Bag Section Transport Device Top Seam Cooling Equipotentiality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sack filling systems face issues with mechanical loading of the top seam during transport, particularly between the top seam station and the top seam cooling station, leading to potential damage and suboptimal cooling quality.

Innovation Solution

A transport device with an additional gripping device that maintains the gripping and release positions at the same height, avoiding excessive mechanical loading and ensuring a constant height for the top seam, allowing for independent transport between the top seam station and the top seam cooling station, and utilizing a pendulum drive mechanism for efficient movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pendulum lifting transport is used with a gripping device, then the sack section can be transported between stations, but an undesired mechanical load is applied to the freshly sealed top seam

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport capabilityVSAvoidtop seam integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the equipotentiality principle by positioning both the gripping position and release position of the additional gripping device at the same height level. This eliminates vertical displacement during transport, preventing gravitational loading on the top seam while maintaining transport functionality. The sack section moves horizontally without being lifted or lowered, thus avoiding mechanical stress on the freshly sealed seam.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

2Productivity

If the gripping position is higher than the release position, then transport can occur, but the gripping device dips into the bulk material and causes excessive drag

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport efficiencyVSAvoiddrag on bulk material
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By setting the gripping position and release position at the same height, the patent prevents the gripping device from dipping into the bulk material. This eliminates the harmful effect of excessive drag while maintaining efficient transport, as the sack section moves horizontally without penetrating the material surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Reliability

If multiple gripping devices are used for transport between stations, then complete transport coverage is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport coverageVSAvoidnumber of gripping devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transport function by introducing a specialized additional gripping device specifically for the top seam station to top seam cooling station transport. This segmentation allows each gripping device to be optimized for its specific function, with the additional device dedicated to preserving top seam integrity during its specific transport segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The additional gripping device serves multiple purposes: it provides transport coverage for the critical top seam cooling segment, maintains horizontal transport to protect the seam, and integrates with the existing pendulum drive system. This multi-functionality achieves reliable transport coverage without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

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

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

This design enhances the safety and quality of the bag section by preventing mechanical stress on the top seam, improving cooling efficiency and cycle speed, while maintaining a cost-effective and simple system.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the gripping devices, in particular the additional gripping device, moves in a pendulum mode between the gripping position and the release position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPendulum: Pendulum

Implementation Method 2

By filling the bag with bulk material, a weight force is generated outwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3003878B1Transporting device for transporting a bag section in a bag-filling installation
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER GMBH
  • EP3003878B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3003878B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3003878B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a transporting device (10) for transporting a bag section (210) between individual stations (170) of a bag-filling installation (100), having a first gripping device (20) for transporting from a bottom seam station (110) to a bottom seam cooling station (120), a second gripping device (30) for transporting from the bottom seam cooling station (120) to a filling station (130), and a third gripping device (40) for transporting from the filling station (130) to a top seam station (140), wherein an additional gripping device (50) is arranged for transporting the bag section (210) from the top seam station (140) to a top seam cooling station (150), wherein the gripping position (G50) in the top seam station (140) and the release position (L50) in the top seam cooling station (150) are arranged at the same height.