Packaging Blank Stack Reorientation for Faster Loading Store Feeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing supply systems for sheet-like packaging blanks in processing systems face inefficiencies due to complex and time-consuming movements required to rotate and position stacks correctly, often damaging the blanks in the process.

Innovation Solution

A supply system with a rotatable take-up unit and pivotable frame that performs combined displacement and rotational movements, ensuring accurate orientation and positioning of stacks without damage, using clamping elements and conveyor belts for secure handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a robot arm with gripper is used to pick up and rotate stacks of packaging blanks, then the stacks can be positioned in the loading store, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient due to complex movements and waiting time for rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestack positioning capabilityVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the rotation function from the displacement function by introducing a dedicated rotary cross that independently rotates stacks while the robot arm simultaneously prepares and displaces other stacks. This segmentation allows parallel operations without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary cross acts as an intermediary device between the robot arm and the loading store. It receives stacks from the robot arm, rotates them to the correct orientation, and then the robot arm can immediately retrieve the next stack without waiting for rotation to complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the robot arm rotates the stack 180° to correct orientation, then the correct side is positioned for processing, but the robot arm must wait for complete rotation before retrieving the next stack

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestack orientation accuracyVSAvoidwaiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary cross performs the rotation action in advance and continuously, so that by the time a stack needs to be retrieved, it is already rotated to the correct orientation. This eliminates waiting time as the rotary cross continues rotating other stacks during the retrieval process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary cross operates continuously to rotate stacks, ensuring that the rotation function never stops. This continuous operation allows the robot arm to maintain a steady workflow without interruptions or waiting periods for rotation completion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Area of stationary object

If multiple staggered stacks are placed on a pallet to optimize space, then space utilization is improved, but the supply system must handle complex retrieval and positioning of individual stacks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepallet space utilizationVSAvoidsupply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary cross serves as an intermediary that standardizes the orientation of stacks retrieved from the staggered pallet arrangement. It handles the complexity of orientation correction, allowing the robot arm to simply retrieve and place stacks without complex positioning calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4650308A1Supply system for replenishing a loading store with a stack of packaging blanks
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 C-TECH BV
  • EP4650308A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4650308A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4650308A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a supply system (1) for replenishing a loading store (2) of a processing system with a stack (4) of sheet-like packaging blanks, comprising: a displacement device (5) for displacing the stack (4) of sheet-like packaging blanks, wherein the displacement device (5) is movable back and forth between a starting position and a discharge position; and a rotatable take-up unit (6) which is provided to take up the stack (4) of sheet-like packaging blanks at the starting position and to rotate this stack (4) of sheet-like packaging blanks at the starting position about a vertical axis of rotation (A) to a desired orientation direction. The displacement device (5) further comprises a pivotable frame (51) which is designed to take up the oriented stack (4) of sheet-like packaging blanks from said rotatable take-up unit (6), and the pivotable frame (51) is movable between the starting position and the discharge position by means of one or more combined displacement and rotational movements.