Monitor for collecting data on consumer consumption of disposable sheet products

• US 5,918,197 A
• Filed: 08/21/1997
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Toussant, John William, Steller, Robert John, Moore, Sandi Lin
• Primary Examiner(s): ASSOUAD, PATRICK J
• Application Number:
  US08/916,432
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 177/2, 177/3, 177/4, 177/5, 177/6, 177/7, 177/25.11, 177/25.13, 177/245, 177/25.17, 340/673, 340/675, 377/6, 377/8, 221/2, 271/1, 271/3.14, 271/278, 33/735, 33/737, 705/412, 705/414, 702/101, 364/468.15, 364/468.22, 364/469.01, 346/9
• US Class Current: 702/101
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/415 combined with recording means

Abstract

A monitor for collecting data on consumer consumption of disposable sheet products is disclosed. The monitor comprises a working surface capable of supporting a stack of sheets thereon, a weight sensor, and a recorder. The stack of sheets comprises a plurality of sheets individually removable from the stack. The stack has a stack weight, and each sheet has a sheet weight. The weight sensor is in operative communication with the working surface for measuring the stack weight as the sheets are removed from the stack. The recorder is in communication with the weight sensor for receiving and recording the stack weight. Optionally, the monitor further comprises a consumer input device for receiving data generated by a consumer regarding usage and acceptability of the product being tested. The results of the stack weight measurements and the data generated by a user may be uploaded to a computer to create a data file.

Claims

1. A monitor for collecting data on consumer consumption of disposable sheet products, said monitor having a current weight baseline and comprising:

a working surface capable of supporting a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets having a stack weight and comprising a plurality of individual sheets, each sheet having a sheet weight, said sheets being individually removable from said stack;

a weight sensor in operative communication with said working surface for measuring said stack weight of said stack of sheets as said sheets are removed therefrom, and

a recorder in communication with said weight sensor for receiving and recording said stack weight,

said monitor being capable of adjusting said current weight baseline to compensate changes in said stack weight which changes are not associated with removal of said sheets from said stack.

2. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein said recorder is capable of detecting changes in said stack weight, which changes are not associated with removal of said sheets from said stack.

3. The monitor according to claim 2, wherein said recorder is capable of detecting changes in said stack weight, which changes are caused by environmental conditions.

4. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein said weight sensor has resolution of at least about 40% of said sheet weight.

5. The monitor according to claim 4, wherein said weight sensor has resolution of at least about 20% of said sheet weight.

6. The monitor according to claim 5, wherein said weight sensor has resolution of at least about 5% of said sheet weight.

7. The monitor according to claim 1, further comprising an analog to a digital converter in communication with said weight sensor and said recorder.

8. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein said weight sensor comprises a load cell.

9. The monitor according to claim 8, wherein said recorder comprises a microprocessor in communication with a memory.

10. The monitor according to claim 1, further comprising a consumer input device for receiving data entered by a consumer.

11. The monitor according to claim 10, wherein said consumer input device comprises at least one switch controllable by the consumer.

12. The monitor according to claim 10, wherein said consumer input device comprises a voice recorder.

13. The monitor according to claim 1, further comprising a source of electric power.

14. The monitor according to claim 13, wherein said source of electric power comprises at least one electric battery.

21. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein said working surface comprises a substantially horizontal area.

15. A monitor for collecting data on consumer consumption of disposable sheet products, which monitor comprises:

a working surface capable of retaining a stack of sheets thereon, said stack of sheets having a stack weight, said sheets being individually removable from said stack;

a weight sensor in operative communication with said working surface for measuring an absolute value of said stack weight as said sheets are removed from said stack of sheets;

a recorder in communication with said weight sensor for receiving and recording said absolute value of said stack weight as said sheets are removed from said stack of sheets;

a consumer input device for receiving data generated by a consumer; and

a real-time clock for establishing a real time when said sheets are removed from said stack or said consumer input device is initiated.

16. A process of collecting data on consumer consumption of disposable sheet products, which process comprises:

(a) providing a stack of sheets, said stack comprising a plurality of sheets and having a stack weight, said sheets being individually removable from said stack, each sheet having a sheet weight;

(b) providing a monitor comprising

a working surface capable of supporting said stack of sheets,

a weight sensor in operative communication with said working surface for measuring said stack weight of said stack of sheets as said sheets are removed therefrom; and

a recorder in communication with said weight sensor for receiving and recording said stack weight.

said monitor having a current weight baseline and being capable of adjusting said current weight baseline to compensate changes in said stack weight, which changes are not associated with removal of said sheets from said stack;

(c) installing said stack of sheets such that said stack is supported by said working surface of said monitor; and

(d) dispensing said sheets from said stack thereby changing said stack weight and causing said monitor to detect and record said stack weight.

17. The process according to claim 16, wherein said recorder is capable of detecting changes in said stack weight, which changes are caused by environmental conditions.

18. The process according to claim 17, wherein said weight sensor has resolution of at least about 40% of said sheet weight.

19. The process according to claim 18, wherein said monitor further comprises a source of electric power.

20. The process according to claim 16, wherein said monitor further comprises a consumer input device for receiving data generated by a consumer.