Snap-Fit Paper Dispenser Spindle for Coreless Roll Depletion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spindle designs for dispensing roll paper products are complex, requiring multiple parts and steps for assembly, and often cause premature activation of the trigger mechanism when using coreless rolls, leading to unnecessary paper breakage due to increased friction.
Innovation Solution
A spindle with three parts, including an elongated member and two end members that rotatably couple, allowing for easy assembly and minimizing friction through snap connectors and adjustable diameter sections to fit various roll sizes, along with a roller assembly that adapts dispensers for coreless rolls without adding excessive friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spindle design with rotating sleeve is used to enable complete depletion of coreless rolls, then the roll depletion is complete, but the device complexity increases requiring at least four separate parts
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle is divided into three main parts: an elongated member and two end members, where the end members are removable and can be assembled by snapping onto the elongated member. This segmentation allows for easier assembly and disassembly while maintaining the rotating functionality needed for complete roll depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The end members are designed to rotatably couple with the elongated member, merging the rotation function into the end members themselves rather than requiring a separate rotating sleeve component. This combining reduces the total part count while preserving the necessary rotational movement for complete roll depletion.
2Reliability
If upward protrusions are added to raise coreless rolls to prevent premature trigger activation, then the trigger activation timing is correct, but friction increases causing paper breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The flange on the end member serves as an intermediary element that contacts the roll and provides the necessary upward force to position coreless rolls correctly, preventing premature trigger activation. The flange acts as a mediator between the spindle and the roll, distributing force more evenly than sharp protrusions to reduce friction and paper breakage.
3Manufacturing precision
If the spindle design requires multiple assembly steps, then the components can be precisely fitted, but the time to re-load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end members are pre-designed with snap-fit features that align with corresponding features on the elongated member, allowing for quick assembly without requiring multiple adjustment steps. The preliminary design of the snap-fit mechanism ensures that once components are brought together, they self-align and secure quickly, reducing re-load time while maintaining precision.
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 simplifies the assembly process, ensures complete depletion of coreless rolls without premature activation, and reduces paper breakage by minimizing friction during unwinding, providing a more efficient and user-friendly dispensing system.
Implementation Method 1
The first section of each end member can be inserted into the side openings of the elongated member and snapped into place in a manner that allows the elongated member to rotate with respect to the end members
Implementation Method 2
This friction can lead to premature breakage of a web of paper product. Moody and all other known prior art fail to provide an upward protrusion that prevents premature activation of a trigger mechanism, without adding substantial friction to the unwinding of the rolls of paper products
Data Source
AI summary
A spindle for dispensing a roll of paper product is described. The spindle has an elongated member rotatably coupled with two side members. The side members have different sections of various diameters, which are configured to allow a portion of the side members to be inserted into a hollow interior of the elongated member. The elongated member has sufficient elasticity to provide a snap connection with the side members. The side members are configured to engage a track in a dispenser. Furthermore, at least one of the side members is removable. Also described herein is a roller assembly for adapting a dispenser. The assembly comprises a spindle rotatably coupled with a housing. The housing includes a fastener for attaching the housing to a dispenser. The roller assembly is configured to raise a roll of paper product, thus allowing dispensers originally designed for core rolls to be used with coreless rolls.