Inflatable Bladder Clamp for Packaging Material Wrapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging material clamping technologies face issues such as operator-dependent attachment, material wastage, costly maintenance, and reduced effective height due to collapsing or tenting effects, especially in automatic wrapping machines.

Innovation Solution

A clamp assembly featuring a selectively inflatable bladder and a belt-based jaw member that maintains the packaging material's height without reducing it, using a bladder to exert clamping force and a belt to secure the material, allowing for efficient wrapping and easy removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If packaging material is collapsed into a rope for attachment, then the attachment strength is improved, but the effective height of the packaging material is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoideffective height of packaging material

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible bladder that can be inflated to expand and grip the packaging material. The bladder's flexible nature allows it to conform to the material while providing sufficient gripping force without collapsing it, thus maintaining the material's effective height while achieving strong attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the bladder from deflated (compact) to inflated (expanded) to alter its gripping capability. By controlling the inflation parameter, the system can adapt the bladder's size and pressure to grip the packaging material effectively without permanently deforming or collapsing it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If packaging material clamps are positioned at a distance from the load, then the clamping force is improved, but a tenting effect is created resulting in material wastage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping forceVSAvoidpackaging material wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a movable clamp assembly that can dynamically adjust its position relative to the load during the wrapping process. The clamp transitions from a distant position (where it can apply sufficient clamping force) to a position closer to the load (where it can prevent tenting), optimizing both clamping force and material efficiency throughout the wrapping cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Extent of automation

If electrical or pneumatic actuators are used in packaging material clamps, then the automation level is improved, but the maintenance cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation levelVSAvoidclamp complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a pneumatic or hydraulic bladder that can be inflated or deflated to control the clamping action. This approach provides automated control of the clamping force while avoiding the complexity of traditional mechanical actuators, motors, or linkages. The bladder's simple inflate/deflate mechanism reduces the number of moving parts and potential failure points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition or state change of the bladder material from a relaxed state to an expanded state to achieve clamping. This phase-like transition provides a simple yet effective means of automation, where the bladder responds to pressure changes by expanding or contracting, thereby controlling the clamping force without complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

4Force

If vacuum devices are used to hold packaging material, then the gripping force is improved, but the packaging material may be damaged or pulled off if suction is not properly controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping forceVSAvoidpackaging material damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a controllable inflation parameter for the bladder, allowing the system to adjust the gripping force by varying the inflation pressure. This provides a tunable parameter that can be optimized to achieve sufficient gripping force while avoiding excessive force that would damage the packaging material or cause it to be pulled off during the wrapping process.

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

The solution enables efficient wrapping with reduced material wastage, easier removal, and lower maintenance costs by maintaining the packaging material's effective height and ensuring strong clamping without collapsing the material.

Implementation Method 1

a first jaw member (108) including a selectively inflatable bladder (114)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP2632802B1Bladder clamp and related methods and apparatus for wrapping loads

Publication Date: 2015.12.30 LANTECH COM LLC

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AI summary

A clamp assembly (106) may include a first jaw member (108) which may have a selectively inflatable bladder (114). In addition, the clamp assembly (106) may further include a second jaw member (110) which may have a belt (128). The first jaw member (108) and the second jaw member (110) may be configured to clamp material between the selectively inflatable bladder (114) and the belt (128).