Deflection Unit for Rotating Packaging Bags on Circular Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-throughput packaging systems for hygiene products face interruptions and reduced production rates due to temporary system downtimes during welding steps, especially when rotating packaging bags by 90°, which can cause product stacks to slide out of open ends due to insufficient static friction.
Innovation Solution
The method involves temporarily inclining packaging bags on a circular path to maximize centrifugal force in the feed direction, ensuring it does not exceed the breakaway force, and correcting the orientation to maintain product stability, using a deflection unit with a controlled suction system to prevent sliding and enable continuous welding access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If product stacks are transferred on a circular path during welding steps, then continuous operation and high throughput are achieved, but centrifugal force causes product stacks to slide out of open packaging bag ends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the packaging bag during transfer, inclining it temporarily to modify the direction and magnitude of centrifugal force components. This parameter adjustment ensures that the centrifugal force component parallel to the feed direction does not exceed the maximum static friction force, preventing product stack sliding while maintaining continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging bag orientation is dynamically adjusted during the transfer process. The bag is temporarily inclined at specific positions on the circular path and then corrected to its original orientation, creating a dynamic system that adapts to the centrifugal force conditions at different transfer stages
2Ease of manufacture
If packaging bags are rotated by 90° for welding access, then welding can be performed from the side in continuous operation, but the rotation causes interruptions and reduced production rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous operation by performing welding operations during the transfer phase without stopping the production line. The deflection unit is positioned to allow welding access while products are being transferred on the circular path, eliminating the need for interruptions that would otherwise occur during rotation and welding
3Reliability
If centrifugal force is maximized during transfer, then product flow reliability is improved, but product stacks may slide out due to excessive force exceeding static friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the orientation parameter of the packaging bag to optimize the centrifugal force effect. By temporarily inclining the bag at specific angles during transfer and then correcting it, the system maximizes product flow reliability while ensuring the centrifugal force component parallel to the feed direction remains below the threshold that would cause product sliding
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
This approach ensures reliable product flow with high throughput and minimal equipment expenditure, preventing product stacks from sliding and maintaining orientation for efficient packaging without system downtimes.
Implementation Method 1
using a deflection unit with a controlled suction system to prevent sliding
Implementation Method 2
the component parallel to the feed direction of the centrifugal force occurring in the transfer area and acting on the product stacks wrapped in packaging bags
Implementation Method 3
insufficient static friction
Data Source
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AI summary
In the case of a method by means of which product stacks (8) wrapped in packaging bags (28) are transferred from a supply system (38), in which the product stacks wrapped in packaging bags are transported in a supply direction, onto a removal system (40), in which the product stacks wrapped in packaging bags are transported further in a removal direction, in which they are oriented at a predetermined angle of rotation (32) in relation to the supply direction, wherein the product stacks wrapped in packaging bags, in a transfer region between the supply and the removal systems (38, 40), have their centre of gravity (70) guided on the segment of a circular path, it should be possible to achieve particularly high throughput and production rates even if the product stacks wrapped in packaging bags should rotate relative to their transporting direction prior to the end sides of the packaging bags (28) being welded. For this purpose, according to the invention, the product stacks wrapped in packaging bags, in the transfer phase, are temporarily inclined in orientation relative to the supply direction in the transfer region such that the component parallel to the supply direction of the centrifugal force which occurs in the transfer region, and acts on the product stacks wrapped in packaging bags, does not at any time exceed a predetermined maximum value.