Portable Wrapping Machine Mobile Base Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Most wrapping machines are stationary, making it inconvenient to wrap goods on pallets without moving the pallet to the machine, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A portable wrapping machine with a base and a wrapping arm equipped with wheels, allowing it to be moved adjacent to a pallet and wrapping the goods without any part of the machine being located under the pallet, enabling efficient wrapping from above.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a stationary wrapping machine is used, then the machine structure can be simple and stable, but the pallet must be moved to the machine which is cumbersome and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of wrapping goodsVSAvoidtime to move pallet to machine

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the pallet to a stationary wrapping machine, the patent inverts the approach by making the wrapping machine portable and mobile, allowing it to move to the pallet. This is achieved by equipping the base with wheels while maintaining structural stability through the vertical column and cross-member design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The wrapping machine transitions from a static to a dynamic system by incorporating wheels on the base, enabling it to move freely around the pallet. The machine can position itself at different locations (front, side, rear) of the pallet as needed for wrapping operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the wrapping machine is made portable with wheels, then it can be moved to the pallet, but the machine structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to position machine at different locationsVSAvoidcomplexity of machine structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapping machine is divided into distinct functional modules: a mobile base with wheels for positioning, a vertical column for support, a cross-member for structural reinforcement, and a wrapping arm assembly for the wrapping function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the machine is positioned under the pallet, then it can wrap goods from below, but this limits the wrapping angle and coverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrapping coverage and angleVSAvoidpositioning flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapping machine operates primarily in the horizontal plane by positioning itself at the front, side, or rear of the pallet, rather than vertically underneath. This dimensional change allows the wrapping arm to encircle the pallet from the side, providing comprehensive wrapping coverage while maintaining positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11643229B2Portable wrapping machine

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 COUSINS PACKAGING

AI summary

A wrap machine assembly including a pallet having a top surface having goods thereon and a side surface. The top surface is located above a floor. The wrap machine assembly also includes a wrapping machine having a base and a wrapping arm including a roll of wrap film. The base of the wrapping machine has at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. A portion of the wrapping machine is positioned adjacent the side surface of the pallet. The wrapping arm encircles the goods on the pallet, with a circle of rotation of the wrapping arm forming a periphery of a wrap circle area. The at least front wheel of the base of the wrapping machine is located within the wrap circle area when the pallet is viewed from above. No part of the wrapping machine is located under the pallet.