Label Suction Device with Independent Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing label suction devices in labeling machines often face challenges in maintaining consistent intake conditions for labels due to varying coverage of suction segments by label sections, leading to potential label contamination or misalignment.

Innovation Solution

The label suction device incorporates multiple suction segments with independent pressure control units, allowing for adjustable intake pressure across segments, thereby maintaining consistent intake conditions regardless of label section coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple suction segments are used to improve suction uniformity, then suction homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional partition walls and pressure control units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction homogeneityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device is divided into multiple suction segments separated by partition walls, allowing independent pressure control for each segment. This segmentation enables uniform suction distribution across the label guide while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each suction segment is equipped with an independent pressure control unit that can dynamically adjust suction pressure based on label section coverage. This dynamic adaptation maintains optimal suction conditions without requiring excessive structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a common vacuum pump is used for all suction segments, then device complexity is reduced, but suction pressure varies depending on label section coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control complexityVSAvoidsuction pressure consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum system is segmented into multiple independent pressure control units, each responsible for a specific suction segment. This allows independent adjustment of suction pressure in each segment to compensate for label coverage variations, ensuring consistent suction pressure overall

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction pressure parameter can be independently adjusted for each segment based on actual label coverage conditions. This parameter adaptation ensures consistent suction performance even when label sections partially cover different segments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If suction pressure is increased to prevent label contact with downstream container, then label protection is improved, but label intake conditions vary with segment coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabel contact preventionVSAvoidintake condition consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different suction segments can have different pressure levels optimized for their specific function: segments responsible for label contact prevention can maintain higher pressure, while segments focused on label intake can optimize for gentle, consistent suction conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The suction pressure parameter is independently controllable for each segment, allowing optimization of intake conditions in segments where labels are first contacted while maintaining higher pressure in segments where contact prevention is the primary function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures improved and less varying intake conditions for label sections during transport, preventing label contamination and ensuring accurate labeling.

Implementation Method 1

a label suction device (10), in particular a vacuum board, which has a label guide (11) provided with suction openings through which fluid can pass and by means of which a label section (18) to be sucked in is held during transport of the container (2) on the transport device (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4077143B1Labelling machine with label suction device
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 KHS GMBH
  • EP4077143B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP4077143B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4077143B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a label suction device (10) for a container labeling machine (1, 19, 20, 22, 24), having a label guide (11) which is provided with permeable suction openings and suction segments (13a-13) which are arranged on the label guide (11) one behind the other in the direction (14) of longitudinal extension thereof for providing a suction pressure on the label guide (11), wherein a separating wall (15) is arranged between each pair of adjacent suction segments (13a-13f). According to the invention, the label suction device (10) has a pressure influencing unit (17) for influencing the pressure in at least one of the suction segments (13a-13f) and at least one additional pressure influencing unit (17) for influencing the pressure in at least one other suction segment (13a-13f).