Keyed Wipes Holder for Compatible Refill Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bathroom accessories do not effectively prevent the use of inferior or differently configured replacement wipes, which can cause harm or discomfort, and lack easy installation and removal features, making them unsuitable for toilet training and compatibility with various wipe sources.

Innovation Solution

A bathroom accessory with first and second brackets connected to a base, designed to connect with a bathroom tissue roll trunnion and securely support a container of wipes, featuring keyed engagement to ensure the correct type of wipe container is used, and adjustable positioning to facilitate easy access during toilet training.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If bathroom accessories are designed to work with wipes from various different sources, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to use of inferior or differently configured replacement wipes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various wipe sourcesVSAvoidconsistent quality of wipes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container holder employs asymmetric keyed features (protrusions and recesses) that create a unique geometric configuration. This asymmetric design allows the holder to be compatible only with containers having matching keyed features, thereby ensuring that only approved replacement containers with proper wipe quality can be used, while maintaining adaptability to the specific container design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The keyed engagement features act as an intermediary mechanism between the container holder and the wipe container. This intermediary system of complementary protrusions and recesses serves as a selective interface that mediates compatibility, allowing only properly configured containers to be mounted while blocking inferior or incorrectly configured replacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If bathroom accessories are designed with keyed engagement features, then reliability is improved by preventing use of inferior replacements, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of inferior replacement wipesVSAvoidkeyed engagement structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The keyed engagement system is segmented into separate, simple components: a protrusion element on the container and a corresponding recess element on the holder. This segmentation breaks down the complexity into two simple geometric features that are easy to manufacture and assemble, rather than requiring a complex locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The keyed features are implemented as simple, inexpensive geometric elements (protrusions and recesses) rather than complex mechanical components. These simple features can be easily molded into the container and holder during manufacturing, adding minimal cost while providing reliable compatibility control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If bathroom accessories lack easy installation and removal features, then stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure mounting of containerVSAvoidinstallation and removal convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement system transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic reversible connection. The keyed features allow the container to be easily inserted and removed while maintaining stability during use, enabling flexible operation for toilet training applications where containers need to be changed frequently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring complex tools or mechanisms for installation and removal, the design inverts the approach by using simple gravity-assisted insertion where the keyed features guide the container into place during downward placement, making installation as easy as removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7481395B2Wipes container holder

Publication Date: 2009.01.27 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A bathroom accessory adapted to connect with a bathroom tissue roll trunnion and support a container of wipes is disclosed. The bathroom accessory may include first and second brackets connected with and extending upward from a base. The first and second brackets can be adapted to connect with a tissue trunnion, and the base can be adapted to support a container of wipes thereon. Embodiments of the bathroom accessory can be configured structural features to provide a keyed engagement a wipe container to help ensure that a particular type of wipe container is used with the wipe container holder. Other embodiments include features that may help secure the wipe container in a particular position on the wipe container holder. Further, embodiments of the wipe container holder can also be used when toilet training an individual.