Slit Sheet Dispenser Rollers for Low-Force Even Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for tension-activated, expandable sheet material require high user pull force and are prone to tearing the material due to excessive resistance, necessitating consistent manual force application to evenly expand slits.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser design that reduces friction and resistance by using a drive system with a velocity ratio greater than 1.1, incorporating sliding roller support members and powered assistance, allowing for consistent pull force application independent of user effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional dispenser is used for tension-activated expandable sheet material, then the sheet material can be dispensed, but high user pull force is required and the material is prone to tearing due to excessive resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary roller support member between the sheet material and the dispenser structure. This roller support member acts as a mediator that distributes the tension forces and reduces direct friction and resistance between the material and the dispenser components, thereby reducing the user pull force requirement and preventing material tearing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction parameter by introducing a roller support member with a surface that reduces friction between the sheet material and the dispenser structure. This parameter change allows the material to move through the dispenser with reduced resistance, lowering the force required from the user and preventing tearing
2Ease of operation
If manual force application is used to expand slits, then the sheet material can be unrolled, but consistent pull force must be applied to evenly expand slits
Solution Approach 1:
The roller support member is designed to self-regulate the tension distribution along the sheet material. As the material moves through the system, the roller support member automatically adjusts to maintain consistent tension and force distribution, ensuring even slit expansion without requiring complex external control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an equipotential tension distribution system where the roller support member ensures uniform force application across the sheet material width. This allows consistent slit expansion by maintaining equal tension potential across the material, eliminating the need for complex force control mechanisms
3Ease of operation
If friction and resistance are reduced to ease material handling, then user force requirement decreases, but the drive system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The roller support member serves as an intermediary that reduces friction and resistance between the sheet material and the dispenser structure. By introducing this intermediate component, the system achieves reduced user force requirement without requiring complex drive mechanisms, as the roller support member naturally manages the friction reduction
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
Facilitates easy loading, reduces user force requirement, and ensures even slit expansion with minimal tearing, supporting various roll widths and core types, including coreless rolls, with fewer moving parts and no threading needed.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one roller support member configured to apply a loading force onto the unrolled sheet material toward the respective input roller or output roller
Implementation Method 2
a drive system configured to couple rotation of the input roller and the output roller such that a velocity ratio of the output roller to the input roller is greater than 1.1 to expand slits in the sheet material
Implementation Method 3
the at least one roller support member slidable relative to the side support members in a direction orthogonal to the width direction
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser for a sheet material roll of sheet material having expandable slits. The dispenser including side support members, an input roller, an output roller, at least one roller support member and a drive system configured to couple rotation of the input roller and the output roller such that a velocity ratio of output roller to input roller is greater than 1.1 to expand slits in the sheet material. The dispenser may be unpowered or powered.