Polymeric Gasket Delivery Assembly for Adhesive-Free Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current production methods for professional bags and suitcases require adhesive materials for gasket fixation, increasing part counts, logistical and economic costs, and safety concerns, while also needing manual operator intervention.
Innovation Solution
A delivery assembly that automates the deposition of a polymeric gasket using a working head with a nozzle to dispense liquid polyurethane material, which expands to form a stable coupling with the seat, eliminating the need for adhesives and manual assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive material is used to fix the gasket, then the gasket is securely fixed in the perimetric slot, but the number of parts increases, logistical costs increase, and safety hazards arise from handling potentially dangerous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the polymeric material from solid (traditional gasket) to liquid (dispensable material). The liquid polymeric material is injected into the perimetric slot and then undergoes phase transition to solid, creating a secure fixation without requiring separate adhesive materials or complex assembly steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of polymeric material from liquid to solid state. The material is injected in liquid form to fill the perimetric slot and then transitions to solid form to provide secure mechanical fixation and sealing, eliminating the need for separate adhesive components
2Reliability
If manual operator intervention is used for assembling the gasket, then the process allows for quality control and adjustment, but the production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service through automated injection and phase transition. The polymeric material is automatically injected into the perimetric slot and self-fixes through phase transition from liquid to solid, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention while maintaining consistent quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical assembly with an automated injection system. The delivery assembly mechanically injects the polymeric material, and the phase transition process automatically secures the gasket without requiring manual positioning or attachment operations
3Reliability
If adhesive material is used for gasket fixation, then the gasket can be secured, but safety measures are required for storage and treatment of potentially dangerous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material form from hazardous adhesive (typically chemical-based) to polymeric material that can be injected in liquid form and solidified through phase transition. This eliminates or reduces the need for handling dangerous adhesive materials while achieving the same fixation result
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
This solution reduces production costs, eliminates safety hazards, and allows for easy adaptation to various product formats, ensuring high reliability and low-cost, adhesive-free assembly of gaskets in containers.
Implementation Method 1
the polymeric material is selected among those for which an increase in volume occurs upon phase transition from liquid to solid: after depositing such gasket in the liquid state in the seat 2, it is sufficient to wait for such phase transition to obtain a solid expanded gasket
Implementation Method 2
an increase in volume occurs upon phase transition from liquid to solid
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A delivery assembly (1) for depositing a gasket made of polymeric material within a seat (2) having a predefined shape provided within a product (3), which comprises at least one working head (4) provided with a nozzle (5) for dispensing the polymeric material substantially in the liquid state. An increase in volume is associated with the polymeric material at the phase transition from liquid to solid; the expanded gasket, due to the increase in volume, defines by interference a stable coupling with the seat (2).