Wet Wipe Dispensing Nozzle With Fluid Retaining Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wipe dispensers often fail to effectively re-wet wipes as they are pulled out, leading to drying out between uses and unwanted liquid spraying when wipes are rapidly removed.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing nozzle with a resilient dome-shaped member and an annular fluid retaining ring, featuring a sloped or horizontal surface, ensures that wipes remain moist by re-wetting them as they are pulled through the nozzle and prevents liquid from spraying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wipes are stored in a container without a re-wetting mechanism, then the container structure is simple, but the wipes dry out between uses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning a fluid reservoir and wicking material within the nozzle structure before wipes are dispensed. The reservoir is filled with rewetting fluid and the wicking material is positioned to contact both the fluid and the wipes, so that rewetting occurs automatically as wipes pass through the nozzle without requiring user intervention or complex external mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the fluid reservoir inside the nozzle housing, with the wicking material nested between the reservoir and the wipe path. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components (reservoir, wicking material, nozzle structure) to be integrated in a compact configuration, adding rewetting functionality without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
2Productivity
If wipes are pulled out rapidly from the container, then dispensing speed is high, but liquid sprays unwantedly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wicking material as an intermediary between the fluid reservoir and the wipes. This intermediary absorbs and transports fluid through capillary action, controlling the fluid transfer rate regardless of wipe withdrawal speed. The wicking material acts as a buffer that prevents direct spray formation by regulating fluid delivery through its porous structure and capillary forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible wicking material that can deform and adapt to the motion of rapidly pulled wipes. The flexible nature of the wicking material allows it to maintain contact with both the fluid reservoir and the moving wipes, ensuring continuous controlled fluid transfer without creating spray conditions even during high-speed dispensing.
3Reliability
If a re-closable cover is added to prevent drying, then wipes remain moist, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing an automatic rewetting system that operates without user intervention. The nozzle structure with integrated reservoir and wicking material automatically rewets wipes as they pass through, eliminating the need for users to manually close covers or add fluid. The system serves itself by using the wipe dispensing action itself to trigger the rewetting 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 solution ensures that wipes remain consistently wet and prevents liquid from spraying, eliminating the need for a re-closable cover and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the nozzle is made from a resilient material such as silicon... As the leading wipe is pulled through the nozzle, the nozzle compresses the wipe and rebounds
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle includes a fluid retaining member... The sloped surface traps and holds liquid
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment for dispensers for dispensing wet wipes includes a container, a plurality of wet wipes contained within the container and a dispensing nozzle made of a resilient material secured to the container. The dispensing nozzle includes an outlet opening in the nozzle. A fluid retaining member is located at a point below the opening. Another embodiment includes a container for holding a plurality of wipes. A dispensing nozzle includes a resilient member having an outlet opening is secured to the container. A fluid retaining member is located below the outlet. In one embodiment, the fluid retaining member has a surface that is sloped. Embodiments of dispensing nozzles for wet wipes are also disclosed wherein the dispensing nozzle includes a resilient dome shaped member having an opening located therein. In addition, the dispensing nozzle includes an annular fluid retaining ring. The annular fluid retaining ring may have a sloped surface.