Core Recycling Device with Arched Rubber Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recycling cores, especially those made of expensive materials like aluminum, are inefficient and risk damaging the cores during the removal of glue and material residues, leading to time-consuming manual processes and high rejection rates.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing axially displaceable carriers and rubber-like wheels with inwardly arched surfaces to automatically remove glue and material residues from cores, ensuring thorough cleaning without damaging them, by rotating and displacing the core between wheels that mimic the core's shape for comprehensive residue removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual removal of glue strand and material residues is used, then core damage risk is reduced, but processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical removal with an automated mechanical system consisting of a carrier that displaces the core through a cleaning station with rotating wheels. The wheels, made of rubber-like material with inwardly arched surfaces, automatically contact and remove residues from the core surface as the core is conveyed through the cleaning station, eliminating manual intervention while controlling the cleaning force to prevent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate elements (rubber-like wheels with inwardly arched surfaces) that mediate between the cleaning action and the core. These wheels conform to the core's shape and provide a compliant contact surface that effectively removes residues while distributing force to prevent core damage, serving as a buffer between the aggressive cleaning need and the fragile core.
2Productivity
If automated cleaning devices are used, then processing speed increases, but core damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the cleaning wheels from rigid to rubber-like compliant material. This parameter change allows the wheels to adapt to the core's shape and control the contact pressure, enabling automated high-speed cleaning while preventing core damage through the material's inherent compliance and shock-absorbing properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curvature by designing the wheels with inwardly arched surfaces that match the cylindrical shape of the core. This curvature ensures uniform contact around the core's circumference, distributing the cleaning force evenly and preventing localized stress concentrations that could cause damage, while maintaining effective residue removal across the entire core surface.
3Productivity
If rigid cleaning tools are used, then residue removal efficiency increases, but core surface damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state/parameter of the cleaning tool from rigid to compliant (rubber-like material). This parameter change enables the tool to maintain effective mechanical contact for residue removal while the compliant nature of the material prevents surface damage by allowing deformation rather than impacting the core surface with rigid force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the cleaning wheels compliant specifically at the contact surface with the core, while maintaining structural integrity for mechanical drive. The rubber-like material provides localized softness where it contacts the core to prevent damage, while the wheel's overall structure remains rigid enough to be driven and maintain contact pressure for effective cleaning.
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 device effectively restores cores to a reusable state, reducing economic and environmental costs by minimizing the need for new core production and transport, while ensuring efficient and safe residue removal.
Implementation Method 1
The wheels 8 and 10 are manufactured from a rubber-like material, e.g. polyurethane... The abutment between the core 1 and the wheels 8 and 10 will be good throughout the entire surface... The processing of the core 1 may be likened to a rubbing operation
Implementation Method 2
The processing of the core 1 may be likened to a rubbing operation and the core 1 may be displaced past the wheels 8 and 10 several times... to remove material residues and glue residues
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for processing cores (2) with a view to restoring same for reuse as as good as new and unused cores a number of times for handling and carrying of different types of material webs, e.g. paper, tissue, etc., a number of processing means being arranged to act on the core for removal of material residues and possible other residues in the form of adhesive, e.g. glue or the like.