Wrapping Unit Feeding Mechanism for Precise Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines face difficulties in precisely feeding both the inner wrapping and the outer blank into the wrapping wheel due to spatial constraints, leading to misalignment and reduced wrapping quality, especially when the inner wrapping is unsealed and prone to spring back.
Innovation Solution
A wrapping unit with a distinct feeding station for the blank and another for the inner wrapping, utilizing a transferring device with a pusher and an accompanying counter-pusher to ensure precise alignment and containment, preventing unwanted movement of the inner wrapping during the folding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the blank and inner wrapping are fed into the pocket of the wrapping wheel in the same feeding station, then the construction of feeding means is simplified, but the feeding station becomes difficult to implement due to spatial constraints and mutual interference between feeding means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the feeding operation into two separate feeding stations: a first feeding station for feeding the blank and a second feeding station for feeding the inner wrapping. This segmentation allows each feeding station to have dedicated feeding means without spatial constraints or mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between simplified construction and ease of manufacture.
2Ease of manufacture
If the two feeding stations are separated, then the feeding means for blank and inner wrapping are far away from each other avoiding mutual interference, but the accompanying device cannot reach the inner wrapping on the opposite side of the pusher due to the blank inside the pocket
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the pocket of the wrapping wheel as an intermediary structure that sequentially receives the blank first, then the inner wrapping. The pocket acts as a mediator that allows the pusher and accompanying device to operate in sequence rather than simultaneously, enabling both devices to access the inner wrapping from opposite sides without interference from the blank.
3Device complexity
If the inner wrapping is engaged by the pusher alone without an accompanying device, then the construction is simplified, but the inner wrapping is relatively free and may lose the correct conformation of the folds due to spring back
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing the accompanying device that counteracts the spring back tendency of the inner wrapping during the transfer process. The accompanying device holds the inner wrapping in place and prevents it from losing its folded conformation, while the pusher provides the necessary pushing force. This dual-device approach prevents the harmful spring back effect while maintaining construction simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A wrapping unit (15) and method for folding a wrap (10) around an article (3); there are provided: a wrapping conveyor (29), which supports a pocket (31), which is designed to contain the article (3) partially wrapped in the wrap (10), and a seat (33), which is arranged opposite the pocket (31) and is designed to hold the sole wrap (10); a first feeding station (S4), wherein the wrap (10) is fed to the seat (33); a second feeding station (S5), which is arranged downstream of the first feeding station (S4) and wherein the article (3) is fed into the pocket (31) together with the wrap (10) previously arranged in the seat (33) opposite the pocket (31); a pusher (36), which, in the second feeding station (S5), rests against the article (3) on the side opposite the wrap (10) and pushes the article (3) into the pocket (31) together with the wrap (10); and a moving device, which, in the second feeding station (S5), at first moves the wrap (10) away from the pocket (31), thus moving the wrap (10) close to the article (3), before the article (3) is pushed into the pocket (31) together with the wrap (10).