Deformable Glue Reservoir for Labeling Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing labeling devices face issues with glue line drying and chemical changes due to exposure to air, leading to inefficiencies and increased maintenance, particularly when the machine is not in use, and result in excessive glue consumption and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
A labeling device with a deformable storage container that uses mechanical deformation to press out glue without a pump, allowing for targeted glue application directly to labels or pallets, reducing waste and maintaining glue quality by minimizing exposure to air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If adhesive is applied across the entire axial extent of the glue roller, then the glue roller can continuously supply adhesive, but the adhesive bead extends beyond the label size causing waste and drying issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the adhesive application across different axial positions of the glue roller. Specifically, the adhesive application element applies adhesive with different quantities or patterns at different locations along the axial extent, matching the label dimensions precisely. This ensures that adhesive is only applied where needed (on the label area) rather than uniformly across the entire roller surface, eliminating waste while maintaining continuous labeling capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the labeling machine stops, then containers can be changed or maintenance performed, but the adhesive bead on the glue roller dries and becomes difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adhesive supply function from a continuous reservoir system and implements it through a deformable reservoir that can be independently controlled. The reservoir deformation device can be actuated to supply adhesive only when needed (during labeling operation) and remains inactive during machine stops. This extraction of the adhesive supply mechanism allows the adhesive to remain contained in the reservoir during stops, preventing exposure to air and subsequent drying issues that would occur with traditional continuous supply systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by activating the reservoir deformation device only during labeling operations and keeping it inactive during machine stops or idle periods. The adhesive supply occurs in periodic pulses synchronized with the labeling cycle rather than continuously. This periodic activation ensures adhesive is supplied only when labels are being applied, preventing adhesive exposure and drying during non-operational periods.
3Ease of operation
If adhesive is exposed to ambient air, then the adhesive reservoir remains accessible for refilling, but the adhesive changes its chemical structure through contact with oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a deformable reservoir with flexible walls that can be mechanically deformed to control adhesive flow. The flexible shell design allows the reservoir to be sealed when not in use, protecting the adhesive from ambient air exposure. The deformability enables controlled adhesive discharge through the flexible wall without requiring open access, thus maintaining both chemical stability and operational control. The flexible membrane acts as a barrier that prevents oxygen contact while still allowing controlled adhesive delivery when deformed.
4Productivity
If a pump is used to transfer adhesive from reservoir to glue roller, then adhesive can be supplied at controlled rates, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional pump-based adhesive transfer mechanism with a mechanically simpler reservoir deformation system. Instead of using a pump to actively push adhesive through pipes and valves, the system uses direct mechanical deformation of the reservoir walls to force adhesive out through a discharge opening. This substitution eliminates the need for complex pump mechanisms, seals, and control systems while maintaining controlled adhesive delivery through the simpler deformation device.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable reservoir system is self-service in that the reservoir itself performs the adhesive delivery function through its deformation. The flexible walls of the reservoir directly force the adhesive out without requiring an external pump or transfer mechanism. The reservoir structure serves dual purposes: storage and active delivery, eliminating the need for separate adhesive transfer equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
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 glue consumption, extends the service life of the labeling device, and simplifies maintenance by ensuring only the required amount of glue is used, preventing excess glue from drying and maintaining optimal adhesive properties.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation device (350) configured such that glue is forced out of the reservoir (380) by deformation of the reservoir (380) by means of the deformation device (350)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The present invention a provides labeling method and a labeling device for applying labels (207) onto containers, said device comprising a gluing unit for gluing the labels, in particular with a glue roller (101), a storage container (380) for storing glue, which container has a device (370) for removing glue from the storage container, said device comprising a deformation unit (350) which is designed such that glue is pressed out of the storage container by means of the deformation device by deformation of the storage container.