Handheld Printer With Integrated Feed Channel For Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging customization systems for consumer goods are not user-friendly, require extensive maintenance, and are not cost-effective for rapid and reliable individualization of packages at point-of-sale locations, especially for three-dimensional objects like cigarette or cigarillo packages.
Innovation Solution
A handheld printer designed for portability and ease of use, equipped with an electrical energy storage system, a robust and fail-safe mechanism, and a feed channel that protects the printing process from external interference, allowing for customizable printing on various package sizes with precise control and minimal maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a handheld printer is designed for portability with dimensions and weight suitable for hand-holding, then the printer can be conveniently held and ported by a user, but the printer may have limited space for components and reduced printing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The feed channel is formed through the housing body, creating a nested structure where the printing components are housed within the portable exterior. This allows the printer to maintain hand-held dimensions while accommodating functional components inside the housing body.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing system is segmented into modular components including the feed channel, printing devices, and electrical energy storage, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall portability.
2Reliability
If the feed channel is formed through the housing body to protect printing components, then the printing process is protected from external interference, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing body serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, forms the feed channel for protecting printing components, and houses the electrical energy storage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed channel is integrated into the housing body as a nested structure, allowing the protective channel to be formed within the existing housing rather than adding external protective elements.
3Ease of operation
If the printer is equipped with an electrical energy storage system for portability, then the printer can operate without external power supply, but the printer weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printer is equipped with an electrical energy storage system that provides self-sufficiency, allowing the printer to operate independently without external power supply. The storage system serves the printer's own power needs.
4Reliability
If the printing process is performed entirely within the housing to protect components, then the risk of user interference is reduced, but the ease of maintenance and access to printing components decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing components are extracted from the external environment and placed within the protected feed channel inside the housing body, isolating them from user interference while maintaining access through the feed channel structure.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the printer is designed to accommodate packages of different sizes in the feed channel, then the printer can be used for multiple applications, but the precision of printing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The feed channel is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to accommodate packages of different sizes while maintaining printing precision. The channel structure can adapt to different package dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the feed channel are designed with specific local qualities to accommodate different package sizes and orientations, ensuring that each area of the channel is optimized for handling specific package types while maintaining overall printing precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention pertains to a handheld printer (10), comprising a housing body (1), a feed channel (3) formed through the housing body (1), the feed channel (3) having an inlet for inserting an object (P) to be imprinted into the feed channel and an outlet for retrieving the imprinted object (P) from the feed channel (3), at least one first printing device arranged within a first inner wall of the feed channel (3) in the housing body (1) and having a printhead configured to print onto an object (P) to be imprinted fed through the feed channel (3), a user input device provided at the housing body (1) and having a user interface (2) configured to receive user input commands via the user interface (2), and a printer controller arranged within the housing body (1) coupled to the user input device and the at least one first printing device, the printer controller being configured to output printing control signals to the at least one first printing device (6a) on the basis of the user input commands input to the user input device.