Cavity Transfer Member for Bitumen Membrane Decoration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatuses for applying decorative solid particles to prefabricated water-proofing bitumen-mix membranes suffer from imprecision and non-uniformity in decoration, leading to a blurring of contours and increased wear, requiring frequent maintenance due to the uncontrolled release of particles during the transfer process.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a transfer member with cavities of reduced size to precisely control the unloading of solid particles, combined with an occlusion roller to hold particles in place until deposition, ensuring uniformity and reducing wear on components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a transfer member with cavities is used to transfer solid particles, then the decoration pattern is defined, but the particles are not held securely and are unloaded uncontrollably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoration contour precisionVSAvoidparticle holding reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible holding belt is introduced as an intermediary element between the transfer member cavities and the solid particles. The belt makes contact with the cavities during rotation and provides additional holding force to secure the particles, preventing uncontrolled unloading while maintaining the defined decoration pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device is implemented as a flexible belt that can adapt to the shape of the transfer member cavities. This flexible structure makes contact with the cavities during rotation, providing secure particle retention through conformal contact and elastic deformation, thereby improving particle holding reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a flexible belt is used to hold particles in cavities, then particle retention is improved, but particles between the belt and support surface are also transferred causing imprecision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle holding reliabilityVSAvoiddecoration contour precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible belt is designed to make contact only with specific portions of the transfer member support surface where cavities are located. This localized contact ensures that particles are held only in the intended cavities, while particles on other portions of the support surface remain unaffected and are not transferred, thereby maintaining decoration precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support surface of the transfer member is effectively segmented into active cavity regions and inactive regions. The flexible belt contacts only the active cavity regions, creating a functional segmentation that prevents transfer of particles from inactive regions, thus avoiding decoration imprecision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If particles are interposed between the conveyor belt and support surface, then holding is improved, but wear on the transfer member increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle holding reliabilityVSAvoidtransfer member working life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible belt is designed as a consumable component that can be easily replaced. By making the holding element replaceable rather than part of the main transfer member, the system allows the belt to wear from particle contact while preserving the expensive transfer member, effectively extending the transfer member's working life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible belt serves as a sacrificial intermediary that absorbs wear from particle contact. This mediator layer protects the transfer member support surface from direct abrasion by particles, significantly extending the transfer member's service life while maintaining particle holding functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10610887B2Apparatus to make decorations on prefabricated water-proofing bitumen-mix membranes and corresponding plant for the production of said prefabricated water-proofing membranes

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 BOATO INTERNATIONAL SPA

AI summary

Apparatus to make decorations on a prefabricated water-proofing bitumen-mix membrane, wherein the decorations are made by depositing solid particles, in the form of flakes, grains, sand or grit, suitable to adhere to at least one surface of said prefabricated water-proofing bitumen-mix membrane. The apparatus comprises at least one transfer member provided with a support surface suitable to receive, support and transfer the solid particles toward the surface to be enhanced of the prefabricated water-proofing bitumen-mix membrane. The support surface is provided with a plurality of cavities suitable to receive the solid particles. The cavities are made inside at least one surface portion of the support surface and the surface portion, essentially reproducing the shape and sizes of at least one of the decorations.