Embossing Inserts with Independent Suspension for Film Depth Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for embossing foils struggle to maintain consistent embossing depth across varying material thicknesses, leading to instability and unstackability issues in film stacks, particularly in the packaging industry.

Innovation Solution

The device features movable embossing inserts on the base embossing plate, each with its own retainer, suspension, and guide, allowing independent movement and compensation for thickness variations, ensuring consistent embossing depth despite differences in film thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a fixed embossing plate is used for embossing foils, then the device structure is simple, but the embossing depth varies significantly when foil thickness varies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveembossing depth consistencyVSAvoidembossing insert structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The embossing inserts are designed to be movable relative to the base embossing plate through guide elements and suspension mechanisms. This dynamic structure allows each insert to independently adjust its position based on the local foil thickness, maintaining consistent embossing depth despite variations in foil thickness across the embossing area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The embossing plate is divided into multiple independent embossing inserts, each capable of individual movement and adjustment. This segmentation allows each insert to respond independently to local foil thickness variations, ensuring uniform embossing depth across all inserts even when the overall foil thickness varies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If embossing inserts are made movable to compensate for thickness variations, then embossing depth consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveembossing depth uniformityVSAvoidretainer and guide mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each embossing insert is equipped with its own retainer and suspension mechanism that automatically adjusts the insert's position based on the foil thickness encountered during embossing. The system self-regulates without requiring external control mechanisms, maintaining consistent embossing depth while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If individual embossing inserts with independent suspension are used, then embossing quality is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestack stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer and guide mechanisms are designed as standardized components that can be used across all embossing inserts. This universal design allows for modular assembly and simplifies manufacturing, as the same component patterns are repeated across multiple inserts rather than requiring custom designs for each insert.

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 solution ensures consistent embossing depth across different film thicknesses, enhancing the stability and unstackability of embossed film stacks, preventing sticking and improving the filling system's efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

each embossing insert being cushioned against the base embossing plate by means of its own embossing insert spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring cushioning: Spring

Implementation Method 2

each embossing insert is held on the base embossing plate by means of its own embossing insert retainer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical retention: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

guided by means of its own guide element during the cushioned movement relative to the base embossing plate thus made possible

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance: Guided Rotor Compressor

Data Source

PatentEP3967512B1Device for embossing films
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 GERHARD RAUCH
  • EP3967512B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3967512B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP3967512B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for embossing foils, comprising a base embossing plate (2) and a counter-embossing plate (3), the mutually facing surfaces of which are each at least partially planar and which are arranged in a parallel orientation of their at least partially planar surfaces towards each other and away from each other for embossing a foil lying between them, wherein the base embossing plate (2) is provided on its side facing the counter-embossing plate (3) with a plurality of embossing inserts (4) for embossing a plurality of blanks to be punched out of the foil (17) and wherein the embossing inserts (4) are designed and arranged such that, when embossing the foil (17), they each interact with a corresponding embossing area (5) arranged on the side of the counter-embossing plate (3) facing the base embossing plate (2), characterized in thatthat each embossing insert (4) is held on the base embossing plate (2) by means of its own embossing insert retainer (6) in the normal direction to the at least partially flat surface of the base embossing plate (2) by a predetermined amount relative to the base support plate (2), is thereby cushioned against the base embossing plate (2) by means of its own embossing insert spring (7) and is guided by its own embossing insert guide (8) during the cushioned movement relative to the base embossing plate (2). In this way, a device for embossing thin-walled films is provided which comes closer to the goal of ensuring an embossing depth independent of the material thickness of the film to be embossed.