Box Separation Equipment With Under-Plane Strap Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for separating grouped boxes of manufactured articles require manual intervention, leading to increased costs and production time due to the need for operators to manually remove adhesive and straps, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A piece of equipment with mechanical cutting and detachment means to separate boxes, including belts for movement, cutting elements for straps, gripping means for lifting, and detachment elements for adhesive removal, all controlled by an electronic unit to automate the separation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual separation of boxes is used, then the operation can be performed with simple equipment, but the production time increases and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment complexityVSAvoidproduction output
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The equipment enables automated self-service separation of boxes through motorized movement means that automatically transport box groups through the separation station, cutting means that automatically sever straps, and detachment means that automatically remove adhesive bonds without requiring manual intervention at each separation step

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated systems: motorized belts substitute for manual handling, cutting elements substitute for manual strap removal, and detachment elements substitute for manual adhesive removal, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining controlled device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If manual separation of boxes is used, then the equipment cost is low, but the labor cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment costVSAvoidlabor requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automated separation equipment performs all separation operations autonomously: the movement means automatically position box groups, the cutting means automatically sever straps, and the detachment means automatically remove adhesive bonds, eliminating the need for operators to manually remove ties and enabling unattended operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the labor-intensive separation operation from manual execution by implementing automated cutting means for straps and automated detachment means for adhesive bonds, removing the burden of manual tie removal from operators while maintaining cost-effective equipment design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If automated separation equipment is implemented, then the production time is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction outputVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The equipment integrates multiple functions into a single automated system: the movement means simultaneously transports box groups and positions them for separation, the cutting means handles strap severance, and the detachment means manages adhesive bond removal, achieving high productivity through multi-functional integration rather than separate devices for each operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The separation process is segmented into distinct automated stages: movement of box groups through the separation station, cutting of straps binding the boxes, and detachment of adhesive bonds between boxes. Each stage is handled by specialized means working in sequence, enabling efficient automated processing while maintaining manageable device complexity through functional segmentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Automated separation of boxes reduces time and cost by effectively cutting straps and removing adhesives, allowing independent handling of individual boxes, enhancing production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

movement means along a direction of forward movement of at least one group G of boxes S

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

at least one pair of belts 3b spaced apart from each other and movable by motor means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 3

cutting means of the strap R... at least one cutting element 8a associated with the basic frame 2 and movable by shifting along a direction of cutting 9

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4119454B1Equipment for the separation of boxes of manufactured articles
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 LK LAB SRL
  • EP4119454B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4119454B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The equipment (1) for the separation of boxes of manufactured articles comprises: - a basic frame (2); - movement means (3) of at least one group (G) of boxes (S), each comprising a plurality of manufactured articles, along at least one direction of forward movement (4) associated with said basic frame (2), where the boxes (S) of the group (G) are bound to each other by means of at least one strap (R) closed in a ring around them; - separation means (7) for the mechanical separation of the boxes (S) from each other; wherein the separation means (7) comprise at least cutting means (8) of the strap (R); wherein the movement means (3) define a holding plane (3a) of the group (G) of boxes and wherein the cutting means (8) are arranged inferiorly to the holding plane (3a).