Sheet product dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet product dispensers are inefficient in handling sheet products with varying folds and compression levels, require complex adjustments, and often dispense a fixed number of sheets, leading to waste and lack of control in dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser with a movable dispensing member and actuator that allows for selective dispensing of sheet products by varying the amount of movement based on user interface selection, accommodating different sheet counts and compression levels without adjustment, and providing a controlled presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional dispensers dispense a predetermined number of sheet products, then the number of sheets dispensed is controlled, but the dispenser requires precise settings and difficult adjustments to vary the number of sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing member is made movable and adjustable, allowing dynamic modification of the dispensing mechanism. The member can be positioned at different locations and oriented at different angles to dispense varying numbers of sheets without complex internal adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the dispensing member (position, orientation, movement distance) to control the number of sheets dispensed. By varying these parameters, the system can adapt to different sheet thicknesses and compression levels while maintaining ease of operation
2Force
If the dispensing member engages the front face of the stack and presses into it, then the front-most sheet is gripped and moved while rubbing against underlying sheets, but this requires sufficient pressing force to overcome friction
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing member features a curved or rounded engagement surface that contacts the front face of the sheet stack. This curvature distributes the pressing force more effectively and facilitates the rubbing action that separates the front sheet from underlying sheets by reducing stress concentration
3Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator provides fixed stroke length, then the dispensing mechanism is simple, but it cannot dispense different numbers of sheet products
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed with adjustable stroke length capability, allowing it to dynamically adapt to different dispensing requirements. This enables the system to dispense varying numbers of sheets by modifying the actuator's movement parameters rather than requiring multiple fixed mechanisms
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
Enables flexible and controlled dispensing of sheet products, reducing waste by allowing users to select the number of sheets dispensed and accommodating different types of sheet products, while maintaining a tidy presentation.
Implementation Method 1
the front-most sheet product at the location at which it is gripped to rub against underlying sheets in the stack as it is moved relative to the underlying sheets
Data Source
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AI summary
A dispenser, comprising a housing defining an interior volume for receiving a stack (10) of sheet products. The dispenser comprises an actuator (2) and a dispensing member (3), wherein the actuator is operable by a user to activate a dispensing member to dispense a desired number of sheet products. The actuator includes two or more user interfaces that a user can actuate to transmit to the dispensing member an amount of movement corresponding to different numbers of sheet products being dispensed depending upon which of the user interfaces is actuated. The dispenser comprises a support structure for engaging a front face of the stack including opposed shelves for supporting opposed sides of the front face of the stack. A roller (15) of the dispensing member is located between the opposed shelves and engages and grips on the front face of the stack. The actuator imparts a predetermined amount of rotation to the roller, which causes the roller to separate one or more sheet products at the front face of the stack in a one-at-a-time fashion. A different amount of rotation is imparted to the roller depending upon which of the user interface ledges is actuated, thereby allowing selection of different numbers of sheet products to be dispensed.