Adjustable Carrier Plates for Beverage Bottle Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor systems for packages or groups of beverage bottles often result in objects being skewed due to lateral shifting of carrier plates, leading to misalignment and inefficient use of conveyor capacity, especially when handling smaller bundles or groups of containers.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor arrangement with adjustable carrier plates that can form larger units by fastening adjacent plates together, using guide rails and replaceable intervention elements to maintain orientation and prevent rotation, allowing for efficient handling of various container sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If carrier plates are laterally shifted to merge bundles from different feeder conveyers, then the bundles can be combined into a coherent transport unit, but the objects on the carrier plates become skewed and turned, resulting in misalignment at the exit terminus
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier plate assembly is segmented into individually controllable carrier plates that can be laterally shifted independently. This allows the bundle to be redirected while maintaining the alignment of objects on each plate, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a lateral shifting dimension to the carrier plates while maintaining their original transport function. This dimensional addition enables bundle merging without compromising object alignment, as the lateral movement is decoupled from the transport direction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyor system is designed to handle the largest possible bundles, then it can accommodate various container sizes, but the conveyor capacity becomes inefficient when handling smaller bundles
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is divided into multiple independently controllable carrier plates that can be selectively activated. When handling smaller bundles, only the necessary number of carrier plates are used, optimizing conveyor capacity efficiency while maintaining versatility for larger bundles.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier plates are designed to be dynamically adjustable in number and configuration based on the size of the bundles being transported. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize productivity for each specific transport task while maintaining the capability to handle various container sizes.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate turning mechanisms are added to correct the skewed position of objects, then the alignment can be restored, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment correction function is extracted from the transport process by maintaining object alignment on carrier plates during lateral shifting. This eliminates the need for separate turning mechanisms, achieving precision without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier plates are designed to perform multiple functions: transporting objects, laterally shifting to merge bundles, and maintaining object alignment simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate turning mechanisms while preserving alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveying arrangement for conveying packages or groups of beverage bottles or containers, and a method of operation thereof. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.