Herma enhances its InNo-Liner system

The German self-adhesive solutions specialist has demonstrated the ability to apply labels to the top of shipping cases of different heights that are fed to the applicator in any sequence.

‘The variable labeling height was the final development stage leading to the start of series production,’ said Martin Kühl, who heads Herma’s labeling machines division. ‘It was accomplished with the help of the knowledge we have gained from the first test runs together with customers, which began last fall.’

The production model transfers the initially non-sticky label to a tamp pad, which is equipped with a box height sensor. First, a water activation unit performs a transverse motion underneath the label, where it activates the adhesive with a spray of micro-atomized water. Then the linear transfer unit automatically moves the tamp pad, with the activated label, to the required labeling height for the next case in the line. The high adhesion of the labels is achieved thanks to the Herma patented multi-layer adhesive 82S.

‘The underlying principle is easy to understand and simple,’ said Dr Thomas Baumgärtner, managing director of Herma. ‘It does not involve any solvents, heat or other activation media associated with possibly undesirable side-effects. In addition, the cost is much the same as that of a conventional self-adhesive label. At the same time, the demand for genuinely sustainable packaging solutions is steadily gathering momentum.’

The InNo-Liner system will be commercially available from October 2020. However, thanks to a new app, developed for Apple and Android devices, and augmented reality, interested parties can already see the system in action by projecting it virtually into their own operating environment on a smartphone or tablet.