Shape Memory Adhesive Apparel Disassembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The apparel industry faces challenges in recycling clothing due to the difficulty in disassembling components made from mixed materials, as they are often joined by permanent methods like sewing, making manual or automatic separation time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

The use of a reversible adhesive with shape memory materials that can be separated by exposing it to heat or electromagnetic energy, allowing for easy disassembly of apparel products without damaging the materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If components are joined by permanent methods like sewing, then the structural integrity and durability of the apparel product is improved, but the ease of disassembly and recycling is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of disassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive's bonding properties are changed by altering temperature or pH parameters. During assembly, the adhesive is applied in an active state to bond components. During disassembly, temperature is increased or pH is changed to deactivate the adhesive, allowing easy separation of components while maintaining structural integrity during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive transitions from a static permanent bond to a dynamic reversible bond. The adhesive can switch between bonded and debonded states based on environmental conditions (temperature, pH), enabling the apparel product to maintain strength during wear but allow easy disassembly when needed for recycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If components are joined by permanent methods, then the reliability of the apparel product during use is improved, but the productivity of recycling operations is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability during useVSAvoidrecycling speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive's bonding state is controlled by parameter changes. During the apparel product's use phase, the adhesive maintains reliable bonding at normal temperatures and pH levels. During recycling, temperature or pH parameters are changed to rapidly deactivate the adhesive, enabling high-speed automated separation of components without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The permanent mechanical bonding (sewing) is replaced with a chemical bonding system that can be remotely deactivated. This substitution allows for non-contact, automated disassembly processes during recycling, dramatically increasing processing speed and productivity compared to manual separation methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual separation is used to maintain material integrity, then the purity of recycled materials is improved, but the cost and time required for disassembly is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial integrityVSAvoiddisassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is designed to respond to specific parameter changes (temperature, pH) that trigger controlled deactivation. This allows for rapid, automated disassembly processes that separate components without physical damage, maintaining material integrity while reducing disassembly time from hours of manual work to minutes of automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical separation is replaced with a controlled chemical process. The adhesive's response to parameter changes enables automated systems to separate components cleanly without the physical stress and time requirements of manual separation, preserving material quality while dramatically reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 method enables efficient and cost-effective disassembly of apparel products, allowing for the recycling of components while maintaining their integrity, facilitating the recycling process on a larger scale.

Implementation Method 1

The adhesive includes a shape memory material. The method includes exposing an adhesive of the apparel product to heat or electromagnetic energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory material response to heat: Shape Memory Polymer

Implementation Method 2

exposing an adhesive comprising a shape memory material to an electromagnetic energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11692111B1Methods of disassembling apparel products having shape memory adhesives

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 CREATEME TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Embodiments provide methods of disassembling an apparel product. The methods include exposing an adhesive of the apparel product to heat or electromagnetic energy. The adhesive is disposed at least partially disposed between a major component and a minor component of the apparel product. The adhesive includes a shape memory material. The major component forms a base portion of the apparel product and is configured to be supported and worn at least partially over a portion of a wearer. The minor component forms a secondary portion configured to be coupled to the major component with the adhesive. The methods include separating the major component from the minor component adjoined by the adhesive.