Dispensing Structure With Self-Pop-Up Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensing structures for notes or flags are bulky, heavy, and costly due to complex designs that include springs and weights, necessitating a more compact, lightweight, and cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing structure with a simplified ergonomic design featuring a self-pop-up mechanism and fewer components, eliminating the need for springs and weights, comprising a housing member with retention plates and a base member that rotates relative to the housing, allowing single dispensing of notes or flags without additional anchoring elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dispensing structures include springs and weights, then the dispensing function is achieved, but the weight and size of the structure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes springs and weights from the traditional dispensing structure, extracting the heavy anchoring elements while maintaining the dispensing function through a simplified design that uses the support structure itself for mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing structure is designed to be self-sufficient by utilizing the support structure's inherent properties for mounting, eliminating the need for separate anchoring weights and springs while maintaining stable operation
2Reliability
If conventional dispensing structures include springs and weights, then the dispensing function is achieved, but the complexity and cost of the structure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes complex components such as springs and weights from the dispensing structure, simplifying the overall design while retaining the essential dispensing functionality through a more straightforward mechanical arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the mounting function with the support structure itself, merging what were previously separate functions (anchoring via weights and dispensing via springs) into a unified, simplified structure that relies on the support surface for stability
3Reliability
If conventional dispensing structures include springs and weights, then the dispensing function is achieved, but the size of the structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes heavy components like weights and springs from the dispensing structure, extracting the volume occupied by these elements and replacing them with a compact design that achieves the same function with significantly reduced dimensions
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 results in a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective dispensing assembly that is easy to manufacture and use, with a reduced number of components and no need for springs or weights, enhancing usability and reducing size and weight while maintaining efficient note or flag dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
The first plate and the second plate resiliently engage with the stack
Implementation Method 2
The housing member is adapted to rotate relative to the base member
Implementation Method 3
The base member includes a first portion slidably received at least partially through the aperture of the second retention member
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing structure (102) includes a housing member (112) defining a hollow space adapted to receive a stack (104). The housing member includes a first retention member (132) and a second retention member (140). The first retention member includes a first plate and a second plate longitudinally spaced apart from the first plate such that a slot (138) is defined therebetween. The second retention member defines an aperture (141) therethrough. The housing member is adapted to rotate relative to a base member (154). The base member includes a first portion (156) slidably received through the aperture of the second retention member, and a second portion (168). The second retention member is adapted to move towards the second portion based on removal of at least one of notes and flags from the stack.