System and method for collecting data on tissue consumption

• US 5,878,381 A
• Filed: 09/17/1997
• Issued: 03/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Binforma Group Limited Liability Company (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Frazier, Alan D., Gemmell, Bruce M., McConnell, Wesley James
• Primary Examiner(s): Stamber, Eric W.
• Application Number:
  US08/932,041
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 33/1 PT, 33/733, 33/734, 33/735, 33/737, 33/743, 364/550, 364/560, 364/561, 364/562, 340/540, 340/541, 340/555, 340/556, 340/573, 340/675, 242/563, 242/563.2, 702/163, 702/187
• US Class Current: 702/163
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/36 with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/3625 with electronic control means
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3226 collecting data of usage
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/046 using magnetic means

Abstract

A system and method for collecting data on individual and aggregate use of toilet tissue or other types of rolled absorbent paper in a public washroom includes a sensing system for sensing one or more characteristics of paper use at a particular dispensing location, and a recording system for receiving and recording data from said sensing system, whereby paper use at the dispensing location can be monitored and studied. The system further analyzes the data to determine such things as the total amount of paper used, the duration of time over which paper is used, the number of discrete pulls on the paper taken by a user and the amount of paper taken by a user per discrete pull.

Claims

1. A system for collecting data on toilet tissue use at a particular location, comprising:

sensing means for sensing one or more characteristics of toilet tissue use at a particular dispensing location; and

recording means, in communication with said sensing means, for receiving and recording data from said sensing means for monitoring spent toilet tissue at the dispensing location.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means is for sensing quantitative characteristics of toilet tissue use.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said sensing means is for sensing the amount of toilet tissue that is used.

4. A system according to claim 1, further comprising analyzing means for analyzing information received from said sensing means.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said analyzing means is further for calculating a total amount of tissue used.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises a member that is mounted to rotate with a roll of toilet tissue, and movement detecting means for sensing movement of said member when a user rotates the roll of tissue by pulling on a free end of the tissue.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said movement detecting means is constructed and arranged to sense movement of said member in increments that are less than one full rotation of the member.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein said movement detecting means comprises a mechanical switch that is constructed and arranged to be contacted by said member.

9. A system according to claim 6, wherein said movement detecting means comprises a magnetic sensing means for detecting movement of said member.

10. A system according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining when an individual enters and leaves an area in which said system is installed, whereby information can be recorded on a user by user basis.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said determining means comprises a sensor for determining whether a stall door is in an opened or closed position.

12. A system according to claim 10, wherein said determining means comprises a sensor for determining whether or not an individual is sitting on a toilet seat.

13. A system according to claim 10 wherein said determining means comprises a sensor for determining whether a person is present in a closed area such as a toilet stall.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means and said recording means are configured and positioned so as to be substantially undetectable to a user, whereby accurate, untainted data can be obtained.

15. A system for analyzing individual and aggregate usage of toilet tissue use at a particular toilet stall, comprising:

determining means for determining whether a person is present in a toilet stall;

sensing means for sensing one or more characteristics of toilet tissue use at the toilet stall;

analyzing means for analyzing data that is supplied by said sensing means; and

recording means for recording data from at least one of said sensing means and said analyzing means, whereby toilet tissue use at the toilet stall can be accurately monitored and studied.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein said analyzing means is further for calculating a total amount of tissue used.

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein said sensing means comprises a member that is mounted to rotate with a roll of toilet tissue, and movement detecting means for sensing movement of said member when a user rotates the roll of tissue by pulling on a free end of the tissue.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein said movement detecting means is constructed and arranged to sense movement of said member in increments that are less than one full rotation of the member.

19. A system according to claim 17, wherein said movement detecting means comprises a mechanical switch that is constructed and arranged to be contacted by said member.

20. A system according to claim 17, wherein said movement detecting means comprises a magnetic sensing means for detecting movement of said member.

21. A system according to claim 15, wherein said determining means comprises a sensor for determining whether a stall door is in an opened or closed position.

22. A system according to claim 15, wherein said determining means comprises a sensor for determining whether or not an individual is sitting on a toilet seat.

23. A system according to claim 15, wherein said determining means comprises a sensor for determining whether a person is present in a closed area such as a toilet stall.

24. A system for collecting data on the use of a roll form absorbent commercial paper product at a particular location, comprising:

sensing means for sensing one or more characteristics of paper use at a particular dispensing location; and

recording means, in communication with said sensing means, for receiving and recording data from said sensing means for monitoring spent paper at the dispensing location.

25. A system according to claim 24, further comprising analyzing means for analyzing information received from said sensing means.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein said analyzing means is further for calculating a total amount of paper used.

27. A system according to claim 24, wherein said sensing means comprises a member that is mounted to rotate with a roll of paper, and movement detecting means for sensing movement of said member when a user rotates the roll of paper by pulling on a free end of the paper.

28. A system according to claim 27, wherein said movement detecting means is constructed and arranged to sense movement of said member in increments that are less than one full rotation of the member.

29. A system according to claim 27, wherein said movement detecting means comprises a mechanical switch that is constructed and arranged to be contacted by said member.

30. A system according to claim 27, wherein said movement detecting means comprises a magnetic sensing means for detecting movement of said member.

31. A system according to claim 24, further comprising means for determining when an individual enters and leaves an area in which said system is installed, whereby information can be recorded on a user by user basis.

32. A system according to claim 24, wherein said sensing means and said recording means are configured and positioned so as to be substantially undetectable to a user, whereby accurate, untainted data can be obtained.

33. A method for collecting data relevant to an individuals use of an absorbent roll type-paper product in a communal area, comprising steps of:

(a) determining when a person enters an area that is adjacent to a paper product dispenser;

(b) monitoring the person'"'"'s use of the paper product in such a manner that the person is not aware of such monitoring; and

(c) recording data obtained from said monitoring.

34. A method according to claim 33, further comprising the step of analyzing the data obtained in step (b).

35. A method according to claim 34, wherein said analyzing step comprises calculating a total amount of paper used.

36. A dispenser apparatus for dispensing roll form paper product to be used at a particular location, comprising:

a dispenser housing;

an axial element rotatably supported by said housing and adapted to maintain the roll form paper product for dispensation thereof;

sensing means, operatively associated with said axial element, for sensing one or more characteristics of paper use at the particular location; and

recording means, in communication with said sensing means, for receiving and recording data from said sensing means, whereby paper use at the particular location can be monitored and studied.

37. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the roll form paper product includes a tubular core of predetermined dimensions and said axial element is configured having a tubular spindle received in the tubular core.

38. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said spindle is configured to frictionally engage an inner surface of the tubular core.

39. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said axial element includes a plate mounted thereon having at least one pin member extending axially therefrom, said plate positioned to juxtapose the roll form paper product during use such that said pin extends therein.

40. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said housing defines a first compartment for receipt of the roll form paper product and a second compartment for containing said sensing means and said recording means.

41. An apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising analyzing means for analyzing information received from said sensing means.

42. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said analyzing means is further for calculating a total amount of paper use.

43. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said sensing means comprises a member that is mounted to rotate with the roll form paper product, and movement detecting means for sensing movement of said member when a user rotates the roll form paper product by pulling on a free end thereof.

44. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said member is coaxially mounted to said axial element for rotation therewith.

45. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said movement detecting means is constructed and arranged to sense movement of said member in increments that are less than one full rotation of said member.

46. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said movement detecting means comprises a mechanical switch that is constructed and arranged to be contacted by said member.

47. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said movement detecting means comprises a magnetic sensing means for detecting movement of said member.

48. An apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising means for determining when an individual enters and leaves an area in which said system is installed, whereby information can be recorded on a user by user basis.

49. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said determining means comprises a sensor for determining whether a stall door is in an open or closed position.

50. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said determining means comprises a sensor for determining whether or not an individual is sitting on a toilet seat.

51. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said determining means comprises a sensor for determining whether a person is present in a closed area such as a toilet stall.

52. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said sensing means and said recording means are configured and positioned so as to be substantially undetectable by a user, whereby accurate, untainted data can be obtained.