Elevated Cotton Pad Dispenser for Clean One-by-One Withdrawal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging for absorbing materials like cotton wool tampons fails to protect the contents from soil and spray from above and sides, and from contamination by the supporting surface, while also not effectively preventing moisture and biological growth.

Innovation Solution

A packaging design with an elevated aperture and supporting points that reduce contact with the surface, using materials like cardboard, plastic, or metal, and incorporating ventilation to prevent mold and bacterial growth, allowing for easy withdrawal of articles in one direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the aperture is situated on the end face forming the supporting platform, then article withdrawal is enabled, but the packaging and contents are exposed to soil and moisture from below the supporting platform level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticle withdrawalVSAvoidsoil and moisture contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture is relocated from the vertical end face to the horizontal bottom face of the packaging. This dimensional change allows the aperture to face upward when the packaging is inverted for dispensing, preventing soil and moisture from below the supporting platform from entering the packaging while still enabling article withdrawal through the aperture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the packaging is elevated above the supporting surface, then protection from puddles and spray is improved, but contact with the supporting surface is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from puddles and sprayVSAvoidcontact area with supporting surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom face of the packaging is segmented into multiple discrete supporting points rather than a continuous contact surface. This segmentation elevates the main body of the packaging above the supporting surface, creating space for the aperture to face upward and protect contents from puddles and spray, while limiting contact area to only the necessary supporting points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the aperture is smaller than the article, then one article can be withdrawn at a time, but the aperture structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone article at a time dispensingVSAvoidaperture structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture structure utilizes the elastic deformation properties of the articles themselves to achieve controlled dispensing. When an article is pulled through the aperture smaller than its cross-section, the article deforms elastically to pass through, then returns to its original shape. This self-service mechanism enables one-at-a-time dispensing without complex mechanical controls, gates, or dispensing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8152022B2Cotton wool pad dispenser

Publication Date: 2012.04.10 EAZY PAC DANMARK

AI summary

A packaging for a stack of articles of absorbing materials such as cotton wool tampons or similar hygiene articles, and where the packaging protects the mentioned articles against soiling and spray from above, as well as the sides, and also preventing contamination from below. The packaging can stand steady on the supporting surface and a the same time easily permit the articles withdrawal, one by one, from the packaging. The packaging is constructed with supporting devices so that the withdrawal aperture faces downwards and is elevated above the supporting surface.