Essity Hygiene and Health Aktiebolag

Boris Allan Elfstrom

Kevin Murphy

Jason Zerweck

Craig Billman

Rui Zhang

A dispenser for hygiene products includes an electromechanical switch that is configured to operate when a hygiene product is dispensed. The action of dispensing the hygiene product causes the electromechanical switch to convert the mechanical energy associated with the dispensing action into electrical energy. The dispenser is configured to use the electrical energy to emit a signal such that the dispenser emits two signals each time a hygiene product is dispensed. A system for monitoring the consumption of hygiene products in a dispenser includes a dispenser as described above and a receiver for wirelessly receiving the emitted signal, the receiver being positioned remotely from the dispenser, and a central computer or server for receiving data from the receiver. A method of monitoring a dispenser for hygiene products is also provided.

Dispenser and dispenser monitoring systems and methods

A dispenser is provided for dispensing a hygiene product. The dispenser includes, comprising a time-of-flight sensor for measuring a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and a controller configured to selectively operate at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser. A method of operating at least one function of a dispenser for dispensing a hygiene product is also provided. The method includes measuring with a time-of-flight sensor a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and using a controller to selectively operate the at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser.

Dispenser for dispensing a hygiene product and associated method of operating

A dispenser is provided for dispensing a hygiene product. The dispenser includes a time-of-flight sensor for measuring a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and a controller configured to selectively operate at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser. A method of operating at least one function of a dispenser for dispensing a hygiene product is also provided. The method includes measuring with a time-of-flight sensor a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and using a controller to selectively operate the at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser.

A dispenser for sheet products includes a housing having a space inside for accommodating a stack of sheet products, wherein the housing includes a dispensing opening for dispensing a sheet product from the front of the stack, and an electronic controller configured to receive a pull-out signal indicating the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and, upon receiving said pull-out signal, to send out a drive signal to transfer a number of sheet products from the front of the stack into a presentation position. The controller is further configured to receive a low-level signal indicating that the amount of sheet products left within the housing has been reduced to below a predetermined level and, upon receiving said low-level signal, to enter into a low-level mode in which the sending of the drive signal in response to the pull-out signal is disabled.

Dispenser for sheet products and operating method

A dispenser for sheet products includes a housing having a space inside for accommodating a stack of sheet products, wherein the housing includes a dispensing opening for dispensing a sheet product from the front of the stack, an electronic controller configured to receive a pull-out signal indicating the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and, upon receiving said pull-out signal, to send out a drive signal to transfer a number of sheet products from the front of the stack into a presentation position, and a pull-out detector for detecting the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and for providing the pull-out signal to the controller.

Growing community of inventors

Philadelphia, PA, United States of America

Boris Allan Elfstrom