Banderole Applicator Pickup Roller Ribbon Stretching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing banderole application devices are complex, space-consuming, and inefficient, particularly in the food industry, where they struggle to maintain consistent label height and readability due to varying box materials and designs, and often require separate operations for ribbon application and labeling, which adds complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A compact banderole applicator that uses a pickup roller to receive a predetermined length of ribbon, stretches it around goods before welding, and integrates a printing device for identification markers and RFID applicators, ensuring the ribbon is not drawn over sharp edges and maintaining consistent label placement according to standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two feeder rollers are used to apply banderole from both sides of conveyor, then the banderole can be applied and welded around goods, but the device becomes complex and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the banderole feeding function from the traditional two-feeder-roller configuration and consolidates it into a single feeder roller arrangement. The banderole is fed from one side only, eliminating the need for symmetric dual-side feeding mechanisms and their associated welding arms, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining banderole application capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single feeder roller system is designed to perform multiple functions: feeding the banderole, positioning it around the goods, and coordinating with the welding mechanism. This multi-functional design replaces the specialized dual-roller system where each roller had dedicated feeding and welding components, reducing device complexity through functional integration.
2Reliability
If ribbon is stretched between feeder rollers across conveyor, then banderole can be formed around goods, but it is difficult to avoid placing banderole around pallets and requires space at both sides for installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the requirement for bilateral space by extracting the second feeder roller and its associated infrastructure from the system. The banderole is fed from a single location, eliminating the need for symmetric installation space on both sides of the conveyor and reducing the overall footprint of the banderole application device.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of stretching the banderole horizontally across the conveyor from both sides, the invention repositions the feeding mechanism to operate from one side, utilizing vertical and longitudinal dimensions more efficiently. This dimensional reconfiguration reduces the horizontal space requirement while maintaining the banderole formation capability.
3Ease of operation
If gripping arms are used to hold cord out from box surface for label suspension, then labels can be placed on cord, but it is difficult to grip cord due to box material and open areas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dedicated label placement mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the cord and the label. Instead of relying on gripping arms to manipulate the cord, the system uses a controlled mechanism to position the label directly on the cord as it passes through the application area, eliminating the gripping difficulty caused by varied box designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical gripping arm system with a more sophisticated label placement mechanism that uses controlled movement and positioning systems. This substitution eliminates the need for direct mechanical gripping of the cord, thereby overcoming the adaptability issues with different box materials and designs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cord height varies for different palletized goods, then cord can accommodate different goods, but label height varies resulting in problems in automatic reading
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates a feedback mechanism that detects the position of the goods on the pallet and adjusts the label placement height accordingly. Sensors monitor the goods position and provide feedback to the label application system, which then modifies its positioning to ensure consistent label height above the pallet regardless of variations in goods arrangement, enabling reliable automatic reading.
Solution Approach 2:
The label placement mechanism is designed to be dynamic and adjustable, capable of moving vertically to accommodate different goods configurations. This dynamic positioning system maintains a constant label height above the pallet by actively adjusting its position based on the detected goods arrangement, ensuring consistency for automatic reading while adapting to various palletized goods.
5Reliability
If separate operations are used for ribbon application and label application, then each operation can be optimized, but complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the ribbon application operation and the label application operation into a single integrated process. The label is applied directly to the ribbon as it is being fed and positioned around the goods, eliminating the need for a separate label application step. This consolidation reduces device complexity and operational steps while maintaining the optimization benefits of both functions through coordinated design.
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 provides a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable method for applying banderoles that meets industry standards, ensuring consistent label placement and readability, while minimizing space requirements and avoiding unnecessary complexity or additional operations.
Implementation Method 1
arms carrying welding devices are placed at the rear side of the pallet and are used to weld the ribbon forming a circular banderole around the goods
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for providing goods with a banderole, wherein a predetermined length of ribbon (2) from a feeder roller (9) is transferred to a pickup roller (14) before the ribbon is brought in contact with the goods (3) to be provided with a banderole and the ribbon is released both from the feeder roller and the pickup roller during the travel of the goods on the conveying means, is described. A banderole applicator for providing a banderole on goods using the method is also described.