Bundle Packaging Machine with Spacers for Stable Film Wrapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines using extensible film for bundling products face issues with geometric stability, particularly on the front and back sides of the bundle, and require thicker, more expensive heat-shrinkable films for adequate containment, while systems using pretensioned extensible film risk reducing the separation between groups to the point of elimination.
Innovation Solution
A packaging apparatus with a conveying system that includes a separation station, wrapping station, and cutting station, utilizing gripper devices to insert spacers between product groups, and varying conveyor belt speeds and friction indices to stabilize the spacing, allowing for the use of thinner extensible film that recloses on the front and back sides of the bundle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If heat-shrink film is used to wrap products, then containment stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to thicker film and additional heat treatment step
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the film by using pretensioned extensible film with specific elastic characteristics. The film is stretched during wrapping to create tension that maintains containment stability without requiring heat treatment, thus avoiding the additional manufacturing step and cost associated with heat-shrink film while achieving comparable or superior containment performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the heat treatment step from the packaging process by using extensible film that achieves containment through mechanical tension alone. This eliminates the need for thermal processing equipment and energy consumption, directly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining containment stability
2Ease of manufacture
If pretensioned extensible film is used to wrap products, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but geometric stability deteriorates due to insufficient spacing between product groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spacers as intermediary elements between product groups during the wrapping process. These spacers maintain the necessary separation distance that allows the extensible film to achieve proper tension and geometric stability. The spacers are removed after wrapping, having served their purpose of enabling correct film positioning and tensioning without requiring heat treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary spacing of product groups using spacers before the actual wrapping occurs. This preliminary action ensures that when the extensible film is applied, there is adequate space for the film to tension properly and achieve geometric stability. The spacing is established in advance, allowing the film to be wrapped correctly without requiring subsequent heat treatment to maintain stability
3Productivity
If products are fed in continuous parallel rows, then productivity is improved, but containment stability deteriorates due to insufficient space for film extension on front and back sides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous flow of products into discrete groups with defined spacing. By using spacers to create separation between groups, the system maintains continuous high-speed operation while ensuring each group has adequate space for proper film wrapping and tensioning. This segmentation allows the film to extend sufficiently on front and back sides of each bundle without reducing overall packaging productivity
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
Achieves stable geometric packaging using thinner extensible film by maintaining spacing with spacers, ensuring containment along all sides of the bundle without the need for heat-shrinkable materials, thus reducing costs and improving efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a wrapping station for wrapping the groups in sequence in a continuous tube of pretensioned extensible plastic film
Implementation Method 2
the first section and the second section comprise a belt with a low friction index, whereas the third, fourth and fifth sections comprise a belt with a high friction index, having a greater friction index than the friction index of the first and second sections
Data Source
AI summary
A machine is for packaging products, such as bottles and other containers, in bundles. An apparatus for packaging products in bundles includes a conveying system for the products, crossing in the following order: a separation station for separating the products into a sequence of groups, a wrapping station for wrapping the groups in sequence in a continuous tube of pretensioned extensible plastic film, a cutting station for cutting the continuous tube of pretensioned extensible plastic film to form bundles of the products wrapped in the pretensioned extensible plastic film. The separation station includes a spacing member for spacing products to form groups and a stabilization member for stabilizing spacing between the groups including a first gripper device and a second gripper device. The gripper devices are configured to move and insert spacers into the space formed by the spacing member between two groups of products.