Wipes dispensers and easy load adjustable dispensing nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wipe dispensers often result in 'short tail' issues where the lead wipe does not extend far enough for easy retrieval, 'fall back' problems where wipes return to the container, and difficulties in threading new rolls, along with issues of wipe dry-out due to fluid evaporation through nozzle openings.
Innovation Solution
The design features a movable nozzle with adjustable diameters, utilizing a first and second housing member or a flexible sleeve to transition between open loading and closed dispensing positions, ensuring easy threading without premature separation of wipes and forming a seal to prevent dry-out, with mechanisms like ratchet catch mechanisms and flexible materials to manage friction and fluid retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the nozzle opening is made large to allow easy threading of wipes, then ease of operation is improved, but the nozzle cannot exert sufficient frictional force to separate the lead wipe from the trailing wipe
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed with movable housing members that can transition between an open position (large opening diameter) for easy threading and a closed position (small opening diameter) for wipe separation. This dynamic adjustment allows the same nozzle to provide both easy threading and sufficient frictional force at different operational stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening diameter of the nozzle is changed from a large first diameter during loading to a smaller second diameter during dispensing. This parameter change enables the nozzle to provide adequate frictional force for wipe separation while maintaining ease of threading when the opening is larger.
2Reliability
If the nozzle opening is made small to prevent wipe fall-back, then reliability is improved, but threading new rolls becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle transitions from a closed position (small opening) that prevents wipe fall-back during dispensing to an open position (large opening) that facilitates easy threading of new rolls. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing process is segmented into distinct phases: loading phase with open nozzle for easy threading, and dispensing phase with closed nozzle for reliable wipe separation and fall-back prevention. Each phase uses the appropriate nozzle configuration.
3Ease of operation
If openings are provided in the dispenser for fluid access, then ease of operation is improved, but fluid evaporation causes wipe dry-out
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane is positioned within the nozzle to form a seal around the wipe while allowing fluid to pass through. This flexible barrier prevents fluid evaporation and wipe dry-out while maintaining ease of operation through proper fluid access.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane acts as an intermediary between the fluid reservoir and the external environment. It allows necessary fluid access for wipe moistening while blocking evaporative loss to the surrounding air.
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 allows for easy loading and dispensing of wipes without tools, reduces 'short tail' and 'fall back' issues, and effectively prevents dry-out by maintaining sufficient friction for wipe separation and forming a seal to minimize fluid evaporation.
Implementation Method 1
The wipes dispensing nozzle has a first housing member, a second housing member and a flexible sleeve. The wipes dispensing nozzle is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the wipes dispensing nozzle has an opening formed by the flexible sleeve having a first diameter. In the second position, the wipes dispensing nozzle has an opening formed by the flexible sleeve having a second diameter.
Implementation Method 2
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.
Data Source
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.