Packaging Machine Upender and Auxiliary Conveyor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging machines for tissue paper products lack flexibility and adaptability in handling variable sizes and shapes of articles, requiring complex and costly configurations that increase machine size and operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A packaging machine design featuring a wrapping tunnel, a feed conveyor, an elevator, an auxiliary conveyor, and an upender that can be selectively positioned, allowing for vertical movement and adjustable configurations to accommodate different article sizes and shapes, enabling efficient and compact packaging without the need for extensive reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex layering device with multiple conveyors and deflectors is used to superimpose layers of articles, then the articles can be packaged in variable configurations, but the machine size and structural complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the upender and layering functions into a single integrated station. The upender serves dual purposes: it both orients articles vertically and positions them for layering on the same conveyor belt, eliminating the need for separate layering devices with multiple conveyors and deflectors. This merging reduces machine complexity while maintaining adaptability to variable pack configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary conveyor belt is designed to perform multiple functions: it receives articles from the feed conveyor, supports the upending operation, and serves as the layering surface for superimposing articles. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated layering conveyors and deflectors, reducing overall machine complexity while preserving versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the upender is designed to move downward to a withdrawn position and the auxiliary conveyor is replaced by a longer conveyor, then the upender can be deactivated, but the machine cost and vertical extension increase
Solution Approach 1:
The upender is designed to retract horizontally behind the feed conveyor rather than moving vertically downward. This horizontal retraction allows the auxiliary conveyor to remain in its original position and continue serving multiple functions, eliminating the need for a longer replacement conveyor and reducing vertical machine extension.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the upender in the vertical dimension (downward to withdrawn position), the patent implements horizontal retraction of the upender behind the feed conveyor. This dimensional change allows the auxiliary conveyor to maintain its position and continue functioning without requiring vertical space extension.
3Device complexity
If fixed-size articles are packaged, then the machine structure can be simplified, but the machine cannot accommodate variable sizes and shapes of articles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable article stops that can be repositioned along the auxiliary conveyor belt to accommodate articles of different lengths. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same machine structure to handle variable article sizes without requiring complex reconfiguration, maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine incorporates adjustable parameters including article stop positions and conveyor belt configurations that can be modified to accommodate different article sizes and shapes. These parameter changes allow the simplified machine structure to adapt to variable packaging requirements without increasing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The packaging machine includes a wrapping tunnel, adapted to form a tube of plastic film around a group of articles and a feed conveyor, adapted to feed articles to be packaged toward the wrapping tunnel. An elevator is positioned between the feed conveyor and the wrapping tunnel, and is movable vertically from a lower position, to receive articles coming from the feed conveyor, to a higher height, to transfer articles to the wrapping tunnel. A pusher is arranged to push articles to be packaged from the elevator into the wrapping tunnel. An auxiliary conveyor is also provided between the feed conveyor and the elevator. An upender is associated with the auxiliary conveyor, adapted to be arranged selectively in an active position, to co-act with the auxiliary conveyor to upend articles coming from the feed conveyor and transfer them toward the elevator, and in a deactivated position.