Rotatable Drum Dispenser for Controlled Detergent Article Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Detergent articles, particularly flexible and water-soluble unit dose pouches, pose challenges in controlled dispensing due to jamming and unpredictable quantity issues, leading to environmental waste and inefficiencies in storage and transportation.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser system featuring a rotatable drum with a collection element and refilling area, optimized with specific angles and shapes to prevent jamming and facilitate controlled dispensing, using a combination of gravity and rotation to direct detergent articles towards a scoop for collection and release, and allowing for bulk packaging to reduce waste and improve logistics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If detergent articles are dispensed in bulk to reduce packaging waste, then environmental impact is reduced and storage efficiency is improved, but jamming occurs and dispensing control becomes unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging wasteVSAvoiddispensing control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bulk container is divided into multiple compartments, each capable of holding a specific number of detergent articles. This segmentation allows controlled dispensing from each compartment while maintaining bulk storage benefits, preventing jamming by limiting the number of articles in each dispensing zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the dispenser are designed with specific functions: some areas have inclined surfaces to prevent jamming, others have counting mechanisms for precise dispensing, and certain compartments are optimized for bulk storage. This local optimization allows the system to handle bulk articles reliably without complete jamming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If a simple bulk dispensing system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but dispensing precision and quantity control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispenser structureVSAvoiddispensing quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser pre-organizes detergent articles into compartments with specific capacities before dispensing. Counting mechanisms are pre-positioned to detect and count articles as they pass through designated zones, ensuring precise quantity control without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during the dispensing action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser uses the articles themselves as counting elements - their passage through specific zones, their stacking in compartments, or their interaction with simple sensors automatically provides quantity information. This self-counting mechanism achieves precise dispensing control without adding complex external measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If detergent articles are stored in bulk packaging, then transportation efficiency is improved and storage space is optimized, but the articles are prone to damage and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation efficiencyVSAvoidarticle damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser design incorporates protective features before articles can be damaged: padded dispensing surfaces, controlled release mechanisms that prevent dropping, and compartmentalized storage that prevents crushing. These protective measures are built into the dispensing system itself, cushioning articles against damage during bulk handling and dispensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses individual detergent articles in bulk packaging where each article is designed as a disposable unit. The bulk packaging itself serves as protection during transport, and the dispenser is designed to handle these short-life articles efficiently, minimizing their exposure to damaging conditions while maximizing transportation and storage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 system enables controlled and efficient dispensing of detergent articles, reducing waste and environmental impact, improving storage efficiency, and enhancing customer satisfaction by preventing jamming and ensuring consistent dispensing, while allowing for bulk packaging that reduces transportation needs.

Implementation Method 1

using a combination of gravity and rotation to direct detergent articles towards a scoop for collection and release

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3922139B1Detergent articles dispenser

Publication Date: 2023.12.27 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

Figure 1A~2A
Figure 1B~2B
Figure 1C~2C

AI summary

Examples include a system comprising detergent articles and a dispenser. The dispenser comprises a drum (102) containing the articles (111), the drum (102) being rotatable around a drum rotation axis (103) making an angle of at least 75 degrees and of less than 135 degrees with the direction of gravity, the drum (102) preferably having either a cylindrical shape, a barrel shape, a funnel shape or a conical shape. The dispenser also comprises a collection element (106) rotatable around the drum rotation axis (103), the collection element comprising a scoop (106), the scoop permitting collecting and lifting at least one article as the scoop rotates from a collecting position to a releasing position. The dispenser further comprises a refilling area (108), whereby an article collected and lifted by the scoop (106) is directed from the releasing position to the refilling area (108).