Automatic Adhesive Roll Refreshing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adhesive roll replenishment methods require manual intervention, leading to equipment downtime and reduced production capacity in contact cleaning apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus featuring a pick-up device, such as an elastomeric roller, that automatically removes and replaces the exhausted adhesive layer from an adhesive roll, ensuring continuous operation by engaging with a higher adhesion force than the roll's core or adjacent adhesive layers, and a waste removal mechanism like a tangential blade or rewind roller for efficient disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual intervention is used for adhesive roll replenishment, then operator control is maintained, but equipment downtime increases and production capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction capacityVSAvoidequipment downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive roll replenishment system operates automatically without requiring manual intervention. The pick-up device is configured to automatically engage with the adhesive roll, remove the exhausted layer, and expose a fresh layer, enabling the system to service itself and maintain continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The pick-up device is pre-configured with specific adhesion characteristics (higher adhesion force than the roll's core or adjacent adhesive layers) to ensure automatic engagement and successful layer removal before the roll becomes completely exhausted, preventing downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If a pick-up device with high adhesion force is used, then automatic layer removal is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic replenishmentVSAvoidadhesive layer removal mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pick-up device incorporates localized adhesion properties on its outer surface that are specifically engineered to be stronger than the adhesive layers being removed. This local quality enhancement enables selective engagement with the adhesive layer without requiring complex mechanical structures throughout the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to work with disposable adhesive layers that are automatically removed and replaced. The pick-up device's high adhesion force is temporary and localized to the contact surface, allowing for simple, low-cost construction that achieves automatic operation without long-term structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If the pick-up device engages with the adhesive layer, then automatic removal is enabled, but the adhesion force requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidadhesion force
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pick-up device utilizes changes in adhesion force parameters by employing materials or surface treatments that provide temporarily enhanced adhesion during the brief contact period required for layer removal. This allows the device to overcome the adhesive bonding strength without requiring sustained high strength throughout the entire operational cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pick-up device applies excessive adhesion force locally during the brief moment of engagement to ensure complete layer removal, then releases the adhesive layer. This partial application of high force (only during the critical removal moment) enables automatic operation without requiring continuously high strength throughout the entire roll operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This solution reduces downtime, minimizes operator intervention, and maintains full production capacity by automatically replenishing the adhesive roll, ensuring consistent cleaning performance.

Implementation Method 1

said outer surface having a second adhesion force between said outer surface and said at least one layer of adhesive material, wherein said second adhesion force is greater than the first adhesion force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4192631B1Apparatus for the automatic refreshing of an adhesive roll
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP4192631B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4192631B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4192631B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatus (10) for automatically removing an exhausted layer of adhesive material from an adhesive roll (12), said apparatus comprising an adhesive roll (12) comprising at least one layer of adhesive material (22), said at least one adhesive layer having first and second mutually opposing faces, said second face releasably attached to said adhesive roll and having a first adhesion force between said second face and an said adhesive roll; and an adhesive layer removal mechanism (14) comprising an outer surface arranged to operably engage said at least one layer of adhesive material of said adhesive roll and remove the same from said adhesive roll, said outer surface having a second adhesion force between said outer surface and said at least one layer of adhesive material, wherein said second adhesion force is greater than the first adhesion force.