Carton Folding Mechanism for Continuous Packaging Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging machinery for folding cartons is mechanically complex, leading to increased costs, maintenance complexity, energy use, and reduced productivity due to the large number of moving parts and the need to secure the carton in place during folding.

Innovation Solution

A carton assembly machine with a movable element that raises side flaps or panels relative to a central portion, using folding and pressing means to facilitate gluing without stopping the conveyor, minimizing the number of moving parts and allowing continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional folding machinery with multiple moving parts is used, then the carton can be folded and secured in place, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarton folding and securingVSAvoidnumber of moving parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of raising side flaps from the complex traditional folding mechanism. Instead of using multiple moving parts, bars, and rests, the invention uses a single movable element that can be positioned and moved to raise side flaps selectively, eliminating unnecessary components while maintaining the core functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by allowing the carton to move continuously on the conveyor while the folding element moves relative to the carton. Instead of stopping and securing the carton in place with multiple constraints, the invention uses a single movable element that tracks with the carton, raising flaps in reverse sequence to achieve the same folding result with fewer parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If multiple moving parts and constraint elements are used to secure the carton during folding, then the folding operation can be performed, but the energy consumption and maintenance complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding operationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes unnecessary moving parts, bars, and constraint elements from the traditional folding mechanism. By using only a single movable element to raise side flaps, the system eliminates multiple actuators and constraint mechanisms, directly reducing energy consumption and maintenance requirements while maintaining reliable folding operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If the conveyor must stop to secure and position the carton for folding, then the folding can be performed accurately, but the productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding accuracyVSAvoidcarton processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by allowing the carton to move continuously on the conveyor while the folding element moves relative to the carton. This eliminates the need to stop the conveyor for folding operations, maintaining both folding accuracy and continuous production flow, thereby significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a dynamic movable element that can be positioned and moved along the carton feed direction to raise side flaps at the appropriate moment. This dynamic approach allows folding to be performed accurately while the carton is in motion, eliminating the need for conveyor stops and maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If traditional folding machinery with numerous components is used, then the carton can be folded and glued, but the number of components requiring maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding and gluing operationVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential folding function from the complex traditional mechanism, using only a single movable element to raise side flaps. This dramatically reduces the number of components that require maintenance while maintaining reliable folding and gluing operations, making the system much easier to service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12187478B2Packaging machine with station for folding a preformed carton and method therefor

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 CMC SRL

AI summary

A carton assembly machine for cartons (17) for packing articles (15, 15′), comprising means for feeding an unassembled carton in a feed direction, the said carton having a plurality of side flaps or panels (18, 19) whose folds are essentially parallel to the said feed direction folded onto a central portion (25) of the carton, the said machine further comprising a movable element (26) designed to move between a first position away from the route of the carton and a second position in which the said element is designed to be Inserted underneath, at an edge (27) of at least one of said side flaps or panels (19), so that the latter is raised with respect to the said central portion, in particular, in cooperation with the carton feeding.