Textile Connecting Tab Welded to Document Sheet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing book-shaped security documents fail to ensure the document remains easily open or closed without external force and are prone to forgery due to locking issues and material limitations in connecting tabs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a textile connecting tab made from a different material than the document sheet, which is welded to the sheet to create a flexible and secure attachment, allowing the document to be easily opened or closed without external force and preventing forgery by ensuring a cohesive connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a flexible connecting tab is used to attach the document sheet, then the document can be easily opened or closed without external force, but the connection may be too weak and allow the document sheet to be separated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of opening/closing documentVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting tab is made from a composite material structure consisting of a textile base material reinforced with thermoplastic material. This combination provides both the flexibility needed for easy opening/closing and the strength required to prevent separation. The textile material provides flexibility and comfort, while the thermoplastic material provides structural strength and weldability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies localized heating to change the physical state of the thermoplastic material in the connecting tab from solid to molten state during welding. This parameter change allows the thermoplastic material to flow and bond with the document sheet, creating a strong connection while maintaining the flexible textile structure elsewhere in the connecting tab.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the connecting tab is made from the same material as the document sheet, then welding is easier, but the document may become locked in position and require external force to open

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding easeVSAvoiddocument flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting tab has non-uniform material distribution with different properties in different regions. The region adjacent to the document sheet contains thermoplastic material for easy welding, while the rest of the connecting tab maintains textile material for flexibility. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting tab uses a composite structure combining textile material (for flexibility) and thermoplastic material (for welding and strength). This composite approach allows the tab to be easily welded to the document sheet while maintaining the overall flexibility of the document assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If existing production processes are used, then the document can be assembled, but the process is complex and costly with low yield

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction yieldVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting tab is designed as a separate pre-formed component with integrated reinforcement, allowing it to be manufactured independently and then attached to the document sheet in a single welding step. This segmentation simplifies the overall production process by separating the complex reinforcing function into a pre-made component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The welding process uses localized heating to temporarily change the state of the thermoplastic material, enabling rapid bonding without complex assembly procedures. This parameter change approach simplifies the production process by replacing multi-step mechanical assembly with a single thermal bonding operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If the connecting tab uses material different from the document sheet, then flexibility is improved, but welding becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument flexibilityVSAvoidwelding difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting tab combines textile material (for flexibility) with thermoplastic material (for welding compatibility). The thermoplastic component provides a welding surface that bonds easily to the document sheet, while the textile component maintains flexibility. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between operational flexibility and manufacturing ease.

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 method provides a flexible connection that keeps the document in the desired state without external force, enhances security by preventing removal of the document sheet without destruction, and is cost-effective with minimal process steps, making forgery impossible.

Implementation Method 1

introducing ultrasonic energy into the overlap area, thereby welding the connecting tab to the document sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic welding: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2879884B1Method for connecting at least one connection piece to a document sheet, method for producing a security document and security document
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP2879884B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2879884B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2879884B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for connecting at least one connection piece 6 made of a textile material to a document sheet 4 storing information, for the cost-effective production of a passport card 1 which is easy to handle and unforgeable. The textile material of the at least one connection piece 6 is different from the sheet material forming the document sheet 4. The document sheet 4 can be connected to a document body 20 by means of the at least one connection piece 6. The method according to the invention comprises the following method steps: a) the overlapping arrangement of the at least one connection piece 6 and of the document sheet 4 so that an overlapping region 21 of the at least one connection piece 6 is formed with the document sheet 4; and b) the fusing of the at least one connection piece 6 and the document sheet 4 in the overlapping region 21. To produce a passport card 1, according to the invention the at least one connection piece 6 is connected to a document body 20 of the security document 1.