Authors:
Donald Wallace, Jared Schott
Abstract:
This Disclosure proposes enclosing a non-newtonian material inside of a semi-elastic material to act as a shock absorber for a bagging platen.
Background:
When an object is dropped on top of a floating bagging platen there is a tendency for the platen to rebound. When this occurs, it is possible for the platen to become unseated or create temporary gaps in which something could get caught when the platen returns. Currently mechanical features are added to restrict the motion of the platen during the rebound which prevent it from traveling out of its seated position. One drawback of these mechanical features is they require the user unlatch or otherwise detach these features in order to remove the platen for servicing rather than simply lifting the platen off the bagging station.
Description:
Commonly the platens rest on top of foam rubber pads to provide a small amount of compliance and ensure they sit flat without rocking in place. These pads could be replaced with the proposed shock absorbers which under normal conditions provide the same type of compliance. In the event of an object being dropped on the platen these pads could deaden the impact force which would reduce or eliminate any rebound effect.
TGCS Reference 2144
