The Procter Gamble Company

Robert John Steller

John William Toussant

Sandi Lin Moore

David Albert Sabatelli

Charles Zell Smith, Iii

Eric Richard Wilhelm

An apparatus for forming a continuous web of material from a block of material is disclosed. The block is preferably a cylindrical block having a base and a generally vertical central axis extending generally orthogonally from the base. The apparatus comprises a rotatable platen such that the block may be rotatably supported, and a milling cutter for displacing portions of the block defining a displaced portion near the base of the block. A blade is positioned generally parallel to the central axis of the block, the blade positioned to cut into the block a predetermined distance from the central axis. The blade has a portion operatively disposed within the displaced portion of the block. The apparatus also comprises a drive mechanism for rotating the platen; as well as a linear drive mechanism for linearly decreasing the predetermined distance of the blade from the central axis. A central controller is included for controlling the blade and the platen in operative relationship such that the continuous web is produced as rotating platen is rotated while the predetermined distance of the blade from the central axis is continuously decreased. A method of forming a continuous web of material from a block of material having a base, and a generally vertical central axis extending generally orthogonally from the base is also disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a block supported at its base upon a rotatable platen displacing a portion of the block near the base. The method also includes providing a cutting blade disposed generally parallel to the central axis; and preferably guiding the block into the cutting blade by linearly advancing the rotatable platen while the block is rotating upon the rotatable platen such that a continuous web is produced as the cutting blade cuts in a substantially spiral path through the cylindrical block.

Method and apparatus for producing a continuous web from a block of material

A universal and self-contained monitor for collecting data on consumer consumption of products dispensable by portions. The monitor comprises a supporting member capable of supporting a dispensable product thereon, a weight sensor in operative communication with the supporting member, and a recorder. The tested dispensable product has a product weight. The weight sensor measures the product weight as the portions of the tested dispensable product are removed therefrom. The recorder is in communication with the weight sensor for receiving and recording the product weight. Optionally, the monitor further comprises a consumer input device for receiving data generated by a user regarding usage and acceptability of the tested dispensable product. The results of the product weight measurements and the data generated by a user may be uploaded to a computer to create a data file.

Universal monitor for collecting data on consumable products

A monitor for collecting data on consumer consumption of disposable sheet products is disclosed. The monitor comprises a working surface capable of supporting a stack of sheets thereon, a weight sensor, and a recorder. The stack of sheets comprises a plurality of sheets individually removable from the stack. The stack has a stack weight, and each sheet has a sheet weight. The weight sensor is in operative communication with the working surface for measuring the stack weight as the sheets are removed from the stack. The recorder is in communication with the weight sensor for receiving and recording the stack weight. Optionally, the monitor further comprises a consumer input device for receiving data generated by a consumer regarding usage and acceptability of the product being tested. The results of the stack weight measurements and the data generated by a user may be uploaded to a computer to create a data file.

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Ft. Thomas, KY, United States of America

Robert John Steller