Hooding Machine Adjustable Chain Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hooding machines are inflexible and require significant time and complexity to adapt to different package formats, often necessitating multiple machines for frequent format changes, which increases costs and logistical complexity.
Innovation Solution
A hooding machine with motor-driven chain rings that grip and pull a flattened film tube to form a hood, allowing for adjustable transverse dimensions and rapid format changes by varying the distance between chain ring pairs, enabling the machine to accommodate various film tube widths and formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the machine uses a fixed film travel path channel with predefined dimensions, then the machine structure is simplified, but the machine cannot adapt to different tube widths and formats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the film travel path adjustable through motorized chain rings that can vary their transverse distance. The chain rings are supported on a frame so as to be movable with respect to one another, allowing the machine to adapt to different tube widths dynamically rather than being fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single machine that can process multiple formats of film tubes. The adjustable chain ring system allows one machine to perform the function of what would traditionally require multiple dedicated machines for different formats, making the device multi-functional.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the machine is designed with constructional complexity to adapt to multiple formats, then the adaptability improves, but the conversion time between formats increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated motorized system. The chain rings are motor-driven so as to travel along the hood formation path and can be automatically positioned to different transverse distances, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and reconfiguration when changing formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized adjustable chain ring system allows rapid dynamic reconfiguration between formats. The frames supporting the chain rings can be moved to different positions along the transverse direction, enabling quick format changes without significant conversion time.
3Loss of time
If different machines are used for different formats, then the adaptation time is reduced, but the number of machines and transportation lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal machine that can handle multiple formats, replacing the need for multiple dedicated machines. The single machine with adjustable chain rings performs the function of what would otherwise require several separate machines and associated transportation lines, simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple format-specific machines into a single machine. By combining the adaptive capability with the hooding function in one device, the system reduces the total number of machines and transportation lines required.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hooding machine (10) comprises a system for forming a hood from a tube of film (12) in a flattened folded condition so as to form four side edges. The system comprises two pairs of chain rings with grippers (24) for gripping and moving the tube of film along a hood formation path (11) from a starting area of the path (11) where the tube of film (12) in a flattened folded condition is fed with its initial portion (14). In an end area (15) of the path there is a head (16) for collecting, expanding and fitting the hood onto a package, said head being arranged above an area (17) of the machine where a package to be wrapped is positioned. Each pair of chain rings is supported on a frame (25, 26) so as to be movable with respect to the other pair of chain rings and thus be able to vary controllably the mutual distance between the pairs of chains and adapt the machine to a different transverse dimension of the tube of film (12).