Method and system for making pillows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for making pillows using mixed processing waste cuttings result in non-uniform padding, making it impossible to predict the bearing capacity and softness of the final product, leading to inconsistent mechanical properties across production batches.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that involves shredding and separately storing different materials like foam rubber, polyester, and polyurethane to maintain their unique characteristics, followed by precise mixing in predetermined proportions to achieve consistent mechanical properties, using an automatic mixing device and control system to ensure reproducibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If processing waste cuttings of different materials are collected and shredded together in a single container, then production costs are reduced and sustainability is improved, but the resulting padding mixture becomes non-uniform and cannot predict bearing capacity and softness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction cost and sustainabilityVSAvoiduniformity and predictability of padding characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the padding production process into separate stages: different materials are shredded separately in individual containers rather than mixed together, then each shredded material is stored in separate containment volumes. This segmentation allows precise control over the composition and characteristics of the final padding mixture, resolving the contradiction between cost-effectiveness and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a multiplicity of different materials are shredded together to create padding, then production efficiency is improved, but constant mechanical properties cannot be obtained for each pillow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidconsistency of mechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by shredding each material separately before mixing, and by pre-storing each shredded material in dedicated containment volumes. This preliminary separation ensures that when materials are later combined, the mechanical properties of each component are preserved and可控, allowing consistent and predictable pillow characteristics across production batches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If mixed waste cuttings are used as padding material, then resource utilization is improved, but it is impossible to determine beforehand the bearing capacity and softness of the pillow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidpredictability of pillow characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by implementing a controlled mixing process where predetermined quantities of each shredded material are combined based on specific proportions. This feedback mechanism ensures that the final padding mixture has predictable and controllable characteristics, allowing the bearing capacity and softness to be determined beforehand, while still utilizing diverse waste materials effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3628638B1Method and system for making pillows
Publication Date: 2023.02.01 MATERASSIFICIO MONTALESE
  • EP3628638B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Described is a method for making padded items, preferably pillows, comprising the steps of: preparing a plurality of materials suitable for being used as padding material; shredding (2) the plurality of materials, separately from each other, to obtain a plurality padding materials; mixing (4) at least two padding materials of the plurality of padding materials according to predetermined proportions to obtain a padding of the padded item; filling (6) a containment body, preferably a lining, with the padding to obtain the padded item; packaging (7) the padded item inside a wrapper.