Blade Dispenser With Spring-Loaded Pusher Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blade dispensers do not provide a cost-effective and safe means to quickly and easily dispense unshelled blades with minimal effort.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser design featuring a housing with a blade dispensing slot, a pusher mechanism, and a constant force spring that allows for the efficient and safe dispensing of unshelled blades one at a time, utilizing a track system and a closure with flexible fasteners for secure filling and easy blade removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a blade dispenser uses a ratcheting mechanism to dispense blades, then the blades can be dispensed one at a time, but the structure becomes complex and the operation requires significant effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex ratcheting mechanism from the dispenser and replaces it with a simple pusher block that moves along tracks. The blade advancement is achieved through a spring-loaded pusher that simply pushes blades forward, extracting the complicated interlocking ratcheting components while maintaining the core function of dispensing blades one at a time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the dispensing mechanism from a multi-component ratcheting system with interlocking teeth to a simple spring-loaded pusher system. This parameter change simplifies the structure while maintaining the ability to dispense blades sequentially through the use of flexible blades that bend as they are pushed forward
2Ease of manufacture
If the dispenser uses a simple structure, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the safety of handling sharp blades is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible blades with a protective shell or backing that covers the sharp edges during storage and dispensing. These flexible thin film structures maintain blade sharpness while providing a safe handling surface, allowing the dispenser to remain simple and cost-effective while addressing safety concerns through the flexible protective covering
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pusher block as an intermediary component between the user's hand and the sharp blades. This mediator allows users to advance blades without direct contact with sharp edges, and the flexible blade design with protective backing serves as another intermediary layer that maintains safety while enabling simple, low-cost dispenser construction
3Productivity
If the dispenser allows quick dispensing of blades, then productivity is improved, but the control over blade movement and safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible blades that dynamically adapt their shape during dispensing - remaining straight and controlled during storage, then bending naturally as they are pushed forward by the spring-loaded mechanism. This dynamic flexibility allows quick dispensing while maintaining control, as the blades follow the curved path defined by the dispenser's internal geometry and track system
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
Enables quick, efficient, and safe dispensing of unshelled blades with minimal effort, ensuring constant pressure on remaining blades to maintain their movement towards the dispensing slot, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a flat coil spring contactable with the pusher and biases the blades toward the dispensing slot
Data Source
AI summary
A blade dispenser for housing a plurality of unshelled blades and dispensing the blades one at a time therefrom. The dispenser includes a housing that has tracks forming a guide, a dispensing slot at one end of the housing and a filling end at the other end of the housing, a pusher that is mounted on the track within the housing, abuts the blades and is moveable from the filling end toward the dispensing slot to aid in dispensing the blades and a spring that is located within the housing and engages the pusher and the housing and biases the pusher and the blades toward the dispensing slot.