Fastener Stringer Recesses for Inkjet Coloring Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide fasteners face challenges in maintaining a clear and neat pattern or color on fastener elements when using inkjet methods, as ink droplets tend to mix and spread, and piece-dyeing methods struggle to evenly dye fastener elements without generating stains.
Innovation Solution
The fastener stringer features recesses or bosses on its surface, arranged at a specific ratio and shape, which act as fixing spaces for ink droplets during inkjet coloring and facilitate even dye distribution during piece-dyeing, preventing ink mixing and ensuring uniform color application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If inkjet method is used to color fastener elements, then fine patterns can be formed, but ink droplets mix and spread causing blurred contours
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener element surface is segmented into multiple recesses that are spatially separated from each other. Each recess acts as an independent containment space for ink droplets, preventing the mixing and spreading that would occur on a continuous flat surface. This segmentation enables precise pattern formation while eliminating the harmful effect of ink droplet conflation.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface of the fastener element is modified with recesses that create localized variations in surface topology. These recesses provide specific local properties (containment spaces) that differ from the surrounding flat areas, allowing ink droplets to be held in designated locations rather than spreading across the entire surface. This local quality modification resolves the contradiction between achieving fine patterns and preventing ink mixing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If piece-dyeing method is used to color fastener stringer, then uniform color can be achieved, but dye accumulates in overlapping areas causing color stains
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener element surface is divided into multiple recesses that are distributed across the surface. During piece-dyeing, the dye solution penetrates into these recesses uniformly, preventing accumulation in specific overlapping areas. The segmented structure ensures even dye distribution while maintaining color uniformity, eliminating the harmful effect of dye accumulation that causes color stains.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses create localized spaces with different absorption characteristics compared to flat surfaces. During dyeing, these recessed areas receive and hold dye uniformly, preventing the accumulation that occurs in overlapping regions of wound fastener stringers. This local quality modification enables uniform color application while preventing the formation of color stains.
3Ease of manufacture
If filling material is used in recesses of fastener elements, then color difference can be achieved, but filling material drops out due to friction and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The recesses are designed with specific dimensional parameters (depth, width, shape) that create mechanical interlocking with the filling material. By optimizing these geometric parameters, the recesses provide sufficient retention force to prevent filling material from dropping out during sliding or impact, while still allowing for effective color differentiation. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and material retention reliability.
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
This configuration allows for stable and precise pattern formation on fastener elements with inkjet methods and prevents color stains during piece-dyeing, enhancing the appearance and durability of the fastener stringer and slide fastener.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of recesses 13 into which a coloring agent is to be filled is formed on a first surface 12a of each fastener element 11
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of recesses 13 into which a coloring agent is to be filled is formed on a first surface 12a of each fastener element 11
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Disclosed is a fastener stringer (1) where at least one surface of each of the fastener elements (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61) is colored. A plurality of fine fixing spaces is disposed on the at least one surface of the fastener element (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61) which is colored. Accordingly, when a slide fastener (1) is colored through an inkjet method, ink droplets ejected to the fastener element (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61) may be received by a plurality of fixing spaces and stably fixed onto a surface of the element. Consequently, a desired pattern or color can be continuously given to a fastener tape (6) or the fastener element (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61), and the contour of the pattern or color can be formed clearly and neatly.