Partial Lid Embossing With Rotating Die for Clean Unstacking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing sealing plates often result in sticking issues during unstacking due to adhesion, which complicates individual feeding and sealing of containers, and partial embossing methods either impair print quality or cannot achieve a smooth surface.

Innovation Solution

A device with an embossing tool comprising two half-tools, a male die and a die, and an elastic medium, which creates a partial three-dimensional relief on sealing plates by rotating the male die relative to the film strip between each stroke movement, preventing congruent embossing and ensuring better print quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sealing plates are embossed to prevent sticking during unstacking, then unstackability is improved, but print quality and legibility are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveunstackabilityVSAvoidprint quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The embossing tool is designed to emboss only specific peripheral regions of the sealing plate while leaving the central printing area untouched. The embossing depth and area are locally controlled to prevent sticking at edges without affecting the print quality in the center region where information is displayed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of embossing the entire sealing plate surface, the invention applies partial embossing only to the necessary peripheral areas. This partial action is sufficient to prevent sticking during unstacking while avoiding embossing of the central printing area, thus maintaining print legibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If complete embossing is applied to sealing plates, then unstackability is improved, but a smooth print area cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveunstackabilityVSAvoidsurface smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The embossing process is localized to specific regions of the sealing plate, creating a non-uniform surface structure where peripheral areas have relief features for anti-sticking properties while the central printing area maintains a smooth flat surface suitable for high-quality printing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If embossing tools are positioned fixedly relative to the film web, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but congruent embossing occurs on successive lids

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool positioning simplicityVSAvoidunstackability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The embossing tool is designed with rotational capability around the film web axis, allowing the embossing pattern to be dynamically rotated between successive lids. This dynamic positioning ensures that each lid receives embossing at a different angular position, preventing congruent embossing patterns that would cause sticking in stacks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3191312B1Device for partial embossing of sealing lids and method for partial embossing of sealing lids
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 TSCHEULIN ROTHAL
  • EP3191312B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3191312B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3191312B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device for embossing part of an area of and punching out of sealing blanks from a film strip comprises an embossing tool and an adjacently arranged punching tool. The embossing tool in turn comprises a female and a male die (1), wherein the male die has three-dimensional elements (7) arranged in an outer area (3) and in a central area (5), and the male die and female die are pivotably mounted in a spatial position about an axis A standing substantially perpendicular in relation to the film strip. Alternatively, the female die can be exchanged for an elastic medium. The elastic medium is preferably not pivotably mounted.