Inflatable Bladder Film Clamp for Wrapping Load Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wrapping technologies face challenges such as high costs, inefficiencies in material usage, and difficulties in securely attaching packaging material to loads, leading to wasted material and loosely wrapped loads.

Innovation Solution

A wrapping apparatus featuring a packaging material holder with inflatable bladders that clamp and release the packaging material, allowing for secure attachment and efficient wrapping, reducing material waste and maintaining load integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a packaging material clamp is used to grip the packaging material web, then the packaging material can be held during wrapping, but the clamp creates a 'tenting' effect resulting in wasted packaging material and loosely wrapped loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging material holding capabilityVSAvoidpackaging material waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful function of traditional clamps (creating tenting effects) by removing the clamp structure entirely and replacing it with a vacuum device that directly contacts and grips the packaging material without intermediate support surfaces, eliminating the tenting effect and associated material waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical clamp system with a vacuum-based holding system. Instead of using mechanical force from opposed clamp surfaces, the vacuum device uses suction to create a pressure differential that holds the packaging material flat against the wrapping surface, eliminating the mechanical tenting effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of substance

If a vacuum device is used to hold the packaging material, then the packaging material can be gripped without tenting, but the vacuum device may damage the packaging material if suction is too high or fail to grip if suction is too low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging material wasteVSAvoidpackaging material gripping reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements dynamic control of vacuum suction levels. The vacuum device can adjust its suction force in real-time based on the packaging material type and wrapping conditions, allowing the system to optimize between gripping reliability and material integrity for different scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameters of the vacuum device dynamically. By adjusting suction pressure, vacuum level, and device positioning based on detected conditions, the system adapts to different packaging materials and wrapping situations to maintain reliable grip without damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the packaging material is collapsed into a rope and inserted between load layers or tied to the pallet edge, then the packaging material can be attached to the load, but packaging material removal becomes more difficult after shipping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging material attachment strengthVSAvoidpackaging material removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional attachment approach. Instead of collapsing and tying the packaging material to secure it (which makes removal difficult), the vacuum device holds the material in an expanded state during wrapping, allowing for easier subsequent removal while maintaining secure attachment during the wrapping process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution provides a cost-effective, efficient method for wrapping loads with minimal material waste and secure attachment, reducing maintenance costs and improving wrapping quality.

Implementation Method 1

The packaging material holder may include a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder. The apparatus may also include an element configured to position packaging material between the first and second inflatable elements.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The packaging material holder may include a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9290285B2Film clamp and related methods and apparatuses for wrapping loads

Publication Date: 2016.03.22 LANTECH COM LLC

AI summary

An apparatus for clamping packaging material may include a packaging material holder. The packaging material holder may include a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws. The jaw opening may be configured to receive a portion of packaging material. The packaging material holder may include an inflatable structure configured to fill at least a portion of the opening. The apparatus also may include a packaging material insertion tool configured to insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping.