Controllable Glue Printer for Irregular Label Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional labeling machines face challenges with complex and costly construction, high maintenance needs, and inability to securely apply irregularly shaped labels due to the use of gripper cylinders and glue segments, which lead to contamination and changes in glue properties.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a controllable glue printer to directly apply cold or hot glue to the back of labels, eliminating the need for gripper cylinders and glue segments, allowing for precise application of glue patterns on irregular shapes and sizes, including champagne bows and breast labels, using a vacuum pallet system for secure label transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a continuously driven glue roller is used to apply adhesive to label segments, then the labeling process can be automated, but the device becomes complex and expensive, and causes significant contamination due to glue splashing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful glue application function from the complex continuously driven glue roller and relocates it to a stationary glue application bar that only applies glue to the label segments when they are in the correct position. This eliminates the need for complex continuously rotating glue rollers while maintaining automation, thereby reducing device complexity and contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces label segments as intermediaries that carry both the label and the adhesive. The adhesive is applied to the label segment rather than directly to the labeling surface, which mediates the gluing process and prevents direct contact between the glue source and the labeling area, thereby reducing contamination and simplifying the overall mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a gripper cylinder is used to transfer labels from the pallet to the container, then label transfer can be achieved, but the design becomes complex and maintenance-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gripper cylinder from the system entirely. Instead of using a separate transfer mechanism, the label segments themselves perform the transfer function by being rotated from the pallet to the labeling position where they are directly applied to the container. This eliminates the complex gripper mechanism and its associated maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the label holding function and the label transfer function into a single integrated system. The label segments serve both as carriers for the labels and as the transfer mechanism themselves, eliminating the need for separate gripper cylinders and simplifying the overall device design.
3Productivity
If adhesive is applied to the pallet and labels are removed with the glued pallets, then label application can proceed, but adhesive carryover and contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies adhesive locally only to the specific areas of the label segments that require gluing, rather than coating the entire pallet surface. The stationary glue application bar precisely targets the adhesive application to the label segments at the correct location, preventing adhesive from spreading to areas where it is not needed and eliminating carryover contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The label segments act as intermediaries that receive the adhesive in a controlled manner and transport it to the labeling position. This intermediary approach prevents direct contact between the adhesive source and the labeling area, thereby eliminating adhesive carryover and contamination issues while maintaining continuous label application.
4Ease of operation
If a gripper cylinder is used for label transfer, then labels can be moved, but full-surface gluing to irregularly shaped labels is prevented, causing label lift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic rotation of the label segments to adapt to different label shapes and sizes. The label segments can be rotated to different positions during the labeling process, allowing the adhesive application to accommodate irregularly shaped labels such as chest labels or champagne ribbons, ensuring full-surface gluing and preventing label lift.
Solution Approach 2:
The label segments are designed as universal carriers that can handle various label formats and container types. By rotating the label segments to different positions and angles, the same mechanism can accommodate irregularly shaped labels while maintaining precise adhesive application, eliminating the need for shape-specific transfer mechanisms.
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 solution reduces installation and maintenance costs, enables secure adhesion of labels up to the edge, minimizes contamination, and maintains glue properties by applying glue directly to labels without exposure to ambient air, facilitating the processing of various label formats without the need for complex gripper systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one vacuum pallet (404, 504) arranged on the circulation track of the pallets for holding the labels to be applied
Implementation Method 2
The adhesive is supplied to the adhesive printer by deforming a deformable reservoir (380) by means of a deformation device (360), thereby reducing the capacity (381) of the reservoir for adhesive. The pressure in the adhesive increases as a result of the deformation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device and a method for the preparation of labels (107) which are to be applied to containers (113), wherein glue is directly applied in a variable glue pattern onto a glue application surface (122) of at least one label (107) by means of a controllable glue printer (108, 508, 608).