Tear Tape Application Device for Coffee Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying tear tapes to packaging materials are inefficient, particularly in terms of speed and space usage, as they often rely on vacuum conveyor belts or rollers, which are slow and require additional steps like applying heat or adhesive, and do not allow for flexible application angles.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that grip the tear tape from both sides, move it across the packaging material, and cut it simultaneously with pressing it to the material, using a gripper and stamp system mounted on an endless belt, allowing for faster application and elimination of rollers, with the option to apply at various angles relative to the machine direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vacuum conveyor belts or rollers are used to apply tear tapes, then the tear tape can be applied to the packaging material, but the application speed is slow and additional steps like heat or adhesive application are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the vacuum conveyor belt system from the tear tape application process. Instead of using a complex vacuum-based conveyor system to move and apply the tear tape, the patent uses a simple reciprocating gripper that directly picks up the tear tape and applies it to the packaging material in one motion, thereby removing unnecessary equipment and simplifying the overall process while increasing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple functions into a single reciprocating gripper mechanism. The gripper simultaneously performs gripping, moving, and applying functions in one reciprocating motion, eliminating the need for separate vacuum conveyor belts, rollers, and additional heat or adhesive application steps, thus improving productivity while reducing device complexity
2Productivity
If rollers are used to move tear tape across packaging material, then the tear tape can be applied, but additional space and equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the roller system from the tear tape application process. Instead of using rollers to move the tear tape across the packaging material, the patent employs a reciprocating gripper that directly transports and applies the tear tape in a compact configuration, thereby eliminating the space requirements for large roller mechanisms while maintaining high application efficiency
3Device complexity
If a single reciprocating gripper is used to apply tear tapes, then the process is simplified, but the application speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention ensures continuous operation of the reciprocating gripper by coordinating its motion with the continuous feed of tear tape from the roll and the continuous conveyance of packaging material. The gripper operates in a continuous cycle of gripping, moving, applying, and releasing without idle time, thereby maintaining both simplicity of mechanism and high application speed through optimized continuous operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of applying tear tapes (109) to a packaging material (105) comprises the steps of: gripping the tear tape (109, 129), moving the tear tape (109) across the packaging material (105), and cutting the tear tape (109) and pressing it to the packaging material (105). A method of packaging coffee involves a method of applying tear tapes to a packaging material as described above. A device (123) for applying tear tapes (109) to a packaging material (105) comprises at least one gripper (22, 24), at least one drive (16, 18, 20) for moving the gripper (22, 24) across the packaging material (105), at least one cutter (120) and at least one stamp (26) for applying the tear tapes (109) to the packaging material (105) . A packaging machine for packaging coffee, comprises at least one such device for applying tear tapes.