Ballistic Cushioning Material Ejection for Automated Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for filling transport containers with cushioning material are inefficient, requiring manual handling and resulting in a low throughput of containers supplied with cushioning material within a given time unit.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a cushioning material dispensing device with an ejection mechanism that propels the material along a ballistic trajectory into transport containers, combined with a transport container supply system that positions containers relative to the dispensing device, allowing for high-speed and automated filling of multiple containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of cushioning material is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated ejection device that uses compressed air to propel cushioning material into transport containers. This substitution of human labor with a pneumatic system resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational simplicity while dramatically increasing productivity through automated high-speed dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a pneumatic ejection device that uses compressed air to launch cushioning material into containers. This pneumatic mechanism enables rapid, automated dispensing without requiring manual handling, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and productivity by providing both automated speed and operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If automated dispensing systems are used, then productivity is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a relatively simple pneumatic ejection device consisting of a compressed air source and an ejection mechanism. This approach achieves high productivity without requiring complex robotic arms, vision systems, or sophisticated control algorithms, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and device complexity by selecting a straightforward pneumatic solution.
3Productivity
If high movement speed is achieved through active propulsion, then productivity is improved, but use of energy worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection device operates by delivering periodic bursts of compressed air to propel cushioning material only when needed. This periodic action allows the system to achieve high movement speeds and maintain productivity while consuming energy only during brief ejection moments rather than continuously, resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy consumption.
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
Significantly increases cycle times and the number of transport containers that can be filled with cushioning material within a given time unit, while minimizing manual handling and potential damage to the material.
Implementation Method 1
The ejection device is designed to eject the cushioning material from the device in such a way that it moves along a ballistic trajectory, which at least temporarily has a horizontal component, in the direction of the provided transport container
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for moving a cushioning material (14) towards a transport container (18), comprising a cushioning material transferring device (12) for the cushioning material (14) and a transport container supply device (16) for supplying the transport container (18). According to the invention, the cushioning material transferring device (12) has an ejection device (52) which ejects the cushioning material (14) out of the cushioning material transferring device (12) such that the cushioning material moves towards the supplied transport container (18) along a ballistic trajectory (64) which has a horizontal component at least temporarily.