Packing Station with Stack Forming Funnel and Strapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packing stations face instability issues with manually stacked piece goods, particularly when using lattice trolleys, leading to potential tipping and slipping during transport, and require excessive wrapping or strapping for stability, which is time-consuming and material-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A packing station that allows for random horizontal strapping of piece goods layers, providing stability without the need for extensive foil wrapping, with the option to strap or wrap at a central location, and compatibility with lattice trolleys, enabling ergonomic packing and decision-making by operators or algorithms on when to secure the stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If piece goods are manually stacked in layers from above onto a load carrier, then the packing process is flexible and adaptable to different goods, but the stack stability is insufficient and goods may tip over during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing lateral support to the load carrier before and during the stacking process. The shaft-shaped casing with lateral walls is positioned in advance to prevent tipping, and the collar at the opening provides additional lateral support during stacking. This preliminary structural support enables manual stacking to achieve sufficient stack stability without compromising packing flexibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a wrapping device is provided underneath the platform to wrap the packed pallet circumferentially, then the piece goods stack is secured against tipping, but multiple wrapping processes require a lot of time and foil material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing lateral support structures (shaft-shaped casing and collar) before the wrapping process. This preliminary support reduces the number of wraps needed to achieve sufficient stability, thereby reducing both wrapping time and foil material consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using the lateral support structures to provide sufficient stability with fewer wraps than would be required without such support. The shaft-shaped casing and collar provide just enough lateral restraint to reduce the wrapping requirement to a minimum necessary level.
3Strength
If lattice trolleys are used as shipping load carriers, then they provide structural support, but vertically adjacent layers of cargo can still move horizontally and cause the stack to tip over
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a shaft-shaped casing as a mediating structure between the lattice trolley and the piece goods stack. The casing with its lateral walls provides additional lateral support that the lattice trolley alone cannot provide, preventing horizontal movement of cargo layers while maintaining the benefits of the lattice trolley structure.
4Productivity
If the piece goods stack is moved from the packing station to a separate strapping station, then the packing process is completed, but the stack may slip and tip over during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing lateral support structures (shaft-shaped casing and collar) during the packing process that continue to support the stack during transport to the strapping station. This preliminary stabilization ensures the stack remains secure throughout handling and transport, maintaining stability without compromising packing throughput.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The invention discloses a packing station (16) for the preferably manual stacking of piece goods (52) on a shipping load carrier (46), wherein the piece goods (52) are packed manually onto the load carrier (46) by an operator (40) to form a stack (54) of piece goods, having: a load carrier lifting apparatus (48), which is designed to move the load carrier (46) vertically (60) between a first height (H0) and a second height (H2), wherein the load carrier (46) can be replaced at the first height (H0) using load carrier conveying technology (44), and wherein the load carrier (46) is in a packing position (90) at the second height (H2), from where the load carrier (46) can be lowered step by step during the loading, which takes place layer by layer from above; a stack-forming hopper (34), which has a plurality of walls (36), the arrangement of which is matched to an outer contour (80) of the load carrier (46); and a platform (28), on which the operator (40) stands and on which the hopper (34) is arranged, the platform (28) having an opening (78), which is matched to the outer contour (80) of the load carrier (46), wherein the walls (36) of the hopper (34) surround the opening (78) and wherein the walls (36) of the hopper are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the platform (28); characterised in that a strapping apparatus (38) is also provided, wherein the strapping apparatus (38) is designed to fasten a closure strap (90) in a substantially horizontal direction around a packed layer (94) of piece goods (52) while the load carrier is in the packing position (92).