Sheet material transfer system/assembly for a dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for sheet materials, such as towels and tissues, require manual intervention to switch between supplies when one is running low, leading to waste and disruption in dispensing, as they often dispense double sheets to exhaust the low supply completely.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser assembly with a sheet material transfer system that automatically switches between multiple supply rolls, using a movable frame and guide rollers to seamlessly transition dispensing from a stub roll to a main roll without manual refeeding, preventing double sheet dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual transfer of sheet material between supplies is performed, then the dispenser can switch between supplies, but the operation requires manual intervention and causes dispensing disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a sensor to detect when the current supply is running low and automatically activates the transfer mechanism, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The dispenser serves itself by detecting its own state and performing the transfer operation autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated system combining sensors, motors, and control logic. The sensor detects supply status and triggers an electric motor to drive the transfer mechanism, substituting human mechanical action with an automated electromechanical system.
2Loss of substance
If sheet material from multiple supplies is dispensed simultaneously to exhaust the low supply, then the current supply can be fully utilized, but a significant portion of sheet material is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary transfer of the sheet material end from the low supply to the new supply before the current supply is completely exhausted. This advance action prevents the need to dispense from both supplies simultaneously, thereby avoiding waste while maintaining continuous supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer mechanism rapidly completes the supply switching operation in a single swift action, transitioning from one supply to the next without intermediate states that would require dual dispensing. This rushing through the transition avoids the harmful dual-dispensing phase.
3Loss of substance
If a stub roll is used to prevent waste when switching supplies, then sheet material is conserved, but the dispenser requires manual refeeding when the stub roll is exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The automated transfer system continuously monitors all supplies and automatically performs transfers when any supply is exhausted, eliminating the need for manual refeeding operations. The system serves itself by detecting exhaustion and executing the transfer without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides continuous feedback on the status of all sheet material supplies, enabling the control system to automatically initiate transfers when supplies are exhausted. This feedback loop eliminates the need for manual monitoring and refeeding by keeping the system informed of supply status in real-time.
4Reliability
If multiple supply rolls are installed in the dispenser, then continuous dispensing can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer mechanism is divided into modular components: a sensor module for detection, a motor module for actuation, and a mechanical transfer module with guide rollers and support frames. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, simplifying the overall design and maintenance while enabling continuous dispensing across multiple supplies.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet material dispenser can include a sheet material transfer assembly operable to automatically transfer feeding or dispensing of sheet material between a plurality of supplies of sheet material. The sheet material transfer assembly can include a frame that is movable between a plurality of positions including a first position that facilitates feeding of the sheet material from a first supply of sheet material, and a second position that facilitates feeding or dispensing of sheet material from a second supply of sheet material. The frame of the sheet material transfer system can shift or move to the second position for dispensing sheet material from the second supply of sheet material when the first supply of sheet material is fully dispensed.