Triangular Folding Belt Profile for Corrugated Board
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding belts cause 'fishtailing' and surface damage to corrugated cardboard folding box blanks, especially when the cardboard quality is poor, leading to inaccurate folding and impaired surface quality.
Innovation Solution
A folding belt with a cross-sectional profile that maintains linear contact with the side flap during the folding process, avoiding pressure points and overloads, and featuring a curved section that ensures consistent contact over the entire length of the side flap, minimizing stress and abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional folding belts with semi-circular pressure pieces are used, then the folding force can be transmitted to the folding box blank, but the contact is limited to one point which moves over the semicircular profile, causing local overloads and pressure points that damage the corrugated board surface and create fishtailing
Solution Approach 1:
The folding belt is given a triangular cross-section with a curved contact surface instead of a semi-circular profile. This curved surface rolls over the side flap during folding, distributing the contact along a line rather than at a single point, thereby preventing local overloads and surface damage while maintaining folding accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The folding belt has different cross-sectional shapes at different locations: a triangular cross-section with a curved contact surface at the folding side for linear contact, and a rounded cross-section at the deflection side for easy navigation around rollers. This local differentiation optimizes both folding precision and surface protection
2Force
If the folding belt uses a rigid structure to transmit folding forces, then sufficient folding force is available, but the belt cannot flexibly run over deflection rollers with little effort
Solution Approach 1:
The folding belt is constructed as a flexible element with a triangular cross-section that can bend and conform to the rollers while maintaining its structural integrity. The flexibility allows the belt to run over deflection rollers with little effort, while the triangular cross-section provides the necessary rigidity to transmit folding forces effectively
3Stability of the object's composition
If the folding belt runs untwisted over parallel rollers, then the belt is not subject to twisting, but there is relative movement between the side flap and contact surface causing abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The curved contact surface on the folding belt is designed to roll over the side flap during the folding process. This rolling motion eliminates relative sliding movement between the belt and the cardboard surface, preventing abrasion of the printed surface while the belt maintains its stable configuration through the curved geometry
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
The solution enables precise folding along pre-scored lines, preventing 'fishtailing' and maintaining the surface quality of the printed cardboard, while being retrofittable to existing machines, thereby improving the accuracy and optical quality of the folded boxes.
Implementation Method 1
the belt rolls over the (printed) surface of the side flap during the folding process, so that the surface is not damaged. At the same time, there is linear contact between the folding belt and the side flap, so that there are no local overloads and no pressure points in the corrugated board.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a folding belt, which can be used, for example, in a folding machine known from DE 39 08 981 A1. By means of an improved profile of the folding belt, the quality of the folding is improved and, in particular, undesired "fishtailing" is reduced.