Folding Spindle Wrapping Unit for High-Speed Cigarette Pack Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for folding wrapping sheets around smoking articles in rigid cigarette packs fail to produce high-quality, precise folds at high production speeds, leading to suboptimal packaging efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A wrapping unit and method that utilize a folding spindle and conveyor system to fold wrapping sheets into a tubular shape around cigarettes, with precise folding elements and a packer machine design that allows for high-speed production of cigarette packs with precise and square folds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional wrapping methods are used to fold wrapping sheets around smoking articles, then the production speed can be maintained, but the folding precision and quality of the wrap deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping process is divided into distinct operational phases: a first wrapping phase where the wrapping sheet is folded around the smoking articles at high speed, and a second wrapping phase where additional folding operations are performed to achieve precise square folds. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapping sheet is preliminarily folded into a tubular shape around the smoking articles during the first wrapping phase before the final precision folding occurs in the second phase. This preliminary action prepares the basic structure that will later be refined into precise square folds.
2Productivity
If high production speed is maintained, then productivity is improved, but the quality of folds and wrap integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping process is divided into distinct operational phases: a first wrapping phase where the wrapping sheet is folded around the smoking articles at high speed, and a second wrapping phase where additional folding operations are performed to achieve precise square folds. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual wrapping approach ensures continuous productive action throughout the process. The first wrapping phase operates continuously at high speed to maintain productivity, while the second wrapping phase continuously refines the folds, ensuring both high production speed and high fold quality are achieved simultaneously.
3Reliability
If stabilization measures are applied to maintain wrap integrity, then the wrap quality is improved, but the complexity of the wrapping system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping sheet itself provides the stabilization function through its material properties and the folding geometry created by the dual wrapping process. The interlocking square folds and tubular structure create a self-stabilizing wrap that maintains integrity without requiring additional stabilization components or complex control systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
Wrapping unit (B) and wrapping method to fold a wrapping sheet (21) around a group (14) of smoking articles. There are: a wrapping conveyor (37), which is designed to move the group (14) of smoking articles along a straight wrapping path (P2); a feeding station (S3), which is arranged along the wrapping path (P2); and a feeding device (41), which is designed to place the wrapping sheet (21) in the feeding station (S3) so that the group (14) of smoking articles, while moving along the wrapping path (P2), intercepts the wrapping sheet (21), thus causing the wrapping sheet (21) to be folded in a "U"-shape. The feeding device (41) has: at least one folding spindle (47) provided with a central passage channel (51), through which the group (14) of smoking articles can pass, and with an outer surface (52), which is arranged around the central passage channel (51) and is designed to receive and hold the wrapping sheet (21); a folding device (57), which is separate from and independent of the wrapping conveyor (37) and is designed to fold the wrapping sheet (21) against the outer surface (52) of the folding spindle (47); and a moving conveyor (48), which cyclically moves the folding spindle (47) between a receiving station (S4) in the area of the first folding device (57), where the wrapping sheet (21) is coupled to the folding spindle (47), and the feeding station (S3) in the area of the wrapping path (P2), where the central passage channel (51) of the folding spindle (47) is crossed by the group (14) of smoking articles.