Drawstring Ribbon Cutting Method for Bag Handles

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Solution Overview

Problem

The automated production of drawstring ribbons with a drawstring longer than the tapes is challenging, especially when integrated into bag handles, as it requires complex and costly operations, and existing methods risk nicking the central drawstring during cutting.

Innovation Solution

A method involving unwinding tapes and drawstrings, aligning them, cutting the tapes while avoiding the drawstring, clamping, bonding, and inserting rings to create a drawstring ribbon with a length greater than the tapes, utilizing guide elements, cutting zones, and clamping devices to ensure precise cutting and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated production is used for drawstring ribbons with drawstring longer than tapes, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing precision deteriorates due to risk of nicking the drawstring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated production efficiencyVSAvoidcutting precision without nicking drawstring
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting process is segmented into two distinct zones: a first cutting zone with a first blade that cuts the tapes, and a second cutting zone with a second blade that cuts the drawstring. This segmentation allows each blade to operate independently at its optimal position, enabling automated cutting while preventing the drawstring from being nicked by the tape-cutting blade.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drawstring acts as an intermediary element that passes through the tapes during the cutting process. The system is designed to allow the drawstring to extend through the first cutting zone without being cut, while the second blade in the second cutting zone specifically targets and cuts the drawstring. This intermediary arrangement enables precise control over what is cut and what passes through.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If complex operations are used to produce drawstring ribbons with drawstring longer than tapes, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecise cutting and assemblyVSAvoidproduction line complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cutting functions are merged into a single production line with two blades operating in sequence. The first blade cuts the tapes in the first cutting zone, and the second blade cuts the drawstring in the second cutting zone. This merging of functions into a unified system achieves precise cutting and assembly while avoiding the need for multiple separate complex operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tapes are preliminarily cut by the first blade in the first cutting zone before the drawstring is cut by the second blade in the second cutting zone. This preliminary action sequence ensures that the tapes are properly prepared and positioned before the drawstring cutting occurs, enabling precise final assembly without requiring complex post-processing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If existing cutting methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to risk of nicking the central drawstring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting system simplicityVSAvoidcutting precision without nicking drawstring
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting system is segmented into two blades operating in separate zones. The first blade is positioned to cut only the tapes, while the second blade is positioned to cut only the drawstring. This segmentation maintains relative system simplicity while achieving high manufacturing precision by preventing the first blade from contacting or nicking the drawstring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each blade is assigned a specific local function: the first blade is optimized for cutting tapes in the first cutting zone, while the second blade is optimized for cutting the drawstring in the second cutting zone. This local quality differentiation allows each component to perform its specific task with high precision without interfering with other elements, maintaining simplicity while avoiding nicking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2468953B1Method for producing a ribbon curlable into a bow
Publication Date: 2015.04.29 NASTRIFICIO ANGELO BOLIS & BREVE BOLIS
  • EP2468953B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2468953B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A drawstring ribbon production method comprising the steps of unwinding at least one tape from a first reel; feeding said at least one tape in a first direction by guide elements; unwinding at least one drawstring from a second reel; feeding said at least one drawstring in said first direction by guide means; aligning said at least one tape with said at least one drawstring; feeding said at least one tape and said at least one drawstring towards a first cutting zone; laterally cutting off at least one portion of said at least one tape; feeding said at least one laterally cut tape and said at least one drawstring to a second cutting zone; feeding said at least one tape between the two blades of a scissor while at the same time feeding said at least one drawstring outside said scissor blades; cutting said at least one tape; clamping said at least one tape; feeding a predetermined length of said at least one drawstring; bringing said at least one tape and said at least one drawstring to a clamping device; joining together an end of said at least one tape and an end of said at least one drawstring; feeding said at least one tape and said at least one drawstring to a station for closing said at least one tape and said at least one drawstring with a ring in proximity to each of said lateral cut of said at least one tape; feeding said at least one tape and said at least one drawstring to a third cutting zone; cutting said drawstring in proximity to said joint between said at least one tape and said at least one drawstring.