Capsule Packing Carousel for Head-to-Tail Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines and methods for packing single-use capsules in multi-capsule packs face inefficiencies in arranging capsules side by side and oriented in opposite senses, leading to space inefficiencies and potential errors in packaging.
Innovation Solution
A machine and method that utilize a transport system with rotating gripping elements to arrange capsules side by side and rotate them 180°, ensuring they are packed in a head-to-tail orientation using a drawing carousel and toothed belts to position them correctly on a conveyor belt for efficient packing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If capsules are arranged side by side and rotated 180° to save space in multi-capsule packs, then space utilization is improved, but the complexity of the packing machine increases due to the need for precise orientation and positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule orientation and positioning is performed in advance during the transport phase using the drawing carousel with gripping elements, so that when capsules reach the packing station, they are already correctly oriented head-to-tail. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms at the packing station.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawing carousel acts as an intermediary device between the capsule formation station and the packing station. It receives capsules, rotates them 180°, and positions them correctly on the conveyor belt, thereby mediating the orientation requirement without adding complexity to the main packing mechanism.
2Manufacturing precision
If a drawing carousel with rotating gripping elements is used to orient capsules, then capsule orientation precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional rotating components
Solution Approach 1:
The drawing carousel is designed to perform multiple functions: it transports capsules, rotates them 180°, and positions them on the conveyor belt. By combining these functions into a single device, the overall system complexity is reduced despite the added rotating components, as no separate orientation and positioning systems are needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping elements are designed to be movable and rotatable, allowing dynamic adjustment to accommodate capsule orientation requirements. This dynamic capability enables precise 180° rotation and positioning while maintaining operational flexibility and reducing the need for rigid, complex fixed-position mechanisms.
3Reliability
If faulty capsules are rejected during the packing process, then packaging integrity is improved, but productivity decreases due to stops or delays for rejection
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow real-time detection and rejection of faulty capsules during the packing process. This feedback enables immediate correction of packaging errors while maintaining overall packing speed by automatically removing defective items without stopping the entire packing line.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for making and packing capsules (2) for extraction products in multi-capsule packs (27) includes a feeding station (11) for feeding rigid bodies (3) of the capsules, a dosing station (12) for dosing a dose of product within the rigid bodies, a closing station (13) for closing an upper aperture of the rigid bodies with a respective lid (7); a transport element (8) that features a plurality of seats (10) for housing and moving the capsules through the stations; an exit station (17) adapted to draw the capsules from the transport element; and a packing station (23) adapted to pack the capsules in multi-capsule packs where the capsules are arranged side by side and according to a head-to-tail orientation. The invention further provides for a method for making and packing capsules for extraction products in multi-capsule packs.