Dispenser for coreless tissue paper rolls or the like

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensers for coreless tissue paper rolls face challenges in efficiently holding and dispensing solid rolls without central holes, leading to material waste and increased consumption, especially in public or industrial settings.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser design featuring an openable housing with central pins and guides for centering and holding coreless rolls, allowing insertion and dispensing from the center, and optionally including a lock for secure use in public spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a dispenser is designed for rolls with central holes (tubular core or coreless with mandrel), then the roll can be easily inserted and dispensed, but a large central volume of the roll remains empty, adversely affecting transport costs and material efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insertion and dispensingVSAvoidempty central volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the tubular winding core from the roll structure. By producing coreless rolls without leaving a central hole, the design eliminates the empty central volume while maintaining dispensability through an alternative mechanical engagement system involving a pin that interacts with the rolled structure itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of inserting a support pin into a pre-existing central hole as in conventional dispensers, this invention inverts the approach by having the pin engage with and push against the rolled structure to create the dispensing action. The roll structure itself becomes the engagement point rather than requiring a central cavity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Loss of substance

If solid rolls devoid of tubular winding core and central hole are used, then material efficiency is improved and transport costs are reduced, but existing dispensers designed for rolls with through axial holes cannot be used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveempty central volumeVSAvoidcompatibility with existing dispensers
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser design incorporates a pin mechanism and guide structure that can accommodate both solid coreless rolls and traditional rolls with central holes. The pin can engage with the rolled structure of solid rolls or insert into the central hole of traditional rolls, making the dispenser universal for both roll types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser is segmented into distinct functional components: a pin for engagement, a guide for centering, and a housing for containment. This modular segmentation allows the core engagement mechanism to be adapted to different roll types while maintaining the overall dispenser structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Duration of action of stationary object

If dispensers are designed to hold multiple rolls to prolong replenishment intervals, then the frequency of replacement is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterval between replenishmentVSAvoiddispenser structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the support and guidance functions into a single integrated pin structure with an attached guide. This combination eliminates the need for separate complex mechanisms while maintaining the ability to hold and dispense multiple rolls efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If a pin with smaller diameter than the hole in the roll is used, then the roll can rest on the pin for dispensing, but this solution is not applicable to solid rolls without central holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroll support and dispensingVSAvoidcompatibility with solid rolls
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is designed with dual functionality: it can engage with the rolled structure of solid coreless rolls by pushing against the outer surface, and it can insert into the central hole of traditional rolls. The guide component ensures proper alignment for both engagement modes, making the system universal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4646979A1Dispenser for coreless tissue paper rolls or the like
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SOFIDEL SPA
  • EP4646979A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4646979A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4646979A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The dispenser comprises an openable housing, inside which at least one seat is provided for a coreless roll. The first seat comprises a first central pin protruding from a first wall of the housing toward the inside of the housing, and a first guide extending around, and spaced from, the first pin, and adapted to guide the insertion of the roll into the first seat, keeping the roll centered relative to the first pin. An exit hole is provided in a second wall of the housing for dispensing the web material from the roll. When the housing is closed, the second wall is arranged opposite the first wall.