Insert for use with a roll of web material, and providing a unique identifier for the roll of web material
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of regulating product dispensing from a dispenser, the method comprising:
- selecting a plug that removably interacts with an electromagnetic field created by a field generator of a dispenser to be inserted into an open end of a rolled product, wherein the plug comprises a stem and a cap extending from the stem and wherein a metallic ring is mounted within at least one of the stem and cap;
inserting said plug into an open end of the rolled product;
creating an electromagnetic field having a characteristic frequency proximate the plug when the rolled product with the inserted plug is mounted in the dispenser;
detecting a change to the characteristic frequency, the change created by the presence of the metallic ring associated with the plug as a function of a position of the metallic ring mounted in the plug, independent of the position of the plug relative to the rolled product;
comparing the changed frequency to a verification frequency; and
enabling motorized advancement of the rolled product if the changed frequency substantially matches the verification frequency.
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Abstract
An automatic product dispenser determines if the roll loaded into the dispenser is approved for use with the dispenser. The core of a roll receives a plug that engages a hub within the dispenser. The plug has a feature that alters an electromagnetic field created proximate the hub. The alteration of the electromagnetic field may then be used to determine if the plug, and thus the roll, is usable with the dispenser.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of regulating product dispensing from a dispenser, the method comprising:
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selecting a plug that removably interacts with an electromagnetic field created by a field generator of a dispenser to be inserted into an open end of a rolled product, wherein the plug comprises a stem and a cap extending from the stem and wherein a metallic ring is mounted within at least one of the stem and cap; inserting said plug into an open end of the rolled product; creating an electromagnetic field having a characteristic frequency proximate the plug when the rolled product with the inserted plug is mounted in the dispenser; detecting a change to the characteristic frequency, the change created by the presence of the metallic ring associated with the plug as a function of a position of the metallic ring mounted in the plug, independent of the position of the plug relative to the rolled product; comparing the changed frequency to a verification frequency; and enabling motorized advancement of the rolled product if the changed frequency substantially matches the verification frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A plug to be inserted into a rolled product having a first open end, the plug comprising:
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a stem; a cap coupled to the stem and extending therefrom; and a metallic ring mounted within at least one of the stem and the cap of the plug, the stem and cap being configured to removably cooperate with a bobbin of a dispenser to set the position of the metallic ring relative to the bobbin at a predetermined position along a rotational axis of the plug, wherein the predetermined position of the metallic ring relative to the bobbin corresponds to a unique signature that corresponds to a predetermined change in an electromagnetic frequency when the rolled product associated with the plug is associated with the bobbin. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A plug configured to interact with an electromagnetic field having a characteristic frequency, the plug comprising:
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a first end shaped to substantially fix the plug in a core of a roll of web material at predetermined position of various available positions within the core; a second end shaped to fit in or on a hub associated with a dispenser and on which the web material is to be mounted for dispensing such that the plug removably cooperates with the hub and is disposed the core of the roll of web material and the hub; and at least one metallic ring of a predetermined shape, fixedly mounted in or on the plug at one of a plurality of preselected positions, configured to alter the characteristic frequency of an electromagnetic field in a known manner as a function of the selected position of the at least one metallic ring relative to the plug.
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Specification