Packaging Material Length Setting Under Reduced Feed Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging material production machines face challenges in accurately and efficiently setting and changing the desired length of packaging material products due to complex control systems and imprecise length setting during high-speed operation.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a control system with reduced learning speed for precise length adjustment, allowing operators to easily set and change packaging material product lengths using a simplified two-button operation with defined actuation times, enabling both automated high-volume production and customized lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple switches and pushbuttons are provided for controlling machine operations and settings, then the machine can perform various functions and modes, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating modesVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple control functions are merged into a single pushbutton through different actuation patterns (pressing duration, combination with other buttons). The control system evaluates the same physical button based on temporal and combinational characteristics to differentiate between various operations such as mode selection, parameter setting, and execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The function of the pushbutton changes dynamically based on the current operating mode and the duration or sequence of pressing. The control system adapts the interpretation of button presses according to the machine's state, allowing a single static component to perform multiple dynamic functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the packaging material production machine feeds material at high speed during operation, then productivity increases, but the precision of setting desired packaging material product length decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeding speedVSAvoidlength setting
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The desired packaging material product length is set in advance during a configuration phase before production begins. The control system stores this pre-set length parameter, allowing the machine to operate at high speed during production without compromising length accuracy, as the setting is already determined and stored.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The machine alternates between configuration mode (for setting parameters) and production mode (for high-speed operation). During configuration mode, the feeding speed is reduced for precise length setting. Once configured, the machine switches to production mode where high-speed feeding operates with the pre-stored length parameters, achieving both precision and productivity at different periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4076930B1Method and device for producing a packaging material product
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 SPRICK GMBH BIELEFELDER PAPIER UND WELLPAPPENWERKE & CO
  • EP4076930B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4076930B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4076930B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for producing a packaging material product from a web-shaped packaging material, wherein the web-shaped packaging material is supplied at an operating velocity v0 and, in order to form a packaging material product, is cut to an initial length L0 which is predefined with respect to the web longitudinal direction. In order to change the predefined initial length L0 to a different length L2, the web-shaped packaging material is supplied at a training velocity v2, which is less than the operating velocity v0.