Compressible Tube Packaging via Flat Orientation and Wedge Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic packaging systems for compressible tubes, such as cosmetic tubes, are inefficient in terms of speed and space utilization when packaging tubes vertically in cardboard boxes.
Innovation Solution
An automatic packaging installation that includes a first polyarticulated system to grip and place tubes flat on an intermediate plate with wedges, and a second polyarticulated system to simultaneously grip and package the tubes flat in a package, reducing space requirements and optimizing execution speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If tubes are packaged vertically in cardboard boxes using conventional polyarticulated systems, then the packaging structure is simple, but the space requirement is large and the execution speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical packaging (one dimension) to flat horizontal packaging (another dimension). Tubes are placed flat on intermediate plates and then packaged horizontally in cardboard boxes,充分利用 the horizontal space and reducing the vertical height requirement, thereby significantly reducing the overall space requirement by a factor of three
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate plates with wedges as a preliminary packaging stage. Tubes are first arranged flat on these intermediate plates with precise positioning, then the entire plate with all tubes is transferred at once to the final packaging. This preliminary organization enables efficient bulk handling and reduces the complexity of direct individual tube packaging
2Productivity
If tubes are packaged vertically one by one, then the packaging structure is simple, but the speed of execution is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple tubes onto a single intermediate plate, organizing several tubes in a coordinated arrangement. The polyarticulated system then transfers the entire group of tubes simultaneously from the plate to the packaging, converting individual tube operations into batch operations and significantly increasing execution speed
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate plate acts as a mediator between the tube supply and the final packaging. It provides a stable platform for organizing tubes in advance, allowing the polyarticulated system to pick up and place multiple tubes as a single unit, thereby improving productivity without requiring complex direct manipulation of each tube
3Volume of moving object
If tubes are packaged flat with tiling arrangement, then the space requirement is reduced by a factor of three, but the positioning precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies localized geometric features (wedges with specific angles and shapes) at critical contact points on the intermediate plate. These wedges are precisely shaped to match the tube cross-sections, providing automatic self-positioning and ensuring high positioning precision only where needed, rather than requiring precision throughout the entire system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric wedge shapes with specific angle variations (e.g., 45°, 30°, 15°) that create unique positioning geometries for each tube location. This asymmetric design ensures that tubes can only be placed in the correct orientation and position, achieving high positioning precision through geometric constraint rather than complex control mechanisms
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 system achieves significant reduction in space requirement by packaging tubes flat, optimizing the speed of execution, and allowing for efficient tiling of tubes, reducing space needs by a factor of three.
Implementation Method 1
a unitary gripping tool (6) equipped with at least one suction cup and configured to grip, one by one... tubes (2)
Implementation Method 2
a simultaneous gripping tool (11) equipped with a row of suction cups and configured to simultaneously grip all of the tubes (2) from the intermediate plate (9)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Installation (1) for automatic packaging of compressible tubes (2) in a package (3), remarkable in that it comprises at least one unit comprising: - at least one first polyarticulated system (5) comprising a gripper coupled with a unitary gripping tool (6) equipped with at least one suction cup and configured to grip, one by one and in association with a first vision system (7), tubes (2) and place them flat, in association with a second vision system (8), on an intermediate plate (9); - at least one intermediate plate (9) comprising at least one row (12) of wedges adjusted to the shape of the tubes (2) and attached laterally to each other to support the tubes (2) flat side by side and in the same direction;- at least one second polyarticulated system (10) comprising a gripper coupled with a simultaneous gripping tool (11) equipped with a row of suction cups (16) and configured to simultaneously grip all of the tubes (2) from the intermediate plate (9) and to package them flat in a package (3).;