Feeding Device Alignment for Rod-Shaped Paper Bodies

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Solution Overview

Problem

The handling of elongated, particularly rod-shaped, paper bodies is cumbersome due to the need for precise alignment and orientation before processing, leading to delays and increased costs due to manual corrections and labor-intensive packaging.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a feeding device with an alignment device that automatically aligns elongated paper bodies into a defined processing position, eliminating the need for pre-sorting and manual alignment, and using a reusable container to transport paper bodies, thereby eliminating the need for disposable packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If paper bodies are packaged in an orderly or aligned manner to ensure proper processing position, then processing reliability is improved, but packaging time and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing reliabilityVSAvoidpackaging time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment device performs preliminary alignment of paper bodies before they enter the processing device. This preliminary action ensures that paper bodies are properly oriented without requiring time-consuming manual sorting or packaging alignment, thus maintaining processing reliability while reducing packaging time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual packaging alignment with an automated alignment device that uses mechanical means to orient paper bodies. This substitution eliminates the need for labor-intensive manual sorting while ensuring proper processing position, resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss

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

2Manufacturing precision

If manual alignment and sorting of paper bodies is performed to correct crooked or deviated positions, then processing accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment device enables paper bodies to self-align through automated mechanical means. Paper bodies are automatically oriented into the correct processing position without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining processing accuracy while eliminating the productivity loss associated with manual sorting and correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual alignment operations with an automated alignment device that uses mechanical systems to correct crooked or deviated paper body positions. This substitution maintains processing accuracy while significantly improving productivity by eliminating manual correction steps

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

3Ease of operation

If disposable packaging cartons are used to transport paper bodies, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of substance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidpackaging waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a system where reusable containers replace disposable packaging cartons. The containers are used multiple times across different processing facilities, eliminating the need to discard and replace packaging materials. This approach maintains ease of operation for transport while significantly reducing packaging waste and material loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Reliability

If pre-sorting and orientation of paper bodies is performed before feeding into processing device, then processing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing reliabilityVSAvoidfeeding device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the alignment function from the processing device and places it in a separate alignment device within the feeding system. This separation allows the processing device to remain simple while the alignment device handles the complex task of orienting paper bodies, thus maintaining processing reliability without increasing processing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment device acts as an intermediary between the paper body supply and the processing device. It performs the complex alignment and orientation functions separately, then presents properly oriented paper bodies to the processing device. This intermediary approach maintains processing reliability while keeping the processing device itself simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3810053B1Feeding device, container therefor, and supplying method
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 SETTER HOLDING GMBH
  • EP3810053B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3810053B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a feeding device (15) for feeding into at least one processing apparatus (2) a number of elongate, more particularly rod-shaped, paper bodies, said number corresponding to a large receptacle, in which processing apparatus each elongate, more particularly rod-shaped, paper body can be processed only if said paper body is in a defined processing position. At least one orienting apparatus (11) is provided, by means of which individual or all elongate, more particularly rod-shaped, paper bodies of the number of paper bodies corresponding to a large receptacle can be oriented in such a way that the elongate, more particularly rod-shaped, paper bodies are already in the defined processing position when said paper bodies reach or enter the processing apparatus (2). The invention also relates to a method for supplying a processing apparatus and to a paper-body distribution system.