Movable Supply Reel Cartridge for Variable Foil Film Widths

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foil transfer devices require multiple cartridges to accommodate different foil film widths, reducing user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A foil transfer film cartridge with a supply shaft that allows the supply reel to move in the widthwise direction between two positions, enabling the same cartridge to accommodate different foil film widths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of cartridges are manufactured according to desired widthwise positions of the foil film, then the foil transfer device can accommodate different foil film widths, but the number of cartridges a user possesses increases and user convenience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different foil film widthsVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge is designed with a movable supply reel that can be positioned at multiple widthwise locations along the supply shaft, allowing a single universal cartridge design to accommodate different foil film widths. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized cartridges while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The supply reel is configured to move between a first position and a second position (and potentially intermediate positions) along the supply shaft. This dynamic positioning capability allows the cartridge to adapt to different foil film widths within a single cartridge, improving user convenience while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a single cartridge design is used for all foil film widths, then user convenience is improved, but the ability to accommodate different widthwise positions of the foil film is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidaccommodation of different foil film widths

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The supply reel is designed with movable support structures that allow it to be repositioned along the supply shaft to different widthwise locations. This dynamic adjustment capability enables a single cartridge design to maintain adaptability for different foil film widths while preserving user convenience through standardized cartridge form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge structure is segmented to allow independent movement of the supply reel relative to the housing. The supply reel can be detached and reattached at different positions along the supply shaft, enabling flexible adaptation to different foil film widths while maintaining a unified cartridge design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12577070B2Foil transfer film cartridge and foil transfer device

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A foil transfer film cartridge includes a supply reel on which a foil film having a widthwise dimension of a first width is wound, and a supply shaft longer in a widthwise direction of the foil film than the first width. The supply shaft is configured to support the supply reel in a manner that allows the supply reel to move in the widthwise direction between a first position and a second position different from the first position.