Adjustable Spout for Uniform Insulation Package Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging technologies for fibrous insulation materials require multiple bag sizes to accommodate different product sizes, leading to inefficiencies in production and variations in package compression, making it difficult to predict the required amount of insulation material and increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable spout apparatus with four moveable spout members that can adjust in both width and height to accommodate various insulation batt sizes, allowing for standard-sized packaging bags and optimized compression, enabling more accurate and uniform package sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bag sizes are used to accommodate different product sizes, then all product sizes can be packaged, but production efficiency decreases and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spout is designed with moveable spout members that can be adjusted in width and height to accommodate different insulation batt sizes. This dynamic adjustment capability eliminates the need for multiple fixed-size bags, allowing a single bag size to be used for all product variations, thereby improving production efficiency while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the spout (width and height dimensions) to match different product specifications. By adjusting the spout dimensions rather than changing the bag size, the system achieves adaptability to various product sizes while maintaining consistent packaging dimensions and production workflow
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bag sizes are used to accommodate different product sizes, then all product sizes can be packaged, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable spout serves multiple functions by accommodating different insulation batt sizes (400mm, 500mm, 600mm widths) with a single spout configuration. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized bagging stations or bag sizes, reducing manufacturing complexity and production costs while maintaining the ability to handle all product variations
3Quantity of substance
If compression degree is increased to fit more products in the bag, then package quantity increases, but product quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable spout members enable dynamic adjustment of the spout dimensions to optimize the compression process. By adjusting the spout width and height to match the specific product dimensions, the system achieves uniform compression that maximizes package quantity while maintaining product quality within acceptable limits, preventing excessive compression that would deteriorate the insulation material
4Device complexity
If spout size is fixed, then apparatus structure is simple, but cannot accommodate different insulation batt sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The spout is segmented into multiple moveable spout members (at least four) that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows each member to be positioned to match different product dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The modular nature of the adjustment mechanism keeps the device complexity manageable while achieving high adaptability to various insulation batt sizes
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for packaging articles, in particular a stack of insulation panels, includes an element for supplying a stack of articles to a transfer position, and an adjustable spout forming a discharge channel having a receiving end and a distal end. The apparatus is further operative to wrap the stack with a packaging foil material, and transfer it into the spout. The adjustable spout comprises at least four spout members which are moveable relative to each other so as to vary the height and the width of the spout.