Cardboard Cutting Station with Transverse Scoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for packaging articles in cardboard boxes are inefficient and lack the capability to rapidly produce high volumes of packaged items, often resulting in suboptimal protection and resistance against impacts.

Innovation Solution

A cutting station and machine designed to cut and process a continuous strip of cardboard into a specialized cardboard blank, which is then folded to create a protective box, capable of packaging articles efficiently and rapidly, with the ability to produce up to 1000 articles per hour.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional packaging methods are used, then packaging can be performed, but productivity is low and high-volume rapid production cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging speedVSAvoidtime for cutting and processing cardboard
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous strip of cardboard is pre-scored with transverse score lines at predetermined intervals before cutting into individual sheets. This preliminary scoring action enables rapid formation of the cardboard blank structure without time-consuming scoring operations during the packaging process, thereby increasing productivity and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting station processes cardboard continuously from a large sheet, cutting multiple individual sheets in sequence without stopping. The scoring operation also runs continuously across the entire width of the cardboard strip. This continuous processing eliminates idle time between operations and maintains high productivity throughout the packaging process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Strength

If a specialized cardboard blank design is used to improve protection, then resistance against impacts is enhanced, but the complexity of cutting and processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance against impactsVSAvoidcomplexity of cutting station
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cardboard blank is divided into multiple functional portions (first portion for base, second portion for first flank, third portion for second flank, fourth portion for top) separated by transverse score lines. This segmentation allows each portion to be independently folded into position, creating a structure that provides superior impact protection while the cutting station handles the complexity through automated sequential cutting and scoring operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting station incorporates movable cutting elements that can adjust their positions to accommodate different cardboard blank designs and article dimensions. The transverse score lines and cuts are positioned dynamically based on the specific packaging requirements, allowing the system to adapt to various protection needs without requiring a completely different cutting setup for each case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cardboard blank is designed to accommodate various article dimensions, then adaptability is improved, but the precision of cutting and scoring must be high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of various article dimensionsVSAvoidprecision of score lines and cuts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting station is designed with universal cutting and scoring capabilities that can produce cardboard blanks for articles of various dimensions. The transverse score lines are positioned at adjustable intervals, and the cutting width can be modified to accommodate different article sizes. This universal design allows a single cutting station to handle diverse packaging requirements while maintaining high precision through controlled scoring and cutting operations.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The positions of the transverse score lines and cuts are variable parameters that can be adjusted based on the dimensions of the article to be packaged. By changing the spacing and positioning of these score lines and cuts, the cutting station can adapt to different article sizes while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled positioning systems and standardized scoring depths that ensure consistent folding behavior across all blank variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3463844B1A cutting station of a cardboard sheet from a continuous strip of cardboard and a machine for packing an article internally of a cardboard box obtained from the cardboard sheet
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 F L AUTO
  • EP3463844B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3463844B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1F
  • EP3463844B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

The cutting station (S1) carries out a cutting of a cardboard sheet (F) from a continuous strip of cardboard (S), which continuous strip of cardboard (S) is unwound from a fanfold. The cutting station (S1) comprises: a conveyor plane (1), for advancing the strip of cardboard (S); conveying means (2), for advancing the continuous strip of cardboard (S) along the conveyor plane (1) and for halting the continuous strip of cardboard (S) for enabling cutting thereof; a cutting group (3), predisposed above the conveyor plane (1), and comprising a first rotary circular blade (31) and a toothed second rotary circular blade (32). The cutting group (3) is mounted above the conveyor plane (1) so as to be movable in alternating translation transversally to the conveyor plane (1). The first rotary circular blade (32) is mounted so that the cutting profile thereof passes beyond the conveyor plane (1) at a transversal channel (33), so as to be able to cut the continuous strip of cardboard (S) and obtain a cardboard sheet (F), the toothed second rotary circular blade (32) is mounted so that the cutting profile thereof contacts the continuous strip of cardboard (S) without passing beyond it so as to realise thereon a transversal score line (T4).