Curvilinear Glue Panel Folder for Container Joint Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for forming containers from sheet material face challenges in maintaining uniformity and reliability of manufacturer joints due to inherent restorative forces in paperboard or corrugated paperboard panels, which cause panels to lift away from the mandrel during the folding process, disrupting the formation of consistent joints.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a glue panel folder assembly that moves in a curvilinear path to maintain contact with the mandrel, preventing panel lifting and allowing for precise alignment and pressing of overlap panels against the glue panel, thereby enhancing joint uniformity and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If linearly actuated folder arms are used to fold panels around the mandrel, then the container forming process can be automated, but the panels lift away from the mandrel due to restorative forces, causing distortion of manufacturer joints
Solution Approach 1:
The folder arm is redesigned to move along a curvilinear path rather than a linear path. The curvilinear motion path follows the curvature of the mandrel, allowing the folder arm to maintain continuous contact with the panel against the mandrel surface during the folding operation, preventing panel lift-off and ensuring precise manufacturer joint formation
Solution Approach 2:
The folder arm mechanism transitions from static linear actuation to dynamic curvilinear actuation. The actuator is configured to move the folder arm along a predetermined curvilinear path that adapts to the mandrel geometry, enabling the folder arm to dynamically maintain contact with the panel throughout the folding process
2Ease of operation
If the folder arm is removed from the panel during folding, then the panel can be repositioned, but the panel tends to lift away from the mandrel before the presser arm presses it together, distorting the manufacturer joint
Solution Approach 1:
The curvilinear motion path ensures continuous contact between the folder arm and the panel throughout the entire folding operation. The folder arm maintains pressing force on the panel against the mandrel from the beginning to the end of the folding stroke, eliminating any interruption or lift-off that would compromise joint formation reliability
3Device complexity
If linear actuation is used for the folder arm, then the mechanism is simpler, but precise control is required to avoid incidental contact between the folder arm and presser arm, disrupting the process
Solution Approach 1:
The curvilinear path of the folder arm is specifically designed to clear the presser arm's operational space. By following a curved trajectory that arcs over or around the presser arm, the folder arm can complete its folding motion without incidental contact, eliminating process disruptions while maintaining automated operation
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material including a glue panel and an overlap panel includes a frame, a mandrel mounted to the frame, a glue panel folder assembly, and a glue panel presser assembly. The mandrel has an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the container. The glue panel folder assembly includes an actuator and a glue panel folding member operatively coupled to the actuator. The actuator is configured to cause the glue panel folding member to move in a curvilinear path of motion, contact the glue panel, and move the glue panel into at least partial contact with the mandrel. The glue panel presser assembly is configured to press the overlap panel into face-to-face contact with the glue panel to form a manufacturer joint of the container.