Wrapping Apparatus Suction Retaining Device Film Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing wrapping apparatus using stretchable plastic film for individual items faces complexity in the operation of temporary retaining devices, particularly when handling horizontal feeding lines and film reels, leading to issues with film adherence and aesthetics due to the formation of a plastic rope between the first coil and the item.
Innovation Solution
A wrapping apparatus employing a stationary hollow elongated suction member with a longitudinal slit and net on its inner side, positioned adjacent to the item, uses vacuum suction to retain the film edge during the winding process, allowing the gripper to release without dragging the film, thus eliminating the plastic rope and simplifying the operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rectilinear gripper is used to retain the initial film end edge, then the film tension is maintained, but a plastic rope is formed that disturbs the aesthetics and functionality of the wrapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gripper system with a suction-based retaining device. The suction device uses vacuum pressure to hold the initial film end edge against the item, eliminating the need for mechanical gripping jaws that drag and form plastic ropes. This substitution maintains film tension through suction force while avoiding the harmful plastic rope formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using a suction device connected to a vacuum source. The suction device creates a pressure differential to retain the film edge on the item during the wrapping process. This pneumatic approach allows the film to be held without mechanical contact that would cause dragging and rope formation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a temporary retaining device is introduced to prevent plastic rope formation, then the aesthetics and functionality are improved, but the operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is designed to be automatically activated and deactivated based on the wrapping cycle phase. The device self-regulates by being connected to the vacuum source during the initial wrapping phase and automatically disconnecting when no longer needed, eliminating the need for complex manual operation or additional control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the suction device with the existing gripper assembly, combining the retaining functions into a single unified component. This merging allows the suction device to work in conjunction with the gripper's existing positioning and movement mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity rather than adding independent complex controls.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the gripper is disengaged early to avoid plastic rope, then the aesthetics are improved, but the film tension is lost and adherence is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gripper's holding action with pneumatic suction. The suction device maintains continuous contact and tension on the film edge through vacuum pressure, ensuring the film remains adhered to the item even after the gripper is disengaged. This substitution allows early gripper release without compromising film adherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the retention mechanism from mechanical gripping force to pneumatic suction pressure. This parameter change allows the film to be held with a distributed force field rather than concentrated mechanical contact, maintaining tension and adherence while avoiding the dragging that causes plastic rope formation.
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 ensures impeccable winding with reduced operational complexity, maintaining film tension without the plastic rope, enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of the wrapping process while being inexpensive and easy to integrate into existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
uses vacuum suction to retain the film edge during the winding process
Data Source
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AI summary
A wrapping apparatus employing plastic stretching film for items to be wrapped has entry lines and exit lines, which define a horizontal feeding line, in the proximity of a wrapping station (W) provided with a drive ring apt to bring into rotation a reel of the stretching film around the feeding line, and a holding gripper apt to temporarily hold an initial edge of said film in a starting step of the rotation of said reel. A temporary retaining device of said film provided with an elongated hollow member arranged with the longitudinal axis thereof parallel to the feeding line and having an inner side.