Mandrel Assembly for Compact Container Forming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container forming machines require complex mechanisms with large moving parts to accommodate varying sizes and shapes of blanks, resulting in a large machine footprint.

Innovation Solution

A machine with a mandrel assembly and pre-folding assembly that folds a blank around a first mandrel and transfers it to a second mandrel for further wrapping, using a glue panel presser assembly to form joints, reducing the need for extensive movement and minimizing the machine's size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex mechanisms with large moving parts are used to accommodate varying sizes and shapes of blanks, then the machine can handle diverse container configurations, but the machine footprint becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate varying sizes and shapes of blanksVSAvoidmachine footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mandrel system is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned and configured. Each mandrel segment can be adjusted to accommodate different container sizes and shapes, eliminating the need for a single large complex mechanism. The segmentation allows the system to handle diverse container configurations while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mandrels are designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing them to move and adjust during the forming process. This dynamic adjustment enables the same mandrel structure to accommodate varying blank sizes and shapes without requiring large fixed mechanisms, thereby reducing the machine footprint while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If large paths of movement are required for moving parts to accommodate various sized and shaped blanks, then the machine can form diverse container configurations, but the overall machine size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to form various sized and shaped containersVSAvoidpaths of movement of moving parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mandrel segments are nested within each other, allowing compact storage when not in use and efficient space utilization during operation. This nesting arrangement enables the system to accommodate various container sizes without requiring large movement paths, as the nested structure provides a compact operational envelope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The mandrel positioning system utilizes multiple dimensions for adjustment, including radial, axial, and angular movements. By distributing the adjustment requirements across multiple dimensions rather than relying on single large linear movements, the system achieves versatility in forming various container configurations while keeping individual movement paths short.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11565492B2Methods forming a shipping and display container from a blank assembly using a pre-fold mandrel section

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 WESTROCK SHARED SERVICES LLC

AI summary

A method for forming a container from a blank assembly including a tray blank and lid blank includes folding a first portion of the blank assembly about at least a first face of a first mandrel to form a partially formed container, and transferring the partially formed container towards a second mandrel using a transfer assembly that extends through the first face of the first mandrel. The method also includes transferring the partially formed container from the first mandrel to the second mandrel along a pair of guide rails extending between the first mandrel and the second mandrel, wrapping a second portion of the blank assembly about at least a first face of the second mandrel to form the container, wherein the first face of the second mandrel opposes the first face of the first mandrel with respect to a vertical direction, and ejecting the container from the second mandrel.