Pivotable Document Holder for Multi-Format Lamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laminating systems require frequent format changes and replacements of endless or pressed sheets to accommodate different document formats, such as ID-1 and ID-3 identification cards, which is inefficient and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A laminating system with a pivotable and foldable document holder mechanically coupled to a rod-shaped guide, allowing for sequential movement between a document receiving point and a laminating point, enabling the handling of documents with different formats by adjusting the holder's position and orientation, and using a modular arrangement to separate the receiving and laminating points spatially.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional endless sheets or pressed sheets are used for lamination, then the lamination process can be performed, but the system requires frequent format changes and sheet replacements to accommodate different document formats

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different document formatsVSAvoidproductivity due to frequent format changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The document holder is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple document formats (ID-1, ID-3, and other sizes) through a single device. The holder includes adjustable elements and a standardized clamping mechanism that adapts to different card dimensions without requiring format-specific fixtures or sheet changes, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving multi-format versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the document holder is made pivotable and foldable, then documents with different formats can be handled efficiently, but the mechanical coupling and movement mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handling different document formatsVSAvoidcomplexity of pivotable and foldable mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The document holder incorporates dynamic elements including a pivotable connection to the rod-shaped guide and a foldable upper part that can move between working and transport positions. This dynamic design allows the holder to adapt its configuration based on operational needs: in the working position, it provides stable document holding, and in the transport position, it minimizes space and prevents collisions, thereby improving ease of operation with controlled mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the document holder is transported sequentially along the rod-shaped guide, then precise alignment between document receiving point and laminating point is achieved, but the transport time and cycle duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of alignment between receiving and laminating pointsVSAvoidtime for sequential transport
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary alignment of the document holder with the rod-shaped guide before the actual lamination process. The pivotable connection and guided movement ensure that the document is precisely positioned and aligned with the heating element in advance, allowing the subsequent lamination to proceed without additional adjustment time. This preliminary action reduces the need for real-time corrections and minimizes cycle time while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Stability of the object's composition

If the upper part of the document holder is pressed against the lower part to fix the document, then document holding stability is improved, but the force required may damage delicate documents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of document holdingVSAvoidpotential damage to delicate documents
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping mechanism applies force locally at specific contact points rather than distributing pressure uniformly across the entire document surface. The upper part of the document holder is designed with localized clamping elements that grip the document edges or corners, providing stable holding while minimizing pressure on the document body. This localized application of force maintains document stability without causing damage to delicate materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 lamination of documents with different formats, such as ID-1 and ID-3 cards, by allowing for precise alignment and transportation, preventing collisions, and allowing for simultaneous heating and pressing of multiple documents, thereby increasing productivity and reducing downtime.

Implementation Method 1

The document holder is heatable at the laminating point in order to laminate the document

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a pressing device (121), which is arranged at a pressing point (123)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3560711B1Lamination system
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3560711B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3560711B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3560711B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure comprises a laminating system (100) for laminating documents (101), with a document holder (103-1) having a lower part (105-1) and an upper part (107-1), wherein the lower part (105-1) and the upper part (107-1) are pivotably connected to each other, and wherein at least one document (101) can be placed on the lower part (105-1) and pressed against the lower part (105-1) by the pivotable upper part (107-1), a rod-shaped guide (109) for conveying the document holder (103-1) along a longitudinal axis (111) of the rod-shaped guide (109) from a document holding location (113) to a laminating location (115), wherein the document holder (103-1) is pivoted on the rod-shaped guide (109) about the longitudinal axis (111) of the rod-shaped guide. (109) is pivotably mounted;wherein the document holder (103-1) is configured at the document holding point (113) to receive the document (101) and to press the upper part (107-1) against the lower part (105-1) to fix the document (101), wherein the rod-shaped guide (109) is configured to transport the document holder (103-1) from the document holding point (113) to the laminating point (115) after receiving the at least one document (101), wherein the document holder (103-1) is heatable at the laminating point (115) to laminate the document (101).