Rotating Corrugated Board Feeder for Box Finishing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need in the corrugated box industry for methods and apparatus that can feed sheets into box finishing machines, such as digital printers and rotary die cutters, in either orientation depending on the machine's configuration without requiring modifications to the conventional supply hoppers or machines.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a conveyor with rotating means to orient rectangular corrugated boards either with their long dimension transverse or in the direction of flow, allowing for 90-degree rotation when necessary, to accommodate different printing path lengths, using varying belt speeds or turntables to adjust board orientation before feeding into the hopper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional prefeeders feed sheets with long dimension transverse to flow direction, then compatibility with existing finishing machines is maintained, but inability to accommodate narrow path printers requiring long dimension parallel to flow direction
Solution Approach 1:
The prefeeder incorporates a rotating mechanism that can dynamically change the orientation of sheets from conventional (long dimension transverse) to narrow path (long dimension parallel) configuration, allowing the same device to serve multiple machine types without requiring separate dedicated feeders
Solution Approach 2:
The prefeeder is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating both conventional and narrow path orientations, making it compatible with various finishing machines including traditional equipment and narrow path digital printers, thereby eliminating the need for separate specialized feeders
2Adaptability or versatility
If sheets are rotated 90 degrees to align long dimension with flow direction, then compatibility with narrow path printers is achieved, but additional rotation mechanism complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
A rotating mechanism is integrated into the prefeeder that can pivot sheets 90 degrees between orientations, enabling dynamic adaptation to different printer configurations while maintaining a single unified feeder design
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation of sheets to the required orientation is performed in advance within the prefeeder before sheets enter the finishing machine, ensuring proper alignment is established prior to processing without requiring adjustments downstream
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
Enables efficient feeding of corrugated boards into box finishing machines without modifying existing supply hoppers or machines, accommodating various orientations and printing path lengths, ensuring optimal alignment for printing and processing.
Implementation Method 1
The first conveyor has rotating means for rotating the boards ninety degrees
Implementation Method 2
The first conveyor has rotating means for rotating the boards ninety degrees about a vertical axis
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for prefeeding corrugated boards to a box finishing machine wherein a stack of rectangular boards are moved to a first conveyor with the long dimension of the boards extending transverse to the direction of movement of said first conveyor. The stack is then rotated to place the long dimension of the boards in alignment with the direction of movement of said first conveyor, and then moving the rotated stack to a second conveyor for feeding to a box finishing machine with the long dimension of the boards in alignment with the direction or path of movement of the boards through the box finishing machine. The stack is transferred to the first conveyor from an elevator which contains a supply of boards larger than the stack. Three different types of apparatus are disclosed for rotating the stack. One is a plurality of conveyor belts whose speeds may be varied to rotate the boards. Another is a turntable with a set of belt conveyors and a set of rollers. The third is a vertical chute whose guides rotate the boards as they descend through the chute.