Sponge Sheet Dispenser Flap Structure to Prevent Sheet Fall-Back
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sponge dispensers face issues with odor and appearance, leading to premature disposal, and the 'pop-up' sheet dispensing feature becomes unreliable as the stack height decreases, causing sheets to fall back into the dispenser, making it inconvenient to use with one hand.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser with a holder and refill container designed for easy one-handed use, featuring a flexible flap mechanism that allows for vertical or horizontal mounting and easy access to sponge sheets, preventing sheet fall-back and extending the biodegradation time of sponge materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dispenser uses a pop-up sheet dispensing feature, then the next sheet is readily presented for quick access, but the partially dispensed sheet can fall-back into the dispenser's interior as the stack height decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser uses a flexible flap that dynamically adjusts its position based on the stack height. As sheets are dispensed and the stack decreases, the flap flexes downward to maintain contact with the leading sheet, preventing fall-back while still allowing the pop-up dispensing action to present the next sheet for access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the flap from rigid to flexible, allowing it to adapt its shape and position. This parameter change enables the flap to maintain effective contact with the sheets throughout the dispensing process, resolving the contradiction between providing easy access and preventing fall-back.
2Ease of operation
If the dispenser is designed for one-handed use, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mechanism for preventing sheet fall-back becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible flap is designed to automatically adjust and maintain contact with the sheets through its own flexibility and the natural forces involved in sheet dispensing. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for complex actuators or controls, allowing one-handed operation while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
3Productivity
If sponge sheets are used for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the sheets take a long time to biodegrade in landfills
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters of the sponge sheets by incorporating biodegradable components or modifying the existing sponge material composition. This allows the sheets to maintain their cleaning effectiveness while reducing the biodegradation time in landfills, addressing the environmental concern.
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 dispenser provides a convenient, one-handed solution for dispensing sponge sheets without fall-back, extending the life of the sponge material by allowing for easier access and reuse, and reducing environmental impact through shorter biodegradation times.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the first flap and the second flap of the container can flex upward when a sheet is dispensed from the device
Data Source
AI summary
A device for dispensing a sheet from a stack of sheets is disclosed. The device includes a holder for receiving a refill container including the stack of sheets. The holder includes a holder base wall and opposed holder side walls extending up from the holder base wall. The refill container includes a container base wall and opposed first and second container side walls extending up from the container base wall. A first flap extends inward from an end of the first container side wall, and a second flap extends inward from an end of the second container side wall. The first flap and the second flap are dimensioned to define a longitudinal dispensing slot of the container. At least one of the first flap and the second flap of the container can flex upward when a sheet is dispensed from the device. In one form, the sheets comprise a thin sponge material.