Label Applicator with Suction Holding and Counter-Rotating Rollers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current label applicators for identity, valuable, or security documents lack a compact and efficient mechanism to individually recognize and process these documents, leading to difficulties in automated production and personalized marking.

Innovation Solution

A label applicator with a receiving unit and holding unit, featuring counter-rotating rollers, a translation mechanism for precise placement, and a pivoting unit, along with a suction system for label holding, allows for compact and precise application of labels with barcodes or text onto identity documents, enabling individual processing and recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional label applicators are used for identity documents, then labeling can be performed, but the system lacks compactness and efficiency for automated production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated production efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The label applicator is divided into functionally independent modules: a receiving unit with counter-rotating rollers for document intake, a holding unit with suction openings for label retention, and a translation means for precise positioning. This segmentation enables each module to perform its specific function efficiently while allowing the overall system to be compact and adaptable to automated production lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If documents are processed without identification features, then processing can be simple, but individual recognition and personalization become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual document recognitionVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The label is held in readiness by the holding unit with suction openings before the document is processed. The receiving unit is prepared to receive the document, and the translation means is positioned for precise label application. This preliminary preparation enables immediate individual processing once the document is introduced, facilitating both recognition and personalization without adding significant processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution enables efficient, precise, and automated labeling of identity documents, allowing for individual processing and personalization while preventing document damage, and facilitating rapid processing and space-saving design.

Implementation Method 1

The holding unit (5) comprises a plurality of suction openings (9) formed on its end face and which are flow-connected to a connection (10) for a vacuum generator in order to suck the label at the suction openings (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3527519B1Label applicator and method for applying a label
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3527519B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3527519B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a label applicator (1) for applying a label to an identification, security, or other document, comprising a receiving unit (2) with a receiving slot (4) extending in a receiving direction (3) for receiving the identification, security, or other document. The label applicator (1) further comprises a holding unit (5) arranged next to the receiving slot (4), which is configured to hold the label and provide it in such a way that, when the identification, security, or other document is inserted or retracted into the receiving slot (4), the label is applied to it or at least partially wrapped around it. The invention also relates to a method for applying a label to an identification, security, or other document.