Slider Insertion Apparatus Rotor Wedge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing and production of resealable zippers with slider devices are costly and time-consuming, requiring an apparatus that can automatically insert sliders at a rate compatible with bag-making machines without being expensive or complex to maintain.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus featuring a rotor with slider-engaging shoulders and an insertion wedge, along with a zipper guide member and guide finger, automatically moves and mounts sliders onto recloseable plastic zipper closures using a rotating mechanism, allowing for efficient and cost-effective slider placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual slider insertion is used, then the apparatus is simple and low-cost, but the production rate is slow and cannot keep up with bag-making machines
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus employs a rotating rotor mechanism that dynamically positions and pushes sliders onto moving zipper closures. The rotor rotates to bring sliders into engagement with the zipper, enabling automated high-speed insertion that keeps pace with bag-making machine production rates.
Solution Approach 2:
An insertion wedge is introduced as an intermediary component between the rotor and the slider. The wedge pushes the slider onto the zipper closure by converting rotational motion into linear pushing force, facilitating smooth and reliable slider mounting without direct complex mechanical interaction.
2Productivity
If complex automated insertion mechanisms are used, then the slider insertion rate increases, but the maintenance cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into distinct functional segments: a rotor for holding and rotating sliders, an insertion wedge for pushing sliders onto the zipper, guide members for alignment, and a collection container for used sliders. This segmentation allows each component to be simple, independent, and easy to maintain or replace individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor automatically returns sliders to the insertion position through its rotation, and the insertion wedge self-positions itself to push each slider. The guide members continuously align the slider with the zipper without requiring external adjustment, reducing maintenance needs.
3Productivity
If the rotor rotates at high speed, then the production rate increases, but the slider may lift away from the zipper closure
Solution Approach 1:
A guide finger acts as an intermediary constraint that prevents the slider from lifting away from the zipper closure during rotor rotation. The guide finger contacts the slider and maintains downward pressure, ensuring reliable engagement while the rotor operates at high speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member and guide finger are positioned in advance to engage the slider before the rotor completes its rotation. This preliminary positioning and constraining action ensures the slider remains properly engaged with the zipper closure throughout the high-speed rotational process.
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 apparatus enables high-speed, cost-effective, and efficient mounting of sliders onto zipper closures, improving production rates while minimizing maintenance costs and eliminating the need for complex mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The insertion wedge has a leading edge and a trailing edge and increases in thickness from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The insertion wedge is sized to slidably accommodate a slider for mounting onto a zipper closure.
Implementation Method 2
A rotor having an outer periphery and at least one slider-engaging shoulder extending from the outer periphery... automatically moves and mounts sliders onto recloseable plastic zipper closures using a rotating mechanism
Implementation Method 3
A guide finger is adjacent to the trailing edge of the insertion wedge and is constructed and arranged to prevent a slider from lifting away from a zipper closure as the rotor rotates.
Implementation Method 4
The loading rack is sized to hold one or more sliders before exiting by gravity through the exit aperture and into the insertion pocket.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for operably mounting a slider onto a recloseable plastic zipper closure includes a rotor having at least one slider-engaging shoulder; an insertion wedge adjacent to the rotor and sized to slidably accommodate the slider for mounting onto a zipper closure; and a zipper guide member adjacent to the rotor and adjacent to the insertion wedge for guiding and holding a zipper closure while the slider is mounted thereon. The insertion wedge will have a leading edge and a trailing edge and increase in thickness from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The apparatus can be vertically oriented or horizontally oriented.