Folded Sheet Dispenser Bracket Lock to Prevent Overfilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional folded sheet dispensers are prone to overfilling, which compresses the stack of sheets, making it difficult to remove individual sheets and can lead to unreliable dispensing due to increased friction and potential tearing.

Innovation Solution

A folded sheet dispenser with an overfill prevention device featuring a pivotally connected bracket and locking element that moves from a filling position to a dispensing position when the cover is closed, preventing excessive sheet compression and ensuring easy access for users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the dispenser is overfilled with stacked folded sheets, then the storage capacity is increased, but the sheets become compressed and difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidease of sheet removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic restricting plate that can move between positions. When the dispenser is open, the plate is held at a restricting position by locking elements to prevent overfilling. When the dispenser is closed, the locking elements rotate and release the plate, allowing it to move upward in response to decompressive forces from the sheet stack. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the restriction level based on operational state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If the dispenser is overfilled with stacked folded sheets, then the storage capacity is increased, but the friction against the dispensing opening is increased making dispensing unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidreliability of dispensing
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using locking elements that proactively prevent the restricting plate from moving to a position that would cause overfilling. The locking elements engage with the plate when the dispenser is open, restricting the stack length before overfilling can occur. This preliminary restriction prevents the harmful effect of excessive friction and unreliable dispensing from ever manifesting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Quantity of substance

If the dispenser is overfilled with stacked folded sheets, then the storage capacity is increased, but the sheets may tear instead of dispensing properly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidintegrity of sheets
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by establishing the restricting plate at a predetermined safe position using locking elements before any sheets are loaded. This pre-positioning ensures that the stack length is limited to a safe maximum that prevents excessive compression and potential sheet tearing, while still allowing adequate storage capacity. The restriction is in place before the harmful effect can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2768368B1Folded sheet dispenser with overfill prevention device
Publication Date: 2015.12.30 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC
  • EP2768368B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2768368B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2768368B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a dispenser (10) for folded sheets having an overfill prevention device (60), which effectively prevents the dispenser from being overfilled with folded sheet material. The overfill prevention device comprises a pivotally connected bracket (62) adapted to contact a stack of folded sheets (12) and a locking element (72) which is released when the cover (40) of the dispenser is closed.