Solid Adhesive Strip Application and Recovery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adhesive application methods in industries like coatings, leather goods, and footwear face issues such as environmental harm, waste generation, and health risks due to volatile solvents, and inefficiencies in substrate and adhesive reuse.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a conveyor belt system with an anti-adhesive surface to support and move articles, apply adhesive from a substrate strip, separate and recover residual adhesive, and reuse the substrate for protection, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid carrier-based adhesive is applied to articles, then the adhesive can be easily spread and applied, but harmful volatile substances are dispersed into the environment causing health and environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the adhesive from liquid to solid form. The adhesive is applied as a solid strip that is later melted in place, eliminating the need for liquid carriers and volatile solvents while maintaining ease of application through the melting process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the chemical delivery system (liquid carrier evaporation) with a thermal system. The adhesive strip is melted using heat from the article itself or external heating, substituting the chemical volatilization mechanism with a thermal melting process that eliminates harmful emissions
2Ease of operation
If liquid carrier-based adhesive is applied to articles, then the adhesive can be dispersed and spread, but the liquid carrier causes discolorations and defects on the article surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is transformed from liquid to solid state, applied as a solid strip that melts in place. This eliminates liquid carrier absorption into the article surface, preventing discolorations and stains while maintaining effective adhesive application
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful liquid carrier component is completely extracted from the adhesive system. The adhesive is applied in pure solid form without any liquid dispersant, eliminating the source of surface discolorations and defects
3Object-affected harmful factors
If transfer technique with substrate is used to apply adhesive, then harmful solvent dispersion is reduced, but adhesive material and substrate are wasted requiring expensive disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The article itself serves as the heating source to melt the adhesive strip in place. The adhesive melts due to heat from the article surface, eliminating the need for separate heating equipment and enabling automatic application without waste
Solution Approach 2:
The invention eliminates substrate waste by applying the adhesive directly as a meltable strip that fuses to the article. Any excess adhesive remains on the article surface where it belongs, and the process requires no substrate removal or disposal
4Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesive strip is melted in place on the article, then harmful solvent dispersion is eliminated, but the article must provide sufficient heat which may not always be available
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive strip is pre-positioned on the article surface before melting. This allows the heating process to be concentrated and efficient, utilizing the article's existing heat or brief external heating to melt only the adhesive in its exact application location
Solution Approach 2:
The heating and melting process is localized to the specific area where the adhesive strip is applied. Only the adhesive region requires elevated temperature, not the entire article, making the process energy-efficient and adaptable to articles with varying thermal properties
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 system efficiently applies adhesive, recovers and reuses residual material, minimizes waste, and ensures operator safety while reducing environmental harm, enhancing productivity and substrate reuse.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device to melt the adhesive material in the zone where the article is not in contact with the substrate
Implementation Method 2
Subsequently the liquid carrier tends to evaporate and dry, and can be dispersed in the environment, or absorbed by the article itself
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Apparatus to apply an adhesive (14) on articles (12), it comprises a support and movement member (20), configured to support the articles (12) and make them move forward in a direction of movement (M), a delivery device (24) to deliver a substrate (26) in the form of a strip, which is provided on one surface with said adhesive (14) and an applicator device (28) configured to apply part of the adhesive (14) present on the substrate (26) onto the articles (12).