Garment Loading Mechanism Using Thermal Adhesion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is no reliable solution to automatically fit a garment over a form pallet, requiring manual operation that can lead to back problems due to frequent bending.

Innovation Solution

A loading mechanism using a picking arm with adherence locations, such as chill points, to grab the top outer front of a garment and pull it onto a pallet, allowing the back to slide under, without harming the garment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If vacuum is used to grip the textile, then the gripping force is insufficient, but mechanical grippers may grab both sides of the garment together

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping forceVSAvoidcorrect garment positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The picking arm uses multiple discrete adherence locations (chill points) distributed across its surface rather than a single gripping mechanism. These segmented cold points create localized adhesion zones that can selectively grip specific portions of the garment layer, enabling precise control over which areas are held during the loading process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a thermal intermediary mechanism where cold points on the picking arm create localized freezing zones. This thermal mediator enables selective adhesion between the picking arm and the garment layer by controlling phase change at specific locations, allowing the system to grip only intended areas while leaving other regions free to slide underneath.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If static electricity is used to lift the garment, then only one side is lifted, but the grabbing surface must be larger than the garment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle-sided liftingVSAvoidgrabbing surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The picking arm incorporates localized adherence locations with specific thermal properties rather than a uniform large surface. Each cold point has concentrated cooling capability that creates localized freezing zones, enabling selective adhesion at specific positions on the garment layer without requiring a large overall grabbing surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Force

If mechanical grippers are used to grab the garment, then the garment can be held firmly, but the garment may be strained or torn

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding forceVSAvoidgarment strain and tearing

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces traditional mechanical contact grippers with a thermal adhesion system. Instead of using mechanical fingers or pincers that apply concentrated mechanical stress to the garment, the system uses cold points to create localized freezing zones that provide holding force through phase change adhesion, distributing the holding action across the frozen liquid layer without creating stress concentration points that could tear the fabric.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If manual fitting is used to place the garment on the pallet, then the garment can be positioned correctly, but the operator suffers from back problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegarment positioning accuracyVSAvoidoperator health and efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The picking arm system performs the garment loading operation autonomously by using thermal adhesion to automatically grip, lift, and position the garment layer on the pallet. The uncontacted portions of the garment layer naturally slide underneath the picked layer during the withdrawal motion, eliminating the need for manual manipulation while maintaining correct positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 and automated loading of garments onto a pallet, reducing manual labor and potential back injuries, while ensuring the garment is not strained or stained.

Implementation Method 1

the adherence location is a chill point, the chill point when contacting the contact location causing liquid on the garment at the contact location to freeze and thus to adhere to the adherence location

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Data Source

PatentUS12275610B2Loading mechanism for shirts

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 KORNIT DIGITAL LTD

AI summary

Apparatus for picking a garment having a front and a back and placing the garment over a pallet such that the front and the back of the garment are on the front and the back sides respectively of the pallet. The apparatus comprises a picking arm to approach the garment and then withdraw towards the pallet; and one or more adherence locations on the picking arm, the adherence location being smaller than the first side, the adherence location for contacting the garment and causing adherence of the garment at the contact location, thereby causing the picking arm to pull the front of the garment over the front of the pallet, the back of the garment sliding under the first side onto the back of the pallet. Adherence may involve freezing.