Dispenser for pre-cut wipe material, method of operation and method of adjusting such a dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for pre-cut wiping materials, such as paper towels or toilet paper, experience backtracking and rising of the strip due to the pendulum movement of the guide device when a user exerts pulling force, leading to accessibility issues and discomfort in use.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser design featuring a module with a relative movement system between a flap and a plate, utilizing a clearance system with transverse rods and housings, and springs to temporarily increase friction and prevent backtracking, ensuring the strip remains accessible and easy to pull, regardless of pulling direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a guide device is used to guide the strip unwound from the roll, then the strip can be guided out of the device for easy access, but the strip experiences backtracking and rising due to pendulum movement when a user exerts pulling force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a deflection system that preemptively counteracts the pendulum movement and backtracking forces. The deflection system includes elements positioned to resist the strip's tendency to retract and rise when pulled, applying opposing forces before the harmful motion can fully develop. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining strip stability while preserving accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary deflection system between the guide device and the strip exit. This intermediary mechanism absorbs and compensates for the pendulum movements, acting as a buffer that prevents the guide device's motion from directly causing strip backtracking. The intermediary system maintains reliable strip positioning while allowing the guide device to fulfill its accessibility function.
2Device complexity
If the guide device is fixed rigidly, then the structure is simple and stable, but the strip cannot accommodate varying pulling forces and directions without backtracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the rigid guide device into a dynamic system by incorporating deflection elements that can move and adjust in response to varying pulling forces. The deflection system allows controlled motion that adapts to different user pulling directions and force magnitudes, preventing backtracking while maintaining structural simplicity. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and responsiveness to force variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the guide system by introducing elements with specific flexibility and deflection characteristics. The deflection system's physical properties (such as elasticity and movement range) are designed to optimize the response to pulling forces, allowing the system to adapt to varying force conditions without complex control mechanisms. This parameter-based approach maintains simplicity while achieving adaptability.
3Reliability
If friction between the strip and guide device is high, then backtracking is prevented, but the strip becomes difficult to pull and access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different friction characteristics at different locations within the guide system. The deflection system is designed with varying surface properties and contact pressures at specific points, providing high friction only where needed to prevent backtracking, while maintaining low friction in other areas to allow easy strip pulling. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between preventing backtracking and ensuring ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic friction control where the friction characteristics change during the strip dispensing process. The deflection system's contact with the strip varies dynamically based on pulling force and direction, providing high friction resistance when backtracking occurs but allowing smooth motion during normal dispensing. This dynamic friction modulation resolves the contradiction between reliable backtracking prevention and ease of strip access.
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
The solution effectively prevents the strip from rising towards the reel, maintaining accessibility and enhancing user comfort by combining frictional forces with pulling force to separate the strip cleanly and securely, applicable to various material thicknesses and characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
The module includes a relative clearance system between the flap and the plate, varying the configuration of the guide space and band clamping; the clearance system includes: four transverse rods projecting from the lateral edges of the shutter, with two rods spaced per lateral edge, and four slots formed in the side walls of the module, with two slots per side wall
Implementation Method 2
the rainbow profile of the shutter and the rainbow profile of the plate being complementary, so that the protrusions of the shutter are housed in the hollows of the plate and the protrusions of the plate are housed in the hollows of the shutter when the plate is in the raised position
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a dispenser (1) for dispensing precut wiping material in the form of a reel of tape that can be unwound. The dispenser (1) comprises a housing (2), a cover and a module (4). The module (4) comprises two side walls (5), a guide device, a flap and a plate (9). A space for guiding and clamping the tape is delimited between the flap and the plate (9). The module (4) comprises a system providing relative clearance (10) between the flap and the plate (9), varying the configuration of said space. The clearance system (10) comprises four transverse rods (86) formed projecting from the side edges of the flap, with two spaced-apart rods per side edge, and four housings (56) provided in the side walls (5), with two housings (56) per side wall (4). Each housing (56) receives one of the rods (86) and comprises a longitudinal part (57) and a vertical part (58). A clearance is thus defined longitudinally and vertically between each rod (86) and the corresponding housing (56).