Elastic Claw Label Fitting System for Narrowed Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional label fitting systems struggle to effectively position cylindrical labels on containers with varying diameters, particularly those with narrowed portions, as existing solutions can get caught or hindered by the container's shape, leading to incomplete label placement.

Innovation Solution

A label fitting system featuring a base with radially extending legs that are elastic and can displace in the radial direction, allowing the lower end to contact and push down the label along the container's outer surface, ensuring the label can be suitably positioned even on containers with narrowed sections without getting caught.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the size of a hole of an annular plate is increased to push down the label to the lower end, then the label can be positioned lower, but the upper end of the label enters the gap between the inner peripheral edge of the annular plate and the outer peripheral surface of the container, causing the label to cannot be suitably pushed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabel positioning depthVSAvoidlabel positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The annular plate is divided into multiple claw members that can independently contact the container surface. Each claw member has a tip end face that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the container, preventing label entry into gaps while maintaining effective push-down capability to the lower end of the container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The claw members are made displaceable with elastic deformation capability, allowing them to adapt to changes in container diameter. The tip end faces maintain contact with the container outer peripheral surface throughout the descent, ensuring the label is pushed down accurately without entering gaps, even when container diameter varies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the claw member rotates obliquely downward to move the tip end face in the radial direction to contact the container surface, then the label is prevented from entering the gap, but when the annular plate ascends, the tip end face of the claw member may be caught by the narrowed portion of the container, causing the ascent to be hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabel positioning reliabilityVSAvoidclaw member movement smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The claw members are designed to be displaceable with elastic deformation capability, allowing them to dynamically adapt to container diameter changes. During ascent, the elastic deformation enables the claw members to flex and pass over narrowed portions without being caught, ensuring smooth operation throughout the full range of motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a conventional annular plate with a hole smaller than the maximum outside diameter of the container is used, then the structure is simple, but the plate can be descended only to the vicinity of the shoulder portion of the container, and the cylindrical label cannot be pushed down to the lower end

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveannular plate structureVSAvoidlabel positioning depth
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The annular plate is segmented into multiple claw members that can independently contact the container surface. This segmentation allows the mechanism to descend to the lower end of the container while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of identical, repeating claw member units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The claw members are made displaceable with elastic deformation capability, allowing them to adapt to changes in container diameter throughout the descent. This enables the mechanism to reach the lower end of the container while maintaining contact with the outer peripheral surface, achieving full label positioning depth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 system allows for successful and efficient placement of cylindrical labels on containers with varying diameters, including those with narrowed portions, by enabling the legs to adapt and move without deformation, ensuring complete coverage and preventing label buckling.

Implementation Method 1

each of the plurality of legs has elasticity so that the leg is capable of being displaced in a radial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3434610B1Label fitting system
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 FUJI SEAL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3434610B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3434610B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP3434610B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a label fitting system which can, even if a container has a narrowed portion, appropriately fit a cylindrical label to the outer periphery of the container. A label fitting system is provided with a label arrangement mechanism which pushes down a cylindrical label having been supplied to a location above a cylindrical container and is disposed about the outer periphery of the cylindrical label. The label arrangement mechanism is provided with a vertically movable annular base 30 and a plurality of legs 40 extending downward from the base 30. The legs 40 have elasticity which enables the legs 40 to be displaced radially, and have lower ends 44 coming into contact with the upper end of the cylindrical label. When the base 30 descends, the lower ends 44 of the legs 40 push down the cylindrical label while descending along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical container.