Interleaved Wipe Stack Fold Pattern to Prevent Multiple Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wipe stacks face issues with multiple wipes being dispensed instead of a single wipe due to the direct interaction of folded panels with the main panel, leading to inefficient dispensing and potential misuse.
Innovation Solution
A stack of interleaved wipes with a modified fold pattern where one wipe is enfolded within another, utilizing enfolding and enfolded folds to create frictional contact that draws the next wipe towards the dispensing aperture, reducing the risk of multiple wipe dispensing through the use of creases and further folded panels arranged to avoid direct contact with the main panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If folded panels are directly connected to the main panel with simple folds, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but multiple wipes are dispensed simultaneously instead of a single wipe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing one wipe inside another wipe through enfolding folds. The crease at one main panel edge is enfolded within an enfolding fold of the next wipe, creating a nested configuration where wipes are interleaved in a compact manner that controls dispensing one at a time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary folded panel structure that mediates between the main panel and the next wipe. This folded panel creates frictional contact that acts as a mediator to control the dispensing action, preventing direct contact between main panels that would cause multiple wipes to be dispensed simultaneously
2Reliability
If folded panels are arranged to prevent multiple wipe dispensing, then dispensing control is improved, but the fold pattern becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the folded panel into multiple distinct portions: a first folded panel connected to the main panel, and a second folded panel connected to the first folded panel. This segmentation allows each segment to perform a specific function in controlling the dispensing sequence, with the second folded panel creating frictional contact to prevent simultaneous dispensing of multiple wipes
3Volume of stationary object
If wipes are interleaved with direct fold connections, then the stack is compact, but frictional contact is insufficient to control dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the fold structure into an additional dimension by adding a second folded panel connected to the first folded panel. This creates a multi-layered interleaved structure where the second folded panel of one wipe interacts with the main panel of the next wipe, increasing frictional contact surface area and improving dispensing control while maintaining compactness
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 modified fold pattern ensures that only one wipe is dispensed at a time, reducing the risk of multiple wipes being drawn out simultaneously and optimizing the dispensing process by utilizing frictional contact between enfolded and enfolding folds, thereby improving the dispensing efficiency and preventing accidental dispensing of multiple wipes.
Implementation Method 1
This arrangement enables an enfolded portion of the next wipe to be drawn towards a dispensing aperture due to friction between the enfolded portion of the next wipe and the enfolding fold of the one wipe, when the one wipe is dispensed.
Data Source
AI summary
A stack of interleaved wipes where the first wipe (10) will have its first crease (15) drawn to the region of or partially through an opening (1) in a container (2) of the wipes, so that it can be grasped and drawn through the opening. The second wipe (20) and those below are in their interleaved arrangement. The crease (25) together with adjoining parts of the portions (21, 24), is enfolded in a fold (170) of the wipe (10) formed by its portions (11, 16) and the crease (17). The wipe (10) is the wipe next to the wipe (20) on its side opposite from its portions (24, 26). The crease (27) at the opposite edge from crease (25) of the main portion (21) forms with the main portion (21) and the second folded portion (26) a fold (270) which enfolds the fold (350) of the wipe (30).