Fastener Material Direction Changing Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing plastic bags with fastener portions fail to efficiently change the advancing direction of first and second bodies of fastener material from a direction of width to a direction of length between the webs of panel material, affecting the closure mechanism's effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A fastener material advancing direction changing apparatus using a pair of inclined turn over bars and a guide device to change the direction of first and second bodies of fastener material from a width direction to a length direction, with a meshing engagement device for secure engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the first and second bodies of fastener material advance in the direction of width of webs of panel material, then they can be inserted between the first and second webs of panel material, but the advancing direction must then be changed into the direction of length of webs of panel material which adds device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion of fastener material between websVSAvoiddirection changing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The turn-over bars are inclined at a predetermined angle (e.g., 45 degrees) to the advancing direction of the fastener material. This inclination transforms the direction change from a complex multi-axis operation into a simplified planar rotation, allowing the fastener material to be redirected from the width direction to the length direction through a single angular transition zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If turn over bars are used to change the advancing direction, then the fastener material can be redirected, but the machine size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirection changing capabilityVSAvoidmachine footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined turn-over bars utilize the angular dimension to achieve direction changing within a compact space. By positioning the bars at a predetermined angle to the fastener material advancing direction, the system redirects material flow without requiring large linear distances, thus maintaining a compact machine footprint while achieving versatile direction changing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the first and second bodies of fastener material are correctly aligned and engaged, then the closure mechanism is effective, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure mechanism effectivenessVSAvoidalignment of fastener material bodies
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The turn-over bars act as intermediary elements between the fastener material supply and the engagement zone. These bars guide and orient the first and second bodies of fastener material, ensuring they are properly aligned before engagement. The inclined geometry of the bars naturally directs the material into the correct positional relationship, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining reliable closure effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2829391B1Fastener material advancing direction changing apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 TOTANI CORP (JP)
  • EP2829391B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP2829391B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2829391B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

First and second bodies of fastener material (4, 5) advance in a first direction which is an advancing direction, the advancing direction being changed into a second direction. A pair of turn over bars (12, 13) are spaced from each other, the first and second bodies of fastener material (4, 5) advancing in the first direction to be engaged with the turn over bars (12, 13). The first and second bodies of fastener material (4, 5) are then inserted between and turned over by the turn over bars (12, 13) with the advancing direction being changed into the second direction.