Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Dade Microscan Inc.

Kimberly-clark Wordwide, Inc.

Bruce McLean Gemmell

Edward Francis Farina

John Charles Mazza

Wesley James McConnell

Edward Stephen Kaminski

Joseph D Mitchell

William David Dunfee

Peter Louis Gebrian

Alan D Frazier

Stephen Lawrence Phelps

Cleary E Mahaffey

Nathan D Bloch

Antoine Haddad

George R Cohen

Edward J O'Brien

John Robert Oyler

James Alexander Winder

John Richard Skerrett

Frank Krufka

Nicholas Michael Shmel, Jr

Donnie Lee Gantt

Michael Taylor McVey

Hemant Vaidya

A circular shaped rotor to facilitate automated identification testing of microorganisms in a microbiology analyzer having two circular arrays of microwells downwardly projecting from the top of the rotor connected to a recessed central region by a plurality of microchannels formed in the upper surface and connecting the recessed central portion to the second plurality of microwells; the rotor is further adapted to be rotated by a source of rotational energy and moved throughout the analyzer using troughs formed near its outer diameter.

Indentification test device in a random access microbiological analyzer

A microbiological test array with a plurality of microwells connected by a microchannel to a solution reservoir. Subsequent to filling the microwells, the microchannels are sealed to protect the integrity of the solution in the test microwells.

Method for maintaining test accuracy within a microbiological test array

Performing antibiotic testing on samples contained in test arrays by orienting the arrays relative to the direction of gravity so that test solution within the microwells is drawn downwards and air within the microwells is forced to the uppermost portion of the test array. Antibiotic testing is conducted using an interrogating beam of radiation passing horizontally through the microwells at locations devoid of air bubbles.

Method for minimizing optical interference during antibiotic susceptibility readings in a microbiological analyzer

A random access microbiological analyzer for performing AST and ID tests on samples using on-board inventories of different AST test arrays and different ID test rotors within separate AST and ID incubation and analysis chambers.

Automated random access microbiological analyzer

A dispenser for a coreless roll product having a pair of depressions defined in the ends of the coreless roll. The dispenser includes: a frame; mounting device for permitting the frame to be mounted to a stationary surface such as a wall; and a coreless roll securing device for securing a coreless roll product for rotation within the frame. The coreless roll securing device includes a pair of cooperating plungers. Each plunger includes: (1) a base, the base being fixed to the frame; (2) a distal end, the distal end having a radius of curvature; and (3) a central shaft, the central shaft connecting the base and the distal end and providing sufficient length so the plunger has a length at least as great as its widest dimension so the plunger is adapted to penetrate a depression defined at an end of a coreless roll product, so radial displacement of the coreless roll with respect to said frame is prevented during use. Also a method for installing a coreless roll of a product.

Dispenser for coreless rolls of products

A system and method for collecting data on individual and aggregate use of various washroom products. The system includes one or more product dispensers having a sensor associated therewith for determining product usage. The sensor communicates usage information to local transmitter which responsively generates a data signal. The data signal is transmitted, such as by wireless techniques, to a central data collection unit. The central data collection unit receives and stores the data signal for later analysis. In exemplary embodiments, usage from a plurality of dispensers can be monitored by a single data collection unit.

System and method for collecting data on product consumption

An adapter for converting a core roll product dispenser into a dispenser for a coreless roll product having a pair of depressions defined in the ends of the coreless roll. The adapter includes: (1) a housing defining a central cavity and an opening at an end of the central cavity; (2) a retractable plunger having a distal end, a central shaft, and a base, the retractable plunger being configured so the base and a first portion of the central shaft is retained in the housing and the distal end and a second portion of the central shaft extend through the opening at an end of the central cavity so the plunger is adapted to penetrate a depression defined at an end of a coreless roll product; (3) a resilient element in communication with the plunger that can apply a force against the plunger so the plunger is adapted to retract into the central cavity when a greater opposing force is applied against its distal end during loading and extend when the greater opposing force is removed; and (4) an element that may be used to secure the adapter to a core roll product dispenser. The adapters may be part of a dispenser for a coreless roll product having a pair of depressions defined in the ends of the coreless roll.

Adapter and dispenser for coreless rolls of products

A system for dispensing coreless rolls of product. The system includes: (1) a rotary dispenser including a frame, a mounting mechanism and a pair of cooperating plungers, each plunger including: a base, the base being fixed to the frame; a distal end, the distal end having a radius of curvature; and a central shaft, the central shaft connecting the base and the distal end and providing sufficient length so the plunger has a length at least as great as its widest dimension so the plunger is adapted to penetrate a mounting hole defined at an end of a careless roll product, and (2) a coreless roll of product that is self-supporting in the rotary dispenser, the careless roll including: a rolled web of product that is wound substantially throughout its diameter about a winding axis into a cylinder having first and second flat ends; and at least one flat end defining a mounting hole at substantially the center of the winding axis of the coreless roll, the mounting hole having a depth and having sides generally perpendicular to the end of the roll, the sides being separated by a distance that is less than the depth of the hole. The mounting hole of the coreless roll is adapted to receive a plunger from a rotary dispenser such that radial displacement of the careless roll with respect to the frame is prevented during use.

System for dispensing coreless rolls of product

A system and method for collecting data on individual and aggregate use of toilet tissue or other types of rolled absorbent paper in a public washroom includes a sensing system for sensing one or more characteristics of paper use at a particular dispensing location, and a recording system for receiving and recording data from said sensing system, whereby paper use at the dispensing location can be monitored and studied. The system further analyzes the data to determine such things as the total amount of paper used, the duration of time over which paper is used, the number of discrete pulls on the paper taken by a user and the amount of paper taken by a user per discrete pull.

System and method for collecting data on tissue consumption

A system and method of installing a coreless roll of an absorbent consumer paper product in a dispenser performs or includes steps of orienting the coreless roll to a desired position of alignment within the dispenser, and securing the coreless roll to the dispenser by penetrating the coreless roll with at least one projection that penetrates between adjacent layers of paper product in the coreless roll so that the coreless roll is secured against radial displacement with respect to the dispenser during operation. A temporary holding mechanism may be provided to hold the coreless roll in an intended position of alignment while the coreless roll is being secured to the dispenser.

System and method of dispensing coreless rolls of paper products

A system and method for collecting data on individual and aggregate use of toilet tissue or other types of rolled absorbent paper in a public washroom includes a sensing system for sensing one or more characteristics of paper use at a particular dispensing location, and a recording system for receiving and recording data from the sensing system, whereby paper use at the dispensing location can be monitored and studied. The system further analyzes the data to determine such things as the total amount of paper used, the duration of time over which paper is used, the number of discrete pulls on the paper taken by a user and the amount of paper taken by a user per discrete pull.

Growing community of inventors

Wilmington, DE, United States of America

Bruce McLean Gemmell