Carton Stack Divider with Compressed Magazine and Holder Foot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for dividing stacks of flat-folded cartons into manageable and equal-sized stacks for efficient handling and packaging are inefficient, often resulting in misalignment and damage due to uneven pressure distribution and lack of precise separation methods.
Innovation Solution
A divider system comprising a tiltable magazine, a pusher member, and a holder foot that compresses and aligns the carton pack, creating a low-density area for precise separation, using a parting tip and support finger to ensure reliable and well-defined stack formation, allowing for the creation of multiple stacks of equal size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If flat-folded cartons are loaded into magazines in large groups (50-100 cartons) to stabilize the stack, then the magazine buffer capacity is improved, but the stack may twist and displace due to incomplete flat-folding
Solution Approach 1:
The divider performs preliminary separation of the carton pack into smaller stacks before loading into the magazine. By dividing the large pack into manageable stacks of optimal size (e.g., 50-100 cartons), the system prepares the cartons in advance for stable magazine operation, preventing twisting and displacement while maintaining adequate buffer capacity.
2Device complexity
If the number of flat-folded cartons in the magazine is kept low to reduce pressure on lower cartons and device size, then the feeding device size is reduced, but the stack becomes unstable and prone to twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The divider segments the large pack of flat-folded cartons into multiple smaller stacks of optimal size before magazine loading. This segmentation allows each stack to be stable and manageable, preventing twisting and displacement while keeping the magazine and feeding device compact and simple in structure.
3Productivity
If flat-folded cartons are delivered in large packs to optimize transport economy, then the transport efficiency is improved, but the packs cannot be optimally loaded into magazines or handled by loading machines
Solution Approach 1:
The divider performs preliminary division of large transport packs into magazine-optimal stacks before the loading operation. This advance segmentation maintains the transport efficiency benefits of large packs while preparing cartons in advance for optimal magazine loading, making the subsequent loading operation simple and efficient.
4Productivity
If existing separation methods are used to divide carton packs, then separation is achieved, but misalignment and damage occur due to uneven pressure distribution and lack of precise separation
Solution Approach 1:
The divider applies localized compression through a pusher member that exerts pressure on a specific portion of the carton pack, and uses a holder foot to support a specific side of the pack. This localized action creates precise separation planes and maintains alignment, preventing misalignment and damage while achieving efficient separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder foot acts as an intermediary element between the pusher member and the carton pack, providing controlled support during the separation process. This intermediary mechanism ensures even pressure distribution and precise separation, preventing damage and misalignment while maintaining separation efficiency.
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 system enables reliable and efficient division of flat-folded carton packs into stacks of consistent size, reducing misalignment and damage, facilitating automated handling and ensuring accurate stack formation for further processing.
Implementation Method 1
the pusher member is adapted to compress the carton pack between the pusher member and the stop member
Implementation Method 2
the magazine is arranged in an inclined position, and where the pusher member is adapted to release the pressure on the carton pack when the holder foot bears on the upper side of the carton pack, thereby creating a low density area adjacent the first carton stack
Data Source
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AI summary
A divider for dividing a pack of flat-folded cartons into a plurality of stacks of flat-folded cartons, where the divider comprises a magazine adapted to hold the carton pack, where the magazine comprises a stop member, and where the divider comprises a pusher member and a holder foot, where the magazine is arranged in an inclined position, where the pusher member is adapted to compress the carton pack between the pusher member and the stop member, where the holder foot is adapted to bear on the upper side of the compressed carton pack, and where the pusher member is adapted to release the pressure on the carton pack when the holder foot bears on the upper side of the carton pack, thereby creating a low density area adjacent afirst carton stack. The advantage of the invention is that a reliable divider is provided.