Horizontal Wrap Packaging System with Gripping Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging systems for hose-shaped foil are inefficient and complex, particularly in terms of packaging time and object handling, as they primarily operate vertically and lack optimized mechanisms for handling and transporting objects between conveyors.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables horizontal wrapping of objects using hose-shaped stretch foil, featuring a control unit that directs a packaging frame with gripping arms equipped with activated rollers between conveyors, allowing for efficient object handling and transportation, and an optional laterally movable packaging frame for simultaneous foil gathering and packaging, along with a cone-shaped device for easy foil opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vertical wrapping is used with traditional hood packaging installations, then the packaging process is established, but the production cycle efficiency is reduced and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional vertical wrapping approach by implementing horizontal wrapping. The packaging frame moves horizontally between conveyors, and the foil is wrapped around objects in a horizontal plane rather than vertically. This inversion simplifies the overall system architecture and accelerates the packaging cycle by eliminating complex vertical movement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from vertical (one-dimensional) wrapping to horizontal (two-dimensional) wrapping by positioning the packaging frame to move laterally between conveyors. This dimensional change allows for more efficient space utilization and reduces the complexity of vertical positioning mechanisms while maintaining effective packaging functionality.
2Ease of operation
If traditional vertical packaging frames are used, then object wrapping is achieved, but object handling and transportation between conveyors becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging frame is designed as a dynamic structure that can move horizontally between conveyors and adjust its position relative to objects on the conveyor belt. The gripping arms are equipped with activated rollers that can dynamically engage and disengage from the foil, enabling efficient object handling and reducing packaging time through rapid positioning and wrapping actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The activated rollers on the gripping arms serve as intermediaries between the packaging frame and the hose-shaped stretch foil. These rollers efficiently transfer the wrapping force to the foil while facilitating smooth object handling, reducing friction and packaging time through optimized contact mechanics.
3Reliability
If hose-shaped stretch foil is used for wrapping, then object protection and stability are provided, but the foil gathering and opening mechanisms become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging frame is divided into multiple gripping arms, each equipped with its own activated rollers for independent foil gathering and manipulation. This segmentation allows each gripping arm to handle specific portions of the hose-shaped stretch foil independently, simplifying the overall gathering mechanism while maintaining reliable object protection through coordinated action of multiple segments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves a higher production cycle efficiency and reduced complexity by enabling horizontal wrapping, thereby improving the packaging process with faster and more efficient object encasing in hose-shaped enclosures.
Implementation Method 1
Each gripping arm is equipped with opposing and activated rollers which can be brought into contact with the stretch foil, whereby activation of the rollers enable the stretch foil to be gathered onto and ungathered from the gripping arms
Implementation Method 2
A further object of the invention is to provide a system, wherein the elastic resiliency of the hose-shaped stretch foil portion is utilized for wrapping the object
Implementation Method 3
a cone-shaped device for easy foil opening
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a system for packaging objects on a conveyor using a hose-shaped stretch foil. More specifically, the invention provides a system, wherein the hose- shaped stretch foil can be wrapped around the objects in a horizontal manner.