Automated Lidding Foil Peel Force Measurement for Primary Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of determining the peel force required to open primary packaging containers for soft contact lenses is subjective and time-consuming due to manual operation, increasing production costs as the number of different vision corrections and decreasing lot sizes necessitate more frequent and accurate assessments.
Innovation Solution
An automated device comprising a shell holder, foil lifter, foil gripper, and force sensor to objectively determine the peel force required to remove the lidding foil from the primary packaging shell, ensuring consistent and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual peeling assessment is performed by human operators, then the peel force can be assessed, but the process is subjective and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical assessment system with an automated sensor-based measurement system. Force sensors and load cells objectively measure peel force values, eliminating subjective human assessment while reducing measurement time through automated data collection and analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The peeling process is designed to be self-measuring through integrated force sensors that automatically record peel force values during the peeling action. The system performs both the peeling action and the measurement simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate assessment steps.
2Measurement precision
If manual peeling assessment is performed by human operators, then the peel force can be assessed, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive manual labor with cost-effective sensor systems and automated actuators. The automated system reduces operational costs by eliminating the need for trained operators while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy through objective sensor data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses force sensors to create an objective digital record of peel force values, replacing the subjective human assessment process. This digital copying of the measurement process enables automated analysis and reduces dependency on human operators.
3Reliability
If automated device is implemented, then objectivity and repeatability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated device is divided into functional modules: shell holder for positioning, foil lifter for initiating peeling, foil gripper for controlling the peeling action, and force sensors for measurement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Force sensors and load cells serve as intermediaries between the mechanical peeling action and the measurement system. These intermediary components translate mechanical forces into electrical signals for automated analysis, bridging the gap between physical action and digital measurement.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated device for determining the peel force to peel a lidding foil off of a top surface of a primary packaging shell comprises:a shell holder for holding the primary packaging shell to the top surface of which the lidding foil is sealed;a foil lifter for lifting a non-sealed end portion of the lidding foil up from the planar top surface of the primary packaging shell held by the shell holder;a foil gripper for grasping the lifted non-sealed end portion of the lidding foil;a foil peeler for peeling the sealed lidding foil with the lifted non-sealed end portion grasped by the foil gripper off of the planar top surface of the primary packaging; anda force sensor for determining the force required to peel the lidding foil off of the top surface of the primary packaging shell.