Towel loop formation in a hand towel dispenser

Abstract

A hand towel dispenser of the type that unrolls clean towel from a roll in metered portions, dispenses the clean towel in the form of a towel loop, and rolls used towel portions on a takeup roll utilizes a used towel portion to form a length of the towel loop, thus conserving clean towel dispensation and use. An oscillating roller forms an additional loop of used towel within the dispenser. The roller tracks within the dispenser to allow the formed additional towel loop to be formed into a part of the main towel loop.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A hand towel dispenser of the type that unrolls clean towel from a roll in portions and dispenses the clean towel in the form of a towel loop for hand drying and winds used towel after use onto a separate roll, comprising an oscillating roller for forming an additional loop in the used towel in an interior of the dispenser and for pulling the towel loop taut, the additional loop partially forming the towel loop; tracking means associated with the oscillating roller for forming the towel loop intended for hand drying, the tracking means comprising parallel-guiding gearwheels located at opposed ends of the oscillating roller and racks on the dispenser for engaging the gearwheels.  
     
     
         2 . The dispenser according to  claim 1 , characterised in that, at one end of the oscillating roller, a gripper-rocker loaded by a spring tensions the oscillating roller in order to form the additional loop.  
     
     
         3 . The dispenser according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterised in that, at one end of the oscillating roller, a bearing pin is inserted to which an end of a traction cable is fastened, the traction cable being loaded by way of a spiral spring and guided over a winding coil, the traction cable acting on the oscillating roller and relieves load on the additional loop.  
     
     
         4 . The dispenser according to  claim 1  to  2 , characterised in that the oscillating roller has a notched towel-engaging surface.  
     
     
         5 . The dispenser according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterised in that the oscillating roller has flange-like lateral guides.  
     
     
         6 . The dispenser according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterised in that a groove-like parallel guide is provided to limit an oscillation path of the oscillating roller at a front of the dispenser, and impact-absorbing travel-limiting elements are provided on a rear wall of the dispenser.  
     
     
         7 . A method of forming a towel loop suitable for hand drying in a hand towel dispenser that unrolls clean towel from a towel roll in portions and winds used towel portions onto a separate roll, comprising the steps of forming an additional towel loop of used towel in the interior of the dispenser and dispensing a portion of the additional loop as a portion of the towel loop.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the additional towel loop is formed by a roller pulling a portion of used towel taut and subsequently tracking in the dispenser to form the towel loop.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the roller is an oscillating roller tensioned by a spring pull.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  or  8  wherein the used towel portion used to form the towel loop is not more than half a length of the full towel loop.