Frictional features for rolled sheet product dispensers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet product dispensers face issues with inconsistent pull force requirements due to varying roll radii, leading to premature tearing or over-spinning, especially when the roll is nearly depleted or full, which affects user experience and resource efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing frictional features that apply varying friction forces to the roll surface, adjusting with the depletion of the sheet product, to maintain a consistent pull force throughout the roll's life cycle, preventing over-spinning and premature tearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If friction hubs or sleeves are used to provide increased dispensing resistance, then over-spin is reduced, but a greater pull force is required to initiate rotation and may cause premature tearing of the sheet product or perforations
Solution Approach 1:
The frictional feature is designed to provide varying friction forces dynamically throughout the roll's life cycle. When the roll is full, higher friction prevents over-spin; when the roll is depleted, friction decreases to reduce required pull force and prevent tearing. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between preventing waste and protecting product integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The frictional feature changes its friction parameter based on the roll's depletion state. The friction force is higher when the roll is full and decreases as the roll depletes, allowing the system to adapt to different stages of product consumption and resolve the contradiction between preventing over-spin and avoiding premature tearing.
2Loss of substance
If increased dispensing resistance is applied to prevent over-spin, then sheet product waste is reduced, but the pull force required may exceed the tearing strength of the sheet product
Solution Approach 1:
The frictional feature dynamically adjusts its resistance level based on the roll's fullness. When full, it provides high resistance to prevent over-spin and waste; when depleted, it reduces resistance to prevent tearing. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between preventing waste and avoiding harmful tearing effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The frictional feature responds to the changing conditions of the roll (fullness/depletion) and adjusts its friction force accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the friction force is appropriate for the current state, preventing both over-spin waste and premature tearing.
3Strength
If low friction is used to reduce pull force requirement, then premature tearing is prevented, but over-spin occurs causing sheet product waste
Solution Approach 1:
The frictional feature provides high friction when the roll is full to prevent over-spin and waste, then dynamically reduces friction as the roll depletes to prevent tearing. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between preventing tearing and avoiding waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction parameter is changed based on the roll's depletion state. The system transitions from high friction (when full) to low friction (when depleted), allowing it to prevent both over-spin waste and premature tearing at different stages of the roll's life cycle.
4Loss of substance
If high pull force is required to initiate rotation, then over-spin is prevented, but user experience deteriorates due to difficulty in dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The frictional feature provides high friction only when necessary (when the roll is full) to prevent over-spin and waste, then reduces friction to improve ease of operation when the roll is depleted. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between preventing waste and maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction parameter is dynamically changed based on roll fullness, providing high friction when full to prevent waste, then reducing friction to improve dispensing ease when depleted, thus resolving the contradiction between waste prevention and operational ease.
5Ease of operation
If low pull force is required to initiate rotation, then ease of operation is improved, but over-spin occurs causing sheet product waste
Solution Approach 1:
The frictional feature dynamically adjusts friction force based on roll fullness, providing high friction when full to prevent over-spin and waste, then reducing friction to improve ease of operation when depleted. This resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and waste prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction parameter is changed dynamically based on the roll's depletion state, ensuring high friction when full to prevent waste, then low friction when depleted to improve ease of operation, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and waste prevention.
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 solution provides a consistent pull force requirement, reducing waste and improving user experience by minimizing over-spinning and tearing, while optimizing resource usage.
Implementation Method 1
a frictional feature positioned to abut and apply a constant friction force to an inner radial portion of a side surface of the roll of sheet product loaded on the spindle as the sheet product depletes
Data Source
AI summary
Improvements to frictional features in rolled sheet product dispensers are provided herein. An example sheet product dispenser for enabling dispensing from a roll of sheet product is provided. The dispenser includes a moveable support portion for storing and rotating the roll of sheet product relative to a base portion. A loaded roll of sheet product is configured to rotate about a spindle during dispensing of the sheet product therefrom. The dispenser further includes a frictional feature attached to a movable support brake feature at a pivot point radially spaced apart from the spindle. The frictional feature is positioned to pivot about the pivot point toward the movable support brake feature when the roll of sheet product is loaded on the spindle such that the frictional feature applies a decreasing friction force on a side surface of the roll as the sheet product depletes.