Tray Forming Equipment with Adjustable Walls and Magazines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing equipment for making edged trays from punched sheets is not flexible enough to process different shapes and sizes without labor-intensive format changes, limiting its ability to produce varied trays efficiently.

Innovation Solution

The equipment features a feeding zone with multiple magazines for different punched sheet sizes, a forming device with adjustable forming walls and punch, and auxiliary means that can be controlled to adapt to various tray dimensions and types, allowing for automatic adjustment during the operational cycle without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single magazine and fixed forming zone are used, then the equipment structure is simple, but it cannot process different shapes and sizes of punched sheets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to process different punched sheet formatsVSAvoidequipment structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The forming walls are made movable and adjustable rather than fixed, allowing them to be repositioned to accommodate different punched sheet formats. The punch position and auxiliary forming means are also made adjustable, transforming the static forming zone into a dynamic, adaptable system that can process various tray types without requiring format changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The equipment is designed with universal components that can handle multiple formats. The magazine system, forming walls, and auxiliary means are configured to work with different punched sheet dimensions and tray types, allowing a single machine to perform multiple forming operations for various products.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual format change operations are performed, then the forming zone can be adjusted to different configurations, but production time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformat change capabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The equipment performs format changes automatically through motorized actuators that move the forming walls and adjust the punch position without manual intervention. The system self-adjusts its configuration based on the required tray format, eliminating the need for operators to manually reposition components and enabling continuous production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The forming walls and auxiliary means are equipped with drive mechanisms that allow them to move dynamically between different positions. This dynamic capability enables rapid reconfiguration of the forming zone to match different punched sheet formats, maintaining high productivity while providing format versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If forming walls and auxiliary means are manually adjusted, then the equipment can adapt to different tray dimensions, but labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability to different tray dimensionsVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adjusts the forming walls and auxiliary forming means to the correct positions for each tray format using motorized actuators. This self-adjusting capability eliminates manual measurement and positioning tasks, reducing labor intensity while maintaining precise adaptability to different tray dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit receives information about the required tray format and automatically positions the forming walls and auxiliary means accordingly. This feedback-controlled system ensures accurate positioning without manual intervention, simplifying operation while maintaining dimensional adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4527607A1Equipment for making edged trays of different dimensions or types
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 ALL GLASS
  • EP4527607A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4527607A1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4527607A1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

An equipment (100) for making edged trays (200) starting from punched sheets (210), comprising a feeding zone (1) to hold a plurality of said punched sheets (210), a forming device (20) configured to form the tray (200), and at least one handling element (15) to transfer at least one of said punched sheets (210) from said feeding zone (1) to said forming device (20), characterized in that said feeding zone (1) comprises a plurality of magazines (10), each configured to hold punched sheets (210) of different dimensions or types, preferably arranged on top of each other to form a stack (250), and said forming device (20) comprises adjusting means (5, 6, 7) driven by a control unit (U) to adapt the dimensions of said forming device (20) to the different sizes of a punched sheet (210) and of the corresponding tray (200) to be formed.