Labelling Machine Cutting Roller with Rolling Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting devices in labelling machines experience adhesive material accumulation on the blade roller and blade member due to the sliding of the web during the labelling process, leading to frequent maintenance stops and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The cutting device incorporates a cutting roller with radially protruding rolling elements, such as spheres, that minimize sliding friction and contact with the web, reducing adhesive accumulation by converting sliding friction into rolling friction, and incorporates vacuum ports to support and retain the web, thereby reducing glue deposition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a blade roller is used to cut labels from the web, then cutting function is achieved, but adhesive material accumulates on the blade roller and blade member due to sliding friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabelling efficiencyVSAvoidadhesive accumulation causing maintenance stops
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the traditional cylindrical blade roller with a blade sphere (ball-shaped cutting element). This spherical geometry fundamentally changes the contact mechanics from sliding friction to rolling friction, minimizing adhesive material accumulation on the cutting element while maintaining effective label cutting functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Speed

If the web slides during the labelling process, then the labelling operation can proceed, but adhesive material deposits on the cutting roller and blade member

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabelling process speedVSAvoidadhesive deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blade sphere's rounded geometry converts the sliding contact between web and cutting element into rolling contact, dramatically reducing adhesive deposition while allowing the labelling process to continue at required speeds without interruption for maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design minimizes the accumulation of adhesive material on the cutting roller and blade member, reducing the need for maintenance stops and enhancing the overall efficiency of the labelling process by reducing sliding friction and wear.

Implementation Method 1

minimize sliding friction and contact with the web, reducing adhesive accumulation by converting sliding friction into rolling friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

incorporates vacuum ports to support and retain the web

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP4011793B1Cutting device for a labelling machine configured to apply labels onto articles adapted to contain a pourable product
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS SAS
  • EP4011793B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4011793B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4011793B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

There is described a cutting device (10, 10') for a labelling machine (1) configured to apply labels (2) obtained from a web (4) of labelling material onto articles (3) adapted to contain a pourable product, the cutting device (10, 10') comprises a cutting roller (12) rotatable about a longitudinal axis (Y), carrying a blade member (13), which radially protrudes from an outer lateral surface (14) of the cutting roller (12), and conveying, in use, the blade member (13) along a circular cutting path around the longitudinal axis (Y); the blade member (13) is configured to sequentially cut the web (4) at a cutting station (T) arranged the staid cutting path, in a position adjacent to the cutting roller (12), so as to obtain a sequence of labels (2); the cutting roller (12) comprises a plurality of rolling elements (16, 16') which are arranged at the outer lateral surface (14) and radially protrude therefrom, the rolling elements (16, 16') are mounted to the cutting roller (12) in a rolling manner with respect to the outer lateral surface (14).