Adjustable Support Plane Boxing Machine for Small Box Filling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boxing machines face inefficiencies in filling small-sized boxes, requiring excessive stroke lengths for manipulating means, which results in unsatisfactory production rates for both large and small dimensions, and lack operator visibility during the packaging process.
Innovation Solution
A boxing machine that erects flat folded tubular blanks in a horizontal configuration, aligns them with specific reference planes for efficient vertical filling, and adjusts support planes to minimize the stroke length of manipulating means, allowing for faster filling and higher production rates while enabling operator inspection throughout the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the bottom of boxes is maintained at a fixed level regardless of box size, then the alignment and positioning is simplified, but the stroke length of manipulating means increases excessively for small boxes, reducing production rate
Solution Approach 1:
The support plane is made adjustable in height to dynamically adapt to different box sizes. The plane can move between a first position for large boxes and a second position for small boxes, allowing the manipulating means to perform shorter strokes for small boxes while maintaining simplified alignment through the plane's adjustable nature
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the support plane according to box dimensions. By adjusting the plane's height position based on the specific box size being processed, the system optimizes the stroke length of manipulating means while maintaining alignment simplicity
2Device complexity
If a fixed support plane is used for all box sizes, then the structure is simpler, but the stroke length of manipulating means cannot be optimized, resulting in excessive filling time for small boxes
Solution Approach 1:
The support plane transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic, adjustable structure that can change height positions. This allows the system to maintain structural simplicity while achieving productivity optimization through the plane's ability to adapt to different box dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The support plane is positioned in advance at the appropriate height before box filling begins. By pre-adjusting the plane position based on the box size, the system prepares the optimal stroke length for manipulating means, thereby reducing filling time and increasing production rate
3Ease of operation
If manipulating means perform maximum stroke for all box sizes, then the filling process is uniform and simple, but the production rate decreases for small boxes due to excessive stroke length
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameter of stroke length by adjusting the support plane position. For small boxes, the plane is positioned higher to reduce the required stroke length, while for large boxes, the plane is positioned lower to maintain adequate stroke length, thereby optimizing productivity across different box sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulating means stroke length transitions from a fixed maximum to a dynamic variable that adapts to box dimensions. By making the stroke length adjustable through support plane positioning, the system maintains ease of operation while significantly improving production rate for small boxes
Data Source
AI summary
The method for packaging articles into boxes includes: • conveying of the tubular blanks (1) in flat folded configuration (1w) to an erecting station (S); • gripping of a first lateral wall (6A) of each blank (1); • striking a second lateral wall (6B) of the blank (1) adjacent to the first lateral wall (6A); • striking and folding the first lower flap (5A) of the tubular blank (1); • moving the erected blank (1) towards a filling station (R); • striking and folding the second lower flap (5B); • sliding motion of the first lower flap (5A) and the second lower flap (5B) on a horizontal support plane (4); • in the filling station (R), in-vertical insertion of at least one article (10) into the erected blank (1); • transferring the tubular blank (1) for closing the bottom and the cover of the so obtained box.