Cartoning Machine Transfer Device Compartment Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cartoning machines have a large footprint due to multiple operating stations and are difficult to clean, which complicates maintenance and can lead to hygiene issues, especially in packaging sensitive products like pharmaceuticals and food.
Innovation Solution
A cartoning machine design featuring a transfer device housed within the conveyor line's compartment, with a closed loop conveyor system and cam-controlled pushing members that operate within the machine's dimensions, ensuring compact size, easy maintenance, and improved hygiene by isolating the transfer device from the external environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transfer device is arranged at the side of the conveyor lines, then the items can be inserted into the cases, but the machine footprint becomes very large
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is merged with the conveyor line structure by housing it within the compartment defined by the conveyor belts. The pushing members are integrated into the conveyor system, sharing the same spatial envelope, which eliminates the need for separate side-arranged transfer stations and reduces the overall machine footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer device is nested within the compartment formed by the conveyor belts. The pushing members are positioned inside the compartment defined by the upper active branch and lower return branch, utilizing the existing conveyor space rather than occupying additional external space, thereby reducing the machine's overall dimensions.
2Ease of operation
If cam means are used to control the pushing elements, then the translation motion is achieved, but dirt accumulates in the interstices making cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cam means are extracted from the traditional external positioning and placed inside the enclosed compartment. This extraction into a contained space prevents dirt from accumulating in external interstices and makes the cam mechanisms accessible for cleaning through the compartment structure, resolving the cleaning accessibility issue while maintaining the control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The compartment structure acts as an enclosed space that contains the cam means and pushing members. This enclosure prevents dirt accumulation in the interstices of the cam mechanisms and facilitates cleaning by providing a defined space where contaminants can be removed, while the cam means continue to control the pushing elements effectively.
3Productivity
If the transfer device occupies external space, then the insertion function is performed, but the overall machine dimensions increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is merged with the conveyor line by positioning it within the compartment defined by the conveyor belts. The pushing members share the same spatial envelope as the conveyor system, eliminating the need for additional external length and reducing the overall machine dimensions while maintaining the item insertion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer function is moved from an external side arrangement to an internal positioning within the compartment. By utilizing the vertical and depth dimensions of the conveyor compartment rather than extending the machine length externally, the insertion function is achieved without increasing the overall machine length significantly.
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 machine achieves reduced overall dimensions, facilitates easy maintenance and cleaning, and ensures hygienic conditions for packaged items by containing the transfer device within the conveyor line's volume, preventing dirt accumulation and ensuring continuous motion for efficient packaging.
Implementation Method 1
said cam means are adapted to control the alternate translation of said pushing members between a backward position and a forward position for pushing the items inside the cases
Data Source
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AI summary
The machine for packaging items inside relative cases (2) includes a conveyor line (10) for transporting the items to be packaged and a conveyor line (20) for transporting the cases (2) intended for packaging said items. The conveyor line (10) for transporting the items to be packaged and the conveyor line (20) for transporting the cases (2) are arranged side by side and operated with continuous motion. A transfer device (30) is capable of inserting said items in said relative cases (2). Said transfer device (30) is provided with a plurality of inserting members (40) capable of being operated in sequence on command of actuator means to make said insertion of said items in said relative cases (2).