Paper Roll Packaging System with Segmented Conveyor and Grouping Blades

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper roll packaging systems require large spaces and often damage rolls during handling, leading to discarding a significant number of rolls.

Innovation Solution

A compact packaging system that includes a separator device to space rolls and a grouping device with blades to form groups of rolls without lateral engagement, ensuring rolls are handled without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If conventional conveyor systems with long paths are used to connect cutting machines and packaging machines, then roll guidance can be achieved, but the system requires very large spaces and rolls may be damaged due to lateral engagement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requirementVSAvoidroll handling integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the roll handling process into distinct functional segments: the cutting machine produces rolls, a first conveyor belt transports them with minimal engagement, and a second conveyor belt receives and transports groups of rolls to packaging. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall space requirements while maintaining roll integrity through appropriate engagement methods at each stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first conveyor belt acts as an intermediary between the cutting machine and the second conveyor belt. It provides a transition zone where rolls are transferred without direct lateral engagement from the second conveyor, thereby protecting rolls from damage while enabling compact system layout. The intermediary conveyor mediates the transfer, allowing the second conveyor to engage rolls only at designated points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If lateral engagement of rolls is used for guidance along long paths, then correct roll guidance can be ensured, but roll damage occurs requiring discarding of many rolls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroll guidance accuracyVSAvoidnumber of discarded rolls
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the lateral engagement function from the primary conveyor path. Instead of using lateral engagement along the entire conveyor path, lateral engagement is taken out and applied only at specific points where the second conveyor belt receives groups of rolls from the first conveyor belt. This selective application maintains guidance accuracy where needed while eliminating unnecessary lateral engagement that causes damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Lateral engagement is applied partially rather than continuously. The second conveyor belt uses lateral engagement only during the specific action of receiving and grouping rolls from the first conveyor belt, not during the entire transport process. This partial application of lateral engagement provides sufficient guidance accuracy for the grouping operation while minimizing roll damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If groups of rolls are formed and transported efficiently, then productivity increases, but the system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroll packaging efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the functions of roll transport and roll grouping into a coordinated two-belt system. The first conveyor belt handles individual roll transport from the cutting machine, while the second conveyor belt handles group formation and transport to packaging. By merging these functions into an integrated system with defined interaction points, the patent achieves efficient productivity without excessive complexity, as each belt performs its primary function simply while their coordination enables group formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3930974B1System and operating method for packaging paper rolls
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 PLUSLINE SRL
  • EP3930974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3930974B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3930974B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System for packaging groups (20) of paper rolls (2), comprising a cutting-off machine (3) that cuts paper logs, each group (20) consisting of rolls (2) obtained from a same log (L). The system comprises: a first unit (1) for arranging the individual rolls (2) spaced apart from each other; a second unit (4) forming the groups (20) by grouping a predetermined number of rolls (2), said second unit (4) being provided with blades (43) adapted to push from the back the last roll of each group to be formed and each formed group as the individual groups are formed by exerting a pushing action on the rear base of said last roll while the front base and a lateral surface of each roll (2) are free; a third unit (6), located downstream of the second unit (4) and adapted to convey the groups (20) towards a packaging machine (5).