# US 2006/0217820 A1 · Spindle system, apparatus, and methods for applying spindle apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2006/0217820 A1 - Document ID: US20060217820A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/443,573 - Filed: 2006-05-31 - Published: 2006-09-28 - Earliest claimed: 2005-01-24 - Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Inventors: Mary Holt; Pau-Lin Pawar; Oliver Renier; Peter Honer; Frank Kromenaker; John Oyler; James Winder; Christopher Barham - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20060217820A1 ## CPC - A47K 10/40: with extensible or collapsible roll supports {or roll spindles} - G06Q 10/087: Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders - G06Q 10/08726: {for replenishment processing, procedures, or recommendations using forecasting or optimisation} - G06Q 10/0877: {by inventory control or reporting using inventory tracking or counting} - A47K 2010/389: {Accessories or combination with other devices, e.g. music boxes, clocks, heating devices or shelfs} - Y10S 242/912: Indicator or alarm - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## 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 ### Claim 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; 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method for inventory control as in claim 1, wherein the building is one of a factory, a store and a home. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method for inventory control as in claim 1, 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. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method for inventory control as in claim 4, further comprising triggering a product roll change signal by removing the spindle from the holding device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method for inventory control as in claim 5, wherein the data acquisition device further comprises means to prevent transmitting erroneous roll changes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) 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. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method for inventory control as in claim 1, further comprising inputting the additional product roll into the product roll inventory. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method for inventory control as in claim 14, wherein the additional product roll signal is produced by a distributor of the product rolls. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method for inventory control as in claim 1, further comprising disposing the receiver remote from the building. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method for inventory control as in claim 17, wherein the receiver is in wireless communication with the building. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method for inventory control as in claim 1, further comprising validating the product roll change signal before sending the on-line order. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) 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.