Horizontal Stretching Packaging System Deflection Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing horizontal stretching systems for packaging objects in film bags require a large gap between conveyors, leading to complex constructions and inefficient operation, especially when packaging longer objects or those that are not rigid, and often necessitate start-stop operation for sealing.

Innovation Solution

A horizontal stretching system with a continuous conveyor device, deflection mechanism to create a free space for the closure station, and movable reefing brackets that allow for efficient packaging of objects using a single conveyor, enabling continuous operation and reduced gap requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a large gap is provided between conveyors to accommodate the bag stretching process, then the bag can be properly formed and positioned, but the conveyor design becomes complex and the system length increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyor design simplicityVSAvoidgap between conveyors
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the gathering bars movable between a bag receiving position and a packaging position. This dynamic adjustment allows the gathering bars to be positioned close to the conveyor during packaging while still accommodating the bag stretching process, thereby reducing the required gap between conveyors and simplifying the conveyor design without compromising bag formation quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the spatial conflict by utilizing the vertical dimension through a deflection device that deflects the conveying element downwards. This creates a free space in the conveying level where the closing station can be arranged, allowing the closing operation to occur in a different spatial plane and eliminating the need for a large horizontal gap between conveyors

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the gap between conveyors is increased to accommodate longer objects and more film stretching, then these objects can be packaged, but the required length of reefing brackets and the gap between conveyors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to package longer objectsVSAvoidgap between conveyors
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The movable gathering bars allow the system to adapt to different object lengths by adjusting their position. For longer objects, the gathering bars can be positioned further apart during the bag receiving phase, and then moved closer during packaging, maintaining versatility while minimizing the permanent gap requirement between conveyors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By deflecting the conveying element downwards to create free space in the conveying level, the system can accommodate the closing station and bag stretching process in the vertical dimension rather than requiring increased horizontal gap, thus maintaining the ability to package longer objects without proportionally increasing the conveyor gap

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

3Reliability

If the machine stops the conveyed object on the second conveyor to seal the bag, then the bag can be properly closed, but continuous operation is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebag sealing completenessVSAvoidcontinuous operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection device creates free space in the conveying level in advance, allowing the closing station to be pre-positioned in the optimal location for bag sealing. This preliminary spatial arrangement enables the sealing operation to be performed without interrupting the continuous flow of objects on the conveyor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the contradiction between complete sealing and continuous operation by utilizing the vertical dimension. The conveying element is deflected downwards to create free space where the closing station operates in a different spatial plane, allowing bag sealing to occur without stopping the horizontal conveyor motion and maintaining continuous productivity

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

Data Source

PatentEP3672875B1Packaging system and method for packaging objects
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 HAVER & BOECKER OHG
  • EP3672875B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP3672875B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~2
  • EP3672875B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a horizontal stretching system (1) for packaging an object (100) in a film bag (2) and to a method for packaging objects (100) by means of such a system (1). The system (1) comprises a tubular film store (3), an opening station (50), two gathering arms (4) for gathering and spreading the film bag (2), and a closure station (5) for closing the filled film bag (2), the gathering arms (4) being movable between a bag receiving position (6) and a packaging position (7). A continuous conveying apparatus (8) having a conveying element (9) is provided, on which conveying apparatus an object (100) to be packaged is transported into the film bag (2) held open by the gathering arms (4) in the packaging position (7). The conveying apparatus (8) comprises a conveying plane (10). A deflecting apparatus (11, 11a) is provided, which deflects the conveying element (9) downward out of the conveying plane (10) at least in some sections such that a free space (12) is formed in the conveying plane (10), in which free space at least portions of at least the closing station (5) can be arranged.