Adjustable Gripping Elements for Variable RSC Sleeve Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handling devices for sleeve-shaped RSC boxes face challenges due to large manufacturing tolerances, requiring multiple tools and long downtimes as they can only handle sleeves with specific internal cross-sections, limiting their versatility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A handling device where only the gripping elements are moved into the cardboard sleeve, while the base body remains outside, allowing for a wider range of movement and enabling the handling of sleeves with varying internal cross-sections using the same tool, with adjustable gripping elements that can change position to match different dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the base body is inserted into the interior of the cardboard sleeve, then the gripping elements can be positioned within the sleeve for secure gripping, but the extension of the base body is limited to the inner free cross-section of the cardboard tube, restricting the range of gripping element positions and thus limiting the ability to handle cardboard tubes of very different dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure grippingVSAvoidhandling of different dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tool punch is segmented into two distinct parts: the base body that remains outside the cardboard sleeve, and the gripping elements that are inserted into the sleeve. This segmentation allows the base body to serve as a stable mounting platform while the gripping elements can be positioned independently within the sleeve to accommodate various dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base body is extended in the axial direction (perpendicular to the main plane) rather than being constrained within the cross-sectional plane. This dimensional change allows the base body to be large enough to support a wide range of gripping element positions while remaining outside the limited cross-sectional space of the cardboard sleeve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the gripping elements are moved to different positions on the base body to match different dimensions, then the adaptability to handle various cardboard tube sizes is improved, but the base body must remain outside the sleeve to provide sufficient movement range, which limits the gripping elements' extension length

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling of different dimensionsVSAvoidextension length of gripping elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the base body from the gripping elements and positioning them in different spatial zones (base body outside, gripping elements inside), the invention allows the base body to be large enough to support wide positioning ranges while the gripping elements can extend sufficiently into the sleeve to provide secure gripping leverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of inserting the entire base body into the sleeve and having gripping elements move within the limited cross-sectional space, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the base body outside and having gripping elements extend into the sleeve, thereby maximizing both the positioning range and the extension length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a tool punch is designed to handle sleeves with very different internal cross-sections, then the versatility is improved, but multiple different gripping tools are necessary, resulting in long downtimes and reduced productivity when changing formats

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling of different cross-sectionsVSAvoiddowntime during format changing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool punch is designed as a universal device that can handle cardboard tubes of very different dimensions by positioning gripping elements at different locations on the base body. The base body serves multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling gripping element positioning, and maintaining stability during operation, all while remaining outside the sleeve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping elements are made dynamically positionable on the base body, allowing them to be adjusted to different locations depending on the dimensions of the cardboard tube to be handled. This dynamic positioning capability enables a single tool punch to adapt to various formats without requiring physical replacement of the entire tool.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3187427B2Device and method for grabbing and transporting rsc packs

Publication Date: 2023.11.01 GERHARD SCHUBERT GMBH

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Figure 2a

AI summary

To erect RSC cartons and close their bottom (106), rod-shaped gripping elements (1a-f, A-F) are used according to the invention. These gripping elements are movable on the base body (2) of a tool punch (1) in its main plane (2') and, after these gripping elements (1a-f, A-F) are immersed in the cardboard sleeve (100), are moved into its inner corners for forming, gripping, transporting, and further processing the cardboard sleeves (100). This allows cardboard sleeves (100) of a wide variety of dimensions to be handled, and not just one, but an adjustable number of several cardboard sleeves (100) to be gripped and handled simultaneously by a tool punch (1).