Stretch Wrapper Tail Treatment Using Angled Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging material tail adherence methods are inefficient, leading to inconsistent results, increased complexity, and potential snagging hazards during transportation and storage.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing pressurized fluid flow from an upstream position at an acute angle relative to the load side to secure the packaging material tail, potentially combined with orthogonal fluid flow and heating, to ensure consistent adherence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional wipe down mechanisms are used to adhere packaging material tail, then the tail can be attached to the load, but the mechanism becomes complex and difficult to incorporate into applications where load is supported on the ground

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of tail attachmentVSAvoidcomplexity of wipe down mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of tail adherence from the complex mechanical wipe down mechanism and implements it through a simplified system using compressed air nozzles and a flexible finger element. This removes unnecessary mechanical complexity while retaining the core functionality of pressing the tail against the load surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical wipe down mechanism with a hybrid system that uses compressed air (pneumatics) to position and press the flexible finger against the load. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity by eliminating complex linkages, motors, and control systems while maintaining effective tail adherence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional wipe down mechanisms are used, then tail attachment can be achieved, but results are inconsistent and tails may be inadequately adhered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of tail adherenceVSAvoidsimplicity of mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible finger element automatically conforms to the load surface geometry and maintains consistent contact pressure through its inherent elasticity. The compressed air system provides uniform positioning force, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms and ensuring reliable, consistent tail adherence across different load configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses compressed air pressure as a controllable parameter to ensure consistent positioning and pressing force on the flexible finger. By regulating the air pressure, the system maintains reliable tail adherence without requiring complex mechanical adjustments or multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If packaging material tail is left unadhered, then the mechanism is simpler, but tails present snagging hazards during transportation and storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnagging hazardVSAvoidcomplexity of adherence mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs compressed air nozzles to blow the packaging material tail onto the load surface and a flexible finger pressurized by compressed air to hold the tail against the load. This pneumatic approach eliminates complex mechanical linkages while effectively securing the tail to prevent snagging hazards during transportation and storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Loss of substance

If packaging material clamps are used to grip packaging material, then wrapping can be performed, but a tenting effect occurs resulting in wasted packaging material and loosely wrapped loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging material wasteVSAvoidcomplexity of clamp system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical clamps with a pneumatic system using compressed air to hold and position the packaging material. This substitution eliminates the tenting effect caused by clamp distance from the load while reducing device complexity by removing mechanical actuators and linkage systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances the adherence of packaging material tails to the load, reducing snagging hazards and improving the visual appearance by minimizing bunching and ensuring secure attachment.

Implementation Method 1

pressurized fluid flow from a position generally upstream of a free end of a packaging material tail and at an acute angle relative to the side of a load

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurized fluid flow: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

potentially combined with orthogonal fluid flow and heating, to ensure consistent adherence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12359730B2Stretch wrapping machine with packaging material tail treatment

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 LANTECH COM LLC

AI summary

A method, apparatus and program product utilize pressurized fluid flow from a position generally upstream of a free end of a packaging material tail and at an acute angle relative to the side of a load while the free end of the packaging material tail is unsupported and/or utilize pressurized fluid flow in two or more directions and from two or more positions to assist in adhering a packaging material tail to the side of a load at the completion of a wrapping operation.