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A laser-based process that enables adhesive-free paper packaging

fraunhofer.de

21–30 of 57 posts

Re: A laser-based process that enables adhesive-free paper packaging

#21
post #2

That is really neat: “By irradiating the paper with a CO laser, we create refusible, sugar-like reaction products that we use instead of the synthetic materials or adhesives that would otherwise be required to seal the paper by the heat sealing process. In this way, we are essentially producing our own adhesive"

It is but it completely defeats the claimed purpose of bein adhesive free.

Not if the produced adhesive is free of hydrocarbons, which it is.

Re: A laser-based process that enables adhesive-free paper packaging

#22
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is but it completely defeats the claimed purpose of bein adhesive free.

Not if the produced adhesive is free of hydrocarbons, which it is.

The main constituent of paper is wood, which consists of hydrocarbons.

Re: A laser-based process that enables adhesive-free paper packaging

#25
post #2

That is really neat: “By irradiating the paper with a CO laser, we create refusible, sugar-like reaction products that we use instead of the synthetic materials or adhesives that would otherwise be required to seal the paper by the heat sealing process. In this way, we are essentially producing our own adhesive"

It is but it completely defeats the claimed purpose of bein adhesive free.

I had the same thought, but there are two differences: the amount of these compounds (presumably low) and how they behave in recycling compared to current adhesives. Maybe they wash out, maybe they can accumulate to a large degree without making the recycled paper worse.

The article doesn't tell, unfortunately. Worst case, a cool technical article is the only thing the technology is good for...

Re: A laser-based process that enables adhesive-free paper packaging

#26
post #22
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not if the produced adhesive is free of hydrocarbons, which it is.

The main constituent of paper is wood, which consists of hydrocarbons.

That’s chemically not correct in and of itself, but I do wonder if through the process they are effectively creating a hydrocarbon by freeing the oxygen from the carbohydrate to create this magic non-adhesive adhesive.

Re: A laser-based process that enables adhesive-free paper packaging

#27

Since Fraunhofer is a notorious patent extortionist, best to not even look at this page.

Can you elaborate on this? My guess would be, that because of their status as a government backed research institute, they invent a lot, but let others do the commercialisation. So patent fees seem like a natural choice for them, to recover their investments.

Seconded. Would love to hear about “best Fraunhofer practices” and fort hand experience.

What could one improve how the operate?

Re: A laser-based process that enables adhesive-free paper packaging

#28

Since Fraunhofer is a notorious patent extortionist, best to not even look at this page.

Fraunhofer has a ton of top of the line innovations. I'm glad it exists. If the only way to exist is for them to collect on patents they've produced, I don't see the issue.

Re: A laser-based process that enables adhesive-free paper packaging

#29
post #10
post #3

I've also seen a glue-less paper binding trick where two pieces of paper are finely crimped together with some high pressure tool in alternating v^v^v^ patterns, actually making tiny tears in the paper. Does anyone know what kind of tool does that?

Possibly this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NeGah4YJg0 It's a bit hard to search for, because they make one that punches a hole too (shows up in the video).

The problem with these staple-less staplers is that they permanently damage the paper. With a regular staple there are two tiny holes and that's it. You can bend open the staple to get back your individual sheets (e.g. to scan a particular page) and if you want to put them back together you can push the same staple or a fresh one back through the existing holes and bend it close.

You can repeat the process as many times as you want and there won't be any new damage to the paper. With a paperless stapler you would have to do new damage to the paper each time. Also, a regular staple is pretty much forever while these crimped folds can eventually come loose again.

Re: A laser-based process that enables adhesive-free paper packaging

#30

Since Fraunhofer is a notorious patent extortionist, best to not even look at this page.

Can you elaborate on this? My guess would be, that because of their status as a government backed research institute, they invent a lot, but let others do the commercialisation. So patent fees seem like a natural choice for them, to recover their investments.

They had patents on MP3 that were a pain in the arse 30 years ago.
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