Rotating Blow Labeler Holding Platform for High Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blow labelers have throughput limitations due to the time-consuming retraction and extension of a ring-shaped region with suction openings, which restricts the efficient alignment and application of labels on packages.
Innovation Solution
A blow labeler design featuring a rotatable holding platform with a label contact surface that includes all blow-off and suction openings, driven by an electric motor, eliminating the need for retraction and extension, and incorporating a multi-passage rotary union for sealed air supply, allowing continuous rotation and high throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a ring-shaped region with suction openings is rotated to align labels with packages, then label orientation is improved, but throughput is reduced due to retraction and extension time
Solution Approach 1:
The label contact surface is segmented into a stationary base portion and a rotatable holding platform portion. This allows the holding platform with labels to be rotated independently for orientation adjustment without requiring retraction and extension of the entire label contact surface, thereby maintaining high throughput while achieving precise label alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding platform is designed to be rotatably supported relative to the base platform, enabling dynamic rotation of labels to different orientations. This dynamic rotation capability allows labels to be aligned with packages in the direction of rotation without stopping the labeling process, thus resolving the contradiction between orientation precision and throughput.
2Productivity
If the entire label contact surface is rotated instead of only a ring-shaped region, then throughput is improved by eliminating retraction and extension, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The label contact surface is divided into a stationary base platform and a rotatable holding platform. This segmentation allows the holding platform to be rotated independently without complex retraction and extension mechanisms, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining high throughput capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable holding platform serves multiple functions: it holds labels, rotates them for orientation adjustment, and transfers them to packages. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate retraction and extension mechanisms, reducing device complexity while improving throughput.
3Productivity
If a rotatable holding platform with all blow-off and suction openings is used, then alignment efficiency is improved, but air supply complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air connection device is integrated into the base platform and provides both compressed air and suction air through rotary unions to the rotatable holding platform. This integrated design allows the same air connection system to serve both the stationary base and the rotating holding platform, simplifying the overall air supply structure while maintaining alignment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Rotary unions are used as intermediaries to transfer compressed air and suction air from the stationary base platform to the rotatable holding platform. These rotary unions enable continuous rotation while maintaining sealed air connections, thus improving alignment efficiency without significantly increasing air supply complexity.
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 design enables efficient alignment and application of labels on packages with increased throughput by rotating the entire label contact surface, ensuring precise orientation and position adjustment without the need for additional retraction or extension steps.
Implementation Method 1
the labels are held at the label contact surface by suction air
Implementation Method 2
the labels are blown off from the label contact surface by compressed air
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a blow labeler for applying labels to packages, comprising a blower head having a base platform, which has an air connection device that comprises a plurality of ports having a compressed air port and at least one suction air port, and a holding platform having a label contact surface that is passed through by a plurality of blow-off openings in fluid communication with the compressed air port and by a plurality of suction openings in fluid communication with the at least one suction air port, wherein the holding platform is rotatably supported at the base platform, wherein the base platform has a drive comprising an electric motor, and wherein the drive is adapted to rotatably drive the holding platform in order to rotate a label held at the label contact surface.