Compact Container Manufacturing Device with Integrated Feed Press Stack

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for producing finished articles from band-shaped materials are not compact or cost-effective, requiring significant space and multiple operators for operation, and have inefficient waste management.

Innovation Solution

A compact device design integrating a feed area, pressing area, and stacking area within a common frame, with a spool-based unwinding system, conveyor rollers, and adjustable electronics, allowing for efficient material handling and waste disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate units are arranged along a production line for unwinding, pressing and stacking, then each unit can be independently operated and maintained, but the device occupies large space and requires multiple operators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of operators requiredVSAvoidspace occupied by device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the feed unit, press unit, and stacking unit into a single integrated device with a common frame structure. The feed rollers, press mechanism, and stacking conveyor are arranged in a compact configuration where the feed unit feeds material directly into the press unit, which in turn discharges to the stacking unit, eliminating the need for separate independent units and reducing both space requirements and operator numbers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for all three units, acts as a unified base for the entire device, and integrates the operational workflows of feeding, pressing, and stacking into a single coordinated system, thereby reducing the overall footprint and enabling single-operator control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate devices are arranged along a production line, then each device can be independently maintained, but manufacturing and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidnumber of separate devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the feed unit, press unit, and stacking unit into a single integrated device with shared structural components and a common frame, the patent reduces the total number of separate devices that need to be manufactured, installed, and maintained, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and simplifying the overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If a compact unit design is used with integrated areas, then space requirements are reduced and costs are lowered, but operational complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefootprint areaVSAvoidstructural integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While integrating the three functional units into a compact design, the patent maintains clear segmentation of their functions and operational sequences. The feed unit, press unit, and stacking unit remain distinct functional modules with defined interfaces, allowing for manageable complexity despite the compact integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent arranges the feed unit, press unit, and stacking unit in a linear sequence along the production direction, optimizing the use of longitudinal space rather than spreading units across a larger area. This dimensional arrangement achieves compactness while maintaining functional clarity and operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3318398B1Device for manufacturing containers
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 CAPRA MARCO
  • EP3318398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3318398B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3318398B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device for manufacturing finished articles from a strip-shaped material (9) comprises a feeding area (3), a pressing area (4), and a stacking area (5), which are arranged side by side longitudinally in a common frame (2). A coil (8) of the strip-shaped material (9) is rotatably mounted in the feeding area (3), the unwound material (9) being fed via a guide roller (17) to the gap between two conveyor rollers (29) and from there directly to the pressing area (4). The pressing area (4) has a first movable forming element (20) and a second, stationary forming element (27), which can be moved towards and away from each other by a drive mechanism.The unwound, strip-shaped material (9) can be moved directly between the first and second mold holders (20, 27) by the conveyor rollers (29) to be successively moved between mold parts (18, 19) mounted on the mold holders (20, 27) for the production and release of the finished article. The manufactured finished articles are successively moved directly from the pressing area (4) to the stacking area (5) and stacked there.