Inverted Strip Applicator for Mess-Free Refilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing jointing tape applicators are bulky, difficult to handle, and require complex connections to pumps, making them expensive, fragile, and requiring regular maintenance. Additionally, refilling these applicators is messy and requires significant know-how, especially for novice users.

Innovation Solution

A jointing tape applicator designed to be filled upside down, where the lower wall is at the top and the upper wall is at the bottom, allowing for easy and mess-free refilling using gravity, a syringe, or a pump without the need for a sealed connection to a pump. This design ensures automatic and correct positioning of the strip within the reservoir.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the applicator is filled manually with the tank in normal position, then access to the interior is possible, but the strip positioning becomes difficult and messy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to interiorVSAvoidstrip positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tank is designed to be filled in an inverted position with the bottom wall upward. This inversion allows the strip to be automatically positioned against the front, rear and top walls by the weight of the coating material being filled, eliminating the need for manual positioning and preventing mess during the filling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Use of energy by stationary object

If the applicator is connected to a pump throughout use, then coating supply is continuous, but the applicator becomes bulky and difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating supplyVSAvoidhandling

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pump connection is extracted from the applicator design entirely. Instead of requiring a continuous pump connection, the applicator is designed to be filled once with coating material stored in the tank, allowing the user to carry and use the applicator independently without hoses or pump connections, significantly improving handling ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If a removable side cover is used for filling, then access to the tank interior is possible, but the filling operation becomes messy and requires know-how

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to tankVSAvoidfilling operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filling operation is inverted by positioning the tank upside down during filling. The bottom wall with its central orifice becomes the top opening for filling. This inversion, combined with the automatic strip positioning effect, makes the filling operation simple and clean, requiring no special know-how.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-positioning of the strip during filling. The weight of the coating material automatically pushes the strip into the correct position against the walls, eliminating the need for manual intervention or special techniques by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If the applicator is designed with complex pump connection, then coating supply is reliable, but the design becomes fragile and requires maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating supplyVSAvoidpump connection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex pump connection system is completely removed from the applicator design. The applicator is designed as a standalone unit that is filled and then used without any connections to external pumping equipment, eliminating fragility and maintenance requirements while maintaining reliable coating supply through the stored material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The upside-down filling method allows for quick, easy, and mess-free refilling of the applicator, reducing the risk of soiling and ensuring optimal positioning of the strip, making the applicator lightweight, easy to handle, and simple to maintain.

Implementation Method 1

it is driven by the weight of the coating which prevents twisting of the strip during filling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3976904B1Strip applicator with automated strip arrangement during the filling operation and method for filling such an applicator

Publication Date: 2025.05.28 EDMA

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AI summary

The invention relates to a strip applicator (1) for ensuring the joint between two plaster boards. The applicator comprises a coating container (4) wherein a strip unwinds in use, the container having a rear wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a top wall and two side walls, one of which forms a removable side cover for accessing the inside of the container. According to the invention, the lower wall comprises an opening (14) provided with a removable plug (15) for accessing the inside of the container, the opening being directed towards the upper wall of the container.