Movable Gable Folder for Slanted Package Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for shaping gable surfaces of packages with slanted gables are complex and cause undesirable acceleration and potential damage to the package and its content, especially when the rear edge forms the highest point, making it difficult to access and fold the fin seam effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device with a conveyor system and movable gable and ear folders that allow for relative movement between the folding tools and packages, enabling the shaping of gable surfaces without moving the packages, thus allowing for easier filling and processing of packages with either the fin seam or rear edge as the highest point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed folding tools are used to shape the fin seam in slanted gable packages, then the package must be accelerated and pushed between fixed columns, but this causes high constructional complexity and undesirable acceleration of the package and its sensitive content
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the package through fixed folding tools, the invention inverts the approach by using a movable folding tool that follows the package along its contour. The folding tool is guided by the package shape itself, reversing the traditional fixed-tool paradigm and eliminating the need for complex acceleration mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The folding tool is designed to be dynamically adaptable to the package contour, allowing it to move flexibly along the slanted gable surface. This dynamic capability enables the tool to access the fin seam at any position without requiring fixed infrastructure or package acceleration
2Manufacturing precision
If fixed folding tools are used to shape the fin seam, then the process requires pushing packages between fixed columns, but this causes undesirable acceleration of the package and its sensitive content
Solution Approach 1:
The package itself serves as the guide for the folding tool by providing its contour as the tracking path. The tool follows the package shape naturally, eliminating the need for external fixed columns and acceleration mechanisms that could harm the package or its contents
3Ease of manufacture
If the rear edge of the gable forms the highest point in slanted gable packages, then the fin seam becomes more difficult for tools to access, but fixed tools cannot adapt to this varying geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The folding tool is designed with dynamic movement capabilities that allow it to adapt to varying package geometries. It can follow the contour of slanted gables regardless of which edge forms the highest point, providing universal accessibility to the fin seam across different package designs
4Reliability
If packages are conveyed to a mandrel wheel for shaping, then the gable can be shaped, but this requires high constructional complexity and dedicated infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential shaping function from the complex mandrel wheel infrastructure and implements it through a simpler, movable folding tool. This removes the need for dedicated mandrel wheels and complex fixed infrastructure while maintaining reliable gable shaping capability
Data Source
AI summary
A device for shaping the gable surfaces of packages with a slanted gable is shown and described, including: a conveyor system with cells fixed to it to receive the packages, at least one gable folder to fold a fin seam in the gable region of the packages and at least two ear folders to fold ears in the gable region of the packages. In order to enable rapid and reliable shaping of the gable even in packages with slanted gables, it is proposed that both the gable folder and the ear folders be mounted movably relative to the conveyor system and the packages to be transported therewith. A method for shaping the gable surfaces of packages with a slanted gable is also shown and described.