Carton Blank Gripper Orbit for Continuous Article Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carton formation systems face challenges in automating the process from a blank due to design and configuration issues, leading to inefficiencies in material usage, waste, and difficulty in securely holding articles.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a conveyor, feeder apparatus, and applicator apparatus is used to convey, transfer, and apply blanks to groups of articles, utilizing grippers and applicator tools that rotate about axes to engage and press blanks onto articles, enabling automated carton formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If cartons are formed from minimal material to reduce cost and waste, then material efficiency is improved, but carton strength and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The blank is designed with dynamic folding characteristics that allow it to conform to the articles while maintaining structural integrity. The fold lines and geometric configuration enable the blank to adapt its shape during formation, providing both material efficiency and reliable carton strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging system combines the blank material with the articles in a composite structure where the blank is formed around and secures the articles. This composite approach allows minimal blank material to be used while the combined structure provides the necessary strength and reliability for transport.
2Productivity
If the blank design is optimized for automated formation, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blank is segmented into specific geometric regions with defined fold lines and attachment points. This segmentation allows the packaging machine to systematically process each region in sequence, enabling automated formation through a series of controlled operations rather than requiring complex single-step mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The blank is pre-configured with fold lines, geometric shapes, and attachment point markings that prepare it for automated formation. These preliminary features guide the packaging machine through the formation process, reducing the complexity of the machine by providing built-in alignment and positioning references.
3Manufacturing precision
If the gripper engages the blank at multiple radial positions, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper employs an orbital path with radial positions that allows it to engage the blank at multiple predetermined locations. The curved orbital motion enables the gripper to access different radial positions on the blank while maintaining a relatively simple rotational mechanism, achieving precise positioning without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a feeder apparatus to transfer a blank to each of the groups and an applicator apparatus to apply the blank to each of the groups as the articles move along a travel path. The feeder apparatus includes a plurality of grippers to engage the blank. The feeder apparatus includes a guide to position each of the grippers along an orbital path during rotation such that each of the grippers has at least two radial positions along the orbital path and that orbital motion of each of the grippers is momentary paused at a first radial position to engage the blank. The applicator apparatus includes first applicator tools to press the blanks onto alternating first ones of the groups and second applicator tools to press the blanks onto alternating second ones of the groups as the articles move along the travel path.