Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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ERGONOMIC WIPER DISPENSING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to wiper dispensing systems, and more
particularly
to an ergonomically-friendly, easily-transportable wiper dispensing system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One existing problem in this field is that very little innovation has been
done in the
way of wipe containers since the creation of the original, now-standard wipe
container with a snap-top or screw-on lid closure, a dispensing opening, and a
generally cylindrical shape. In the consumer market, some containers have been
made easier to hold by reducing the overall size, providing a handle, and/or
providing an overall hourglass shape to the container. However, in the
professional market, even less progress has been made. This is due in part to
the
fact that products sold to professional customers must have a higher wipe
count,
and thus the container size will be larger. These large containers are
cumbersome
and difficult to grasp and hold while carrying from location to location
and/or
dispensing wipes.
Other problems that exist in relation to the dispensing of a wipe are at the
start,
and at the end, of a center-pull roll of wipes. At both the start and end, two
or more
wipes can converge or bunch together at the dispensing opening. In a
traditional
container, one of two things generally occur: (1) the user will have to remove
the
cap from the container and re-feed the wipe through the opening since it has
become hopelessly jammed due to the bunching of the wipes, or (2) the opening
is
designed large enough to compensate for such multiple wipe bunching and will
flex
locally at the opening to allow the bunched wipes to pass through. The problem
with the former is that it creates frustration on the part of the user at
having to re-
open the container and take the time to re-feed the wipes. Worse yet, the user
can
become so frustrated with the jam that the entire container is discarded. The
problem with the latter is that, while allowing bunched wipes to pass through
the
opening, single sheet dispensing is clearly not optimized since the opening is
oversized to accommodate the bunched wipes, and will thus let multiple wipes
through under non-bunched conditions. Both of these situations are highly
undesirable to the user, and particularly so if the user operates in a fast-
paced
environment.
One particular concern in this area involves professional workers in a
hospital,
medical, clinical, or similar fast-paced environment in which the work place
is
extremely intense, and any waste of time unacceptable. For example, nurses
need, but do not currently have, easy-to-use containers that keep wipes moist
and
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ready-to-use. They, and others in similar situations, are extremely busy and
do not
have time for the complicated, cumbersomely large, hard-to-use current wipe
containers. The average hand size of female nurses does not easily
accommodate handling current large wipe containers. More often than not, they,
and others similarly situated, have to drop what they are doing in order to
use both
hands to dispense a wipe from the container.
Thus, the generally prevailing attitude toward current containers is that they
are all
basically the same with the same performance failings. Users expect the wipes
to
be difficult to thread and dispense. In short, they have become frustratingly
resigned to using existing large cumbersome containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided an ergonomic
wiper
dispensing system including a canister adapted for containing a roll of wiper
material having a plurality of perforation lines for dispensing individual
wipers
therefrom. The canister includes a containing portion adapted to contain the
roll of
wiper material, and an ergonomically designed dispensing portion attached to
the
containing portion. The dispensing portion includes an intermediate section
having
a width less than a width of the remaining dispensing portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The above-mentioned and other features of the present invention and the manner
of attaining them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be
better
understood by reference to the following description of the invention, taken
in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the present
invention,
Figure 2 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 1 with the lid open,
Figure 3 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 1 with the lid open and a wiper
being
dispensed therefrom,
Figure 4 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 1 showing the hand of a user
using a
cylinder grip to hold the embodiment of Figure 1,
Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4 with the hand of a user using a ball grip,
Figure 6 is a top elevational view of the interior wall of the dispensing
portion,
Figure 7 is a top elevational view of the interior wall of the dispensing
portion of the
embodiment of Figure 1, and
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Figure 8 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the embodiment in Figure 1
illustrating a wiper being dispensed therefrom.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In response to the problems and disadvantages of current wipe containers as
described earlier, the present invention provides an ergonomic wiper
dispensing
system with the advantage of a unique ergonomically-shaped dispensing portion
for the canister that allows the user to grasp the dispensing portion with
only one
hand in order to transport the container or to dispense a wiper with the other
hand.
This clearly obviates the necessity of using two hands that can retard work
flow in
a fast-paced, intense work environment.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a novel
dispensing
port that remedies the problem of bunched wipers at the start and end of
dispensing a role wipes associated with current wipe container products.
Further,
the dispensing port provides improved dispensing of single wipers.
Referring now to Figure 1-3, 8, an ergonomic wiper dispensing system of the
present invention includes a canister 10 comprising a containing portion 12
and a
dispensing portion 14 having top section 16, intermediate section 18, and lid
20.
Containing portion 12 contains a roll of wiper material 22 (Figure 8) having a
plurality of perforations 24 (Figure 8) extending between its longitudinal
sides at
predetermined distances for separation into individual wipers 26. Canister 10
is
preferably made of synthetic resin and can be blow molded or vacuum formed to
the dimensions desire. A desired synthetic is high density polyethylene or
polypropylene. Wiper material 22 may be made of non-woven synthetic materials,
such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or any desired mixture thereof, as well
as
fibrous materials, such as non-woven fabric, paper or gauze. If desired, the
wiper
material 22, and it follows each individual wiper 26 as well, can be saturated
or
impregnated with a liquid such as liquid cosmetics, cleaning solutions,
disinfecting
solutions, sporicidal solutions, or the like for a specific intended use.
Unique to the present invention is that dispensing portion 14 is generally
hourglass-shaped with intermediate section 18 having a diameter less than a
diameter of the remaining portion of dispensing portion 14. Parenthetically,
it is to
be noted that the term "diameter" with respect to dispensing portion 14
includes a
diameter of a circular or cylindrical body, or the smallest measured dimension
of a
non- circular or non-cylindrical body, i.e., this smallest measured dimension
could
be a width. This is unique in two respects, one being that most current
containers
have an overall hourglass-like shape and, with respect to the present
invention,
intermediate section 18 is smaller in diameter to permit the user to use one
hand to
grasp and hold canister 10. This is particularly advantageous in those
environments in which it is preferred, or even necessary, to use one hand, as
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opposed to having to use both hands to grasp and use the container. Due to the
hourglass-shape of dispensing portion 14, it forms at its top section 16 a
shoulder
28 to which lid 20 is attached. Shoulder 28 serves, among other purposes, to
support a user's hand (Figures 4 and 5) in grasping and holding canister 10
for
use. Again, in a fast-paced, intense working environment, this is extremely
helpful
in dispensing wipers 26 therefrom.
Another unique aspect of the present invention is that canister 10 has a
visual cue
30 on all, or just a portion, of dispensing portion 14. This informs the user,
visually
and immediately, where to grasp canister 10, thereby eliminating any hesitancy
on
the part of the user. Visual cue 30 can be any visually discerning color,
design,
mark, or the like. If a color is used, it should be more visually distinct
than the
color of containing portion 12. For example, if containing portion 12 is
white, then
dispensing portion 14 could be blue, thereby drawing the user's vision to the
more
distinct color. Visual cue 30 could also be a design such as, by way of
example, a
checkerboard design, cross-hatch design, artistic design, or the like. Again,
the
design is to draw the user's immediate attention to dispensing portion 14.
Similarly, a mark can be used as visual cue 30 such as, for example, a
company's
logo, name of the work team, or the like in order to draw the user's attention
to
dispensing portion 12.
Yet another unique aspect of the present invention is a gripping device or
means
32 on all, or a portion, of dispensing portion 14 to assist the user in
maintaining a
firm grasp or hold on canister 10. Gripping device 32 can be a texture applied
to
dispensing portion 14 such as, for example, a roughened surface, an embossed
surface, or a tacky surface. The present invention contemplates other
treatments
that increase the user's grasp or hold on canister 10.
Thus, as described to this point, the present invention provides an easy and
quick
use of canister 10 in order to dispense individual wipers 26. To emphasize
this
with reference to Figures 4-5, a hand can grip in two ways: a ball grip
(Figure 5) or
a cylinder grip (Figure 4). A ball grip is the hand position in which the hand
can
encompass most of the object being gripped. An example of a ball grip is the
gripping of a door knob. A cylinder grip is when a hand is positioned on an
object
causing the hand to curve around half of or less of the object being griped.
An
example of a cylinder grip is the gripping of a can of soda or coffee cup.
Generally, a female hand has a grip width range of about 3.0 inches to about
3.6
inches. Grip width is the width of the four fingers when held together,
measured
from the bottom of the little finger to the top of the index finger. A female
hand has
a grip length range of about 3.8 inches to about 4.8 inches. Grip length is
measured from the tip of the middle finger to the top of the palm adjacent the
wrist.
A male hand generally has a grip width range of about 3.4 inches to about 4.1
inches, and a grip length range of about 3.8 inches to about 5.6 inches.
Desirably,
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intermediate section 18 of canister 10 of the present invention has a diameter
equal to or less than about 4.8 inches.
As described above, the ergonomic wiper dispensing system of the present
invention provides a dispensing portion 14 having a unique and distinct shape
with
smooth undulations that are visually differentiating and distinctive to the
user.
Close attention has been paid to the innovative shape of dispensing portion 14
with respect to hand placement on the smooth undulations in conjunction with
visual cue 30 and gripping device 32 to increase overall user interaction. The
overall ergonomics, transportability, utility and ease-of-use of the present
invention
remedy the problems presented by current wipe containers, as described
earlier.
Turning now to Figures 6-8, dispensing port 34 of the present invention is
disposed
in interior wall 36 of dispensing portion 14 and includes a generally circular
opening 38 with 3 channels 40 (Figure 6) forming 3 flexible flaps 46 in
interior wall
36. In another aspect of the present invention, dispensing port 34 includes 4
channels 40 (Figure 7) forming 4 flexible flaps 46 in interior wall 36. For
ease of
description, the remaining description of dispensing port 34 will be made with
reference to 4 channels 40, with the understanding that 3 channels 40 can
likewise
be used. As illustrated in Figure 7, channels 40 are in communication with
opening 38 and extend radially outwardly therefrom. Dispensing port 34 further
includes a pair of slots 42 in communication with opening 38 extending
outwardly
therefrom and beyond channels 40. Slots 42 are narrower in width than channels
40 and each slot 42 terminates in an aperture 44. Desirably, each aperture 44
is
generally T-shaped, as illustrated in Figure 7. Together, slots 42 and
apertures 44
form a pair of flexible panels 48 in interior wall 36.
Following are preferred dimensions of dispensing port 34: (1) opening 38 has a
diameter of about 0.365 inches; (2) each channel 40 has a width of about 0.070
inches and a length as measured from the center of opening 38 of about 0.286
inches; (3) each slot 42 has a width of about 0.005 inches and a length as
measured from the center of opening 38 of about 0.135 inches; (4) the width of
each of the 2 segments of each aperture 44 that form the T-shape is about 0.70
inches; (5) the length of the horizontal (as viewed in Figure 7) segment of
each
aperture 44 is about 0.337 inches; and (6) the length of the vertical (as
viewed in
Figure 7) segment of each aperture 44 is about 0.793 inches.
Turning now to Figure 8, there is illustrated a wiper 26 being dispensed with
perforation 24 just beginning to be torn or detached as it passes through
opening
38, with flaps 46 flexing upwardly from a relaxed, generally flat or planar
state. A
counterbore 50 is formed at opening 38 resulting in each flexible flap 46
having a
tapering surface 52 that tapers inwardly toward the center of opening 38.
Tapering
surfaces 52 provide the desired flexibility to flaps 46 to allow them to flex
upwardly
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upon dispensing a wiper 26, and to pinch or hold the following wiper 26 to
prevent
it from falling back through opening 38 into containing portion 12. Flaps 46
are
designed to exert a force sufficient to tear a perforation 24. In this case,
the
detachment peak load for each perforation 24 is in the range of about 1100
grams
force to about 1461 grams force. Naturally, the present invention contemplates
other force ranges depending upon the nature of the perforations for other
types of
wiper material.
In dispensing a wiper 26, the generally circular opening 38 is optimal for
maintaining equal force on the wiper 26 as it exits allowing for tearing and
detachment of a perforation 24. With only a generally circular opening 26, a
following wiper 26, behind the wiper 26 immediately being dispensed, can fall
back
through opening 38 into containing portion 12. The present invention remedies
this
with the incorporation of channels 40 that flex upwardly during dispensing.
After a
wiper 26 detaches at a perforation 24, flaps 46 flex to their original flat or
planar
state to "pinch" or hold the following wiper 26, thus preventing it from
falling back
into containing portion 12.
As earlier described with reference to some current products, at the start and
end
of the dispensing of role 22 of wiper material, there can be the tendency for
two or
more wipers 26 to bunch or clump together at opening 38. The present invention
compensates for this bunching by including slots 42 and T-shaped apertures 44.
Under normal dispensing conditions, optimal dispensing of single wipers 26 is
maintained by opening 38 and flaps 46. Slots 42 are sufficiently narrow in
width so
as not to add significant increased flex to the flaps 46, and to prevent wiper
26
from entering slots 42. In the case of a jam or bulge created by bunched
wipers 26
at the start or end of the dispensing, panels 48 formed by slots 42 and T-
shaped
apertures 44, flex upwardly to allow passage of the bunched wipers
therethrough.
Thereafter, panels 48 return to their generally flat or planar state to allow
further
optimized dispensing of subsequent individual wipers 26.
It is important to emphasize, and thus appreciate, the design of dispensing
port 34
in optimizing the dispensing of single wipers 26 from role 22 of wiper
material. The
added features of channels 40, slots 42, and apertures 44 uniquely and timely
provide increased flexibility to opening 38. The functionality of these
features is as
follows: as the wiper cross-section changes from a uniform stream to an
increased
massing or bunching of wipers, the force or pressure on opening 38 increases.
This increasing force or pressure is transferred to panels 48 so that they
flex
upwardly to allow the bunched wipers to pass through dispensing port 34.
Thereafter, the force or pressure is reduced and panels 48 return to their
normal
flat or planar state, and flaps 46 pinch the following wiper 26.
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To determine the degree of improvement in flexibility provided by the present
invention over traditional designs, one can employ flat plate numerical
analysis.
Consider the following for the present invention:
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The dispensing plane can be treated as a flat plate; three sides of the plate
are all
simply supported (end condition prevents transverse displacement, but permits
rotation and longitudinal displacement) and denoted with the letter "S". The
back
side of the plane parallel to the opening side is fixed (end condition which
prevents
rotation and transverse displacement, but permits longitudinal displacement)
and is
denoted with cross-hatching. Assuming a uniform pressure distribution on the
plate, the maximum deflection is defined as follows:
max y = -agb4/Et3
Where: a = 0.030 (for a/b = 1)
q = Pressure
b = 1.60 in (from fig 1)
E = Modules of elasticity (50,000psi for Polypropylene)
t = plate thickness (.060 in from fig 1)
Substitution into the equation yields max y = .0186q with the maximum
deflection occurring at the side parallel to the fixed edge.
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For the traditional design, consider the below:
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In this case, all the sides of the dispensing plane are considered fixed with
the
opening centered about the plate. Again assuming a uniform pressure
distribution,
the maximum deflection is as follows:
max y = -agb4/Et3
Where: a = 0.013 (for a/b = 1)
q = Pressure
b = 1.60 in (from fig 1)
E = Modules of elasticity (50,000psi for Polypropylene)
t = plate thickness (.060 in from fig 1)
Substitution into the equation yields max y = .0084q with the maximum
deflection
occurring at the center of the plate (at the orifice).
Comparison of dispensing port 34 of the present invention with traditional
designs
with respect to max y indicates that the dispensing port 34 will flex or
deflect 55%
more for the same given pressure than traditional designs, thus validating its
claim
at being more flexible a design.
Set forth below is one example of improving the dispensing of wipers 26 as
provided by the present invention. In this example, perforations 24 (Figure 8)
have
a detachment peak load range between about 1100 grams force to about 1461
grams force. A detachment peak force is measured by calculating the force
applied at right angles to the perforation line in order to tear that specific
type of
perforation. Thus, by measuring the detachment peak force range for a specific
perforation of a specific wiper, the size of opening 38 and channels 40 can be
determined to provide an optimum dispensing of wipers.
In the Table 1 below, the opening has a diameter of 0.365 inches, channels 40
have a width of 0.070 inches and a length measured from the center opening of
0.286 inches, and the detachment peak force range for the wipers is about 1100
grams force to about 1461 grams force. For each of the five specimens, there
is a
recorded folded width and peak load or force, and then presented is a mean,
standard deviation, and minimum and maximum peak loads or forces. With this
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diameter of opening 38 and this peak force range for perforations 24, a wiper
26
will be dispensed and detached and channels 40 will pinch the following wiper
26.
TABLE 1
Specimen
Specimen Width Peak Load
# (mm) (gf)
1 105 1248.138
2 105 1324.998
3 103 1099.339
4 103 1326.834
103 1461.128
Mean 103.8 1292.087
StdDev 1.1 132.239
Minimum 103 1099.339
Maximum 105 1461.128
TABLES 2 and 3 below indicate the type and number of defects that occurred
when dispensing wipers from an opening having a diameter of 0.365 inches at a
45 degree angle to the centerline of the roll (TABLE 2) and with a straight
up,
vertical pull, i.e., parallel to the centerline of the roll) (TABLE 3).
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...............................................................................
...............................................................................
..................................... .
TABLE 2 TABLE 3
Angle of Pull Defect t pe Total Angle of Pull Defect type Total
45 degree Bunching 11 Straight Bunching 5
Tab 2 Tab 1
Excessive Tail Excessive Tail
Lost Wiper Lost Wiper
Hole Hole
Perf Tear Perf Tear
Roping Roping 3
.......................................................................:.......
........:......................................................................
.....................:.............. .
Short Tail 7 Short Tail 1
Tear 3 Tear
Sum of Defects 23 Sum of Defects 10,
Sum of Wipers 305: Sum of Wipers 299,
Defective 7.50% % Defective 3.30%
The defects mean the following: (1) "Bunching" means more than one wiper being
pulled through opening 38; (2) "Tab" means a chad, i,e,, a small torn portion;
(3)
"Excessive Tail" means too much of the following wiper exposed beyond opening
38; (4) "Lost Wiper" means there is no following wiper; (5) "Hole" means a
hole in
the wiper; (6) "Perf Tear" means a tear from the perforation into the wiper;
(7)
"Roping" means a stream of two or more attached wipers; (8) "Short Tail" means
less than one-quarter inch of the following wiper being pulled through opening
38;
and (9) "Tear" means a tear in the wiper. As you can see, with a 45 degree
dispensing angle, the percent of defects was 7.50%, and for a straight pull
was
3.30%.
In comparison to TABLE 1, the data in TABLE 4 is for a detachment peak force
range of about 3430 grams force to about 4015 grams force, and with opening 38
having the same diameter of 0.365 inches. The data of TABLES 4, 5, and 6 show
the necessity of designing opening 38 and channels 40 with consideration to
the
detachment peak forces, and if this is not done, then a far greater number of
defects occur.
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TABLE 4
Specimen
Specimen Width Peak Load
# (mm) (gf)
1 104 3517.965
2 102 3752.853
3 104 3430.067
4 102 3458.924
103 4015.844
Mean 103 3635.131
StdDev 1 247.805
Minimum 102 3430.067
Maximum 104 4015.844
TABLE 5 TABLE 6
Angle of P ull Defect type Total Angle of Pu ll Defect typ a Total
45 degree Bunching 2 Straight Bunching 4
Tab 1 Tab 2
Excessive Tail Excessive Tail
Lost Wiper
Lost Wiper
Hole Hole
Perf Tear Perf Tear
Roping 81 Roping 108.
Short Tail 8 Short Tail 7
Tear Tear
Sum of Defects 92 Sum of Defects 121:
Sum of Wipers 360: Sum of Wipers 359:
Defective 25.50% % Defective 33.70%
As you can see, with a 45 degree dispensing angle, the percent of defects was
25.50%, and for a straight pull was 33.70%.
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This is another unique aspect of the present invention in that it provides for
greatly
reducing the per cent of defects in dispensing wipers. Further, some current
products require the wipers to be pulled in a direction in alignment, or
parallel, with
the product's centerline, and this is not always the case in the usual reach-
and-
dispense motion of a user. The present invention overcomes this problem in
that
the wipers can be pulled through the dispensing port at various angles to the
canister's centerline. In other words, a wiper can be pulled directly out of
the
canister in alignment or parallel with its centerline, or at an angle thereto,
thereby
increasing the utilization of the canister.
While this invention has been described as having a preferred embodiment, it
will
be understood that it is capable of further modifications. It is therefore
intended to
cover any variations, equivalents, uses, or adaptations of the invention
following
the general principles thereof, and including such departures from the present
invention as come or may come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains and fall within the limits of the appended
claims.
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