Rotatable Film Feed Head for Wrapping Non-Square Stacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging systems for wrapping stacks of objects on pallets face challenges when dealing with differently oriented or non-square stacks, often resulting in product losses and operational inefficiencies due to complex and prone-to-malfunction methods for rotating and aligning film around these stacks.
Innovation Solution
A wrapping apparatus with a rotatable film support and feeder system that allows for easy adjustment and storage of film sections, enabling efficient wrapping of stacks with different orientations by rotating the support and using guide rollers and welding mechanisms to manage film alignment and cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the stack of objects is rotated by 90° using the elevator of a shrink-wrapping device, then the orientation is adjusted for wrapping, but the stack falls over causing product losses and facility down times
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the stack of objects (which causes instability), the invention inverts the approach by keeping the stack stationary and rotating the film-feed head assembly. This allows orientation adjustment while maintaining stack stability and avoiding product losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The film-feed head is divided into separable components: a rotatable support carrying the film supply and storer, and a stationary base with the pull-down device. This segmentation allows independent rotation of the film supply mechanism without disturbing the stack.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable table is provided in the conveyor to rotate the stack of objects, then appropriate rotation is achieved, but pallets become stuck at transitions causing stacks to fall over
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for rotatable conveyor tables by inverting the rotation function to the film-feed head. The stationary conveyor continues to operate without transition problems, while the rotatable support provides the necessary orientation adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the entire film-feed head is designed to be rotatable by 90°, then film can be fed in the desired direction, but the process is complicated and too slow due to large mass to be moved
Solution Approach 1:
The film-feed head is segmented into a rotatable support (carrying film supply and storer) and a stationary base (with pull-down device). Only the lighter support portion rotates, reducing moved mass and increasing wrapping speed while maintaining directional adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support is designed to be rotatable only when needed for orientation adjustment, while the base remains stationary during the actual wrapping operation. This dynamic configuration optimizes both adaptability and productivity.
4Device complexity
If the film is completely provided in the feed head and welded, then film transfer is simplified, but multiple transfers and rotations are still required causing high susceptibility to malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
A film storer is provided on the rotatable support to pre-load and store the film section before wrapping. This preliminary action eliminates the need for multiple film transfers and rotations during operation, significantly improving reliability while maintaining simple device structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for wrapping a film around each of a sequence of objects passing sequentially through a wrapping station has a supply of the film adjacent the station, a feed head at the station having a base, a support carried on the base and rotatable relative thereto about a vertical axis, and a feeder on the base for pulling the film off the supply and feeding it to the support. A film storer carried on the support is operable to take in and store a length of film fed to the support by the feeder. A pull-down device in the station is vertically displaceable below the feed head.