Patent ID: 6501531
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: B41J,B65H,G03B

Abstract:
A method for utilizing an otherwise wasted resource when making a plurality of products from a predetermined amount of the resource comprising:a) arranging to produce, in response to a customer order, a requested number of smaller products for cutting from a larger piece of a resource material drawn as sheet-stock from a supply roll so as to minimize the size of the unused and otherwise wasted uncut portion of the larger piece of the resource material that will remain after cutting of the larger piece to provide the requested number of smaller products; b) prior to cutting the larger piece to produce the requested number of smaller products, determining whether the size of a portion of the larger piece of resource material remaining after said cutting will permit the production of an additional one of the products, c) determining the incremental cost of producing an additional one of the products from the portion of the larger sheet; d) offering, prior to producing the requested number of products and subject to the customer's authorization, to provide an additional one of the smaller products in addition to the requested number at a reduced cost to the customer larger than the incremental cost; and e) cutting the sheet to separate each of the desired number of smaller products including any additional one of the products authorized by the customer from the larger piece of sheet-stock resource material.