Straw Packer Orientation System for Identical Cartridge Belts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual-line straw packer machines produce 'cartridge belts' that are not perfectly identical due to mirror-like symmetry issues, complicating subsequent processing steps in automatic machines.
Innovation Solution
The packer machine operates on a dual line, using an orientation system with passive and active orienting devices to rotate bent straws 90 degrees in opposite directions, ensuring symmetry and forming perfectly identical 'cartridge belts'.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a dual-line packer machine is used to double hourly productivity, then productivity increases, but the two cartridge belts produced are not perfectly identical due to mirror-like symmetry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by introducing an orientation system that rotates straws in opposite directions on each line, breaking the mirror-like symmetry. The first line rotates straws in one direction while the second line rotates them in the opposite direction, making both lines asymmetric but identical to each other, thus resolving the symmetry issue while maintaining dual-line productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inversion by rotating the orientation of straws on one line in the opposite direction compared to the other line. The orientation system rotates straws 90 degrees in opposite directions on the two lines, effectively applying 'the other way round' principle to achieve identical cartridge belts from asymmetric processing
2Device complexity
If mirror-like symmetry is maintained in dual-line operation, then device complexity is reduced, but subsequent processing becomes complicated due to non-identical cartridge belts
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation system introduces controlled asymmetry through opposite rotations on each line, which actually simplifies subsequent processing by making cartridge belts identical. This controlled asymmetry in the orientation mechanism resolves the complexity in downstream operations
3Manufacturing precision
If orientation devices are added to rotate straws in opposite directions, then cartridge belt identity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation system is segmented into separate orienting devices for each line, with each device handling one line independently. This segmentation allows the complex orientation function to be divided into manageable units, reducing overall system complexity while achieving identical cartridge belts
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation devices perform multiple functions: they rotate straws to correct orientation, ensure identical cartridge belt production, and can be integrated into the existing dual-line structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
A wrapping method and a packer machine (6) for straws (1). The wrapping method comprises: moving, by means of a bending conveyor (13), two seats (15), which are arranged beside one another; inserting, in a first transfer station (S3), two straight straws (1) into the two seats (15); bending, by means of at least one bending element (16), an outer portion of each straw (1) carried by a respective seat (15) by 180° relative to the rest of the straw (1); rotating, by means of an orientation system (27), each bent straw (1) relative to the bending conveyor (13) in order to also insert the outer portion of the bent straw (1) into the corresponding seat (15) so that a first bent straw (1) is rotated in a first direction and a second bent straw (1) is rotated in a second direction contrary to the first direction; and retrieving, in a second transfer station (S4), the two bent straws (1) from the two seats (15).