Rotating Glue Roller Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing labeling methods using hot or cold glue for rotationally symmetrical packaging face issues with temperature control, as non-contact optical sensors are prone to interference from glue residues, vapors, or deposits, leading to inconsistent adhesive properties and potential label detachment.
Innovation Solution
A gluing device with a temperature measuring device and actuator integrated on the rotating glue roller, powered by an energy generator, and a sensor outside the roller to detect the actuator's actions, eliminating the need for external energy supply, allowing for precise temperature control and reduced manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-contact optical sensors are used to measure glue roller temperature, then temperature measurement is possible without contact, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference from glue residues, vapors, or deposits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using contactless sensors (optical or microwave) that can penetrate or ignore the interfering medium (glue residues, vapors, deposits) to measure the temperature of the glue roller surface without being affected by these contaminants, thus maintaining measurement precision while achieving contactless operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional contact-based mechanical temperature measurement systems with contactless optical or electromagnetic field-based measurement systems, eliminating the need for physical contact with the glue roller surface and thus avoiding interference from glue residues and deposits
2Reliability
If temperature control is improved to maintain precise adhesive properties, then labeling reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional heating and sensing components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where temperature sensors continuously monitor the glue roller surface temperature and feed this information back to a control unit, which automatically adjusts the heating elements to maintain the optimal temperature range, ensuring consistent adhesive properties and labeling reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into unified components: the glue roller serves both as the labeling applicator and the heated surface; the control system combines temperature sensing, processing, and actuation in an integrated manner, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise temperature control
3Reliability
If external energy supply is required for temperature measuring device and actuator, then measurement and control functions can be performed, but manufacturing effort and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-powered or energy-harvesting solutions for the temperature measuring device and actuator components mounted on the rotating glue roller, such as using the roller's rotation to generate electricity through electromagnetic induction or using energy harvesting from the existing heating elements, thereby eliminating the need for complex external energy supply systems and reducing manufacturing 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 solution ensures stable temperature control of the glue roller, maintaining optimal adhesive properties and reducing the likelihood of label detachment, while simplifying the design and reducing energy transmission requirements, thus improving labeling reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The measurement of the glue roller temperature and thus also the temperature of the hot glue is usually carried out contactless by means of optical sensors
Implementation Method 2
In order to achieve sufficient flowability of the hot glue used here, the glue must be heated to approx. 140 °C, for which purpose heating devices are provided along the lines, in the distributor module and also in the glue roller
Implementation Method 3
This embodiment can be supplemented by furthermore providing a thermocouple serving as a temperature sensor as part of the temperature measuring device
Implementation Method 4
An advantageous embodiment variant consists in using a transmitter which emits radio signals, for example, as the actuator
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention provides a glue application device (1), particularly for use in labeling machines, for labeling containers, such as bottles, cans, and the like, using glue, comprising a rotating glue roller (3), at least one heating device (10) associated with the glue roller, at least one feed line for glue, at least one storage container for glue, and a measuring and controlling device for the temperature of the glue roller. For this purpose, the invention provides that at least one temperature measurement device (11, 12, 13) and an actuator (12) controlled by the temperature measurement device are disposed on the rotating part of the glue roller, and that a sensor (14) is disposed outside of the rotating part of the glue roller, wherein no external energy supply is required for the temperature measurement device and for the actuator.