Blister Pack Transfer Device with Offset Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for transferring blister packs to transport systems have low throughput, occupy excessive space, and are limited in further processing capabilities, as they can only convey blister packs in the direction of the conveyor belts.
Innovation Solution
A device with a feed unit featuring three parallel feeding lines and a transfer station with temporary storage lines that allow items to be offset and pushed together, enabling high throughput while occupying minimal space and allowing for flexible integration with various transport systems, using a vacuum belt with suction points and stopper-kicker combinations for efficient item rearrangement and a pusher driven by a servomotor for controlled pushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a vacuum belt conveys blister packs parallel to the transport system direction, then the structure is simple, but the throughput is too low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension by stacking blister packs vertically in multiple layers (first layer, second layer, third layer) on the vacuum belt. This allows multiple packs to be conveyed simultaneously in the same linear path, dramatically increasing throughput without requiring multiple parallel conveyor lines, thus maintaining structural simplicity while achieving high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple blister packs from different layers into a single stacked unit that is pushed together by pushers. This merging of multiple items into one consolidated unit allows them to be transferred as a single entity to the transport system, improving efficiency and throughput
2Productivity
If two parallel lines of blister packs are transported by separate conveyor belts and pushed together, then throughput is high, but the device occupies a relatively large amount of space
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple parallel conveyor belts that occupy large horizontal space, the patent stacks blister packs vertically in multiple layers on a single vacuum belt path. This vertical arrangement achieves high throughput by processing multiple packs simultaneously while minimizing the horizontal footprint of the device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the conveying process into distinct layers (first layer, second layer, third layer) that can be independently controlled and pushed at different times. This segmentation allows efficient space utilization by organizing packs vertically rather than requiring parallel horizontal conveyor lines
3Productivity
If blister packs are conveyed on conveyor belts, then throughput can be high, but they can be transported only in the conveying direction of the conveyor belts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the conveying system dynamic by allowing the vacuum belt to convey stacks of blister packs perpendicular to the original transport system direction, and by using pushers to dynamically redirect the stacks onto the transport system. This dynamic capability enables flexible integration with various downstream devices regardless of their orientation, while maintaining high throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic pusher actions to transfer blister pack stacks from the vacuum belt to the transport system at regular intervals. This periodic transfer mechanism allows the system to maintain high throughput while adapting to the rhythmic operation requirements of different downstream processing devices
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 device achieves high throughput, minimal space usage, and flexibility in handling blister packs, allowing them to be stacked and processed further, with reliable and programmable pushing operations that ensure efficient transfer to transport or storage devices.
Implementation Method 1
a feed unit for conveying a plurality of items, the feed unit having three parallel feeding lines
Data Source
AI summary
The device for transferring items to a transport system or to a storage unit has a feed unit for conveying a plurality of items in three parallel feeding lines. Further, is has a transfer station for receiving the items from the feed unit and for transferring the items to the transport system or to the storage device. The transfer station includes three temporary storage lines arranged in parallel. The items are provided by the feed unit in a manner that the items in each of the temporary storage lines are arranged offset from the items in the other temporary storage lines with respect to a first direction. A pusher in the transfer station pushes the items in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to a single temporary storage line.