Cardboard Tray Forming Station With Switchable Corner Flap Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forming machines for cardboard containers require different machines or forming stations to accommodate flaps on the outside or inside the corner areas, leading to complexity and reduced production performance.
Innovation Solution
A forming station with corner devices and adjustable folder pieces that allow flaps to be attached inside or outside the container, using a single machine configuration with interchangeable folder pieces and transverse profiles to adapt to different flap orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different machines or forming stations are used for flaps on outside or inside corner areas, then the container can be formed with different flap orientations, but the device complexity increases and production performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The forming station is designed with interchangeable folder pieces (first folder piece and second folder piece) that can be mounted on the same corner device, allowing a single machine to perform multiple functions - forming containers with flaps on the outside or inside of corner areas without requiring different machines or complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The corner device incorporates a sliding structure that allows dynamic adjustment and interchangeability of folder pieces. The sliding structure enables quick replacement between first and second folder pieces, allowing the machine to adapt to different production requirements without complex reconfiguration mechanisms
2Adaptability or versatility
If different machines or forming stations are used for flaps on outside or inside corner areas, then the container can be formed with different flap orientations, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding structure enables rapid interchangeability of folder pieces during operation or between production runs, allowing the single forming station to maintain high productivity while adapting to different flap orientation requirements without the downtime associated with switching between different machines
3Device complexity
If a single forming station is used with interchangeable folder pieces, then device complexity is reduced and production performance improves, but the mechanism for switching folder pieces must be simple yet effective
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding structure provides a simple yet effective mechanism for interchanging folder pieces. The sliding design allows the first and second folder pieces to be easily mounted and removed from the corner device without complex tools or procedures, balancing simplicity with functional effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The corner device is segmented into modular components - the sliding structure and the interchangeable folder pieces - allowing independent manufacturing and assembly of each component, which simplifies the overall manufacturing process while maintaining ease of interchangeability
Data Source
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AI summary
The machine includes one or more manufacturing lines with the inclusion of one or more forming stations (5). It is fundamentally applicable to the formation of small trays (1), such that it is possible to mount one or more forming stations on the same machine. Means to be able to form trays are of note that are formed by a bottom (1a) and four side walls opposite each other in pairs, the corner areas thereof where said side walls meet also incorporate flaps (6) that can be attached, either on the outer faces of two opposite side walls, or on the inner faces; such that in order to choose one option or another, it is only necessary to make minimal adjustments in the forming station without needing to change mechanisms or elements.