Packaging Machine Movable Conveying Means for Small Box Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing boxing machines face inefficiencies in producing boxes of varying sizes, particularly small dimensions, due to the bending and weight issues of square-section blanks, leading to reduced production rates and operator control challenges.

Innovation Solution

A boxing machine design that aligns the first lateral wall of the tubular blanks with a fixed vertical plane and the upper pre-creasing lines with a horizontal plane, allowing for reduced stroke lengths and improved alignment, enabling efficient filling and closure of boxes of all sizes, including small ones, while maintaining high production rates and operator control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the machine uses conventional conveying means to maintain bottom and longitudinal medium line alignment with stationary planes, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the filling time increases for small boxes, reducing production rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction rateVSAvoidfilling time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the conveying means movable rather than stationary. The conveying means can adjust its position dynamically to accommodate different box sizes, allowing the manipulating means to maintain a substantially constant stroke while adapting to various container dimensions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables high production rates for both large and small boxes without increasing filling time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the machine uses fixed stationary planes for alignment, then the device complexity is low, but the stroke width of manipulating means must increase to accommodate all box sizes, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction rateVSAvoidstroke width
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fixed stationary planes with movable conveying means that can dynamically adjust their position. This allows the manipulating means to maintain a substantially constant, minimized stroke width while the conveying means adapts its position to accommodate different box sizes. The dynamic system eliminates the need for increased stroke width that would be required with fixed alignment planes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the machine processes square-section blanks with diagonally opposite pre-creasing lines aligned, then the blank resistance to bending decreases, but the blanks in lower stack positions lose planarity and assume curved conformation, reducing manufacturing precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblank planarityVSAvoidblank resistance to bending
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing support to the blanks at multiple positions within the stack before they are processed. The support means prevent the lower blanks from losing planarity and assuming curved conformations due to the weight of upper blanks. This preliminary support counteracts the bending forces that would otherwise compromise the planarity and manufacturing precision of square-section blanks with aligned pre-creasing lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP1939090B1Machine for packaging articles into box-like containers
Publication Date: 2010.01.27 MARCHESINI GROUP SPA
  • EP1939090B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1939090B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1939090B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Machine for packaging articles into box-like containers obtained from tubular blanks in flat folded configuration includes a feeding station (100) for conveying tubular blanks (1) in flat folded configuration and horizontal arrangement toward an erecting station (2). A unit, moving between said erecting station (2) and a station for vertical introduction of the articles into the erected blanks, erects each tubular blank and folds a first lower flap (5A) of the blank by ninety degrees. A folding element (3) cooperates with the unit to fold a second lower flap (5B) of the blank by ninety degrees. A horizontal plane (4) of the lower flaps supports the blank and articles contained therein. Means (7A,7B,7C,7D) for guiding and moving the blank on the horizontal plane cooperate with means for folding the remaining blank flaps, as well as with the stations (12,13) for closing the bottom and the cover of the so obtained pack.