Packaging Bag Hanger Input for Hopper Discharge and Deagglomeration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for introducing active materials into a hopper require manual handling, which is inefficient and poses safety risks due to high loads, and lack automation for tilting, weight sensing, agglomeration resolution, and discharge control of flexible packaging bags.

Innovation Solution

An automation device comprising a rail-mounted hanger system with load cells, photo-electric sensors, hit posts, and grippers to automate the transport and input of packaging bags, ensuring precise weight adjustment, agglomeration resolution, and discharge control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual handling is used to introduce active materials into a hopper, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but labor intensity increases and safety risks arise due to high loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual handling flexibilityVSAvoidsafety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-service operation where the packaging bag itself performs the discharge function through controlled tilting and reciprocation movements, eliminating the need for manual handling while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated mechanical system consisting of a hanger, rail, and reciprocation mechanism that automatically transports and discharges packaging bags, eliminating human exposure to heavy loads and safety risks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated hanger reciprocation is used to transport packaging bags, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated transport efficiencyVSAvoidhanger system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hanger system is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously performs transportation, tilting, reciprocation, and discharge control functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function and thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic reciprocation movements of the hanger along the rail, allowing the same mechanical structure to perform multiple operations (transport, tilt, discharge) through controlled motion sequences, thereby achieving high productivity without proportionally increasing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If hit post is used to resolve agglomeration of active materials, then discharge reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge smoothnessVSAvoidagglomeration resolution mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging bag performs self-service agglomeration resolution through controlled reciprocation movements that cause the bag to strike the hit post, automatically breaking up material clumps without requiring external intervention or complex additional mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The hit post serves as a simple intermediary element that facilitates agglomeration resolution by providing a fixed surface for the reciprocating bag to strike, converting the reciprocation motion into effective material breakdown without requiring complex active mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of substance

If grippers are used to block discharge of remaining active materials, then material loss is prevented, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremaining material retentionVSAvoiddischarge blocking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging bag performs self-service discharge blocking through controlled reciprocation movements that cause the bag opening to strike the hit post, automatically sealing or blocking the discharge aperture without requiring external grippers or complex blocking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The hit post serves as a simple intermediary that enables discharge blocking by providing a fixed surface for the reciprocating bag to strike, converting mechanical motion into effective material retention without requiring additional active blocking components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The automation device reduces manual labor, minimizes safety risks, and ensures accurate and efficient introduction of active materials into a hopper by addressing tilting, weight deviation, agglomeration, and discharge issues.

Implementation Method 1

a hanger (30) mounted on the rail (20) to be capable of reciprocating in the horizontal direction, and enabling to reciprocate the packaging bag (10) mounted at the lower end thereof in the vertical direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a hit post (50) disposed near an inlet of the hopper (40) and resolving an agglomeration phenomenon of the active material as the packaging bag (10) is hit by the vertical direction reciprocation of the hanger (30)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 3

Automatic sensing packaging bag weight and packaging bag height correction according to discharge of active material into hopper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP4458749B1Automation device for transporting and inputting container bag
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4458749B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4458749B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4458749B1 patent drawingFigure 5(a)~6

AI summary

An automation device for packaging bag transport and input, includes: a rail disposed above a certain height in a horizontal direction; a hanger mounted on the rail to be capable of reciprocating in the horizontal direction, and enabling to reciprocate a packaging bag mounted at the lower end thereof in a vertical direction; a hopper disposed at the bottom of the rail and into which raw materials inside the packaging bag moved by the hanger are introduced; a hit post disposed near an inlet of the hopper and resolving an agglomeration phenomenon of the raw materials as the packaging bag is hit by the vertical direction reciprocation of the hanger; and grippers blocking the discharge of the raw materials by gripping the bottom of the packaging bag in which the input of the raw materials to the hopper is completed.