Rotary Drum Cutting Linerless Labels for High-Speed Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatus for transferring linerless labels to moving containers face issues with reliable separation, label positioning, and speed compatibility due to the use of a silicone-lined transfer belt, which results in unstable contact and crooked label application, especially with soft or thin materials, and is unsuitable for high-speed labeling machines.
Innovation Solution
A drum with a side surface defining a vertical slit and a coaxial sleeve for centering, equipped with a cutting blade that can be radially displaced and actuated by a cam, along with air suction and resilient buffer elements, is used to cut and transfer linerless labels to moving containers, ensuring precise and repeatable separation and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a silicone-lined transfer belt is used to convey linerless labels, then the labels can be transferred to containers, but soft and thin labels cannot separate reliably from the belt
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the labels from the continuous strip by making incisions between them using a cutting blade, allowing individual labels to be separated and transferred to containers. This eliminates the need for a silicone-lined transfer belt that causes separation issues with soft and thin materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical silicone-lined transfer belt system with a drum-based system that uses controlled incisions and mechanical cutting to separate and transfer labels. This substitution resolves the separation reliability issue while maintaining transfer functionality.
2Reliability
If the transfer belt surface becomes soiled over time, then contact between belt and label becomes unstable, but cleaning the belt is not effectively addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts labels from the continuous strip through controlled incisions and cutting, eliminating the need for prolonged contact between a transfer belt surface and labels. This removes the source of soiling and contact instability problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the transfer belt mechanism with a drum-based incision and cutting system, eliminating the surface contact issues that arise with prolonged belt usage and soiling.
3Manufacturing precision
If a fixed cutting blade position is used, then labels with tolerance in longitudinal dimension cannot be cut, but adjusting the blade position is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the cutting blade position adjustable along the drum circumference, transforming a static fixed-position system into a dynamic adjustable system. This allows precise positioning to accommodate label dimension tolerances while maintaining cutting accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables change in the positional parameter of the cutting blade along the drum, allowing adjustment to compensate for label dimension variations and achieve precise cutting within tolerance ranges.
4Productivity
If the known apparatus is used, then labeling can be performed, but high speeds at which containers travel cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the transfer belt system with a drum-based incision and cutting system that can operate at higher speeds while maintaining separation repeatability through controlled mechanical cutting actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses periodic rotation of the drum with integrated cutting blades to repeatedly incise and separate labels at high speed, maintaining separation reliability through consistent periodic mechanical action.
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
The solution enables reliable, precise, and repeatable application of linerless labels at high speeds, addressing the limitations of existing technologies by maintaining stable contact and ensuring square positioning, even with flexible labels, and can be easily integrated with existing machines.
Implementation Method 1
The drum is configured to retain the strip against the side surface of the drum
Data Source
AI summary
A drum for cutting linerless labels from a continuous strip and transferring the labels to a container movable with a given trajectory and speed on a machine, the drum including a side surface suitable for guiding the strip by contacting a non-adhesive surface of the labels, the side surface defining a vertical slit, a coaxial and concentric sleeve for centering the drum on a corresponding support spindle, a cutting blade parallel to a vertical direction of the drum, the cutting blade being displaceable in a radial direction from a position retracted inside the drum to a position at least partially extended through the vertical slit outside the side surface of the drum, a fixed cam relative to which the drum rotates and that is configured to press against the cutting blade so as to cause the cutting blade to extend out in a predefined angular position, and a seat that extends in the vertical direction (Z-Z) and is connected to the cam and which is suitable for engagement with a corresponding fixed reference pin in order to determine a predefined angular position of the cam, wherein the drum is configured to retain the strip against the side surface of the drum.