Rotating Star Cup Production Machine with Adjustable Adhesive Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manufacturing processes for composite cups, consisting of an outer shell and an inner cup, are inefficient and require longer cycle times, limiting production capacity and flexibility to meet increasing demand.
Innovation Solution
A machine with rotatably mounted star- or wheel-like holding devices and adjustable adhesive nozzles allows for efficient unwinding, winding, pressing, and gluing of outer and inner cups, enabling compact and error-prone-free production with reduced cycle times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional separate processing stations are used for unwinding, winding, pressing, and gluing, then each operation can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the overall cycle time increases and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple processing operations (unwinding, winding, pressing, and gluing) into a single integrated rotating star device. The outer shell and inner cup are simultaneously processed through different stations on the same rotating mechanism, eliminating the need for separate processing machines and reducing transfer time between operations. This merging of operations directly addresses the contradiction by maintaining dedicated functionality while reducing overall cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating star device enables continuous processing by maintaining constant motion throughout the production cycle. Multiple cups are processed simultaneously at different stations on the rotating device, eliminating idle time between operations. The continuous rotation ensures that unwinding, winding, pressing, and gluing operations occur without interruption, directly reducing cycle time while maintaining high productivity.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate machines are used for each processing step, then each operation can be optimized independently, but the machine complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating star device serves multiple functions within a single machine structure. It simultaneously performs unwinding, winding, pressing, and gluing operations through different stations on the same rotating mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate machines needed while maintaining the ability to optimize each processing step independently through dedicated station design.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating star device is divided into multiple independent processing stations, each optimized for a specific operation (unwinding, winding, pressing, gluing). This segmentation allows each station to be independently designed and optimized for its specific function while being integrated into a single compact machine structure, reducing overall complexity compared to multiple separate machines.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed adhesive application positions are used, then the gluing process is simple, but the machine cannot adapt to different cup sizes and production flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive nozzle is made adjustable in position rather than fixed, allowing it to be moved to different locations on the rotating star device. This dynamic positioning capability enables the machine to adapt to different cup sizes and production requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The nozzle can be repositioned along the rotation path to accommodate varying production needs.
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
The machine significantly reduces cycle times and enhances production efficiency, allowing for the production of composite cups with improved precision and reduced machine complexity, addressing the limitations of existing processes.
Implementation Method 1
applying adhesive in the seam area with at least one first nozzle facing the seam area, the at least one first nozzle being adjusted in parallel with respect to a conveying plane and transversely with respect to the conveying direction of the unwinding
Implementation Method 2
heating a seam area or the entire unwinding
Implementation Method 3
pressing the outer shell into or the inner cup onto a second holding device, pressing a finished inner cup into the finished outer shell or pressing on a finished outer shell on the finished inner cup
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~12
AI summary
The invention relates to a machine (1) and a method for manufacturing a cup (100) from an outer shell (101) and an inner cup (102). The machine (1) comprises several first holding devices (2) and several second holding devices (4). Furthermore, at least one first workstation arranged in the area of the first holding devices (2) is provided for carrying out work steps (A1..A4), and at least one second workstation arranged in the area of the second holding devices (4) is provided for carrying out work steps (B1..B5). Finally, the machine (1) comprises a transfer station (6) for transferring (A4, B1) a finished outer shell (101) from a first holding device (2) to a second holding device (4). A preparation station serves to carry out work steps (D1..D4) and comprises a nozzle (23) facing a seam area for applying (D4) adhesive, which is laterally adjustable parallel to a conveying plane (27) and perpendicular to the conveying direction of a development. The lateral adjustment of the nozzle (23) occurs simultaneously with the conveying movement of the development.