Spindle system, apparatus, and methods for applying spindle apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for tracking usage parameters of product pulled from a roll, in which the product upon the roll is separated into a plurality of units, whereby a series of pulls comprise a dispensing event, the method comprising:
- (a) obtaining data in a spindle apparatus related to rotation of a rotating member in the spindle apparatus disposed within a product roll, the data representing values proportional to the degree of rotation of the rotating member;
(b) providing a first microprocessor capable of receiving and processing said data; and
(c) computing by said first microprocessor a set of parameters or values from said data comprising at least one of the following;
i) the number of units per event, ii) the number of pulls per event, iii) the number of pulls per roll, iv) the number of units per day, v) the number of events per day, vi) the frequency of events per time of day (hour), vii) the frequency of the number of units per time of day;
viii) the number of units per hour, ix) the time interval between pulls, x) the frequency of time interval between pulls, xii) the frequency of length of pull, xii) the date and corresponding time of each pull; and
xiii) the total amount of product dispensed at a particular time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system, apparatus and method is shown for collecting data on rolled product usage at a dispensing location by monitoring the amount of product pulled or removed from a roll. In the invention, a spindle assembly may be configured to support a product roll. The spindle assembly includes a rotating member in operable connection to the spindle. A sensor is connected to the spindle assembly. The sensor is capable of detecting one or more parameters of product usage from the roll. Furthermore, the sensor may be configured to measure at least the degree of movement of the rotating member during removal of product from the roll. A recording device also may be provided for receiving data from the sensor, the recording device being adapted for receiving and recording data. Data that may be generated, and may be recorded, includes roll product usage data. An electronically controlled system of monitoring product inventory, and/or ordering more product when inventory falls below a predetermined threshold amount is disclosed.
63 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method for tracking usage parameters of product pulled from a roll, in which the product upon the roll is separated into a plurality of units, whereby a series of pulls comprise a dispensing event, the method comprising:
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(a) obtaining data in a spindle apparatus related to rotation of a rotating member in the spindle apparatus disposed within a product roll, the data representing values proportional to the degree of rotation of the rotating member;
(b) providing a first microprocessor capable of receiving and processing said data; and
(c) computing by said first microprocessor a set of parameters or values from said data comprising at least one of the following;
i) the number of units per event, ii) the number of pulls per event, iii) the number of pulls per roll, iv) the number of units per day, v) the number of events per day, vi) the frequency of events per time of day (hour), vii) the frequency of the number of units per time of day;
viii) the number of units per hour, ix) the time interval between pulls, x) the frequency of time interval between pulls, xii) the frequency of length of pull, xii) the date and corresponding time of each pull; and
xiii) the total amount of product dispensed at a particular time. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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2. A method of collecting data representing the amount of product pulled from a roll in one or more pulling events, comprising:
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(a) providing a data acquisition device operably connected within a product roll;
(b) accumulating data using said data acquisition device, the data comprising at least the amount of product pulled from a plurality of rolls in multiple pulling events;
(c) providing a first microprocessor;
(d) providing an electronic linkage from the data acquisition device to the first microprocessor;
(e) validating the data;
(f) transferring the data from the data acquisition device to a first microprocessor capable of manipulating data;
(g) computing values representing the amount of product pulled from the roll and the corresponding time said amount was pulled; and
(h) sending a signal representing the data to a receiver. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 44)
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13. A method for collecting and transmitting data related to the amount of product pulled from a product roll in a series of dispensing events, comprising:
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(a) providing a spindle assembly operably connected within a product roll;
(b) accumulating data within said spindle assembly, the data comprising at least the amount of product pulled from the roll with a corresponding date and time;
(c) providing an electronic linkage from the spindle assembly to a receiver; and
(d) transmitting a signal comprising in part said data from the spindle assembly to the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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41. A method for collecting and transmitting data related to the amount of product pulled from a product roll in a series of dispensing events, comprising:
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(a) providing a spindle assembly operably connected to a product roll;
(b) accumulating data using said spindle assembly, the data comprising at least the amount of product pulled from the roll with a corresponding date and time;
(c) providing an electronic linkage from the spindle assembly to a receiver; and
(d) wirelessly transmitting a signal comprising in part said data from the spindle assembly to the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
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Specification