Cartoning Machine Eliminating Package Insert Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cartoning machines for pharmaceuticals face challenges in maintaining a clean room environment due to particle generation from package insert folding modules, which are required for printing product information, leading to contamination and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A cartoning machine system and method that eliminates the need for a package insert folding module by digitally printing product information directly on the products or packaging, reducing particle generation and allowing operation in cleaner environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a package insert inserting module is used to print product information, then product information can be provided on packaging, but particle generation increases and clean room rating decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the package insert inserting module and folding machine module from the cartoning system, extracting the harmful function that generates particles. Product information is instead provided through alternative means such as printing directly on the carton or using electronic displays, thereby eliminating the source of contamination while maintaining information provision.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical folding and inserting of package inserts is replaced with non-mechanical or digital information delivery methods. This substitution eliminates the mechanical actions that generate particles, replacing them with cleaner technologies such as direct printing, RFID tags, or electronic information displays.
2Ease of manufacture
If a folding machine module is used to fold package inserts, then package inserts can be prepared for insertion, but particle rate in production environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folding machine module is completely removed from the cartoning system. Package insert preparation functions are either eliminated entirely or replaced with pre-formed information carriers that do not require folding, thereby removing the harmful particle-generating action from the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical package inserts that require folding and handling, the patent employs digital copies or representations of product information through printed cartons, electronic displays, or data storage devices, eliminating the need for mechanical folding operations.
3Loss of information
If paper-based package inserts are used for product information, then comprehensive information can be provided, but operational costs increase due to physical updates requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static paper-based information to dynamic, updateable information systems. Product information can be modified and updated electronically without requiring physical replacement of package inserts, enabling real-time changes and improving operational flexibility and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Digital copies of product information replace physical paper inserts. This allows infinite replication and distribution of information without the costs and inefficiencies associated with printing, storing, and updating physical document copies.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartoning machine system for cartoning medical products, comprising a product input module for introducing a product into the cartoning machine system; a product processing module, wherein the product processing module receives at least one product from the product input module and wherein the product processing module is configured to process the at least one product, a product cartoning module configured to carton the at least one processed product to obtain at least one cartoned processed product; and a product information module configured to print a code on the product and/or the at least one processed product; and wherein the cartoning machine system is without a package insert inserting module for inserting a package insert to the at least one cartoned processed product.