Electronic Motor Cigarette Packaging System for Jam-Free Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cigarette packaging systems are complex, bulky, and inflexible, relying on mechanical components that are costly and prone to jamming, making them difficult to adapt to varying packaging configurations.

Innovation Solution

A packaging system using electronic control motors for flexible and adaptable movement of components, eliminating mechanical complexities and allowing for intermittent motion and precise bending of packaging sheets, with electric motors providing torque only when needed to prevent jamming and overload detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical components (oil bath type) are used for moving packaging components, then the system can achieve continuous operation, but the system becomes complex, bulky, and prone to jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejamming resistanceVSAvoidmechanical component complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical oil bath type moving means with electronic control motors. This substitution eliminates the complex mechanical components and their associated problems (jamming, bulkiness) while achieving the same function of moving packaging components through electronic control, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional mechanical systems are used, then the system can maintain stable operation, but the system lacks flexibility for configuration changes and adaptations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic system where electronic control motors can be independently activated or deactivated based on packaging requirements. This allows the system to adapt to different packaging configurations (different numbers of cigarettes per pack, different pack arrangements) by simply changing which motors are active, providing high flexibility without increasing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control motor system serves multiple functions: it can move packaging components, create bends in packaging sheets, and adapt to various packaging configurations. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized mechanical subsystems, thereby increasing adaptability while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If electronic control motors are used instead of mechanical components, then the system achieves flexibility and adaptability, but the system requires more sophisticated control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidelectronic control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic control motors are designed to be self-regulating, providing torque only when needed for specific packaging operations. The system automatically detects when torque is required (during bending, moving, or positioning operations) and activates the appropriate motors, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2933196B1Packaging system and method for packaging cigarettes into bent sheets
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 GIMA TT SPA
  • EP2933196B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2933196B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2933196B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Packaging system (1) for packaging cigarettes (4) into bent sheets, comprising supplying means (3) for supplying cigarettes (4), supplying means (5) for supplying packaging sheets (6), rotary collecting means (7) for collecting said cigarettes (4) supplied by said supplying means (3), and provided with elongated containers (9), packaging means (11) operatively coupled and cooperating with said rotary collecting means (7), and adapted to receive said packaging sheets (6) from said supplying means (5) and to place said packaging sheets (6) onto said elongated containers (9), retaining means for keeping said packaging sheets (6) onto said elongated containers (9), after said packaging sheets (6) have been placed onto said elongated containers (9), moving means (13) for moving packages (15) composed of said packaging sheets (6) having inside said cigarettes (4), operatively cooperating with said rotary collecting means (7) for moving said packages (15) downstream, bending means (22, 44) for bending said packages (15).