Stretch Wrap Dispenser Cutting and Gathering Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
The packaging industry faces inefficiencies in using stretch film, as excessive amounts are required to secure loads, and existing methods for ventilating agricultural products are costly and prone to uneven dispensing and jamming.
Innovation Solution
A stretch wrap manipulator with cutting members and gathering mechanisms that cut the film into strips, stretch them into strings, and gather them into ropes, reducing material usage while maintaining strength and allowing for ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stretch wrap is dispensed in large amounts to secure loads, then the binding strength is sufficient, but the volume of material used is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous stretch wrap is cut into multiple individual strips by cutting members that traverse the width of the film. These segmented strips are then gathered together to form a composite binding structure that maintains strength while using less total material than a single continuous wrap would require.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual strips of stretch wrap are gathered and bound together to form a composite binding structure. This composite construction distributes the binding load across multiple elements, achieving sufficient binding strength with reduced total material volume compared to a single thick layer of wrap.
2Strength
If stretch wrap is stretched with tension to strengthen the film, then the film strength increases and less film is needed, but complex and expensive machinery is required
Solution Approach 1:
The stretch wrap strip is stretched by the tension of the load itself as it is applied to the object. The gathering mechanism simply collects the stretched strip without requiring additional stretching equipment. This self-stretching approach achieves film strengthening through tension while avoiding complex stretching machinery.
3Loss of substance
If stretch wrap is cut into strips for gathering, then material usage is reduced, but uneven dispensing causes uneven cutting and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
A roller applies pressure to the stretch wrap roll before the film reaches the cutting members, pre-tensioning and flattening the film. This preliminary action ensures even dispensing and consistent film thickness at the cutting point, preventing uneven cuts and jamming while enabling efficient material usage through strip cutting.
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
The solution significantly reduces the volume of stretch wrap needed to secure loads while maintaining strength and allowing for natural ventilation, enhancing efficiency and safety by reducing accidental injuries.
Implementation Method 1
The roller's pressure against the stretch wrap roll ensures an even flow of stretch film from the roll and more consistent tension on the film dispensed from the roll
Implementation Method 2
a tension is applied to the stretch film as it is applied to the objects being wrapped. This tension stretches the film to facilitate a secure binding of the wrapped objects together, and this tension process also both strengthens the stretch film and allows for the use of less film
Implementation Method 3
Gathering mechanisms are disposed to receive and gather the cut strips of stretch film into strings that are wrapped around the object
Data Source
AI summary
A stretch wrap applicator includes one or more cutting members arranged to engage the stretch wrap to cut it into strips as it is dispensed from the roll. The strips are then gathered and stretched into strings that are wrapped around the object. A roller is biased toward the stretch wrap roll to ensure an even flow of stretch film from the roll and more consistent tension on the film dispensed from the roll. The roller includes a groove. A cutting member is disposed to rest in the groove such that stretch film passes over and around the roller as it is dispensed from the roll and then engages the cutting member in the grove before the stretch film separates from the roller.