Cigarette Packer Spindle Wrapping Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing rigid cigarette packs with hinged lids lack the capability to achieve high-quality, precise square folds of the wrap at high production speeds.
Innovation Solution
A packer machine and wrapping method that utilize a spindle with suction holes to hold and fold wrapping material around cigarettes, ensuring precise folding and maintaining wrap quality even at high production rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional wrapping methods are used to produce rigid cigarette packs, then production speed can be maintained, but the quality of folds (precision and squareness) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping process is divided into multiple sequential folding operations performed by different folding units (first folding unit, second folding unit, third folding unit) at different stages of the wrapping drum rotation, allowing each unit to specialize in creating specific folds with high precision while maintaining overall production speed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a rotating wrapping drum that provides dynamic motion to the wrapping process, with folding elements that move in coordination with the drum rotation to create precise folds at different positions and times during the wrapping cycle, enabling high-speed production without sacrificing fold quality
2Productivity
If high production speed is used to manufacture cigarette packs, then productivity improves, but the quality of wrapper folds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping process operates continuously as the wrapping drum rotates, with multiple folding units performing their operations simultaneously at different positions around the drum, eliminating idle time and maintaining high production speed while ensuring each fold is created with precise control
Solution Approach 2:
The folding operations are performed periodically as the wrapping drum rotates through specific angular positions, with each folding unit activating at the appropriate moment in the rotation cycle to create its designated fold, allowing high-speed continuous production with precise periodic folding actions
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 solution enables the production of cigarette packs with extremely precise and square folds, maintaining wrap quality while increasing production speed and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A packer machine and wrapping method to fold a wrap around a group of smoking articles
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A packer machine (29) and a wrapping method to fold a wrap (21) around a group (14) of smoking articles; there are: a spindle (32), which is designed to accommodate the group (14) of smoking articles; a wrapping drum (30), which moves the spindle (32) along a first circular wrapping path (PI); a first feeding device (44), which is designed to insert the group (14) of smoking articles into the spindle (32); a second feeding device (48), which is designed to feed the wrap (21) to the spindle (32); a first folding device (53), which is arranged along the first wrapping path (P1) and is designed to fold the wrap (21) in a "U"-shape around the spindle (32); a first linear wrapping conveyor (57), which is designed to pull the group (14) of smoking articles, together with the "U"-folded wrap (21), out of the spindle (32) and is designed to move the group (14) of smoking articles, wrapped in the "U"-folded wrap (21), along a second straight wrapping path (P2), which is parallel to a rotation axis (31) of the wrapping drum (30); a second folding device (58), which is arranged along the second wrapping path (P2) and is designed, on each side of the "U"-folded wrap (21), to fold two longitudinal wings (23, 24) on top of one another, so as to give to the wrap (21) a tubular shape having one single open end; a second linear wrapping conveyor (61), which receives the group (14) of smoking articles, together with the tubular wrap (21), from the first wrapping conveyor (57) and is designed to move the group (14) of smoking articles, wrapped in the tubular wrap (21), along a third straight wrapping path (P2), which is perpendicular to the second straight wrapping path (P2); and a third folding device (63), which is arranged along the third wrapping path (P3) and is designed to fold two longitudinal wings (26, 27) of the open end of the tubular wrap (21) on top of one another.