Adhesive Bundling Apparatus for Container Nesting Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming bundles of containers, such as using shrink film or straps, result in high energy costs and instability during transport, with cylindrical items prone to nesting, which compromises the integrity of the bundle.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a linear transporter and controllable drive, featuring axially movable and rotatable head guides, applies adhesive to containers to form non-nesting bundles without encompassing film or straps, ensuring the bundle's integrity even after removal of items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If shrink film is used to wrap bundles of containers, then bundle stability is improved, but energy consumption increases due to heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the shrink film wrapping step from the traditional bundling process. Instead of using heat-shrinkable film that requires energy-intensive heating, the patent applies adhesive directly to containers in a stream, allowing them to bond to each other and form stable bundles without any encompassing film or additional stabilization materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the thermal-mechanical system of shrink film (heating + film contraction) with a purely chemical adhesion system. Adhesive is applied to containers in their natural state, and the containers bond through chemical adhesion alone, eliminating the need for heat application equipment and energy consumption associated with film shrinkage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If straps are used to bind bundles, then bundle stability is improved, but the integrity is compromised when containers are removed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the bonding function from the container units themselves rather than using an external binding element like straps. Each container is individually bonded to its neighbors through adhesive application, creating a distributed bonding network where each container contributes to the overall bundle integrity. This segmentation allows individual containers to be removed without compromising the structural integrity of the remaining bundle.
Solution Approach 2:
The containers themselves serve the dual function of being both the packaged item and the bonding structure. Through adhesive application to their surfaces, the containers self-organize into stable bundles without requiring external binding elements. This self-service capability maintains bundle integrity even when containers are removed, as the remaining containers retain their adhesive bonds.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If high tension is applied to straps to prevent nesting, then nesting is prevented, but device complexity and force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies adhesive to containers in advance, during the streaming process, before the containers are fully assembled into bundles. This preliminary bonding action creates initial adhesion between containers as they are being organized, preventing them from nesting or shifting into unstable positions during the bundling process and subsequent transport, without requiring high tension forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the bonding parameter from mechanical tension (straps under high tension) to chemical adhesion (adhesive bonds between containers). This parameter change eliminates the need for high force application, as the adhesive provides sufficient bonding strength to prevent nesting and maintain container positions without requiring external tension forces.
4Reliability
If adhesive is applied to containers, then bundle integrity is maintained after container removal, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the adhesive application process with the existing container streaming and bundling operation. The adhesive is applied to containers that are already moving in a stream, and the same streaming infrastructure is used to deliver containers to the bonding position. This merging eliminates the need for separate, complex manufacturing equipment and allows the process to be integrated into existing production lines with minimal additional 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
The solution prevents nesting during transport and maintains bundle integrity, reducing resource consumption and energy costs while allowing for easy reassembly, achieving environmentally friendly packaging with minimal adhesive application.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the containers (3) of the bundle (2) has an adhesive and/or an application of adhesive on at least one contact face (S) thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for producing bundles of containers received from a wide container stream that is converted into plural single-track container streams. The apparatus has a dividing-off and/or compactor unit that divides off and compacts a predetermined number of containers to form a partial bundle to be combined with other partial bundles to form a full bundle. The apparatus also includes application elements that apply adhesive to a container, a linear transporter having a controllable drive, a guide element, a transport element that moves linearly along the guide element, and as many head guides as there are containers in a bundle. The head guides move and/or rotate relative to the transport element.