Stretch Film Web Gathering Device for Packaging Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for packaging goods using stretch film struggle with uneven gathering of the film web, leading to inconsistent material concentration and potential damage to goods, especially when trying to create edge strands for enhanced hold.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that adjustably gather the stretch film web between two rollers at an angle to the vertical, allowing for even material concentration across the width, which can be varied to form a single strand for enhanced support, using a rotatably mounted supply roll and a carriage system for precise height adjustment and film guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the film web is gathered to create edge strands for enhanced hold, then the material concentration increases and provides better support, but the gathering becomes uneven and may damage the goods
Solution Approach 1:
The film web is divided into multiple gathering zones with different gathering strengths. Edge regions are gathered more strongly than central regions, creating differentiated edge strands that provide enhanced hold without requiring uniform gathering across the entire web width. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the film web are given different gathering properties - edge regions receive stronger gathering forces while central regions receive milder forces. This local differentiation creates edge strands with high material concentration for strong hold, while preventing excessive gathering that would cause damage to goods in the central areas.
2Quantity of substance
If the film web is gathered strongly to form a single strand, then material concentration increases providing better support, but the complexity of controlling uniform gathering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gathering system is segmented into multiple independent roller pairs, each responsible for a specific transverse zone of the film web. This allows localized control of gathering in different regions without requiring complex coordination across the entire web width, simplifying the overall control architecture while achieving high material concentration in edge regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The gathering strength in each zone is made dynamically adjustable through independent roller speed control. This allows the system to adapt gathering forces in real-time for different zones, achieving optimal material concentration distribution without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration, thus managing device complexity while maximizing material concentration.
3Manufacturing precision
If rollers are used to gather the film web, then even gathering across the width is achieved, but the device complexity increases compared to simpler gathering mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The roller system performs multiple functions: it guides the film web through the machine, applies gathering forces to create edge strands, and controls the wrapping process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving precise uniform gathering across the film web width.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single complex gathering mechanism, the system employs multiple roller pairs that apply gathering forces at different stages and locations. This distributed approach achieves superior gathering uniformity through cumulative partial actions, while each individual roller pair remains relatively simple in design.
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 uniform material concentration and reinforcement of the film web, providing adjustable strength for wrapping goods, reducing material usage and preventing damage, while allowing for flexible wrapping patterns and optimal film guidance.
Implementation Method 1
The film web or a section of it is gathered at least temporarily after leaving the supply roll and before reaching the material to be wrapped. This means that the width of the film web is reduced or compressed so that the film curls
Implementation Method 2
The stretch film web to be dispensed is wound onto a rotatably mounted supply roll
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (2) provided for a packaging machine (1) for dispensing a stretch film web (19) for vertically oriented wrapping of an item to be packaged (6), the packaging machine having means for a relative rotary movement between the item and the device. The device has a holder (27) for a supply roll (14), on which the stretch film web (19) to be dispensed is rolled, and gathering means, in order that, when the start of the film web is fastened to the article or to a pallet (7) supporting the article for vertically oriented wrapping, within a running portion (19a) which is spatially located between a point where it unrolls from the supply roll and a point where it reaches the item to be wrapped, the film web is gathered at least temporarily to produce an increased material concentration of the film web, so that film from the running film web portion with the increased material concentration reaches the article to be wrapped. The gathering means are designed such that they gather the film web uniformly over the width thereof and allow a preferably gradual variation of the thickness of the gathering, and gathering into a strand (19b) is possible as a maximum gathering. The invention further relates to an associated method.