Slip Frame Former and Stretch Wrap for Bulk Goods Container Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for bulk goods are inefficient, requiring significant manual labor for filling and handling, and often result in damage due to instability during stacking and transport.
Innovation Solution
A method of forming a transportable container using a slip frame former and stretch wrap, where the container is initially formed before filling with bulk goods, and the wrap is adjusted to surround and lock the goods as the fill level increases, eliminating the need for a bag between the goods and the wrap, and allowing for customizable shapes through radial movement of the former walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional containers are used for bulk goods, then manual labor for filling and handling is required, but this results in inefficiency and damage to materials
Solution Approach 1:
The container is formed and prepared in advance using a slip frame and stretch wrap before the bulk goods are introduced. The slip frame is positioned around the goods, and the stretch wrap is applied to create the container shape, allowing automated filling operations without requiring manual handling of pre-formed containers
Solution Approach 2:
The slip frame and stretch wrap system allows the container to form itself around the bulk goods automatically. As the goods are fed into the position, the slip frame maintains the container shape and the stretch wrap secures the goods, eliminating the need for extensive manual labor in filling and stabilizing operations
2Productivity
If containers are stacked during transport, then handling efficiency is improved, but this causes damage to the material due to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The container is pre-formed and stabilized around the bulk goods before stacking operations begin. The stretch wrap is applied and secured to create a rigid, stable container structure that can safely be stacked without causing damage to the material, allowing efficient handling while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The stretch wrap acts as a flexible shell that conforms to the shape of the bulk goods and creates a stable, rigidized container structure. This flexible film-based containment allows the container to be stacked efficiently while maintaining material stability and preventing damage during transport and handling
3Reliability
If a bag is placed between bulk goods and outer wrap, then protection is provided, but this increases complexity and requires additional materials
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate bag is completely removed from the system. The slip frame and stretch wrap are used directly to contain and protect the bulk goods, eliminating the need for an additional bag layer. This extraction of the unnecessary component reduces complexity while maintaining the protective function through the slip frame and stretch wrap themselves
4Ease of manufacture
If the container shape is fixed, then manufacturing is simplified, but this reduces adaptability to different goods shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The slip frame is designed with movable walls that can be adjusted radially inward or outward, allowing the container shape to be dynamically customized to match different bulk goods configurations. This dynamic adjustability maintains manufacturing simplicity while providing versatility for various product shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The former walls of the slip frame can move radially to adapt to different goods configurations. This dynamic capability allows the same basic slip frame structure to accommodate various container shapes and sizes, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving adaptability to different bulk goods requirements
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 method reduces manual labor, stabilizes bulk goods, prevents damage during transport, and allows for efficient stacking and handling by creating a compact, rigid container that maintains the shape of the goods without shifting or crushing.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the slip frame former and the bottom support moves vertically relative to other of the slip frame former and the bottom support in response to the fill level of the bulk goods as determined by a fill sensor
Implementation Method 2
A first portion of outer wrap is disposed around the bottom support and a portion of at least one former wall to initially form the transportable container
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A transportable container (20) for flowable bulk goods is formed by vertically- spacing a slip frame former (24) from a bottom support (72). An outer wrap (40,58,70) is disposed around the bottom support (72) and a portion of at least one former wall (56) to initially form the transportable container (20) prior to the addition of the bulk goods into the transportable container (20). At least one of the slip frame former (24) and the bottom support (72) moves vertically relative to other in response to the fill level of the bulk goods. As the fill level increases in the transportable container (20), previously disposed portions of outer wrap (40,68,70) are disengaged from the slip frame former (24) to squeeze the filled portions of the transportable container (20) and lock together the bulk goods disposed in the transportable container (20).