Anti-Static Blower for Reel Label Feeder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Labelling machines face issues with wrinkles, folds, and poor adhesion of labels due to static electricity and environmental factors like moisture and temperature changes, particularly in wineries with variable weather, leading to production disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A feeder for reel labelling machines equipped with an anti-static blower and static electricity discharger, positioned near the peeling plate, neutralizes static electricity as labels are peeled, preventing charge buildup and ensuring proper adhesion by eliminating static electricity at the point of label application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If labels are peeled from the reel and applied to bottles in variable environmental conditions, then the labelling process continues operation, but static electricity builds up causing wrinkles, folds, and poor adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabelling process continuityVSAvoidlabel adhesion quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-static blower is positioned to neutralize static electricity on labels before they are applied to bottles. The device blows ionized air onto the labels at the peeling point, removing static charge buildup before it can cause wrinkles or adhesion problems during the labelling process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Ionized air serves as an intermediary substance between the static-charged labels and the environment. The anti-static blower generates ionized air that acts as a mediator to neutralize the static electricity on labels, allowing continuous operation without compromising adhesion quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If labels are peeled quickly from the peelable paper, then labelling speed increases, but static electricity is generated causing adhesion problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabel peeling speedVSAvoidstatic electricity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful static electricity generated during quick peeling into a beneficial situation by immediately neutralizing it with ionized air from the anti-static blower. The rapid peeling that generates static charge is counteracted by the simultaneous anti-static treatment, allowing high-speed operation without adhesion problems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-static blower is positioned to treat labels at the exact moment of peeling, neutralizing static electricity as it is generated. This preliminary anti-static action prevents static buildup from affecting label adhesion, enabling faster peeling speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If standard feeders are used without anti-static treatment, then device complexity is low, but wrinkles and folds appear on applied labels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeder structureVSAvoidlabel application quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Ionized air from the anti-static blower acts as an intermediary to neutralize static electricity between the label and the environment. This simple addition of an anti-static component significantly improves label application quality by preventing wrinkles and folds without substantially increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-static blower uses pneumatic principles to generate and direct ionized air flow onto the labels. This pneumatic anti-static treatment effectively eliminates static electricity-related defects while adding minimal structural complexity to the feeder system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 effectively reduces wrinkles, folds, and bubbles, ensuring optimal label adhesion and reducing production disruptions by eliminating static electricity at the critical moment of label peeling, enhancing the labelling process even in challenging environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an anti-static blower (10) disposed immediately before the application area (5) for applying the labels (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

neutralizes static electricity as labels are peeled, preventing charge buildup

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentEP3831731B1Feeder for a reel labelling machine
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 CARLOS BACIGALUPE SLU
  • EP3831731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3831731B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3831731B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a feeder (1) for a reel labelling machine, comprising a reel (3) of peelable labels (2) or a reel (3) of a sleeve (33) of sleeve labels, and an application area (5) for applying the labels (2), the feed also comprising an anti-static blower (10) disposed immediately before the area (5) for applying the labels (2).