Material Splicing Fin Structure for Tension Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing method for splicing materials in absorbent articles results in material fluttering and tension variations due to impact when the bonded portion reaches the moving roll.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the formation of a fin-like portion upstream from the bonded area by cutting the preceding material, ensuring the total length of the bonded and stacking portions exceeds the path length from the downstream end of one winding portion to the upstream end of another, while maintaining the moving roll at a reference position to stabilize the material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the leading end portion of the subsequent material is bonded with the preceding material to form a bonded portion, then material splicing is achieved, but the material is impacted when the bonded portion reaches the moving roll, causing fluttering and tension variation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial splicing continuityVSAvoidmaterial tension stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The fin-like portion is formed upstream from the bonded portion before the material reaches the moving roll. This preliminary structural modification allows the material to gradually transition from a single-layer to a double-layer structure, preventing sudden impact and fluttering when the bonded portion reaches the moving roll, thereby maintaining material tension stability during splicing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The material transition zone is segmented into distinct portions: the bonded portion where splicing occurs, the fin-like portion upstream that gradually increases layer thickness, and the stacking portion downstream. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function - the fin-like portion acts as a buffer zone that gradually absorbs the transition, preventing sudden tension changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the total length of the bonded portion and stacking portion is made larger than the path length from the downstream end of one winding portion to the upstream end of another winding portion, then material stability is improved, but the cutting position must be precisely controlled upstream

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial stability during transportVSAvoidcutting position precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fin-like portion is created by cutting the preceding material at a predetermined position upstream from the bonded portion. This preliminary cutting action establishes the correct length relationship between the bonded portion, stacking portion, and the path length between winding portions, ensuring material stability is achieved through pre-planned dimensional design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention specifies a precise parameter relationship: the total length of the bonded portion and stacking portion must be larger than the path length from the downstream end of one winding portion to the upstream end of another winding portion. This parameter control ensures that the material maintains appropriate tension and stability throughout the transport path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3424853B1Material splicing method, and material supply device
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 UNI CHARM CORP
  • EP3424853B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3424853B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3424853B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A method for splicing a material associated with an absorbent article, including: transporting the material in a direction of transport with a material wound around an entrance roll (41u) and a moving roll (41m) of a dancer unit (40); splicing a subsequent material (3f) with a preceding material (3a) which is a material being transported, by bonding a leading end portion of the subsequent material with the preceding material; and cutting the preceding material so that the total length of a bonded portion (3j) and an stacking portion (3d) is larger than a path length of the material from a downstream end (P3) of a winding portion of the material that is wound around the entrance roll to an upstream end (P4) of another winding portion of the material that is wound around the moving roll positioned at a reference position.