Lignocellulose Panel Edge Strip for High-Resolution Data Encoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for marking lignocellulose-containing panel-shaped materials, such as wood-based panels, are costly, time-consuming, and prone to aesthetic impairment or data loss, especially when using adhesive labels or ink prints, and struggle with providing individual markings on thin panels or stacks, where surface roughness and absorbency hinder readability.

Innovation Solution

Applying an edge strip with a smoother surface than the panel, printed with high-resolution codes, to the lateral narrow surface, which can be made of resin-impregnated paper or synthetic materials, allowing for permanent and legible data encoding, including matrix codes, that can be easily applied and read, even on thin panels, and can be updated after processing steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If adhesive labels are applied to mark panel-shaped components, then data can be provided on the panels, but the marking process becomes cost-intensive and time-consuming, and adhesive labels may become detached or require removal before use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata retentionVSAvoidmarking efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The marking is integrated into the panel production process itself, performed as a preliminary action during pressing rather than as a subsequent separate operation. This eliminates the need for post-production marking operations and ensures the marking is permanently embedded in the product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The panel material itself serves as the marking medium through its inherent properties. The lignocellulose-containing material can be directly imprinted or burned with markings during the pressing process, making the product self-marking without requiring external labels or separate marking equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If adhesive labels are applied to the front or back of panels, then data can be provided, but the aesthetic appearance is impaired and labels must be removed before use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata provisionVSAvoidaesthetic impairment
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The marking is applied locally to specific areas of the panel, such as the edges or corners, rather than covering the entire front or back surface. This localized approach preserves the aesthetic appearance of the main panel surfaces while still providing necessary identification data in less visible areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The marking is transferred from the traditional two-dimensional front/back surfaces to the three-dimensional edge surfaces of the panel. This dimensional shift allows data to be provided on vertical edges that are less critical for aesthetic appearance while maintaining panel beauty on horizontal faces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of information

If adhesive labels are applied to narrow surfaces for marking, then data can be provided on the panel, but the application surface is very limited and application becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata carrierVSAvoidapplication surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The marking utilizes the vertical edge surfaces of the panel in three-dimensional space rather than attempting to fit data onto the limited two-dimensional narrow surfaces. This dimensional approach provides adequate surface area for data while avoiding the constraints of narrow face application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Loss of information

If ink prints are applied to panels, then data can be provided, but the ink must be dried to prevent smearing, which increases processing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking capabilityVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The marking process replaces chemical ink application and drying with a mechanical imprinting or laser burning process. The marking is created through direct physical contact or energy application during pressing, eliminating the need for liquid ink and subsequent drying time.

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

5Reliability

If laser burning is used to provide permanent markings on panels, then data can be permanently marked, but the process is time-consuming and only suitable when aesthetic design is insignificant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepermanent markingVSAvoidmarking speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The marking operation is merged with the panel pressing process itself. Both operations are performed simultaneously in one step rather than sequentially, where the pressing force and heat are used to create the permanent marking while forming the panel, thereby eliminating separate marking time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 efficient, high-density data encoding directly on the panel surface, improving traceability, logistics control, and quality assurance, while maintaining aesthetic integrity and allowing for easy reading of production parameters and processing steps, even on thin panels and in stacks.

Implementation Method 1

pressing lignocellulose-containing material provided with a binder under increased pressure and increased temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

pressing lignocellulose-containing material provided with a binder under increased pressure and increased temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat: Heating

Implementation Method 3

an edge strip (4), which is designed in such a way that it can be printed with a resolution of at least 60 dpi

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2969428B1Process and device for producing a lignocellulose-containing sheet-type material
Publication Date: 2016.12.21 FRITZ EGGER GMBH & CO OG
  • EP2969428B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP2969428B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a process for producing a lignocellulose-containing sheet-type material (1), in which the following steps are carried out: generating a sheet-type compacted body (2) having a top principal surface (2.1), a bottom principal surface (2.2) and at least one side narrow surface (2.3) by pressing lignocellulose-containing material (3) provided with binder at elevated pressure and elevated temperature, applying an edge strip (4) to at least a part of the at least one narrow surface (2.3) and printing the edge strip (4) with an optical code (5), wherein the code (5) is printed on the edge strip (4) in a resolution of at least 60 dpi. In this manner, a lignocellulose-containing, sheet-type material (1) may be produced which, in a particularly simple manner, permits the link of data relating to the lignocellulose-containing material (1) with a lignocellulose-containing material (1). The invention also relates to a device for producing a lignocellulose-containing sheet-type material (1), a corresponding lignocellulose-containing sheet-type material (1) and to the use of a lignocellulose-containing sheet-type material (1) for processing data relating to the lignocellulose-containing material (1).