Resilient Guide for Cigarette Pack Partition Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of packs for cigarette industry products using existing methods and devices is complex and inefficient, particularly in terms of production speed.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a guide to laterally stabilize a separating element within a bag, allowing for secure positioning between groups of products, with the guide being flexible and made of spring steel or spring sheet, and a spring element to hold the products in place, enabling faster and more efficient packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid guide is used to stabilize the partition in the pocket, then lateral stabilization is achieved, but the guide interferes with the insertion of product groups and requires additional ejection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is designed as a resilient element that can dynamically change its position - protruding into the pocket to provide lateral stabilization during partition insertion, then being moved away by incoming product groups to allow their insertion, and finally returning to its original position. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for complex ejection mechanisms while maintaining stabilization functionality throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide's physical state changes during the packaging cycle - it transitions from a protruding position (providing stabilization) to a retracted position (allowing product insertion). This parameter change in the guide's position, enabled by its resilient properties, resolves the contradiction between maintaining stability and allowing easy insertion without complex mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the guide remains fixed in the pocket, then lateral stabilization is maintained, but product groups cannot be inserted close to the partition
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient guide automatically adjusts its position based on the insertion process. During partition insertion, it protrudes to provide lateral stabilization. During product group insertion, it is naturally moved away by the incoming products, allowing them to be inserted close to the partition without interference. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining stability and enabling easy insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide serves itself by using the incoming product groups to move it away from the insertion path. The products themselves perform the function of relocating the guide, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms and making the insertion process easier while maintaining stabilization when needed.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate components are used for guiding and holding, then functional precision is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide and the spring element are merged into a single integrated component. The spring element provides both the guiding function (through its resilient structure that protrudes into the pocket) and the holding function (through its elastic properties that maintain tension). This merging reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the precision needed for proper partition positioning and product group holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element with guide performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lateral stabilization of the partition, guides the partition into correct position, and holds both the partition and product groups in place. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining functional precision.
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
This solution enhances production speed by securely holding the separating element and products during packaging and transport, reducing the complexity of the process while maintaining product integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the guide being flexible, e.g. elastic or resilient, in particular made of spring steel and/or as spring sheet
Implementation Method 2
returns to a starting position for lateral stabilization of a partition to be fed after the groups of products have been transported from the pocket
Data Source
Figure 1~4
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for manufacturing packages (10) for products of the cigarette industry, wherein several groups (15) of products are wrapped together with a separating element (33) that at least partially separates the groups (15) in a common covering (17), wherein the separating element (33) is first inserted into a receptacle (75, 76) of a pocket (74), and wherein the groups (15) of products are then inserted into receiving spaces (80) in the pocket (74) such that a partition (45) of the separating element (33) is arranged between at least two groups (15) of products, and wherein finally the groups (15) of products together with the separating element (33) are pushed out of the pocket (74) and wrapped in a covering (17). The invention is characterized by the following features: a) the partition (45) is inserted into the pocket (74) by aa) the guide (76) projecting into the receiving spaces (80) is at least partially held, wherein the guide (76) is designed for lateral stabilization of the partition (45), b) the at least two groups (15) of products are inserted into the pocket (74) such that the partition (45) is positioned between the at least two groups (15) of products, c) the guide (76) is at least partially moved away from the receiving spaces (80) for the groups (15) of products and in particular the partition (45) during the feeding of the groups (15) of products, so that the partition (45) is held between the groups (15) of products.