Shelf Label Printer Continuous Strip Perforation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelf label printers are limited by fixed label lengths, requiring separate printers and label sheets for different lengths and types, leading to inefficiencies in merchandise information display and price reduction indications, and necessitating multiple sheet types for varying display spaces.
Innovation Solution
A shelf label printer and method that uses a continuous strip-form label sheet with perforations and position detecting marks, allowing for arbitrary length formation and printing of merchandise information, enabling flexible label lengths and shared sheet material for price reduction labels, eliminating the need for multiple sheet types and printers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed length shelf labels are used, then the label structure is simple, but the adaptability to different display spaces and merchandise volumes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal label sheet that can serve multiple functions by accommodating shelf labels of different lengths (short, medium, long) and price reduction labels on a single continuous sheet. The label printer is designed to handle this multi-functional sheet, eliminating the need for separate printers and sheet types for different label configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous label sheet is divided into multiple independent label regions of different lengths, each separable by perforations. This segmentation allows the system to produce various label lengths from a single unified sheet structure, enabling flexible adaptation to different display spaces while maintaining a simple, unified sheet design.
2Productivity
If separate printers and label sheets are used for different label types, then the printing function is specialized, but the operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the printing functions for different label types (shelf labels and price reduction labels) into a single integrated printing operation. The label printer handles both long shelf labels and short price reduction labels on the same continuous sheet, eliminating the need for separate printers and reducing operational steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The label printer is designed as a universal device capable of printing various label types and lengths from a single sheet. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple specialized printers, improving productivity while simplifying operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple label sheet types are prepared, then the label length requirement is met, but the inventory management and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous label sheet serves as a universal inventory that can produce labels of various lengths through its segmented design. By maintaining only one type of sheet inventory instead of multiple specialized sheets, the system reduces stock complexity and costs while still meeting diverse label length requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The single continuous sheet is segmented into multiple usable label regions of different lengths. This segmentation allows the system to fulfill various label length requirements from a single sheet type, eliminating the need to maintain inventory for multiple different sheet lengths.
4Ease of operation
If the label sheet is continuous, then the printing operation is simplified, but the position detection accuracy may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
Position detecting marks are introduced as intermediary elements on the continuous label sheet to provide reliable position information to the label printer. These marks act as reference points that enable accurate position detection despite the continuous nature of the sheet, ensuring precise label placement while maintaining printing simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
[PROBLEMS] To provide a shelf label printer and a printing method of a shelf label printer which is capable of producing shelf labels 16, 17 and 18 having short and long different pitch lengths P, 2P and 3P from one type of continuous shelf label 2, and which is not required to possess several types of shelf label sheets, such that it is possible to keep down the cost. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] Focusing on forming a shelf label having an arbitrary pitch length by selecting an arbitrary number of a plurality of unit labels (2A). The shelf label printer having a supply unit capable of loading a continuous shelf label (2) configured with a plurality of unit labels (2A) provided consecutively with perforations (14), a detecting unit capable of detecting a position detecting mark (13) provided at a predetermined pitch on back surface of the unit label (2A), an input unit for inputting the number of necessary unit labels (2A) and the merchandise information, a printing unit capable of printing the merchandise information over arbitrary number of the unit labels (2A), and a control unit capable of forming the shelf labels (16, 17 and 18) by printing the merchandise information on the arbitrary number of unit labels (2A) at the printing unit according to the number of unit labels (2A) and the number of position detecting marks (13).