Linerless Label Printer Guide Ribs for Accurate Sensor Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Linerless labels with pressure-sensitive adhesive surfaces tend to stick to the inner surfaces of the delivery slot in thermal printers, leading to inaccurate detection by sensors and increased manufacturing costs due to additional components required to prevent sticking.
Innovation Solution
A printer design featuring a guide surface with upstream, downstream, and midstream ribs, including a sensor opening, to guide and prevent adhesive surfaces from sticking, while ensuring accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sheet passing portion is made longer to provide space for the sensor, then the sensor can detect the label, but the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface of the label is more liable to stick to the inner surface of the sheet passing portion
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surface is segmented into multiple portions (first, second, third, and fourth portions) with different rib configurations. The first portion has ribs extending in the conveying direction, the second portion has ribs extending perpendicular to the conveying direction, the third portion has ribs extending in the conveying direction again, and the fourth portion has ribs extending perpendicular to the conveying direction. This segmentation allows the long sheet passing portion to be divided into functional zones that prevent sticking while accommodating the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the guide surface have different rib orientations and configurations tailored to local requirements. The ribs in each portion are oriented to prevent sticking in that specific area while allowing the sensor to function. This local optimization ensures that the entire long sheet passing portion prevents sticking without compromising detection accuracy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-adhesive sheet is bonded to the delivery slot surface to prevent sticking, then the label does not stick, but the manufacturing cost increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The non-adhesive sheet component is extracted and replaced by integrating the anti-sticking function directly into the guide surface structure. The guide surface ribs are formed as integral parts of the delivery slot housing, eliminating the need for separate non-adhesive sheets and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-sticking function is merged with the guide surface structure itself. The guide surface ribs serve dual purposes: guiding the label through the delivery slot and preventing the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface from sticking to the inner surface, all as integral structural features rather than separate components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the guide surface area is increased to prevent sticking, then the label does not stick, but the space required inside the delivery slot increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs are designed with varying orientations in different portions of the guide surface, creating a dynamic pattern that efficiently prevents sticking with minimal surface area. The alternating orientations of ribs in adjacent portions maximize the anti-sticking effect within the available space, allowing the label to be guided and protected without requiring excessive guide surface area.
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
Prevents label sticking and ensures accurate sensor detection, reducing manufacturing costs by optimizing the guide surface configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal head, which is arranged inside the casing, and is configured to perform printing on the linerless label
Implementation Method 2
a linerless label including a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface formed on a back surface of the linerless label
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A printer (1) is configured to perform printing on a linerless label (L) including a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface formed on a back surface of the linerless label (L). The printer (1) includes: a casing (10) including: a receiving portion (14) configured to receive the linerless label (L) before printing; and a delivery slot (18) through which the printed linerless label (L) is delivered; a printing unit (30) including: a thermal head (31), which is arranged inside the casing (10), and is configured to perform printing on the linerless label (L); and a platen roller (32), which extends in a width direction of the linerless label (L), and is configured to convey the linerless label (L) toward the delivery slot (18) while sandwiching the linerless label (L) between the platen roller (32) and the thermal head (31); and a sensor (80) configured to detect the linerless label (L) located between the printing unit (30) and the delivery slot (18). The casing (10) includes a guide surface (20) to be opposed to the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface of the linerless label (L) that has passed through the printing unit (30). The guide surface (20) includes: an upstream portion (21), which includes a plurality of upstream ribs (50) formed upright at intervals in the width direction to extend along a conveying direction of the linerless label (L); a downstream portion (23), which is provided at a distance from the upstream portion (21) on a downstream side in the conveying direction, and includes a plurality of downstream ribs (60) formed upright at intervals in the width direction to extend along the conveying direction; and a midstream portion (22), which is provided at the same position as that of the sensor (80) in the conveying direction, is located between the upstream portion (21) and the downstream portion (23), and includes at least one midstream rib (70) formed upright only on a center portion (22a) of the midstream portion (22) in the width direction to extend along the conveying direction.