Adhesive Bond Testing Device for Container Articles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Containers without enclosures, where articles are directly connected by adhesives, are prone to unintentional separation during handling, leading to costly downtime and potential total loss, especially when palletized or during strapping processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for checking the adhesive bonds between articles in a bundle by applying forces in opposite directions to simulate normal handling stresses, using sensors to monitor reactions and determine bond strength before and after enclosure application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If articles are directly connected by adhesive bonds without enclosures, then productivity and ease of manufacture are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintentional separation during handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidbond stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing adhesive bond testing immediately after bonding articles together, before the adhesive has fully cured and before enclosures are applied. The testing device subjects the bonds to forces simulating normal handling to detect defective bonds early, preventing unintentional separation during subsequent handling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If adhesive bonds are tested after production, then reliability is improved by identifying defective bonds, but loss of time occurs due to production downtime

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond quality assuranceVSAvoidproduction downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by integrating the testing process into the production flow immediately after bonding, while articles are still on the production line. The testing device operates continuously without requiring production to stop, maintaining the flow of articles through the system while performing quality assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If multiple articles are palletized together for handling, then productivity is improved by batch processing, but loss of substance occurs when one defective bond causes total loss of the entire pallet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebatch handling efficiencyVSAvoidtotal loss of palletized articles
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by testing adhesive bonds on individual articles or small groups before they are palletized for batch handling. This early detection prevents defective articles from being included in palletized batches, eliminating the risk that a single defective bond could cause total loss of an entire pallet during subsequent handling or storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2878941B1Method and device for testing adhesive joints between articles of a container
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 KRONES AG
  • EP2878941B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2878941B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2878941B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

A method and a device (100) for testing the adhesive bonds (02) between the articles (03) of a container (01) consisting of articles (03) directly connected to each other by adhesive bonds (02) in at least one row (04) and/or at least one line (05) to at least two articles (03) are described.The method provides that articles (03) of the container (01) connected by at least one adhesive bond (02) are individually and/or in groups subjected to a force acting in opposite directions, wherein the force acting in opposite directions is effected by at least one force couple, of which a first force acts on a first article (03) connected by at least one adhesive bond (02) and a second force, acting in the opposite direction to the first force, acts on a second article (03) connected by an adhesive bond (02) in such opposite directions and at least the reactions of those articles (03) of the container (01) to the force acting are monitored.The device (100) comprises test equipment (101) which, after the bonding (02) of the articles (03) of the container (01) has been made, subjects at least two articles (03) connected to each other by at least one bonding (02) to a force in opposite directions individually and/or in groups and monitors and evaluates the reaction of the articles (03) of the container (01) to this.