Modular Pouch Packaging Machine for Fast Format Changeovers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal-type automatic packaging machines struggle to adapt to pouches of different formats, requiring different operations and product fillings, without needing to change machine configurations.
Innovation Solution
A packaging machine with a track and carriage assemblies that can grip pouches, processing modules with configurable tools, and control units that can be easily added, removed, or reconfigured to handle different pouch formats and operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the packaging machine uses fixed processing units for specific pouch formats, then the machine can perform precise operations for that format, but the machine cannot adapt to different pouch formats without reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable processing unit that can be repositioned along the conveyor track to different stations. This dynamic positioning capability allows the same processing unit to adapt to different pouch formats by changing its location along the track, rather than requiring fixed dedicated units for each format. The processing unit maintains operational precision while gaining versatility through its ability to move to appropriate positions for different pouch types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal processing unit that can handle multiple pouch formats through repositioning along the conveyor track. Instead of having separate specialized units for each pouch format, a single multi-functional processing unit serves all formats by being moved to different stations, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the packaging machine is reconfigured for each pouch format, then it can handle different formats precisely, but the production time and commissioning complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable processing unit enables rapid reconfiguration by simply changing the position of the unit along the conveyor track rather than requiring physical reassembly or complex setup changes. This dynamic repositioning significantly reduces the time needed to switch between different pouch formats during production or commissioning phases.
3Productivity
If multiple fixed processing units are installed for different formats, then all formats can be handled simultaneously, but the machine becomes more complex and less flexible
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing multiple fixed processing units to handle different formats simultaneously, the patent uses a single movable processing unit that can be positioned at different stations along the conveyor track. This dynamic approach maintains productivity by allowing the unit to service different pouch formats at appropriate locations while significantly reducing the total number of processing units required.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A packaging machine (100) comprising a track with a number of carriage assemblies moveable along the track and able to hold in a suspended fashion a flexible pouch and to convey them along at least a section of the track; a series of processing modules (6a, 6b) moveably engaged with a common supporting rail (12), the processing modules having configurable tools able to perform an operation on the conveyed pouches; and a corresponding series of control units (5a, 5b), each control unit to control the configurable tools of a processing module or the configurable tools of a set of functionally-related processing modules, the control units being moveably engageable in a static frame (101) to which the supporting rail (12) of the processing modules (6a, 6b) is also solidly joined to.