Bag Envelope Sewing Machine With Sensor-Guided Seam Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sewing machines for bag envelopes require manual operation, leading to inconsistent seam quality, increased production costs due to human error, and machine downtime, which affects productivity and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A sewing machine equipped with a sewing head, grippers, and sensors that automate the sewing process, ensuring consistent seam placement and quality by detecting envelope edges and adjusting the sewing path using programmable logic controllers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation is used to position and sew envelope flaps, then the operator can handle the envelope directly, but the seam quality becomes inconsistent and positioning errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual handlingVSAvoidseam placement consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated system comprising a sewing head mounted on a movable carriage, sensor means for detecting envelope edges, and programmable logic controllers. The sewing head is automatically positioned relative to the envelope flaps through coordinated movement of the carriage along guides, eliminating manual positioning errors while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If automated sewing is implemented, then seam consistency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseam placement consistencyVSAvoidautomation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated sewing system is divided into functionally independent modules: a sewing head unit, a movable carriage with sensor means, envelope holding means, and control systems. Each module can be adjusted, maintained, or replaced independently, reducing the impact of complexity on overall system maintenance and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sewing head and carriage assembly are designed to accommodate different envelope sizes and configurations through programmable control. The same hardware infrastructure can sew various flap arrangements by changing control parameters, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If manual positioning is used, then setup is simple, but production speed decreases due to errors and redoing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup simplicityVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of envelope edge positions using sensor means before the sewing operation begins. The programmable logic controller pre-calculates the optimal sewing path based on detected positions, allowing the sewing head to be quickly positioned without trial-and-error adjustments, thereby maintaining simple setup while increasing production speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If automated movement is implemented, then positioning accuracy improves, but maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge detection accuracyVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor means are designed to automatically detect and adapt to variations in envelope positioning and dimensions without requiring manual recalibration. The programmable logic controller continuously monitors sensor feedback and adjusts sewing parameters in real-time, enabling the system to maintain precision while reducing the frequency and complexity of maintenance interventions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4232626B1Machine for sewing bag envelopes
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 BORSOI SRL
  • EP4232626B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4232626B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4232626B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Machine for sewing envelopes (100) into pouches, in correspondence with an opening delimited by two free overlapping flaps (101), which machine (1) includes a support base (2); a sewing head (3) mechanically mounted on said support base (2), configured to make a sewing line along a sewing direction; retaining means (4) for retaining said free flaps (101) of said envelope (100) like a bag; first movement means (5) for realizing a relative movement between said sewing head (3) and said holding means (4) along a first movement direction (X) substantially parallel to said sewing line; second movement means (6) for moving said sewing head (3) and / or said holding means (4) at least along a second movement direction (Y) orthogonal with respect to said first movement direction (X); at least a first sensor (8) configured to detect an extremal edge of said free edges (101); at least one electronic control unit for generating said relative motion between said support base (2) and / or said holding means (4) along said second movement direction (Y) at least for a predetermined length and to control said first means of movement (5) and said second movement means (6) to generate a relative movement between said sewing head (3) and said holding means (4) along said first movement direction (X) and said second movement direction ( Y) in such a way that said sewing line is made at a substantially constant distance with respect to said extremal edge of said free edges (101) and preferably at a distance substantially equal to said predetermined portion.