Folded Web Material Dispenser with Bottom-Load Support Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for folded web material face challenges in replenishing from the bottom end, leading to difficulties in managing large stacks and preventing overfilling, which can cause pinching and dispensing issues.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser design with a movable supporting arrangement that allows for easy insertion and support of new stacks from the bottom, featuring a loading opening and a supporting mechanism that moves between a support and insert position, ensuring the stack is compressed and interconnected, preventing overfilling by requiring new material to be pushed past a specific distance to resume the support position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sheet material is dispensed from the bottom end of the stack, then replenishing is simplified by placing fresh material on top, but the weight of large stacks makes dispensing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional dispensing approach by dispensing from the top end instead of the bottom end. This allows the stack to be replenished from the bottom (easy operation) while the lighter top portion is dispensed, avoiding the difficulty of moving heavy stacks during dispensing operations.
2Ease of operation
If sheet material is dispensed from the top end of the stack, then dispensing is easy regardless of weight, but replenishing becomes problematic requiring complex operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the replenishing approach by enabling bottom-up replenishment while maintaining top-down dispensing. The supporting arrangement moves to clear the loading opening, allowing new stacks to be inserted from the bottom and automatically join with existing material, simplifying what would otherwise be a complex operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting arrangement automatically performs the complex task of clearing the loading opening and positioning new stacks. When a new stack is inserted, the supporting arrangement moves away to accommodate it, and the stacks are automatically joined without requiring manual intervention or complex procedures.
3Duration of action of moving object
If excessive amounts of folded web material are stored in the dispenser, then supply duration is extended, but the material becomes pinched and difficult to dispense
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting arrangement is designed to move dynamically between a support position (during dispensing) and an insert position (during replenishment). This dynamic adjustment allows the dispenser to adapt to different operational modes, ensuring proper material compression during dispensing while facilitating easy replenishment without overfilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides mechanical feedback through the supporting arrangement's position-dependent function. When material is pushed too far, the supporting arrangement prevents further insertion by blocking the loading opening, automatically preventing overfilling and ensuring optimal material compression for dispensing.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the supporting arrangement remains in the support position during loading, then stack support is maintained, but insertion of new material is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting arrangement transitions from a static support structure to a dynamic component that moves between support and insert positions. During loading, it moves to the insert position to clear the loading opening, then returns to the support position to stabilize the stack, automatically adapting to operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting arrangement autonomously performs the function of clearing the loading opening when new material is inserted. The act of inserting material itself triggers the supporting arrangement to move away, and it automatically returns to support the stack once insertion is complete, without requiring external control.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a dispenser (2) for dispensing a sheet of web material from a stack (82) of folded web material, the dispenser (2) comprising: a web material storage section (16) arranged to hold and support the stack (82) of folded web material, in a generally vertical direction when the dispenser is in a dispensing position for dispensing the web material; the web material storage section (16) comprising an upper end portion (18) from which the web material is arranged to be lead for dispensing thereof, and a lower end portion (20), opposite to the upper end portion (18) and being arranged to support the stack (82) of folded web material in said generally vertical direction (12), at least when the dispenser is in said dispensing position, characterized in that the lower end portion (20) of the web material storage section (16) comprises - a loading opening (62) and - a supporting arrangement (70), arranged to be movable between a support position wherein the supporting arrangement extends at least partially over said loading opening (62) enabling said support of the stack of folded web material, and an insert position, wherein the supporting arrangement (70) is at least partially removed from the loading opening; wherein said supporting arrangement (70) is arranged to be movable from said support position to said insert position by pushing a stack (82) to be introduced in the loading opening towards the supporting arrangement (70) in a direction towards the upper end portion (18) of the web material storage section (16), wherein said supporting arrangement (70) is arranged to enable said support position to be reassumed, when said stack (82) is pushed a distance (D), along a direction towards the upper portion (18), from the support position of the supporting arrangement (70).