Packaging Device Defect Detection and Ejection Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging devices face issues with cardboard outer packaging alignment and stability, leading to unstable packaging units and potential blockages due to misaligned or defective packaging, which requires user intervention to remove defects and interrupt the packaging process.

Innovation Solution

A packaging device with a horizontal conveyor and a feed device that introduces flat packaging blanks into the transport path, using optical detection and a pivoting transport device to separate defective packaging blanks and maintain process continuity, allowing for automatic defect recognition and sorting into collection containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cardboard outer packaging is supplied via a carton feeder, then packaging speed is improved, but packaging reliability deteriorates due to misalignment and defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging speedVSAvoidpackaging reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by inspecting cardboard outer packaging for defects and misalignments before they reach the horizontal conveyor. The detection device examines packaging blanks in advance, and the rejection device removes defective items before they can cause packaging failures, thus maintaining high productivity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through a control device that receives signals from the detection device about packaging defects. Based on this feedback, the control device activates the rejection device to remove defective packaging, creating a closed-loop system that continuously maintains packaging quality without interrupting the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If defective packaging is removed by user intervention, then packaging quality is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to process interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging qualityVSAvoidpackaging productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by automating the detection and rejection of defective packaging through a detection device and rejection device. The system autonomously identifies and removes defective packaging blanks without requiring user intervention, thereby maintaining packaging quality while preventing process interruptions and preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical action of user intervention with an automated detection and rejection system. The detection device uses optical or sensing mechanisms to identify defects, and the rejection device mechanically removes defective packaging, substituting human labor with automated machinery to eliminate process interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If packaging blanks are continuously supplied, then productivity is improved, but stability deteriorates due to defective blanks causing blockages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous packagingVSAvoidpackaging process stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and removing defective packaging blanks before they can cause blockages in the continuous packaging process. The detection device examines each blank in advance, and the rejection device eliminates defects proactively, enabling continuous operation without interruptions and maintaining process stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by preparing for potential defects through continuous detection and rejection mechanisms. The system anticipates possible packaging failures by maintaining constant monitoring and readiness to remove defective blanks, thus cushioning against future disruptions and ensuring stable continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 ensures reduced user intervention by automatically detecting and ejecting defective packaging blanks, maintaining packaging process efficiency and stability, and allowing flawless packaging blanks to be used continuously, thus improving logistical manageability and reducing production interruptions.

Implementation Method 1

In an inspection area, it is determined by means of an optical detection device whether any of the packaging blanks intended for insertion into the transport path have a defect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3549879B1Packaging device for articles and method for preparing flat packaging blanks for articles
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 KRONES AG
  • EP3549879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3549879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3549879B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A packaging device (1) for articles (3), such as beverage containers (5), is disclosed. The packaging device (1) comprises at least one horizontal conveying device (7) for conveying articles (3) and at least one feeding device (4) which can introduce flat packaging blanks (2) into a transport path for the articles (3), so that the articles (3) encounter flat packaging blanks (2) introduced into the transport path during conveyance via the at least one horizontal conveying device (7). The at least one feeding device (4) is designed to detect and divert specific flat packaging blanks (2') that have a defect and are intended for insertion into the transport path.