Laminator Roller Anti-Jam Wire Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermal laminators often jam due to adhesive from lamination pouches adhering to rollers, especially when pouches are misfed or cut, leading to exposure of adhesive at the leading edge.

Innovation Solution

A non-jamming laminator assembly featuring rollers with circumferential slits and wires running through these slits from the entrance to the exit zone, preventing the pouch from wrapping around the rollers and minimizing adhesive contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If adhesive is exposed at the leading edge of the pouch (due to misfeeding or cutting), then the pouch can be processed, but the adhesive adheres to the roller causing jamming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetolerance to misfeeding and cuttingVSAvoidjamming prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wire acts as an intermediary physical barrier between the adhesive and the roller surface. When adhesive is exposed at the leading edge, the wire prevents direct contact between the adhesive and roller, thereby preventing jamming while allowing the pouch to continue through the laminator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wire is pre-installed on the roller surface before operation, creating a preventive barrier that is already in place to stop adhesive from adhering to the roller. This preliminary positioning ensures that even if adhesive is exposed, the prevention mechanism is already active

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If blades are used to prevent pouch wrapping around rollers, then jamming is prevented, but manufacturing alignment precision must be very high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejamming preventionVSAvoidblade alignment tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wire is a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily replaced if needed, unlike precision blades that require high manufacturing accuracy and careful alignment. The wire provides effective jamming prevention without the need for precise manufacturing tolerances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameter of the anti-jam feature from rigid blades requiring precise positioning to a flexible wire that can accommodate variations in positioning. The wire's flexibility allows it to maintain effectiveness even when not perfectly aligned, significantly reducing manufacturing precision requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8939186B2Non-jamming laminator assembly

Publication Date: 2015.01.27 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A laminator assembly (100) comprises an anti-jam feature comprising wire (104) running from the entrance zone (106) to the exit zone (108) of transfer passage through circumferential slits (110) in the rollers (112, 118) such that a lamination pouch is prevented from wrapping around the rollers (112, 118).