Roll Paper Dispenser with Spring-Dampened Support to Reduce Tabbing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing paper towel dispensers experience 'tabbing' due to shock forces created when overspin slack is exhausted, particularly with premium grade papers that absorb water quickly, leading to tearing issues.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser apparatus with a moveable roll support and built-in dampening mechanism, featuring a pivotally movable hub connected by a spring to a support arm, which absorbs shock forces and reduces the peak force required to initiate roll spinning, thereby minimizing the likelihood of tabbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stationary roll support is used, then the dispenser structure is simple, but shock force is created when overspin slack is exhausted causing tabbing
Solution Approach 1:
The roll support is made movable rather than stationary, allowing it to pivot about a pivot axis when overspin slack is exhausted. This dynamic movement absorbs the shock force that would otherwise cause tabbing, while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of a basic pivot mechanism with spring dampening.
Solution Approach 2:
A spring is incorporated into the roll support mechanism to provide beforehand cushioning. The spring is pre-loaded to absorb the shock force when overspin slack is exhausted and the roll must begin rotating, preventing tabbing before it occurs by dampening the shock in advance.
2Reliability
If shock absorbing nip rollers are used, then shock force is dampened, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorption function is extracted from a complex nip roller mechanism and implemented instead through a simpler movable support structure with spring dampening. This maintains the shock dampening effect while significantly reducing device complexity by removing the need for additional rollers and associated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary element between the roll support and the fixed structure, providing shock dampening through its elastic properties. This intermediary approach achieves the same effect as complex nip rollers but with a much simpler single-component solution.
3Reliability
If devices are used to control overspin, then shock forces are avoided, but the average pull force required to dispense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable roll support dynamically responds to overspin conditions by pivoting when slack is exhausted, allowing the roll to begin rotating smoothly without creating shock forces. This dynamic adaptation maintains constant, low pull force throughout dispensing while still achieving effective overspin control.
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 solution effectively reduces the shock force during paper dispensing, making it less likely for the paper to tear, improving the reliability and simplicity of the dispensing process across various paper grades and moisture levels.
Implementation Method 1
said biasing structure is a spring; and said spring connects said support arm and said hub
Data Source
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AI summary
Dispenser apparatus for dispensing from a roll of sheet paper product supported by a support arm, a support member pivotally mounted on the support arm and a biasing structure operable to reduce the shock force in the sheet paper product by resisting pivotal movement of the support member.