Adjustable Blade Pitch for Varying Label Lengths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing labelling machines for continuous film labels lack functional flexibility, operating effectively only with labels of optimal length matching the distance between blades on the cutting and transfer drum, leading to instability and suboptimal label quality for varying label lengths.
Innovation Solution
The labelling machine features a cutting and transfer drum with adjustable blade configurations and peripheral shells, allowing for three distinct settings of blade spacing (120°, 90°, and 60°) to accommodate labels of different lengths by changing the pitch value, ensuring optimal alignment and tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cutting and transfer drum uses a fixed blade configuration, then the machine operates stably with optimal label quality for a specific label length, but the machine lacks functional flexibility and cannot accommodate labels of different lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting and transfer drum is designed with adjustable blade configurations that can be dynamically changed between different pitch values (e.g., 120°, 90°, 60°). This allows the machine to adapt to different label lengths by modifying the blade spacing, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that responds to varying operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pitch parameter of the blades on the cutting and transfer drum to accommodate different label lengths. By adjusting the angular spacing between blades (e.g., from 120° to 90° to 60°), the system modifies a key geometric parameter to match different label dimensions, enabling functional flexibility without fundamentally redesigning the entire machine.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the blade pitch is adjusted to match varying label lengths, then the machine gains adaptability to different label sizes, but the device complexity increases due to multiple adjustable configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting and transfer drum is segmented into multiple blade configurations that can be independently positioned. Each blade can be adjusted to specific angular positions (e.g., 120°, 90°, 60° spacing), allowing the system to be divided into discrete operational modes that simplify the adjustment process compared to continuous adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting and transfer drum is designed as a multi-functional component that can perform multiple cutting configurations using the same physical structure. By incorporating adjustable blades that can be positioned at different pitches, a single drum serves multiple label length requirements, reducing the need for multiple dedicated drums for different label sizes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A labelling machine for labels printed on pre-pasted continuous film, comprising a rotating carousel (1) provided with means (2) for supporting the individual containers (3) to be labelled, adapted to turn such containers (3) about their own axis, and alignment means (6) and tension adjustment means (7) for the film (5) that unwinds from a reel (4) and a cutting and transfer drum (8) adapted to receive and retain, so that it clings to its own surface, the film that exits from a feeder in order to cut the labels and bring the individual labels, separated after cutting, into contact with corresponding containers (3) supported by the carousel; the cutting and transfer drum (8) comprises a structure for supporting actuation means (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17) for individual blades (10a, 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a and 17a) designed to cut the labels, which are mutually spaced circumferentially and are adapted to be each provided with the corresponding blade according to distinct groupings, such that each one causes the presence of a set number of circumferentially equidistant blades, the supporting structure (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17) being adapted to support, so that they are removably locked, for each one of the groupings, an adapted number of circumferential portions of peripheral shells (18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31) provided with film retention means and adapted to be inserted in the gaps formed by the blades (10a, 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a and 17a) that are present in each one of the groupings, so as to form a continuous cylindrical surface for supporting the film (5).