Hook and Loop Dispenser with Movable Carriage Cutting Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cutting and dispensing hook and loop material to varying lengths are inefficient, as they often require manual cutting and do not allow for easy separation of cut ends, making it difficult to dispense precise lengths.

Innovation Solution

A device with a housing and a carriage-mounted cutting mechanism that translates between positions to cut the material and expose the cut end, featuring a blade actuated by a handle, a pawl for preventing backward movement, and a roll support for easy dispensing, allowing for adjustable cutting and dispensing of hook and loop material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual cutting methods are used for hook and loop material, then cutting operation can be performed, but the efficiency and precision of cutting and dispensing to varying lengths is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting and dispensing efficiencyVSAvoidease of material separation and dispensing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the cutting and dispensing process into distinct functional components: a carriage-mounted cutting mechanism that can be positioned at specific locations, a material guide system, and a dispensing mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally, improving overall efficiency and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting mechanism is mounted on a movable carriage that can translate along the housing to different positions. This dynamic positioning capability allows the cutting mechanism to reach various points along the material roll, enabling precise cutting at desired locations while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the cutting mechanism remains stationary, then the structure is simple, but it cannot expose the cut end for easy dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cut end exposure and material dispensingVSAvoidcomplexity of carriage mounting and movement mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting mechanism is extracted from a fixed position and mounted on a movable carriage, allowing it to be positioned dynamically along the material path. This extraction enables the cut end to be exposed and accessed easily for dispensing, while the carriage provides the necessary movement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If the blade is always accessible for actuation, then cutting can be performed quickly, but accidental cutting and material displacement may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting operation speedVSAvoidprevention of accidental cutting

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a stop surface that prevents the carriage from moving beyond a certain position, and a pawl mechanism that limits blade actuation to specific positions. These preliminary restrictions prevent accidental cutting by ensuring the blade can only be actuated when properly positioned, while still allowing quick cutting operation when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The stop surface and pawl mechanism provide positional feedback to the operator, indicating when the carriage is in the correct position for safe blade actuation. This feedback system ensures that cutting operations can only be performed when the mechanism is properly aligned, preventing accidental cutting while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12037215B2Hook and loop dispenser

Publication Date: 2024.07.16 KLEIN TOOLS INC

AI summary

A device for dispensing hook and loop material includes a housing configured to support a roll of hook and loop material, a carriage mounted on the housing to move between a first position and a second position, and a cutting mechanism mounted to the carriage for movement therewith. The cutting mechanism is configured to cut the hook and loop material at the first position and create a cut end. The cutting mechanism is configured to expose a length of hook and loop material and the cut end at the second position.