Sealing machine for textile articles of manufacture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sealing machines for textile articles face difficulties in processing articles with complex geometries and tortuous paths, as they require reduced feed speeds, leading to decreased productivity and compromised tape application quality due to overheating and cooling issues.

Innovation Solution

The use of conveyor rollers with diameters smaller than 20 mm allows for improved handling and efficient sealing along tortuous paths and close-radius curves by reducing the retaining action on the article, facilitating faster processing without compromising quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conveyor rollers with larger diameters are used, then the retaining action on the article is increased, but the ability to handle tortuous paths and close-radius curves is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretaining actionVSAvoidhandling of tortuous paths
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by reducing the diameter of the conveyor rollers from conventional sizes (typically 50-100 mm) to less than 20 mm. This parameter modification reduces the retaining action force while improving the ability to navigate tortuous paths and close-radius curves, directly resolving the technical contradiction between retaining force and ease of operation on complex geometries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If feed speed is reduced for tortuous paths, then tape application quality is improved, but productivity is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetape application qualityVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the parameter of roller diameter, which fundamentally alters the dynamics of tape application. The smaller rollers enable high-speed processing while maintaining tape quality by reducing the retaining action that causes overheating and cooling issues, allowing both high productivity and manufacturing precision to be achieved simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If feed speed is reduced for tortuous paths, then overheating is mitigated, but tape cooling excessively before reaching rollers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetape temperature controlVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by reducing roller diameter, which shortens the residence time of the tape in the heating zone and reduces the retaining action. This allows faster feed speeds to be used while maintaining optimal tape temperature, preventing both overheating and excessive cooling, and resolving the contradiction between temperature control and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables rapid and optimal sealing along complex paths and curves, enhancing productivity and maintaining tape quality by minimizing overheating and cooling, thus allowing for effective application of heat-sealable tapes on articles with intricate geometries.

Implementation Method 1

the heating unit directs the flow of hot air on the tape near the guide, next to the area in which the tape itself and the article of manufacture, mutually coupled, are inserted between the conveyor rollers. The subsequent heating determines the activation of the heatfix agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3261472B1Sealing machine for textile articles of manufacture
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 FRAMIS ITAL
  • EP3261472B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3261472B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In a sealing machine for textile articles of manufacture, a conveying group (5) comprising a first conveyor member (6) cooperating with a second conveyor member (7) for translating an article of manufacture ("M") being processed according to a predetermined feed direction ("A"). The first conveyor member (6) comprises a first roller (6) acting on the article of manufacture ("M") being processed by means of a dragging surface (6a, 7a) having a diameter ("d") of less than 20 mm. The first roller (6) is rotatably engaged to one end (8a) of an arm (8) overhanging from a fixed structure, according to a rotation axis ("Xi") parallel to a longitudinal development direction of the arm (8). The dragging surface (6a) of the first conveyor roller (6) has a diameter ("d") smaller than, of preferably less than ½, diametrical dimension ("E") of the arm (8) at said end (8a).