Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Jul. 02, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Span-U.S. and Span-Canada, its wholly-owned subsidiary. Significant inter-entity accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency Translation Span-Canada uses the Canadian dollar as its functional currency. The assets and liabilities of Span-Canada are translated into U.S. dollars at the quarter-end exchange rate. Revenues and expenses are translated at weighted average exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ equity in “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.”
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue when title and risk of loss pass to the customer and collection is reasonably assured. Our sales prices are fixed at the time revenue is recognized.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recently Issued Accounting Standards In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-07, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (Topic 740)." Current guidance requires an entity to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified statement of financial position; however, the new guidance requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of this new accounting pronouncement on the Company's statement of financial position. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires the lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than twelve months. For leases with a term of twelve months or less, the Company is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Further, the standard also requires a finance lease to recognize both an interest expense and an amortization of the associated expense. Operating leases generally recognize the associated expense on a straight line basis. ASU 2016-02 requires the Company to adopt the standard using a modified retrospective approach and adoption beginning on January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-02 will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements upon adoption.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Stock-Based Compensation We measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payments at fair value. Stock-based payments include stock option grants. We grant options to purchase common stock to some of our employees under various plans at prices equal to the market value of the stock on the dates the options are granted. New shares of common stock are issued upon share option exercise. We do not have treasury stock. We have not made any stock option grants since fiscal year 2011.