Bag Supply System with Movable Support for Automated Conveyance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing bag supply systems require manual intervention for conveying and transferring bag bundles, which poses safety and hygiene risks and inefficiencies, especially when handling large numbers of bags, and require synchronized timing to avoid container box interference.

Innovation Solution

A bag supply system comprising a bag making machine, a bag bundle positioning device, a bag bundle delivery device, a bag bundle conveyance device with a movable support part, a bag bundle takeoff device, and a bag supply device, where bag bundles are conveyed along an endless track between delivery and supply zones, allowing automated transfer and stacking of container boxes to facilitate efficient bag distribution without human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual intervention is used for conveying and transferring bag bundles, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but safety risks and hygiene issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of bag bundle conveyanceVSAvoidcomplexity of conveyance system
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a container box as an intermediary carrier between the bag making machine and the packaging machine. This container box serves as a buffer and transport medium, allowing automated handling without direct manual intervention on the bag bundles themselves. The container box absorbs the complexity of coordination while keeping the bag handling simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service automation where the container box automatically receives bag bundles from the bag making machine, transports them along the endless track, and delivers them to the packaging machine. The movable support part automatically adjusts to accommodate container boxes, eliminating the need for manual positioning and transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If multiple container boxes are used for conveying large numbers of bags, then capacity is increased, but synchronized timing is required to avoid interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of bags conveyedVSAvoidtiming coordination of container boxes
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the timing coordination problem by transitioning from linear sequential transport to multi-dimensional concurrent transport. Multiple container boxes operate simultaneously on different segments of the endless track, with the movable support part enabling vertical dimension utilization. This allows multiple boxes to be in different phases of the transport cycle without interfering with each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable support part provides dynamic adaptability to the system. It can automatically adjust its position and configuration to accommodate multiple container boxes at different locations along the track. This dynamic capability allows the system to handle varying quantities of bags without requiring rigid synchronized timing, as each container box can be serviced independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If automated conveyance system is implemented, then manual handling risks are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety and hygieneVSAvoidcomplexity of automated system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the automated conveyance system into distinct functional modules: the container box for holding bags, the endless track for transport, and the movable support part for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, controlled, and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automation benefits. The container box acts as an isolated unit that can be handled independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3816079B1Bag supply system
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 TOYO JIDOKI CO LTD
  • EP3816079B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3816079B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3816079B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bag supply system (10) includes: a bag bundle delivery device (13) moves bag bundles (91) from a delivery relay position (Pr) to a delivery zone (Zr); a bag bundle conveyance device (14) which receives the bag bundles (91) from the bag bundle delivery device (13) in the delivery zone (Zr) and conveys the bag bundles (91) from the delivery zone (Zr) to a supply zone (Zd) in a state where the bag bundles (91) are supported by a support part (20); a bag bundle takeoff device (15) which holds the bag bundles (91) supported by the support part (20) in the supply zone (Zd) and moves the bag bundles (91) from the bag bundle conveyance device (14) to a supply relay position (Pd); and a bag supply device (16) which sequentially supplies bags (90) included in each of the bag bundles (91) arranged in the supply relay position (Pd), to a packaging machine (17). The support part (20) moves along an endless track (Tc) between the delivery zone (Zr) and the supply zone (Zd).