Leather Coloring Machine with Removable Basin for Quick Color Changes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current machines for coloring leather and leatherette articles face long downtime due to complex maintenance, environmental impact from liquid waste, and inefficient color change processes, particularly when dealing with irregular shapes and small details.

Innovation Solution

A machine with a conical or frusto-conical coloring roller and a removable, washable basin system that allows for quick color changes and reduced environmental impact by converting liquid waste to solid, facilitating easier disposal and maintenance, along with adjustable height for ergonomic operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a fixed tray system is used for color collection, then the machine structure is simple, but the maintenance time is very long and productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine structureVSAvoidcoloring productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The tray system is divided into a fixed tray body and a removable basin. The basin can be easily detached from the tray body for quick cleaning and color changes, while the fixed tray body remains in place. This segmentation allows maintenance of only the necessary component (basin) without disassembling the entire machine, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the tray is permanently fixed to the colouring unit, then the machine structure is simple, but the cleaning time is very long and downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray installationVSAvoidmachine downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tray system is segmented into a fixed tray body and a removable basin. The basin can be quickly removed and cleaned separately from the tray body, reducing cleaning time significantly compared to cleaning the entire fixed assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The basin is designed with dynamic characteristics - it can be easily inserted and removed from the tray body. This dynamic design allows quick access to the basin for cleaning operations without requiring complete disassembly of the tray system, thereby reducing machine downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If liquid color waste is disposed of directly, then the disposal process is simple, but the environmental impact is remarkable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste disposalVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the waste from liquid to solid by allowing the color to dry in the basin. This transformation makes the waste easier to handle and dispose of while reducing environmental impact, as solid waste can be disposed of more easily than liquid waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful liquid waste into a beneficial solid form that can be easily disposed of. The drying process transforms the problematic liquid waste into a manageable solid residue, turning an environmental hazard into an easily disposable material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If all screws holding the tray are removed for washing, then the cleaning is thorough, but the maintenance operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning thoroughnessVSAvoidmaintenance operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tray system is segmented into a fixed tray body and a removable basin. Only the basin needs to be removed and cleaned, while the tray body remains fixed. This eliminates the need to remove all screws holding the entire tray assembly, simplifying maintenance operations while still achieving thorough cleaning of the color-contact surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 machine significantly reduces downtime, enhances cleaning efficiency, and minimizes environmental impact by allowing quick color changes and easy disposal of waste as solid, while adapting to various shapes and sizes with improved ergonomics.

Implementation Method 1

The colour is distributed on the surface of the colouring roller, falling by gravity from above

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

converting liquid waste to solid, facilitating easier disposal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3208349B1Machine for colouring miscellaneous articles of leather and imitation leather

Publication Date: 2019.04.03 GALLY SPA

Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b

AI summary

A machine for colouring miscellaneous articles of leather and leatherette comprises: a supporting frame (3) and a colouring unit (2), supported by the frame (3) and operated by a driving system (4), comprising a colouring head (5), adapted for applying a layer of liquid colour directly in contact with the article being processed, a tray (6) for collecting the colour adapted for containing the colour to be deposited in the article and a device (7) for transporting and dosing the colour on the colouring head. The colour collection tray (6), movable relative to the colouring head (5), comprises a basin (8), preferably disposable, insertable within the same.