Bundled Sheet Stack with Alternating Offset for Multi-Sheet Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for web materials, such as napkins, often fail to efficiently and orderly dispense more than one sheet at a time, which is necessary for applications like take-away and drive-through restaurants where multiple napkins are required with each order.
Innovation Solution
A stack of web material is arranged in bundles of 2-10 sheets, with each bundle being substantially coextensive and alternatingly offset in relation to the others, allowing easy grasping and dispensing of multiple sheets simultaneously, and a method involving biasing the stack towards a dispensing opening to expose an edge portion of the outermost bundle for removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sheets are arranged in a conventional stack without bundling, then individual sheet dispensing is achieved, but efficient dispensing of multiple sheets simultaneously is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The stack of sheets is segmented into multiple bundles, where each bundle contains a specific number of sheets (e.g., 3-10 sheets per bundle). This segmentation allows users to grasp and dispense multiple sheets simultaneously by taking one bundle, thereby improving dispensing efficiency while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Bundles act as intermediaries between the stack of sheets and the user. Each bundle serves as a manageable unit that facilitates the transfer of multiple sheets from the stack to the user in a single action, resolving the contradiction between dispensing efficiency and grasping difficulty.
2Productivity
If multiple sheets are dispensed at once, then efficiency is improved, but controlled distribution and orderly provision are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the total stack into multiple standardized bundles with controlled sheet counts, the system maintains distribution control while enabling efficient multi-sheet dispensing. Each bundle represents a predetermined portion that ensures reliable and controlled allocation of sheets to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheets are pre-organized into bundles before dispensing, with each bundle containing a specific number of sheets. This preliminary organization ensures that when a user takes a bundle, they receive a controlled and predetermined amount, maintaining distribution reliability while improving dispensing speed.
3Ease of operation
If bundles are arranged without offset, then stack stability is maintained, but easy grasping of outermost bundle is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bundles are arranged in an asymmetric, alternating offset pattern rather than a symmetric aligned configuration. This asymmetric arrangement creates protruding edge portions on the outermost bundle that are easily graspable, while the alternating offset pattern maintains overall stack stability by distributing weight and preventing collapse.
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
This arrangement enables efficient and orderly dispensing of at least two sheets together, addressing the need for multiple web materials in applications like restaurants, where precise control over napkin distribution is essential.
Implementation Method 1
The stack may be biased towards the dispensing opening by means of gravity or a resilient biasing arrangement
Implementation Method 2
The stack may be biased towards the dispensing opening by means of gravity or a resilient biasing arrangement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
A stack (2) comprising a plurality of sheets (4) of web material is provided. The stack (2) comprises a plurality of bundles (6) of substantially coextensive sheets (4) of web material, wherein each bundle (6) comprises at least two sheets (4) of web material of said plurality of sheets (4) of web material, and wherein in the stack (2), the bundles (6) of said plurality of bundles (6) are alternatingly offset in relation to each other. Further a method of dispensing at least two sheets of web material is disclosed.