Adjustable Lid Dispenser With Pager Flippers for Compact Retail Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lid dispensers are not compact enough to efficiently utilize space in retail environments and often require additional tools for adjusting to accommodate various lid sizes and shapes, leading to inefficiencies in manufacturing and waste management.
Innovation Solution
A compact lid dispenser with a polygonal tubular housing and adjustable pager assemblies that use constant force springs and flippers to dispense lids of different dimensions, allowing for easy adjustment and centering of lids without the need for axial rods, thereby optimizing space usage and accommodating a range of lid sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional lid dispensers are used, then lids can be dispensed, but the device occupies excessive space in retail environments
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is divided into modular components including a polygonal tube housing, adjustable pager assemblies, and a piston mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall volume while maintaining adaptability through reconfigurable pager positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional cylindrical or rectangular dispenser designs to a polygonal tube configuration. This dimensional change optimizes space utilization by better fitting retail display cases and allows for more efficient arrangement of internal components, reducing the overall footprint.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable mechanisms are added to accommodate various lid sizes, then versatility improves, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pager assemblies are designed with self-adjusting features where the pager body and flipper mechanism automatically adapt to different lid sizes through simple radial positioning. This eliminates the need for complex multi-step adjustment procedures or specialized tools, allowing users to quickly reconfigure the dispenser for different lids.
Solution Approach 2:
The polygonal tube housing with circular opening serves multiple functions: it contains the lid stack, guides the piston movement, and provides a universal dispensing aperture that works with various lid sizes. The same basic structure accommodates different lid dimensions through the adjustable pager assemblies rather than requiring multiple specialized components.
3Reliability
If more materials are used to build a durable dispenser, then reliability improves, but manufacturing costs and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The polygonal tube housing and other structural components are designed to be thin-walled yet sufficiently rigid to maintain structural integrity. This optimized wall thickness reduces material consumption while ensuring the dispenser withstands normal retail environment conditions and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser utilizes composite construction combining different materials with complementary properties - the polygonal tube provides structural framework, while the pager assemblies use lighter materials for moving parts. This composite approach optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio and reduces overall material usage compared to solid construction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a compact and efficient lid dispensing system that can handle a variety of lid dimensions, reducing material usage and manufacturing costs while ensuring proper alignment and easy dispensing of lids, enhancing convenience and hygiene in retail settings.
Implementation Method 1
Constant force springs are engaged with a polygonal piston with a standoff plate which urges the stack of lids frontwardly against the pagers through the front element
Implementation Method 2
The polygonal tube abuts the front element, such that the circular opening permits the dispensing of lids, but restrains the polygonal piston from escaping frontwardly through the front plate opening
Data Source
AI summary
A lid dispenser receives a stack of drink cup lids within a housing tube, such that the frontmost lids extend through a front element opening and are retained by multiple pager assemblies, each of which has a frontwardly extending pager body post. The inside of the pager body has an engaging wall with an inclined surface directed radially inwardly. Flippers are pivoted to the posts and have wings which extend towards the front element, and have interior surfaces which are inclined radially outwardly. The flippers are biased radially inwardly, but are displaceable by a pressure applied axially towards the interior cavity. When adjusted so the pager body posts project radially over the front element opening, each pager body post inside wall is positioned to engage lids which extend from the front element opening, and direct them towards engagement with the pager flippers.