Bag Storer With Movable Units For Continuous Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bag processing devices face challenges in continuously supplying empty bags, leading to increased worker burden, potential contamination, and interruptions in processing due to the need for frequent manual replenishment, especially at high speeds, and the limitations of existing storage systems that can damage bags and restrict flexibility in handling various types.

Innovation Solution

A bag stocker system with movable body portions and accommodating units that support bag bundles, allowing for efficient storage, retrieval, and supply of bags without human intervention, reducing contamination risks and improving productivity by enabling flexible handling of different bag types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple magazines are used to increase the storage capacity of empty bags, then the number of replenishment times per unit time is reduced, but the worker needs to replenish bags to each magazine while moving between locations, increasing the overall burden on the worker

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacity of empty bagsVSAvoidburden on worker for replenishment
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple magazine functions into a single integrated bag supply device that can store multiple types of bags simultaneously. The device includes multiple storage chambers within one unit, allowing all bags to be replenished at a single location rather than requiring the worker to move between multiple separate magazines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bag supply device is designed with universal functionality to accommodate multiple types of bags (different sizes, shapes, and configurations) within a single device. The storage chambers can be adjusted or configured to hold various bag types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized magazines.

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

2Productivity

If the bag processing device operates at high speed, then productivity is improved, but the consumption speed of empty bags increases, requiring more frequent replenishment and increasing worker burden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidburden on worker for replenishment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically replenishing bags to the magazine before the worker needs to manually intervene. The bag supply device is configured to proactively supply bags to the processing device, anticipating the consumption rate and maintaining continuous supply without requiring the worker to monitor and replenish at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bag supply device operates autonomously to supply bags to the processing device without continuous human intervention. The system self-regulates the bag supply based on consumption patterns, effectively making the replenishment process self-service rather than worker-dependent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual replenishment of empty bags is performed, then flexibility in handling is maintained, but the processing may be interrupted when the worker fails to supply bags at appropriate timing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in handlingVSAvoidcontinuous processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the bag supply device monitors the magazine's bag level and the processing device's consumption rate. This feedback loop ensures that bags are replenished at the appropriate timing to maintain continuous processing, eliminating interruptions caused by manual monitoring failures while preserving operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Quantity of substance

If bags are taken out from cardboard boxes, then storage efficiency is improved, but foreign substances such as paper pieces and dust may soar and contaminate the supply place

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination of supply place
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts bags from their packaging in a controlled manner within the sealed storage chambers of the bag supply device. Rather than opening cardboard boxes in the open supply area, the extraction process is contained within the device's internal chambers, preventing paper pieces and dust from soaring into the supply place and causing contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3486180B1Bag stocker and bag supply method
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 TOYO JIDOKI CO LTD
  • EP3486180B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3486180B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3486180B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bag stocker (11) that holds a plurality of bags (B) to be supplied to a bag supply device (12), includes: a body portion (20) provided to be movable; a plurality of bag accommodating units (21) supported by the body portion (20); and a holding member (22) which is provided in each of the plurality of bag accommodating units (21) and supports a bag bundle (B1) including two or more bags (B), wherein each of the plurality of bag accommodating units (21) is supported by the body portion (20) to be movable in the body portion (20) between an accommodating position (Pa) and a withdrawing position (Pb) where each of the plurality of bag accommodating units (21) protrudes in comparison with each of the plurality of bag accommodating units (21) arranged at the accommodating position (Pa).