Dispenser and container for dispensing sheet-type material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for sheet-type materials, such as wet wipes, lack the ability to detect and communicate the fill level of the material, leading to potential overuse or underuse due to the inability to determine when the material is depleted.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser with a container featuring a partially flexible wall that includes a transparent region for light transmission, a sensor device to detect reflected light, and an evaluation device to determine the fill level, allowing for optical or wireless communication of the material status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a simple spring-loaded plate dispenser is used, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the ability to detect and communicate fill level is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical spring-loaded plate system with an optical detection system. A light source emits light through the container wall, and a sensor detects the reflected or transmitted light to determine fill level. This substitution of mechanical detection with optical detection enables fill level monitoring while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of a transparent window in the container wall and optical sensors. The transparent window allows light to pass through to the material, and the sensor detects optical properties (such as reflection, absorption, or transmission) to indirectly measure the fill level without direct mechanical contact with the material.
2Measurement precision
If no transparent region is provided in the container wall, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the optical detection of material presence becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific transparent region (window) in an otherwise opaque or printed container wall. This localized transparency is precisely where optical detection is needed, allowing the rest of the container to maintain its normal manufacturing and appearance while enabling fill level detection at the critical location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes optical property changes (transparency/opacity) to enable detection. The transparent region allows light to pass through to the material, and the sensor detects changes in light transmission or reflection based on the presence or absence of material, effectively using optical property variations as the detection mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the removal opening is left open for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sheet-type material may dry out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using optical sensors to continuously monitor the fill level through the transparent window. When the material level drops below a certain threshold, the system can provide visual or electronic feedback to alert users to refill, ensuring the material is replaced before complete depletion and drying out occurs.
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 accurate detection of the fill level, triggering an empty indicator and facilitating timely refilling, thereby optimizing material usage and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device, which can receive light coming from the region of the transparent region of the container and outputs electrical sensor signals in dependence on the received light
Implementation Method 2
sensor device, which can receive light coming from the region of the transparent region of the container and outputs electrical sensor signals
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser for dispensing sheet-type material, in particular wet wipes, includes a receiver for a replaceable container which contains the sheet-type material (6) within a wall made of at least partially flexible material, and which has a transparent region in the wall. A sensor device which can receive light coming from the vicinity of the transparent region of the container outputs electrical sensor signals according to the received light. An evaluation unit evaluates the electrical sensor signals. A container for a sheet-type material dispenser includes a wall formed at least partially of flexible material, in particular a plastic film. The wall preferably has a cover section next to the removal opening with at least one transparent region.