Paper Roll Dispenser Flange Coupling for Cardboard Cores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper roll dispensers face challenges in achieving a unique and forced mechanical coupling with cardboard cores without altering the paper material or requiring complex processing, while also being environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Innovation Solution

The dispenser features a tubular core with a modified circular section and radially arranged branches on the flanges that engage with the core's peripheral portions, allowing for a unique and forced mechanical coupling without pre-processing the core or altering the paper material, using cardboard as an eco-friendly material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tubular core made of plastic with ribs and compartments is used to achieve forced mechanical coupling with dispenser flanges, then the coupling reliability is improved, but the environmental friendliness and material disposal issues deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidenvironmental harm from plastic disposal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter of the tubular core from plastic to cardboard, and modifies the geometric parameter by creating peripheral portions with breaking lines that allow the cardboard to be shaped into engagement-compatible forms with the flanges, achieving both environmental friendliness and reliable coupling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses homogeneous cardboard material throughout the tubular core structure, eliminating the need for mixed materials (plastic inserts or coatings) and achieving both environmental compatibility and functional coupling through the homogeneous cardboard's ability to be shaped and engaged

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

2Reliability

If inserts are provided for insertion in the openings of the tubular cardboard core to achieve forced coupling, then the coupling reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to repeated insertion and removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidease of roll installation and removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the coupling function directly into the tubular core structure by shaping the cardboard itself into peripheral portions with breaking lines that form engagement features, eliminating the need for separate inserts and enabling direct coupling between the core and flanges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular core structure serves its own coupling function through its shaped peripheral portions with breaking lines, eliminating the need for separate coupling components or inserts that would require manual insertion and removal operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If notches are cut in the tubular core before winding paper material to achieve forced coupling, then the coupling reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to additional processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The breaking lines are pre-defined in the cardboard tubular core structure during core manufacturing, but the actual shaping into peripheral portions with engagement features occurs automatically during the winding process or through simple manual folding, avoiding complex pre-cutting operations while ensuring proper coupling geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular core is segmented into peripheral portions with breaking lines that can be independently folded or shaped into engagement features, allowing the coupling structure to be created through simple segmentation rather than complex cutting operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If a diametrical groove is cut in the base of the tubular core to achieve forced coupling, then the coupling reliability is improved, but the paper material integrity deteriorates due to alteration of the wound paper

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidpaper material integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling features are created locally at the peripheral portions of the tubular core base through breaking lines that are folded or shaped into engagement features, rather than cutting grooves that would penetrate into and damage the wound paper material, thus maintaining local paper integrity while achieving coupling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4032450A1Dispenser of paper material in roll form
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 LUCART
  • EP4032450A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4032450A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4032450A1 patent drawingFigure 3~7

AI summary

A dispenser (1) of paper material (9) in the form of a roll (R), having a tubular core (2), comprising a box-like shell (10) which defines at least one compartment (11) for installing and housing a roll (R), means for unwinding the paper material (9) from the roll (R), means for withdrawing single sheets, separated from the paper material (9), by a user, a first arm (15) and a second arm (16), installed inside said compartment (11), for supporting the roll (R). The first arm (15) and the second arm (16) rotatably support a first flange (19) and a second flange (20), respectively, positioned inside said compartment (11), facing one another, so as to support the roll (R) with its horizontal, or substantially horizontal, axis of cylindrical symmetry (A). The first flange (19) comprises a peripheral element (43) comprising at least one branch (44) arranged radially; said branch (44) of said peripheral element (43) defines a respective inclined surface (45), flat or substantially flat, which forms a first acute angle (α1) with the rotation axis (B) of said first flange (19).