Dual-Action Conveyor Element for Flexible Packaging Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor devices face challenges in efficiently transporting packaging blanks and containers with varying dimensions between workstations, requiring complex mechanical adjustments and lacking flexibility in handling different operations such as pulling and pushing tasks simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor device with a conveying element that can simultaneously pull and push packaging blanks and containers, equipped with a control unit for synchronized movement with workstations, and forming and guiding means to support and guide the packaging materials along the transport path, allowing for efficient and flexible transport between workstations without the need for additional powered tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional conveyor devices are used to transport packaging blanks and containers with varying dimensions, then mechanical adjustments are required, but the device complexity increases and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying element is designed with dual functionality to perform both pulling and pushing operations. The rear side is configured to pull packaging blanks and containers, while the front side is configured to push them, allowing a single element to handle multiple transport tasks without requiring additional powered tools or complex mechanical adjustments for different operations
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying element utilizes passive return movement to its starting position instead of requiring powered reversal. After completing a transport cycle, the element is passively returned to its initial position, eliminating the need for complex powered mechanisms to handle both forward and reverse operations, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional powered tools are added to handle different operations, then operational capability increases, but device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying element serves multiple functions within a single component design. By configuring the rear side for pulling operations and the front side for pushing operations, the element can handle different transport tasks without requiring additional powered tools, thereby increasing operational capability while minimizing the number of components
Solution Approach 2:
The pulling and pushing functions are merged into a single conveying element rather than using separate powered tools for each operation. This consolidation reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the capability to perform different operations
3Productivity
If high-speed operation is implemented, then productivity increases, but speed jumps and operational smoothness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying element employs dynamic speed adjustment during its operation cycle. The element moves at higher speeds during transport phases and reduces speed during loading and unloading operations at workstations, allowing high-speed operation to improve productivity while dynamic speed control prevents harmful speed jumps and ensures smooth operations
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention starts from a conveying device (10c) having at least one transport unit (20'c, 20"c) for transporting packaging blanks (12c) and/or containers (14'c, 14"c) in a transport direction (16c) along a transport path (18c), wherein the transport unit has at least one conveying element (24'c, 24"c) which can be driven along a section (22c) of the transport path (18c). It is proposed that at least one conveying element (24'c, 24"c) has a rear side (26'c, 26"c) which in at least one operating state is intended to pull packaging blanks (12c) and/or containers (14'c, 14"c) in the transport direction (16c), and a front side (28'c, 28"c) which in at least one operating state is intended to push packaging blanks (12c) and/or containers (14'c, 14"c) in the transport direction (16c). The invention also relates to a packing machine comprising such a conveying device.