Adaptable Packaging Conveyor Star Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging systems struggle to efficiently organize and package containers of various sizes while minimizing changeover times and maintaining promotional information display, leading to inefficiencies and increased downtime.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with interchangeable star wheels and metering screws that define travel paths based on container geometric centers, allowing for efficient grouping and orientation of containers of different sizes, and a modular grouping system with adaptable tracks to accommodate various container shapes and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional packaging systems are used to handle various container sizes, then packaging capability is maintained, but changeover times increase and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system is divided into modular components including interchangeable star wheels with different tooth configurations, separate conveyor modules, and independent metering screws. This segmentation allows individual components to be quickly swapped without reconfiguring the entire system, reducing changeover time while maintaining adaptability to various container sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes star wheels with varying tooth counts and configurations that correspond to specific container size parameters. By pre-configuring star wheels for different container perimeters and systematically changing these parameters based on production requirements, the system achieves rapid adaptation without extensive reconfiguration
2Adaptability or versatility
If packaging systems are designed for multiple container sizes, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The star wheel modules serve multiple functions: they convey containers, meter the container stream, and their tooth configurations adapt to different container perimeters. The same modular architecture handles various container sizes through simple component interchange rather than requiring dedicated mechanisms for each size, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamically interchangeable components rather than fixed configurations. Star wheels can be swapped based on production needs, and the conveyor system can adjust its operation mode to accommodate different container types, making the system adaptable without requiring complex reconfiguration mechanisms
3Ease of operation
If conventional conveyors are used, then basic container transport is achieved, but promotional information display is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the vertical arrangement and spatial utilization of conveyor modules to create display-oriented container orientations. By arranging containers in specific patterns and orientations within the compact conveyor path, promotional information on container surfaces is naturally displayed to consumers without requiring additional horizontal space or complex display mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor system for containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers, including a first star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers.