Floor Stand Wipes Dispenser With Front Waste-Bin Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor stand wipes dispensers often require moving the entire unit to access the waste container for used wipes, which can be inconvenient, especially when placed against a wall or other structure.
Innovation Solution
A tubular floor stand with an upright front cover that nests snugly against the columnar body without being hinged or latched, utilizing its own weight and a depending rim on the lid to hold the cover in place, and featuring clips for suspension, allowing easy removal and installation without tools to service the waste container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire dispenser unit is moved to access the waste container, then the waste container can be serviced, but the dispenser cannot remain in its fixed position against a wall or structure
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is divided into separable components: a fixed columnar body portion and a removable front cover assembly. This segmentation allows the front cover (containing the waste container) to be accessed and serviced independently without moving the entire dispenser unit, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability to fixed positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The front cover assembly is nested within the columnar body portion during normal operation, creating a compact integrated unit that can fit against walls or structures. When servicing is needed, the nested cover can be removed and repositioned independently, allowing waste container access while the main body remains in its fixed location.
2Reliability
If the front cover is hinged or latched to the columnar body, then the cover remains securely attached, but the cover cannot be easily removed for servicing the waste container
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism transitions from a static hinged or latched connection to a dynamic snap-fit engagement using resilient clips. These clips provide secure attachment during normal use through elastic deformation, but allow easy removal by overcoming the snap-fit engagement, enabling both reliable attachment and easy servicing without complex hinges or latches.
3Ease of repair
If the front cover is made removable for servicing, then waste container access is improved, but the cover may become loose or detach unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient clips are pre-formed with built-in elastic energy that creates a snap-fit engagement when the cover is installed. This preliminary preparation of the attachment mechanism ensures that once installed, the cover remains securely held against the columnar body without requiring additional latching actions, preventing unintentional detachment while maintaining ease of removal when needed.
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
Enables convenient access and disposal of used wipes without relocating the dispenser, maintaining a compact and space-efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
utilizes its own weight to achieve a close nesting engagement to the front face of the columnar body
Implementation Method 2
utilizes a depending rim on a lid on the columnar body of the dispenser to hold the upright front cover closely nested against the columnar body
Data Source
AI summary
An upright, tubular floor stand wipes dispenser is disclosed having a body portion containing an upper compartment from which the wipes are dispensed through an orifice and a lower compartment housing a container such as a waste basket for used wipes. A cover plate conforming to the body portion and having an opening through which used wipes are deposited into the waste basket hangs from an upper edge of the body portion by clips arranged along the top edge of the plate. The stand is readily serviceable from the front and does not have to be moved when removing the used wipes.