Machine and plant for applying polymeric material to a manufactured tubular article
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for applying polymeric material to tubular articles, such as stockings, often result in non-slip strips with gaps that reduce adherence and poor adhesion to the skin, leading to comfort and aesthetic issues, while also being inefficient and lacking in repeatability.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a curved head and movement systems that apply polyurethane or silicone as a continuous strip, ensuring full contact and adherence by rotating the support to align applications, creating a seamless non-slip strip without gaps, and an automated system for efficient and high-quality production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the textile article is laid out flat and polyurethane is applied by a heated head pressing the belt against the article, then the polymeric material can be transferred to the textile article, but the resulting non-slip strips have gaps that reduce adherence capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The support for the manufactured tubular article is given a curved, cylindrical shape that matches the natural form of the article (e.g., stocking). This curvature allows the polymeric material to be applied continuously around the entire circumference of the article without creating gaps, as the material follows the curved surface seamlessly from one end to the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine is designed to apply the polymeric material in a continuous operation around the entire circumference of the tubular article. The support rotates or moves to allow the application head to traverse the full surface, ensuring uninterrupted coverage and eliminating the need for separate applications that would create gaps.
2Reliability
If the support belt with polyurethane is wound about the textile article with hot air flow to melt and transfer the material, then the material can be transferred, but the strips offer poor adhesion to the fabric due to lack of pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function and pressing function are combined into a single integrated application head. The head simultaneously melts the polymeric material through heating elements and applies pressure through its weight and mechanical design, ensuring both transfer and strong adhesion to the fabric in one operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support belt serves as an intermediary carrier that holds the polymeric material in a controlled manner. The material is applied to the belt in a precise pattern, and the belt's movement and positioning ensure consistent contact pressure and heat transfer to the fabric, achieving reliable adhesion.
3Productivity
If manual or semi-automated machines are used for applying polymeric material, then the process can be performed, but the production speed is limited and repeatability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is designed with automatic feeding, positioning, and application mechanisms that operate without continuous manual intervention. The support for the tubular article is automatically positioned and rotated, the polymeric material is automatically applied from the support belt, and the process parameters are automatically controlled, enabling high-speed continuous operation with consistent repeatability.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine incorporates control systems that monitor and adjust application parameters such as heating temperature, pressure, and material application rate. This feedback control ensures consistent quality across all articles while maintaining high production speed, as deviations are automatically corrected in real-time.
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 solution ensures strong, continuous non-slip strips that maintain adherence to the skin, increases production efficiency, and maintains a high quality standard across all treated articles, overcoming previous inefficiencies and adherence issues.
Implementation Method 1
a head (7) configured to melt said polymeric material (9') so as to enable its detachment from said belt (8) and its application on said manufactured tubular article (9)
Implementation Method 2
When said head (7) takes on said position of adjacency, at least a fraction of the section of said belt (8) interposed between said support (3) and said head (7) is pressed by said work surface (7S) of said head (7) against said external surface (3S) of said support (3)
Data Source
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AI summary
The object of the present invention is a machine (1) for applying polymeric material (9') to a manufactured tubular article (9), the polymeric material (9') being inserted in the machine (1) as an application on a support belt (8). The machine (1) comprises a support (3) for the manufactured tubular article (9), a head (7), a first movement system and a second movement system. The head (7) is configured to melt the polymeric material (9') so as to enable the application thereof on the manufactured tubular article (9) and it comprises a work surface (7S), the geometry of which is compatible with the geometry of the external surface (3S) of the support (3). The first movement system is suitable for moving the head (7), so that the head (7) can take on a position for detachment from the support (3) and a position of adjacency to the support (3). The second movement system is suitable for moving the belt (8) along a predetermined path that comprises a section interposed between the support (3) and the head (7). According to the invention, the work surface (7S) of the head (7) is a curved surface. The object of the present invention is also a plant (100) comprising a plurality of machines (1) for applying polymeric material (9') to a manufactured tubular article (9).