Shoe Cover Dispenser with Locking Assembly for Sequential Opening

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shoe cover dispensers are often complicated to install and operate, requiring special technology, and users must manually open each shoe cover for wearing, which is inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A shoe cover dispenser device with a locking assembly that allows multiple shoe covers to be connected and opened sequentially, eliminating the need for manual opening and ensuring that subsequent shoe covers do not retract due to elastic contraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple shoe covers are stored and dispensed manually, then users can wear shoe covers, but the operation is inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of wearing shoe coversVSAvoidtime to manually open each shoe cover
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The shoe covers are pre-opened and stored in an opened state within the dispenser device. When a user needs a shoe cover, they simply pull it from the dispenser without needing to manually open it, as the opening action has already been performed in advance during the dispensing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser device automatically performs the opening action for subsequent shoe covers through elastic driving mechanisms. When one shoe cover is removed, the elastic force automatically drives the next shoe cover to open and extend, eliminating the need for user intervention in the opening process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If shoe covers are connected and automatically opened, then wearing becomes convenient, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installing and operating dispenserVSAvoidcomplexity of locking assembly and connection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking assembly is divided into multiple independent locking members, each responsible for locking specific parts of the installation arms. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components that can be manufactured and assembled separately, reducing overall complexity while maintaining functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The installation arms are designed with flexible or movable sections that can be easily positioned and locked into place. The dynamic design allows the arms to adapt to slight variations in positioning while maintaining secure connection through the locking members

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If subsequent shoe covers are held in place, then retraction is prevented, but additional locking mechanisms are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of shoe cover retractionVSAvoidcomplexity of retention mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention members are positioned to preemptively counteract the elastic contraction force that would cause shoe covers to retract. By placing these retention elements in advance at strategic locations, the system prevents retraction before it can occur, rather than attempting to correct it after the fact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

Retention members act as intermediary elements between the shoe covers and the dispenser structure. These intermediaries transfer and balance the elastic forces, preventing direct retraction of the shoe covers while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4023093B1Shoe cover dispenser device
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 OTO IND WUHAN CO LTD
  • EP4023093B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4023093B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4023093B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

A shoe cover dispenser device for installing a plurality of shoe covers includes a frame, an installation assembly installed on the frame, and the locking assembly installed on the frame and is capable of locking the installation assembly, so that the installation assembly can facilitate the installation of the shoe covers on or the removal of the shoe covers from the installation assembly.