Cardboard Blank Cutting and Ejection Using Adhesive Tape

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to produce openings in cardboard packaging with dimensions less than 5 mm or 3 mm reliably and economically, especially in high-speed manufacturing processes, due to challenges in precise positioning and ejection of small parts.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a cutting line in a cardboard blank with an ejection tape having an adhesive layer, where the ejection tape is activated and positioned using a support tool and an activation tool with a relief edge, allowing for precise separation of the first part from the second part along the cutting line, ensuring reliable and economic production of small openings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If needle devices are used to eject the portion to be removed, then mechanical ejection is achieved, but precise positioning is difficult to guarantee at high speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical ejection capabilityVSAvoidsheet positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical needle ejection system with a thermal field-based system. An adhesive layer is applied to the sheet surface, and a heating element selectively activates the adhesive in specific regions to bond and eject the portion to be removed. This substitution of mechanical action with thermal-field action eliminates the positioning precision problems inherent in mechanical needle systems operating at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter from mechanical force application to temperature control. By controlling the temperature distribution through the heating element, the adhesive is activated only in the desired regions, enabling precise ejection without requiring high-precision mechanical positioning of the sheet during high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high-speed manufacturing is used to increase productivity, then production speed increases, but positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidsheet positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical positioning and ejection system with a thermal field-based adhesive activation system. This allows high-speed operation because the thermal field can be precisely controlled and localized without being affected by the mechanical vibrations and positioning errors that occur at high speeds in traditional mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an adhesive layer as an intermediary between the sheet and the ejection mechanism. This adhesive layer acts as a mediator that can be selectively activated by thermal energy, allowing the ejection process to be controlled by temperature distribution rather than mechanical positioning, thereby enabling high-speed operation with maintained precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If openings with dimensions less than 5 mm are created, then design flexibility is improved, but reliable creation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening design flexibilityVSAvoidopening creation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cutting or punching methods with a thermal-field-based adhesive activation method. This allows the creation of very small openings with dimensions less than 5 mm because the thermal field can be precisely localized to small areas without the mechanical force and tool size constraints that limit traditional methods. The adhesive activation provides reliable material separation even at very small scales.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables the reliable and cost-effective production of openings with dimensions less than 5 mm or 3 mm in high-speed cardboard packaging manufacturing, improving precision and efficiency in mass production.

Implementation Method 1

An ejection tape with an adhesive layer is brought opposite the first face of the blank, the ejection tape being arranged with its adhesive layer on the side of the first face of the blank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

at least one of the activation tool or the support tool may be heated, at least during the clamping step, to a temperature above 80°C, and more preferably above 120°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3509805B1Cutting and ejection method for a cardboard blank
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 LAGORA
  • EP3509805B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3509805B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D
  • EP3509805B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention proposes a method for cutting an opening in a flat cardboard blank (10, 12) intended for producing a packaging, which involves clamping a first portion (18) of the blank (10, 12) and an ejection strip (34) facing each other between a support tool (24) and an activation tool (26) that are facing each other in such a way as to bond the ejection strip (34) only with the first portion (18) of the blank (10, 12). The invention also concerns an ejection strip for such a method.