Modular Tabletop Utensil Dispenser With Hidden Bottom Couplings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing office utensil dispensers lack versatility in adapting to varying storage needs and have visible connection means, limiting design and arrangement options.
Innovation Solution
A tabletop dispenser with detachable containers and connection members featuring male and female coupling elements, allowing flexible interconnection without visible connections, and utilizing friction fit and wedge effects for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If connection means are provided on opposed sides of each container for mutual connection, then containers can be joined together in a modular manner, but connection means become visible at the ends of the row limiting design options
Solution Approach 1:
The connection means are relocated from the lateral sides of containers to the bottom side, changing the spatial dimension of connection. This allows containers to be connected modularly while hiding the connection means underneath, so they are not visible when containers are arranged on a tabletop.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing connection means on the upper or lateral surfaces of containers, the invention inverts the approach by placing connection means on the bottom side. This inversion achieves both modular connectivity and aesthetic concealment of connection elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple coupling elements are provided on the bottom side of each container, then containers can be flexibly interconnected in various ways, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coupling elements with identical male-female connector designs are provided on the bottom side of each container. Each coupling element can serve multiple functions: connecting to other containers, providing friction fit connections, and creating wedge effects for stability. This universal design achieves flexible interconnection without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
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
Enables adaptable and stable storage solutions for office utensils, ensuring sturdy and balanced arrangement without visible connections.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling elements of the at least one separate connection member form a friction fit connection with the respective coupling elements of the bottom side of each container
Implementation Method 2
each coupling element of the at least one separate connection member includes a tapering section, and each coupling element of the bottom side of each container includes a tapering section corresponding to the tapering section of the coupling elements of the at least one separate connection member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The tabletop dispenser includes a number of containers (2) being adapted for detachable mutual connection with each other. The tabletop dispenser (1) includes a number of separate connection members (4) each including at least a first coupling element (5) and a second coupling element (6). A bottom side (3) of each container (2) is provided with a number of coupling elements. At least one of the number of connection members (4) is, by means of its first coupling element (5), detachably connected to one of the coupling elements of a first one of the containers (2), and is, by means of its second coupling element (6), detachably connected to one of the coupling elements of a second one of the containers (2).