Dual-Roll Toilet Tissue Dispenser With Automatic Reserve Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dual-roll paper product dispensers often result in premature access to secondary rolls, leading to waste and inefficiency, as users or janitorial staff must manually reset the system to replace primary rolls, which is time-consuming and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser mechanism featuring a swing arm that engages the primary roll, a release latch, and a pivotally mounted casing door, allowing automatic repositioning of the secondary roll support to a reserve position when the primary roll is consumed, enabling seamless access to the secondary roll without additional manual resets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the secondary roll is made accessible before the primary roll is completely consumed, then users can avoid interruption when the primary roll ends, but this results in premature product waste and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser automatically controls access to the secondary roll based on the consumption status of the primary roll. The system self-regulates by using the swing arm mechanism that detects when the primary roll is depleted and automatically enables access to the secondary roll, eliminating the need for manual intervention or premature user access.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary roll is prepared in advance and held in a blocked position within the dispenser. The release mechanism is pre-configured to automatically activate when the primary roll is consumed, ensuring seamless transition without interruption to the user while preventing premature access that would cause waste.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the dispenser requires manual reset operations to replace primary rolls, then the system can maintain proper roll positioning, but this consumes significant time and effort for maintenance personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser performs automatic resetting of the swing arm and casing door when the primary roll is replaced. The system self-corrects its internal mechanism state without requiring manual intervention, maintaining proper roll positioning automatically while eliminating time-consuming manual reset operations for maintenance personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The reset function is merged with the roll replacement process. The same action of removing the depleted primary roll and installing a new one simultaneously accomplishes both the roll replacement and the mechanism reset, combining multiple maintenance tasks into a single efficient operation.
3Loss of substance
If a release latch mechanism is implemented to control access to the secondary roll, then product waste is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm serves as an intermediary mechanical element that connects the primary roll's consumption status to the release latch mechanism. As the primary roll depletes, the swing arm naturally moves and triggers the release latch, providing an automatic, passive control system that prevents waste without requiring complex electronic sensors or active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The release latch mechanism is designed to be dynamically responsive to the physical state of the primary roll. The swing arm's position changes automatically with roll consumption, and the latch responds to these dynamic changes, creating a simple yet effective control system that adapts to the dispensing process without adding significant complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the casing door is made movable to allow access to the secondary roll, then restocking becomes easier, but the reliability of preventing premature access may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The casing door is pre-positioned in a closed state that blocks access to the secondary roll. The door remains in this secure position until the swing arm mechanism automatically triggers the release latch, at which point the door can be opened for restocking. This preliminary positioning ensures reliable access control while maintaining ease of operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The release latch acts as an intermediary between the swing arm mechanism and the casing door. The latch translates the swing arm's movement into controlled door access, ensuring that the door only opens when the primary roll is truly depleted. This intermediary mechanism maintains reliability while enabling easy restocking operations.
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
This solution ensures that the secondary roll is only accessible when the primary roll is fully consumed, minimizing waste and simplifying the restocking process by automating the reset mechanism, saving time and effort for maintenance personnel.
Implementation Method 1
a swing arm includes a portion configured to frictionally rest upon the outer radius of the primary roll of product
Data Source
AI summary
A two-roll dispenser is disclosed for a plurality of rolls of products, in one embodiment a plurality of toilet paper rolls. The operation of resetting the device to accept replacement rolls of product is achieved by opening the casing. The seer mechanism is also disclosed in one form maintaining a secondary roll of product in a reserve position until a primary roll of product is substantially consumed. The seer mechanism is also disclosed in another form maintaining a casing door in a reserve position until a primary roll of product is substantially consumed. In one form, rolls of product having a partial or split core are utilized to achieve the objects of this disclosure.