Mailer Dispenser Biasing Structure for Automatic End Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cushioned mailers require significant time for users to dispense and open, leading to inefficiencies in high-volume packaging scenarios due to the need to manually obtain and position the mailers and hold open ends open during object insertion.

Innovation Solution

The development of mailer dispensers with a biasing structure that engages mailers as they are dispensed, featuring narrowing surfaces to automatically bias open the open end, reducing the time and effort required for users to prepare mailers for packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mailers are dispensed manually from a supply structure, then users can obtain mailers for packaging, but significant time is required to manually obtain, position, and hold open the mailer ends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging speedVSAvoidtime to dispense and open mailer

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing structure is pre-configured in the dispenser to automatically engage and open the mailer end as it is dispensed. This preliminary action of automatic opening eliminates the need for users to manually hold the mailer open, directly reducing the time loss in the dispensing process and increasing packaging productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the open end of the mailer is held open manually during object insertion, then the mailer can be filled efficiently, but this requires additional user time and effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of mailer fillingVSAvoidtime to hold mailer open

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing structure provides self-service functionality by automatically maintaining the mailer end in an open state during the entire dispensing and filling process. The spring-loaded mechanism self-activates upon dispensing and continues to hold the end open without requiring user intervention, thereby easing operation while eliminating the time cost of manual holding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If a biasing structure with narrowing surfaces is added to the dispenser, then automatic opening of mailer ends is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic mailer openingVSAvoiddispenser structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing function is extracted as a separate, modular component within the dispenser. The spring-loaded biasing structure with narrowing surfaces is designed as an independent mechanism that can be integrated into the dispenser without fundamentally redesigning the entire system. This extraction allows automatic opening to be achieved while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Extent of automation

If narrowing surfaces are used to bias open the mailer end, then automatic opening occurs during dispensing, but the narrowing surfaces may resist mailer insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic mailer openingVSAvoidresistance to mailer movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing structure employs a spring-loaded mechanism that provides dynamic, adjustable force. The spring allows the narrowing surfaces to apply sufficient force to open and hold the mailer end during dispensing, but also permits movement when the mailer needs to be fully removed or inserted. This dynamic characteristic resolves the contradiction by adapting the resistance level to the current operational phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 dispensers significantly reduce the time needed to dispense and fill mailers by automatically opening the open ends, enhancing packaging efficiency in high-volume settings.

Implementation Method 1

The biasing structure has narrowing surfaces configured to contact the sides of the mailer as the mailer is dispensed. The narrowing surfaces of the biasing structure are arranged to narrow the open end of the mailer thereby causing the open end to be biased open.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11279574B2Mailer dispensers

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 SEALED AIR U S

AI summary

A dispenser (200) includes a supply structure (202) and a biasing structure (206). The supply structure holds mailers (204). A mailer from the mailers includes a first wall and a second wall. The first and second walls are closed at a first side of the mailer, closed at a second side of the mailer, and closed at a closed end of the mailer. The first and second walls are not closed at an open end of the mailer. The mailer is arranged to be dispensed from the supply structure (202). The biasing structure (206) is arranged to engage the mailer as the mailer is dispensed from the supply structure (202). The biasing structure (206) has narrowing surfaces configured to contact the sides of the mailer as the mailer is dispensed. The narrowing surfaces of the biasing structure (206) are arranged to narrow the open end of the mailer thereby causing the open end to be biased open.