Adjustable Fold Width Mechanism for Textile Treatment Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machines for treating folded printed fabrics, particularly those using chains to support the fabric, face issues with accidental dye transfer due to tight folds, leading to undesired patterns, and lack the flexibility to adjust fold width without mechanical constraints.

Innovation Solution

A machine with a box-shaped treatment chamber and guided sticks that use motorized chains and toothed wheels to manage fabric folds, allowing for adjustable fold width and reduced risk of dye transfer, featuring removable guide portions and a control unit to synchronize motorized chains for precise fold formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If tight folds are used to support fabric on conveyor chains, then fabric stability during treatment is improved, but dye transfer between adjacent fabric portions occurs causing undesired patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabric stabilityVSAvoiddye transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the fold width adjustable rather than fixed. The fold width can be dynamically changed to optimize between stability and preventing dye transfer. Different fold widths can be selected based on fabric type, print density, and treatment conditions, allowing the system to adapt to prevent dye transfer while maintaining adequate stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the fold width parameter. Instead of using consistently tight folds, the system allows modification of the fold width parameter to reduce contact intensity between adjacent fabric portions. This parameter adjustment prevents dye transfer while maintaining sufficient fold stability for treatment processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If fixed mechanical structure is used for fold formation, then machine simplicity is maintained, but fold width adjustment flexibility is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine simplicityVSAvoidfold width adjustment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by introducing adjustable elements into the fold formation mechanism. The fold width can be modified through simple mechanical adjustments or controlled systems that allow flexibility in fold width while maintaining overall machine simplicity. This enables adaptation to different fabric and printing requirements without complex redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing a fold formation system that can accommodate multiple fold widths and configurations. The same basic mechanism can handle different fold widths, fabric types, and treatment requirements, making the machine versatile without requiring completely different mechanical structures for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3622108B1A machine for treating folded printed fabrics
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 INVESTIMENTI IND ITALIA 01 SRL
  • EP3622108B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3622108B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3622108B1 patent drawingFigure 1b

AI summary

A machine for the treatment of folded fabrics comprising: a box frame (10); a plurality of sticks (20), operating in said box frame (10) for supporting a printed fabric (T) and forming folds of said printed fabric (T); a handling structure (30), active on said sticks (20) to advance said sticks (20) along a substantially closed path (P). Said path (P) comprises: an operating stretch (Tl), wherein said sticks support the printed fabric (T), said operating stretch (Tl) having a beginning (T1A) and an end (TIB); a recirculation stretch (T2), wherein the sticks (20) are transported from the end (TIB) of said operating stretch (Tl) to the beginning (T1A) of said operating stretch (Tl). The machine (1) further comprises an uncoupling station (40), active in said recirculation stretch (T2) and configured to adjust a distance between each of said sticks (20) and the next stick.