Shrink Sleeve Label Perforation via Rolling Spindle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current apparatuses for manufacturing shrink sleeve labels do not enable the creation of easy-break portions that are substantially parallel to the axis of the label, which is necessary for efficient and user-friendly label removal.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses a forming spindle with a longitudinal groove to wrap heat-shrink film, where a perforation device with rolling motion contacts the film to create easy-break portions parallel to the spindle axis, allowing for precise and parallel perforation before heat-sealing and application to containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If perforation rollers are used to create easy-break portions, then the label can be easily removed, but the easy-break portions run transversely to the axis of the sleeve-like label which is not ideal for user-friendly removal
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using traditional perforation rollers that create transverse easy-break portions, the patent inverts the approach by using a perforation device that moves parallel to the spindle axis, creating easy-break portions that run substantially parallel to the axis of the sleeve-like label, thereby improving user-friendly removal while maintaining manufacturing precision
2Manufacturing precision
If a perforation device with rolling motion is used, then easy-break portions parallel to the label axis can be created, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic rolling motion between the perforation device and the forming spindle, where the perforation device rotates on its own axis while simultaneously moving parallel to the spindle axis. This dynamic approach achieves precise parallel perforation without requiring overly complex mechanical structures
Solution Approach 2:
The perforation device combines multiple functions into a single unit: it creates the perforations, controls the rolling motion, and ensures parallel orientation relative to the spindle axis. This merging of functions reduces overall device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision
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 device reliably produces sleeve-like labels with easy-break portions parallel to the label axis, enhancing safety, simplicity, and economic efficiency in the manufacturing process while facilitating easy label removal.
Implementation Method 1
a rolling motion without sliding of the forming spindle (4), and, consequently, of the band of film (5) wrapped around it, on the perforation device (20)
Implementation Method 2
brought, pulled by the rotation of the carousel about its axis, to a heat-sealing device which 'welds' the two opposite flaps of the portions of film together
Implementation Method 3
subsequently sent to a heating station to bring about the shrinkage of the sleeve-like labels on the outside surface of the container, so as to subsequently take on its shape
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) for manufacturing a sleeve-like label (2), comprising at least one supply reel (3) designed to feed to at least one forming spindle (4) a band of heat-shrink film (5) and means for wrapping the band of heat- shrink film (5) around the lateral surface (4a) of the forming spindle (4) which are designed to provide a region of overlap (8) between a first longitudinal end (5a) of the band of heat-shrink film (5) in contact with the forming spindle (4) and the second longitudinal end (5 b) of the band of heat-shrink film (5), means (11) being provided for heat-sealing the first longitudinal end (5a) to the second longitudinal end (5b) of the band of heat-shrink film (5) wrapped around the forming spindle (4) so as to provide a connecting portion (13) at the overlap region (8), and means (9) being provided for transferring the sleeve-like label (2) from the forming spindle (4) to a container to be labeled (10); the device comprises, upstream of the transfer means (9), a perforation device (20) designed to make contact with the band of heat-shrink film (5) wrapped around the forming spindle (4) so as to provide at least one easy-break portion (21) which extends substantially parallel to the axis (101) of the forming spindle (4), means (22) being provided for relative movement between the forming spindle (4) and the perforation device (20) which are adapted to provide, during contact between the perforation device (20) and the band of heat-shrink film (5) wrapped around the forming spindle (4), a rolling motion without sliding of the forming spindle (4) on the perforation device (20).