Spindle system, apparatus, and methods for applying spindle apparatus

• US 7,590,467 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Issued: 09/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Honer, Peter D., Kromenacker, Frank F., Barham, Christopher, Oyler, John, Renier, Oliver P., Winder, James, Pawar, Pau-Lin, Holt, Mary Rece
• Primary Examiner(s): Rudy; Andrew Joseph
• Application Number:
  US11/443,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20060217820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 705/28, 731/56, 731/59, 242/598.3, 242/599, 242/912, 700/139, 700/236, 700/244, 702/163
• US Class Current: 700/236
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/40 with extensible or collapsible roll supports or roll spindles
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/389 Accessories or combination with other devices, e.g. music boxes, clocks, heating devices or shelfs
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 242/912 Indicator or alarm

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method collects data on rolled product usage at a dispensing location by monitoring the amount of product pulled or removed from a roll. A spindle assembly may be configured to support a product roll. The spindle assembly includes a rotating member disposed about a sensor. 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 also included.

Claims

1. A method for inventory control of a product dispensed from rolls in a facility, the method comprising:

providing a dispenser in a building having means for detecting a change of a product roll from the dispenser, wherein the means for detecting the change of the product roll includes a data acquisition device having a spindle and a holding device for holding the spindle in the dispenser, the holding device configured such that the product roll rotates about the data acquisition device;

producing a product roll change signal by the change of the product roll;

transmitting the product roll change signal to a receiver, the receiver being configured to record the product roll change and including means for controlling a product roll inventory;

determining the product roll inventory in the building by decrementing from the product roll inventory the product roll change when the product roll change signal is received by the receiver; and

generating an on-line order for an additional product roll once a predetermined minimum level of the product roll inventory is reached.

2. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, wherein the product roll is one of a sheet material, a toilet tissue and a paper towel.

3. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, wherein the building is one of a factory, a store and a home.

4. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, further comprising notifying a user in the building of a validation failure of the dispenser and scheduling a repair or replacement of the dispenser.

5. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, further comprising triggering a product roll change signal by removing the spindle from the holding device.

6. The method for inventory control as in claim 5, wherein the data acquisition device further comprises means to prevent transmitting erroneous roll changes.

7. The method for inventory control as in claim 6, wherein the means to prevent transmitting of erroneous roll changes comprises requiring a minimum time to lapse before transmission or recognition of a subsequent signal from the holding device.

8. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the product roll inventory is a computer having a software program loaded therein, the software program being in communication with the receiver and capable of determining instantaneously the product roll inventory.

9. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, wherein the predetermined minimum level of the product roll inventory is periodically set by a user or programmed in the receiver.

10. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, further comprising shipping the additional product roll to the building upon receipt of the on-line order.

11. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, further comprising inputting the additional product roll into the product roll inventory.

12. The method for inventory control as in claim 11, further comprising updating the product roll inventory upon receipt of the additional product roll into the product roll inventory.

13. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, further comprising manually updating the product roll inventory upon receipt of the additional product roll by a user in the building.

14. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, further comprising generating an additional product roll signal upon receipt of the additional product roll into the product roll inventory and automatically updating the product roll inventory.

15. The method for inventory control as in claim 14, wherein the additional product roll signal is produced by a distributor of the product rolls.

16. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, further comprising billing a user in the building for the product roll decremented from the product roll inventory.

17. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, further comprising disposing the receiver remote from the building.

18. The method for inventory control as in claim 17, wherein the receiver is in wireless communication with the building.

19. The method for inventory control as in claim 1, further comprising validating the product roll change signal before sending the on-line order.