Debris Sweep and Dry Assist for Strap Printing
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing strap printing systems fail in debris-laden environments due to clogging and incomplete or smudged markings, as debris adheres to the strap and ink does not dry in time before the strapping operation, leading to unreliable markings.
Innovation Solution
A debris sweep and dry assist device positioned between the strapping machine and strap supply, using compressed gas to clear debris and facilitate ink drying, ensuring clear and legible printing by directing air through manifolds and branches at the strap inlet and outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wet print device applies indicia directly to the strap material in a debris-laden environment, then marking capability is achieved, but debris adheres to the strap causing printer clogging and incomplete print application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing compressed air through manifolds and branches before the printing process to sweep debris off the strap material. This pre-cleaning action removes harmful debris particles that would otherwise interfere with print application, ensuring the strap surface is clean and ready for reliable marking without clogging the printer
2Productivity
If the strapping system operates at high speed, then productivity is improved, but ink does not have sufficient time to dry before conveyance into the strapping machine causing smudged or illegible markings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatics by directing compressed air through manifolds and branches onto the strap material after printing. This air flow accelerates ink drying by evaporating solvent and removing excess moisture, enabling the ink to dry quickly enough even at high strapping line speeds, preventing smudging and ensuring legible markings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using compressed air to alter the drying conditions of the ink. The high-velocity air stream changes the evaporation rate and moisture removal parameters, allowing the ink to dry in a fraction of the time it would normally require, thus compatible with high-speed strapping operations
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
Enables reliable printing in dusty or debris-laden environments by preventing clogging and reducing ink drying time, maintaining the quality and integrity of markings during the strapping operation.
Implementation Method 1
A compressed gas is directed into the first manifold and flows out of the first branches, directed onto strap material at about the strap inlet
Implementation Method 2
A compressed gas is directed into the second manifold and flows out of the second branches, directed onto strap material at about the strap outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A debris sweep and dry assist device is for use with a strapping machine. The debris sweep and dry assist device is positioned between the strapping machine and an associated strap supply. The device includes a body having a strap inlet and a strap outlet and defining a strap path therethrough. The body has a first wall at about the strap inlet and a second wall at about the strap outlet. The body has a first manifold and a plurality of first branches extending between the first manifold and the first wall to provide a plurality of flow paths from the first manifold to the environs through the first branches. A compressed is gas directed into the first manifold and flows out of the first branches, and is directed onto strap material at a location at about the strap inlet.