Box Gluing Machine Cam Track Mechanism for Flap Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cardboard boxes require excessive material and structural integrity to protect contents during transport, making it difficult to reduce material usage while maintaining functionality, especially when minor flaps lack support for gluing.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a cam track and drive mechanism to support and compress minor flaps on a conveyor belt, allowing them to be glued with major flaps, reducing material usage by creating a gap between flaps that can be sealed with glue instead of tape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the amount of cardboard is reduced to lower costs, then material cost decreases, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and positioning parameters of the minor flaps by providing active support during the gluing process. The support mechanism holds flaps in a compressed, close-contact position, enabling proper glue application and bonding. This allows the use of shorter flaps with gaps between them, reducing material while maintaining seal integrity through controlled positioning rather than relying on excessive flap overlap.
2Quantity of substance
If minor flaps are made shorter to reduce material, then material usage decreases, but a gap is created between flaps requiring double taping
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical taping system with a gluing system. By providing support mechanisms that hold minor flaps in the correct position and compression, the patent enables adhesive application to bridge gaps between shorter flaps. This substitution eliminates the need for double taping while achieving the same sealing function with reduced material.
3Device complexity
If boxes are designed without support for minor flaps, then device complexity decreases, but gluing becomes impossible requiring tape instead
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces support mechanisms as intermediary elements that facilitate the gluing process. These supports act as mediators between the minor flaps and the gluing system, holding flaps in the correct position and providing the necessary compression for adhesive bonding. This intermediary support structure enables gluing to be performed effectively, making the process easier and more reliable than taping.
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 the production of boxes with reduced material costs and structural integrity, allowing for efficient gluing of minor and major flaps, thus saving on raw materials and maintaining product protection during transport.
Implementation Method 1
a cam track, wherein at least a portion of the cam track is located above the conveyor, the cam track having a selected profile. The device includes a drive mechanism, wherein at least a portion of the drive mechanism travels proximate the cam track in the direction at substantially the speed of the conveyor. A first mounting block is pivotally attached to the drive mechanism, including a first cam follower for engaging the cam track
Data Source
AI summary
A device supports first and second flaps on a box traveling on a conveyor, the conveyor traveling at a speed in a direction. The device includes a cam track having a selected profile. The device includes a drive mechanism, wherein at least a portion of the drive mechanism travels proximate the cam track in the direction at substantially the speed of the conveyor. First and second mounting blocks are pivotally attached to the drive mechanism, including first and second cam followers for engaging the cam track; first and second fingers; and first and second hooks attached to the first and second fingers and configured to engage and hold the first and second flaps on the box. Relative positions of the first and second fingers with respect to the box change as the drive mechanism travels along the cam track.