Holding arrangement and method for holding a tissue roll in a dispenser, and dispenser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue dispensers face challenges in efficiently refilling and maintaining tissue rolls for a high number of users, with complex and time-consuming processes for service personnel, and inefficiencies in cost, time, and resource usage.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser with a holding arrangement that includes a mechanism to securely hold and rotate tissue rolls, featuring a diameter sensor and shift mechanism to adjust the holding elements' position based on roll diameter, allowing for easy refill and reduced manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex holding arrangement with guide rails and multiple support elements is used, then the tissue roll can be securely held and guided, but the device complexity increases and service time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding of tissue rollVSAvoidcomplexity of holding arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes guide rails and additional support elements from the holding arrangement, retaining only the essential components (holding mechanism with jaws and shift mechanism) needed to securely hold and release the tissue roll. This extraction of unnecessary elements reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable tissue roll holding through the coordinated action of the remaining components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of time

If manual intervention for refilling and servicing is reduced, then service time decreases, but the mechanism for automatic holding and releasing must be more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice timeVSAvoidcomplexity of shift mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding arrangement is designed to automatically hold the tissue roll during normal operation and automatically release it during servicing without requiring manual manipulation of the holding mechanism. The shift mechanism automatically transitions between holding and releasing states based on the servicing process, enabling self-service operation that reduces service time while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the holding mechanism maintains constant grip on the tissue roll axle, then the tissue roll is securely held, but the refill process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding of tissue rollVSAvoidease of refill process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding mechanism dynamically transitions between two states: a holding state where the jaws securely grip the tissue roll axle during normal operation, and a releasing state where the jaws open to allow easy removal and installation of tissue rolls during servicing. The shift mechanism enables this dynamic transition, maintaining reliable holding when needed while facilitating easy operation during refill.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3603470B1Holding arrangement and method for holding a tissue roll in a dispenser, and dispenser
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 CWS INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP3603470B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3603470B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3603470B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A holding arrangement for holding a tissue roll in a dispenser, a dispenser and a related method. The holding mechanism comprises a holding mechanism for holding a tissue roll in a first tissue roll position; wherein the holding mechanism comprises a first holding element for engaging a first end of an axle of the tissue roll and a second holding element for engaging a second end of the axle of the tissue roll; a diameter sensor; and a shift mechanism adapted for shifting the holding mechanism, in particular the first and second holding elements, from a hold position to a release position and vice versa; wherein a distance between the first holding element and the second holding element in the release position is larger than a distance between the first holding element and the second holding element in the hold position.