Rotatable Transfer Bed for Folder-Gluer Box Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

The variability in thickness of cardboard boxes produced by folder-gluers, due to different types and folding patterns, leads to unstable stacking and inefficiencies in space occupation, requiring manual rotation and alternation of boxes before binding, which is slow and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A transfer apparatus with a rotatable transfer bed and adjustable belts, mounted on a U-shaped support structure, allows for flexible orientation and rotation of boxes, enabling automatic handling and stacking of boxes with varying thicknesses, reducing inertia and enabling high-speed operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If flattened boxes are stacked one on top of the other without differentiation, then the stacking process is simple and fast, but the bundle becomes unstable and space occupation is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking speedVSAvoidbundle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the transfer bed rotatable about a vertical axis and the U-shaped support structure rotatable about a horizontal axis. This allows the system to dynamically adjust box orientation and stacking arrangement in real-time, transforming static stacking into a dynamic process that adapts to different box types and achieves stable, space-efficient bundles without sacrificing stacking speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces rotational movement about vertical and horizontal axes, adding dimensional flexibility to the stacking process. By rotating boxes and the transfer bed in multiple dimensions, the system can differentiate box arrangements to eliminate wedge shapes and improve bundle stability while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If manual rotation and alternation of boxes is performed, then stable and efficient stacking is achieved, but the process becomes labor-intensive and slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebundle stabilityVSAvoidstacking speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the transfer apparatus to automatically rotate and orient boxes without manual intervention. The rotatable transfer bed and U-shaped support structure allow the system to self-adjust box positions and arrangements, eliminating the need for operators to manually rotate boxes while maintaining bundle stability and high stacking speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system with an automated mechanical system. Instead of operators manually rotating and alternating boxes, the invention uses motorized rotation of the transfer bed and support structure to achieve the same effect, substituting human labor with automated machinery that operates faster and more consistently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If a known flipping device is used to process boxes in fish-scale orientation, then even thickness processing is achieved, but the conveyor belt length increases and inertia forces are remarkable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness uniformityVSAvoidconveyor belt length
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by using a rotatable transfer bed with adjustable belts that can dynamically adapt to box thickness variations. Instead of a long fixed conveyor belt, the system uses rotational movement and adjustable belt positioning to process boxes of varying thickness in a more compact configuration, reducing inertia forces while maintaining thickness uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2392451B1Transfer apparatus for a line end of a folder-gluer
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 VEGA SRL
  • EP2392451B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2392451B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2392451B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A transfer apparatus of a line end of a folder-gluer for cardboard boxes is disclosed, of the type comprising a transfer bed (1) with a double, opposite array of transmission belts (C1a, C1b, C2a, C2b) which define a transfer track for the displacement of flattened, folded boxes, wherein the transfer bed (1) is oscillatingly mounted about a horizontal axis (a-a') on a U-shaped support structure (21, 22, 24) which is in turn rotatingly mounted according to a vertical axis (b-b') on a base frame (26), the rotation according to the horizontal axis (a-a') and according to the vertical axis (b-b') occurring through a first (M1) and a second (M2 M2') motor, respectively.