Adjustable Identification Band With Adhesive Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing identification bands made of sheet materials often fail to provide an adjustable and secure fit around objects without dangling ends, as they require manual adjustment after being looped, which can be cumbersome and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A band apparatus comprising a hole portion with a hole and a tongue portion that can be passed through the hole, with adhesive attachment areas on one or both portions, allowing for adjustable loop sizes and secure attachment to form a persistent loop without dangling ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the band is made as a simple loop without adhesive, then it can be easily adjusted, but it cannot be securely fixed and will have dangling ends
Solution Approach 1:
The band is divided into distinct functional segments: a loop portion for forming the identification loop, a tongue portion for adjustment, and adhesive attachment areas for securing. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the loop portion provides the identification structure, the tongue portion enables size adjustment by passing through the hole, and the adhesive attachment areas ensure secure fixation without dangling ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive attachment areas are pre-positioned on the band before use. When the band is looped and adjusted to the correct size, the adhesive automatically secures the loop in place, eliminating the need for subsequent manual fastening operations and ensuring a reliable fit without dangling ends.
2Ease of manufacture
If the band is made with fixed size, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot be adjusted to fit different objects
Solution Approach 1:
The band incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the tongue portion can be passed through the hole in the loop portion, allowing the band to be resized as needed. This dynamic feature enables the same band structure to fit different sized objects while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a straightforward cut-and-fold design.
Solution Approach 2:
The band design allows for parameter changes in loop size by varying the length of the tongue portion or the diameter of the hole. This enables a single band design to accommodate multiple sizes while maintaining the same basic manufacturing process, thus preserving ease of manufacture while achieving adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the band has dangling ends, then it can be easily formed, but it does not provide a complete and professional appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive attachment areas are designed to automatically secure the loop ends in place once the band is formed and adjusted. This self-service mechanism eliminates dangling ends without requiring additional manual fastening steps, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving a complete, professional appearance with no loose ends.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment is required after looping, then the band can fit different sizes, but the process is cumbersome and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive attachment areas are pre-positioned on the band to automatically secure the loop once adjusted. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex manual fastening operations after looping, making the adjustment process simple and error-free while maintaining size adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive mechanism provides self-service by automatically securing the loop in place after adjustment, eliminating the need for additional manual fastening steps. This reduces the adjustment process to a simple pass-through action that is both easy to perform and unlikely to result in errors.
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 bands to be pre-made into adjustable loops that fit objects precisely, ensuring a secure and adjustable fit without loose ends, suitable for various applications including patient identification and nursery stock tagging.
Implementation Method 1
adhesive attachment area on one or the other or both of the portions
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for forming a band into a persistent loop. The band incorporating the apparatus has a hole portion which contains a hole, a tongue portion which fits through the hole, and an adhesive attachment area on one or both of the hole and tongue portions. The band is made into a persistent loop by drawing the tongue portion through the hole and attaching the adhesive attachment area to the loop's outside surface. The size of the loop may be adjusted by varying the amount of the tongue portion which is drawn through the hole. A loop may be temporarily preformed by engaging a structure on the tongue portion with the hole. In embodiments in which the band is made of stiff material, the engaging structures may be the edges of the tongue portion and the edges of the hole. The disclosed embodiment of the apparatus is an identification band.