Patterned Retaining Device for Hygiene Strip Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in ensuring correct positioning and secure holding of retaining devices, such as hooks, on application areas like the 'comfort band' or 'landing zone' in hygiene contexts, due to doubts about proper alignment and concerns about unexpected detachment caused by low peel force.

Innovation Solution

A retaining device with a continuous base and protruding elements, featuring a pattern with alternating zones devoid of retaining elements and areas with retaining elements, designed to provide a visual and intuitive way for users to align the device correctly and ensure secure attachment through a peeling force with multiple peaks and valleys.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the retaining elements are uniformly distributed across the base, then the peel force is consistent, but the user cannot visually identify correct positioning and the device may detach unexpectedly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holdingVSAvoidcorrect positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies visual contrast through patterned zones by creating areas with different densities of retaining elements. The patterned zones with higher density of retaining elements create visual contrast that helps users identify correct positioning, while maintaining reliable attachment through controlled peel force characteristics with multiple peaks and valleys

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the base into different zones with distinct characteristics: patterned zones with high density of retaining elements for visual identification and secure holding, and devoid zones with no retaining elements for visual contrast and positioning guidance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between visual identification and secure holding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the peel force is high to prevent detachment, then security is improved, but the user experiences difficulty in separation and reduced perceived ease of use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevent detachmentVSAvoidseparation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the peel force to exhibit periodic characteristics with multiple peaks and valleys as the device is separated. The patterned zones create peaks in peel force for secure holding, while the devoid zones create valleys that provide periodic relief, making separation easier and more controllable. This periodic variation in peel force resolves the contradiction between preventing detachment and enabling easy separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Strength

If the retaining elements are densely packed to ensure secure attachment, then attachment strength is improved, but the visual pattern for positioning identification becomes less distinct

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidvisual pattern identification
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates local variations in retaining element density: patterned zones with high density for strong attachment, and devoid zones with zero density for visual contrast. This local differentiation allows both strong attachment where needed and clear visual patterns where identification is needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the base into distinct patterned zones and devoid zones. This segmentation allows the retaining elements to be concentrated in specific areas to maintain attachment strength while creating clear visual boundaries that aid positioning identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3743031B1Retaining device, and strip for a retaining device
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 APLIX SA
  • EP3743031B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1F
  • EP3743031B1 patent drawingFigure 1G~1O
  • EP3743031B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a retaining device (10) comprising a continuous base (12) that has an upper surface (12A) and a lower surface (12B) and extends in a longitudinal direction, and comprising a plurality of retaining elements (16) which extend from the upper surface (12A) of the base (12) and each of which includes a rod (18). The base (12) includes at least one area (20) without retaining elements such that the plurality of retaining elements (16) forms at least one design (14). The invention also relates to a strip for a retaining device.