Packaging Machine Handler Simplification via Blank Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging machines for flat products, such as ceramic tiles, require complex and articulated movements of handlers and result in longer production times due to the need for rotating the tile stacks and complex blank arrangements, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A packaging machine with motorized belts and vertically mobile support systems that allow for simplified handling and positioning of blanks, reducing the complexity of handler movements and enabling rapid adaptation to different package dimensions through the use of stores and gluing devices for efficient blank arrangement and folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If complex articulated movements and rotations are used to position blanks, then the packaging can be completed, but the handler complexity and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the tile stack and rotating it to facilitate blank positioning, the invention inverts the approach by moving the blanks themselves to position them around the stationary tile stack. This inversion eliminates the need for complex rotations and articulated movements of the heavy tile stack, simplifying the handler mechanism while achieving the same packaging result
Solution Approach 2:
The invention divides the packaging task into separate operations for each blank (first blank, second blank, third blank, fourth blank), with each blank being positioned independently by separate handlers or handler components. This segmentation allows each handler to perform simple linear movements rather than complex coordinated movements, reducing overall device complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If complex articulated movements and rotations are used to position blanks, then the packaging can be completed, but the production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention positions each blank in advance on the rest surface before the tile stack is placed, with blanks already arranged in their final positions. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for time-consuming rotations and complex movements during the actual packaging process, significantly reducing production time while ensuring proper packaging completion
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables continuous parallel operations where multiple blanks are positioned simultaneously around the tile stack by multiple handlers working in parallel. This continuous concurrent action eliminates sequential delays and complex repositioning operations, maintaining high productivity while simplifying individual handler movements
3Device complexity
If fixed packaging dimensions are used, then the machine structure can be simplified, but the adaptability to different package dimensions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs motorized belts with variable speed control and programmable movement parameters that can be dynamically adjusted for different package dimensions. The handlers are designed with movable components and adjustable trajectories, allowing the same simplified machine structure to adapt to various package sizes without adding mechanical complexity, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving high versatility
Data Source
AI summary
An improved packaging machine, comprising: a rest surface (2) for supporting one or more blanks (B) intended to form a quadrangular packaging (C); containing means (3), structured for containing a plurality of blanks (B) destined to form the packaging; handier means (4), structured so as to pick up the blanks (B) from the containing means (3) and to arrange them on the rest surface (2), folder means (5), structured so as to fold the blanks (B) in such a way as to form the packaging; a store (31,32,33,34) for each side of the packaging (C); a handier (41,42,43,44) for each side of the packaging (C).