Film Dispenser Movable Support Element Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing film dispensers face difficulties in gripping the end section of the film due to adhesive forces between the film and the container, which can lead to the film being pulled back into the container during use, and the support tongue's elastic restoring force decreases over time, making it hard to grasp the film end.
Innovation Solution
A film dispenser design featuring a movable support element with adjustable overhang height, combined with an actuating element that increases the support element's overhang height, and a non-adhesive contact surface to facilitate easier film gripping, using a hinged lid and recess mechanism to enhance the film's protrusion and gripability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive zones are used to hold the film end section, then the film is prevented from being pulled back into the container, but it becomes difficult to grasp the end section for pulling out
Solution Approach 1:
The front wall is divided into multiple functional zones: an adhesive zone for holding the film end, a non-adhesive zone for easy grasping, and a support tongue area. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between holding stability and grasping ease.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the front wall have different surface properties: the adhesive zone has high adhesion to hold the film, while the non-adhesive zone has low adhesion to facilitate easy grasping. This local differentiation of surface quality allows the system to simultaneously achieve both film retention and easy removal when needed.
2Ease of operation
If a support tongue with elastic restoring force is used to push the film end outward, then the film is easier to grasp, but the restoring force decreases over time due to material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The recess in the front flap acts as an intermediary mechanism that mechanically amplifies the support tongue's projection. When the lid is opened, the recess engages with the support tongue and carries it along, providing additional outward force on the film end without relying solely on the support tongue's elastic restoring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The support tongue is pre-positioned and pre-loaded during container assembly and lid closing. This preliminary action stores elastic energy in the support tongue, which is then released when the lid is opened to provide initial film protrusion assistance before the recess engagement takes over.
3Reliability
If the support tongue is pressed inwards by the closed lid, then the film holding is improved, but the film becomes harder to grasp when the lid is open
Solution Approach 1:
The support tongue's projection height is dynamically adjusted based on lid position: when the lid is closed, the support tongue is pressed inwards to hold the film; when the lid is opened, the recess engages with the support tongue and carries it outward to facilitate film grasping. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between holding and grasping.
Solution Approach 2:
The support tongue alternates between two states: pressed inwards during lid closure for film holding, and carried outward during lid opening for film grasping. This periodic switching of states allows the system to optimize for different functions at different times in the operational cycle.
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 design ensures the film end is kept at a sufficient distance from the contact surface, allowing for easier grasping and pulling of film sections, even when the elastic restoring force is diminished, and maintains gripability over multiple uses.
Implementation Method 1
the support tongue is designed, at least approximately, as an elastically resilient part of the folding box
Implementation Method 2
Thin films based on polyester (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) adhere strongly to such surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The film dispenser comprises a container (1) in which a film strip (7) is stored rolled up. A support element is movably arranged on the container (1) between a dispensing opening and a cutting device for separating a section of the film strip (7) such that its projection height (H) with respect to a contact surface (31) is increased by the force exerted by a driver (37) on a movable actuating element of the container (1). This increases the distance between an end section of the film strip (7) and the contact surface (31), making it easier to grip.