Centering Template for Precise Insert Alignment on Laminar Accessories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for applying alphanumeric inserts on laminar products, such as leather and fabric, face challenges in maintaining elasticity and flexibility while ensuring precise alignment and positioning, particularly in high-fashion accessories where customization is demanded post-purchase and on varied shapes, leading to potential economic damage and customer dissatisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A template and method utilizing a press with interchangeable housing portions and retaining elements that allow for modular alignment and positioning of inserts on laminar supports, enabling customization of insert length and content at the time of purchase, ensuring correct axial and oblique positioning regardless of the accessory's shape, using a centering system and adjustable supports for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single rigid string of inserts is fixed to the fabric in a single operation, then the mounting time is reduced, but the fabric loses its elasticity and flexibility at the fixed location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting timeVSAvoidloss of fabric elasticity and flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insert string is divided into individual character inserts that are fixed separately to the fabric, allowing each insert to be applied independently while maintaining fabric flexibility at each location

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If individual characters are fixed one at a time to the fabric, then the fabric maintains its elasticity and flexibility, but the mounting time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabric elasticity and flexibilityVSAvoidmounting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A support structure with multiple seats is introduced as an intermediary device to hold multiple inserts in predetermined positions, allowing simultaneous application of multiple characters while maintaining fabric flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple inserts are applied using a single support with predetermined seats, then the alignment of characters is perfect, but the customization capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment of charactersVSAvoidcustomization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is made adjustable and reconfigurable, allowing the seats to be repositioned or removed to accommodate different alphanumeric strings and customization requirements while maintaining alignment precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If inserts are applied without a centering system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning precision and alignment of inserts on varied shaped accessories deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentering systemVSAvoidpositioning precision of inserts
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The centering system incorporates asymmetric elements and adjustable components that can be configured to match the specific geometry of different accessory shapes, enabling precise positioning without requiring overly complex standardized mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3495511B1Centering template in particular for devices for applying inserts on laminar portions and related device comprising said template
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 A M F SPA
  • EP3495511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3495511B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3495511B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a template and a related method for the application of inserts in the form of letters, numbers or symbols on leather, fabrics, cloth, or similar laminar products to customize them. The centering template comprises a main support body (101) having a centering system (106) to allow an engagement of the template (100) in pre-fixed position to a base (3a) of a press (3); and a centering element (102) configured to receive in pre-fixed position at least a laminar portion (103) of an accessory (104). The centering element (102) has a through seat (105) for the inserts (11) and it is movable with respect to the main support body (101) between an extracted resting position in which an upper surface (102a) of the centering element (102) is moved away from the main support body (101) and a working position in which the upper surface (102a) of the centering element (102) is approached to the main support body (101). The template allows the correct positioning of the characters on the accessory both in terms of alignment, and in terms of distance from the edges and from the other inserts of the accessory (handles, buckles, etc...) and regardless of the shape assumed by the laminar portion itself.