Waterproof Slide Fastener Interconnection Sheet with Exposed Securement Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of waterproof slide fasteners involves costly processes, particularly the perforation step required after lamination to form holes for injection molding, which increases costs due to the closure of holes by the sheet member during the lamination process.

Innovation Solution

The waterproof slide fastener design includes securement holes on the tapes with at least one second securement hole exposed by the interconnection sheet, allowing the rear stop to fill it, thereby reducing or omitting the perforation process for injection molding, and featuring a configuration where the interconnection sheet is formed to prevent closure of these holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the interconnection sheet is laminated onto the fastener tapes to join the left and right fastener tapes, then the joining strength and waterproof integrity are improved, but the securement holes are closed by the sheet member requiring an additional perforation process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoining strengthVSAvoidnumber of production processes

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interconnection sheet is designed with pre-formed openings at the securement hole positions before the lamination process. This preliminary configuration of openings in the sheet allows the injection molding material to flow through during the rear stop formation process, eliminating the need for subsequent perforation operations while maintaining the sheet's joining and waterproofing functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the interconnection sheet is laminated onto the fastener tapes, then the waterproof integrity is improved, but the securement holes are closed requiring costly perforation process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The interconnection sheet is manufactured with pre-formed openings at the securement hole positions before lamination. This preliminary configuration maintains waterproof integrity through the sheet's structure while allowing injection molding material to pass through during rear stop formation, eliminating costly post-lamination perforation processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-formed openings in the interconnection sheet act as intermediaries that allow the injection molding material to flow through the sheet during the rear stop formation process. This mediator approach enables the sheet to maintain its waterproofing function while facilitating the necessary material flow for component formation, avoiding additional perforation costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If through-holes are formed for fastener elements and then sheet member is laminated, then the fastener elements can be formed, but the holes are closed by the sheet member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehole position accuracyVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The interconnection sheet is designed with pre-formed openings at the exact securement hole positions before lamination onto the fastener tapes. This preliminary configuration ensures precise hole position accuracy is maintained while allowing injection molding material to flow through during rear stop formation, eliminating the need for additional perforation operations and improving production efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design reduces the number of through-holes needed for injection molding, thereby lowering production costs and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining waterproof integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a process of perforation would be required after the process of lamination to form a hole so as to allow melted plastic to flow between the upper and lower cavities for injection molding of rear stop

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInjection molding:

Data Source

PatentUS20230397701A1Waterproof slide fastener and method of producing the same

Publication Date: 2023.12.14 YKK CORP

AI summary

An interconnection sheet is arranged which is separate to a rear stop. At least one second securement hole in at least one of left and right waterproof tapes is not covered by the interconnection sheet, and a rear stop is arranged to fill the at least one second securement hole.