Magnetic-Particle Adhesive Joining for Fiber-Based Packaging Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bio-based adhesives derived from renewable resources have a longer curing time compared to synthetic adhesives, limiting the efficiency of producing bonded packaging materials, as the conveying speed of the manufacturing machine often needs to be reduced to ensure a sufficiently long pressing time for adhesive bond formation.

Innovation Solution

A packaging material manufacturing machine with a conveying module, adhesive module, displacement module, and magnetic module is used to apply an aqueous, non-heat-activated adhesive containing ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, superparamagnetic, and/or piezoelectric particles, and an alternating magnetic field is applied to accelerate the adhesive curing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bio-based adhesives are used, then environmental friendliness and stability against price fluctuations are improved, but setting time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability against price fluctuationsVSAvoidsetting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the adhesive by incorporating magnetic particles (ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, superparamagnetic) and piezoelectric particles into the bio-based adhesive formulation. This modification enables the adhesive to respond to external magnetic fields, allowing acceleration of the setting process without compromising the environmental benefits or price stability advantages of using bio-based materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely chemical setting mechanism of bio-based adhesives with a combination of magnetic field-induced physical changes and piezoelectric effects. By applying an alternating magnetic field, the adhesive undergoes physical transformation that accelerates water removal and film formation, substituting part of the chemical curing process with a physically controlled mechanism that can be externally regulated.

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

2Productivity

If conveying speed is increased, then productivity is improved, but adhesive bond formation is incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying speedVSAvoidadhesive bond formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic alternating magnetic fields to accelerate the adhesive setting process. The magnetic field is applied in periodic cycles, inducing repeated magnetic particle alignment and piezoelectric particle vibration, which continuously promotes water removal from the adhesive and accelerates film formation. This periodic action allows the adhesive to set faster, enabling higher conveying speeds while ensuring complete bond formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic particles and piezoelectric particles as intermediary substances within the adhesive formulation. These particles act as mediators that respond to external magnetic fields and convert magnetic energy into mechanical vibrations and heat, which in turn accelerate the water removal and setting process. This intermediary mechanism enables the adhesive to set faster without requiring reduced conveying speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If pressing time is increased, then adhesive bond strength is improved, but production efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive bond strengthVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transitions of water within the adhesive system. By applying alternating magnetic fields, the patent accelerates the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor (evaporation) and enhances capillary action that draws water out of the adhesive. This rapid phase transition of the dispersion medium accelerates film formation and adhesive bond strength development, allowing shorter pressing times while maintaining bond quality and production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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 setting time of the adhesive is reduced, allowing the process to be carried out without reducing production speed, thus increasing economic efficiency and enabling faster adhesive bond development.

Implementation Method 1

applying an alternating magnetic field through at least one of the first and second layers in the area of the at least one adhesive seam by the magnetic module to accelerate effective bonding between the first and second layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

aqueous, non-heat-activated adhesive comprising ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, superparamagnetic and/or piezoelectric particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic particle vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

aqueous, non-heat-activated adhesive comprising ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, superparamagnetic and/or piezoelectric particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 4

the fiber-based paper or cardboard packaging material is configured to absorb water from the aqueous, non-heat-activated adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 5

the water used as a dispersion agent being absorbed as quickly as possible by the porous substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP4640420A1Method and packaging means manufacturing machine for joining layers of a fibre-based paper or cardboard packaging material
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 BAUMER HHS
  • EP4640420A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4640420A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4640420A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method (200) for joining layers (101a, 101b), in particular two layers (101a, 101b), of a fiber-based paper or cardboard packaging material (101) by a packaging material manufacturing machine (100), wherein the packaging material manufacturing machine (100) comprises a conveying module (103) for conveying at least one layer (101a, 101b) of the fiber-based paper or cardboard packaging material (101), an adhesive module (107) for applying aqueous, non-heat-activated adhesive (109) comprising ferromagnetic, superparamagnetic and/or piezoelectric particles (111), a displacement module (115) for displacing layers (101a, 101b) of the fiber-based paper or cardboard packaging material (101), and a magnetic module (117) for applying a magnetic alternating field (119) wherein the fiber-based paper or cardboard packaging material (101) is designed to absorb water from the aqueous, non-heat-activated adhesive (109),characterized in that the process (200) comprises the following process steps: conveying (201) a first layer (101a) of the fiber-based paper or cardboard packaging material (101) through the conveying module (103); applying (203) the aqueous, non-heat-activated adhesive (109) to at least one adhesive seam (113) of the first layer (101a) of the fiber-based paper or cardboard packaging material (101) through the adhesive module (107); joining (205) a second layer (101b) of the fiber-based paper or cardboard packaging material (101) to the at least one adhesive seam (113) of the first layer (101a) of the fiber-based paper or cardboard packaging material (101) through the transfer module (115); and Physical setting (207) of the aqueous adhesive layer between the first and second layers (101a, 101b) of the fiber-based paper or cardboard packaging material (101) by applying an alternating magnetic field (119) through at least one of the first and second layers (101a,101b) through the magnetic module (117) in the area of ​​at least one adhesive seam (113) to accelerate effective bonding between the first and second layers (101a, 101b) of the fiber-based paper or cardboard packaging material (101).