Base Band Packaging Apparatus for Article Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In packaging collations of articles, the lack of securement between articles leads to movement and potential falling during wrapping, causing inefficiencies and stoppages in production lines, especially when articles have a high center of gravity, and existing wrapping methods result in loosely wrapped packs due to frictional resistance and stretching of wrapping material.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate support conveyor with a low-friction surface is introduced to prevent articles from moving apart during wrapping, combined with a tensioning mechanism to maintain tight wrapping, ensuring the wrapping material is not stretched and providing a continuous support surface to maintain article stability throughout the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If articles are wrapped without securement (unsecured collations), then no extra securing material is required, but articles may move relative to one another and fall over during wrapping
Solution Approach 1:
A base band is introduced as an intermediary element between the articles and the wrapping material. The base band is positioned underneath the collation of articles and is wrapped together with them, providing a stable foundation that prevents articles from moving or falling over during the wrapping process, while still avoiding the need for separate securing materials.
2Reliability
If a fixed bracket is provided to support articles through the applicator, then articles are supported during wrapping, but articles smaller than the conveyor distance sit on the dead plate and are too close together for effective cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The support system transitions from a static fixed bracket to a dynamic base band that moves with the articles through the wrapping process. The base band is fed from a reel and wrapped continuously, allowing it to adapt to different article sizes and maintain proper spacing, enabling effective cutting operation.
3Speed
If the base band is stretched as it draws articles through the applicator, then articles are conveyed through wrapping, but stretching causes articles to move apart resulting in loose wrapping
Solution Approach 1:
The friction characteristics of the support conveyor surface are modified to be lower than both the upstream and downstream conveyors. This parameter change reduces frictional resistance on the base band during conveyance through the applicator, preventing stretching and maintaining wrapping tightness while still enabling article movement.
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
The solution ensures tighter and more efficient wrapping of collations, reducing the likelihood of articles falling apart and eliminating the need for additional securing materials, thereby enhancing packaging efficiency and reducing production line stoppages.
Implementation Method 1
The support conveyor may have a surface for contact with the base band having a lower coefficient of friction than a corresponding surface of either the first or second conveyor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention provides a packaging apparatus comprising a wrapping material applicator for helically wrapping together a collation of articles, a first conveyor for transporting unwrapped collations of articles to the applicator; a second conveyor for transporting wrapped collations of articles away from the applicator; and a base band applicator upstream of the wrapping material applicator for providing a base band of wrapping material underneath the unwrapped collations of articles such that the base band extends between wrapped collations of articles downstream of the applicator and unwrapped collations of articles upstream of the applicator, the base band being wrapped together with the collations of articles. The first and second conveyors are spaced apart and the applicator is provided between them. The packaging apparatus further comprises a tensioning mechanism configured, in use, to place at least a portion of the base band under tension before an unwrapped collation of articles is placed onto that portion of the base band.