Multilane Printer With Offset Lanes and Single Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional multilane technique for packaging ice-cream bars and other objects is not space efficient and requires a high number of components, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased maintenance complexity.
Innovation Solution
A multilane printer with laterally offset lanes and a single printer head that can simultaneously print on multiple lanes, allowing for a compact layout and easier maintenance, using a static or laser printer with rollers and guiding means for each lane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional multilane technique with separate printer heads for each lane is used, then each lane can be printed independently, but the device complexity and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple printer heads into a single integrated printing unit that can simultaneously print on multiple lanes. This merging approach reduces the total number of separate components while maintaining the ability to print on each lane independently, thereby reducing device complexity without compromising printing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The single printing unit is designed to perform multiple functions by printing on several lanes simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive printing capability across all lanes
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate printer heads are used for each lane, then each lane has dedicated printing capability, but the space efficiency and maintenance accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple printer heads into a single integrated unit, the patent consolidates the space required for multiple separate components into one compact structure. This reduces the overall area occupied by the printing arrangement while maintaining the precision printing capability for each lane through the unified design
3Productivity
If conventional multilane technique with intermediate conveyor is used, then objects can be transported row by row, but hygienic problems and operational inefficiencies arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the intermediate conveyor from the packaging system by implementing direct multilane printing and wrapping. This extraction of the problematic intermediate component removes the source of hygienic contamination while maintaining high productivity through the direct conveyance of objects from production to wrapping on multiple parallel lanes
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to multilane printer (2) for printing packaging material. The printer (2) comprises a first lane (3) for packaging material, a second lane (4) for packaging material, and a printer head (11) arranged in connection with said lanes (3, 4). The lanes (3, 4) are arranged laterally offset in an overlapping manner, such that the printer head (11) is able to simultaneously print on at least a portion of the packaging material travelling in each lane (3, 4). The invention also relates to a multilane wrapping machine (1) and a method for simultaneously printing a plurality of lanes (3, 4, 5, 6) for packaging material using one single printer head (11).