UV Varnish Sheet Embellishing with Regional Curing in One Pass

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet embellishing processes require multiple passes through machines to achieve both varnish-coated and transfer regions, leading to inefficiencies and potential positional deviations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a single pass through a varnish-applying device that applies UV curable varnish to both regions, with different curing conditions for each, allowing for simultaneous varnish coating and transfer processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the sheet is passed through the machine twice (once for varnish coating, once for transfer processing), then both varnish-coated regions and transfer regions can be achieved, but the processing time increases and positional deviations may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines varnish coating and transfer processing into a single integrated operation. The varnish-applying device applies UV curable varnish to the sheet in one pass, and transfer processing is performed on the same sheet during the same pass, eliminating the need for separate passes and thereby eliminating positional deviations between multiple passes while reducing processing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the varnish is fully cured by UV irradiation, then the varnish coating is complete and durable, but transfer processing cannot be performed on the same region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevarnish coating qualityVSAvoidprocessing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different UV irradiation conditions to different regions of the sheet. Specifically, the first region (varnish-coated region) receives UV irradiation sufficient for full curing, while the second region (transfer region) receives reduced UV irradiation to maintain a half-cured state that allows subsequent transfer processing. This regional differentiation enables both fully cured varnish and transfer processing on the same sheet

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the sheet into distinct processing zones: a first region dedicated to varnish coating with full UV curing, and a second region dedicated to transfer processing with reduced UV curing. This segmentation allows independent optimization of curing conditions for each region, enabling both functions to coexist on the same sheet

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If reduced UV irradiation is applied to enable transfer processing, then transfer regions can be created, but the varnish coating durability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer processing capabilityVSAvoidvarnish coating durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

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 and precise embellishment of sheets with varnish-coated and transfer regions without positional deviations, reducing time and costs by eliminating the need for multiple passes.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating the varnish applied to the first region by UV rays, and thereby half-curing the varnish applied to the first region; and full-curing the varnish applied to the second region by irradiating the varnish applied to the second region by UV rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV curing: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS20260008077A1Sheet embellishing method, system, and non-transitory storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 DUPLO CORP

AI summary

A sheet embellishing system that embellishes a sheet while conveying the sheet includes a varnish-applying device that applies varnish that is ultraviolet (UV) curable to the sheet, and irradiates the varnish by UV rays. The varnish-applying device performs half-curing of varnish applied to a first region of the sheet by irradiating the varnish applied to the first region by UV rays, and performs full-curing of varnish applied to a second region of the sheet by irradiating the varnish applied to the second region by UV rays under different irradiation conditions from the varnish applied to the first region, while the sheet is passed through the varnish-applying device once.