Sheet Material Joining Apparatus with Retaining Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting and joining apparatuses for sheet elements to containers, such as beverage capsules, often result in imprecise joins due to the flexibility of the sheet material, leading to defective containers that cannot be used.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a retaining device that moves between a tensioning position and a cutting position, allowing the cutting device to remain fixed relative to the joining device, ensuring the sheet element is accurately positioned and securely joined to the container, with the cutting process occurring after the sheet material is already joined, thereby increasing the stability and quality of the join.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the sheet material is flexible and not rigidly positioned, then the apparatus structure can be simpler, but the joining precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device performs preliminary positioning of the sheet material around the container before the joining operation. This preliminary action ensures the sheet element is correctly positioned and secured, preventing movement during joining and achieving high precision without requiring complex rigid positioning structures throughout the entire process.
2Device complexity
If the cutting device moves with the joining device, then the apparatus can be more compact, but the sheet element position stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus separates the cutting device from the joining device, making them independent movable units. The retaining device is segmented to independently control sheet material positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally without interfering with the other, maintaining sheet element stability during joining while enabling compact overall design.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sheet material is cut before joining, then the cutting process can be simpler, but the joining quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device performs preliminary positioning of the sheet material around the container before the joining operation. This preliminary action ensures the sheet element is correctly positioned and secured, preventing movement during joining and achieving high precision without requiring complex rigid positioning structures throughout the entire process.
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 approach ensures precise and stable joining of the sheet element to the container, reducing defects and allowing for the production of high-quality containers by maintaining the sheet material's position during both the joining and cutting processes.
Implementation Method 1
The joining device can subsequently join the cut element, for example, by heat sealing or by ultrasonic welding.
Implementation Method 2
The joining device can subsequently join the cut element, for example, by heat sealing or by ultrasonic welding.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~5a
AI summary
An apparatus (1) is proposed for cutting off and joining a sheet element (2) to a container (3, 3'), the apparatus (1) comprising an operating unit (4) comprising a cutting device (401) and a joining device (402), wherein the cutting device (401) comprises a cutting edge (403) which surrounds the joining device (402). The operating unit (4) and the container (3, 3') are movable with respect to one another along a movement axis (Z) between a spaced condition, in which a sheet material (5) is interposed therebetween and is spaced therefrom, and a joined condition, in which the joining device (402) is configured to join the sheet material (5) to the container (3; 3'). The apparatus (1) additionally comprises a retaining device (6), configured to retain the sheet material (5) during the joining and the cut. In the joined condition, the cutting device (401) is configured to remain fixed relative to the joining device (402) and the retaining device (6) is configured to move along the axis (Z) from a tensioning position to a cutting position, the sheet element (2) being cut on the cutting edge (403) from the sheet material (5) during the movement of the retaining device (6) from the tensioning position to the cutting position. In addition to the apparatus (1), a relative method for cutting off and joining a sheet element (2) to a container (3, 3') is also provided.