Cross-cut Stabilizer for Packaging Machine Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The cross-cut station in horizontal, form, fill, and seal packaging machines experiences uncontrollable movement due to machine vibrations and an unreliable rack and pinion system, leading to unpredictable cross-cut locations.

Innovation Solution

A retrofittable cross-cut stabilizer with a mounting base, pushing combs, and manual clamps is introduced, which clamps onto the machine's rack and pinion system, preventing movement by straddling the cutting blocks and adjusting to secure the blades in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a rack and pinion system is used to support the cutting blocks, then the cross-cut station can be adjusted to predetermined locations, but the system becomes unreliable and allows unpredictable movement due to vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-cut location precisionVSAvoidcross-cut station stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a stabilizer bar as an intermediary component between the cutting blocks and the rack and pinion system. This stabilizer bar acts as a mediator that transfers and distributes the clamping force from the locking nuts to multiple cutting blocks simultaneously, preventing individual blocks from moving unpredictably under vibration while maintaining the ability to adjust to precise locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking nuts are tightened before the machine operation begins, preliminarily securing the cutting blocks in their predetermined positions. This preliminary clamping action prevents the blocks from moving during the vibrating operation, ensuring that the cross-cuts are made at the intended locations without unpredictable displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If locking nuts are used to secure the cross-cut station, then movement can be prevented, but the locking nuts lose their grip after prolonged exposure to vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidlocking nut grip duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizer bar provides beforehand cushioning by distributing the vibrational stresses across multiple cutting blocks and the rigid rack structure. This prevents any single locking nut from bearing the full brunt of the vibrations, thereby preventing them from losing their grip after prolonged exposure and maintaining reliable locking throughout the machine's operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Measurement precision

If the cross-cut station is made adjustable to predetermined locations, then precision cutting can be achieved, but the station becomes susceptible to vibration-induced movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-cut location accuracyVSAvoidvibration impact on cutting position

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the adjustable positioning capability with the vibration-resistant stabilizing structure. The cutting blocks are designed to be both adjustable to predetermined locations via the rack and pinion system and simultaneously stabilized by the stabilizer bar and locking nuts, combining the benefits of precision positioning with protection against vibration-induced movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 cross-cut stabilizer effectively stabilizes the cross-cut station, ensuring precise and consistent cross-cuts by eliminating movement caused by vibrations and unreliable locking nuts, enhancing operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The clamps, having manually-adjustable knobs, clamp onto the mounting block and the machine's rack and pinion system, or any other immovable component of the machine. This clamping action acts as a break.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10675774B1Cross-cut stabilizer used in horizontal, form, fill, and seal packaging machines

Publication Date: 2020.06.09 EPSTEIN MOSHE

AI summary

Disclosed is a cross-cut stabilizer. The stabilizer prevents uncontrollable movement of the existing cross-cut stations, which are used in packaging machines to make long cuts designed to separate a strip of multiple, pre-packaged products from the rest of the packaging film. The movement created by the machine's vibration, causes the cutting blocks, along with the blades making the cross-cuts, to move unpredictably. The movement is compounded by the rack and pinion system which supports the cutting blocks of the cross-cut station. The cross-cut stabilizer, incorporates a mounting base, which holds pushing combs and manual clamps. The stabilizer is mounted inside the cross-cut station, allowing the pushing combs to straddle the existing cutting blocks. The pushing combs enable unison, manual adjustment of the cross-cut station with the cross-cut stabilizer. By using clamps, the pushing combs urge down on the cutting blocks of the cross-cut station, eliminating any movement of the station.