Cigarette Packer Machine Hinged Lid Folding and Gluing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packer machines struggle to produce high-quality packs of cigarettes with hinged lids at high production speeds, often resulting in imperfect gluing and folding of the outer container and lid, which can lead to packaging issues such as opening or shape loss.
Innovation Solution
A packer machine and wrapping method that utilize a wrapping drum, folding devices, gluing conveyor, and precise gluing and folding mechanisms to fold a blank around a wrap enclosing cigarettes, ensuring accurate alignment and secure gluing of the outer container and lid, even at high production rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the packer machine operates at high production speed, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates resulting in imperfect gluing and folding
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into multiple independent working stations (folding station, gluing station, sealing station) arranged along the circular path, each performing a specific operation. This segmentation allows each station to operate independently and precisely without being affected by the overall high-speed rotation, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blank is pre-folded into preliminary configurations (U-shape, box shape) before reaching the gluing station. These preliminary folding actions prepare the blank in advance for the subsequent gluing operation, ensuring that when the blank arrives at the gluing station, it is already positioned and shaped correctly for precise glue application, even at high speeds.
2Productivity
If the blank is folded and glued at high speed, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates resulting in visible glue application and shape loss
Solution Approach 1:
The machine uses periodic intermittent motion where the wrapping drum rotates to bring blanks to each station, pauses for the folding and gluing operations, then rotates again. This periodic action allows sufficient time for precise glue application and folding at each station while maintaining overall high productivity through continuous cycling. The glue is applied in controlled periodic bursts rather than continuous application.
Solution Approach 2:
A restraining device with restraining elements acts as an intermediary between the moving blank and the gluing/folding mechanisms. These elements temporarily hold and position the blank during the gluing operation, ensuring precise glue application and preventing shape loss. The restraining elements are moved into position only when needed, allowing high-speed operation while maintaining precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex folding and gluing mechanisms are added to improve precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each working station is designed to perform multiple functions. For example, the folding device not only folds the blank but also positions it for gluing. The gluing device simultaneously applies glue and activates the restraining elements. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate mechanisms needed while maintaining high manufacturing precision through coordinated multi-step operations at each station.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding and gluing operations are merged into a single integrated workflow at each working station. The blank undergoes folding, positioning, glue application, and restraining in a continuous sequence without leaving the station. This merging eliminates the need for separate transport mechanisms between folding and gluing operations, reducing device complexity while maintaining precision through the integrated design.
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
A packer machine (17) and wrapping method to obtain a pack (1) of cigarettes provided with an outer container (2) and with a hinged lid (4) by folding a blank (16) around a wrap (3) enclosing a group (14) of smoking articles. The invention includes: a wrapping drum (18), which moves a pocket (20) configured to contain the wrap (3) and the blank (16) towards a first transfer station (S1); a first folding device (21), which is coupled to the wrapping drum (18) and is configured to fold the blank (16) around the wrap (3) by placing a pair of second wings (9", 13") in contact with the wrap (3) and placing a pair of first wings (9', 13') coplanar to one another and perpendicular to the pair of second wings (9", 13"); a first pushing member (22) configured to extract the wrap (3) wrapped in the blank (16) from the first pocket (20) of the wrapping drum (18) by means of a movement along an extraction path (P1), which extends from the first transfer station (S 1) to a second transfer station (S2); a second pushing member (24) configured to push the wrap (3) wrapped in the blank (16) from the second transfer station (S2) to a third transfer station (S3) and along a straight gluing path (P2); at least one gluing device (25), which is arranged along the gluing path (P2) and applies glue (26) on the first wings (9', 13') or on the second wings (9", 13"); a third pushing member (27) configured to push the wrap (3) wrapped in the blank (16) from the third transfer station (S3) to a fourth transfer station (S4) and along an insertion path (P3); and a second folding device (29), which is arranged along the insertion path (P3) and folds the first wings (9', 13') by 90° against the second wings (9", 13"), thus completing the creation of the pack (1) of cigarettes.