Interconnected Wipe Stack Design for Pop-Up Dispensing Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wet wipe dispensers often experience issues with 'multiples' and 'fallbacks' due to ineffective connections between wipes, leading to inconsistent and unreliable single-handed dispensing, particularly in applications where one hand is occupied.
Innovation Solution
A stack of wipes is designed with alternating side connections and strategically placed bridging strips to ensure proper release and positioning of each wipe, using a dispenser orifice that promotes controlled dispensing and minimizes excessive force requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connections between wipes are used (adhesive bonding or interfolding), then wipes can be connected in a stack, but the connections are geometrically ineffective causing multiples or fallbacks during dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into multiple discrete bridging strips rather than a single continuous connection. Each bridging strip is a separate element that collectively provides the connection function, allowing for controlled separation during dispensing and preventing geometric inefficiency while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging strips are strategically positioned at specific locations on the wipe edges rather than distributed uniformly. This local placement optimizes the connection geometry at critical points where force application occurs during dispensing, preventing both multiples and fallbacks without requiring complex overall structure
2Ease of operation
If a large dispensing orifice is used, then wipes can be easily accessed, but the succeeding wipe cannot be held in place causing fallback into the container
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging strips are pre-positioned and configured to automatically engage with the dispensing orifice geometry before dispensing occurs. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the leading wipe is pulled, the succeeding wipe is already positioned to be held by the orifice edges, preventing fallback while maintaining easy access
3Strength
If excessive adhesive or strong connections are used between wipes, then wipes are securely connected, but the succeeding wipe is pulled too far out causing multiples
Solution Approach 1:
The strong connection is divided into multiple discrete bridging strips rather than one continuous strong bond. This segmentation allows the connection to be strong enough to hold wipes securely at rest, but when force is applied during dispensing, the segmented structure allows controlled separation at predetermined points, preventing the succeeding wipe from being pulled too far
Solution Approach 2:
The connection parameters are optimized by controlling the number, width, and spacing of the bridging strips. This creates a connection with appropriate strength characteristics that balances secure stacking with controlled release during dispensing, preventing both multiples and fallbacks
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.