Tubular Casing Assembly with Shaping Means for Dispensing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging combinations involving tubular casings and dispensing devices are costly and time-consuming to assemble, often require manual labor, and result in material waste and environmental pollution due to bulky dispensing devices and accidental filling material discharge.
Innovation Solution
An automated apparatus and method for assembling a packaging combination that includes a tubular casing with a closure clip and a dispensing device, featuring supporting, shaping, and mounting means to create a defined shape and attach the dispensing device efficiently, reducing manual labor and material waste, and incorporating a closure cap and dispensing nozzle for safe and easy opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid tube is used to contain the bag-shaped casing for dispensing, then the dispensing function is achieved, but the device becomes expensive and material-intensive due to the large size of the rigid tube
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the dispensing function from a large rigid tube and relocates it to a compact dispensing device that attaches directly to the tubular casing. The tubular casing itself serves as the containment structure, eliminating the need for a separate large rigid tube. This is achieved by providing a dispensing device with a dispensing nozzle that fits onto the open end of the tubular casing, allowing the casing to fulfill both containment and dispensing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular casing is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the containment structure for the filling material and the structural base for the dispensing device. The closure means at both ends of the tubular casing provides sealing functionality, while the open end accommodates the dispensing device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate rigid tube structures.
2Ease of operation
If the bag-shaped casing is opened outside the tube before introduction, then the casing can be positioned correctly, but filling material may accidentally discharge and pollute the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The closure means is pre-installed on both ends of the tubular casing during manufacturing, sealing the filling material inside before the casing is introduced to the dispensing device. This preliminary sealing action prevents any accidental discharge of filling material during handling and positioning operations. The closure means can be opened only when the dispensing device is properly attached and positioned.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual assembly of the tubular casing and dispensing device is performed, then the components can be assembled, but the process becomes cost and time expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting means incorporates a delivering device that dynamically positions and attaches the dispensing device to the tubular casing. The delivering device can move the dispensing device into the correct position and secure it automatically, eliminating the need for manual alignment and attachment operations. This dynamic mounting process significantly reduces assembly time and costs.
4Ease of operation
If the packaging combination is designed as disposable, then convenience is improved, but a large amount of material particularly the rigid tube is wasted causing high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention redesigns the disposable packaging combination to eliminate expensive rigid tube materials. The tubular casing made from flexible packaging material serves as the disposable component, while the dispensing device can be reused. This substitution of materials in the disposable version reduces both cost and environmental impact while maintaining convenience.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for assembling a packaging combination (600) including a tubular casing (610) having a first end (612) and a second end (614), wherein the tubular casing (610) is partially filled with filling material and closed at its first as well as its second end (612, 614) by a closure means (C), like a closure clip, and wherein the partially filled tubular casing (610) comprises a plait-like portion (P) at its first end (32) being at least approximately free of filling material, and further including a dispensing device (620) having a passageway extending through the dispensing device (620) with an inlet opening at its one end and a dispensing opening at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction. The apparatus (1) comprises at least one supporting means (10, 20) for accommodating and retaining the at least partially filled tubular casing (610), including at least one cartridge (20) for arranging the at least partially filled tubular casing (610); at least one shaping means (210) for creating a defined shape to the first end (612) of the tubular casing (610), including at least one gripper means (230) for gripping the first end of the at least partially filled tubular casing (610) and at least one forming shoulder (220) for forming a defined shape to the said first end (612); and at least one mounting means (310) for mounting the dispensing device (620) to said first end (612) of the tubular casing (610). The present invention further relates to packaging combination (1) comprises a tubular casing(610),a dispensing device(620)and a sealing device(630) is removably attached to the dispensing device (620).