Automated Carton Sealing with Adjustable Rollers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Handling and sealing of long, narrow corrugated cartons is cumbersome due to their weight and tendency to shift during packing, making it difficult to maintain alignment and coordinate sealing, especially when teams of workers are required to transport them.
Innovation Solution
An automated carton closing and conveying device with a track and conveyor belt system that aligns and seals cartons by injecting adhesive between flaps, using sensors to ensure adhesive application only when a carton is present, and adjustable rollers to maintain carton alignment and accommodate various dimensions, allowing for easy transportation to shipping locations with reduced manual effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual sealing of elongate cartons is performed, then workers can apply adhesive and seal flaps, but it is difficult to maintain alignment and coordinate sealing of both ends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sealing operations with an automated sealing device that uses mechanical rollers and adhesive application mechanisms. The device automatically positions and seals both ends of elongate cartons, eliminating the difficulty of manual alignment while maintaining precision through controlled mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device is designed to automatically perform alignment and sealing operations without requiring manual intervention for positioning. The cartons are conveyed through the device and sealed autonomously, allowing the system to serve itself in maintaining alignment and coordinating sealing of both ends.
2Weight of moving object
If teams of workers transport heavy cartons, then weight limits are satisfied, but handling becomes cumbersome and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual team lifting and carrying with an automated conveyor system. The conveyor mechanically transports heavy sealed cartons from the sealing device to shipping locations, eliminating the need for workers to physically handle the heavy loads while maintaining the ability to move cartons of any weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system creates a continuous mechanical transport path that effectively equalizes the effort required to move heavy cartons, distributing the workload across the mechanical system rather than requiring human workers to overcome gravity and friction repeatedly.
3Productivity
If adhesive is applied during manual packing, then cartons are sealed, but it is difficult to coordinate with flap positioning and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning flaps and preparing adhesive application before the actual sealing occurs. The mechanical system advances the carton, positions flaps, and applies adhesive in a predetermined sequence, ensuring alignment is established before sealing begins, thereby maintaining precision while enabling continuous high-speed operation.
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 device efficiently seals and aligns cartons, reducing manual labor and ensuring proper alignment and sealing, enabling safe and efficient transportation of heavy, elongate cartons to shipping locations with minimal effort.
Implementation Method 1
the endless conveyor belt is textured or ribbed for enhanced traction
Implementation Method 2
adhesive is injected between the top flap and a next adjacent flap
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided for closing, sealing and conveying corrugated cartons having a top flap and a next adjacent flap, and includes a frame, a moving conveyor belt associated with the frame and defining a track with an inlet end and an outlet end, and a fixed bracket secured to the frame and having a first plurality of linearly aligned rollers defining a first side of the track. A movable bracket is associated with the frame, having a second plurality of linearly aligned rollers defining a second side of the track and being transversely movable relative to the track under operator control.