Metal Fastener Stringer With Water-Soluble Thread for Easy Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide fasteners with metal elements lack recyclability and require special equipment or excessive force for separation, limiting their versatility and recyclability.
Innovation Solution
A fastener stringer using a water-soluble thread in the fastener tape, allowing easy separation of metal elements by dissolving the thread without special equipment, and configuring the fastener tape to separate into multiple parts for improved recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic energy is irradiated to decompose the textile product, then the textile product can be decomposed, but it requires special irradiation equipment and time-consuming disassembly work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic irradiation system with a chemical dissolution approach. Instead of using radio waves or microwaves to decompose the textile product, a water-soluble thread is used that can be dissolved by simple water exposure, eliminating the need for complex irradiation equipment while achieving decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the thread from conventional water-insoluble thread to water-soluble thread. This parameter change allows the thread to be dissolved by water, transforming the decomposition process from requiring electromagnetic energy to requiring only water exposure, thereby simplifying the equipment needed.
2Ease of operation
If the slide fastener is designed with a fragile portion to separate by applying external force, then the slide fastener can be separated without special equipment, but the slide fastener lacks sufficient strength and versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fastener tape into different functional portions: a water-soluble thread portion that can be dissolved for easy separation, and a non-water-soluble main body portion that maintains sufficient strength for normal use. This segmentation allows the fastener to be easily separated when needed while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making only the specific thread portion water-soluble while keeping the rest of the fastener tape with conventional material properties. This localized change in material property allows easy separation at the thread level without compromising the overall strength and versatility of the fastener system.
3Strength
If conventional thread is used in the fastener tape, then the fastener tape has sufficient strength, but the metal elements cannot be easily separated without special equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thread into water-soluble and non-water-soluble portions. The water-soluble portion enables easy separation of metal elements by dissolution, while the non-water-soluble portion maintains the structural strength needed for normal fastener operation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between strength and ease of separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making only the specific thread portion water-soluble while keeping the rest of the fastener tape with conventional material properties. This localized change in material property allows easy separation at the thread level without compromising the overall strength and versatility of the fastener system.
4Ease of operation
If the fastener tape is made entirely of water-soluble material, then the metal elements can be easily separated, but the fastener tape lacks durability and recyclability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fastener tape into water-soluble thread portions and non-water-soluble main body portions. The water-soluble portions enable easy separation of metal elements, while the non-water-soluble main body provides durability and can be recycled. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between ease of separation and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making only the specific thread portion water-soluble while keeping the rest of the fastener tape with conventional material properties. This localized change in material property allows easy separation at the thread level without compromising the overall strength and versatility of the fastener system.
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
Enables easy separation of metal elements from the fastener tape with simple dissolution, increasing the recyclable portion of the fastener tape and reducing impurities for improved recycling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
by dissolving the water-soluble thread an attachment strength of the row of metal elements is reduced and/or the fastener tape separates into at least two parts starting from the water-soluble thread
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener stringer includes a fastener tape having a first side edge and a second side edge opposite to the first side edge, and a row of metal elements attached along the first side edge; wherein a water-soluble thread is used in a portion of the fastener tape that is closer to the first side edge than a center line C of the fastener tape, and the fastener stringer is configured such that by dissolving the water-soluble thread, an attachment strength of the row of metal elements is reduced and/or the fastener tape separates into at least two parts starting from the water-soluble thread.