Asymmetrical Wipe Dispensing Orifice to Prevent Multiples and Fallbacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wet wipe dispensers often experience issues with 'multiples' and 'fallbacks' due to improper release mechanisms, and the design of the dispensing orifice is either too small for easy access or too large, leading to tears in the pouch during removal of the removable portion.
Innovation Solution
A container with a dispensing orifice that is asymmetrical about its transverse axis and has a specific shape and size configuration, including a maximum width between 20-49% from the end, a midpoint width less than the maximum, and a third width no greater than 80% of the maximum, along with a removable portion that abuts the flange to prevent tears and provide clear instructions for removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dispensing orifice is made small to prevent multiples and fallbacks, then dispensing reliability is improved, but ease of access to wipes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing orifice is designed with an asymmetrical shape featuring a narrowest portion that creates effective retention for wipe edges, preventing multiples and fallbacks, while maintaining overall accessibility. The asymmetrical geometry allows the orifice to hold wipes securely in one orientation while remaining accessible for user retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing orifice incorporates a localized narrowest portion that concentrates the retention function in a specific region. This local feature provides sufficient holding force to prevent wipe malfunction while the rest of the orifice maintains adequate size for user access and wipe passage.
2Ease of operation
If the removable portion is detached from the flange to allow easy removal, then ease of operation is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates causing pouch tears
Solution Approach 1:
The removable portion is pre-configured with a frangible line of weakness that guides the separation process. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when force is applied during removal, the separation occurs cleanly along the predetermined fracture path without propagating to the flange attachment points, thus preventing pouch tears.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable portion is structurally segmented from the flange through a frangible line of weakness, creating a controlled separation interface. This segmentation allows the removable portion to be easily detached while the main pouch structure remains intact, as the fracture is confined to the predetermined weak line rather than propagating through the entire pouch.
3Ease of operation
If the dispensing orifice is made large to improve access, then ease of operation is improved, but dispensing reliability deteriorates due to multiples and fallbacks
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing orifice employs asymmetrical geometry with a strategically positioned narrowest portion that creates effective retention for wipe edges. This asymmetrical design allows the orifice to maintain adequate overall size for user access while the narrowest region provides sufficient holding force to prevent wipes from being pulled out completely or falling back into the pouch.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing orifice concentrates the retention function in a localized narrowest portion, creating a specific region with high holding force. This local feature provides sufficient restraint to prevent multiples and fallbacks while the overall orifice dimensions remain adequate for user access and wipe passage.
4Ease of operation
If the frangible line of weakness is positioned far from the flange to allow complete removal, then ease of operation is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates increasing risk of pouch tears
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible line of weakness is pre-positioned at an optimal distance from the flange, creating a controlled separation interface. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when force is applied during removal, the separation occurs cleanly along the predetermined fracture path without propagating to the flange attachment points, thus preventing pouch tears while allowing complete removal of the removable portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable portion is structurally segmented from the flange through a frangible line of weakness positioned at an optimal distance. This segmentation allows the removable portion to be completely detached while the main pouch structure remains intact, as the fracture is confined to the predetermined weak line rather than propagating through the entire pouch or affecting the flange attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing container includes a plurality of sheets of products stored within a housing. The container includes a dispensing orifice having a length that extends along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end. In particular embodiments, the dispensing orifice has a maximum width disposed not less than 20% and not more than 49% of the distance from the first end to the second end, a midpoint width disposed halfway between the first end and the second end, the midpoint width being less than the maximum width, and a third width disposed 80% of the distance from the first end to the second end, the third width being no greater than 80% of the maximum width. In particular embodiments, the dispensing orifice is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis but asymmetrical about a transverse axis. In particular embodiments, the dispensing orifice has an ovoid shape.