Moisture-Activated Labeling Device for Food Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional labeling devices in the food industry face issues with environmental compatibility, contamination, precision, and complexity due to the use of glues and separate components, leading to high maintenance and error susceptibility.
Innovation Solution
A labeling device that uses labels with a moistenable fixing side, activated by a spray head or roller, for direct transfer to objects without additional components like gripper cylinders, minimizing glue usage and incorporating a vacuum or compressed air system for precise handling and reduced mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive is applied to pallets and labels are transferred mechanically via gripper cylinder, then labels adhere to objects, but the adhesive contaminates the labeling device leading to long cleaning times and increased downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive application system is extracted and replaced with a moistening activation system. Instead of applying adhesive to pallets and using mechanical grippers, the patent applies moisture to activate the adhesive on labels directly at the transfer point, eliminating the source of contamination and the need for extensive cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical gripper cylinder system is replaced with a direct transfer mechanism using vacuum-held pallets. The patent substitutes complex mechanical gripping and rolling actions with a simpler vacuum-based holding and direct placement system, reducing mechanical complexity and contamination risk.
2Reliability
If conventional adhesive systems are used with multiple separate components, then labels can be applied, but the device complexity increases and susceptibility to errors rises
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate components (adhesive application system, gripper cylinder, label turning mechanism) are merged into an integrated system where the pallet vacuum holding, moisture activation, and direct transfer functions are combined. This reduces the number of separate components while maintaining label application functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum-held pallet system serves multiple functions: it holds labels during transfer, positions them accurately, and enables direct application to objects. The moisture activation system also serves dual purposes by both activating adhesive and preparing the label surface for transfer, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
3Reliability
If labels are turned over and applied via gripper cylinder, then labels adhere to objects, but precision is reduced due to mechanical handling
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical gripper cylinder turning and rolling action is replaced with a direct vacuum-held transfer mechanism. The pallet maintains precise control over label position throughout the transfer process, and the label is applied directly without mechanical turning, preserving positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum-held pallet acts as an intermediary that maintains precise control over the label during transfer. Instead of direct mechanical manipulation that compromises precision, the pallet serves as a controlled intermediate carrier that preserves label positioning accuracy from storage to application point.
4Reliability
If adhesive is applied to pallets beforehand, then labels adhere when picked up, but environmental compatibility is poor due to glue usage
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive application to pallets is extracted and replaced with moisture activation of label adhesive. This eliminates the need for large amounts of adhesive on pallets, reducing environmental impact while maintaining label adhesion functionality through controlled moisture application at the transfer point.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive activation method is changed from chemical adhesive application to physical moisture activation. By changing the activation parameter from chemical glue to water-based moisture, the system achieves the same adhesion result with improved environmental compatibility, especially for food industry applications.
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 enhances environmental friendliness, reduces maintenance, improves precision, and simplifies the device design by eliminating the need for glue and complex components, resulting in a more efficient and compact labeling system.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum supply unit for generating a negative pressure at said openings (206) on the label contact side (202) of a pallet (200)
Implementation Method 2
a compressed air supply unit for applying a positive pressure at said openings (206) on the label contact side (202) of a pallet (200)
Implementation Method 3
at least one activation unit for activating the activatable fixing side of a label picked up from a pallet, e.g. by moistening
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a labeling device (100) for labeling objects (113), in particular containers in the food industry, comprising: at least one label storage unit (101) for providing labels (102) which are provided with a fixing side (122) that can be activated by moistening, and at least one palletizing unit (103) with at least one pallet (104, 105, 106) for picking up and transferring individual labels, and at least one activation unit (108, 125) for activating the activatable fixing side (122) of a label (107) picked up from a pallet by moistening, and characterized in that the labeling device (100) is configured for a direct transfer of labels (102, 107) from the pallet (104, 105, 106) of the palletizing unit (103) to an object (113) to be labeled.