Contact Nozzle Coating for Uniform Elastic Strand Adhesion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional adhesive dispensing systems face challenges in achieving optimal coating characteristics on stretched elastic strands, particularly in balancing creep resistance and force retraction, with non-contact systems experiencing issues with adhesive filament control and contact systems struggling to consistently coat the bottom surface effectively.

Innovation Solution

A contact nozzle design that uses pressurized air to spread adhesive along the periphery of stretched elastic strands, ensuring consistent coating and preventing adhesive buildup, while maintaining elasticity by varying adhesive thickness, thereby enhancing creep resistance and force retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If non-contact dispensing system is used to dispense adhesive as continuous filament, then adhesive can be applied to stretched elastic strands, but adhesive filament control becomes difficult and coating consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive application capabilityVSAvoidadhesive filament control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the non-contact mechanical filament dispensing system with a contact-based spray system. The adhesive is delivered through a nozzle that makes direct contact with the elastic strand, eliminating the need for air jets to control filament flight. This substitution of the dispensing mechanism fundamentally resolves the filament control issue while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces air as an intermediary medium to spray and distribute the adhesive after it contacts the strand. The air spray helps spread the adhesive uniformly around the periphery of the elastic strand, achieving consistent coating without the complexity of controlling adhesive filament flight through multiple air jets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional contact dispensing system is used to coat elastic strands, then adhesive can be applied directly, but bottom surface coating consistency deteriorates and adhesive buildup occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect adhesive applicationVSAvoidbottom surface coating consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs air spray as a dynamic medium that actively distributes adhesive around the strand periphery. The air flow creates a spraying action that propels adhesive droplets onto all surfaces of the strand including the bottom surface, ensuring uniform coating consistency and preventing localized adhesive buildup that occurs with conventional contact dispensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Ease of operation

If air jets are used to spiral adhesive filament in non-contact dispensing, then adhesive can wrap around strand, but system complexity and sensitivity to blockage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive wrapping capabilityVSAvoidair jet positioning and control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex non-contact system requiring multiple precisely positioned air jets with a simple contact nozzle that delivers adhesive directly to the strand. The adhesive wrapping around the strand is achieved through direct contact and air spray distribution rather than through complex air jet spiraling, dramatically reducing system complexity and eliminating sensitivity to air orifice blockage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The contact nozzle system achieves a high level of creep resistance and force retraction by ensuring uniform adhesive distribution around the strand's periphery, preventing adhesive buildup, and maintaining strand elasticity, thus improving the bonding process in hygiene product manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

discharge pressurized air towards the adhesive on the strand... adapted to discharge air at the adhesive in contact with the first strand, thereby causing the adhesive to spread around the periphery of the first strand

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10124362B2System, nozzle and method for coating elastic strands

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 NORDSON CORP

AI summary

A method of contact coating at least one elastic strand with an adhesive is disclosed. A first strand has a periphery with an upper surface. The first strand is moved in a machine direction relative to a contact nozzle, the adhesive is discharged from the contact nozzle into contact with the upper surface of the first strand, and pressurized air is discharged at the adhesive on the first strand to cause the adhesive to spread around the periphery of the first strand without blowing adhesive off the first strand.