Dental Tape Coating Die for Uniform Coating Without Telescoping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dental flosses, particularly those made from elastomeric materials, often suffer from telescoping issues during the bobbin formation process, leading to non-uniform coating and difficulties in mounting them in dispensers, due to high tension caused by uneven velocity and tension variations during processing.

Innovation Solution

A coating die apparatus that applies a coating composition uniformly to both sides of the dental tape as it passes through, maintaining low tension and using a controlled speed to prevent telescoping, with features like passage bores and rollers to ensure even coating and minimize tension on the tape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If high tension is applied during supply roll forming to maintain tape stability, then tape positioning is improved, but telescoping occurs during bobbin formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetape positioningVSAvoidtelescoping
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the tension parameter during different processing stages. Low tension is maintained during supply roll forming to prevent telescoping, while the tape is still processed effectively through controlled coating and winding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If high tension is applied during bobbin formation to ensure tight winding, then winding density is improved, but telescoping occurs causing conical shape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinding densityVSAvoidcylindrical shape
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions to prevent telescoping before it occurs. By controlling tension during supply roll forming and using guide rollers to maintain proper tape alignment, the tape is prepared in a tension-free state before bobbin formation, preventing the conical shape defect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If coating process stretches and relaxes the tape to ensure even coating, then coating uniformity is improved, but tension variations increase causing telescoping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating uniformityVSAvoidtension stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies coating in a controlled manner that provides sufficient coverage without excessive stretching. The coating process is optimized to achieve uniform coating with minimal tension variation, avoiding the telescoping effect while still ensuring adequate coating uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 solution ensures a uniformly coated dental tape with reduced telescoping issues, allowing for consistent and efficient processing, and easy mounting into dispensers, thereby improving the usability and effectiveness of the dental tape.

Implementation Method 1

at least two passage bores having an inlet for receiving a coating composition, the at least two passage bores comprising: a first passage bore extending through the first side of the entrance slot and delivering the coating composition from the first passage bore outlet to the first side of the tape; and a second passage bore extending through the second side of the entrance slot and delivering the coating composition from the second passage bore outlet to the second side of the tape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP2149631B1Apparatus and process for coating dental tape
Publication Date: 2011.10.19 MCNEIL PPC INC
  • EP2149631B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2149631B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2149631B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for evenly and uniformly coating dental tape.