Flexible Plastic Strip with Fold Lines for Profile Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plastic profiles are bulky, difficult to store and handle, require complex cutting and gluing, and offer too many standardized options, leading to user confusion and inefficiencies in storage and installation.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, elongated strip with fold lines along its longitudinal axis, made of plastic material, that can be cold-deformed to form stable profiles of various shapes and sizes, including adhesive coverage for easy attachment, reducing material waste and maintaining mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If profiles are produced with large longitudinal dimensions, then they can cover longer distances, but they become bulky and difficult to store and handle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelength of profileVSAvoidease of storage and handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The profile is segmented into multiple straight sections connected by flexible joints, allowing the long profile to be divided into manageable segments that can be easily stored and handled while still covering long distances when assembled

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If profiles are produced in many different shapes, then they can meet diverse user needs, but it requires developed storage and referencing logistics and confuses users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariety of profile shapesVSAvoidcomplexity of storage and referencing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal strip design with integrated fold lines can be folded into multiple different profile shapes (L-shape, U-shape, Z-shape, etc.), allowing one product to serve multiple functions and eliminating the need for separate products for each profile type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If profiles are provided without adhesive, then the material remains pure plastic, but a complex gluing step is necessary for installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of material compositionVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive function is merged with the plastic strip itself by applying an adhesive layer directly onto the strip surface, combining the structural element and the bonding element into a single integrated component that simplifies installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 cutting to desired size, reduces bulk for easier storage and handling, facilitates user choice, and simplifies installation with no additional gluing steps, while maintaining mechanical integrity and stability.

Implementation Method 1

said strip being configured to be cold deformable along each fold line to form, by folding the strip along said or one or more of said fold lines, a profile having a predetermined straight cross-section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCold forming: Cold-forming

Implementation Method 2

one of the faces of said sheet is covered at least in part by an adhesive film to ensure the adhesion of said profile obtained to a support

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3766662A1Flexible and elongate band for forming at least one profile
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 BRICONORD
  • EP3766662A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3766662A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3766662A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a flexible and elongated strip (10), said strip (10) having a longitudinal axis. According to the invention, - at least one fold line (11) is provided in said strip (10) along, or substantially along, its longitudinal axis, - said strip (10) being configured to be cold-formable along each fold line in order to form, by folding said strip (10) along said or one or more of said fold lines, a profile having a predetermined straight cross-section, and - said strip (10) comprising a core (13) of plastic material, one face of said strip (10) having an adhesive film (15) to ensure the adhesion of said profile obtained to a support.