Spherical Stamp with Compression Ring Clamp for Egg Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for marking non-flat surfaces like eggs face issues with membrane stiffness and distortion due to the use of templates and glues, which can damage delicate objects and result in incomplete or distorted prints.

Innovation Solution

A stamp with a template attached via a compression ring clamp, where the template is made of soft materials like foamed polyolefin or synthetic rubber, allowing for a spheroid shape that maintains elasticity and adapts to the surface without using glue, ensuring the template's shape is maintained during printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a template with a printed film is glued onto a spherical mould to create a stamp for non-flat surfaces, then the stamp can maintain its spherical shape, but the membrane becomes stiffened and loses elasticity, which may damage delicate objects like eggs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespherical shape of stampVSAvoidelasticity of membrane
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the spherical mould from the final stamp structure. Instead of gluing the membrane onto a rigid spherical mould, the membrane is stretched over the mould during production and then released, allowing it to retain a spherical shape through its own elasticity without requiring the mould to remain in place. This extraction of the mould eliminates the stiffening effect while preserving the spherical shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and properties of the membrane through controlled stretching and relaxation. By stretching the membrane over the mould and then releasing it, the membrane's elastic parameters are optimized to maintain spherical shape while preserving sufficient elasticity for delicate objects. The degree of stretching and material selection are carefully controlled to achieve the desired balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If a membrane is stretched on a drum to create a stamp for hard objects like bottles, then the membrane can maintain its shape, but this solution is not suitable for delicate objects as it lacks the required elasticity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape stability of membraneVSAvoiddamage to delicate objects
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the rigid drum or mould from the final stamp structure, allowing the membrane to retain shape through its own elastic properties rather than being constrained by a rigid support. This enables the membrane to be sufficiently elastic for delicate objects while maintaining the necessary spherical shape for proper printing contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If glue is used to mount the printed film onto the template, then the film is securely attached, but the membrane becomes stiffened and loses its elasticity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stability of filmVSAvoidelasticity of membrane
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention completely eliminates the use of glue or adhesive in mounting the membrane. Instead, the membrane is mechanically stretched over the mould and secured through tension and elastic recovery, allowing secure attachment without any adhesive substances that would stiffen the membrane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the attachment mechanism from chemical bonding (glue) to mechanical bonding through elastic tension. The membrane is stretched over the mould and held in place by its own elastic forces, creating a secure attachment that preserves the membrane's natural flexibility and elasticity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If a flat film is used for printing, then the film is easy to produce and handle, but the print becomes distorted when imprinted on a spherical surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of producing flat filmVSAvoidprint accuracy on spherical surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies spherical curvature to the printing surface by stretching the flat membrane over a spherical mould during production. This pre-forms the membrane into a spherical shape that matches the curvature of objects like eggs, ensuring that printed images transfer accurately without distortion when the stamp contacts the spherical surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the membrane from flat to spherical through controlled stretching over a mould. This geometric transformation ensures that the membrane's surface curvature matches the target object, eliminating print distortion while maintaining ease of manufacture through a straightforward stretching process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables printing on non-flat surfaces like eggs without damaging them, ensuring the template's elasticity and shape are preserved, resulting in clear and undistorted prints, overcoming the limitations of previous methods.

Implementation Method 1

compression of the template onto the case with the aid of a compression ring clamp

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

it is important that the template be very soft, so as to deform and adapt to the surface of the egg

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2517882B1A stamp for non-flat surfaces and a method of producing a spherical printing plate of the stamp
Publication Date: 2014.01.15 NUOVO
  • EP2517882B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The subject of the present invention is a stamp for marking non-flat surfaces as well as a method of obtaining a spheroid printing template of the stamp. The stamp is characterised by the use of a compression ring clamp(2)