Foil Dispenser Leading Edge Folding Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for hair coloring foils require manual preparation and often result in damaged or creased foils, and do not provide sheets with a pre-folded edge, making them inconvenient and time-consuming to use.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser that advances a strip of foil, folds the leading edge in line with the feed direction, cuts it to form a sheet, and then flattens the fold to prevent jamming and ensure a crisp, intact fold, using a U-shaped folding member and synchronized driver rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the fold is formed in the trailing edge and downstream nip rollers are used to catch the fold, then the fold can be formed, but the dispenser becomes inclined to jam due to the bulk of the fold
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming the fold in the trailing edge and catching it with downstream rollers (which causes jamming), the invention inverts the approach by forming the fold in the leading edge of the foil sheet. This allows the fold to be created before the cutting point, and the folded leading edge is then dispensed without causing jamming issues, as the fold is already in position and does not create bulk that interferes with downstream roller operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a press and resilient roller assembly is used to form the V-shaped fold, then the fold can be created, but the dispenser becomes complex in design
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex resilient roller and knockdown table assembly from the folding mechanism. Instead of using a multi-component press and roller system, the patent employs a simpler folding assembly that forms the V-shaped fold in the leading edge of the foil without requiring these additional complex elements, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining fold creation capability.
3Ease of operation
If manual folding is required while holding prepared hair section, then the process can be completed, but it becomes cumbersome and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by automatically forming the fold in the leading edge of the foil sheet before it is dispensed to the user. This preliminary folding action eliminates the need for the hairdresser to manually fold the foil while holding the prepared hair section, thereby reducing both the complexity of the operation and the time required for colouring preparation.
4Ease of operation
If pre-cut sheets are stored in salon, then they are ready for use, but they become easily damaged or creased making them unsuitable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements self-service by providing an on-demand foil dispensing system that creates and dispenses folded foil sheets at the point of use. Instead of storing pre-cut sheets that are prone to damage and creasing, the system automatically feeds foil from a roll, forms the fold, cuts the sheet, and dispenses it ready-for-use immediately before application. This eliminates the storage and handling issues associated with pre-prepared sheets while maintaining readiness for use.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser for dispensing folded sheets (160) of foil comprises first advancement means (119, 121) for controllably advancing a strip (161) of foil in a feed direction (F); folding means (147, 135, 139, 129) for folding a leading edge of said strip of foil (161); cutting means (141, 133) for cutting said strip (161) of foil to form a sheet (160) of foil; second advancement means (123, 125) for flattening the fold formed in the leading edge of said sheet (160) of foil and dispensing said folded sheet (160) of foil.