Switchable Platen Mechanism for Bag-Making Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bag-making and packaging apparatuses require two separate printing devices for continuous and intermittent modes due to different platen shapes, leading to increased costs and space requirements for installing dual printing devices.

Innovation Solution

A bag-making and packaging apparatus with a single printing device that can easily switch between continuous and intermittent modes by using a retaining part to switch between a platen roller and a platen plate, allowing the same device to operate effectively in both modes without the need for dual installations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single printing device is used for both continuous and intermittent modes, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the platen shape cannot be adapted to different modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of printing devicesVSAvoidplaten shape adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The platen is designed to be changeable between different shapes (cylindrical for continuous mode, flat for intermittent mode) through a switching mechanism. This allows the same printing device to adapt its platen shape dynamically based on the operating mode, resolving the contradiction between using a single device and needing different platen shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If two separate printing devices are installed for continuous and intermittent modes, then each mode has optimized platen shape, but installation space and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting mode capabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A single printing device is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating a changeable platen mechanism. The same device can operate in both continuous and intermittent modes with appropriately shaped platens, eliminating the need for separate printing devices and reducing installation space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a changeable platen mechanism is added to enable mode switching, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoidplaten switching mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The platen switching mechanism is segmented into distinct components (switching mechanism, first platen for continuous mode, second platen for intermittent mode). This segmentation allows for easier implementation and maintenance while enabling the necessary adaptability between different operating modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3885276B1Bag-making and packaging apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 ISHIDA CO LTD
  • EP3885276B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3885276B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3885276B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a bag-making and packaging apparatus in which an operating mode can be switched, and a platen used in each operating mode can easily be switched. This bag-making and packaging apparatus (1) comprises a print head (23a), a platen roller (23c), a platen plate (23d), and a retaining part (23b). The platen roller is used in a first printing mode in which a film (F) being conveyed is printed on without stopping conveyance of the film. The platen plate is used in a second printing mode in which the stopped film is printed on at a timing at which conveyance of the film is stopped. The retaining part retains at least one of the platen roller and the platen plate so that the platen roller and the print head face each other with the film disposed therebetween in the first printing mode, and the platen plate and the print head face each other with the film disposed therebetween in the second printing mode.