Recess-Mounted Wet Wipe Dispenser With Interchangeable Faceplates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wipe dispensers are temporary, difficult to use with one hand, space-consuming, and cannot be permanently recess-mounted into a substrate, lacking interchangeable faceplates for aesthetic and functional flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A recess-mounted tissue dispenser system that allows single-handed operation, featuring interchangeable faceplates and a design that integrates into a wall cavity, with a hinge mechanism and coupling members for secure attachment, and optional heating and motion sensing for enhanced functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If wipes are dispensed from a temporary container, then the container is easy to install and remove, but the container takes up undesired space and cannot be recess mounted into a substrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidspace consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser box is designed to be recess-mounted into a substrate cavity, with the front faceplate flush with or slightly protruding from the substrate surface. This nesting approach allows the bulk of the dispenser volume to be hidden within the substrate cavity, significantly reducing the space occupied in the visible area while maintaining easy installation by simply mounting the faceplate to the substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a surface mounted dispenser is used, then the dispenser is permanently affixed to the substrate, but the dispenser cannot be recess mounted and protrudes from the surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepermanent attachmentVSAvoidprotrusion from surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser box nests into a cavity formed in the substrate, with only the front faceplate visible. This provides permanent attachment through mounting the faceplate to the substrate while minimizing protrusion, as the majority of the dispenser structure is concealed within the substrate cavity rather than extending outward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If a traditional dispenser design is used, then the structure is simple, but the dispenser cannot be operated with a single hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidsingle-handed operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is equipped with a handle that extends perpendicular to the faceplate surface, utilizing the third dimension (depth) rather than complicating the front face design. This allows users to easily grasp and operate the lid with one hand from the front, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling single-handed operation through spatial optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of manufacture

If a fixed faceplate design is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the dispenser lacks aesthetic flexibility and cannot match surrounding décor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser is divided into modular components: a standard dispenser box and interchangeable faceplates. The faceplates can be manufactured in various finishes, colors, and styles to match different décors, while the main dispenser box remains a simple, standardized unit. This segmentation allows aesthetic customization without complicating the core manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser box is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different faceplate styles and finishes. This multi-functionality allows the same dispenser mechanism to be adapted to various aesthetic requirements by simply changing the faceplate, providing versatility without requiring multiple complete dispenser designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Provides a permanent, space-efficient, and aesthetically flexible solution for dispensing wipes, enabling easy refilling and single-handed access while matching surrounding décor, with optional heating for improved wipe usability.

Implementation Method 1

the heater is electrically coupled to the power source and to the motion sensor and is configured to heat an interior of the tissue receptacle when motion is sensed by the motion sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a motion sensor, and a power source. The first side wall, the second side wall, the back wall, the lower wall, and the upper wall form a box configured to store wipes, the heater is electrically coupled to the power source and to the motion sensor and is configured to heat an interior of the tissue receptacle when motion is sensed by the motion sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS10034586B2Permanent wet wipe dispensing container with decorative faceplate installed into a wall

Publication Date: 2018.07.31 GOBLE JESSE M

AI summary

A permanent wipe dispensing container with a faceplate installed into a wall is disclosed. The wipe dispensing container described herein provides a permanent solution to house and dispense wipes with a single hand, is recess mounted in the wall, and can change appearance with interchangeable faceplates.