Elongation Indicator in Knitted Netting for Wrapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Raschel knitted nettings for wrapping objects face challenges in determining the optimal elongation percentage, leading to inadequate wrapping security, product damage, and increased processing time due to difficulties in measuring momentary elongation during the wrapping process.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an elongation indicator within the netting, comprising distinct indicator franzes and schusses that visually indicate the target elongation by changing spacing when stretched, allowing operators to easily determine the desired elongation percentage without interrupting the wrapping process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the operator measures the length of netting before and after wrapping to determine elongation percentage, then the elongation can be calculated, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming, interrupting the wrapping process and increasing processing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelongation percentage determinationVSAvoidwrapping process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates an elongation indicator into the netting structure before wrapping begins. This indicator is pre-configured with marked positions that automatically display the elongation percentage as the netting stretches during wrapping, eliminating the need for post-wrapping measurements and calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The netting structure itself provides the measurement function through the integrated elongation indicator. The indicator automatically tracks and displays elongation percentage during the wrapping process without requiring external measurement tools or operator intervention, making the system self-measuring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the operator increases elongation and tension to ensure proper wrapping security, then the load will be properly secured, but the netting may narrow causing damage to wrapped products or break

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrapping securityVSAvoidproduct damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elongation indicator provides real-time feedback during the wrapping process, allowing the operator to monitor the elongation percentage and adjust tension accordingly. This prevents over-elongation that could cause netting narrowing and product damage, while ensuring sufficient tension for proper wrapping security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the elongation indicator to precisely control the elongation parameter during wrapping. By monitoring the indicator, the operator can maintain elongation within the optimal range that ensures wrapping security without exceeding the threshold that causes netting failure or product damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the operator decreases elongation and tension to prevent netting narrowing and product damage, then product safety is improved, but the load will not be properly secured and wrapping performance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct damage preventionVSAvoidwrapping performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elongation indicator provides continuous visual feedback during wrapping, enabling the operator to maintain elongation within the safe optimal range. This ensures sufficient tension for proper wrapping security while preventing excessive elongation that could cause netting narrowing and product damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic adjustment of elongation during the wrapping process based on indicator feedback. The operator can adapt the elongation percentage in real-time to match the specific requirements of different loads, ensuring optimal wrapping performance without exceeding safety thresholds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the netting is elongated beyond the desired percentage, then more elongation capability is utilized, but the netting breaks or loses strength leading to insufficient wrapping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelongation capability utilizationVSAvoidnetting strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The elongation indicator provides real-time feedback on the elongation percentage, alerting the operator when the optimal elongation range is reached. This prevents over-elongation that would compromise netting strength and cause breaking, while allowing full utilization of the netting's elongation capability within safe limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 elongation indicator enables precise determination of the target elongation, reducing lateral shrinkage and product damage, while enhancing wrapping efficiency by providing a visual or audible indication of the desired tension, thus ensuring optimal wrapping performance.

Implementation Method 1

The knitted netting has a characteristic elasticity and a predetermined degree of elongation capacity. The knitted netting elongates as a function of the tension applied to the netting.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Due to the triangular geometrical structure, such knitted nettings exhibit lateral shrinkage upon longitudinal elongation (i.e., there is narrowing of the net when it is stretched lengthwise).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPoisson's Effect: Poisson's Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3165653B1Netting with elongation indicator and method of determining the elongation of a netting
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 TAMA GRP
  • EP3165653B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3165653B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3165653B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A knitted netting for wrapping an object is provided. The knitted netting includes first longitudinal franzes, first lateral schusses, at least two second longitudinal franzes, and at least one second lateral schuss, the schusses knitted with the franzes to form the knitted netting. Therein, the second lateral schuss is an indicator schuss, the second longitudinal franzes are indicator franzes, and the indicator schuss is knitted with the indicator franzes to form an elongation indicator for indicating the amount of longitudinal stretching of the knitted netting. The first longitudinal franzes and first lateral schusses are configured such that the spacing of the first longitudinal franzes decreases by less than 10% (or by a first percentage) when elongating the knitted netting by 20% or when elongating the knitted netting by 50% of a target elongation. The target elongation is from 15% to 400% of the length of the knitted netting. The elongation indicator is configured such that the spacing of the indicator franzes decreases by more than 10% (or by a second percentage, wherein the ratio of the second percentage to the first percentage is larger than 1.5) when elongating the knitted netting by 20% or when elongating the knitted netting by 50% of the target elongation.