dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for web materials with perforation lines face challenges in reliable separation of individual products, especially when the web material is wet or subjected to varying pull forces, and they often require strong connections that can pass through the dispenser without disrupting the feeding mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser with a separation arrangement comprising a first unit providing a tensioning force and a second unit that stretches the web material in both length and width directions, allowing for reliable separation along perforation lines with a low pull force requirement, and adjustable units to accommodate different web materials and connection means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strong connection is used to pass through the dispenser, then the feeding mechanism is maintained, but the separation of individual products becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The connection means is designed with non-uniform structural characteristics - having a thinnest section with reduced strength specifically at the separation location, while maintaining sufficient strength in other areas for feeding. This local variation in strength allows the connection to function differently at different locations: strong enough for feeding but weak enough for reliable separation at the thinnest section.
Solution Approach 2:
The web material is pre-stretched along its length before reaching the separation point. This preliminary stretching action prepares the material by creating tension and aligning the fibrous structure, making the perforation lines more susceptible to separation when the pulling force is applied, thereby improving separation reliability.
2Reliability
If the web material is stretched along length and width, then separation reliability improves, but the pull force requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The physical state of the web material is changed by pre-stretching it along its length before separation. This parameter change in the material's mechanical state creates internal tension and aligns the fibrous structure, making the perforation lines more susceptible to separation. The stretching modifies the material properties temporarily to facilitate easier separation with reduced pull force.
3Reliability
If the dispenser is designed for specific web materials, then separation performance is optimized, but the adaptability to different web materials decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection means and separation arrangement are designed with universal characteristics that allow them to work effectively with different types of web materials. The thinnest section design and pre-stretching mechanism are general approaches that can accommodate various web material compositions and structures, enabling the dispenser to handle multiple web material types while maintaining reliable separation performance.
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 dispenser ensures consistent and reliable separation of web materials into individual products with a reduced pull force, accommodating various web materials and connection types, and adapts to intermittent thickness variations, enhancing the usability and efficiency of web material dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
The first unit is arranged to provide a tensioning force on the web material
Implementation Method 2
the second unit is arranged to stretch the web material along a length of the web material and along a width of the web material
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a dispenser (2) for dispensing at least one perforated web from a storage (8) of web material, the dispenser (2) comprising: a housing (4) arranged to hold a storage (8) of perforated web material, wherein a web path extends along a feeding direction in an interior of the housing (4) from a storage position (10) to a dispensing opening (12) of the dispenser (2), and a separation arrangement (60) being arranged along said web path, for separating the at least one perforated web along the perforations thereof, said separation arrangement (60) comprising a first unit (61) and a second unit (62), the second unit (62) being arranged downstream said first unit (61), as seen in the feeding direction of the web path. The first unit (61) is arranged to provide a tensioning force on said web, said tensioning force being at least 2 N/m, preferably 4-10 N/m, and the second unit (62) being arranged to stretch the web material along the length of the web and along the width of the web.