Tangential Sheet Dispenser Assembly with Fixed-Nip Roller Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispenser assemblies for tissue paper rolls with two overlapping webs face issues such as over-spinning, jamming, and complex mechanisms for sheet separation and distribution, which are not satisfactorily addressed by current designs.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser assembly with a simple construction featuring a base, first roller, counter roller, cradle, and dispensing outlet that tangentially dispenses sheets, reducing over-spinning and jamming risks by adapting to the roll's decreasing weight and inertia, and includes a cradle shape that ensures proper positioning and increased friction for reliable sheet separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flexible fingers and nip controller are used for sheet separation and distribution, then sheet dispensing is enabled, but the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet dispensingVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex flexible fingers and nip controller mechanisms from the dispenser assembly. Instead, it uses a simple roller system where the roller's natural friction and geometry handle sheet separation and distribution, extracting the unnecessary complex components while maintaining the essential dispensing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The roller is designed to automatically adapt to the changing weight of the roll as sheets are dispensed. The roller's friction-based mechanism self-adjusts to maintain proper sheet separation without requiring external control systems or complex mechanisms, allowing the system to serve itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If simple roller mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but control over sheet separation and distribution is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidsheet separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The roller's friction parameter naturally changes in response to the roll's decreasing weight. As the roll becomes lighter, the friction between the roller and sheet material automatically adjusts to maintain effective sheet separation and distribution, eliminating the need for complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The roller mechanism is designed to be dynamic, automatically adapting its friction characteristics as the roll weight changes during dispensing. This dynamic adjustment ensures consistent sheet separation performance throughout the entire dispensing cycle without requiring active control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If fixed friction mechanism is used, then sheet separation is reliable, but adaptation to decreasing roll weight is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet separationVSAvoidweight adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The friction mechanism is made dynamic through the roller design, which automatically adjusts its friction characteristics as the roll weight decreases. This allows the system to maintain reliable sheet separation while adapting to changing conditions without requiring fixed, immutable parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates passive feedback through the roller's interaction with the sheet material. As the roll weight changes, the friction forces naturally adjust based on the load, providing automatic feedback control that maintains reliable sheet separation across the entire dispensing cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively prevents over-spinning and jamming, ensures easy and quick loading, and prevents unauthorized access, providing a controlled and qualitative service during maintenance operations.

Implementation Method 1

The roller is configured to generate friction against the sheet material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a cradle shape that ensures proper positioning and increased friction for reliable sheet separation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2975989B1A dispenser assembly
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 ESSITY OPERATIONS FRANCE SAS
  • EP2975989B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2975989B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP2975989B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

A dispenser assembly (1) for tangentially dispensing a sheet (2) from a roll of sheet material (3), the roll of sheet material (3) comprising sheet material formed from two webs (101, 102), each web (101, 102) having lines of weakness (103, 104) positioned transversely across the web which allows the web (101, 102) to be separated into a plurality of sheets (2), the lines of weakness (103) of one web (101) being offset (105) from those (104) of the other web (102), the dispenser assembly (1 ) comprising: - a base (4) arranged to hold the roll of sheet material (3) and to couple the dispenser assembly (1) with an environment structure (10); - a first roller (6) and a counter roller means (7, 9) between which the sheet material is movable towards a dispensing outlet (8); wherein the dispenser assembly (1) further comprises a cradle (5) arranged to support the roll of sheet material (3) and to unwind the sheet material towards the first roller (6) whatever a consumption level of the roll of sheet material (3); and wherein the first roller (6) and the counter roller means (7, 9) are positioned relatively to each other spaced according to a fixed nip therebetween such as to generate a braking force on the sheet material sufficient to break the line of weakness of the web at the dispensing outlet (8) or downstream the dispensing outlet (8).