Compact Corrugated Board System With Integrated Digital Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corrugated cardboard systems are often excessively long and require significant space, particularly downstream of the laminating web unwinding device, and suffer from unsatisfactory print quality.

Innovation Solution

A compact corrugated board system is designed with a web printing line connected to the corrugated board production line via a web transfer assembly, incorporating a digital printing device and a heating and pressing section for high-quality printing, where the corrugated board can be lined with a printing web on one side, and the system includes splicing, pre-coating, corona pretreatment, lacquering, and drying devices to enhance print quality and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional printing device is integrated into the corrugated board production line, then printing function is provided, but the system length increases significantly and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting functionVSAvoidsystem length
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device is merged with the existing corrugated board production line by integrating it into the web path between the unwinding device and the corrugating section. The printing device shares the same web conveying path and utilizes existing structural elements, allowing the printing function to be added without significantly increasing the overall system length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional printing device is integrated into the corrugated board production line, then printing function is provided, but the space required downstream of the laminating web unwinding device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting functionVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device is arranged in a compact configuration that utilizes vertical space and alternative spatial dimensions rather than extending horizontally downstream. The device is positioned to overlap with existing equipment footprints and uses the width and height dimensions more effectively, reducing the horizontal space footprint downstream of the unwinding device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If a digital printing device is used, then print quality is improved, but sensitivity to ambient heat, vibrations, and dust increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint qualityVSAvoidsensitivity to ambient conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The digital printing device is nested within or adjacent to the protected environment of the corrugated board production line. The printing device is positioned where it can operate within the controlled atmosphere created by the production line enclosure, which naturally protects against ambient heat, vibrations, and dust while maintaining high print quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Ease of repair

If the printing device is positioned far from the corrugated board production line, then accessibility for maintenance is improved, but the system length increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility for maintenanceVSAvoidsystem length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device is positioned at a specific location within the production line where maintenance accessibility is optimized without requiring excessive separation. The device is placed where technicians can access it from service corridors or openings in the production line structure, providing adequate maintenance access while maintaining compact integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution results in a more compact and efficient corrugated board production line with improved print quality, allowing for the production of high-quality corrugated boards with reduced space requirements and enhanced accessibility for maintenance, while maintaining the sensitivity of digital printing devices to ambient conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the printing line includes a corona pretreatment unit for pretreating the printing web to be printed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

The joining device is preferably designed as a heating and pulling section or a heating and pressing device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The joining device is preferably designed as a heating and pulling section or a heating and pressing device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 4

the printing line includes at least one drying device for drying the printed web

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3147116B1Corrugated board system
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 BHS CORRUGATED MACHINEN UND ANLANGENBAU GMBH
  • EP3147116B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3147116B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3147116B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a corrugated board production line (2) comprising a web unwinding device (59) for unwinding a web (5) and a printing device (74) for printing the web (5). Furthermore, the corrugated board production line (1) comprises a cover web unwinding device (10) for unwinding a cover web (17), a material web unwinding device (11) for unwinding a material web (23) to be corrugated, a device (8) for producing a single-sided laminated corrugated board web (9) from the cover web (17) and the material web (23), a laminating web unwinding device (40) for unwinding a laminating web (46), and a gluing unit (52) for applying glue to the single-sided laminated corrugated board web (9). The corrugated board plant also includes a printing web transfer arrangement (3) for transferring the printing web (5) to the corrugated board production line (1) and for using it as a laminating web (46).