Bag Transfer Apparatus With Overlapping Support Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bag transfer apparatuses struggle to support and efficiently transfer bags of various shapes, particularly asymmetric ones, and require larger sizes, limiting their versatility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A bag transfer apparatus with a plurality of holding units, including first and second holding units positioned adjacent to each other horizontally, where each unit has a left and right support unit to pinch and support the bag sides, allowing for adjustable height positioning and overlap to accommodate different bag shapes, enabling efficient transfer and miniaturization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bag transfer apparatuses are used, then they can transfer bags, but they cannot appropriately support and transfer bags of various shapes particularly asymmetric ones

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to support and transfer bags of various shapesVSAvoidstructural complexity of holding units
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support units are designed to be movable relative to each other in the horizontal direction, allowing the holding units to dynamically adjust their configuration to accommodate different bag shapes and sizes. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the apparatus to handle both symmetric and asymmetric bags effectively without requiring multiple specialized holding units for each bag type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the apparatus size is reduced for miniaturization, then the footprint is smaller, but the ability to handle various bag shapes is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehorizontal size of apparatusVSAvoidcapability to handle bags of various shapes
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes vertical stacking where one support unit is positioned above the other in the height direction, creating a three-dimensional arrangement. This vertical dimension allows the apparatus to maintain compact horizontal footprint while providing sufficient space and adjustability to handle various bag shapes through vertical and horizontal movement of the support units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple holding units are provided to handle various bag shapes, then versatility is improved, but the horizontal space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to support multiple bag configurationsVSAvoidhorizontal footprint of apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines multiple support units (first and second support units) into a single integrated holding unit structure. These support units are arranged vertically with one above the other and can move horizontally in coordination, effectively merging the functions of multiple holding units into a compact single unit that reduces horizontal space requirements while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3901070B1Bag transfer apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 PACRAFT CO LTD
  • EP3901070B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3901070B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3901070B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bag transfer apparatus (500) includes a plurality of holding units (41) which include a first holding unit (41a) and a second holding unit (41b) provided to be adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction and are provided to be able to move, wherein each of the plurality of holding units (41) includes: a left support unit (201) which supports one side portion of a bag (W); and a right support unit (202) which supports another side portion of the bag (W), and wherein one of the right support unit (202) of the first holding unit (41a) and the left support unit (201) of the second holding unit (41b) is positioned above the other.