Carousel Conveyor Separating Opening Devices for Food Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current separating units for opening devices in pourable food packaging are inefficient in separating and applying these devices to packages due to complex mechanisms, high inertia, and the need for multiple moving parts, which complicates manufacturing and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A separating unit that uses a carousel conveyor and a rotating drum to gradually and efficiently separate opening devices from a sheet, transferring them along an arc-shaped path to an application station, reducing the need for additional drive members and minimizing inertial stress through elastic loading of cam mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If complex separating mechanisms with multiple moving parts are used, then the separating unit can handle opening devices, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separating unit is divided into distinct functional modules: a carousel conveyor for receiving opening devices, a drum for separation, and an application station. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the system to handle opening devices efficiently while maintaining manageable complexity through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The carousel conveyor serves multiple functions: it receives opening devices from the drum, transports them along an arc-shaped path, and delivers them to the application station. This multi-functional component reduces the need for separate drive members and simplifies the overall mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If additional drive members are added to control moving parts, then the separating unit can operate precisely, but the inertia and stress on the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is merged into the carousel conveyor itself, which rotates to transport opening devices. This eliminates the need for additional drive members to control separate moving parts, reducing inertial stress while maintaining precise control through the carousel's rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The carousel conveyor automatically transports opening devices from the drum to the application station through its rotation. The system uses its own structural motion (carousel rotation) to perform the transport function, eliminating the need for external drive members and reducing overall system inertia.
3Productivity
If rapid separation and application of opening devices is implemented, then the feed rate increases, but the shock and acceleration forces on the mechanism increase
Solution Approach 1:
The opening devices are transported along an arc-shaped path on the carousel conveyor. This curved trajectory allows for smooth acceleration and deceleration, reducing shock forces while maintaining high feed rates. The gradual change in direction eliminates abrupt stops and starts.
Solution Approach 2:
The carousel conveyor operates with periodic rotation, smoothly accelerating opening devices from the drum and delivering them to the application station in a controlled cyclic manner. This periodic motion reduces peak acceleration forces compared to continuous rapid movement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A unit (1) for separating opening devices (2) supplied in the form of a row (7) and to be applied singly to respective sealed packages (3) of pourable food products, the unit having a separating assembly (10), in turn having a first and a second jaw (40, 41) movable along a path (P) and defining a seat (42), which is movable between an open configuration, in which it receives an opening device (2) from the row (7) at a first station (I) along the path (P), and a closed configuration, in which it moves the opening device (2) singly along the path (P) to detach it from the rest of the row (7); the unit (1) also has elastic means (43) for loading at least the first jaw (40) towards the second jaw (41); a conveyor (13) for conveying the opening devices (2), and which is separate from the separating assembly (10); and at least a first cam (61) activated by the conveyor (13) and cooperating cyclically with a cam follower (38), integral with the first jaw (40), to move the first jaw (40), in opposition to the elastic means (43), away from the second jaw (41) and move the seat (42) into the open configuration.