Adjustable Containment Edges for Cartoning Machine Product Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cartoning machines lack versatility and reliability in packaging products of different shapes and dimensions, often resulting in incorrect or failed insertions due to preset dimensions and the risk of product deformation or damage during transfer.
Innovation Solution
A cartoning machine with a product conveyor system featuring adjustable containment edges on belts, allowing for flexible size adjustment and synchronized movement of edges to ensure accurate product placement into cartons, accommodating various product shapes and dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If preset dimensions are used for transport devices, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The containment edges are made adjustable along the belts, allowing their positions to be dynamically changed to match different product dimensions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same transport device to accommodate various product sizes without requiring multiple preset configurations or complete belt replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport device is segmented into modular components: belts and adjustable containment edges. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of edge positions while maintaining the integrity of the belt system, providing flexibility without increasing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If edges are dismantled and remounted for size changes, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containment edges are designed to be movable along the belts rather than fixed. This allows rapid repositioning of edges to accommodate different product widths without the time-consuming process of dismantling and remounting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism allows operators to quickly reconfigure the containment edges themselves without requiring complex tools or procedures, enabling fast adaptation to different product sizes during operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If entire belts are changed for different dimensions, then adaptability is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of replacing entire belts, the invention allows dynamic adjustment of containment edges along the existing belts. This eliminates the need to discard and replace expensive belt components, reducing material waste while maintaining full adaptability to different product sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The same belt system serves multiple functions and accommodates multiple product sizes through adjustable edges, eliminating the need for multiple specialized belts for different dimensions and reducing overall material consumption.
4Device complexity
If pusher transfer is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The containment edges perform preliminary positioning and guiding of products before they enter the carton. This preliminary action ensures products are correctly oriented and positioned, preventing incorrect insertion and reducing the risk of product damage during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable containment edges act as an intermediary between the product conveyor and the carton, providing controlled guidance and support to products during the transfer process. This intermediary function reduces the risk of direct contact damage while maintaining transfer reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartoning machine for packaging one or more products in a respective carton includes a product conveyor for conveying the products along an advancement direction, a transport device for transporting the carton along a transport path, an insertion zone wherein the products face an aperture of the carton and are inserted into the carton. The product conveyor includes a first belt on which first edges are mounted and a second belt on which second edges are mounted, each first edge defining with a respective second edge a pair of containment edges of the products. A mutual position of the first belt and of the second belt is adjustable so as to adjust accordingly a distance between the first edges and the second edges to adapt the pair of containment edges to a dimension of the products. The product conveyor further includes a first cam path and a second cam path, each first edge including a first cam follower engaging the first cam path and each second edge including a second cam follower engaging the second cam path, such that the first edges and the second edges are movable transversely to the advancement direction towards the carton at the insertion zone.