Sliding Opening Pack Manufacturing with Integrated Packer Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of packs with sliding openings requires two separate packer machines, leading to high fixed costs due to equipment expenses.
Innovation Solution
A single packer machine is used to manufacture packs with sliding openings by folding and gluing blanks to form both the case and tray, eliminating the need for separate machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If two separate packer machines are used to manufacture packs with sliding openings, then the production capability is sufficient, but the fixed costs (equipment expenses) are very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate packer machines into a single integrated machine that performs both tray formation and case wrapping functions. The integrated packer machine includes a tray forming unit and a case wrapping unit that work together to manufacture packs with sliding openings in one continuous process, thereby reducing equipment expenses while maintaining production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single packer machine is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple operations: forming trays from blanks, placing products on trays, forming cases from separate blanks, and assembling the complete pack with sliding opening. This universal machine replaces two specialized machines, reducing fixed costs while handling the complete manufacturing process
2Ease of manufacture
If a single packer machine is used to manufacture both trays and cases, then fixed costs are reduced, but the machine must perform multiple functions increasing its complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The single packer machine is segmented into distinct functional units: a tray forming unit with its own blank feeding and folding mechanisms, and a case wrapping unit with separate blank feeding and wrapping mechanisms. This segmentation allows each unit to specialize in its function while being integrated into one machine, managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The machine design nests the tray formation process within the case wrapping process. The tray is formed first and placed on the conveyor, then the case is formed and wrapped around the tray in sequence. This nested arrangement of operations within a single machine flow manages complexity by organizing functions in a hierarchical sequence
Data Source
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AI summary
Wrapping method and packer machine (21) to manufacture a pack (1) with a sliding opening having a tray (3), which contains at least one product (4), and a case (2), which houses, on the inside, the tray (3) in a sliding manner. It is provided to: fold a first blank (10) designed to manufacture the case (2) so as to give the first blank (10) a "U"-shaped conformation having an open upper end; fold a second blank (17) so as to manufacture the tray (3); insert the at least partially formed tray (3) into the first "U"-shaped blank (10); and complete the folding of the first blank (10) around the tray (3) previously inserted into the first "U"-shaped blank (10) so as to manufacture the case (2) already containing the tray (3).