Intermittent Powder Feeding Passage for Sheet Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional granular powder feeding devices are complex and prone to spills, making it difficult to handle the powder effectively, and intermittent feeding onto the upper surface of a sheet material is challenging, especially during the cutting process of granular powder-containing sheets used in disposable wearable goods.

Innovation Solution

A method and device featuring a feeding passage extending downward from the granular powder feeding hopper with an open-close mechanism that allows for intermittent and controlled feeding of the powder onto the sheet material, preventing spills and ensuring efficient handling by guiding the powder through a feeding passage that can be opened and closed using an intersecting open-close member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a roller-shaped transfer device with recessed portions is used to feed granular powder, then the powder can be transferred to container rooms, but the device becomes complicated and the powder is prone to spilling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowder transfer reliabilityVSAvoidfeeding device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the powder transfer function from the complex roller-shaped transfer device with recessed portions and implements it through a simplified feeding passage system. The feeding passage extends downward from the hopper outlet and可以直接 transfer powder to container rooms without requiring complex roller mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable powder transfer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The feeding passage is divided into multiple sections: a first feeding passage for continuous powder flow and a second feeding passage for intermittent powder discharge. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple structure while achieving controlled powder transfer to prevent spilling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If granular powder is continuously fed through recessed portions on a transfer device, then powder can be transported, but intermittent feeding onto sheet material becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowder feeding efficiencyVSAvoidintermittent feeding capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of powder feeding by providing an open-close mechanism that can switch the feeding passage between open and closed states. This allows the system to transition from continuous powder flow in the first feeding passage to intermittent discharge through the second feeding passage, enabling both continuous production and intermittent feeding onto sheet material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The feeding system is segmented into multiple passages with different functions: the first feeding passage handles continuous powder transport for productivity, while the second feeding passage enables intermittent discharge for adaptability. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between continuous feeding efficiency and intermittent feeding capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the feeding passage is opened and closed intermittently, then powder can be fed onto sheet material at controlled intervals, but powder may spill during the opening/closing process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintermittent feeding controlVSAvoidpowder spilling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a casing as an intermediary structure that encloses the feeding passage. The casing provides a contained environment for the open-close mechanism, preventing powder from spilling during opening and closing operations. The casing acts as a mediator between the intermittent feeding control mechanism and the external environment, isolating potential spillage within the enclosed structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution enables easy handling and prevents spills during the feeding process, allowing for seamless integration of the granular powder into container rooms on the sheet material, reducing wear and damage during cutting and ensuring efficient production of granular powder-containing sheets.

Implementation Method 1

a feeding passage (12) which extends downward from the outlet (26)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2939642B1Method and device for supplying powder
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 ZUIKO CORP
  • EP2939642B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2939642B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2939642B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a method for feeding a granular powder (6) from a granular powder feeding hopper (11) onto an upper surface of a sheet material (4). A feeding passage (12) is disposed so as to extend downward from an outlet (26) of the granular powder feeding hopper (11) so that the lower end of the feeding passage (12) faces the upper surface of the sheet material (4) moving beneath the feeding passage (12). The feeding passage (12) is opened and closed by the open-close means (13) so that the granular powder (6) is intermittently fed from the granular powder feeding hopper (11) onto the sheet material (4).