Flexible Pad Applicator With Living Hinge for Undulating Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid applicators, such as bristle and foam brushes, are not well-suited for uniform application of coatings over surfaces that undulate, and their flexible pad and frame constructions do not allow for easy adjustment to various flexed conditions, making them cumbersome to use.

Innovation Solution

A liquid applicator with a flexible frame and pad, featuring hingedly coupled connectors and a living hinge mechanism, allowing the handle to shift and the pad to adjust into relaxed, convex, or concave conditions for improved surface conformity and ease of attachment/detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flexible pad is connected to the handle by multiple tabs received in apertures, then the pad can be securely attached, but the attachment and detachment process becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepad attachment securityVSAvoidpad attachment and detachment process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into a single connector element with multiple attachment points distributed along the handle margins. This allows the pad to be secured at multiple locations simultaneously through one integrated connector, maintaining secure attachment while simplifying the attachment/detachment process to a single operation rather than multiple sequential tab insertions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple separate tab connectors are merged into a single integrated connector element that engages with the handle at multiple margins simultaneously. This combination maintains the security of multi-point attachment while reducing the operational complexity from handling multiple individual tabs to managing one unified connector

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If conventional brushes are used for coating application, then they can apply liquids to surfaces, but they cannot achieve uniform application over undulating surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating application uniformityVSAvoidsurface conformity capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pad is designed with flexible material and a support structure that allows it to dynamically change its shape and conform to undulating surfaces during the coating application process. This dynamic adaptability enables uniform liquid distribution across varying surface topographies while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The applicator uses a flexible pad made of thin film material that can bend and conform to the contours of undulating surfaces. This flexibility allows the pad to maintain consistent contact with the surface being coated, ensuring uniform application across complex geometries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible frame with living hinge is used, then the handle can be shifted into various flexed conditions for better surface conformity, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle flexing capabilityVSAvoidframe construction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame incorporates a living hinge made of flexible material that allows the handle to bend into various configurations. This flexible element provides multiple flexed conditions for better surface conformity while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to rigid articulated mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The living hinge allows the handle to change its physical parameters (bending angle, curvature) to adapt to different surface geometries. This parameter variability provides the needed adaptability for various flexed conditions while the single-hinge design keeps the structural complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 versatile and uniform application of liquids over complex surfaces, including convex, concave, and flat areas, with simplified attachment and detachment of the pad, enhancing user convenience and application efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The frame presents a region intermediate the handle margins that is flexible and spaced from the applicator pad to permit relative shifting of the handle margins

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2558221B1Applicator with flexible pad and handle

Publication Date: 2019.02.20 SPECIALTY PRODUCTS OF GREENWOOD MISSOURI INC

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AI summary

A liquid applicator includes a frame and a flexible applicator pad. The frame includes an elongated handle that presents opposite handle margins and extends in a longitudinal direction between the margins. The flexible applicator pad presents opposite applicator pad ends. The handle margins are coupled relative to the flexible applicator pad adjacent corresponding applicator pad ends. The handle presents an intermediate region that is flexible and spaced from the pad, with the liquid applicator thereby being shiftable into and out of a relaxed applicator condition.