Data Page Tab Bonding via Resistive Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data pages for book-like documents face challenges in forming reliable connections between individual pages and tab elements, particularly in avoiding damage during ultrasonic welding and ensuring secure anchoring without visible traces or markings.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an electrical conducting element, such as a linear metal wire or shape memory alloy, between the page and tab elements in the overlapping area to facilitate direct heat input for melting and forming connections, allowing for a mechanical or material bond without requiring opposing movement, and enabling secure anchoring through positive engagement or adhesive mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If ultrasonic welding is used to join the tab section to the individual page, then a material bond can be formed, but damage may occur to the materials due to opposing movement during welding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond strengthVSAvoidmaterial damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the ultrasonic welding process (mechanical vibration-based) with direct heat input through an electrical conductor. This substitution eliminates the opposing movement between anvil and sonotrode that causes material damage, while still achieving a strong material bond through controlled melting and fusing of the tab section and individual page materials.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical conductor acts as an intermediary element that introduces heat directly at the connection point between the tab section and individual page. This mediator enables the bonding process without requiring the tab and page to move against each other, thus avoiding damage while achieving reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If ultrasonic welding is used to create a material bond, then secure anchoring is achieved, but visible traces or markings may appear on the document surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring securityVSAvoidsurface appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating the heating action precisely at the connection point where the tab section meets the individual page. The electrical conductor delivers heat only where needed for bonding, leaving the surrounding document surfaces unaffected and free from visible traces or markings, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while ensuring secure anchoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If direct heat input is applied through an electrical conductor, then opposing movement between layers is avoided, but additional components are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding process simplicityVSAvoidcomponent count
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical conductor serves multiple functions: it acts as both the bonding agent (by providing direct heat input) and the anchoring mechanism (by being embedded in the connection point). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for heating and bonding, simplifying the overall process despite the addition of the conductor element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This method allows for a strong, flexible, and visually unobtrusive connection between the page and tab elements, ensuring stability and security while avoiding damage during the bonding process and maintaining the document's appearance.

Implementation Method 1

at least one electrical conducting element, in particular a linear metal wire or shape memory alloy, between the page (27) and the tab elements (32) in the overlapping area (30) to facilitate direct heat input for melting and forming connections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

This enables the at least one electrical conductor to be energized to create a material bond, a mechanical bond, or a combination of both between the tab section of the at least one tab element and the individual side, thus resulting in direct heat input at the crosslinking point or the connection point. This allows the individual side or the tab section of the tab element, or both, to melt or fuse together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3368331B1Data page, especially for a book-like document, and method for producing the same
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3368331B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3368331B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~8
  • EP3368331B1 patent drawingFigure 9a~10b

AI summary

The invention relates to a data page and to a method for the production of said type of data page, in particular for a book-like document, comprising at least one single page (27) for applying and/or storing data, the at least one single page (27) having at least one layer or printed layer, and at least one flexible tab (23) which is connected to the single page (27) in an overlapping area (30) with the at least one tab section (34, 35) of a tab element (32) and the tab (23) comprises a projecting free tab area (31), said tab (23) in the overlapping area (30) being formed with at least one electric conductor element (33) which is made from metal wire consisting of special steel or a shape memory alloy, nitrinol or carbon fibers or conductive plastics. Said tab element can be made from metal fabric or metal braid.