Decorative Paper Edge Test Strip for Digital Print Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing decorative paper using digital printing devices, such as inkjet printers, result in high reject rates and downtimes due to printing errors that are difficult to detect and correct, leading to significant waste and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves printing two colors on top of each other in test patterns to monitor print quality, including criteria like alignment, ink absorption, and gray balance, with automatic detection and correction processes to minimize downtimes and reject rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If digital printing devices are used to produce decorative paper with high flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but printing errors occur more frequently leading to higher reject rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in decoration selectionVSAvoidprint quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary quality control by printing test patterns before production runs and using reference strips with known characteristics. This allows the printing system to be calibrated and validated in advance, ensuring consistent quality while maintaining the flexibility of digital printing for various decorations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms by comparing printed test patterns against reference strips and using automated evaluation systems. This closed-loop control detects deviations in print quality and enables corrective actions, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving the adaptability of digital printing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If printing continues without immediate error detection, then productivity is maintained, but reject rate increases due to undetected printing errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous productionVSAvoidwaste production
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary printing of test patterns and reference strips before full production runs. This allows potential issues to be detected early, preventing waste of large quantities of decorative paper while maintaining overall productivity through efficient production planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Automated evaluation systems continuously monitor print quality by comparing test patterns against references. This real-time feedback enables immediate detection of printing errors, allowing the system to stop production only when necessary, thereby minimizing waste while maintaining high productivity during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive test patterns with multiple printing colors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint quality monitoring accuracyVSAvoidtest pattern complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the test pattern into separate, standardized components (reference strips, color bars, alignment patterns) that can be independently evaluated. This segmentation maintains measurement precision by covering multiple quality criteria while managing device complexity through modular, systematic test element design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system varies specific parameters within test patterns (such as color densities, pattern geometries, and spacing) to test different aspects of print quality. This approach achieves comprehensive measurement precision by systematically exploring parameter spaces while keeping the overall test structure manageable and not excessively complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2692124B1Method for producing decorative paper, and decorative paper
Publication Date: 2016.07.27 FRITZ EGGER GMBH & CO OG
  • EP2692124B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2692124B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2692124B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing decorative paper, in which method a printing paper (2) is provided, preferably by being unrolled from a reel, in which method the printing paper (2) is printed with a pattern (6) by means of a digital printing device (4), and in which method the printing paper (2) is printed in an edge-side test strip (16) with at least one test pattern (18, 20, 22, 24, 80, 110, 130, 150, 170, 190) by means of the digital printing device (4), wherein the printing device (4) has in each case one application means, preferably in each case at least one nozzle (58), for at least two different printing colours, and wherein the two printing colours are printed over one another in at least part of the test pattern (16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 80, 110, 130, 150, 170, 190). Furthermore, the invention relates to a decorative paper (28) which is preferably produced according to this method, with a printed printing paper (2), wherein the printing paper (2) has a preferably continuous edge-side test strip (16), wherein at least one printed test pattern (18, 20, 22, 24, 80, 110, 130, 150, 170, 190) is arranged within the test strip (16), and wherein the test pattern (18, 20, 22, 24, 80, 110, 130, 150, 170, 190) has at least one region, in which at least two printing colours are printed over one another.