Folded Sheet Stack Structure for Low-Friction Single-Sheet Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet stacking techniques result in high friction between sheets, causing adjacent sheets to be partially exposed when removed, leading to increased stack width and impaired usability.

Innovation Solution

The sheets are folded into specific shapes with auxiliary pieces that do not overlap in the stacking direction, allowing for reduced contact area without increasing the stack width, enabling stable and continuous removal of sheets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If the overlapping width between sheets is reduced to decrease contact area, then friction between sheets is reduced, but the width of the stack and sheet container is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction between sheetsVSAvoidwidth of stack
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet is divided into multiple pieces (first piece, second piece, third piece, fourth piece, fifth piece) with fold lines creating distinct segments. This segmentation allows the sheets to be stacked with reduced overlapping width while maintaining structural integrity through the folded pieces, resolving the contradiction between reducing friction and maintaining compact stack width

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The folded pieces of adjacent sheets are nested within each other in the stacking direction, with the fourth and fifth pieces inserted between specific pieces of adjacent first sheet bodies. This nesting arrangement reduces the lateral width requirement while maintaining adequate contact area for friction-based sheet retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the contact area between sheets is reduced to prevent multiple sheets from being exposed, then sheet removal becomes less stable, but increasing contact area increases friction and causes partial exposure of subsequent sheets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet removal stabilityVSAvoidpartial exposure of subsequent sheets
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different pieces of the sheet have different functions: the first, second, and third pieces form the main body with specific overlapping characteristics, while the auxiliary piece (formed by folding an end of one of the pieces) provides localized friction control. This local differentiation allows optimized contact area that prevents multiple sheet exposure while maintaining stable removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of sheet interaction by creating folded pieces with specific geometries and overlapping arrangements. The auxiliary piece's non-overlapping configuration in the stacking direction modifies the friction characteristics, enabling stable single-sheet removal without excessive contact area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration reduces friction and prevents partial exposure of subsequent sheets, allowing for stable and efficient removal of sheets without expanding the stack's width, maintaining usability.

Implementation Method 1

Friction between sheets depends on the material of the sheets and the contact area between the sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2275015B1Stacked sheet body and sheet storing device
Publication Date: 2016.03.23 UNI CHARM CORP
  • EP2275015B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2275015B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2275015B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

It is an object of the invention to provide a technique for reducing the contact area between adjacent sheets to be stacked one on another without increasing the width of a stack of sheets. A representative stack of sheets includes sheet bodies 130A (130B), 140A (140B) each of which is formed by folding a sheet and has a plurality of pieces between both ends of the sheet body. The sheet bodies 130A (130B), 140A (140B) are stacked one on another in such a manner that one of the plurality of pieces of each of the sheet bodies on one side in a stacking direction and another piece on the other side are inserted between pieces of an adjacent sheet body on one side in the stacking direction with respect to the sheet body and between pieces of an adjacent sheet body on the other side in the stacking direction, respectively, wherein an auxiliary piece is formed by folding an end of the piece of the sheet body 130A (130B), 140A (140B).