Digital Printed Duct Tape UV Curing and Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current duct tape printing methods, such as reverse printing and surface printing, require significant investments in print plates and result in poor print quality and ink adhesion, limiting customization and flexibility, especially for small batches and on-demand production.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing digital printing with a UV-cured ink system that allows for customized designs on duct tape without the need for print plates, using inkjet printers and dual-stage UV curing, along with release and overcoat coatings to enable self-winding and high-speed production of customized designs in various forms like rolls, sheets, and banners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If reverse printing or surface printing methods are used, then duct tape can be produced with printed designs, but the print quality is poor and ink adhesion is very poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical printing methods (reverse printing, surface printing) with digital printing technology. This substitution enables precise ink placement, improved print quality, and better ink adhesion to the tape surface without requiring physical contact between printing surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the printing parameters by using digital printing with controlled ink deposition. This allows for precise control of ink quantity, placement, and curing conditions, resulting in both high print quality and strong ink adhesion simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional printing methods with print plates are used, then duct tape can be printed, but significant investment in print plates is required and minimum order quantities are substantial
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical print plate system with a digital printing system. This eliminates the need for expensive print plate manufacturing and setup, allowing for cost-effective production of small batches and customized designs without minimum order quantity constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic flexibility to the manufacturing process through digital printing. The system can adapt to different designs, colors, and quantities on-demand without requiring fixed print plates, enabling both customization and small batch production economically.
3Productivity
If traditional printing methods are used, then duct tape can be produced, but lead times are long due to print plate investment and production setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the preliminary action of creating print plates before production. Digital printing allows designs to be loaded and printed directly, removing the time-consuming plate preparation step and significantly reducing lead times from design to finished product.
Solution Approach 2:
By substituting digital printing for traditional mechanical printing, the patent achieves faster production speeds. The digital system requires no physical setup time for plates, enabling rapid production and shorter lead times while maintaining high productivity.
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 cost-effective, high-speed production of customized duct tape with improved print quality and flexibility, allowing for small batch production without the need for print plates, reducing lead times and logistical issues, and enabling personalization with custom designs and images.
Implementation Method 1
A method utilizing digital printing with a UV-cured ink system that allows for customized designs on duct tape
Data Source
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AI summary
A duct tape and a method of making a duct tape having a customized, printed design on a surface of the duct tape. The method comprises providing a design for printing on the duct tape, digitally printing the design on the surface of the duct tape, and curing the ink printed on the duct tape with ultraviolet light in dual stages. The method further comprises applying on the digitally printed duct tape a material or composition having overcoat properties, release properties, or a combination thereof.