Electronic Tissue Dispenser Roll Feed to Prevent Paper Breakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic tissue dispensers face issues with breaking or premature tearing of perforated tissue paper, leading to operational failures and hygiene concerns due to bodily contact and static electricity accumulation.

Innovation Solution

An electronic tissue dispenser with a dual pressing roller mechanism and a belt-driven system that prevents paper breakage by engaging the tissue sheet material at multiple points, reducing static electricity through a static release mechanism, and allowing hands-free operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional mechanical dispensing mechanisms are used, then the tissue can be dispensed, but the user must physically touch the dispenser which raises hygiene concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHygieneVSAvoidManual activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical activation with an electronic sensing system. The sensor detects the user's presence or intent without physical contact, and the motor-driven roller mechanism automatically dispenses the tissue, eliminating the need for users to touch the dispenser surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser is designed to automatically detect when tissue is needed and dispense it without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by using sensors to trigger the dispensing mechanism, making the entire process autonomous and contactless.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If electronic dispensers are used for perforated tissue, then hands-free operation is achieved, but the tissue may break inside the dispenser causing operational failure

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHands-free operationVSAvoidTissue integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a scoring mechanism that creates pre-weakened sections in the tissue at regular intervals. These scored lines allow the tissue to be cleanly separated into individual sheets without breaking elsewhere in the roll, ensuring that the tissue maintains integrity throughout the dispensing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue is pre-scored during manufacturing before being loaded into the dispenser. This preliminary action creates controlled weak points that guide where the tissue will separate, preventing random breaking during the automated dispensing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the dispenser operates electronically, then automated dispensing is achieved, but static electricity accumulates causing shocks and affecting electronic circuitry

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAutomated dispensingVSAvoidStatic electricity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a static dissipation mechanism that converts the harmful static electricity generated during tissue dispensing into a controlled discharge. The static discharge component safely releases accumulated static charge, preventing both user shocks and potential damage to electronic circuitry while maintaining the benefits of automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Productivity

If the tissue is fed through the dispenser, then dispensing function is achieved, but the tissue may tear along perforations causing operational failures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDispensing functionVSAvoidTissue strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the tissue handling system. The scoring mechanism creates localized weak points only at the perforation lines where separation is desired, while the rest of the tissue maintains its full strength. The roller mechanism applies pressure distribution that avoids concentrating stress at the perforated sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 ensures continuous self-feeding of tissue paper without manual refeeding, maintains hygiene by eliminating bodily contact, and reduces static shocks through effective static dissipation, providing reliable and efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

The dispenser can include a static release for dissipating static charge generated during operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Implementation Method 2

The dispenser can include an adjustable proximity sensor. The dispensing mechanism is operative to be responsive to a signal from the proximity sensor to dispense a sheet of material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS9907441B2Electronic residential tissue dispenser

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

An automatic electronic dispenser for dispensing a roll of paper product that avoids refeeding of paper by retarding breaking on the high side of the roll. A dispenser module drives paper from the roll through a discharge chute at the bottom of the module. The dispenser module utilizes two floating pressing rollers and a belt drive that provides quiet and consistent operation by pressing of the two pressing rollers onto a main roll. The dispenser module including a main bar module which holds the roll and which is received on paper holder arms.