Folding Box Closing Apparatus Elliptical Motion Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing folding box closing devices face challenges in achieving high throughput while minimizing noise emissions and vibrations.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a first and second closing element carrier with rotation elements having axes of rotation angled non-perpendicularly, allowing for an elliptical movement path that enables mass balancing and reduced imbalance, thus lowering noise and vibrations. This configuration allows for simultaneous and efficient closure of folding boxes with multiple closing elements, increasing throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional closing devices are used to achieve high throughput, then productivity increases, but noise emissions and vibrations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidnoise emissions and vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the closing element carrier rotatable instead of stationary, allowing the closing elements to move in an elliptical path that reduces impact forces and vibrations during the closing operation, thereby maintaining high throughput while lowering noise and vibration emissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces another dimension by adding rotational motion to the closing element carrier, transforming the closing action from a linear reciprocating motion into an elliptical path motion, which distributes the closing force more evenly and reduces harmful vibrations and noise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple closing elements operate simultaneously to increase throughput, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple closing elements onto a single rotatable carrier, allowing them to operate simultaneously in a coordinated manner. This integration reduces the overall device complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each closing element while maintaining high throughput capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3385175B1Folding box closing apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.05.29 MEDISEAL GMBH
  • EP3385175B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3385175B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3385175B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A folding carton closing device (7) serves for the automated closing of a folding carton (1) and comprises a first closing element carrier (15) with a first closing element (16) for contacting the tuck flap (5) of a first folding carton (1) and a second closing element (17) for contacting the closing flap (4) of a second folding carton (1). The folding carton closing device (7) further comprises a first rotating element (18) with a first axis of rotation (20) and a second rotating element (23) with a second axis of rotation (24). The first axis of rotation (20) and the second axis of rotation (24) are spaced parallel to each other and arranged at an axis of rotation angle (25) other than 90° to the first closing element carrier (15). The first locking element carrier (15) is connected to the first rotating element (18) via a first rotary bearing (22) and to the second rotating element (23) via a second rotary bearing (22).