Ribbon Cutting Device with Parallel Blade Motion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices for cutting ribbons made of paper or plastics are limited in productivity and difficult to fine-tune, making them inefficient for high-volume applications like labeling machines.

Innovation Solution

A cutting device with a slider and linkage system driven by an eccentric element and motor, featuring a blade with a saw-tooth edge that moves in a complex motion parallel to the ribbon surface, allowing precise and rapid cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a scissor-like blade mechanism is used to cut ribbons, then the device structure is simple, but productivity is limited and the device is difficult to fine-tune

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting speedVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static scissor-like mechanism into a dynamic system where the blade moves along a complex trajectory including parallel approach, perpendicular cutting, and retraction phases. The blade is guided through specific paths that optimize cutting performance while maintaining reasonable mechanical complexity through linkage mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting action is segmented into distinct phases: approach phase (blade moves parallel to ribbon surface), cutting phase (blade moves perpendicular to ribbon), and retraction phase (blade returns to starting position). This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, improving overall productivity while managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If a complex blade motion path is implemented to improve cutting precision, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade follows a dynamically controlled complex trajectory that ensures precise cutting. The motion includes moving parallel to the ribbon surface during approach, then perpendicular during cutting, and retracting along a defined path. This dynamic motion control achieves high cutting precision while the complexity is managed through mechanical linkages rather than complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Linkage mechanisms serve as intermediaries between the motor drive and the blade, translating simple rotational motion into the complex blade trajectory required for precise cutting. These linkages mediate the motion transformation, achieving precision without requiring complex direct control of the blade itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If rapid blade reciprocation is achieved to increase productivity, then cutting speed increases, but control and fine-tuning become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting frequencyVSAvoidfine-tuning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blade reciprocates rapidly through a dynamically optimized path that balances cutting speed with controllability. The motion is designed to move quickly during approach and retraction phases while maintaining controlled perpendicular motion during cutting, enabling high productivity while preserving ease of operation through predictable motion patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting mechanism employs periodic reciprocating motion of the blade, alternating between forward cutting strokes and backward retraction strokes. This periodic action enables high cutting frequency while the regular, predictable pattern maintains ease of control and fine-tuning through standard mechanical means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2024148B1Device for cutting a ribbon made of paper, plastics or similar material
Publication Date: 2014.05.14 P E LABELLERS SPA
  • EP2024148B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2024148B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A device for cutting a ribbon made of paper, plastics or similar material, comprising a blade (8) connected to actuation means which are adapted to give the blade (8) a motion toward the ribbon (11), the blade comprising a component parallel to the surface of the ribbon (11).