Cylindrical Wipes Refill Pack With V-Folded Flat Stack Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of economical solutions for refilling cylindrical rigid wipes containers, which leads to waste and inefficiency, as flexible rectangular packaging is not as convenient or durable as cylindrical packaging, and existing refills are not available for cylindrical containers.
Innovation Solution
A system for refilling cylindrical wipes containers using a flat stack of rectangular wipes with an opening mechanism, such as perforations or a tear strip, allowing the wipes to be interleaved and folded into a V shape for easy insertion and dispensing, eliminating the need for resealable packaging and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flexible rectangular packaging is used for wipes, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but dispensing convenience and durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the dispensing system into two separate components: a durable cylindrical rigid dispenser that provides the dispensing mechanism, and a flexible rectangular refill pack that contains the wipes. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the dispenser for durability and dispensing convenience, and the refill pack for manufacturing economy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary refilling process that transfers wipes from the economical flexible rectangular packaging into the durable cylindrical dispenser. This intermediary step allows the system to benefit from both packaging types - the low-cost flexible packaging for storage and transport, and the convenient rigid dispenser for actual use.
2Ease of operation
If flexible packaging with resealable opening is used, then wipes can be accessed multiple times, but the resealable opening wears out causing wipes to dry out and be wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the packaging material itself and relocates it to the rigid cylindrical dispenser. The flexible refill pack uses a simple non-res seal that is opened once, while the durable sealing function resides in the rigid dispenser that the user interacts with repeatedly. This separates the single-use opening from the multi-use sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies the disposable principle to the flexible refill pack's opening mechanism. Rather than attempting to create a durable resealable opening in the flexible packaging, the design accepts that the opening will be sealed once and discarded, while the expensive durable sealing function is placed in the rigid dispenser that is reused many times.
3Reliability
If cylindrical rigid containers are used for dispensing, then durability and dispensing convenience are improved, but refilling capability deteriorates due to lack of economical refill options
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the cylindrical rigid dispenser universal by designing it to accept rectangular refill packs from multiple manufacturers. The dispenser's opening mechanism and internal geometry are standardized to accommodate various refill pack sizes and configurations, allowing a single dispenser to work with multiple refill sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary action by pre-arranging the geometric relationship between the cylindrical dispenser and rectangular refill packs. The dispenser is designed with specific dimensional proportions (height greater than diameter) and opening characteristics that anticipate and accommodate the insertion of rectangular wipes stacks, enabling refilling before the consumer even purchases the refill.
4Ease of operation
If rectangular wipes are folded into V shape for insertion, then ease of insertion into cylindrical container is improved, but packaging complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies curvature principles by folding the flat rectangular wipes into a V-shape configuration. This curved/folded form allows the rigid rectangular wipes to conform to the cylindrical geometry of the dispenser, enabling smooth insertion and proper positioning within the circular container space.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for refilling a cylindrical wipes dispenser. The apparatus includes a plurality of rectangular wipes configured in a flat stack and having packaging that contains an opening mechanism. The opening mechanism is operable for opening the apparatus to allow common removal of the plurality of rectangular wipes. The plurality of rectangular wipes are interleaved and folded to form an indentation along a longitudinal axis of the plurality of rectangular wipes. The plurality of rectangular wipes is operable to be folded along the indentation to form a V shape for insertion into a cylindrical dispensing container. The width of the rectangular flat stack wipes is slightly larger than the diameter of the dispensing cylinder.