Paper Folding Machine With Dynamic Stack Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding and interfolding machines face limitations in productivity and flexibility due to the need for rigid formation tables that cover significant distances to separate and transfer packages, leading to increased energy costs and mechanical wear, especially when producing packages of varying heights.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a displacement device connected to the discharge device that moves along a displacement direction, allowing the discharge device to adjust its position during the production cycle, reducing the stroke required for transferring completed stacks and enabling production of packages of varying heights with increased productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid formation tables are used to transfer packages, then packages can be separated and transferred, but the stroke distance is significant leading to increased energy costs and mechanical wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid formation tables with a dynamic discharge device that moves vertically along guides. The discharge device adjusts its position dynamically during the production cycle, moving to receive completed stacks from the folding rolls and then discharge them to the transfer device. This dynamic positioning reduces the fixed stroke distance and eliminates the need for long-distance transfers, thereby reducing energy consumption and mechanical wear while maintaining reliable package separation and transfer.
2Reliability
If formation tables cover significant distances to separate and transfer packages, then package transfer is achieved, but mechanical wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge device is designed to move vertically along guides in close proximity to the folding rolls and transfer device. This dynamic arrangement minimizes the transfer distance and reduces the stroke required for package separation and transfer. By positioning the discharge device strategically and allowing it to move dynamically rather than using fixed long-distance formation tables, the patent significantly reduces mechanical wear on moving parts while maintaining effective package transfer functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the machine produces packages of varying heights, then flexibility is improved, but the rigid formation table system cannot adapt
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge device can move vertically along guides to accommodate packages of different heights. The vertical movement allows the discharge device to adjust its receiving position according to the height of completed stacks being produced. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the machine to produce packages of varying heights without requiring complex rigid formation table systems, providing flexibility while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through straightforward vertical motion along guides.
4Device complexity
If the discharge device position is fixed, then the machine structure is simple, but productivity is limited due to long transfer strokes
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge device moves vertically along guides in synchronization with the production cycle. This movement allows the discharge device to be positioned optimally to receive completed stacks from the folding rolls, minimizing the transfer stroke distance. By reducing the distance the discharge device must travel to receive and discharge packages, the patent significantly increases productivity velocity without substantially complicating the machine structure, as the movement mechanism consists of straightforward vertical motion along guides.
Data Source
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AI summary
Machine (1) for producing packages of folded or interfolded laminar products made of paper, in particular packages of napkins, tissues, towels, or similar products, comprising a folding or interfolding group, (10) equipped with a first and a second folding or interfolding roll (11a, 11b) configured to fold or interfold a plurality of sheets of paper, and to obtain a stack (50) of folded or interfolded sheets, according to a predetermined folding or interfolding configuration, which grows in height along a vertical forming direction (150). The machine (1) comprises, furthermore, a separation group (20) configured to separate a completed stack (50a) of folded or interfolded sheets, once that a predetermined height of said stack being formed (50) is reached, from a following stack being formed (50). A transfer group (30) is, furthermore, provided configured to transfer the completed stack (50a) on a discharge device (40) configured to discharge the completed stack (50a) from the machine. A displacement device (60) is, furthermore, provided operatively connected to the discharge device (40) and configured to move the discharge device (40) same along a displacement direction (160) towards/from the transfer group (30).