Former Assembly Center of Gravity Redesign
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional former assemblies in bagmakers are heavy, bulky, and difficult to control due to their offset center of gravity, leading to misalignment and production of deformed bags with imperfect seals and barrier properties.
Innovation Solution
A redesigned former assembly with a collar flange, wing assembly, and transition tube, featuring a center of gravity closer to the handles for easier handling and a universal base plate that eliminates the need for base plate changes, reducing weight and size while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional former assemblies are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but the offset center of gravity makes them difficult to control and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of center of gravity location by redistributing mass within the former assembly structure. The center of gravity is repositioned to align with the handle attachment point, transforming the operational characteristics without changing the overall structural integrity or film-forming function.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional former assemblies are used, then film forming function is maintained, but misalignment occurs during handling causing deformed bags
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by positioning the center of gravity at the handle attachment point, creating a balanced system that acts as its own counterweight. This eliminates the rotational imbalance that caused misalignment during handling, ensuring precise alignment without requiring additional counterbalancing mechanisms.
3Productivity
If former assemblies are installed above shoulder-height, then film processing function is maintained, but operator fatigue increases and control difficulty worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an equipotential condition for the former assembly by balancing the center of gravity at the handle attachment point. This eliminates gravitational torque that would otherwise increase with height, making the assembly equally easy to control at any installation height and reducing operator fatigue during overhead operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional former assemblies are transported and installed repeatedly, then operational flexibility is maintained, but incidental damage accumulates causing wear patterns
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the center of gravity at the handle attachment point, the patent creates a self-balancing system that resists rotational forces during transportation and installation. This counterbalancing effect protects the alignment-critical components from incidental damage and wear, maintaining consistent alignment across repeated operational cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
A novel system and apparatus for bagmaking is disclosed herein. In particular, a former assembly is described which includes a collar flange having an aperture passing through from a first side to a second side. A wing assembly, which is mounted to the collar flange, has a former wing and a crown tube. The crown tube extends at least partially through the aperture of the collar flange. The former assembly also includes a transition tube having an elongate cylindrical body that passes through the crown tube and the aperture of the collar flange. A set of handles extends from the collar flange towards an upstream end of the elongate cylindrical body. Additionally, the former assembly has a center of gravity, determined from a reference coordinate system, with a y-component that is not further than 43 mm from the y-axis.