Kimberly-Clark division rolling out electronic toilet tissue dispenser

by PegNews wire

Decisions, decisions.

This story about Kimberly-Clark Professional, a unit of Dallas-based Kimberly-Clark, introducing an "electronic toilet tissue dispenser" raises more questions than it answers.

First, it says that the product is aimed at the "$1 billion away-from-home toilet paper market". There's a market segment of toilet paper called "away from home"?

Then, the story quotes Richard Thorne, who is "director of the company's washroom business." (He gives the prices: $30 for the plastic version, $55 "if cased in stainless steel".) Huh, so Kimberly-Clark Professional has a "washroom business."

If the idea of an electronic toilet tissue dispenser seems unusual, consider that other aspects of the "away-from-home" bathroom experience are automated, including toilets that flush and paper towel machines that spit out a sheet when you wave your hand in front of it.

Like those devices, the electronic toilet tissue dispenser relies on motion sensors. When activated, a predetermined amount of toilet paper is automatically dispensed. So there's an interesting concept -- that they've determined an "average number of squares" per use.

Meanwhile, the company reassures that the machine isn't completely automated; it comes with "security features" in case of malfunction: an emergency feed button; a manual feed roller that allows the users to "pull" the roll if the motor breaks down or the batteries run out (It has batteries?); and a "rescue roll" in case you'd rather go old-school.

Posted by T.G.