Automated Inflatable Bag Packing Machine with Three-Station Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packing multiple articles in inflatable airbags is a laborious and time-consuming process, requiring manual inflation and sealing of each bag, which limits efficiency and scalability.
Innovation Solution
An automated packing machine with three stations, equipped with linear actuators and sealers, that inflates, seals, and separates airbags from a continuous sheet, significantly reducing labor and time required for packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual inflation and sealing of each airbag is performed, then packaging quality is maintained, but packaging time and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system is divided into three independent stations: a first station for receiving and positioning airbags, a second station for inflation, and a third station for sealing and separation. This segmentation allows each station to perform its function efficiently while maintaining overall system simplicity and enabling continuous operation without requiring complex coordination mechanisms.
2Productivity
If automated packing machine with three stations is used, then packaging efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional operations (receiving, positioning, inflation, sealing, and separation of airbags) are merged into a continuous three-station process flow. The stations are arranged sequentially with the distal end of one station adjacent to the proximal end of the next, creating an integrated system that achieves high throughput without requiring complex transfer mechanisms or additional components.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If continuous sheet of airbags is processed, then packaging continuity is improved, but control and separation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbags are provided in a continuous sheet form with pre-defined separation margins between individual bags. The third station is configured to easily separate individual airbags along these pre-established margins, allowing continuous processing while maintaining simple separation operations. This preliminary structuring of the continuous sheet eliminates the need for complex separation mechanisms.
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 machine automates the inflation and sealing of airbags, reducing packaging time and labor, enabling efficient and continuous operation while accommodating various article types.
Implementation Method 1
The air tube has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the air tube is in fluid communication with a compressed air source and a distal end of the air tube is closed, the air tube has a series of spaced apart apertures for filling inflatable tubes
Implementation Method 2
a horizontal sealer mounted to the frame at the first station, the horizontal sealer configured to seal a portion of the two flaps above the air tube
Data Source
AI summary
A packing machine and a method of use thereof for packing articles in airbags. The packing machine includes three consecutive stations that can receive airbags in a series of airbags one by one, wherein the article to be packed is placed in the airbag. The first station can receive a new bag containing the article. In the first station, the airbag can be horizontally sealed at the top to close the opening and can then be inflated. In the second station and the third station, the airbag can be vertically sealed and can then be dropped into a conveyor at the end of the third station. An air tube that extends between the first station and the second station can be used to inflate the airbags. Two linear actuators with gripping heads can move the airbags from between stations, and break the leading airbag from the series of airbags.