Machine and method for making straws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for making drinking straws require complex and fault-prone pneumatic systems for transferring straws from a longitudinal to a transverse direction, leading to issues with uniform pushing action and straw orientation.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a transfer unit that uses rotatable pushing elements with contact portions to expel and deflect the straws transversely, ensuring controlled orientation and eliminating the need for pneumatic systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pneumatic units with compressed air blasts are used to expel straws sideways, then the straws can be transferred from longitudinal to transverse feed direction, but the system becomes complicated, fault-prone, and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic system (compressed air blasts) with a mechanical system consisting of rotating pusher elements that physically contact and propel the straws. This substitution eliminates the need for complex pneumatic components, generators, and air supply systems, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining the straw transfer function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the pneumatic system from the straw-making machine, eliminating the generator and compressed air supply apparatus. By taking out this problematic subsystem and replacing it with simpler mechanical pushers, the overall system complexity is reduced while the essential transfer function is preserved.
2Productivity
If pneumatic blasts are used to expel straws, then transfer can be achieved, but uniform pushing action cannot be ensured, causing unwanted rotation and orientation problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing pusher elements with specific contact geometries that engage straws at precise locations. The pushers are configured to contact straws uniformly along their length, ensuring consistent pushing action without causing rotation. This localized, controlled contact approach maintains both transfer speed and orientation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic rotating pusher elements that can adjust their position and contact force during operation. The rotational motion of the pushers allows for continuous, smooth contact with passing straws, ensuring uniform pushing action that prevents unwanted rotation while maintaining high transfer speeds.
3Productivity
If high production speeds are used, then productivity increases, but pneumatic systems become more complicated and subject to faults
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the unreliable pneumatic system with a robust mechanical system of rotating pushers that can operate at high speeds with greater reliability. The mechanical contact system is simpler, has fewer moving parts, and is less susceptible to faults, thereby maintaining high productivity while improving system reliability.
4Ease of operation
If pneumatic units are used for straw transfer, then the function can be performed, but the generator and compressed air system require frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the pneumatic generator and compressed air supply system from the machine. By removing these maintenance-intensive components and replacing them with simple mechanical pushers, the ease of repair and maintenance is significantly improved while the straw transfer function remains effective.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A machine for making straws comprises a transfer unit (4) for tubular elements (100) configured for transferring the segments (100) from a longitudinal feed direction to a transverse feed direction, wherein the transfer unit (4) comprises a support beam (5) provided with a longitudinal groove (6) for guiding the segments (100) longitudinally and at least one pushing element (6) which is rotatable about an axis (X) parallel to the longitudinal feed direction and which has a contact portion (8a) designed to impact against a segment (100) to expel the segment (100) transversely from the groove (6) and to deflect the segment (100) from the longitudinal feed direction to the transverse feed direction.