Method of dispensing a plurality of interconnected wipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wipe dispensers often experience issues with 'multiples' and 'fallbacks' due to ineffective connections between wipes, leading to inconsistent and unreliable single-handed dispensing, especially in applications like baby care where one hand is occupied.
Innovation Solution
The use of integrally interconnected wipes with transverse intermittent cut lines forming major and minor ties on alternating sides of the stack, promoting a 'pop-up' dispensing mechanism where each wipe is connected to only one side, facilitating controlled withdrawal and reduced tearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wipes are connected using conventional methods (adhesive bonding or interfolding), then single-handed dispensing is enabled, but multiple wipes may be pulled out in one operation or the succeeding wipe may fall back into the package
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between wipes is segmented into multiple discrete attachment points (tabs and slots) rather than a continuous connection. This allows controlled separation where the wipe breaks free at predetermined weak points, ensuring one-at-a-time dispensing while preventing multiples or fallbacks.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the wipe connection have different properties: the tabs and slots provide strong engagement for holding, while the tear lines provide controlled weak points for separation. This local variation in connection strength enables reliable single-handed dispensing without multiples or fallbacks.
2Reliability
If the connection between wipes is made stronger to prevent fallbacks, then wipe retention is improved, but the force required for dispensing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection is divided into multiple discrete tabs and slots distributed across the wipe width. This segmentation allows the dispensing force to be distributed across multiple attachment points, reducing the force required at any single point while maintaining overall retention strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection provides more attachment points than strictly necessary for basic retention, creating a balance where sufficient force is required for secure holding but not excessive force for normal dispensing. The extra tabs and slots provide redundancy without overwhelming the user.
3Ease of operation
If the dispensing orifice is made larger to facilitate wipe removal, then ease of dispensing is improved, but the succeeding wipe is not held in place and may fall back
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into tabs that extend through the orifice and slots that engage with them. This segmentation allows the orifice to be sufficiently large for easy wipe removal while the distributed tabs and slots maintain holding engagement to prevent fallback.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of dispensing wipes includes providing a stack of wipes. Each wipe is generally rectangular in shape and defines four corners. A dispenser has a dispensing orifice. The method includes grasping a presented corner of a leading wipe, and pulling the presented corner of the leading wipe to withdraw the leading wipe out of the dispenser, whereby the leading wipe releases from a succeeding wipe such that a presented corner of the succeeding wipe, and no other corner of the succeeding wipe, protrudes from the dispensing orifice. In particular embodiments, the presented corner of the leading wipe and the presented corner of the succeeding wipe originate from opposite sides of the stack. In other embodiments, the presented corner of the leading wipe and the presented corner of the succeeding wipe each originate from the same side of the stack.