Angled Carrier Bar Pockets for Caplet Seating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transporting caplets face challenges in achieving high fill rates due to the processing speed of conveyers and the shape of caplets, often resulting in improper seating and caplets being knocked out of pockets during processing.

Innovation Solution

A carrier bar with angled or offset caplet pockets that align their longitudinal axis at an angle or offset from the direction of travel, ensuring proper seating and retention of caplets, with features like concave surfaces and flanges to match the caplet shape and prevent movement during processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If carrier bars transport caplets at high processing speed, then productivity is improved, but caplet seating becomes improper and fill rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidcaplet seating accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pocket longitudinal axis is angled or offset from the direction of travel at specific angles (e.g., 15-45 degrees), changing the geometric parameter of the pocket orientation to improve caplet retention during high-speed conveying

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pocket design incorporates asymmetric features including the angled longitudinal axis, concave surfaces matching the caplet shape, and strategically positioned flanges that create an asymmetric retention mechanism optimized for caplet geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Productivity

If carrier bars move quickly through the conveyer, then productivity is improved, but caplets are knocked out of pockets during processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyer speedVSAvoidcaplet retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pocket longitudinal axis is angled or offset from the direction of travel, changing the geometric parameter to optimize caplet retention during high-speed conveying and processing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Concave surfaces are incorporated into the pocket design to match the curved shape of the caplet, creating a form-fit retention mechanism that prevents ejection during rapid movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If caplets are improperly seated in carrier bars, then productivity is maintained, but processing quality deteriorates due to belly band exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing throughputVSAvoidprocessing quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pocket longitudinal axis is angled or offset from the direction of travel, ensuring that caplets are oriented with their sides (not belly bands) facing the processing station

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Concave surfaces within the pocket match the caplet shape to ensure proper orientation and presentation of the caplet side to the processing station, preventing belly band exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS8141697B2Method and apparatus for transporting caplets

Publication Date: 2012.03.27 R V INDS

AI summary

A carrier bar for conveying at least one caplet along a predetermined conveyer path includes at least one pocket adapted to receive a caplet. Each pocket includes a longitudinal axis that is angled or offset from a direction of travel of the carrier bar in use. Each caplet includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a belly band that interconnects the first and second sides.