Bag Stacking Device Using Gas Stream to Control Falling Speed

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stacking devices fail to reliably stack bags at higher transport speeds due to bags not being fully rested on the stack, leading to quality losses and mechanical issues.

Innovation Solution

A stacking device that influences the falling speed of bags using a gas stream, specifically employing a gas nozzle to increase the falling speed and reduce friction between bags, allowing for efficient stacking without increasing the transport speed of the stacking device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the transport speed of the main machine is increased to increase production output, then productivity is improved, but the bags are not fully rested on the stack leading to stacking reliability deterioration and quality loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction outputVSAvoidstacking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A gas stream device (air nozzle) is introduced to blow air onto the falling bag, creating an air cushion that reduces friction between the bag and the stack surface. This pneumatic approach allows the bag to be deposited reliably at higher transport speeds without compromising stacking quality, thus resolving the contradiction between increased productivity and maintained stacking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the stacking process by introducing a gas stream that modifies the friction characteristics between the bag and stack. By adjusting the gas flow parameters (speed, direction, intensity), the system can maintain reliable stacking even when transport speed increases, thereby enabling higher productivity without sacrificing stacking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the transport speed in the stacking device is increased to match the main machine speed, then productivity is improved, but bags hit the stop element at higher speeds causing quality loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport speedVSAvoidbag quality loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gas stream device blows air onto the bag before it reaches the stop element, reducing friction and allowing the bag to maintain better control during deceleration. This pneumatic cushioning effect prevents bags from hitting the stop element with excessive force, thereby avoiding quality loss even at higher transport speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The gas stream acts as an intermediary between the moving bag and the stop element, mediating the deceleration process. By introducing this intermediate medium (air flow), the bag is gently guided and cushioned during the stopping phase, preventing direct high-speed impact and associated quality damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the transport speed is increased to create distance between successive bags, then stacking precision is improved, but space is not created in time for the next bag at higher speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking precisionVSAvoidtime for bag deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The gas stream device accelerates the deposition process by reducing friction between the falling bag and the air medium, allowing the bag to reach the stack more quickly. This pneumatic assistance shortens the time required for bag deposition, enabling the system to maintain stacking precision even at higher transport speeds where time is more critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the friction parameters through gas stream introduction, the system alters the dynamics of bag deposition. The reduced friction allows for faster bag placement without compromising precision, effectively reducing the time loss associated with bag deposition and enabling higher overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures reliable and efficient stacking of bags at higher transport speeds by controlling the falling speed and reducing friction, thereby preventing bag compression and improving stack formation quality.

Implementation Method 1

the device for influencing the falling speed of at least parts of a bag comprises at least one device for generating a gas stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas stream: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

A corresponding facility that does this is also provided. This makes it possible, in particular, to increase the falling speed, i.e. to place the bag on the stack in a shorter time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Lubrication

Implementation Method 3

The gas flow can be entered during the period in which a bag leaves the transport device. By introducing a gas stream into the area mentioned, the Bernoulli effect is used, in which a dynamic negative pressure prevails due to the speed of the gas stream. This negative pressure leads to a force on the bag that is currently leaving the transport device. This force is directed downwards, with the force leading to an increase in the falling speed.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBernoulli effect: Bernoulli Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3159151B1Stacking device and method for at least partially overlapping stacking of sacks, bags or the like
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER GMBH
  • EP3159151B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3159151B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3159151B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention describes a stacking device (101) for at least partially stacking sacks (103), bags or the like on top of each other, comprising a transport device (102) with which the sacks (103), bags or the like can be transported individually one after the other, wherein the transport device (102) has a first height level at least at its end (106) when viewed in the transport direction (x), and a collecting device (120) on which the sacks (103), bags or the like can be collected, wherein a part of the sacks (103), bags or the like can be stacked at least partially on top of each other, wherein the collecting device (120) is arranged on a second height level which is arranged below the first height level.