Bottle Label Removal via Pre-Treatment Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-adhesive labels on bottles pose difficulties in detachment during cleaning, leading to reduced cleaning performance, increased energy consumption, and waste in bottle cleaning machines due to curling and residual adhesive properties.
Innovation Solution
A pre-treatment method involving heating the adhesive layer to convert it into a soft state, followed by a main treatment phase with heated liquids or high-pressure jets to safely remove labels before the cleaning process, reducing label entry into the machine and optimizing machine performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If self-adhesive labels are removed from bottles in the cleaning machine, then the cleaning machine can process bottles, but the labels curl up and roll up preventing proper detachment and discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by treating bottles with steam and air/liquid jets before they enter the cleaning machine. This pre-treatment detaches labels from the bottle surface in advance, preventing the curling and rolling problems that occur when labels are removed inside the cleaning machine. The labels are loosened and detached during transport on the conveyor belt before the bottles reach the cleaning machine's bottle cells.
2Ease of operation
If bottle cells are enlarged to ensure label removal, then labels can be discharged, but the cleaning performance (cleaned bottles per unit time) is greatly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By performing label detachment before bottles enter the cleaning machine, the patent eliminates the need to enlarge bottle cells for label removal. The pre-treatment phase handles label detachment externally, allowing standard-sized bottle cells to focus solely on cleaning operations, thereby maintaining high cleaning performance without compromising label discharge capability.
3Ease of operation
If the performance of label detachment is increased to achieve detachment, then labels can be removed, but additional energy consumption and motor power are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic (compressed air) and hydraulic (liquid jet) methods to detach labels during transport. These fluid-based detachment mechanisms are more energy-efficient than high-power mechanical systems. The air and liquid jets apply targeted force to loosen and detach labels without requiring significant motor power, reducing overall energy consumption compared to increasing mechanical detachment performance inside the cleaning machine.
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
This method ensures reliable label removal, extends cleaning medium lifespan, reduces waste and energy consumption, and minimizes machine space and performance requirements for label handling.
Implementation Method 1
the self-adhesive adhesive layer between the containers and the labels are heated in a pre-treatment phase in such a way that the self-adhesive adhesive layer of the respective label is converted into a soft or at least viscous state by heating
Implementation Method 2
the containers are treated, for example, with a heated liquid treatment medium or are flushed down and/or sprayed with a, for example, heated treatment medium emerging from nozzles under high pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for treating bottles or similar containers, wherein the container is treated in at least one treatment zone, at least on the outer surface thereof, with a cleaning fluid with a pre-treatment warming phase before treatment with the liquid treatment agent, for the removal of labels, in particular, self-adhesive labels.