Auxiliary Frame Feed for Oriented Biscuit Group Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feed devices for flat baked items are complex, require additional steps for orientation adjustment, depend on trays, and lack flexibility in forming product groups without trays, making them inefficient and inflexible for different packaging needs.
Innovation Solution
A feed device with removable auxiliary frames that maintain product orientation during conveyance, using pushers and delta robots to form and package product groups without trays, allowing flexible conversion between stacks and rolls, and utilizing RFID tags for automated identification and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If trays are used to convey flat baked items at an angle of 45° to maintain orientation, then the orientation of flat baked items is maintained, but the device complexity increases and additional orientation adjustment steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the orientation-maintaining function from the tray conveying system and transfers it to individual auxiliary frames that accompany each product group. This eliminates the need for complex tray orientation adjustment mechanisms while maintaining product orientation stability throughout the conveying process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the orientation control function from the main conveying system by introducing separate auxiliary frames for each product group. Each auxiliary frame independently maintains orientation without requiring the entire tray system to be angled, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If trays are used for conveying flat baked items, then orientation can be maintained, but the device becomes dependent on trays and cannot easily form product groups without trays
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary frames are designed as universal carriers that can accommodate different product group configurations (with or without trays, different orientations). This multi-functionality allows the same auxiliary frame structure to handle various packaging requirements, eliminating dependency on traditional tray-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to different product group formation needs by allowing auxiliary frames to be used with or without trays depending on the specific packaging requirement. This dynamic flexibility enables the device to switch between different product group types without fundamental conversions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If complex feed devices with orientation adjustment mechanisms are used, then product orientation is maintained, but the device cannot easily switch between forming rolls and stacks
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary frames are pre-configured with orientation-maintaining features, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms during operation. This preliminary design allows the system to maintain product orientation while enabling easy conversion between different product group formations by simply changing the auxiliary frame configuration.
4Stability of the object's composition
If additional orientation adjustment steps are added to the feed device, then product orientation is maintained, but the conveying process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the orientation control function into the auxiliary frames themselves, which are integral to the product group formation process. This integration eliminates separate orientation adjustment steps, allowing orientation control to occur simultaneously with product group formation and conveying, thereby maintaining productivity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a feed device and an auxiliary frame for conveying flat baked items, such as biscuits or cookies, to a packaging machine, and to a method for conveying flat baked items to a packaging machine. The feed device for forming product groups which are formed of a plurality of individual flat baked items, such as biscuits, and feeding the product groups to a packaging machine, comprises: a conveying device comprising a conveying means with a number of pushers, wherein the pushers are arranged to convey the product groups along a conveying path of the conveying device from a start position to an end position of the conveying path to the packaging machine, and to transfer the product groups from the end position of the conveying path to a conveyor chain of the packaging machine, wherein the product groups are formed into at least one product group consisting of a plurality of individual flat baked items during the journey along the conveying path, characterized in that the feed device is further provided with at least one auxiliary frame that is movable along with the pushers, wherein the auxiliary frame is arranged to keep the flat baked items in the product group in a predetermined orientation during conveying along the conveying path independently of the pushers, wherein the at least one auxiliary frame is arranged so as to be able to be removed at the end position of the conveying path, wherein the orientation of the flat baked items predetermined by the auxiliary frame is maintained.