Wipes dispenser nozzle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensers for wet wipes often fail to effectively retain moisture and prevent liquid from spraying when wipes are pulled out, leading to dryness and inefficiency in dispensing.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing nozzle made of resilient material with a fluid retaining member having a sloped surface, integrated with the nozzle, which traps and holds liquid, ensuring re-wetting of wipes and preventing spray expulsion during use, eliminating the need for a re-closable cover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a simple dispensing nozzle is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but moisture retention and spray prevention are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture retentionVSAvoidnozzle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the dispensing nozzle and fluid retaining member into a single integrated component. The nozzle is made of resilient material that forms both the dispensing opening and the fluid retention structure, eliminating the need for separate parts while achieving both moisture retention and spray prevention functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle is constructed from resilient material that can deform elastically. This flexibility allows the nozzle to dynamically respond to wipe passage, opening to allow wipe through while closing to trap fluid, and the fluid retaining member uses this flexible property to prevent spray expulsion without requiring rigid mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the outlet opening is small to prevent spray, then spray prevention is improved, but fluid retention and re-wetting capability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray preventionVSAvoidfluid available for re-wetting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the fluid quantity issue by adding a vertical dimension to fluid retention. The fluid retaining member extends below the outlet opening level, creating a reservoir space that accumulates squeezed fluid. This vertical extension allows the system to prevent horizontal spray while vertically storing sufficient fluid for re-wetting multiple wipes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient material of the nozzle allows dynamic parameter changes in the outlet opening size. The opening can expand to accommodate wipe passage and contract to trap fluid, while the fluid retaining member's capacity parameter ensures sufficient fluid storage. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between small opening for spray prevention and sufficient fluid quantity for re-wetting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a resilient material is used for the nozzle, then ease of operation and wipe passage are improved, but manufacturing precision and structural control become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewipe passage through nozzleVSAvoidnozzle geometry control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the parameter changes inherent in resilient materials. The nozzle is designed with specific elastic properties that allow it to deform during wipe passage and recover to its original shape. By carefully selecting materials with appropriate elastic moduli and designing the wall thickness parameters, the system achieves both easy wipe passage and sufficient manufacturing precision for reliable fluid retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 wet wipes remain moist and are efficiently dispensed without spraying, enhancing user experience and reducing waste by maintaining moisture retention between uses.

Implementation Method 1

a dispensing nozzle made of a resilient material secured to the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A fluid retaining member is located at a point below the opening, the fluid retaining member having a sloped surface retaining fluid squeezed out of the wipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2852313B1Wipes dispenser nozzle
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 GOJO IND INC
  • EP2852313B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2852313B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2852313B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

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 member. The annular fluid retaining member may have a sloped surface.