clutch control apparatus is movable between two different settings respectively determining two different lengths of towel web to be dispensed during each dispensing operation.

3. The dispenser set forth in claim 1, wherein said adjustable clutch control apparatus is movable among three different settings respectively determining three different lengths of towel web to be dispensed during each dispensing operation.

4. The dispenser set forth in claim 1, wherein said predetermined angle issubstantially equal to 360.

5. The dispenser set forth in claim 1, wherein said control shaft is disposed coaxially with said dispensing roller.

paratus then being responsive to free rotation of said dispensing roller through a second predetermined angle for moving said clutch mechanism back to the engaged condition thereof, said automatic time stop means then being responsive to continued coupled rotation of said dispensing roller and said control shaft through the remaining portion of said first predetermined angle for halting rotation thereof to terminate the dispensing operation, said adjustable clutch control apparatus being movable among a plurality of settings respectively determining different values of said second predetermined angle for thereby effecting selective variation thereof, whereby the length of towel web dispensed during each dispensing operation corresponds to the sum of said first and second predetermined angles and varies with the setting of said clutch control apparatus.

. 7. The dispenser set forth in claim 6, wherein said first predetermined angle is substantially equal to 360, said first portion of said first predetermined angle being equal to approximately 90.

8. The dispenser set forth in claim 6, and further including drive means coupled to said control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through said remaining portion of said first predetermined angle for driving said control shaft through said first portion of said first 1 predetermined angle after operation and timing out of 6. A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined length of towel web from a supply roll thereof during each dispensing operation, said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein and rotatably supporting the associated supply roll therein, the towel web extending along an exit path from the associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible to a user, a dispensing roller mounted for rotation in said cabinet and disposed in frictional engagement with the towel web for ad vancing therewith as the towel web is withdrawn from said cabinet by a user, a control shaft mounted in said cabinet adjacent to said dispensing roller for rotation about a fixed axis, automatic time stop means coupled to said control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through a first predetermined angle for preventing further rotation thereof for a predetermined time interval, clutch mechanism having an engaged condition firmly coupling said control shaft to said dispensing roller for rotation therewith and a released condition decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller for accommodating independent rotation thereof, and adjustable clutch control apparatus mounted for engagement with said clutch mechanism and responsive to rotation of said. dispensing roller through a first portion of said first predetermined angle immediately following operation and timing out of said time stop means for moving said clutch mechanism to the released condition thereof, said clutch control apsaid time stop means.

9. The dispenser set forth in claim 6, wherein said first predetermined angle is substantially equal to 360, said first portion of said first predetermined angle being equal to approximately said adjustable clutch control apparatus being movable between two different settings respectively determining said-second predetermined angle at 0 and at approximately 360.

10. The dispenser set forth in claim 6, wherein said first predetermined angle is substantially equal to 360, said first portion of said first predetermined angle being equal to approximately 90, said adjustable clutch control apparatus being movable among three different settings respectively determining said second predetermined angle at 0 and at approximately 180 and at ap' proximately 360.

11. A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined length of towel web from a supply roll thereof during each dispensing operation, said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein and rotatably supporting the associated supply roll therein, the towel web extending along an exit path from the associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible to a user, a dispensing roller mounted for rotation in said cabinet and disposed in frictional engagement with the towel web for advancing therewith as the towel web is withdrawn from said cabinet by a user, a control shaft mounted in said cabinet adjacent to said dispensing roller for rotation about a fixed axis, automatic time stop means coupled to said control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through a first predetermined angle for preventing further rotation thereof for a predetermined time interval, clutch mechanism having an engaged condition firmly coupling said control shaft to said dispensing roller for rotation therewith, said clutch mechanism having a released condition decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller for accommodating independent rotation thereof while preventing recoupling thereof, said clutch mechanism having a set condition decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller while accommodating recoupling thereof, an adjustable releasing member having an operative position mounted for engagement with said clutch mechanism and responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller through a first portion of said first predetermined angle immediately following operation and timing out of said time stop means for moving said clutch mechanism to the released condition thereof, a reset member mounted for engagement with said clutch mechanism in the released condition thereof and responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller through a second predetermined angle for moving said clutch mechanism to the set condition thereof, said clutch mechanism then being movable back to the engaged condition thereof in response to further free rotation of said dispensing roller through a third predetermined angle, said automatic time stop means then being responsive to continued coupled rotation of said dispensing roller and said control shaft through the remaining portion of said first predetermined angle for halting rotation thereof to terminate the dispensing operation, said adjustable releasing member being movable between said operative position thereof and an inoperative position spaced from said clutch mechanism for preventing movement thereof from the engaged condition thereof thereby to limit said second and third angles to zero, whereby the length of towel web dispensed during each dispensing operation corresponds to the sum of said first and second and third predetermined angles and varies with the position of said releasing member.

12. The dispenser set forth in claim 11, where said second predetermined angle is substantially less than 90.

13. The dispenser set forth in claim 11, wherein said second predetermined angle is equal to approximately 180.

14. A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined length of towel web from a supply roll thereof during each dispensing operation, said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein and rotatably supporting the associated supply roll therein, the towel web extending along an exit path from the associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible to a user, a dispensing roller mounted for rotation in said cabinet and disposed in frictional engagement with the towel web for advancing therewith as the towel web is withdrawn from said cabinet by a user, a control shaft mounted in said cabinet adjacent to said dispensing roller for rotation about a fixed axis, automatic time stop means coupled to said control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through a first predetermined angle for preventing further rotation thereof for a predetermined time interval, clutch mechanism. including a clutch disc mounted for rotation with said dispensing roller and having a coupling notch formed in the circumferential surface thereof and a clutch lever mounted for rotation with said control shaft and having a clutch pawl movable between a clutching position bearing against the circumferential surface of said disc and a releasing position out of engagement with said Jim disc, means biasing said clutch pawl into the clutching position thereof for holding said pawl in contact with the circumferential surface of said disc, said clutch mechanism having an engaged condition with said pawl disposed in the clutching position thereof and engaged in said coupling notch for firmly coupling said control shaft to said dispensing roller, said clutch mechanism having a released condition with said pawl in the releasing position thereof for decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller and preventing recoupling thereof, said clutch mechanism having a set condition with said pawl in the clutching position thereof and out of said notch for decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller while accommodating recoupling thereof, an adjustable releasing member having an operative position mounted for engagement with said pawl and responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller through a first portion of said first predetermined angle immediately following operation and timing out of said time stop means for moving said pawl to the releasing position thereof, a reset member mounted for engagement with said clutch lever when said pawl is in the releasing position thereof and being responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller through a second predetermined angle for moving said clutch mechanism to the set condition thereof, said clutch mechanism then being movable back to the engaged condition thereof in response to further free rotation of said dispensing roller through a third predetermined angle, said automatic time stop means then being responsive to continued coupled rotation of said dispensing roller and said control shaft through the remaining portion of said first predetermined angle for halting rotation thereof to terminate the dispensing operation, said adjustable releasing member being movable between said operative position and an inoperative position spaced from said clutch mechanism for preventing movement thereof from the engaged condition thereof thereby to reduce said second and third angles to zero, whereby the length of towel web dispensed during each dispensing operation corresponds to the sum of said first and second and third predetermined angles and varies with the position of said releasing member.

15. The dispenser set forth in claim 14, and further including a finger carried by said clutch lever and disposed in the path of said reset member for engagement thereby to move said clutch mechanism to the set condition thereof.

16. The dispenser set forth in claim 14, wherein said reset member comprises a leaf spring carried by said clutch disc and rotatable therewith.

17. The dispenser set forth in claim 14, and further including drive means coupled to said control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through said remaining portion of said first predetermined angle for driving said control shaft through said first portion of said first predetermined angle after operation and timing out of said time stop means, said reset member comprising a leaf spring carried by said clutch disc and rotatable therewith and having a resilience such that after movement of said clutch member to the set condition thereof said leaf spring will yield to the resistance of said control shaft and said drive means sufficiently to be carried past and out of engagement with said clutch pawl.

18. A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined length of towel web from a supply roll thereof during each dispensing operation, said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein and rotatably supporting the associated supply roll therein, the towel web extending along an exit path from the associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible to a user, a dispensing roller mounted for rotation in said cabinet and disposed in frictional engagement with the towel web for advancing therewith as the towel web is withdrawn from said cabinet by a user, a control shaft mounted in said cabinet adjacent to said dispensing roller for rotation about a fixed axis, automatic time stop means coupled to said control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through a first predetermined angle for preventing further rotation thereof for a predetermine time interval, clutch mechanism including a clutch disc mounted for rotation with said dispensing roller and having two diametrically opposed coupling notches formed in the circumferential surface thereof and a clutch lever mounted for rotation with said control shaft and having a clutch pawl movable between a clutching position bearing against the circumferential surface of said disc and a releasing position out of engagement with said disc, means biasing said clutch pawl into the clutching position thereof for holding said pawl in contact with the circumferential surface of said disc, said clutch mechanism having an engaged condition with said pawl disposed in the clutching position thereof and engaged in one of said coupling notches for firmly coupling said control shaft to said dispensing roller, said clutch mechanism having a released condition with said pawl disposed in the releasing position thereof for decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller and preventing recoupling therewith, said clutch mechanism having a set condition with said pawl disposed in the clutching position thereof and out of said coupling notches for decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller while accommodating recoupling thereof, an adjustable releasing member having an operative position mounted for engagement with said pawl and responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller through a first portion of said first predetermined angle immediately following operation and timing out of said time stop means for moving said pawl to the releasing position thereof, two reset members respectively mounted adjacent to said coupling notches and each having an operative position mounted for engagement with said clutch lever when said pawl is in the releasing position thereof and being responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller through a second predetermined angle for moving said clutch mechanism to the set condition thereof, said clutch mechanism then being movable back to the engaged condition thereof in response to further free rotation of said dispensing roller through a third predetermined angle, said automatic time stop means then being responsive to continued coupled rotation of said dispensing roller and said control shaft through the remaining portionof said first predetermined angle for halting rotation thereof to terminate the dispensing operation, said adjustable releasing member being movable between said operative position and an inrative sition s aced fr m sai clutch mechanis Fri rpreveriting moiiement hereof from the engage condition thereof thereby to reduce said second and third angles to zero, each of said adjustable reset members being movable between said operative position thereof and an inoperative position spaced from said clutch lever for preventing movement of said clutch mechanism from the released condition thereof, said second and third predetermined angles being determined by the positions of both said releasing member and said reset members, whereby the length of towelweb dispensed during each dispensing operation corresponds to the sum of said first and second and third predetermined angles and varies with the position of said releasing member.

19. The dispenser set forth in claim 18, wherein said first predetermined angle is substantially equal to 360, said adjustable releasing member and said adjustable reset members being movable among three different configurations respectively determining the sum of said second and third angles at 0 and at approximately 180 and at approximately 360.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined length of towel web from a supply roll thereof during each dispensing operation, said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein and rotatably supporting the associated supply roll therein, the towel web extending along an exit path from the associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible to a user, a dispensing roller mounted for rotation in said cabinet and disposed in frictional engagement with the towel web for advancing therewith as the towel web is withdrawn from said cabinet by a user, a control shaft mounted in said cabinet adjacent to said dispensing roller for rotation about a fixed axis, automatic time stop means coupled to said control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through a predetermined angle for preventing further rotation thereof for a predetermined time interval, clutch mechanism having an engaged condition firmly coupling said control shaft to said dispensing roller for rotation therewith and a released condition decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller for accommodating independent rotation thereof, and adjustable clutch control apparatus mounted for engagement with said clutch mechanism and responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller for effecting movement of said clutch mechanism between the engaged and released conditions thereof according to a predetermined program during each dispensing operation, said program including a coupled period wherein said clutch mechanism is in the engaged condition thereof and a variable length free period wherein said clutch mechanism is in the released condition thereof, the total angular extent of said coupled period of said program being equal to said predetermined angle for thereby effecting actuation of said time stop mechanism by said control shaft to halt the rotation of said dispensing roller and terminate the dispensing operation, said adjustable clutch control apparatus being movable among a plurality of settings for varying the angular extent of said free period of said program thereby to selectively vary the total number of revolutions of said dispensing roller during each dispensing operation, whereby the length of towel web dispensed during each dispensing operation corresponds to the total number of revolutions of said dispensing roller which varies with the setting of said clutch control apparatus.

4. The dispenser set forth in claim 1, wherein said predetermined angle is substantially equal to 360*.

6. A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined length of towel web from a supply roll thereof during each dispensing operation, said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein and rotatably supporting the associated supply roll therein, the towel web extending along an exit path from the associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible to a user, a dispensing roller mounted for rotation in said cabinet and disposed in frictional engagement with the towel web for advancing therewith as the towel web is withdrawn from said cabinet by a user, a control shaft mounted in said cabinet adjacent to said dispensing roller for rotation about a fixed axis, automatic time stop means coupled to said control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through a first predetermined angle for preventing further rotation thereof for a predetermined time interval, clutch mechanism having an engaged condition firmly coupling said control shaft to said dispensing roller for rotation therewith and a released condition decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller for accommodating independent rotation thereof, and adjustable clutch control apparatus mounted for engagement with said clutch mechanism and responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller through a first portion of said first predetermined angle immediately following operation and timing out of said time stop means for moving said clutch mechanism to the released condition thereof, said clutch control apparatus then being responsive to free rotation of said dispensing roller through a second predetermined angle for moving said clutch mechanism back to the engaged condition thereof, said automatic time stop means then being responsive to continued coupled rotation of said dispensing roller and said control shaft through the remaining portion of said first predetermined angle for halting rotation thereof to terminate the dispensing operation, said adjustable clutch control apparatus being movable among a plurality of settings respectively determining different values of said second predetermined angle for thereby effecting selective variation thereof, whereby the length of towel web dispensed during each dispensing operation corresponds to the sum of said first and second predetermined angles and varies with the setting of said clutch control apparatus.

7. The dispenser set forth in claim 6, wherein said first predetermined angle is substantially equal to 360*, said first portion of said first predetermined angle being equal to approximately 90*.

8. The dispenser set forth in claim 6, and further including drive means coupled to said control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through said remaining portion of said first predetermined angle for driving said control shaft through said first portion of said first predetermined angle after operation and timing out of said time stop means.

9. The dispenser set forth in claim 6, wherein said first predetermined angle is substantially equal to 360*, said first portion of said first predetermined angle being equal to approximately 90*, said adjustable clutch control apparatus being movable between two different settings respectively determining said second predetermined angle at 0* and at approximately 360*.

10. The dispenser set forth in claim 6, wherein said first predetermined angle is substantially equal to 360*, said first portion of said first predetermined angle being equal to approximately 90*, said adjustable clutch control apparatus being movable among three different settings respectively determining said second predetermined angle at 0* and at approximately 180* and at approximately 360*.

12. The dispenser set forth in claim 11, where said second predetermined angle is substantially less than 90*.

13. The dispenser set forth in claim 11, wherein said second predetermined angle is equal to approximately 180*.

14. A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined length of towel web from a supply roll thereof during each dispensing operation, said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein and rotatably supporting the associated supply roll therein, the towel web extending along an exit path from the associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible to a user, a dispensing roller mounted for rotation in said cabinet and disposed in frictional engagement with the towel web for advancing therewith as the towel web is withdrawn from said cabinet by a user, a control shaft mounted in said cabinet adjacent to said dispensing roller for rotation about a fixed axis, automatic time stop means coupled to said control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through a first predetermined angle for preventing further rotation thereof for a predetermined time interval, clutch mechanism including a clutch disc mounted for rotation with said dispensing roller and having a coupling notch formed in the circumferential surface thereof and a clutch lever mounted for rotation with said control shaft and having a clutch pawl movable between a clutching position bearing against the circumferential surface of said disc and a releasing position out of engagement with said disc, means biasing said clutch pawl into the clutching position thereof for holding said pawl in contact with the circumferential surface of said disc, said clutch mechanism having an engaged condition with said pawl disposed in the clutching position thereof and engaged in said coupling notch for firmly coupling said control shaft to said dispensing roller, said clutch mechanism having a released condition with said pawl in the releasing position thereof for decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller and preventing recoupling thereof, said clutch mechanism having a set condition with said pawl in the clutching position thereof and out of said notch for decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller while accommodating recoupling thereof, an adjustable releasing member having an operative position mounted for engagement with said pawl and responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller through a first portion of said first predetermined angle immediately following operation and timing out of said time stop means for moving said pawl to the releasing position thereof, a reset member mounted for engagement with said clutch lever when said pawl is in the releasing position thereof and being responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller through a second predetermined angle for moving said clutch mechanism to the set condition thereof, said clutch mechanism then being movable back to the engaged condition thereof in response to further free rotation of said dispensing roller through a third predetermined angle, said automatic time stop means then being responsive to continued coupled rotation of said dispensing roller and said control shaft through the remaining portion of said first predetermined angle for halting rotation thereof to terminate the dispensing operation, said adjustable releasing member being movable between said operative position and an inoperative position spaced from said clutch mechanism for preventing movement thereof from the engaged condition thereof thereby to reduce said second and third angles to zero, whereby the length of towel web dispensed during each dispensing operation corresponds to the sum of said first and second and third predetermined angles and varies with the position of said releasing member.

18. A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined length of towel web from a supply roll thereof during each dispensing operation, said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein and rotatably supporting the associated supply roll therein, the towel web extending along an exit path from the associateD supply roll through said dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible to a user, a dispensing roller mounted for rotation in said cabinet and disposed in frictional engagement with the towel web for advancing therewith as the towel web is withdrawn from said cabinet by a user, a control shaft mounted in said cabinet adjacent to said dispensing roller for rotation about a fixed axis, automatic time stop means coupled to said control shaft and responsive to rotation thereof through a first predetermined angle for preventing further rotation thereof for a predetermine time interval, clutch mechanism including a clutch disc mounted for rotation with said dispensing roller and having two diametrically opposed coupling notches formed in the circumferential surface thereof and a clutch lever mounted for rotation with said control shaft and having a clutch pawl movable between a clutching position bearing against the circumferential surface of said disc and a releasing position out of engagement with said disc, means biasing said clutch pawl into the clutching position thereof for holding said pawl in contact with the circumferential surface of said disc, said clutch mechanism having an engaged condition with said pawl disposed in the clutching position thereof and engaged in one of said coupling notches for firmly coupling said control shaft to said dispensing roller, said clutch mechanism having a released condition with said pawl disposed in the releasing position thereof for decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller and preventing recoupling therewith, said clutch mechanism having a set condition with said pawl disposed in the clutching position thereof and out of said coupling notches for decoupling said control shaft from said dispensing roller while accommodating recoupling thereof, an adjustable releasing member having an operative position mounted for engagement with said pawl and responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller through a first portion of said first predetermined angle immediately following operation and timing out of said time stop means for moving said pawl to the releasing position thereof, two reset members respectively mounted adjacent to said coupling notches and each having an operative position mounted for engagement with said clutch lever when said pawl is in the releasing position thereof and being responsive to rotation of said dispensing roller through a second predetermined angle for moving said clutch mechanism to the set condition thereof, said clutch mechanism then being movable back to the engaged condition thereof in response to further free rotation of said dispensing roller through a third predetermined angle, said automatic time stop means then being responsive to continued coupled rotation of said dispensing roller and said control shaft through the remaining portion of said first predetermined angle for halting rotation thereof to terminate the dispensing operation, said adjustable releasing member being movable between said operative position and an inoperative position spaced from said clutch mechanism for preventing movement thereof from the engaged condition thereof thereby to reduce said second and third angles to zero, each of said adjustable reset members being movable between said operative position thereof and an inoperative position spaced from said clutch lever for preventing movement of said clutch mechanism from the released condition thereof, said second and third predetermined angles being determined by the positions of both said releasing member and said reset members, whereby the length of towelweb dispensed during each dispensing operation corresponds to the sum of said first and second and third predetermined angles and varies with the position of said releasing member.

19. The dispenser set forth in claim 18, wherein said first predetermined angle is substantially equal to 360*, said adjustable releasing member and said adjustable reset members being movable among three difFerent configurations respectively determining the sum of said second and third angles at 0* and at approximately 180* and at approximately 360*.