Multiple orifice nozzle with cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet product dispensers allow malicious tampering of the tail of the sheet product, where a user can twist and push it back into the dispenser, making it unavailable for subsequent users.
Innovation Solution
A sheet product dispenser with a nozzle featuring multiple orifices and a cavity, where the first orifice, second orifice, and cavity are configured to prevent the tail from being pushed back into the dispenser, ensuring it remains available for subsequent users by providing sufficient resistance and capacity to impede tampering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single orifice is used in the nozzle, then the device structure is simple, but the tail of the sheet product can be pushed back into the dispenser through malicious tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first orifice for normal sheet product dispensing, a second orifice positioned deeper in the nozzle, and a cavity between them. This segmentation creates a multi-stage barrier that prevents the tail from being pushed back into the dispenser body, as the tail would need to pass through multiple restricted openings and occupy cavity space, making tampering ineffective.
2Ease of operation
If the orifice is sized to create sufficient resistance to cause sheet product tearing at perforations, then sheet separation is achieved, but the tail becomes vulnerable to being twisted and pushed back through
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity and second orifice are positioned to create preliminary resistance against any attempt to push the tail back into the dispenser. The cavity occupies space that would be needed to store the twisted tail, while the second orifice provides an additional restrictive opening that the tail must pass through, creating anti-action against the tampering force before the tail can reach the dispenser body.
3Reliability
If a cavity with larger cross-sectional area is added between the orifices, then the capacity to impede tampering increases, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a storage space that occupies volume needed for tampering, creates a physical barrier that the tail must traverse, and works in conjunction with the two orifices to create a multi-stage restriction system. This multi-functionality achieves enhanced anti-tampering capability without requiring additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a housing defining an interior space configured to receive the roll of sheet product therein. The housing includes a nozzle configured to allow the sheet product to be dispensed therethrough and out of the interior space of the housing. The nozzle includes a first orifice disposed at or near an outer end of the nozzle, a second orifice disposed at or near an inner end of the nozzle, and a cavity disposed between the first orifice and the second orifice. The first orifice, the second orifice, and the cavity are configured to allow the sheet product to pass therethrough. The first orifice has a first cross-sectional area, the second orifice has a second cross-sectional area, and the cavity has a third cross-sectional area, wherein the third cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area and greater than the second cross sectional area.