Wipes dispensers with easy load adjustable dispensing nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wipe dispensers often suffer from issues such as 'short tail' complaints due to insufficient wipe extension, 'fall back' of wipes into the container, difficulty in threading wipes, and fluid evaporation leading to 'dry-out', which complicates loading and maintains hygiene.
Innovation Solution
The design of an easy load adjustable nozzle with a flexible sleeve that transitions between open loading and closed dispensing positions, utilizing a ratchet mechanism to control the opening diameter, allowing easy insertion and secure dispensing of wipes while minimizing fluid evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the nozzle opening is kept small for secure dispensing, then wipe separation is improved, but threading difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle incorporates a flexible sleeve that can dynamically change its diameter between a first diameter for easy threading and a second diameter for secure dispensing and wipe separation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the nozzle to adapt its geometry to different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle is segmented into a housing and a flexible sleeve component that can move independently. The flexible sleeve acts as a separate element that can be expanded or contracted, allowing the threading function and dispensing function to be optimized at different times without compromising the other.
2Ease of operation
If the nozzle opening is enlarged for easy threading, then threading ease is improved, but wipe separation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sleeve provides dynamic control over the nozzle opening diameter. During loading, the sleeve is in an expanded state with a first diameter that facilitates easy threading. During dispensing, the sleeve contracts to a second diameter that ensures proper wipe separation and prevents fall-back.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sleeve automatically adjusts its diameter based on operational needs. When a wipe is pulled through, the sleeve naturally contracts to grip the wipe and prevent fall-back, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining both threading ease and wipe separation.
3Quantity of substance
If openings are provided for fluid access, then wipe moisture is maintained, but fluid evaporation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sleeve acts as a flexible shell that can seal around the wipe. When the sleeve is in its contracted dispensing state, it forms a seal that prevents fluid evaporation while still allowing the wipe to be dispensed. This maintains wipe moisture without requiring permanent openings that would cause evaporation losses.
4Reliability
If a fixed small nozzle is used, then wipe separation is maintained, but loading complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sleeve provides a simple dynamic mechanism that changes the nozzle geometry from a small dispensing opening to a large loading opening. This dynamic transformation maintains wipe separation during dispensing while dramatically simplifying the loading process, reducing loading complexity without compromising wipe separation reliability.
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 adjustable nozzle facilitates easy loading and reduces 'dry-out' by ensuring proper wipe extension and separation, preventing fluid evaporation, and eliminating the need for tools, thereby enhancing user experience and maintaining wipe moisture.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a ratchet mechanism to control the opening diameter
Implementation Method 2
flexible sleeve that transitions between open loading and closed dispensing positions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Embodiments of dispensers for dispensing wet wipes are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a container, a plurality of wipes, and a wipes dispensing nozzle. The wipes dispensing nozzle has a first housing member and a second housing member that are movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the wipes dispensing nozzle has an opening that has a first diameter. In the second position, the nozzle has an opening that has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. When the nozzle is in the first position, a lead wipe of the plurality of wipes may be threaded through the wipes dispensing nozzle. In the first position, the wipes dispensing nozzle does not exert sufficient frictional force against a trailing wipe to cause the lead wipe to separate from the trailing wipe along a perforation line. In the second position, the wipes nozzle is in a closed dispensing position.