Automated Clipper Mechanism for Netting Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging methods for products in netting materials are inefficient as they require manual application of closure clips, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors, especially when handling discrete or bulky items like whole birds or hams.

Innovation Solution

An automated packaging apparatus that includes a product chute and a clipper mechanism with an automatic stroke cycle, capable of automatically applying closure clips to the netting material as the product exits the chute, featuring a two-stroke actuation cylinder and a curvilinear clip rail for precise clip placement and severing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual application of closure clips is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity is reduced and time loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated clipper mechanism performs the clipping operation automatically without requiring manual intervention. The system feeds clips through a curvilinear rail, positions them precisely, and applies them to the netting material automatically as products move through the packaging line, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous manual operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical clipping operation with an automated mechanical system. The clipper mechanism uses a two-stroke actuation system with a curvilinear clip rail to automatically feed, position, and apply clips, substituting human manual labor with an automated mechanical apparatus that maintains operational simplicity while dramatically increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If manual application of closure clips is used, then device complexity is reduced, but time loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidtime loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated clipper mechanism operates continuously as products move through the packaging line. The two-stroke actuation system maintains continuous clip feeding and application without interruption, eliminating the time loss associated with manual clipping operations while keeping the device complexity manageable through a straightforward mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The curvilinear clip rail pre-positions clips along its curved path before they are applied to the netting material. This preliminary positioning action ensures that clips are ready and correctly oriented before the clipping operation occurs, reducing the time required for each clipping cycle while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated clipping is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clipper mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including a two-stroke actuation system that moves the clip rail through distinct phases, and a curvilinear rail that dynamically positions clips during the clipping cycle. These dynamic components enable automated high-speed operation while maintaining manageable complexity through well-defined motion sequences and modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of time

If automated clipping is implemented, then loss of time is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime lossVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The curvilinear clip rail uses a curved geometry to guide and position clips automatically. The curvature of the rail provides inherent positioning guidance that ensures precise clip placement without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining achievable manufacturing precision tolerances for the rail geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS8584436B2Automated clipping packaging apparatus and associated devices, methods, systems and computer program products

Publication Date: 2013.11.19 TIPPER TIE INC

AI summary

Methods, devices and computer program products automatically or semi-automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by pulling a covering material upstream of a product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute, then applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the covering material.