Elastic Band Package Segmentation for Tangling Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rubber bands in packages often tangle, making it difficult to separate individual bands for use, especially in industrial settings where manual handling is time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A panel of elastic material with a plurality of elastic bands rupturably connected to an elastic strip, where each band is configured as a loop surrounding an aperture, and a header made of inextensible sheet material is flatly joined to the strip, allowing for easy separation of individual bands by pulling them from the strip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If rubber bands are provided in a package in which many rubber bands are jumbled together, then the package can contain a large quantity of bands, but the bands tangle with each other into a mass from which it can be difficult to separate a single band for use
Solution Approach 1:
The package is segmented into multiple panels, each panel containing a specific number of bands (e.g., 10 bands per panel). This segmentation allows users to easily separate and use one panel at a time without having to untangle a large mass of bands, while still maintaining a substantial quantity of bands in the overall package.
Solution Approach 2:
A header made of inextensible sheet material is introduced as an intermediary component that is flatly joined to the elastic strip. This header acts as a mediator that holds the bands in a controlled arrangement and facilitates easy separation of individual bands or panels from the main package without tangling.
2Ease of operation
If rubber bands are manually handled in an industrial setting for bundling or closing items, then the bands can be used for packaging operations, but manual handling takes more time than desired due to the difficulty of separating individual bands
Solution Approach 1:
The bands are pre-arranged in panels with specific orientations and connections established before use. The ruptureable connections are pre-positioned at strategic locations, allowing workers to quickly pull and separate individual bands or panels without time-consuming manual manipulation or untangling during the packaging operation.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the package into smaller, manageable panels with controlled band arrangements, the invention enables workers to handle and deploy bands more efficiently. Each panel can be quickly separated and used as a unit, reducing the time required for manual handling compared to managing a single large mass of tangled bands.
3Productivity
If elastic bands are connected to an elastic strip for easy separation, then individual bands can be quickly retrieved by pulling, but the connection mechanism must be designed to rupture cleanly without causing tangling
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism has different properties at different locations: the ruptureable connections are designed with specific local characteristics (such as reduced thickness or weakened bonds) at the connection points between bands and the elastic strip, while the rest of the band structure maintains its full strength and integrity. This allows clean rupture at the connection points without affecting the overall band structure or causing tangling.
Solution Approach 2:
The header made of inextensible sheet material serves as an intermediary that controls the separation process. When a band is pulled, the header guides the rupture at the appropriate connection point and maintains the band's orientation, ensuring clean separation without tangling while enabling quick retrieval.
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
Enables efficient and quick retrieval of individual elastic bands without tangling, reducing manual handling time and improving usability in industrial settings.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of elastic bands are rupturably connected to the first edge of the elastic strip... pulling the individual band from the elastic strip to rupture a connection between the individual band and the elastic strip
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An article (70) includes a panel of elastic material (16) including an elastic strip (24) and a plurality of elastic bands (18). The elastic strip (24) has opposed first (30) and second (64) longitudinal edges. The plurality of elastic bands (18) are rupturably connected to the first edge (30) of the elastic strip (24), each of the bands (18) configured as a loop surrounding a first aperture (28). A method for obtaining an individual elastic band (18) from such an article (70) is also described. The method includes pulling the individual band (18) from the elastic strip (24) to rupture a connection between the individual band (18) and the elastic strip (24).