Magnetic Marking on Packaging Laminate for Register Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging materials face challenges with register marks for optical reading, as they consume significant package area and require precise alignment, which is not always achievable.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating magnetizable portions with magnetizable particles into the packaging laminate, allowing for magnetic marking that is less area-consuming and more forgiving in terms of alignment, using magnetizable ink with specific particle sizes and binder compositions to ensure effective magnetic field strength and readability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If optical register marks are provided on packaging material, then guiding operations can be achieved, but significant package area is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguiding operationsVSAvoidpackage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical reading systems with magnetic marking systems. Magnetic marks are applied to the packaging material and detected by magnetic sensors, eliminating the need for large optical register marks while maintaining guiding functionality for packaging operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If optical register marks are used, then marking can be provided, but precise alignment is required which is not always achievable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidalignment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes magnetic marking for optical printing, where magnetic properties provide inherent alignment tolerance. The magnetic marks can be detected and processed even with slight positioning variations, reducing the stringent alignment requirements associated with optical register marks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If magnetisable particles are incorporated into packaging material, then magnetic marking is enabled, but material composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic marking capabilityVSAvoidmaterial composition

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates magnetisable particles (such as iron oxide or similar magnetic materials) into the packaging material matrix, creating a composite material that retains the original packaging properties while adding magnetic responsiveness. This allows magnetic marking and sensing capabilities to be integrated without fundamentally altering the material's primary functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 magnetic marking system reduces area consumption and improves alignment precision, enabling reliable information storage and retrieval on packaging materials while maintaining readability under various conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the spots comprise magnetisable particles such that magnetic marking is enabled

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9238535B2Packaging material comprising magnetisable portions

Publication Date: 2016.01.19 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA

AI summary

A packaging material comprises a plurality of magnetizable portions thereon. The magnetizable portions are provided as at least one spot per package to be formed from the packaging material. The spots comprises magnetizable particles.