Filling Machine Package Sleeve Restoring Force Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling machines face challenges in reducing restoring forces of package sleeves during the unfolding process, which increases cycle time and noise, and limits the working speed due to the need for overstretching and the material-dependent nature of cardboard packaging.
Innovation Solution
Decoupling the reduction of restoring forces from the removal and unfolding process by using a transport device with free time windows to increase the internal angle between package walls beyond 90°, allowing for adapted overstretching without lengthening the cycle time, and integrating a push element or pivoting mechanism to reduce friction and twisting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the package sleeve is overstretched to reduce restoring forces, then the restoring force is reduced, but the cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The package sleeve is overstretched in advance during the removal and unfolding process, so that the restoring forces are reduced before the package sleeve enters the filling machine. This preliminary action allows the package sleeve to be processed more efficiently in subsequent steps without requiring additional time for restoring force reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The process of reducing restoring forces is separated from the main filling process. The overstretching is performed as a distinct preliminary step during removal and unfolding, while the filling operations proceed independently. This segmentation allows the restoring force reduction to be integrated without extending the overall cycle time.
2Force
If the package sleeve is overstretched to reduce restoring forces, then the restoring force is reduced, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overstretching is performed as a controlled preliminary action during the removal and unfolding phase, allowing the package sleeve to be gradually deformed before insertion into the filling machine. This controlled preliminary deformation reduces sudden snapping noises that would occur if the package sleeve were forced into position without prior overstretching.
3Force
If the package sleeve is overstretched to reduce restoring forces, then the restoring force is reduced, but the working speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The overstretching is performed as a preliminary action during the removal and unfolding phase, which are operations that must be performed anyway before filling. By integrating the overstretching into these necessary preliminary steps, no additional time is required, and the working speed is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The degree of overstretching can be adjusted as a controllable parameter to optimize the balance between restoring force reduction and processing speed. The system can adapt the overstretching magnitude based on the specific package sleeve material and filling requirements, allowing for optimized working speed.
4Force
If the package sleeve material is changed to reduce restoring forces, then the restoring force is reduced, but the adaptability to different materials is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system can adjust the overstretching parameters (magnitude, duration, timing) to accommodate different package sleeve materials. By controlling the mechanical deformation parameters rather than changing the material itself, the system maintains adaptability to various cardboard and packaging materials while still achieving restoring force reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The overstretching is performed as a preliminary mechanical action that can be adapted to different materials. The removal and unfolding apparatus can adjust the overstretching characteristics based on the specific material properties, allowing the same apparatus to handle various package sleeve materials effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing restoring forces of package sleeves in a filling machine, where flat-folded package sleeves are removed from a magazine of the filling machine, erected to form a package sleeve forming a parallelogram in cross-section and then transferred to a transport device for transporting the upright package sleeve along a transport path. In order to enable a reduction in the restoring force adapted to the particular material of the package sleeve without increasing the cycle time for the removal and unfolding of the flat-folded package sleeve, the restoring force is reduced by temporarily increasing the internal angle between the package walls at the outer fold edges to more than 90° while the upright package sleeve is located on the transport path of the transport device. The reduction of the restoring force can be accomplished during the movement or during a standstill of the package sleeve on the transport path.