Flushable Wipes Dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bathroom wipe dispensers fail to provide a satisfactory and hygienic solution for dispensing wipes near the toilet, as they often require users to grasp individual wipes, leading to contamination risks and inefficiencies in dispensing and storage.
Innovation Solution
A flushable wipes dispenser with a container structure that attaches to the toilet tank via suction cups, featuring a lid and a design that allows for easy access and one-handed use, with features like a spring-biased support tray to pull the next wipe into position for dispensing, reducing errors and maintaining hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users grasp individual wipes to dispense them, then wipes can be accessed, but contamination risk increases and dispensing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-biased support tray automatically pulls the next wipe into position after a wipe is removed, eliminating the need for users to manually grasp and retrieve multiple wipes. The system serves itself by maintaining wipe presentation and positioning automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased support tray acts as an intermediary mechanism between the wipe stack and the user. It manages the complex task of wipe presentation, separation, and repositioning, allowing users to simply take the top wipe without dealing with the underlying mechanics.
2Ease of operation
If wipes are stored in a container near the toilet, then they are readily available, but hygiene is compromised due to proximity to germs
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs a lid that can be opened to reveal wipes, creating a barrier that protects wipes from contamination when closed while allowing access when opened. This flexible closure system maintains hygiene during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser is mounted on the toilet tank rather than being integrated into the toilet structure itself, extracting the wipe storage function from the contaminated toilet environment while maintaining proximity for easy access.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple container is used for wipes, then manufacturing is easy, but dispensing efficiency and user experience are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-biased support tray introduces dynamic movement to the otherwise static container. The spring mechanism automatically adjusts wipe positioning as wipes are removed, adding intelligence to a relatively simple container structure without significantly complicating manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into functional zones: a storage chamber for the wipe stack, a support tray mechanism for active wipes, and a dispensing opening. This segmentation allows each component to be relatively simple while collectively providing sophisticated dispensing functionality.
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 dispenser provides a convenient, hygienic, and efficient means to access pre-moistened wipes for cleaning the toilet area, reducing the risk of contamination and improving user experience by ensuring wipes are readily available and easy to use, while maintaining the wipes' moisture and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A flushable wipes dispenser with a container structure that attaches to the toilet tank via suction cups
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser device is disclosed as it may be attached to a toilet for making wipes or tissues readily available to a user. An example of the dispenser device includes a container structure having an upper container portion and a lower container portion connecting to one another to form an interior storage chamber for the wipes or tissues. The example dispenser device also includes a bottom surface of the lower container portion on an outside of the container structure. The example dispenser device also includes one or more suction members attached to the bottom surface of the lower container portion. The suction members are configured for removably attaching the container structure and the wipes or tissues in the interior storage chamber to a generally smooth surface at or near a point of use.