Glue Stick Applicator Grid Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional glue stick applicators lose gluing capability over time when exposed to the atmosphere and are prone to mechanical breakage due to excessive extension.
Innovation Solution
A glue stick applicator with a casing and a grid made of a material with higher gluing capability than the glue stick, which is extendable and provides mechanical reinforcement, improving gluing performance and preventing breakage by mixing glue from both sources and limiting excessive extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the glue stick is extended for use, then the gluing capability is provided, but the mechanical strength decreases and breakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the glue stick (providing adhesive function) with a grid structure made of elastomeric material (providing mechanical strength). This composite structure allows the glue stick to be extended for gluing while the grid reinforces it to prevent breakage, resolving the contradiction between providing gluing capability and maintaining mechanical strength.
2Productivity
If the glue stick is exposed to atmosphere for multiple uses, then the usability is improved, but the gluing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grid structure made of elastomeric material with higher gluing capability than the glue stick itself compensates for the degradation of the glue stick over time. The grid provides additional adhesive function that maintains overall gluing capability even after multiple uses and atmospheric exposure.
3Ease of operation
If the glue stick is extended beyond needed length, then the accessibility is improved, but the mechanical reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The grid structure provides mechanical reinforcement along the extended portion of the glue stick, allowing it to be extended to needed lengths for accessibility while the grid prevents breakage even at extended positions, maintaining mechanical 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
Enhances the gluing capability and mechanical reliability of the glue stick applicator, maintaining performance even after multiple uses and atmospheric exposure, while preventing breakage through elastic deformation and snap-fitting mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the grid may be attached to the casing, the grid being configured to elastically deform while the glue stick is extended
Implementation Method 2
the grid may form a mechanical reinforcement around the glue stick when extended, which may mechanically strengthen the glue stick and may prevent breakage during use
Implementation Method 3
the grid may be snap fitted onto the casing
Data Source
AI summary
A glue stick applicator comprising a casing receiving a glue stick, the glue stick being extendable through a mouth of the casing between a retracted position wherein the glue stick is entirely housed in the casing and an extended position wherein the glue stick extends at least in part from the mouth of the casing, and a grid fitted around the glue stick at least when the glue stick is in the extended position, the grid being made of a material having higher gluing capability than the material of the glue stick.