Adaptive Material Application System for Diverse Industries

Publication ID: 24-11857398_0002_PTD

Published: October 28, 2025

Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Material Application System for Diverse Industries,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857398_0002_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857398_0002_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,398.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A versatile system utilizing side shifting pucks to apply targeted segments of material to a moving web, enabling innovative solutions across various industries, including agriculture, athletics, environmental monitoring, and logistics.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed an apparatus for shaping and applying segments to a moving web with side shifting pucks, primarily focused on absorbent material applications. However, this inventive concept addresses the limitation of the original patent by exploring new industries and use cases, where the core technology can be adapted to tackle distinct challenges and opportunities.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises a mobile web of sensors, absorbent material segments, or customized tracking material, which are applied to the web using side shifting pucks. This enables targeted and efficient application of materials, facilitating precision agriculture, athletic performance tracking, environmental pollutant detection, and optimized supply chain logistics. The system's adaptability and versatility make it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce an inventive step by applying the core technology of side shifting pucks to entirely new industries and use cases, such as crop yield monitoring, athletic performance tracking, and environmental pollutant detection. The novelty lies in the recognition of the potential for this technology to be adapted and scaled for diverse applications, going beyond the original patent's scope.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include using different types of materials, such as conductive or biodegradable materials, or integrating the system with other technologies, like drones or autonomous vehicles, to further enhance its capabilities. Variations may also involve adjusting the puck design or web material to accommodate specific industry requirements.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The Adaptive Material Application System has significant commercial potential across various industries, including agriculture, sports technology, environmental monitoring, and logistics. The system's adaptability and versatility make it an attractive solution for companies seeking to innovate and improve their operations, with a potential market size in the billions of dollars.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A61	A61F13/15699
A	A61	A61F13/15707
A	A61	A61F13/15756
A	A61	A61F13/15764

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Materials processing and application technologies, specifically web-based material transfer systems with a focus on precision placement of discrete segments using mechanical transfer mechanisms

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An engineer with expertise in mechanical systems, web processing technologies, and material transfer mechanisms, possessing knowledge of precision placement techniques and understanding of modular mechanical design principles

Obviousness Rationale

A person having ordinary skill would recognize the fundamental transferability of the side shifting puck technology across different application domains, understanding that the core mechanical principles of precise segment placement can be adapted to various substrates and materials with predictable results. The source patent establishes a generalized mechanism for targeted material transfer that can be readily modified for different industrial contexts. The PTD's variations represent straightforward extensions of the core technological concept by applying the established mechanical transfer method to alternative substrates and sensing/tracking materials.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Transfer puck assemblies capable of translating between receiving and applying positions

PTD Variation

Applying puck transfer mechanism to agricultural sensor placement on crop monitoring webs

Obviousness Reasoning

Known technique of adapting precise mechanical transfer principles to different material substrates, with predictable results in sensor placement

Source Patent Element

Discrete part transfer mechanism using rotational and translational puck movements

PTD Variation

Using side shifting pucks to apply performance tracking sensors to athletic wearable materials

Obviousness Reasoning

Predictable variation applying established mechanical transfer technique to alternative material substrates with minimal design modification

Source Patent Element

Web-based material application system with modular transfer segments

PTD Variation

Implementing environmental pollutant detection by applying absorbent material segments using identical puck transfer mechanism

Obviousness Reasoning

Finite identified solution for precise material placement that can be easily adapted to different sensing and capture requirements

Source Patent Element

Puck assemblies configured for receiving and applying discrete material segments

PTD Variation

Logistics tracking material application using identical side shifting puck technology

Obviousness Reasoning

Known design adaptation demonstrating interchangeability of mechanical transfer principles across different industrial contexts

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857398's disclosure of a generalized web-based material transfer system utilizing side shifting pucks, the present publication demonstrates that variations involving alternative material substrates and application domains would be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in mechanical transfer and web processing technologies. The disclosed variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core technological principles, rendering obvious any subsequent claims attempting to monopolize these straightforward technological adaptations.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,398
Title	Apparatus for and method of shaping and applying a segment to a moving web with side shifting pucks
Assignee(s)	Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.