Balcony Packaging Machine Linear Robot Hygiene Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Balcony-type packaging machines face challenges in achieving safe and quick product positioning while preventing contamination of the product area with unhygienic substances from drive area components, particularly in the pharmaceutical and food sectors, due to the use of multi-armed robots which require low working speeds and have inadequate sealing, limiting production capacity and hygiene compliance.

Innovation Solution

A packaging machine with a balcony design utilizing a linear robotic unit that can move in two linear directions, equipped with a drive device and a hygiene barrier to separate the product and drive areas, allowing independent movement of the robotic arm and preventing contamination by unhygienic substances, pathogens, and toxic substances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multi-armed robots are used for product positioning and transfer, then the product area is accessible and the machine structure is flexible, but the working speed is reduced and production capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct area accessibilityVSAvoidworking speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces multi-armed robots with a linear robot system that uses linear drives (servo drives or belt drives) for product positioning. This substitution of mechanical robotic arms with linear motion systems eliminates the complex jointed mechanisms while maintaining product area accessibility and significantly increasing working speed and production capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If robot drives and joints are arranged above the product area, then the product area is kept clear, but contamination of products with unhygienic substances cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct area clearanceVSAvoidproduct contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the drive devices from the product area and relocates them to a separate drive area behind a hygiene barrier. The linear robot's drives are positioned in a dedicated drive area that is physically separated from the product area, eliminating the risk of contamination while maintaining clear product area and enabling easy access for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hygiene barrier as an intermediary element that physically separates the drive area from the product area. This barrier prevents contamination of products with unhygienic substances from the drive mechanisms while allowing the drives to be positioned close to the product area for efficient operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If frame-guided gripping devices are used, then the machine structure is stable, but the front accessibility and overhang-free concept is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine structure stabilityVSAvoidfront accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces frame-guided gripping devices with a linear robot system that uses linear guides and linear drives. This substitution maintains structural stability through precision linear guides while eliminating the need for complex frame structures, thereby preserving front accessibility and the overhang-free concept of the balcony design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3798140A1Balcony packaging machine with linear robot and hygiene barrier

Publication Date: 2021.03.31 THEEGARTEN PACTEC GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a packaging machine (1) in a balcony design with a product area (3) for feeding and packaging products (6), in particular from the pharmaceutical and food sectors, a drive area (4) adjacent to the product area (3), and at least one robotic unit (2) for positioning and/or packaging the products (6) in the product area (3). The at least one robotic unit (2) is designed as a linear robot comprising a robotic arm (21) movable in at least two linear directions in the product area (3), a drive unit arranged in the drive area (4) which is connected to the robotic arm (21) to move the robotic arm (21) in the at least two linear directions, and a tool (23) arranged at a free end of the robotic arm (21) for positioning and/or packaging the products (6).A hygiene barrier (5) is provided between the product area (3) and the drive area (4) to prevent contamination of the product area (3) with substances from the drive area (4) that are not permitted to come into contact with the products (6) and to protect the drive unit from contamination from the product area (3).