Foldable Guiding Member for Packaging Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing guiding members for machines, particularly those over 2 meters in length, are cumbersome, difficult to handle and maintain, and cannot be easily transported or disassembled, making them inflexible and requiring bulky packaging.

Innovation Solution

A guiding member with articulation means allowing it to be folded, comprising two longitudinal sections with rotatable coupling portions and blocking means, enabling easy assembly, disassembly, and transportation, and accommodating standard-sized pallets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If guiding members are extended to reach lengths of more than 2 meters, then the movement range of sliding elements is increased, but the guiding members become heavy and cumbersome, making handling and maintenance difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelength of guiding memberVSAvoidhandling and maintenance ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding member is divided into multiple modular sections that can be connected together. Each section contains its own transmission means (chain and pinions), allowing the guiding member to achieve extended lengths while maintaining ease of handling through modular assembly and disassembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding member incorporates articulation means that allow it to be flexible and adaptable during operation, while maintaining structural integrity. The modular design enables dynamic reconfiguration for different application requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If guiding members are extended to reach lengths of more than 2 meters, then the movement range of sliding elements is increased, but the guiding members become difficult to transport and require bulky packaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelength of guiding memberVSAvoidtransportability and packaging adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding member is divided into multiple modular sections that can be easily separated for transport. Each section can be independently packaged in standard crates or boxes and placed on standard pallets, eliminating the need for bulky custom packaging while maintaining the capability to achieve extended lengths through assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The articulation means enable the guiding member to be configured in different states (extended for operation, folded for transport), providing adaptability for both operational and logistical requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Length of moving object

If guiding members are extended to reach lengths of more than 2 meters, then the movement range of sliding elements is increased, but the guiding members become cumbersome and require complex packaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelength of guiding memberVSAvoidpackaging complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding member is divided into multiple modular sections that can be easily separated and packaged in standard containers. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex custom packaging solutions while maintaining the capability to achieve extended lengths through assembly of multiple sections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4361050A1Guiding member
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 MEDIA TECH SRL
  • EP4361050A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4361050A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4361050A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A guiding member (5) for a packaging machine (10), intended for slidingly mounting deflecting means (6) for a tape (11) of packaging material, having an elongated shape and extending along a prevailing axis (Z); comprising at least a first longitudinal section (20); at least a second longitudinal section (30); articulation means (40) mechanically interposed between said first section (20) and said second section (30) and configured to move said first section (20) with respect to said second section (30) between a folded position, wherein said second section (30) is approached to said first section (20), and a extended position, wherein said second section (30) is aligned with said first section (20) along said prevailing axis (Z).