Integrated Paper Container Forming Press with Heated Moulds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current equipment for forming paper containers is inefficient as it requires separate phases and additional equipment, resulting in high downtime and costs, and is not suitable for forming diverse shapes, especially with damp paper.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a press with a movable and fixed mould holder table, equipped with cutting blades, pleating/crimping rings, and rim formers, allowing for the continuous formation of paper containers from cutting to finishing the peripheral rim in a single machine, eliminating the need for auxiliary equipment and reducing downtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separate equipment is used for cutting, forming, and rim finishing of paper containers, then each operation can be performed with dedicated machinery, but the overall productivity decreases due to multiple handling steps and downtime between operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidnumber of equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines cutting blades, pleating/crimping rings, and rim formers into a single integrated press machine. The upper and lower tool sets work simultaneously during the pressing operation to perform all three operations (cutting, pleating, and rim forming) in one cycle, eliminating the need for separate equipment and handling steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The press machine is designed with multi-functional tool sets that can perform multiple operations. The upper tool set includes cutting blade, pleating ring, and rim former that work together, while the lower tool set has corresponding counter components. This universal machine handles what previously required multiple specialized machines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a purely mechanical press is used for forming paper containers, then the structure is simple, but it cannot handle diverse shapes and damp paper effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediversity of container shapesVSAvoidmachine structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The press incorporates heated platens that can be adjusted to different temperatures and positions. The heating elements allow the machine to handle damp paper by drying it during the pressing cycle. The tool sets can be configured for different container shapes and sizes, providing dynamic adaptability beyond fixed mechanical presses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses temperature as a controllable parameter to handle damp paper. The heated platens raise the temperature during the forming cycle, which dries the damp paper and allows it to be formed into diverse shapes. This parameter change (from ambient to elevated temperature) expands the machine's versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If pre-cut roughing cards are used as starting material, then the forming process can begin with prepared material, but additional equipment and time are required for the cutting phase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreparation of starting materialVSAvoiddown time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blades are positioned to cut the paper tape to the required dimensions during the pressing operation itself, just before forming. This preliminary cutting action is integrated into the main process cycle, eliminating the need for separate pre-cutting operations and reducing downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the production of complete and finished containers in each operating cycle, increasing productivity by integrating cutting, pleating, and rim forming into a single process, suitable for forming diverse shapes including those with damp paper.

Implementation Method 1

the semi-moulds are provided with heating means for drying the wet starting paper and its stiffening in a given closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the pleating/crimping ring and the counter ring being designed to pleat/crimp a peripheral crown of said length of paper during the closing stroke of the semi-moulds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

the rim former and the counter rim former are provided to form a crimped rim around the lateral wall of the container during the opening stroke of said semi-moulds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2346677B1Equipment and method for the forming of paper containers
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 QUALITY TOOLS SRL
  • EP2346677B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2346677B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2b
  • EP2346677B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3b

AI summary

The invention concerns the equipment for forming of paper containers starting from a continuous wet paper belt. It comprises a mobile semi-mould and a fixed semi-mould defining an impression corresponding to the container to be produced. Around the mobile semi-mould (15) are provided concentrically an upper cutting blade (18), an upper pleating/crimping ring (19) and an upper rim former (20); around the fixed semi-mould (14) are provided a counter cutting blade (21 ), an upper counter pleating/crimping ring (22) and a counter rim former (23), associated respectively with the cutting blade, the pleating/crimping ring and rim former on board associated with a mobile semi-mould. And this, respectively, to cut from the initial paper tape a length of paper depending on the measurements of the container to be formed, to pleat/crimp a peripheral crown of said blank paper during the closing stroke of the semi-moulds, and to form a crimped rim around the lateral wall of the container during the opening stroke of said semi-moulds.