Tissue container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue containers do not effectively address the issue of disposing used tissues when a trash container is not nearby, leading to used tissues being set aside in inappropriate locations.
Innovation Solution
A tissue container with a membrane that divides the housing into upper and lower compartments, allowing fresh tissues to be dispensed through a top opening and used tissues to be inserted through a bottom opening, with the membrane being flexibly movable to adjust compartment volumes and create an airtight, moisture-resistant seal, and a reclosable door for easy disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-compartment tissue container is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but used tissue cannot be properly contained and hygiene is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate compartments: an upper compartment for containing fresh tissue and a lower compartment for receiving used tissue. This segmentation allows proper containment and disposal of used tissue while maintaining hygiene, resolving the contradiction between hygiene requirements and structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the container size is increased to accommodate both fresh and used tissue compartments, then both functions can be performed, but the container becomes larger and less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The lower compartment for used tissue is positioned beneath the upper compartment in a nested vertical arrangement. This nesting approach allows both fresh and used tissue functions to coexist within a compact vertical footprint, minimizing the overall container volume while maintaining dual functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a horizontal expansion approach to a vertical arrangement, stacking the used tissue compartment beneath the fresh tissue compartment. This dimensional change allows dual functionality without significantly increasing the container's horizontal footprint, keeping it compact.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed membrane is used to divide compartments, then manufacturing is simple, but the compartment volumes cannot be adjusted based on tissue quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed as a flexible, movable divider rather than a fixed structure. It can move vertically between a first position when the upper compartment is full and a second position when the upper compartment is empty, allowing dynamic volume adjustment between compartments based on tissue quantity while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.
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 container effectively separates fresh and used tissues, providing a sanitary disposal solution while maintaining a consistent size and material usage, allowing for efficient dispensing and waste containment without growing in size, thus addressing the need for a compact and hygienic solution.
Implementation Method 1
the center portion is flexibly movable between a first position at which the center portion is closer to the bottom wall than to the top wall and a second position at which the center portion is closer to the top wall than to the bottom wall
Implementation Method 2
The membrane may be connected to the housing to create an airtight seal and moisture resistant seal between the membrane and the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue container including a housing, a top opening, a bottom opening, and a membrane disposed inside the housing. The housing has a top wall, a bottom wall, and four side walls between the top and bottom walls. The top opening is in the top wall and tissue can be dispensed therethrough. The bottom opening is in the bottom wall and tissue can be inserted therethrough. The membrane is disposed inside the housing between the top wall and the bottom wall to divide the housing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment. The upper compartment is above the membrane and the lower compartment is below the membrane. The membrane has a center portion and a perimeter portion surrounding the center portion. The perimeter portion may be connected the top wall, the bottom wall, or the four side walls. The center portion is flexibly movable between a first position at which the center portion is closer to the bottom wall than to the top wall and a second position at which the center portion is closer to the top wall than to the bottom wall.