Bag Orientation Transfer Mechanism for Packaging Line Layout Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bag-making and packaging machines face challenges in aligning the orientation of bags produced by a horizontal bag-making machine with the orientation of bag feeders in a packaging machine, especially when the number of rows differs, and in adjusting for different orientations and row configurations without temporary stocking.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that includes a horizontal bag-making machine forming connected bags, a positioning conveyor, a feed conveyor, and transport means with swing arms and suction members to reorient and position bags vertically and horizontally, allowing them to be fed directly to a conveyor magazine-type bag feeder, regardless of orientation and row differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the orientation of bags manufactured by the bag-making machine and the orientation of bags in the bag feeder are aligned, then the bags can be sent to the bag feeders without changing orientation, but layout limitations in a factory may prevent this alignment
Solution Approach 1:
A transfer mechanism is introduced as an intermediary device between the bag-making machine and the bag feeder. This transfer mechanism includes transfer arms that can rotate and position bags in different orientations, allowing bags to be transferred even when the orientations of the bag-making machine and bag feeder are not aligned, thus resolving the contradiction between feeding efficiency and layout flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer mechanism employs dynamically adjustable components, including rotatable transfer arms that can change their orientation and position during operation. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different layout configurations while maintaining continuous bag feeding, addressing both productivity and adaptability requirements
2Productivity
If a two-row bag-making machine is used to increase production capacity, then more bags are manufactured, but the bag orientations face different directions requiring orientation change mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer mechanism combines multiple functions into a single integrated system. The same transfer arms and positioning mechanisms that handle the basic bag transfer also perform the orientation adjustment for two-row bags, merging the transfer function and orientation change function into one mechanism, thereby increasing production capacity without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer mechanism is designed with universal capabilities to handle both single-row and two-row bag configurations, as well as different orientation requirements. This multi-functionality allows the system to accommodate various bag-making machine types without requiring separate specialized mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between production capacity and mechanism complexity
3Productivity
If the number of rows of bags fed out from the bag-making machine and the number of bag feeders are different, then compensation mechanisms are needed to supply bags uniformly to all feeders
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer mechanism includes dynamically controllable transfer arms that can adjust their movement patterns and timing. This dynamic control allows the system to compensate for mismatches between the number of bag rows and the number of feeders, distributing bags uniformly across all feeders through programmable motion sequences without requiring complex mechanical compensation devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control through sensors and controllers that monitor bag positions and feeder status. This feedback enables real-time adjustment of the transfer mechanism to ensure uniform bag distribution to all feeders, maintaining productivity while minimizing the complexity of compensation mechanisms through intelligent control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient feeding of bags to packaging machines without temporary stocking, accommodating different orientations and row configurations, and maintaining production capabilities while simplifying the mechanism for adjusting orientations and row alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a suction member (17) provided at the tip end of the swing arm (16) and capable of sucking onto a bag surface
Data Source
AI summary
A bag-making and packaging machine, in which a horizontal bag-making machine and a packaging machine are provided, including a positioning conveyor for positioning bags fed out from the horizontal bag-making machine, a feed conveyor for feeding the bags to the packaging machine, and first, second, and third transport mechanisms provided between the positioning conveyor and the feed conveyor. The first transport mechanism lifts up the bags up and change their attitude to a vertical attitude with the bag mouths oriented upward. The second transport mechanism receives the bags from the first transport mechanisms, transports them, and rotates the bags to orient bag surfaces in the feed direction of the feed conveyor. The third transport mechanisms receives the bags from the second transport mechanisms, changes their attitude to a horizontal attitude, and places them on the feed conveyor with the bag mouths oriented in the feed direction.