Dispensable Sheet Roll Indicator for Free End Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rolls of dispensable sheet material, such as adhesive tape, often present difficulties in finding the free end for manual dispensation, leading to user frustration.
Innovation Solution
A wire-reinforced strip with bent ends is placed around the roll to indicate the position of the free end, facilitating its location and manual dispensation, and can be easily moved and secured using slide-facilitating materials like Teflon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple roll of dispensable sheet material is used, then the structure is simple and low-cost, but the free end is difficult to find for manual dispensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a colored or visually distinct indicator (such as a colored band, marker, or contrasting element) on the roll surface to signal the location of the free end. This visual indicator makes the free end easily identifiable without adding complex mechanical structures, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (such as a marker, indicator band, or visual signal) that mediates between the user and the free end location. This intermediary provides clear visual information about the free end position without requiring complex interaction mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the free end is made easily accessible, then manual dispensation is facilitated, but the free end may become bent or dirty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the roll structure by introducing a distinct indicator zone or protected area that separates the free end location from the main body. This segmentation allows the free end to be easily located through the indicator while physically protecting it from bending and contamination, thus addressing both ease of operation and protection from harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary protective measures such as covering the free end with a protective layer or positioning it in a protected location before use. This preliminary action prevents the free end from becoming bent or dirty while still allowing easy access for dispensation, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and protection.
3Ease of operation
If assist means is added to indicate free end position, then ease of finding free end is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive indicator elements such as colored bands, markers, or visual signals that can be easily applied to the roll. These disposable or simple indicators provide effective free end indication without requiring complex or expensive mechanisms, thus improving ease of operation while minimizing added complexity and cost.
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 allows for easy identification and retrieval of the free end, reducing user frustration and maintaining cleanliness by preventing the free end from becoming bent or dirty, while being a low-cost, simple addition to existing rolls.
Implementation Method 1
the device is a strip of material which has bent ends for extending at least over sides of the roll in order to hold the device on the roll
Implementation Method 2
The movement may be by simply sliding the device around the roll of dispensable sheet material. Any appropriate type of movement may be employed as may be dictated by the wire-reinforced strip of material and/or the formation of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A roll (2) of dispensable sheet material (4), wherein the roll (2) has an inner bore (6), the dispensable sheet material (4) is such that it has a free end (8) which is difficult to find for manual dispensation of the dispensable sheet material (4) from the roll (2), the roll (2) comprises assist means (10) for assisting in the finding of the free end (8) of the dispensable sheet material (4), the assist means (10) comprises a device (12) which extends at least transversely over the width of the roll (2), and the device (12) is movable around the roll (2) such that the device (12) is locatable on the roll (2) at a place to receive an end portion (14) of the dispensable sheet material (4) which contains the free end (8), whereby the device (12) indicates the position of the free end (8) and thereby facilitates the manual dispensation of the dispensable sheet material (4) from the roll (2).