Pleated Window Insulation Apparatus with Controlled Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for insulating windows and patio doors using transparent plastic sheets are difficult to maneuver and apply, especially for unskilled homeowners, as the sheets tend to elongate and complicate the process of securing them to the molding.
Innovation Solution
A transparent plastic sheet is folded into pleats and wound around a cylindrical core with an adhesive on the top edge, housed in a tubular device that allows controlled unwinding and cutting, facilitating easy application and securing to window or patio door molding with the aid of adhesive tape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large transparent plastic sheet is used to insulate windows, then insulation coverage is improved, but handling and positioning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The large transparent plastic sheet is divided into multiple smaller panels that are connected by hinges, allowing the insulation covering to be segmented into manageable sections that can be easily handled and positioned while still providing complete window coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation sheet is transformed from a flat 2D sheet into a 3D accordion-pleated structure that can be compactly stored and easily maneuvered, then expanded to cover the full window area when installed
2Reliability
If adhesive tape is used to secure the sheet to molding, then sheet attachment is improved, but application complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Adhesive tape is pre-applied to the back of each insulated panel before installation, eliminating the need for separate taping operations during application and reducing overall application complexity while maintaining reliable attachment to the molding
Solution Approach 2:
The panels are designed to be self-adhering with pre-applied tape, allowing the insulation system to attach itself to the molding without requiring additional tools or complex securing procedures
3Volume of moving object
If the sheet is rolled for storage and transport, then compactness is improved, but sheet elongation and manipulation difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The rolled sheet is segmented into multiple rigid or semi-rigid panels connected by hinges, which prevents elongation when stored and transported while maintaining ease of manipulation during installation by allowing each panel to be handled separately
Data Source
AI summary
A window insulation apparatus includes a cylindrical core having opposite top and bottom ends. A plastic sheet has opposite top and bottom ends and is pleated along parallel fold lines that extend parallel to the top end of the sheet to form a folded sheet. Adhesive is applied adjacent the top end of the sheet. The folded sheet is wound around the cylindrical core so that the top end of the folded sheet is near the top end of the cylindrical core. A housing receives the core and the sheet wound on the core. The housing includes an elongate opening from which the sheet can be unwound. A cutting assembly is mounted to the housing substantially adjacent the elongate opening and can be moved parallel to the opening for cutting the sheet that has been dispensed from the opening.