Cardboard Box Sheet Transfer Conveyor for High-Speed Forming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machines for forming cardboard boxes face inefficiencies when high forming speeds are required, particularly in handling and transferring die-cut sheets due to complex and ineffective conveyor systems.

Innovation Solution

A system for transferring die-cut sheets using a conveyor device with a frame, pinions, and chains, along with a pulling mechanism that maintains sheet alignment and stability, combined with retention devices to ensure continuous feeding of sheets to the forming station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional conveyor systems are used for transferring die-cut sheets, then the sheets can be transferred from loader to forming station, but the system becomes complex and ineffective when achieving very high forming speeds is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforming speedVSAvoidconveyor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor system is divided into multiple independent conveyor devices, each with its own driving pinions and chains. This segmentation allows each device to operate independently at high speed without the complexity of a single integrated system, resolving the contradiction between high productivity and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic elements including adjustable supports that can be positioned at different heights, movable pusher parts, and flexible chain-driven mechanisms. These dynamic components enable the system to adapt to high-speed operation requirements while maintaining simplicity through modular, movable parts rather than complex fixed structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If sheets are transferred individually using suction cup devices, then sheets can be collected from the loader, but the transfer process becomes inefficient at high forming speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet transfer speedVSAvoidsheet collection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor devices provide continuous movement of sheets from the loader to the forming station through uninterrupted chain-driven transport. This eliminates the intermittent stop-and-go nature of individual suction cup transfers, maintaining continuous useful action that enables high-speed operation without time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces longitudinal bars as intermediary elements that receive sheets from suction cup devices and transfer them to the conveyor system. This intermediary mechanism decouples the sheet collection function from the high-speed transport function, allowing each to operate optimally without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple independent actuation shafts with separate gear reduction motors are used, then each pinion can be independently controlled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent control capabilityVSAvoidactuation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal joint mechanisms that allow a single actuation system to control multiple pinions and conveyor devices simultaneously. This multi-functional approach provides independent control capability across different axes and positions without requiring separate gear reduction motors for each component, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability

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

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 system enhances manufacturing efficiency by allowing high-speed formation of cardboard boxes through stable and continuous sheet transfer, ensuring sheets are always available for assembly, thus optimizing the forming process.

Implementation Method 1

a suction cup device that is responsible for depositing the sheet on longitudinal bars

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP4678385A1Machine for forming cardboard boxes
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 BOIX MAQUINARIA SPAIN S L U
  • EP4678385A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4678385A1 patent drawingFigure 2~2a
  • EP4678385A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a machine comprising a system for transferring die-cut sheets that carries the sheets (3) from at least one loader (6) to a forming station (2) of the machine (1), so that each sheet (3) is collected from the loader (6) to be transferred to horizontal longitudinal bars (12), and then each sheet (3) is pulled to the forming station (2) of the machine (1) by means of a conveyor device (5) that is capable of maintaining the sheet (3) in the same horizontal plane during the travel thereof. The machine (1) further comprises one or more loaders (6) and one or more forming stations (2); wherein each loader (6) incorporates retention devices that complement one another to constantly keep the loader (6) with stacked sheets in order to avoid machine stops (1).